Rustling Traps and Failed Betrayal
Rustle—
“Ugh!”
Shhh—
“Urgh……”
Inside the crevasse hidden in a jagged incline. The dim passage echoed only with the Department Head's bizarre groans.
-Mute this crap already;
-Why's his body so damn blue?
-He always looks like that in cold places.
-Nah, it's the debuff.
-Dude insisted on holding it himself, the idiot. lol
The chill spewing from the White Wyvern's heart continued to torment the Department Head. Yet he stubbornly refused to let go, clearly desperate for that Dwarf Blacksmithing skill.
“What's that thing's effect, exactly?”
Kim Jaeha, watching over the Department Head from the side, asked. The orb moved along with him, but aside from the cold debuff, nothing special was visible.
“You remember the info?”
“Yeah. It was kinda weird, though.”
[White Wyvern's Heart]
Rank: ?
Grade: ?
Description: A crystal where the White Wyvern's chill has condensed to its limit. The thick frost it emits hinders the challengers of the trial while also protecting them. It seems to have other uses as well.
The key points in the info were two-fold. One was the cold that both obstructed and shielded challengers. The other was that vague hint about additional uses.
“You see that?”
“Huh?”
Kang Hanbit pointed at the empty air, drawing Kim Jaeha's gaze. But there was nothing to see.
“What am I supposed to be looking at?”
“Those floating dust-like particles? They're all frost venom.”
“Frost venom?”
Kim Jaeha looked puzzled at the unfamiliar term. Avant-garde answered instead.
“It's a poison that freezes its victim from the inside out, leading to agonizing death. A space filled with this much frost venom, though... It's a miracle you're still alive.”
A rare poison like that was no joke to cure. Adventurers even said it was polite to quickly kill anyone afflicted by it.
“The cold from the White Wyvern's heart is special. It repels similar forces aggressively. That's how we avoid the frost venom.”
“Like a unique barrier, huh. So it blocks all cold damage?”
“No. Only weaker cold than what the heart emits.”
Hierarchies based on power were brutally honest, no matter the element. Even the best barrier would shatter against overwhelming force—like the techniques from a Snow Drake, for instance.
But even this had an opening.
[It seems to have other uses as well.]
The most crucial line in the item description. It was the foundation of their current plan.
Essential for surviving the Snow Drake. Essential for reclaiming the dwarven legacy.
Thud—
The group pressed on, sharing this vital info. The Department Head waddling along with the orb was impossible to miss.
“Ah, you shouldn't step there.”
“Huh?”
The Department Head froze mid-step at Kang Hanbit's casual remark, right foot planted awkwardly.
“W-what is it?”
“There are traps around here. Like landmines—might blow up.”
“You should've said that sooner!”
“Just remembered. What can I do?”
“You little shit……”
-lololol
-Hmm. Tough luck.
-If you're pissed, be more careful.
-Smart ones blow themselves up.
The Department Head scowled at the innocent reply. Something might be right under his foot. If he died here, no coming back—and no deal.
“Think of something quick! If I die, the whole deal's off!”
He bellowed wildly.
“Hmm.”
Kang Hanbit pretended to inspect the ground thoughtfully, then nodded gravely.
“Lift your foot slowly.”
“Huh? You said it'd explode!”
“If you're really careful, it might not. Can't stay like that forever, right?”
“Urgh……”
No countering that. The Department Head's eyes wavered.
“Hoo.”
He exhaled tensely, swallowed hard, and began lifting his foot excruciatingly slow.
“Please, please……”
The painstaking motion took over a minute. Finally, his foot cleared the ground.
“Yes!”
“Oh, didn't blow up.”
The Department Head whooped in genuine relief. Kang Hanbit gave a light nod and approached the spot.
Leaning down to check, he said coolly,
“Ah, wrong spot.”
“...Huh?”
The Department Head's face went blank. Kang Hanbit casually tapped the ground with his foot.
Tap— Tap—
No explosion, no matter how many times. It was just ordinary dirt.
“Eh, no harm if not.”
“You little shit...! You did that on purpose!”
-lmao x6
-Trolling habit strikes again.
-Top victim: Rainzer.
-Luxury side character whoa
-S-tier punching bag.
-Reactions are gold tho. lol
Recalling his efforts, the Department Head flushed red and protested. But Kang Hanbit wasn't listening.
