Chapter 80
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Hunter Kim, who had entered the dungeon first, nodded silently.
The distinct smell of insect secretions.
Hunter Kim also identified the dungeon’s theme through his sense of smell.
He had heard that the part-time lecturer was a woman, and it seemed the representative wasn’t wrong when emphasizing her talent.
In contrast to this…
“Ugh, the smell.”
“This is why I hate the stench of dungeons.”
None of the rookies identified the dungeon’s theme.
They merely held their noses with expressions of disgust.
“Alright, everyone! Proceed as you’ve been trained!”
Clapping his hands, Hunter Kim gave the command.
Only then did the Dawn rookies steel their expressions and begin moving.
After briefly observing their cautious movements, Hunter Kim approached Si-hyun and spoke.
“What’s your rank as their guardian?”
“…C-rank.”
“Understood. Please ensure the students are safely managed, and I hope this proves to be a meaningful experience for you today.”
“Yes, I will.”
Faced with his polite demeanour, Si-hyun responded courteously.
As expected of a famous Hunter, he not only had a thoughtful impression but also impeccable manners.
Hunter Kim moved toward the rookies.
Si-hyun turned to the students and said:
“Let’s follow them.”
“Yes!”
The dungeon exploration began.
And the battle broke out in an instant.
Ratatatat—
“It’s an ant swarm!”
“The encounter’s too fast!”
“Hold formation! Let’s handle this calmly!”
The Dawn rookies began the battle with composure.
Swoosh—, Thud!
Boom!
While the ants noisily approached, two Hunters reduced their numbers from a distance.
Screech!
Kyek!
The melee-type Hunters at the front steadily blocked the approaching ants.
They remained calm as they decreased the number of monsters.
‘…There are too many bugs.’
Understanding the situation, Hunter Kim stepped in to assist the rookies.
For a moment, he considered the worst-case scenario, but it was too early to draw conclusions.
He focused on resolving the immediate battle with composure.
After the chaotic fight ended.
The Support-type Hunter, Yang Chae-uk, safely positioned in the rear, healed the two melee rookies.
The wounds on their bitten thighs disappeared without a trace, prompting one of the men to smile.
“Having a Support really is great!”
“Of course! Haha!”
Yang Chae-uk laughed heartily.
After completing their tasks and taking a brief rest, the group resumed their steps.
However, only a few minutes passed before another battle broke out.
“Left, at three o’clock! Ants again!”
“Let’s handle it just like before!”
The Dawn Hunters began fighting again.
Hunter Kim also participated in this battle.
The sheer number of ants appearing was excessive.
…And so, one or two more battles followed.
Hunter Kim pressed his index finger to his temple, deep in thought.
‘There’s definitely a special entity here.’
This was something Si-hyun, who had been observing from a distance, was already considering.
“Hey, doesn’t it seem like there are a lot of monsters?”
“Y-Yes… Is this normal for insect dungeons?”
“It’s not always like this. Does anyone know how long it’s been since this Gate appeared?”
When Si-hyun asked, Eun-byul raised her hand and answered.
“Um… I remember there being less than a week left until the dungeon overflows.”
“Ah, then that’s it.”
“What?”
“They’ve been multiplying over the weeks.”
“…”
The students’ mouths clamped shut in unison.
Si-hyun let out a bitter laugh.
Ant monsters came in various types, but they all had one thing in common.
Individually, they weren’t much.
They were just large, strong bugs.
But these creatures never moved alone.
They always operated in groups, with a clear command structure.
Judging by the numbers here, it was almost certain.
“We’ll probably see a giant queen ant monster today. It’s a pretty rare one.”
“Ugh… That’s not exciting at all!”
Eun-byul cried out in disgust, and Areum nodded vigorously in agreement.
After observing even Jae-woo’s stiff expression, Si-hyun moved forward.
The Dawn Guild Hunters, who had finished regrouping, were already setting off.
And in the next battle that quickly followed…
“Aaaaaah! H-Help me—!”
An accident occurred.
One ant had slipped away unnoticed, circling around to attack Yang Chae-uk from behind.
Caught off guard, he couldn’t even put up proper resistance.
He swung his staff but missed, stumbling backward as the ant bit into his ankle.
“Aaaaagh!”
Yang Chae-uk screamed in pain.
He swung his staff at the ant’s head to shake it off.
But the ant, using its strong jaws, clamped down on his ankle and refused to let go.
“Ugh! Let go! Let go, I said!”
“Damn it! I’m coming!”
Realizing the situation too late, Hunter Kim quickly assessed and swept away the ants in front of him using a combat skill.
He then leapt toward Yang Chae-uk to assist him.
Watching the scene from afar, Areum wore a doubtful expression.
‘…Is this right?’
Areum observed as Hunter Kim swiftly dealt with the ant.
Finally free, Yang Chae-uk, with tears and snot running down his face, healed his ankle.
He looked utterly pitiful, like someone experiencing their first dungeon.
‘Our professor is so different…’
Is it because he’s a rookie?
…Even so, he’s still C-rank, right?
He might be a rookie in the Dawn Guild, but for a C-rank Hunter, that means he’s been active for at least a year.
How could someone like that struggle so much against a single ant?
Areum glanced at the professor standing right next to her.
