[You are very handsome, Master.]
I lifted the corner of my lips as Newt complimented me. I was standing in front of a large mirror in my walk-in closet. I never thought I would have a separate room to store my clothes and accessories.
Shirts, suits, shoes, watches, and ties, all famous brands and expensive. All these things have been in this house from the first time."I've always been good-looking, Newt." I'm not lying. Even Sofia is crazy about my looks.
After making sure my appearance was perfect, I went downstairs for breakfast. There are several types of dishes on the dining table. I frowned. Who's going to eat all this food? Are rich people always like this? How wasteful.
"Hello, my name is Fredy, Mr. Durand. I am the chef who will be cooking for you."
I smiled awkwardly. This life is new to me. I even cooked for myself all the time because Sofia didn't want to cook. But now it's different; a chef is cooking for me.
I didn't want Fredy to see my embarrassment. I cleared my throat and straightened my tie. "Thank you, Fredy." That was all I could say. I wasn't used to behaving like a rich man.
Fredy smiled and came towards me. He put down a plate of raw fish.
"I heard you like Japanese food best. I made fugu sashimi for your breakfast on purpose."
I frowned when I heard Fredy mention fugu fish. I knew it was poisonous.
Fredy chuckled. "You can rest assured. I have a special licence to process fugu fish. So this sashimi is safe and non-toxic. The food has also gone through a screening process before being served to you, sir."
[All the people who work here are qualified and trustworthy, Master].
Newt's words further reassured me that everything would be fine. I ate without hesitation. "This is really good, Fredy. Everything is just right." I wasn't lying with my praise. This was the most delicious sashimi I had ever had. I unconsciously finished the plate in front of me. "It's not fishy at all. I like it."
Fredy smiled at my compliment. "Thank you, sir."
After breakfast, I went to the office. Vasco was waiting outside with the car door open. What intrigued me was the woman standing next to Vasco. I had seen her before, but I don't remember where.
[She is Olivia Anderson, Mr. Anderson's daughter. She will be helping you learn about Quinion Corp. She has served as the company's Operations Director.]
Newt's words answered my curiosity. I paused for a moment in front of the girl, frowning, remembering something.
"My name is Olivia Anderson, sir. I will be your personal assistant."
I just nodded and then got into the car. Olivia got in and sat down beside me. I remembered her, she was the woman who helped me get into the shoe store.
"This is the company profile." Olivia showed me the iPad she had just taken out of her bag. My eyes are immediately drawn to the screen, which shows a diagram of the positions in Quinion Corp. "Since you fired the Finance Director and Operations Manager yesterday, both positions are now vacant. You must appoint a new director and manager immediately. I have suggested some of these people for you to consider."
Olivia showed me some profiles of the people she had suggested for the position of Finance Director. I studied them carefully, but I didn't know who to choose."Is there anyone you suggest most of all?" I ask Olivia, because I'm sure she understands the matter best. I can't just appoint because it's a company matter.
"I suggest you appoint Mr. Andrew Clinton as Finance Director and Mr. James Lloyd as Operations Manager."
I nodded, agreeing with Olivia's suggestion. For now, Olivia is the only one I can trust in the company.
"I have also appointed Mr. Bernard Benson to replace me. I will have to resign as Operations Director to become your personal assistant.".
"Why would you want to be my personal assistant and resign your position as Operations Director?" I thought the position of operations director was more prestigious than that of personal assistant.
"Of course, because the salary offered to me is more, sir. And I really love money."
That, of course, was the reason. Money. I smiled slightly. All women are the same, they love money. Even willing to throw away the person who loves her just for money.
When I arrived at the company, a red carpet was laid out along the road I'm about to walk down. Several reporters are waiting for me, microphones in hand.
[Relax, master. There's no need to be nervous. You should be used to all this by now.]
"Do I look nervous, Newt?" I asked, although I was aware that I was catching my breath repeatedly to keep my body from shaking.
[You look very tense, Master.]
I still tried to calm myself. After a few breaths, I decided to go down. As I descended, someone greeted me with a helping hand. I have forgotten his name, but I remember his face. He was one of the directors of the company, whose profile Olivia had shown me.
"Welcome, Mr. Durand. Nice to meet you."
"Thank you." I smiled and released our handshake. Afterwards, a few reporters approached and asked questions.
"You don't have to answer them, sir," Olivia whispered. I obeyed her and continued to walk down the red carpet. The people standing on either side of the carpet turned 90 degrees as I passed.
