Seven days had passed since the Abyssal Corruption incident, marking the end of Tae-woo's probationary period. With the restriction lifted, he was now free to participate in dungeon raids again, which meant he could finally start earning money to support himself and Ha-rin.
He carefully considered his options as he browsed through the list of available missions and contracts. With his B-Rank status, he was now eligible for C-Rank dungeons, which were considerably more dangerous than those he had tackled before. The higher difficulty also meant better rewards, but he needed to assemble a team before attempting one.
Just as he was about to finalize his decision, his phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
Tae-woo raised an eyebrow before answering. "Hello?"
There was a brief silence on the other end before a hesitant female voice spoke up.
"H-hello? Is this Jin Tae-woo-ssi?"
Tae-woo frowned slightly. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Yes. Who is this?"
Another pause. Then, the caller answered.
"I-it's Go Min-kyung. Do you remember me?"
It took him a second, but then it clicked.
"Go Min-kyung?" He repeated before realization dawned on him. The Amazon Hunter. One of the few survivors of the Abyssal Corruption incident. She had fought alongside him that day, and even though she was severely beaten by the transformed Jae-sik, she made it out alive alongside Tae-woo and the other two. "Ah, Min-kyung-ssi," Tae-woo said, his tone relaxing. "How can I help you?"
There was another pause before Min-kyung finally spoke again.
"Well, are you busy tomorrow? Would you like to team up with me for a dungeon raid if you aren't?" she asked. "I managed to secure permission to raid a C-Rank dungeon gate, and I thought you might be interested."
Tae-woo leaned back in his chair, considering it.
C-Rank dungeons were a step above what he was used to. Before his Class evolved, he wouldn't have considered stepping into one. But now that he was no longer a Trainee and had survived the Abyss and completed the Trial of the Unprepared, he thought he was up for it.
Still, C-Rank dungeons were no joke. Even B-Rank Hunters had to be cautious when entering them. If he was going to accept, he needed to ensure the team was solid.
But before he could answer, something else occurred to him.
"…Wait, how did you get my number?" Tae-woo asked.
Min-kyung made a strangled noise as if caught off-guard.
"A-about that, well…"
Tae-woo narrowed his eyes.
"It was Ji-hoon, wasn't it?"
Min-kyung hesitated for only a second before sighing in defeat.
"Yes, it was Ji-hoon," she admitted, clearly embarrassed.
Tae-woo sighed. That guy was always up to something.
"So, would you like to join me tomorrow, Tae-woo-ssi?" Min-kyung asked again, her voice carrying a hopeful edge.
He thought it over for a few more seconds before nodding to himself.
"I guess that should be fine," he said. "As long as we have a full team. C-Rank dungeons are still dangerous, even for B-Rank Hunters like us."
"R-right! I already gathered enough Hunters for the raid," Min-kyung assured him. "I'll send you the location. I'll see you there, Tae-woo-ssi."
Once the call ended, Tae-woo sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"C-Rank dungeons, huh?"
He glanced down at his palm, flexing his fingers. Ever since his return from the Abyss, he had grown stronger. He could feel his body moving as his senses had sharpened, and his instincts reacted faster. Devour had changed him.
Min-kyung and the others had witnessed it firsthand. They had seen him tear into Jae-sik's twisted and corrupted body, eating the very flesh of the man who had turned into a monster. And yet, none of the other survivors had spoken about it.
Perhaps they didn't want to think about it. Maybe they simply wanted to forget.
Regardless, with new Hunters joining the raid, Tae-woo decided he wouldn't use Devour this time. He wasn't naïve. They wouldn't take it well if the others saw him doing it. He didn't need that kind of attention.
For now, he would rely on the strength he had already gained.
Stretching his arms, Tae-woo exhaled before standing up.
Tomorrow, his return to dungeon raids would begin.
And hopefully, this time, things wouldn't go horribly wrong.
