Chapter 11
The prestigious guild, Myeongga, was one of the five largest guilds in South Korea, with a significant influence.
While it couldn’t compare to White Thunder, it still commanded enough respect within the domestic hunter industry.
Kim Se-jung thought Lee Hyun had been drawn to the reputation of such a guild.
Her attitude had changed too much since their first meeting—she had become excessively friendly.
“…So, according to what Se-jung-nim said, the original attack team of about fifteen people was wiped out due to a storm called Sammae Sinpung or something, right?”
“It wasn’t a complete wipeout. They didn’t even get to fight the boss monster properly.”
“If I upset you, I apologize.”
“No, it’s not that. I was too sharp with my words.”
Lee Hyun had already organized his thoughts in his mind.
‘They still don’t know the myth of Sun Wukong.’
The reason Myeongga sent an attack team was simply that a temporary gate had suddenly appeared within their management zone.
It wasn’t because they had specifically targeted the myth or holy relics.
‘But they’ve probably noticed that there’s something more to this.’
Still, the attack team had suffered in the harsh conditions of the Yellow Desert.
Most of them had melted away due to the extreme heat, which they thought could be survived simply by crossing the area.
Although they eventually discovered the dungeon’s secret and somehow reached the boss stage,
‘They were wiped out by Sammae Sinpung before even facing the boss monster.’
It was all because of the Sammae Sinpung wind.
The source of the dry wind that enveloped the entire dungeon.
‘Sammae Sinpung was a poisonous wind that drained the life from any living being it touched.
Even Sun Wukong had struggled against it in his youth, so it was no surprise that the unprepared attack team had collapsed under its force.
Thwip!
Lee Hyun cut the binding rope around Kim Se-jung’s wrists with a dagger and handed her a potion he had brought.
“Let’s take a breather for a moment, then head in. If the boss is already holding anyone captive, we don’t have much time.”
Kim Se-jung hesitated and asked carefully.
“But what about the other teammates…?”
“There’s no one else. I came alone.”
“…You came… alone?”
For a moment, Kim Se-jung’s expression brightened, wondering if Lee Hyun was a skilled ranked hunter, but then he added:
“I’m a guide. So, in my spare time, I explore and document these unknown dungeons.”
“…Ah.”
Kim Se-jung’s face briefly showed disappointment at his casual comment.
In the hunter industry, guides were rarely respected, and Myeongga was especially notorious for disregarding them.
However, Kim Se-jung quickly masked her expression.
If he was willing to explore such dangerous dungeons alone, it meant he was a very skilled guide.
With that, she felt more confident that he could help them navigate even the chaotic Yellow Wind Ridge.
‘If we can rescue the captain, then after that, things should be fine. If the guide starts making weird demands, we can just drop him.’
Thanks to that thought, Kim Se-jung was now able to judge Lee Hyun objectively.
His equipment—standard issue armor and a kukri, a hand axe—showed that he was a mere explorer, not someone there to launch an attack.
He didn’t seem to belong to any guild either, so if things went wrong, they could easily leave him behind.
“Well then, I’m counting on you. I’ll make sure to report to the captain or the guild master…”
“You can just call me ‘guide.’”
“I’ll make sure to report to you responsibly. Thank you again.”
Lee Hyun had already noticed the malicious intent behind her words but nodded gratefully, pretending not to notice.
[Entered the Boss Stage.]
“Definitely looks dangerous.”
“Yes, it’s huge…”
Lee Hyun and Kim Se-jung stood before a narrow gorge between two high cliffs. The space was barely wide enough for one person to pass through, and a fierce sandstorm reduced visibility.
[Combat Sense (E) warns against further approach!]
Kim Se-jung swallowed dryly.
The memory of leaving her teammates behind not long ago resurfaced in her mind.
“Then, as we discussed, I’ll open the way first. Se-jung-nim, stay hidden, and when you get the chance, rescue the others.”
“I’ll find them and return as quickly as I can. Just hang in there a little longer.”
Lee Hyun gave a light smile and nodded. Kim Se-jung activated a skill embedded in her ring.
It was Shadow Step.
Swish…
Kim Se-jung’s figure gradually faded as she blended into the sandstorm, completely vanishing without a trace.
Lee Hyun watched the whole process intently.
[‘Holy Relic: Huayan Jinjeong’ observes the target’s skill more closely!]
[The result of observation: Dark magic surrounds the caster, erasing their presence and aura.]
‘Spinning, spinning, huh?’
Lee Hyun recalled the clue to Condensed Thunder that he had observed earlier.
‘Now that I think about it, even when Sun Wukong first created Condensed Thunder, he condensed the storm by spiraling it, right?’
[Reinterpreting the concept of Condensed Thunder based on the observation results.]
‘Of course, simply twisting the thunder in a spiral direction wouldn’t be enough to attract it. There are limits to spiritual strength… But if I utilize the electromagnetic properties of opposite charges attracting each other, it should be much easier…’
[Realized the Spiral Law. Refining the concept of Condensed Thunder using electromagnetism.]
[Huayan Jinjeong further aids in refining the interpretation of Condensed Thunder.]
[Successfully grasped the concept of Condensed Thunder.]
