Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: White Shadow's Wetland (4)
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'A cave?'
A terrain like a tropical rainforest, and there's a cave?
This was flat ground, not even hilly, let alone mountainous. Structurally, there shouldn't be any caves here.
"Are there hidden spaces in dungeons like this?"
"Plenty. No way to know what's inside until you go in, though."
"Like a treasure room?"
"It varies. Could just be an expanded area or a trap. Sometimes hidden monsters or items pop up. The one sure thing is some kind of reward."
"Reward?"
"Usually rare gear and materials. Rarely, stat points or skill rank-up tickets. Achievements are pretty much guaranteed."
"Then let's check it out."
Even if there were traps or hidden monsters, this was a C-rank dungeon. With B-rank Sin Ju-yeon and me, who was A-rank in stats alone, it shouldn't be beyond us.
"Did you find something?"
"There's a cave over that way. A cave smack in the middle of the forest—doesn't it just scream suspicious?"
"No need to take risks during practice..."
"Come on, what's the worst that could happen?"
Sin Ju-yeon hesitated a bit, but I grabbed her wrist and started walking.
"Hey, fine! Just let go of my hand!"
Man, why's she yelling like that? I flinched and quickly scanned around.
"What if you draw every monster in the area?"
"You could handle ten on your own easy. What's the big deal? Ugh, let go already!"
Sin Ju-yeon shot back like she was annoyed. That sharp glare of hers was pretty alluring.
But something had been off since earlier.
"Ju-yeon."
"What!"
"If you hate it that much, just shake me off."
"...Huh? Uh?"
"Your strength is way higher than mine. Why keep asking me to let go? I wasn't even gripping that hard."
It was true. Sin Ju-yeon was wearing gauntlets made entirely of metal from fingers to elbows.
My own gloves weren't thin either, and I'd only held her like a handshake. She shouldn't feel a thing. Why the overreaction?
"...Gonna let go or not?"
"When else am I gonna snag a B-rank hunter's wrist?"
I teased her with a sly grin, and she let out a deep sigh before walking on.
"Then whatever, keep holding if you want."
"...Huh?"
What? The vibe shifted weirdly. I stopped in surprise, and Sin Ju-yeon turned back with a blank look.
"What?"
"...Sorry."
Felt like I'd crossed a line. I quietly released her wrist. But Sin Ju-yeon's eyes darkened, her lips tightening slightly.
"Just walk. You know the way."
"R-Right."
I ignored the itch at the back of my neck and stared straight ahead. All I could hear was the forest wind and Sin Ju-yeon's footsteps.
'She wouldn't like me like that... So what was it?'
Still, thanks to hanging out with Yu-ra noona so much, I could kinda tell a woman's gaze or expression when she looked at me.
The look Sin Ju-yeon had given me wasn't romantic interest. I was sure of it.
More like pity? Sympathy? Nah, too much. Disappointment or regret, something like that.
"Here?"
"Yeah? Looks right."
Lost in thought, the cave entrance appeared before us.
A massive cliff jutted up out of nowhere. Hard to gauge its height or width through the fog.
"Just go in?"
"Probably...?"
Even Scan showed no extra info. Same for the surroundings.
"Wear this."
I pulled lanterns for waist and head from my backpack and handed one to Sin Ju-yeon. Light was dim, but both hands needed to be free for monsters.
"You're prepared."
Brought 'em in case we moved at night. Can't have shadows messing things up, so let's walk side by side.
I equipped mine too and entered the cave mouth. Luckily, it was wide like a four-lane tunnel.
Basalt walls and floor. Like Jeju Island caves? Never been, so who knows.
No monster signs, not even bats you'd expect. Just our footsteps echoing.
"Too normal."
"Yeah. No branches, gentle slope."
No joke—flat enough to drive on. Like a rural curved road.
'Is it really empty?'
Better than monsters or traps swarming, but I'd hoped for something after coming in excited.
Thirty minutes of silent walking. Suddenly, the path split three ways.
"Huh?"
"A fork."
"Does detection work here?"
"Hold on."