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The next day, Tae-woo arrived at the location of the C-Rank dungeon gate, where several Hunters had already gathered. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, with people making final checks on their enchanted gear and weapons. Some adjusted their armor straps, others performed last-minute stretches, while a few exchanged light banters to ease the tension before the raid.
Unlike the others, Tae-woo's attire was far from elaborate. A black jacket, denim pants, and a single pauldron over his right shoulder. No full set of armor, no extravagant enchanted equipment. Armor, in his case, was more of a hindrance than a help. His fighting style relied on speed and adaptability, as heavy protection would only slow him down.
He took a moment to scan the gathered Hunters, looking for Min-kyung. It didn't take long before he spotted her among the crowd.
And immediately, he noticed something different.
The last time he saw her, she had worn something revealing; a midriff-baring top, arm guards, and a short skirt that left little to the imagination. But now…
She was wearing bikini armor.
Her toned abs were on full display, and her cleavage was barely contained by the reinforced leather and metal plates that barely counted as a chest guard. Her thighs were exposed, save for the high-cut leg guards that framed her muscular legs. Her pauldrons, shaped like animal skulls, rested on her shoulders, and a brand-new two-handed axe was strapped to her back.
Tae-woo blinked, caught off guard by the sight.
It took him a second longer than it should have to look away.
Just in time, too, because Min-kyung turned and spotted him.
"Ah, Tae-woo-ssi!"
Her face lit up, and she immediately made her way over to him, her breasts bouncing slightly with each step.
Tae-woo forced himself to keep his eyes on her face as he cleared his throat. "Min-kyung-ssi, it's been a while," he greeted, maintaining a neutral tone.
Now closer, Min-kyung's physical presence was even more striking. Her athletic build, toned arms, and powerful legs made it clear that she was built for battle, yet she still carried a natural feminine charm that made her stand out. She was strong, confident, and undeniably attractive.
And Tae-woo was doing everything in his power not to stare.
"So, uh… a C-Rank dungeon raid, huh?" Tae-woo said, grasping at the first neutral topic he could think of, knowing full well that commenting on her outfit was a terrible idea.
If Min-kyung noticed his discomfort, she didn't comment on it. Instead, she smiled brightly at him, tucking a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear. Tae-woo could have sworn her cheeks were a bit red.
"Yes! I managed to secure permission to raid the dungeon," she said excitedly before gesturing to the rest of the gathered Hunters. "We'll be teaming up with these guys today. The weakest among them are C-Rank Hunters, so you don't have to worry about anyone dragging us down."
Tae-woo nodded, glad to hear that the team was well-assembled. "I see. Thanks for inviting me to this raid, Min-kyung-ssi. Since I've been on probation for the past week, I haven't been able to do much, and honestly, I kind of missed dungeon diving."
That was a half-truth. Tae-woo had gone into a dungeon, which was the Abyss. But Min-kyung didn't need to know about that.
"Me too," Min-kyung said, nodding in agreement. However, unlike before, when she had been bold and outspoken, she seemed a little more reserved this time. There was a small hesitation in the way she spoke, a slight fidget in her movements.
Tae-woo chose not to dwell on it.
With all the participants slowly arriving, the group made their final preparations. As with most dungeon raids, a complete team of ten Hunters was required for a C-Rank gate. Every essential role was filled, like DPS, tanks, healers, and support, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
Still, Tae-woo couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of unease.
Dungeon raids were never predictable.
Precautions had been taken. Everyone had undergone mental and emotional evaluations to prevent another Abyssal Corruption incident, and a Priest was present in the team to further ensure safety. But even with all these measures in place, Tae-woo knew that dungeons had a way of surprising people.
"I'll be leading this group today," Min-kyung suddenly declared, snapping Tae-woo from his thoughts.
Almost instantly, her previous confidence returned as she stood tall before the assembled Hunters, her posture exuding authority. If anyone had doubts about her leadership, none of them voiced it.
