The inside of the dungeon was a complete contrast to its shabby external appearance.
A massive column running through the center and a marble floor replicated the grandeur of an ancient temple.
In various places, elegant patterns were engraved, and a sacred aura enveloped the space.
Perhaps if it had been a Skeleton Lair, it would have been different, but this was a double dungeon.
“Hmm, good. I’m feeling better,” Cheon Yeoul said softly as she took a breath.
Her expression softened, and a gentle glow emanated from her face. Her hair shimmered, flowing like silk.
Now, should we call this a dungeon at all?
It’s the tomb of Iano, the legendary Japanese priestess.
About five years ago, Japan was thrown into turmoil when a will left by Iano was discovered. It contained this message:
“To my home country, a fake; to a foreign land, the real one.”
According to her will, she had left a fake tomb in Japan to guard against grave robbers, while the real one was hidden deep in the mountains of a foreign land, unknown to all.
Her prediction proved accurate; the fake tomb in Japan was robbed not long after.
The truth uncovered by this will was shocking: the tomb Japan had guarded for hundreds of years was a forgery.
Based on this will, Japan searched worldwide but failed to find her real tomb.
And now, it’s right here before my eyes.
“What rank was it?”
This question was directed at Cheon Yeoul.
Iano hid not only her tomb abroad but also within a dungeon. It was set up so that it would only reveal itself to those deemed worthy by their holy power. The standard set was at least a third-tier rank.
However, the energy Cheon Yeoul had displayed earlier didn’t seem to fit the profile of a mere third-tier.
“Well… I was a perfect third-tier, wasn’t I?” she responded after placing a finger to her lips and tilting her head.
“Why? Is something off?”
She then grinned, turned the question back at me with an air of leisure, and continued walking.
I looked around the dungeon again. This place was a double dungeon. Normally, it should have been filled with complex puzzles and obstacles.
‘It’s too clean.’
The marble floor was spotless, and instead of a confusing maze of paths, a straight road stretched before us.
This was the state it would have been in if in a game, one had used a cheat to summon priests of a seventh-tier rank or higher.
There would be no chance with an average third-tier priest.
‘Could this be possible?’
We had used the top-tier holy water, which the old man highly cherished, and was extremely rare. Moreover, Cheon Yeoul was no ordinary priest. Even as a third-tier, her quantity and quality of holy power must surpass that of other priests of her rank.
Factually, it’s a good thing. A really good thing, in fact.
“Still, it’s a bit of a waste.”
Last night, before bed, I memorized all the strategies and puzzles, but now they might come to naught.
“Isn’t this incredible? Who would’ve thought such a small dungeon could lead to this?”
Cheon Yeoul said as she leisurely observed her surroundings.
We walked along the straight path as if a red carpet had been rolled out for us.
At the end of the path lay a massive door, tightly shut. This should have been filled with countless traps and puzzles, but the journey here was straightforward.
‘Lucky.’
I let go of the earlier foolish version of myself.
“How did you know?”
Cheon Yeoul asked while walking.
“You came prepared with holy water, so it seemed you already had an idea.”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity towards me.
After a brief pause, I delivered the prepared answer: “This is Iano’s tomb.”
“Really?”
Cheon Yeoul’s eyes slightly widened; evidently, she was aware of Iano’s reputation.
“During my document research, I found a record of Iano’s past visit to Taebek.”
Japan had indeed searched this far but was ultimately unsuccessful.
“Taebek is blessed with divine energy due to its mountainscape, but an undead dungeon? It just didn’t make sense. Thus, I speculated that it might be here.”
“Well, 90% was luck, really.”
Cheon Yeoul chuckled.
“You’re humble.”
As the conversation drew to an end, we arrived at the massive door.
The sight before us once again left us breathless.
All obstacles passed, and the door was meant to open automatically.
With a grand creak, it began to open slowly.
As the door opened, a gentle, warm breeze carrying a subtle floral fragrance greeted us.
“Wow….” escaped my lips involuntarily.
The view beyond the door was a completely different world.
There stood an oriental-style residence, with distinctive black-tiled roofs and crimson pillars, surrounded by a meticulously trimmed garden.
Especially striking was the massive cherry blossom tree next to the house, its petals swirling down like snow, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
“The ambiance has changed?” Cheon Yeoul remarked in surprise as she surveyed the surroundings.
It was a recreation of Iano’s birthplace.
In the middle of the courtyard stood an enormous statue.
The samurai-armored figure, with a sword planted in the ground and its stance as if to guard the place, embodied a powerful guardian.
Everything seemed perfectly harmonious, as though we had stepped into a timeless space.
Right then, as we admired the tomb scenery,
-BANG!!!
The massive door behind us slammed shut.
“Look out!”
The colossal sculpture in front of us had come alive.
