Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Jungle Temple and Crocodile Swamp
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"I've heard rumors that traces of other civilizations sometimes show up in guerrilla gates like this."
Yang Hwa-yeon said as she ran her hand over one of the temple pillars.
I followed her lead and placed my hand on the relief carving on the wall in front of us.
The damp, cold sensation burrowed straight into my heart.
'No, maybe my conscience is just pricking a little.'
This forgotten temple was originally a dungeon that the Magma Guild would stumble into and hit the jackpot with.
In the novel, it was glossed over in just a line or two, but I remembered that the items from here were what propelled the Magma Guild to prominence.
'Well, I can make it up to them later with something else.'
Yeah, sure.
The stinging conscience quickly recovered, feeling as light as a feather.
And a thrilling excitement welled up inside me.
'Guerrilla gates really are the key to averting the apocalypse.'
The downfall approaching at the end of [Sejong Curtain] had already begun in the early stages of the story.
"It would've been so cool if it hadn't collapsed. What a shame."
Han Ji-seong said that as he found a suitable spot and sat down.
The temple ruins were intriguing, but there wasn't much left to see beyond the few square meters of roof that remained intact.
I plopped down nearby as well.
"Ugh, screw the temple—who cares? It's freezing."
Not being a glacial dungeon, I'd left the heater I'd bought for the last mining trip behind, and that was a mistake.
Han Ji-seong, who was naturally resistant to the cold, just seemed mildly annoyed by his wet clothes, while the other guild members were lying spread-eagled on the cold temple floor like it was the comfiest bed ever.
Being a healer is tough.
The chill from the stone floor and my damp clothes made me shiver now and then.
But it wasn't unbearable.
Once the rain stopped, we'd head out and start walking again, and I'd be sweating buckets like it was pouring.
'I can tough this out...'
Thud.
Something heavy draped over my shoulders.
It was a black jacket that evoked military surplus vibes.
A glance to the side revealed Kang Han, wearing only a form-fitting black shirt.
He didn't even turn his head toward me, his face utterly nonchalant as he stared out at the rainy jungle.
"Thanks."
I murmured softly and gladly slipped my arms into the jacket sleeves.
With his body heat trapping the warmth, I might actually survive this.
I pulled my knees up, rested my face on them, and closed my eyes.
The distant patter of rain, Kang Han's distinctive bittersweet scent, and his quiet consideration let my body and mind sink into a deep, brief rest.
After the rain stopped, we got moving again.
It wasn't cold anymore, which was nice, but maybe the chill would've been preferable.
The heightened humidity made it feel like hiking with a soggy mask plastered to my face.
"The healer's dying here."
I didn't even need to pull up my status window—every step drained my stamina visibly.
The few stamina potions left in my subspace tempted me fiercely, but I shook my head to fend them off.
No telling when combat might break out.
Save them for then.
"Too bad we don't have a mapping item for times like this."
Lee Yu-chan grumbled, and Lee Yu-eul whipped around from up ahead to scold him.
"Hey! Do you know how expensive those are? How could our guild afford one?!"
"Argh, I know! I was just saying it!"
Ah, mapping items.
The ones that drew maps, like in that united raid broadcast with the Tae-san, Nak-seung, and Mage Guilds last time.
'Damn it, should've bought one.'
As pricey as they were, it'd beat this misery.
But blaming anyone for not mentioning it would've been unfair—they probably never even considered buying one.
As Lee Yu-eul said, they were expensive, and until recently, the Justice Guild didn't even have a proper training ground; they trained by climbing mountains and uprooting boulders.
'When the hell am I gonna get used to the fact that we're debt-free?'
No matter how much I budgeted, my gut told me it'd cost even more, sending a chill up my spine.
"We're almost there."
Kang Han said.
"Didn't you say that earlier?"
"...This time I mean it."
Yeah, right, you sturdy S-rank.
My words and Han Ji-seong's had dwindled sharply, while the three hellhounds, still brimming with energy, were going stir-crazy from boredom.
"Let's go through the jungle woods~♪"
"Crawling along sloooowly~♬"
They were singing nursery rhymes to summon monsters or something.
