Before him stretched a desolate, warmthless Indian village scene.
‘I see now why what happened beyond the Gate feels like a dream.’
Turning around, the Gate had already vanished.
Jiho too was momentarily bewildered, looking around, but the twins showed no unfamiliarity, as if this wasn’t their first dungeon.
“Is it over?”
Jiho murmured.
The coming-of-age ceremony had ended.
Only after speaking did it sink in.
The group had dwindled from five to four.
Seongcheol’s betrayal—and death.
It had been a harsh ending, especially for Jiho, if not for Taehoo.
In the single word ‘over’ that Jiho uttered, so much was contained.
How much could Jiho change from this point forward?
On a personal level, Taehoo found himself curious.
As Taehoo pondered those thoughts,
Ding.
The phone in his pocket vibrated.
Communication had activated as they stepped out of the dungeon.
This phone, specially made for Hunters, operated using mana as its battery.
It was a highly useful item for Hunters, as it never powered down.
Taehoo’s eyes scanned the incoming message on the screen.
- We have located the place where Seongcheol’s family is taking refuge. They must be inside the dungeon, but I thought you might need this information just in case.
- Da.
It was a message from Muncheol.
After checking the message, Taehoo opened the email, revealing a map with an address.
The address came with an explanation that it was the villa of the Cú Chulainn Clan.
Taehoo looked at Jiho.
Though he pretended not to know, Taehoo was aware of what Jiho had said when he plunged the sword into Seongcheol’s heart—his promise to rescue Seongcheol’s family.
‘Right now, this information is more necessary for Jiho than for me.’
Though Seongcheol had his reasons, Taehoo was far from generous enough to go out of his way for a traitor who had aimed at his back.
‘Still, if I don’t have to move myself, then sure. It’s no trouble, so why not let him hold a favor over me as well.’
Just as he had done at the watchtower, Taehoo handed the phone to Jiho.
Jiho looked at the phone with unsteady eyes but soon took it firmly into his hand.
He read the information displayed on the screen and then said,
“The northern European Cú Chulainn Clan… Thanks.”
Cú Chulainn Clan.
A Constellation frequently mentioned in myths and a family as renowned worldwide as the constellation’s fame itself.
After Seongcheol’s death, the life had vanished from Jiho’s eyes, but now a spark returned.
He seemed to ponder deeply for a while before cautiously speaking.
“Five days… no, three days. Could you wait that long?”
His plan was to rescue Seongcheol’s family before Jiuk noticed the failure.
Taehoo easily read Jiho’s intent.
“Go.”
Provided it was before Jiuk’s eyes caught on, meaning the party must wait here without reporting back to the clan.
Still, Taehoo responded without hesitation.
[What? You’re really going that far for him?]
Ba’al asked, clearly puzzled.
There was no real need to go that far.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even befitting Taehoo himself.
But,
‘I just think it’d be more satisfying to see that brat Jiuk get his comeuppance right now.’
[Yeah, that’s something I want to see too.]
If this information alone could land a hit on Jiuk, it was a fair trade.
The moment Taehoo gave his approval, Jiho vanished suddenly.
He had been given the information—and three days to act on it.
‘At least now he can lighten his burden somewhat.’
You couldn’t hold on to those who had left forever.
The living must live.
From now on, the responsibility lay with Jiho.
Taehoo dismissed his thoughts about Jiho and looked toward the twins.
He still had things to discuss with them.
“Are you two returning to the clan now? Or do you still have business with us?”
Taehoo smiled gently.
“If neither, maybe you’re more curious about me?”
Woobin shook his head, a little disappointed.
“We’ve lost our sight, so we’ll be retreating to the clan for now.”
They were not without curiosity about Taehoo.
In fact, they were more intrigued by him than ever.
Even the twins, called the Holy Ones, found Taehoo’s talent beyond imagination.
But that wasn’t enough reason to defy the head of the clan.
‘No need to push further here. We have an alliance, so there will be other chances.’
Woobin exchanged glances with Woojin and came to that conclusion.
Besides, Taehoo’s strength was a wall too high for the twins to cross, and his personality was relentlessly cold.
Trying to dig deeper into information about someone like that could cost more than just their lives.
“Right. That’s the wise choice.”
Taehoo smiled knowingly, reading Woobin’s judgment.
“Then we’ll be off.”
“Good. See you again soon.”
“Soon?”
Hearing Taehoo, Woojin asked again, but Woobin pulled his arm and hurried him away, ending the conversation.
Once the twins left, Taehoo was alone in the village.
