Chapter 893

EP.893 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of the Sky 2 Vol. 010

Hooooo.

A cold midnight wind swept through Guro. Seok Harang, the team leader of Megrez, had his mouth parched as he observed the gathering members one by one.

“Mapo, Jongno, and Dongdaemun teams have arrived.”

“Nowon, Gangbuk, and Eunpyeong teams have departed with minimal personnel remaining.”

“Yeah. Good job. It’s not just about saving people, but more importantly, defending Seoul’s frontlines.”

Under Seok Harang’s orders, the heroes efficiently gathered their equipment and checked the brief information on the dungeon they received. Seo Yesung, who volunteered for rescue duty, also confirmed the screen in front of him while gulping down saliva.

<Magical Seoul>

Emerging Monsters: C ~ SS Rank

Minimum Requirement: B Rank (70)

Main Attributes: 7 Attributes

Overall Risk Assessment: S+

“Hoo…”

Considering that the association recommends a minimum entry requirement of B rank—close to quasi-A rank—the Magical Dungeon of Seoul was one of the most difficult dungeons in the world. Seo Yesung had volunteered for this mission for no other reason than:

“It’s not like we want anything bad happening to Nuri.”

“…Anyway, thank you.”

The reason Seo Yesung participated in the rescue team under the guise of volunteering wasn’t just out of responsibility as a hero but because of an order from his superior.

‘Geez, I’m going crazy.’

At this moment, the awakening of special abilities, hailed as the modern-day lottery, felt nothing short of resentment. Though he had risen to high positions thanks to the ability awakening, the accompanying responsibilities were immense.

‘But there are too few people, right?’

Including Seo Yesung, the current rescue team gathered in Guro numbered a mere ten—seven A-rankers, two B-rankers, and one S-ranker. Despite the dazzling composition, the sheer number of heroes was lacking.

“We’ve received word from Gangnam. They cannot dispatch heroes due to concerns over student safety…”

“Gangdong isn’t even responding. It seems they’re ignoring communication from the association.”

“The Seodaemun team has just confirmed. Estimated arrival time is ten minutes.”

“…Tch, it’s too late! We can’t wait anymore; let’s go with this number!”

As Seok Harang rolled up his sleeves to enter the underground, a weary-looking middle-aged man blocked his path.

“No way. It’s dangerous.”

“…Are you not considering how dangerous it is for those already inside?”

“Nobody ever intended to enter the dungeon. Even if fully prepared, it would be insufficient. This decision is reckless. With this number, it can’t be done.”

“Why are you hesitating when we’re just trying to save people, not conquer the dungeon?”

Despite Seok Harang’s protests, the other heroes clearly showed reluctance to enter the dungeon. What if they died and their growth limit got reduced?

Seok Harang faced off against the man, <Usa> Park Taehyeong, who shook his head bitterly.

“I know since I’ve died once in the dungeon. The dungeon’s master doesn’t stay in one place. Once you enter, it will immediately notice and devour you.”

“Right… Your growth limit dropped from 90 to 86 back then… But still, we must save people! Kim Nori is among those who went in first!”

“……It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do. Still, we can’t let everyone here die, can we? If you’re the overall commander of this operation-”

“Then you take over as the commander.”

Without hesitation, Seok Harang handed over command to Usa Park Taehyeong. His extreme action left Park Taehyeong perplexed.

“Why are you going to such lengths to rescue them?”

“…….”

Without answering, Seok Harang attempted to enter the dungeon. He even conjured shards of ice into the air as a threat before entering the dungeon.

□□□□□□!!

“Kyaaak?!”

The enormous thunderclap caused Seok Harang to collapse. Others reacted similarly, nearly falling over.

“Is… Is that the dungeon’s master?!”

“Crap! So the dungeon is rampaging?!”

The ability users gathered near Dalim Station quickly fell into panic. Even the responsible leaders turned pale at the sound of thunder.

“Could it really be…?”

Park Taehyeong’s heart began racing as memories of the day he encountered the dungeon’s master flooded back. Surrounded by numerous lightning bolts, the massive monster charging forward haunted him once again.

“Princess Snowflower! Evacuate immediately-”

“Senior, …this doesn’t seem to be coming from inside the dungeon.”

Seok Harang, partially covering her face, pointed towards the underground entrance and tapped her ear.

“The sound isn’t coming from inside but from behind.”

“…Behind?”

“Yes. More specifically…”

Seok Harang scanned the area and identified the source of the sound—a torn door leading to an elevator descending into the basement.