“Better than the alternative. Come on, let's move. Get left behind, someone else grabs it.”
“You bastard……!”
Fury boiled at the mocking words, but he had to follow. Couldn't let another player snag the dwarven legacy.
“Hoo. I'll endure—as the adult here.”
Shhh—
His heat quickly faded under the orb's chill. His steps grew bolder now, convinced there were no more traps.
“The ground's changed.”
Avant-garde noticed midway. From some point, the texture felt subtly different—colder, rougher.
“Who gives a shit?”
The Department Head clicked his tongue and kept going. Kang Hanbit warned again.
“Might wanna be careful.”
“What, more bullshit? Think I'll fall for it?”
Snarling, he focused on the orb and stepped forward.
Splat—!
A crack split the ground, something bursting out.
“Whoaack!”
The startled Department Head fell on his ass—but kept hold of the orb. He frantically checked ahead.
[Snow Flower (Lv.1)]
“Ha, what the fuck.”
Relief washed over him at the name tag. A single flower woven of white crystals. A Lv.1 mob? Pathetic. No weapon needed.
“This shit……”
Crunch—!
He stomped hard, intent on crushing the monster that scared him.
“Easy, right?”
He sneered, slowly lifting his foot.
Snap—!
Suddenly, something grabbed his leg.
“Ugh!”
Vines erupted from the earth. He flailed to shake them off, but they tightened with every struggle.
“Fuck! What the hell!”
His legs were fully bound now. The ground heaved.
Groooan—
As it split wide, the enemy revealed itself.
[White Snare (Lv.113)]
Swish—!
A white flower atop a toothy maw, flanked by dozens of menacing vines. Luring prey with petals before devouring—just like a carnivorous plant.
-Eww.
-Look at that thing;
-He got caught, win-win?
-Tentacles?
-Vines, sir.
“Gaaah!”
The grotesque sight made the Department Head scream. He bellowed at his employees.
“Hey! Don't just stand there! Help me!”
“Ah, right!”
Taeyul's crew scrambled belatedly. But they had no time to spare.
Grrr—!
Monsters emerged everywhere. All over Lv.100.
“Ugh!”
“Hold formation!”
Outnumbered 2-to-1, and each stronger than them—strategy was a luxury.
“Don't move.”
Then Riwei, trailing casually, stepped up. He readied his spear lightly.
And—
Whoosh—!
He hurled it straight ahead.
Booom—!
The shockwave ravaged the ground, engulfing the mob. When it cleared, nothing remained.
-Click. lol
-Melting like slime;
-This is the vanguard.
-Equal to me or better.
-Delusions OUT
Clang—!
The spear returned to Riwei's hand. He sliced the last White Snare.
Sslash—!
“Eek!”
Freed, the Department Head hit the dirt again. Flustered, he scrambled up with an awkward grin.
“Follow me. I'll take point.”
Riwei led with his spear dangling. The group sighed in relief and followed.
Shwick—!
Sslash—!
Every monster that appeared died instantly.
Definitely different.
Kang Hanbit admired inwardly. Two years since RP's launch—no average player reaches that level so fast. Spear mastery aside, raw combat talent shone.
“Hmph.”
The display burned into the Department Head's eyes. Never this close to vanguard before, greed stirred unbidden.
Just win him over too, right?
He had Black Dragon on a leash with airtight blackmail. Annoying, but the power dynamic held.
But vanguard value dwarfed that. Better to ally with Riwei and backstab Black Dragon—poetic.
“Heh.”
A sleazy chuckle escaped.
Vanguard connections, hidden Dwarf Blacksmithing, revenge on Black Dragon and Kim Jaeha. All his.
“Ugh! Break for a sec!”
He abruptly set the orb down, calling for rest. Black Dragon just shrugged.
Stupid fuck. Your turn.
Cursing inwardly, he pulled up the system and messaged Riwei.
「Black Dragon lied to you earlier. This deal's from him assaulting me. I'll dig up info, so ditch the trash and team up with us. Generous terms.」
Sent. Riwei's gaze flicked to the air, hand moving—reading it.
Swish—
He turned toward the Department Head, striding over purposefully.
Yes, that's it.
Positive reaction. Teaming up meant a huge edge.
Step—
Riwei stopped before him blankly, leaned in, and whispered coldly,
“Don't cross the line, you trash fuck.”