Hwarang's Fall and the Serpent's Roar
In the guild master's office at Hwarang Guild headquarters.
Apart from the breaking news pouring out of the TV, the office was quieter than ever.
This wasn't just because the vice-guild master, who had treated the place like his own home, was absent. It was because the mood of the room's owner was that low.
"……."
Song Jae-ha sat on the sofa, silently listening to the TV.
He wasn't angry or sad—just calmly sitting there with his eyes closed.
To an outsider, it might look serene. But anyone who knew the situation would see it as precarious.
If his uncle were here, he'd probably tell him to ease up on the frown.
The sudden memory of his uncle made Song Jae-ha chuckle softly.
The small smile spreading across his lips soon grew into louder laughter.
With his head bowed and hand covering his face, Song Jae-ha's shoulders shook violently.
Eventually, he laughed like a madman for a good while.
The laughter, which seemed like it could go on forever, stopped abruptly.
When Song Jae-ha lifted his head again, the expression there was no longer a smile.
Was it rage? Indignation?
It resembled sorrow and hatred.
With a strange look that was hard to pin down in one word, Song Jae-ha muttered slowly.
"Damn labyrinth... After my father, now my uncle... What's next on your list to take? The Hwarang he and my father left me? Or my aunt and cousin? What are you planning to steal this time!"
BAM!
His fist slammed down, shattering the table in front of the sofa.
Shards flew everywhere, wrecking the office, but Song Jae-ha didn't care.
There was no one left to stop him.
"Ha... No, that's not it... This isn't the time to be angry... Right, if it were Father or Uncle... They wouldn't be sitting here like an idiot... "
Song Jae-ha swept a hand over his face.
Having calmed—or rather, swallowed—the boiling rage, he picked up his smartphone with his usual cold guild master demeanor.
"Let's solve this one step at a time... Revenge... Yeah, revenge later... First, secure the internals."
Muttering like he was hypnotizing himself, Song Jae-ha busied himself resolving the incident.
As the head of an organization, he couldn't even grieve freely for his own kin.
The burden on his shoulders was too heavy for ordinary tears.
But Song Jae-ha didn't forget.
His uncle's death. This incident that shook his guild.
No matter how long it took, he would uncover the full truth.
Anyone even slightly involved would pay, by any means necessary.
Song Jae-ha would never forget.
As before, I recovered the gear from the defeated hunters.
Unlike last time, though, there were so many that it took considerable time.
And with that many, I couldn't retrieve everything.
My item bag was running short.
I picked only the promising-looking gear.
Couldn't take it all anyway, and selling so much would be tricky.
The standout was the sword used by Hunter Song Myung-sin.
Its blue hilt and pure white blade were beautiful, reminding me of Snow and warming my heart.
Maybe use it for now and gift it to her later?
But does Snow even know how to use a sword?
She's got that image of excelling at anything, though.
Probably fine.
For reference, Red Eye devoured the hunters' bodies.
Couldn't finish them all—the quantity was overwhelming.
The leftovers would feed other monsters.
The highlight was Red Eye grinding his teeth in frustration at being too full to eat more—a rare sight.
We teased him mercilessly with Blue Eye, and he got super sulky.
Calming him down was tough.
Promised he'd eat his fill outside the labyrinth, and he finally settled.
Weakling Extermination
A skill born from massacring many hunters. Grants various bonuses against weaker foes—specifically, those of lower rank.
No effect on equals, but perfect for farming the weak.
Quite useful. I'm pleased.
Afterward, I rejoined Yoon Ji-su's group.
Worried something might've happened while I was away, but all clear.
Glad to save effort recruiting new minions.
With the group, we headed upward again.
Along the way, droves of hunters rushed downward for some reason, but I couldn't tell why.
Yoon Ji-su didn't even get to ask before they bolted.
Something up?
A bit intriguing, but our path was long, so I ignored it.
Thanks to Yoon Ji-su's steady guidance and my perfect protection, we soon escaped the Desert Zone.
Finally, the Forest Zone. Floor 28.
My homecoming after two and a half years.
Clear blue skies and lush greenery welcomed me.
