Morning sunlight warmed Tokyo, but the world's mood blazed hotter.
Every screen—phones, TVs, giant holograms above buildings—showed one man's face:
"KAEL ARCLIGHT — RANK #1 HUNTER — SSS BOSS SLAYER!"
Kael posed dramatically in every single interview clip:
sword over his shoulder, shining hero smile, coat fluttering even indoors.
He definitely didn't kill that boss.
But Yumi didn't care.
She sat in her tiny favorite café, enjoying pancakes and bubble tea, wearing her oversized black hoodie. Her legs kicked lazily under the table while she hummed quietly.
Her system pinged.
[ Hidden Quest Complete ]
Save an entire raid team without anyone noticing.
Reward:
+3 Levels
New Passive Skill: Void Presence
[ Void Presence ]
Your existence, footsteps, mana, and killing intent automatically fade from perception.
Yumi nodded.
"Nice… makes it easier to buy snacks."
She took another sip of bubble tea.
Got it.
[ Hidden Achievement: Watching Someone Take Credit For Your Kill ]
Reward: +1 Patience
She stabbed her pancake a little harder.
The Café Door Burst Open
Reporters, bodyguards, and fanclub members swarmed inside.
And in the very center—
**Kael Arclight.
Rank #1.
Hero.
Walking ego with a sword.**
He made his coat flutter dramatically even though the café had no wind.
Customers whispered:
"Whoa! It's Kael!"
"He's so handsome!"
"He saved a whole raid yesterday!"
Yumi, still chewing, didn't look impressed.
Kael scanned the room like he expected applause. His eyes stopped at Yumi simply because she wasn't screaming or fainting.
He walked over.
"Hello, civilian." he said with the voice of someone expecting a praise.
Yumi blinked.
"…Hello?"
He smiled like a celebrity greeting a random fan.
"You look calm. Most people get nervous around me."
Yumi sipped her bubble tea.
Still calm.
"…Okay."
Kael cleared his throat, trying again.
"I'm the Rank #1 hunter. Kael Arclight. Surely you've heard of me?"
"I heard the news say you killed a frost tyrant," Yumi replied.
Kael puffed his chest proudly.
"Yes! I delivered the final blow!"
Kael continued boasting, showing videos of himself.
"This swing right here—this is my signature finishing move: Heavenly Radiance Slash."
The barista whispered, "Isn't that from his C-rank goblin fight…?"
Kael pretended not to hear.
He smirked. "You seem like someone who admires strength."
Yumi: "I admire pancakes."
Kael froze.
"…I—I see."
He tried to recover. "If you ever encounter a dangerous dungeon, call me. I'll protect the people."
Yumi nodded because it was easier than explaining she could solo the entire hunter association.
The World Suddenly Tore Open
A deafening boom shook the street.
The sky twisted violently, turning black with crimson lightning.
A vortex exploded open.
[ DUNGEON BREAK DETECTED: RANK SSS — EXTINCTION CLASS ]
Screams filled the street.
Kael instantly drew his sword—
"Citizens! Stay calm! I will handle—"
A colossal tentacle slammed down and sent him flying into a hotdog stand.
"AAAAARGH—!! I–I meant EVACUATE! EVACUATE!"
Hunters scrambled.
"Where's backup???"
"Why is the strongest guy stuck under a hotdog cart?!"
"Someone help him!!"
Yumi stepped outside the café, still holding her drink.
She sighed.
"…He's going to die."
Another gigantic tentacle crashed down, crushing cars, knocking hunters unconscious, and slapped Kael's ass many times.
Kael screamed desperately:
"HEAVENLY RADI—AAAAAAHHH—STOP HITTING MEEE—!!"
Yumi looked at her bubble tea.
"…Still half full. Okay."
She walked forward to the monster.
Her system activated silently.
[ Stealth Mode: MAX ]
[ Power Output: 1% ]
[ Objective: Protect the city without being seen. ]
While the world panicked, Yumi strolled calmly toward the apocalypse with one hand in her pocket and a straw between her lips.
Nobody noticed her.
Nobody ever did.