She recalled the professor’s dazzling performance in the undead dungeon, effortlessly dealing with rogues.
At that moment, Professor Si-hyun radiated brilliance, as if she gathered all the light in the world.
Areum turned her gaze back to Yang Chae-uk.
The rookie Hunters, having finished the fight, approached Yang Chae-uk to apologize for their mistake.
‘Is that what a competent Support looks like…?’
Confusion filled Areum’s eyes as she looked back at her professor.
Sensing her gaze, Si-hyun smiled at her with a look that seemed to ask, “What’s wrong?”
She was reassuring. She literally shone with light.
‘I want to be just like Professor Si-hyun!’
Aim high! Dream big!
To be someone as great, strong, and dazzling as Professor Si-hyun!
Areum looked at her professor with sparkling eyes and said,
“Oh, it’s nothing!”
Then she turned her head to face forward.
Si-hyun tilted her head slightly at her student’s mysterious behaviour before turning her attention to the Dawn Guild members.
She lowered her hand, which had been resting on her bracelet.
‘If it had been Hunter Kim in danger, I would’ve helped.’
But helping Yang Chae-uk? She didn’t feel like it.
You get what you give, after all.
She had no intention of aiding someone who displayed such arrogance from the start.
So, while she prepared her dagger, she didn’t make any other moves.
Besides, judging by the other rookies’ combat abilities, Yang Chae-uk getting bitten by an ant didn’t seem life-threatening.
Si-hyun, as always, was quick to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, as for Hunter Kim…
‘This isn’t good.’
Even with his involvement in the battle, an accident had occurred.
It was just one ant, but an accident was still an accident.
The situation was clear.
‘This is a factory-type dungeon.’
Otherwise known as a plant dungeon, it was a place where the number of monsters multiplied abnormally.
There must be a special entity at the centre producing these monsters.
With a stiff expression, Hunter Kim instructed the rookies to regroup.
Then, he approached the observers standing at a distance.
“Everyone, the situation has become quite dangerous.”
The four onlookers turned their gazes toward Hunter Kim.
“Since I’m here, clearing the dungeon itself won’t be an issue. However, I don’t think I can ensure your safety while doing so. As much as it’s unfortunate, I believe it would be best for you to retreat promptly.”
After explaining, Hunter Kim looked at Si-hyun.
She was the representative of the observers.
Receiving his gaze, Si-hyun turned to Eun-byul instead.
After all, Eun-byul was the real protagonist of this observation.
‘She looks disappointed.’
In that case, they should continue the observation.
Helping students achieve what they want is what a true professor does.
Si-hyun slowly opened her mouth to speak.
“I’ll protect the students, so you don’t need to worry.”
“…It’s not that I doubt your skills. But the number of ants is overwhelming. To put it bluntly, this dungeon is closer to a C-rank bordering on B-rank.”
“Thank you for your concern. But it’s really fine.”
“Hmm…”
Hunter Kim scrutinized Si-hyun’s face.
Her expression had been unwavering from the moment he first saw her until now.
Eventually, after a moment of hesitation, he spoke in a heavy tone.
“Please ensure the students are not exposed to danger. If I judge it to be too risky, I will forcibly evacuate you.”
“Yes, I promise. In that case, I’ll follow your instructions.”
“Good.”
Finally, Hunter Kim stepped back and returned to the Dawn Guild rookies.
Si-hyun watched his retreating figure for a moment before addressing the students.
“Guys, it looks like you’ll only be observing for real.”
“…Were you planning to make us fight?”
“Well, if the opportunity presented itself?”
“…”
Eun-byul stared at her professor, clearly baffled.
Her professor’s playful smile made it hard to tell whether she was joking or serious.
In the end, she let out a deep sigh and said,
“We trust you, professor, but I doubt they feel the same. We’ll stay quiet.”
“Oh, you trust me?”
“You can casually slice through a troll’s neck, can’t you? It’s not exactly a surprise…”
Though her tone was exasperated, it was full of trust.
Feeling this, a faint smile appeared on Si-hyun’s face.
At that moment, Jae-woo, who had been quietly standing beside them, spoke.
“They’re moving out.”
“Shall we go too?”
“Yes!”
Following the Dawn Guild members, Si-hyun and the students quickened their steps.
***
After that, battles broke out frequently.
The number of swarming ants didn’t decrease; it only grew larger.
Eventually, Hunter Kim adjusted the rookies’ formation and took the lead himself.
This drastically reduced the exposure of the rear positions to the ants.
Although the Support wasn’t exceptional, he was still C-rank.
The Dawn Hunters progressed steadily, with their wounds completely healed after each battle.
However, the sheer number of ants was overwhelming.
As the battles continued without pause, ants began targeting the students.
“P-Professor! They’re coming this way!”
Ratatatata—
A swarm of ants climbed along the cave wall, heading toward Si-hyun and the students.
Hunter Kim, cutting down the ants in front of him, turned his gaze sideways.
He quickly assessed the number of ants approaching.
‘…There are too many.’
It was too many for a lone C-rank Hunter to handle without difficulty.
The three students were all E-rank Hunters.
Having made his judgment, he prepared to rush over to assist.
He planned to help this time and then insist on evacuation.
But at that moment…
Si-hyun’s eyes met Hunter Kim’s.
—
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