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nMorning of the next day.

nMember of Lost Day, Han Yoojun, spoke with guild master Yoo Haram over the phone.

nYou know, this dungeon has something to do with ‘magic.’

nMagic.

nEarth, a technological planet with no magic, Han Yoojun listened to Yoo Haram’s words carefully.

nNo one on earth has even found a trace of magic.

nThere are many who desire it, yet not a single person has it.

nBut what if someone obtains magic?

nThe current power scale will tilt towards what nobody expects.

nVery few people know the deformed dungeon on Eurwangni is related to magic.

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n

nYoo Haram only found out about it through a special connection.

nEven large corporations and countries do not know this fact.

nTherefore, Yoo Haram decided to take a big risk.

n…I’ve already asked. Only soldiers are allowed in.

nBy international law, entry into deformed dungeons is strictly monitored.

nDue to the nature of deformed dungeons, it’s impossible to establish communications to the outside world once you’re inside.

nThis led to numerous accidents, with the ‘Elitz dungeon massacre’ from 10 years ago being the biggest incident of them all.

nNo matter how much Lost Day spins it, they will not escape criticism if they break international law.

nThat’s why countless companies and hunters were waiting patiently outside the deformed dungeon.

nF-Rank or not, they can’t go in if they’re not permitted.

nFor that reason, Yoo Haram took a big risk.

nTo deceive international law, many people had to become accomplices.

nThat’s how important this case is to me. To understand.

nWhen Yoo Haram hung up the phone, Han Yoojun gulped.

nHe thought perhaps this might blow up, but soon shook his head.

nThe opponents are one F-Rank and one S-Rank hunter.

nBy comparison, they had three S-Rank hunters.

n‘This is enough.’

nShortly after, Han Yoojun calmly called up three S-Rank hunters.

nJang Dojin, Yun Seolgyun, and Ahn Jei.

nEach have been active for more than five years as hunters, and all have S-Rank superpowers.

nUnlike him who can’t fight, they could attack the dungeon, so he relayed the message from the guild master.

n“You three will sneak into the dungeon.”

n“Is that so?”

nAs if Jang Dojin had expected it, he nodded.

n“I’ve finished talking to the soldiers. Now you guys just have to go in quietly, kill the two, then endure a week inside. You can do that, right?”

nThe three hunters in front of Han Yoojun can clear a S-Rank dungeon with a high success rate.

nIt’s also unlikely for the deformed dungeon here to be SS-Rank because it has rarely been the case, and even if it is, it won’t be a problem for the three to stay near the entrance for a week.

nIn the first place, if it’s really a SS-Rank dungeon, those two inside will not be able to survive.

n“Assuming everything goes as planned, the guild master wants a flawless performance.”

nThe plan was to send a rescue team after a week if there’s no news from the two who ‘disappeared.’

nThat is to say, the dungeon attack is deemed a failure after a week.

nAfter killing Yoo Seodam and Taylor Nine, the three hunters will hold out for a week, then the rescue teams will be dispatched to save Yoo Seodam and Taylor Nine.

nThen, the three hunters will blend in with the rescue team and clear the dungeon safely.

n“Machines don’t work inside the deformed dungeon. Strangely, even radio reception doesn’t work. At best…analog morse code transmission is possible. If anything happens, make sure to contact me.”

n“Yes. However, there won’t be a need for that.”

nThey are three S-Rank superhumans who are considered veterans in Lost Day.

nAlthough the other side has a S-Rank superhuman, at that level, the three of them will be enough.

nThere’s no problem.

n“Yes. Let’s go now.”

nLate morning.

nThe number of soldiers standing guard at the entrance to the dungeon exceeded 20, and among them there was a S-Rank superhuman.

nHan Haejung, a middle aged man of the colonel rank, creased his eyebrows as he saw three superhumans approaching.

nNonetheless, Jang Dojin approached him and spoke.

n“You’ve worked hard.”

nHan Haejung showed a stiff expression.

nHe knew very well what would happen inside if he let them in.

nBut there was nothing he could do.

nThis morning, a sudden order came from the top.

nPermit entry to the three hunters from Lost Day.

nThe order wasn’t sent just to the army, but the Cooperative of International Anomaly organization as well.

nAs a soldier, Han Haejung has no choice but to follow orders.

n“…Sooner or later you’ll have to repent.”

nSaid Han Haejung, leaving his post quietly.

n“That day will never come.”

nAfter brushing the remark aside, the three hunters quickly entered the dungeon.

nHwaak!!

nThe smell of a different environment assaulted their noses as soon as they entered.

nFeeling the stuffy and heavy air, their faces crumbled.

nOne of a hunter’s basic equipment is an air purifier and oxygen filter, but it is still very hard to adapt to other world’s environments.

nSometimes even the gravity was different.

n“This place looks similar to Earth.”

nThey raised their heads and looked straight ahead.

nIt was morning on Earth, but here the sun was already setting.

nA huge half destroyed palace welcomed them, and somehow it gave off an ominous feeling.

nJang Dojin slowly looked around, trying to calm his nerves as much as possible.

