Yuki's Desertion and the Bloody Ambush
Yuki had vanished. Without telling anyone, she'd deserted the party on her own. The group waited at first. The contract stipulated that even if she left without permission, as long as she returned within ten days, the agreement would remain in effect. So they waited. But even after ten—no, twelve days—she never showed. Yuki's unauthorized departure was confirmed.
Namgung Seojun and Gisohee visited a nearby temple.
"Is this a contract breach?"
"Yes."
The priest examined the contract between Seojun and Yuki, then completed the registration.
"It's confirmed. Notice will be sent to Yuki for violating the contract, and you can collect the stipulated penalty of 100 gold from the god's temple in about a month."
With that, Yuki's departure was official. In the end, Namgung Seojun's party finished preparing to head into the field as a six-man group.
Before setting out, they gathered for a talk.
"You've all heard by now, but starting from the 6th floor, the enemies are a bit different. We can't just hunt monsters while moving—we have to deal with humans who attack us too."
The group nodded. They already knew about attacks from humans.
"So, we have to kill any humans who threaten us."
The word "kill" sent a chill through them, but it was reality.
"If we don't kill our enemies, we'll die. Don't go into fights thinking you'll just subdue them half-assed—that's what I'm saying."
The party nodded, though it didn't feel real yet. It was an obstacle they hadn't faced but had to overcome.
The party moved to the city gate. Namgung Seojun did a final check of everyone's readiness and said,
"Alright, let's go."
No other words were needed. The group steeled themselves and stepped forward.
The 6th floor field wasn't much different from the 5th at first glance. But this was beyond the goddess's protection, so they moved with tension. Seojun was no exception. He spread his Super Sense across the surroundings, and though an ominous premonition of an attack grew stronger, he pressed on. The battles ahead were inevitable.
Still, he was confident. In his hand was a new black sword.
◈ Extremely high durability
◈ +3 Strength, +4 Agility
Equipping the sword boosted Seojun's stats. As they moved, his Super Sense spiked with extreme unease. He raised his hand.
'!'
At the halt signal, the party stopped and shifted to combat stance. Jo Jaehun and Kim Hoon raised shields to guard mage Lee Guho up front, while Gisohee nocked an arrow. Protected by the two, Lee Guho began casting. Porter Min Giyeong dropped his large pack and huddled beside Lee Guho with a small shield.
The group tensed, awaiting Seojun's next signal. He quietly stared at one spot.
After about two minutes, men emerged from the ominous spot.
"Oh? Thought you were rookies, but you noticed us?"
"If you'd come a bit closer, we'd have ambushed you clean."
"Kekeke, let's see what you greenhorns got!"
"Temple didn't warn ya? Wandering the 6th floor with just six?"
"We'll make you all slaves!"
Nine bandits strutted out smugly. Seojun waved his hand.
'Boom!! Gah!'
A Firebolt shot from Lee Guho's hand, instantly killing one bandit with its speed.
"......Damn! A mage!"
"Fuck, we're screwed! Run!"
Mages were extremely rare below the 20th floor. Using magic before getting a class required at least mid-tier magic talent. Lee Guho's one spell marked Seojun's party as dangerous, and the bandits scattered.
This ragtag bandit group had no loyalty to their dead comrade and no guts to fight inviters. They didn't pursue the fleeing bandits. Keeping formation cautiously, they waited until Super Sense confirmed the bandits were gone.
Seojun approached the fallen bandit first, slit his throat for confirmation, and said,
"Combat end."
Their first human fight over, the group sighed in relief.
Cleanup was simple. Jo Jaehun grimly bagged the bandit's head. Min Giyeong fought nausea stripping their gear. Gisohee turned away, unable to watch.
Seojun checked on Lee Guho's mentality.
"Guho? You okay?"
Lee Guho stared blankly.
"Hyungnim? I just killed a person, right?"
"No, not a person. Bandit. You killed an enemy no different from a monster in human form."
Lee Guho stayed dazed. Seojun put a hand on his shoulder.
"From the moment you resolved to climb higher, this stuff happens all the time."
"......Yeah, hyungnim."
Lee Guho nodded, eyes still glassy, but he'd overcome it himself.
The first fight ended too easily—no real battle since the bandits fled from the spell. Per Seojun's orders, they resumed moving.
