The Unidentified Dungeon
Several days had passed since Yohan and Kim Jae-kyung's visit, but Dongdaemun showed no signs of movement whatsoever.
At a glance, it might seem like they'd been cowed by Zeon's show of force, but he knew better.
"Guess they're the cautious type."
Put nicely, it was prudence; put harshly, it was insidious cunning.
They'd sent Kim Jae-kyung to test the waters, and realizing Zeon was no pushover, they were biding their time, feeling him out.
He had no idea how long it would take for them to fully gauge him, but they weren't likely to make a move anytime soon.
"Thanks to that, I've bought some time myself. Time to prepare."
As Zeon donned his robe, Briel came scampering over.
"Where you off to?"
"Dokkaebi Market."
"Me too!"
"You?"
"Yeah! Need to buy stuff."
"Got money?"
"Nope!"
Briel's face fell.
She had nothing to her name but endless greed, so whenever Zeon headed to Dokkaebi Market, she tagged along like a leech.
Of course, Zeon always footed the bill.
Briel jerked her head up, staring at him imploringly.
"Think of it as an investment."
"Investment? In you?"
"Yeah! If I whip up some alchemy jackpot, you hit the jackpot too."
"Any successes so far?"
"I-it'll happen soon. Almost there."
Briel mumbled excuses.
Her upturned gaze was pathetically earnest.
Zeon relented with a sigh.
"Fine. Let's go."
"Thanks!"
Her face finally lit up.
She jammed on her conical hat and hurried outside.
Even after just one visit, she strode ahead like she owned the place.
"Heehee! Hope I can snag some ghost dragonfly wings this time. Oh! What else? Any magistones from sandworms? And..."
Zeon shook his head faintly at Briel's manic chatter.
How'd I end up stuck with this crazy little elf...
Dayton would've cleaved her in half without a second thought, soul oath be damned.
He hated heteromorphs more than anyone.
But Zeon wasn't Dayton.
He didn't hate them, but he didn't like them either.
No reason to shun them if they weren't directly harming him.
Lost in such thoughts, they arrived at Dokkaebi Market before he knew it.
"Whoa!"
Briel's vacant eyes sharpened with focus, and she bolted straight for a nearby stall.
One visit, and she was already haggling like a pro.
"High Elves are turning human fast."
Zeon had never seen a High Elf before.
But he'd encountered plenty of regular elves—fought them too. He knew how sky-high their pride ran.
Couldn't even imagine what the upper echelon must be like.
That was when it happened.
"Zeon!"
Someone called his name.
He turned to see a Dokkaebi Market merchant waving at him.
"What's up?"
"Th-the Combination Master wants you brought to her."
"Combination Master?"
"That's what we call Yuse-hui."
"Ah, got it. Didn't know. Why's she want me?"
"No idea. But the second she heard you entered the market, she said fetch you right away."
"I see."
Zeon followed, puzzled but compliant.
After a long walk, they reached her office. The merchant spoke cautiously.
"I've brought Zeon."
"Come in."
Yuse-hui welcomed him from inside.
But Zeon's eyes locked not on her, but the man beside her.
Tall and trim in a perfectly tailored suit, necktie cinched tight over a crisp white shirt, hair neatly combed back.
Neo Seoul stock.
You'd never see that getup in the slums.
Such clothes were useless against desert sands. Only those shielded by high walls and magic wore them—Neo Seoul's elite.
The man smiled and bowed his head.
"I'm Tajik. As you might've guessed, from Neo Seoul."
"Zeon."
"Pleasure, Zeon."
"Likewise."
Zeon smiled back, but his eyes were deep pools of shadow.
Out of place draws trouble.
Seven years, countless scenarios. This was a familiar one.
Experience let him mask it all with a smile.
Yuse-hui asked anxiously.
"You doing okay?"
"As you see. Why'd you call?"
"Got a favor to ask."
"What?"
