“No matter how much I think about it… this doesn’t seem like just ordinary food…”
It wasn’t just tasty. He could feel his chronic fatigue vanishing and energy surging through his entire body. Most importantly, the circulation of Mana, which was like a lifeline for a Hunter, had become significantly smoother.
“As expected… food made by an Alchemist is really something else!”
Ji-hoon Kim nodded, muttering to himself.
In the past, when the Elves settled in Sang-woong’s Land and produced various types of special Potions, Sang-woong had sent those precious items to Ji-hoon before the Taeseong Guild.
Ji-hoon was undoubtedly a Hunter recognized by everyone, but he had one fatal weakness.
His Mana Affinity was remarkably low.
Compared to other Hunters of the same rank, his total Mana capacity was woefully insufficient. Since Mana is the foundation of a Hunter’s power, having a small fuel tank caused serious issues, ranging from raw power to combat endurance.
Because of this, Sang-woong had sent Mana Potions to Ji-hoon first and on a consistent basis.
At the time, Ji-hoon could not help but feel puzzled by Sang-woong’s actions. These Mana Potions were not cheap, and their efficacy was far superior to the highest-grade Mana Potions circulating on the market.
Back then, Sang-woong had made up a plausible story.
He claimed that after retiring as a Hunter and moving to the countryside, he coincidentally met a great master of Alchemy and became his disciple, inheriting all of his secrets and techniques.
He had jokingly added that he discovered a hidden, immense talent for Alchemy and was now able to manufacture Potions that surpassed those of his master.
That lie was now naturally continuing into the present.
Ji-hoon burst into laughter as if the situation was absurd.
“Hey, are you kidding me right now? You met some grandmaster in a random mountain and received a secret technique? Do you really think that makes sense?”
He still looked at Sang-woong with suspicious eyes, scanning him from head to toe as if he were looking at a stranger.
Indeed, it would be strange to believe a friend who suddenly retired and moved to the countryside only to reappear claiming to be a miracle Alchemist.
However, he couldn’t simply dismiss it as nonsense because the Potions Sang-woong sent were so incredible that he had no choice but to believe.
Sang-woong just gave a good-natured smile.
“That’s what I’m saying. You have to live a good life like me to receive this kind of luck.”
Ji-hoon snorted.
“Good life, my foot! I lived a hundred times, a thousand times better than you, you punk! Anyway… you received a secret method from a master you met by chance in the countryside and discovered a hidden talent for making Potions? Seriously… isn’t this the plot of some third-rate martial arts or fantasy novel? Don’t you think so too?”
“I still can’t believe it either. But it’s the truth, so what can I do?”
Sang-woong shrugged his shoulders and responded nonchalantly.
Just as the bottle of Elf Liquor was emptied and Ji-hoon was about to pop the cap of a second bottle, Sang-woong’s playful demeanor vanished. He suddenly grabbed Ji-hoon’s arm with a serious expression.
His gaze held a level of determination that went beyond simple seriousness.
“Ji-hoon.”
At the low but heavy call, Ji-hoon narrowed his eyes, which were slightly hazy from the alcohol, and tilted his head.
“That Dungeon you’re going to this time. Let me go with you.”
Sang-woong’s words were firm.
Ji-hoon momentarily doubted his own ears. He stared blankly at Sang-woong with a bewildered face, wondering if he was talking in his sleep.
“What? You… in a Dungeon? Hey, are you in your right mind? You’re a guy who retired and opened a Restaurant to live well, so what’s gotten into you?”
Ji-hoon’s expression shifted from bewilderment to genuine concern at Sang-woong’s absurd declaration. They were once comrades-in-arms who faced life and death together, but now his friend was no different from an ordinary civilian.
“The thing is, I’ve been resting in the countryside and breathing clean air, so my condition is actually better than ever. Plus, I was bored, so I practiced my sword every day, and boy, my skills have improved way more than before!”
Sang-woong even put on a comical performance, flexing his arm to show off his bulging biceps.
“Most of all… ah, I miss Dungeon hunting! These days, my body is itching so much I can’t stand it! Please? Pretty please? Just to blow off some stress, let me join just this once, friend!”
He began to plead, clinging to Ji-hoon’s arm like a child begging for a toy.
Ji-hoon was flabbergasted.
“Hey, why does a guy who retired have such lingering attachments that he wants to crawl back into that harsh Dungeon! And do you think combat senses are that easy? You can’t just get them back by training hard! It’s dangerous, man! You’ll only get hurt if you go!”
Ji-hoon strongly dissuaded him, truly worried for Sang-woong. Deep concern clouded his eyes. He never wanted to see his friend, who had finally found a peaceful life, step back into a perilous world filled with blood and death.
But Sang-woong was persistent. He even went as far as to threaten Ji-hoon by bringing up a trivial weakness from the past.
“Hey, Ji-hoon Kim! I still clearly remember how you messed up and dropped my precious sword into a monster’s dung pile. If you take me this time, I’ll forget that memory.”
