Chapter 22

“The shape is different from what I saw in the last dungeon, which means the language is different.”

Dungeons, strange spaces that began appearing all over the world one day. People seemed to view the Entities merely as a means to make money, but Cho-i thought these places were like another world, like having foreigners who speak a different language.

“Aliens?”

Cho-i let out a hollow laugh. But to her, it seemed similar to the Entities. Beings whose appearance and language were different from theirs. She began to think that the Entities were monsters.

“If so, why did dungeons start appearing in this world?”

The reason was unknown. She stopped thinking. It was natural that she alone couldn’t uncover the true nature of dungeons, which even major guilds and Research Organizations Worldwide hadn’t fully revealed yet.

“Will I be able to get more information if I join Paehyeok?”

She lifted her head. If she could learn more about dungeons, she might be able to find out more about the conditions or information regarding the appearance of hidden dungeons. She turned around. And began to return to her party members. This was all she could do today.

***

Three days had passed since they entered the dungeon. They passed numerous monsters and finally arrived in front of the boss monster room. The boss monster’s name was Angel of Swords. It was the size of a greatly enlarged Angel-type monster they had fought through so far, and its color was a deep gray, unlike other monsters. Everyone gathered before entering the monster room and began a meeting.

“According to the data Ms. Nara brought last time, it performs wide-range attacks, right?” “Yes, that’s right.”

Those who had exchanged words looked at Yeonsu Nam. Yeonsu Nam nodded.

“The barrier I’m deploying is weak, only able to block one attack for a few seconds, but that should be enough.”

“It makes a motion of spreading its wings right before casting that area-of-effect skill, so please be ready each time.”

“Alright. But don’t stay too far away. The barrier’s range isn’t very wide.”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

Just then, Yeonsu Nam looked at Cho-i and said,

“Cho-i, don’t get too excited this time either.”

“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Fortunately, all the unpleasant sensations had disappeared by the time they broke through here. There was no more losing control. The Entity seemed to be full, and also seemed satisfied with the current situation. Cho-i gripped her Sword and Shield tightly and stepped forward first.

“Let’s go.”

“If we catch this guy and leave right away, we’ll set a new record.”

“Again, don’t overdo it just to set a new record.”

“Yes!”

With that, they stepped into the boss monster room. Gray wings overlapped, covering its eyes, but as they approached, it spread its enormous wings and began to stare at them with its yellow eyeballs. Clang! Clang! Cho-i struck her shield and sword together, making a loud sound, then immediately leaped at the Entity and swung her sword. Clang! The attack was blocked, but a sharp feather was cut off. Cho-i turned to aggro the monster so it would only look at her. The dealers moved behind the monster and began to attack. Clang, clang! But their attacks were all blocked by its sharp, hard wing membranes.

“Nara Shim!”

“Yes!”

[Using skill attack power increase! All party members’ attack power increases by 5%!]

As she used her skill, meaningful attacks began to land. The sharp metallic clang of steel on steel tormented their ears. Swordsman Hoyeon Kim thrust his sword into the large eyeball between the wings. Screech! The boss monster let out a loud roar, soared high into the sky, and spread its wings. At the sight, healer Yeonsu Nam shouted,

“Everyone, gather over here!”

At that motion, everyone gathered towards Yeonsu Nam, and Yeonsu Nam activated her skill.

[Casting skill barrier! Protects party members for 5 seconds!]

“I’ll provide support!”

Immediately after, Nara Shim activated her skill.

[Casting skill damage reduction! Reduces damage taken by party members by 5%!]

Just as everyone was ready, a Rain of Blades poured down. Clang! Clang! Clang! The blades slid off the barrier created by Yeonsu Nam. But after 5 seconds, it scattered and shattered into a hazy mist.

“Dodge!”

“Behind me!”

Cho-i shouted. Cho-i activated her skill.

[Casting skill full protection! Takes 15% of the damage received by party members!]

“Cho-i!”

“I’m fine!”

Cho-i blocked the sky with her shield and took as much of the party members’ damage as possible. Fortunately, it wasn’t an A-Rank monster, so there was no major strain. However, the remaining party members who took damage were inevitably injured.

“Still, thanks to Cho-i and Nara, I was much less injured than I expected!”

“We’ll be fine for a few more times.”

“Come back down here!”

With that, the battle began again. Cho-i ran out first again, took the aggro, and stabbed his sword into the central eye. The screeching cry was something he could never get used to, no matter how many times he heard it. It was like the scream of metal. Cho-i blocked the metal wings flying towards him with his shield and endured, tensing his thighs.

