Earth-Shattering Boom
Kwa-kwa-boom! A thunderous roar that shook heaven and earth echoed across the summit of Hallasan.
Startled by the sound just as he was about to enter the cave, Taejeong leaped back.
“What the hell? An earthquake?”
Feeling the ground tremble, Taejeong quickly scanned his surroundings to assess the situation. For a split second, he thought the volcano might be erupting.
The shockwave and blast from moments ago had been that terrifying.
But the vibrations soon died down, and the surroundings fell silent once more, filled only with the patter of rain.
“What was that? What the fuck just happened?”
It appears to be an explosion caused by mana.
“An explosion caused by mana? Does that mean there are people somewhere around here?”
We cannot confirm that at this time.
At Gerard's words, Taejeong glanced at the one-shot explosive he'd casually tossed aside.
“The Japanese guys? Makes sense—they even planted their flag. But why come all the way here instead of hunting in their own backyard?”
Korea and Japan were neighbors, so there was quite a bit of exchange between hunters. You could spot them casually walking around downtown Seoul, and they even collaborated on projects from time to time.
Still, that was just a fraction of the picture. Development south of Osaka in Japan had ground to a halt, leaving them overflowing with hunting grounds of their own.
Taejeong couldn't fathom why they'd come all the way here, but that wasn't the pressing issue right now. The cave entrance—presumed to be the dungeon—had been completely sealed by the recent explosion.
“It collapsed without a single gap. What kind of massive battle were they fighting to make the whole mountain shake like that?”
After poking at it with his hands and kicking at it with his feet, Taejeong saw no way through. He began scouring the area for another entrance.
It didn't take long. Soon, another cave came into view, about 70 meters from the first one he'd found.
As he approached it, yet another appeared beside it. Walking further revealed two more.
“It wasn't just one. Hey, Gerard.”
Yes, Master.
“You said it was a mana explosion earlier. How high a level do you think that points to?”
I apologize, but we cannot determine that.
“Hmm. No info on the monsters here either. Do I really need to worry about those guys too?”
Information on monsters inhabiting Jeju Island was extremely limited. Unless someone deliberately went out to register them one by one, no one knew. Even other guilds besides Jenix were in the same boat.
But through his quests so far, Taejeong had learned one thing: nothing truly impossible would appear.
Plus, he was confident in his escape skills, so he'd come prepared to bolt if needed.
Now, though, unknown veteran hunters from another country had entered the mix. It was bound to weigh on him.
“I hear they don't get along too badly, but still... feels off being in a place like this with them.”
Standing before the cave entrance, torn with indecision, Taejeong shook off the stray thoughts and made up his mind.
“Screw it. I've only got four days of vacation—who knows when those guys will leave? Let's go.”
With his resolve hardened, he stepped into the cave. Just in case, he'd summoned his Blaster onto his back—a firm declaration of his intent to jet out at max speed if things went south.
He was confident in his straight-line speed, at least.
The cave grew larger the deeper he went from the entrance. The sound of natural dripping water, uneven paths, clusters of cave corals and stalactites everywhere. Unlike the dungeon caves he'd seen, this felt raw and authentically natural.
As he advanced, he periodically calculated escape routes. At the same time, he kept his MK4 and a slew of other weapons at the ready for instant combat.
It wasn't long before, still on high alert...
“What? Is this the end?”
The path dead-ended into a small chamber. No way forward in any direction.
A wave of inexplicable emptiness washed over him, sapping his strength for a moment.
Then, something unusual caught his eye. A pillar-like stone half-embedded in the wall. Right in its center was a purple something embedded.
“What's that? Looks like a gem. You know what it is, Gerard?”
Twin Mana Stone.
“Twin Mana Stone? What's that?”
A Twin Mana Stone refers to a pair of mana stones. They are typically used in remote magic setups to trigger other spells, but from my analysis, this one seems designed simply to channel mana.
“So, can I take it?”
I cannot interfere with your decisions, Master.
“No danger or anything?”
None detected.
After double-checking, Taejeong used his Blaster to hover in the air. He grabbed the mana stone and pulled—it popped free into his hand with a pop.
