Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Into the Royal Tomb
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Unlike last time, there was no disaster where the exit was blocked due to separate clear conditions.
Gye Cheong-san approached with a puzzled look on his face at the sight of the party emerging from the rift far earlier than scheduled.
Yeon Sung-hun quietly explained everything that had happened.
Gye Cheong-san's face hardened immediately.
"…I'll lodge a protest with the Association right away."
Yeon Sung-hun quietly stopped Gye Cheong-san as he lifted his phone with a rigidly tense expression.
"It's fine, Team Leader. Let's hold off on the protest for now."
"…Do you have some kind of plan?"
"A ruin was discovered inside the rift. We plan to explore it slowly first."
"…I see. Protesting the Association carelessly would just leak word about the ruin too. Understood. We'll protest after the ruin exploration is complete."
Yeon Sung-hun spoke up again toward Gye Cheong-san, who nodded calmly in agreement.
"How much time until this rift breaks?"
"Calculations put it at roughly five or six days remaining."
"Generously speaking, that gives us about four days of leeway."
"You plan to make preparations separately before the exploration?"
"The ruins are one issue, but the sand worms are a problem too. Preparation is only natural."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded lightly in affirmation, then glanced toward the raid members.
They had already overheard the conversation between the two men, so they could easily anticipate the upcoming schedule.
"We'll resume the raid in two days. Rest up and handle your personal maintenance in the meantime. This will likely be the highest difficulty rift we've tackled so far. Keep that in mind and prepare accordingly."
Yeon Sung-hun wasn't simply talking about physical or material preparations.
He meant they should remember that challenging their most dangerous rift yet carried real risk—specifically, the risk of death.
No one present failed to grasp the hidden meaning in his words.
All of them nodded gravely.
Yeon Sung-hun silently watched the raid members for a moment before dismissing everyone.
After parting ways with the group, Yeon Sung-hun headed straight home without taking any detours.
He really ought to stop by the workshop first to prepare for what lay ahead, but he didn't.
Because he intended to resolve one of his most pressing issues.
'Our forces are too thin.'
He had felt it keenly once again during this rift exploration.
No matter how diligently Yeon Sung-hun prepared, he couldn't completely overcome problems stemming from basic skill gaps or personnel shortages.
To fully clear the rift they had been tackling—setting the ruins aside for now—he needed to take down the sand worms.
He could probably manage it somehow if he pushed, but there were too many variables, and the potion consumption would be immense.
That simply wasn't efficient.
Yeon Sung-hun believed recruiting more members was the most critical factor for this exploration.
But finding trustworthy comrades willing to risk their lives wasn't something he could accomplish in just a day or two.
With that firmly in mind, Yeon Sung-hun returned home.
The moment he stepped into the living room, he was greeted by the sight of his family and Han So-yul huddled together like one big happy unit.
Seeing the three of them stuck so close made Yeon Sung-hun forget his pounding headaches for a moment and chuckle softly.
He wasn't due back until tomorrow evening, so all three looked genuinely surprised by his early return.
"Oh? You're already back?"
"Early, huh, Oppa?"
"Did something happen?"
With all three firing off questions at once, it was hard to know where to even start.
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled for a moment before replying calmly.
"The schedule shifted a bit. Nothing serious. More importantly, So-yul, mind if we talk privately for a sec?"
"Oh, Sung-hun. So-yul's still just a student, you know. Hold off a few more years."
"…It's not that."
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head firmly and led Han So-yul outside.
She was sharp enough to sense from his demeanor that something had happened.
She asked cautiously.
"Is there a problem? Did someone from our chemical division pull something again?"
"No. That matter's settled for now."
Even if lingering resentments remained, as long as Yeon Sung-hun continued showing goodwill toward their group, clashes were unlikely anytime soon.
Even if Oh Young-gyu harbored vengeful thoughts, he couldn't act on them just yet.
Yeon Sung-hun had only recently handed over the intel extracted from Jin Sung-jun and his underlings to Oh Young-taek.
Oh Young-taek was probably too busy fending off attacks to do much else for the time being.
Imagining Oh Young-gyu's furious expression, Yeon Sung-hun let out a small chuckle before shaking his head and getting to the point.
"You, how long's your vacation again?"
"Is this your way of hinting I should stop dropping by the house?"
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head at Han So-yul, who looked genuinely hurt as she cast her eyes downward.
"It's not that."
"Then what?"
"Answer first, and I'll explain."
"Hmm. No rift raids planned for the foreseeable future. The guild keeps pushing me to come back, though…"
"On bad terms with the guild?"
"More precisely, it's the guild master. He keeps telling me to meet his son!"
Yeon Sung-hun frowned at Han So-yul's irritated outburst.
Meet his son? The intent was glaringly obvious.
