Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Episode 38: Something Writhing in the Depths (2)
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Dungeons are littered with inexplicable things everywhere. Even a single visit brings bizarre situations, entities, or substances beyond common sense. It's a world where rational thinking alone isn't enough to survive. Those soldiers who have endured for years—or even decades—in such places share one common trait.
...
They know how to heed their instincts.
...
Born a genius and adopted into the Yong family, Yong Cheol-jun had been idolized as a prodigy in his youth and revered as a ranker in adulthood. He carried himself with the confidence of a Yong family executive wherever he went, yet even he tensed up to the max upon entering a dungeon and facing a monster. After all, monsters wouldn't recognize his authority and flee.
So when this feeling hit, he had to be cautious.
...
The problem was the source. Yong Cheol-jun sensed something inexplicable from a man who looked at least ten years younger than him. The texture of this inexplicability resembled what he'd felt entering an SS-grade dungeon during his time with the Federation.
In his forty years of life, he'd never sensed such a thing from another human.
This man stood alone here, emanating an ominous aura that rivaled the dread poured out by a dungeon the size of the South American continent.
His final question carried that weight.
Would he serve as a scapegoat?
Yong Cheol-jun wanted to lie. But lying felt wrong, as if his true intentions would be laid bare like a child's before its mother. No rhetoric could hide the truth.
It was instinct's judgment amid the creeping dread.
From now on, he had to be honest.
"I had no intention of using you as a scapegoat..."
The Archduke of the Demon Realm's eye judged the man before him.
Alignment: Neutral.
Truth: Genuine.
Affinity shifted from faint favor to faint malice.
He wasn't inherently bad.
He had no overt intent to use him as a scapegoat.
His feelings toward the Yoo family had simply shifted from favor to disfavor.
"However, with a four-man raid party, I did plan to position you in the rear. To be honest, I kept the scapegoat possibility open. But if issues arose up front, our Tae-ha would become the scapegoat instead."
"You're saying Korea's top genius cadet might run into problems in a B+ grade dungeon?"
"Haha, I appreciate the praise, but dungeons being what they are... No, never mind."
He caught himself. A trivial lie nearly slipped out, so he guarded his words.
"In any case, I didn't envision fully equal terms, so I apologize. It was a needless proposal on my part."
Even as he apologized, he minded his social face. The classroom had many onlookers, and in that moment, he remained a Yong family executive.
It wasn't a particularly likable attitude.
The regressor knew himself well. Despite his long life, he hadn't attained enlightenment as a sage, and his wretched past disqualified him as a saintly gentleman. He was merely an aged beast.
Even when the complex machinery of emotions broke down, the gear of irritation never slipped. He often felt annoyed, and in those moments, unnecessary impulses surged.
This was one such time.
"I wish Yeoreum success."
The groveling man extended a hand, expecting a handshake as equals. It grated. For a fleeting moment, the urge to snap his neck arose.
So when the regressor clasped his hand, he slipped killing intent in.
Blade upon blade stacked like waves, surging through the palm.
The instinctive flinch to pull away. The regressor tightened his grip, holding firm.
The blades pierced skin, invading the body to shred organs, heart, and the mana composing them.
"...!"
When he released, Yong Cheol-jun's body trembled faintly.
His eyes on his hand and body were unsteady. His gaze seeking the door seemed even more anxious.
"Success to the Yong family as well."
"Y-yes..."
It was surprising he didn't collapse. It should hurt worse than a kitchen knife gutting skin and organs, yet he uttered no groan. Only his fingertips shook violently, so he hid his hand in his pocket.
A soldier was a soldier.
Yong Cheol-jun bowed lightly and turned. His torn lungs forced him to hold his breath—it was visible. Yong Tae-ha and Yong Dan-bi noticed nothing amiss.
Pretty thoroughly shredded. Even a superhuman at the pinnacle of fortified body would cough blood at a hospital.
Yeoreum seemed slightly startled, gauging the situation.
"Let's head out too."
As they left the academy district, Yeoreum's startled look turned to delight. Her eyes sparkled.
"Ah... That was fucking fun."
"What."
"Seeing you genuinely pissed. You're always so meek, but you are human after all?"
...
He didn't think much of the situation.
Conflicts often erupted frequently in dungeons where various interest groups gathered.
And Lair was a microcosm of the superhuman world.
Like it or not, he had to navigate among humans blinded by desire. The Red Dragon wanted to prove herself here, and he lived for the dragons.
"Hey, if you get pissed, feel free to snap more."
...
"I like guys who go beast-mode when angry."
"Cut the nonsense."
"Yes♥"
She tossed playful coquetry and burst into giggles.
"...?"
Back at 301, Winter ran to Yoo Ji-tae with anxious eyes.
"What."
"...Did something, happen?"
"No. Nothing."
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
Still, Winter trailed him persistently, staring seriously. He offered a hug, but oddly, she shook her head. He was messaging someone on his watch, and she covered it with her tiny hands, signaling not to mind.
