Chapter 64 - Pohang (5)
After the audience with Donghae Yongwang concluded.
The hunters received exceedingly lavish treatment.
They were told to have a meal since they'd come such a long way after hardship, but amusingly, a feast of premium sashimi—rare even in local seaside markets—was laid out before them.
"...Whoa."
Gu Jin-uk, who lost his mind over sashimi, licked his lips and glanced at his comrades.
Chae Eun-seo furrowed her brow with a wary expression, but the rest of the old-timers already looked half-mad with hunger.
"No poison, right?"
"Yeah. We've got antidotes anyway, so most poisons can be neutralized."
"...And they've put out such a sincere spread—we can't just ignore it."
"Oppa."
Chae Eun-seo lightly tapped Kim Sun-woo's arm.
"Try stopping them. Even if it's fine, eating food served by monsters...?"
"...Mackerel sashimi too. My favorite."
"Haa."
Chae Eun-seo clutched her head.
Everyone, near and far, was fixated on the sashimi.
As she let out a deep sigh, Gu Jin-uk grinned and addressed the others.
"Let's cut the joking. Eun-seo's about to explode."
"Yeah, it does feel a bit iffy to eat."
"......"
Wasn't it for eating after all?
Kim Sun-woo, who had been smacking his lips, nodded with a calm expression as if he'd never been tempted.
"The key is how much we can trust what that Donghae Yongwang guy said."
"Don't you know some history, Eun-seo?"
"I just skimmed the basics for the college entrance exam. You think official records would mention dealings with a dragon king? ...Though it's true there are a lot of turtle-shaped ornaments and patterns from Silla."
"Hmm."
"Let me think for a sec."
Gu Jin-uk sat down, stroking his lips with a pensive look.
"Forget trusting him—there are too many question marks. He didn't explain everything."
"Agreed. He might be using us to deal with that Wycon tribe he mentioned."
Kim Sun-woo judged coolly.
Triggering a dungeon break and luring humans all the way to Haesinjeon was clearly deliberate.
If Donghae Yongwang's words were true, it meant he was well-versed in Earth's—Geumgye's—civilization and society.
There was also the possibility he planned to use hunters and the military for his own survival.
"The problem is Haesinjeon's forces."
"Mm......"
The hunters groaned.
They recalled the hordes of monsters they'd passed on the way to the grand hall for the meeting with Donghae Yongwang.
"Not a single easy one among them."
"Forget the Dragon King—even that dolphin guy's no pushover. At least B-rank monster."
"That Ok Jang-gun creeped me out more. Octopus, so 'Jade General,' huh?"
"Not a fan of tentacles."
Gu Jin-uk scratched his head vigorously, looking annoyed.
"Sun-woo, what's your take as the young guy?"
"Play along with them for now."
"And then?"
"Consult the higher-ups. We've got people waiting outside Haesinjeon."
Less than thirty minutes until the promised time.
If they were truly friendly to humans, they wouldn't block their exit.
Clack.
At that moment, the firmly shut door creaked open, and Jin Hae-don peeked in.
"How was the meal...?"
Jin Hae-don looked flustered upon seeing the untouched food on the table.
"D-Did it not suit your tastes? It's been ages since we've hosted human guests."
"It's not that. We appreciate the hospitality, but honestly, it's hard to just dig in. Please understand."
Chae Eun-seo shrugged and went straight to the point.
As if you could eat a welcome feast in enemy territory.
Jin Hae-don tapped his forehead with a fin and replied.
"My apologies. I got too excited and forgot my manners. Please forgive me."
"Can we step out, report to our superiors, and discuss later? Our team's waiting."
"Of course. I'll inform the Dragon King. We'll prepare the shells right aw—"
—BOOM!!
A massive shockwave cut off Jin Hae-don, shaking Haesinjeon violently.
The table flipped, scattering the meticulously arranged dishes into chaos.
Everyone exchanged startled glances at the sudden turn.
"What the hell?!"
"This is......"
Only Jin Hae-don stared outside with a grim expression, murmuring lowly.
"The barrier guarding Haesinjeon has broken. External assault."
"Lascael?"
"Yes. He'd twisted the terrain into a maze to hide Haesinjeon, but they've forced their way through. No time for this—use the back exit. Haesinjeon won't fall to a single raid. We'll hold somehow, so please consider our request seriously."
After directing them to the back exit, Jin Hae-don rushed toward the front gate with his subordinates.
Left behind, the hunters exchanged grave words amid the ceaseless tremors and noise.
"Feels like we've stepped into some foreign fairy tale."
"If Haesinjeon's story is true, we might lose a potential ally—a breakwater for us."
"We need info on the Wycon tribe too. Are there more like them coming to Earth via other dungeons?"
In this fog of uncertainty.
Kim Sun-woo looked to Gu Jin-uk, their team leader.
