Chapter 52: How to Kill The Worm(1)

[Magic Alarm]

• A bracelet-shaped alarm. When the orb connected by a magic signal breaks, the color of the bracelet turns red.
  Except in places with strong magic waves or chaos, the signal can be received without distance restrictions.
• Item Grade: Rare
• Durability 80

The gift Wilson gave was one bracelet and three orbs no bigger than a thumbnail.

“Breaking the orb changes the bracelet’s color?”

Suho asked.

“That’s right. It generates magic waves, so it can be detected even outside the dimensional gate—if the gate is open. Give one orb each to your fellow tribe members before you go.”

“Thanks, Wilson.”

“Thank you more. The movies you put on the tablet are really fun. The different emotions make it even more interesting.”

“Glad you like it. I’ll add more once you finish those.”

If the interest fades, a Korean Drama will be deployed.

“I’m looking forward to it. Oh, one more thing about the alarm.”

“Yeah?”

“There are almost no distance limitations, but it doesn’t work inside dungeons. The strong magic concentration interferes with the signal. Also, I rushed making it, so I wasn’t careful with durability. Sorry. I’ll make a sturdier one next time.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just keep it inside my Dimensional Bag in the dungeon. Anyway, thanks. I think I can go a lot more comfortably now.”

He’d be able to know about any changes at home even while on the way.

After exchanging greetings, Suho withdrew from the TV.

One orb was given to the Dwarves, and one each to Bobby and Ondal Sora.

The three signal orbs were distributed.

“If all the orbs are handed out, let’s go! The chaos I’ve suppressed in my heart is about to be unleashed.”

Balryong nodded.

“Right, let’s go.”

Suho hurriedly left the house.

***

Sangwangryeon Dungeon Management Team Leader Hwang Byungsu.

He stood in front of the Sangwangryeon 2-Star Dungeon located on the outskirts of Seoul.

“It’s about time you came, right?”

There wasn’t much a team leader did while waiting outside a dungeon.

But today, he was there voluntarily.

The sound of an approaching truck came from afar.

Hwang Byungsu quickly ran to the vehicle.

“Welcome back, Hunter. How have you been?”

He bowed deeply at the Hunter.

Though his subordinates stared awkwardly, it didn’t matter.

They were sincerely grateful to the Hunter before them.

‘Thanks to Won Suho Hunter, those who died unjustly could at least rest in peace.’

Thanks to Suho, they could offer some comfort to the bereaved families.

“Hello, Team Leader Hwang.”

Suho recognized Hwang Byungsu as well.

“I’ve been doing well, thanks to you, Hunter.”

“That’s good to hear. Can I enter right away?”

“Of course. But what about the Collection Team? Should I tell them to prepare up to Sector 1?”

Though not as large as the association-owned 2-Star Dungeon, this place was also quite vast.

No party ever cleared it all at once.

They divided the dungeon into sectors based on monster movement paths, clearing each sector before moving on.

Before the monsters in a sector respawned, the Collection Team would gather the leftovers.

Of course, Suho didn’t need that.

“I have a Magic Backpack. I’ll collect everything myself on the way.”

Since he had a Dimensional Bag.

“Understood. I’ll tell the Collection Team to wait outside. We’ll need to do butchering work.”

“Alright. Then I’ll go.”

Hwang Byungsu accompanied Suho to the dungeon gate.

“Please be careful, Won Suho Hunter.”

Suho threw himself into the dungeon.

Hwang Byungsu watched silently.

Someone approached behind him.

“Team Leader Hwang, you’re here? You came out by yourself?”

It was Collection Team 2 Leader Jung Dongjin.

He was the one in charge of collection when Suho first entered the dungeon.

“Team Leader Jung, you came quickly.”

“The road wasn’t blocked. Is the person going in today really Won Suho Hunter?”

“That’s right. It is Won Suho Hunter.”

“You speak so politely.”

“Because I was saved by him.”

Jung Dongjin had also heard that Suho stopped the riot caused by 60-level Hunter Park Youngil.

‘He dealt with Park Youngil using the Lava Water, right?’

From the start, he had a feeling Suho was no ordinary person.

And he achieved something incredible in a short time.

“I told you from the beginning he is not an ordinary person.”

“That’s true. Jung, you were right.”

“But since he went in alone, it’ll probably take a while.”

“Who knows? It’s Won Suho Hunter.”

“You’ve really become a fanboy.”

“Because he’s not ordinary.”

Ah, Jung Dongjin repeated the same words, chuckling.

“Then get ready, Team Leader Jung.”

“Alright. I’ll have my team prepare slowly. Contact me as soon as Won Suho Hunter comes out.”

Jung Dongjin walked toward the Collection Team trailer.

Hwang Byungsu’s voice came from behind.

“Since the Hunter has a Magic Backpack, just wait and butcher. But be ready, he might come out sooner than you think.”

“Well, he’s really become a fanboy.”

***

Inside the dungeon.

A forest spread out before Suho’s eyes.

Three heavily wooded islands.

That was the layout of this dungeon.

