The Ritual Trap
The Association's sole condition for the trap-grade exam was simple: retrieve a gem only found in the quarry. It was a special mineral infused with mana—valuable as a crafting material for gear and exceedingly rare. That was the challenge. It looked straightforward enough, but with the site being a D-rank quarry, the difficulty was anything but low. And then there were the D-rank magic beasts. Party play was practically mandatory for this one.
A black shadow unfurled from Eugene's toes. It slithered across the floor, weaving between shattered rails and seeping along cracked rock walls deep into the tunnel. Sensations shared through the shadow. Eugene's gaze sank slowly.
"Three ahead, right-side passage. Cave poison spiders. Adults, all three. Two on the left wall, one hanging from the ceiling."
The magic beasts haunting the Collapsed Quarry. Even at D-rank, their venom meant no room for complacency.
As Eugene spoke, Park Dojin's expression shifted.
"That your summon?"
Park Dojin's eyes flicked to the elongated shadow stretching from Eugene's feet. Kang Mina's eyes widened slightly too.
"I almost missed it myself. It spread out like a shadow... right?"
Lee Hyeon-su glanced at Eugene wordlessly. More confirmation than wariness.
Eugene paused briefly before replying.
"Not some fancy official name. Think of it as a shadow-like support summon."
"Support summon?"
Park Dojin furrowed his brow, face full of confusion. Not surprising—few knew the Summoner class in depth.
"Not the type with a solid body. Low combat power, but specialized in terrain traversal. Good for scouting tight spots or blind areas."
Not entirely a lie. Just the truth trimmed down to what mattered.
Han Ji-hyeok pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Scouting specialist, got it."
"Close enough."
Kang Mina let out a small gasp of admiration. Eugene gave a curt reply.
"Whatever. As long as it scouts right."
Park Dojin still looked skeptical but grunted it out.
"Fine. Dojin, front. Hyeon-su, ceiling watch. Mina, prep for poison. Eugene, keep calling positions."
"Got it."
Han Ji-hyeok wrapped it up decisively, and Eugene nodded shortly. Brief orders exchanged, the party's tension thickened again. Conversation naturally died. Nerves made even swallowing audible.
Park Dojin advanced shield-first into the passage. Spiderwebs clung everywhere on the floor. Then—
One black shadow on the wall twitched. Body the size of a human head. The cave poison spider bared its maw, spewing white silk.
Shwick!
The web shot toward Park Dojin. But Eugene's shadow surged from the floor first. Rising like a black curtain, it nudged the web's path just enough—the strand stuck to the wall beside the shield.
"Above!!"
Eugene's sharp cry, and the ceiling spider dropped. Thwip! Lee Hyeon-su's crossbow flashed. The bolt pierced its side; the beast twisted wildly midair and plummeted. It screeched like nails on glass, lunging for Park Dojin's head.
Bam!
Park Dojin raised his shield and slammed it head-on. Impact echoed as the spider smashed into it.
"These bastards are quick!"
Then the last one slid from the floor-wall, flanking—not at Park Dojin, but at Kang Mina in the rear center. Eugene's eyes chilled. Shadow lashed out, coiling the spider's legs. A split-second halt.
Slash.
Han Ji-hyeok's longsword cleaved between torso and head. Fluids splattered; the severed body dropped. Simultaneously, the shield-clinging spider clambered up Park Dojin's arm.
"Move!"
Park Dojin gritted his teeth, smashing the shield into the wall. Crunch! The spider's body crushed between rocks. Tough and resilient, though—legs still twitching, alive. Eugene's shadow struck again, swift, binding all legs at once. Motion sealed, Lee Hyeon-su's second bolt nailed the head center.
Pfht.
The body went limp. Dead for sure this time.
Park Dojin shook ichor from his shield and approached Eugene slowly.
"Eugene, right? Sorry. Misjudged you on bad rumors."
He cleared his throat awkwardly, muttering low.
"Rumors are bullshit anyway. Whoever said Summoners are weak was full of it."
Eugene met his gaze. Unexpected—used to dismissal or doubt, but outright respect? First time. Words caught for a moment.
"No big deal. Summoner's rare, so easy to assume."
Eugene replied evenly. Formation reformed. He watched the four ahead silently.
They're solid.
Better than expected. Breathing synced well, tank and ranged balanced nicely. Impressively stable for a rushed party. The others moved like a seasoned team, at least without him.
"Not bad at all. Cleared the start cleaner than I thought."
Han Ji-hyeok said, and Park Dojin snorted, shield slung over his shoulder.
"Early stretch. Deeper in, this quarry gets nasty."
"Still, you tanked great back there."
Kang Mina chimed in with a grin.
"When it stuck to your shield? I was terrified."
"Scared of that? How you gonna support?"
"Say that, but I saw the goosebumps on your arm."
Park Dojin's face crumpled.
"Who said?"
"Just now."
"You saw wrong!!"
Kang Mina giggled softly. The awkward air thawed bit by bit. Lee Hyeon-su stared ahead, but his lips twitched faintly upward. Han Ji-hyeok chuckled too, glancing back. They meshed well—banter and vibe screamed long-time comrades.
This is a party...
No sneers or mockery. Just jokes and easy laughs. If he'd Awakened normally, lived ordinarily, maybe he'd fit right in. The thought tugged Eugene's lips into a faint smile.