Scan only showed up to lantern light. No info. Smacking my lips, a fun idea hit.
'What if I rub semen here and use Marking?'
Location Tracking links with Scan for real-time info even outside sight. Wonder if it works on natural terrain. Worth a shot.
I sprinkled semen potion evenly inside the fork entrances. Then maxed Intelligence with full buffs.
'Activate all skills at once here.'
Side effects worried me a bit, but no monsters, and Sin Ju-yeon nearby. Should be fine.
Not just Scan and Location Tracking—High-Speed Calculation, Multitasking, Clear Insight too.
That instant, a new world unfolded before my eyes.
"Holy shit...?"
"What's wrong?"
I held up a hand to silence puzzled Sin Ju-yeon and steadied my breathing.
The paths beyond appeared like a vivid 3D overview.
Info overload should've strained my head, but near-300 Intelligence handled it fine.
First and second entrances: dead ends. Short passages under 100 meters. Third was over twice as long, ending not in rock but a massive iron door.
"Far right."
"What'd you see?"
"Door about 200 meters in. That should be it."
Sprinkled potion on the floor behind just in case—yep, our path back showed up too.
'...Basically a map hack?'
Not just shapes—full details. Rock composition, distances to entrance, space beyond. Everything.
Beyond the iron door: a vast open cavern. Couldn't see inside it.
"Ugh."
Deactivating skills brought mild dizziness like before.
Better than first time comboing High-Speed Calculation and Multitasking. No nausea.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
I staggered, startling Sin Ju-yeon into supporting me.
"Skill side effect sorta."
"Sit for a sec."
She eased me down gently and fetched water from her pack. Cool water helped.
"Phew."
"What skill did that?"
"Overdid detection skills..."
Can't spam recklessly. Only when safe solo, or with party maybe.
"Can you walk?"
"Good now."
Stowed backpack in inventory and stood. Destination close—no slacking.
"Just push it?"
"Probably? Sliding door style."
At the iron door, Scan gave nothing special. Brute force it?
We each grabbed a ring and yanked sideways hard.
Rumble—
Door cracked open just over a meter. Peeking in: nothing special. Gotta enter to trigger whatever.
"Wait, I'll go first."
As I stepped forward, Sin Ju-yeon grabbed my shoulder and strode ahead. So natural, no time to protest.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As she crossed fully, blue torches lit sequentially along the walls, illuminating everything. Like a hidden boss reveal.
"...Just an empty cavern?"
Hearing her puzzled voice, I leaned through the doorframe and looked.
Aside from flickering blue light on walls and ceiling, nothing. Sin Ju-yeon walked to the center, checked around, and beckoned.
"Something deeper in. Wanna check?"
"Nothing else?"
"No monster signs. Walls and floor look dressed stone."
Scan confirmed: no info. I hurried to her side.
"What do you think that is?"
Her pointed finger: a large stone block. Up close, a perfect cube carved with script-like markings.
[Those who pass the trial shall receive due recompense.]
"Those who pass the trial shall receive due recompense...?"
First time seeing the script, but Scan translated it. I read along absentmindedly.
Thud!
"Huh?"
"What was that?"
Turning: the iron door we'd entered slammed shut on its own. Then ceiling vents opened, spraying pale white mist like a fire extinguisher.
"Fog?"
"Nah, doesn't look like fog."
As we muttered, a transparent panel rose over the stone slab.
You have discovered the Lizardmen's hidden spawning ground.
📍 Objective: Escape before the Lizardmen swarm.
⏰ Time Limit: 2 hours
🎁 Reward: ???
※ Warning: Failing to neutralize the aphrodisiac gas will induce Berserk state! In Berserk state, overwhelming lust prevents rational action!
No way—that ceiling spray was aphrodisiac gas?
Held my breath quick, but white mist already clouded the air like drifting clouds. I'd inhaled some without realizing.
'...Feels fine?'
No instant arousal effect? Relief hit just as a strong grip clamped my arm.
"S-Seong-han..."
"Yeah?"
For some reason, Sin Ju-yeon—face flushed beet red—clung to my arm, trembling.