"Clear one dungeon for me."
She cut straight to it, no preamble.
Zeon frowned.
This wasn't her usual style.
"Dungeon?"
"Yeah! It's a good chance for you too. Might score some items."
"Items, huh."
"Right! What do you say?"
"..."
As Zeon hesitated despite her eager eyes, Tajik stepped in.
"Allow me. Three days ago, an unidentified dungeon popped up twenty kilometers from Neo Seoul."
"Unidentified?"
"Yes. Short on manpower for scouting, so Se-hee here asked for your help."
"Awakeners in short supply? Neo Seoul's crawling with them."
"True, but another dungeon opened at the same time. A big one."
"No surprise everyone's flocking there."
"Exactly."
Bigger dungeons meant better loot odds. Neo Seoul's Awakeners prioritized them.
Plus other reasons made mobilizing tough.
"So this unidentified one's on Dokkaebi Market."
"Right. But I can't join."
"Dongdaemun?"
"You know my situation."
"Haha, not you specifically—Dongdaemun's under watch."
"Then you know why I can't."
"What if I mediate?"
"Pardon?"
"Can't fix it fully, but it'll rein them in a bit."
"Possible?"
"I know Yohan a little. If I ask, he'll listen."
"Impressive. Sway over Dongdaemun."
Zeon was genuinely awed.
Yohan wasn't one to bend or listen.
For him to heed Tajik meant the man was formidable—or backed by one.
"Convinced yet?"
"Please, Zeon!"
Before Zeon could reply, Yuse-hui pressed.
She looked desperate.
Hard to refuse now.
"Fine. When does the raid team leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Got it. I'll join then."
"Thanks for the tough favor! I'll repay this debt, promise."
"Sure."
Owing Yuse-hui one wasn't bad for Zeon.
Living in Shinchon meant ties to Dokkaebi Market were inevitable.
Tajik was the wildcard.
His demeanor with Yuse-hui, his pull with Dongdaemun.
Big shot, or backed by one. Neo Seoul was taking notice.
Zeon stood, thoughts sorted.
"I'll head out. Got prep to do."
"Buy whatever. Told the merchants—anything you want."
"Thanks."
He nodded to Tajik and left.
Once gone, Tajik spoke.
"Very composed."
"Who? Zeon?"
"Yes. Hardest to read of anyone I've met."
"That much?"
Yuse-hui eyed him, surprised.
She didn't know Tajik well, but knew he had Shaorun's trust.
Shaorun, South District's overlord.
Top-five power in Neo Seoul.
Tajik was his right-hand.
Talent like that recognizing Zeon spoke volumes.
"Break him a bit, maybe use him instead of the Crocodiles?"
Tajik muttered softly.
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing. Just thinking aloud."
A faint smile played on his lips.
Zeon paused, glancing back at Yuse-hui's office.
Tajik... reeks of rot.
Everyone had a scent.
Some innate, others from life choices.
Blood for killers, damp for the downtrodden.
That much decay meant filthy deeds aplenty.
This job's probably knee-deep in shit too.
He shook his head.
That was the problem.
Humans weren't Earth's masters anymore.
Maybe once, but not now.
Monsters ruled everything outside human enclaves.
Land and sky blocked, colonies isolated.
They should rebuild networks, unite against monsters.
Instead, leaders squabbled endlessly.
When would they reclaim the world?
Zeon figured never.
Then—
"Where've you been? Took forever!"
Briel came running, packs piled high on her back.
"What'd you buy so much of?"
"Ghost dragonfly wings, sandworm magistone, flame wolf mane. Fresh-molted queen wings are best—barely affected by gravity, super versatile."
"Don't need the details."
"Oh? Still tons left."
"How'd you pay?"
"Dropped your name—they gave it on credit."
Zeon's brow furrowed at her brazen reply.
This High Elf was assimilating faster than expected.
He finally snapped.
"Next time, earn your own damn money."