We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the inconsistency of character pronouns, particularly for the Entities (ex. The Greedy Predator). In Korean, pronouns are rarely used, making it challenging to ascertain a character's gender or identity until later narratives unfold. Update twice a week [SUN] & [THURS] starting August 2024!
“As I mentioned yesterday, today we’re entering the Level 4 Dungeon. The Sunset Guild’s 2nd raid party will accompany us. Their attacking power is stronger than the 3rd group we were with yesterday, so there shouldn’t be major concerns.”
Before entering the gate, Do Junyeong gave a word of advice to the new Hunters. Due to yesterday’s struggle with Level 5, everyone seemed more resolute today.
“From Level 4 onwards, formidable bosses usually appear. Stay on high alert and closely follow the raid party.”
“Let’s enter the gate.”
The entry order remained the same as yesterday. The Sunset Guild’s 2nd raid party went in first, followed by Do Junyeong and the rookies, and then Eun Injae was entrusted with the rear along with Seora.
【Entering the Level 4 Dungeon, ‘Dance of Butterflies’.】
As they entered the gate, the fragrance of flowers tickled their noses. Unlike yesterday’s cave, a wide flower field spread under the clear blue sky. Beautiful red flowers swayed in the refreshing breeze.
The sight was so captivating that the shoulders of the new Hunters lightened a bit, releasing some of the tension.
“They did say the dungeon’s environment changes every time, but a flower field, huh?”“I wonder how fierce the monsters in a place like this can be?”
However, the expressions of the experienced Sunset Guild’s 2nd raid party were not very pleasant.
“The smell…”
“It’s different from the usual floral scent. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be poisonous.”
“It feels unpleasant.”
The B-class Hunter leading the raid party pinched his nose. As the Hunter with the keenest senses within the party, he keenly felt the ominous atmosphere.
Observing everyone from the rear, Seora whispered to Eun Injae, “A leader is certainly different. It shouldn’t have been easy to notice just from the scent.”
“True. I’ve trained them well. How could I entrust the position of a leader to just anyone? I’m different from Han Suwon.”
The Werewolf’s Dungeon incident that happened six months ago was still vivid in their memories.
“However, it does seem a bit dangerous. It’s not a pleasant fragrance; it’s a foul smell emanating from the flowers.”
Eun Injae carefully examined a trembling flower near her knee. The deeply crimson petals were beautiful, but they carried a tremendously eerie vibe. It was only natural.
“They’re flowers nurtured not with water, but with blood.”
They were flowers grown by absorbing people’s blood.
“It’s not a problem for my raid party, but I’m worried about the rookies. They might end up doing some ‘blood donation’ today.”
“Blood donation would be fortunate. The Healers are going to have a hard time.”
As Seora pointed out, the two Healers in the raid party noticed the gravity of the situation. There were many people to watch over today, making their responsibility immense.
“Can I go forward?”
“Only if it’s dangerous. Even though it’s training, we can’t afford to let anyone die.”
“Summon Mini Totems.”
As Eun Injae extended her palm, several finger-sized totems appeared.
“They come in such a small size?”
“I’m still a descendant of a totem pole maker despite how I look. Of course, their abilities are limited to debuff removal because of their size. Originally, totem poles symbolize protection, so that’s about all they can do.”
“Even that is quite impressive.”
At that moment, a group emitting a red aura flew in with the wind. They were butterflies with vibrant red wings.
“A swarm of butterflies! Get ready for battle!”
“Blood! It smells like blood! Everyone be careful! They might be creatures that suck blood!”
The shouts of the Swordsman made the faces of the rookies turn pale. Bloodsuckers. That sounded even scarier than the acidic slime.
The battle began. Butterflies were light and difficult to block since they could fly. The battle quickly turned chaotic. The rookie Hunters bravely fought back, killing one butterfly after another.
“Butterflies. This is a perfect job for Han Suwon. It would have been better if Clear Blue had taken charge today. It’s a bit disappointing.”
It was a statement acknowledging Han Suwon’s expertise, but Seora wasn’t surprised. Eun Injae was sending mini totems toward the flying butterflies. The butterflies hit by the totems burst into pieces.
‘… So she’s using them like that.’
Could debuff removal mean physically removing them?
“Weren’t you not on good terms with Guildmaster Han Suwon?”
“Huh? Haha. Well, kind of. But I’m not so incompetent that I can’t assess the situation.”
At times, Eun Injae exhibited actions that defied common sense when with Yu Su-eun. But indeed, she was a top Hunter leading a guild. It was an obvious fact, but this felt like reconfirming.
“Your gaze seems a bit off.”
“It’s just your feeling.”
Seora shot a mana bullet toward a butterfly attempting to pierce a rookie’s neck. What kind of butterfly feeds on blood?
‘Ugh, I don’t match well with these creatures.’
Thinking about the Rift Dungeon that occurred in the Hunting Guild and how the White Ghosts that appeared there were particularly fond of blood made Seora quite uncomfortable.
“Still, if we have too organized a battle, the practical aspect of the training is lost. It’s fortunate that we’re dealing with a chaotic situation.
Battles with monsters never proceed as planned. Today’s battle would leave a very valuable experience for the new Hunters.
“At least the butterflies don’t exhibit swarm behavior like bees, which is a relief.”
Seora plucked a butterfly clinging to a rookie’s body and crushed it in her hand. She infused magic, and the butterfly quickly burned to death.
