[No title provided]
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The moment the massive stone door of the boss room ground open, an earth-shaking vibration slammed into the group. A colossal cave the size of a soccer field sprawled before them. Right in the center stood a giant at least ten meters tall, the One-Eyed Cyclops, thrashing about like a madman.
"Raaargh!"
The beast swung its enormous club, smashing into the cave wall. House-sized boulders shattered like tofu, flying everywhere. A single graze from that blow would mean instant death.
"Eyes forward! Spread out!"
Lee Shinwoo shouted urgently. Korea's top hunters instinctively snapped into combat formation.
"Director! Fall back! That thing's off—it's berserk!"
Ma Dongtak thrust his massive shield forward, blocking Jinhyeok's path. Seo Jihu raised his staff, beginning to chant an ice spell.
"In that state, talking's impossible! First, bind its legs and subdue it...!"
"Stop!"
Jinhyeok's sharp command echoed through the cave. Seo Jihu froze mid-cast.
"Who said to kill it? You'll hurt the patient!"
"Patient? That's a monster charging to kill us!"
"Look closer, Ice Emperor. You blind or something?"
Jinhyeok pointed at the Cyclops without flinching.
It wasn't attacking them. It was punching at empty air, screaming as if battling invisible foes.
Eyes of God (A)
The Cyclops's status lit up in red across Jinhyeok's vision.
The Cyclops's signature massive single eye—its entire lens was clouded white, like milk poured over it. A milky, opaque pupil.
"It's blind."
Jinhyeok clicked his tongue.
"Dungeon toxins and dust built up inflammation in the eye, hardened, and blocked its vision completely. Can't see its food bowl, the entrance—trapped in pitch darkness, so it's going berserk."
"Cataract...?"
Lee Shinwoo echoed blankly. A dungeon boss berserking from cataracts? First time in twenty years of hunting.
"Poor bastard. Must've been terrified."
Jinhyeok set down his bag and pulled on gloves. He barked orders at the hunters.
"Alright, surgery time. Everyone, positions!"
"Surgery...? On that thing in this state?"
"Anesthesiology, orthopedics, neurosurgery. You got 'em all here."
Jinhyeok pointed at the three.
"Seo Jihu, bind its limbs with Ice Bind. Like strapping it to the table."
"Ma Dongtak, if it thrashes, pin it with Physical Subjugation. No broken bones."
"Lee Shinwoo, during surgery, shield from falling rocks and debris."
Treating S-rank hunters like OR staff—bold as hell. They were stunned, but Jinhyeok's eyes were dead serious. No room for argument.
"Hah... fine. Let's do this!"
"Operation start!"
Seo Jihu slammed his staff into the ground.
Blizzard Chain!
Dozens of blue ice chains erupted from the floor, wrapping the Cyclops's limbs.
"Grrraaah!"
It struggled, but Ma Dongtak charged, tackling its ankle in a bear hug.
Thud!
The massive body crashed down.
"Now, Director!"
Jinhyeok sprinted. Inside Lee Shinwoo's golden barrier, he leaped onto the Cyclops's head.
Up close, the eye was dire. Cornea damaged, pus oozing. Left alone, it'd rot and infect the brain.
"Easy now. Doc's here."
Jinhyeok patted Balakas on his shoulder.
"Anesthesia, go."
[...Such a pain.]
Balakas yawned like a sigh, mouth gaping.
Dragon Fear: Mental Subjugation
Ultra-low frequency waves hammered the Cyclops's brain—not to kill, but precisely tuned to knock it out.
Its pupil dilated, body going limp. Perfect general anesthesia.
"Good. Cataract surgery commencing."
Jinhyeok pulled special tools from his bag.
Adamantium Laser Cutter.
Originally an industrial cutter for diamond ore in mines, Jinhyeok had tuned it with mana into a scalpel.
Vrrr—
A thin blue laser beam shot out. Jinhyeok's hands moved without hesitation.
"Corneal incision."
Sizzle. He sliced off the clouded corneal surface. Rotten pus and hardened lens fragments poured out.
"Suction! Seo Jihu, use ice to staunch bleeding and suck up the pus!"
"Me? With this staff?"
"Yeah, hurry! You're blocking my view!"
The mighty Ice Emperor vacuuming monster eye pus with ice magic—an absurd sight. Ma Dongtak grunted beside him, hugging the giant's head: "It's moving! Hold tight!"
"Lens shattered and removed. Inserting artificial lens."
Jinhyeok pulled a fist-sized gem from his pocket.
Top-grade Pure Crystal.
A 10-billion-won gem Lee Shinwoo had sourced, carved into an artificial lens.
"Perfect fit."
Jinhyeok slotted the crystal into the empty lens capsule, suturing meticulously with mana thread.
"Surgery done. Wake it up. Everyone, back off!"
Jinhyeok tapped the Cyclops's forehead. The hunters retreated.
"Urgh... urgh...?"
The Cyclops's eyelids fluttered open. It groped the air out of habit. But this time was different.
It saw its hand. Its rough fingers. Boulders on the floor. Moss flowers on the ceiling. The milky haze lifted; vivid light poured in.
"Ooh... oooh!"
The Cyclops rubbed its eye, beheld the world again. A miracle. Years in a dark prison—gone.
It spotted the tiny humans before it. Instinct told it: the man in white robes in the center had saved it.
