# Episode 24: The Second Sin (3)
Exploring a dungeon requires thorough preparation—maps, party members, potions, necessary gear… Prepping can easily take at least a week. Safety first is Evan’s motto, whether it’s gaming or real life.
But things were different this time…
“This is it.”
Evan reluctantly raised his head as the sun set, casting the forest into dimness. A steep cliff loomed ahead, with an ominous stone gate standing alone.
“This is the ancient dungeon.”
The entrance to their next conquest.
‘Coming here without any prep…’
Has Hanol really become such a daredevil?
‘Wait, are these guys fearless or what?’
Evan glanced at his companions: Lapis, the future sin; Spuer, the prodigy; and Arthur, Knight of the Full Moon. It was an unusual lineup.
Their fearlessness made sense—they’d never known the sting of inadequacy since birth. Their skills were unmatched. Lapis grew stronger daily, and Arthur had regained his aura.
In their prime, they might’ve rivaled the legendary ‘Purity,’ who once ruled the Knight Kingdom.
Even now, at half their peak strength, they were terrifyingly powerful.
‘Damn, just thinking about it gives me chills.’
Fortunately, they’re on our side.
Evan scanned the gate area. Signs of heretics frequenting the place were evident, with traps set to ward off beasts nearby.
Still…
“Why the hell do they have those purple torches?”
Apparently, aesthetics aren’t their thing. The violet flames looked downright menacing.
‘Should we turn back?’
Evan seriously debated it.
“Wow, so cool!”
Lapis poked one of the purple torches, which ignored her.
“Can we roast some fruit?”
“No, you’ll get hurt.”
“Doesthislook like it’ll hurt me?”
Spuer pointed incredulously at Lapis, who was covered in blood—not hers, though. Evidence of the monsters she’d annihilated on the way here.
Even against mid-level creatures, she toyed with them before discarding them as boring.
A true predator. And despite her young age, Lapis was already reaching her full potential.
Damn, glad I owe her a favor now. Otherwise, it would’ve been bad.
Honestly, she scares me. Lucky she’s not our enemy.
Though Evan didn’t show it, he was genuinely frightened.
“Lapis, please be patient.”
“Alright…”
Evan skillfully calmed Lapis down before turning to Arthur.
“Have you explored this dungeon before?”
“No.”
Arthur shook his head.
“I usually killed intruders before they could even hide.”
…That’s kinda scary. Would he kill us if things go wrong?
Nah! Arthur’s a man of honor. Once he owes someone, he won’t harm them no matter what.
Unless they try to kill him or mess with his sibling. Evan wasn’t insane enough to provoke that.
My life is precious.
“What about you, sir?”
“I’m also new to dungeons.”
“Stay behind me for safety.”
Swish!
Arthur drew his sword.
Whoosh!
Silver aura surged around Arthur’s blade, gleaming like mercury before slashing like lightning.
Crash!
The door shattered under its force. Evan couldn’t help but glance at the nearby button.
…Do paladins break doors like this nowadays?
“Follow me.”
Arthur strode confidently inside—or tried to.
“Hold on.”
Evan stopped him.
Ancient dungeons typically have difficulty levels ranging from high-mid and above. This being a heretic stronghold, traps were almost guaranteed.
If anything went wrong, they might lose sight of Arthur.
Absolutely unacceptable. Not because he’s scared, but just in case.
[Form]
Thud!
Evan tapped his staff on the ground, causing dirt to clump together. He shaped it into a small golem resembling a dog—Golem Dog.
It could scout ahead.
“Charge!”
Woof!
The golem dashed inside.
Crack!
A mace dropped from the ceiling, smashing the Golem Dog.
“…”
Evan’s heart raced. What the hell?
Meanwhile, Arthur remained silent, clearly surprised by the trap.
Strong bodies don’t always mean sharp minds, but this was excessive.
Tsk tsk!
Evan clicked his tongue while tapping his staff again. The Golem Dog reformed instantly and re-entered. This time, the trap remained inactive.
Still cautious, Evan waited before sending it in again.
Crack!
The trap triggered once more. How long had it taken? About two minutes? Typical cooldown time for high-level dungeon traps.
‘This isn’t just high-level…it’s scary.’
Wouldn’t it be nice if it were easier? Still, backing out now would seem weak.
Lapis and Spuer’s sparkling eyes said it all. Retreat would tarnish their confidence.
‘Y-yeah, I’m a tough guy.’
Retreating would damage his self-esteem too. At minimum, he needed to secure a decent artifact or two.
Of course, Arthur would handle that part.
“That should confirm it.”
Evan turned to Arthur.
“Let’s go in.”
“…You knew about the trap beforehand?”
“Of course. There’s no dungeon without traps.”
Arthur looked puzzled but didn’t argue further.
“Let’s proceed.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“…Alright.”
Arthur nodded obediently.
*
Progress through the dungeon was smooth thanks to thorough information gathering. Evan was meticulous to an extreme.
Entry.Re-entry.Deploy multiple units.Check reactions based on height.
Like an alchemist conducting experiments, Evan analyzed every detail clinically, devoid of emotion.
