Translator: Vine
Translated At: Nyx Scans
Chapter: 115
#115. Give Me Your Name
2022.11.23.
Up close, the creature's face was even more grotesque than from afar.
Red paint, haphazardly smeared over its lips, as if a child had stolen its mother's lipstick.
From its left lip to its cheek, whether melted or rotted, its inner gums and teeth were clearly exposed.
Heehee, heeheeheehee...
A bizarre laughter, accompanied by a neck that bent freely at unbelievable angles.
The creature slowly walked towards the center, dragging its arms, which were long enough to touch the floor.
The closer it got, the stronger the stench of a rotting corpse became.
But more than that—.
'...The One Who Lost Their Name?'
Eunha, staring directly at the creature, froze.
For a moment, a faint bewilderment flickered in her pitch-black eyes.
Because,
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' demands: First, you shall not speak to others about itself, the 13th divine beast. Second, you shall give your name to it.]
[Literally, your name will become its own, so you can no longer use it, it says.]
Eunha too was in a situation where her name had been taken.
At that moment, Clown Ahjussi's voice suddenly flashed through her mind.
'You... why are you...'
That reaction wasn't that of a hunter encountering a powerful monster.
Rather, it was more like... as if seeing a familiar face—.
"...!"
Eunha, who had been lost in thought, snapped her gaze up.
'Could it be, this monster before me is...'
—Was it once human?
Though there was no definite proof, the suspicion that had once burrowed into her mind began to gradually grow closer to certainty.
"You... what on earth happened here..."
Clown Ahjussi stopped juggling and was slowly approaching the creature.
"It's me, Kwon Samyong. Don't you recognize me?"
That reaction.
If Eunha's guess was correct, then the grotesque monster before her was indeed...
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 52.1%]
Thump.
Instead of reacting to Clown Ahjussi's words, 'The One Who Lost Their Name' planted its long arms on the ground and then, with a flick, did a handstand.
Creak, creak...
Bending its legs towards its face and resting them on its shoulders, the creature let out a bizarre laugh and began to spin its neck 360 degrees.
The more its neck rotated, the redder its face became.
Finally, the creature, stopping its movement abruptly, tore its cheeks wide and opened its mouth.
[Lv.60 'The One Who Lost Their Name' uses a skill. ▶ Fire Breathing]
Whoosh—
Before Clown Ahjussi could even dodge, flames poured out from the creature's open mouth.
It seemed conversation was indeed impossible.
Thwack!
Eunha, standing before Clown Ahjussi, quickly opened her parasol and blocked the flames.
Since the parasol was impervious even when engulfed in Dark Flare, it could easily deflect such ordinary flames.
"Is it a familiar face?"
Eunha asked, blocking the flames with her parasol, towards her back.
"A dear friend who went missing on Bokgye Mountain long ago. I never thought he'd be alive, but to meet him again like this..."
Listening to Clown Ahjussi's words, Eunha became increasingly certain of her previous conjecture.
If this grotesque monster before her was indeed once human, there was a high probability that it had transformed into this state due to some external action either just before or after death.
Furthermore, that action was highly likely to be related to its 'name'.
'If so, could it be that I too...'
Ding!
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' peeks its head out, "Uh, sister? I think you're having some kind of huge misunderstanding... Hey, no, right?"]
Despite not saying anything, the cat began to make excuses.
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' breaks out in a cold sweat like a sudden shower.]
[It explains that there's no way it would turn sister into such a form, and that not everyone who loses their name transforms into a monster like that.]
Eunha's eyes narrowed at the sight, as if a thief were caught in the act.
Just as she was about to part her lips,
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' strongly insists that you and I made a legitimate contract, while that person was bewitched by a fairy and had their name stolen. Therefore, they cannot be put on the same level; it's a completely different situation.]
...A fairy?
"Young lady!"
Clown Ahjussi, who was behind her, shouted urgently.
"After the fire show, it's knife throwing!"
"What does that—"
Eunha, turning her head, closed her mouth abruptly.
[Lv.60 'The One Who Lost Their Name' summons targets.]
Numerous large targets, resembling dartboards, appeared in the empty air.
And...
"Uwaaaah!"
"Wh-what?! This?!"
Hunters were randomly summoned onto each target.
They struggled to break free, but their hands and feet were firmly bound by handcuffs on the targets, rendering them immobile.
"Shine J! Barrier! Stack the barriers!"
B-Class hunter Gunslinger, who wasn't tied to a target and was observing the situation, shouted.
"Don't rush me! I know!"
Replying hastily, she swung her staff roughly.
The distance from where she stood to those tied to the targets wasn't far.
This was sufficient range.
But it was strange.
No matter how much she used her skill, not only did no barrier form around them, but even the existing barrier she had cast earlier was being stripped away.
"Damn it...!"
Gunslinger, unable to wait any longer, muttered a low curse and raised his gun.
Bang, bang-bang, bang-bang-bang!
A continuous barrage towards the monster.
However.
[Warning! You are being forcibly removed from the stage for disrupting the performance.]
Beep—
A system window, appearing with a warning sound.
Before any action could be taken, Gunslinger collapsed on the spot.
"...Keok!"
Thick rings that appeared in mid-air strongly bound his thighs, abdomen, shoulders, and neck.
