Yoo Sora’s unexpected statement shattered the silence, sending ripples of shock through the assembled hunters. The room buzzed with murmurs of disbelief.
It was unprecedented for her to show interest in another hunter, let alone recommend one. The fact that an SS-rank hunter like her was vouching for someone seemed inconceivable to most.
“Sora—I mean, Hunter Yoo Sora,” Kim Jeongtae said, his voice tinged with undisguised curiosity. “Can you explain why you’re recommending him?”
Even Kim Jeongtae, who considered himself close to Yoo Sora, hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.
“Everyone here knows that Hunter Han Taemin dealt with Bang Geunseok,” Yoo Sora began, her voice steady. “He was also instrumental in handling the recent Fissure Flood and Moon Halo incidents with me. If anything, it’s strange that he hasn’t been mentioned already.”
Her logic was undeniable. Handling two major incidents was an achievement impossible to overlook. Regardless of his relative inexperience, Han Taemin’s accomplishments demanded respect.
Kim Jeongtae nodded, then turned to the group. “I’d like to hear from those who were on the same team as Han Taemin. What are your thoughts on him joining the elite squad?”
All eyes turned to An Seongtae and Choi Nami, the only ones who had witnessed Han Taemin’s abilities firsthand. They exchanged a brief glance before speaking.
“Hunter Yoo Sora is correct,” An Seongtae said. “Team 3’s minimal casualties were largely due to Han Taemin’s performance.”
Choi Nami nodded in agreement. “I concur. His skills are undeniable.”
Their words left no room for dissent. Though there was much left unsaid, the power Han Taemin had displayed was irrefutable.
“Well then,” Kim Jeongtae said, “if you both vouch for him, I suppose it’s settled. Hunter Han Taemin will be included in the elite team.” He turned to Han Taemin. “It’s sudden, but are you prepared for this, Hunter Han Taemin?”
“Yes, I am,” Han Taemin replied with a nod.
‘They said it wasn’t absolute power,’ Han Taemin thought to himself, ‘but this is essentially a free pass.’
And so, 17 hunters were selected for the elite team.
The decision to minimize their size and emphasize mobility was strategic. Their primary objective was to determine whether the Fissure Flood was related to the Cradle of Magnus, rather than conquering it outright.
—
“Taemin, are you really leaving me behind?” Gi Siwoo asked, his voice tinged with worry.
“Don’t whine,” Han Taemin replied firmly. “If anything happens, head straight to the Vain Guild. Yoo Sora will have informed them—they won’t turn you away.”
Leaving Gi Siwoo behind, Han Taemin entered the second floor with the elite team. It quickly became apparent that what they had faced in the Cradle of Magnus so far had been mere child’s play.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
The moment they entered, a barrage of projectiles rained down upon them. It was a brutal welcome, as if the dungeon had been eagerly awaiting their arrival.
These monsters were a far cry from the so-called “guardians” of the first floor. The projectiles deflected by the tanks left deep scars in the ground, each impact accompanied by a thunderous boom.
The massive, grotesque monsters fired projectiles that produced ear-splitting roars. It was clear that designating this floor as merely “S-rank” had been a gross underestimation.
The battle was intense from the start. While the precise division of regions made investigation easier, it also limited their mobility. Avoiding and blocking the relentless barrage of projectiles was a Herculean task.
Suddenly, Kim Jeongtae raised his shield. “Gather around me!” he shouted.
A storm of energy swirled around him, and small symbols appeared on the wrists of the surrounding hunters.
Unwavering Union.
This ability temporarily transferred Kim Jeongtae’s health, durability, and resistance to others. With it, even a regular healer could instantly become a formidable tank if he willed it.
In a dungeon where the unexpected lurked around every corner, there was no hunter more valuable than Kim Jeongtae.
With the defensive blind spots eliminated, the reinvigorated hunters launched their counterattack. Their ability to read and respond to the overall battle situation was nothing short of masterful.
