Chapter 98

Sneaking a listen, it seemed the rest of the team, including their leader Yoo Taejin, were planning to set out on a regular reconnaissance mission after replenishing their water supply in the morning.

‘Still, judging by how they’ve survived long-term, they must be somewhat accustomed to this place.’

Of course, based on what I’d confirmed, Yoo Taejin’s group hadn’t solved a single one of the core puzzles hidden within this Black Forest.

To put it simply, while they had been steadily gathering information, it felt like their actual story progression had stalled at around ten percent.

‘Well, I suppose it’s up to me to somehow advance the situation.’

As I continued my train of thought, Choi Dain soon signaled that we had arrived at the first point.

Growl.

Grrrowl.

There, creatures resembling leopards, their bodies entirely covered in pitch-black fur, were present.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Black Panther】

▶Level 42

▶Stats

【Stamina : B+】

【Monstrous Power : C】

【Art Formula : D+】

【Mental Strength : C】

▶Traits (4/10)

【Witch’s Resonance (A+)】

【Composite Being (A-)】

【Spiritual Power Amplification (B)】

【Monstrous Strength (C+)】

Just as I knew. A specter created through experiments by the witch who originally forged this place in the past.

The Black Panthers before my eyes were also among them.

“…Lucky. Normally, we wouldn’t find them this quickly. They’re about as strong as your average Specter, so don’t let your guard down and follow me.”

Choi Dain sent us a warning and began stealthily and swiftly approaching the pack of Black Panthers.

Then, she pulled a dagger engraved with a Jooeon from her bosom and threw it just like that.

“Samripjae.”

Sssshriek!

Zzzzzzap!

Thud!

The dagger, filled with Spiritual Power, flew straight and struck one of the Black Panthers.

During the process, some sort of defensive barrier appeared to protect the Black Panther’s body, but the Cursed Technique inscribed on the dagger by Choi Dain pierced through it immediately.

Having likely faced them multiple times, she must have been aware of that information beforehand.

[Keeeek—!]

The Black Panther let out a scream filled with agony, collapsed on the spot, and thrashed about.

The rest of the pack, sensing a threat, vanished in an instant. As Choi Dain approached the fallen one, she opened her mouth.

“…See? All the creatures here have a certain level of resistance to Cursed Techniques like that. If you take them lightly, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“You mean we have to decisively finish them off when we have the chance?”

Han Seoa nodded and followed behind Choi Dain. It was precisely at that moment that I sensed something amiss.

‘What’s that?’

Near where the Black Panther had fallen, beyond it, something seemed to ripple for a moment in the trees above.

I secretly slipped my hand into my pocket, infused a Talisman with Spiritual Power, and threw it straight at that spot.

Whoosh.

Crash!

“Soul Blaze Rending Wave.”

Zzzzzzap!

Immediately, a reaction occurred.

Sssssslide.

“…Tch, already discovered, huh.”

“My apologies, boss. It seems I made a mistake.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s too late to run now that we’ve gotten this close anyway.”

Three men appeared as the Concealment Art was released. Seeing them, Choi Dain’s face contorted.

“You… why are you…!”

“Well, well, long time no see. Looks like you’ve been living comfortably, even forgetting my face?”

And then, from behind, another three enemies appeared, beginning to encircle us in a ring as if to surround us.

“Just as expected, we caught them perfectly, boss.”

“Of course. Being safe is good, but if you only move that way, your travel route becomes predictable.”

“…You guys, are you planning to break the promise made with the leader?”

Hearing Choi Dain’s urgent voice, the man laughed as if finding it absurd and continued.

“Pfft. What’s with that promise nonsense. Do you think such wordplay holds any meaning in a lawless place like this?”

“You… you’ll regret this.”

“Empty threats are useless. We confirmed that Yoo Taejin has gone out on reconnaissance.”

The man who slowly descended from the tree slowly gazed at us, then finally fixed his eyes on Choi Dain.

“I clearly told you, didn’t I? That you would definitely pay the price someday for wounding this body.”

“…Let these two go. They’re civilians with no involvement.”

“Why should we? From the start, it’s only you guys who make petty distinctions between civilians and Exorcists here.”

The situation didn’t look good. They were likely the lawless ones from the mountainous region I’d heard about before.

I discreetly observed their appearances and activated the Appraisal function.

Ding!

【Woo Kibeom】

▶Level : 49

【Lee Yongcheol】

▶Level : 44

【Henry Cobson】

▶Level : 43

【Kwak Dowoo】

▶Level : 41

【Heo Jitae】

▶Level : 40

【Wang Yong】

▶Level : 39

The underlings weren’t at a particularly impressive level, but Woo Kibeom, who seemed to be the leader, was a considerable force.

It seemed clear that he was an opponent Choi Dain’s power couldn’t handle.

“You must have thought I was an easy mark, hiding behind that guy’s shadow all this time. But what can you do? We’re not afraid of that Yoo Taejin guy anymore.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“It means we’ve acquired new forces capable of opposing Yoo Taejin.”

“That’s… impossible.”

Choi Dain, flustered, secretly gestured towards us behind her.

It meant to get away from the spot and escape immediately.

Han Seoa, who saw that gesture, hurriedly came out, met my eyes, and asked my intention.

Certainly, the enemies’ level was nothing to scoff at, and we didn’t even know their exact numbers.

It might be better to retreat for now and mount a rescue with Yoo Taejin’s group.

But if that happened, what would happen to her, left alone, was obvious.

