Night in the Raid Dungeon
"Heal!!"
With my shout, a green light spread softly through the air. Kim Na-yoon's arm, bleeding from the axe the orc had thrown, healed in an instant.
"Bu-hik? Bu-hi-hik?!!"
Perhaps the sight of the rapid recovery provoked it. A massive orc snorted, turning toward the source of the green light.
Yeah. Right at me.
"Bu-hik?!! Bu-hi-hik. Bu-hik-hik!!!"
In that moment, the ugly orc's eyes widened round. Its eyesight must be sharp—it locked eyes with me from afar, my hand outstretched and frozen in place.
Seeing the orc's expression, twisted with raw lust, made my stomach churn.
No way. It couldn't be.
"Oh my. Aren't I in the middle of playing with you right now? If you pay attention to some guy... this big sis will get hurt."
Kim Na-yoon spun her spear rapidly, summoning thunder. She didn't look hurt—she looked furious.
Rumble.
Boom!!
A massive thunderclap erupted, lightning striking and electrocuting the orcs. Their filthy green skin charred black in seconds.
"Ice Shower!!"
From another direction, a gigantic blue magic circle formed in the sky. Sharp, solid ice shards rained down like a storm.
"Bu-hik?! Bu-hi-hi, urk."
Icicles like iron spikes pierced the orcs' skulls. Jeong Ye-na smiled radiantly as she watched their heads shatter.
"...Tch."
Yoo Chae-eun clicked her tongue softly. She nocked an arrow and focused on the orcs.
"Call of Thunder!!"
An arrow that looked like it could send you straight to the afterlife gleamed with intense light as it flew. Thunder exploded alongside it, annihilating the orcs.
"Looks like we won't even need buff skills at this rate?"
I figured I could just toss out a Heal here and there whenever someone got dinged up. But Yoo Jae-hyun shook his head, offering his take.
"Think of orcs as brains completely stuffed with lust. They're weak against female hunters, but if a male hunter shows up? They power up like crazy. That's why we're hiding back here, keeping our faces out of sight as much as possible."
"Hahat, that's right. To those guys, my muscles are just fuel for their desires."
Good lord. Even Ma Pildu was spouting something totally out of character for him. My vague worry suddenly felt all too real.
"No way. Maybe for you, Pildu hyung, but Jae-hyun hyung's an S-rank hunter. You serious?"
Yoo Jae-hyun flashed a cryptic smile that could have been a joke. Was he messing with me on purpose?
"Of course. I'm handsome, aren't I?! Even orcs are all about looks these days. Anyway, our Seojun should be careful too. Right, little bro?!"
"Why am I suddenly— Ahh!! Don't worry about Seojun-ssi. I'll protect you for sure. I won't let those monsters have you."
Yoo Chae-eun flailed her arms, trying to reassure me. For some reason... the mood felt off. Was I really the one who needed comforting here?
"Looks like everyone's wrapping up?"
A woman from the Maxas Guild, who had been quietly supporting her own group, spoke up. Glancing around, Cheonsu Guild's sector was already cleared, and Maxas was finishing up too.
"Time to set up camp."
Kang Ga-young shook the blood from her sword and announced it. No reason to argue—we all nodded and got to work.
Once the battle ended, the porters who'd been hiding popped out like whack-a-moles. Spotting a clear spot to rest, they quickly erected tents. The porters from each guild competed to build bigger, comfier shelters. Since this wasn't some small or mid-tier dungeon, most were seasoned veterans.
"Thank you!!"
"Aww~. It's my job. Say, got a girlfriend? My daughter's just your age..."
"You worked hard. I'm not thinking about dating right now."
The middle-aged woman made a disappointed face before switching to a warm smile. After she left, I let out a quiet sigh.
"Hoo."
Standing so long had left my legs aching, my whole body fatigued. Sitting down helped a bit.
Then the tent flap opened, and someone called out. The familiar bulky silhouette and muscles—it was Ma Pildu.
"Heyy~. Seojun, my man! Oho?! Nice cozy setup you've got. Come on, let's grab some grub. Gotta eat hearty like true Koreans, right?!!"
"Just checking... ramen?"
I was only curious, but Ma Pildu's arm muscles twitched faintly. It wasn't something we ate often anyway.
"Hahat, we got cup ramen, but that's not all! Come on!!"
Ma Pildu grinned like a kid and hauled me up effortlessly. Those muscles weren't for show. Stepping outside, a crowd had gathered. Positions were sorta divided by guild, but friends mixed freely, sharing meals. Some were charging drones. Ours was probably in there too.
"Seojun-ssi, you came? Sandwich or burger—which do you prefer?!"
Yoo Chae-eun held a basket of food, asking me. Good, she'd packed a variety. First day and all. It lifted my spirits.
