Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Beast's Lair
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“Man, it’s gotten so hard to find front-line party members these days! We’re supplying potions, throwing in heals and buffs like crazy, but they all chase better deals and bail to other groups! Or they’ve already been scouted! No response at all!”
“Well, what can you do? Everyone’s grinding levels for better pay. Ah~ I wanna hit a C-rank dungeon too. The payouts are way better than D-rank~”
Jin Dohee and Bang Jun-sik played the role of mood makers, chatting boisterously with the other party members to avoid raising any suspicions.
Meanwhile, the quiet one, Choi Seokpil, hung back pretending to be the taciturn type, keeping an eye on me and Bae Younghoon.
‘These guys are seriously creepy.’
“Hm? Something wrong? Or is there something bothering you? Maybe the dungeon not to your liking?”
“No. Just a bit tense.”
Yeah, how could you not get chills and stay on edge when you suspect a snake or spider lurks behind that innocent, caring smile?
If I hadn’t caught on to them sizing me up beforehand, I’d have been laughing along cluelessly.
‘A little uneasy, but this is normal.’
Right now, I’d swapped my trusty golden armor for a rugged association-issued bodysuit with protective gear attached.
My once-solid armament felt flimsy in an instant, making me a tad shaky, but as long as I watched for the traitors inside, it was fine.
Except for one issue.
“Ah~ I got a level 40 skill and wanna join Seoul Guild. Their benefits are insane~”
“Pfft, you’d just be a guard dog for those Seoul Guild bastards~”
“Still sounds cool. New Gangnam Fortress is like paradise inside~”
What bugged me was Bae Younghoon, blabbing away innocently without a clue.
We were both marked for slaughter, but my side was hiding my identity to turn the tables on them, while he’d just gotten dragged into it.
He had zero real connection, so I’d prefer he came out unscathed, but any funny business now might spook these sharp scavengers into bolting.
‘No choice.’
Waiting to get jumped first felt off too, and I couldn’t just ditch him somewhere.
Or drag them to a remote spot for a preemptive strike on the two fast ones!
Damn that knightly honor! That worthless code!
‘Bottom line: save this guy without blowing my golden knight cover.’
Without him, I could’ve suited up in gold and ended it easily...
No wonder I was tense.
Unlike the ‘legendary’ knights in my skills, I was just a regular guy—sensitive to every little variable, full of worries.
“Everyone’s getting awfully quiet as the dungeon nears. Don’t tense up so much your bodies lock up. Younghoon, pump it up!”
“Yessir! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
“Gotta eat to live, but dungeons never feel routine. Whew~ Makes sense with lives on the line...”
And I kept my edge sharp by recalling Regkhorn’s brutal killing intent on purpose.
Or maybe I didn’t even need that—it was tense enough.
Damn! My rational side said calm down, but with no real experience, my body trembled anyway.
‘Shit! They smell something?’
The three scavengers, who’d been acting chill as party members, seemed to pick up on the weird vibe—their expressions subtly shifting.
Hmm, need to work on my acting? Good plan’s worthless without the skills to pull it off.
“Alright, we’ve reached our target: the ‘D-rank: Beast’s Lair’ dungeon. Final checks, then we dive in and clear it. You look tense—if you’re gonna piss yourself, do it now before it stains your pants. Ah! Dohee! You too!”
“Y-You jerk!”
‘...At least they’re planning to handle it inside. Good, they’re not jumping early.’
They probably sensed my suspicion or caution, but hadn’t connected it to me targeting them.
As E+-rank prey, they figured I was just wary to stop resistance or flight—playing it cool.
“Front line, hold steady right after entry. Beast monsters—minions of the Mountain Beast Constellation—will charge immediately.”
“Got it.”
“Let’s charge!”
This powder keg of a party made it into the dungeon intact.
Inside was a dark, unfamiliar cave—a vast cavern.
True to ‘Beast’s Lair,’ animal howls echoed from the depths, drawing closer.
‘They’ve spotted the intruders.’
“Everyone, stay sharp! It’s go time! Seongwon with the shield, take left flank. Younghoon, right side, one step back. Hold formation.”
