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Chapter 07 …
Although the sentences engraved on all awakened individuals differ, those within the same role group show similarities.
For example, Dealers usually have swords engraved as their sentences.
Tankers have shields, and mages have staves or magic orbs.
In the case of supporters, it is usually hands or the heart.
In my previous life, mine had been something resembling two hands wrapping around a heart.
“What is this.”
The sentence engraved on me this time was something I had never seen before.
A snake biting its own tail formed a circle, and inside that circle was a five-pointed star.
Wasn’t this called a pentagram?
“Has something like this ever existed?”
I had met countless hunters in my past life, and I had seen endless photos of awakened individuals.
“Kyaaaak!”
Thwack!
“Kek!”
After smacking away a goblin charging at me with my bare hands, I continued my thoughts.
That goblin was sent flying nearly 10 meters and crashed into the bushes.
This phenomenon was called the “Blessing of Ether.”
A freshly awakened individual can display monstrous strength for about 5 to 10 minutes.
It is a kind of privilege or consideration granted to those who have just awakened.
“Status window.”
As I focused my mind and spoke the command, my current status was displayed clearly.
Name: Cha Eun-seong
Main Role Group: Guide
Sub Role: (∞)
Job: Collector of Madness
Rank: ★
“Guide?”
A role group I had never heard of.
Role groups are divided into five types:
[Warrior], [Assassin], [Mage], [Guardian], [Supporter].
All awakened individuals belong to one of these five, and are assigned one or two roles.
For example, in my past life, my main role was [Supporter], and my sub role was [Mage].
But [Guide]?
And my sub role was infinite (∞)?
“So that’s what ‘Collector of Madness’ means…”
While I was confused by this unexpected awakening result, an announcement pierced my ears.
—Attention everyone on site. A bombardment will begin shortly. Please evacuate immediately. Once again, a bombardment will begin shortly…
I snapped back to reality.
Right, this wasn’t the time for this.
“Ether Blade summon.”
The Ether Blade is a symbolic weapon of all awakened individuals—a companion that continuously grows and evolves with its master.
In other countries, it is called a Soul Calibur, but despite the name “sword,” its form varies widely.
For example, Choi Yura’s swinging iron chain is also an Ether Blade.
As a supporter, in my past life, my Ether Blade had been a large leather backpack.
So what about this time?
Swoooosh!
A golden band wrapped around my waist.
Soon, my Ether Blade fully took shape.
“A belt?”
Looking closely, it wasn’t just a belt.
Like magazine pouches, there were rectangular leather pockets attached on both sides.
[Infinite Deck]
A deck containing [cards] that holds everything.
The higher the user’s rank, the more cards can be utilized.
In theory, the number of cards is infinite.
<Card List in Possession> Enhancement, Heal, Loot, Search, Full Moon
Since I couldn’t understand the explanation, I decided to try it first.
I reached into the right leather pouch, and a card naturally slid into my hand.
It was just a card, but it felt strangely heavy.
It must weigh at least 1 kilogram.
[Heal]
Magic Card
★
Restores the target’s life force, ether, and stamina.
“Heal?”
Choi Yura, who was struggling in battle, came into view.
“Let’s try it.”
Since I had never thrown a card before, my motion was awkward, but it was fine.
Whoosh!
The card flew toward Choi Yura at high speed.
“What is this!”
Swish!
Startled, Choi Yura swung her chain to deflect the card.
She must have thought it was a throwing weapon like a kunai.
Ting!
The card bounced off her chain.
Damn it.
What do you mean you deflected it?
“Haa…”
I sighed and tried to draw another card, but there was no need.
Whoooosh—thud!
The card returned like a boomerang and embedded itself into her left side.
“Huh!”
Choi Yura gasped.
But the result wasn’t bad.
Swoooosh!
The card turned into light and faded away, gently restoring her wounds.
“T-this is…”
Choi Yura realized her body had become lighter and looked genuinely surprised.
“Don’t dodge the card! And don’t block it!”
“You were the one who threw it?!”
“Yeah!”
“You awakened?!”
“Yeah! Focus!”
I drew another card from the deck.
[Enhancement]
Magic Card
★
Temporarily enhances the target.
I wasn’t sure of the exact effect, but it seemed useful, so I threw it at her.
Whoosh—thud!
The card struck the center of her chest.
Fwoooosh!
A burning ether flame engulfed her.
Clack!
