The Minotaur's Howl
This wasn't even a fight, was it?
I'd simply taught that rude bastard some manners. That should cut down on the pointless nonsense that would crop up during this expedition. So don't say a word about it.
"Haa..."
I really am something else... Why am I even thinking like this? Why am I rehearsing excuses for that man? I have no idea.
While I was stuck in this pathetic spiral, that annoying Jang Yong came bouncing over again.
What a pain.
"Wow... Isol-ssi, what was that just now? Did you get stronger again? Did Hyung-nim do something for you? I'm so jealous!"
"Don't bother me. Get lost."
"Come on, we're on the same team. Why are you like that? I already know everything, you know. Actually, Hyung-nim did something similar for me too... Ah, that's a secret. Cancel that."
Jang Yong hurriedly clamped both hands over his own mouth. The sight of him made a sigh escape me on its own.
"Hehe... But Isol-ssi went through the same thing as me, so it's fine, right? Please keep it secret from Hyung-nim. I don't want him to hate me... But why did Hyung-nim suddenly quit the company? Do you know anything? Tell me, please. Why has he been freezing me out since last Friday?"
Haa... So noisy.
And what? He went through the same thing as me?
Impossible.
Don't tell me that man did it with a guy...?
No. Absolutely not.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ah, nothing. You're annoying. Move."
"Ah... Isol-ssi. Isol-ssiii~"
He really was a nuisance.
I hurried my steps to get away, but it wasn't just Jang Yong—the team leader of this group came chasing after me as well.
"I was truly astonished. You are an incredible person. The manager told me to keep an eye on Baek Hwayeon, but I never imagined Kim Isol would be this strong..."
"You're annoying too. Can you back off? How long do we have to stay here? Aren't we leaving?"
This was the corridor that appeared the moment you stepped through the Namsan 2nd Gate. Not a single monster was in sight.
"We're about to head out. The formation still hasn't been decided, which is why I ran over. Would Kim Isol be willing to take the very front? With strength like yours..."
"I'm not a tanker."
"Ah, haha... True enough, but you just completely demolished our tanker Baek Dongsu, so I thought maybe... In that case, we'll stick with our usual formation. You all can move at the very rear with me, Kim Miyeon, and the company staff."
"Whatever."
This dungeon's name was the Stone Monastery. Apparently it got the name because it was packed with statues frozen in postures of prayer.
The monsters that appeared were also statues, they said. Get within a certain distance and the sleeping statues would suddenly open their eyes—then immediately start casting magic. But because they stayed rooted in place and never moved, the dungeon's difficulty was considered low.
That was the story I'd heard from Team Leader Kim Chan-il.
If the monsters don't move, only the long-range archer Baek Hwayeon is going to have any fun. At this rate, am I not even going to get a chance to properly test the new mana I received?
"That's why the formation is important. Someone has to stand at the front and block the incoming magic."
"And why were you trying to make me do that?"
"Well... you looked strong..."
"Dumbass. I didn't even rent a shield."
"I-I'm sorry..."
The man named Kim Chan-il kept apologizing over and over, face crumpling. He looked completely cowed in front of the Awoken—me included. Watching him made irritation bubble up in me for no good reason.
He was a team leader just like that man, yet they were so different it was almost insulting.
"This monastery dungeon is extremely spacious, so we have to decide on a direction from the start and stick to it. Our company always moves along the right-hand wall. That way we never have to worry about getting lost on the way back."
Finally we set out.
We passed through the long corridor empty of monsters and stepped into a wide open plaza. A fountain stood frozen in the center. Atop it was a rather ornate statue—had they carved a god? Below it, various other sculptures were posed in prayer toward the central divine figure.
Those were the monsters he'd mentioned earlier?
"B-be careful. The statues are packed tightly together, so they'll probably attack all at once. Approach as slowly as possible and take them one by one from the farthest—"
Someone cut Team Leader Kim Chan-il off mid-sentence.
It wasn't me.
Unexpectedly, it was Baek Hwayeon.
"Can't we... just attack from here...?"
"Excuse me?"
"Instead of getting close enough for the statues to cast magic... we can just attack them right from here, can't we?"
Everyone focused on Baek Hwayeon's words, and the space fell suddenly quiet—quiet enough to catch that tiny voice.
"But at this distance, reliably bringing them down is... Ah, you're an archer, aren't you? We don't have an archer, so... haha. But can you handle it alone? There are quite a few of them."
"I can."
At Baek Hwayeon's bold claim, the male Awoken who had been leading the way all fell back. They started scanning her entire body with greasy eyes.
Men, honestly.
Disgusting.
Thud—! Thwip-thwip-thwip! Crumble...
A single arrow turned three statues into powder.
Well, this was an E-rank dungeon, and they were packed so tightly that a penetrating arrow destroying the ones behind was only natural.
Yet the people from that team were overreacting.
"Whoa—! What was that?"
"Even at the Academy only the elites can barely..."
"As expected... the one the manager marked. Truly amazing. This expedition is going to be much easier."
