Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Visible Forest
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“Is this… really okay?”
“Hahaha! Well, if it goes wrong, we just die, right?”
“No, it’s not him I’m worried about—it’s you, sir. If it’s that guy, he could definitely handle something from a B-rank dungeon… but he’s got the soul of an average Joe. When he comes out, he won’t forget this and he’ll chew you out for sure.”
Normally, someone with talent or the makings of a bold hero would emerge from a dungeon having grown through hardship, and everyone would nod along, impressed by their growth. But Yoo Seongwon was far from that bold type.
“Heh heh, hunting’s all about risking your life anyway. Still, that average-Joe friend of yours will pull through just fine.”
“Didn’t you just say a B-rank dungeon has nothing to do with ‘combat power’?”
“That’s true, but look at that guy’s condition—anyone can see something’s off, right? There are only ten S-ranks in Korea, counting has-beens like me… And he’s got four S-rank knights under his command, plus he’s a hunter with SS-rank capabilities himself.”
“I think it’s weird too, but… well, in this world, anything can happen these days.”
Just as she said, the world had been shocked once when Awakeners appeared, and then again when the Constellations descended on Earth. Now, nothing that happened seemed strange anymore.
Even if a miracle occurred, people would just shrug and move on.
“But still, weird is weird. I’ve watched Constellations descend in the past and seen countless Awakeners rise. But a case like this? Never once. SS-rank stats at just level 45, leading S-rank summons? Definitely weird.”
“Yes, but he doesn’t even know why he’s like that or why he awakened. He doesn’t serve any Constellation, either. So, do you know something about him, sir?”
“Just a hunch. No solid proof yet, so I can’t say. Anyway, he’ll make it through a B-rank like this somehow. That said, this Visible Forest dungeon is a nasty one, so he’ll suffer for it. Probably have to struggle quite a bit to get out.”
Baek Ga-yeon gazed at the spot where the Visible Forest entrance had vanished, a smile on her lips.
The Constellation White-Eyed Bird had faded into obscurity long ago, but it was just as cruel and vicious as any evil-aligned Constellation.
What the Constellation White-Eyed Bird loved most was pain—mental agony in particular.
“That’s why they say people come out changed from its dungeons. But that viciousness pissed off the other evil Constellations, who ganged up on it until it vanished.”
“What if things take a bad turn?”
“Isn’t it already bad?”
“Finding his own peace and stability isn’t bad.”
“Hmm… We don’t quite see eye to eye, do we? Anyway, leaving that aside, it’s a dungeon that’ll help any hunter in all sorts of ways. Good experience.”
Shin Somi nodded and fell silent, interpreting it as a sign he didn’t want to argue further.
And caught between these two tense figures, Shin Ayoung was the only one truly worrying about Yoo Seongwon inside the dungeon.
***
B-rank dungeon, Visible Forest.
Left all alone, I figured I’d summon my subordinates first to ease the loneliness of being by myself.
A B-rank dungeon was scary enough on its own, and the eerie atmosphere inside made it unbearable for someone with a regular person’s sensibilities like me.
[The dimensional fabric here is distorted. Summons cannot be called in this place.]
“Summons blocked? Damn that old hag! She really screwed me over! Shit!”
Whiiiii……
The inside was a pitch-black forest, with only the wind howling—terrifying. Damn! What am I supposed to do alone here?
I kept checking the minimap on my status window while staying alert, then started moving to find a way out.
But no matter how far I went, the same forest scenery repeated, throwing me into confusion.
‘Monsters would be better than this! What the hell is this place? Damn it!’
I recalled what I knew about dungeons, but that damn old hag had only said, “Various types of monsters appear,” with no details.
What the hell is this place? Shit! I was already tense in my first-ever B-rank dungeon, and now the disorientation was driving me crazy.
“Damn it! Should’ve at least asked what that damn Constellation White-Eyed Bird was about…….”
Truly knowing nothing and stepping into an unknown dungeon had my anxiety and fear ready to explode.
If monsters swarmed, at least I could fight—but this dungeon, filled with unfamiliar trees and grass, was unnaturally quiet, wearing me down mentally instead.
‘Is this even a dungeon? Damn it!’
Whiiiii~
Only a whistling wind echoed through the forest.
And everywhere I went, the scenery stayed the same.
I even climbed a tree to survey the forest, but it was dense trees stretching to the horizon in every direction—no way to tell where anything was.
“Guess I need to look up some info first.”
The one saving grace was the hunter training materials I always carried.
But in a space packed with nothing but forest, there was zilch on what to do—totally useless.
“Phew~ Well, I learned one thing properly. Never trust even allies. That damn old hag’s giving a real lesson! Ah, wait! If I flip this around, doesn’t that mean I don’t have to leave?”
After stewing for a while, a different thought popped into my head.
If I can’t get out, why stress? Just don’t go out.
Eyes lighting up, I pulled out Titan’s Stake and started toppling surrounding trees.
“Yeah! Why didn’t I think of that? If I can’t leave, that’s fine by me.”
