Chapter 196
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Hellflower Blooming in Hell
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Dungeons are dangerous places by their very nature.
Spaces where you never know when or where you might die.
They're also the habitats where monsters live, so in a way, it's only natural.
No one welcomes intruders barging through their front door without warning just because it was already open.
Especially not humans who come with hostile intent to slaughter them, steal their land, and take their possessions.
That's why you should never let your guard down from the moment you enter a dungeon.
In a sense, the entrance is where the most accidents happen.
If you're unlucky, the monsters waiting at the dungeon entrance can strike immediately, leading to disaster.
That's why standard protocol is to prepare for combat right from the entrance.
Even though it's a low-probability event, it's to prevent mishaps the second you step inside.
Low-grade dungeons are fine—you can casually dodge incoming attacks—but higher-grade ones are riskier if the entrance monsters are high-level, so skilled hunters take the lead.
This time was no different.
The SS-grade Hell Dungeon.
Wondering why it was called Hell, we had no time to marvel at the crimson sky shrouded in pitch-black darkness before a wave of monster attacks assaulted the hunters.
Fortunately, the prepared tanks held the line, and we quickly scattered to take down the monsters.
"Three A-grade monsters, no S-grades."
Kang Hana, who had come in with us, quickly assessed the surroundings and gave a briefing. The hunters caught their breath while dispatching the welcoming committee.
It wasn't a disastrous opening.
Three A-grades were formidable, but the elites assembled to clear an SS-grade dungeon could handle that with ease.
Everyone stayed calm, methodically cleaned up, and scanned the area as if nothing had happened.
"No major threats nearby. Let's scout around and set up a base camp."
In a large-map dungeon like this, establishing a base is crucial.
You need to find the most strategic spot for conquering the dungeon. Setting up carelessly in a seemingly safe area nearby could backfire if it's on the edge, leading to massive inconveniences for movement and rest.
So typically, you secure a temporary safe zone near the entrance first, then dispatch agile scouting parties to recon the surroundings.
That used to be Kang Hana's old job.
Mars had satellite maps already, so we could set up right at city hall. This place is different.
Once we secured the spot, the scouts were dispatched.
Normally, Semi Guild splits into 2-3 teams fanning out in all directions to check the situation.
But with Kang Hana here, it's handled differently.
"I'll scout north first."
Kang Hana's detection range is up to 2km.
That means she can map all threats within a 2km radius from here. And as she moves forward, her detection radius expands accordingly.
So it's far more efficient for her to push straight in one direction rather than zigzagging across multiple paths.
Kang Hana assembled a scouting party of 5-6 and set off.
At a brisk pace, it takes about 20 minutes to cover 2km.
With stamina-heavy hunters, a full sprint could push even farther.
But this is a dungeon.
Normally, covering and scouting that distance would take hours at minimum, but Kang Hana has Precision Scan.
Looking at the map, she blasts straight ahead in a line.
If monsters are detected 100m ahead, she subtly adjusts course to bypass them. It was so fast that it blurred the line between scouting and a sprint race as the map lit up.
I'd never used Precision Scan with her before, so I didn't know—the map she uncovers updates in real-time on my Precision Scan too.
Whether it's because it's the same skill linking us, it was incredibly handy and fascinating.
"This is OP as hell."
Just sitting here, watching her update the dungeon map in real-time.
Too convenient. It's the first time I've felt the perks of being a Skill Reproduction holder.
We hunkered down in the chilly weather at our makeshift safe zone—under the guise of a base camp—lounging in plush magical camping chairs around a crackling bonfire.
"Mmm... honey, gimme some coffee."
The chairs were like beanbags, perfect for sinking into. Pricey, but practical.
I was in the middle, half-reclined, with Soo-ah beside me on one side and Im Hyeji on the other. Everyone looked wiped from the early dawn muster and the tension without combat.
As Soo-ah leaned over drowsily, half-lidded eyes fixed on me, I pulled a hot Americano from my subspace and handed it over.
"Ahh... perfect. So romantic."
"You're the only one saying that here, Soo-ah."
To avoid disturbing the SSS-grade hunters' rest, the Semi Guild members kept their distance, either resting or standing watch. But only Soo-ah sought romance in this.
I couldn't argue with her, though.
Freezing winter chill.
A dark sky soaked in blood.
A barren wasteland fitting the name Hell.
Sitting by a roaring bonfire in that landscape, staring into the flames and chatting from dawn—unthinkable romance for hunters or civilians alike.
Whoosh.
Plus, with easy-burning firewood from my subspace and a bit of kindling, the fire roared back to life whenever it started dying in the cold.
With my subspace, even stranded on a desert island, I'd never freeze or starve. Romance anywhere.
"Oppa, the Semi Guild folks are talking about you a lot. Saying you got plastic surgery in the meantime."
Im Hyeji curled up against me too, sharing gossip she'd overheard while wandering the base.
Her stare at my face mixed slight dissatisfaction.
Probably not compliments.
But that's why I could smile.
"Guess I turned out handsome."
"More than that, oppa. You're totally my type now. Height shot up... body too... everything's so different? But weirdly, that unique oppa vibe is still there perfectly. Like you got surgery but it suits you so well, or just lost weight... They're jealous, that's all."
"Jealous, huh. Used to be, you'd need tons of money or be a figurehead boss to hang with pretty girls, getting used left and right. Now I've got it all overnight. Heh. Sorry about that."
"...Even that narcissism doesn't seem pathetic anymore."
She really had changed—spouting words that would've hurt back then without hesitation.
Proof she was convinced I wouldn't care, meaning I'd gotten that handsome.
I rolled toward Soo-ah, sipping her coffee, and asked,
"What about you, Soo-ah? That level? Think I could slap some celebs or idols now?"
Soo-ah set her cup aside, grabbed my chin seriously, turned my face this way and that, pulled me in, and planted a loud kiss on my lips before letting go.
"You've always been the only one in my heart."
Her sleepy smile bloomed radiantly.
The rich coffee aroma wafted from her lips, like I'd downed caffeine myself.
"If that's true, then why'd you hate kissing at first and avoid looking at my face... Mmph."
"No old stories?"
Soo-ah panicked, clamping my mouth shut, while Im Hyeji laughed.
The Semi Guild whispers glancing our way? Totally ignored.
Better that way.
Rumors of surgery would squash deeper suspicions.
No more appeal boosts ahead.
SSS-grade mana stones max out, and dumping my P points into appeal? Nah, probably not.
So wrapping it up as sudden surgery nips future controversies.
Especially the fallout from appearing on Soo-ah's YouTube—Semi Guild witnesses would solidify it.
Height's the real issue.
Leg-lengthening surgery takes years to walk right.
Late growth spurt from sex? Whatever.
In the biting cold, cozy under magical blankets for a nap, when the map pinged: S-grade monsters x5, total 20 approaching from southeast, 100m out.
"Southeast 100m: 20 monsters including 5 S-grades approaching."
"...Southeast 100m: 20 monsters including 5 S-grades approaching."
I relayed 1:1 to Kang Hana, who broadcast to all.
Out of her 2km range now, but no one else knows.
Battle stations.
Soo-ah, languidly sipping coffee, threw off her blanket and stirred lazily.
Seemed lightly asleep, eyes heavy. I slipped a bracelet of crimson rose petals onto her arm.
"...Huh?"
"First awakening gift."
"...Honey..."
As if she'd never been sleepy.
Like it was all an act.
Soo-ah hurled the blanket and charged out.
Whoosh.
The embers, seeming bigger now, blazed gorgeously in hell's depths, following her.