* * *
People were frozen, mouths hanging open like they’d just seen a ghost.
Feeling awkward, I glanced at Do Soohyuk, but his stare toward me was downright icy.
What’s his problem?
Just as I was about to quietly back away, the young reporter shoved the mic forward again.
“Photos of you working part-time at a snack shop keep popping up on social media—are they real?”
Social media?
So it wasn’t just HunTube—my pics were spreading elsewhere too.
Not that the comments were likely to be any better.
“Yes, that’s my father’s shop.”
“Is there a particular reason you chose to work there?”
I tilted my head slightly, as if I didn’t understand the question.
“As a son, I’m just doing my duty by helping my father. Do I need another reason?”
“Ah…”
At my response, the young reporter was left speechless, and the others also clammed up.
Judging from the looks they gave me, it felt like I’d suddenly become some ungrateful bastard using his father to build a public image.
Doesn’t seem like I’ll be getting a favorable article tomorrow.
“Hah.”
Just then, Do Soohyuk, who had been quietly listening, let out a blatant scoff and raised one hand as if to say that’s enough.
“This concludes the interview.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than barricades started going up around the gate.
It was the Do One Guild—Soohyuk’s guild—moving in to take control of the situation.
I watched their precise and efficient work for a moment, then stepped closer to the gate, where the air shimmered in a surreal violet glow.
I was captivated by the sight when a low, baritone voice spoke beside me.
“Just so you know, I don’t need any support.”
It was Do Soohyuk, suddenly beside me, checking his gear as he spoke with obvious disinterest.
So why did he bring me, then?
I still didn’t understand why he dragged me into this, but it wasn’t exactly unexpected.
I nodded quietly.
“We’re both S-Rank, so I assume you’re not expecting protection. Fall behind and I’ll leave you. Keep up if you want to live.”
…That’s a bit of a problem.
But before I could say anything, Do Soohyuk had already stepped into the gate.
What the hell…
I stood there dumbfounded for a moment, my lips twitching as if to speak, before hurrying in after him.
As I crossed the threshold, a queasy jolt ran through me—like hitting a speed bump at full speed while on a delivery bike.
A moment later, the world that opened up before me was a vast desert.
I’d seen this scene in theaters before, but experiencing it in person was completely different—almost enough to make you shrink back.
And right in the middle of that desert stood Do Soohyuk, holding a pitch-black blade.
His back, rigid and unwavering, made my heart race for reasons I couldn’t quite explain.
But only for a second.
He glanced over his shoulder to check I’d arrived—then, without a word, took off running. Fast.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I instinctively used a movement skill to chase after him, cursing in my head.
If I remembered correctly, this dungeon had four stages.
Stage One: Monster Wave.
In other words, endless waves of monsters.
Just like right now.
Kieeek—!
Monsters burst out from beneath the sand like a swarm of ants, and it was truly terrifying.
They might’ve only been A-Rank at best, not boss-level threats, but for someone facing them for the first time?
Pure nightmare fuel.
How could anyone stay calm when creatures the size of sedans were charging at them like lunatics?
Fwoosh—!
Suddenly, black flames burst forth, consuming hundreds of monsters in an instant.
The heat reached me even from a distance—it was an overwhelming show of power.
After that, Soohyuk maintained a steady pace, incinerating monsters the moment they drew close.
“Ugh!”
Just as he warned, Soohyuk didn’t lift a finger to help me.
Even when a massive desert spider with eight legs lunged at me, he didn’t spare a glance.
If it wasn’t attacking him, it was none of his concern.
Basically, survive on your own—what an ass.
Still, I was technically S-Rank.
I dodged with sharp reflexes and quickly pulled a dagger from my item pouch—an S-Rank weapon I’d grabbed from the bribe stash, just in case.
I never imagined I’d actually have to use it.
There’s a reason hunters are supposed to protect support types, after all.
Since I had no attack skills, brute force was my only option.
“Rgh!”
I grabbed the monster and drove the dagger repeatedly into its head.
It thrashed in pain, spraying milky-white blood, before collapsing backward.
Fortunately, I wasn’t just S-Rank in name—I could hold my own in terms of raw strength.
Just then, another monster lunged at me.
My body reacted before my mind did.
