Revelations from Haegok
“It must be hard to give up the privileges of being a captain, so I think it's a remarkable decision. Some people say Jeong Myeong-ho has ulterior motives, but I'm convinced that's nonsense. What could Jeong Myeong-ho, a member of Brave Guild, possibly lack?
His determination to roll up his sleeves and tackle the expedition's chronic issues deserves applause. If not just Jeong Myeong-ho but other captains join in the internal reforms, I believe the stagnant atmosphere since Devils Day could turn around.
Fair competition is the best competitiveness, after all. I even think this is a good opportunity to introduce the evaluation placement system to all raids with two or more teams participating. I'll do my utmost to contribute to such changes.”
Sa Yeonggyo shot to her feet.
Jeong Myeong-ho could no longer back down. Yoo Wan-seop had just smashed his escape route with that statement.
Kim Jun's retreat was shattered too.
Now, the teams' true abilities would be laid bare through the evaluation placement system—no escaping it.
How did this happen? Does that mean even Kim Jun didn't know about that announcement? What a shame. I could've made him owe me one.
Knock knock.
“Huh.”
Choi Muhyun entered the locker room, his eyes widening.
“Whoa, you look pretty!”
His pure admiration made Sa Yeonggyo feel good. Unlike with Kim Jun, this bear of a guy was far from trying to butter her up because she was the Association President's granddaughter.
Come to think of it, everyone at Uramata was like that. Even the instructors and guild doctor seemed immune to her title.
“What?”
“Oh, right. They want you out there.”
Sa Yeonggyo stood.
She glanced at the neat dress she rarely wore, then stepped out of the locker room and headed to the guildhouse entrance.
Kim Jun gave her a thumbs-up.
Sa Yeonggyo smirked, then beamed even brighter at Yoo Min-jeong standing beside him.
“With that, allow me to introduce the latest Raider to join Uramata Guild's Pink Team today.”
Yoo Wan-seop's voice.
Sa Yeonggyo walked lightly out to the parking lot.
Silence fell once more.
Then a barrage of camera flashes erupted.
“Does the Association President know about this?”
“It's known that your mother is Jushin's financial director—what's her reaction?”
Sa Yeonggyo just gave a sly smile.
“Now, another Raider to introduce. Also for Pink Team.”
As Yoo Wan-seop gestured, Go Cheolmin stepped forward with an awkward expression and stood before the reporters.
The journalists buzzed. In Dungeon Association history, no guild master had ever demoted themselves to a team member.
Sa Yeonggyo stared at the new guild master in surprise.
Yoo Wan-seop wore a pleased grin, like a mischievous kid proud of his prank.
The reporters swarmed Go Cheolmin.
Tatata.
After enduring the deafening helicopter rotor noise for so long, a massive structure resembling an oil rig finally came into view. Vast ocean surrounded it, waves surging high. Dark clouds raced in from afar.
Haegok.
The grave of Raiders.
―Landing now.
The pilot's voice crackled through the headset.
Hwang In-su gave a thumbs-up.
The chopper, swaying slightly in the wind, approached the upper landing pad slowly. Following the control officer's guidance, it settled to one side, and the door slid open.
“Welcome to Haegok. The warden's waiting.”
Huang In-su barely made out the words over the noise and followed the guide down from the pad.
Just as he thought he'd escaped the racket, a foul smell assaulted his nose. Not quite a stench—more like something that made him deeply uneasy.
In the warden's office, a burly man rose and approached.
“Looking good, man.”
Hwang In-su spoke first.
“You nuts? If this looks good, you come here instead.”
The two laughed warmly and embraced.
Jang Hak-su said, “What's up with the sudden visit? Figured you'd be busy with the upcoming raid.”
“Someone I need to meet.”
“Locked up here?”
“Bingo.”
“Who?”
“Kim Se-wi.”
“Ah, that bastard? Normally not allowed, but for you, I'll make an exception.”
Jang Hak-su stepped out and gave instructions to the chief guard. In 30 minutes, Hwang In-su could meet Kim Se-wi personally.
Once a rising star in Jushin, Kim Se-wi was now awaiting trial in Haegok. With ironclad evidence, he'd never set foot outside again once sentenced.
“How's Kim Se-wi holding up?”
“Totally lost it. Makes sense, though. Dungeon sickness out of nowhere ruined him.”
“...Dungeon sickness?”
Hwang In-su was stunned. He'd met Kim Se-wi just two months ago—still arrogant, still a powerhouse.
“Half his mind's gone. He screams that Kim Jun gave him dungeon sickness, then bawls his eyes out... puts on quite the show.”
“...Kim Jun?”
“You'll see when you meet him. How broken do you have to be to spout that crap? Anyway, I can't stay here much longer. Dealing with guys like him... I'm going mad too. Do something about it? Might catch dungeon sickness myself.”
Jang Hak-su chuckled.
“Looking into Brave Marshal School.”
“For real?”
“Just wait. Spot'll open in a month or two.”
“Haha, that's my Hwang In-su. Why else could I never hate you! Let's go.”
As they walked to the visitation room, Hwang In-su mulled over what he'd heard.
Dungeon sickness because of Kim Jun?
Truth be told, the reason he'd carved out precious time to fly down to this remote spot south of Jeju was a rumor tied to the awakening test.
Officially, Kim Se-wi's Medici Team had committed near-terrorist crimes. But most dismissed that conclusion.
Hwang In-su wanted the truth Jushin desperately hid—what really happened that day.
What went down in the West Building during lockdown?
Who crushed Medici Team?
Rumors abounded. Piecing together fragments, Kim Jun's name—the examinee—kept popping up oddly often.
