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5.77% Dual levelling: I level up with my clones / Chapter 13: E-rank Monster (1)

Chapter 13: E-rank Monster (1)

Seung's heart skipped a beat.

'Oh God, he's seen my clone!' Seung's thoughts spiraled, his gaze locking onto Mr. Song. His mouth hung open, caught between panic and disbelief.

The old man, however, seemed unfazed. His eyes darted between Seung and the apartment, as if trying to piece together a puzzle that had suddenly come to life.

Mr. Song's furrowed brows and narrowed eyes betrayed his confusion. Was he comparing Seung to someone else he thought he saw inside?

The tension thickened as Seung, Mr. Song, and the masked clone walked into the apartment. Once inside, Seung seated himself on the floor, flanked by his two clones. Mr. Song sat across from them on the white sofa, his body rigid with unease.

"Second, take off your mask," Seung ordered the newest clone, his voice steady but his mind racing. As the mask came off, revealing an identical copy of Seung, Mr. Song's eyes widened. The old man's face paled, his jaw dropping as he gaped at the three Seungs before him.

"Wha-what in the world is this, Seung? Wh...where did these people come from?" Mr. Song's voice trembled, each word drenched in disbelief.

Seung inhaled deeply, steeling himself. He knew he had to come clean, but the words felt heavy on his tongue.

"They're my clones," he confessed, his tone frank but softening to ease the shock. "I went to the awakening company and activated a cloning ability. It's not illegal, you know that. I use my ability safely… in the bodyguarding field."

"Oh," Mr. Song exhaled a shaky breath, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Your secret to getting this apartment… it's through that job?"

"Yes," Seung nodded. "I've already secured it."

Seung then turned to his first clone, the one with a slight tilt to his head that always made him stand out. "First, take Second to the gym. I'll call you later on the phone I got you."

"Yes, sir," the clone replied, his tone as respectful as ever. The two of them left the apartment, their synchronized steps echoing through the stairs. Mr. Song watched them go, still awestruck by how human they seemed.

When they were alone, Seung faced Mr. Song again, this time with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," he said, his voice gentle. "Even if the bodyguarding job gets dangerous, my clones will be there to protect me. That's why they exist."

A moment of silence passed before Mr. Song's expression softened into a smile. Relief washed over his face like a tide finally pulling back. "I'd like to accompany you to your new apartment. You must be moving tomorrow."

"Yes," Seung confirmed.

"No qualms," Mr. Song said, nodding. "Christmas is next week, and my granddaughter's coming home. Can you join us?"

Seung's heart tightened at the mention of Christmas. He forced a smile, though it barely reached his eyes. "Yes, of course. Christmas is… great, after all."

But his eyes betrayed him, turning a shade of red that didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Song.

---

Elsewhere, at Dongwon Guild, the imposing structure loomed over the city. Mr. Choi's car slid into the parking lot, the engine's hum the only sound as he exited and walked briskly inside. The building's cold, sterile interior contrasted sharply with the tension simmering in his chest.

He pushed open the door to the evaluation department, greeted by a flurry of half-hearted salutations.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Minho," a young woman with spectacles muttered, her eyes glued to her laptop screen.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Choi," echoed the chorus of others, their voices blending into the background noise.

"Afternoon, everyone. Keep up the good work," Mr. Choi replied, his tone curt as he made his way to the front of a particular desk.

Seated there was a man with curly brown hair and piercing crimson eyes. His nameplate read 'Department Head - Kang Wonsik', and his muscular frame filled the chair that had become his throne for the past five years.

"Oh, look who finally decided to show up," Kang Wonsik sneered, his lips curling into a smirk. "It took you long enough to remember you had no choice but to heed my summon."

Mr. Choi's jaw tightened. He wasn't in the mood for Wonsik's antics. "See who hasn't been promoted, stuck in the same chair for five years," he shot back, his voice cold. "Now, why did you call me?"

Kang Wonsik's smirk didn't falter. He reached into a drawer, pulling out a document and tossing it across the desk. "Read it."

Mr. Choi's hands trembled as he unfolded the paper. His eyes scanned the text, and a wave of anger surged through him. 'Rejoin the guild or… repay the loan in a week?' The absurdity of it all made his blood boil.

Wonsik's voice dripped with mockery. "The Guild has left you no choice. You can't possibly repay the loan in a week, especially when your own guild isn't even earning a penny."

