15. Death Sorcerer's Dungeon
"Hah... huff..."
Durlof, barely escaping Dina's grasp, bolted madly into the depths of the dungeon, terrified she might pursue him. That little monster. Despite her childish face and tiny stature, the overwhelming divine presence she'd shown was inhuman. The thick residue of mana and killing intent wafting from her body had been utterly monstrous.
'What the hell kind of monster is that kid?!'
He might have understood if it had been one of the other two women. They were Platinum-rank adventurers, the highest guild rank there was.
'But what the fuck is that kid?!'
They'd dismissed her as just a normal child. Sure, rumors had spread in the guild that Dina was Gold-rank, but if asked why they hadn't heard, it was their own fault. Still, they felt somewhat wronged. The guild was buzzing about the two sudden Platinum-ranks, so hardly anyone outside the staff knew much about Dina.
When they'd brazenly asked the guild staff—after stirring up their own mess—the employees all sided with the party boasting two top-tier Platinums. No one wanted to tangle with Durlof's group, the ones who'd foolishly picked a fight with them.
With zero info on Dina, they'd judged based on rumors: a weird party with two Platinums led by some same-rank nobody, dragging around a kid. They'd naively pegged her as an apprentice adventurer, a whim of Ian's party. The price for that arrogance was brutal.
A momentary blackout. In that split second before he opened his eyes, his comrades' heads were smashed into the ceiling. Walls utterly shattered, heads embedded deep—they couldn't have survived.
Four comrades dead in an instant. And that demon child hadn't hesitated for a heartbeat.
"Hngh... fuck, fuck..."
Regaining his senses, their eyes met for a brief moment. Instinct kicked in against the viscous killing intent squeezing his body; without thinking, he ran like a madman, blind to everything ahead.
Just wherever his feet took him, desperate to escape. Lucky for him, he was a somewhat talented adventurer; otherwise, his body would've frozen, leaving him the same fate as his comrades.
"Huff, hah. She's not chasing anymore?"
After running for ages, he finally stopped. No sounds of pursuit from behind. Durlof sighed in relief, hand on his chest.
Then he glanced around, realizing he had no idea where he'd ended up.
"Fuck, where the hell am I?"
The cave interior looked no different from the entrance. Not a cave expert, he hadn't noticed he'd plunged deeper into the dungeon.
So...
"...Shit, going back means I might run into that kid again."
Life was a gamble anyway. His had been lucky so far. Talent. A life beyond most people's dreams. Countless unspeakable crimes, yet no punishment.
This time luck soured a bit, but overall, he'd been fortunate. Trusting his gut once more—unaware it was warped by terror and fear into the wrong path—he chose to delve deeper.
Never imagining it would be his worst mistake.
A while later.
§
"Darling, it's morning. Time to wake up."
"Mmm..."
I opened my eyes to Cheong-ah's gentle voice, the last watch of the night. A dull weight on my stomach. Bella's leg again? I thought, shifting to push it off—but the texture was wrong. Bella's legs were firm with muscle, smooth and taut. Not this soft, plump, silky feel.
Not bad, just... different.
"Mmmph..."
A familiar voice snapped me awake. I yanked my hand back in surprise.
"Yeonja... boo... the potatoes all burned..."
On my belly wasn't Bella's leg—it was Dina. Luckily, my hand had only grazed her chubby cheek and lips. How traumatic must burning potatoes have been to mumble about it in her sleep?
"...Should I grill potatoes for breakfast?"
Dina stayed fast asleep as I sat up. She'd played it cool, but she must've been exhausted. I carefully lifted her and laid her beside me.
Then I turned snoring Bella's head slightly to quiet her and stepped out of the tent to prep breakfast with Cheong-ah.
"I can handle this alone. Go rest."
"No, this is women's work, isn't it? I'm sorry I can only barely assist since I don't know much about it."
"Uh, yeah."
Her old-fashioned mindset struck me, but then I recalled Yuldo—where she'd lived—resembled the Joseon era. Come to think of it, that's all I really knew about her. Nothing about her past or why she'd come from Yuldo here. She'd always dodged questions before.
I'd assumed she'd tell me someday, but it hit me now: time to ask. Felt right.
"Hey, Cheong-ah."
"Yes? What is it, darling?"
"Well, you see..."
As I parted my lips—
"Yaaawn... ugh, my whole body aches. Nothing doesn't hurt."
The tent flap rustled. Bella stumbled out, scratching her exposed belly.
I clamped my mouth shut, glaring at her in annoyance. Oblivious, she grinned and slung her arm over my shoulder.
"Heh. What's up, husband? That hot stare first thing? Trying to turn me on?"
"Shut up. Go wash your face. Your breath reeks of drool."
"...Tch, you tell me to swallow your spit every time, you jerk."
"That's that. This is this."
"Fine, asshole."
Grumbling, she headed to the water basin by the tent.
Meanwhile, Cheong-ah tilted her head curiously.
"Darling, what were you about to say?"
The moment shattered, I couldn't muster it. Shook my head casually.
"...Nah, nothing. Forgot."
"Hehe, okay. Tell me when you remember."
"Yeah."
By the time Dina woke, breakfast was ready.
"Ooh! Yeonja! Potatoes!"
"Yeah, figured you'd want some, so I grilled extras."
"Hehe, Yeonja's the best. Knows my heart perfectly! Thank you!"
With Dina's emotion-filled tears, we ate in cheerful harmony.
After packing camp, we pressed deeper into the dungeon.
Soon, familiar evil spirit sorcerers and their flesh-summoned blobs greeted us menacingly.
-Kuuuu.
-Grrr...
The 21st battle. 21 evil spirit sorcerers.
Bella grimaced.
She slung her greatsword over her shoulder and strode forward.
"...These guys are getting boring for real."
The cave had widened to fit 21 sorcerers and summons, giving her room to swing freely.
Spot on—Bella glanced tsundere-style at puzzled Cheong-ah.
"Bella?"
"Hey, Ju Cheong-ah. You guard Ian this time? Lemme loosen up."
"Sure, whatever."
Satisfied, Bella eyed ahead, then pressed down on Dina's pouty head beside her, chuckling.
"Long time no see—take good care of it, kiddo."
"Grr, you beast bitch... Don't touch my head. Only Yeonja strokes it."
"What? Not stroking—squishing your stunted height."
"Y-Youuu! Damn beast bitch! I'll fix that habit today!"
Dina lunged, swinging. Bella dodged leisurely, tensing her legs. Muscles bulged under tight pants.
She rocketed toward the sorcerers.
"Heh, going first, kiddo!"
"Kyaaah! Beast bitch! You won't get away!"
Dina chased. Bickering, but their fists and sword targeted sorcerers seamlessly. Greatsword burst blobs aiming at Dina. Kick shattered a chanting sorcerer's head targeting Bella.
Mismatched yet perfect synergy.
"D-Damn it! Stop dodging!"
"Hey, that'd kill me too?!"
Still refusing to acknowledge each other, the rivals' duo bowled through the sorcerers like pins.
With them crumbling helplessly, we swiftly advanced through the dungeon once more.