Chapter 98: Japan (6)
Chapter 98: Japan (6)
When Han Shin headed to the Association’s airfield with Kang Yujin, it was a moment fraught with nerves and tension.
This was the first time since contracting with Tiamat and recovering his body that he would be under the gaze of so many people at once. In fact, he had never experienced this much attention even before his injury.
Although he was clad in full body armor with a helmet concealing his face, the psychological pressure was significant. If he made even a single mistake, it would bring trouble to his noona, Kang Yujin, and put him in a very difficult position.
Han Shin quickly realized that staying silent and still was a special kind of torture. Perhaps he was even more on edge because he knew that if he accidentally spoke, there was a chance someone might catch onto his identity.
As the plane carrying the two of them touched down in Japan, Han Shin could see Japanese Association officials waiting outside the window. Seeing them lined up in formation as if they were inspecting a high-ranking military official only added to his burden.
The Japan Branch of the Awakener Association was in a more desperate situation than usual, so they had gathered people for this display of hospitality to get on their good side. However, Han Shin found it overwhelming, and Kang Yujin viewed it as a hollow gesture that served no practical purpose.
From Han Shin’s current perspective, it would have been better if they hadn't done any of this... and Kang Yujin, knowing his situation and operating under a secret identity herself, felt the same.
If they were going to do all this, they should've just given us more money.
Though she no longer lacked for funds, the habit of diligently saving every penny for Han Shin over the past two years caused her thoughts to drift in that direction automatically. Of course, she didn't let it show. Instead, she simply asked to be guided to the portal immediately.
As the Japan Branch staff were guiding Wolyeong, they suddenly realized that the knight draped in a black robe—the one they called "Knight"—had vanished. Despite everyone present being an Awakener, they were all thrown into a panic when they realized, far too late, that he had disappeared right under their noses.
As Wolyeong prepared to enter the first portal, a Japan Branch official cautiously approached her.
"Lady Wolyeong. I apologize, but could you tell us where your companion has gone?"
He was worried that offending her might lead to her not helping them properly, but as a low-ranking employee, he had no choice but to follow orders from above. From the Japanese perspective, it was only natural to track the whereabouts of someone who had suddenly vanished.
"We’re moving separately to clear the dungeons individually," she replied.
"Ah... then he went straight to another portal...?"
"Yes."
Since the Japan Branch had already provided the Korean side with the locations of the reinforcement portals where A-Rank monsters were appearing, they assumed he likely already knew where to go.
What was truly shocking was the sudden appearance of someone capable of subjugating an A-Rank monster single-handedly. Such an Awakener was truly top-tier, and considering Japan had very few individuals with that level of power, the impact of his presence was felt even more keenly.
"I'm going in now, so please just make sure no one else enters the area."
"Understood."
This was one of Wolyeong’s requirements. Normally, when taking a commission, she would enter with others to excavate artifacts, but since the priority now was clearing the dungeon, she argued that she couldn't move quickly if she had to look after others. Some Association executives, who had been nursing vain hopes of excavating artifacts if there was time, had to tuck their greed away for the moment.
*
The reason Han Shin had vanished without anyone noticing was that he had used the Manager App to enter a dungeon directly.
He had been hiding his smartphone inside the wide folds of his black robe. After slipping onto a military helicopter prepared for rapid transport and confirming no one was inside, he operated the app and moved instantly.
"Whew..."
Feeling like he could finally breathe, Han Shin let out a sigh of relief as soon as he entered the dungeon. He immediately summoned Grace and Laysia.
The two, who were already fully prepared for battle, cast Light magic to illuminate their surroundings the moment they realized they were in a dark dungeon. Both were relieved to see that the plan had gone accordingly.
The interior of the dungeon was a vast desert terrain. Han Shin had already memorized the information provided by the Japanese side regarding which monsters inhabited each portal. Thus, he knew exactly what kind of creature lived here.
"They said a Great Sandworm is here."
"Yes."
Knowing the enemy provided a significant advantage—especially against creatures like the Great Sandworm that hid beneath the sand to launch ambushes.
Han Shin took off his robe and tucked it into his Subspace along with his smartphone. He then drew an elegant silver spear with a shimmering, sharp tip.
Having recently leveled up, Han Shin had gained the authority to use his own Subspace. He no longer had to rely on Grace for everything; he could carry his own weapons and store his belongings instantly. It was essentially like gaining a personal inventory in a game.
Han Shin was delighted by this, as he had felt guilty about constantly asking Grace for favors, but Grace felt a secret pang of disappointment. From her perspective, Han Shin’s requests were never a bother; rather, she enjoyed being useful and doing things for him. She still felt a bit of that now.
Still... it helps Lord Han Shin become stronger...
Grace suppressed her own childish feelings and reminded herself that this was a very positive development for him.
"I'll lure it out immediately," Laysia said.
"Okay."
Seeing Han Shin draw his weapon, Laysia volunteered to bait the Great Sandworm. Having experience fighting them in Bürg, she judged that she was better suited for the task than Grace.
The moment Han Shin gave the word, Laysia dashed forward. Moving with incredible speed despite the desert sand, she accelerated, leaped into the air, and slammed her fist into the ground.
BOOM—!!
The ground shook with a heavy thud. A circular shockwave erupted from Laysia, sending clouds of sand billowing into the air.
The Great Sandworm was a monster with vestigial eyes but extremely heightened secondary senses. The easiest way to lure it was to create a massive vibration and sound by striking the ground.
Rumble, rumble...
Laysia’s action was instantly effective. Han Shin felt the ground begin to vibrate and knew immediately that the Great Sandworm was moving toward her. Soon, he saw the sand churning and erupting at the two o'clock position relative to Laysia.
CRASH!
The Great Sandworm finally revealed itself—a hideous monster with a cylindrical body and a face that was nothing more than a circular maw filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. While it wasn't particularly intelligent, it was dangerous due to its sheer size and a hide so thick that most attacks couldn't pierce it. Its mouth was large enough to swallow ten people at once.
Laysia moved nimbly, dodging the Great Sandworm’s initial strike. She knew exactly how it would attack. Anticipating that it would lunge from beneath her feet with its mouth wide open to scoop her up, she kicked off the ground a second early and repositioned herself.
Han Shin noted that the creature’s thick hide, which was nearly the same color as the desert sand, looked like it would be difficult to deal with. However, he wasn't intimidated. He was already charging toward the sandworm alongside Grace.
Slash!
As the worm was exposed while attacking Laysia, they swung sword and spear, cutting into the thick hide of its left flank. Red fluid sprayed out, but it didn't seem to be a major blow to the Great Sandworm, as it didn't even let out a cry.
The Great Sandworm’s weakness wasn't on its exterior; its heart had to be destroyed from the inside. This was what made the creature so troublesome. It was difficult to inflict significant damage externally, yet one had to pierce through that thick skin and mass of flesh to crush the heart.
Seeing the situation, Han Shin waited for Grace to widen the wound with her sword energy. He then drove his spear forcefully into the opening and twisted it deep. Only then did the Great Sandworm let out a scream that sounded like it was echoing through a cavern.
Gwaaaaaargh!
THUD!
Reacting to Han Shin’s attack, the worm thrashed violently, flinging him off its body. Despite its massive size, it moved with surprising agility, slamming its maw into the ground where it aimed for Laysia and Han Shin.
Grace and Han Shin narrowly avoided the strike. Having been unable to retrieve his spear in time, Han Shin simply summoned another one from his Subspace and gripped it firmly.