“Throwing Monkeys will appear, throwing pine cones or strange fruits from the trees. Their throws are threatening, so be careful.”

“You want me to watch out for monkeys?”

“If you don’t want to, there’s nothing I can do. This time, expectations are high. Please do your best.”

“Krook — Show the power of great strength.”

Suho gave his equipment one last check.

The only change from before was that the cobweb bracelet was gone, and instead, a Petrified Flying Dagger was attached just below his left wrist.

‘The new equipment is still unfinished. It’s a pity.’

The gear the Dwarf Chieftain made with combined effort was incomplete.

He was still wearing his original shield and pants, only repaired.

“Well, at least I have the Petrified Flying Dagger now. Maybe it’ll make things a bit easier.”

Planning to test its performance, Suho headed into the forest.

“There’s one up in that tree. Let’s go.”

Suho ran.

Ta-dak—

He didn’t hide his movement, so the Throwing Monkey noticed him.

“Ukki—”

The monkey grabbed a pine cone.

Suho was faster by a step.

Swoosh—

The Petrified Flying Dagger shot out like lightning.

Boom—

The dagger, enhanced with [Intermediate Projectile Speed Increase] and [Lower Hit Rate Adjustment], hit the monkey in the stomach.

‘Not dead.’

The monkey was still alive.

The dagger was small to kill in one hit, and the monkey’s home was strong.

“This is why this function exists.”

Suho poured magic into the dagger’s thread.

The hidden ability activated.

Prrrrak.

The thread unraveled and wrapped around the monkey’s body from the inside.

“Come!”

Suho pulled the thread tight.

The monkey, unable to resist, fell down.

Suho swung his Flame Thorn Magic Sword.

Crack—!

The monkey’s head shattered, and a message popped up.

[You have defeated the Throwing Monkey.]

[Experience points gained.]

“That was easy.”

The first fight wasn’t difficult.

The Petrified Flying Dagger’s performance was excellent.

Especially the fact that it provided a useful long-range attack method was great.

“They’re coming.”

As Suho was enjoying his first battle, Balryong warned.

“I didn’t hide my presence on purpose, so please be careful.”

“Good. I’ll show the power of my deep meditation.”

The trembling branches revealed three enemy Throwing Monkeys.

Suho immediately threw the Petrified Flying Dagger again.

Prrrak—

Hit again.

Suho pulled the thread tight once more.

As the monkey fell,

Swoosh—

Another throwing attack came flying in.

“By the order of the great power of deep meditation, stop!”

A thick magic flowed from Balryong’s body.

A transparent magic shield formed in midair.

‘It’s a shield magic.’

The pine cone bounced off.

“Balryong, now!”

Suho shouted as he smashed the monkey’s head.

Swoosh—

The Petrified Flying Dagger flew, dragging one monkey down.

Suho finished it off with his Flame Thorn Magic Sword.

“Only one left now.”

But Suho didn’t need to step up.

“Freeze!”

Ice Arrow was cast.

Fwoosh—

The ice arrow shot and hit the monkey’s heart.

It ended its breath.

“Our Balryong can fly around while invisible!”

“Respect me. The day my power is fully unleashed, the whole world will kneel before me.”

Balryong spread his wings wide and soared high.

He tried to look stern but only looked cute.

“Don’t be so cute.”

Suho put the three defeated Throwing Monkey corpses into his Dimensional Bag.

Balryong still fluttered around, drunk on his own pride.

“Stop showing off and stay still.”

“How dare you speak arrogantly after seeing my power.”

That arrogant and stubborn personality.

If left alone, there’d be no end to it.

“But every time you cast magic you shout ‘Freeze!’ Why do you have to say it? Can’t you just cast it?”

“Th-That is a verbal magic. Of course, it must be mediated by a command…”

It wasn’t that.

Balryong’s magic amount was nowhere near enough for verbal spells yet.

Barely able to use ‘Shield’ and ‘Ice Arrow’ was the limit.

“Your words and magic movements don’t sync?”

“Ridiculous! Stop nitpicking and blame your dull senses!”

“Alright, alright, I get it.”

“What’s with that smile? I’m not in a good mood.”

“Enough. Let’s go. Something’s coming over there again.”

Suho pointed at the trembling branches and ran.

…

Two hours later.

[You have defeated the Throwing Monkey.]

[Experience points gained.]

[Level up!]

[Strength increased by 1.]

[Regeneration increased by 1.]

[Stamina increased by 1.]

“It’s over.”

Feeling pleasant exhaustion, Suho sat on the ground.

“Respect me!”

Balryong still fluttered fiercely before him.

“Alright, I respect you.”

That was a fairly sincere reply.

“The more we fight, the stronger you get.”

The more monsters they killed, the more Balryong’s magic grew.

Now he could shoot two Ice Arrows at once.

“Thanks to you, I cleared one island in just two hours.”

Two hours of nonstop fighting.

Suho had completely cleared one of the three islands.

Considering his leveled up 2 levels in the association’s 2-Star Dungeon before, this was incredibly fast.

“They’ll probably expect me to come out after clearing just one island.”

It was too fast and easy.

