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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 72: Knowing it's a trap means it's no longer a trap (2)
The day of the raid.
The Phoenix Guild sent a van for the group.
"Get in."
Jang Miseon opened the car door.
The Little Runts team members excitedly boarded the van one by one.
"Aren't vans only for celebrities?"
"Look here, Oppa. They even have cocktails prepared!"
"You shouldn't drink alcohol before something important."
Yoojin sighed briefly and muttered.
"Those are non-alcoholic."
"There's nothing Hyung-nim doesn't know."
"I'd rather not have known about the situation just now."
Next time, he'd have to tell the Phoenix Guild to take care of things appropriately.
Did the embarrassment always have to be his responsibility?
Jang Miseon, who was sitting in the front, chuckled.
"Don't we have any information about the gate at all?"
"The advance team has collected some rough information."
Jang Miseon quickly shared the briefing information she had prepared.
Daegu - Starving Cave & Old Mansion
[Type: Fixed Type]
[Entry Requirement: 2-3 Star]
[Gate Area: Small]
[Entry Limit: 10 people]
"The monsters that appear are werewolves and vampires."
"Those sworn enemies are working together well."
"The gate has two cores. When you enter, the path splits into two, and they're said to be at the end of each passage."
"Are there any other unique features?"
"There are many variants, and the boss monsters have to be attacked simultaneously."
Yoojin stroked his chin.
"The fact that they figured that out means the advance team succeeded in attacking the bosses?"
"Arhan called us because they were struggling. It's highly likely."
Jang Miseon brushed off Yoojin's point.
Indeed.
So this is how they set things up.
'If I excluded the Romanov family, I wouldn't have even known it was a trap.'
-Double Dungeon.
-Hunting two bosses at the right timing.
To satisfy these two conditions, the raid team also had to split their forces.
Since only 10 people could enter.
It was a perfect excuse to ask for cooperation from the Phoenix Guild, saying that Arhan's elite hunters alone were not enough.
"Werewolves and vampires. Aren't they both powerful races?"
"Proper ones are called vampires and lycanthropes. Those are sub-species."
"Ugh. It's not like jingoism, saying Korean names are weak and English names are strong."
[TL/N: Jingoism — Extreme patriotism, often expressed through aggressive foreign policy.]
Kang Minyeong clicked her tongue.
Tell the gate, which preferred squiggly letters, to do something about it.
"Well, we have enough information, so let's do our best! Fighting!"
Following Jang Miseon's lead, the Little Runts team also shouted—
"Fighting!"
The van had already reached near Myeongdeok Station, the center of Daegu.
"We're almost at our destination. Please prepare."
There were many high schools and cram schools near the station, so it was usually a busy area with a large floating population.
But because a variant double dungeon had appeared, it was deserted.
"There aren't any cars."
"Ah. They say the roads are closed with the city's cooperation."
The empty roads were swarming with people dispatched for the gate raid, including medical staff and weapons inspection teams.
"Haha. We meet again."
"Indeed. Arhan's rising star."
"Song Myeongseok."
"Of course, I know your name."
Song Myeongseok retorted sharply at the mocking tone.
Yoojin chuckled and brushed it off.
"You look a lot gloomier than the last time I saw you?"
"Thanks to you."
"I heard you learned a good lesson from the next Sword Saint."
"..."
Song Myeongseok kept his mouth firmly shut.
A sinister light flickered across his sunken eyes.
He was openly displaying his killing intent now.
"Isn't that summon with you?"
"Fafnir has some business and couldn't come."
"That's a shame. He was a great help during the joint raid. What a pity."
If he pities it twice more, he might as well commit murder.
Now that they couldn't back out of the raid due to the Phoenix Guild's reputation, he didn't even bother to hide his true feelings.
"Even without him, closing a gate is nothing."
"Hahaha. Seeing your confidence makes me feel very reassured."
"You should also do your best."
After leaving those meaningful words, Yoojin turned away.
Song Myeongseok's gaze remained fixed on his exposed back for a long time.
"Arhan Guild, preparations for entry are complete."
The Arhan Guild raid team lined up in front of the blue rift.
They were all acquaintances of Yoojin.
"Weren't you all 2 Stars?"
"We've all risen to 3 Stars. Don't worry, we won't be a hindrance."
Song Myeongseok stared intently at Yoojin's group.
"That's good. I'm also a 3 Star."
"How in such a short time…?"
Wasn't that a cheap shot for a psychological warfare tactic?
As Yoojin snorted, unexpected reactions poured out.
"You've already reached 3 Star?"
"Hyung. We've been working our butts off, but we can't keep up with that speed."
"This isn't fair. You left us behind and went alone."
