Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: 【Hide Tightly】
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―Connection failed, so to the Hunter Net mailbox...
Click.
"Why isn't he picking up?"
I'd woken up at dawn to a call from Cha Do-yun Hunter and called him back right away, but most of the time, he didn't even let it ring—he just didn't pick up.
Did he enter a dungeon in the meantime? Even so, it was rare for the connection to fail this badly.
It was the first call from Cha Do-yun Hunter after he'd really opened up to me, so for some reason, a corner of my mind felt unsettled. It wasn't like he'd awakened or anything, so it probably wasn't some major change of heart.
Tap, tap.
I tapped the screen to open Cha Do-yun Hunter's profile and checked his assigned dispatch schedule.
Cha Do-yun / S-Rank / Wind
[Send Message]
Dispatch Schedule: Paju A-Rank Dungeon (Day 2)
[Call]
'...Paju?'
'Paju?!'
"Ugh!"
Ego suddenly spoke in a louder voice than usual. The strong voice echoing inside me made my vision blur for a moment, and I slumped slightly over the table as I addressed Ego.
'What's wrong? What happened?'
'That dungeon... it's the one that swallowed Cha Do-yun Hunter whole.'
Crackle.
Karma that can be cleared has been detected.
Would you like to move to that location?
"Damn it."
According to Ego's memory from the most recent timeline it recalled, the dungeon that had swallowed Cha Do-yun Hunter whole was trying to do the exact same thing now. I had no memory of this timeline at all, but whatever this unknown Absolute was that kept forcing karma clearance on me, it seemed to remember.
'Send me the location.'
Gyeonggi Paju-si Tanheon-myeon XX-ro
I muttered inwardly toward the status window, and this time it responded immediately without hesitation.
'By the way, why'd he ask me for rescue?'
No matter how much he'd opened up to me or knew I was SS-Rank, there was no reason to request rescue from me specifically. He'd normally go to the chairman, or Se-bin as an association executive, or veterans like Ha Mi-jun Hunter or Choi Min Hunter.
The fact that he'd skipped all those options and called me meant he thought I was the right one for it.
'Cha Do-yun Hunter said he was isolated inside this dungeon, right?'
'Yeah. I saw it with "Heaven's Decree"—he said the gate vanished before he died.'
'That skill shows foresight and everything else under the sun.'
Anyway, that wasn't the point. Just as Ego had said before, Cha Do-yun Hunter's dispatch team hadn't found the exit inside the dungeon, and it had vanished on them, killing everyone. The fact that he'd sent me a rescue request meant...
'Pathfinder.'
He remembered my item.
That's when it hit me why this ring had ended up in my hands in the first place... well, Se-bin bought it first, but anyway.
'Gotta live up to calling him a precious comrade.'
I pulled my phone from my inventory and shot up from my seat.
"I've already let the chairman know."
Se-bin twisted the wheel, exiting the highway. We'd originally planned to go with Choi Min Hunter, but he was already in another dungeon, so I'd had no choice but to ask Se-bin for help.
"...Sorry for dumping this on you out of nowhere."
"Don't be."
Se-bin parked in front of the gate and gave me a slight bow.
'Doesn't it bother her?'
It was the first time I'd seen her since returning from America, but Se-bin seemed completely normal. Her deep double eyelids framed pitch-black eyes, and her slightly upturned lips even looked relaxed. Totally different from the expression I'd glimpsed when I'd brushed her hand away without thinking.
I couldn't bring it up again in this situation, so I just shut my mouth, the unease lingering.
Screech.
Se-bin pulled up to the container box. We hurried out and headed inside.
'So this is the Paju A-Rank Dungeon...'
The Paju A-Rank Dungeon before me had earned the nickname "Hide-and-Seek Dungeon" due to its unique攻略 method. You had to evade the boss monster—which was blind but had insanely sharp hearing—find the gate, touch it, and take down the monster. Or so Se-bin had told me.
"The gate's always in the same spot. Why'd they get isolated?"
"...Did the gate position change?"
"Guess we'll find out once we're inside."
Se-bin added as she nodded slightly to the scan staffer. He quickly checked her items and signaled we could enter the gate.
"Ready? I'll open the door."
"Yeah."
Screeech—
Se-bin pushed the door open with one hand, revealing a grand mansion. The yard was dotted with cute flowers and trees, even a swing with a roof in one corner. And next to it stood a stylish two-story house.
