NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
Though it wasn’t intended, the first broadcast of Mangja Seongnyeo Shia started streaming from the bottom of the Switch.
Deep-sea divers were initially clueless about what this broadcast was even about.
There was nothing provocative in the title, and only the default nickname based on her personal information, Hunter Isia, was displayed, leaving them to guess it was a hunter broadcast.
Some deep-sea divers exploring the lightless Hakkobang slowly began to gather, thinking a new prey had emerged.
– “Damn, look at that big thing!”
– “Is this a body cam?”
– “Mom, where am I? Mom, where am I? Mom, where am I? Mom, where am I? Mom, where am I?”
Of course, these individuals had no idea about the broadcast, but a few had come with a sliver of hope thinking, “Could the streamer be a hunter?”
Thus, the 13 viewers who settled in this deep-sea wasteland to watch Shia’s stream was a stroke of luck among Hakkobangs.
Among them, 7 randomly stumbled upon the channel while flipping through channels, while 5 were regulars known as ‘Susu,’ hanging around the Switch nearly 24 hours just because they saw the word “hunter.” Another one was a businessman, who, while enjoying breakfast, had just spewed his food after witnessing Shia’s overwhelming Seongnyeok pouch.
These 13 viewers would one day become the die-hard fans of Shia’s broadcast, nicknamed the Mangja Jjijidan (or the Mangji Dan for short).
Yet, at this moment, they were mere deep-sea divers exploring a Hakkobang, each starting to watch Shia’s broadcast without any real expectations.
– “Is the streamer not gonna greet us?”
– “Yaaah yah yah yah yah!”
– “Noona is huge!”
– “Hey, can we get the streamer’s number?”
– “Holy shit, what a turn-on!”
– “Is that dude nuts? LOL”
– “But what’s with those tentacles?”
From viewers yearning to twist the low-tier stream to their own liking to those admiring Shia’s sensual figure while crossing the line, the actual streamer, Shia, was completely unaware that she was streaming live.
Though the viewer count was only 13, the chat lively buzzed due to Shia’s Seongnyeok pouch having a strong attractability paired with her bizarre appearance.
Her striking silver hair devoid of dust, overwhelming breast size, and visuals that could fool anyone into thinking she was a model or celebrity, it was all there, with her well-defined arms and thighs.
But Shia’s excessively pale skin and the grotesque lumps protruding from her waist only drew more eyes.
Back in the early hunter age, it might have been different, but in 2088, hunters with extraordinary abilities were as common as peas in a pod.
Some viewers, initially shocked by the writhing tentacles, thought, “Well, if the streamer is indeed a hunter, this tentacle must be part of her abilities.”
– “Tentacles and a huge noona, oh wow!”
– “Totally possible.”
– “Tonight’s the night!”
– “The streamer totally did it with those tentacles last night!”
Thus, Shia’s first broadcast began without any greetings, and completely unaware of her viewers’ existence.
*
Initially, the drone that had caused some trouble was now following me properly. Whatever technology kept it hovering, it had been consistently staying on track, so I had no reason to worry.
“Wow. It’s spacious.”
My tentacles, which extended from my waist, served as supports on the steep cliffside.
As I reached the edge of the cliff, the vast landscape of the Kurtala Mountains, previously hidden by the surrounding terrain, unfolded before my eyes.
Mountains, mountains, and more mountains.
If there weren’t mountains, there were small basin-like terrains surrounded by them.
According to the information provided by the Hunter Association, the Kurtala Mountains dungeon is an A-grade erosion dungeon with an average elevation of 2,000 meters.
Moreover, the Kurtala Mountains was so expansive that it ranked among the largest erosion dungeons globally. Reports indicated an average temperature of 13.9 degrees with observable seasonal changes and an area nearing approximately 800 square kilometers.
Various minerals, including iron ore and limestone, were rumored to be buried there, hinting that its geological age was quite ancient.
Thinking about it, the area felt comparable to a sizeable metropolitan area. In reality, Daegu Metropolitan City spans 883 square kilometers.
In addition, this dungeon hosted a variety of F~C grade monsters and an ecosystem distinct from Earth, suggesting an untouched world overflowing with potential treasures.
However, the government had yet to kickstart serious resource development in the Kurtala Mountains.
Kyahhh!
Crackle!
All because of those wyverns up there.
“There are so many…”
At first, I thought those dark shapes flying in the sky were small birds, but it turned out they were all wyverns.
While the Kurtala Mountains was a dungeon teeming with numerous monsters and a rich ecosystem, the most threatening were these wyvern packs.