As if he were at the epicenter.
The visitation room had a metal table split by safety glass. No different from a standard prison. All inmates here lost abilities via special pills, making it feasible.
Moments later, Kim Se-wi shuffled in, handcuffed. Spotting Hwang In-su, he grinned creepily.
Drool trickled from his mouth.
Had he really gone mad?
Hwang In-su felt pity. Annoying junior or not, he was a fellow Raider. Seeing him broken by dungeon sickness killed any schadenfreude.
The moment he sat across, the madness vanished from Kim Se-wi's face.
“You're here because of Kim Jun, right?”
Straight to the point.
The calm voice through the glass hole made Hwang In-su wonder if Kim Se-wi was faking insanity, biding his time.
Escape?
Unlikely here. This was Haegok. Raiders' tomb.
“Why think that?”
“Only reason you'd visit. Not like you'd fly from Seoul to see some near-stranger. Plus, you'll raid with Kim Jun soon.”
Kim Se-wi was still sharp. Even caged, he saw much.
“If I came for Kim Jun, like you say—what would you tell me?”
“Be careful.”
The earnest warning startled Hwang In-su. Kim Se-wi fearing that carrier-turned-Raider?
Kim Se-wi pressed on.
“Underestimate him, and you'll end up like me. Crush him from the start, full force. No mercy. Like a starving lion finishing the kill... or regret it.”
“Did Kim Jun do this to you?”
“Hard to believe, right? You don't want to. But you must. That bastard killed Taek-su! Killed Gwan-ho! He did!”
Hwang In-su knew Medici's tanker Jeong Taek-su and dealer Yoo Gwan-ho lived—but stayed silent.
Suddenly whispering, Kim Se-wi lowered his voice.
“He gave me dungeon sickness. It was originally in his guild master's body.”
“Go Cheolmin?”
“Yeah. That fucker. Smiled at me in the hospital. That fucker... that fucker...”
The more he heard, the harder it was to tell if Kim Se-wi was mad or pretending. He seemed to drift between reality and delusion.
Hwang In-su left the room.
“Get anything?”
Jang Hak-su asked.
“You just gonna leave him like that? He's completely gone.”
“Psychiatrist comes weekly. Useless, probably. Heading up?”
“I'll come back.”
“Sure.”
Jang Hak-su escorted him to the pad.
The chopper veered north, dodging the encroaching clouds.
As it vanished, Jang Hak-su pulled out his phone and dialed.
The short call ended, and the warden returned to his domain, ruling Haegok like a king.
Arriving 10 minutes early, Han Ye-jin pulled out her Leaderbook and opened it.
Top left: Gangnam Guild Apgujeong Team Leader Han Ye-jin.
Earth's Ring Terra
A dungeon item wearable only by Earth-attribute Raiders. Top among Earth rings. First found in London Dungeon; 4 exist worldwide, each with unique engravings. Experts say the patterns form a puzzle—gather all 9 for a miraculous event.
Effect: Temporary mana boost 200% (max 3 min), Wood magic resistance +100%.
Skill:Terranova
Han Ye-jin couldn't tear her eyes from the ring until the barista approached.
“One Americano.”
She ordered while staring at Terra.
Somehow, that tiny ring had become her life's goal.
All four current owners were men. If she claimed it... she'd be the first woman to wear Terra.
Rare dungeon items like Terra rarely hit auctions.
Rumor had it one sold on the black market for an unimaginable sum—but verifying was impossible.
Only way: enter a relic and claim it herself.
That's why she was pumped for the Sokcho relic quest. If the dungeon god favored her, she might find Terra there. Slim chance, but possible.
Han Ye-jin checked her watch.
Five minutes early.
She stowed the Leaderbook, sipped her warm coffee—and a blond man slipped inside.
Jason Tyler, grinning broadly at her.
“Still as beautiful as ever, my dear.”
Jason was tolerable when he shut up.
Ignoring him, Han Ye-jin watched as he chatted up the barista at the counter. The girl, recognizing the TV star, blushed and giggled.
Poor barista, falling for the playboy. Whatever, none of my business.
Then Hwang In-su entered.
“Always punctual. Never late.”
Hwang In-su said.
“But why the sudden contact? You don't usually meet like this.”
“It's different this time.”
Han Ye-jin tensed slightly. She knew Hwang In-su well. Fools mocked him as perennial team leader, but expeditions needed men like him.
No matter how captains rampaged, Vice-Captain Hwang In-su kept things steady—and raids succeeded.
“Jason.”
Hwang In-su beckoned.
Jason pecked the barista's cheek and sauntered over. Honey dripped from her eyes. Clueless girl had no idea where he was headed!
No. Her choice. Not my place.
“Hyung, sudden call scared me. What's up?”
Hwang In-su eyed Han Ye-jin and Jason, then spilled embarrassing rumors and his Haegok encounter with Kim Se-wi.
While Jason grilled like a six-year-old, Han Ye-jin listened quietly.
“Not sure if Kim Se-wi lost it or not. But one thing's clear: Go Cheolmin's dungeon sickness... transferred to him.”
Han Ye-jin was speechless.
Chatty Jason fell silent too.
“You know Dr. Sim Gyeong-su? Dungeon sickness expert. Know someone there—checked, and they're investigating too. It vanished from Go Cheolmin overnight.”
Han Ye-jin spoke first.
“What's the conclusion, Vice-Cap?”
“Order.”
“Order?”
Jason chimed in.
“Time to check rogue captains acting solo, and show green rookies some tough love. Then the expedition runs smooth.”
“I'm in. What's the plan?”
Han Ye-jin said.
Hwang In-su grinned and began explaining.