The world beyond the gate is known as a realm of opportunity.
Although it is fraught with various dangers, there is always a corresponding reward awaiting.
After all, it is for these reasons that people risk their lives and venture into unknown territories.
Anyway, here, the American hunter Alex, also crossed the gate with the aim of obtaining rewards. Even the leader, Matthew’s orders couldn’t stop him.
There was one reason for this. For the glory of his homeland? Nonsense. No, it was solely for his own glory.
He sought to return with the reputation of being the one who miraculously turned a failing operation into a success, along with the rewards that would come with it.
However, the reality he now faces is grim beyond measure. The rewards are no longer relevant, and the situation has reached a point where even preserving his own life is difficult.
Thirty minutes ago, Alex and his group, after crossing the gate, instinctively sensed the ominous atmosphere.
‘It was quite different from the outside, inside the dungeon.’
‘Monsters stained in crimson.’
‘Each one had an incredibly grotesque appearance.’
‘However, turning back wasn’t an option. Even if they were to retreat now, all that awaited them would be punishment for disobedience to orders.’
‘There was no turning back.’
So, they pressed forward. Finding the boss zone was their top priority, so they minimized contact with the monsters.
Fortunately, the creatures were engulfed in the instinct to escape beyond the gate, so they did not reveal hostility. But it couldn’t be avoided forever.
As they swiftly traversed the jungle, they were met with a horde of crimson trolls. Unlike the previous creatures, these ones exuded a fierce aura. They were clearly hostile.
“We don’t have time to waste. Let’s take them out as quickly as possible and move on.”
The battle ensued as a matter of course.
They drew their weapons and faced off against the troll horde.
However, as time passed, the end of the battle was nowhere in sight. The reason lay with the creatures.
“Damn it. What the hell…”
“Zombies, what is this!”
“The numbers are overwhelming. We can’t handle them on our own. We need to retreat.”
It was like seeing zombies. Despite inflicting fatal wounds, the creatures showed no signs of faltering.
No matter how monstrous they were, even these creatures had sensory perceptions. That is, they should react to pain, yet even if their arms were severed, they showed no reaction.
“Target their legs! Let’s at least reduce their mobility!”
At someone’s shout, Jonathan targeted the troll’s knees. Arrows imbued with the power of lightning pierced through the air and embedded into the creature’s shinbone.
An arrowhead protruding from the calf.
But the creature paid it no mind and continued moving its legs.
It was futile, no matter how many shots they took.
“It’s not working, damn it!”
From that point on, they lost their composure.
The formation collapsed in an instant, and they lost another comrade.
“Sa… Save me…”
“We need to go back and report immediately. Ahhh!”
The clustered group scattered in all directions. They each chose their own survival. Alex was no exception.
Countless trolls followed closely behind him as he hurriedly ran. Fortunately, thanks to the arrows fired by Jonathan, they were able to create some distance.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen those.”
A horde of blood-red trolls.
They were beings cursed by Koolara.
Their crimson skin bore witness to Koolra’s influence.
True to the nature inherited from their master, they endured pain without knowing it and defied death. Truly beings that defied the laws of nature.
Thus, the inhabitants of the Eldar continent called such creatures “Masu” (마수, demon beasts). And someone like Jong-sik, who had faced these Masu countless times, was thoroughly tired of dealing with them.
But for the hunters gathered here, it was their first encounter with such creatures.
So Jong-sik wanted to show them.
Even though it was only temporary…
Eventually, Jong-sik stepped forward.
“This is a good start. It was frustrating to just describe it in words. But now I can demonstrate it firsthand since you’ve come to me. Everyone, get ready and come out.”
“Mat, Matthew?!”
A horde of blood-red trolls was charging from the opposite side.
However, there was a person at the front, not a monster.
‘My, my reputation precedes me.’
Jong-sik maintained a calm expression even upon seeing him.
On the other hand, the faces of Matthew and the other American hunters were filled with shock. And understandably so.
Just a while ago, one of their departed comrades had appeared in a gruesome state. Moreover, there was no sign of the companion who had gone with them.
‘What on earth happened?’
Matthew hurriedly ran forward. No, he tried to. But there was someone stopping him. It was Jong-sik.
“I told you to get ready and come out. Why did you rush ahead leaving the healers behind?”
“We need to rescue them right away. Even if they acted alone, they are still our comrades.”
“Sigh, why doesn’t anyone listen? I clearly said there are only two things to remember.”
“We don’t have time for this…”
Seems like they forgot. I clearly said they need to pair up with the healers to face the enemy.
“In the first place, if you had come out with the healers, I wouldn’t have stopped you.” Jong-sik’s expression became stern.
“You know, there’s no time for this. Why did the person who knows that suddenly forget what I said? I told you. The role of healers is crucial in this dungeon raid. So even if you rush out alone, it’s not going to help.”
“….”
“That person running towards us is a comrade, right? He seems to be skilled in running, so he’ll be fine even if we don’t personally go out to meet him. And if not, he should take full responsibility for himself.”
Jong-sik’s words carried weight. It was clear that he was mocking Alex for disobeying orders and crossing the gate.
Even if he’s my own, did I say I could tolerate disobedience? Matthew’s expression stiffened for a moment.
However, with Jong-sik’s subsequent words, Matthew regained his composure. It was because he recalled the prophecy that they had forgotten.