"Remember your roles, and don't overestimate yourselves," she continued with a firm and commanding voice. "We all know what we signed up for, so let's ensure this raid goes smoothly."
Several B-Rank Hunters were in the group, but none of them objected to Min-kyung taking charge. She was strong, capable, and carried herself like someone who knew what she was doing.
Standing off to the side, Tae-woo couldn't help but admire her composure.
This was the same woman who, just moments ago, had been fidgeting while talking to him. Yet now, she was commanding the attention of all the Hunters in the raid.
She really was something else.
Min-kyung took a deep breath before raising her voice.
"Are you guys ready?"
A loud chorus of voices answered in unison.
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"YES!"
With the team energized and ready for battle, they turned toward the swirling C-Rank dungeon portal, a gateway of shifting blue hues pulsating ominously like a living thing.
And with that, they stepped inside.
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The raid proceeded smoothly, thanks to all the precautions before entering the dungeon. While the monsters in the C-Rank dungeon were noticeably stronger than those in the lower-ranked dungeons, the team worked in near-perfect coordination, each Hunter fulfilling their respective roles with practiced efficiency. No one overstepped their duties, and no one lagged behind. It was a textbook example of how a well-organized raid should function.
At the center of it all was Go Min-kyung.
She was, without a doubt, the MVP of the raid.
Armed with her two-handed axe, she cut through the hordes of monsters like a force of nature. Every swing of her weapon sent blood and severed limbs flying, and yet, despite the sheer brutality of her attacks, there was an undeniable grace in the way she moved.
She fought with the ferocity of a warrior and the precision of a master combatant.
Even the other seasoned Hunters couldn't help but stare in amazement at her sheer dominance on the battlefield.
"Support, buff up the main attackers!" Min-kyung shouted over the sounds of battle, never breaking her momentum.
The support Hunters quickly chanted their spells, casting enhancement magic on the front-line fighters, boosting their strength, defense, and agility. The effect was immediate, as those on the front lines charged forward with renewed vigor, quickly cutting down the remaining monsters.
Tae-woo couldn't help but be impressed.
From an outside perspective, someone might assume Min-kyung was just a brute with a big weapon, a dumb musclehead who relied on raw strength to win fights. But watching her command the battlefield, it became clear that she was a competent leader who understood tactics and knew how to direct a team efficiently.
Tae-woo recalled something Ji-hoon had told him once.
Min-kyung was the daughter of a billionaire, Go Haneul, the CEO of Gojin Group, one of Korea's largest industrial conglomerates or chaebols. Unlike the Six Great Guilds, which monopolized the Hunter and dungeon industries, Gojin Group sought to establish its own major guild to compete against them.
Looking at Min-kyung now, Tae-woo couldn't help but wonder if she was acting on her father's behalf. Had she chosen this path, or was she simply following a role dictated by her family?
That was something he would have to figure out later.
For now, he had monsters to kill.
A troll, a massive humanoid monster with thick, grayish-green skin and large, protruding tusks, charged toward him.
Instead of using his crystallite weapons, Tae-woo chose a standard sword, gripping the handle firmly before rushing forward to meet the creature head-on.
The troll roared, swinging its massive arm in an attempt to crush him in one blow, but Tae-woo sidestepped effortlessly, bringing his blade down onto the troll's knee joint. The sharp steel cut through the thick flesh, severing tendons and crippling the monster's movement.
The creature howled, stumbling forward.
Without hesitation, Tae-woo darted behind it, slashing through the tendons in its other leg, forcing the troll to collapse onto all fours.
Before it could regenerate, Tae-woo swung his sword in a clean arc, severing its head from its body in one final motion. The troll gurgled before its massive corpse slumped to the ground.
Trolls were notorious for their regeneration, making them difficult to kill without finishing blows. Tae-woo knew that Devouring one could grant him incredible regenerative abilities, but there was no such opportunity with so many Hunters around him.
