Irregular Dungeon (2)
One of the powers of the Dragon Horn heightened his affinity with external mana. Thanks to that, after acquiring the Dragon Horn, Kim Jehyun became even more sensitive to ambient mana.
This applied to the mana of third parties as well.
This is…
The first time he'd seen Yang Jaejin, he'd felt a familiar energy. A nauseating, repulsive aura. There was no way he could forget it.
The energy of the purple orb!
It was extremely similar to the energy Kim Hyeongjin had harbored.
Kim Jehyun focused his Dragon Eye on Yang Jaejin, and the information appeared. It was nothing special.
Bzzz.
As Kim Jehyun's eyes turned amber,
Dragon Horn power enhances Dragon Eye.
The Dragon Eye was strengthened, revealing additional information.
…!
Cracked text appeared near the abilities. Kim Jehyun instinctively knew it was related to the purple orb.
And seeing the affiliation below it, his eyes narrowed.
An extra affiliation besides the Magic Tower?
But that affiliation's name was garbled. It was clearly connected to the purple orb as well.
An organization that wielded such a repulsive power. It had to be something profane.
And Kim Jehyun figured Kim Hyeongjin was linked to it somehow.
His gaze on Yang Jaejin sharpened even more.
This guy… reeks.
A foul stench wafted from the man, matching the energy he harbored.
Perhaps sensing Kim Jehyun's stare, Yang Jaejin turned and met his eyes.
"Hello. You're Mage Kim Jehyun, right? Nice to meet you."
"…Yes. Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Jehyun."
Yang Jaejin approached and greeted him. Kim Jehyun shook the offered hand without averting his gaze from the man's face.
"Up close like this, you're even more handsome. You'll break a lot of hearts someday. Haha."
Yang Jaejin smiled amiably and complimented him, but Kim Jehyun read the sinister glint hidden in his eyes.
Definitely. Something's off.
Investigation Team Leader Yang Jaejin. He reeked terribly.
* * *
Gurururu.
Chwaak.
A frog-like croak echoed, followed by something long and whip-like flying in.
"Shield."
Chiiing.
The investigation team's shield blocked a long tongue.
"Frog dungeon!"
Someone shouted.
This dungeon was a frog habitat, home to D-rank monsters called progs.
"No wonder the terrain's all swampy."
"Ugh, gross."
The sole female mage on the team, Jeong Ye-eun, grimaced in disgust.
Gurururu.
Guru.
The swamp reeds rustled, and progs swarmed in an instant.
These weren't ordinary progs.
"No way, those guys… Most of them are mutants!"
"How… so many…"
The ten investigation members' eyes wavered.
By common knowledge, mutants only appeared from boss monsters.
Yet regular monsters were mutants. And not just one or two.
Over a dozen progs faced them, more than half mutants.
"Everyone, stay calm. Even with lots of mutants, we can handle them steadily."
Yang Jaejin stepped forward to soothe the unrest.
"Respond calmly and composedly. You're all 3rd Circle mages—you can do this."
Ziiing!
Light flashed from Yang Jaejin's hand, generating multi-layered shields in all directions.
His specialty, multi-shield magic, activated.
Yang Jaejin was a mage specialized in defensive spells.
"Follow the plan we discussed! Get ready now!"
The team quickly regained composure at his words.
As agreed, the defense mages stepped up to support him.
Now, the attackers just needed to unleash firepower and sweep them away.
Kim Jehyun prepared his spell accordingly and examined the mutants closely.
As expected.
A fact he hadn't known before: The mutants harbored a faint trace of the purple orb's energy.
Mutants were definitely linked to the purple orb.
What is Yang Jaejin planning in this dungeon?
As Kim Jehyun pondered Yang Jaejin's intentions,
An Irregular Dungeon Where Even Regular Monsters Have Become Mutants
Extremely suspicious.
Exterminate all mutants in the dungeon and uncover the secrets of this Irregular Dungeon.
📍 Task: Exterminate all mutants in the dungeon
🎁 Rewards: Unlock ??? of Alkasha. Mutant kills x 100 points.
A sudden quest?
Kim Jehyun's eyes widened. Since it tasked him with killing mutants, doing so might reveal clues to Yang Jaejin's scheme.
And 100 points per mutant?
His lips curled up.
He'd wondered when he'd gather enough points to shop properly at the Golden Goblin's store.
This was a very satisfying reward.
Perfect. Can't pass this up.
His amber eyes gleamed.
He'd planned to handle mutants casually without knowing Yang Jaejin's full game, but things had changed.
"These things have insane defense. Is it because it's an Irregular Dungeon? Even regular progs have way higher magic resistance."
"Damn, snipe them one by one. Prioritize mutants! Their attack patterns mix tongue strikes with others now."
Mutant progs had diverse patterns beyond tongues. Each looked different and had unique abilities.
"Target the red-skinned one with black spots first! That one's been spitting venom…"
Before the shout finished,
Kwarung!
Dazzling light flashed, incinerating the venom-spewing mutant prog.
"Gu, guruk."
The mutant trembled violently before stopping.
Pajijit. Pajit.
Lightning remnants crackled over its body.
"…!"
"One-shot?"
Everyone turned in shock toward the lightning's source.
"Kim Jehyun!"
"Whoa…"
The one who'd one-shot the mutant was none other than Kim Jehyun.
They stared at him in astonishment. It was their first time seeing him in real combat.
As expected…!
His main attribute is fire magic, but lightning's this strong too?