"We'll part here for now."
Yoon Ji-su's group looked puzzled at my sudden words, but under my mental control, they accepted without fuss.
Escorted them to the relatively safe Forest Zone—they could exit safely on their own now.
Thus, I parted with Yoon Ji-su's group.
No contact method set, but no worries.
As hunters, they'd stick near the labyrinth; we'd meet soon.
Hope they gather plenty of info for me by then.
Alone in the Forest Zone heart, I leisurely scanned around.
The verdant landscape stretched unchanged from my last memory.
Gazing endlessly at the forest like this...
"...She's really not coming, huh?"
The scenery was the same, but unlike before, the Queen didn't appear.
Had my hopes up, but no dice.
'An area boss like the Queen couldn't survive long here.'
Possible in deep lower floors untouched by hunters, but impossible up here.
Expected it, and no real bond with her anyway.
Confirming her absence stirred no sorrow or regret.
Just a touch of disappointment.
Wanted to show a proper reaction to being called 'baby' this time.
Tell her I have a name now: Nyx.
Oh well, minor regret.
'Miss Suli and Snow.'
After a brief look around, I moved on.
No point lingering.
No notable area boss vibe in the current Forest Zone.
All presences felt middling.
The strongest seemed B-rank at best—not boss material.
'...? The Queen was A-rank.'
'...'
Now I get why hunters call the Forest Zone a 'paradise'.
To Soon-i could strut here with confidence.
The presumed area boss is a monster called Golden Hawk.
A golden eagle, true to name. Quite large for one.
About 7-8 meters?
Boss-worthy presence... or so I'd like to say, but tiny compared to my main body.
Even smaller than the old Queen.
Smaller than me back then, too.
This hawk before me lacks any ruler's aura.
'What nonsense?'
'...It was just annoying flapping in my face.'
I ignored Left Head's jab.
More important to discipline this arrogant birdbrain.
Looks like a Surprise Bird, too.
Birds have always been snakes' natural enemies.
Reasons to end it abound.
Digestion done, Right Head whined for food. Chicken for dinner it is.
That day, the Forest Zone's area boss—which had claimed countless hunters with its speed and flight—vanished quietly.
Overshadowed by the recent Hwarang incident, but buzzed among local hunters.
After cleanly devouring the irritating boss, I headed upward.
No further annoyances, so smooth sailing.
Occasional monsters or floor bosses got a light scolding and sent packing—homesick mercy.
Today's me is benevolent.
"Shhh— shiiik—."
Sticky webbing clings to my face.
Wiping my head, I glance up: a spider dangling, staring down.
Its blank gaze feels awkward.
"...Right, this forest hasn't changed."
A predatory world—strike when off-guard.
Got carried away with homecoming excitement.
"...Red Spider, was it? A nostalgic face."
I slowly reached out, grabbing the still-dangling, awkward spider.
Heavy in hand.
"Shhh— shiiik...."
"Yeah, yeah. You were just surviving. Right to pounce on careless idiots."
I gently stroked its trembling body.
Tremors worsening.
Gazing at it, I continued softly.
"But pick your targets. Blind attacks turn you into spider jerky, got it?"
"Shh—!! Shiiik—!!!"
"Shh. Stay still. Won't hurt you."
Soothing the flailing spider, I added finally.
"Today's me is merciful, so live. But be careful next time."
Got it?
It nodded frantically.
Smart one.
Returned it to its tree and walked on.
Forgot the porter paths in two years—wandering the woods.
How much longer?
Keep moving diligently.
Crunch—
"……."
"Shh... shiiik...."
Look up: another Red Spider, awkward stare.
Hand to head: umpteenth web.
Left Head cackled in my mind.
Yes, today's me is merciful.
But I've endured plenty.
Time to announce: the Queen's progeny has returned.
"SHAAAAA───!!!"
A massive serpent's roar echoed through the Forest Zone woods.
Monsters and hunters alike panicked at the unrestrained high-rank monster's ferocity.
Naturally, it became big news outside.
An unprecedented high-rank monster in the Forest Zone.
Not my fault.
Blame the spiders and their old habits.