Chapter 3
Guide Zhang Ihyeon (3)
The strategy team was thrilled the moment they saw that the boss room had been decorated like a temple.
Unearthing divine relics filled with the power of the gods was an incredible career milestone.
And if luck was on their side and they were chosen by a relic?
It could change their lives entirely.
However,
Ihyeon realized that it was all part of a deliberate trap by the creator of this room.
‘This isn’t a temple, but a tomb—a royal tomb, the resting place of a dead king.’
He came to this conclusion based on three key clues.
[The ‘Divine Relic: Hwaang Geumjeong’ has discovered a hidden riddle in this place, using the clues the owner identified, and has successfully found part of the answer.]
[1. The 8 statues surrounding the altar]
The 8 statues seem to be bowing in worship to the gods, but in reality, they are strange figures with their eyes, noses, and mouths covered by their hands, kneeling in an odd manner.
This represents that the king has left to a place where he cannot be seen, heard, or spoken of—signifying sorrow for his departure.
…
[2. The mural without a god]
The mural appears to depict great deeds to honor the gods, but upon closer inspection, the protagonist is absent from the painting.
This suggests that the king will return and lead them once again, symbolizing resurrection.
Since there is no death for the gods, the true ruler of this space is the mortal king.
…
[3. The brazier without an offering]
Next to the altar, a brazier is burning without any offerings.
This is a clue to honor the king who will someday be resurrected, praying for eternal life.
…
Solving the riddle was no small feat.
It meant understanding the dungeon’s creator.
Thus, the more powerful the creator, the greater the rewards.
[You’ve glimpsed part of the secret of the ‘Monkey’s Lair’.]
[You’ve interpreted the myth of ■■■■■. You gain some of its power.]
[Your rank increases.]
[Your rank increases.]
…
[It has been confirmed that ■■■■■’s power is deeply connected to the divine relic ‘Hwaang Geumjeong’.]
[The power gained from ■■■■■ is fully absorbed into your body without loss.]
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Ihyeon’s body was undergoing continuous changes since just a moment ago.
The magic circuits, frozen by the curse, slowly thawed, and the muscles that had been damaged began to regain their strength.
It felt refreshing after four long years.
While his magic hadn’t fully returned, just regaining some vitality was an incredible achievement.
‘At this rate… I can run, even if just for a while.’
[You’ve successfully lifted part of the curse that was binding your body!]
This was proof that the dungeon was deeply connected to Hwaang Geumjeong’s true form—Son Goku.
Solving the riddle of the boss room meant they had to meet the ‘hidden master’—Son Goku.
‘These monkeys are all from the Flower Fruit Mountain where Son Goku’s followers came from in Journey to the West. If this royal tomb is where Son Goku is buried, it all makes sense.’
The only doubt was: why would there be a ‘tomb’ for Son Goku, who became a Buddha in Journey to the West?
‘Let’s put that thought aside for now.’
Ihyeon gathered his thoughts and spoke to Im Won-yeong.
“Alright, I’ll accept your proposal. But I have one condition.”
“Please, tell me.”
“Until we clear the boss room, you must obey my orders.”
Im Won-yeong nodded.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“Then, I’ll try to save the remaining members, no matter what.”
If someone else had said this, it would have sounded like arrogance.
But somehow, now that Ihyeon said it, it already felt like it was happening.
“Please.”
Ihyeon felt that Im Won-yeong was a different breed of person.
Even in a life-or-death situation, it was human nature to be reluctant to let go of power. Yet, Im Won-yeong assessed the situation calmly, and if he thought someone was more capable, he was brave enough to entrust them with responsibility.
A temperament unlike Ihyeon’s, who had lived a rough life like a street dog.
It felt like he could see a bright future for White Burn.
“Then give it to me. The brooch.”
Ihyeon accepted the brooch Im Won-yeong handed over.
It was shaped like donkey ears.
[King’s Ear of the Bamboo Forest]
If you tell a secret you don’t want others to know in the bamboo forest, it will only be heard by those who are meant to hear it.
