Desperate Breakthrough Amidst the Horde
Hundreds of monsters swarmed the area, and the hunters fought desperately among them. They had only one goal: to escape this place.
Pushing themselves to their absolute limits, they summoned more than twice their usual strength. They knew that even the slightest pause would cause the entire line to collapse, so they squeezed out every last ounce of energy, moving and moving again.
"We're almost there! Healers, stay further back, and don't let your guard down until the very end—don't get swept away!"
At Ha Jung-woo's words, the group mustered even more strength. Amid the chaos, a brilliant glow rose from Park Taemin's body.
Blades of the Chamber
He had leveled up and unlocked a new skill, but there was no time to pay attention to it now. The situation was unfolding too frantically.
As if entranced, they relentlessly cut down the monsters without rest. After a fierce battle, they finally broke through and escaped.
Returning to the entrance, the hunters stared at the teeming monsters in the plaza with grim expressions.
"We survived."
"There are still so damn many."
"Feels like we've killed a lifetime's worth of monsters here."
"But they can't come out?"
Strangely, the monsters seemed blocked by an invisible wall, unable to approach the entrance any further. It was a property of the wave dungeon.
Ha Jung-woo, who had entered first, began checking headcounts.
"One, two, three... thirty. Any injured?"
"Here."
"Here too."
Hands shot up here and there. Due to the reckless breakthrough, most hunters had minor wounds and injuries.
As everyone raised their hands, Ha Jung-woo rephrased his question.
"Not minor injuries—anyone hurt enough that movement is difficult? If not, we'll head to the field like this. I know you're all exhausted, but hang in there just a bit longer."
He led the way, and the hunters followed. Emerging from the cave, they finally let out sighs of relief.
Ha Jung-woo urged the group onward, crossing the nearby gorge before setting up camp there.
"We'll camp here. It's 11 o'clock now, so finish eating by 12 and hit the sack. Night watch same as yesterday, everyone except Yoon Ji-young."
No sooner had he spoken than the hunters pulled tents from their inventories. Once set up, they one by one disappeared inside. Exhausted to their limits, sleep came before food for them.
"Pull out your tent. I'll set it up."
These were Taemin's words as he carefully set Ji-young down.
"I feel like I'm imposing too much..."
"What do you mean, imposing? You helped me a ton at first. This is nothing compared to that. Here, quick."
Taking the tent from Yoon Ji-young, he set it up, then gently lifted her and eased her inside. It might seem overly attentive, but it felt so natural that no one thought it odd.
"Get some good rest."
As Taemin straightened up from poking his head in, Ji-young called him back.
"Hey, Taemin."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks... for coming to save me earlier. I was really scared."
"Ah, don't mention it. Anyone would've done the same. Rest well."
He brushed it off casually, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. He felt proud.
'Tough, but good outcome. All good.'
Soon after, Taemin set up his own tent and crawled in.
"Ugh."
A groan escaped as he sank into the soft sleeping bag. Though he hadn't said it, he was just as worn out. Having moved more than twice as much as the others, it was only natural.
"Haa, what a rough day. Feels like we cleared a whole day's worth of monsters in one go. Speaking of, five levels up? If we'd hunted properly, it could've been way more..."
Taemin felt a lot of regret about this raid. Beyond the levels, they'd left behind piles of materials on the floor and hadn't even glimpsed the boss.
But he quickly shook it off. Escaping without deaths in that situation was a miracle.
"If the others hadn't come..."
Taemin pondered what might've happened without them.
They never would've escaped together. Carrying her—unable to lift a finger—through hundreds of monsters was impossible.
His choices would've been to stay by her side until the end and die together, or abandon her and flee alone.
What would he have chosen without the others? He couldn't know without being in that spot, but he probably wouldn't have given up easily. In the worst case, he might've charged straight through with her on his back. Her survival odds would've been near zero, but at least he could've recovered her body.
"Anyway, tomorrow I should at least greet the others properly? After all, I nearly put them in greater danger because of me..."
Lost in such thoughts, he soon fell asleep.
