The novel, Rise of the SS-Rank Hunter, started with the main character's childhood.
The young Ryu Jinmu was beaten regularly by the people managing the orphanage he was in. He was adopted by an old couple who treated him like a real family, teaching him what it was like to be loved.
However, the blissful life he had was cut off only 3 years after living with them, when the couple was killed in a dungeon break. As a result, Ryu Jinmu, who was still a minor, was sent back to the orphanage he had lived in.
As one of the older kids in the orphanage, he took it upon himself to take care of the younger kids and became their older brother-figure. He was then kicked out to fend for himself when he turned 18.
He still visited the orphanage regularly to see the kids, and they always waited for him at the gate. But one day, no one was there to welcome him.
He went inside the building, going through the rooms one by one, until he opened the unlocked door to the director's office.
His face was filled with pure horror, a scene as terrifying as if he were shoved through the depths of hell.
The kind-hearted Ryu Jinmu, for once, let anger rule his heart and he awakened his power as a hunter out of spite to bend the world to his own will.
That's right. That ability to bend the world to his own will, that's what made Ryu Jinmu an overpowered main character. His first ability to awaken as an SS-Rank hunter was the power to control gravity. His ice skills only awakened later on at the late parts of book 1.
But gravity was supposed to be his real forte. That's why flying and floating around should be no problem!
Baek Haemin grabbed Kang Minho's collar.
"So why are you saying that he can't fly?! Talking nonsense to me now, you bastard?!"
"W, wait a—! Haemin-ssi, no, that's the truth though?!"
Minho closed his eyes as if he was being wronged.
He quickly added,
"Aren't you his stalker? You should know better than I do! The guildmaster only has ice-related skills!"
Haemin's hands froze.
"Really? He only has ice skills?"
"No, why are you acting like you don't know…?"
The young porter exhaled after finally being freed.
His mouth kept moving but Baek Haemin was already deep in his thoughts.
What is happening? This is completely different from the one I know. Why, why? What should I do? He defeated the SS-Rank phoenix in the novel mostly because of that ability, but what happens if he doesn't have it?
Is he going to lose? No, he's the main character who Shiro made to be the strongest. He wouldn't lose here, right? That's impossible…
[System:
{Warning! Immense pressure detected!}
Skill: Soul Calming Cleanser (L)
Activated.]
Pop!
The sound of his knuckles cracking one by one made Kang Minho tense up.
The air around Baek Haemin changed, and his head went down after hearing about his guildmaster.
Kang Minho patted his shoulder.
"Haemin-ssi, are you oka–?"
Bam!
The ground shook from the impact of Ryu Jinmu falling from the sky. The large phoenix stretched its wings and scoffed at the human daring to go up against it.
Its purple eyes lit up, and it folded its wings to its chest, inhaling as much air as it could. It slowly opened its beak.
Park Hanwoo gasped.
"Don't tell me, fire breath?! Everyone, take cover!"
They had no idea how big the SS-Rank Neo Phoenix's fire breath would be in an open space. The hunters quickly activated their defensive and hardening skills knowing this.
Kang Minho put his hand over Baek Haemin's head.
"Haemin-ssi, stay close to me!"
Haemin gritted his teeth. He quickly covered both his and Minho's eyes with his hands.
"Close your eyes!"
That's not fire breath. If it's the same as the phoenix in the novel, then that's…!
The phoenix closed its beak and stretched its wings as wide as it could. Golden light gathered between its feathers until it burst outward, flooding the world below as if the sky itself were igniting.
"Kugh!"
The hunters failed to close their eyes in time and could only groan in pain. Especially the two mages who were supporting their guildmaster closer, who kneeled in agony.
Their faces were filled with tears even without their eyes opening.
"Dammit! Guildmaster!"
Jihee tried to wipe her tears but couldn't bring herself to open her eyes. The only thing she could do at the moment was scream.
It felt as though someone poured acid on their eyeballs. The burning sensation crushed the hunters of the Blue Dragon Guild. Their defensive skills were useless in front of the phoenix's solar burst.
The only man left standing amidst all that was Ryu Jinmu. Even though the attack was mainly directed at him, he managed to stay unfazed.
At least, that's what it seemed at first glance. He lost strength in his right hand, causing his sword to fall to the ground. Blood dripped down his closed eyes.
Ryu Jinmu sighed as he raised his head up to the sky.
Nothing ever seemed to go his way. From Baek Raehwan's little brother bugging him nonstop, to going to a dungeon with him, to this SS-Rank phoenix that shouldn't even be here.
This wretched world…
He bent down to reach for his sword only to have it handed to him.
Who is it?
Then he felt someone wearing leather gloves clasp his hands. He was about to smack it away in surprise until a warm, tingly sensation spread from his hands to his whole body.
The sting in his eyes was gone, and the damage he suffered now seemed almost nonexistent.
Ryu Jinmu opened his eyes wide.
"You… why are you here?"
Baek Haemin laughed meekly while scratching his cheek.
"Because… I have to at least help with cleaning up my mess, right?"