[See you again soon? Planning to visit them personally?]
Ba’al asked on behalf of the twins.
“Not exactly, but we’ll have business to attend to soon.”
Taehoo stared in the direction the twins had gone and said,
‘It was around this time… when the Ju and Nam Clans joined forces for a large-scale dungeon raid.’
Back then, Taehoo was being treated as if he didn’t exist within the clan.
Though he wanted to forget those memories, the event was significant enough to remain etched in his mind.
Not only did the Ju and Nam Clans unite, but Namjin’s participation—who had long vanished from public view—was enough to stir up a rebellion among the people.
‘At the time, the media reported it was all for Korea’s safety, with the two clans cooperating. But I’m sure there was more to it.’
‘Otherwise, my grandfather wouldn’t have stepped in.’
Taehoo speculated the hidden reason might be an item inside the dungeon.
‘Well, regardless of the reason, I am curious to see my grandfather fighting monsters.’
Namjin, who had ascended to Half-God, had only been glimpsed in fragments until now.
This was a chance to see his power properly!
That was why Taehoo was determined to join this dungeon trip.
And if there were any items he could acquire for himself along the way, all the better.
[But if the two clans joined forces and your grandfather stepped in, then this dungeon must be tough. Can you keep up?]
Ba’al voiced a reasonable doubt.
Taehoo already had a plan for that.
‘Alright then.’
The situation was roughly settled.
Now it was time to check the rewards.
First,
[Horn of the Demonic Tribe]
Grade: ?
- Description: This is a horn broken off by the Nameless Legion Commander who abandoned his own name! The broken horn represents the commander’s determination!
Pure white ivory.
The scar on Kiel’s forehead was clearly the wound made when breaking this horn.
‘Grade is unknown and the description isn’t very clear either.’
He found it hard to interpret what it meant by representing ‘determination.’
Why would Namjin need such an item?
The question naturally arose in Taehoo’s mind.
‘He wouldn’t have asked me to fetch it without reason.’
There must be a reason, but Taehoo couldn’t guess its purpose at all.
Moreover, the description implied this horn carried the very uniqueness of Kiel.
How did they even know this item would appear here?
‘No use wondering.’
Since he had acquired the requested item, Taehoo could ask about it later.
He decided to check the other items.
[Nameless Demon Heart]
Grade: B+
- Description: The heart of a demon who abandoned his name. The energy he accumulated over a lifetime sleeps within this heart!
The description gave no clear clue as to what this item actually was.
The blue heart was as hard as stone.
Even when infused with mana or magi, it showed no reaction.
When Taehoo asked Ba’al, he too couldn’t say what it was used for.
[This is a reward for helping find the Nameless Legion Commander’s name!]
Only this message appeared on the System Window.
‘The System Window doesn’t lie. B+ grade means there has to be some significance.’
Though the item had been hard-earned, its use remained a mystery.
For now, the only choice was to store it safely.
‘I hoped for a special reward, but…’
Taehoo clicked his tongue in mild disappointment.
Still, he didn’t worry.
There were plenty more rewards.
Now to check the loot earned clearing the dungeon.
[Skeleton Core]
Grade: C
- Description: The core of a skeleton. Reacts to corpses! Useful for various explorations!
Grade C and likely of little use to Taehoo.
Next,
[Skebin’s Inventory]
Grade: C
- Description: An ancient book belonging to Skebin the Skeleton Summoner. A pocket dimension for storing items. You can open and close the dimension at will!
‘This could be quite practical…’
[Nightfall Sword]
Grade: A+
- Description: A sword gifted by the Sword God to a favored subordinate! It’s named Nightfall Sword because it cuts down everything as if with falling flowers! Can be carried anywhere! A sword made for channeling aura! Increases aura efficiency by 20%!
- Special: Stored within a pocket dimension! The wielder can summon it anytime!
As the description stated, the Nightfall Sword was also an item stored within a pocket dimension.
But unlike simply drawing a sword from a scabbard, this pocket dimension allowed only one sword to be taken out or put back at a time.
Yet this item’s description emphasized being able to freely open and close the pocket dimension.
As soon as Taehoo read it, he opened the pocket dimension to verify.
A space roughly two spans wide warped open, forming an entrance resembling a Gate.
Completely different from the size when pulling out the Nightfall Sword.
‘Confirmed.’
Without hesitation, Taehoo placed the Horn of the Demonic Tribe, Nameless Demon Heart, and Skeleton Core inside.
His hands felt significantly lighter.
‘This grimoire is an even better item than I thought.’