nFortunately, there was no reaction from their sensors.

n“Look at this. Isn’t the dungeon interpreter a little weird?”

n“What?”

nNumerous dungeons have appeared over the last 30 years, and now it’s possible to find out the ‘name’ of a dungeon using modern technology.

nOnce an anomaly detector captures the characteristic of a dungeon by its name, they can start attacking the dungeon.

nBut…

nFallen ??? ?? Palace

n“What’s that? What’s wrong with the name of this dungeon?”

n“This was normal in the past. Not so much these days…I think this is a new dungeon type.”

n“That palace. I’ve seen buildings in dungeons before, but never a palace…Is this a first?”

nAsked the female hunter, Ahn Jei.

nThe two men were stumped as well.

n“But one thing is certain.”

nThe palace entrance was wide open.

nWhich means their prey are inside.

n“Let’s go.”

nThe three superhumans walked cautiously.

nThere’s no chance for them to be discovered.

nBut among the opponents was a S-Rank superhuman, Taylor Nine.

nIt can become troublesome against her ability, so they did not underestimate her.

nAhn Jei activated one of her superpowers, a detection ability.

nAlthough it’s low rank, it has the effect of identifying the path a target has recently taken.

nYoo Seodam was recently here, so it wasn’t difficult to figure out.

n“Hmm?”

n“What’s wrong?”

n“No, I think they took this strange path.”

nShe turned her head, pointing to a space hidden between two walls.

n“They went in there?”

n“Hmm…”

nThere were bodies of monsters that looked like golems scattered everywhere.

nAll of them had holes in their chests, waist, and head, so it is assumed to be Taylor Nine’s doings.

nHowever, if they had defeated all these, wouldn’t it make sense to head through the main passageway?

n‘Why did they go there?’

nThey couldn’t understand it, but regardless, they had to chase them.

n“We don’t need to know why. Just follow after them.”

nSaid Jang Dojin to the other two, who nodded their heads.

nThey quietly and quickly moved.

nThe only time they felt tense was when they entered the dungeon.

nHowever, the further they pursued Yoo Seodam, the more strange it felt to them.

nBecause the path Yoo Seodam took was completely different from normal thinking.

nUsually this type of dungeon has a boss monster at the top.

n‘Why are you heading underground?’

nJang Dojin thought they might have been noticed, but soon shook his head.

nThey had neither a sensing ability nor a machine.

nWith Ahn Jei’s state of the art sensors and sensing ability, they could not have been noticed.

nBut even if they had the thought that they were being followed, why would they wait underground for someone to show up?

nAlso, attacking an S-Rank dungeon would take a longer time.

nThat’s how they rationalized it in their heads.

nFinally, the deepest part of the underground.

nThey have just arrived at a huge place called “Heart of Mana,” something modern people can’t know or understand.

nThey suddenly had a thought.

n‘…Don’t tell me, this is a trap?’

nIt was a strange place.

nColumns with unknown patterns were erected jaggedly, and the ceiling was unusually high.

nAnd in the middle lay a giant rock that had lost its luster and looked as if it would crumble at any minute.

nWhat people on Earth may not know is that this giant rock is the Heart of Mana, a generator that powers every ‘magic building.’

nAlthough all the mana has been lost, somehow its vibrant feeling still remains.

nJang Dojin looked at Yoo Seodam, who was petting the rock, and spoke.

n“Did you know we were coming?”

n“Yes.”

n“Then why didn’t you run away?”

nAsked Jang Dojin, as they looked around.

nThey couldn’t see Taylor Nine.

n‘Where is she hiding?’

nBut they were not worried.

nBecause Yun Seolgyun’s ability specializes against superpowers.

nAhn Jei who has the abilities Aether Shot (S) and Target Tracking (D).

nYun Seolgyun who has the abilities Aether Discharge (S) and Aether Disruption (A)

nAnd Jang Dojin, who has the abilities Aether Shield (S) and Perfect Physique (S).

nThere are very few cases in the world of people awakening dual superpowers, and when there is, it is rare for both superpowers to be S-Rank.

nIf Yun Seolgyun disrupts the superpowers of the target, Jang Dojin rushes with a body stronger than steel, and Ahn Jei uses her aether bow to shoot down the target, even Taylor Nine, the top S-Rank hunter, will not be able to survive.

nSuddenly, Seodam spoke.

n“Taylor is hunting right now. It’s been a while since I’ve unwind.”

n“…What?”

nWalking slowly, Seodam placed his hand on a pillar.

nThe heart of a mage’s building.

nIt is a place that preserves the life of the building itself.

nWouldn’t there be precautions in place to prevent attacks against such a place?

nAlthough the heart was shut down because the building died, the ‘rune’ still remains.

nA kind of security system that activates using magic to immediately shoot down all intruders.

nAlthough the Heart of Mana is quite old fashioned compared to Vivienda’s, and it’s dead because most of the runes were damaged.

nStill, there’s no problem.

nOong!!

nSeodam had already finished his preparation by interpreting all the runes here earlier before they came.