‘They’re actually partying competently?’
“Hold strong there, Seongwon. We’ll rotate if it’s rough! Buff up max!”
Bang! Crunch! Yelp!
Blue flames burst from the rune rifle as the giant wolf charging me exploded at the head and tumbled.
Behind it, a horde of savages loosed arrows from afar while shamans hurled spells, rushing us.
‘Humanoids too?’
“We’ll take the shamans. Just hold the line. Trust is key! Dohee! Magic resist!”
“Got it! Trust me.”
When that Jin Dohee girl cast, the buffs landed clean.
These guys were scarily good at it.
‘Did I misjudge?’
The dungeon run felt pro-level, making me doubt myself.
“Watch out! Trap markers! Fall back!”
“Ow! That hurts.”
“Healing you now. You okay, Seongwon?”
“Yeah. Association gear saved me. Save your mana—potions are fine.”
Once inside, no escape worries, so I dropped the heavy acting. Natural vigilance kicked in, keeping distance.
My acting was maxed anyway—I wanted to draw steel and fight—but knightly honor meant bullshit lines first, so I waited for justified self-defense.
“Our synergy’s surprisingly good. Like we’ve partied as five from the start.”
‘Duh—one aside, we’re over-specced for D-rank.’
That week bedridden wasn’t wasted.
World-hoppers with decades fighting monsters meant X-Tube vids and data overflowed.
Loose-security guilds and hunter teams moonlighted like this for promo and proof of clears.
‘No way casual D-ranks get this smooth.’
The trio—scavengers excluding Younghoon—needed to kill/subdue party members then clear solo, so above D-average: D+ or C-rank power.
Me? No need to say. Younghoon was straight D-rank. Overkill party.
“Gahk!”
“Phew~ Faster than expected.”
“You’re all too good.”
No major injuries, delays, or wrong turns—we hit the boss room flawless.
If betrayal’s coming, now’s the time.
“Boss room—catch a breather first. Whew~ Nonstop run, hydrate up.”
“You guys are pros. Party again next time?”
“Too early for that? Let’s eat.”
They spread out, casually sipping potions, water, or munching personal rations.
One even unpacked a bento—knowing they wouldn’t linger.
Me and Younghoon, expecting possible long hauls, pulled combat rations for shelf life.
My tension sharpened regardless.
“Whoa, association combat rations? Good value but taste like crap, right? Here, side dish.”
“Ginger tea—have it after eating.”
“No thanks...”
The move? I declined warily, but couldn’t spit on smiling faces pushing kindness.
Strike first? Hesitating, Choi Seokpil sidled up.
“Something wrong? If it’s not to taste, I got others...”
‘...Here it comes.’
Food and drink for me? Poisoned.
Forcing me to eat now meant instant kill if I balked.
They couldn’t fully hide the murder lust anymore.
I steeled myself, eyeing shield position.
‘Haa~ Hate that damn knightly dialogue, but no choice.’
Embarrassing, and who knows how Younghoon sees it—but prime fight time. I decided to strike first.
“Gurk!”
“Huh?”
Blood sprayed from Choi Seokpil’s limbs.
Spotting a blur, I snatched my shield and backpedaled fast.
As I drew sword, Jin Dohee and fake-leader Bang Jun-sik’s limbs severed—shrieking agony followed.
“Kya aaa aah!”
“W-What? You idiot, Seokpil! What the hell?”
“N-No!”
‘What? He’s a hunter too?’
Stance set amid screams, I gaped at the culprit.
Holy shit—no one in this five-man party planned to dungeon.
Unbelievable.
Bae Younghoon, who’d sliced the three scavengers’ limbs in a flash, shook blood from his naginata and eyed me.
“Thanks to these idiots getting distracted, today’s a cakewalk.”
“Aa aak!”
“No funny moves. Shut your trap, bitch. Your innocent act was nauseating.”
Totally different guy.
Aura of dominance, blade’s edge. Arrogant gaze treating me like bug shit—nothing like before.
Grinning at the writhing, limbless scavengers? Guy’s unhinged.