“Th-thank you.”
Upon closer inspection, it was Hunter Yu Jihyeok, the one who had asked her a question on the first day. Seora simply patted his shoulder. Yu Jihyeok’s eyes had a clear sense of admiration.
‘It may be chaotic, but we should be able to end it without major issues.’
The problem lies with the Boss Monster. Would the one leading the butterfly monsters, nurtured with blood, be weak?
Seora’s prediction was accurate.
“Suddenly, the swarm of butterflies…!”
The raid party’s leader was the first to notice something unusual. The creatures, who were attacking just to feed on blood, suddenly started exhibiting swarm behavior. As if they had gained intelligence, they began to avoid strong Hunters and rushed towards the weaker rookies.
“There’s a high chance the boss is controlling them!”
“Mages! Use your detection skill to locate the boss!”
Among the two Mages attacking the swarm of butterflies, one activated a detection skill. The blue magic was directed upwards.
“The sky!”
Above their heads, a creature larger than a human was flying in the sky. Its widely spread crimson wings resembled those of a fairy, and unlike a regular butterfly, its body had a human-like form.
That creature was controlling the butterflies.
【The Demonic Boss of the Level 4 Dungeon ‘Dance of Butterflies’ appears!】
At the sight of the message that popped up simultaneously, the rookie Hunters widened their eyes. It was the first time they had encountered a Demonic Boss, a monster in its evolved form.
“Rangers, take a shot!”
A Ranger shot an arrow towards the sky, but the Demonic Boss effortlessly evaded the attack. With every flap of its wings, a strong scent of blood pierced the air all the way to the ground.
<So, this is where the delicious smell is coming from.>
The Demonic Boss laughed joyfully as it looked at the ground. Its gaze passed Do Junyeong and Eun Injae and finally reached Seora.
<Well, there seems to be something that might cause serious indigestion if I eat it; where the hell did that come from?>
Seora’s face contorted as their eyes met. Did it just say that to me? Like the White Ghost, are these creatures underestimating this contractee?
【Administrator: ٩(๑`^´๑)۶】
As Seora raised her fist, the creature flinched. Due to its nervously fluttering wings, the pungent smell became even stronger. The discomfort in her stomach grew.
<I thought it was an opportunity to cultivate a larger flower field and more children, but this is simply annoying.>
As the Demonic Boss swung its arm, half of the butterflies attacking the Hunters flew into the sky. The rookies, now in disarray, sat on the ground, gasping for breath.
<But if I don’t fight and keep evading, you’ll have no solution, right? All I have to do is hold on until the door opens. There is more prey outside.>
The tip of the Demonic Boss’ hand pointed towards the blue gate. The creature knew very well that it could leave when it turned green.
<The one who holds out the longest wins.>
The Demonic Boss chuckled and flew to the other side along with the swarm of butterflies. The remaining half attempted to attack, but Seora either ignored them or dealt with them decisively.
‘No! If I let that thing escape here, it’ll be overtime!’
Even if all the rookies were sent out, she had to stay and finish the mission. Overtime? That was out of the question!
‘I absolutely can’t let that happen!’
Seora reached out her hand to trap the Demonic Boss in a cube. However, at that moment…
<But to endure, we need sustenance too.>
The creature’s voice sounded close. Among the rookies. Everyone’s eyes widened.
Among the remaining half of the butterflies, the voice of the Demonic Boss flowed from the mouths of the underdeveloped ones. The swarm of butterflies surged like the wind, instantly capturing one of the rookies and flying into the sky.
<I’ll take one with me.>
“Wait! Stop!”
They had thought the creature had left the rest as bait, but that wasn’t the case.
Do Junyeong swung his sword, and Eun Injae released mini totems, but only a few butterflies had their wings cut and died. Since it had a hostage, they couldn’t unleash a powerful attack recklessly. Of course, since they both were S-classes, there were ways to rescue the hostage.
“Wow, it didn’t forget to catch one even in the chaos.”
However, since a spatial ability user acted before them, they watched quietly.
As Seora flicked her finger, the swarm of butterflies and the captured Hunter were trapped inside a massive cube. The butterflies struggled to escape, but it was futile.
After firmly grounding the cube, Seora entered the cube. The Hunter buried within the swarm of butterflies reached out in agony. “Agh, help! P-please…!”
How would she rescue a person buried within a swarm of butterflies within a cube? Moving within the cube wasn’t something Seora had fully mastered yet. Trying to peel off each butterfly one by one would take too long.
There was one remaining option.
‘I don’t care what happens to the butterflies.’
She could only deal with them, regardless of whether they would be twisted to death or not.
Seora focused on the movements of the butterflies inside the cube. She couldn’t catch them all, but even if she caught a portion, it would help. All she needed to do was use her ability a few times.
The butterflies, affected by her ability, turned into dust and dispersed. Dozens of butterflies shrunk in an instant. She repeated this two, three, four times, and before she knew it, all the butterflies had disappeared.
Unlike when she used her ability in the Labyrinth, her condition was optimal, and thanks to not caring about life or death, the mana consumption was lower than expected.
‘I guess I can train like this.’
She had come to educate, but she unexpectedly found a way to improve her training methods.
Seora, having thoroughly killed the last butterfly, hastily approached the fallen Hunter. It was Yu Jihyeok, the one who had asked her a question.
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