Thud!
The Cyclops knelt, slamming its head to the ground in sobs. The cave shook with its wails.
"Enough, big guy. Crying like a baby."
Jinhyeok smirked, approaching. Ma Dongtak panicked to block him, but Jinhyeok waved him off.
"It's saying thanks."
Jinhyeok tapped the Cyclops's huge nose.
"Eyes working good now? No more rubbing 'em, and stay outta dusty spots."
Nod, nod.
The Cyclops nodded frantically.
"You know nothing's free, right? Pay up."
Jinhyeok held out his hand. The Cyclops rose without hesitation, digging deep into its nest.
A treasure hoard from before it went blind: gold, gems, relic-grade items piled high. It pulled out the most iridescent, mysterious purple-glowing stone.
Offered it reverently with both hands.
◈ A legendary ore that shatters dimensional boundaries, enabling spatial travel.
Jinhyeok's hands trembled as he took the dimension stone. Heavy. Not just rock—hope's weight, to reunite with his wife, Yoo Isu.
"Found it..."
Jinhyeok clutched it to his chest. His heart pounded. Finally, all puzzle pieces fit.
Not satisfied, the Cyclops bundled remaining treasures for Lee Shinwoo, Ma Dongtak, and Seo Jihu—for their assist.
"Heh, never thought I'd get tips from a monster."
"This... mithril ore? Jackpot."
The S-ranks chuckled, pocketing loot. Surgery: resounding success.
Outside the dungeon. Sun dipping low.
Jinhyeok and his "Jinhyeok Avengers" emerged. Reporters and soldiers swarmed like bees.
"They're out! Safe return!"
"Director! What happened inside? No combat noise!"
"Boss defeated?"
Questions rained. Jinhyeok removed his sunglasses, grinning.
"Defeated? Nah. Cured it."
"Cured?"
"Cataract surgery went perfect. Patient's thrilled. Paid handsomely too."
Jinhyeok flashed the dimension stone. Purple glow mingled with twilight, mesmerizing. Reporters snapped photos blindly.
Then the gate rippled. A huge shadow emerged. Screams as people fled. The Cyclops, peeking out, waving hugely at Jinhyeok.
"Wooaaah! (Bye, Doc!)"
"Get back in! Wear those sunglasses!"
Jinhyeok waved back. The Cyclops grinned shyly, vanishing inside. Unprecedented: boss monster seeing off hunters. Live-streamed worldwide, fueling the "Kang Jinhyeok syndrome."
That night. Zeus Medical Tower rooftop.
Jinhyeok leaned on the railing, gazing at Seoul's nightscape. In his hand, a pendant with the processed dimension stone.
"Director."
Park Cheolwoo approached from behind, with Lee Shinwoo, Ma Dongtak, and Seo Jihu.
"All prepped?"
Lee Shinwoo asked.
"Yeah. Stone processed, mana stone energy charged."
Jinhyeok looked up at the night sky. Somewhere beyond, in a rift, she waited.
"Thanks, everyone. Got me there faster than expected."
"No worries. We had fun."
"When're you leaving?"
"Now."
No hesitation. Three years waiting. Not one more minute. He donned the pendant, infused mana.
Dimension Stone Activated
Coordinates Set: Abyss Gate
⚠ WARNING! Target zone is a 0% survival rate danger area. Proceed?
Jinhyeok smiled.
"0% survival? Bullshit. My wife's alive in there."
[YES]
Vrrr—!
Space screamed. A purple vortex swirled before Jinhyeok—a dimensional gate.
Bitter cold and malice poured out. Air that'd drive normals mad on touch.
"Balakas, let's go."
[Right.]
Mini-sized Balakas reverted to massive form. Jinhyeok mounted the red dragon. His gown flapped in the fierce wind.
"Alright. To the Abyss."
Korea's top hunters followed.
"Launch!"
Balakas soared powerfully, sucked into the purple gate.
Abyss
Pitch-black darkness. Crimson moon in the sky, grotesque demon beast corpses piled into mountains below. Atop one pile sat a woman. Silver hair matted with blood and dust, armor in tatters. But her eyes burned fierce.
Yoo Isu. Breathing ragged, she gripped her broken twin swords.
"Hah... hah... pesky bastards."
From the shadows, tens of thousands of demon beasts advanced, red eyes flashing. Stamina drained, mana depleted. Her limit.
Jinhyeok...
Her husband's face flashed. Warm meals. Nagging voice. She missed him. Too much to die.
"Come on, you fucks... Let's see who dies first..."
As she staggered up—
Rumble—!
The sky tore. Crimson moon eclipsed, massive purple rift opened. Scorching red flames poured like the sun.
[Kroooar—!]
Dragon's roar shook the abyss. Onrushing beasts screamed, engulfed in fire. Yoo Isu stared skyward, dazed.
A colossal fire dragon. And atop it, a too-familiar silhouette. Man in white gown.
The man amplified his voice with magic.
"Yoo Isu! Dinner time!"
That voice echoed through the abyss. Her swords clattered from limp hands.
Legs buckled, she collapsed—but after three years, a radiant smile bloomed.
"...Idiot. Told you to set the table, not deliver."
Jinhyeok leaped from the dragon, running to her. Hellish abyss bathed in reunion's joy.