The Grill-Wielding Saintess of the Dead

The Hunter Association’s stance was quickly organized.

[Let’s give Isia broadcasting permission and support her as soon as possible!]

Over the past week, the Hunter Association had been monitoring Isia’s unexpected broadcast to see how she reacted and how the net runners in the Hunter Gallery responded to Hunter Isia.

A staff member of the Association had even been assigned to monitor the Hunter Gallery for real-time information related to Isia. They also checked Isia’s smartwatch access records.

Just to be safe, a staff member from the Association asked Yeonhwa.

“Unnie Shia seemed completely unfazed. In fact, she even said she was happy about it. She mentioned that in her previous world, she soothed the people’s minds and healed those in pain. Even when I said I would take legal action on her behalf, she just smiled, saying it felt like watching the children’s performances, so she was fine with it. Even if she has her quirks, she’s truly a genuine saint.”

Such testimony came out.

The emergence of Isia, a newcomer presumed to possess S-grade fighting power, caused numerous net runners to cheer, which the Association had anticipated.

The image of an S-grade Hunter established by Yeonseo held a status greater than that of a hero, so it was natural for people to be thrilled about it.

The biggest concern was how Isia would handle all of this.

If combined with her mental issues, it could spell disaster for her broadcasts.

Fortunately, the Hunter Association concluded from Yeonhwa’s testimony that despite the countless ‘crossing the line’ remarks from the malicious net runners, the saintess of the dead was completely untouched mentally. Assessing various circumstances collectively, they determined that Isia would be able to broadcast far more smoothly than expected.

Broadcasting would be tough for anyone with a weak mental state.

One had to prepare for rumors, slander, and the stalking-like obsession, insults, and malicious bullying from the deadly net runners.

Yet, Isia possessed a mental fortitude that allowed her to gracefully brush all of it aside.

Whether that was due to real mental strength or because her mind had become so rotten that such malice didn’t affect her anymore was hard to tell. Regardless, the Hunter Association had confidently determined Isia was a suitable candidate to start broadcasting, leaving only the swift approval.

The Association wasn’t acting out of simple kindness or innocence when it came to supporting the saintess of the dead.

While keeping an eye on Isia, the most convenient and mutually beneficial way to satisfy her ‘malicious appetite’ was to grant her broadcasting permission. After all, if they dragged their feet and allowed the saintess of the dead to have hunger pangs due to her malicious appetite, it could lead to an irreversible situation.

From the perspective of the Association, they had been preparing for this since a week ago; all that was left was to secure a quick approval.

“A yellow mark has popped up.”

“That should signify that the Hunter Association has certified her.”

The certification mark from the Hunter Association was essentially a guarantee reading, “This hunter is an outstanding hunter certified by the Association! Please watch the broadcast with confidence!”

Many hunters eager for the Association’s certification mark found the process to be quite tedious and lengthy, so the average streamer saw no need to bother going through the hassle to obtain it.

However, once certified, a certain number of viewers were guaranteed.

There wouldn’t be a single viewer who wouldn’t enjoy the dazzling combat and near-invincible action of a skilled hunter.

“Uh… revenue settings? Display settings?”

“How do we do this…?”

“Yeonhwa, have you ever broadcasted before?”

“Of course not…. Grandmother sometimes does, but she went to Afghanistan yesterday, so it’s a bit awkward to ask her.”

Wait, Yeonseo’s grandmother broadcasts…?

“Yeonseo does broadcasts…? I can’t imagine that!”

“Yeah, she was talking about highland farming or something in a dungeon, but I haven’t seen it often…”

Shia mixed the switch account with Yeonhwa for a while.

The support AI drone provided by the Hunter Association was loaded with the latest features that, if you just pressed the broadcasting button, would automatically capture the optimal angles and compositions of the camera, but Shia had no clue how to manage the broadcasting account or what settings to adjust during the streaming process.

Honestly, she had no idea.

Although internet broadcasting existed back in 2024 before the Great Rift, Shia hadn’t started broadcasting then, and now there were far more broadcasting settings and various interfaces layered on top, so she couldn’t figure out what to do.

Unfortunately, Yeonhwa had never broadcasted either, so she couldn’t offer any solid advice.

However, putting the broadcasting settings entirely in the hands of the Hunter Association felt a bit off too.

When has a national agency been in charge of setting up personal broadcasts?

“It’s okay. Let’s just try it.”

“Really, unnie?”

“Yes, today we’ll simply start with a self-introduction.”

Something seems… off…

○○○○○

Broadcasting, huh.

Even before 2024, I hardly knew anything about it.

I hadn’t really had any streamers I paid attention to, and I was swept away by the Great Rift before I could properly enjoy life.

