Chapter 20: The Midnight Intruder (3)

“Since we dealt with one guy outside the Dungeon, shouldn’t there be only one left inside?”

Suho frowned at Balryong’s question.

“Yeah, so why are there two?”

Even by Suho’s senses, he could clearly detect two people.

“Just so you know, I’m almost out of mana.”

Balryong’s mana had been drained by the Confession Skill.

“You weren’t as much help as I expected.”

“Hmph! Thanks to me…”

“Enough. We’ll ambush them before they notice. Here, take this.”

Suho pulled a palm-sized device out of the Dimensional Bag.

[Paralysis Poison Needle]

• A device that fires poison needles coated with paralysis poison. Can be recharged and used semi-permanently.
• Item Grade: Normal
• Physical Attack Power 20
• [Poison Needle Shot]
• Remaining Poison Needles: 2/5

“This must be what the intruder was using.”

“Yeah. There’s enough for two shots, so when I ambush them, you fire this. One shot per guy.”

“Not a bad plan. Fine, I’ll lend you my strength.”

“Let’s go. Get ready.”

Balryong nodded.

Suho dashed forward, pushing off the ground.

Tatadak—

Suho didn’t bother to hide his presence.

He wanted to draw their attention to himself.

“Hey—”

“What the hell is that guy?”

A shout came from the guards.

‘Park Dongsik is Balryong’s target.’

Park Dongsik wasn’t much of a threat.

The one to watch out for was the guy beside him.

Following the feeling from his senses, Suho charged at Jo Kyungsoo.

“You, you bastard—!”

Only then did Park Dongsik recognize Suho.

Thanks to his outburst, Jo Kyungsoo also realized Suho’s identity.

‘What the hell did Kim Sung-guk, that idiot, do?’

Jo Kyungsoo pulled out his Staff.

The blue gem at the tip of the Staff began to glow.

At that moment—

Pusssut—

Balryong, who had snuck up quietly, fired the Poison Needle.

The poisoned needles shot toward Park Dongsik and Jo Kyungsoo.

Ugh—

Park Dongsik was struck by a needle and collapsed.

But not Jo Kyungsoo.

Sensing something flying toward him, he quickly activated a Skill.

“Ice Wall!”

A Frost Wall appeared, blocking Jo Kyungsoo’s front.

The Paralysis Poison Needle hit the Frost Wall and bounced off.

Frost Wall.

A Skill that creates a wall of intense cold.

It could be cast quickly, had a wide area, and was useful for both offense and defense—Jo Kyungsoo’s main Skill.

Because the Frost Wall blocked the path, Suho’s ambush failed.

Suho glared at Jo Kyungsoo.

Meanwhile, Jo Kyungsoo was also eyeing Suho.

“That guy, isn’t he Dongsik’s training center buddy? How is he so strong?”

The Frost Wall, instinctively cast to block the needle.

In that moment, Jo Kyungsoo realized:

If he hadn’t instantly cast the Frost Wall, Suho’s sword would have gotten him.

That’s how nimble Suho’s movements were.

“But still.”

Jo Kyungsoo wasn’t intimidated.

He was about to graduate from a Second-Rank Dungeon.

There was no way he’d be cowed by some rookie.

“Ice Wall won’t break.”

Jo Kyungsoo was confident.

So he shouted boldly.

“You bastard, how dare you cause trouble in someone else’s Dungeon?”

“You should’ve said that before you tried to kidnap and kill someone.”

“So you know everything? Kim Sung-guk, that idiot, really screwed up.”

Jo Kyungsoo clicked his tongue.

He realized Kim Sung-guk had spilled the whole story.

Suho seized the opening and charged.

The enemy was a mage type who used Skills from a distance.

To win, he needed to get close.

Tatata—

Suho sprinted at full speed.

Jo Kyungsoo reacted immediately.

“Ice Wall!”

Jojjeojeok—

A Frost Wall appeared, pressing toward Suho.

Suho clicked his tongue and raised his brush.

The moment his brush touched the Frost Wall—

Suho quickly let go and stepped back.

The brush froze and stuck to the Frost Wall.

“Heh heh, rookie. Starting to get the picture now?”

Jo Kyungsoo sneered.

Suho didn’t answer and advanced again.

He kicked off the ground and leapt, but another Frost Wall appeared before him.

Suho didn’t back down.

[Fire Thorn Magic Sword] flared with flames.

[Flame Strike] activated.

Kwaang—!

Flame Strike smashed into the Frost Wall.

The center of the Frost Wall shattered.

“W-what? You broke my Ice Wall?!”

Jo Kyungsoo shouted in shock.

Suho charged through the gap in the broken wall.

But—

Jojjeojeok—

Another Frost Wall appeared right in front of him.

“Flame Strike!”

Suho swung his sword again.

The Frost Wall shattered, but Jo Kyungsoo had already retreated.

Tsk.

