Dungeon Breaks Out in the Subway
Yoo Jae-hyun grinned from ear to ear as he led them to a galbitang restaurant. Sure enough, Ma Pildu nodded approvingly, saying it was perfect as a restorative meal.
They'd cleared the dungeon much faster than expected, leaving them with plenty of time to spare. The stone pot brimmed with mouthwatering chunks of meat. Steam rose lazily from the rich broth, curling up toward their chins.
"This place is seriously good, right? Pildu hyung and I used to come here all the time."
The vegetables and herbs, finely chopped, were artfully arranged on top. A quick glance revealed glass noodles nestled inside as well.
"Hahat! It's been ages!"
Yoo Jae-hyun demonstratively scooped up a spoonful of broth. Seeing him savor it with a satisfied "Kuh," Seojun found himself reaching for his own spoon without thinking.
"...Wow. This is really good."
"Hahat. Glad you like it too, Seojun."
As Ma Pildu beamed with pride, Yoo Jae-hyun shot him a mock glare of exasperation. Biting into the tender meat released a flood of flavorful broth—pure perfection.
"By the way, Seojun."
"Yes?"
Seojun picked up a piece of pickled radish with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth. It crunched satisfyingly, vanishing down his throat in an instant.
"Are you dating our Chae-eun?"
"...Pardon?"
Seojun nearly choked on the radish. What the hell? It came out of nowhere. Had he done something to give that impression? They hadn't even seen each other in days.
"...No, we're not dating. May I ask why you thought that?"
"Pfft, no need to stiffen up. I just asked because of all those speculative articles about why you joined Pania. So, no one's caught your eye right now?"
"...No, not really."
This is way too random. Shouldn't he focus on his own recovery first? It hadn't even been long since he'd woken up.
"Oh?! For real? So, what do you think of our Chae-eun? Even factoring in family bias, she's totally your type."
Did he really believe Seojun had joined Pania because of Yoo Chae-eun? Especially after Seojun had saved her brother—Yoo Jae-hyun himself—for basically pocket change in rewards.
Or maybe he was just teasing. Seojun pictured her: short bob hair, aviation jacket, heavy makeup that clashed with her guild master status. Now that her brother was back, she'd reverted to her natural, delicate vibe. Pale skin, refined features packed neatly together. Honestly, she had idol-level visuals—debut as a celebrity for guild promo? It'd work.
"Well, she's pretty, sure."
"...For real?"
Yoo Jae-hyun froze mid-rib, staring blankly at him.
What? That shocked face.You asked.
"Makes sense—she takes after me, so her looks are solid. She's a bit naggy, but sweet in her own way. Not just saying that 'cause she's my sister. Man, she'd flip if she heard this. Heh. Let's make it work from here on out, Seojun."
Seojun watched Yoo Jae-hyun burst into laughter and dive back into his feast. As he lifted his spoon again, Ma Pildu—who'd already polished off one pot—was ordering seconds.
"Oh, right—about that large-scale raid coming up."
Seojun had joined one back before his regression, by sheer luck. The rewards were great, and even as a porter, the pay was top-tier.
"Which guilds are we teaming up with?"
Large guilds had enough members to solo raids, so joint ops usually involved mid- or small-sized ones banding together. Pania didn't normally need allies, but with so many departures lately...
If the remaining members weren't top-tier, that is. Yoo Jae-hyun's recovery was still under wraps, to be revealed during the raid when all eyes would be on them.
"Not set in stone yet, but probably Unicorn Guild and Maxas Guild."
"Eh? Talk about an odd combo!"
Seojun had heard the names before regression. Nothing memorable, though.
"Pildu hyung, what's so odd about it?"
"Unicorn's all-male hunters, Maxas is all-female. Personally, I dig Maxas—they're tough as nails!!"
"Male hunters aren't that common. Yeah, unique setup."
Yoo Jae-hyun, having cleanly emptied his pot, chimed in.
"Exactly. Both mid-sized. Unicorn's guys are mostly young newbies, while Maxas has vets of all ages."
"Hm. Got it. If we join, should I heal their members too?"
Seojun had portered large raids but never hunted one. From memory, rear healers treated everyone indiscriminately. Hard to say for sure.
"Nah, no need. Just focus on our crew—we'll protect you. Unless you want to, of course."
Yoo Jae-hyun's tone was firm. Even Ma Pildu, who seemed ready to differ, stayed silent.
"Understood."
An awkward silence settled. Ma Pildu coughed, pointing to the TV up front.
Seojun glanced back—news was on.
Bzzz. His phone vibrated on the table. Everyone else's did too.
The anchor's urgent expression was visible, but the sound was muted.
The designated target desperately needs Guardian Angel.
Guardian Angel is activating.