Of course, the streamers’ broadcasts in the world I returned to turned out to be unexpectedly fun and interesting, too.

‘Well, thanks to that, I blew away my first returnee support fund of 100 million won on something other than food and broadcasting donations…’

I had hoped to just watch and enjoy, but I never imagined I would be the one broadcasting.

But, it really was fun.

Seeing my name ‘Isia’ being called in many different contexts on the Hunter Gallery gave me joy.

Even now, I’m not quite sure why I felt that joy.

Could it be because it reminded me of the time I was revered as a saint by the imperial citizens in my previous world?

The net runners from the gallery who Yeonhwa called malicious didn’t seem nearly as bad as I expected, either.

In fact, they seemed cute…

If you were to ask if I was ready for this, well…

I never needed readiness.

I wasn’t nervous about broadcasting; while I still pondered what kind of show I should put on, I wasn’t shaking, nor did I feel any mental burden.

The real issue tying me down, though, was something else.

‘Can someone like me even do this…? Am I allowed to just have fun as I please?’

I locked eyes with the drone camera staring at me from the chair.

Its lifeless eyes felt like they were the resentful gaze of a human I had consumed.

I had eaten 192 individuals regardless of their innocence or guilt during my first hunger pang, whether they were deeply connected to me or just people I had met once.

Could I really go on living freely doing something like broadcasting?

Leaving my past connections behind in my previous world.

Forgetting everything. As if nothing had ever happened…

Am I allowed to feel happy?

Did I deserve to live like this?

Should a damned dead saint like me indulge in this luxury of seeking happiness?

The shadows of my past that had stopped my steps and pulled at my ankles.

Were they the shadows of sin, or merely illusions of my own making?

I felt the ghastly appearances of those I had consumed flash before me.

[We have already forgiven you.]

I heard a voice that seemed familiar.

Tia Lauria, the captain of the 3rd Imperial Knights, who had been with me for over ten years… and the voice of the first person I had consumed during my initial hunger pang.

Tia, Tia… how can you forgive me? I still can’t forgive myself…

[What can you do about it? What’s done is done, and you can’t help that. Even if it seems like hell at first, after living in your head for decades, you’ll slowly come to understand.]

[That’s right!]

[I also forgave you.]

[Me too.]

[We’ve said it a million times. We’ve forgiven you.]

Rosimia Maltaris, Glutia, Zviye…

‘Is it really that easy to forgive?’

[You’ve lived in my soul for decades. Naturally, you’ve seen many of my memories.]

[We know well how tormented the saintess has been by her regrets.]

[Regardless of anything, we are one with you.]

[Sigh, it was a death sentence anyway; it’s better this way.]

[Wow, being one with the saintess is a privilege…]

[You crazy.]

In my mind, there are many gravestones erected.

I don’t know if those are truly their souls or mere illusions I conjured to rationalize myself.

I have no right to say so much to them.

Yet still, I couldn’t help but smile.

Thank you.

It’s a message that I’d never convey, but just apologizing and seeking forgiveness for things that have already happened…

Still, I’m grateful to them.

Closing my eyes, the memories flood back.

Suddenly, the horrific memories of the past seem to want to ensnare me like a spiderweb.

When I was struggling with guilt in my former world, Menelapie had stayed by my side.

Teresa had come to be by my side, too.

But who’s left for me now…?

“Are you okay, unnie?”

“……. Yeah.”

Looking at Yeonhwa, who seemed worried, I realized once again how fortunate I was.

Despite being a dead saint who should have perished, I still had connections that were so above my worth.

“Okay, unnie, I’ll start now.”

“Uh, right. I’ll leave it to you.”

As Yeonhwa gave the signal behind the drone camera, I lifted my head.

The dark shadow that had grasped my ankle was no longer visible.

‘Goodbye.’

The cold, lifeless gaze of the drone camera felt less foreign now.

○○○○○

[Hey hey, Hunter Isia’s broadcast has started!]

『F*ck, I’ve lived for this day!』

[This guy isn’t normal!]

[I think this kid’s part of the St. Saint’s fan club.]

ㄴ[What’s that?]

ㄴ[Dead Saint Fan Club.]

ㄴ[LOL, so grimy!]

ㄴ[But I kinda like it.]

ㄴ[WTF!]

[(Breaking) Hunter Isia turns on the broadcast after a week!]

『And she’s even got the Hunter Association certification mark!』

[For real?]

[Doesn’t that take a lot to get?]

[Seems like the Association intentionally leaked the broadcast from a week ago for promotion?]

ㄴ[I dunno.]

ㄴ[That sounds plausible.]

ㄴ[Really?]

The malicious net runners dwelling in the genre Hunter Gallery stormed into ‘Hunter Isia’s’ broadcast in an instant.