"......"
He chewed his lips, deep in torment.
Coming down to Pohang, he'd only thought of wrapping up quick and hitting the beach.
He'd even told Kim Sun-woo to scout good eateries ahead.
But now, they stood at a crossroads that might decide Earth's fate.
"Can't do it."
After a brief silence, having sorted his thoughts, he scanned the group.
"I'll stay with one other to dig for more info. The rest retreat and relay to the higher-ups. Contact the Guild Master too."
To assault Haesinjeon, they had to be stronger than it.
If such monsters rampaged off Pohang's coast, it'd turn to hell in seconds.
"Who else...?"
"I'll stay."
Kim Sun-woo volunteered.
"No time to drag this out. If they seize the back exit, escape gets tough. Get out of the dungeon fast and report."
Every minute, every second counted.
The others nodded at Kim Sun-woo's words.
"Fine. Me and Sun-woo stay—the rest, go now. Move!"
"Tch. Stole my spot. Don't get hurt."
Kim Han-young clapped Kim Sun-woo's shoulder and headed out.
Chae Eun-seo shot him a careful glance before leaving with the others.
Alone now, Gu Jin-uk rolled his shoulders and grinned at Kim Sun-woo.
"Got some loyalty, huh? Sticking around."
"Haha......"
It wasn't really about loyalty.
He was intrigued by Donghae Yongwang's tale and Haesinjeon itself—and the biggest reason was Lascael.
"......"
Kim Sun-woo glanced at his hand.
During their deathmatch, swords clashing, something inside him had stirred.
The battle fury surging against the Fire Dragon, the burning drive to grow stronger.
It had awakened, flowing from his fingertips like it'd been dormant.
"Let's go then."
"Yeah."
Drawing Black Flow Sword, Kim Sun-woo headed to the front gate with Gu Jin-uk.
The vibrations and noise grew louder with each step.
By the time they arrived, the scene before them stole their breath.
—Kyaaack!
"Block them! Hold the line! Don't let them cross Haesinjeon's threshold—defend the walls!"
Beast-form demons clashed with spear-and-sword fishmen in a siege.
It was a sight so cinematic, you'd wonder what the director was thinking—Kim Sun-woo couldn't help a hollow laugh at seeing it live.
But the killing intent they hurled was all too real.
"I'll go first."
Thud.
Gu Jin-uk drew a blade bigger than himself and leaped into the fray.
As he rampaged, slicing wall-climbing demons, Kim Sun-woo vaulted to the opposite side.
Rumble—!
A bolt of lightning crashed atop Haesinjeon.
In blinding white light, a demon's limbs shattered, flesh spraying.
Standing amid fish soldiers, Kim Sun-woo toed a chunk of demon meat, inspecting it closely.
'Doesn't seem alive.'
It felt like a flesh golem or summoned minion.
Meaning this army could be someone's ability or summoning byproduct.
Splitting a charging demon's skull, Kim Sun-woo peered beyond the walls to the ground below.
'They're escaping fine.'
He spotted hunters fleeing in shells.
Chae Eun-seo, noticing him, raised a hand—then her eyes widened, pointing ahead.
Shiiiaak—!
Kim Sun-woo sensed the sharp air-rip at the same instant.
A black streak arced over the wall straight at him.
Fur-covered muscle, elongated snout, jagged claws on paws and hands.
"Werewolf."
Seemed Wycon tribe meant werewolf clan.
Slash!
This one radiated otherworldly menace, far beyond regular demons. It tore through a thrusting mackerel soldier the moment it crested the wall.
Red blood sprayed; bones peeled clean like a chef deboning fish.
Meanwhile, Kim Sun-woo had low-crawled into its blind spot.
Shiiiaak!
Black Flow Sword, flickering with flame, whipped through the air with vicious speed.
Its momentum alone seemed set to bisect the werewolf—but...
Clang!
The sword rang out crisply, caught in the werewolf's hand.
"No dice, huh?"
Kim Sun-woo gripped tighter with an awkward grimace.
He'd hoped Wycon tribe, like undead, might fall easily to Parasa Flame—no such luck.
Fwaaah!
Brilliant white sword aura erupted from Black Flow Sword.
The werewolf's gripping hand shattered to pieces; the blade's elegant arc lightly severed its head.
—Thud.
From the stump poured blood redder than any human's, bubbling fiercely.
Werewolves had regen so tough only silver bullets killed them, or so the tales went.
Even so, decapitation was too much—it crumbled to black ash.
Tap!
Riding the momentum, Kim Sun-woo dashed the wall, hunting werewolves massacring fish soldiers.
Three, five...
In a blink, ten turned to ash—when a long, resounding howl halted him.
—Awoooooooo!
"...This presence."
At the battlefield's edge, where demons charged.
Step.
Lascael of the Wycon tribe sneered up at the wall.