My face looks flat, even though I'm cheering inside. That's what it's like to be rich. Even everyone bows when you pass. I used to be like them, but now I feel the opposite.
Some people tried to engage me in conversation. I knew they were people trying to curry favour with me.
"This month, this company's sales went up by 15 percent. That's because the marketing department did a good job."
I smiled and looked at the man who was speaking. I was sure he was the marketing director, the way he kept bragging about the department.
"You'll just have to drop me off here. I'll take Mr. Durand to his office," Olivia said as we stood in front of the lift. They immediately fell silent and looked at each other.
"Please come in, sir." Olivia invited me into the lift as the doors opened. I got in, followed by her.
It was just the two of us. The scent of her perfume is still the same as it was then. I kept staring at the mirror in front of me, where I saw Olivia's reflection. Her face is rigid, the hallmark of someone with a strict nature. I'm sure she's an independent woman who never relies on men.
[You can't keep looking at her like that. You'll fall in love with her.]
Newt, damn it. He really put me off with his words. Luckily, I was the only one who could hear him. I cleared my throat and looked away. I don't want Olivia to know I'm watching her.
I don't want to fall in love again. After Sofia's betrayal, I can't trust women so easily. Sofia, who looks so gentle and loves me so much, has actually betrayed me.
The door opened, a sign that we had reached the ground floor. "Let me show you to your room, sir."
As Olivia had instructed, I immediately called the two candidates to replace Horace and Ian. I hope they do a good job."This is the list of investors in the company, and this is the list of shareholders." After they left, Olivia showed me another file with rows of names. "You should build up a good relationship with them."
Olivia told me everything there was to know about Quinion Corp. She really taught me well. Even though her demeanour was cold, she was so meticulous in telling me everything.The day passed slowly. I kept looking at the watch on my wrist, waiting for the dungeon door to open. Learning about the company was boring. Maybe it's because I'm not used to working with my brain. But I still learned everything Olivia taught me.
[Master, the Smoky Hollow Gate will open in five minutes.]
Newt's voice in my head made me excited again. My head, which was dizzy from learning so many new things, was instantly refreshed, as if I had just woken up.
"Olivia!"
Olivia, who was explaining the company's strategy, stopped talking. She turned to me, frowning, waiting for my next words. I had to find a reason for Olivia to leave me for a few minutes.
"Make some coffee and don't come back until I say so!"
The frown on Olivia's forehead tightened. She looked confused.
"I saw you yawning earlier, so I thought you didn't get enough sleep. Make some coffee and rest for a while. Come here when I call you!"
"But, sir -"
"Go away! That is an order!"
Olivia took a long breath. She couldn't refuse if it was an order. After she left, I waited impatiently for the gates to open. I had to hunt again to make a lot of money.
[3]
[2]
[1]
The gates of Smoky Hollow opened, and I stepped into the white hole that appeared before me.
"Oh no...!" I landed in an unfortunate place. On a very high peak. I looked down, and I couldn't see the ground at all. I tried to move forward, but the ground I stepped on fell away. "How did I get here, Newt?"[No one knows where you land, Master.]
I tried to keep my balance, sure that if I fell, my body would be crushed instantly, for this place was at a height I had never imagined.
