Chapter 869

EP.869 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of the Sky and Creation Vol.1 016

About a hundred rounds of grinding in the Slime Dungeon.

Awakening as an i-ability user was good, but Nuri’s potential was so high that the entire nation went searching for her, and eventually Xian decided to hide her in Cheonan after contacting Nuri’s mother Seohyang.

No sooner had they cleared the dungeon than they retried it.

Xian and Yuna took turns buying necessary items, and they handled all their meals and rest inside the dungeon. Fortunately, no one found out Nuri’s whereabouts.

‘If the family hadn’t stepped in saying “Nuri is resting at home,” probably the whole country would have come out to check if Nuri had been kidnapped.’

Thanks to this, Xian and the group were able to gain plenty of combat experience in the Slime Dungeon where no one looked for them.

However, battle fatigue piled up just as much, and Raon and Nuri grew dissatisfied with not being able to shower properly. Yuna, who took responsibility for the group, suggested taking a day off.

Xian lost by a majority vote of 1:3 and booked a quiet nearby hotel. To ensure comfort, everyone decided to take separate rooms.

They made a pact to eat breakfast together at the hotel tomorrow morning before heading to the D-Rank Goblin Dungeon, then each retreated to their own room for some introspection.

* * *

<9 PM, Xian's Room>

“This is why people get fragged.”

Xian gritted his teeth while applying cold compresses to his thighs and arms. His suggestion to maintain tension by challenging the D-Rank dungeon immediately met rebellion from the team members.

“Never thought Yuna would do that.”

At first, Raon and Nuri followed Xian’s lead even though they were tired themselves. Both had reached a level where they could face slimes head-on, and despite their physical exhaustion, their confidence had grown somewhat.

But Yuna refused. She argued that with such accumulated fatigue, there was a risk of accidents. Xian threatened to step in himself if needed—

‘The team leader is me.’

“Yeah, that’s true. It is true…”

Yuna’s single strike left him defeated, tail tucked between his legs. In dungeon raids, the team leader’s orders are absolute. If Xian had disrespected Yuna’s words, neither of the three would have willingly taken on the role of team leader.

“Yeah. That’s true…”

This is why the guild master’s authority means nothing. Even though the team leader takes full responsibility and leads the situation inside the dungeon, the team still includes the guild master, Xian.

‘What if something happens when we enter the dungeon like this? People are looking everywhere for Nuri right now. If anything happens to Nuri, can you handle the aftermath?’

“Did I push too hard?”

Honestly, there was no denying he pushed them too far. But Xian was genuinely frustrated seeing the team struggle against slimes and king slimes that he could handle alone.

He wanted to unleash magical bullets countless times during those king slime eliminations. Thankfully, he entrusted the ammunition to Yuna; otherwise, he would’ve definitely let loose with excitement.

“Thanks to Yuna, I’ve received a lot of help.”

Yuina… Yuina… Xian kept repeating Yuna’s name, lost in thought.

Since Yuna signed a provisional contract with his guild a few days ago, Xian had endlessly pondered what she truly was. He even brought up unrealistic settings from novels or movies to analyze Yuna’s identity.

“Huff…”

Xian sipped on a canned beer and pulled out Yuna’s test results from his coat. He intentionally broke the machine, fearing it might automatically register Yuna’s magic power test results.

“Damn, I’m losing my mind.”

The results registered on the Hero Wiki and what Yuna already knew didn’t differ at all. However, the ‘System’ within the dungeon is absolute, so theoretically, there should’ve been at least a slight increase in maximum growth values.

But there wasn’t even a hint of an increase.

“If only we could know our current stats like in a game.”

Such magical gear, if developed, would be worth investing in. After ranting about the shortcomings of modern magic power detectors, Xian straightened his posture and bowed his head.

“No, thanks to that, I met the goddess, didn’t I?”

There’s still no certainty. But because of the device’s limitations, Xian got to meet someone named Yuna through the relationship of guild master and member.

Of course, until the modified detector ordered from Oracle arrives, all the hypotheses Xian has about Yuna might just be baseless fantasies.

“…Even if it turns out not to be true, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Xian pulled out a commemorative photo taken with Yuna, the first guild member, from his gallery and chuckled.

“Not all healers need to only treat wounds, right?”

Mediator. Yuna would appropriately bridge the opposing natures of Raon and Nuri. They’d spent barely a week together, but Xian had come to understand Yuna’s character and tendencies.

“She may not be a god, but she’s certainly an angel.”

Xian gazed at the moon reflected between the windows while finishing his remaining beer.

To clear the Goblin Dungeon without anyone getting hurt, there was still a mountain of things to sort out.

Gulping down another sip, Xian’s night deepened as he analyzed dozens of Korean Goblin Dungeon raid videos.