Choking, he thrashed about in agony, but it was useless.
[The performance will restart!]
[Lv.60 'The One Who Lost Their Name' uses a skill. ▶ Knife Throwing]
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The creature threw three daggers towards the targets simultaneously.
An incredibly fast speed.
At this rate, the hunters on the targets would be severely injured.
Perhaps even killed instantly.
'Dangerous.'
Eunha, moving reflexively, hesitated for a brief moment.
She had to quickly read where the three daggers were flying among these numerous targets, but since they were sharply changing direction in mid-air, it wasn't easy to read their trajectory.
"From the left, targets 1, 3, and 7!"
Clown Ahjussi's shout came from behind.
First, third, and seventh?
Eunha confirmed the direction he indicated.
And.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Swinging her parasol, she succeeded in deflecting the daggers.
"Next, six will fly simultaneously!"
Clown Ahjussi shouted again without pausing.
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 60.2%]
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 69.3%]
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 72.8%]
Even after that, he continued to inform Eunha of the number of knives the creature threw and their target.
No matter how fast the knives were, they weren't at a level Eunha couldn't follow.
As long as she could read their trajectory beforehand, it was enough.
Even after that, the creature's attacks continued.
Most were attacks themed around a circus performance.
Though it was a combat style utterly unfamiliar to Eunha, she was able to gain the upper hand with the help of Clown Ahjussi, who was well-versed in performance order and direction.
However...
'It's not ending.'
Eunha bit her lower lip slightly.
'If this continues, I'll have no choice but to seize an opening and attack the boss directly...'
Other hunters who had tried to attack the boss by seizing an opening had, like Gunslinger, been bound all over and 'removed from the stage'.
Even if she managed to attack forcefully, the creature would regenerate in the blink of an eye.
It was a typical characteristic of undead-type monsters.
'What should I do?'
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 82.6%]
There wasn't much time left now.
Risk it and aim for its vital spot?
But in the current situation, if Eunha too were to be 'removed from the stage', there would be no chance of victory.
She had to find another way.
While evading the creature's attacks and quickly racking her brain, Eunha suddenly recalled the cat's words.
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' strongly insists that you and I made a legitimate contract, while that person was bewitched by a fairy and had their name stolen. Therefore, they cannot be put on the same level; it's a completely different situation.]
'A fairy...!'
Eunha recalled the Tinkerbell, the greenish-winged 'Devourer of Grudges' she had accidentally defeated before the dungeon activated.
Snapping her head up, Eunha quickly scanned her surroundings.
To find the 'real' one hiding somewhere.
[Lv.60 'The One Who Lost Their Name' uses a skill. ▶ Beast Taming]
Grrrr...
A massive lion with a black mane revealed itself.
Sharp canines.
Drool dripped from beneath them.
It looked ready to charge at any moment.
However, Eunha stood still, fumbled around her neck, and took out the pendant.
"Track."
Woooong.
The pendant glowed faintly.
Eunha lightly cupped it in her palm.
[Cast Spell 'Location Track' Detected]
[You have requested 'Location Track'. Activate Relic 'Black Rose Pendant'?]
[Identifying tracking target. This process may take some time.]
[ - - - Loading - - - ]
"Young lady!"
Clown Ahjussi shouted shortly.
Dudududu—
The black-maned lion was charging towards Eunha at an incredible speed.
However, Eunha stood motionless, closed her eyes, and focused on the surrounding presence.
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 90.7%]
The moment the distance to the beast narrowed to almost nothing.
[Tracking target found. Coordinates 134, 962. Request immediate guidance?]
Her irises, tinged with gold, flashed open.
Thwack!
Stepping on the lion's forehead with the pointed heel of her shoe, she uses it as a foothold to lightly leap into the air.
[Remaining distance less than 1m]
[Guidance terminated.]
Red light bulbs, decorating the air.
Now she sees it.
Flutter...
The faint red wings hiding among them.
A slightly different appearance from the greenish-winged 'Devourer of Grudges' she had seen by the stream.
The moment their eyes met, Eunha was certain.
'That's him.'
[Lv.60 'Ruler of Grudges' flees.]
Fwaaaash—!
Black flames soared.
At that moment, the 'Ruler of Grudges' stops its movement and begins to move its small lips towards Eunha.
「My friend, give me your name.
This is the land of rest, let us bury your name here.」
Kwaaaaaaaah—!
A painful scream.
'The One Who Lost Their Name' was looking this way, shrieking.
Black smoke billowed from its torn-open mouth.
「My friend, give me your name.
We will be together forever.」
Ssssss.
Black smoke enveloped Eunha's surroundings.
Though she quickly landed on the ground, the black smoke had already engulfed her entire body.
「My friend, give me your name.
Whatever you desire will be granted.」
She knew instinctively.
The creature was now trying to take her name.
However.
「My friend, give me your name—.」
The 'Ruler of Grudges', muttering incantations, flinched.
[An error has occurred.]
Flash!
Eunha, leaping high into the air once more.
Her black hair scatters widely, cutting through the atmosphere.
"Sorry, but I have no name to give."
[Dungeon Synchronization ▶ 98.9%]
[Interrupted. Field will be restored to its original state.]
[ - - - Loading - - - ]
