Chapter 16: Ruins Where the Brightest Sun Sleeps (3)
Compared to the other Dark Dogs, this one was at least three times bigger, emerging from the thick dust cloud as the first to reveal itself. Then, its two grotesque heads, fused into a single body, dripped with saliva as if each had already chosen its prey. Its black eyes, darker than the shadows, keenly observed us.
‘This is insane! How is a two-headed dog that should be stuck in a boss room out here?!’
The answer was obvious, even without saying it out loud.
‘Ugh… It must be because I’m with Seo Mina. Did it get annoyed? Starting off with a trick like this!’
Honestly, I’d been slightly less tense since learning that this hidden stage had a tower structure.
Even if Lee Ji-hyung was up to something, I thought he wouldn’t start his tricks right from the first floor.
Besides, the stealth skill he’s using isn’t invincible.
“Rarrrgh!!”
“Aahhh!!”
What’s crucial now is to awaken Seo Mina while dealing with this two-headed mutt.
‘In a way, this is perfect. Thanks to it, I’ve got the perfect setup.’
And knowing that until I remove this Curse of Misfortune, I’ll continue to be plagued by this kind of trouble, I can’t afford to be flustered or scared.
After all, that’s exactly what the one who cursed me and this damn misfortune want.
I’ll turn even the bad luck cast upon me to my advantage!
〚He chuckles slyly, daring you to overcome this misfortune.〛
“You damn… Really!”
Despite my irritation, I couldn’t afford to let my anger boil over. I quickly shoved Seo Mina aside and rolled to the side.
Boom!
A black tongue slammed down on the spot where we had just been. I don’t know why a dog would use its tongue as a weapon, but one thing’s for sure: if I get hit by that tongue combined with its skill, I won’t come out unscathed.
“Damn it, seriously!”
I immediately pushed off the ground and repositioned myself behind the two-headed dog.
‘No matter how much I have mythical-level stats, I’m still outmatched in physical ability!’
A system rating of [F] means it’s developed at least three [F]-grade stats, and being classified as a boss means those stats are at least over 50.
Moreover, it’s a rare breed, stronger and more formidable than others!
“Seo Mina, snap out of it! Hey! You crazy idiot!”
Amid the chaos, Seo Mina, who had never experienced such fear of death before, was completely paralyzed by panic. She dropped her spear, and even her mana was unstable—clearly, she was no help in this fight.
Outwardly, I yelled harshly, pretending to care for her, but inwardly, I nodded.
‘Good. Succumb to the despair and fear. Until what’s inside you fully takes root!’
But the problem is that even for me, taking down this two-headed dog isn’t going to be easy. For any plan to work, I need to be in control.
“Fine, I was hoping not to use this.”
I had a trump card that I wasn’t sure would work, that felt ominous to use, and that seemed almost too unfair if it succeeded.
“First Wing of Arrogance!” (also known as ‘The First wing of Pride’)
As I activated the skill, a large wing burst out from behind my left shoulder. It radiated a brilliant light, appearing almost divine.
〚The First Wing is now operational!〛
〚While the wing is active, the rare stat: Divinity is manifested!〛
〚While the wing is active, a temporary +10 boost is applied to all stats!〛
〚Due to low proficiency, the operation time is limited to 10 minutes!〛
A satisfying surge of power filled my body, scattering radiant light.
“Screeeeech!!”
“Shrieeek!!”
And just as I suspected, I was right. This was a trump card that wasn’t part of my initial plans upon returning.
With the radiant wing unfurled, a holy light settled around me, and the two-headed dog thrashed and writhed in agony.
‘Got it! Now, I just need to guide it slowly!’
I didn’t hesitate or fumble. Seeing the opportunity, I methodically led it according to my plan, beginning a fierce skirmish.
I held a slight advantage, but I deliberately dragged out the fight, pretending to strain myself.
‘Come on, take the bait! I’ve set everything up!’
I wasn’t speaking to Lee Ji-hyung. Although I sensed him briefly within my heightened awareness, he wouldn’t reveal himself yet.
The one I was hoping to lure in was the Misfortune itself.
Unfurling the Wing of Arrogance was for this purpose.