'Pretty, but it gives major horror movie vibes.'
I glanced down at Pathfinder. The light on the gem solidly pointed at the mansion.
No red flags yet.
Rustle.
As we crossed the yard to the mansion entrance, the silence grew heavier. Hand on the doorknob, I spoke calmly.
"If the boss spots you, it chases nonstop, right?"
"Yeah. Keeps coming until you completely shake it."
"Can't we just kill it?"
"You might figure something out, Ji-ui, but it's basically immortal until you find the gate."
What a pain. I could probably end it at full power, but no sense taking chances—let's stick to the standard攻略 for now.
"Where's the gate?"
"Small room at the end of the second-floor hallway. Open the door, and it's right there."
Hope she didn't miss anything.
As I racked my brain, Se-bin's hand layered over mine.
I looked up to meet her eyes, crinkled prettily as she smiled brightly.
"It's fine. Nothing'll go wrong."
"...Yeah."
"You secure the gate first, Ji-ui. I'll find the dispatch team."
'For now, I have to trust her.'
I had to shelve the nagging doubt that Se-bin might be the traitor. My goal right now was rescuing Cha Do-yun Hunter and the others.
Screeech.
The wooden interior came into view as we opened the door. Doors lined a long hallway, with familiar famous paintings hung at intervals on the walls. Unbelievably quiet for a dungeon interior.
'Boss is sound-sensitive, but damn, this is next-level silent.'
Can't even share updates with Se-bin. Text on the phone? Haven't seen so much as a boss or an ant yet. Se-bin's completely erased her presence—not even breathing...
"...Huh?"
Se-bin was gone. She'd been right beside me when we entered, but now no trace.
Like the maze park dungeon, designed to scatter people? She never mentioned that.
'Whatever the reason, gate first.'
Calming my nerves, I followed Pathfinder's guidance down the hall to the stairs at the end.
Creak, squeak, creak.
Floor, ceiling, walls, furniture—all wood, luxurious... but the footsteps are no joke.
Worried the boss might hear and come running, I froze mid-hall, held my breath, and scanned around.
I activated The Bird That Hears Daytalk and leaped lightly upward. My feet gripped the air solidly, sending out a shimmering wave. Tested a small jump—no sound.
'Perfect. No more tiptoeing.'
Free from footstep worries, I strode confidently toward the stairs per Pathfinder. Looked like two stories from outside, but the twists suggested much taller design.
Clack.
"Hide tightly. Lest your hair shows."
"Mmph...!"
A voice came from right behind my head. Cold sweat raced down my spine. I leaped up instantly, aiming Ego.
'Creepy as hell.'
Where I'd stood seconds ago was a humanoid monster with its face buried under dozens of hands. Everything but mouth and ears covered, its swollen lips curved in a crescent grin.
Visuals worthy of a boss, even if it's just a sentinel.
Shaking off the shock, I shone my authority on it first.
Just as Se-bin described.
The Gentleman stood still, staring at me, then pulled a small fountain pen from his suit pocket.
Scraaape, scraaape.
The pen elongated like a staff, morphing into a sleek sword. He gripped it and tapped the stairs a few times.
Kiiiiing!!
"Tch."
The Gentleman lunged to me in one bound, staff raised. I summoned a shield simultaneously to block.
Thud.
The staff bounced back, but he grabbed it again and charged.
Bang!!
I pulled Ego's trigger at his head. But he twisted away at the sound of the bullet, dodging with his sharp ears.
Humanoids are such a hassle.
Thud!
"Urgh, ugh!"
He readjusted and aimed for my gut. I barely raised a shield in time, shoved back.
Shatter.
Shield broken, the sharp tip grazed right beside my neck.
'Dodged by a hair—would've been game over!'
Craaack!!
I kicked his solar plexus hard; bones cracked as his lanky body tumbled down the stairs. Seizing the moment as he twitched at the bottom, joints twisted every which way, I air-stepped up hastily.
Over the railing to the second-floor hall, lined with doors. At the far end, an iron door unlike the others. Pathfinder pointed right at it—gate's gotta be inside.
Humm, humm, humm.
"Huh?"
Pathfinder's arrow, which had been steady, suddenly spun wildly.
Tick.
After flailing around, it finally pointed... to the first floor.