The Dungeon's Brutal Ambush
As expected, the woman's back was crushed under a dozen massive boulders, leaving it severely damaged. Even to the naked eye, her shattered bones were visible. Moving her out in this condition was impossible.
"Hey."
I cautiously called out to her.
"Ugh......"
"Ah......"
All she could manage were long, pained groans. Removing the rocks hadn't improved her state. She was barely sane, desperately crying out for help in her delirium. Her bloodshot eyes didn't even seem to register my presence.
I decided to pull out the weapons embedded in her limbs next. First, the spear in her arm came free.
Squelch!
"Kyaaack!!"
The spear came out easily, but her scream sent chills down my spine. That's when I understood why her face was so deathly pale. The spear tip was coated in a bluish poison. It wasn't even a valuable weapon—just a rusted spear deliberately dipped in toxin. Whoever did this was utterly cruel.
I pulled the spear from her other arm as well. It was rusted and poisoned too, though the poison's color was slightly different. From my studies in sorcery, I'd heard a bit about poisons. My knowledge was limited, but it seemed they'd used different toxins to amplify the effects. They were dead set on killing her thoroughly.
The swords in both her legs were poisoned the same way. Filthy, tainted blood oozed from the wounds in her arms and legs.
'Not sure if this'll work.'
Using healing sorcery was a first for me. I hadn't learned much in that area and didn't have many talismans for it. Kang A-jin excelled there, with handmade potions of every type. But when we were holed up at her house, the focus was on hiding out, so I hadn't thought to stock up from her. She probably hadn't either.
Back when I soloed A-rank dungeons, I never needed potions. Only now, facing someone on the verge of death, did I regret it.
'The path is long and treacherous.'
Even as an S-rank hunter, I felt how much I still had to learn and master. I couldn't always rely on the other women, which made it hit harder.
With some reluctance, I decided to treat her with sorcery. After such brutal injuries, full recovery was impossible. I wondered if even a hospital could save her. For now, I'd take her home and call Kang A-jin and Valentina.
Fwosh—
The talismans appeared and clung to her wounds. These healing talismans attached precisely where needed. I had about ten, and as expected, they all stuck to her injuries—arms, legs, and her mangled waist.
Light emanated from the talismans, and the healing process began. After about a minute, the spent talismans crumbled into paper scraps and scattered.
"Hey."
I called out to her again.
"Ugh......"
Her complexion had definitely improved since before the sorcery. But she was still pale. It was just a temporary fix—the poison would spread again soon.
"Thank... you......"
She finally recognized me. But she couldn't continue. Her head lolled, and she passed out completely.
"Hoo......"
The dungeon raid itself was a breeze—more like a game than anything. But running into this......
Since I'd found her, I'd have to take responsibility. Once she woke up, I could hear the full story.
I hoisted her onto my back. Maybe from all the blood loss, but she was much lighter than expected. A total stranger, yet seeing her like this tugged at me. You can't judge solely by looks, but her face didn't strike me as wicked. Her first words upon regaining consciousness had been thanks, after all.
No need to debate if she was good or bad when she was dying. Save first, think later.
I carried her and sprinted to the return stone.
#
As I exited the dungeon, the scene was the same as when I'd entered: staff from the section chief down waiting around. Should've said hi on the way in. How long had they been waiting for me?
But this time, I had no time for chit-chat—not with her on my back.
"Hunter!"
The section chief spotted me and called out joyfully. Then he noticed something off as I ran toward them.
"Who's that? You went in alone......"
"She was collapsed inside. Don't you know her?"
She'd been in the dungeon—how would I know who she was?
One staffer hurried over and peered at her.
"Huh? Isn't that Kim Seyeon......"
"Kim Seyeon? Why would she be......"
The staff panicked.
"What's going on?"
The chief asked, annoyed at their fussing in front of me.
"Kim Seyeon entered yesterday. We didn't think she'd still be inside......"
I was baffled. Didn't they track entries and exits? Though, to be fair, at my old Dungeon Management Office, it happened sometimes too. No need to check in on exit unless appraising mana crystals. Raids took unpredictable time, so staff often assumed hunters handled it themselves. Stopping everyone for checks risked pissing off hot-tempered hunters.
I skipped the irrelevant details and asked,
"Who was she with when she entered?"
"Pardon? I was there—she came alone......"
I was frustrated.
"That can't be right."
Had she done this to herself? Sure, if suicidal, but why in a dungeon? Hunters could self-harm anywhere. Besides, her injuries were impossible solo: dropping a dozen boulders on herself, then stabbing her own limbs with poisoned weapons? Physically implausible.
"Check it now!"
The chief barked at the staffer.
"Yes, sir!"
The staffer tilted his head but went inside, checking the monitor and typing.
"Confirmed. She came alone yesterday afternoon. She solos occasionally, so I remember."
An S-rank soloing an A-rank? Uncommon, for sure. She had quite the story.
"You're certain?"
My question froze the chief and staff. They went silent.
"Uh, well......"
The one who'd checked the reservations looked on the verge of tears.
"Got it."
No time to waste here. They didn't seem to be lying; she probably entered alone. Who attacked her didn't matter yet—I'd ask when she woke.
"Hunter! Hunter!!"
The chief called desperately from behind, but I ignored him and ran. Taxi? Nah, faster on foot. Straight home like this.
#
"Ugh......"
As expected, with only first aid, she groaned on my bed. Her briefly improved color worsened again.
I called Kang A-jin immediately. She was shocked at the explanation.
"Pardon?"
Of course. Even I wouldn't believe it without seeing. But Kang A-jin was cool-headed and trusted my word unconditionally.
"Understood. I'll head there right away."
From the receiver: "Why? Our darling called? Wants us there quick?" Valentina's voice.
Just in case, I asked her to bring Valentina too.
"We'll be there as fast as possible."
'What a mess......'
Kang A-jin wouldn't take long. I prayed the woman held on till then.