NOVPUB
Chapter 87
Pyeongtaek’s Third Dungeon had already transformed into a bizarre jungle. A field-type dungeon fully consumed by erosion could become a world entirely separate from Earth’s ecosystem. However, its classification as a D-grade location was no accident. The roaming magic beasts were weaker in level and fewer compared to other dungeons. The real challenge was the jungle itself.
“The place is riddled with traps, Master,” Que warned.
“Yikes!” Dogyoon was surprised by the new shadow soldier, and his instinct to run kicked in once more. But his return was swift. He was wary of stumbling into a trap, so he hid behind Suho again.
Suho opened the Shadow Dungeon. “Esil, come out too.”
“This is it, huh?” Esil keenly scanned the surroundings.
Dogyoon looked at Suho’s shadow with renewed wonder. “Hey, Suho. I mean, Guild Master. Can I enter your shadow too?”
“Of course. However—”
“The Shadow Dungeon is a world of death. If a living being carelessly steps in, they might be robbed of their vitality and become a wandering ghost,” Beru said, interrupting Suho before he could explain.
“Really...”
“I’m just kidding.” Beru chuckled as Dogyoon quickly turned pale. “But it’s not entirely untrue. For ordinary humans, it’s not exactly healthy to be there.”
“Oh...” Dogyoon shivered. Esil might look human, but she’s essentially a summoned creature... a demon summon at that... Wait, that means... I’m the only ordinary human here.
Suho was human too, but summoning odd creatures from his shadows was far from ordinary.
“I’ll just keep doing what I do best. Running away at the first sign of trouble.”
Dogyoon’s main role was to mine and collect dungeon items. But whenever the opportunity arose, Suho summoned his mummies to do the work. This effectively made Dogyoon a guide, who provided Suho with information based on his dungeon experience.
“Guild Master! You can easily lose your way in a dungeon like this. Usually, people mark their path by dropping stones on the ground...”
“You’ve mentioned that before.”
But Dogyoon seemed to be running out of useful information. Once the guild is established, I should ask to be transferred to an office position. His role was becoming increasingly redundant. All he could do was to avoid getting in the way of Suho’s shadow soldiers.
As they ventured further in, Dogyoon noticed something alarming. “Suho, take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
“They’re human corpses.” Dogyoon looked grave.
Finding human bodies in dungeons wasn’t uncommon, but the condition of the bodies was concerning.
“They died after transforming into mist burns.”
The corpses were charred black. Mist burn transformations happened to civilians who had been exposed to mana for too long, due to their low mana adaptability. They turned berserk and roamed until their energy burnt out, which meant death.
“It’s certainly strange.” Suho’s demeanor also changed.
The charred corpses were stacked in one place. It seemed as if someone had collected these bodies and dumped them there all at once.
“Could it be...”
“Exactly. It seems likely.” Esil knew what Suho was thinking. “Demons may have made a factory here.”
The discarded bodies were likely remnants left by demons as a by-product of Stardust.
A calm yet intense flame ignited in Esil’s eyes. The Radiru Clan had fallen due to minor demons. The air of malice emanating from her sent Dogyoon fleeing once more.
***
Yeongho ground his teeth in frustration. “How dare they look down on the Black Tortoise Guild!” He had never imagined that Suho would boldly enter the dungeon despite his blatant threats. Doesn’t he value his life? Perhaps the kid is banking on his uncle. Someone will come looking for him if he goes missing. Would that harm us? Probably not.
Their business with Ahjinsoft was ended by the drone incident. Without any direct business related to hunter games, there was no loss in opposing them.
In fact, they should be the ones wary at night. After all, hunters were powerful in their own right. Crossing a hunter could be life-threatening.
Due to the randomness of dungeon openings, many wealthy tycoons had seen their assets devastated in an instant. This was why many major corporations were eagerly trying to establish their own hunter guilds.
It looks like Yoo Jinho is trying to establish a guild with his nephew as the leader. Yeongho’s eyes filled with deadly intent. Sung Suho. Today is the day of your demise. He turned to the public servant from the city hall. “We can’t leave the dungeon like this.”
