C-Rank Dungeon: First Experience
Hyunmu Team 3 reformed their ranks. In the pouring rain, shields and metal clashed with short, ringing echoes. Through the noise, Team Leader Jang Tae-wook raised his shield and shouted, "Everyone, one bomb left each! Target the chieftain's center!"
"Investigation team is ready too!" Yoo Mira's reply came right after.
We each pulled out a bomb. A red glow brushed our fingertips and the sky trembled briefly. "Throw!"
The mana-stone bombs arced through the air. Ten trajectories crossed, and I pulled on my psychokinesis. The bombs spread slightly and drifted directly above the chieftain, the shamans, and the elite orc group.
"Kwaaang—!" Explosions erupted, flinging mud skyward as pressure waves shook the air. A blue light surged from within. The two shamans' cries overlapped. A transparent barrier rose and took the blasts head-on. The first bomb bounced away, the second struck and made the barrier shudder violently. With the third and fourth explosions, the barrier's surface glowed red and rippled. The shamans' shoulders trembled; blood trickled from their mouths.
At the tenth bomb's detonation, the barrier crumpled and split open. Red flames poured through the gap, and one shaman screamed. When the smoke cleared, both shamans were barely holding on, their breathing ragged and their runes flickering.
"Good. We take the shamans first! Maintain the line!" Team Leader Jang Tae-wook's voice carried through the rain.
I gathered more power at my fingertips. Two daggers floated in the air, light flashing along their blades. The first dagger slammed into the barrier, sparks flying as it ricocheted. The shield shook hard but held. "Damn, it's tough."
The second dagger twisted its trajectory mid-flight. The spinning blade changed direction like lightning and pierced straight through a shaman's eye before exiting the back of its skull. The shaman's body snapped backward and the barrier shattered into pieces.
"Nice! One down!" Jae-hoon hyung immediately raised his hand. "Thunder Arrow!"
A blue flash erupted, but the remaining shaman raised a barrier with its last strength. Electricity scattered across the surface. "Shit, it blocked again! Where the hell is it getting all that mana—"
Before he could finish, a ranged hunter from Hyunmu Team raised a pistol-type mana gun. A short report rang out and a blue bullet punched straight through the barrier. The shaman collapsed backward; the remaining ripples trembled once and faded.
"Both shamans down."
"Alright, clean up the front!"
There was no time to breathe. The elite orcs roared and charged from behind the fallen barrier. Fourteen of them. Shields and iron clubs rose at once. I lowered my stance, pushing mud with my toes. Pungmubo. I slipped my body toward the wind and the first orc's wrist came off cleanly. As its unbalanced torso pitched forward, I drove a dagger deep across its throat and dropped it.
The second orc rushed in. I hurled a dagger, twisting its path; the spinning blade carved deep into its shoulder from below and exited the back. The orc collapsed on the spot.
"Left side! Two more!" Park Jung-ho's voice came from beside me. He caught a diagonal swing of an iron club on his shield, creating a narrow opening. "Now!"
I ducked low and slipped through. An upward slash opened the orc's throat; it folded backward and fell. Jung-ho followed through without pause, his sword clashing against metal in a shower of sparks. The blade traced a long line from shoulder to waist, shoving the orc back.
"Good one, Ji-hoon!" Jung-ho's laugh slipped out between breaths.
Instead of answering, I turned toward the next orc that had lost its escape route. At that moment the ground beneath me sank slightly. A brief gravitational field rippled and four orcs lost their balance at once. I slipped between their tilting forms, cut the first one's nape, and dropped it. The second was already on its knees; I slid in from the side and drove a dagger deep into its torso. The third swung its arm wildly, balance broken, and I brought my blade down from above, slicing diagonally from shoulder to waist. The fourth tried to retreat, stumbled, and I thrust a dagger into the gap at its side, burying it deep.
Electricity exploded behind me. Jae-hoon hyung's lightning felled three more in quick succession. The last four orcs hesitated. Jung-ho and I moved together. His sword carved deep diagonal lines across two torsos. I charged the remaining pair, one falling to a slanted cut across the waist, the other stopping cold with a deep thrust to the chest.
"I'll leave the rest to you!" Jung-ho shouted and fell back.
I spun, raising my daggers high. The spinning blades traced clean lines across throats, carving deep. Rain and blood mixed and glistened on the mud. Fourteen orcs—every last one dealt with.
At that moment, a powerful impact echoed from behind. Team Leader Yoo Mira's flame spear pierced the chieftain's chest. While rising flames obscured the view, Team Leader Jang Tae-wook's sword descended and split the chieftain's torso in two. Hot smoke slowly spread across the mud. Only rough breathing remained on the battlefield.
Jung-ho approached and tapped my shoulder. "Perfect. That coordination was really good just now."
"Yeah. I didn't expect it to go this smoothly either."
The rain tapped the ground again. Red stains seeped into the mud as the heat of battle gradually cooled. A few orcs remained near the huts—females and young ones that had scattered to avoid the fight. They froze when they saw us, then quickly vanished into the forest.
Team Leader Jang Tae-wook shook the blood from his sword. "No need to touch those."
