Chapter 62 - Pohang (3)
At the temporary barracks set up on Youngildae Beach, the hunters had gathered.
Clang!
The screen up front replayed the clash between Kim Sun-woo and Lascael.
The raid cameras, designed to account for hunters' superhuman speeds, boasted impressive performance, but even they struggled to capture every nuance of the duo's movements.
"Stronger than the vampire we fought in Death's Land. Anyone below B-rank would get taken out in a blink. Speed, power—nothing ordinary about this guy."
The Main Assault Team hunters who'd trained with him in the underground dojo were elite in their own right.
But Lascael exuded a far more perilous aura.
"Hmm."
B-rank hunter Gu Jin-uk from Mugung Guild's Main Assault Team stroked his chin as he watched the footage.
"Ripping into monster flesh and devouring the chunks and blood. No sane person would dream that up. Definitely not human. Any matches among wanted lists or foreign hunters?"
"...None. We requested a scan from the Association, but it looks like a first-time face."
Chae Eun-seo shook her head.
Unauthorized outsiders slipping into dungeons happened now and then.
Usually clueless civilians caught in the crossfire, or tax evaders and criminals up to no good.
But that was for low-rank dungeons.
Higher ranks were under strict government and Association oversight.
Mess up and trigger a backlash? That'd be catastrophic.
"If it's a monster masquerading as human, it explains a lot. The name Lascael fits too."
"Then why's it rampaging inside?"
"Who knows. Guess we'll have to go in and ask."
Everyone's gaze shifted to the dungeon portal outside the barracks.
With a break in progress, they had to resolve it one way or another.
"Ideally, we'd wrap this up without city damage..."
The city official piped up cautiously, gauging the hunters' reactions.
Already swamped with complaints and protests—if monsters backlashed, the city would take a beating.
And post-clear delays in daily life? That'd be a headache too.
"Can't promise that. For now, request max support from above. Get the military to set up a defensive line around the whole area."
"...Understood."
Robert, holding team leader rank, replied on the Assault Team's behalf.
Even with the Main Assault Team here, raids were unpredictable until the end.
Worst case: everyone here wiped, break starts. They needed a line to hold till reinforcements arrived.
"Hey, no need to worry too much. We usually handle it on our end."
Gu Jin-uk clapped the official on the back.
That's why they'd come down here themselves.
Including Kim Sun-woo, they had five B-ranks.
Add Night Team and Crimson Tower forces? Enough to clear most B-rank dungeons.
No need to flinch at some mystery freak.
"No time-wasting. We go in now. Five of us including Sun-woo. Crimson Tower: three. Night Team..."
"Me, Yi Han-su, Sung Ha-rin, and Han Su-ah."
"Hmm."
Gu Jin-uk eyed the lineup.
Robert was solid C-rank, but Yi Han-su and Sung Ha-rin fell short.
"Han Su-ah for heals and buffs?"
"Yes. Current comp lacks utility. Better to have her for emergencies."
"I'm all for it. Black mage here—no heals. If Crimson Tower mages can cover, fine, but..."
Jin So-hui shrugged at Chae Eun-seo's words.
"I can cauterize wounds with fire."
"...We'll take her."
Gu Jin-uk nodded.
Yi Han-su and Sung Ha-rin were likely picked to escort Han Su-ah with Robert.
The prepared group reassembled at the portal.
They stepped in one by one, splashing through the waves.
Gu Jin-uk, Kim Han-young, Chae Eun-seo, me, and Bae Hyuk-su.
The first three he'd trained with underground; Bae Hyuk-su was new to this op.
Rumor had it he'd been sidelined by injury from a Chungcheong raid, using this for comeback.
"No time for intros earlier. Heard a lot about you."
Bae Hyuk-su greeted first post-portal.
Gu Jin-uk had called him uncle-types, easy to bond with. That sly grin made sense now.
"Kids rave about you. Casual's fine, right? Gotta watch that stuff these days."
"Yeah, go ahead."
No way he wanted formal from a forty-something uncle.
Kim Sun-woo nodded; Bae Hyuk-su grinned wider, pointing to the Black Flow Sword at his waist.
"That from Cradle of the Broken Pilgrim? Watched your vids on break. Hype prospect in our guild—who knew."