“H-huh? What do you mean?” 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Yeongho feigned concern for the confused public servant. “I’m worried about those kids. You know what I’m saying, right? Isn’t it reckless for just two rookie hunters to enter a dungeon?”
“Well, that’s true...” The public servant began to worry about the hunters who had entered earlier.
Field-type dungeons, like this one in Pyeongtaek, allowed two hunters to enter. Normal requirements for dungeons required at least ten hunters.
“After all, multiple assault teams can simultaneously enter a field-type dungeon. So, we’ll follow them in. We’re just so worried about them. This is within regulations, right?”
Suho’s assault team had secured the right to enter first, but that didn’t mean other teams couldn’t enter after them.
“Well, but following them in immediately is against the rules...”
“Damn, all this bureaucracy! There are people in there! What if those two rookies get mauled by magic beasts? Will you take responsibility? Do you even know who that young man was?”
“What? Wh-who is he?”
“He’s Yoo Jinho’s nephew. That’s right, the CEO of Ahjinsoft! We must go in right away before that clueless goof ends up dead!”
The public servant’s eyes widened in shock. After all, he was just a low-ranking public servant. The blame would be handed down to him if anything happened. “I-I’ll write the entry permit right away!” He hastily flipped through his files
Yeongho smirked triumphantly. “Let’s go, everyone.” Time for revenge. I’ll show him what happens to people who ruin our business.
***
“This way.” Esil was following the traces of demonic energy.
Suho followed her, but he was also hunting magic beasts along the way.
The D-grade dungeon had fallen out of favor with hunters due to poor profitability and was a restricted area for civilians.
It’s the perfect spot for a clandestine factory. Suho had been exploring similar dungeons to build experience, but this was the first time he had found traces of demons. Suho withdrew Vulcan’s Horn.
[Item: Vulcan’s Horn]
[Acquisition Difficulty: ??
Type: Sword
Attack Power +40
It is a sword made from the horn of the greedy demon Vulcan.
Vulcan’s power imbues it with the ability to inflict greater damage.
Effect “Destructive Desire”: Increases physical damage by [40%]
Effect “Demon Devourer”: As it feeds on demon souls, Vulcan’s power grows stronger.]
[Devoured Demon Souls: 10]
Vulcan’s Horn grew stronger when it absorbed the souls of demons. Hopefully, there are plenty of demons in this factory. Suho wet his lips in anticipation as he surveyed the area.
Swish!
Suddenly, an arrow flew at incredible speed toward Suho’s back.
“Who dares attack my master from behind?” Que appeared and caught the arrow. He snapped it and stared toward the direction it had come from.
“Is that a summoned creature?”
The figures emerging from behind the trees were from the Black Tortoise Guild.
“That’s a decent summon. You should’ve joined us, Summoner. You would’ve been treated well.” Yeongho appeared, brushing back his hunters, and then he crossed his arms.
Suho smirked. “You’ve crossed the line.”
“The line? You’re one bold kid. You crossed it first, remember?” A wicked grin formed on his face as he glared at Suho. “You know, in here, we abide by one simple rule. The survival of the fittest.”
“Survival of the fittest...” Suho knew someone who would appreciate the phrase.
[Smiling, Rakan reveals his teeth. He acknowledges the man as someone who seems to know a thing or two.]
Ding.
[An emergency quest has been sent.]
[Emergency Quest: Defeat the Enemy!]
[There are hostile entities nearby with murderous intent toward the player. Eliminate them to secure your safety.
Number of Enemies to Eliminate: 10
Enemies Eliminated: 0]
“I’ve seen your true intentions.” Suho’s gaze transformed, exuding a chilling aura.
The sudden change made Yeongho tense up, which wounded his pride. Am I seriously being rattled by a mere C-rank rookie? “Look at those eyes. Kids these days have no respect!”
Just as Yeongho was about to order an attack on Suho, something unexpected happened. An ominous energy flooded out from all directions. Screams erupted around them.
The confused Black Tortoise hunters were on high alert as demons began coming out of the jungle.
Suho’s eyes widened for a different reason. We found them! That means there is a factory nearby!
“You son of a b*tch! Don’t tell me you summoned these creatures!” Yeongho cried as he turned toward the charging demons.