"Newt, how do I get out of this place?" I stared in horror downward. I was still keeping my balance to avoid falling down. As I shifted my feet, small stones shifted and fell down. I didn't dare to imagine the height of this place, I couldn't even hear the sound of falling rocks. I'm sure that there's no bottom down there.[Calm down, Master. You must not panic. Once you lose your balance, I'm not sure where you'll land.]I let out a long breath. Newt's answer didn't help at all. While I was thinking, I heard strange noises. They sounded like crows cawing at each other—more like fighting. I knew this after seeing two giant birds pecking at each other and advancing their wings, as if they were fighting. The two birds were not far from where I was standing now, and were getting closer and closer.My eyes widened when suddenly the two birds were in front of me."Woaaa...!" I screamed as suddenly one of the bird's wings fluttered and hit my body, causing me to bounce. But fortunately, my
I took a long breath. I crossed my legs and folded my hands across my chest. All my muscles felt weak as I remembered what had happened to me. Moments ago, I had been forced to swallow something the mother bird had given me. I had refused and looked away, but the mother bird's gaze made me swallow what she gave me. Her look seemed to say, 'If you don't eat this, I will eat you. Could it be that the brood birds saw me as one of her children? Fortunately, what the brood birds gave me was a sour tasting fruit and not a disgusting, wriggling animal.I let out another long sigh. I was trapped in this bird's nest with nowhere to go. I looked down, and this place was no higher than where I had landed earlier. I couldn't see what was below either, because the white smoke was blocking my eyes again. "Newt, where are you?" I whispered, looking for Newt. But I got no answer again. It looks like he really did run away. [Master, Master...!] I pricked up my ears, as if a voice were echoing in
I lifted my head. I landed on my stomach. But strangely, I didn't feel any pain at all, like someone who had just fallen from a great height. I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in the same place I had landed when I first entered Smoky Hollow. My right hand was still closed, holding the pendant I had just received.I didn't even feel any pain in my body. I slowly stood up and scanned my body. There were no wounds. Could it be that I had died and was now in heaven? But is it possible for me to enter Heaven, considering I never worshipped?[You are still alive, Master.]I tiptoed as I heard Newt's voice in my head. I was so shocked that I forgot there was a system inside me."Logically, my body would be destroyed if I fell from that height. But why...?" I didn't have time to finish my question because I saw a bunch of zombies coming towards me.I unconsciously lifted the corners of my lips, feeling happy that I would get money and that I could get out of this place soon. It seemed
"Kwak... kwak...!" I seemed to hear the voice of the bird that had brought me here earlier. I looked up, and my suspicion was right. It was the bird. "Kwak... kwak...!"The bird continued to make sounds as it flew in circles above me. I felt my hand light up and looked at the zombie in front of me. The zombie let go of my hand and was busy covering its ears. I looked around, and all the zombies were doing the same thing, and they looked in pain.I didn't have time to think about what was happening. I quickly turned my body around and walked into the almost closed gate.A few seconds later, I had landed somewhere on my stomach. It looks like I need to learn how to land so I can land in a better position.I stood up and looked around. This wasn't my room. This place was so dark and damp. I shook my hand as the dust made my nose itch. I guessed that this was probably a storeroom or an unused room.I saw a light coming through the vent above the door. I walked towards it. I kicked a few t
"Sir! Sir!"I seemed to hear Olivia's voice, and I also felt something slap my cheek a couple of times."Sir!"I groaned as my eyes opened, I was in shock for a moment as I saw Olivia standing in front of me. I became more and more confused by what I was experiencing. A while ago, I had woken up in an unknown place, but a moment later, I was somewhere else."Sir, what's going on? Why do you look so confused?" asked Olivia, who also had a confused look on her face."Where am I?"I saw Olivia's forehead crease. "Aren't you in your room?" The girl looked even more puzzled.I turned my head from side to side. That's right, this is my office. And I was lying on the sofa. I looked down at my hands and my body."You fainted, and I asked security to put you on the sofa.""Fainted?" I was shocked at Olivia's explanation. Could it have been a dream?"Yes. I woke you up because you seemed to be having a nightmare. You kept mentioning Newt and calling him a bastard. Is he someone you hate?"I sta
What did she say? That's my son?My steps stopped, and I turned. I saw a smile on Sofia's lips. The cuffs on her hands came off so she could move closer to me.When we were very close, Sofia took my hand and put it on her belly. "I'm pregnant, Leon. I'm one month pregnant. This is what you were hoping for, isn't it? We'll be a happy little family."I gaped at Sofia's words. It had always been my wish to have a child. But I never forced it on Sofia because I didn't want her to be depressed by my wishes. Yesterday morning, I still had that hope, but not now."You must be happy, my love, to be so surprised?" Her face lit up, looking so happy. It was the same face she used to show me that made me fall in love with her before I knew she was sharing her body with another man.I was so shocked by my ex-wife's statement that I couldn't say anything. But when I remembered what I had seen with my own eyes, I began to doubt that it was my child. I immediately withdrew my hand violently, disguste