The excessive praise made Baek Hwayeon's face flush redder and redder. For some reason a petty jealousy rose in me unbidden.
What? I could do that much too. Why the big fuss...
Then every other statue that had been praying straightened up. They turned their gazes toward where we stood and their eyes lit up—as if they were alive.
Pale white faces with crimson glowing eyes.
I shouldn't have looked...
Goosebumps prickled all over my skin. But because the distance was still great, they didn't attack. They wouldn't suddenly start moving, would they?
My heart began hammering wildly of its own accord.
"Don't worry. Those things don't move. Still, if you get close they all cast magic at once, so be careful."
As he said it he looked at Baek Hwayeon. Everyone else did too. Waiting for her next arrow, no doubt...
If they keep doing that she'll burn through all her mana and tire out alone first.
The men who had done nothing of note spent a good while singing Baek Hwayeon's praises. It wasn't a particularly pleasant feeling, but it seemed this expedition was going to continue in exactly this fashion.
A long expedition that would take a full six days round trip. We had zero experience with anything like it, so I was worried, but since the difficulty was low there probably wouldn't be any major problems.
Still... when am I ever going to get to cut loose with my full strength? I finally got stronger with that man's help...
Day four of the monastery expedition.
My body reeked from every pore. A foul stench of sweat. The men were even worse; I absolutely refused to let them near me. Wiping myself down endlessly with wet towels did nothing, so I tried spraying perfume... but the relief lasted only a moment.
After spending several days in this place, homesickness hit hard enough to make me sad. I wanted to go back already. I wanted a shower, damn it.
The one silver lining was that we had already achieved the expedition's goal; now all that remained was the return trip.
"Haa, I want to leave already."
No monsters appeared in this long, stretching corridor. Perfect for camping. Some Academy instructor once said that if you ever find a place inside a dungeon where you can sleep with peace of mind, you should thank the heavens.
Yeah, right.
Just because monsters don't pass through doesn't mean your mind can rest easy. I'd been on edge since the first night and barely slept at all. After I snapped at the people around me a few times, everyone stopped approaching me entirely.
Actually, that worked out fine. No more pests bothering me...
Until now my role had been almost nonexistent, and yesterday I hadn't even used a tenth of the mana I possessed. So boring.
Out of sheer boredom I concentrated mana into my ears. The chatter of everyone except me rang against my eardrums.
"Nothing today. No more screams."
"Haha. Guess they finally died."
"What kind of talk is that? Die in an E-rank dungeon? Come on."
"People die... Just because it's E-rank doesn't mean only E-rank monsters show up."
The last voice belonged to the team's support worker, a woman named Kim Miyeon. She was clearly a survivor of the Suwon Hwaseong Gate incident.
"Boss monsters? Spotting one of those is like plucking a star from the sky, Miyeon-ssi."
"It's not just that... Sometimes monsters from other dungeons appear too..."
"Other dungeons? Isn't that just one of those dungeon horror stories trending online lately? Khh."
"What's there to worry about? Our team has two monster-level Awoken right here."
"True enough. Heh."
"Ah, drinking first thing in the morning? We're on the way back now—don't let your guard down. Something really bad could happen."
"Ah, I know, hyung. Just one more..."
Those idiots and their booze again. What was so good about that stuff?
I had sworn never to put alcohol to my lips again. Not after the disgraceful scene I'd made in front of that man. Just thinking about it still made me want to crawl into a wardrobe and hide from sheer embarrassment.
More than that—the screams we'd been hearing these past two days. Those were suspicious. If that man were here he might have given me an answer. But he wasn't. If something went wrong, I would have to resolve it with only the people here.
Haa...
Ever since entering the dungeon I'd been thinking about him nonstop. Why do I keep doing this?
Kim Isol.
You have another goal, don't you? Get stronger fast and avenge Oppa. That's what you're supposed to do.
Self-reproach after self-reproach.
"Please get a grip..."
Slap. Slap.
I smacked both cheeks to snap myself out of it. It was about time to head toward the dungeon exit. That would end this expedition.
KWAANG—!
"......!?"
"Kyaaaaak—!"
A sudden roar and a scream. I bolted out of the tent.
We were in the middle of the long corridor. The nearest statues were hundreds of meters away. So why all of a sudden...
KREOO—!
"Wh-what the hell!?"
Standing right in front of me was a monster that had no business being in this dungeon.
"...Why..."
A monster that appeared in the Creta Labyrinth, known as an A-rank dungeon. A bull-headed giant with an absurdly massive body and ridiculous strength.
A Minotaur.
The black, hard horns jutting from either side of its forehead left no room for doubt.
Why was an A-rank monster in a place like this...
"Fuck... you son of a bitch..."
I had a reason for remembering that thing so clearly.
That monster... that bastard was the one that took my brother's life.
My Oppa, who had gone along as a Supporter with a Transcendent party. My Oppa, who chose the path of a Supporter even though he was Awoken. The one that killed Kim I-shin.
"I'll kill you... I have to kill you. With my own hands..."