"Rise and shine! Everyone up!"
At the faint voice outside his tent, Taemin rubbed his heavy eyes and barely dragged himself up. Not just his eyes—every inch of his body ached like lead.
Though he'd slept nearly seven hours, the accumulated fatigue from the day before wasn't so easily shaken.
"Ugh, so tired."
Stretching as he stepped out, he began packing his tent. As he loosened his stiff muscles with simple stretches, Seo Ji-hoon approached with a morning greeting.
"Hyung, you're up?"
"Yeah. You too? Man, my body's killing me. You okay?"
"Same here. But I got the late shift, so direct sleep—better off than most."
"No word on when we head out?"
"Nah, they're just waking up over there. Should hear soon. Think they'll say eat first..."
As they chatted, Yoon Ji-young and the rest emerged from their tents. Taemin and Ji-hoon packed her tent, then unpacked lunches nearby.
After a quick meal and cleanup, they gathered around Ha Jung-woo.
"As you know, hunting ends here. We're heading back to HQ. We cleared most on the way in, so it shouldn't be tough... But Ji-young's not recovered, so we'll take turns carrying her in groups. Everyone okay with that?"
At his words, Taemin raised his hand as if he had something to say.
"Yes, speak."
"I was thinking—if hunting's done and no more threats, maybe I take Ji-young back to HQ first? She's badly hurt; getting her to recovery ASAP is best for her and everyone here. What do you think?"
"You sure you can handle it alone?"
"Got some potions left, and the field should be fine."
Ha Jung-woo pondered briefly, then nodded readily. There were practically no monsters to the portal anyway.
Accepting the suggestion, he checked with Yoon Ji-young.
"Do that, then. Ji-young, what do you think?"
"I'm fine, but then Taemin has to work too hard."
It wasn't bad for her—better one steady carrier than switching between men. But she felt like a burden, especially after yesterday's huge debt.
Taemin turned and offered his back.
"Doesn't matter to me. Faster rest is good."
"Then... sorry, but please."
With agreement reached, Ha Jung-woo said to Taemin,
"Got it. You go first?"
"Yeah. We'll head out. Thanks for all your hard work, everyone. See you at the guild. Ji-hoon, drinks with hyung when you arrive. Let's go."
After farewells, Taemin hoisted her up and activated the map. Touching the portal icon, a green light path guided the way.
As he prepared, Yoon Ji-young cast Haste on him. Pulling up Arrainba, he whispered low,
"Hold tight."
Her arms tightened around him, and he sprinted full speed along the light. In an instant, they shrank to a dot and vanished.
The hunters gaped in awe at the spectacle.
"Whoa, insanely fast."
"Total cheat."
"From now on, I'm saving for speed gear."
"It's expensive."
"Still."
Taemin cleared the gorge in under two hours—unbelievable with a passenger. His speed over 300 made it possible.
Feeling the even faster pace than expected, she buried her face in his nape, pressing closer to not fall. It only energized him more.
After an hour of nonstop running, they reached the entry portal. Exiting via her multi-portal, they returned to HQ.
After reporting back at management, he took her to recovery.
"Thanks. Really, all this trouble because of me... you worked so hard."
"No biggie. Got back quick thanks to you. Shake it off and get up soon. I gotta go."
Leaving recovery, Taemin headed straight to his dorm. The familiar sight after three days felt both strange and welcoming.
"Whew. Shower first."
He neatly stowed his gear and clothes, then stepped into the bathroom. Hot water poured fiercely, washing away his deep fatigue in one go.
"Ahh, feels good."
Scrubbing every inch while groaning in relief, he suddenly recalled the field.
The pressed bodies, racing hearts, soft breaths. Her warmth still lingered vividly.
'Somehow... felt cozy.'
Emerging from the shower, Taemin's face was serene, like an enlightened sage. Or rather, on the verge of collapse from exhaustion.
Drying slowly with a towel, he grabbed underwear from the closet, slipped it on, and flopped onto the bed.
'Haa, so tired.'