I reflexively stepped back to create space.
The statue, with a heavy thud on the ground, pulled its sword and menacingly pointed it toward us.
“… This place exists beyond past, present, and future.”
A fiery red gaze flashed from the helmet.
The gigantic sword slowly turned its aim to Cheon Yeoul.
“… Do you… have the… qualifications?”
The sword’s emitted energy swirled around her. The surrounding air felt distorted.
The red light in the statue’s eyes dimmed for a moment, then slowly continued:
“… Qualifications are acknowledged.”
“Sharp eyes,” Cheon Yeoul replied nonchalantly.
Despite her humor, the statue didn’t flinch. Instead, its sword now pointed at me.
The next moment, the same energy enveloped me.
I tightly gripped the spear at my waist. It seemed it was time to fight.
“Prepare for combat.”
At my muted command, Cheon Yeoul nodded slightly.
“If that’s your wish.”
She closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and began her prayer.
The statue was likely to thrust its sword at me anytime.
My muscles tensed as I prepared to move.
“… Qualifications are acknowledged.”
“… Huh?”
The sword lowered as the statue’s red eyes dimmed again, continuing,
“Traveler who defies distances, have you finally laid down your burdens…?”
“Defying distances? Burdens?”
I had no idea about this script. The standard plot was to win a fierce battle, earn the statue’s recognition, and proceed.
“… And the one who shared this burden…”
Cheon Yeoul slowly opened her eyes.
“… Feel its weight.”
With a deafening crash,
The statue split itself with its giant sword.
Fragmenting like a cracked rock, it crumbled to reveal shimmering artifacts within.
“… Hmm.”
Cheon Yeoul softly murmured.
“… I’ll feel it.”
There was an air of determination in her demeanor.
On the pedestal where the statue had stood were a crucifix and a transparent vial.
I moved towards them cautiously.
The gleaming crucifix and the liquid in the transparent vial were legendary relics: one, Iano’s crucifix, infused with unimaginable divine power, and the other, a mythical elixir capable of forcibly expanding mana pathways and enhancing efficiency to its limit.
One was destined for Cheon Yeoul, and the other, planned for Seong Si-woo.
Were these items monetized, their value would be incalculable beyond measure.
“Regrettable. I should’ve requested a distribution offer.”
Cheon Yeoul said with nonchalance.
I momentarily deliberated with the crucifix in hand.
‘Shall I offer it now?’
Absorbing the crucifix’s divine power would take her considerable time to fully assimilate it as her own. Handing it over here seemed more convenient. The association would undoubtedly interfere once we stepped outside.
After some resolve, I held the crucifix forward to her.
“Take it. I wasn’t expecting such a reward anyway.”
“Besides, without you, we might not have gotten this far.”
She wore a tender expression at my words, switching soon to her typical mischievous grin.
“There’s another good idea I can share with you, though?”
As she stepped closer, speaking softly:
“Sell this at a high price to our temple.”
Then she whispered near my ear:
“Anyway, the church will insistently give it to me, won’t they?”
Stepping back, she gave an enchanting smile.
“What do you think?”
… She’s a genius!
Her unexpected suggestion left me momentarily speechless.
“Still, is that okay?”
“Yeah.”
Her affirmative nod was accompanied by a radiant smile.
Ultimately, I placed both the crucifix and the elixir into the bag.
“What about the elixir? Will you consume it?”
“No, I have a use for it.”
I need to give it to Seong Si-woo—it will amplify his innate magical capacity effectively.
“Alright?”
She nodded as we headed towards the dungeon’s entrance together.
“Wait.”
Suddenly, she stopped and grabbed my arm.
“Isn’t it dangerous? Let me evaluate this elixir first.”
Aware that it wasn’t dangerous, yet her offer was reasonable, I handed it over after nodding.
“Don’t open the cap. The effect might vanish.”
If the long-condensed power dissipates upon exposure, the efficacy will vanish instantly.
I carefully passed the elixir, turned around, and resumed walking.
-Pop
“Hmm?”
What’s that sound?
The sound of opening the cap startled me, and I quickly turned back.
-Plop
She had already pushed the elixir directly into my mouth.
“Ugh!”
-Gulp
A fiery warmth surged down my throat.
She held me firmly from behind and said:
“Good… Good… swallow it all.”
An unstoppable energy surged within me explosively. My strength left my body, and my legs gave out. I had to rely on her support.
“Alright? Our… Haen-i is… good, right?”
Her soft voice whispered into my ear.
“Let’s embrace… and… take a long nap?”
As I swayed, the surge of mana overwhelmed me.
This was the signal of the drug taking effect.
-Hmph, how precious this elixir is. And you wanted to give it to someone else?
As my consciousness faded, her voice continued to echo faintly.