There wasn’t much difference compared to the broadcast from the Kurtala Mountains.

Hunter Isia’s broadcast had no title or theme set; only the name ‘Hunter Isia’ was plastered on, with the sole change being the yellow certification mark from the Hunter Association appearing next to the host’s name.

[5252!]

[Wow!]

[Is this the titty room?]

[Clarify clarify clarify clarify clarify clarify clarify clarify!]

[Mom, I’m cold! Mom, I’m cold! Mom, I’m cold! Mom, I’m cold!]

[Where is this? Where is this? Where is this? Where is this? Where is this? Where is this? Where is this? Where is this?]

[Heeuh, unnie…]

[Tits! Tits! Tits! Tits! Tits! Tits! Tits!]

[Why did you take a week to start broadcasting?]

[Why did it take you so long to start?]

The actual first broadcast had a total of 4,000 people entering Shia’s stream.

And that number continued to increase in real-time.

Yeonhwa, watching the insane viewer count, was in shock.

Even B-grade hunters who broadcast regularly often couldn’t break an average of 1,000 viewers; what had drawn so many people to tune in the moment Shia started broadcasting?

Regardless, Shia simply sat calmly on the couch, gazing at the drone camera.

[Wow, the host’s titty is really huge!]

[Saint Noona’s Seongnyeok pouch… Heeuh…]

[WTF!]

[Make me touch your titty!]

[Try saying it in a nicer way.]

[Oh my god, really want to feel those motherly breasts that look like they’re about to burst!]

[You crazy! LOL!]

[Hey, isn’t that crossing the line?]

[If a lawsuit comes, just take it quietly! LOL!]

“Are you okay? Hello?”

[Oh…]

But as Shia greeted the audience while observing the holographic chat window, the viewers momentarily fell silent.

[Oh my god!]

[What’s that voice!?]

[Seriously, you were hilarious when stealing the wyvern’s egg, but why are you so composed here?]

[Why does this Noona look so normal? I expected something bizarre from you.]

[Show us your tentacles!]

[Heeuh, Saint Noona’s tentacles…]

“Tentacles?”

[Miracle – The Manifestation of the Sacred]

“Will this work?”

As the gentle pulse of Seongnyeok resonated throughout the room, five tentacles bloomed from Shia’s waist like flowers.

[Oh sh*t!]

[That’s it!]

[I want to be penetrated by those tentacles!]

[LOL!]

[What’s with the host? Is she a shapeshifter? What’s going on?]

[Is she a Hunter?]

[Why did you take a week to start broadcasting?]

[Answer, will you?!]

In the midst of all this, while still amazed yet confused, Shia smiled.

No matter how chaotic the situation, she felt okay.

This wasn’t confusion; the so-called ‘malicious actions’ of the kids genuinely felt like innocent, cute antics that left not even a scratch on Isia’s heart.

[Tentacle looks like it can suck very well.]

[This is crazy! LOL!]

[SEX!]

[The sex-crazed guy’s here! LOL!]

The chat seemed to be getting a bit fiery.

Hey now, calm down. Just listen to my words.

What do these kids know?

As the tentacles coiled around her body like a snake, Shia turned her attention back to the camera.

“Hey. Starting today, I am Isia, and I will be streaming with the Hunter Association’s certification mark.”

[Shia Noona…]

[Heeuh…]

[Are you a returnee?]

[What grade are you?]

[What’s the size of your motherly pouch?]

[Where is this?]

“Feel free to ask your questions slowly. I’ll do my best to answer most of the questions today.”

As Shia said this, she smiled gently towards the camera and lowered her head.

“And I really appreciate it. I didn’t expect so many people to show up.”

[We see your cleavage!]

[OMG!]

[Please!]

[Possible!]

[Totally possible!]

Oh boy, those guys…

Well, I was once like that, so it can’t be unexpected.

“So, let’s start with some simple questions.”

[Are you a returnee?]

[Isn’t she a returnee?]

[You weren’t on the new Hunter list or the promoted Hunter list, though.]

[Did you look all that up?]

[LOL!]

“Yes, I am a returnee. I returned from the Nafthar Great Forest dungeon a month ago.”

[Nafthar Great Forest? Isn’t it supposed to be upgraded from A to S grade due to Dungeon Overbreak?]

[I dunno.]

[I think that’s right!]

[So you survived there??]

[Then, what grade are you?]

[Even if she’s A grade, going to an S grade dungeon and surviving isn’t that difficult.]

[The expert just dropped in! LOL!]

[So what’s your Hunter grade?]

“Well…”

[Don’t play coy.]

[For real?!]

[What’s your grade?]

“I don’t really know.”

[Why don’t you know??]

“The Association told me not to tell. I haven’t even had a proper combat test yet to be promoted. Please just think of it as a Schrodinger’s grade. It could be C-grade or S-grade, who knows? Take your pick.”

