Chapter 52: Burning Curiosity for the New Dungeon

Taemin couldn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sleep a wink, his mind buzzing with curiosity about the new dungeon. He'd raided countless dungeons and hunted down plenty of beasts so far, but the one he'd looked into today was on another level entirely. Not just new—it was a true unknown world.

'I wanna go check it out already.'

Lost in such thoughts, he finally drifted off in the late hours of dawn. The moment he woke, he grabbed his dungeon entry permit and headed straight to the Hunter Market. He sold the materials and Silver Manes from the Wave, pocketing 11 billion won. Confirming the deposit, he made a beeline for the hunting grounds.

Even with this windfall in hand, his expression remained utterly calm.

'Once I get into the Chaos Tower, this kind of money's pocket change.'

Ever since yesterday, Taemin's thoughts had been fixed on the upper dungeons. With rare-grade gear and unique items on offer, he could stack both power and wealth the moment he could hunt there. The only question was when that would be possible.

His experience was more than enough. From Sphinxes to Giant Ogres, Mars, and Ice Golems—he'd soloed countless boss-grade monsters at levels way below what anyone else could handle. And just yesterday, he'd taken down a Kaiser, a beast that rivaled the ancient stone statues.

Taking one down wasn't anything special in itself, but considering his level? It was downright absurd.

With that track record, he was confident he could tackle upper dungeons too. Of course, not right this second.

'Gotta gear up with elemental items and level some more to unlock new skills.'

Anticipating that day, Taemin threw himself into the grind, hunting relentlessly.

A few days later, gearing up for the field hunt he'd promised Yoo Hyuk, he rose early and prepared to head out. Soloing Waves was more efficient, but he wasn't the type to flake on a promise.

This would be his last hunt with them, though.

"Gonna hit 60 after this one. Would be nice if something new popped up around now."

Nothing since Blade of Justice unlocked at level 50, so he had high hopes for this level-up. What he wanted was an attack skill—a real powerhouse that could dish out massive damage.

His eyes alight with anticipation, he stepped out of the dorm and into the building's exterior. As always, the team was already assembled and ready to roll.

Inside the ruins, Taemin buffed the hunters with elemental attributes, then boldly charged ahead. With gear for all four elements bought from his earnings, hunting was a breeze.

Every time his sword connected, a thunderous boom echoed, shoving the monsters back ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠several meters. Terrifying power.

While the others paired up to take down one beast at a time, Taemin soloed them effortlessly. The hunters' dumbfounded faces were priceless.

Just a week ago, he'd barely scratched a Stone Golem. Now he was smashing a dozen or more without breaking a sweat.

"Is this for real?"

"He's really a C-rank hunter? How the hell...?"

"Even with new gear, this is ridiculous, right?"

The hunters had given up hunting altogether, openly gawking. They'd cleared their targets and scanned for the next, only to find not a single intact monster left. Any they spotted were already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠under siege from Taemin, who was unleashing hell.

That insane combat prowess had them questioning his level and rank. It defied all common sense.

Exaggerating a bit, he could probably clear the whole ruins solo. That kind of feat would take at least an A-rank with a full rare set—and even then, it'd be iffy.

But he was definitely C-rank. His guild-issued license proved it.

"His level's not the cheat—it's his class."

A hollow mutter escaped Yoo Hyuk's lips. He'd known the class was special, but this gap was beyond imagination.

Most hunters here were nearing A-rank, so with decent gear, they could match that DPS. A few even outdamaged him right now.

But none could drop monsters that easily. Taemin's sky-high evasion fed into godlike movement, boosting his attack speed massively.

Assassins aside, no class invested heavily in agility by default. That meant sacrificing evasion and crits—and thus, fast attack speed and nimble footwork.

In short: multiple hits from him versus one swing from them. Multi-target mayhem from him versus single-target focus from them.

They could pump strength for max damage, sure—but crits evened that out.

So to the hunters, Il-sala-ja wasn't just a cheat class. It was the ultimate cheat.

Thud!

The last flailing monster hit the dirt. A golden glow enveloped Taemin.

'Oh, finally. And two at once?'

Confirming the level-up and new skill messages, Taemin itched to check them out—but decided to wait and review leisurely later.

Turning to leave, he addressed the hunters still staring blankly at him.

"We going or what?"

Snapping to, they moved toward the next room. Thanks to Taemin's unbelievable performance, they cleared the boss stone statue and wrapped up before ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dinner.

"6:30. Incredible."

One hunter glanced at his watch and muttered. What used to drag past midnight was now done five hours early.

Yoo Hyuk, sharing the sentiment, bid Taemin farewell outside the dungeon.

"Great work today."

"You too."

"Uh... Taemin, any chance you'd keep hunting with us? Like, permanently?"

"Permanently? Aren't you graduating? Heard you hit 80."

"Yeah, but attributes stay the same up top. Thought we could stick together."

Yoo Hyuk had been planning upper dungeons with Taemin in mind. Even as a C-rank, his buffs were a huge boon, and today's DPS sealed his dealer creds.

But Taemin had no interest. Solo Waves were viable now, and today's hunt proved he could solo ruins too. No need to tag along.

"Appreciate the offer, but I've got my own thing going."

Disappointment flickered across Yoo Hyuk's face. The difference with and without Taemin was night and day. Fresh A-ranks like them needed his power to bridge gear and stat gaps.

But if he said no...

Hiding his regret, Yoo Hyuk replied.

"Got it. Shame, but can't be helped. Hit us up anytime—we'll be waiting."

"Thanks for everything."

Back at the dorm after parting with Yoo Hyuk, Taemin showered off the grime first. Humming under the warm water, he toweled off, stripped to his underwear, and opened his skill window.

He'd played it cool, but he'd been dying to see this since the ruins.

"Attack boost passive and a defense debuff trap?"

No substitute for testing. He activated it right away.

'Chaos Trap.'

A chime rang out as a black circle formed at his feet, spreading across the floor. The room turned pitch black in seconds. Startled, he hopped onto the bed.

Moments later, he tentatively stepped one foot in. The floor rippled like water, then settled. Nothing else happened. He tilted his head.

"Something's there, but... does it debuff defense once you're inside?"

To be safe, he checked his status window. No change in his defense.

Only one explanation.

"Doesn't affect me... just monsters?"

Recalling past experiences, he waited for the trap to fade, then reactivated it for analysis. Just as the black energy spread...

Footsteps at the door.

Beep!

'Ji-young?'

Only she had the passcode.

Beep beep beep—click!

Clunk.

The door swung open amid a sharp scream.

"Kyaaak!"

"What? What's wrong?"

Taemin rushed to her in alarm. Hearing him, Yoon Ji-young relaxed slightly.

"I can't move. Feels like someone's touching me. Can't see either."

"What?!"

At her bizarre words, he yanked her toward him.

But...

"Huh?"

Her body stuck fast to the floor.

"Relax."

"I am."

He pulled harder. Still nothing.

'What is this? Paralysis?'