Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Virgin Hunter (5)
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Just three hours ago, we had been plunging into the labyrinth to conquer it.
Now, we were heading outward to escape the labyrinth.
I tightened the strap around my wrist to secure the shield.
I moved forward, making no effort to hide my tension.
The silent labyrinth, illuminated by torches that burned eternally thanks to some incomprehensible magic.
The ranged dealer Han A-ra and the two supporters trailed closely behind me.
Every now and then, I'd smash the skull of a Skeleton Warrior as we advanced slowly.
"Sun-woo, you're incredibly strong."
"Taking down Warriors in one hit..."
The supporters showered me with praise, and it didn't feel half bad.
It was probably because it was the first time anyone had ever complimented me like this.
I was constantly getting smacked around by Choi Da-eun and ignored by the rest of the team.
Compared to that treatment, this situation felt close to paradise.
The kind of paradise I could happily hunt in forever.
"But why did you hide your power?"
"...We could have all survived."
Now that their bodies were recovering, other thoughts were starting to creep in.
They were beginning to mourn the people who had already died.
They might even start blaming me.
I drew the line first.
"It's because my skill has a condition. It won't activate if there's a man in the party."
"...What? A skill with a condition like that?"
The supporters voiced their doubts.
A skill that couldn't be used if there was a man in the party? Even I thought it was ridiculous.
In situations like this, you had to turn the tables.
Strike first with the rod before they could resent you.
Like confessing you bombed the exam before showing your report card.
"So, what? Are you saying I deliberately let the Mirage Guild members die... Is that what you want to claim?"
"No, no! That's not it. We were just regretting..."
I was the boss here.
Without my strength, escape was impossible.
I made sure the Mirage Guild supporters understood that.
With even their Guild Master dead, calling it the Mirage Guild was laughable.
The two supporters glanced at me nervously and trailed off.
That's when Skeletons appeared from the opposite end of the passage.
I had no idea how they moved without joints.
"S-Skeletons!"
The supporters screamed.
Without a proper party, the horde of approaching bones felt even more terrifying.
Regular Skeletons? I could take dozens or hundreds.
They shattered with a single tap—they weren't even worthy opponents.
But behind the Skeleton mob, there was one weird bastard.
Clearly bulkier than a Warrior.
A fear stabbed at my vitals, a murderous intent.
A guy clad in pitch-black armor.
That one was the real deal.
Not trash like Warriors or Wizards—this was a real monster, the one that had turned this labyrinth into a hellhole.
The Irregular of the Skeleton Labyrinth.
"A D-Dark Knight on the first floor?!"
Even Han A-ra, who had been relatively calm, couldn't hide her shock this time.
She started babbling noisily, reacting much like the supporters.
"We have to run. We can't take that thing—F-Rank Hunters don't stand a chance."
Han A-ra tapped my arm and turned to flee.
The two supporters hurriedly followed her.
They were quick to act when it mattered.
I had no intention of fighting the Dark Knight either.
That guy was supposed to appear on the tenth floor.
Challenging it now was too much.
I didn't want to risk my life on an uncertain battle.
Safe fights were all I wanted.
Time to get serious.
I couldn't keep strolling like it was a walk in the park.
"Huff! Huff!"
We backtracked through the passage we'd come from.
The stamina-deficient supporters were already panting heavily after just this short sprint.
Not even 100 meters.
Clack, clack!
"I-It’s chasing us!"
The Dark Knight was charging.
It smashed through the Skeletons in front of it, eyes locked solely on us as it barreled forward.
A glint flashed from beneath its black helmet.
Its crimson eyes squeezed our hearts like a vise.
Cold sweat poured down.
"Kyaaak!"
One supporter tripped over a rock.
The Dark Knight didn't miss the chance.
It leaped almost airborne and swung its greatsword.
In the blink of an eye, the supporter's body split in half.
Blood sprayed, entrails spilled.
The surviving supporter let out a hair-raising scream.
"Kyaaaaaak! Kyaaaaaack!"
Death was closing in.
Like a grim reaper whispering in my ear.
Was there really no way out?
Was getting killed by the Dark Knight the end of this damned life?
'There are still so many women I haven't fucked. Even Choi Da-eun...'
I've only just started popping virgin cherries.
Haven't even enjoyed mouths enough.
Not asses either.
And now die?
No way in hell.
I'm surviving this.
No matter what it takes, I'll make it out alive.