Her chain thickened, and blade-like edges grew along its links.
“What is this?”
Choi Yura frowned in disbelief, then cautiously swung her chain.
Clatterrrrrrrrrrrrr!
The chain moved at a speed incomparable to before, wrapping around a 3-star Wrecker.
“Ghk!”
Crack!
Choi Yura pulled hard.
“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”
The Wrecker bound by the chain let out a horrific scream—and was split cleanly in two.
“Fuck!”
“Kill that bastard first!”
The Wreckers, not idiots, turned their attention toward me instead of Choi Yura.
But Choi Yura wouldn’t allow that.
Clatterrrrrr!
Her enhanced chain tore through them.
While she was shredding the Wreckers, I moved toward Doo-hyun and the couple.
‘Does it have an attack skill?’
A [Full Moon] card was drawn.
Bzzzzt!
The card flew and transformed into a thin disc.
Slice!
It cut the throats of the Wreckers attacking Doo-hyun and the couple.
Splat!
Blood gushed like a fountain as their heads fell off.
A chill ran down my spine.
“So easily…?”
Even after seeing it, it was hard to believe such sharpness existed.
“Let’s test it more.”
I threw another [Full Moon].
Bzzzzt!
The disc sliced through the necks of three Wreckers fighting Choi Yura.
Splat!
Their heads fell one after another.
“So this is what a Dealer feels like.”
A shiver ran through me.
In my previous life, I had been a 10-star hunter—but my main role had been [Supporter], with no offensive skills at all.
So I had only supported others from behind.
All the glory belonged to those on the front lines.
People never acknowledged me.
I even had to endure insults that I was just a “mascot used by the raid team.”
And yet now…
I was cutting off enemies’ heads.
Maybe my wish had come true—just not to remain a supporter.
‘Not yet.’
I forced myself to stay calm.
I still didn’t fully understand what the job [Collector of Madness] truly meant.
‘Let’s handle the situation first.’
I sent another [Full Moon] toward the monsters.
Bzzzzt!
The monsters were sliced apart like tofu.
The battle ended with Choi Yura finishing it.
Chrrrrr!
“AAAAAAARGH!”
Her chain tore the leader of the Joker Pepe-mask Wreckers into pieces.
“You’re the leader, right? Hehe!”
She walked up to the collapsed leader and removed his mask.
A man in his mid-40s was revealed.
“Now, let’s keep your promise.”
“Promise?”
“You said you’d cut it off and shove it down your throat.”
“…!”
“Hold still.”
“No—AAAHHHHHH!”
I turned my head away.
Of course, those Wreckers deserved it, so I didn’t stop her.
I just didn’t want to see it.
“Phew! Finally feel better!”
She smiled brightly, soaked in blood.
Watching her, I thought the call sign “Bloody Mary” suited her perfectly.
“Thanks earlier. Good work. Ah, and congratulations on awakening. You’ve become a noble now.”
“Noble? Not really. There are levels even among nobles.”
“True.”
As expected of a 4-star hunter, she understood easily.
“Supporter?”
She tilted her head.
“You’re not. Too much killing power. But if you’re not a supporter, your healing and enhancement don’t make sense. What are your main and sub roles?”
“Hmm.”
I pulled my shirt collar up, covering my chest.
“When ether isn’t used, the tattoo doesn’t show anyway.”
“Just don’t feel like telling you. We’re not exactly close.”
“If you don’t want to, fine.”
She didn’t push further.
“As long as you’re not in the same raid team, it’s rude to ask.”
“Both of you did well.”
“Thank you.”
The couple approached to express gratitude.
“Congratulations. I’m honestly jealous.”
Doo-hyun looked genuinely envious of me becoming awakened.
“Save the thanks for later. Move quickly. Bombardment will fall any moment.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Just as we were about to move—
“Huh?”
Several cards slipped out of the deck on their own and floated above the corpses of the Wreckers.
“…?”
What the hell?
I had no idea what was happening.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. I just awakened.”
“Fair enough.”
Choi Yura nodded.
“Figure it out quickly. I don’t want to die right after awakening to a bombardment.”
“Okay, checking.”
I walked toward the nearest card.
Let’s see.
What does it say?
[Loot]
Equipment Card
★
Obtains valuable items from the dead.
“Valuable items?”
I instinctively picked up the [Loot] card.
Swoooosh!
A dagger lying beside the corpse was sucked into the card as if it were being absorbed.