A bitter laugh escaped Wonsik's lips, each sound a dagger in Mr. Choi's pride.

'Never.' Mr. Choi's thoughts seethed with defiance. 'I swore five years ago never to return here, and I'm not breaking that promise now.' With a burst of fury, he crumpled the document and tossed it aside.

"What?! How dare you..." Kang Wonsik shot up from his chair, but Mr. Choi's glare froze him in place.

"Listen, Kang Wonsik," Mr. Choi hissed, his voice low but lethal. "I know the Guild is on the brink of collapse because of the hunter shortage. And yes, I'm damn good at persuading novices to join. But I'll never help this place. Not after what Dongwon Guild did to me."

With that, Mr. Choi turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving a room full of stunned onlookers in his wake.

"What got him so angry?"

"I've never seen him like that before," murmured a few staff members.

"Shut up, you idiots!" Wonsik bellowed, slamming his fist on the desk. Silence fell, but the tension in the air was palpable. "Aish, that good-for-nothing bastard," he spat under his breath.

---

Mr. Choi practically flew into his car, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His teeth ground together as he fought to keep his emotions in check. His phone buzzed, the sound cutting through the haze of anger clouding his mind.

Ding… ding… ding…

He glanced at the screen. Mister Lee.

'Why is he calling me now?' Mr. Choi wondered, his curiosity piqued as he answered. "I'm surprised to see your call, Mr. Lee."

Seung's voice came through, light but with an undercurrent of urgency. "Haha, I know, it's unexpected. I wanted to ask if you're free right now. I need to inquire about a treasure found in monsters."

Mr. Choi's brow furrowed, curiosity replacing some of his earlier anger. "What treasure are you talking about?"

"The Jar of Life," Seung replied, his tone dead serious.

Mr. Choi's breath hitched. The significance of that treasure wasn't lost on him. "Okay, I'll come pick you up at your apartment."

"Thanks. I'll be waiting," Seung said before the call ended.

As Mr. Choi drove towards Seung's place, his mind raced with thoughts of the Jar of Life. But as he neared the Central Train Station, something caught his eye that made his blood run cold.

A massive portal had torn open near the station, and from it emerged a towering monster, its grotesque form crashing through the glass structure with a sickening crunch.

Crash!

Screams erupted as people fled in terror, the chaos intensifying with every second. Security guards scrambled to form a line ten meters away, their guns trained on the beast.

"Everyone, run! Get into the train and lock the doors!" one of the guards shouted, his voice barely audible over the panic.

Mr. Choi slammed on the brakes, his car screeching to a halt five meters from the station. He fumbled for his phone, his fingers shaking as he dialed Seung's number.

"Wh..." Seung's voice started on the other end.

"Get to Central Train Station right now, Mr. Lee!" Mr. Choi's voice was frantic, his eyes locked on the monster tearing through the station. "A monster has escaped from a portal!"

On the other end, Seung's heart pounded as he sprang off the sofa, shouting, "Leave the food, guys! Let's go!"

His clones were already on their feet, racing after him as they bolted down the stairs. Seung's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he barked orders. "Mr. Choi, check if there's a screen on the monster. We need to know what we're dealing with."

Mr. Choi didn't hesitate. He sprinted towards the station, even as the monster raised its claws high in the air, poised to strike. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't slow down. He had to get closer, had to see what they were up against.

"I'll take a screenshot and send it to you," he panted, snapping a photo with his phone and sending it to Seung.

Ding!

The image appeared on Seung's phone just as he burst out of the apartment building. He skidded to a stop, his clones flanking him as they studied the picture.

It was a massive beast, easily towering over the tallest buildings in the area. Its skin was a sickly green, covered in scales that glinted menacingly under the harsh lights. Its eyes were pits of darkness, staring out with a hunger that sent chills down Seung's spine.

But it was the usual red screen over its head that made Seung's blood freeze in his veins.

E-Rank Monster: Collosal Mirefiend

At the moment the monster was about to deliver a blow to the security guards, Mr. Choi shouted, diverting its attention to him. "Hey, silly monster! Come face me!" His voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding.

Lee Seung's heart raced as those words echoed in his ears. Mr. Choi had just called for death. Panic surged through him, and he shouted, "No… no, Mr. Choi! What did you do?!" The desperation in his voice was unmistakable.