nA mage is a person who prepares.

nAnd as a F-Rank hunter, Yoo Seodam has always prepared.

nHe waited 3 hours to catch a F-Rank monster.

nHe waited 48 hours to catch a E-Rank monster.

nIt took a month to hunt D-Rank monsters.

nHe prepared to the point where people thought he was crazy, and so, at least when it comes to preparation, it could be said that he’s superior to a mage.

n“Well, let’s go. Kill him first and then find her.”

nWhen Jang Dojin’s words fell, they each took out their bows, shields, and wristband.

nThree S-Rank hunters who have the most optimal superpowers to deal with a hunter.

nNo matter what tricks the F-Rank hunter has, they thought they could easily defeat him.

nTo them, it will be like swatting a fly.

nThe moment Jang Dojin rushed in.

nPichi!

n“…!”

nA pillar of light fell from the sky.

nTaylor patted her shoulder with her baseball bat while twirling three spheres of light in her left hand.

nKuung!

nA strange house-sized S-Rank monster called a ‘hybrid chimera’ fell.

nAlthough it’s a powerful monster that many S-Rank hunters would struggle with, Taylor Nine was able to defeat it with only a light scratch.

n“Ah, unlike robots, these cute things have aethers, right?”

nUnfortunately, the enemies Seodam said were ‘guardians’ had no aether crystal even after she killed them all.

nHowever, aether crystals could be extracted from the various types of chimeras she had defeated, and has collected a considerable amount.

nHaving extracted the last aether crystal, she looked back with a worried look.

n‘You hunt to your heart’s content. I’ll be right with you after serving our guests.”

nAfter saying so, Yoo Seodam stayed back alone in the deep underground.

nAlthough he was prideful, he was also cautious in everything.

nShe wanted to help, but he was so confident that in the end she agreed.

nWhen she thought about it, Seodam has always been confident.

nTaylor recalls a memory from that time.

nFifteen years ago when the eight children became hunters.

nEven when all but one person awakened their superpowers.

nWhen they awakened E-Rank superpowers and he didn’t.

nWhen it became D, C, and finally A rank.

nSeodam was still full of confidence.

nJust because we gained superpowers we didn’t want to invade his space, thus everyone didn’t cross that line.

nThat’s why Taylor was hesitating.

nBut, she couldn’t help but worry.

n‘What the heck, let’s just check. I feel uncomfortable hunting…’

nEventually, Taylor turned around and went back the way she came.

nKugung!

n‘…Also, what the hell is that noise?’

nGoing back to the place where they split up, she frowned at the earthshaking vibration.

nThe sounds of a slight explosion, something striking, and something falling.

nAs far as she knows, that did not come from Yoo Seodam.

nWith an uneasy feeling, Taylor clenched her teeth and ran towards the underground.

nWhen she got to the entrance.

n…She saw a pillar of flame rising to the sky and hunters with the Lost Day armband.

n“W-what is that?”

nTaylor widened her eyes, trying to grasp the situation.

nA standoff between three S-Rank hunters and one hunter.

nIt couldn’t be Yoo Seodam.

nIt’s impossible.

nShe thought as such.

n‘What the hell is that…?’

nA bolt of lightning fell from the sky.

nThen, a red circle rose from a line drawn on the ground and burned everything in its vicinity when a pillar lit up.

nThis…was a kind of superpower she has never seen before.

nThere were not just one, but several such phenomenons happening.

nIt was none other than Yoo Seodam.

n‘Since when did you gain superpowers…No, before that, does this even make sense?’

nAmong the many superhumans recorded on Earth, the largest number of superpowers a person had were three.

nBut not even superpowers could create such strange phenomenons.

nEvery time Yoo Seodam ran like the wind and touched a wall, the air curved, rays of light poured down, or blue beads rolled around.

nIt was incomprehensible to modern superpowers.

nThe three S-Rank hunters were wailing at the absurdity, unable to withstand the difference in power.

nWhat the hell is this?

nThey thought he would beg for his life.

nBut it is them who is now begging for their life.

n‘What the hell is that…?’

nTaylor was speechless at the absurdity of three S-Rank hunters being unilaterally slaughtered.

nUnknowingly, she looked at Seodam’s face.

nHe was smiling.

nShe has never seen him this happy while fighting before.

nHe who doesn’t have talent.

nHe who doesn’t have superpower.

nHis 30 years of existence had always been a struggle from the bottom.

nFor the first time, he is a genius with overwhelming power!

nLooking at his expression, all questions disappeared from her mind.

nIt’s just, she was happy.

nIt made her happy seeing Seodam happy.

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n

nWhat that is.

nHow it happened.

nSuch things didn’t matter at this moment.

nThose who have always stood at the pinnacle.

nWatching Seodam tear at the peak from the bottom.

nTaylor Nine thought.

n‘Wow, so crazy. It’s **ing beautiful…’

nNo other words were needed.

nA mysterious and beautiful battle that has never been seen before.

nFor a long time, Taylor Nine looked at the scene, bewitched.

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