Chapter 46

Suui Kim, who had been listening to the conversation with a serious expression, followed, looking dumbfounded, and soon Yeonwoo Han and Namsu Kang also followed. Matching up in the practice room was not as difficult as they expected. When Cho-i fought near the party members without separating, according to Suui Kim’s wishes, the stability definitely increased. This meant there seemed to be no major difficulty in protecting a B-Ranker.

“…If the dungeon also proceeds like this, there won will be no problems.”

Cho-i shrugged her shoulders.

“Right?” “Dungeons are full of variables, Ganansu.” “Yes, yes!” “What is the rank of your stealth skill?” “It’s A-Rank. So, there’s a chance it might not work on monsters of A+ Rank or higher.” “It would be good to be careful, just in case.”

Ganansu nodded as if there was nothing she could do. Cho-i quietly watched them converse, then called Ganansu aside while Suui Kim briefly spoke with Yeonwoo Han.

“Hey, why are they suddenly asking you to go in?”

Ganansu looked around, then lowered her voice and said quietly,

“We’ve never filmed inside a dungeon before. But my ability makes that possible, so it seems various plans have emerged. Primarily, I think they want to extract combat footage to use as educational material for hunters.”

“Hmm, it’s true that cameras and smartphones don’t work inside dungeons, so it was hard to know exactly what was happening inside.”

“We’ve already tried it in C-rank and B-rank dungeons, and it was successful. Honestly, I thought I’d never have to go into a dungeon again, but I’m really going to die, aren’t I? And this time, it’s an A-rank. I really don’t want to go. I’m scared to death.”

Ganansu was already a very timid person. Cho-i knew that about her, but she didn’t feel obligated to comfort her. Cho-i patted Ganansu firmly on the shoulder and said,

“Good luck. I won’t let you die.”

“Really?”

Ganansu’s eyes sparkled at the half-hearted remark, which was more annoying than expected.

“You might get close to dying, though.”

“Excuse me…!”

“Use your skills and hide as much as possible. Nobody will ask you to fight anyway.”

“Okay…”

Ganansu’s face was pale. Even if she wasn’t fighting, it was incredibly terrifying for a non-combat B-rank to enter an A-rank dungeon, so it couldn’t be helped. Of course, Cho-i, who couldn’t empathize at all, grinned and playfully slapped her back.

“It’ll be fine. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’ll hold my breath and hide.”

“Do that.”

After finishing her conversation with Ganansu, Cho-i returned to Suui Kim. Suui Kim still seemed to be deliberating on the matter. The dungeon management team had already stated, “This is how it is, so comply,” rather than “Think it over,” and then left, so it was unclear why she was still so worried.

“You’re a wild card, and a B-rank hunter at that.”

“Oh, come on, I did say I’d behave for now.”

“But you have a habit of rushing out when you get excited.”

“This time, I’ll give a signal before rushing out.”

“You’re not saying you won’t rush out at all, are you?”

“Hahahaha.”

Cho-i subtly shifted her gaze and brushed it off with a laugh. Suui Kim watched her, then sighed and held her head. She then called Ganansu.

“Hunter Ganansu.”

“Yes!”

“We will protect you as much as possible. Use your skills well when the time comes. If you run out of mana, nothing will go right.”

“Yes, I’m planning to bring plenty of potions too.”

“It’s only for a short time, but please bear with us.”

Ganansu, with a resigned expression that said, ‘So I have to go in after all,’ laughed a bit and made the promise to Suui Kim. Suui Kim’s face was equally grim. And Cho-i had no thoughts at all. And so, practice began again. They initially planned to move in a formation to protect Ganansu, but Ganansu’s stealth skill was quite good, so they didn’t have to worry too much, and the party members’ faces brightened.

“She’s really good at hiding.”

“M-me?”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

Cho-i taunted Ganansu, who subtly averted her gaze. It didn’t take long until April 2nd arrived.

* * *

In front of the dungeon, the dungeon management team was checking its condition. The five hunters who had gathered early began their strategy meeting.

“So, if I go in first, zoom in, and then smash them to smithereens…”

Suui Kim covered Cho-i’s mouth as she was speaking seriously. Cho-i protested vehemently, but Suui Kim, who showed no intention of releasing her hand, continued.

“We’ll go as we practiced. Keep the Ganansu hunter in the back and protect her as much as possible. Even one hit will half-kill her.”

“Hiccup.”

Ganansu suddenly started hiccuping. Cho-i hit her back hard with a look that said, “You’re doing all sorts of things.” Then she started coughing.

“All ready!”