“Pretty decent size. Bet it'd fetch a good price.”
Having scored an unexpected item, Taejeong stowed the mana stone safely in his inventory. His first haul from Jeju Island.
Heading back out, he tried the third cave. Same story there: another mana stone.
The fourth and fifth yielded the same—dead ends with lone mana stones.
“Not here either. Where the hell is the quest spot?”
After four strikes, Taejeong emerged again. Well, not total strikes—he'd pocketed four mana stones without lifting a finger beyond grabbing them.
That alone covered his trip expenses and then some. He didn't know the exact value, but it should cover chugging potions like water for a week without worry.
“Speaking of, I'm getting hungry. Eh, whatever. Even Mount Geumgang is best after a meal. Let's eat and think it over. Got too many mana stones—my stomach's rumbling.”
* * *
Inside the main cave. Trapped by the sudden explosion that sealed their exit, Ikuzo's team stared blankly at the blocked passage.
“Hey... Massage-ma, what the hell happened?”
“Uh, well...”
“Don't 'well' me—what made that thing blow? You set it up.”
Under Ikuzo's grilling, Massage-ma had nothing to say. He didn't understand it either.
“That's why I told you to hide it better. You never know—prep for the worst.”
“When did you say that? Never heard it. You told me after the fact.”
“You should've known. Do I have to spell it out? Now what? We're stuck.”
“Let's try blasting through with the rest of the explosives...”
“The rest? Barely five left. And a 1km tunnel packed with rubble. Even a hundred wouldn't do shit. This ain't a crucian carp's head.”
“Crucian carp's head? You done talking shit?”
“Idiot?”
“Why bring this many people if not needed? If you'd posted a lookout outside, this wouldn't have happened.”
It was six of one, half a dozen of the other. The rest of the team watched in despair.
They were used to the two idiots bickering “you're the smart one” and “no, you are,” but with no solution in sight, it hit hard.
“You're hopeless. Grab your sword. Time for a beating. Dump your screw-up on me?”
“Knew you'd say that. Fine, let's go. I can't work with a dictator asshole like you anymore.”
As things escalated, team rank three, Yoshida, stepped in to mediate.
“Enough! This isn't the time. We need a plan, or we'll all be buried alive. Think of the team?”
At his words, the snarling duo calmed, sheathing their weapons.
“Sorry, Yoshida. Got too heated. Wasn't in the plan... And sorry for calling you crucian carp head in front of the kids. Went too far.”
“No, Ikuzo. I was too complacent. Not our first rodeo—sorry, everyone.”
Quick to apologize, they gathered to brainstorm a way out.
But it was futile. Breaking through over 1km of rock was impossible, no matter how you sliced it.
As time dragged on, Ikuzo spoke up, as if resolved.
“No choice. Only one way.”
Massage-ma looked up at his grim expression.
“What way?”
“Disable the barrier.”
“What? Suicide?”
“No, exit's blocked—fact. Only one path left.”
He pointed to the massive entrance sealed by the barrier.
“That's it. Drop the barrier, herd the bastards this way as they swarm. When their numbers thin, bolt. It's connected to other caves, so if we make it in, we escape through those.”
“Too risky. They're no houseflies—each one's our level. Survive that horde?”
“Binding formation buys time. No guarantee we all make it. But no food, no nothing—waiting just drains stamina. Gotta move fast. Only answer. Life or death—majority vote. Ayes raise hands.”
Glancing at each other, the hunters raised hands one by one. Dragging it out only weakened them.
Unanimous. Ikuzo turned to Massage-ma.
“Disable it.”
Massage-ma nodded solemnly. The others grabbed binding formations and speed buffs, gulping nervously as they waited.
Tension peaked.
Then, Massage-ma, heading to disable it, tilted his head and turned back.
“Uh... it's not disabling.”
“What? Why?”
“No reaction from the mana stone.”
“No reaction? What? Didn't set twins in the other caves?”
“Did. But nothing. Zero response.”
“What? You fucking idiot. That's why I said check twice!”
“Idiot? You done?”
“Sword out, asshole. You're beyond saving. Need a beating.”
“Hmph. Look who's talking.”
The idiots' fight started anew.