The next day.

Xian woke up barely in time to the alarm after preparing materials late into the night. Meeting up as agreed, the group gathered for breakfast at the hotel with weary faces.

“…None of you slept well?”

Xian had dark circles under his eyes. Yuna and Raon looked especially exhausted, whereas Nuri appeared the most normal.

“Let’s go over these one by one while eating?”

Xian pulled out a screen from his magical gear. It detailed the composition and raid method of the Goblin Dungeon he had meticulously organized throughout the night.

“Based on our current strength analysis, I believe this is the most appropriate raid method.”

“Wow…”

“Xian, isn’t this a bit excessive?”

“Uncle, are you crazy?”

Each team member reacted differently. Scratching his cheek, Xian shrugged and picked up a piece of bread.

“Even if we’re slowly becoming capable of fighting, safety first, right?”

Xian grinned mischievously at the holographic mannequins and the three others.

“Then, shall we start measuring your three sizes?”

* * *

<10 AM, Cheonan Shopping District>

“Unfair.”

Xian muttered while leaning against the wall. Yuna rubbed his flushed cheeks with a cold coffee can, teasing him.

“You brought this upon yourself.”

“But women love going shopping for clothes, right?”

For a moment, Yuna’s hand almost crushed the can in anger but managed to calm herself down.

“Who says that?”

“Oracle does.”

Startled. Yuna’s hand froze.

“Considering I’ve never been in love, I talk to her often, don’t I? And I frequently ask her for advice…”

“Wait, hold on.”

Yuna interrupted Xian. Fortunately, Raon and Nuri were busy getting measured at the clothing store, leaving only Yuna and Xian present.

“Do you often contact Oracle-sama?”

“Yeah. She’s busy, and there’s a time difference, so not often, but maybe once every two weeks?”

“What do you usually talk about…?”

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Xian hesitated before speaking.

“I’ve never been in a situation like this with so many women. So I often ask Oracle questions. Then she recommended this book to me.”

Xian summoned a hologram of a book using his magical gear. Grinding her teeth, Yuna read its title.

“Oracle’s Love Coaching…?”

“Hollywood studios alone arranged several celebrity couples through Oracle. She’s publishing a book based on her experiences this time. She sent me an early copy to read.”

“Learning about love from a book… Guild Master, are you currently…?”

“I’m single right now.”

Right now. Right now. Yuna clenched her fists secretly behind her back. She wanted to dig deeper, but unfortunately, Raon and Nuri returned from trying on clothes.

“Measurement complete, Xian.”

“…”

Nuri glared fiercely at Xian, disguised with a black hat and sunglasses. Raon also gave him a less-than-friendly look while showing him data from her magical gear.

“…I absolutely trust there are no strange thoughts.”

Raon warned as she transmitted the data. Upon receiving it, Xian opened his mouth in amazement but coughed after Yuna jabbed him in the ribs.

“Hem. Shall we place the order now?”

“It’s just for rent anyway.”

“…We’re buying it.”

Xian complained in a sulky tone while posturing, causing Raon and Nuri to block his path in shock.

“Are you brainwashed? You’re talking about suits costing tens of millions won per set. Are you buying both?”

“Xian. This isn’t right. No matter how important the dungeon raid is, buying hero suits—”

“Consider it an investment. Dungeons are conquered with gear, so…”

Xian flicked a black card between his index and middle fingers.

“I’ll pay for these on the condition that starting today, it’s a one-day contract?”

“Don’t misunderstand. This is a contractual agreement.”

Yuna clarified Xian’s statement. Xian winked at Yuna while snapping his fingers.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say!”

“…”

Yuna blushed furiously and lowered her head.

* * *

Enhanced Suits, Hero Suits.

A dream for heroes to have costumes matching their abilities combined with the practical necessity of reinforced exoskeletons for battling monsters resulted in the creation of a masterpiece of magical engineering.

Initially simple armor, they evolved as technology advanced alongside the increasing magical powers of their users, leading to the development of various types of hero suits.

Nowadays, not only heroes but even affluent hunters wear enhanced suits, and a select few villains secretly develop and use them.

While designs vary widely among manufacturers, female i-ability users disproportionately wear body suits that accentuate their figures.

Female i-ability users who prefer more coverage opt for heavy armor suits, but for most women, the feature that ‘increased magical power enhances their beauty’ negates concerns about exposure.

In fact, after an SS-Rank i-ability user’s sudden comment that “revealing one’s figure is proof of reaching a high level as an i-ability user,” suit manufacturers capitalized on the desire for physical aesthetics supported by 99% male approval to develop body suits.

Certainly, some companies faced backlash for excessive sexualization, but ordinary hero suits generally maintained acceptable designs.