According to the Hunter Association, the number of wyverns living in the Kurtala Mountains was incalculable, with nesting and breeding sites scattered everywhere.
Even if an expedition team destroyed one wyvern habitat, other wyverns quickly moved in to fill the vacancy and started breeding almost immediately.
Moreover, wyverns were not something hunters could easily dispatch as though swatting at flies.
A single wyvern is rated B to A+ class, meaning low-tier hunters could only dare to dream about stepping into this territory while high-ranking hunters were busy protecting humanity elsewhere. Hence, the government had no choice but to suspend development and resource extraction plans for the dungeon until all the wyverns were hunted.
Had the wyverns shown any intention of breaching the gates to invade the outside world, they would have likely rated S in threat level, emphasizing just how swarming they were in this dungeon.
Fortunately, these wyverns seemed utterly uninterested in the gates. Instances of a few lost wyverns accidentally passing through the gates have occurred but are rare.
Well, from my perspective, the government’s halting plans don’t concern me that much.
As a certified hunter, I could go around bashing those wyverns without a care in the world.
Just to double-check, I asked the Hunter Association official that Director Choi Bomi had brought about whether I could kill, grill, or fry those wyverns, and they assured me there were no restrictions.
Ah, hunter. What a glorious profession!
“They look almost identical to wyverns from my previous world. I bet they taste the same!”
Though Menelapie looked down on them, claiming they were merely flying lizards, having eaten their delightful eggs on multiple occasions made me grateful for their existence.
Since the Kurtala Mountains were vast and expansive, it would take considerable time just to walk to the breeding grounds.
“I need to pick up the pace.”
Zzzzziiip!
I wrapped my feet in Seongnyeok.
Honestly, I could manage without using Seongnyeok, but unlike the holy robes I’m wearing, my shoes are mass-produced in this world.
If I just go running without any caution, I’d find myself in tatters by the end of the day.
Boom!
With a pop of the air, I leaped into the air.
As I darted between the trees, I couldn’t control my direction, so I grabbed hold of a tree with my tentacles, forcibly twisting my path.
Running through the woods wasn’t my preference, but regrettably, I lacked any flying abilities.
If only I had wings instead of tentacles, I would have looked a tad cooler; though, I acknowledge the usefulness of these tentacles, their grotesque form is a bit unsightly.
Sadly, for Mangja Seongnyeo, angelic wings would be quite excessive.
Klack, klack, klack!
As if reading my mind, my tentacles clicked irritably.
Well, what could I do? You know you look ugly too, don’t you?!
If you’re unhappy, try looking pretty instead!
Looking like some Mongolian Deathworm!
By the way, because of those tentacles, I briefly received the Empire’s fear, even with the endorsement of the Emperor Menelapie.
Clack, clack, clack!
Shut up. I’ll let you taste something delicious soon, so just quiet down!
After running for quite some time, I realized I had arrived at the nearest wyvern
pack visible in my line of sight.Looking up, the shadows of the dark wyverns obscured the ground, showcasing their nests near the mountain peaks, where they were guarding their eggs.
“Hmm, should I just go for it?”
To be honest, wiping out those wyverns seemed like a solid plan.
But is it truly the right choice to waste food that I haven’t even tasted yet?
No matter how great my appetite is, I cannot be sure I could eat over a thousand wyverns all at once.
‘Well… maybe I could, but…’
No, let’s not take unnecessary chances.
Above all, this place represents a whole different ecosystem, and I might find myself coming back frequently.
If I storm in right away and wipe out those wyverns, not only will I scarf down what I can today, but I also risk losing the chance to feast on wyverns and their eggs forever.
Even fishermen don’t just release female fish with eggs, do they?
It’s similar logic, really.
“First, is there even a nest separated from the pack…? Tch, none.”
I enhanced my sight using Seongnyeok, but as expected, the wyvern nests were all stuffed together.
“If I touch one egg, I’ll have to brace myself to face the entire group…”
Crick.
I slowly relaxed my hands.
It sincerely pains my heart that my first task as a hunter in this world involves slaughtering those numerous wyverns, but what choice do I have?
My powers are not specialized for stealth missions like Menelapie or Teresa.
I don’t know how to quietly infiltrate, snag the items, and sneak out. The moment I employ my powers, it’ll be spectacular enough to tear this mountain apart; more suited to my nature.
Moreover, the Kurtala Mountains likely have multiple wyvern breeding grounds…
As heartbreaking as it is…
Clack, clack, clack, clack!
What’s the meaning of this?