The confidence that they could now endure even direct hits from the projectiles translated into a surge of combat effectiveness. The tide of battle was already turning in their favor.
Seizing the momentum, the mages in the elite team unleashed their abilities, completely vaporizing the incoming projectiles. Though it offered only a momentary reprieve, it was enough to carve out a path forward.
“Thirty seconds until the next concentrated attack!”
“Three hunters affected by frenzy—contain them!”
“Healers, focus on the wounded over here!”
“Preparing to switch formation as soon as the next wave hits!”
The hunters’ voices intermingled across the chaotic battlefield. Despite the pandemonium, they moved with precision and consistency, operating like a well-oiled machine.
‘So this is what top-tier hunters are capable of,’ Han Taemin mused, impressed by their coordinated assault on the massive monsters.
While their mana control might not match his own, their combat prowess was undeniable.
“Time to step it up,” Han Taemin muttered, his competitive spirit ignited.
He surged forward, sword extended, no longer holding back. Here, amidst the chaos, he could unleash his full potential without reservation.
FWOOSH.
His blade sank deep into a monster’s flesh, administering a lethal dose of poison. As he severed the creature’s vital points, he spun, using his free hand to gouge out the eyes of another approaching beast. With a flourish, he raised his hand, channeling his deadly mana.
His hands crossed, and two monsters fell simultaneously.
Minimal movement, maximum efficiency.
Han Taemin carved a path of destruction, mercilessly slaughtering the massive monsters that appeared at every turn. He effortlessly detected creatures lurking beyond the walls, skewering them before they could even emerge.
BOOM!
Without even a glance, Han Taemin kicked away a projectile aimed for his blind spot. The deflected missile, enhanced by his Eighteen-and-a-Half Martial Arts technique, flew back with even greater velocity, piercing its original sender.
Among the 17 elite hunters, Han Taemin stood out as a force of nature.
An invisible barrier seemed to surround him, keeping others at bay. His attacks were so precise and overwhelming that they left no room for anyone else to interfere.
In the midst of the chaotic battle, not a single projectile breached his defense. It was a flawless solo performance.
Han Taemin’s relentless advance knew no retreat. In his wake, he left only the corpses of fallen monsters.
When he finally lowered his sword, the immediate threat had been thoroughly eliminated.
Seeing the clear path to the third floor, Han Taemin sat down, taking a moment to catch his breath.
“Phew,” he exhaled.
The other hunters who had witnessed Han Taemin’s performance were left speechless. Only gasps and astonished murmurs broke the stunned silence.
The majority of the slain monsters bore the marks of Han Taemin’s handiwork. It was a feat beyond belief for someone who had only recently become a hunter.
His overwhelming achievement left little doubt—barring any extraordinary circumstances, Han Taemin would be hailed as the linchpin of this raid.
Yoo Sora’s face lit up with a triumphant smile, her choice vindicated. She clapped her hands and spoke confidently:
“The second floor is smaller than the first, isn’t it? What do you think, sir?”
Kim Jeongtae nodded thoughtfully. “It might be a pyramidal structure, narrowing as we ascend.”
“Perhaps we’ll clear this faster than expected,” Yoo Sora mused.
The group seemed to share this optimism, as no one voiced any dissent.
But their moment of respite was short-lived.
Just as the hunters were about to begin dismantling the monster corpses, a surge of mana energy pulsed through the dungeon with world-devouring intensity.
The sensation was eerily reminiscent of passing through a dimensional portal—a feeling all too familiar to seasoned hunters. It could only mean one thing: the precursor to a Fissure Flood.
While not yet intense enough to collapse the dungeon, it was clear that time was running out.
Kim Jeongtae, the first to grasp the gravity of the situation, shouted urgently: “Everyone, move up! Now!”
They had to prevent the Fissure Flood from manifesting. At the very least, they needed to destroy the dungeon’s core.
