Blazing Through the White Swamp

Kwaaaang--!! Flames crackled...

A deafening roar filled the air, followed by acrid smoke that stung the nose and blanketed the swamp. [At this rate, there won't be any forest left.] Black Eye murmured lowly, gazing at the flames rising along the swamp's oily surface.

"No need to worry about that."

I tossed another lung pouch onto the burning swamp and replied. Kwaaang...!!!!

Field dungeons looked like ordinary terrain at first glance, but they were instance-based like any other dungeon, with divided spaces. Once cleared and reset, they reverted to their original form—that's why tactics like this were feasible.

'Hunting here would be a goldmine. If I had the time, I could really grind levels. But levels aren't the priority—stats are. Plus, after the entrance, the flames from Mt. Gakju alone can't one-shot monsters anymore.'

[Kaaak...! Kagagagak...!!]

Halfway through the White Swamp, monsters lurking beneath the flame zone above didn't die instantly. Some even charged at me occasionally.

"Hup...!!"

Crocodile-like monsters from the swamp depths lunged with massive jaws agape. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Swamp crocs native to the White Swamp, their charred black skin from burns fueling their rage. Far larger than the piranhas infesting the waters.

[Kraaaaargh--!!] They bared razor fangs and roared.

A momentary stiffness hit me, but as the chains of my battle armor rattled, the invisible binding on my body vanished.

Paat--!!

The dungeon was hellish with boiling flames and thick smoke, but I held my breath against their charge and gripped my sword.

Hwaaak...! A faint glow enveloped the blade as the skill triggered.

[Kaaak! Kak--!!]

Just before the massive crocs overwhelmed me, time seemed to slow. Dozens of sword trajectories lingered like afterimages. Instinctively, I swung along those paths, cleaving their heads.

Skang...!!

Charred skin shattered like ash on contact, Tesaro's sword embedding deep.

Ujikkeun! The blade sank into the swamp croc's skull with a crunch.

Seogeok-! The head severed, a faint red aura coated the blade.

Peuk!!! I drove it into another croc's forehead behind the halved corpse.

The blade deepened to crimson with the alert. Holding my breath again, I sliced the throats of the two ahead, then pivoted on my right foot, unleashing Chilya once more.

Seogeok- In an instant, the five encircling monsters shattered.

Woooong... The blade glowed blood-red, as if thirsting.

"Hua... Hua..."

Panting raggedly, I gripped Tesaro's sword with trembling hands amid muscle-tearing fatigue, slumping onto a croc corpse as the martial effect faded and the blade returned to normal.

"Can barely move..."

I stabbed the sword into the ground and raised my shaking hand.

'Normally, with stamina at exactly 120, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠two Chilya 4th Swords would deplete it, causing collapse or paralysis. But Gi-ryeok Technique prevents that at least.'

Chilya 4th Sword was designed for large monsters, but low proficiency hiked stamina cost.

'To level 4th Sword, better raise Gi-ryeok Technique first to cut costs.'

Chilya's power was immense, but stamina drain made it risky.

'60 stamina per use. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Recovery takes about 2 minutes.'

'In non-critical moments, that's one attack skill every 2 minutes...'

To level Gi-ryeok Technique, repeated skill use was key.

'4th Sword's too inefficient, but the only alternative is Chilya 1st Sword... which needs swordsmanship Lv20. Impossible now.'

A dilemma.

[Can you move? Looks like your basics aren't ready for 4th Sword yet. Need caution using it.] Black Eye noted as stamina recovered and I stood.

"Yeah. Takes time to get used to."

[As Chilya heir, shouldn't sword learning be faster?]

As he said, Chilya Sword Master perks boosted sword XP, plus +2Lv from Tesaro's sword made my swordsmanship Lv13—top-tier for the level.

'Seven more levels for Chilya 1st Sword...'

But sword levels weren't quick.

'First discoverer perk would help, but...'

Someone beat me to it.

[Use your Dragon Heart to turn dragonkin instantly. Boosts all skill acquisition, including swordplay and magic. With Chilya Sword Master, continental strongest easy.]

"Dragon Heart's for elsewhere. And you know its effects vary by dragon strength."

[No way...]

"Spirit Devourer was the dumbest of the six great dragons—barely above Mugung's useless wyrms. Only one heart fits."

[Madness. Platinum Dragon Heart already in your plans?] Black Eye chuckled dryly.

"Can't botch the grand scheme for short-term gains. Why settle for second-best knowing better exists?"

[Kek... Northerners slave lifetimes for Spirit Devourer, yet you call it a mere waypoint.] He nodded approvingly.

[True peaks demand such ambition. So, plan for White Swamp boss? Your swordsmanship can't take it. Mana's an option, but yours is pathetically low.]

I shrugged. "Hate to admit it, but spot on. Can't solo the old freak now."