Arthur was impressed.
There are two types of experts: those who rely purely on innate talent, and those who methodically analyze and accumulate effort over time.
Evan belonged to the latter category, though lacking talent was far from the truth.
Alchemists’ skill levels aren’t strictly categorized, but transmutation speed often correlates with potion quality.
Evan’s speed exceeded even top-tier alchemists he’d seen before.
‘Talent and effort combined…no wonder he’s so skilled at such a young age.’
Achieving this level within a year—something even Arthur, a prodigy among prodigies, hadn’t witnessed.
‘He must’ve prepared beforehand.’
This was Evan’s first ancient dungeon, yet his expertise seemed unnatural.
No trace of beginner awkwardness.
If anything, Arthur felt like the novice.
“Don’t go there. It’s a trap.”
“What?”
“The markings on the floor indicate concealed traps. Only certain patterns can detect them.”
Clearly, Evan had prior experience with similar dungeons.
Misinterpreting this, Arthur formed another theory.
‘Could he have been preparing for this all along?’
For dungeon exploration?Too far-fetched.
Evan, son of a noble family and second heir, would naturally value his own safety. His family wouldn’t let such valuable talent go to waste either.
Then why this level of preparation?
‘Targeting this dungeon specifically?’
Shivers ran down Arthur’s spine. It made sense.
Everything Evan did until now—approaching Arthur—could’ve been part of a grand plan.
Arthur, infamous as the heretics’ nightmare, wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by Evan. Someone who seemingly understood Arthur’s plans.
If everything was calculated…
“…I’m getting uneasy.”
Arthur stared at Evan’s back.
Just how far does his scheme go? What’s his ultimate goal?
One thing became clear.
‘That rumor might be true after all.’
Son of lions. Forbidden alchemy.
Reviving the dead—souls and bodies—violating divine laws.
If Evan sought research materials here…
Krroooorrr!
Suddenly, the small golem ahead was crushed.
Evan slowly lifted his head.
They’d reached a spacious cavern, likely used for prayer. Statues encircled the center piece.
However, something was off.
“…Chimera.”
Arthur muttered the name of the creature wrapped around the statue—a black mass with slithering movements and glowing red eyes.
A dark snake with bat-like wings and awkward extra arms.
“…Chimera.”
A fusion of multiple beings, created artificially.
The Chimera, Black Snake, glared at them with fiery crimson eyes.
“You unbelievers. Why have you come here?”
Arthur’s instincts screamed danger.
Chimeras were notorious entities.
Take the famous example: lion head, snake tail, goat body—a monstrous combination of knowledge and ferocity. The very chimera slain by Sir Gyeonbaek, current leader of the Knight Kingdom, using wit rather than brute force.
If this chimera matched that level…With only half his peak power, Arthur stood no chance. Its hidden abilities remained unpredictable.
‘It’s recently fed.’
Decapitated bodies littered the chamber, clad in black robes, frozen in prayer poses. Only their heads were missing, evidence of the snake’s selective appetite.
Satisfied after its meal, it didn’t attack immediately.
‘I’ll end this quickly.’
As Arthur gripped his sword hilt…
“That’s a shadow-dwelling chimera.”
Spuer spoke up.
“It’s immune to aura, holy energy, magic—all except other shadow beings. But its durability is weak, dying in one hit.”“How do you know this?”“There’s a way.”
Spuer arrogantly tilted his head, irritating Arthur further.
What nonsense during combat?
“One swing will tell if it works. Step back-”“Do shadow beings really work against anything?”
Evan interjected, his usual detached gaze fixed on Spuer.
“Even against inanimate objects?”“…It should work. But do you have something like that?”“Yes. Fortunately.”
Really? What is it?
Before Spuer or Arthur could question further…
“Answer me, unbelievers!”The enraged black snake lunged forward, scattering crimson light.
“How dare you disturb this sacred birthing ground!!!”
Kiiiiiaaaaaa!
Its massive jaws opened wide, threatening to engulf everything.
As Arthur prepared to swing his sword…
“Unit 2.”
Glug!
The shadows beneath Evan writhed.
“Defend.”
Creeeeak!
Out emerged Unit 2, a liquid-like golem construct from Evan’s shadow. It struck upward, catching the descending snake.
Black ichor spewed everywhere as Unit 2 grabbed the chimera’s face, tearing it apart like paper.
Zzzaaaaap!
The torn remains fell limply to the ground.
Unit 2 returned silently to the shadows.
Arthur wiped cold sweat from his hand gripping the sword hilt.
‘A golem dwelling in shadows…is that even possible? To carry it around prepared?’
Plod.
Spuer moved toward the corpses, squatting beside one.
“Pitiful and misguided souls.”
His small hands caressed a severed head, staining them black.
“Return, my brethren.”
The black ink-like substance flowed into Spuer, absorbing the chimera entirely.
Arthur turned to Evan, who showed no surprise, as if expecting this outcome all along.
‘The shadow golem, carrying around such an odd child…all part of the plan?’
Meanwhile, Evan inwardly panicked.
‘What the hell are you doing?!’
Why absorb the chimera? Are you one too?!