Suddenly, the dungeon walls came crashing down with crushing force, as if intent on flattening the hunters.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A series of deafening explosions rocked the chamber. Large monsters caught in the path of the descending walls were mercilessly pulverized.
It was clear the dungeon wouldn’t afford them the luxury of careful deliberation.
Fortunately, the path to the third floor wasn’t far. If they sprinted with all their might, they might just make it. The hunters took off, a desperate race against time.
But Han Taemin didn’t move.
“Hunter Han Taemin!” Yoo Sora called out, noticing his stillness a moment too late. She gestured frantically for him to hurry, but Han Taemin shook his head, declining her plea.
THUMP—
“I’ll catch up,” he said calmly.
With those words, a massive wall crashed down between them, cutting off any further argument.
—
In the aftermath of the calamity, the second floor was a scene of utter chaos.
Monsters lay crushed against the walls, their innards grotesquely displayed. The floor, pummeled by countless projectiles, resembled pockmarked bread, scarred and cratered.
Most striking was the complete enclosure—walls surrounded them on all sides, sealing off any means of escape.
Han Taemin, now alone on the devastated second floor, sat atop a fallen monster’s head. He whistled idly to pass the time, then cocked his head, sensing a presence.
“You might as well come out,” he called. “I’m starting to get bored.”
“Oh? You noticed me?” a cheerful voice replied.
Han Taemin turned towards the sound, watching as a boy materialized from thin air.
The newcomer wore an outlandish butterfly mask and a robe that cascaded to his ankles. While the combination seemed incongruous, the boy’s carefree demeanor somehow made it work.
Intricate, unintelligible text covered the robe’s surface. Fascinatingly, the script’s color shifted depending on the viewing angle.
Han Taemin’s hand instinctively moved to his sword. This was no ordinary opponent—the boy was clearly versed in advanced mana manipulation techniques.
“Who are you?” Han Taemin asked coolly. “I’ve been aware of your presence since I arrived.”
The boy’s eyebrows rose beneath his mask. “You caught that, did you? Impressive.”
As the boy scratched his chin, intrigued, Han Taemin subtly closed the distance between them.
“I wasn’t sure at first,” the boy continued, “but now I see it clearly. You’re familiar with mana training methods. Not a master, perhaps, but certainly not a novice either.”
It was a perplexing case—one that defied easy categorization.
After a moment of contemplation, the boy blurted out, “Who taught you?”
“You think I’d just tell you?” Han Taemin retorted.
A grin spread across the boy’s face. “No, of course not. That’s how it should be.”
Though his words were light-hearted, the mana emanating from the boy was anything but. On the surface, it seemed as placid as a lake, but Han Taemin sensed depths as vast and powerful as an ocean.
This boy far outclassed hunters like Yoo Sora or even Bang Geunseok. The difference wasn’t just in raw power, but in the sophisticated way he wielded his mana.
Han Taemin’s mind raced, connecting the dots. The Fissure Flood, the Moon Halo incident, the attempted presidential assassination—he had expected to encounter someone behind these events. Keeping his composure, he carefully observed the boy before him.
“I’m glad you’re not the type to roll over,” the boy said, a hint of excitement in his voice. “It wouldn’t be any fun if you just gave up.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘fun’?” Han Taemin asked warily.
The boy’s eyes glinted behind his mask. “Allow me to demonstrate.”
A intricate mana circle materialized around the boy’s wrist. Turquoise lines swirled and coalesced, forming a perfect circle. As it began to rotate with dizzying speed, a brilliant light erupted from its center.
In that instant, one of the massive dungeon walls simply… disintegrated.
Han Taemin’s eyes widened. This was no mere ability—it was a feat of pure mana manipulation, a miracle born of unparalleled skill and power.
The boy’s cheerful demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold intensity. “The secrets of mana training belong to us alone. We cannot allow others to master these techniques. No matter who taught you or how you learned, this knowledge is ours by right.”