And to be honest, I wasn’t particularly lacking in confidence either.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 37

▶Stats

【Stamina : C+(B)】

【Spiritual Power : B(B+)】

【Art Formula : B-】

【Mental Strength : A-】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Soul Combustion (A)】

【Challenger (B+)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

【Life Returner (B-)】

• The effect of the Companion (S) Trait is active.

• The effect of the Challenger (B+) Trait is active.

Because Han Seoa was right beside me now, I was in a state where my lacking stats received a correction due to the effect of her Companion Trait.

On top of that, because I was facing an opponent with a higher Level than me, the Challenger Trait was also activated.

If the stat increase and my PVP ability as a Ranker were combined, even if the opponent possessed a level equivalent to or above a 2nd-Rank Exorcist, it wasn’t impossible to win.

‘It’s worth a try.’

As I felt even in the recent fight with Gilford, my current combat sense was special. In terms of numbers, it was almost at its peak.

Adjusting the distance to a razor’s edge, reading the flow of battle—none were a problem, and I could easily reproduce the high-difficulty techniques I used in PVP back when I was a Ranker.

I checked the enemies’ stats and Traits once more, simulating imaginary battles in my head over and over.

And soon, when all the enemies knelt before the image of myself I had manifested in my mind.

I slowly drew Spiritual Power up from deep within my body.

About two years ago.

When Choi Dain was first sucked into the Eternal Labyrinth, she encountered Woo Kibeom’s group without even grasping where this place was.

‘…….’

At first, she followed them without understanding anything, but eventually, they showed their true colors, subdued her, and she was instantly put in danger of suffering a terrible fate.

‘At that moment, I thought everything was over.’

Woo Kibeom, with a face filled with rage, charging at her, wounded in the abdomen due to her resistance. Realizing what was about to happen to her, Choi Dain decided to take her own life at that moment.

The one who saved her was none other than Yoo Taejin.

‘…So this time, it’s my turn to step up.’

I thought that if they wanted to survive here together, they would at least not interfere with reconnaissance, but that was too complacent a thought.

Moreover, the statement about having acquired new forces to deal with Yoo Taejin bothered me for some reason.

Thus, Choi Dain intended to sacrifice herself to let the kids escape and have them relay the situation to Yoo Taejin.

Whoosh.

“Spirit Cannon Shell!”

Boom!

However, rendering such resolve meaningless, Woo Kibeom blocked Choi Dain’s attack all too easily and subdued her.

Zzzzzzap!

Crrrash!

Crunch!

“…Tch.”

“Did you really think you were something just because you were with Yoo Taejin? Let me make this clear: without him, you guys are just a ragtag bunch of nobodies.”

Defense of the attack, counter, and incapacitation via a Binding Spell Formula.

That series of processes was far too fast and precise. I knew it, but indeed, Woo Kibeom was a powerhouse Choi Dain could never hope to match.

“You said you’d escape the labyrinth, but were you just content maintaining the status quo? Two years have passed since then, and nothing seems to have changed.”

Sneering, Woo Kibeom viciously grabbed the hair of Choi Dain, whose entire body was restrained.

Grab!

“Ugh!”

“Look forward to it. I won’t let you die easily. This time, even Yoo Taejin won’t be able to save you.”

Even while captured, she gathered her wits and glanced towards the other side, but indeed, Han Kangyoon and Han Seoa hadn’t escaped.

Choi Dain bit her lip at her own powerlessness, unable to even buy time.

“…I’ll do anything. Just let the kids go.”

“Hey, hey. I said that, and you still don’t get it? You’re not in a position to propose anything to us.”

Saying so, Woo Kibeom gestured with his chin towards the direction where Han Kangyoon and Han Seoa were. Then, his underlings began approaching the two with lecherous smiles.

“This side is quite something too. We got lucky.”

“Sniff. Hnngh. This damn labyrinth does something pleasing once in a while, I’ll say.”

At that vulgar conversation, Choi Dain’s face naturally scrunched up in disgust.

Those two weren’t much compared to Woo Kibeom, but they had lived a long time.

There would be a simple difference in power, and even if not, they would be extremely tough opponents for the two who lacked real combat experience.

‘But, why…?’

Strangely, the expressions on the two’s faces didn’t show that much agitation. If they recognized the immediate danger, that absolutely shouldn’t be the case.

Just as Choi Dain was sensing a certain incongruity about it, Han Kangyoon, who had stopped Han Seoa as she prepared for Combat Posture, stepped forward.

“Touch me if you’re confident.”

“What?”

“I’ll warn you in advance. If we fight, I’ll kill you.”

That was a completely incomprehensible statement. Doubt swirled on everyone’s faces, and Wang Yong, who was at the very front, burst into loud laughter and placed his hand on Han Kangyoon’s shoulder.

“Kehehe. Did you lose your mind from being too flustered? Here, I touched you. Now what are you going to do about it?”

Even as the crisis loomed right before him, Han Kangyoon didn’t do anything special. He just stood still, looking at Wang Yong like that.

But at that moment. Han Kangyoon’s shadow rippled explosively, and something emitting a chilling gleam in its eyes leaped out from within it.

Sssssslide.

Whoosh!

[Grrrrrrr—!]

A black beast, like a giant panther, wrapped in a rippling shadow, instantly bit through Wang Yong’s waist.

Crunch!*

“Gyaaaaah—!”

The nearby comrades panicked, and Woo Kibeom also sharply turned his head, fixing his gaze on Han Kangyoon.

And from within Han Kangyoon’s shadow, which had somehow become like that.

Dozens of pupils, chilling to behold, were staring at Woo Kibeom’s group.