“You’re not planning to come out now, are you? I’m not finished yet.”

“Right, I’m not going out yet. Since I’m here, might as well…”

Suho’s eyes gleamed as he focused on the next island.

***

“This is great.”

Arthur’s demonic minion, the fiend Kojak, wiped blood off his lips.

“Yes, Captain. The fresh human blood is so fresh and good.”

“Ahahaha, I like the innards. Especially the liver.”

“Human meat is all about the muscles. The parts with muscle are delicious.”

The minions held their human meat and enjoyed their feast.

“Good, it’s going well. I will exterminate the northeast continent! I’ll cover everything in magic.”

The Human Extermination Operation commanded by Arthuru was progressing smoothly.

Kojak suddenly realized something.

“What about the Twin-Headed Troll I sent?”

That was the only piece of information he hadn’t received.

Kojak asked his minions.

“What happened to the monsters sent to the Balankar Mountains?”

The minions grew nervous.

“We sent the Twin-Headed Trolls, Goblins, Gnolls, and so on. Why haven’t we heard anything? Didn’t we discover signs of the Dwarves?”

Kojak drew up his magic and asked.

Finally, one of them spoke.

“There’s no news. We think Trom is so stupid he might have killed all the Dwarves and just stayed there.”

“Ridiculous!”

Kojak angrily cut off his subordinate’s words.

“Trolls may be dumb, but they don’t disobey orders carved into their magic. I clearly ordered them to exterminate the Dwarves, then return. If they had killed all the Dwarves, they should have come back!”

“Then the conclusion is… they were defeated by the Dwarves.”

The subordinate cautiously offered his opinion.

Nothing else came to mind.

Grrrrr—

Magic leaked from Kojak’s body.

Though he normally maintained control, when emotions peaked, he became a being consumed by murderous intent.

If Kojak snapped, many of his subordinates would die before the rage subsided.

One subordinate hurriedly spoke.

“C-Captain! I’ll go. Please give me a monster!”

He thought it better to face Kojak’s anger himself than watch others suffer.

Kojak accepted his will.

“Krrr— Good. I will give you a pack of Horn boar. Lead them and chase the Dwarves who fled to the Balankar Mountains. Find that dumb Trom too.”

The angry wild boar monster, Horn boar.

Kojak recently succeeded in corrupting a large Horn boar pack with magic.

But his subordinate, Jorbo, hesitated to reply.

“Captain.”

“Krrrrr— What is it?”

“The Twin-Headed Troll led the Goblins and Gnolls north, but communication stopped. I wonder if it makes sense for me to lead only the Horn boars…”

Bang—!

Angry Kojak stomped his foot.

The building shook as if there was an earthquake.

For a while, Kojak’s trembling lips trembled.

“I’ll release the Giant Ape. If that’s not enough, I’ll twist your neck and make someone else do it.”

The Giant Ape was a monster so strong that even ten Twin-Headed Trolls couldn’t defeat it.

With the ape, Jorbo was confident.

“Good. Go!”

“Roger!”

Jorbo ran out of the barracks.

***

“Kwaaaang—!”

A terrifying roar echoed from the treetops.

It was the leader Throwing Monkey, with a Patrified Flying Dagger stuck in its shoulder.

Vrrr—

The dagger’s thread was taut in midair.

‘Its strength is incredible.’

As befitting the dungeon boss, the leader Throwing Monkey’s power was formidable.

At this rate, Suho couldn’t pull it down.

But Suho had one technique left in reserve.

‘If you don’t have enough strength, just make more. Strength Explosion!’

His muscles twitched as he summoned power.

“Ku-wang—?”

The leader Throwing Monkey fell from the tree.

“Krook — Is it my turn?’

Ice Arrows appeared around Balryong.

Five in total.

Fired simultaneously, they battered the leader monkey’s body.

Tzzt—

The half-frozen leader monkey struggled.

Before it could retaliate,

Suho was already before it.

Flare—

The Flame Thorn Magic Sword shone with white flames.

“Haap—bih!”

With a breath, the sword struck the monkey’s knee.

Crack—!

“Ggwaaah—”

The leader monkey collapsed in pain.

Suho kicked off the ground and jumped.

Overwhelming strength lifted his body high into the air.

“Finish!”

The Flame Thorn Magic Sword fell towards the leader monkey’s head.

It tried to raise its arm to block, but

“Stop!”

Balryong’s ‘Hold’ magic activated, binding the monkey’s arm.

Crack—!

The sword split the leader monkey’s skull in two.

[You have defeated the Leader Throwing Monkey.]

[Experience points gained.]

[Level up!]

…

“Our Ballong, tonight hyung’s treating you to two! Big-size cola too!”

“And some fried chicken on top of that!”

Clearing all three islands and killing the boss was thanks to Balryong’s help.

Suho wasn’t planning to save money on chicken.

“Sure.”

With a good mood, Suho’s eyes landed on an item fallen beside the leader monkey.

‘There’s an item too.’

He was lucky.

If only there were no problems at home, he wouldn’t ask for more.

Suho smiled brightly and approached the item.