Into Irtelroger's Aquarium
"No one saw a dungeon coming at this timing."
Outside Edlen, in the forest. The two pushed through thick vines and underbrush.
-For real lol
-But isn't this place kinda stale now?
-Yeah, better to move on quick.
-Nailed challenge #1, we're done here.
Viewers chimed in with questions and suggestions for other spots. But Hanbit had different plans.
Sure, no info on it.
All dungeons near Edlen were mapped out in guidebooks and forums. Except one.
A still-undiscovered one.
"So, how far we going?"
"Just a bit more."
Leading the way, Hanbit checked his map and adjusted course.
"Ah, here."
Spotting familiar terrain, he headed down the slope behind. Stopping midway, he bent to clear brush and debris.
Crunch!
After a moment, a gray stone entrance emerged below the cleared slope. Eerie water sounds and a musty stench wafted from inside, stirring memories.
"This some kinda sewer? Connected to Edlen's?"
Yeonwoo, helping clear debris and pinching his nose, asked.
Hanbit shook his head.
"Same builder, but totally different sewer. It's where the architect dumped all his desires."
-Desires?
-Stinks like hell tho;
-Oh, that kinda taste?
-Respect.
-Support.
-Total support lol;
Built a century ago, this sewer was Irtelroger's private project. He'd wanted a dungeon-like space all his own. Never released it before dying, so Hanbit always hit it first as the pioneer.
"...It's pitch black. You sure it's fine?"
"Scared? Stay here."
"W-Why would I be scared? I crush horror flicks."
Yeonwoo wasn't immune to total darkness. Back in the army, he'd dreaded entering base during night drills.
"Don't sweat it. Nothing to freak out over."
"...For real?"
"Real. At worst, weird cries echo or... "
"Bro!"
A light jab sent Yeonwoo into overdrive. Hanbit smirked, glancing upslope.
They tailed us hard.
No hiding it—groups of players dotted the area openly. Hundreds visible meant multiples more lurking.
"No guide for this dungeon, huh."
Yeonwoo fidgeted, trying to pull system messages. But this place had zero fanfare.
"Solo? Or party?"
"Probably open format."
"...Then what? Competitors everywhere."
-GG.
-For real, solo queue doomed lol
-This the content?
-Snipers everywhere.
Yeonwoo fretted over the incoming horde. Exactly the setup Hanbit wanted.
"Come if you want. But enter after I clear the maze. You'll copy me anyway, right?"
"Bro, serious?"
"Dead serious. Keep that in mind. I'm heading in."
Final warning given, Hanbit stepped inside. Yeonwoo, staring in disbelief, hurried after.
[Entering Dungeon - Irtelroger's Aquarium.]
***
Drip. Drip. Echoing water drops in the dark passage. A fathomless waterway stretched alongside.
Leading, Hanbit glanced back.
"Told you to wait outside."
"What? I'm good."
Sword drawn, Yeonwoo's voice rang awkward. Poised to swing, but one slip and it'd clip Hanbit's head.
A step further back, he opened his stat screen.
[Black Dragon-Lv.40]
[Title: None]
Strength: 30
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 30
Vitality: 23
Remaining Stat Points: 76
-Whoa.
-Wtf lmao
-Numbers are insane;
-Cleared 3 eps solo?
-I'm reset and grinding already.
Massive rewards from the main quest's end. Seeing it as remaining points hit hard.
Brief thought, then Hanbit allocated fast.
[Black Dragon-Lv.40]
[Title: None]
Strength: 52
Agility: 55
Intelligence: 52
Vitality: 35
Remaining Stat Points: 0
-ㄷㄷ
-Jack-of-all-trades done.
-High-stats jack tho;
-Total 194 beats Lv.100 lol
-Perfect vanguard stats.
Viewers exploded at the overwhelming numbers. Scout vanguard averaged 250— he'd catch up soon. Episodes flew by fast anyway.
Swish.
Deeper in, walls mixed with glowstones lit faintly, expanding vision.
Agony here first time.
Initial visit was hell. Not this path—sucked into the sea-linked monster entrance. That death? Absurd.
"Bro, how deep?"
"Resign yourself. Too late to bail."
