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chapter 156
[You have entered the dungeon!]
[Dungeon: “Clever Turtle”]
[Your current location…]
A dungeon with an archipelago-like terrain, where the coastline meets the sea dotted with numerous islands.
A whale appeared in the sky, as if it had been woven from white lightning like straw.
“Kuoooong…”
The whale, which one would naturally expect to swim in the ocean, joyfully moved through the sky, swinging its tail and fins wildly.
Each swing twisted the normally calm air currents, tearing clouds, blowing strong winds, and heating the world.
A thunder whale.
Above Youngsoo’s head, Lee Hyun stood tall.
“Ride it.”
―ᚻ
[“White Tsunami” is raging!]
The moment Lee Hyun lightly struck the Rune Staff, the amethyst at its tip generated a new rune.
Hagalaz, the rune symbolizing hail.
Wherever the thunder whale passed, gusts and lightning fell ceaselessly.
Boom!
Rumble, rumble—
Storms surged, raising the sea level. On islands struck by lightning, white flames erupted, engulfing everything in a fiery inferno in an instant.
Flap!
Kweeeeng—
Birds fled in panic, animals ran frantically…
The ecosystem of the dungeon, which had been peaceful just moments ago, was completely devastated where the thunder whale passed.
“Wasn’t this just supposed to be some hideout used by those cartel guys?”
Sun Wukong tilted his head, looking down from above Lee Hyun.
“Yes. It probably wouldn’t even be a one-star grade dungeon.”
“Then why go to the trouble of smashing it like this? Just to piss them off?”
“Yes. That’s exactly it.”
Lee Hyun smiled lightly.
“Anyway, we’re bound to become enemies with the City Cartel. Once I decide to pick a fight, I have to go full throttle. After all, these people are just trash who would only be a nuisance if left in the world.”
“Hah. What an attitude…”
Sun Wukong let out a dry laugh, shaking his head.
“Ha ha! You really are your master’s student! That resemblance is uncanny!”
“What did you just say?”
He struck the suddenly popping-out head of Sa Oh-jeong. Of course, Sa Oh-jeong had already tried to run away.
“Ha ha ha! Master, you’re not catching me for another thousand years!”
“Ugh… That guy, seriously… So he plans to destroy every hideout he passes through?”
Lee Hyun chuckled softly, watching Sun Wukong and Sa Oh-jeong, as usual.
Since the discovery of Wuyungwang, the brothers’ mood had been low, but it seemed to have finally returned to normal.
“I’ll either clear the dungeon completely or, at the very least, shut down every part of it so it can never be used again.”
“Gonna piss them off big time, huh? But what about when you leave?”
“The dungeon is complex, like an anthill. Once I burn it all down, some parts might remain hidden, but they probably won’t even notice.”
“So that’s your ultimate goal?”
“If these villains are going to use it, then me using it serves world peace better.”
Such shameless audacity.
Sun Wukong stared, dumbfounded.
“You’re even bolder with a mask on. Where did you learn that from?”
“Like I said, I take after my master. Ha ha!”
“Shut up!!”
Nayeli Vargas
A prominent figure who rose to become a cartel boss in the harsh world of drugs and debauchery, using only her body.
One of the top nine ranked individuals in the world, she was over fifty but looked barely in her early twenties, boasting stunning beauty.
“Ah, this blood is excellent. The density of life is good, absorption rate too. Who brought this?”
A bathtub filled entirely with crimson blood.
Nayeli submerged herself, touching the blood with elegant hands, smiling.
One of the six butlers attending her bath knelt politely.
“It was me, Boss. I’m glad it pleases you.”
“This blood… did it come from Oaxaca?”
“Yes. That place still retains strong indigenous traditions and shamanic culture. Their rituals usually involve fresh blood, so I thought it would make a suitable ‘ingredient’ for your use, Boss.”
“I see. Quite a good approach.”
Nayeli lifted a leg slightly from the tub. Blood flowed down her sensual legs.
Joy filled her eyes, utterly delighted.
Much more pleased than when she recently heard of a bountiful coca harvest in Guatemala.
“Keep the blood owners captive. They’ll be useful later.”
“They’ve already been moved to the livestock pen.”
“Already? You work fast.”
“My loyalty is always to the Boss alone.”
“Hohoho. And your words are so pretty too?”
Nayeli laughed pleasantly.
“Good. One of the ‘Fingers’ has become vacant recently. I’ll give you a chance to take that spot.”
“Th-thank you! I will remain loyal forever!”
“Fingers” refers to her closest associates or the ten families loyal to the City Cartel. Giving him a spot meant he would join her inner circle.
The other butlers watched jealously. Competing for her favor was an everyday affair.
“And if possible, today—”
At that moment, a commotion arose outside the bathroom.
One butler went out and returned with a serious expression.
“Boss.”
“What is it?”
“The Boss’s left ring finger has been broken.”