He really just hit 3rd Circle?
They couldn't voice it mid-battle, but the same thought crossed their minds.
The rumors were true!
Kim Jehyun's the real deal.
Even Yang Jaejin, on defense, sparkled with interest.
When forming this team, he'd prioritized promising talents. They were all a cut above their circles, but Kim Jehyun shone brightest.
And if he leads a circle, even more will flock.
Kim Hyeongjin, with his cold personality, hadn't expanded his circle despite being the Ignis Faction heir.
But Kim Jehyun could maximize it.
I need to recruit him, no matter what.
Coercion or force if persuasion failed! Sinister intent filled Yang Jaejin's eyes.
Pajijijit!
Kim Jehyun's Chain Lightning finished off the remaining mutants.
"Whoa, your casting speed is insane."
"Jehyun, you're really 3rd Circle like us? You're not secretly high circle, right?"
"Did you use a different incantation for Chain Lightning just now?"
The team crowded around him, peppering questions.
Though younger, his genius magic left no choice but to acknowledge him.
"Alright, the dungeon investigation isn't over yet, so save the chat for after."
Yang Jaejin reorganized them.
They nodded. Some collected mutant corpses with prepared tools.
Sample collection done, the investigation continued.
Kwarung!
Pajijik.
Kim Jehyun shone brilliantly.
I'm the sole DPS.
Like a bomber, he swept mutants. Even without manifesting the Dragon Horn.
"Whoa."
"The more I see, the more impressive."
"His mana pool's huge too? Non-stop spells, no fatigue."
Their gazes filled with growing awe.
Sweet. So sweet.
Kim Jehyun was thrilled too, wary of Yang Jaejin but reveling in exp and points from mutants.
Mutant kills gave especially satisfying exp.
Already?
He'd even leveled mid-run. How could he not be pumped?
At this rate, 30's right around the corner?
He continued, lost in sweet fantasies.
"Alright, boss room's just ahead."
"Whoa… that was quick."
"Thanks to Jehyun, we flew through."
Yang Jaejin's solid defense as a 4th Circle helped too.
But attackers always got the glory.
They inwardly credited Kim Jehyun as MVP.
Gurururuk.
The Irregular Dungeon boss resembled a massive toad, with bumpy back shell and house-sized bulk exuding pressure.
That one's got way more purple energy than regular mutants.
Its aura wasn't for a mere D-rank boss. It felt C-rank.
This could be dangerous.
But backing out now was impossible.
"Doesn't look easy."
"Ugh… that stare. Goosebumps on my arms."
Instinct told them this boss was tough; tension spiked.
"Same formation as before!"
Battle started. Yang Jaejin led with multi-shields, shouting.
They nodded tensely.
Grururuk!
The boss croaked chillingly and attacked.
Chwaaak! Kwang!
"Ugh."
Yang Jaejin groaned lowly, blocking the tongue. The boss hit harder than expected.
Kwarurung! Hwaruk. Shwaaak!
The team's spells poured on the boss—fireballs, lightning arrows, wind blades.
Guruk!
The boss cried in pain but endured. It only enraged it, no real damage.
Bururuk. Puhaak!
Its shell bubbled, venom spraying from bumps.
The team's shield shook violently.
"Kuh."
Yang Jaejin's groan deepened. Helpers Heo Gwangseok and Jeon Jong-sik sweated.
—Kim Jehyun! Look at that thing!
Got it.
Kim Jehyun and Alkasha exchanged glances at Yang Jaejin's expression.
Yeah. What's up? He has something up his sleeve?
The whole team could be in peril, yet Yang Jaejin showed no panic. Just a few grunts from shield strain.
Kuwoong! Puhiiaak! Pajijijit!
Reading the gravity, they unleashed full power, no holds barred.
Gurururuk!
The boss wailed louder, scratches appearing—mostly from Kim Jehyun.
But it didn't fall.
Crisis hit next: Their formation collapsed under the boss's assault.
Hwoong!
"It jumped!"
The massive body leaped to the ceiling.
"Dodge!"
They scattered with evasion or mobility spells. Wise move.
Kukwaaaang!
Swamp water and mud exploded, blinding vision. The boss room shook.
"Kwik!"
Chaos reigned; they couldn't regroup.
Shuuuuuk!
A long tongue shot from the debris.
"Kyaaaaak!"
A high-pitched scream pierced ears.
"Ye, Ye-eun!"
Someone cried out in shock.
Jeong Ye-eun dangled mid-air, caught by the tongue.
—Kim Jehyun! That guy's—!
I know.
Others might not see, but Kim Jehyun felt it: Yang Jaejin's purple energy resonating with the boss's.
Whatever you're scheming, it won't go your way.
He sensed the boss aimed to capture, not kill, Ye-eun.
Kim Jehyun stepped forward.
Humk.
The boss flinched, trembling as it retracted the tongue.
Its eyes quivered violently.
Dragon Fear cast.
Mutated Prog King's stats plummet sharply.
Mutated Prog King exposed to Dragon Fear is briefly stunned.
All eyes turned to Kim Jehyun and the boss at the sudden shift.
"Wha, what…"
Yang Jaejin uttered in bewilderment.
It didn't end there.
Shwaaat! Seok.
Tuk.
Kim Jehyun's Wind Cutter severed the tough tongue.
"Gurururuluk!"
The boss's scream filled the room.
"…!"
Astoundment filled their eyes at the reversal.
And they felt it—the massive mana exploding from Kim Jehyun's body.