The Watchman League’s Hunters were already at the site of the fire, followed by other Hunters from major guilds. They usually fought like cats and dogs, but they joined forces to deal with the fire.
“Those of you with water-type Skills, don’t use them on your own!”
“Yes, use them together! That’s it!”
“The Black Dragon Guild will take command here! Please follow the Black Dragon’s lead on this one, people!”
A couple of High Rankers also showed up. I kept glancing at them as I helped other people.
“I-I finished closing off the area. The problem is whether or not there are survivors… We should hurry and send a rescue team.”
She was the Rank 5 Hunter and was called Master Alchemist, who led the Alchemist Office, the guild of doctors and pharmacists.
“It’s okay. It used to be a slum and it’s been abandoned for five years now. Ever since, access has been prohibited, so I guess that’s one silver lining.”
That was the Paladin, the Rank 10 Hunter and the assistant leader of the Watchmen League that maintained order in the city.
The only time I’d met them before this was in the newspapers. Unlike many High Rankers out there, these Hunters were known to work with others to help people. They got on the site before anyone else and took charge of the emergency response.
The Saintess was supposed to be with them too…
But she wasn’t. She had already been killed by the most arrogant of the solo High Rankers. The only people who knew of her death were the Fire Emperor and I. Even those two High Rankers didn’t know it yet—no, they would probably never know.
The Master Alchemist looked around. “Strange. Why isn’t Miss Saintess here yet…?”
“She told me that she had plans tonight. Although I don’t know what it is, it’s probably a date.” The Paladin laughed quietly. “She hangs out with the Fire Emperor pretty often nowadays.”
“...I don’t like the Fire Emperor.” The Master Alchemist’s shoulders drooped. “Something doesn’t feel right about him… Although I know it’s not polite to talk badly of him, I still think Miss Saintess deserves someone better.”
“Your standards are too high. The Fire Emperor is the Rank 1 Hunter, so if she has to find someone better, who’s she supposed to date? This is why you still haven’t found yourself a partner.”
“A-age has nothing to do with this now… And I’m still in my late thirties. It’s not too late…” The Master Alchemist trailed off.
Speak of the devil…
“It’s the Fire Emperor!”
The firefighters ground to a halt. Even the High Rankers turned to look. The Fucker just ambled in wearing a hoodie and sweatpants.
“What the shit?” the Fucker demanded, obviously annoyed. “Who played with fire without my permission?”
He was indeed an absolute psychopath.
“Welcome, Fire Emperor.” the Paladin nodded in acknowledgment.
“Yup, your big bro is here.”
“As you can see, a fire broke out in the old slum. Can you help us?” the Paladin politely asked.
However, the Fire Emperor wasn’t fazed. “What do I get if I help you?”
“You’ll feel great about helping many people for free.”
“Ah, drop the bullshit and make me a real offer.”
“The media around the globe will print front page articles about you tomorrow. The headlines will be something like ’The Fire Emperor extinguished the fire, saving a lot of people.’ It’ll be a refreshing shock to people, and you’ll be able to improve your image.”
“Ha.” The Fire Emperor sneered with his hands still in his pockets. “I don’t remember tiptoeing around those media jackals.”
He was one crazy asshole.
The residents already had their phones out and were filming the Fire Emperor, so his facial expressions and the words he said would be broadcast around the globe right now. People on the internet must be having a heated discussion, either advocating for or criticizing the Fire Emperor. What would the Fire Emperor’s advocates say?
—He’s right. ofc you should look out for yourself
—Only an idiot would help out people for free.
—I like how he’s still honest even after becoming a hero.
My head went blank.
No one knows who he really is.
A shiver ran down my spine.
He isn’t honest. He’s…just crazy. He isn’t in his right mind.
The fire was right near me, but I felt cold. The Fire Emperor had started this fire and all the tragedy that accompanied it, yet he had the audacity to come back and ask for a price with a straight face. That was when I resolved myself.
He has to go!
It wasn’t just for my revenge. For the sake of humanity and the honor of all Hunters, the Fire Emperor had to be eradicated. He was no different from monsters, and it was Hunters’ duty and life’s mission to hunt monsters!
I have to kill him…by whatever means necessary.
A fire-spitting monster was living in the Tower. Yes, there was, but that was going to change. That monster was now my prey.
Even if it costs me my life…
I walked past the heroes, who were discussing how to sort out the aftermath. Ordinary Hunters were also working hard to put out the fire, but I brushed past them as well, headed toward the seemingly unquenchable inferno.
“Huh? Hold on, where are you going?”
And I walked.
“Hey, bro! Don’t get too close!”
And I walked.
“Huh?! He’s crazy!”
“Somebody stop him!”
“Who the fuck is that?!”
And I ran.
I could hear people going wild behind me. Some people anxiously jumped up and down, unsure of how to stop me. On the other hand, several guys yelled at me as they fought the fire. I ignored them and charged straight into the fire. People called me crazy, but I wasn’t; in fact, I couldn’t be more level-headed right now. I understood the situation.
It’s hot!
I was in hell. The fire came at me like a snake flicking its scarlet tongue.
It hurts!
Whenever I took a step, more of my flesh melted. I could feel the surface of my eyes being burned to a crisp.
But it’s better than the time I got killed by the Fire Emperor!
This was the only way to kill the Fire Emperor.
I ran for a long time, but at the same time, it also felt like only a minute passed. I kept coughing because of the smoke. By the time I stopped coughing, I heard a voice.
[You have died.]
Yes.
[Rewinding twenty-four hours.]
It was my second death.