Chapter 78: Weeding Out
Chapter 78: Weeding Out
A group gathered at the cafe.
Na-in stood at their center.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Have you ever seen me lie?"
The assembled crowd stared at Na-in.
They were Hunters gathered through her connections.
"Hard to believe. How did you get recommended by Sword Queen's daughter's Guild?"
These were people like Na-in - unaffiliated with any Guild, barely scraping by in hazard zones.
Living day-to-day existences where death could come at any moment.
Their dream was to grow strong enough to escape the hazard zones.
But most lacked the talent to achieve their aspirations.
"I told you - I got a recommendation from an influential Guild member."
Now opportunity had come knocking for them.
A member of the Myohaengseong Guild had come to recruit them.
Yoo Seol-hwa - whose rapid growth had even major Guilds taking notice - had personally come to hire them.
"You brought the people as promised?"
Seol-hwa counted heads.
Slightly over ten in total.
More than expected.
But fewer than half would satisfy Master's standards.
Seol-hwa furrowed her brow.
Then smoothed her expression.
If quality was lacking, quantity would suffice.
These gathered people would spread the rumors.
Everything was proceeding according to Master's plan.
Separate the wheat from the chaff among those drawn by dungeon information.
'The efficiency isn't ideal, but with this many gathered, things should progress quickly.'
She thought positively.
The Doppelganger Dungeon's potential was limitless.
There was almost no risk of exposure.
She could comfortably hunt those who entered the dungeon.
"You've gathered quite a crowd as requested."
"Just as Na-in-nim explained, I discovered an excellent dungeon. It's too deep to explore alone, yet not appealing enough for Guilds - so I decided to open it to beginners."
Silence fell over the group.
Every gathered Hunter hung on Seol-hwa's words.
"What about the recommendation?"
"Of course I haven't forgotten my promise about recommending you to the Guild Master. I'll put in recommendations based on your performance in the dungeon."
An unspoken truth - she hadn't met Isia since that day.
But that didn't matter to Seol-hwa.
Soon even Isia would move according to Master's commands.
"Do you have the authority for that?"
The question carried multiple meanings.
Doubts about a mere rookie's ability to recommend others, and whether she possessed such influence.
"Naturally. Veterans with more experience than me died in that dungeon. My survival proves my capability."
Seol-hwa smiled provocatively.
Her skills would speak for themselves inside the dungeon.
The Guild would be handled once they broke Isia in.
Tension hung in the air momentarily.
"Alright, let's end the questions here. We'll move to the dungeon now."
Seol-hwa clapped to lighten the mood.
She exited the cafe.
After exchanging glances, people began rising one by one to follow her.
None remained behind.
Seol-hwa smiled at their predictable response.
"This is it. The dungeon I discovered."
They arrived at the dungeon.
Every aspect was crafted by the Doppelganger Dungeon's power.
Yet its exterior appeared so authentic that casual observation couldn't distinguish it from reality.
"As Na-in-nim informed you, all equipment obtained here belongs entirely to the finder."
Seol-hwa laid more groundwork.
Most didn't know the rules.
Preemptive clarification prevented disputes.
"Ah, over there-"
They reached the pre-placed treasure chest.
An identical chest to Na-in's first discovery lay solitary in the corridor.
An obviously staged situation.
Most party members eyed the chest suspiciously.
"Let me check it."
But greed-blinded Na-in didn't hesitate.
She rushed forward and opened the chest.
No one could stop her.
"Boots this time. My set will be complete soon."
Na-in examined the equipment.
Boots.
Though damp with mucus, she donned them without concern.
Na-in grinned broadly.
The others couldn't comprehend her behavior.
Screeeech!
Goblins appeared right on cue.
Ten in number.
More than any low-rank Hunter could handle alone.
"Na-in-ssi, time to test your new equipment."
"Yes!"
Na-in strode forward confidently.
Sword in hand, she charged into the goblin horde.