What were those expressions like they'd been betrayed?
The three looked at Yoojin's back with resentful eyes.
"Hahaha. That's fortunate."
"Rising Star. Since I'm also a 3 Star, I won't be a hindrance."
When Jang Miseon added, Song Myeongseok's expression twisted visibly.
〔Knowing it's a trap, was there a need to provoke him that much?〕
'That's why I'm poking him even more.'
〔Hoho. I'm curious about the contractor's intentions. Tell Jim your thoughts.〕
'If he gets emotional, even a small opening might appear.'
〔Kuhahahat. You are manipulating the emotions of that little human.〕
Uh.
‘I didn't exactly calculate it that thoroughly. It's just not in my nature to stay still when someone's trying to get under my skin.’
"Arhan will enter first."
Thud— Thud—
Led by Song Myeongseok, the five Arhan attackers entered the gate.
"Let's go too."
Jang Miseon said cheerfully and took the lead.
Yoojin's group followed.
The moment both guild attack teams entered the double dungeon.
Fzzzzzzzzzzzt—!!!
Sparks erupted from the gate, scattering in all directions and damaging the asphalt road and buildings.
"D-Dodge!"
"It was fine just a moment ago."
"What on earth is going on?!"
The gate, which was wrapped in lightning, was dyed red as if blood had been splattered on it.
A red gate.
A color that signifies a closed type.
"A-A second mutation……."
A listless voice flowed from the mouth of a Phoenix Guild representative.
Following the double dungeon, an unforeseen mutation occurred in succession.
There was only one way for the two guild attack teams to return to reality.
To destroy the gate cores simultaneously and succeed in the raid.
"Contact the Guild Master! Quickly!"
The two guild representatives became frantic.
However.
Unlike the Phoenix Guild members who were filled with urgency, a significant number of the Arhan Guild members calmly glanced at the gate without showing any signs of panic.
＊ ＊ ＊
A massive cave.
The height from floor to ceiling was about 50 meters.
The width looked to be over 100 meters.
"It feels more like an underground dungeon than a cave."
Yoojin looked around and offered his leisurely commentary.
"It's different from the briefing. There's only one path……."
"There's a mansion inside the cave."
"You're right. I wonder where the Arhan attack team disappeared to."
Jang Miseon replied with a worried tone, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Her eyes were constantly moving, searching for the Arhan attack team that had entered first.
"Don't waste your energy. You won't find them."
"It's strange. The gate has mutated, and the Arhan attack team has vanished."
"If that was the intention, then it's not strange at all."
At Yoojin's nonchalant words, the Little Runts team gasped loudly.
"H-Hyung. Are we perhaps caught in a trap……?"
"Use either informal or formal speech, pick one."
"No, no. Why are you so calm, Hyung?"
"Hyung-nim is right. If panicking would solve anything, this wouldn't have happened."
Kang Minho calmed his panicking twin brother.
Since there was no concrete evidence to say they already knew it was a trap, he made a suitable excuse.
"Song Myeongseok's attitude was strange before we came in here."
"Rising Star-nim, or should I say, that ba—?"
Kang Minyeong had even gotten his autograph. Yet, as soon as he became a suspect in setting a trap, she immediately abandoned her fan loyalty.
"Yoojin-nim. Isn't that a bit of a stretch? There's no evidence."
"Jang Miseon-ssi. How likely do you think it is for a dual gate to mutate again and turn into a closed type?"
"Not very likely. Still, it's just a hunch."
"I'm not saying you have to believe me. But it's better than getting backstabbed because you were careless."
He didn't think Jang Miseon would believe him right away.
As long as she didn't let her guard down around the Arhan Guild, especially Song Myeongseok, it was enough.
Preemptively warning them would lessen the shock if something did happen.
'They said getting shot with a weak gun hurts less.'
〔Are you referring to those primitive weapons that cannot channel mana?〕
'How can you call such scientific weapons primitive?'
While he was bickering with Kronos, an ominous red fog enveloped the mansion.
Monsters burst out through the crimson smoke.
"Krrrrr. Kaaaw!"
"Give us fresh blood."
Werewolves, moving quickly on all fours, rapidly closed the distance.
Vampires, with pale complexions, hovered about 5 meters in the air, targeting the group.
"We're in a difficult situation, right?"
"Probably."
"Hmm. Please take command, Yoojin-nim."
"Are you sure?"
"He's Master's master. And since there are four members of the Little Runts team, that would be appropriate."
"Alright. I'll make sure we get out of here alive."
The number of monsters was 40.
Well, well.
Rather than going all out from the start, they were trying to test the waters?
'I should save the Blood Golem and Jo Seungchul for later.'
