Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Ruins Where the Most Radiant Sun Slumbers (3)
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Compared to the other Dark Hounds, its body was at least three times larger, emerging first from the thick cloud of dust. Next, its two grotesque heads attached to a single body each selected their prey, drooling disgustingly. Eyes darker than the shadows pierced us with sharp observation.
'What the hell! That two-headed bastard that should be holed up in the boss room—how the fuck is it here?!'
The answer was obvious without needing to say it out loud.
'Ha... It's because Seo Mi-na and I are together. Did it get pissed off? Pulling this shit right from the start!'
To be honest, ever since I learned this hidden stage was tower-shaped, I'd let my guard down a bit.
I figured even if that Lee Ji-hyeong bastard was up to something, he wouldn't pull it on the first floor.
His stealth skill wasn't invincible, after all.
"This fucker. For real!"
Even so, it was natural to feel pissed and angry. Before I could even unleash my rage, I shoved Seo Mi-na aside and rolled to the side.
Kwang!
A black tongue slammed down right where we'd been standing together. I had no idea what kind of dog used its tongue as a weapon, but one thing was certain: getting hit by that thing combined with its skill would not end well.
"Goddamn it for real!"
I kicked off the ground, sprang up, and circled behind the Two-Headed Hound.
'Even with Mythic-grade stats, pure physical prowess won't cut it!'
A system-judged [F]-Rank meant at least three F-grade stats awakened, and as a boss, those stats were over 50 at minimum. Plus, its rarity was higher than regular specimens—stronger and rarer!
"Seo Mi-na, snap out of it! Hey! You crazy bitch!"
In this abnormal situation, overwhelmed by the terror of death she'd never felt before, Seo Mi-na had fallen into full panic. She'd dropped her spear, her mana unstable—no way she'd be any help in combat.
On the surface, I yelled curses as if worried for her. But inside, I nodded approvingly.
'Good. Sink into despair and fear like that. Until it fully sprouts within you!'
But the problem was, even I couldn't easily take down this two-headed dog bastard. I needed control to execute any plan.
"Eh, I was saving this, but whatever."
It was uncertain if it'd work, felt a bit cheap, and if it did, it'd be too overpowered—my ace up the sleeve.
"First Wing of Pride!"
As I activated the skill, a massive wing burst from my left back. Radiating brilliant light, it appeared in a truly divine form...
It infused my body with satisfying power, scattering brilliant light.
Kieeek!!
Kueeek!!
And my hunch was spot on. This was an unplanned trump card right after regression.
Holy light descended around me from the radiant wing, and the Two-Headed Hound writhed in agony, thrashing and howling.
'Got it! Now guide it slowly!'
I didn't hesitate or falter. Seizing the chance, I led it exactly as planned, starting the brawl.
I had a slight edge, but I deliberately dragged it out, pretending to struggle.
'Come on, bite the bait! I've set the whole stage!'
Not for Lee Ji-hyeong. I'd sensed him briefly with my heightened senses, but he wouldn't reveal himself yet.
What I hoped to hook inwardly was Misfortune itself.
That was why I'd unfurled the Wing of Pride.
With stats boosted by 10, it gave the bastard some spare power temporarily. And sure enough, Misfortune didn't waste it.
Krull hul hul!
Kyara rara!
As Misfortune's calamity descended, the howling beasts in the distance suddenly rolled their bodies and scattered everywhere. Soon, they charged at the half-dazed Seo Mi-na.
'Perfect!'
My eyes sparkled, and I seamlessly began my act.
"Damn it!"
I yelled and pretended to rush toward Seo Mi-na without hesitation... then stopped.
"Snap out of it!"
Krararak!
Kkayayak!
Despite my exaggerated shouts, Seo Mi-na just tremblingly thrust her hand toward the charging Two-Headed Hound, frozen in place.
Kwang!
She ended up sandwiched between its body and the wall. My wing kept emitting light, making the hound thrash, but she showed no reaction beneath it.
As if she'd died in one hit.
"...Did it work?"
Seo Mi-na's unique ability was Thunder Spirit Seed [Legend]. Seeds eventually sprout and grow.
Awakening or blooming—that's what it meant.
And the trigger for that awakening? None other than... a near-death mortal wound!
It feeds on pain, drinks her spilled blood, and blossoms into thunderous new growth!
But something was off. Why no reaction?
"God... damn it."
Did it fail? Did I let her die?
A future SS-Rank hunter, no less—a remarkable woman.
'She said in her interview she awakened right at the brink of death.'
Damn! This wasn't in my plan.
"Kill the Two-Headed Hound first and save her!"
I hurriedly raised my Frostfire Sword and charged. Just as I aimed for its thrashing necks—!
Everything changed.