Contrary to expectations, she slaughtered them effortlessly.
The goblins quickly became corpses.
The group realized:
Her new equipment made the difference.
The gear empowered Na-in.
Those who'd long observed her knew her limits intimately.
Greed glinted in their comprehending eyes.
Seol-hwa smiled at the sight.
The bait had been sufficiently taken.
Time to serve the prepared feast.
"Everyone, you may now explore freely."
She released the fishes.
"Huh? You want us to roam the dungeon alone?"
"Do you need my protection? I trust capable Hunters like yourselves can handle yourselves."
The questioning Hunter fell silent.
She was right.
They weren't helpless, nor was Seol-hwa obligated to protect them.
"Don't worry. We'll return together. I'll guard this entrance. But whatever happens inside isn't my responsibility."
Seol-hwa drew a clear line.
Though outcasts, these were experienced Hunters.
They understood her meaning.
Groups formed among trusted companions.
Then ventured deep into the dungeon.
When all had disappeared:
"Master, preparations are complete."
Seol-hwa spoke to empty air.
****
"Master, preparations are complete."
At Seol-hwa's words, action commenced.
Traits were consumed.
Forms shifted through mimicry as they awaited prey.
****
Ye-hwa ventured alone into the dungeon's depths.
Her twin braids swayed with each step.
'Idiots... Speed is key here...'
She boldly operated solo.
Group movement risked being stuck with cleanup duty without reward.
Only goblin groups inhabited the dungeon.
Little danger unless venturing too deep.
She moved toward an untraveled path.
"Treasure chest found."
As expected.
She immediately discovered a chest.
Smiling broadly, she approached it.
No trap concerns whatsoever.
Na-in had personally proven their absence.
She recalled dungeon rules.
Laws didn't change unless floors shifted.
Hence this chest was safe.
She confidently opened it.
'Huh? Can't see well.'
Darkness obscured the interior.
She leaned into the chest.
Reached for the bottom.
Squelch. Squelch.
No solid metal equipment met her touch.
Her fingers encountered fleshy softness.
Like living meat.
Thud.
The moment suspicion arose.
The chest slammed shut.
"Gasp!"
Panicked, she tried opening it to escape.
But despite her strength, the chest wouldn't budge.
Something approached through the darkness.
Slimy fluids.
Crimson flesh.
The chest was a Mimic.
A trap monster she'd only heard tales of.
Never expected at Paju Hazard Zone's outskirts.
'Am I dying?'
Death felt imminent.
Completely outmaneuvered.
Leaving the group to avoid arguments had hastened her demise.
No savior would come.
As death seemed certain:
The flesh didn't crush her windpipe.
Tentacles that should've snapped her neck instead sought her chest.
Slid beneath her collar to touch bare skin.
"Eek!"
Sticky fluid clung to her flesh.
Horrifying.
She desperately wanted to shake them off.
But bodily restraints prevented it.
Did Mimics lust after human women?
She'd heard of goblins doing so, but never Mimics.
The tentacles grew bolder.
Penetrated her sports bra and groped her breasts.
"Stop..."
She regained some composure.
That wasn't the main issue now.
She was being molested by a monster.
Mustered all strength to defend her chest.
"Eek!"
But breasts weren't the only target.
The Mimic playfully lifted her skirt and touched her panties.
She became certain.
It intended to violate her.
Being raped by a monster, not even human.
Absolutely unacceptable.
But she had no choice.
The tentacle beneath her panties thrust into her pussy.
"Hic!"
Her body jerked violently.
The tentacle hammered her cervix.
A brutal assault devoid of care or foreplay.
"Heeeeeek! Stop!"
Yet she felt it.
Reaching climax while being fucked by a monster.
Transparent love juice dripped down her thighs.
Consumed by self-loathing and despair, she half-lost consciousness.
Gulp.
The Mimic swallowed her whole.
Her body vanished inside the creature.
Clunk. Clunk.
The shaking treasure chest hinted at her fate.