With my stats temporarily boosted by 10 points, a surplus of power was granted, which Misfortune quickly seized upon.
〚Like it’s been waiting for this, the calculative Misfortune recklessly unleashes its newly acquired power!〛
“Grrraggh!”
“Kyakakaka!”
As Misfortune’s ill luck descended upon the area, the monsters that had been thrashing around in the distance suddenly began to move erratically, charging straight toward the half-dazed Seo Mina.
〚The calculative Misfortune laughs loudly, saying it’s just giving a taste this time, and shifts its target!〛
‘Perfect!’
My eyes gleamed as I subtly shifted my performance.
“Damn it!”
Pretending to hesitate, I lunged toward Seo Mina… then stopped short.
“Wake up!”
“Kraaaack!”
“Gyaaaah!”
Despite my exaggerated shouts, Seo Mina could only extend her trembling hand toward the oncoming two-headed dog, unable to move.
Boom!
The monster crashed into the wall, pinning her between its body and the stone. Even as it raged due to the divine light from my wing, she showed no reaction beneath it.
It looked like she had been killed in one blow.
“…Is it done?”
Seo Mina’s unique ability is the Seed of the Thunder Spirit [Legendary]. And like any seed, it will sprout and grow someday.
Awakening or blossoming—it’s a power that develops through stages.
And the trigger for that awakening is none other than… sustaining a life-threatening injury.
It uses pain as nourishment and her spilled blood as moisture to bloom into a radiant thunder.
But something felt off. Why wasn’t there any reaction?
“Damn…”
Did I fail? Did I just let her die?
And not just anyone, but a future SS-rank hunter, an exceptional woman at that.
‘She said in an interview that she awakened immediately upon facing a near-death situation, didn’t she?’
Damn it! This wasn’t part of my plan.
“Let’s kill the two-headed dog and see if we can save her!”
I quickly raised my fire sword and rushed toward the two-headed dog, ready to plunge the blade into its neck as it continued thrashing—when suddenly!
〚As unexpected power flows in, Heavenly Fortune awakens.〛
〚Heavenly Fortune pours its remaining strength into the caster’s desperate wish and someone’s intense will!〛
〚An unknown Authority manifests in this place.〛
Everything changed.
Filled with urgency and concern, I instinctively moved away from the Two-Headed Dog, sensing a chilling danger. The beast, which had been thrashing about with its tail and body while emitting wild shrieks, suddenly froze as if confronted with an overwhelming terror.
Crackle!
At first, it was just a small spark—hardly more than static, starting beneath the Two-Headed Dog. But that small current grew, gaining size and strength, increasing in intensity until—
KRA-BOOM!!
With a force like an explosion, it descended upon the area. And at the center of this storm, a body slowly began to rise.
Blood streaming from her head, her limp body was lifted into the air. And as soon as she opened her eyes, which had turned a pure white, a tremendous surge of electricity radiated from her entire being, starting from her golden hair and striking the Two-Headed Dog.
Zzzt!
“Gurrraaaa!”
“Gyyyaahh!”
The Two-Headed Dog couldn’t flee or block the attack; it simply endured the assault. Its two heads foamed at the mouth, unable to move, until finally, just before it drew its last breath, the electricity emanating from Seo Mina abruptly ceased, as if a breaker had been flipped.
“…Finish…ed…”
I caught her as she collapsed, laying her down gently, and then immediately swung my sword to sever the necks of the unconscious Two-Headed Dog.
〚Successfully completed the raid of Rare-Rank [F] LV 21, Stage-1 Boss: Two-Headed Dog Steeped in Darkness!〛
〚Rewards are determined based on contribution!〛
〚Contributions:
1st Place: Seo Mina – 54% 2nd Place: Shin Juha – 46%〛
〚Rewards: 99 Purple Coins, [F] Rank Magic Stones ×3, Essence of Darkness [Rare-F+] ×3〛
〚Experience Points: 300〛
〚Level Up!〛
〚You have earned 1 bonus point.〛
As the monster died, a system window appeared, fireworks bursting as the rewards were calculated. But I first checked on Seo Mina, who lay panting heavily.
“…Are you alright?”