Taehoo smiled with satisfaction.
Only one item remained.
The final reward from the quest triggered by this dungeon.
Taehoo’s heart trembled as he checked the prize.
[Hero’s Gloves]
Grade: B+
- Description: Gloves given to those recognized by the villagers! The magical circle drawn on the gloves amplifies the mana passing through the hands!
Taehoo’s eyes went wide.
‘This is… real!’
Taehoo’s weapon was a sword.
Naturally, mana had to flow through his hands.
In other words, no one could utilize these gloves’ effects better than him.
Moreover, the black gloves matched perfectly with the coat Namjin had given him.
Without hesitation, Taehoo slipped on the gloves.
Clench.
He gripped the Nightfall Sword.
A surge of aura burst forth.
Vwoom.
The magic circle on the gloves glowed faintly.
It was a subtle difference, but the aura output was clearly stronger than usual.
In life-or-death situations, even small changes created power.
Taehoo was well aware of that.
For that reason, gloves that increased efficiency were definitely a good item.
‘A windfall.’
After hardships come rewards.
With the difficulty raised, the rewards had also increased, and a smile naturally formed on Taehoo’s face.
With a light heart, Taehoo returned the Nightfall Sword to its pocket dimension.
One last thing to check.
‘Stat Window.’
[Name: Nam Taehoo]
[LV: 23]
[Backing Constellations: ‘Sword God,’ ‘Ba’al,’ ‘Belial’]
[Coexistence of Good and Evil (temporary), One Who Has Struggled with His Life, One Who Understands Cheonjoongsu, Half-God’s Disciple, Chin Title Giant Slayer.]
[Hunter Rank: ??]
[Strength: 185 (+20), Agility: 172 (+20), Stamina: 173 (+20), Mana: 180 (+20)]
[Special: Please wait just a bit longer for rank calculation to complete!]
His level had finally crossed the 20 mark.
He had reached a point where he wouldn’t lose even against Jin Tae or Khan, whom he had faced in the arena.
Though they no longer existed in this world for comparison, considering the gap at the time, it was a tremendous leap forward.
‘The stats exceeding 200 is thanks to the titles.’
Any other Hunter witnessing this growth would be stunned by the sheer scale.
There was one more noticeable thing.
‘Looks like my rank will be revealed soon.’
The rank, which had never appeared before, was about to be displayed.
He had been curious about it ever since his return.
Knowing it was imminent gave him an oddly exciting feeling.
A Hunter’s rank represented their potential.
The higher the rank, the more experience points they gained from the same task.
That was why Hunter rank was so highly valued.
In other words, Taehoo’s growth could become even steeper.
‘Good news all around.’
Though the dungeon trip had been a sudden decision made at Namjin’s suggestion, the rewards were satisfying.
‘If it were always like this, I’d be running to dungeons more often. Heh…’
Taehoo chuckled to himself.
He had now finished organizing the party and sorting the rewards.
It was time to ask what he really wanted to know.
‘Ba’al said he abandoned his subordinate…’
Taehoo found that strange.
Ba’al was arrogant and sometimes careless, but he wasn’t irresponsible.
The Ba’al Taehoo had known was exactly that kind of person.
But the incident Kiel had spoken of was something Ba’al would never have done.
‘No, if it’s the Ba’al I know… ah!’
A sudden shock hit Taehoo like a blow to the back of the head.
He had met Ba’al five years ago.
Training at the Sanctuary, Jin Tae’s assassination, and this dungeon trip—Ba’al had always been by his side.
He had even believed they shared emotions, thinking he knew everything about him.
But,
‘What do I really know about Ba’al?’
Thinking it over, all he truly knew was Ba’al’s rank.
Nothing about his past.
What he thought he knew was just an illusion.
‘In five years, he never once spoke about himself.’
Even when Taehoo asked about his powers, Ba’al had vaguely brushed it off, claiming he couldn’t remember.
Had he just gotten used to it?
At some point, Taehoo had stopped finding it strange.
Why was he only realizing this now?
Since his return, he’d thought everything was falling into place smoothly.
Yet, regarding the friend who had protected and helped him all along, he knew nothing.
‘I thought I had broadened my perspective after returning…’
He still had a long way to go.
Taehoo slowly spoke.
“Ba’al, there’s something I want to ask.”
[What is it?]
He did not distrust Ba’al.
He was certain Ba’al had his reasons.
“What happened before we met?”
That was why he was even more curious.
“Can you tell me?”
Taehoo asked cautiously again.
[……That is.]
Ba’al paused for a moment before speaking.