"...Not bailing. Once studio kicks off, less time to stream myself. Gotta snag prime footage."
Anxious look, but eyes burned with passion. Dead serious about channel growth.
"You'll get one at least."
"Real? What?"
"Spoils the fun. Ghosts possible—watch out."
"Ghosts here? Just monsters. I don't scare easy..."
Thud.
Vibration shook the interior. Something moved.
"W-What?!"
"Dunno? Monster?"
"Right? Monster, yeah?"
Yeonwoo nodded, relieved. But.
Thud!
Rumble!
Distant noise closed in fast.
Thud! Thud!
"Huh? Huh?"
Faster rhythm—Yeonwoo whipped around. Hanbit yanked his arm.
Crash!
Ceiling crumbled. Debris atop: dozens of huge frogs with glowing red eyes.
"Gah!"
Yeonwoo screamed, grabbing Hanbit's arm and bolting.
-Insane lol
-Emergency!
-Gross af;
-Look brutal lol
Boom! Boom!
Earth-shaking pursuit. Frogs looked vicious.
Hanbit eyed overhead nametags.
[Distorted Marine Frog (Lv.30)]
"Gonna get caught!"
Forgetting it was a game, Yeonwoo sprinted like mad. Stamina maxed—now eating HP.
He's improved a ton.
Hanbit noted lighter steps amid the run. Stat jumps amplified it.
Thud!
Hanbit kicked off, accelerating. Yeonwoo's eyes bulged.
"Wait, bro! Why so fast?!"
"Told you pump agility."
"Not that level!"
-Run lol
-Blazing fast;
-Time to drop Roper.
-Won't forget. T_T
Yeonwoo wailed injustice, sprinting desperately. Hanbit spotted a fork.
"Bro! Why stop?!"
Yeonwoo yelled, arriving pumped. Hanbit pondered, then veered.
"This way."
"Got it!"
Thud!
Right path—they didn't go far. Front: monster swarm. Rear: chasers closing.
-Eww gross;
-Hordes lol
-Frog heaven.
-Food supply lit.
"Urk!"
Trapped, Yeonwoo backpedaled, hunting escape.
Hanbit tapped his shoulder.
"Hey."
"Aaaah! Yeah?! What?!"
Startled Yeonwoo flailed. Hanbit pointed at frogs.
"They're just monsters anyway."
"Huh?"
"Monsters. Not ghosts."
"R-Right... Why'd we run?"
-?
-Wtf now lol
-Lost it finally.
-Held out long.
Yeonwoo's blank face cleared. Hanbit grinned.
"Level gap freak you out?"
"I'm 32 now. Logged in whenever, hunted."
"Nice."
Yeonwoo eyed Hanbit's growth warily. Not rivalry—filming would suck if he got too busy to log in.
"You take rear. I'll handle front."
"On it!"
Thud!
Yeonwoo charged rear frogs.
Squelch!
Swing caught on tough tongue. Tug-of-war even.
He's solid.
Hanbit shifted to front pack.
Whoosh.
Wind swirled around him naturally. Sword out, one step forward.
Croak!
Lead frogs lunged weirdly. Hanbit read, slipped between.
Slash!
Diagonal sweep, light effort. Plenty potent.
Slish!
Three in arc split clean.
Ding!
[Experience increased by 3,000.]
-One-shot;
-No active needed;
-Stats OP.
-Weapon nuts too.
-Exp juicy.
-Dungeon life.
Simple hunt. Stat surge boosted more than body—sylph power sharpened too.
Thud!
Hanbit lunged at rest.
Splatter! Slish!
Bodies shredded instant. Wind gathering on blade surprised him.
Faster now.
Used to take time. Now streamlined.
Sword dancing, he looped to Yeonwoo.
"Bro! Too many!"
Holding, but numbers swelled. Influx doubled kills.
Hanbit two-handed grip, stance set.
"Ready."
"Huh?"
Yeonwoo glanced mid-focus. Hanbit slashed wide.
Shrieeek!
Crescent wind blade shot forward. Monsters couldn't dodge.
Splatter! Slish!
Cleaved passage and frogs. All in sight dead instantly.
[Experience increased by 40,000.]