As if that'll work.
"Past the swamp lands~♬"
"Crocodile packs coming ouuut~♬ Crocodile packs!"
And they actually appeared.
In the heart of the dense jungle loomed a massive swamp, and right where Lee Yu-chan pointed, a teeming horde of crocodiles swarmed.
I'd suspected as much ever since Kang Han and Yang Hwa-yeon mentioned the dungeon was oversized.
This guerrilla gate was a bit off too.
A D-rank gate meant the boss monster was D-rank.
So the minions should be E or F-rank, but two dozen swamp-dwellers all clocking in at D-rank?
Any normal small guild would bow out here—thanks for your service.
But Kang Han wasn't the type to not notice they were all D-rank, nor back off without trying.
Instead, his deep green eyes fixed beyond the swamp.
"Is that one... the boss?"
Lounging lazily on a flat rock, basking in the sun, was a crocodile.
Its size was easily three times that of the swamp crocs.
"You guys are in for it now."
Yang Hwa-yeon said, eyeing the Crocodile King.
"Doesn't look D-rank at all."
This sister has good instincts too.
Kang Han nodded, his face slightly tense.
The Justice Guild's current combat power was weak.
Everyone had key skills locked for various reasons or couldn't perform at full strength.
Even S-rank guild master Kang Han was no exception.
Average it out, and we'd land between D and C-rank.
So a boss like that popping up meant a tough fight ahead.
But the sight of a strong monster didn't dampen the team's morale.
"Yu-eul, take out the two in front first."
"Got it!"
At Kang Han's order, Yu-eul dashed forward.
The crocodile she charged, still gripping her blunt sword, roared at her.
Rooooar—!
Yu-eul struggled a bit at first.
Facing croc monsters for the first time meant it took time to adapt to their attack patterns and movements.
But only for a moment.
She dodged the snapping jaws with agile moves, stepped on one croc's back, and smashed its head with her blunt sword.
Grrrooo...
Once she got the hang of it, dispatching the second was a breeze.
"What? That was nothing!"
Reawakened to B-rank and with her second skill, Fighting Spirit, unlocked, Yu-eul had definitely gotten stronger.
"Han oppa, while you're at it, can I take on two more?"
"Sure."
With Kang Han's permission, Yu-eul deliberately targeted the two biggest ones nearby.
"Hot, hot!"
She got a shallow claw scrape on her leg mid-combo, but...
After cleanly taking down four crocs total and climbing out of the swamp, she grinned and came over to me.
"Unnie, I got hurt~"
Her height rivaled most non-awakened guys, and fresh off butchering four crocs, she was acting all cutesy—like a massive black jaguar nuzzling its trainer.
"Got it. I'll heal you, so quit clinging."
Body Healing
Consumed 5 Stamina to heal target's wounds.
Good thing the wound wasn't deep.
No lingering effects requiring a potion.
'Feels like the healing skill's quality improved subtly?'
Just in case, I checked my status window, but nothing had changed.
One-to-one ratio unchanged, but better effects?
Must be the system's proficiency thing.
Pays off grinding the healing skill on those training ground spawns.
While I patched up Yu-eul, it was apparently Yu-chan's turn.
Whoosh—thwack!
Kraaaack!
Whoosh—thwack!
Caw, kack!
"Whew, dude."
Unlike Yu-eul's clean kills, Yu-chan targeted their eyes—the one spot without thick hide.
Every arrow he loosed made the 'Activation Possible' blink in his status—reawakening wasn't far off for him either.
Five crocs lay oxidized black, arrows buried in their eyeballs.
"Heh."
Yu-eul took down four, so he got five.
"Han oppa, can I go one more round?"
Annoyed Yu-eul wheedled at Kang Han, but no dice.
"No. Su-ho's turn now."
"M-Me too?"
Jang Su-ho, who'd been quietly watching his comrades uncharacteristically, stammered tensely.
"I've got your back, and so does Guild Master Yang Hwa-yeon."
A bit of encouragement to ease his worries.
"Don't come back till you've taken out three, Jang Su-ho."
Followed by a razor-sharp order.