Yet she stuck to him like a turtle shell, making it impossible not to care.
Her sapphire eyes glanced up anxiously. She fidgeted, left hand grasping her right fingers.
What did she know to act like this? She couldn't peer into providence like Bom.
"Winter! Ajusshi! Tteokbokki time!"
But when Gaeul brought tteokbokki, the bulging eyes vanished, her head turning blankly toward the scent.
Startled at her own distraction, she glared at Yoo Ji-tae again.
Pick one, kid.
She hugged him obediently while eating. Chewy, soft, spicy-sweet rice cake in one bite, and her face bloomed with a smile, worries forgotten.
In any case, only three days remained until the assignment deadline. Yeoreum needed a four-man party.
"Hmm, take Gene?"
Gene?
"You know, the losers."
Referring to Hisaki Sojiro and Kim Ji-in, it seemed.
"They joined the competition?"
"Yeah. Seems they're grabbing anything that helps their specs. Both total losers, scraping the bottom though."
"Do as you like."
Yeoreum called them on her watch. They'd exchanged contacts, apparently.
Even with her points on the line, casually bringing useless cadets. That much confidence?
Her business.
"Okay, then who's the last one? Hope it's someone actually helpful."
"Three losers would annoy me." She grumbled.
So he'd messaged ahead. A solid pick, good fit probably.
A couple hours later, Yoo Ji-tae's phone rang.
—Mikhailov speaking.
"Yoo Ji-tae here. Hear the pitch?"
—Yes. Sophia's thrilled.
"Thrilled my ass, Mikhailov." A snippy voice cut in from beside.
Yoo Yeoreum. Hisaki Sojiro. Kim Ji-in. And Sophia Borcova.
Four gathered.
That afternoon.
Yoo Ji-tae took Yeoreum to central academy district. Colosseo Lair. Raid prep room. Sojiro and Kim Ji-in were there early, along with Sophia and Mikhailov.
"Hey, losers!"
Yeoreum greeted. Sojiro smiled awkwardly. Kim Ji-in nodded casually. Sophia flipped the bird.
Mikhailov eye-nodded Yoo Ji-tae, forehead scar twitching. He seemed uneasy.
"Heard you crushed Jang Su-young? She couldn't even fight back, got wrecked."
"Right? Unlike someone who got wrecked by Yong Tae-ha without landing a hit."
"...I was on my period that day, felt like shit."
"Uh-huh."
"You nearly got your head bashed by the admin office too?"
"They bitched about everything."
"Knocking a kid out is 'everything'? With that temper, good luck marrying."
"Worst case, snag a slave."
"Poor guy."
"Better than a wife who grabs knives during fights?"
Yeoreum and Sophia bantered laughingly. But Kim Ji-in and Sojiro paled watching. To them, a sudden slap wouldn't seem odd.
While cadets chattered, guardians crossed arms silently, observing.
"Never thought this day would come."
"Same."
"Thanks for calling. My girl's got no friends."
...
Yeoreum was similar.
"Sophia's RIL's golden child, right?"
"She is. But her personality... well, she's got one."
Apparently, Sophia stirred trouble even within RIL. Feisty among hunting dog pups.
"Uh, but... Yeoreum..."
"Yeah?"
"Do we really fit here...?"
Sojiro asked worriedly.
They came when called. But one side: level 5 club member, RIL star Sophia Borcova. Other: 25-win sparrer Yoo Yeoreum, who crushed Ringling and Jang Su-young.
"Yeah, I'm... skeptical too. Feels like dead weight."
"R-right? We're just average."
Kim Ji-in nodded gloomily.
Before the competition started, they could hang with Yeoreum somewhat equally.
But as it ramped up, the gap yawned impossibly.
Overwhelming talent. Insane effort. Great guardian. Yeoreum had it all they lacked.
Once exposed on the competition stage, they'd subtly avoided her.
"You two are similar, but I'm not..."
"What bullshit is this?"
"Why? It's true. If I drag your ankle, I'll hate myself..."
Yeoreum furrowed her fine brows.
"No, what bullshit. How am I like this bitch? She's dogshit."
"What? Me?" Sophia scowled identically.
"Hey, you nuts? Who you comparing me to?"
"Not me—you three are all trash. You losers. Everyone's teaming ranker candidates, you useless shits."
"Yoo Yeoreum."
"So get up already. To not drag me, sync up these three days at least."
Yeoreum stood. But the gloomy two and Sophia stayed seated.
"What're you doing? Up! Gonna lounge forever? Hey! Sojiro—!!"
Squawk! They jumped at the yell.
"Y-yeah?"
"That fat ass not getting up?"
"Ah, sorry...!"
Sojiro bolted up.
Sophia shut her mouth, displeased but drawn by the momentum.
Yeoreum led them to Lair Central Training Hall for full raid prep. Route planning. Position setup. Combat ops. Overall strategy.
Yoo Ji-tae and Mikhailov would watch and assist.
.
.
.