No need to deal with petty human relationships or society. No need to worry about hiding myself or whatever.
As I knocked down trees and built out my territory, I let out a sigh of relief.
I had nothing sufficient to live here right now, but that was no problem.
[Ring ring! Hello! Long time no see, customer! Thanks for visiting Fox again! How can I help?]
“Thanks to the ‘(Legendary) Slaughter King’s Blessing Ring,’ I can call the Slaughter King’s shop.” I traded magic stones for needed supplies.
I could trade for food, but where’s the fun? Better to try farming or whatever.
Once settled, livestock might be next.
“Building a house is easy! Ngh… haa~ Raw wood feels so crappy without proper processing. Should’ve dried it… Phew~ Guess I’ll call back and buy a tent to sleep in.”
I’d been an idiot.
With no real house-building experience, the raw-wood shack was a total failure—but my mood was great anyway.
No one to nag me, all alone—pure peace.
Fire was easy; the issue was water, but I could dig for groundwater.
“What’s this? This dungeon’s paradise! Hahaha!”
Day and night were distinct—dusk fell, so I lit a campfire and enjoyed some emergency rations and grilled meat.
Too early to relax fully, so I stayed tense.
Wanted to ditch the armor, but this was a B-rank. Who knows what dangers lurked.
Only after securing a house, booby traps, pitfalls, and water source could I rest.
“Wonder what this dungeon’s deal is? Hmm~ If it gets stuffy, monsters will come eventually. And the folks outside… We’re not that close yet, so they’ll probably just think something went wrong in here.”
Except the old hag—Shin Somi the guild master and Ayoung were just at the ‘interested’ stage, not deeply involved, so they’d worry a bit then drop it.
Anyway, turning a scary dungeon into a retreat with one mindset shift was wild.
“Alright, time to make a bed. Gotta manage stamina, so no sleeping too late~ Hup!”
After eating, I set up a bed, rigged simple noise traps around, and despite lingering unease, turned in.
If a monster targeted me, fine by me; if not, I’d just live here. That thought eased my mind, and I fell asleep fast.
***
As Yoo Seongwon slept in his tent, atop the empty Visible Forest, a monster slowly approached his position.
It was a massive bird with three heads—a Tri-Head Bird, once the servant that attended the Constellation White-Eyed Bird.
[What the hell is that human? What’s he doing here? I was excited for a rare visitor…….]
[More importantly, no ‘scent of pain.’ Just a whiff when he arrived—then nothing!]
[Nightmare! Nightmare! Yes! Let’s make nightmares! Then he’ll taste pain!]
The three heads chattered noisily as they cautiously approached the intruder in their domain.
Gliding down from the sky, his booby traps were useless.
The Tri-Head Bird drew near the sleeping Yoo Seongwon.
[Golden armor? Weird guy. And smiling in his sleep? In my domain!]
[This is wrong. Wrong! No human reacts like this alone in a dungeon!]
[Arrogant bastard! A house! Turning my domain into his home!]
The three heads squawked in annoyance, but as domain rulers, their voices didn’t reach Yoo Seongwon automatically.
The heads glared at the peacefully sleeping man, all displeased.
[Anyway! Nightmares! Give him nightmares! That relaxed face! Unbearable!]
[Why not just grab him and inflict pain physically?]
[Yes! Give him the worst nightmare! With ‘Nightmare Fear’! Make him writhe in agony!]
Woooong—
Black mist from the three beaks began enveloping the sleeping Yoo Seongwon.
This magic was the Tri-Head Bird’s authority as dungeon lord—like a dungeon pattern itself. No amount of golden beast armor could block it.
The bird anticipated delight at watching him suffer nightmares, but no matter how much time passed, Yoo Seongwon slept on peacefully.
“…Zzz…….”
[What? This human?]
[Weird. Weird! Why isn’t he suffering?]
[This won’t do! Dig up old memories, keep stirring nightmares. Yes! Pain! Bigger pain!]
It kept blasting black mist, but he slept soundly, unfazed.
It had forced a powerful nightmare, yet his face just stiffened slightly—no cries of torment.
[This human… he’s already broken. A spirit like a barren wasteland! To breed pain, attack the body!]
[Show illusions? But he’s already trying to live in my dungeon? Useless! Have to handle him directly!]
[But! His body! Too strong! Overpowering! Can’t win! Kieeeek!]
In the end, failing to break him mentally left the Tri-Head Bird in a bind.
Couldn’t win in combat, and mental attacks failed against someone with no expectations or hopes left—hard to inflict pain.
His only desire: live peacefully without fighting. A truly meager wish.
[What rotten luck! Why always humans like this? Unbelievable!]
[We need ‘pain’ for power… At this rate, no more humans enter the dungeon.]
[Lord ‘White-Eyed Bird’ left, and we’re struggling… What now?]
The Tri-Head Bird stared helplessly at the human blocking its dungeon.
Ignore him? No mental pain possible. Fight? He was stronger.
Puzzled, they began pondering options, reaching a conclusion shortly after.
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