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Chapter 35
It had been three minutes since Baek Arin went to rescue the dungeon.
Yujin sat in the café, waiting for a moment.
Glances kept pouring toward Yujin.
Was it because of the knight? Or was it because Yujin looked a bit shabby?
Hmm.
Slurp.
Yujin was sipping coffee through a paper straw when—
Ding~
The door opened, and Baek Arin returned.
In that short time, her outfit had been lightly changed.
Well, the previous one had been too worn.
Frozen, burned… No matter how expensive the clothes, the fabric must have worn out.
“Yujin. Wear this.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Arin handed over clothes with a similar design. Apparently, she carried several of these around.
I’ll have to change on the way.
“Did you rescue the dungeon?”
“Yes. One C-rank dungeon, just like you said. This one’s enough, right?”
“Yes. Anything more would be too exhausting.”
There were two dungeons to conquer this time.
The fatigue in her body had definitely disappeared.
But what about the mental fatigue? That wouldn’t vanish. If anything, it had accumulated.
Even now, she felt a faint headache.
Her body was refreshed, but her mind felt like it was sinking into sleep.
She despised that feeling.
I’ll rest after this is over.
She’d have to lay the groundwork carefully, though.
Yujin checked the dungeon information.
[Gray Orc Dungeon]
Rank: C
Entry Restriction: C-rank or higher
There was also a section detailing its characteristics:
[Feature: The dungeon is located on a grassland near a volcano. The floor is covered in volcanic ash, and the air is hot. Recommended only for hunters with ice or fire attributes.]
“Pretty standard.”
“Yes. Acquiring and conquering more unique dungeons would take longer, so I purposely chose something more common.”
“Good choice.”
The target was just right.
Gray Orcs. Orcs that lived in volcanoes with resistance to fire.
They primarily resided on ash-covered grasslands. Perfect for using Yujin’s abilities.
Lucky they’re unpopular.
Gray Orcs weren’t particularly advantageous. Only Ogres were worth taking blood from; Orcs were just sturdy. Rewards might not be bad, but they weren’t great either.
“Shall we go in?”
“Yes.”
Yujin’s gaze flickered and landed on something, then fell.
Yellow hair, arms covered in tattoos. Familiar fire energy radiated.
Caught you.
Clink.
Yujin stood. A murmur arose somewhere nearby.
“Let’s go in right away.”
“Yes.”
Before entering, Yujin went to the nearby public restroom to change clothes. The cloak added a good touch.
Then—
Click!
The door locked.
Yujin rinsed her face lightly and turned.
Two thugs had entered the restroom. They were bulked up, likely physically awakened.
“What’s your rank, 3rd?”
“You the one they call Yujin?”
The thugs swaggered closer. A faint scent of fire. As expected, they were from the Dark Knight Guild.
“And?”
“For a reforger, why are you acting so big?”
“Why, do you feel like you own the world after sleeping with an S-rank hunter?”
“Not that… you came faster than expected. I thought you’d be slow and clumsy.”
Indeed.
The Dark Knight Guild was notorious in the alleys, closely tied with gangsters. All former gangsters had moved there.
Well, their status was different from loan sharks or the like.
“…What the hell?”
“All you ever do is drugs, women, and food. What? Feeling scratched because of your muscles?”
Yujin stretched lightly, glanced at the thugs, and chuckled.
“Natural, huh? Doesn’t seem like drugs.”
“You… bastard…!”
Their eyes bloodshot, they lunged.
Each probably D-rank.
Tsk!
Yujin lit a lighter she had hidden. A tiny flame flickered.
“No need for D-rank dungeons, then.”
Since it was a public place, she had to use it just enough.
[Skill ‘Blazing Domination’ activated.]
Simultaneously, the lighter’s flame expanded. The thugs’ vision filled with fire, perfectly controlled, engulfing them entirely.
“Yujin, why are you so late?”
“Just getting something.”
She shook her wallet and slipped it into her pocket. Baek Arin tilted her head but quickly lost interest when Yujin changed the topic.
“Can we borrow equipment resistant to fire?”
“Hm, probably not.”
Baek Arin shook her head.
“You need to request it at least a day in advance. Not because of rules, but because of stock.”
“Right, makes sense.”
S-rank hunters had extraordinary abilities, giving them some freedom from rules. They could attempt 100 dungeon runs a day or borrow over 100 pieces of equipment if they wanted.
“That’s fine, then.”
“Shall I make you a sword?”
“No, it’s okay.”
Yujin shook her head.
“This time, I’ll fight alone.”
“No support?”
“It’s just a C-rank dungeon. Too low for an S-rank hunter, right?”
“Still, safer than….”
The reason for concern was clear.
“The ‘owner’ of a heart doesn’t get stats boosted all at once. Power accumulates over a lifetime, so growth focuses on long-term development.”