"Good work, everyone!" Min-kyung called out, her voice carrying through the battlefield as the last of the monsters fell.
The Priest of the team immediately stepped forward, casting healing spells on the wounded, ensuring that no injuries lingered before they moved on.
With the monsters cleared, it was time to harvest.
The team began extracting monster cores from the fallen trolls, carefully removing the glowing crystalline orbs embedded in their chests. These cores were valuable, fetching high prices on the market as they were essential for magical enchantments, crafting, and magitech advancements.
Like others, Tae-woo also extracted, digging into the dead trolls for their cores.
He was still tempted to sneak a bite of troll flesh, but that was out of the question with all these Hunters around.
As he worked, Min-kyung approached him, her expression softer than before.
"Good work, Tae-woo-ssi," she said, offering him a gentle smile.
Tae-woo turned to look at her and immediately realized just how much blood was covering her.
She was covered in monster blood, her exposed arms, legs, and even her face streaked with red. Despite that, her smile remained warm and inviting, as if utterly unfazed by the mess.
"I knew I could count on you," she added.
Tae-woo did his absolute best to keep his eyes on her face.
Smiling back at her, he responded, "I'm glad you think highly of me, Min-kyung-ssi." Then, after a short pause, he sighed. "I'm sure you already know that I used to be an F-Rank Hunter, right?"
Min-kyung tilted her head slightly.
"Well, I've heard about that, but you're so capable now," she said as she sat beside him. "Is that true, though?"
Tae-woo nodded, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, it's true. I was a lowly F-Rank Hunter before, and my original Class was Trainee." He chuckled, shaking his head as he recalled being one of the weakest Hunters around. "I was a complete wimp back then. If a monster sneezed at me, I'd probably keel over."
Min-kyung watched him curiously, resting her chin on her knee.
"I've heard about your fall into the Abyss," she said, her voice quieter now.
Tae-woo stilled, his fingers tightening slightly on the hilt of his blade.
"…Was it scary?"
For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
Before, he would have said yes, absolutely. The Abyssal Gate was terrifying, something that even S-Rank Hunters feared. But after returning there and conquering the Trial of the Unprepared, that fear had changed.
He still respected the dangers of the Abyss, but it no longer held the same terror over him.
"…Yeah," he finally answered. "There's a reason why even S-Rank Hunters fear it."
Min-kyung was silent for a moment before nodding. "I see…" she murmured.
She remained seated beside him, watching him quietly. Then, after a moment, she pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them as she sat there.
Tae-woo focused on finishing up his monster core extractions, oblivious to the gentle smile on her face as she continued to watch him.
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Eventually, the group reached the boss's room.
A massive stone door loomed before them, its surface covered in ancient, worn carvings, a silent testament to whatever creature lay beyond. The air around it felt heavy as if pressing down on them with an unseen weight. The moment had finally arrived as they stood before the final challenge of the dungeon.
Excitement buzzed through the group. After battling through the hordes of monsters and making it this far, they were eager to see what kind of foe awaited them on the other side.
Min-kyung stood at the front, resting her massive two-handed axe over her shoulder as she surveyed the team one last time.
"Is everyone ready?" she asked.
A chorus of affirmative answers followed, the Hunters gripping their weapons and checking their gear in final preparation.
"Alright. Standard strategy. Damage dealers, be ready to strike. Tanks, make sure to protect the mages while they prepare their spells. Support, buff everyone accordingly. You all know your roles, so let's make this quick."
With one final nod, Min-kyung pressed her hands against the heavy doors and pushed them open.
A gust of stale air rushed from the chamber beyond, carrying the musty stench of old blood and rotting flesh.
Tae-woo narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
The moment the door opened, he sniffed the air, an instinctual habit he had picked up since acquiring Beast King. The scent that hit his nose was off. It was too strong, too fresh. It wasn't just the usual stagnant dungeon air.
There was something else in there.
But before he could warn the others, the group had already stepped inside, focusing entirely on the boss fight ahead.