Once design issues were resolved, companies focused on improving the suits’ primary purpose of protecting the wearer. Despite advanced magical engineering, even basic suits cost tens of millions won but provided excellent protection worthy of their price.

Xian purchased expensive hero suits for Raon and Nuri, who would engage in close combat at the front lines.

Though unintentionally, this process revealed certain measurements of the two, allowing them to prepare for stable dungeon exploration ahead of their D-Rank Goblin Dungeon raid.

February 5, 2025, 11 AM. Xian’s guild entered the lowest difficulty D-Rank Goblin Dungeon.

* * *

Keeek!

A goblin shorter than a meter swung its rotten wooden sword while charging forward. While Raon gritted her teeth and deflected the wooden sword with her short blade, Nuri lunged from the side with her knife.

Sliiice! Though the knife missed its mark, it severed the goblin’s wrist. Due to excessive force, the goblin’s wrist cleanly detached, prompting Nuri to step back and retch.

“Ugh!”

Had she ever harmed a living creature in her life? The metallic scent of blood made Nuri dizzy. Enraged, the goblin endured the pain and charged toward Nuri, who had injured it.

Thud!

Just before the goblin reached Nuri’s suit, Raon thrust her spear, barely piercing the goblin’s torso. The spear tip embedded itself in the dungeon wall, and the goblin’s body trembled before collapsing.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

Nuri collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Raon, pale-faced, examined the dead goblin’s corpse from a distance while trembling.

“Phew.”

Xian sighed in relief, fidgeting with the gun in his coat holster.

“Guess spending money was a wise decision after all.”

“Guild Master.”

Yuna scolded with a stern voice, but Xian wouldn’t back down this time.

“Yuna, look. Even in their first fight, they’re struggling this much. Buying the suits was a stroke of genius.”

“No, that was well done. What worries me is…”

Yuna lowered her voice.

“What if, what if Raon or Nuri leaves to join another guild…?”

“…”

Xian scratched his cheek. Yuna, exasperated, shot back.

“Raon might be fine since she’s gradually building her magical power thanks to Guild Master. But what about Nuri? Other guilds will surely try to poach talented individuals. Are you okay with that?”

“At that point, it’s not meant to be.”

Calmly, Xian’s voice made Yuna want to explode in frustration. Even if Kim Nuri’s physique was close to standard, considering how similar the hero suit was tailored to Kim Nuri’s build, if she left for another guild, the probability was high that the hero suit would just gather dust in storage.

“It’s fine.”

Xian smiled at Yuna.

“I don’t care who comes or goes. I’m not going to cling onto those who leave. If someone thinks there’s a better place for them, what reason do I have to stop them? What’s there to regret? Just…”

Xian whispered into Yuna’s ear. Yuna gasped.

“You… No, it’s nothing.”

Clearly swallowing her words, Yuna tried to press further, but Xian blatantly ignored her and turned toward Raon and Nuri.

“Raon, are you alright? Nuri, breathe deeply. Follow me. Hoo, haa.”

With Xian’s support, Nuri practiced deep breathing. Raon followed quietly while taking small breaths, and Yuna gripped her staff tightly, lowering her head.

Am I really needed here?

As a healer whose identity is losing meaning thanks to the enhanced suits…

Darkness crept into Yuna’s heart.

“Hmph, I’m fine! Not dying yet! Haaa!”

Nuri shouted loudly and stood up. Although Raon prepared to lecture her on her crude language, Xian stopped her.

“Xian. Even so…”

“It’s fine if she releases her tension this way. We can correct it later. Nuri, can you handle it?”

“I can handle it! Haha, Uncle. Just follow me. I’ll carry you.”

“…Speak more politely, Nuri.”

Xian quickly retracted his statement. Raon giggled, and Nuri touched her lips briefly before walking into the dungeon with a pout.

“Yuna-ssi! What are you doing? Let’s go!”

“Alright.”

Yuna approached with her usual friendly smile. Raon retrieved her spear and positioned herself in front of Nuri, while Xian watched the two move forward before addressing Yuna, who followed behind.

“Let’s talk after we finish the dungeon. Yuna.”

“Why?”

Yuna caught herself after speaking, realizing she sounded slightly curt.

Xian gestured to his coat and patted Yuna’s back to move forward.

“Once we return to the office today, I’ll show you how amazing you are. For now, you’re an angel to me, right?”

“…Huh. Did Oracle-sama tell you to say that?”

“No, it’s the truth.”

Xian patted Yuna’s shoulder and quickly walked to catch up with Raon and Nuri. Yuna stood momentarily stunned before rushing after them, her face turning red.

“Pfft.”

Was it due to the dungeon lighting? The shadow over Yuna’s face seemed to lift slightly.