Ji-hoon pressed his temples and let out a long sigh.
“Sigh… Alright, fine. The Dungeon we’re going to this time isn’t that dangerous, so… fine. Instead, I can’t give you an equal distribution. The existing party members have their shares, you know what I mean?”
“Of course! Of course! To be honest, I don’t care if I don’t get a single penny. Just let me loosen up my body.”
“…Sigh, fine. Let’s go together.”
In the end, Ji-hoon threw up his hands in surrender.
“Instead! Absolute obedience to my instructions! If you ignore the Party Leader’s orders and act on your own, causing harm to the entire party, I won’t let it slide! Got it?”
“Of course! Yes, I will follow the Party Leader’s words entirely. Sir, yes, sir!”
Sang-woong grinned like a child and saluted.
Finally, he had seized the golden opportunity to personally intervene in the gears of twisted fate. Behind his sly smile lay a solemnity that refused to back down and a steel-like determination to save Ji-hoon this time, no matter what.
***
A few days later, as promised, Sang-woong joined Ji-hoon’s team.
The party members gathered at the Dungeon entrance welcomed Sang-woong without any particular dissatisfaction. It seemed Ji-hoon had talked to them enough beforehand.
Normally, it was difficult for an outsider—especially a retired Hunter—to join a party where skill and teamwork were paramount. This was because they could easily become a hindrance rather than a help.
The fact that they didn’t show any discontent was a testament to how much the party members trusted and followed Ji-hoon.
‘Indeed, he was such a loyal and dependable guy; that’s why he gave his life to save me in the past.’
Sang-woong muttered bitterly to himself.
“Now, before we enter the Dungeon, let me give a brief introduction. This is Sang-woong Park. He’s an old friend of mine and a comrade-in-arms who once roamed Dungeons with me. He’s joining our Dungeon raid just for today. I guarantee his skills, so he won’t be a burden at the very least. Don’t worry too much and just do what you always do.”
Ji-hoon briefly introduced Sang-woong to the party members.
“I’m Sang-woong Park. I look forward to working with you today. I’ll do my best not to be a nuisance.”
Sang-woong also bowed as humbly as possible to the party members. However, unlike his outward politeness, his sharp eyes were constantly scanning the team members’ minute movements, the condition of their equipment, and every detail of their tense manner of speaking.
In his past life, several of those standing before him had ultimately been found as cold corpses alongside Ji-hoon.
‘This time… I won’t let a single person die!’
Behind his friendly smile, a resolve as cold and firm as frost had formed.
A total of six Hunters, including Sang-woong, finally passed through the Dungeon Gate.
As they stepped through the Dungeon Gate, a chilly coldness hit them as if it were alive. The scent that pierced their noses was the cool yet bitter fragrance unique to a coniferous forest.
The ground was covered in dry red clay, and with every step, there was a *crackle, crackle* sound, like stepping on dry fallen leaves.
Aside from the slightly eerie atmosphere and the cold air against their skin, it wasn’t a threatening natural environment they needed to worry about.
This level of cold was no problem for Hunters who could manipulate Mana at will.
The main monster inhabiting this Dungeon was the Ganghudeo.
It was a bipedal monster that walked on two legs, possessing a muscular body that far surpassed that of a human, while its head had the appearance of an alligator with rows of sharp teeth.
In particular, the thick, blue-gray scales covering its entire body acted as solid armor, capable of deflecting most attacks. The sharp, hard claws at the ends of its unusually long arms were certainly enough to threaten Hunters.
However, because they usually traveled in small groups of two or three, they weren’t a very threatening opponent for a Hunter party that could maintain numerical superiority—especially an experienced team like Ji-hoon’s that had worked together for a long time.
“Sang-woong, don’t overdo it from the start. Watch the situation and join in around the middle of the battle. Got it?”
Ji-hoon, who was leading the party at the front, looked back and spoke softly.
“Don’t you worry. I have that much sense.”
Sang-woong replied with a sly smile while lightly stroking the hilt of his sword.
The first group of Ganghudeo appeared about ten minutes after they entered the Dungeon.
Three Ganghudeo emerged from between trees with gaunt branches, letting out low, growling roars.
Following Ji-hoon’s concise hand signals, the Hunters quickly formed a battle formation as if they were flowing water.
Two men acting as Tankers with shields and one close-range Dealer stepped to the front to draw the Ganghudeo’s attention, while the other agile Hunters quickly dug into the Ganghudeo’s side blind spots.
Sang-woong remained in the rear as instructed by Ji-hoon and observed the party members’ hunting style.
‘As expected of a party led by Ji-hoon Kim, their coordination is perfect.’
While the front-line Hunters effectively blocked the Ganghudeo’s rough attacks and secured their aggro, the Dealers who moved to the sides continuously dug in, accurately targeting weak points like the eyes, mouth, and joints where the scales were relatively thin.