Boom!

Concrete buildings, still holding occupants inside, collapsed mercilessly. Amid the noise and dust, human screams seemed trivial, swallowed by the chaos.

[Breaking News! Unknown-Origin Gate Emergence! Emergency Evacuation Required!]

[Emergency Evacuation Required!]

[Unable to Determine Gate Rating! SSSS……]

Crackle.

The screen at the intersection, barely functioning, relayed this last warning before it died completely.

Dungeon breaks were common enough occurrences. But in this world, hunters, far stronger than the monsters within the gates, competed for rankings. Under the structured management and supervision of the “Hunter Bureau,” they protected citizens from beasts, serving as real heroes compared to the incompetent government.

“Mommy, I’m scared!”

“Don’t worry, Ji-woo. Hunters will come soon to rescue you. Don’t worry, my sweet child…”

A woman in her early thirties held her kindergarten-aged son tightly, hiding within the rubble of a collapsed building.

Screech. Boom. Screams pierced the air!

Beastly knights on horseback rampaged like untethered stallions, and the sound of lives being snuffed out surrounded them.

It was a suffocating moment, each second filled with the fear of sudden death. There was nowhere to run; their options were to die now or die later.

“Did you see that? They can’t even classify the gate’s level! This has never happened before!”

“Damn it, we’re all gonna die here. Where’s the Hunter Bureau? Did they run away to save their own skins?”

“No… look over there. Even the hunters… are struggling.”

“……”

The onlookers watched in tense silence as a battle unfolded on one side of the field.

The black-armored monsters displayed terrifying power. Resembling knights from history, they moved as one with their horses, wielding swords with precision even atop the unstable mounts. One swing of their swords cracked buildings and shredded the asphalt roads.

If the minions were this strong, how powerful would the final boss be?

These knight-like monsters were unprecedented, their uniforms and banners as dignified as those of an ancient order. The mere sight of their refined, noble appearance as they slaughtered people felt even more merciless than a monstrous look.

“It… it’s going to be okay. If we stay hidden here… they won’t find us. Please…”

“M-Mom…”

With this unprecedented dungeon break, people finally grasped the weight of true despair. They knew they might not even survive the day, let alone live to see tomorrow.

It was at that moment.

As they held their breath, waiting for death, several shadows appeared over them. The sudden shade sent chills across their bodies.

They slowly raised their heads.

A horse, its mane like black smoke from hell, stood there, with five more terrifying knights encircling them.

“Gasp! It’s a monster!”

“Run!”

“Mommy!”

Frozen in place, the young woman hugged her child tightly, feeling a blade rise high and cut through the air.

Please. Someone, save my child.

“My child! Not my child!”

“Please, save us!”

Swoosh.

Just then, something descended softly from above.

It moved with incredible speed and emitted a dazzling glow.

What… was that?

For a moment, the monsters halted, transfixed, and the dust settled into stillness.

This was their chance to escape. But as if their feet were bound, everyone stared at the newly arrived presence.

Time seemed to stop as someone began walking out from the cloud of dust, an aura of calm strength surrounding them.

The humans guessed instinctively at the figure’s identity.

This being was stronger than the monsters around it.

Whether friend or foe, it was clear this was an immensely powerful presence, enough to capture even the monsters’ attention.

But then, a sound broke the humans’ expectations.

Clop, clop.

Clop, clop?

The heels struck the surviving asphalt road in slow, deliberate steps.

Billowing like layered drapery, a voluminous skirt flowed around them, while a leather bodice hugged their figure, emphasizing graceful curves.

Flowing hair, a slender neck adorned with an ornate necklace, and a transparent, gem-like halo glowing above the head, as though crafted from flames.

‘A… dress? Is that a dress?’

Who would wear a dress in this world, especially after a dungeon break like a bride whose wedding got interrupted?

Yet, people quickly realized that the knight-like monsters’ attire also felt equally out of place.

Then, hundreds of knight-like monsters dismounted in unison and knelt toward the mysterious figure. It was an act of reverence, not learned but genuinely felt.

In that instant, a thunderbolt of realization struck those watching.

“No way!”

“Well, I told you not to touch the children, didn’t I?”

