How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 21 (Part 2):

Shock crossed Yujin’s face.

As far as he knew, the vast majority—99%—of players should be cowering in Terra right now.

Unless they were exceptionally talented or utterly fearless…

“Ah!”

A familiar woman’s face caught Yujin’s eye.

That alone dispelled all his questions.

A young woman with black bobbed hair, clutching a shoddy reddish item, her large eyes wide with shock.

‘The Sword Empress.’

To think they’d reunite so soon.

‘Then again, only someone like the Sword Empress would dare venture out of Terra this early.’

It seemed she’d already done some hunting, judging by the Sulfur Deer corpses scattered around.

‘Perfect timing!’

He’d been wondering how to naturally approach her and win her over.

And now, by sheer luck, he’d encountered the Sword Empress at the perfect moment.

‘She must’ve seen my skills.’

Red Goblins were far too strong for those random nobodies—or even the current Sword Empress—to hunt.

Yujin had just slaughtered over a hundred of them, not just one or two.

‘Looks like she’s out hunting.’

What was the fastest and safest way to level up?

Teaming up with someone strong and hunting together.

In that sense, Yujin was the most appealing and capable ally anyone could ask for.

‘This is my chance to win her over.’

He’d proven his strength; now it was time to charm her.

He swore not to repeat the mistakes of their first meeting.

With that resolve, Yujin flashed the friendliest smile he could muster.

He swore it was a look he’d never worn in either his first or second run.

That’s how highly he valued the Sword Empress’s talent.

With that smile, Yujin raised his arm, still gripping 『Black Wing [A]』, and greeted her.

“To meet again in a place like this—must be fate, don’t you think?”

Perfect.

There couldn’t be a friendlier, more harmless greeting.

Yujin was confident.

But…

“Run! That guy’s a crazy psycho bastard!”

Instead of responding, the Sword Empress chose to flee.

With a string of colorful curses, no less.

She and her ragtag group bolted in a panic.

As far and as fast as they could.

Desperate to escape Yujin.

“…Why?”

* * *

Ishia trembled with fear.

And she wasn’t alone.

Hunting?

No, that was a massacre.

Even at a glance, over a hundred monsters were desperately trying to flee from that madman.

But not a single one escaped his grasp.

They were all torn to pieces, reduced to chunks of meat.

Then, Ishia’s gaze locked with the madman’s.

*Flinch-!*

She hadn’t expected him to notice her, and her body instinctively shrank back.

‘What do I do?’

It felt like he might charge at them any moment, swinging that sword.

But she couldn’t move easily.

The sheer terror of witnessing such a brutal scene had frozen her body solid.

Despite her will, she couldn’t take a single step.

Like being caught in a nightmare.

‘Come on, move already!’

She wiggled her fingers and toes, desperately trying to loosen her paralyzed body.

Did her efforts pay off?

‘It’s moving!’

Little by little, life began to return to her stiff limbs.

‘Just a bit more!’

Thankfully, the crazy psychopath didn’t seem to be approaching yet.

If she could fully regain control, she’d be able to escape!

Just as she thought that—

Suddenly, the madman raised his sword-wielding hand and shouted.

“To meet again in a place like this—must be fate, don’t you think?”

*Shudder-!*

He was smiling, drenched in blood.

Even his teeth, which should’ve been white, were stained red with monster blood.

Terrifying, utterly terrifying!

It felt like he’d swing that sword and slaughter them all.

As her survival instincts surged, mana instinctively swirled, fully thawing her frozen body.

The moment she felt it, Ishia turned and ran.

“Run! That guy’s a crazy psycho bastard!”

She didn’t forget to warn her companions.

They must’ve felt the same terror, as they followed her without hesitation, running like mad.

‘If he catches us, we’re dead!’

He wasn’t someone she could handle.

Sulfur Deer?

Monsters?

Didaskalia?

The most dangerous thing in this Tower wasn’t any of those—it was *him*!

Overwhelmed by fear, she sprinted toward the city.

‘There was some distance, so we’ll be fine!’

They’d been close enough to see each other’s expressions, but if she ran with everything she had, he wouldn’t catch up easily.

‘I need to get to the city!’

There were plenty of players there, and more importantly, guards at the gates.

They could stop that terrifying guy.

At the very least, he wouldn’t act recklessly.

Ishia prayed that would be the case.

Then, noticing no sound of pursuit, she cautiously glanced back.

And regretted it.

There he was, eyes blazing red, drenched in blood, chasing after her with ferocious intensity.

“Hiiiiiiik-!”

Dangun

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