Just then, the dungeon management team announced that the dungeon’s condition check was complete. The five people looked at each other and nodded. Suui Kim said,

“Once again, the name of the dungeon we’re entering is the Land of Devils dungeon.”

“Yes.”

“Strange-looking monsters will appear, so don’t be too surprised. Try not to touch anything if you can.”

“Why?”

This time, Cho-i asked.

“As the name suggests, sometimes strange debuffs come in.”

“Got it.”

They began to enter the dungeon one by one, starting with Cho-i. After a moment of dizziness, the vision brightened after a few seconds of silence. Cho-i’s eyes widened in amazement at the sight before her.

“Wow!”

It was like a scene from hell. The sky was dyed crimson, and the ground was entirely black. Orange, lava-like liquids that felt hot flowed everywhere, and in between, unknown red liquids were mixed in. It was like the color of human blood. The ground was rough and full of small holes, making it seem like a single hard roll would tear the skin apart.

“It’s eerie…”

The red lights illuminating their faces were very red, creating a sinister atmosphere, but to Cho-i, it looked more like the red light of a butcher shop. So, were all the things that came here just meat? She thought it was a cheerful joke.

“I think my ex-boyfriend might be here too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s something like that. Hyeonchan, are you doing well? Oh, you son of a bitch.”

As she smiled brightly and mumbled to herself, no one felt like asking for details. It would be correct to say they didn’t really want to know.

“Let’s go for now. I’ve only read about this dungeon in materials, and this is my first time, so I need to be careful.”

“Why is it your first time?”

“Usually, each team is responsible for several dungeons. So they don’t deviate from the same pattern. Because sending someone familiar with that dungeon is the best way to prevent accidents.”

At that moment, Yeonwoo Han interjected from the side.

“But one of the party members who was in charge of this dungeon got badly hurt last time. They haven’t recovered yet, they say? So this time we decided to take it on. Still, Brother Suui, Brother Namsu, and I have been in Paehyeok for quite a long time.”

“So you’re veterans?”

“Right?”

Yeonwoo Han puffed out her chest and said proudly. Suui Kim finally relaxed her expression and smiled faintly. But then she looked at Cho-i Hyeon again, hardened her face, and said in a firm tone,

“Especially you, Cho-i Hyeon. Please, don’t act impulsively.”

“Okay~”

And as soon as Cho-i answered, she tried to quickly dash forward. And Suui Kim grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, as if she had expected it.

“Oops.”

“I knew you’d do that.”

“Ahahaha.”

“You stick right by my side until a monster appears.”

“Aw, clingy guys aren’t popular.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Suui Kim placed Cho-i Hyeon right next to her and began to advance. Cho-i looked around. Steam was spewing from some holes. It felt as if hell would look like this if it existed. Land of Devils. She thought that whoever named it did a really good job. Cho-i suddenly recalled the dungeon where the Angels came out. That dungeon she entered for the Silence and Trial of Angels. Devils and Angels were different, but they had strangely similar aspects. First, the most similar thing was.

“Ugh.”

“What kind of creature is that?”

Yeonwoo Han pretended to gag. Cho-i began to inspect the monsters’ appearance closely. Hundreds of human-like hands formed wings, and a fleshy mass gathered in a spherical shape in the center, adorned with a large eye. And that fleshy mass was bristling with spike-like thorns. The Entities weren’t flying; they moved by crawling on the ground with their hundreds of hands. Their arms were white, and their fingertips were black, like insect legs. Cho-i looked at the Entities with a sense of wonder rather than a frown. They really seemed similar.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen things that resemble a part of the human body.”

“Me too. And that’s why this place is named the Land of Hell.”

“Because only humans can go to hell?”

Suui Kim was silent for a moment. Then she looked at Cho-i’s face and spoke quietly.

“That’s not why.”

“Oh, come on.”

Even though she was wrong, she laughed good-naturedly and drew her shield and sword.

“Should I do it as we practiced?”

“Yes, draw aggro stably. Don’t let the monsters surround you. We’ll help too.”

“Got it.”

[Casting skill Shout! The hostility of surrounding monsters focuses in proportion to the caster’s health!]

The party members covered their ears or braced themselves, expecting a loud roar. But what burst out next was her curse.

“I’m a kitty, you sons of bitches!”

“Wait, she could control it like that?”

Yeonwoo Han looked at her in disbelief, but she was already running far ahead. The monsters began to swarm Cho-i. Cho-i stood at the very front, blocking them, while Suui Kim, a melee dealer, and Namsu Kang, a ranged dealer, attacked the ones swarming Cho-i’s sides.

탕!