“Yes, in fact, my unique ability has evolved. Thank you for bringing me here. I’ve learned so much already.”
Seo Mina seemed to be recovering, pulling out a potion from her pocket space and drinking it as she stood up.
“I won’t hold you back with such a pathetic display again.”
She then bowed deeply, apologizing with sincerity. Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but chuckle at how foolish my earlier worries had been.
“Good job.”
I laid her back down gently as she caught her breath, and for a moment, I looked up at the sky.
‘Thank you.’
In my thoughts, I directed my gratitude toward Heavenly Fortune, which had fallen silent once more, as if asleep.
“But why was the boss wandering around the ruins instead of staying in its boss room?”
“That’s a good question. Why indeed?”
I replied, my eyes growing cold. As I thought back to the sensation I’d felt earlier, when the Mugeuk stat had been strengthened by the angelic wings, I made sure to engrave in my mind the presence of one other person besides myself and Seo Mina.
“It seems like someone deliberately targeted us, trying to kill us.”
“Are you saying there’s someone else here besides us?”
“…Possibly, or maybe not. Anyway, what rewards did you receive?”
I deflected the conversation, deliberately shifting her focus away from this topic, while I began planning in my mind how to catch this damned intruder.
***
‘This is insane! Insane! INSANE!’
Lee Ji-hyung, the mysterious figure, cursed repeatedly in his mind as he hurried through the ruins, gritting his teeth.
He hadn’t intended to kill anyone. He just wanted to mess with that unlucky Shin Juha a little, so he lured the boss out of its room to the outside.
After all, even though he was equipped with rare stealth gear, the Scout Team Leader’s instructions to him were clear: Follow Shin Juha, and when the time is right, offer him a recruitment proposal.
He just hadn’t expected Shin Juha to find a hidden stage—something even the highest-ranking hunters rarely encounter—and enter it. And seeing that Seo Mina, whom he admired at first sight, had joined him, he acted out of jealousy, trying to toy with them.
He hadn’t meant to kill anyone. Certainly not Seo Mina, and not even Shin Juha.
Yet the vision of Seo Mina’s body being crushed between the Two-Headed Dog’s massive form and the wall lingered in his mind, tormenting him.
‘Damn it! Damn it! If this is the case… there’s no choice.’
Having put enough distance between himself and Shin Juha and the mad boss, Lee Ji-hyung carefully pulled out a contract that the Scouter Team Leader had given him…
And promptly set it aflame with magic.
“I guess I’ll just have to say he refused the offer… and that I killed him for the future.”
Even the Scouter Team Leader wasn’t fond of Shin Juha, who had overshadowed his debut. And hadn’t he hinted that if Shin Juha refused the deal, he should be eliminated?
All he needed to do was lie smoothly and play it off. After all, murder in the Abyss—especially in a hidden stage like this one—would be the perfect crime.
‘Yeah, as long as Shin Juha dies, it’s over.’
Lee Ji-hyung turned to head back toward the place where Shin Juha had been fighting, planning to finish the job.
At that moment, as the Two-Headed Dog perished, a choice window appeared before him.
〚No contribution detected. As a reward for clearing the first floor, you have received an Escape Stone ×1.〛
〚Would you like to proceed to the 2nd floor or escape?〛
“That bastard will probably go up.”
Shin Juha’s strength, his calm judgment, and the courage to face a boss without flinching…
“Maybe that bastard Shin Juha even killed the boss and saved Mina!”
But it was too late.
He now had to kill Shin Juha, and eliminate Seo Mina, who could become a witness.
‘Or… maybe I can force them to stay together. Yeah, that’s it! Shin Juha probably brought her along as bait! He must be planning to use her as a lure! So… maybe I can still persuade him first.’
After that, he’d decide whether or not to spare Seo Mina.
Yes, in Lee Ji-hyung’s mind, the decision to kill Shin Juha was already made. The only thing he hesitated over was whether to let Seo Mina live.
With this thought, he took out and checked a few items from his pocket, then spoke aloud.
“I’m going up!”
〚Proceeding to the 2nd floor!〛
With a flash of light, he was transported to the 2nd floor.
—
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