Adventurers were climbing the mountain in the middle of the night.
Minjun Kim was leading the way, followed by Marcel and his party.
Marcel and his party consisted of four people in total.
Marcel, who wielded a sword.
Martin, a warrior who used a large axe.
And Leo, an archer, and Anna, who could use magic, albeit weakly.
However, in the current situation, some were filled with dissatisfaction.
“What is this pointless effort?”
“I agree. Why go now when we can leave at dawn?”
Anna and Leo, who were following behind, grumbled softly.
They had departed in the evening after completing their preparations, as Minjun Kim had said.
But they had started too late.
By the time they arrived at the mountain range and began to ascend, it was already past evening.
Even with Silver Rank adventurers forming a party, this was crossing the line.
Especially since climbing such a mountain range was dangerous even during the day, and it was already the middle of the night.
They were in a situation where they didn’t know what they would encounter.
The only comfort was that Minjun Kim, as an adventurer with a Silver Badge, was skilled enough.
Minjun Kim was a Silver Rank adventurer and a Mage. Moreover, he seemed quite skilled.
He repelled all low-level monsters, such as wild animals and goblins, encountered on the mountain with a mere gesture.
‘To be able to use magic so freely…’
From his current appearance, it was evident that he was no ordinary Mage.
That’s why, despite his dissatisfaction with the current situation, he didn’t voice it.
After all, they were merely following in this situation.
Even as they climbed the dark mountain, Minjun Kim illuminated the surroundings with magic.
The light was weak, but it was certainly better than nothing.
To illuminate brightly in the night, especially in a mountain range adjacent to the Demonic Realm, was akin to inviting death.
Knowing this, Minjun Kim adjusted the intensity of the light appropriately.
‘Tsk.’
As it was night, they frequently encountered monsters.
Most of them were minor, so he only used magic to repel them.
There was no need to expend his strength prematurely.
Minjun Kim glanced back.
He was checking if anyone was falling behind.
It wasn’t because he was considerate.
They were the main dish of the day.
As he continued to climb, Minjun Kim stopped.
“This seems to be the place. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
They had arrived at the location marked as a dungeon.
However, due to the darkness, they couldn’t find the dungeon.
“Where is the dungeon?”
It was difficult from the start.
Minjun Kim instructed Marcel and his party to search for the dungeon together.
A moment later, Marcel’s voice was heard.
“Ah, hyung! We found it!”
It seemed they had managed to find the dungeon after all.
As Minjun Kim headed towards Marcel’s location, he saw a cave.
It was hidden among dense trees, making it difficult to find.
“Hmm…”
The cave looked very dark from the outside.
The darkness did not recede even with Minjun Kim’s magic.
“Are you sure this is the right place?”
“We searched everywhere around here, and there’s nothing else!”
Was this really a dungeon?
He didn’t feel anything in particular.
Minjun Kim expressed his doubts.
He felt no presence from the cave believed to be a dungeon.
Minjun Kim was both a Hunter and an Adventurer.
He also possessed an A-Rank Trait called Mana Sensitivity.
Mana Sensitivity was the ability to feel and read mana well.
All the dungeons and monsters he had encountered so far had a unique mana flow, however small.
Therefore, he knew.
He knew that the cave before him gave off no aura whatsoever.
If it weren’t for the quest he received from the Guild, he would have mistaken it for an ordinary cave.
“Well, what can you expect from a low-rank dungeon?”
Comparing it to the quest, Minjun Kim soon dismissed it.
Of course, there were artifacts and magic that could block mana.
However, this dungeon was Iron Rank.
In fact, it was the lowest-ranked place.
How low could its rank be that no mana could be felt?
Therefore, he dismissed all other variables.
“Alright, let’s all go in now.”
There was no change in waiting here.
Since it didn’t seem particularly dangerous, he urged those following him.
This time, Minjun Kim lagged behind, letting the party go ahead.
‘Finally.’
He had herded them into the dungeon.
Now that he was behind them, they couldn’t escape.
It was the moment Minjun Kim’s plan was about to be executed.
The moment they entered the dungeon, they were already trapped prey.
* * *
They set foot in the dungeon.
Even if it was the lowest rank, a dungeon was still a dungeon.
So, everyone proceeded cautiously, remaining vigilant.
“So it really is a dungeon.”
Minjun Kim muttered and dispelled his magic.
Torches densely lit the walls, greeting them.
It was no longer dark, so there was no need to use mana to create light.
After walking for a while.
Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared.
“What?”
“Huh? Hyung, the path is divided?”
Marcel and his party whispered at the sight.
“I can see that too.”
He said it indifferently, but Minjun Kim was actually flustered.
‘Why did a fork in the road suddenly appear?’
Usually, the internal structure of low-rank dungeons was simple.
Moreover, this dungeon was Iron Rank, the lowest.
Yet, there was a fork in the road leading in two directions.
‘Damn, things are getting complicated.’
Minjun Kim’s expression contorted.
He had intended to simply clear the dungeon and have some fun, but things were not going as planned.
As Minjun Kim pondered, a memory surfaced.
“Come to think of it, Marcel.”
“You called me, hyung!”
“Earlier, you mentioned that it was originally a dungeon of the same rank.”
He recalled what Marcel had said when he picked up the quest from the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Yes, hyung. That’s right?”
Marcel replied as if it were a matter of course.
“Do you also know why the rank dropped?”
However, Marcel shook his head. He knew the rank had dropped but not the reason.
‘Useless fellow.’
Minjun Kim pondered.
“If it were the same rank, it would make sense…”
If it were a dungeon of the same rank, the fork in the road would make sense.