[Intelligence +5][COINS +5]My brow furrowed as I saw what was in front of me. I was learning about the company, and suddenly I saw a message saying that my intelligence and coins had increased.Yesterday, I didn't receive such a notification, but suddenly, an intelligence score appeared that wasn't there before. Was this because my observation skill had reached level 2, so I could see the increase?I just shrugged. I should start getting used to all these strange and sudden things. I focused on the file in front of me. It was still evening and only the light of the reading lamp on the desk kept me company.I had decided not to go to Smoky Hollow tonight because I wanted to rest. But I still couldn't fall asleep and ended up reading some files that Olivia had given me to study.Running a company is not easy. There are so many things you need to know. Whether it's the history of the company or the board of directors,. I also have to know about different subsidiaries that operate in di
I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, which was becoming difficult. I put my back against a large tree and rested for a while.I was so tired, but there was no zombie that I had killed yet. From the moment I entered Smoky Hollow, a group of level 3 zombies had been chasing me. Not just one horde, but several from different directions.I couldn't possibly hunt them down, because I was sure I wouldn't have enough HP. If I pushed myself, I would probably run out of HP after killing 10 zombies."Where exactly am I, Newt? Is this an ancient forest?" The trees and plants here are gigantic. Even the tree I'm hiding under is huge. The diameter of its trunk alone was about three times the length of my hand.[This is the Giant Forest in Smoky Hollow.]"What kind of place is Smoky Hollow?"[Smoky Hollow is a system-created world. It consists of several dungeons. And this forest is one of the dungeons in Smoky Hollow.]OK. I'm starting to get the hang of Smoky Hollow. So this world is like a
After that day, I couldn't see Olivia anymore and Tarron could truly dominate all the territories. Me and some other Hunters hid while making plans. The whole world was already in Tarron's hands. He turned other humans into slaves and also as experimental objects.We always moved around because the Black Hunter was still after us. For several months, I was devastated after Olivia's departure. What about our child in her womb? Did Olivia still keep it or had she already taken its life?I rubbed my face in frustration as memories of our last meeting flashed through my mind. Despite her continuous attacks on me, my inner self always told me that she did it for a reason."When will you return to being the old Leon?" I turned and found Eren standing not far from me. His hands were folded in front of him, and he looked at me with disappointment. "We need our leader, Leon. Stop thinking about Olivia. She has left you!"I could see the despair in his face. It had been more than 3 months since
I've been in this state for a long time. Just silent, staring blankly ahead. I woke up a while ago, shirtless, with a potion placed on the spot where I was stabbed. When I sat up and the potion fell, the wound on my chest was gone.“Leon! Thank goodness!” I turned towards the door. Eren and Jovian entered, immediately showing relieved expressions. “Your wound is healed?” Eren’s brow furrowed. “It seems your hunter abilities have returned.”I just remained silent and didn't respond to Eren's words. I was still in shock, knowing the truth that Olivia tried to kill me. I couldn't even find a reason why she would do this to me.Eren came closer, a look of awkwardness on his face. “We've been looking for Olivia, but we haven't found her.” He looked very regretful, as if he had made a big mistake. I didn't answer immediately and just stared at him with feelings that were hard to interpret.I had no intention of doing anything. I even lost my will to live now. The person I loved and trusted
I entered the building where you've been living all this time. I was so worried about Olivia and our child in her belly. But the place was so quiet when I entered.“Olivia! Eren! Jovian!” I searched for them all over the room, even in hidden places, but I couldn't find them.I stood still and tried to concentrate to feel their energy. But I couldn't sense it. I tried to use my telepathic skills. But after a while, no one answered my call.I looked around with a sense of unease. What had happened here while I was gone? I started looking for clues and traces left behind.This place was in disarray, as if a battle had just taken place. From some footprints below, I saw many shoe prints on the floor. I was sure that not just one or two people had come in, but a whole force. My brow furrowed when I saw the bloodstains on the floor. My heart raced when I saw the blood. There were many speculations in my head about whose blood it was.I crouched to examine the blood. It was still sticky and