"I thought the orc chieftain was the boss… but there's no dungeon core reaction."
"The core must be deeper inside."
Team Leader Jang Tae-wook looked around. "We're low on supplies and our equipment is discharged. Let's withdraw for today."
"Yes, Team Leader. Withdraw here! Investigation Team 3, prepare to pull out."
"Understood!"
"Whew… so this is what a C-rank is like. It's a completely different world from E-rank."
"Not bad for your first time. That level already makes you a proper hunter."
"Ji-hoon oppa, you were really cool earlier! Like this—shuk!—and the orc just went 'thud!' and fell over." So-rin mimicked a large slashing motion in the air.
Jae-hoon hyung burst out laughing. "So-rin, that was too realistic. I can't tell if it's praise or horror."
"It's true! Ji-hoon oppa was super cool today!"
"Jokes aside. Supply team, handle the corpses and mana stone collection."
"Confirmed."
The Hyunmu supply team moved, their equipment striking the mud in steady rhythm. Team Leader Jang Tae-wook raised his hand. "Hyunmu Team 3 will handle cleanup. Investigation team, check equipment and prepare to withdraw."
"Yes! Investigation team will also withdraw."
The rain grew heavier, blurring the view. We gathered our soaked gear and slowly made our way toward the gate. The smell of blood washed away in the downpour, leaving only cold moisture in the air.
Jung-ho matched my stride. "Still, not bad for our first C-rank, right, Ji-hoon?"
"My hands are still shaking a little. It doesn't feel real yet."
So-rin brushed back her wet hair and walked over. "Everyone feels that way at first!" A bright smile spread across her face. "You'll do much better next time. Really."
"That promise gets canceled if you catch a cold tomorrow."
"But look—we're all still in one piece. That means it was a success, right?" So-rin casually wiped raindrops from her shoulder. "It wasn't exactly investigation-team work, but we finished well. Everyone was impressive today. You could even switch to the combat team."
Jae-hoon hyung scrunched his nose and smirked. "Ahem, I did pretty well today myself."
"Ah~ yes~ yes~. You're the best, oppa."
The red village slowly lost its shape in the rain. Moisture, smoke, and embers swirled together. 'So this is the level of a C-rank dungeon…' The thought passed lightly.
We finished clearing the village and returned to the temporary camp. The rain continued, soaking all our supplies. We shook mud from our equipment and hung up our damp armor. Soon the Hyunmu supply team arrived and began collection. C-rank mana stones piled neatly on the carts.
"We'll be taking the chieftain's items and corpse, correct?" Team Leader Jang Tae-wook's voice carried over.
"They're spoils of war. Just distribute the mana stones as promised."
"Of course. Investigation team's share will be twenty percent more."
The Hyunmu leader signaled with a hand. A brief exchange of gestures passed between them.
Team Leader Yoo Mira wrapped it up. "Good. That's enough for today."
We moved toward the gate. Faint light leaked from the dark passage as we walked in single file, cutting through the damp air. The moment we passed through the blue veil, the view shifted and cold outside air wrapped around us.
Uijeongbu Northern Branch parking lot. Team Leader Yoo Mira divided the mana stones by headcount. Small smiles appeared on faces as they opened their backpacks.
"These are C-rank mana stones, right? 1.5 million won each? Ah, now I understand why high-rank hunters make so much money."
So-rin laughed, pushing back her wet hair. "This should be enough for equipment upgrades."
"No one got hurt, so that's plenty."
"Good work, everyone. See you in the meeting room tomorrow."
"Yes, Team Leader."
We exchanged light greetings and dispersed. Without a car, I stored my bag in the locker and headed straight home. Relief outweighed fatigue today. 'At least we made it back alive.'
The next morning, the Dungeon Investigation Bureau meeting room. Terminal lights flickered in the still-humid space. Team Leader Yoo Mira closed her documents. "The village wasn't the core. No core reaction, but internal energy readings are still rising."
"That means… there's something deeper."
"Correct. Headquarters agrees. Re-entry in five days. Hyunmu Guild also contacted us. Team 3 will be reinforced to fifteen members total."
"This time we'll really have to reach the core."
"That's why we need thorough preparation."
"Double-check equipment. Replace the sensors. Submit reports by end of day."
The meeting ended in twenty minutes. The sound of chairs sliding lingered.
That evening, the training hall. The moment I opened the old door, Master Han Do-hyun's voice greeted me. "You're here. How was the C-rank?"
"Rougher than I expected."
"Still, the best part is coming back without injuries."
"The monsters suddenly swarmed… it was dangerous."
"True. But you're still alive. Alright, let's focus on training again starting today."
I picked up a wooden sword and took my stance. The moment our swords met, a short impact split the air.
"Good. Your body is moving first now."
"Don't forget that feeling. Right now, your body is ahead of your mind."
After training, I wrung out my soaked shirt and looked up at the sky outside the hall. The sun was setting, the air growing heavy. When I reached home and finished showering, my fingertips still trembled faintly. The residual heat of battle lingered, a rhythm similar to my heartbeat continuing. 'Five days later… we go in again.' Leaving only that thought behind, I lay down and closed my eyes.