Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Dungeon Black Hole (2)
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The rustling sounds of ants crawling from the passages piercing every direction—front, back, left, right—echoed, and a message appeared informing us we had only 1 minute and 15 seconds left.
"Damn it! I'll take left and front! Big Guy, you handle right and back!"
"......Understood!"
Only two of us could fight. The dungeon had probably sucked in exactly four people based on its recommended party size, but unfortunately, my sister wasn't in any condition to battle from the start, and Min Chorong was more suited for rear support than frontline combat.
"Min Chorong! Protect the patient no matter what!"
"Don't worry! I'll guard her with my life!"
I swallowed hard, tension mixing with readiness as we prepared.
"Get ready! I'll buff you!"
Min Chorong focused her mind for a moment and activated her skill. The immense buffs from this girl, called the next Saintess candidate, seeped into my entire body.
It was a buff worthy of the next Saintess. She was still just a candidate at the start of her growth, so the number was low and the effects weren't overwhelmingly powerful yet, but the potential was immense.
All stats boosted, extra damage, invincibility, divine infusion, and even Unique Ability enhancement.
'Interesting.'
I drew the Frostfire Sword and launched myself at the ants now right in front of us.
-Kikikik!
-Kikikik!
True to the first wave, their numbers weren't that high. Just one per passage at most.
But.
"What the hell?!"
No wonder the cavern and passages were so huge. What kind of ants were these? The ones emerging with their shiny, hard black shells and clacking sharp mandibles were nearly as big as sphinxes.
Strong Giant Ants. Their name fit their appearance perfectly.
Fortunate among misfortune, or maybe not—the giant ants, upon entering the cavern and spotting the Queen's egg floating in the center, glowing brilliantly and illuminating the surroundings, had their eyes turn black. They went berserk, ignoring us completely and charging straight for the egg.
"Block them! Block at all costs!"
"......I......can......handle it!!!"
Solar mana began swirling inside me, flowing through my arms to coat the Frostfire Sword. I kicked off the ground and charged at the oncoming ants.
'The shell's too tough!'
Well, with effort I could pierce it and attack, but why bother?
There was a better route—their three pairs of rapidly moving legs, specifically the joints unprotected by shell.
Slipping between legs bigger than I was, I unleashed solar mana, my sword tracing a swift arc.
Precisely severing the front pair's joint, the ant charging madly toward the Queen's egg tumbled over.
No time to hesitate. Seizing the opening, I dashed under the falling bulk, slashing the remaining two pairs' joints to immobilize it completely.
"One down!"
I swiftly crippled the next ant the same way. It worked because they'd lost their reason.
-Kikikik!!!
-Clack clack clack!!!
Even with legs severed, in agony and unable to run, the Strong Giant Ants crawled desperately toward the egg. I leaped atop one and brought my sword down on its neck.
Kwajik!
They knew it was a weak point too—only the neck joint had shell. Perfect chance to test its hardness. Three strikes shattered the shell, and I severed the head.
A powerful foe indeed—massive experience and rewards poured in. I immediately struck the next one's neck.
"Hurry!"
No time to waste. Big Guy said he'd hold them, but who knew how long?
Leaping from the corpse, I saw Big Guy facing the other two ants and gaped.
"What?"
He held them. The two Strong Giant Ants couldn't advance a single step after emerging from the passage and stopping before him.
-Kikikik!!
-Kueeek!!
They thrashed, slashed with mandibles, rammed with their bodies, but Big Guy never budged from his spot.
Behind him, blocking the enemies, was a massive, divine Holy Body and Fortress.
This was the Unique Ability of the man who would later be called the Sacred Citadel, Korea's—no, the world's—top tank.
No wonder his voice felt oddly familiar. The Sacred Citadel always wore an iron mask, so I hadn't recognized him.
"Well, I'll be. Discovered two amazing talents at once."
The fortress was still tiny and pathetic. Yet it held back those massive Strong Giant Ants—its potential was clear.
I leaped over his fortress, slashing the ants. My level rose, and the first wave ended.