The chamber was vast, its ceiling high enough to disappear into darkness, with towering pillars of jagged stone reaching toward the unseen heights. Pools of thick, blackened liquid stained the ground, evidence of past battles.
A few Hunters, including Min-kyung, walked ahead, their weapons ready.
They were completely unaware of the true danger waiting for them.
Tae-woo's instincts screamed at him.
Then, he saw it.
A massive shadow moved. For something that big, it was too fast.
His eyes widened.
"DUCK!"
His shout echoed through the cavern, but not everyone reacted in time.
Tae-woo launched himself forward, his sword already raised.
A massive blade, easily the size of a fully grown man, came crashing down.
"Ngh!"
Tae-woo braced himself, meeting the giant weapon head-on. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, his muscles straining as he held firm against the force. Dust and loose debris from the ground scattered from the sheer weight of the attack.
The other Hunters stumbled backward, wide-eyed as they registered what just happened.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
Gasps of shock and disbelief filled the room at Tae-woo's quick reaction and the colossal blade he had just blocked.
Then, the blade was withdrawn, and its wielder stepped into view.
A massive creature emerged from the shadows, standing at least five meters tall. Its body was covered in thick, leathery red skin, its lumpy, grotesque head dominated by a single, glowing yellow eye. A heavy loincloth of animal hides hung around its waist, and in its massive, clawed hands, it gripped an enormous machete, the jagged edge stained with dried blood.
A cyclops.
Min-kyung let out a slow breath, gripping her axe tighter as she took a defensive stance.
"A cyclops…" she murmured.
Then, she glanced at Tae-woo, her lips pressing into a tight line.
"You saved us all, Tae-woo-ssi."
Tae-woo exhaled sharply, adjusting his stance as he lowered his sword slightly, his arms buzzing from the impact.
Instead of responding, he lifted his blade again, his expression calm and focused.
The other Hunters finally snapped out of their shock, immediately moving into position.
"Careful! Cyclopes are resistant to magic!" one of the mages called out.
Min-kyung clicked her tongue.
"Then this battle's going to be a pain," she muttered. Then, raising her voice, she barked out orders.
"Support, focus on boosting our attackers! Tanks, draw its attention and keep it distracted so our damage dealers can get in close! Everyone else, be ready to dodge! This thing hits hard!"
The Hunters moved as one, each falling into their assigned roles.
Cyclopes were notoriously tricky enemies. Their sheer size, durability, and strength made them a nightmare to fight, and without magic to weaken them, this battle would take every bit of coordination they had.
Tae-woo and the other damage dealers rushed forward, but with the creature's towering height, their attacks could only reach its legs.
A sword-wielding Hunter gritted his teeth.
"We need someone with ranged attacks!"
"W-we have some people with crossbows, b-but it takes time to reload!" came another response.
Min-kyung let out a frustrated grunt.
"Then don't just stand there! Keep moving, and protect the ranged attackers while they reload!"
The battle descended into chaos.
The cyclops roared, swinging its massive blade in a sweeping arc, forcing the Hunters to scatter. The ground shook violently each time it stomped, making it difficult to maintain balance.
"TANKS, BLOCK!"
A trio of heavily-armored Hunters moved in unison, raising their shields just in time to intercept the cyclops' downward strike. The impact sent cracks splintering across the ground, but they held firm.
Tae-woo darted forward, his sword flashing as he slashed at the creature's Achilles tendon.
The blade bit into flesh, drawing a deep wound, but the cyclops barely flinched, letting out a guttural snarl before lifting its massive foot.
And it stomped down.
Tae-woo barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the shockwave from the impact sent dust and debris flying.
This wasn't going to be easy.
Tae-woo quickly pushed himself up, his body still thrumming with tension as he took in the chaotic battlefield. The cyclops loomed overhead, its single eye flicking between its many attackers. Despite their numbers, most of the team's attacks had barely scratched it, and the ranged fighters were struggling to deal any meaningful damage.