-
Type: Miscellaneous
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Origin: Fairy tale “The King’s Ears Are Donkey Ears”
Every member of White Burn had one of these communicators.
Ihyeon quickly learned how to use it and pressed his lips to the brooch.
“Ah, ah, can everyone hear me?”
The scattered hunters in the boss room turned their attention to where Ihyeon and Im Won-yeong were.
They realized then that Ihyeon was armed with a firearm.
“…We hear you.”
“…We hear you.”
“…We hear you.”
Ihyeon spoke.
“I’ve just received command authority from the team leader. From now on, follow my orders. Any hesitation could lead to the death of our comrades. Acknowledge with ‘Command confirmed’.”
The hunters looked at Im Won-yeong.
She nodded.
Soon, replies came.
“Command confirmed.”
“Command confirmed.”
“From now on, I will skip formalities due to the situation.”
A flash of memory struck Ihyeon’s mind.
Four years ago, during a field operation with his comrades.
“Everyone, look around. You’ll see white cloths tied everywhere.”
The hunters quickly scanned their surroundings.
Indeed, white cloths were tied to stones and statues everywhere.
“When I give the signal, run to the nearest white cloth and cover your head with it.”
Signal?
All the hunters looked puzzled.
Ihyeon threw a flashbang from his right belt into the air.
Piiiiing!
“…!”
“…!!”
The world turned white.
The hunters were momentarily blinded but quickly dashed to their marked spots.
Clack!
Thanks to their rigorous training at White Burn, they were able to act quickly despite the curses they’d faced.
In contrast, the monkeys were confused.
Ukkiki!
Ukk!
This was their first experience with a flashbang, so they were disoriented.
[Due to the power gained from ■■■■■, ‘Divine Relic: Hwaang Geumjeong’ is changing. A new ability is added.]
[Additional function: Weakness detection.]
[‘Divine Relic: Hwaang Geumjeong’ starts detecting the enemy’s weak points!]
Ihyeon seized the moment.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets he had personally crafted from silver pierced the foreheads of the monkey soldiers.
If he could hit just the weak points marked by Hwaang Geumjeong, he could easily contribute as much as a single hunter.
Of course, his standard for “one hunter’s worth” was based on the Cheongrae unit.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The gunfire echoed, and despite the suppressor, the loud bangs caused the monkey soldiers’ heads to explode one after another.
‘This is the power of firearms!?’
‘What kind of magic is this…?’
The hunters, watching the monkeys fall as they ran, were left dumbfounded.
Most hunters favored cold weapons with magic, but Ihyeon was effortlessly turning the tables.
Bang!
In the meantime, the hunters reached their destination without suffering heavy casualties.
Following orders, they covered their heads with the white cloths.
And only then did they understand why Ihyeon had given that command.
[White Cloth of the Manjagi]
It carries a shamanic meaning of warding off evil. It is also used to cover bodies during funerals.
Once covered, it signifies death.
‘By covering their heads…!’
‘That means this isn’t a temple, but a tomb!’
‘So these monkeys are like tomb guardians…’
‘Wait, if that’s the case…?’
Experienced hunters glanced back at the monkey soldiers who had been chasing them.
The monkeys halted abruptly.
It was as though they didn’t recognize the hunters anymore.
‘They can’t find us!’
Bang!
Another monkey soldier’s head exploded.
‘How did he know!?’
‘In such a short time…!’
Ihyeon wasn’t just good at finding the way. He had the intuition and insight to find the ‘answer.’
[Congratulations! You’ve successfully solved the first riddle.]
[You are now priests assisting in the royal tomb’s ritual. Complete the ritual.]
The message revealed the truth of the boss room.
As the hunters’ eyes widened, the next command came.
“If you’re wearing the white cloth, then next…!”
The order was to move in teams of three to specific positions.
Just as the hunters were about to listen intently, they heard a roar.
Ukkkkiii!
With the cry of an enraged monkey, five ancient chariots charged forward