Before ending the call, Mr. Choi's voice softened, carrying a weight of finality. "I called for death. That means you must come quickly to save me and the people. You're a Hunter, Mr. Lee."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Kutley Kutley

Please show that you are following this novel by sending power stones.

Chapter 14: E-rank Monster (2)

Lee Seung's heart pounded as he grasped the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The safety of countless people rested in his hands, and the urgency gnawed at him. The train station was far, and taking a taxi wasn't an option; time was slipping through his fingers like sand.

'What do I do?! Come on, Lee Seung!' His thoughts raced, desperate for a solution. Tension coiled within him like a spring ready to snap. His fists clenched as he tried to force an idea to the surface. And then it struck him—his skill.

'Activate Light Speed!' The command echoed in his mind, and almost immediately, the screen before him confirmed the activation. Energy surged through his veins as he adopted an athlete's stance.

In the blink of an eye, he was gone, a blur racing down the street, leaving only a gust of wind in his wake. The cityscape stretched and distorted around him as he moved faster than the eye could follow, his clones left behind, unable to keep up with his speed.

* * *

At the train station, chaos reigned as the Colossal Mirefiend towered over Mr. Choi, who stood his ground. The monster delivered a savage blow to his stomach, sending him flying through the air.

"Kheok!" The cry of pain escaped his lips as his body collided with the ground, rolling until it came to a stop.

Grimacing in pain, Mr. Choi struggled to his feet, his face contorted in agony. "Ahh," he groaned, clutching his stomach as he rose shakily. The ground trembled as the Mirefiend advanced, its eyes locked on him with murderous intent.

"Yahh!" it snarled, each step causing the earth beneath it to quake.

'Please come on time, Mr. L...' Mr. Choi's prayer was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a dagger, slicing through the air and embedding itself into the monster's abdomen.

"Yahh!" the beast roared in pain, its attention momentarily diverted.

Mr. Choi's eyes widened in disbelief as a black bus screeched to a halt nearby. A group of five figures, three men and two women, all clad in uniform blue coats, emerged from the vehicle. Their presence exuded a confidence that only seasoned Hunters could possess. Mr. Choi's breath caught in his throat as he realized who they were. The precision with which the dagger had been thrown left no doubt in his mind.

The Hunters moved swiftly, four of them positioning themselves defensively in front of the colossal creature. One of the men, wearing sunglasses that reflected the dim light, approached Mr. Choi and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks for holding out, mister. I'll present you the beast's head as compensation."

But Mr. Choi wasn't so easily convinced. His eyes drifted to the man's wrist, where a malachite bracelet bore the insignia of an F-rank Hunter. 'Well, everyone is safe as long as they annihilate this terrifying beast,' Mr. Choi thought, though his sigh of relief was laced with uncertainty.

The male Hunter joined his teammates and turned to one of the women, who held a round-shaped gadget displaying critical data.

"What's the rank?" he asked, his voice steady.

The woman glanced at the screen, her expression tightening. "Colossal Mirefiend, E-rank monster. No special abilities. Mana content: 100."

"What? How can a low-class monster have this amount of mana?" she murmured, her eyes widening in disbelief. The man peered over her shoulder at the gadget, a grin spreading across his face as he exhaled and began to walk forward.

"The brain is where the monster's mana is concentrated," he explained calmly. "That's where I'm aiming."

The Hunters sprang into action, their movements fluid and precise as they attacked the monster from all sides. Blades flashed, and the Mirefiend howled in fury as it struggled to fend off their coordinated strikes. Meanwhile, security guards ushered the frightened people back into the station's lounge, but not before they started recording the battle on their phones.

"Wow, the Hunters are amazing!"

"I knew they would come to save us!"

"They're so reliable. My son should join too!"

The murmurs of admiration spread through the crowd as they watched in awe.

The Hunters regrouped a few meters from the monster, their chests heaving as they exchanged tired but satisfied smiles. They had inflicted deep, deadly wounds on the creature.

"We did it…" one of them began, but the words died in his throat as the impossible happened.

The monster's wounds began to heal, flesh knitting together at an alarming rate.

"Wha-what? The wounds are healing up!" one of the Hunters exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.

The Mirefiend's eyes blazed with murderous intent. "Grahh!" it bellowed, its voice shaking the ground beneath them.

Thud! Crash!