That’s why Yujin’s stats didn’t drastically change, but her vessel had become incredibly sturdy.
“No need to worry too much.”
“…Got it.”
“And one more thing.”
Yujin whispered:
Even if someone enters during the conquest… do not interfere.
“…!”
Baek Arin’s eyes widened. After exchanging glances to understand, she nodded.
“Understood.”
“Good.”
Preparation complete. They entered the dungeon immediately.
[Fetching dungeon information.]
[Gray Orc Dungeon]
Rank: C
Entry Restriction: C-rank or higher
[Entered the dungeon.]
Whoooosh—
Ash swirled. Baek Arin squinted; even a blink would let ash in her eyes.
“Volcanoes sure are everywhere.”
Rumble—
In the distance, a volcano spewed magma. Far away and just background, so minimal effect.
Tap tap.
Baek Arin tapped the floor. Volcanic ash covered it. Hardly grass at all.
“I think I’m starting to hate volcanoes.”
Yujin nodded in agreement.
In the distance, a group of orcs lived in this environment. Gray Orcs. Ash-gray skin, able to ‘digest’ volcanic ash, and weakly control fire.
“I’ll go first.”
No sword? No problem—she’d make one if needed. Yujin moved forward lightly.
Her high stamina made her body feel light. While it didn’t directly increase speed like agility, it wasn’t useless.
Good.
Yujin approached an orc. Its dull eyes stared at her.
-Crrrk?
It tilted its head.
Gray Orcs were aggressive mobs, attacking on sight.
But this one didn’t attack. Likely because of the ‘Heart of Flame’ effect.
-Crrruuuuk!
But it didn’t last long.
The orc roared and charged. Over 2 meters tall, with a protruding belly, a mix of muscle and fat. Wielding a sword made of ash, it was extremely threatening.
Swish!
Yujin twisted and dodged.
Swish! Swish swish!
Dodging multiple times, mocking the orc, it snorted in anger. Yujin checked her stamina calmly. Dodging like this, she still felt strong.
Boosting stamina was the right choice. Stats check done; time for the next step.
[Skill ‘Frost Horn (Enhanced)’ activated.]
Zzzzsh!
White cold erupted. The orc froze mid-charge.
Crack! Thud!
It didn’t last long. One enhancement, but just level 1.
“Right, this won’t be enough.”
Yujin smiled. The orc swung, confused by her laugh—
[Skill ‘Soul Enhancement’ activated.]
[Enhancing ‘Frost Horn’.]
Enhanced again.
Zzzzzsh!
Colder, more controllable. A notification appeared:
[Skill ‘Frost Horn’ evolved into ‘Cold Breeze’.]
Oh, the name changed too. Pretty cool. She used it immediately.
Zzzzzsh!
-Crr, grruuk.
Same C-rank skill? The orc’s face turned pale. Frost Horn’s cold lingering froze its hands and feet.
“Good. That’s enough effect.”
She hadn’t planned to fight with Frost Horn alone. Too much mana and too slow. This was just a test.
-Crrk?
Yujin stepped closer. The orc raised the ash sword with trembling hands.
Whoosh!
The sword passed through Yujin like a ghost.
-…Crrk?
Why didn’t it cut?
So this is the feeling.
Yujin clenched and opened her hand.
Fwoosh!
The ash sword collapsed. Outwardly just ash, but actually a manifestation of fire inside.
Its attribute: fire. Couldn’t touch Yujin.
Swish—
Yujin raised her hand. The remnants of fire moved at her will.
[Skill ‘Blazing Domination’ activated.]
It became sword, arrow, or a fireball.
Shapes changed freely. The orc’s eyes lit with fascination. It was like seeing their boss, the shaman.
Boom!
The flames obliterated the orc.
Ash scattered; Yujin shook her hand.
“…Really fast.”
Blazing Domination was effective. Downside: needed fire supply. No fire skill yet, so unavoidable.
“Doesn’t matter.”
She glanced at the dungeon entrance. Hunters streamed in.
But unlike the earlier thugs, these couldn’t be ignored.
Each was C-rank or higher, many with fire equipment. Precious items acting as kindling or sparks.
“You the reforger called Yujin?”
“You bastard!!”
“Kill him now!”
“Our boss told us to bring you.”
The lead thug, a B-rank hunter, pointed his staff.
“Just take an arm, then.”
Flare!
A fireball shot toward Yujin.
Whoosh—
Missed completely, harmless.
“?”
The fireball hovered mid-air, then stopped. Yujin slowly moved her fingers, controlling it.
She smirked.
“I’ll send this back.”
[Skill ‘Blazing Domination’ activated.]
BOOM!
The fireball returned to its owner, exploding.
“Arghhh!”
“Team leader!”
“You bastard!”
No more words needed. The first battle with the Dark Knight Guild had begun.