Suho clicked his tongue.

It didn’t look like this fight would end quickly.

“Balryong… is exhausted, huh.”

Balryong was sitting on the ground, seemingly out of mana.

“Looks like I’ll have to break through that on my own.”

Jojjeojeok—

There was no time to worry.

Another Frost Wall formed and pressed toward Suho.

Gritting his teeth, Suho thrust his sword.

Kwang—!

The same pattern continued.

A Frost Wall would appear, and Suho would smash it with Flame Strike.

At some point, both Suho and Jo Kyungsoo realized—

‘Victory depends on mana!’

Whoever ran out of mana first would lose.

Jo Kyungsoo was quite shaken by Suho’s [Flame Strike].

“How is a Skill he just awakened so strong?”

It seemed to have a fire attribute, too.

And that sword wasn’t an ordinary item…

But Jo Kyungsoo was still confident in victory.

“Well, still. Heh heh. Rookie, I’ll show you the terror of a Golem:”

Jo Kyungsoo grinned slyly.

A true Hunter’s equipment only got better with time.

Not just main gear.

Consumable items.

Preparing the right consumables for unexpected crises was also part of a Golem’s strength.

Jo Kyungsoo reached into his coat with the hand not holding the Staff.

He pulled out a Mana Potion.

A low-grade Mana Potion.

Much rarer and more expensive than Healing Potions.

That’s why most Hunters didn’t keep them on hand, but Jo Kyungsoo had one.

“I bought this just in case I got stabbed in the back, and now I get to use it. Heh.”

Jo Kyungsoo had many enemies due to his usual behavior.

Spending ten million won on a Mana Potion was paying off at this moment.

A moment later.

Jojjeojeok—

He cast Frost Wall again.

Kwang!

And it shattered again.

“Huff—huff—”

Suho gasped for breath.

Jo Kyungsoo was just as exhausted.

He realized it was time to use the Mana Potion.

“Because of this damn stubborn brat, I’m blowing ten million won.”

Jo Kyungsoo knocked back the potion, his head ringing.

He looked at Suho with a triumphant expression.

But just then, Suho’s sword glowed red.

And then—

Uuuung—!

Powerful mana surged from the orb embedded in the hilt and flowed into Suho’s body.

[Mana Recharge]

The [Fire Thorn Magic Sword]’s built-in Skill had activated.

Jo Kyungsoo realized what was happening instantly.

“Damn it all—!”

Suho asked Jo Kyungsoo with a lively expression.

“Got any more potions? I can do this a few more times.”

“…Shit!”

Like hell he’d have two Mana Potions!

Before Jo Kyungsoo could vent his frustration, Suho charged in.

Jojjeojeok—Kwang!

Jojjeojeok—Kwang!

Jojjeojeok—

The tedious back-and-forth continued until suddenly—

“H-hey, let’s negotiate. As long as Park Dongsik survives, I can take care of everything. Cleanly. No trouble after—”

Out of mana, Jo Kyungsoo’s words dragged on.

Suho didn’t answer and rushed him.

Kaaang—!

The final Frost Wall shattered.

“Sh-shit. Yeongil won’t just sit by….”

Puh-uk—!

Flame Strike blew apart Jo Kyungsoo’s skull.

“Huff—huff—”

Suho caught his breath in front of Jo Kyungsoo’s corpse.

He’d acted like he was calm, but he was exhausted too.

“Really, watching small fries flail around is quite amusing.”

Balryong’s voice rang out.

Suho turned his head.

“What did you do now?”

Balryong was sitting on top of Park Dongsik’s body.

But Park Dongsik’s state was strange.

“The paralysis was wearing off, so I broke his arms and legs.”

“…Good job.”

Suho approached Park Dongsik.

Just as Balryong said, the paralysis seemed to be wearing off; Park Dongsik’s face twitched, and he opened his mouth.

“Y-you psycho! You took down Kyungsoo-hyung? No way, this is impossible!”

He stared at Suho in shock, then, realizing the situation, screamed:

“You, you bastard! Do you even know what you’ve done? Do you know who I am and still pull this crap? Heal me! Bring a Healing Potion, you son of a—!”

Suho looked away from Park Dongsik.

“Balryong, let’s do that thing again. The one that makes him spill everything.”

“I’m completely out of mana.”

“Recharge with this. There’s some left.”

Suho handed the [Fire Thorn Magic Sword] to Balryong.

Balryong accepted the sword.

A moment later, mana flowed from the sword and was absorbed by Balryong.

Meanwhile, Suho pulled a Steel Spear out of the Dimensional Bag.

“With just this much mana, I won’t last long.”

“That’s fine, I only have two questions.”

With that, Suho began to beat him.

Pung-pik—

“Kugh—bastard, I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!”

Pung-pik—

“Damn it, my dad will kill you!”

Pung-pik—

“S-stop, please—please stop…”

“That’s enough. Let’s begin.”