Suddenly, my hand was wrapped by tentacles as if to stop me, causing my head to turn.
These creatures often clash with me, but they’ve never obstructed my gourmet intentions before, so what gives?
As I showed my bewilderment, several tentacles pointed in one direction.
Holding my breath as stealthily as I could, I moved that way, catching onto a smell.
A pungent smell of blood.
Not human blood.
Beast or possibly wyvern blood.
Could it be…?
Fearing footfalls, I gripped a tree to move stealthily.
Keeek… Keeek… Keeeeing…
In the area where the trees ended, a small valley appeared, and in one corner lay a female wyvern three times my size, crumpled and groaning on the ground.
While she was still breathing, it seemed she was injured, bleeding from her abdomen and creating a small pool of crimson.
‘Is this a first-time laying wyvern…?’
Odd, it’s uncommon for wyverns to bleed during their laying cycles unless they’re…
Oh, no way…
“It’s a first-time laying wyvern!”
Damn it! Damn it!
A young female wyvern laying her first egg?!
“By the holy starlight…”
You gotta be kidding me!
In the previous world, the eggs of wyverns were a luxury delicacy only fit for nobility, and they came in different grades.
Typically, wyvern eggs were considered a luxury item that common folks wouldn’t even dream of, while those from a female after her 5th series of laying would drop in quality and price, becoming easily accessible to ordinary citizens.
The wyvern eggs prepared by palace cooks for Emperor Menelapie and me usually came from females in their 2nd to 4th lays.
But the raft-like egg from a first-time laying, known as a first lay egg, was priceless!
Not only was it impossible to acquire, but I’d only had it once in my previous life.
And its flavor was light years beyond regular wyvern eggs.
It had the richness of thousands of egg yolks compressed into one, with an enticing aroma, and the memory was still vivid.
“Slurp…”
Drip, drip, drip…
Before I knew it, I was wiping the drool from my mouth.
I wasn’t the only one; the tentacles sprouting from my waist were drooling with desire between their teeth.
“Oh man, that’s gotta be good…”
I stealthily approached the female wyvern.
Fortunately, there were plenty of bushes and hiding spots, allowing me to get close to the wyvern focused on her labor.
I didn’t know why she was detached from her pack just to lay her eggs, but that wasn’t my concern.
It’s a first lay!
I’d smash that wyvern’s skull and get her egg to whip up an exquisite braised dish…!
“Grunt, grunt… No wait, let’s calm down… If I kill her now, her egg might break too. Patience. Patience.”
Wiping the drool from my lips, I gazed at the wyvern.
I’m unsure what expression I wore, but I’m definitely smiling.
Haa, haa…
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Caaaw!
Yes, hang in there! You can do it, wyvern!
You are capable of laying that egg!
First lays are the hardest! Yes, you can do it! You must be in agony! Tears may come from the ripping pain! I sympathize with that!
Though I became accustomed to pain, I completely understood how painful it is to rip skin!
But once you conquer that pain… the first egg you lay shall greet the world with bright light!
Shia cheered for the wyvern.
Tentacles blossoming like petals surrounded the wyvern as she roared painfully during her labor, their eyes wide with anticipation.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!
Thud!
And with a torrent of blood pouring out, the wyvern’s first lay came to completion.
As soon as that warm egg touched the ground, my tentacles dashed in a flash to carry it away.
The entire event was captured perfectly by the drone camera.
[Miracle – Purification]
“Heeheeheehee!”
The wyvern egg
was about the size of Shia’s head.Shia cast a purification miracle to wash away all impurities, including the blood on the wyvern egg, and took off running without a second glance.
Shia’s top speed quickly strayed far from the first-time laying wyvern, and realizing her egg had vanished without warning, the newly-hatched female made a frantic screech, but Shia had long since escaped to a distance where her wails couldn’t reach.
“Hahaha!”
Unbeknownst to Shia, laughter spilled out of her.
Once she realized she distanced herself from the wyvern, she scanned her surroundings and settled in a suitable spot.
“I’m glad I brought the large camping kit with me.”
Typically, hunters pack emergency rations, medical supplies, and equipment helpful for dungeon expeditions or survival.
However, a massive pot, grate, containers filled with spices including soy sauce and garlic tumbled out of Shia’s bag.
“Hehe, wyvern egg braise. Hehehe…”
Elated merely at the thought, Shia began prepping her cooking, with her grin stretching wide across her face.
Collecting enough firewood, she ignited the flames with frictional Seongnyeok.
While everything was possible with magic, kindling a fire was a piece of cake.