"Keep this up, we might wrap quicker than expected."
"Hell yeah. I'm eating big after this."
Kang Mina rubbed her belly at Han Ji-hyeok's words.
"Skipped breakfast."
"Food's all you think about."
Park Dojin scowled.
"Important! Pass the exam, hot soup rice—pure bliss."
"Saving for wedding, but dreaming of soup first."
Kang Mina shot Han Ji-hyeok a glare.
"Different things!"
"How much you got saved?"
Surprisingly, Lee Hyeon-su spoke up. Kang Mina whipped around, stunned.
"Hyeon-su asks about this?"
"Curious."
She shrugged.
"Long way. Venue and all? Money flies. Gotta pass this for D-rank gigs—breathe easier."
"Lucky groom."
Park Dojin grunted. Kang Mina flushed, coughing.
"Well... good guy."
"Look at that face."
"What about you, Dojin?"
She turned the arrow.
"No begging at home?"
Pause, then blunt.
"Always. Kids cost more as they grow."
Eugene's gaze lingered.
"You have a kid?"
Park Dojin glanced back.
"Yeah. Six."
Kang Mina's eyes bulged.
"For real? Kids'd fear you."
"Cried at first."
He smirked.
"Now calls daily for toys. Sword yesterday."
"Buying it?"
"Post-exam payout."
Casual tone, but warm.
Han Ji-hyeok chuckled softly.
"Yours at least has reason. I just wanna cut loans."
"Leader got debt too?"
Kang Mina asked.
"Everyone does. Gear upgrades, meds, living—nothing left. Thought this exam'd ease it, but morning dropout had me panicked."
Han Ji-hyeok sighed shortly. Eugene listened quietly. Wedding funds, kid toys, loans, food. Hours ago, wary strangers. Now, just normal folks.
"Eugene?"
Kang Mina turned suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Plans after exam?"
Silence. Oddly unfamiliar question. Always next gate, next level—forward only. Never after.
"Dunno yet."
"Hah, like Hyeon-su. Man of few words."
Park Dojin tsked. Kang Mina giggled; Han Ji-hyeok shrugged. Banter poised to resume.
But Eugene didn't smile. Brief quiet. He stared ahead blankly, then spoke slowly.
"Got one. If I had to say... treating my sick family."
Air in the tunnel plummeted. No one followed up. Light mood vanished; Kang Mina's face turned cautious.
She lowered her voice.
"Family sick?"
"Yeah. Little sister."
"I see..."
Han Ji-hyeok didn't pry. No extra words—just turned forward quietly.
"Then we must pass today!"
Kang Mina shook off the heaviness, forcing bright cheer.
"Thanks."
Eugene smiled faintly. Started with suspicion, but now clear: decent people.
Then—
Scrrrtch.
Eerie sound from underfoot. Eugene's eyes sharpened. Floor. Crimson glow seeped from rail cracks. Faint lines like fissures spread across the entire tunnel floor.
"Wait!!"
Eugene shouted urgently. Too late.
BOOM!
Red light erupted.
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"Kyaaak!"
Party screamed belatedly. The pattern on the floor completed. Twisted lines and unknown runes blazed crimson-black; rampant mana crushed the air.
Eugene reflexively summoned shadow—but slower.
Flash!
Vision bleached white. Next instant—
Thud!
Eugene's body hit the floor. He gritted teeth, rolling up fast. Shadow spread late, black aura sweeping surroundings.
Not the quarry. Ceiling loomed endlessly high; faint crimson-black flickers everywhere. Like an altar site.
"Where... is this...?"
"Damn, what happened to the quarry—some bullshit place...!"
"Everyone careful! More scattered!"
Familiar and unfamiliar voices mixed. Eugene's eyes narrowed. Han Ji-hyeok, Park Dojin, Kang Mina, Lee Hyeon-su. Not just them. Dozens more around. Gear, clothes, ages varied. But one thing same: all exam-takers for promotion.
"All the exam folks...?"
Han Ji-hyeok muttered stiffly. Kang Mina scanned pale-faced.
"Where even are we..?"
Before words ended—
Thoom.
Black smoke billowed from the high front altar. Eyes locked there. A figure emerged slowly from the haze. Man in black robes. Pale face. Madness-glazed red eyes.
He spread arms wide atop the altar, like a priest welcoming long-awaited festival.
"Ahh... finally. Finally, this day has come."
Hoarse laugh leaked from his lips.
"Who the fuck's that psycho?"
Someone cursed. Obvious—no one sane looked like that. But he ignored, tilting head ecstatically, voice entranced.
"The lambs gathered here today are all blessed offerings to the Great One!"
Space froze. Han Ji-hyeok's face hardened; Park Dojin raised shield. Kang Mina swallowed; Lee Hyeon-su aimed crossbow silently. Eugene stared wordlessly.
The Great One.
Familiar, repulsive word. From Baeksa Guild memories, Choi Siljang's mouth. And here.
The man laughed, arms wide.
"When blood and fear, despair overflow—the door opens. Corruption spreads, He breathes again. And at last... He descends upon this land."
"Shut your bullshit! Real nutjob, huh?"
Someone snarled. Weapons drawn elsewhere. But he shook head mockingly.
"Fools. You are chosen. For His great will, you become one altar, one blood here."