Rivals Collide in the Depths
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Rookie: Baek Jaesung 25
When things get tough, the best policy is not to stir up more trouble. Do Byeongseok, the head of the massive profit machine known as a clan, had the judgment to discern that much. He explored the Level House diligently without causing any issues.
"This place is tougher than it looks."
Woo Sangho, the party's tank, grumbled. Among the dungeons they'd raided, the Level House stood out as particularly alien. Humans naturally struggle with the unfamiliar, no matter who they are. Even for Do Byeongseok's veteran party, it wasn't easy.
But they possessed not just physical strength but seasoned experience. Dungeon raids weren't solely about raw ability. Knowing where to exert force and where to conserve it—that wisdom came from years of hard-earned lessons.
They drew on that experience to methodically conquer the dungeon. Eventually, they entered a cavern room.
"People ahead."
An Jiho, the party's dealer and possessor of the Hyper Sense ability, spoke up. His keen senses could detect everything within dozens of meters. The party owed their smooth progress this far entirely to him.
"People?"
"Ten of them. Definitely humans."
"Ten means a 10-man party? Or two 5-man groups?"
"Formation says two 5-man parties. For sure."
Do Byeongseok trusted An Jiho's judgment implicitly. The group moved toward the other party. Normally, they'd be scheming how to PK them, but not this time. They were here to share info honestly.
"Humans there!?"
Woo Sangho, in the lead, shouted toward the opposite side of the L-shaped passage. A reply came quickly.
"Yes! Humans here!"
Soon, they met the new party—just as Do Byeongseok had predicted, two 5-man groups. But there were familiar faces.
"Byeongseok. That's..."
Han Siyeong, the party healer, pointed at a beautiful girl with snow-white hair in a whisper. Beside her was another voluptuous beauty with a beauty mark under her eye. No, the whole group was packed with stunners. Beauties of every type arrayed around one man, each flaunting her unique charms.
"An Rina. Next to her, Ko Jisu. The women we had our eyes on. Who would've thought we'd run into them here..."
They'd met at the dungeon entrance, so he'd considered the possibility of crossing paths inside. But this soon? No way.
"Then that dull-looking guy must be..."
As Han Siyeong muttered while eyeing the bland-faced man, Do Byeongseok picked up the thread.
"Baek Jaesung, yeah."
The name Baek Jaesung slipped out, and flames ignited in Han Siyeong's eyes. Without Do Byeongseok there, he'd have picked a fight with them somehow.
"That bastard's the reason we're in this mess, right?"
"Damn right."
Do Byeongseok's heart boiled hot. This was a golden opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It felt like the gods had handed him revenge on a platter.
But that guy's no pushover. If he were mediocre, he'd be dead already.
Having been burned badly by Jaesung before, Do Byeongseok instinctively knew his old methods wouldn't cut it.
No matter how unpredictable the dungeon hunter world could be, the fact that Baek Jaesung's crew had reverse-touristed an elite Exster Clan party meant they packed serious firepower. Rushing in recklessly would likely backfire.
He calmly pondered a plan. Something safer, more flawless for revenge.
Luckily, the environment was on his side. This was a dungeon. Anything could happen here, and no one would bat an eye. That's why all sorts of shit went down.
*-*-*
Kim Seonwook's party took point, and we followed. We soon reached a massive cavern—the second one.
"A door's coming up if we push a bit further."
Kim Seonwook said. But escaping this cavern easily? Doubtful.
"What's that?"
A huge golem stood in the cavern's center. A Stone Golem, its body forged from solid rock. It towered over 5 meters. But it stood motionless, like a statue. We exchanged glances.
"Wasn't there when we first passed."
"Must be new. Not moving?"
"Might activate if we get close."
This was a maze of twisting tunnels. Unlike open fields, detours were tough. We'd have to cross the golem's cavern.
"I'll check it out."
Tank Yeonji stepped up.
"I'll go too."
Hwang Minjun, Kim Seonwook's tank, stuck to her. Guy's got a crush on Yeonji—obvious from his lingering stares and tone.
Poor bastard. My cum's still filling her pussy right now. Wonder if he knows.
The two crept past the golem cautiously. Then red glows lit its eyes.
Guuuu...
A low rumble shook the cavern. It grew stronger. Epicenter: the golem. Its body stirred slowly. Triggered by proximity.
"Ignore the bastard and haul ass!"
Yeonji called a sharp judgment. We moved together. But it woke faster than expected.
"Watch out!"
The golem's fist swung at Kim Seonwook's party. Yeonji launched herself at it. Her skin turned rock-gray like the golem's—Stone Skin technique, hardening her body.
Boom!
Yeonji spread her arms wide, tanking the fist with her whole body. She slid back slightly, but stopped it cold. She held on tight.
"Now!"
The rest bolted through the passage. The golem's foot whipped toward our fleeing asses.
"Duck!"
Everyone reacted. Its massive foot whooshed overhead. Kim Seonwook's front group darted into the opposite tunnel like rats.
"Everyone, this way!"
Kim Seonwook yelled from ahead.
Guuuu...
The quakes intensified. The golem's body changed—crude clay-like form now glowed with geometric runes covering it.
"Ngh! This golem's powering up!"
Yeonji shouted urgently, still blocking its arm.
"Yeonji-ssi, I'll help!"
Hwang Minjun joined, grabbing the arm. His simpering voice made me wanna crack his skull. But beggars can't be choosers—we needed the cat's paw.
Two tanks held the arm, but the strengthening golem overpowered them, flinging them off.
"Urk!"
Both used proper ukemi to land safe.
"Careful!"
The fist smashed toward Do Byeongseok's party in the tunnel. Hope that fucker gets pulped, I thought. But Do Byeongseok calmly blocked.
"Rafflesia."
A massive flower bloomed in front of him at blinding speed. Not "grew"—manifested. A red bloom big enough to shield a person, shield-shaped. And it functioned as one.
Boom!
The clash echoed like hammer on shield. The red flower perfectly defended. Do Byeongseok followed up.
"Kket Oh Nine Tails."
This time, red roses—but the stars were the thorny vines they grew on.
Nine vines erupted, wrapping the golem's right arm tight. Barbed thorns would've shredded flesh. Bad matchup here, though.
Vrrrrm!
Stone body shrugged it off. It barely slowed the arm a fraction.
"Chain Drain!"
But that was enough gap. Rina's chains lashed the restrained golem. No normal chains—these drained health and mana.
"Grrrt!"
Rina sucked its mana. Felt its output and speed drop.
"Good! Move while we got the window!"
No sooner said, the golem stomped. Cracks already spiderwebbed from its movements. This impact drove them home.
Guuuu...
"The tunnel's collapsing!"
Kim Seonwook's path started crumbling—the connector to their tunnel.
"Shit!"
Kim Seonwook cursed. I dove for the tunnel fast.
Do Byeongseok's eyes wavered. They locked on me clearly.
"Move, now!"
He ordered his crew. They rushed into the collapsing tunnel. I glanced at Rina and Yeonji.
"Jet Stream!"
Sujin's summoned water jet hammered the golem's face. Its bulk reeled back, flailing. Jisu flanked its side.
"Death Sword."
Beating the golem seemed doable.
Guuuu...
The entrance fully caved. Inside: me, Kim Seonwook's party, Do Byeongseok's. No Hwang Minjun—their tank stayed behind.
Five minutes later, the battle roars from the other side stopped. Sujin's voice followed.
"It's done. Completely stopped moving."
Our side took down the golem.
"Nice work."
Victory was ours. But the real problem came after.