Of course, it had been a while since Shia had done any cooking.
She felt a twinge of anxiety, but having continuously learned and reviewed how to make braised eggs on videos before arriving here, she assured herself it would be fine!
“Haa, haa… First, I’ll boil the wyvern egg…”
Pouring spring water straight into the pot, Shia tossed the still warm wyvern egg in to begin boiling.
“Keep calm, stay calm… Haa, haa… slurp…”
Despite telling herself to calm down, Shia’s shoulders jittered, with drool still oozing down her cheeks.
Unlike the time needed to boil a regular egg, she had read that boiling a wyvern egg would take at least an hour.
Factoring in the intense heat from the fire made of Seongnyeok, it would require a bit more patience.
“Well, then… slurp, I’ll prepare the sauce first…”
Shia rummaged through her backpack for the soy sauce.
“First, the soy sauce… half a cup from a paper cup…? No paper cups here…”
Despite the boiling time for the wyvern egg, Shia took out another pot and suddenly fell deep into thought.
Online, they’d mentioned that half a cup of soy sauce sufficed to braise seven regular boiled eggs.
But for just one wyvern egg… what was the right ratio?
Suddenly, her brain froze as she surveyed both the wyvern egg and soy sauce with quivering eyes.
“Wyvern egg… it’s the size of my head… soy sauce should be… gulp… what do I do?”
Calm down, Shia.
I’m a Mangja Seongnyeo.
In that other world, I fought against evil beings for over 60 years.
Don’t be scared.
If you get scared, you’ll be unable to do anything.
“Haa…”
With determination displayed across her face, Shia poured the soy sauce into the pot.
Considering the wyvern egg’s massive size, two paper cups’ worth should do.
Then water, a bit more than the soy sauce…
“Does that sound about right?”
Honestly, Shia still wasn’t convinced that was the perfect measure.
Yet, what could she do? The deed was done.
No turning back now.
“Next is sugar, sugar… Yikes!? The bag exploded!”
Upon opening the pocket containing the sugar within her backpack, she found it infested with spilled sugar due to a burst packet.
With no choice left, she invoked purification magic on the precious sugar waste, deciding to work with only the remaining sugar.
“Sugar’s an optional ingredient, so… uh… I can add a good amount, right?”
Adding a spoonful of plum extract from the 채림역 was light but… oh, the quantity grew; maybe half a cup of the extract was what she needed?
With shimmering eyes, Shia tossed the plum extract into the pot before following with some mirin.
With her puzzled expression devout to whether or not the quantification in whatever characters would fit, overall confusion enveloped her face, but miraculously, the boiling soy-wyvern sauce soon began releasing a delightful aroma.
“Oh, oh…! Smells great!”
With a grateful expression, Shia beamed.
The joy radiating from her wasn’t the smile of a Mangja Seongnyeo but of a child receiving their dream toy, innocent and pure.
“And then, minced garlic… onions… allow to boil for about 10 minutes, correct?”
She already flew past the point of no return.
Though unsure about the balance, somehow a casing of delicious scent blossomed around her braised sauce.
“Once the wyvern egg is completely cooked… slurp…”
Eyes wide with anticipation, Shia fixated on the pot where the wyvern egg was simmering.
One minute, one second felt as though time trickled too slowly.
“Haa, haa… faster…!”
*
In that very moment, the female wyvern, having just completed her first lay, cried out suffering as she searched for her missing egg.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
The anguished cries echoed, reverberating off the valley walls, cliffs, and mountains.
Wyverns are matriarchal beings.
The strongest and oldest female leads the group, with larger females guarding their nests and eggs while the males hunt for food during the day.
Though wyverns lack human-like intelligence, they are a fiercely maternal species.
The guarding females would strive to protect all the chicks and eggs within their pack, not only their own.
And hearing the mourning cries of a lost female would raise the alarms…
Kyaaaaaaaaaaah!
Ahhhhhhh!
Kyaaaaaaahh!
Graaaagh!
Kyeyaak!
…When the entire group of wyverns dispersed from their nests to take flight.
Who dared disturb our young?
Even if a daunting predator appeared against them, the wyverns easily fall into madness embodying sensations of fear.
Thus, every wyvern residing on the peaks of the Kurtala Mountains began to unfurl their wings, leaving only the minimum necessary to guard their nests behind them.
All wyverns, sharing the sorrow for the lost brood, took to the skies fueled fiercely by rage and grief.
Unbeknownst to her, Mangja Seongnyeo Shia had begun a conflict against every wyvern inhabiting the third peak of the Kurtala Mountains.