Full of urgency and worry, I instinctively pulled back from the Two-Headed Hound at the chill rippling through my senses.
The hound, slamming the ground with its tail and body while screeching, froze as if gripped by inescapable terror.
Pajijik!
It started small—an insignificant static spark beneath the Two-Headed Hound.
But the current grew in size and power, escalating in rank.
Kwajijik!!
Like a bomb exploding, it descended around us. At the storm's center, a body slowly rose.
Bleeding from her head, limp and sagging, she floated upward. The moment her eyes snapped open—
Starting from her golden hair to her now-white eyes, immense currents of otherworldly power erupted from her body, smashing into the Two-Headed Hound.
Kwajijik!
Kkurere rek!
Purere rek!
Writhing belly-up, unable to flee or block, it took the full hit.
Its two heads foamed but couldn't even think to move. Just before death, like a breaker flipping, the electricity from Seo Mi-na vanished.
"Fi...nished..."
I safely caught her collapsing body and laid her down, then swiftly beheaded the fainted Two-Headed Hound's two necks.
Raid success on Rare-Rank [F] LV 21, Stage-1 Boss: Two-Headed Hound Suffused with Darkness! Rewards allocated by contribution!
Contributions:
1st: Seo Mi-na - 54%
2nd: Shin Juha - 46%
Rewards: Purple Coin x99, [F]-Rank Magic Stone x3, Dark Spirit Pill [Rare-F+] x3 EXP 300
+ Spare Points +1
As it died, fireworks exploded in the system window, starting reward settlement. But I first checked on the collapsed, panting Seo Mi-na.
"...You okay?"
"Yeah, my unique ability even evolved. Thanks. For bringing me here. I've learned a lot already."
Seo Mi-na stood up, pulling a potion from her sub-space pouch and drinking it, as if all was fine now.
"I won't drag you down with such a pathetic showing again."
She bowed deeply at the waist in sincere apology. Seeing that, I chuckled despite myself, feeling pathetic for having worried.
"Yeah, good work."
I set her down as she caught her breath raggedly and gazed at the sky for a moment.
'Thanks.'
A silent thanks to Fortune, which had gone quiet again as if asleep.
"But why was the boss wandering the ruins instead of in its boss room?"
"Yeah, why indeed?"
I replied coldly, eyes glinting. I'd firmly memorized the trace of that third presence—besides me and Seo Mi-na—felt when my Infinite stat boosted via the angel's wing.
"Someone must've targeted us on purpose to kill us."
"Someone else entered besides us?"
"...Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, what rewards did you get?"
I glossed over it, deliberately shifting the topic while plotting in my head how to catch that damn bastard.
'What the hell! Crazy! Insane!'
The mysterious figure, Lee Ji-hyeong, cursed inwardly nonstop as he hurriedly crossed the ruins, grinding his teeth.
He hadn't meant to kill. He'd just lured the boss out to prank the unlucky Shin Juha bastard a bit.
The scout team leader had given him rare stealth gear and ordered him to tail Shin Juha and propose recruitment at the right moment.
He hadn't expected Shin Juha to ghost into a hidden stage even top rankers rarely saw once in a lifetime. And with Seo Mi-na, the girl he'd fallen for at first sight? Jealousy made him mess with them lightly.
No intent to kill anyone—especially not Seo Mi-na over Shin Juha.
The illusion of her crushed between the massive Two-Headed Hound and the wall still haunted him.
'Damn it! Shit! No choice now.'
Far enough from Shin Juha and the mad boss, Lee Ji-hyeong carefully pulled out the contract from the scout team leader...
And set it ablaze with mana.
"No helping it. Say he rejected the offer. Report he was killed for later threats."
The team leader already disliked Shin Juha for screwing his debut. He'd even hinted vaguely: reject, and die.
He could talk his way out. Murder in this Abyss hidden stage—unclearable after exit—was perfect crime.
'Yeah, just kill Shin Juha, and it's done.'
As Lee Ji-hyeong turned to head back to the fight—
Right then, with the Two-Headed Hound dead, a choice popped up before him.
"That guy would go up."
Power that didn't yield to the Two-Headed Hound, calm judgment, fearless courage even before a boss.
"Maybe Shin Juha that bastard killed the boss and saved Mi-na!"
But too late. He had to kill Shin Juha, and deal with witness Seo Mi-na.
'N-no. We could travel together by force. Yeah, use as bait! Shin Juha brought her as bait! S-so, convince her first.'
Decide later whether to spare Seo Mi-na.
Yes. In Lee Ji-hyeong's mind, killing Shin Juha was already set. His only dilemma: Seo Mi-na's life.
After checking some items from his pouch, he spoke.
"Going up!"
With a flash of light, he moved to the 2nd floor.