He had shown the Blood Golem in front of the Arhan attack team during the [Iron Tomb] raid.
However, Yoojin decided not to reveal his full power.
Having absorbed the relics' blood, he had become significantly stronger.
There was no need to reveal all his cards in such an obvious probing attack.
"Let's start with buffs."
He raised the [Oak Staff Imbued with Lightning] high and switched his stats to Daybreak.
He consecutively deployed divine spells.
[Using Giant's Strength.]
[Using Punishing Spike.]
"Are you really a 3 Star? How is your spellcasting speed so fast?"
"Can't you tell by the fact that we entered the gate without any problems?"
Yoojin lightly retorted.
A probing attack, huh?
Even better.
This was his first time coordinating with Jang Miseon.
He had been unilaterally beaten up, no, sparred with her countless times, but fighting as a team was different.
If the enemies had come at them with full force, they wouldn't have had this leeway.
"Jang Miseon and Kang Minho will be the vanguard, the other two the rearguard."
"Yes, sir!"
"Vanguard, advance 10 steps. Rearguard, restrain the vampires. Just prevent them from approaching."
The two moved forward.
Kang Minyeong used [Synchronization] and [Telekinesis] to lift three crossbows.
Lee Seongmin also rearranged his mana.
"Kaaaw! Kaaaw!"
"Kang Minho, advance 5 steps and then use Moveable Fortress. After 1 second, Jang Miseon, charge in with Comet Dash."
Commands were issued in second-by-second increments.
Kang Minho walked as instructed and then focused his mana on his shield.
[Acceleration]
[Wild Run]
The speed of the werewolves charging straight at them more than doubled.
In the blink of an eye, they lunged at Kang Minho.
[Moveable Fortress]
[Forceful Strike]
An attack that perfectly synchronized the release of mana and strength.
Blue flashes erupted from the wide shield, engulfing the werewolves.
"Kekekegek!"
The six werewolves that had charged at the front tumbled across the floor.
It wasn't significant damage.
If they were enemies of the same star rank, the impact would have been enough to break an arm or a leg.
However, the werewolves were 3 Stars.
One star rank higher than Kang Minho.
[Shooting Star Sword]
[Comet Dash]
Flash—
A sword wrapped in a whirlwind left a long trail in the air.
Red lines appeared on the necks of the werewolves who had been knocked down by the shockwave.
Puaaaak—!
Their heads were severed, spraying blood.
"Krrr! Kaaaw!"
The werewolves that followed also accelerated.
Just as they bared their sharp teeth towards Jang Miseon, who was left defenseless after swinging her sword,
[Using Unholy Shock Shield.]
A gray barrier blocked the path of a werewolf with its jaws wide open.
Before it could pull back, the werewolf clamped its jaws on the barrier with all its might—
Kwazik—!
The barrier shuddered—
Partially reflecting the force of the bite back at the creature.
The werewolves staggered back from the shock that rattled their jaws.
"Human. You're quite something."
"I wonder what that blood tastes like?"
The vampires, who had been passively responding to the rearguard's restraint, began to move seriously.
Their flighting speed was increasing.
The vanguard, whose feet were tied down by the werewolves, couldn't stop the vampires.
"Lee Seongmin, deploy shields. Kang Minyeong, use Synchronization and Telekinesis."
"Yes!"
[Space - Release]
Thump— Thump— Thump—
Several silver-coated shields fell to the ground.
Kang Minyeong used telekinesis to manipulate the shields she had just summoned and layered them.
[Using Bone Spear.]
Spiritual power wrapped around cursed fangs.
The magic spear, enhanced by the Fragment of Void, pierced through one of the vampires.
"Keok, keo-eok!"
"Huh? It's faltering."
The vampire was also a 3 Star monster.
Yoojin's mana (divine power) stat was much higher than that of an average magic/divine-type hunter.
Not only that.
The magic was further enhanced by the [Oak Staff Imbued with Lightning].
Since he even used an excellent medium called [Cursed Fangs], he could kill a nameless vampire with a single blow.
"Kaaak! Kill!"
"I'll suck all of your blood!"
What greeted the enraged vampires were the shields controlled by [Synchronization] and [Telekinesis].
Yoojin matched the timing and even deployed [Unholy Shock Shield].
Bang— Puff-puff-bang—
The vampires were repelled by the shields, which weren't even held by a tank but merely supported by telekinesis.
Swish—!
The cursed fangs cut off their breaths one by one.
The werewolves, too, were unable to advance further, hindered by the efforts of the two at the vanguard, Yoojin's orders, and the timely deployed spells.
'This person. Why is he so good at commanding?!'
Jang Miseon was internally astonished.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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