'What kind of nonsense is that guy spouting to a kid?'
His opinion of the Hwarang Guild Master—whom he'd never even met—plummeted.
Judging someone based on one side's story wasn't wise, but Yeon Sung-hun couldn't care less right now.
"How old's the son?"
"Just started first grade in elementary school! Does that even make sense?! Telling me to go meet some little kid! What am I supposed to do with a child like that?!"
"……."
Yeon Sung-hun's lips twitched for a moment.
The words you're a kid too nearly escaped, but his tact kept them locked away.
Saying something like that to Han So-yul when she was already this worked up would only end badly.
'That said, the son's younger than I expected.'
The age was young enough that maybe the Hwarang Guild Master had meant it innocently, hoping she'd just spend time with his boy.
Yeon Sung-hun revised his low opinion slightly before shaking his head.
Either way, this wasn't the important topic at hand.
"So it's not that you really want a break. You're just protesting the guild master."
"…I do want a little rest? Oppa, you're really not hinting for me to stop coming over, right?"
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled at Han So-yul's pouty expression and lightly patted her head.
"Not that at all, so don't worry… Wanna do some work with me when you're free?"
"Work?"
Han So-yul tilted her head curiously.
Yeon Sung-hun continued toward her.
"Yeah. So, in today's rift…"
Once he calmly finished explaining the situation, Han So-yul nodded as if she understood.
"You're definitely short on firepower. So, you're scouting me right now?"
"Less scouting and more… yeah, let's call it a mercenary offer. I don't want to poach someone active in a guild."
He had no intention of dragging Han So-yul away and making needless enemies.
Of course, that didn't mean Yeon Sung-hun wanted to pass up such an outstanding asset.
'I'll recruit So-yul properly when her contract ends.'
For now, working together in a mercenary capacity felt right.
He planned to let her build rapport with the existing raid members gradually, like getting soaked in a drizzle.
She was already hooked on his potions anyway, so reeling her in wouldn't be hard.
Han So-yul pondered Yeon Sung-hun's proposal for a moment before speaking up.
"Sure. I've wanted to team up with Yeon-ah unnie anyway. And I'm curious about your raid members."
And with that, Han So-yul gladly accepted Yeon Sung-hun's offer.
With the addition of A-Rank Hunter Han So-yul—no, one of the top-tier A-Rankers—their combat strength surged immediately.
Objectively speaking, she alone outclassed Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su combined.
Even compared to Choi Yeon-ah, evaluations slightly favored Han So-yul.
Choi Yeon-ah might edge her out in raw physical ability, but without magic, her overall stability and versatility fell short of Han So-yul's.
The perfect addition—no need to hesitate.
Her inclusion made Yeon Sung-hun feel far more secure.
Their numbers were still low, but this should suffice for the rift and ruins ahead.
Finding more reliable comrades beyond this wouldn't be easy anyway.
Seong A-reum came to mind, but honestly, recruiting even her would bring more downsides than upsides.
Unlike Han So-yul, who could be tempted with potions(?), Seong A-reum was a different story.
Two days later, Yeon Sung-hun picked up Han So-yul from his house as usual and headed for the rift.
Having pre-notified the team of her joining, there was no confusion among the raid members.
They were just as awestruck by the celebrity arrival as they had been with Choi Yeon-ah at first.
"Hey, So-yul. Long time no see?"
"Hi, Unnie! But you closing the cafe killed me and Hae-eun's hideout. How're you gonna make it up to us?"
"I heard you moved the hideout to the guild master's house? He complains all the time about you treating it like your own place."
Han So-yul whipped her head around and shot Yeon Sung-hun a glare.
As if asking did he really? Yeon Sung-hun waved it off.
He'd mentioned it a few times, sure, but there'd never been any complaining.
"…Anyway, raiding a rift with you after so long feels great. Right?"
"…Yeah. It's been over a year."
"You still smash anything that bugs you?"
"Oh my. What kind of talk is that? The others might misunderstand."
"Everyone, our unnie doesn't throw hysterics anymore? She used to be legendary! I can still picture A-reum unnie headbutting in that mud pit!"
"…So-yul. Come here a sec."
"Eek—Unnie's bullying me! Save me, Oppa!"
Was it her bright, approachable vibe?
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, who had seemed awkward at first, were now smiling comfortably as they watched Choi Yeon-ah and Han So-yul banter.
This was probably Han So-yul's way of easing the tension.
Seeing how effortlessly she blended in, Yeon Sung-hun nodded approvingly.
"Let's wrap up the chit-chat."
Han So-yul, who had been chatting amiably with the other raid members, promptly shut her mouth.
The innocent playfulness from moments ago was gone.
She wore the face of a true hunter, just like when they'd first met.
'Not hunter-like—she is a hunter.'
