NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
It was a worldwide calamity.
From mere urban legends to famous tales featuring monsters, and all the way to the grotesque beings found in legends or myths.
Thousands of years.
Time passed after the mythological age filled with all kinds of [Abnormalities] ended and the era of humans began.
Thoughts remained oppressed under the power of the [Alliance], unable to even transcend into [Abnormalities].
An endless pile of thoughts.
Those powers, feeling the loss of restraint, descended upon the world as [Abnormalities].
“What is that, what the hell is it?!”
[Zombie]
A recently trending subject in Korea.
Movies, novels, and countless media poured out stories about [Zombies].
Just a fleeting trend.
Originally, a faint thought that wouldn’t even qualify as [Abnormality], but that was back in the days when the [Alliance] was strong.
In other words, the timing was bad.
– What the hell? Is that a real zombie?
– The woman’s neck is half torn off…?
– It’s even on the news ㄷㄷ.
Caught in the sudden zombie broadcast, Lumi was flustered.
‘T-thank goodness…’
This was not simply a violent incident.
The male zombie was one thing, but that female zombie with her neck torn would be a death sentence if broadcasted.
If it hadn’t been through the [Streaming System]…
The channel might have been wiped out completely…
“AAAHHH!”
“GYAAAHH!”
“What the hell…!”
Zombies charged at people, threatening them.
It wasn’t just about one monster anymore.
Many witnessed the woman attacked by the [Zombie] becoming infected and turning into one herself.
A monster with a [Zombie Virus] like in the movies.
‘[Abnormalities] ultimately reflect the images that people conceive of them.’
Since that day, when Seoul was turned upside down during ‘that incident,’ Lumi, who had been a dedicated fan of Han Yu-seong’s broadcasts, had learned a bit about how [Abnormalities] came to be.
Because of that.
‘If that’s inspired by movie zombies…’
Lumi did not flee like others.
‘I have to deal with this here!’
Realizing the gravity of the situation early on, Lumi steeled her resolve.
– Lumi-chan, what are you doing?!
– Run away quickly!
– Get out of there, hurry!
Her smartphone buzzing during the broadcast was ignored as Lumi stuffed it into her pocket.
This might be her last chance.
The scary part about [Zombies] isn’t the brute strength of the individuals but their infectiousness.
‘There are two zombies right now.’
If it’s just that much…!
As everyone around her fled, the nearest zombies rushed towards Lumi.
By coincidence, the camera of her smartphone, placed in her chest pocket, captured the moment.
– Lumi!!!
– No!
– Run away!
The chat exploded into chaos.
But.
Smack-
“Me!”
Wham!
“Even so!”
Thud!—
“I’m a girl who works out!”
With a crisp one-two followed by a kick, a charging zombie was knocked down by Lumi’s attack.
– What…?
– What did I just see…?
Thud—
As the zombie in front fell, a second zombie charging from behind was downed by Lumi’s back kick.
Despite her seemingly slender appearance, Lumi was surprisingly serious about working out as much as she was about eating.
Though not professionally trained, she had recently taken an interest in martial arts and started training.
She wasn’t someone to be taken down by one zombie that barely functioned.
“If there’s a weakness based on the image of zombies…”
Lumi’s foot came crashing down towards the zombie’s head.
> The status window has awakened.
*
Flooding [Abnormalities]
The first to respond to this global catastrophe was not the military of each nation.
It was streamers.
Commonly referred to as streamers.
Among them, Korean broadcasters using the [Streaming System] achieved victory against [Abnormalities] ahead of others.
“Individual strength can’t become a force.”
There’s a limit to what one can accomplish alone, so it can’t be helped.
That’s why every force desperately expands and scouts new talents showing promise.
“Isn’t it unnecessary to gather them with difficulty?”
They could just join by themselves.
“The number of awakened individuals just hit 100.”
“Still seems few in overseas regions, huh? It hasn’t grown as much as expected.”
[Streaming System]
The system operated by my established force, [Broadcasting Station], and the core function of the force.
> Connecting to hunting system.
> Upgrading streaming service.
Two upgraded functions combined via a coupon.
The effects are simple.
If you hunt [Abnormalities] while [Broadcasting] is activated, you absorb the thoughts of the [Abnormalities], just like I did.
Of course, the absorber is not the broadcaster; it’s done through the [Management System] linked to [Broadcast].
Humans without filters absorbing [Abnormalities] would just become [Abnormalities] themselves.
That said, it’s not like the streamer receives nothing.
Having turned on the [Broadcast] means being connected to the [Management System].
Some thoughts come as commission to me while the rest is returned to the streamer in the form of [Points].
■ Streamer – Lee Hye-ji
■ Broadcast Name – Lumi-chan
■ Broadcast Rating – Iron V
■ Skill – None
■ Points – 10P
This way.