One by one, the Hunters were struck down, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening force. They moaned in pain, blood pooling beneath them as their injuries overwhelmed them.

Mr. Choi's breath came in ragged gasps as the monster turned its attention back to him. It loomed closer, its steps slow and deliberate, savoring the moment of impending victory.

"St-stop! Come... come face me, silly monster!" a voice shouted, strained and desperate.

Mr. Choi turned his head, his eyes widening in shock as he saw Lee Seung standing there, panting heavily. Relief flooded through him, but it was quickly overshadowed by fear.

'Five Hunters were powerless before the monster. So, how can he…can he possibly do it alone?!' he thought, gritting his teeth.

Lee Seung's chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. The run to the station had drained almost all his energy. The screen flickered before him.

[Do you want to refill your energy? This will cause a reduction by half a point from all your stats.]

"Oh no, is this AI doing trade by barter with me? Anyways, do it," Seung muttered.

[Done. Energy: 200/200]

A warm, golden light enveloped Seung's body momentarily, and with it, the fatigue vanished. His strength returned, and he straightened up, his resolve hardening as he approached the towering Mirefiend. He knew that the power of an E-rank Hunter was greater than that of an E-rank monster, and he had already bested corrupt Hunters before. He could do this.

"I stopped even when I could have easily slit his throat," he murmured to himself. When he reached the monster, he leaped onto its shoulder, his movements swift and precise. Grabbing one of the daggers embedded there, he leaped back down and slashed at the monster's leg, causing it to roar in pain.

"Master!" Seung heard a familiar voice. To avoid distraction, he flashed away from the beast, his eyes scanning for the source of the call. His clones had arrived, their presence a welcome sight.

"Oh? My clones can use Light Speed too? That's awesome," Seung said with a grin. But they, too, looked exhausted. 'Can 'screen' refill my clones' energy as well?' he wondered.

[Done. Stats have reduced by a point. Clone's Energy: 100/100]

With renewed vigor, Seung launched himself at the monster once more, tearing the daggers from its flesh. "First, Second, let's attack at once. Three... two..."

The clones mirrored his stance, ready to strike.

"...one!"

They moved as one, their attacks synchronized. The first clone dodged a powerful blow and drove his blade into the monster's belly. The second slid beneath the beast, slicing at its legs, while the original Seung leaped into the air, aiming for its head.

"Go to hell!" Seung roared, bringing his blade down with all his might. The monster's head separated from its body in a spray of blood, its final roar dying in its throat.

As the beast's lifeless form collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash, Lee Seung somersaulted gracefully back to the earth, landing lightly on his feet.

Mr. Choi stared in disbelief. "How... how is this possible? An F-rank Hunter slays an E-rank monster? What an extraordinary strength!" he mumbled, his voice thick with amazement.

The station erupted in cheers as the people rejoiced, their voices blending into a chorus of relief and admiration.

"Yay! You are the best, Hunters!"

"How powerful!"

"This hunting team is the best! Thanks for saving us!"

Later, after calling the maintenance team, Mr. Choi drove away from the station with Seung and his clones in the car. The tension had finally eased, leaving only the hum of the engine and the occasional sigh of relief.

"Thanks for earlier, Mr. Lee," Mr. Choi said, his voice sincere.

Seung smiled faintly. "I couldn't leave my manager to die. Besides, it's my duty to eliminate monsters."

"That's right," Mr. Choi agreed, exhaling deeply. He glanced into the rearview mirror, his curiosity piqued. "When did you summon another one?"

"Haha, it happened today. Just in time, too," Seung replied with a chuckle. Their laughter filled the car, a sound of triumph and camaraderie.

They stopped at a grocery store where Mr. Choi stepped out to grab some snacks. As Seung waited, he stared at his palm, recalling the strange surge of energy he felt when savouring the monster's head.

'Anyway, I will figure that out later.'

On their way, Mr. Choi's phone vibrated for a notification. His eyes widened upon seeing it, followed by an excited smile.

He said to Seung, "You are trending online, Mr. Lee!"

"What??"

"Someone has posted a video of the fight earlier and now, it's gotten a lot of reactions."

Lee Seung furrowed his brows. He checked his phone too, and confirmed what Mr. Choi said.

"It's posted just now, and yet..."he paused, upon reading the video's description. He read, "The Neuro Disruptors?"


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Kutley Kutley

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