“Could this be it…?”

“Wait. Could monsters from the dungeon-”

“Senior, please remain silent for a moment.”

Kneeling, Seok Harang leaned towards the dark basement to listen carefully. Park Taehyeong gradually calmed down, impressed by Seok Harang’s composure.

“-Transformation…Monster…”

“Ah.”

That voice. Seok Harang immediately leapt into the elevator.

“Uh…”

Uncertainly watching from the side, Seo Yesung finally spoke up.

“Should we enter as well?”

“……Let me think for ten seconds.”

Park Taehyeong’s wrinkles deepened further.

* * *

Lightning flashed.

Ha Yujun could only mutter these words. Xian’s bullet had precisely targeted Raon’s heart, and Raon fell backward, collapsing onto the ground.

“Kid! Are you insane?!”

“Brother, does that look like Raon to you?”

Xian, calming Ha Yujun’s rage, pointed at Raon lying on the ground, bleeding. In the golden light emitted by the sphere Unnah pulled out, Raon’s face looked both unfamiliar and familiar.

“…?”

Ha Yujun felt a chill run down his spine—it resembled kidnapped Cheon Bom.

“……What is it?”

“Woah, jackpot. Big reveal. Acting skills on point?”

Nuri crouched down and examined Raon(?)’s face closely. Cracks appeared on Raon(?)’s skin, and a faint purple aura slowly seeped into its eyes.

“…Monster?!”

“Yes. A monster indeed. And furthermore…”

Just as Xian finished speaking, Raon(?) was enveloped in a gray light and transformed into Cheon Bom with a gaping hole below the left chest.

“A monster capable of transformation?! Whoa, seriously never thought it’d be real.”

“How… How did you figure it out…?”

Cheon Bom glared at Xian venomously despite spitting blood. After meticulously studying the target for two days, including every small habit, being exposed in such an absurd way was utterly frustrating.

“You shut up and tell us how you knew!!”

Cheon Bom screamed. Xian shrugged and nodded at Nuri, who infused magic power into her sword and nodded back.

“One question each, okay? Deal?”

“…Alright. Then-”

“Why did you kidnap Raon?”

“……I am A-rank Hero <Unsah> Park Ra-on. She makes for an excellent vessel for monster transformation. Don’t you agree?”

Xian clenched and opened his eyes briefly.

“These bastards…”

Unnah, Nuri, and Ha Yujun shivered as they sensed a sudden change in Xian’s atmosphere. Cheon Bom questioned while spitting blood tinged with purple.

“So, my turn. How did you find out? Just because I hid myself?”

“……That was just a joke. If I know Raon, she wouldn’t have come down here. You might know our Unsah, but our team’s Park Ra-on would have absolutely waited outside following my orders. She wouldn’t have suggested coming down at all. And…”

Xian scratched his head irritably as he continued explaining.

“Ah, damn it. Why am I even explaining this? Nuri! Immediately transform this monster into a core-”

“Hold on.”

Ha Yujun raised his hand, stopping Xian’s command. Nuri, who was ready to turn Cheon Bom into a core, gave him a stern look.

“If we destroy it now, we might lose the chance to find the mastermind. And where is Sister Raon… Ah, that detection device earlier?”

Ha Yujun answered his own question while checking Raon’s location. Xian nodded and handed over the map data to Nuri.

“Nuri, can you check it out?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

A voice came from the opposite side of the underground passage. The calmness in the voice made it unimaginable that it belonged to someone who had been kidnapped. Nuri aimed her sword at Raon walking out of the darkness.

“Is this another fake?! Secret password!”

“……This is no time for jokes. On the battlefield, a moment’s misjudgment can cost lives-”

“Yeah, it’s really her.”

Sighing, Raon accepted Nuri’s hug. Raon patted Nuri’s head as she approached the group. Cheon Bom stared at Raon in disbelief.

“How…?”

“How did I escape? Or are you asking about your comrades?”

Raon tossed a core to Xian after pulling it out of her pocket. Adjusting her disheveled clothes, she shrugged.

“When you thought I was unconscious and tried something nasty, I took you down with one blow.”

“Ah.”

Xian fiddled with the core while Cheon Bom’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. Xian bowed his head apologetically to Raon.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.”

“It’s fine. It was my plan. …And just to clarify, I didn’t experience anything unpleasant. Not at all.”

“Don’t keep making us doubt unnecessarily.”

“That’s why I’m saying it, because you seem suspicious.”