They were still an hour from Mekelo's north gate, a relatively safe zone. Yet ominous vibes hit Seojun often. Thankfully, Super Sense gauged the danger perfectly, guiding him deeper.
Time for the second bandit fight. When Super Sense screamed high danger, he raised his hand again.
'!'
The party snapped to stance. This time, bandits burst from all sides. Unlike before, they were numerous and organized.
The bandit leader locked eyes with Seojun and warned,
"Oh, impressive!"
"Nice haul!"
"Inviters? Two of 'em!"
"Cute girls too? Kekeke."
They knew Seojun's party info.
'Dangerous.'
Trusting Super Sense, Seojun signaled.
'Boom!'
Lee Guho's Firebolt instantly killed another. But this group's reaction differed.
"Attack!"
The leader bellowed, and bandits charged with roars.
Seojun met the four rushing him. He threw daggers first.
'Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh!'
"Argh!!"
One dagger hit a bandit's thigh—coated in paralyzing poison, dropping him. Seojun used Super Sense and Domain Insight on the other three.
'Clang! Clang! Clang! Stab!'
Outnumbered 3:1, his sword parried perfectly and pierced one's heart in a fluid motion. Level 20s bandits, but no match.
"Damn!"
The remaining two tried fleeing, sensing danger—but not easily.
"Sylph."
Seojun summoned Sylph to chase and slit their throats effortlessly. 4:1 became a one-sided slaughter.
The main issue was the group's fight.
"Keep shooting! Don't let the mage cast! Shoot!!"
The leader targeted mage Lee Guho, ordering ranged attacks. Bandits fired arrows from afar.
'Twang! Twang! Twang!'
Jo Jaehun and Kim Hoon desperately shielded Lee Guho. But arrows from all sides prevented casting, even blocking Gisohee's shots.
"Focus! Chant the spell! Shoot!!"
Jo Jaehun blocked while shouting, but attackers couldn't respond. Porter Min Giyeong grew anxious. Not combat-trained, he saw no way out amid the desperate defense.
"Damn!!"
Min Giyeong broke formation and bolted.
"No!"
Kim Hoon yelled, but Jo Jaehun louder:
"No panic! Hold formation!"
Kim Hoon stayed shielding Lee Guho. The leader spotted the stray.
"Hit him first!"
Arrows focused on Min Giyeong. Lacking proper shield skills and with a small one, he was exposed.
'Thud!'
"Aaaagh!!"
An arrow hit his shoulder—then more.
'Thud! Thud! Thud!'
"Ah! Ah! Ah!!"
Arrows riddled him; his screams faded as he died.
With fewer arrows on the main group, Gisohee fired.
'Whoosh. Whoosh.'
"Argh!"
Her arrows hit. Lee Guho finished casting an Energy Bolt.
'Boom!'
"Argh!"
One bandit died instantly. Seojun, having slain four, rejoined.
"Die!"
His sword felled bandits one by one. High-level warriors for the 6th (15-20), but he dispatched them.
"What the hell?!"
"Stronger than rumors!"
"Run!!"
Numbers below ten, the leader ordered retreat. They scattered fast.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Seojun confirmed visually and via Super Sense.
"Combat end."
The grueling bandit fight ended.
Rushing to Min Giyeong, Kim Hoon pulled a potion.
"Drink! Come on!"
But no response. Jo Jaehun checked breathing.
"He's already gone."
Kim Hoon forced potion in anyway.
"Drink, please... come on..."
Min Giyeong didn't breathe. Kim Hoon emptied the potion, denying the death.
Seojun grabbed Lee Guho.
"Snap out of it!"
"H-Hyungnim... he died because of me, right?"
Seojun slapped his dazed face hard.
"You idiot! I said snap out of it!"
"But it's my fault!"
Lee Guho's eyes focused; Seojun clarified.
"Anyone can die in battle."
"But..."
"Accident! That idiot died running! Not your fault. You're fine!"
"Haa... but if I'd cast properly..."
Seojun gripped his collar, staring intently.
"It's battle. Kill or be killed. You did nothing wrong! Handling that is skill too!"
"......"
"Lee Guho! Listen. In this state, you can't be DPS! Can't climb higher! Stay cold, cast well—that saves the team, honors comrades. Snap out!"
"....Yes."
Lee Guho was out of panic. Seojun released him.
"......"
Seojun stayed composed, directing the party. But his bloodied hands trembled too. No one noticed, but this was his first kills—seven at once.