"Not really a prospect, strictly speaking..."
Kim Sun-woo scratched his head sheepishly.
Ten-year vet here.
Bae Hyuk-su shrugged it off, clapping his shoulder.
"Expectations high this time. Rehab's decent, but still rusty—cover me."
"Got it."
Mouth said "cover," but those eager eyes screamed battle-hungry.
Main Assault Team all nuts, huh? One screw loose.
Gu Jin-uk, Kim Han-young... even Chae Eun-seo felt off.
Sometimes she'd mutter behind his back during training.
Made him wonder if she was cursing him on the sly.
"All in. Moving out. Follow Night Team's path. Stay battle-ready."
Gu Jin-uk led the Assault Team.
At his glance and nod, Kim Sun-woo took point again, guiding.
"This the corpse? Looks beast-chewed."
Passing the tuna-like monster from before, they entered the once-traversed passage.
Corpses already decaying—how much time passed?
Humidity?
Over foul-smelling remains, deeper in—
Splash!
No warning—a sharp something stabbed from ahead.
Assault Team reflexes kicked in instantly, but—
Pop!
Skeletal hands shot from walls and ceiling, snatching it mid-air.
Oh.
Kim Sun-woo, raising Black Flow Sword, let out a low whistle.
Night Team level—maybe Robert dodges. These guys? Easy block or evade.
Chae Eun-seo wiggled fingers, reeling in the long thing, eyes intrigued.
"Halfbeak fish? Saw one in a docu once."
"Looks it. Monster this animal-like?"
Gu Jin-uk tilted his head.
Animals vs. beasts/monsters: clear divide.
Mimics common, but near-identical? Rare.
Screech.
Bony hands twisted the halfbeak apart.
Gu Jin-uk scooped chunks, popped in mouth—eyes widened slightly.
"Fresh."
"...That's what you say?"
Kim Han-young sniped; Gu Jin-uk chuckled like for real.
"Feels like real sashimi, not monster meat. Deeper in? Who knows."
Too gross to swallow—he spat the chewed bits.
"Deep-sea themed, sure, but not like this."
"Heard other worlds use monsters as food. Probably that type."
"Keep moving."
Assault Team upped pace.
Fish on hooks lunged midway, but zero casualties—smooth passage.
Easy mode.
Kim Sun-woo scanned around.
Each rivaled him—no weak links.
Robert's words post-extraction hit home:
Average scrubs would just drag him down.
Even Robert lagged now.
Only Main Assault caliber caught his eye.
Chat with Han Kang-seok later.
"Passage ends. New space ahead."
Passage end.
Faint light signaled next stage.
No rush out.
Mages Jin So-hui and Chae Eun-seo cast, sent familiars to scout.
"...A palace?"
"Structures inside. Huge."
Both reported near-simultaneously.
"Entry ends here? Bigger than expected."
"Like Cradle of the Broken Pilgrim layout."
Kim Sun-woo peered cautiously.
That one: passages to main temple stage.
This? Palace or temple—real dungeon starts there.
"Kinda weird, right?"
Bae Hyuk-su spoke up.
Gu Jin-uk glanced; he shrugged.
"Too peaceful for a breaking dungeon. Mana surges, monsters go berserk inside, yeah? Even if Lascael massacred 'em, still too quiet."
"Hmm."
Kim Sun-woo agreed.
Minus Lascael, felt like normal dungeon.
No floating portal, he'd question the break.
"Anti-break tech failed—maybe that's the anomaly."
"Fair. Press on?"
"Scout first."
Gu Jin-uk nodded.
Beach resort dungeon this size? City and sea wrecked.
Marine life swarm—whole area paralyzed.
"In. Sun-woo, we secure first."
"Yes."
Kim Sun-woo nodded, entering with Gu Jin-uk, scanning.
"......"
His sharp gaze softened to awe.
Mages right: massive palace structure.
Sunlight filtering from surface waters bathed it warmly, mystical vibe.
Like lost Atlantis...
"Welcome, strangers from the golden land. Don't just stand there gawking—come on in."
"......!"
Kim Sun-woo's eyes flew wide at the unfamiliar voice echoing in his mind.