Boom—!
With an explosive sound, the monster was sent flying.
But there was no time to admire my strength.
Another came from behind, and I reflexively raised my arm to block.
Crunch! Snap!
The monster bit down on my arm like it was chewing on a dog toy.
Thanks to my S-Rank jacket, my arm stayed intact—but my hand wasn’t so lucky.
If I’d worn gloves, this wouldn’t have happened.
Its saw-like teeth dug deep into the back of my hand, and my face twisted in pain.
“Ugh…”
It felt like I’d been mauled by a dog.
In fact, the monster looked a lot like one.
If I’d been a lower rank, it would’ve torn my hand clean off.
As it was, my skin had been shredded—and now, the scent of blood was drawing more monsters.
Panicking, I pried open the creature’s jaws and yanked my arm free.
As I jumped back, the monsters—riled up and charging—ended up slamming face-first into the sand.
And somehow… that was just the beginning.
Time passed.
I got bitten, slashed, and bled all over.
But I couldn’t stop.
I dodged only the most lethal blows, and with a dagger no larger than my palm, I struck again and again at their heads.
I couldn’t even tell if the wetness running down my face was blood or sweat anymore.
Kieeek—!
After what felt like an eternity, the monsters finally fell.
The first wave was over.
Surrounded by piles of corpses, I bent over, gasping for air.
Apparently, ‘Seo Inho’ didn’t have great stamina—he was constantly out of breath.
“Haah… Haah…”
There were moments I’d nearly died.
And he didn’t help me once.
I couldn’t hide the irritation on my face as I looked up.
Soohyuk was standing still, watching me.
But the background behind him… it wasn’t the desert anymore.
It was just a vast expanse of black ash.
“….”
I had so many things I wanted to say, but when I saw that scene, the words just… wouldn’t come.
“I told you. Fall behind, and I leave you.”
That’s all he said before taking off again.
It hadn’t even been that long since the first wave ended—but here came Wave Two.
In disbelief, I lowered my head and let out a long sigh.
“What a jerk…”
It wasn’t like I could beg him for protection now.
Half resigned, I used my movement skill and hurried after him.
All I could hope for… was that this nightmare would end quickly.
But contrary to my hopes, the wave continued for a full half-day.
The only silver lining was that, unlike his words, Do Soohyuk didn’t abandon me.
Still, the relentless assault left my body battered and bruised.
Except for the jacket, the rest of my clothes were basically rags.
“So it’s finally over.”
After the tenth wave, no more monsters appeared.
At last, after six long hours, the first stage was complete.
Perhaps sensing the same, Do Soohyuk slowed his pace and began walking.
Whew…
The moment I relaxed, pain spread through my entire body like it had been waiting.
It felt like I’d just finished a bootcamp from hell.
The wounds from being torn and beaten by monsters began throbbing all at once.
I massaged the back of my neck, exhausted, then took something out of my item pouch and placed it inside my mouth.
It was a patch to block illusion magic—once stuck inside the cheek, it could fend off hallucinations and auditory delusions.
Gotta prep for Stage 2.
In the movie, Seo Inho failed to resist the mental attacks of the mid-boss.
Even among S-Ranks, the difference in level was clear.
He lost his mind and foolishly charged at Do Soohyuk—only to be taken down in a single move.
He even got knocked out with a punch.
That scene was hilarious, honestly.
The memory made me chuckle despite the situation.
Chrrr—
Just then, a strange rattling sound echoed around us.
Like a rattlesnake’s tail.
The moment we stepped into a certain zone, Stage 2 had begun.
The mid-boss in this stage used sound to trigger confusion.
Since it hid in the sand, its location was impossible to tell.
All we could do was wait for it to show itself.
Do Soohyuk, who had been walking ahead, turned back at the persistent noise.
He seemed to be checking on me, but his gaze was indifferent—almost as if he were appraising an object.
“I’m still functioning, so you don’t need to look at me like that.”
“You used an item, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, well… I brought it just in case.”
It wasn’t something I needed to hide, so I opened my mouth and showed him the patch inside.
He stared silently at it, then gave me a quick once-over from head to toe.
His expression didn’t change, but it felt like he was looking at something filthy.
* * *