Xian blushed while clearing his throat. Raon also blushed, feeling embarrassed. Cheon Bom burst out laughing amidst the sudden melodrama.

“Haha! Look at you losers…”

“Hey! Watch your tone. Tell us, what about-”

“What happened to the man inside?”

Cheon Bom shifted her gaze to Raon. Despite having hinted at it earlier, she insisted on confirming directly with Raon, who handed over another core.

“This is the core of the sunglasses-wearing man.”

“Ah……”

Was it regret or satisfaction? Cheon Bom sighed deeply, leaving her inner thoughts unclear before furrowing her brows.

“Cough!”

Cheon Bom spat out a mouthful of blood. Already suffering from excessive blood loss with her heart pierced, she barely held on thanks to the monster’s physical and mental strength.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

However, her mental fortitude seemed to be reaching its limits as her eyes slowly closed. Xian watched silently, feeling both regretful and satisfied as Cheon Bom lost consciousness.

“What’s going on suddenly…?”

“Cough, you guys, this isn’t over yet. That person…”

Puck! Nuri plunged her sword into Cheon Bom’s heart. Unable to continue speaking, Cheon Bom perished instantly, her body dissipating into smoke, leaving behind a gray core tinged with purple rolling on the floor.

“…”

All eyes turned to Nuri, who waved her hands defensively.

“Ah, but! I saved Sister! So there’s nothing else to do now!”

“…True, we don’t need to hear the kidnapper’s story anyway. Rather…”

Xian’s gaze shifted to the object Raon carried. Unrolling what looked like a bromide, Raon held both ends.

“It’s a map of the subway system.”

“……Could this be?”

Xian noticed the X-mark on Dalim Station and his eyes lit up. Besides Dalim Station, several other stations were marked with X. Nuri tilted her head while scanning the map.

“What is this thing?”

“……It could be one of two things.”

Unnah rested her chin, explaining her hypothesis.

“Like here, it could be an entrance to ‘non-dungeon’ underground areas accessible via elevators. Or-”

“An hideout for these monsters. Right?”

Xian’s guess was affirmed by Unnah nodding. Xian used magical gear to scan the map, creating an image file displayed on the screen.

“Let’s head upstairs first. Then-”

“What are you doing here?!”

A sharp scream echoed through the underground passage. Xian jumped and turned around to see a white-haired witch exuding cold energy standing below.

“Seo… Seok Harang?”

“Instead of entering the dungeon, why are you recklessly wandering around places like this?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!”

“Uh, you were worried? …Ahahaha, sorry.”

Xian sheepishly smiled, causing Seok Harang’s fists to tremble with anger. Had they been closer acquaintances, she might have already thrown a punch.

“Senior Princess Snowflower. Long time no see.”

Raon stepped in front of Xian, meeting Seok Harang’s gaze. Recognizing the familiar face, Seok Harang quickly realized who it was.

“Sister Unsah?”

“…Yes. I’m Unsah, Park Ra-on. Let me give you a quick briefing.”

“Princess Snowflower! Are you alright?!”

Heroes rushed down the elevator shaft Seok Harang descended from. Although they entered the underground, they appeared puzzled, sensing it wasn’t a dungeon.

“Wow, looks like war broke out somewhere.”

“…All regional supervisor-level heroes are gathered here.”

Nuri and Unnah, recognizing the identities of those who appeared behind Seok Harang, were stunned. Xian, who had already memorized their faces, scratched his cheek seeing so many heroes gathered in one place.

“With this much firepower, we should be able to conquer it easily.”

“Conquer what?”

Seok Harang looked up at Xian, confused. Xian smirked while pointing at the underground passage with his thumb.

“My princess, you won’t be getting any sleep tonight. Kukuku.”

“Yes, I’ll report sexual harassment.”

“……Misunderstanding! There are so many dirty spirits crowding my mind!”

“Yo, you perverted bastard! Are you insane?! …Huh?!”

Seok Harang covered her mouth in shock. Xian also covered his mouth, horrified.

“…We’ve done it.”

Park Taehyeong sighed, pressing his forehead with his hand.

A little later.

The Oracle Studio crew and the heroes gathered after coming up from the underground formulated and launched a new strategy.

<Seoul Subway Operation>.

A large-scale search operation led by heroes dispatched from the association to clear out monsters and villains hiding in the underground passages.

Based on the map obtained by Raon after defeating the monster, the heroes swiftly moved into action.

At the forefront was Princess Snowflower, Seok Harang.