BRDM 180

chapter 180

“…Your Majesty.”
“The warriors are waiting.”

The Giant Queen Hella nodded toward the gate she had just left, her face deeply set in thought.

She still clearly remembered Lee Hyun’s outstanding performance. Despite revealing himself as a magician, he had displayed far superior axe skills and combat prowess compared to her expectations.

She worried whether he could handle the rage of the Kyoma King, who was surely still alive.

But for now, the safety of the people came first.

“Very well. Understood. What about the stragglers? Has everyone been accounted for?”

Hella turned her body around. A refreshing breeze hit her face—a fragrant scent of grass that could never be experienced in Baekhae.

“Fortunately, everyone was fully prepared, so there were no stragglers. We’ve also collected the remains of the fallen warriors.”
“You’ve done well. Let’s gather them in the Hall of Warriors that will be built here.”
“Yes.”

Hella smiled bitterly but was intent on confirming the new world that would serve as their home.

“By the way… the skills of the newly appointed court magician are truly extraordinary. How did they find such an environment?”

Her aide had quietly remarked, prompting her question.

“They all seem pleased, Your Majesty,” the aide replied. “Though we know we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, most of the warriors say it feels much more livable than Baekhae. I think they’ll adapt very well.”

“That’s a relief.”

Indeed, the place Lee Hyun had brought them to was very hospitable: the pleasant feel of the ground beneath their feet, lush forests, abundant food, and plenty of rough monsters inside the woods—perfect for training.

And they even brought along Utgard Castle through the gate.

Lee Hyun had given them a favor they could never repay.

‘He called it a deal, but in truth, we’ve received his goodwill unilaterally.’

Lee Hyun’s condition was simple: protect this world. And expand it.

• If any intruders appear besides me, eliminate them immediately.

• Entering others’ territory without permission? Don’t worry. Now it belongs to me.

• Early on, it might get noisy a few times. Take any chance to continue exploring. You’ll likely excel more at conquest than defense.

Naturally, protecting their home was essential for survival. But since he provided a foundation for the race to thrive, they needed to actively contribute.

‘Next time we meet, I must properly thank him.’

With his thoughts organized, he shouted:

“Warriors! We’ll begin scouting the surroundings. Split into squads! Some stay behind to care for the wounded and maintain the fortress, while the others patrol designated zones…!”

At that moment—thud!

[Error! Unauthorized intruder detected.]
[Error! An intruder is attempting to open an unauthorized gate to infiltrate the dungeon.]

“Your Majesty!”
“I sensed it too.”

Hella tightened her grip on the halberd—the one Lee Hyun had used to defeat the Sea King.

“Only the guards follow me. The rest stay here on standby.”

The unfamiliar presence was nearby. Hella and her giant warriors crouched low and moved stealthily, silent despite their size—like a hunting party closing in on prey.

Bruno Calissa.
The left-hand right-hand man and steward most cherished by the drug lord Nayeli.

“If we get through here, we reach Guam. Originally, this emergency tunnel was to be used only in dire situations… but now we have no choice but to open it.”

Bruno and the Calissa Familia were in a dungeon within a rabbit hole—a secret only he and Nayeli knew. Usually completely isolated, impervious to external detection, but it contained doors to all the rabbit hole’s dungeons.

[The gate begins to open!]

Their target was Hagåtña, Guam—the dungeon with the exit leading there. Ribbon Corporation in Hagåtña Black Zone never imagined a rabbit hole existed in their paradise.

“The ambush must be stealthy and the occupation swift. That arrogant fool already thinks he’s the victor with his little group. Haha.”

At once, his subordinates’ eyes sharpened.

“The true victor never becomes arrogant. It’s time to teach this to the young ones.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Bruno’s words are wise!”
“They dared to defile the Familia; they will pay in lead!”
“Hahaha. Loyalty to the family, I see. Then let’s move.”

The vanguard confirmed the gate area was safe. A peaceful dungeon filled with the scent of grass.

“All right. Let’s proceed.”

Step—step—

As Bruno smiled and slowly stepped through the gate, it suddenly closed.

Bwoooom—! Bang!

A massive hand axe, the size of a human torso, tore through the space beside him, obliterating a mafia subordinate.

“…!”
“…!!”
“Enemy attack!”
“Protect Bruno!!”
“Form defensive positions—Aaagh!”

The mafia scrambled, but the axes came flying from all directions in a stealthy and threatening assault.

‘Where are they coming from?!’

Bruno’s eyes widened. Their attacks bypassed armor and protection skills and came from impossible angles, waiting for the gate to close before striking—a classic hunter’s tactic.

“Don’t scatter! Spread out, and you’ll be easy targets! Find the enemies!”

Bruno gritted his teeth. Though unaware of the intruders’ identities, this was clearly a trap set by Guirae. They had predicted his every move.

‘Perhaps… I won’t make it out alive.’

He tightened his grip on his staff.

‘I cannot trouble the young lady.’

The old steward’s eyes reddened.

Lee Hyun received the Chalice of Resurrection from Max.

A sacred relic used by Dionysus for resurrection ceremonies, capable of granting glimpses of the future in battle, or even reviving the user.

-Type: Sacred relic, Blessed item
-Origin: Dionysus ritual

The phrase that caught Lee Hyun’s eye: “Ceremony of Resurrection.”

Could it truly be real? Could he really revive his brother?

He gripped the chalice tightly.

“I thought actual revival of life was impossible, even if it happens, it’s incomplete… as an undead.”

Max exhaled, relieved that Lee Hyun seemed sincere.

“Those limitations apply to ordinary relics. This chalice contains resurrection myths from the Mediterranean. So it’s quite possible—if the ritual conditions are met.”

Lee Hyun nodded. These were expected precautions.

[Confirmed.]

He returned the chalice to Max.

“And the deal?”
“I’ll honor it.”
“You trust me?”
“There’s no reason not to. The relic is real. Of course, full ownership of Astrafe will only transfer once all conditions are met.”

Lee Hyun filled his staff with magical energy.

Crack! Crackle!!

The Snow Sapphire whirled violently, releasing white lightning that incinerated the Sea King’s corpses.

Max shivered. Hercules and Perseus, observing from afar, widened their eyes, while Ramon’s group swallowed dryly. The intense heat and pressure were overwhelming.

[The myth within Astrafe stimulates the children of the primal circle!]

It was Astrafe.

“Let’s begin the deal,” Lee Hyun said.

Suddenly, a double betrayal:

Hercules and Perseus, previously silent, suddenly attacked Max.

“Sorry, Astrafe, but we’re taking it.”
“Radamantus, thanks for bringing us here, but we must take it from you.”

Perseus restrained Max while Hercules struck overhead with a club—a swift ambush executed in the blink of an eye.

Lee Hyun remained calm.

“But this group was only united by their greed for Astrafe. Without loyalty, they were just a fragile sandcastle waiting to crumble.”

[Cumulonimbus retrieved. Baekhae disappears.]

Just before the club could strike, the ground beneath them collapsed. Everyone began to fall.

“Ahhh!”
“What’s happening?!”

Below, the Black Sea was visible, filled with seawater. Hercules struggled to regain balance in midair. Lee Hyun followed calmly, above him.

The clouds of Baekhae were being violently sucked into a massive vortex and absorbed by Lee Hyun.

‘He knew exactly what we were going to do and prepared in advance!!’

White lightning erupted from Lee Hyun’s hand, covering Hercules’ mask.

[Dungeon closure resumes. All participants, retreat to safe zones.]

The final betrayal—a betrayal of the betrayal. Chaos reigned.