Chapter 184
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Honey Trap (6)
The dungeon raid was going incredibly smoothly.
Honestly, there was hardly any tension at all.
'Well, that's because I planned it that way.'
In truth, I only needed the enclosed space of a dungeon. The results or practice were just excuses.
'A strong monster showing up would actually be a problem.'
Woo Seo-hyeon had been half flustered and half annoyed by the sudden dungeon trip from the carriage, but now she seemed relaxed.
She'd realized it was just a run-of-the-mill dungeon run and appeared relieved.
But there was one issue...
"Noona, I should've been more careful... I'm sorry."
"No, Hyun-jin. Getting hurt in a fight with monsters is unavoidable."
'This guy... ugh...'
Hyun-jin had deliberately taken a minor injury to get healing from Woo Seo-hyeon.
'...It's so obvious.'
Woo Seo-hyeon probably knew Hyun-jin was faking it too. Proof was in the way her lips twitched for a split second.
'She must find it ridiculous.'
It had to be a first for her—some guy injuring himself on purpose just to get healed by her.
...Looks like Hyun-jin was genuinely into Woo Seo-hyeon.
'What am I gonna do with this kid?'
In the end, I planned to kill Woo Seo-hyeon or deal with her some other way, but at this rate, I was worried Hyun-jin might be too shocked when she was gone.
I glanced at Wi Ho-yeon, and she seemed to know Hyun-jin was faking it as well.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"I know. Just let it be."
He'd listen if I told him to stop, but I didn't want to publicly humiliate Hyun-jin.
'How's he gonna handle the embarrassment?'
He thought no one had noticed.
What if Wi Ho-yeon and I told him we knew he was faking injuries in that situation?
'...He might hang himself.'
Maybe it was better to leave it alone. Or in some ways, it was a good thing.
Because from Woo Seo-hyeon's perspective, it had to be seriously annoying.
'Annoying? She'd be losing her mind.'
Things were supposed to be idle, but Hyun-jin kept stirring up trouble.
I could bet she was cursing up a storm inside. Wasting mana on needless heals.
The others didn't seem to notice, but I could tell Woo Seo-hyeon's attitude was sharpening bit by bit.
"Ha..."
"Noona?"
"Oh, no. It's just been a while since a dungeon run, so I'm a little tired..."
"Seo-hyeon noona, if you're tired, take a break. I'll watch over you."
The very guy preventing her rest said that, and I nearly burst out laughing watching it.
It had to be absurd from Woo Seo-hyeon's side.
'Is he doing this on purpose?'
At this point, she might suspect Hyun-jin knew her identity and was messing with her deliberately.
Somehow, Hyun-jin was getting injured more often than Ho-won, the tank.
"...Let's head deeper in for now."
We'd roughly regrouped and started moving further into the dungeon.
Shortly after we began, Woo Seo-hyeon approached me.
"Um... Yun-seong-ssi."
"Yes, Seo-hyeon-ssi."
"I heard you're a chimera sorcerer. Do you have any chimeras you use?"
'Oh, curious about that?'
It was a natural question from her position.
After all, here I was, a chimera sorcerer not using any chimeras.
'There's one right behind you.'
"Well... I do handle chimeras, but they're not suited for a place like this. They have side effects right now..."
"Ah, I see."
'That look is too much.'
Her eyes dismissed my words as an excuse. Fair enough—I hadn't shown anything, so she saw me as dead weight freeloading.
But unlike that brief glance, her words were the opposite.
"Still, I believe you'll create an awesome chimera someday. You've always handled every challenge so coolly, Yun-seong-ssi."
"Haha... Thank you for saying that."
"When it's done, could you show it to me first? I'm so excited!"
'Excited my ass...'
"Come to think of it, I heard you've achieved so much in your year in Eras... Ah!"
She continued as if remembering something.
"Y-you exposed a spy from that lawless clan! Their name was..."
"Execution Sanctuary, right?"
"Yes, exactly. You're amazing, hehe..."
'Crazy bitch.'
I hadn't expected her side to bring it up first.
"And the story about exposing the clan distributing drugs in Silan is famous too."
"No, that's exaggerated a lot..."
"Um... Could I call you oppa, Yun-seong?"
'...Suddenly?'
Her abrupt attempt to close the distance caught me off guard.
My lukewarm reaction compared to before must've made her impatient.
"I really hate criminals and lawless types. That's why I'm kind of your personal fan."
"...A fan?"
"Yeah. So, could you drop the formal speech with me? Would that be okay...?"
'Ha...'
Her body subtly pressing close, a light touch, that teasing expression.
Woo Seo-hyeon knew exactly what actions made men squirm.