He'd momentarily forgotten amid all her granddaughter- or little-sister-like antics.
She was an undeniable pro.
A far superior hunter to Yeon Sung-hun, even.
After gazing at her for a beat, Yeon Sung-hun turned away and spoke.
"I assume you've all prepared properly. So-yul… Hunter Han So-yul, you've reviewed the reports I sent?"
"Yep! Memorized them all!"
Was she surprised by his use of formal speech?
Or maybe just pleased by the respect? Either way, she flashed a small smile and nodded vigorously.
She could still be so childlike in moments like that, drawing a quiet chuckle and headshake from Yeon Sung-hun.
"We have two objectives. First: explore the ruins. Second: fully clear the rift. We'll prioritize the ruins, but if we encounter sand worms en route, we'll handle them first."
With that, the Golden Raid Team—now bolstered by Han So-yul—resumed their rift exploration.
"A potion that blocks heat too… Oppa, what don't you have?"
Han So-yul marveled as she downed a potion the moment they entered the rift. Yeon Sung-hun smiled quietly.
He'd heard virtually the same question just a few days prior.
"Everything except what I don't."
"Incredible…! Save me some of these later! Gotta bring 'em for volcanic zone rifts!"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded lightly at her words and surveyed their surroundings.
The path to the ruins was fully mapped, so no major issues there.
All monsters along the route had been cleared as well.
Considering monsters' tendency to stick to their territories, no new ones would wander in.
'Not sure about the nagar village's status, though.'
The last they'd seen, the nagars had been locked in a desperate struggle against the sand worms, but Yeon Sung-hun doubted their village had survived intact.
The sand worms were on a level that made comparing them to nagars embarrassing.
They'd fought valiantly, but that was it.
A few survivors might linger, but they posed no real threat.
The road to the ruins should be clear.
'As long as no sand worms show up.'
Fortunately, they had Han So-yul this time, unlike before. The nagars had likely taken out a handful too.
Yeon Sung-hun figured they could handle it.
Finishing his thoughts, he led the raid members onward.
Moving cautiously in case of surprises, they fortunately reached the ruins without any fights.
As expected, the nagar village ahead lay in total ruins.
No signs of any survivors.
Chunks of meat and bloodstains littered the area, testament to their fierce last stand.
After a quick scan of the village, the party pressed deeper into the ruins.
Toward the chamber with that stone stele.
"So… where's the entrance?"
With only the lone stele standing amid pillars and rubble, Han So-yul tilted her head.
The other raid members looked equally rattled.
They'd gotten excited over the talk of ruins and a king's tomb but overlooked finding the actual entrance.
Choi Yeon-ah let out a hollow laugh.
"Guess we start by scouting the surroundings."
"No need."
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head lightly and headed to one side of the ruins.
Unlike the others, who hadn't considered it, he had already pinpointed the entrance.
He lightly tapped a protruding stone pillar a few times.
Then moved and tapped another.
He repeated the process several more times.
As the watching raid members started looking puzzled, the ground suddenly rumbled—ku-rung.
"S-Sand worm?"
"This deep? Everyone, battle positions—!"
"It's fine. Just the entrance opening."
Yeon Sung-hun calmly pointed to one spot.
Sand cascaded from a pile, revealing stairs descending into the earth at the ruins' center.
The raid members, who had been bracing for combat, relaxed with hollow laughs.
"…Talk about typical. How'd you even know how to open the secret passage?"
"Any well-learned alchemist knows the basics."
"At this point, I have no idea what alchemists even do."
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged lightly at Choi Yeon-ah's wry smile.
The party descended the stairs into the ruins' interior.
The passage was wide enough to maintain formation.
Yeon Sung-hun led at the front, illuminating the way with prepared lights.
As they slowly advanced down the passage, the raid members couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
"It's incredibly ornate."
"Fits a king's tomb. But for a place untouched for ages, it's amazingly clean. Not a speck of dust."
"Looks like a cleaning spell's in effect."
"Scale like this… Whoever was buried here must've wielded massive power."
Were they trying to shake off tension?
They kept up quiet chatter to avoid being overwhelmed by the unexpectedly grand interior.
Yeon Sung-hun listened absently while shining his lantern this way and that.
He knew this kingdom had boasted an advanced magitech civilization.
It had collapsed in endless civil wars at the end, but at its peak, it ruled vast territories.
A tomb for one of its kings wouldn't be carelessly defended.
'No immediate dangers, but…'
Yeon Sung-hun halted abruptly.
The raid members following his lead stopped as well.
"Guild Leader, did you spot something…?"
"Battle stations, everyone. Not a gatekeeper—a tomb guardian."
At his calm announcement, all eyes turned forward.
Beyond the lantern light, something gleamed in the darkness.