[Hmm... Then?]

Croc-turtle Kuntaka, one of three great aspects' descendant—swordplay alone impossible. Needed mana.

'Even my first solo used Yong-gong Geom-sik plus Lorend Man's magic item.'

Its scales rivaled dragons, physics defense exceeded. Weak spot: joints between shell and legs.

'Thinner skin there, easy to tear.'

But needed mana infusion for internal burst.

[Mt. Gakju flames won't dent scales— just piss it off.]

"True, my mana can't tear scales. And spells cost too much now."

[What's your ace?] Black Eye frowned.

Cheok- I raised my sword, pointing at him.

"You."

[...Huh?]

He tilted his head at my sly grin.

[Can't even use Chilya. No attack skills as familiar yet. Can't hunt it myself.]

"Fine. I needn't your power—you yourself."

[What...]

"Know it's descendant of Azure Ghost Kaldúan, one of three great aspects?"

[Of course. Divine beasts gone, but descendants linger. Not full divine power or spirits—hybrids.]

"That's why. You're perfect divine beast now."

[No way?] He caught on, eyes widening.

[...Nah?]

Stamina full, I rose from the croc corpse, gripping my sword.

"Let's go."

[W-Wait!!]

I waved off his panic, stepping past Mt. Gakju's flames into the dungeon depths.

How long had we walked? The White Swamp was vast, befitting its nonagonal walls. Dungeon scale matched.

[Hold.]

Trailing the narrow path, an unnatural vibe hit. I scanned. Broken branches, piled leaves—too artificial.

'Player?'

Monster vs. player traces differed.

Black Eye blocked me, swiping at empty air.

Swish...!!

Vision inverted like infrared. "Hm?"

[Someone's there.]

Amid dense trees, a red dot lurked. I tightened my sword grip.

'White Swamp first discoverer.'

Still alive deep in.

Sreung- Tesaro's blade sang sharply.

'Check first.'

Luck to reach halfway? No mere fortune.

Paat- Reverse-gripping Amur's dagger, I dashed into the woods.

"Hup...!!!"

Leaping brush, I hurled the dagger full force.

Peuk--!!!!

Dull thud. I raised Tesaro's sword expecting parry.

"Krak!!"

Not counter—a sharp scream.

"...?!"

A short-haired boy slumped against a tree, gasping.

"P-Please spare me!!"

Dagger in his leg, he pleaded tearfully.

Deflating. I clicked my tongue, yanking it free.

"Eek! Kyaaak!!!"

"Won't kill you."

He rolled, me deadpan.

"...What'll you do with me?"

His tremor drew a dry laugh. "Do what?"

"...From Yukhap?"

Fearful tone. Grimaced at the name.

"Why would those bastards be here?"

"N-Not?"

I nodded.

"Th-Then help me? Get me out, I'll reward! Anything!"

Sudden sob.

"..."

Unexpected. I sized him up coolly.

Yukhap. Info clan facade, really contract killers. Not mere PK—repeat kills till drops or dozens as requested.

'Don't want ties. Not top 8, but underworld ops shun them. They reject top 8 too.'

Top 8 same—money for anything, so Yukhap was public enemy.

Yet clients plentiful. Hefty fees, zero fails—even top 8 leaders slain.

'Top 8 strong, not invincible. Ambushes, vendettas endless in Dimension World.'

Yukhap leader Mutsa. Community buzzed more on him than top 8—no one's seen him.

'Trouble...'

Rumors: hidden Asura class, or fake persona. Regardless:

'Weird though...'

Early DW2, huge fee to block play? Deep grudge needed.

'Even Yukhap prioritizes levels/info now, not contracts.'

Light leather, rope belt, compass, etc.—explorer class.

'No way...'

Eyes narrowed.

'Yukhap's strength: info net via members and outsider explorers.'

Puzzle fit.

'He's a recruited explorer. Got it.'

I smirked unwittingly.

'Innocent face, naughty deeds. Not Yukhap hunting target—Yukhap hunting him.'

Simple: Yukhap craves info. He learned something during collection.

Big enough for pursuit—not trivial.

"Name?"

"Yoon... Nam-gung Yun."

"Any weird alert entering?"

"Y-Yes... First discoverer."

"Right. How long in?"

"Less than a day."

"Lucky."

"Yeah, thought trapped forever."

'Lies.'

I smirked. Desperate to escape? Die and respawn.

Penalty better than trapped.

'Why no death...'

Death drops inventory items probabilistically.

He risked that.

Explains Yukhap tie.

"Not you. Me."

"...Huh?"

His ordeal? Not my problem.

"I'm the lucky one."

First discoverer perk: one week.

"Anything, huh?"

I smiled faintly, satisfied.

'Found way to level swordsmanship.'