“What?”
The left ring finger… referring to Camila Duarte.
“And it seems the card key on that finger has been stolen…!”
“…Damage?”
“Well, um…”
“Speak clearly.”
“Some strange ominous energy is spreading through the dungeon and gates. About 5% has already been affected—”
Before the report finished, another butler ran in frantically.
“15%! Multiple fires have erupted simultaneously in several hideouts, spreading rapidly! East Asia and Australia gates are already closed! And the Southeast Asia Golden Triangle gate is in danger too…!”
“…!?”
Nayeli sprang from the bathtub.
The butlers quickly averted their gaze.
Her body… was extremely terrifying.
But Nayeli ignored it and shouted:
“Go to the living room. Gather all the Fingers. Someone is definitely targeting us.”
The Golden Triangle is one of the world’s leading drug-producing regions.
If that route is blocked, it’s a fatal blow to the cartel.
The butlers moved quickly.
Guam
A U.S. territory at the southern end of the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific.
Once a world-renowned tourist and resort destination, it had now become a lawless city.
Crackle!
The dungeon gate opened.
A noisy casino.
Along one wall, a temporary portal began forming.
“W-what!?”
“Oh, you’re new, so this is your first time seeing it?”
A server, moving drinks, cigarettes, and snacks for guests, froze in shock. A senior server chuckled.
“W-what is this, senpai? That looks like a gate wave!”
When a dungeon appears, a blue wave, called a gate wave, always manifests.
“Yes. Gate wave.”
Yet the senior server remained calm.
“Sh-shouldn’t we evacuate?”
“Evacuate? Toss out all the guests at this point? Ruin the casino’s reputation?”
“Not exactly, but still—”
“Ha! Thought you were brave because of your size, huh? You’re kinda scared.”
The server pursed their lips. In the brutal world of cartels, the weak get crushed.
The senior server smirked, lighting a cigar.
“Relax, kid. Nobody’s going to blame you for this. I nearly freaked out the first time I saw it too.”
“…What is it exactly?”
“An underground hideout.”
“Oh…! Then that must mean—”
“Yes. When our cartel’s rabbit hole opens, it looks exactly like that. You can tell who’s coming by the color of the wave. But no one’s supposed to be coming today… Let’s see.”
Observing the intensifying wave, the senior server’s face went pale. He hurriedly put out his cigar.
“Shit… we’re screwed.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“The Fingers! The Fingers are coming!”
“Eeeek!”
“Go get your seniors! Quickly!”
“Yes!!”
Hearing that the boss’s closest associates were visiting, servers, dealers, and security all rushed frantically.
Even the gamblers looked around nervously.
“…Damn, what the hell is going on? Accounts are settled, finances are fine… Where did this leak? Bastards, I’ve treated you well.”
The senior server bit his nails while watching the forming gate.
He signaled to the others: show respect when the Fingers appear.
All their faces were tense with determination.
Just hoped it wasn’t a serious visit…
Boom!!
The gate exploded just as it was about to complete.
Something huge forced its way in, smashing doors and walls, bigger than the casino building.
Nearby staff were crushed instantly, including the senior server.
Slot machines and gamblers alike.
“Waaah!!”
“What is this!?”
“Sh-shit!? Terror attack? Is this war?”
Luckily, a few gamblers survived, fleeing to the opposite wall.
The casino was large enough to make this possible.
While gang conflicts were common in Guam, such chaos at a City Cartel-run establishment was unprecedented.
“Who the hell is picking a fight with the cartel…?”
“No, that’s a whale. What the…!!”
Security ran desperately from outside.
Then,
“Kuoooong!!”
The whale roared fiercely.
Simultaneously, lightning streaked in all directions.
“…!”
“…!”
“…!!”
Crackle!
Bang! Boom!!
The security’s internal organs were crushed by the soundwave, servers, dealers, and gamblers struck by lightning—all perished.
Nothing in the casino remained intact.
No screams could be heard; resistance was futile. Lightning had already drowned out everything.
“….”
“….”
“….”
After everything was reduced to ashes, silence fell over the casino.
Thud!
Lee Hyun landed quietly from the thunder whale.
He slowly approached somewhere.
“…Ugh, uwaaah.”
A rookie server, who had gone to fetch their seniors, was cowering among the rubble, trembling.
Contrary to his size, his face was covered in tears and snot.
“Do you want to live?”
…Nod!
The golden eyes behind the demon mask glinted coldly.
“Then you’ll help guide me.”
“Anything! Just let me live! I’m a local of Guam! I can answer anything you want!!”
Lee Hyun twisted his lips.
He had saved the weakest-looking one to ambush him later.
Seems like the right choice.
“Then first, show me the location of this casino’s vault.”
One of the largest casinos in Guam—there should be plenty of money.
Maybe even enough to settle debts owed to Do Cheol.
Lee Hyun smirked at the thought of the extra income.
