He Came Back to Life!
Rune gave just enough facts to make it believable.
“The potion's curse lifted, so my power returned to normal. Thanks to that, I could take the guy down.”
“You?”
He nodded.
Perdikion stared hard at Rune's face.
But his instincts told him Rune was telling the truth, and relief washed over his features.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. How about you, bro?”
“……No major injuries. But it's pathetic—I put you in danger through my own negligence.”
Perdikion grimaced, blaming himself harshly.
Rune shook his head.
“Nah, that's not it. It was a hidden boss that only reacts to someone with a 'resurrection' ability. No way to predict that absurd condition.”
If Rune hadn't brought Baekya, they'd never have encountered it.
Still, Perdikion looked frustrated.
“……I should have predicted it anyway.”
What a stubborn guy.
Rune clicked his tongue inwardly and spoke to the brooding dragon again.
“Thanks to you and Heungmi holding out until the curse lifted, I could beat him.”
It was a calm, steady voice—neither coaxing nor pitying.
“I mean it. Thanks, bro.”
They really did buy time for Baekya's tears and for me to drink them and get cured.
In the end, he'd owed them.
Seeing Perdikion's face soften a bit, Rune glanced around.
His eyes met Jed's, who had been listening to their conversation.
“We took down that monster?”
“Yeah.”
“Ooooh!”
Jed, who had been groaning moments ago, now swung the S-grade battle axe Paralium around with wild excitement, as if his pain had been a lie.
Whoosh!
Fwoosh!
“Yeehaw! We're alive! Alive, I tell ya!”
“……”
Let him be.
Rune held back from warning, you'll blow your hand off playing with fire.
The guy had thought he was done for and lived—let him celebrate a little.
Just a little.
“Gonna keep playing with fireworks?”
Jed froze.
At Rune's words, he hastily sheathed the weapon and grinned sheepishly.
“Haha! Come on, Master Rune. This is fireworks! Fireworks!”
Only then did Perdikion's stiff expression ease.
“Ahem! Speaking of which, your servant did pretty well. She shone this time—any ideas for a reward?”
Calling her Heungmi earlier, huh.
With the crisis over, back to 'servant.'
Rune smirked at the predictable Perdikion.
“Got one idea, but it might be tough for you.”
“What is it?”
“Call her 'Heungmi' instead of 'servant.'”
Perdikion's brow twitched and furrowed.
“……I'll think about it.”
Unexpected. Thought he'd flat-out refuse.
Seemed the teamwork in battle had left an impression.
Brotherhood in arms, maybe?
Rune figured it wouldn't be long before Perdikion called her 'Heungmi' properly.
“Mmm, nom nom……”
“Aigoo, Lady Heungmi, you're so small and cute like this. Hard to believe that's the brave warrior from before.”
Jed fussed over the sleeping Heungmi on his back, and Perdikion replied with quiet satisfaction.
“Of course. I trained her myself.”
“Whoa! As expected of you, Lord Perdikion!”
The warm atmosphere had everyone packing up to head back.
Before leaving the dungeon.
Rune glanced once more at the mural of the human and dragon at the entrance.
Is that human in there the Soul of the Departed?
If Pasiyas had ordered the mural painted, he might have known something about the hidden dungeon.
Perdikion, judging by his reaction during the boss fight, hadn't even suspected.
No way to know now.
Someday I'll hear the story behind it.
Soon, flames conjured by Perdikion engulfed them, and they vanished from the dungeon.
“Oh, you're back?”
“Came out to greet us, eh, Verdin?”
“Yes. This old fool got anxious when you were later than expected…… Couldn't sit still. Heh heh. No troubles, I hope?”
He chuckled, eyeing the group's condition, and Perdikion replied casually.
“There were. Dealt with a hidden boss on the way out.”
“! A hidden boss? What do you mean, my lord?”
Perdikion recounted the full story from the dungeon.
Meanwhile, Rune ordered Jed to take the sleeping Heungmi to her room.
After Baekya left with Heungmi.
Verdin, having heard everything, was at a loss for words.
“……Such a condition? Astonishing. The dungeon predates your birth, Lord Perdikion. A monster that never appeared before……”
“Seal the dungeon for now, just in case. Assemble a team to check its status right away.”
“Yes, sir! Right away, Lord Perdikion!”
Verdin nodded gravely.
Then he brought up another matter.
“Speaking of which, we should reward Jed for standing guard to protect Master Rune until the end.”
“Indeed. Thinking of granting him the S-grade battle hammer Paralium.”