The woman’s voice rang out distinctly. It was both dreamy and dignified, exuding an undeniable power.

“I need to punish you for disobeying my orders.”

And with that, she raised a small gun and fired two quick shots.

As the magic exploded like water balloons, a dozen or so monsters disappeared without a trace.

What… was that?!

‘Could she have saved us? Is she an ally? A hunter?’

Finally, the people got a clear view of the woman. Her hair was a dazzling silver, like a unicorn’s mane, and her eyes were the color of amethyst.

And her face—so mesmerizingly beautiful that all else seemed to fade.

She looked like a noblewoman from a classical portrait or perhaps a legendary actress long since passed.

Regardless of who she was, once you saw her, you couldn’t look away.

“Oh my god! How can anyone be this beautiful?”

“W-Who are you?”

Someone shouted at her. She tilted her head slightly, a small smile gracing her lips.

Though faint, the smile seemed to brighten everything around her.

“Me?”

She lifted her head again.

“I am the Duchess of Brent… the GViscountess of Wiltsbrook, and godmother to Emperor Ridit Kaisley. My name is Louise Meyers. But… you may know me by another name here: ‘The Lady Torn from the Portrait.’”

“…!”

“Th-The Lady Torn from the Portrait!”

Someone gasped. Could they know who she is?

Just then, a hunter appeared and shouted urgently.

“Everyone, get back! She’s the final boss of this gate!”

“!”

—

“What? The final boss?”

“That can’t be! How could someone so beautiful be a boss monster?”

“Run! Just run!”

Chaos erupted.

The knight-like monsters, startled by the punishment, resumed attacking people but carefully avoided the children.

Yet, some onlookers, mesmerized by her surreal beauty, seemed reluctant to escape.

‘Ha. And I have to just stand here, witnessing this horrific situation.’

Yes, I am the final boss of the SSSSS-grade gate, destined to be recorded as the worst dungeon break in this world.

Known as “The Lady Torn from the Portrait.”

Perhaps due to the boss being a noblewoman, the lower monsters appeared as knights in uniform with iron masks on their faces.

‘An expectant mother should be basking in classical music, not facing a gate break!’

But who could I blame?

After all, it was me who boldly took on this quest.

I’m currently around six weeks pregnant. A few days ago, a “Bonus Quest” appeared in Alec’s system.

Apparently, this bonus quest had appeared because we’re expecting a child.

The quest’s title was…

[~The Most Perfect Prenatal Education!~]

[Quest Rewards]

– The child’s physical prowess will increase. Future Sword Master guaranteed. Eligible for advanced classes.
– A strong bond with the child will form. No rebellious teenage years.
– The child’s health will be enhanced. No colds ever.

“Oh, I ‘have’ to get this…!”

Or rather, I ‘must’ accept it!

As soon as I saw the quest rewards, there was no need for hesitation—I was ready to accept it immediately. Even without knowing the specifics of the quest, the list of rewards was simply irresistible.

Whether the baby would be a boy or a girl, it was a golden opportunity to give birth to a strong child who wouldn’t be defeated by something as trivial as a cold.

‘And it’s not a common bonus quest, either.’

Since Alec’s system had stopped generating quests after defeating the forces of evil, a quest reappearing, and one for our child, of all things, was completely unexpected!

Unexpectedly, the quest required the participation of both parents.

Though Alec felt it was odd for me to join, especially while pregnant, he didn’t argue once I insisted on doing it together.

…But now, I’m supposed to be the final boss? A boss monster? A creature?

How could they set me up as a boss monster?!

It was absurd.

…Where in the world could you find a boss monster this beautiful?

And here I was, abruptly transformed into one of the most fearsome creatures in this world, witnessing horrors instead of experiencing serene prenatal care.

The message from the system window that first appeared after I accepted the quest had said this:

[You, who have awakened as the final boss of the SSSSS-grade gate, ‘The Lady Torn from the Portrait’!]

‘As the leader of the Legion of Knights, you have torn yourself from a masterpiece to rule the mortal world.’

‘Now is the time to spread your greatness far and wide!’

‘Eliminate all enemies threatening you and take over the world!’

Wait… what…?