His mind raced, searching for a workable strategy. The obvious weak point was the eye, but reaching it was another issue entirely. The cyclops' sheer height and reach made direct attacks difficult. He could jump high enough to slash at its face, but he'd be left entirely vulnerable during his descent if his attack failed to land a killing blow.
As if proving his point, one of the sword-wielding Hunters attempted a jumping attack, aiming to strike the monster's face, only to be batted aside mid-air and sent crashing into a nearby pillar with a heavy thud.
Tae-woo winced, watching the Hunter groan in pain. That approach wasn't going to work. He considered using the cyclops' body as a platform, running up its limbs to reach its head, but the risk of being thrown off or crushed was too high.
Before deciding on a course of action, Min-kyung suddenly moved to his side.
"Tae-woo-ssi," she called out, gripping her axe tightly. "I have an idea."
She pointed at the cyclops' face, determination burning in her eyes.
"I want you to boost me so I can jump to reach its eye."
Tae-woo blinked. "Are you sure?"
Before she could answer, they both rolled aside, barely avoiding a downward slash from the cyclops' massive blade. Dust and debris exploded as the ground trembled from the impact.
Tae-woo quickly pushed himself up, shaking off the shock from the near hit. "You know you'll freefall once you're up there, right? Unless you've suddenly learned how to fly."
Min-kyung's lips curled into a confident smile.
"Just trust me."
Her confidence left no room for doubt.
Tae-woo sighed. "Alright."
They rushed forward, weaving through the battlefield as they closed on the towering monster. With practiced ease, Tae-woo freed his hands, lowering them into position.
Min-kyung didn't hesitate. Using her own momentum, she stepped onto his clasped hands, and with a mighty push, Tae-woo launched her skyward.
She soared through the air, higher than any normal human should be able to jump, propelled by Tae-woo's raw strength.
The cyclops turned its gaze up, its massive pupil dilating in surprise, but it was too late.
"HAAAAAH!"
With a fierce battle cry, Min-kyung swung her axe overhead, gravity amplifying the force behind her strike.
The massive blade cleaved through the cyclops' skull, slicing through its eye as blood splattered across the chamber. The monster let out one last agonized roar, its single eye crushed before its body went limp.
But Min-kyung had no time to celebrate as gravity began to take hold.
She began falling, plummeting rapidly toward the ground, knowing she couldn't brace herself in time for a proper landing.
Then, suddenly, strong arms caught her.
Min-kyung's eyes widened as she found herself held securely in a bridal carry, Tae-woo's face just inches from hers.
"Eh?"
For a brief moment, everything else faded; the battlefield, the Hunters, even the fallen cyclops. All she could focus on was the warmth of Tae-woo's arms around her and that he had caught her so effortlessly.
The next thing she knew, he was smiling down at her.
"Good work."
Min-kyung's face instantly turned red.
She froze, her brain short-circuiting as her heart thumped wildly in her chest.
She remained in his arms for a moment longer than necessary before finally forcing herself to speak.
"U-um, Tae-woo-ssi…" she stammered, her fingers curling against his chest. "Y-you can put me down now."
As if only now realizing what he was doing, Tae-woo immediately set her down, clearing his throat as he did.
Min-kyung fidgeted, her cheeks burning.
Meanwhile, the cyclops' massive body came crashing down behind them, the sheer impact shaking the entire chamber.
The battle was over.
They had won.
Hunters swarmed around the corpse, inspecting the kill, ensuring that the creature was indeed dead. Cheers erupted as they confirmed the victory, excitement buzzing through the team.
But Min-kyung barely registered any of it.
Her attention was still on Tae-woo, her heart beating too fast for her liking.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, before hesitantly looking up at him again.
"Tae-woo-ssi…" she started.
Tae-woo turned his gaze to her, curious.
She swallowed before speaking again, her voice shaky but determined.
"W-would you like to form a guild with me?"