"You...... Why are you just guarding with power like that?"
"Exactly! Incredible! With strength like that, at least Aunt... no, the Guild Master would've noticed!"
"......It's......the buffs...... My Unique Ability......leveled up......that's why."
I nodded. The butterfly effect from my presence.
Putting my sister in Miracle Guild connected us, and my Curse of Misfortune dragged them into this dungeon.
Thus, he'd awakened his Unique Ability's potential earlier than in my previous life.
As the buffs faded, I told him to use it again.
The reformed Holy Body and Fortress was...... pathetic.
A fortress smaller than his shoulders explained why he hadn't bloomed and stuck to guarding.
"......Still......thank you...... I learned......my potential!"
Tsk. I clicked my tongue in disappointment. Met another future SS-rank monster, only to do someone else a favor.
'Doesn't matter. I never planned to party with anyone.'
I just kept getting tangled with others by chance. After what "comrades" did to my parents, whom they trusted...... I had no desire for companions.
'That's why I already decided on my Abyss job.'
The strongest hidden piece I needed—a cheat job turning me into a one-man army.
Shaking off the regret, I formally introduced myself to Big Guy.
"Shin Juha. Emergency delayed proper greetings."
"......I'm Legion."
As expected. Seeing his insane power made clearing this damn dungeon easier.
A full day given. Until the next Strong Giant Ants attacked.
"What now? Wait here? Until the next wave?"
"No, with you two, plan change. I'll scout the passages. Guard here against surprises."
Impossible without knowing their power. Leaving my sister alone?
But with two future SS-rank potentials, wasting time was pointless.
To clear faster, scout the passages and grasp the dungeon first.
"Buff you? Last time I split many, short duration. One focused buff per person lasts at least an hour. Sorry, I'm still unskilled."
"Enough. Hymn of the Sacred Sky, please."
Honestly, the Unique Ability boost that helped Legion meant little to me. Equivalent Exchange was selected and enhanced, but it was too high-tier to change, and I had no plans to use it.
Worsening Curse of Misfortune would've been disaster. So, the safe, effective all-stats buff.
Buff applied, Infinite stat hit 81. Power surged again.
'Invest spare points now.'
I dumped level-up spares into Infinite. So close to breaking the rank.
Recalling that sensation from the Rawa fight, I smirked.
"Back before time's up."
I dove into the passage without hesitation.
Bam!
The conference table shattered under the Guild Master's fist, his fury exploding.
"Is that your excuse? You went for food and didn't know the machine broke? Security Chief, are you seriously spouting that lame, unbelievable nonsense?"
"S-Sorry!"
"Unneeded. Tsk, I knew you'd grown complacent without incidents, but this? Not just you—the whole security team will answer for it. That salary for lounging was to prevent this and take responsibility if it happened."
The chief's face paled. No rebuttal.
It was a massive incident. Dungeon Black Hole in the VIP room—patient, guardian, and the Guild Master's niece, Saintess candidate, all sucked in.
Miracle Hospital? Reputation built painstakingly would plummet if leaked.
"Hoo...... Status?"
"As you know, Black Hole dungeons restrict entry. All four inside must die first."
"So, unless they all die, no entry no matter what we do."
"......Yes."
"Dungeon rank?"
"Unique-grade D+."
The Guild Master brushed table debris, pondering.
"Guardian and guard's strength? Unique D+ is near SSS for normal dungeons. With Chorong's buffs, can they clear?"
"Legion's records are dismal. Pure tank, can only buy time with bulk."
"Our guardian?"
"......Asked Association President directly. He stonewalled upon hearing the name. Said even his authority can't access—don't ask."
"High-security clearance?"
"Yes, at least Level 1."
Haa......
Sighing deeply, the Guild Master stood.
"Hide it max. VIP's high-security—no press sniff. If leaked, I'll suspect you all. And if someone sold info...... they're ."
Heretic—on Miracle Guild's hit list.
Core members bowed and left. Alone, the Guild Master sighed at the sudden misfortune.