Right—he'd tested the Guardian Angel skill early on, setting his mom as the target. He'd forgotten about it.
"S-Seojun?!"
"Seojun!!"
Seojun shot to his feet, golden light pouring from his body. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw wings forming on his back—sparkling like flames, radiant and brilliant.
His feet no longer touched the ground. He was floating naturally. Each flap scattered golden dust that faded away. And the yellow halo emanating from him...
His body began to vanish, enveloped in dazzling golden light.
"What, what?!"
Ma Pildu lunged to grab him, but his hands passed right through.
Clatter. Startled, Seojun dropped his phone—it hit the floor.
Then his vision shifted entirely.
"I'll live, so let's go eat now, okay?"
"Got it, Mother. Give me your bags."
"Aigoo, no need. It's not heavy."
A bustling transportation hub naturally meant the subway station. The two women, sharing bags side by side, reached the entrance. Park Ha-yoon smiled brightly at Kim Ji-suk. The followers who'd come along wore equally cheerful expressions.
"We got drinks for the youth group, but since we're out, maybe grab some snacks too?"
Park Ha-yoon slowed, asking one of the followers behind Kim Ji-suk. The woman in checkered shirt and glasses nodded eagerly.
"Wow, this shop's still here underground."
Park Ha-yoon chuckled at Kim Ji-suk's delighted face. Snacks from here, then. As they approached—
BOOM!! An explosive roar and screams erupted.
A familiar yet alien sight.
"Kyaaah! Monster! Dungeon—it's a dungeon!!"
"Help! 119?! No—call hunters! Kyaa!!"
A massive toad monster, at least two meters tall, barreled toward them. Its grotesquely long tongue swallowed people whole. More were crawling from the freshly formed dungeon gate in the distance.
"...Oh my god!"
Kim Ji-suk dropped her bag in horror—the one Lee Seojun had given her recently, her prized possession.
Park Ha-yoon swiftly assessed, grabbing Kim Ji-suk's arm and pulling. She'd ditched her drink bag too.
"Everyone, run! Mother, hurry!!"
They bolted. Survival instinct quickened their breaths. But one toad leaped ahead, blocking them. Its tongue lashed out like a tentacle—toward Kim Ji-suk.
Park Ha-yoon glanced calmly at a nearby follower. If a sacrifice is needed...
"...Sorry."
As she moved to shove the follower's back—
"Mother?!"
Kim Ji-suk charged forward. The unexpected twist froze Park Ha-yoon.
"You damn monster! You rotten beast!!"
She hurled her phone at it. A normal middle-aged woman's throw—what damage could it do?
"You. Won't. Touch my daughter. Never."
The tongue extended naturally. Luckily, it targeted a screaming bystander first.
"Mother, everyone—stay quiet. It seems to go for the noisy ones first."
Park Ha-yoon judged quickly, voice low. Chaos reigned: people devoured or bleeding out on the street.
The toad's tongue lashed out again, still hungry.
"Haa. Haa."
"Scary... what do we do?"
Park Ha-yoon felt ashamed. She'd thought only of sacrificing someone. But the mother's actions—and calling her "daughter"—that thrilled her most.
Steadying her breath, she vowed firmly: I'll protect my family.
"Hah!"
A hunter pair—man and woman—sliced the tongue with swords. The sickening schwick chilled the air. Plainclothes bodyguards. Kim Ji-suk might not know, but Park Ha-yoon had noticed—her keen eyes spotted them tailing always. Harmless, so ignored. Her brother must've assigned them.
Weak hunters or strong monsters? Outnumbered anyway. Relief was fleeting; the pair tired and wounded as time dragged.
"Get Kim Ji-suk out! This is our limit!"
the male hunter yelled. Regretful, but no choice. Non-hunter limits existed. Legs trembled, but for their sacrifice...
Sacrifice? Someone had died saving her once, in childhood memory.
"Ribbit!!!"
The toad spewed liquid everywhere. Hunters not dodging groaned in agony.
"Gaaah!!"
Their flesh melted. Dangerous unknown. Park Ha-yoon and Kim Ji-suk hugged tight. Followers squeezed eyes shut, accepting fate. Better to die and confirm God's existence—the God she'd sought, silent till now.
"If God exists, He wouldn't make the world like this."
Park Ha-yoon stated calmly. Tears streamed despite her stoic face.
"...?!"
No pain came. She slowly opened her eyes.
The scene was unbelievable. Dazzling, ecstatic golden light filled her vision. Kim Ji-suk gaped skyward. Park Ha-yoon followed.
Someone floated there. Wings of purest golden brilliance flapping, an aura noble and overwhelming.
"...Oppa?"
Hard to see clearly, but the build and face felt familiar. It was Lee Seojun.