The Dark Knight glared our way.
Killing one human hadn't quelled its ferocious killing intent at all.
"Huueung, hueeeung! I-I don't wanna die...!"
The supporter started wailing.
Han A-ra clenched her teeth.
'If I'd known it'd come to this, I should've fucked Han A-ra back there...'
What a shame.
Then a sudden thought hit me.
The Dark Knight approached slowly.
Dragging its greatsword, creating a threatening atmosphere.
I had a moment to pull out my smartphone.
"Wh-What are you doing?!"
Han A-ra yelled.
With the Dark Knight demanding full focus, whipping out a phone was insane.
She had every right to be pissed.
But it was necessary.
'Unicorn's Blessing'—the bizarre skill that boosted stats when protecting a virgin.
If even one of these two was a virgin?
We might break through this situation.
'Please be a virgin...!'
If not?
Summon her to the Taming Room right away, fuck her, then ditch her.
The Taming App couldn't confirm it.
So what then?
If 'Unicorn's Blessing' won't activate, running is the best bet.
Fighting without it would be stupid.
Confirming activation first is the next best thing.
"Han A-ra, and you."
"I'm Lee Ji-eun."
"Right, Lee Ji-eun."
Han A-ra and Lee Ji-eun.
Before the Dark Knight got closer, I asked them.
"...By any chance, are you virgins?"
Boom!
I didn't even hear their answer.
The Dark Knight closed in and swung its greatsword.
I barely raised my shield in time to block, but couldn't fully deflect the damage.
A heavy pain hit, and my body flew back.
Familiar sensation.
Like when the Orc Great Warrior hit me before, or when Choi Da-eun kicked my balls—smashing into the wall...
Boom!
─ Sun-woo!
─ Is this how we d-die? No...! I don't wanna dieeeee!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ How did it come to this?
Why?
Was it wrong to enter the dungeon overprepared?
We'd brought every Mirage Guild member—what more could we have done?
Even if it was just F-Rank Hunters, I never dreamed we'd struggle on the first floor.
The Skeleton Labyrinth was recommended even for freshly awakened F-Rank Hunters...
"...By any chance, are you virgins?"
Han A-ra was dumbfounded.
A question like that in this situation?
Before she could answer, Park Sun-woo went flying far away.
The Dark Knight had struck him down as if punishing him for the absurd question.
Boom!
Park Sun-woo slammed into the cavern wall.
It looked like an insane impact.
He wouldn't get up.
An F-Rank Hunter couldn't survive a single blow from the Dark Knight.
The survivors were Han A-ra herself and supporter Lee Ji-eun.
Bad composition, and skills far short.
Survive against the Dark Knight?
Absolutely impossible.
Better odds winning the lottery.
That dire.
"No, I don't wanna dieeeee!"
"Kyaaak!"
Lee Ji-eun shoved Han A-ra aside.
Taking advantage of her fall, she bolted for the cavern pit.
"Ji-eun unni?!"
As she fell, Han A-ra blankly watched Lee Ji-eun's retreating back.
Her tensed body wouldn't obey.
Her legs gave out; she couldn't stand.
The Dark Knight raised its greatsword.
The blade gleamed murderously.
It seemed to mock them.
Lee Ji-eun fleeing pathetically, Han A-ra pissing herself before death.
The blade falling toward her.
In that split second, Han A-ra thought of her sister.
'Unni... So-ra unni...!'
Han A-ra had grown up constantly compared to Han So-ra.
Bearing excessive expectations because of her much older sister.
She got rated as an F-Rank Hunter right after awakening.
Potential at rock bottom.
Pathetic compared to Han So-ra.
The media and public lost interest.
They flipped attitudes like pancakes.
The masses condemned Han A-ra.
She'd done nothing wrong, just breathed and lived.
Han A-ra was Han So-ra's burden.
This failed Joseon Guild raid.
Han So-ra got drowned in massive backlash.
Han A-ra got the same.
A brilliant sister and incompetent little sister—prime gossip fodder for Korea to chew on.
"Unni... I'm sorry..."
─ I told you not to become a Hunter. It's dangerous.
She'd wanted to be a great Hunter like her sister.
Couldn't say why.
Han So-ra had always looked so cool since childhood.
Han A-ra squeezed her eyes shut.
Then, a voice rang out.
"Han A-ra, you are a virgin, huh?"
Boom!
A man blocked the Dark Knight's greatsword.