[Schrodinger’s grade? LOL!]

[If she’s D-grade, that’d be hilarious!]

[She just smashed a wyvern group and yet she’s talking about D-grade?]

[Is she knuckleheaded? LOL!]

[Is the host really S-grade? If she’s S-grade, that’s why she can’t say.]

With unexpectedly adept replies flowing from Isia, Yeonhwa was amazed.

Even though it was her first broadcast, Shia navigated conversations with viewers effortlessly as a saintess who had worked for over 60 years as the Emperor’s right hand.

While her stunning visuals and overflowing motherly features could draw attention, it ultimately came down to a streamer’s skill and ability to connect with the audience.

Perhaps Shia had become accustomed to engaging with crowds after living as a saintess.

[Age?]

[What’s your age?]

[How old are you?]

[How old are you, host?]

“I’m 85 years old.”

[?]

[Huh?]

[??]

[???]

[What the…?]

[No way! LOL!]

[If anyone else found out, a bunch of you guys would be all over her like flies!]

[So what if she’s 85?]

“However, the Returnee Management Bureau calculated my mental age to be 21.”

[Oh, so you’re young then.]

[Legal, right? Heeuh, totally possible!]

[What’s legal? LOL!]

[But at least you look like your age!]

[Appearance-wise, it does seem like you’re older.]

[Your motherly pouch is impressive; who cares about the age?]

[That’s true.]

[SEX!]

“So I’m going to speak comfortably. You all would prefer it, right? It would be boring to talk formally when an 85-year-old grandmother speaks to you.”

[Possible!]

[Hell yeah!]

[Honestly, it’s better if the host speaks comfortably.]

[Heeuh, unnie… give me your tits.]

[Stop that already, you psycho!]

[So you don’t want them? I totally want them.]

[Really, they’re amazing!]

[LOL!]

[LOLOL!]

[LOLOLOLOLOL!]

[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!]

Sometimes it seemed like they were fishing for hooks, and other times, Isia handled her viewers like a professional streamer.

Was this really a hunter’s first broadcast? Yeonhwa could only find it curious.

‘She truly is no ordinary saintess…’

Even with only a few words exchanged, Shia’s uniquely soothing demeanor and the overwhelming prowess she was presumed to have were slowly transforming the deadly net runners into her own viewers, adapting them seamlessly.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided what kind of broadcast I want to do yet. Though I’ve received the Hunter Association’s certification mark, I’m concerned that simply entering the dungeon and slaughtering monsters might not be the best approach.”

[Why is that a problem?]

[What’s the issue?]

“That’s because I’m just a newcomer in this world. Engaging in broadcasts might inadvertently harm other hunters who have been streaming for longer. I might already be causing some trouble as soon as I go live. Anyway… honestly, there are many broadcasts of people killing monsters, right?”

[Then what the hell are hunter broadcasts?]

[True! LOL!]

[That’s what I came for!]

[Just go to the dungeon and fight like the badass you are; the drone camera is going to capture everything anyway!]

[I heard the drone camera performance is top notch!]

[Quit with the nonsensical talk; just get into a dungeon already!]

[Or show us your tits!]

[Is he gonna keep spouting that? He’s been saying it for a while now!]

“It’s fine. No need to curse. That kid’s just pitiful in the end. Since he hasn’t met a real woman in life, he just wants to unleash his vile desires on me, even if through a screen. I can’t show you directly, but indulging in the fantasies of such a poor child is something I can easily accept.”

[???]

[AAAHHH!]

[NOO!]

[What the hell?!]

[Is this a mass slaughter? What is this? Is the saintess not a saint?]

[Is this really her?]

[No, mom! I’m sorry! No, mom! I’m sorry! No, mom! I’m sorry! No, mom! I’m sorry! No, mom! I’m sorry!]

“Hehe, just kidding. Don’t take it seriously. Anyway, I want to try something a bit different from other hunter streamers.”

Relaxedly smiling, Shia stood up from the couch.

Following her movement, the blooming tentacles wriggled and intertwined with the drone camera.

[OMG, why are those tentacles so seductive?]

[Heeuh…]

[I adore Saint Noona and her tentacles!]

“Have you heard of the Bladed Centipede?”

[B-grade monster, right?]

[Yeah, yeah.]

[They live in groups, and those groups are treated like A-grade!]

[So why bring that up?]

[Is she planning to do a mukbang with the Bladed Centipede?]

[How would you even eat that? LOL!]

[No way!]

“I plan to do a mukbang featuring Bladed Centipede Fries for my first broadcast!”

[?]

[??]

[?]

[??]

[What?]

[????]

[???]

“What did you say, unnie?”

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