"Newt! Use the Happy Spirit Pendant!" At the last moment, I want to try using the pendant I got from Bbird earlier. I was desperate, and it seemed like I was hoping for some luck at this moment.[USING HAPPY SPIRIT PENDANT][CONTINUE?][YES] [NO]Without hesitation, I pressed the 'yes' button. I waited for a moment, but nothing happened. Suddenly, I felt my nose itching, as if I was about to..."Achoo...!" After sneezing, I felt my body slowly shrinking back."What's happening?" I was confused because the effect of the dark elixir suddenly disappeared, and I returned to my original size. "Could it be that the Happy Spirit Pendant doesn't work?""Darn it!" This is not a luck potion but a misfortune potion. With this tiny size, how could I possibly defeat the zombie king? "No!" I shook my head. "I have to stay happy even if I die at the hands of the zombie king."Initially, I felt annoyed, but afterwards, I felt happy as if there was a great reward waiting for me ahead. My heart felt li
I gasped, staring at the horde of zombies before me. Every time I wiped out one group, another would appear from the other side. I couldn't tell how long I'd been in this room—just constantly hunting, endlessly, it seemed."Only one weapon left to unlock." I glanced at the transparent screen in front of me, focusing on the amount of coins I had. Over 12 million coins, and I'd already maxed out all the weapons I had. "Special Item." I read on the corner, the words stretching and catching my attention.I flinched as a few zombies suddenly floated around me. I quickly shut down the holographic screen in front of me and swung my sword at them. But they dodged quickly.I traded my sword for an arrow. I aimed five arrows simultaneously at them. The arrows sped forward, hitting three of them. I repeated the process again and again.[SHADOW CLOAK UNLOCKED][Can absorb energy from low-level creatures. Can only be used by hunters with magic skills][PRICE 12,000,000 COINS]My jaw dropped at the
I flinched as my body seemed to be sucked in by something. The scenery before me changed again. I turned my head and found Eliot beside me. I had returned from diving into Eliot's memories. I regulated my laboured breathing, as if from a long journey."That was the end of my life." Eliot broke the silence that had lasted for a while."But how could you die? Shouldn't a hunter's body have the ability to heal itself? And I thought your death seemed very easy."Eliot cleared his throat lightly. "The sword Tarron used to stab me in the heart wasn't just any ordinary sword.""Wasn't that your sword?" I saw clearly when Tarron took Eliot's sword and stabbed him in the chest.Eliot nodded. "It's the Soul Reaper. The sword I got after defeating the zombie king.""Zombie king?" This was the first time I'd heard about a zombie king. I often hunted zombies, but I'd never heard of him."If your hunt is perfect, you can face him. But the reward for that isn't the same. If you defeat him, you might
"Eliot." I walked towards the river, where a man with long white hair stood in the middle. His feet floated above the water as if his weight was no issue.I was a little startled to be here suddenly. This was one of the places in Smoky Hollow that I often visited. As I recall, I was resting under a large tree. How could I be here all of a sudden?I hesitated as my feet were about to step into the water. However, the hesitation disappeared when I felt something holding my feet from below. With confident strides, I walked closer to Eliot. I stopped when I was right behind him."Come forward! I've been waiting for you." I was surprised because it seemed my presence was expected by him. I stepped forward to be level with him. As I turned, I could see his handsome face with skin as white as snow. Thinking back, this was the first time I could see Eliot's face up close. I wasn't sure if this was a dream or reality, but I could feel a very strong energy."I've been waiting for this moment t
POV 3"Have you found Leon?" Tarron sat arrogantly in a chair, his back against the backrest, one leg crossed over the other, and his interlocked hands resting on his chest."Not yet, sir." Tarron's sharp gaze pierced Ian, who dared not lift his head. He had deliberately spared Ian's life back then, knowing they were both enemies. He wanted to use Ian to destroy Leon. Now, Ian was one of his trusted men, alongside Rakkan. Fuelled by his vengeance against Leon, Ian learned quickly, acquiring special abilities.After 1000 years of researching the system, Tarron had managed to cheat it. He could add others to become hunters. Since they weren't official hunters, they didn't have companions. Still, they could earn coins and skills like other hunters.Hearing Ian's answer, Tarron's gaze sharpened, his displeasure evident. Knowing Tarron was staring at him unblinking, Ian lowered his head further, his eyes fixed on the tip of his shoes, like a boy who had been caught doing something wrong."
Point of View 3Tarron descended the moss-covered stone steps leading to an underground chamber, with Ian following closely behind. The air grew colder as they descended further down. The atmosphere was denser than on the surface.Once Tarron's feet reached the bottom, he halted. His eyes immediately focused on an old man inside a giant aquarium. Upon seeing Tarron, the old man, named Calatius, shot him a glare filled with hatred.“Why do you never seem pleased to see me, Calatius?” With a mocking expression, Tarron questioned the man, moving closer until they were only a few metres apart.From where Tarron stood, the creature Calatius was clearly visible. He was a centaur, but all his legs had been severed. His crippled body lay upon a large rock."Why have you come to see me, Tarron? Haven't you taken all my strength?" Despite appearing elderly, Calatius's voice still carried a powerful tone. Even the glass of the aquarium vibrated from his voice."You never change. Yet, that is in