Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Female Lead Saves the World
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Originally, the term "Millennial Cold Iron" was something that only showed up in martial arts novels.
But it had boldly appeared right inside the [Sejong Veil], transcending the boundaries of the worldview.
Just like this.
"Millennial Cold Iron...? It's supposed to be an S-rank metal. But what's this?"
Im Cheong-su pointed at a black lump the size of a small rock and asked.
Was it because she was past the age of reading martial arts novels?
She seemed completely clueless about Millennial Cold Iron.
"Isn't Millennial Cold Iron the stuff from martial arts stories?"
Lee Yu-chan touched the lump of Millennial Cold Iron with his fingertip, looking intrigued as he spoke.
The camera crew was right beside him, faithfully capturing the emergence of this new item on film.
The production-type Awakeners watching the live raid broadcast were probably drooling right now.
I already had someone in mind to handle processing the Millennial Cold Iron.
"Heh heh."
I crouched down next to Lee Yu-chan and placed my hand on the Millennial Cold Iron.
"It's cold. So cold."
It felt like pressing my hand against ice—the chilling energy of the Millennial Cold Iron made my skin tingle.
In this world where monsters rampaged and Hunters crushed them from above, treasures weren't diamonds or rubies.
This was the real treasure.
"Im Cheong-su, let's pack it up quick for now."
"Got it."
It was too heavy to fit in a regular sack.
But with Im Cheong-su's S-rank subspace, we could store this treasure safely, ignoring both weight and volume.
As we emerged from the tunnel with the Millennial Cold Iron secured, the rest of the guild members—who had been standing by in case of trouble—asked all at once.
"Did you find treasure?"
"Nayeo-ju's expression says something good turned up."
"Everything okay inside?"
"Oh, there was plenty. We found treasure, after all."
I answered Kang Han, then nodded toward Im Cheong-su, who was now playing walking safe.
"Once the dungeon raid's done, pick it up from Cheong-su. Lots of people will be after this treasure, so it'll be safest with the Guild Master."
No matter how underrated Kang Han was, only a tiny fraction of lunatics would rush an S-rank Hunter to steal an item.
It wasn't absolutely zero, which was a shame.
Just the Hunters who came to mind filled up one hand.
Anyway, we'd secured the most important prize—time to collect the rest.
"Here, one sack each."
I took several sacks from Im Cheong-su and handed one to each guild member.
"Pick up the items dropped by the goblins and wingbats."
"Can't we just toss them into the subspace...?"
Lee Yu-chan grumbled as he flipped the sack around.
"The design's kinda crappy."
This angsty teen was spouting something that could get him in big trouble.
"You have to use the sacks to preserve their freshness, Yu-chan. Quit grumbling and go collect them."
I waved one hand dismissively to shoo him off.
Seeing Lee Yu-chan's protests fall on deaf ears, the guild members reluctantly scattered across the dungeon to start harvesting.
I savored the spectacle of them gathering valuables, each holding a sack crafted by an S-rank producer, while sipping a stamina potion.
"What a sight."
Ahh.
This sound, like wind rustling through golden fields, was money flowing into the guild.
"Heh heh heh."
How much is all this worth?
My skill had squeezed the goblins and vampire wingbats so thoroughly that every guild member returned with bulging sacks.
"That noona's grinning like a pervert again."
"Every time she does that, I seriously feel threatened."
"Deep down, maybe she's not non-combat but mental attack type."
I could hear Lee Yu-chan and Im Cheong-su— who oddly got along—muttering.
"Harvesting, er, item cleanup's done, Guild Master."
"The dungeon floor... it's spotless."
"Of course. You saw me check for anything missed myself."
"...Yes, understood. Good work."
Kang Han's face looked profoundly complicated.
Why was that?
Was he trembling with excitement at the thought of money coming into the guild, just like me?
But that passed quickly, and Kang Han reverted to his Guild Master expression.
"It's been five hours since we entered the dungeon. From now on, let's move for a swift clear."
"Already that much time?"
Everyone reacted with dazed surprise.
The constant emergencies had kept our minds fully occupied.
"In a normal setup, we'd detect all monster presences the moment we enter."
Kang Han continued, eyeing the massive door to the third sector.
"But that door acts as a kind of barrier—we can't tell what's beyond. Still, given how monster ranks rise with each sector, prepare for A-rank or higher."
Kang Han finished and scanned the guild members.
"Everyone ready?"
Lee Yu-chan nodded silently, while Lee Yu-eul drew her machete and replied.
"She's good as new."
The wand that had flown like a spear mid-battle was unscratched, as expected of an imprinted weapon.
Finally, Jang Su-ho raised his shield.
"A bit battered, but I can fight."
But instead of answering, I stretched and yawned.
Ah, I wanna go home already.
Han Ji-seong eyed me curiously and asked.
"You all set, Nayeo-ju?"
"What's to prepare?"
I pointed at Kang Han and Han Ji-seong.
"We've got two S-rank combatants in our guild."
"Well, true."
"If it'd been some average small guild instead of us, disaster would've struck. Right? Called a C-rank gate, and suddenly B-rank variants pop out. Total disaster waiting to happen."
I raised my voice loud enough for the cameras to catch it all.
Me, making a little money.
Eh?
Scored some Millennial Cold Iron, eh?
Think I'd just let that slide with a smile?
I'm Nayeo-ju, not some pushover, you bastards.
"Let's wrap this up quick and head home, Guild Master."
Kang Han gave me another complicated look.
Why? What?
"...Then, advancing to the third sector."
This time, Kang Han took the lead, standing before the door.
His broad back looked reliable, but it also carried the tension of bracing for surprises.
"No need to tense up like that."
I muttered softly and stepped through the door the moment Kang Han touched it and it whooshed open.
"There's... nothing?"
The third sector was a vast open field.
Unlike the first and second sectors with their debris, tunnels, or signs of life, there was nothing here.
Just flat ground with a bit of dust blowing to greet us.
"Already cleared?"
Lee Yu-chan pushed up his glasses, sharply scanning the interior.
But all that returned was a low whoosh of dusty wind.
"I'll scout ahead."
As Jang Su-ho spoke and moved to go—
"Hold."
Kang Han raised his right arm to stop Jang Su-ho.
His gaze was fixed on the empty ground.
"Everyone, stay put."
Kang Han stepped forward alone.
One step, two steps, three.
The moment his heavy combat boot left the third footprint—
Ku-gu-ga-ga-gak-!
The ground split, and something massive burst out.
Right at the spot Kang Han had been watching.
"D-Dirt Dragon?"
"Wh-what's that doing here?"
"Dirt Dragon's A-rank!"
The guild members shouted in panic.
But no one moved rashly.
They all knew Dirt Dragons detected vibrations from footsteps to attack.
Even the camera crew stayed rooted at the third sector entrance.
Yet amid the tension, two people remained unfazed.
One was me, naturally.
The other was—
"Ha."
Kang Han chuckled softly and glanced back at me.
Behind him loomed the Dirt Dragon, gnashing its teeth as if ready to pounce, but Kang Han's shoulders had actually relaxed a bit more.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
An A-rank Dirt Dragon.
The same one Kang Han had one-shot in our simulation battle.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, really."
No, I didn't know back then.
That we'd be raiding this dungeon.
I shrugged innocently, conveying that intent with my expression.
Kang Han's smile deepened.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, I can't tell if you're lucky or unlucky."
Kang Han chuckled again.
"I'll be right back."
With those short words, he faced forward again.
As he strode unflinchingly toward the Dirt Dragon, pure electric currents coalesced in his hands into two spears crackling with yellow sparks.