It had been loaned out originally. With the dungeon cleared, it was time to return it—but Perdikion decided otherwise.
“Excellent idea. He's taken a real shine to that weapon, so Jed will be thrilled.”
Verdin stroked his beard and nodded.
Perdikion glanced at Rune and tossed out casually,
“Anyway, my little brother looks beat.”
“This old man's thoughts were short-sighted. Please, rest in your room.”
Verdin chuckled warmly and excused himself.
Rune had been thinking the same—better to relax in his room than linger here.
Verdin rubbed his chin and added,
“Then I'll discuss the reward with Jed.”
“Do that. And tell him if he screws around and sets the castle on fire, I'll take it back.”
“Understood.”
Jed's gonna lose it soon.
Rune guessed quietly.
That evening, a special meal with dwarven traditional fare was served.
Christina had sent ingredients, and Verdin, drawing on what he'd learned helping Rune cook, showed his full skill.
“Master Rune stocked the mana fridge with fine ingredients ahead of time—made it easy to prepare.”
Right, filled it practicing Resurrection Authority.
Potatoes roasted whole, topped with well-dried jerky, bacon, and sheep's milk cheese.
Artisanal baguettes made with deft, thick hands.
Cool barley drinks and ale.
Rustic, simple daily fare.
Rune felt a strange warmth.
Been a while since someone cooked for me. Reminds me of Christina.
Since arriving at Perdikion's lair, he'd always prepared feasts himself with the best ingredients.
So eating someone else's cooking like this felt fresh.
“How's the taste? Still rough around the edges since I learned over your shoulder. Heh heh.”
“More than good enough. Well done, Verdin.”
Verdin beamed kindly at the praise.
As a skilled craftsman, his fire control was impeccable.
Seasoning's a bit off, though.
But Verdin, new to cooking, had given his all.
Wanting to comfort the weary group, no doubt.
Warm.
It heated the spot near his heart, untouched even by volcanic warmth.
“Grandpa Verdin! The best!”
Heungmi, mouth stuffed with meat, gave a thumbs-up.
“I'll show my skills for breakfast tomorrow too—look forward to it.”
“Huh? B-breakfast?”
Jed, wetting his throat with beer, startled and asked again.
“Yes. You're tired now. Dungeon report for the survey team can wait till morning.”
Jed's face visibly fell at Perdikion's reply.
“Lots to do for a while. Stay in the castle tonight.”
“Uh…… Well, Lord Perdikion, you see…… Feels like I left the hearth lit at home! Kinda anxious tonight.”
Perdikion shot him a puzzled look.
Spotting the furrowed brow, Jed grinned and scrambled excuses.
“After brushing death, I miss home bad—even the silly patterns on my table I thought I'd never see again.”
“……Can't be helped if you have reasons. Come back to the castle tomorrow morning, then.”
“Yes, sir!”
No need to force him to stay, so Perdikion allowed it.
Rune watched quietly.
That night.
After telling Heungmi and Baekya to wait obediently in their room, Rune tailed Jed alone.
Jed left the castle normally, then glanced around slyly before slipping into a dim alley.
Deeper into shadowy, deserted paths.
Rough trails fit only for beasts.
He reached a dilapidated shack at the end.
Too rundown for a home, eerie enough for ghosts.
No hearth, not even a table-like stick of furniture.
“No one's around……?”
Jed muttered, never spotting Rune hidden in the shadows.
He shoved aside a sturdy stack of wooden crates in the corner.
Grunting, he hauled out a massive backpack.
Metal clinked as he shouldered it and pulled a key from his pocket.
Mana from the key. What're you up to?
Watching silently, Rune saw Jed kneel and brush away the dirt floor.
Then slowly insert the key somewhere.
Click!
A soft friction sound, and mana rippled, revealing an underground space.
Secret passage?
Jed glanced around, pocketed the key.
As it left, the mana door began fading.
Tricky.
Follow or not?
After brief thought watching Jed enter cautiously, Rune decided.
Going in.
Before the door vanished fully, Rune leaped through after him.
Surge of mana wrapped him, whisking him away swiftly.
Swish.
The door sealed completely, leaving only the ordinary shack.
Rune had figured maybe a trap at worst.
But the blinding scene gave him pause.
Am I dreaming?
It was morning.
A vast sand desert stretched before him.
Scattered palm trees, cloudless blue sky.
Each breath brought hot, dry sand on the wind.
Teleport magic for sure. Magic circle under the shack?
No other way this landscape hid in a rundown basement.