Grit.
I clenched my molars hard. Shiiing—. I drew the sword I'd grabbed when I left the tent.
Oppa's revenge. I will achieve it right here, no matter what. For that alone I...
"KRAAAAK—!"
"Kyaak—!"
"Kh..."
My eardrums felt ready to tear. What the hell kind of voice was that loud?! And it felt disgusting.
Everyone was frozen in shock at the sudden situation. All of you, defend yourselves. Please just get the hell out of here already.
"What are you doing, you idiots! That thing is an A-rank monster! A Minotaur! Run!"
We've already experienced it, haven't we? That another gate can open inside a dungeon. That monsters from other dungeons can appear.
Barricades were laid out under the thing's feet. Thanks to those the equipment company staff had installed, there were still no casualties.
"I said run already! ...!?"
The moment I shouted, the thing moved. An absurd, impossible speed.
KWAANG—!
"Uwaaaaaaagh—!"
In an instant one of the equipment company uncles was seized in its hand. The giant fist closed around his head and lifted him whole. His neck must have already snapped; no more screams came.
A massive axe in its right hand. In its left, the uncle's head. Slowly it turned its gaze, hunting for the next target. Those huge cow eyes were so revolting my stomach churned. I swallowed dry spit.
I have to do it. I'm the only one here who can face that thing. Otherwise everyone dies.
"Haaaah!!"
I poured every ounce of strength into the hand gripping my sword. Concentrated my mana. I was no longer the old Kim Isol.
The blade traced an arc, aiming for the thing's left arm, and carved through. The same instant my feet kicked off the ground, I was already standing past it.
"Haa, haa..."
This was the power I now possessed... My speed, enhanced by the improved mana, was no joke either. The sensation of cutting the thing still lingered in the hand holding the sword.
Thud.
"KUOOoooo!"
The thing's scream reached me. The left arm that had been holding the uncle dropped limply to the ground. I had severed its arm with a single stroke.
I can do this much...
That bizarre sound stabbed my ears again. Instantly my entire body locked up rigid.
"Isol-ssiii!"
Someone called my name. Jang Yong's voice. I knew why he was shouting. The massive axe in the Minotaur's right hand was already swinging toward me.
KAGAANG—! Clang.
I somehow blocked with the sword, but it wasn't enough. The C-rank steel blade in my grip snapped in an instant, and the thing's attack carved across my shoulder. Blood sprayed from my chest like a fountain.
Am I going to die like this...
"Heal!!"
The light of the Heal Lee Donggeul cast wrapped my whole body. The pain vanished. Luckily it was only a shallow cut. But my sword was broken...
Thwip—!
Baek Hwayeon's arrow struck the Minotaur's right arm. It didn't pierce through, but it sank deep.
Those fearless brats. This thing is A-rank difficulty...
Still, as long as I stay standing, we have a chance. Those idiots are thrashing around like this—I can't just give up here.
Concentration
I gathered mana into the broken remnant of the steel sword. I'll finish it with this snapped blade.
"Hahp! Die, you cow-headed bastard!"
—Thuk!
Thuk. Thuk. Thuk...
I drove the broken steel sword into the thing's heart. Even broken, it sank in far too smoothly. It felt almost like stabbing tofu. I pulled it out and stabbed again, and again, and once more. I stabbed and withdrew over and over.
"Die... die! Just die already!!"
Thuk. Thuk... Thuk...
"Uh... Isol-ssi, that should be enough... I think it's already dead."
"Haa... haa... haa..."
The Minotaur lay motionless beneath me. Its torso and face were soaked in the blood pouring from its heart. The stench of its blood clung to my body as well.
I brought it down. An A-rank difficulty monster. Of course I hadn't done it alone. But I, Kim Isol—who never even came close to the elite class—had killed the Minotaur that took Oppa's life...
I killed it... Fuck, I killed it...
"Hic... fuck..."
The light of the Heal Lee Donggeul cast wrapped my entire sobbing body, as if it understood my grief and was trying to comfort me.
"Um... Isol-ssi. Are you okay?"
"Hic... Don't look at my face right now... sniff."
"Yeees..."
Lee Donggeul turned her back just as I asked. Her small frame seemed to be trying to shield this side of me from everyone else's eyes. Behind that back I cried my heart out.
But that time didn't last long.
KWAANG—! KWAGWAGWANG—!
"......!?"
"Don't tell me..."
From farther down the corridor came another tremendous noise—exactly like when the Minotaur first appeared.
"I-Isol-ssi... that sound..."
"Yeah."
I wiped my tears and stood. It seemed the Minotaur in this dungeon wasn't limited to the one I'd just killed. It wasn't a boss monster or anything. Just like the gnolls we'd met in Pink Land, these things were ordinary monsters. There was no way only one existed.
Despair settled once more over the faces of every member of the expedition with me. If only that man were here right now. Would he protect us... protect me?
Even in the middle of this, thoughts of him refused to leave my head. Will I be able to see him again...
End of Kim Isol's Point of View, Chapter 1.