Points can be spent to elevate the broadcast’s rank or receive [Abnormalities] absorbed by [Ordinary City] as skills.
As the broadcast’s rank rises, so does the body’s strength accordingly.
Doesn’t it seem like a familiar system?
That’s right.
Hunter stories.
It has the same basic functions as the status window typical of the hunter web novel world.
A method devised to safely grant power after passing through the backroom and [Management System] without directly contaminating humans.
As I learned from previous information.
Preventing the destruction of this world is nearly impossible.
No matter how much the [Alliance] suppresses and subdues it, they cannot stop all thoughts flooding the world.
In the end, it overflows, and stronger [Abnormalities] emerge into the world.
Among those born, some couldn’t even be dealt with by the [Alliance]’s power.
Let alone their current situation with the [Alliance] now gone.
World destruction is already in its countdown.
Then let’s change the game.
“If humans fear and evade [Abnormalities], then we can only lose.”
We need to change the perception of [Abnormalities].
“So that’s what the Hunter System is for.”
“Exactly.”
Not just a disaster to fear and avoid, but a worthy opponent to engage.
The [Broadcasting Station] serves as the control tower for that purpose.
The 100 who have awakened will be the warriors, hunters, and the strength of the [Broadcasting Station].
“100 people, huh…”
It might feel a bit lacking, but it doesn’t matter.
The number of awakened individuals will continue to grow.
“First, let’s boost some morale by issuing overall quests.”
Times change.
An era where superhumans run rampant.
As long as nations can’t exert power against [Abnormalities], public authority will lose its strength.
“So.”
Thump—
“Are those the intruders?”
Two [Security Guards] throw two men to the ground.
Individuals found by the patrolling [Security Guards] and entities, trying to deal with the [Abnormalities] occurring in [Ordinary City].
Familiar faces, huh…?
“Growl!”
“Ah! Don’t bite!”
“This puppy is…”
As soon as the men hit the ground, a gray puppy issues a not-so-majestic bark and pounced on them.
Could they be from the [Alliance]?
Seeing the company employee’s hostile reaction rising.
“Mung-chi, come here!”
At my call, the puppy paused its biting and climbed back onto my knees.
One of the company employees observing Mung-chi was visibly shaken.
“Could that be… [Hati]?”
“Oh, good eye! He looks quite different from before.”
One of the brothers of the wolf brought by the Alliance Leader, who was the core of the [Ragnarok] scenario.
After the Alliance Leader died and the [Alliance] fell, I adopted him because he looked lonely and powerless left alone.
“Meow~”
So cute.
Speaking of which…
‘I need to ask about that one day.’
I glanced at the [Security Guard].
Given the surrounding situation I heard from the teddy bear, it seems like that guy killed Mung-chi’s brother [God]…
Does that guy even have that kind of power…?
[Security Guard D]
That guy is rated lower than the [Ashen King]?
“We are not intruders!”
At that moment, the company employee who recognized Mung-chi spoke up.
Hmm…
“Weren’t you the guy who worked part-time at the convenience store in front of the apartment?”
“Yes…?”
His pupils wavered again.
“You were sent by the [Company] to keep an eye on me, right?”
“Th-that’s…”
‘How did he know?’
The company representative was genuinely flustered.
If the [Company] representative had utilized their suit’s power, he shouldn’t have recognized him…
‘Did it not work?’
The moment the [Company] representative approached the truth, Han Yu-seong was looking at the two men.
He thought they were impressive.
Looking at it, everyone who was deployed with this guy seemed to be dead, and the story was that he managed to escape that chaos because of his abilities.
Much more capable than he thought.
‘That ability is the problem.’
The Alliance Leader’s eyes were wide open, and it seemed these guys were oblivious to the fact that Mung-chi had actively attacked them.
After the barrier crumbled, they fled, meaning they all hid and concealed their existence until then…
Were those guys hiding in [Ordinary City]?
Unless they were really releasing entities into the city, they wouldn’t have been found by mere periodic patrols.
“Can this be viewed as a declaration of war by the [Company]?”
Even if they were still in an unstable situation, that sure is brazen.
He never expected them to pull stunts like that against the main force.
“Oh, no!”
A declaration of war?!
Although they moved secretly due to the many [Abnormalities] in the city, that’s just not true.
The representative’s mind went blank at the thought that there might be a war between forces because of him.
“Then what is it?”
Han Yu-seong said with an expression of utter disbelief.
Seeing that, the representative closed his eyes tightly and stated their original objective.
“The [Company] board has requested an alliance with the [Broadcasting Station]!”
The colossal force [Company] reached out to the fledgling force [Broadcasting Station].