“Healing starts immediately!”

The healer focused on Cho-i’s injury and used a healing skill, while the other damage dealers avoided the metal wings and poured attacks onto the eyeball-laden torso. However, the wings were so dense that no proper damage was dealt. Cho-i, who was trying to control his strength, was going crazy. He felt like he could end it quickly if he just went all out. But Nara Shim’s occasional glances held a clear meaning: stay still. Cho-i, unable to bear it any longer, shouted.

“Nara Shim!”

“What!”

“How many attack power buffs can you stack?!”

“About two, for one person!”

“Stack them on Maru Dan!”

“Ah! Got it!”

“You’ll be able to hit the torso when it spreads its wings and flies up!”

“Got it! Maru Dan! Did you hear that?”

“Yes!”

After several exchanges, the monster once again spread its wings wide and flew into the sky.

Nara Shim removed the buffs on everyone and stacked two buffs on the archer, Maru Dan.

[Casting skill attack power increase! Attack power increases by 5%!] [Using skill stacked attack power increase! Stacked attack power increases by 5%!]

Soon after, Maru Dan drew his bow.

[Casting skill continuous shot!]

Just before the boss monster cast Rain of Blades, Maru Dan’s continuous shots pierced the monster’s eyeballs repeatedly. A huge scream erupted, and its large body began to fall to the ground.

“Everyone, get out of the way!”

Everyone scattered and moved away, and soon after, the boss monster fell with a thud! The entity lay still and limp, and an exit soon appeared behind them. Someone stammered and asked,

“H-how many hours have passed?”

“A-about two hours.”

“W-we set a new record, didn’t we?”

“I-is that right?”

“Wow…”

“Whoa!”

Everyone came to their senses and began to cheer. Some people were hugging each other and jumping around.

“It’s a new record! While watching the trial!”

“Aren’t we all going to pass?”

“Wow, I hope we all pass!”

“If it’s a new record, won’t everyone pass?”

Everyone was full of hope, smiling and chatting with each other. A new record, in that difficult Paehyeok trial! The party members were talking loudly among themselves, then looked for Cho-i. They needed someone else to share this feeling with. But Cho-i was approaching the fallen boss monster and carefully collecting something. Everyone, swept up in joy, cooled down at Cho-i’s realistic demeanor.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to collect the items?”

“C-collect them, of course.”

“Uh, wait, is there a clause that says any items obtained during the trial belong to the Paehyeok Guild?”

Yeonsu Nam sighed.

“There’s no such clause. Paehyeok isn’t that much of a scoundrel. And they’re not short on items either.”

“Ahaha, you seem to know a lot about Paehyeok.”

At that, Cho-i looked at Yeonsu Nam. The two made intense eye contact, then soon turned their heads as if nothing had happened. Yeonsu Nam thought,

‘It seems they’ve figured it out.’

Until now, no one had noticed that there was an examiner hiding their identity during the trial. Yeonsu Nam was literally just holding back her power. The reason Cho-i was so sure it was Yeonsu Nam was simple. As a tank, Cho-i could feel that the healer was holding back. The healer must have felt it too, though.

‘She clearly noticed I’m the secret examiner, but how did she confirm it?’

As Cho-i lowered her head again to pick up items, Yeonsu Nam narrowed her eyes, observing her. Cho-i, busily collecting items, didn’t seem particularly special, but Yeonsu Nam sensed that Cho-i Hyeon was holding back, not using her full power.

‘Something’s strange. I should be wary.’

Yeonsu Nam, suspicious of Cho-i, turned her head as if it were nothing. Anything more could be handled outside. If she was indeed holding back power, and furthermore, if she wasn’t C-Rank, it wasn’t something Yeonsu Nam could handle herself. The teammates gathered the dropped items and magic stones and exited. Outside, the Paehyeok mining team and guild examiners stood with their hands behind their backs.

“Team 1.”

“Yes!”

“Good work. Please rest for a moment, and we will inform you of the trial results.”

“Okay!”

The five people crowded into the rest area prepared by Paehyeok Side. Five chairs, water to drink, and simple snacks were provided. The party members didn’t say anything, but perhaps feeling hungry, they immediately tore into the snacks and spoke.

“We’ll all pass, right?”

“Probably~”

Cho-i hummed, tearing open a snack, and looked at Yeonsu Nam. Yeonsu Nam didn’t avoid her gaze, then stood up and said,

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”