At Balryong’s signal, Suho stepped back.

A spell was cast, and Park Dongsik’s eyes became glazed.

“Who else knows about what happened today?”

The first question, to prepare for what comes next.

“Me, Go Minho, Jo Kyungsoo, Kim Sung-guk. Just the four of us.”

“Jo Kyungsoo? The guy you were just with?”

“Yes.”

It was the same answer as what Kim Sung-guk had given.

A cross-check, just in case.

The only difference was Jo Kyungsoo was involved.

“That’s a relief. One less thing to worry about.”

Suho immediately asked the next question.

“Why did you do this to me?”

“It’s ridiculous for a lowlife like you to be in the same training program as me. My dad said so. Guys like you should be tormented, humiliated, and killed. You worm. When I talk, you should bow your head, or kneel obediently….”

He kept rambling, but Suho stopped listening.

“I expected as much, but it’s good to hear it.”

No need to feel any guilt.

Puk—

He drove the spear into Park Dongsik’s heart.

This time, he didn’t feel any bitterness.

‘I guess I’m getting used to this.’

Suho let out a short sigh and gathered his thoughts.

Then he collected all the corpses in one spot.

Including Kim Sung-guk’s and Go Minho’s.

“What are you doing?”

“Might as well, since there’s no turning back now….”

As Suho stripped the items from the bodies, he answered.

“Might as well take the loot.”

“Will those worthless things even be of any use?”

That’s the price of all the chicken you’ve eaten.

…Or so he wanted to say, but it’d be hard to sell them anyway.

The Yeongil Guild would be searching everywhere for them.

Instead…

“I’ve got a powerful collaborator. Someone who can turn useless stuff into valuable items.”

The high-grade item used by the guy who made the Frost Wall, [Attribute Amplification Staff], would make excellent material.

“Are we done here, then? Heading out?”

“No, if I’m going to loot, I’ll do it thoroughly.”

Eyes gleaming, Suho headed for the Dungeon Boss Room.

The Yeongil Guild had thoroughly studied the Boss’s weakness.

Suho had already heard it from Kim Sung-guk.

Thanks to that—

[You have defeated the Boss Monster Black Iron Golem.]

[You have gained Experience.]

[Level Up!]

[Agility increased by 1.]

[Agility increased by 1.]

Suho was able to defeat the Boss easily.

“That was easy.”

And conveniently, it was a golem.

A Monster that collapses if its Core is destroyed.

Knowing the Core’s location from the start, there was no difficulty.

‘It’s a shame no item dropped, though.’

The Black Iron Golem didn’t drop any Dungeon Drop Item.

But Suho wasn’t disappointed.

‘I’ll just take the whole corpse.’

Instead, he stuffed the destroyed Black Iron Golem into the Dimensional Bag.

When the Boss died, the Dungeon Core appeared.

Pakang—!

Without hesitation, Suho smashed the Core.

Gugugung—

The Dungeon began to shake.

‘The corpses will disappear as the Dungeon vanishes.’

Suho realized it was time to head home.

“There’s nothing left that could be evidence.”

Of course, the Yeongil Guild Leader wouldn’t just sit by when his son disappeared.

Maybe someday he’d end up clashing head-on with the Yeongil Guild because of this.

“But by then, I’ll be much stronger. Balryong, let’s go!”

Just as Suho shouted and was about to dash out of the Dungeon—

Balryong burst out laughing.

“Kruk, the Seal has loosened. Kukukuhaha!”

What’s he talking about?

Suho stared coldly at Balryong.

***

“I overslept.”

Suho woke up to bright sunlight.

After shutting down the Yeongil Guild Dungeon, Suho had changed clothes from the Dimensional Bag several times before returning home.

It was to avoid leaving any traces.

Thanks to that, he hadn’t fallen asleep until dawn, and only now opened his eyes.

And in front of Suho’s eyes, something was fluttering.

“I used way too much power yesterday.”

It was Balryong.

Despite all his talk about Seals, he looked the same as ever.

‘Seal, my ass. He just got a bit more mana, that’s all.’

When the Boss Monster was defeated, Balryong’s maximum mana had increased a little.

There was no message about Balryong leveling up or gaining Experience. But his mana definitely increased.

‘Should I bring him into Dungeons?’

Given how useful Balryong was, that might be a good idea.

But then he’d have to explain a lot to Jeong Hyunsoo….

‘I’ll think about it later.’

He could decide when it was time to raid a Dungeon again.

Suho postponed the decision and picked up his cell phone.

“You want chicken as soon as I wake up? Fine, wait a bit.”

It was already noon.

He found a chicken place that was barely open and placed an order, then grabbed some cereal and headed for the freezer.

“Whoa—”

Suho exclaimed.

Contrary to his expectation of construction noises as usual—

[A new exchange target [Light-hide Dwarf] has been discovered.]

A message popped up before his eyes.