* * *
Seven hours after the video conference and subjugation of Charybdis, an official request from South Africa arrived at the Chunho Guild.
[Hello, Chunho Guild representative.
We are the GA Guild operations team, and we formally request your cooperation. The following tasks have been agreed upon with your guild master, Beom Sinje, and relevant materials are attached.]
The email included photos and videos of a research facility in the African savannah, labeled as a terrorist group under the name Dungeon Ecology Research Institute.
The footage showed the remnants of monsters left behind during their retreat, as well as equipment and machines used for experimentation.
Three hours later, the material was made public on the Chunho Guild’s official site.
One particular photo and its brief description drew the most attention.
[This creature is called Charybdis. It is classified as an S-rank boss monster, discovered in a tank at a disguised Dungeon Ecology Research Institute facility in Africa.
Today, the Chunho Guild, in cooperation with the South African government and GA Guild, successfully subjugated Charybdis.
The recorded broadcast will be released at a later date, with details to follow.]
The media quickly picked up the news, causing a ripple effect.
Public outcry demanded an investigation into the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute for illegally detaining Charybdis.
Some radical hunters even proposed bombing domestic branches and organized movements online.
Meanwhile, the Chunho Guild officially requested a government investigation into the institute.
Five hours before the domestic scene erupted, Beom Sinje and fifty GA Guild members faced each other.
The GA Vice-Guild Master stood at the front, wearing sunglasses like a crime boss.
“There are six hunters assigned to handle Charybdis. The rest will block any hostile forces from approaching.”
With a nod, the five hunters behind him stepped forward in unison.
“Let me introduce them. These two specialize in water abilities…”
The GA Guild attack squad consisted of two water users, two electric users, and one pressure manipulator.
They had all met during the video conference, so the introductions felt familiar.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Beom Sinje, the Chunho Guild Master. On our side, we have two strength types, a tamer, a summoner…”
Beom Sinje paused briefly when he reached Doyoung.
It was only two or three seconds, but long enough for Doyoung to scowl.
‘You’ve already agreed to this. Why are you hesitating now?’
Memories of their heated arguments in meetings resurfaced.
Still, the results were worth it.
But seeing Beom Sinje hesitate stirred irritation again.
“…A telekinesis user. That makes five.”
Beom Sinje reluctantly introduced Doyoung, his tone betraying a sigh.
‘Hmph.’
Doyoung crossed his arms and snorted at Beom Sinje. He was reckless too.
“Alright, let’s move out.”
The GA Vice-Guild Master’s words ended the silent standoff between the two.
The makeshift joint guild set off for the facility.
◇◆◇◆◇
In the lead vehicle sat the assault team, tasked with directly confronting Charybdis.
Behind them, a bus carrying GA-affiliated hunters trailed closely, kicking up clouds of dust across the wide plains.
Animals that had been idly passing the time scattered in panic at the sudden movement.
Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, impalas, hyenas, eagles, flamingos, parrots—creatures of all kinds either ran or took to the skies, creating a spectacle of their own.
“What a shame. We can’t leisurely enjoy such a magnificent view as tourists.”
Lee Jihoon clicked his tongue as he gazed out the window. Sitting beside him, Song Jihee scoffed sharply.
“Hunter Lee Jihoon, you’re quite relaxed for someone about to undertake an important mission.”
“No, I’m just saying, you know.”
With nothing more to add, Jihoon scratched the back of his head and stole a glance at Doyoung, seated to his left.
Then his gaze drifted to Beom Sinje, who sat alongside Park Chano behind them.
Awkward.
Something about this seating arrangement felt oddly out of place, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.
“What’s wrong, Hunter Jihoon?”
“No… It’s just… you’re not sitting with the Guild Master today.”
He hadn’t meant to voice his thoughts, but the words spilled out as soon as Doyoung asked.
“There were guild matters to handle.”
Doyoung’s calm explanation left Jihoon with no reason to doubt. He nodded in understanding.
That made sense.
If there were guild issues, sitting separately was reasonable.
But hadn’t Doyoung been handling those matters together with him lately?
Any lingering questions faded as the research facility appeared in the distance.
Before long, the vehicles came to a halt near the entrance.
[Team B, secure the perimeter.]
The GA Vice Guild Master’s command prompted the guild members to scatter into their pre-assigned positions.
[Team A, move out!]
Leading the attack team, Beom Sinje entered the facility first.
Doyoung followed closely behind, distributing potions he had prepared.
“Oooh… You even brought buff potions this time! As expected from my favorite secretary. Thank you!”
Jihoon grinned, flashing a thumbs-up.
“I’ll drink it well.”
“Thanks.”
Song Jihee and Park Chano gave brief nods as they accepted their shares.
Just as Beom Sinje was about to pass through the entrance, he glanced back.
Doyoung wasted no time, holding out a vial.
“This is yours.”
Sinje silently extended his hand, and as their fingers briefly touched, Doyoung skillfully infused the potion with his enhancement ability.
Satisfied with his growing proficiency, Doyoung started to pull away—only for his wrist to be caught.
“…What is it?”
Sinje said nothing, staring at him intently.
His gaze eventually dropped to his own arm, still holding onto Doyoung’s wrist.
“We’ll talk later.”
Did he notice something?
If he did, he wasn’t mentioning it now.
But given the circumstances, neither of them had the luxury to dwell on trivial matters.
Doyoung chose to stay silent.
“They don’t seem to have set up much defense inside either.”
Jihoon’s voice broke the tension as he sent insects ahead to scout for ambushes.
[Proceed.]
Once again, Sinje took the lead, followed by Doyoung, Park Chano, and the Vice Guild Master.
Song Jihee and Jihoon trailed behind them with the rest of the GA hunters.
As Jihee passed by the staircase, something hard and flat caught her eye, wedged in the corner between the wall and floor.
She quickly bent down to retrieve it.
“What is it?”
Jihoon, who had been watching her curiously, immediately inquired.
“I’m not sure… It doesn’t seem like tree bark. Looks like something peeled off or fell. We’ll need to analyze it to know for sure.”
“Let me see.”
Jihoon, who was well-versed in animal specimens, turned it over in his hands before giving up.
“Doesn’t seem like part of an animal. Maybe a mineral? Or it could’ve come from a monster.”
“We should hand it over to the Guild Master later.”
Neither of them realized at the time that the object Jihee found would become a crucial piece of evidence exposing the dungeon’s hidden secrets.
For now, she simply tucked it into her pocket.
[This is the place.]
The group descended the stairs, arriving at the edge of a platform overlooking the lower levels.
They had only been away for a few hours.
Yet, in that short time, Charybdis had left behind clear traces of movement.
The doors and railings were gone, and parts of the staircase were broken off near the tank.
[Fascinating. You really can’t see inside at all.]
The Vice Guild Master marveled as he surveyed the area.
Part of the building had collapsed, exposing part of the tank’s outer wall.
Inside, the tank was still filled with an opaque liquid, sloshing over the edges with every ripple.
If the water kept moving, something had to be lurking beneath the surface.
But the inability to see it made it all the more dangerous.
[It will begin moving once it detects intruders. Let’s stick to the plan and strike first.]
There was no time to admire the view.
They needed to launch their attack before Charybdis opened its maw.
[Guild Master Beom, we’re counting on you!]
With a resolute shout from the GA Guild Master, Beom Sinje leaped down without hesitation.
A GA hunter used their ability to control his descent.
Watching them, Doyoung clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.
‘I’d do a better job at that.’
* * *