“The prophet brought by your group said that, right? That you have to come under my command and follow my orders to save your life. When I heard it, I wondered what it meant, but now it seems very reasonable. Let me say this last thing. Don’t ruin the atmosphere by rushing out like the ones before you, just go back to your positions. And fight as I instructed.”
It’s not for no reason that he’s blocking them. There’s nothing more to say when he’s kindly explaining how to fight. In hindsight, this action is also defying the orders of the operation leader. Realizing this, Matthew bowed his head slightly.
“…I’m sorry. I got carried away. I’ll hold my position.”
And with that, Matthew turned away. Meanwhile, the horde of trolls and Alex approached. Jong-sik found his partner.
“Team Leader Pyeong-ari.”
“Yes! I’m here. Should we do as you said?”
It was her, already sticking close to Jong-sik’s side. With an excited expression, Pyeong-ari scanned the front. Jong-sik had a reason for finding her. Finally, the operation was about to begin.
The one who had spent his whole life behind the scenes healing was now leading the forefront of the battlefield. It was frightening, but somehow exhilarating.
“Let’s go.”
And Jong-sik moved forward at last. He created the form of a sword visible to everyone and dashed towards the approaching horde of trolls.
With a life-or-death determination, Jong-sik bypasses Alex and swiftly severs the head of the troll that was closely following him.
Rolling.
Even though the severed head thuds to the ground, the body of the creature continues to move unabated.
“…!”
Seeing this, unrest spread among the onlookers, but Jong-sik remained unfazed as he spoke up.
“I said it before we set out, didn’t I? We must target the brain no matter what. But as you can see, even if the head is severed, they will continue to move without any issues. Oh, of course, they might lose their sense of direction.”
As if to prove his point, the troll that was fiercely pursuing Alex, despite losing its head, abruptly changed direction and started running.
“So, how do we stop them? The answer is healing.”
At Jong-sik’s signal, Pyeong-ari stepped forward. She had been waiting for this moment. Following Jong-sik’s instructions, she cast her skill exactly as she had heard from him. The target was the brain of the troll, which had been overtaken by magic.
【Healing Touch】
The serene mana, contrasting with the sinister magic, touched the troll’s brain.
Grrr!
The troll let out a piercing scream as if in agonizing pain.
But then, for a moment,
Suddenly, the crimson head transformed into a green one.
It was a sign of death. The cessation of movement from the creature’s body was evidence enough.
Kwung-!
With the troll’s death, Pyeong-ari stopped her healing. Then, as if unable to believe it, she spread her hands wide. The people watching couldn’t hide their surprise either.
On the other hand, Jong-sik, while clearing out the approaching horde of trolls, shouted towards the group.
“So, to summarize, if you separate the troll heads, or rather, the heads of the monsters, and stick a heal into their heads, it’s done. Stop hesitating and start dealing with the ones still here. There are only a few left, so move quickly. Well, whether you kill them now or later, it’s all the same in the end.”
The situation was entirely under control for Jong-sik, despite the trolls getting closer. There were only a few remaining behind, but they were quickly dispatched by those who realized they might not get another chance to practice. Soon, they all moved into action.
Some time later.
The swarm of trolls that had been chasing Alex had been wiped out.
Their green bodies, detached from their heads, lay everywhere.
As they tried to regroup amidst the urgent situation, another problem surfaced—the fleeing hunter, Alex.
He looked at the people facing the trolls with a vacant expression and felt belated regret. “I should have believed in Ramus’s words. If I did, then my comrades would…”
But regrets were irreversible. Just then, Matthew approached him.
“Why are you alone? Where are Jonathan, James, and Michel?”
He couldn’t contain his rising anger as he shouted. At that, Alex simply slumped to the ground, remembering the comrades he had left behind.
“Michel is dead, and I don’t know about the rest.”
“What? You bastard! You call that an answer?”
“I don’t know either. I saw Michel die in front of me. They must have all died.”
‘Was he in a state of shock?’
Alex muttered while messing up his hair. In response, Matthew grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up.
“Snap out of it! Are you not getting up? We need to find them! Where did you part ways, which direction did they go? Get it together and guide us.”
But Alex remained motionless. In an instant, Matthew’s forehead furrowed deeply.
In the moment when his fist was about to arc, Jong-sik stepped in between them.
He looked at Alex with a disdainful gaze, as if he were looking at a bug. Well, why wouldn’t he? This guy had abandoned his comrades. It was truly an unforgivable act.
Jong-sik firmly asserted his will.
“Take him outside the gate. We can’t bring someone like him in. And we’re not looking for those who went in first either. Our purpose is to conquer the dungeon. Don’t forget that.”
“Is there really no way?”
“No. There isn’t. Maybe if we find our comrades during the process of finding the boss zone.”
Perhaps understanding Jong-sik’s intention, Matthew’s expression softened for a moment.
‘Finding our comrades during the process of finding the boss zone… That means he allows searching for our comrades.’
“Understood. I’ll take him out. And thank you.”
Although they couldn’t take Alex with them, this was the best they could do. Matthew nodded his head in gratitude.
Why wouldn’t he?
As with any other operation, the top priority was the success of the mission. The lives of comrades dying in the process were not to be considered.
So, he had to be thankful.
While Jong-sik was dealing with the issue of the fleeing hunter Alex, Ramus urgently sought out Jong-sik.
“Master, that guy is calling for you.”
Reading Ramus’s thoughts in an instant, Jong-sik called for a quick meeting.