"Hmm. Burger for me, then."
I took one stuffed with tasty bulgogi. Peeled back the wrapper—it was cooled but still appetizing. Chomp. Soft bun, crisp lettuce, sweet sauce on the meat. Delicious.
What was with Pildu hyung's reaction, then? I shot him a glare, but he said nothing.
Over there, Lee Se-ah and Kim Na-yoon sat on rocks, munching sandwiches blankly, exhaustion etched on their faces. Kinda funny, though they shouldn't eat like that.
"Ahem. Where's Lee Soo-jung?"
Our eyes met Kim Na-yoon's, and the question slipped out. Her bun hairstyle had stray hairs poking out.
"Oh? Soo-jung went to bring you food just a bit ago. Didn't see her?"
"Must've missed each other. Probably."
If she was nearby, we'd have crossed paths. Was she that directionally challenged? Hamburger in hand, I headed back to my tent.
"...Who?"
Surprise hit as I saw a familiar woman. Not Lee Soo-jung—it was Jeong Ye-na, brushing back her long black hair, standing at my tent.
"Oppa, shh!! I snuck out. Hehe."
"Huh?! What? How'd you find this place?"
Jeong Ye-na shrugged playfully. It was cute—I ruffled her hair in praise.
"Aw, good girl, good girl. Eaten dinner? You were amazing today. Whoa~. That ice? Like a total snow spirit popped up right there. I was shocked."
Honestly, I was proud. I knew her potential was huge, and her pre-regression self, but today's Ice Shower was spectacular—like a yokai in the flesh. She'd trained hard.
"Eek, ah, what~? For real~."
Jeong Ye-na's voice pitched up shyly, then down. I'd only seen her icy side before. This sweet, bashful version stirred something odd in me.
"Oh yeah—seen a girl around here with red-dyed hair?"
Jeong Ye-na tilted her head.
"Nope? No one but me when I got here. Something wrong?"
Anxiety crashed over me like a storm. Ignoring her worried call, I bolted off.
"Huff. Huff."
At the central tent, guarding hunters blocked me. Brain unfiltered, I yelled loud enough to carry inside.
"Ah!! Jae-hyun hyung!!! Come out!!!"
The door-guard hunters looked flustered, but who cared. Soon Yoo Jae-hyun emerged.
"Seojun-ah, what's up?"
Startled by my sudden shout, and more so seeing me for real. But I had no time for that.
"Lee Soo-jung's gone. I looked around on the way—no sign."
"...She's directionally challenged, but not a kid. Lost? Nah."
I stopped rambling, calming down. Explained slowly: she'd come to my tent, but I missed her. No red hair spotted en route. Yoo Jae-hyun's face hardened. He got the gravity too.
"What's going on?"
Kang Ga-young, Cheonsu's rep from inside, stepped out. No need for me to repeat—Yoo Jae-hyun cut in.
"...One of our guild members is missing. I'll step out of this meeting."
Kang Ga-young's brow twitched. Then she relaxed, nodding.
"...Understood. But night's deep, and we can't mobilize everyone for one person. A quick perimeter check's fine. Pania knows that too."
"We don't need your help."
Ignoring her glare, we left with Yoo Jae-hyun. Pania members gathered fast. Tension and worry etched our faces, mine included.
The dungeon's night was far more dangerous than imagined. Monsters in pitch black were no joke.
Think. Plenty of eyes around, sentries on watch. Only one conclusion: kidnapping.
"No way. Males, maybe. But orcs kidnapping a woman?!"
Immediate rebuttal. But barring walking into enemy lines, how else? Maxas and Cheonsu checked around out of goodwill—no Soo-jung. We'd have to scour the forest ourselves.
"Should've gone with her when she moved..."
Kim Na-yoon sighed regretfully. Ma Pildu comforted her.
"This body's gonna find her quick, don't worry. Hah! That damn brat acting all high and mighty, then getting lost like a kid."
In the darkening mood, I looked up.
"Should we go ourselves, then?"
"No, that woman's right—going out alone's risky."
Yoo Jae-hyun shook his head calmly. Frustrated, I pressed.
"But I've got you covered. Heal's unlimited, and Guardian Angel could—maybe."
Especially Guardian Angel—its golden glow would light the way, securing her safety for sure.
"A forest swallowed by darkness is dangerous. Not doubting your power. Just... suspicious. Orcs this smart? They're basic lust machines."
"...Jae-hyun hyung, so we don't rescue? How scared must she be alone."
Her personality aside—that's no small thing for a woman.
Tap. Tap. Thud thud.
Then Maxas's guild master approached. Anxiety shadowed her usual confidence. Sweat beaded on her forehead, dripping to her chin. Her twitching lips parted with ragged breaths.
"A few of our porters are gone too. Since we got to this clearing..."