'...Even knowing she's a spy, this is impressive.'
Execution Sanctuary hadn't assigned her honey trap duties for nothing.
'Most guys would fall for it.'
She naturally guided a man's touch. I almost reached out without thinking.
'Well... light skinship is fine.'
Perfect position to grab her waist. I lightly held it and gave her the response she wanted.
"Sure? Seo-hyeon it is?"
"Yes, oppa. Hehe..."
'She must hate this.'
Not intense contact, but holding her waist.
It had to be unpleasant for her, yet her expression didn't change a bit.
'Heh... Kinda gives her a fighting spirit.'
I wanted to rip off that mask. See her real face twist.
I touched her cheek lightly, catching her eyes waver for a moment.
Teasing, I leaned in close, and she urgently spoke up.
"Y-Yun-seong oppa? W-wait a sec..."
I had no intention of kissing. Just wanted to see her panic.
"Hyungnim, noona! What are you doing? Hurry up!"
"...You had some dust in your hair. Let's go, Seo-hyeon."
"Ah..."
'Pfft, look at that face.'
Half her sweet priest act, half distorted real face. Indescribable.
Someone might say Woo Seo-hyeon could've snapped and attacked me right then, but she absolutely couldn't.
'Attacking me means she's done for.'
Simple numbers: 3 vs. 1, and we had the Sword Empress.
'Plus my chimera.'
From her view, she could ignore Hyun-jin and Ho-won uncle, but not the Sword Empress.
And there was extra insurance...
Shiiik—
Thung!
Suddenly, an arrow targeted Woo Seo-hyeon's ankle, but Ho-won swiftly blocked it with his shield.
'Here they come.'
"Hyungnim! Ambush...!"
"I know."
Our party tensed up at the sudden assault in the dungeon.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong, stay behind me no matter what."
Wi Ho-yeon pushed me back and drew her sword.
Woo Seo-hyeon stared blankly at the attack on her.
As everyone tensed at the surprise, I felt zero tension.
Because...
'I called them.'
Soon, about ten masked figures appeared before us.
Seeing their numbers, Wi Ho-yeon's face hardened as she whispered to me.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong, I'll protect you somehow, even if it costs my life..."
'No need, Ho-yeon.'
"How dare... filthy lawless scum..."
'They're not lawless.'
Wi Ho-yeon must've flashed back to her past ambush by lawless folk.
I signaled the leader up front.
My gesture meant attack now.
Ruska and the Acacia clan members, getting my signal, charged us. Of course, without real intent to kill.
But our party didn't know that and fought desperately.
Wi Ho-yeon kept worrying I'd get hurt, watching me constantly.
'Feels kinda guilty.'
Well, no need to worry about the others getting hurt. It was all staged anyway.
'The key is... her.'
Two each on Hyun-jin and Ho-won uncle, five on Wi Ho-yeon, and Woo Seo-hyeon...
"This is...!"
I nearly laughed at Woo Seo-hyeon's sight.
She looked like death was staring her down, abilities hidden or not.
'Hard to handle Ruska, huh?'
She must be freaking out over where this powerhouse came from.
She'd switched to her Abyss Priest job, resisting with all she had.
"This... insane!"
Even curses spilling from lips that never swore showed her desperation.
'What the hell?'
Woo Seo-hyeon couldn't hide her confusion at the sudden turn.
These mystery attackers were unknowns even to her.
'Lawless?'
Hearing the Sword Empress speak to Lee Yun-seong, it was clear even Eternity's people didn't know who they were.
'Maybe ours?'
She briefly wondered if Execution Sanctuary had sent them urgently, but their attack proved that wrong.
"This... insane!"
Just one charging her.
The problem: she was about to die to that one.
Aghast at the woman's level, she revealed her true job. Survival first, hiding be damned.
"Quick, bind that woman!"
Magic circles formed, octopus-tentacle-like bindings emerging.
"......"
But the woman silently slashed them all with her dagger.
'Damn it!'
She hadn't expected them to hold anyway. Just swallowing curses at how effortlessly they were broken.
'A monster like her among the lawless?'
Execution Sanctuary didn't control all lawless, but none she knew matched this woman.
'And why me of all people...!'
Bad luck aside, cursing that this woman targeted her.
'Can't let her get closer.'
In close combat, melee trumped mana-focused classes.
Once distance closed fully, no chance to turn it around.
"Damn it!"
She desperately prepared her trump card. Dungeon collapse possible, but survival first.
As she hurriedly circulated mana...
Her judgment was a tad late; the masked woman closed in instantly.
'Crazy...!'
In a blink, the woman's leg was at Woo Seo-hyeon's nose.