Of course, this fork in the road would basically be the entire dungeon.
‘Right, let’s not overthink it.’
Minjun Kim chose one path.
Splitting up was too dangerous.
They were novice adventurers.
If they got killed by monsters, it would only spoil his fun.
More importantly, it was crucial to eliminate the variable of them escaping.
Since they were all going to be killed anyway, it would be troublesome if they escaped by splitting up.
“Everyone goes left.”
They also knew that splitting up here would be of no benefit. They all agreed to Minjun Kim’s words without complaint.
Even if it were dangerous, Minjun Kim would take care of them, wouldn’t he?
At least they had that belief.
They continued walking down the left path.
Then, a chilling wind began to blow.
*Whoosh-*
The wind made the torches on the walls flicker.
“Everyone stop.”
He sensed something.
Minjun Kim commanded everyone.
However, the wind grew stronger, and all the torches went out simultaneously.
Complete darkness returned.
“Huh? Hyung.”
Marcel exclaimed in surprise and looked for Minjun Kim.
“Damn it. Nothing’s going right.”
Minjun Kim grumbled but hastily used magic.
A small orb floated on his palm and then emitted light.
The darkness receded again, and the interior of the dungeon was illuminated.
However, Minjun Kim’s expression did not clear.
‘Something is strange.’
He felt an unfathomable sense of unease.
At the same time, he saw Marcel in front of him.
As soon as the surroundings brightened, Marcel approached his companions.
All three of them stood still in their places.
“……”
“Hey!”
Marcel called out to them.
“……”
“Are you guys scared? Hahaha.”
Marcel taunted them and stepped closer.
“The lights just went out. What are you scared of?”
The moment Marcel tried to place his hand on the muscular Martin’s shoulder.
“Stop!”
Minjun Kim shouted at Marcel.
“Yes?”
“Come here immediately!”
Marcel turned around and expressed his confusion.
He couldn’t understand why he was suddenly acting like this.
“Why are you doing this? Hyung…”
*Clang!*
However, Marcel’s words were cut short.
His companions, who had been silent, suddenly swung their weapons at Marcel.
Especially Martin’s axe pierced Marcel’s heart.
The power was so immense that his armor was easily pierced.
“Gulp!”
Marcel coughed up blood and collapsed onto the floor.
He looked at his companions with disbelief.
“What… is this…?”
Marcel’s words did not continue, and he died.
“Damn it! What Banshee came out in a dungeon of the same rank!”
Minjun Kim cursed and began to chant his magic.
A Banshee was an Undead monster.
Although not a high-rank monster, it was a bit tricky to deal with.
Since it had no physical form, it could only be dealt with through Holy Power or magic.
A Banshee was closer to a ghost than a monster.
And a Banshee had another, more significant problem.
It was mental control.
The most frightening aspect of a Banshee was its ability to control human minds.
Of course, it wasn’t omnipotent.
It didn’t work on those of equal rank.
And usually, a party with even a Novice Priest could prepare for it.
However, they had been too complacent.
“Thunder Storm!”
Minjun Kim hurriedly shouted his magic.
Lightning began to strike down from the sky onto the floor.
The targets were the three adventurers in front of him.
No, the beings who were adventurers.
They died, electrocuted by the lightning Minjun Kim unleashed.
The interior of the dungeon filled with the smell of burning flesh.
“Haa… haa… damn it.”
He cursed frequently today.
He looked at the corpses of Marcel, whose heart was pierced, and the others who died of electrocution.
He had originally intended to kill them himself, but he hadn’t wanted this outcome.
Except for Marcel, the others had already lost their minds to the Banshee.
For some reason, the Banshees here were different from ordinary Banshees.
He had that feeling.
‘Could there be a buff-type monster?’
If so, it was a truly dangerous situation.
They should not have set foot here in the first place.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Even though its rank had dropped, it was originally a dungeon of the same rank.
The fact that a Banshee appeared at the entrance meant that the Adventurer’s Guild had provided incorrect information.
‘I’ll kill the guide the moment I get out.’
How dare they put him in danger?
He had almost died.
He had to vent his current anger on someone.
As he turned to go back,
*Clap clap clap-*
Applauding sounds came from the front.
“You are truly amazing!”
Someone spoke with admiration.
The source of the voice was a woman.
Unusually, she was wearing a Maid Outfit, but that wasn’t important.
Moreover, seeing the horns on her head, she must be a monster.
“Who are you!”
Minjun Kim gathered his caution.
*Gulp.*
This was an immense being.
Just by appearance, her aura was overwhelming.
How could he not have sensed such an aura?
Unaware of the dungeon’s concealment, Minjun Kim despaired.
This was dangerous.
‘Right, let’s run.’
If he cast magic indiscriminately and fled, he might at least be able to escape the dungeon.
However, those thoughts were already predicted.
“Are you perhaps trying to escape?”
By the time he knew it, goblins had swarmed the passage through which he had entered.
“When did…!”
Moreover, Hobgoblins and Goblin Shamans were mixed in.
That was fine.
They were just goblins, after all.
If he tried his best, he might be able to break through.
However, Minjun Kim’s gaze fell upon the Goblin Lord at the very back of the goblin horde.
The Goblin Lord stood with an arrogant expression.
The Goblin Lord wore a golden crown, making him easily recognizable even to those who had never seen him before.
The problem was that the Goblin Lord was no ordinary goblin.
The Lord’s power was immense.
Even in Earth, it required a party including an A-Rank Hunter to defeat it.
“This… is unbelievable…”
Haha.
Minjun Kim began to laugh madly.
“There is no way out for you, is there?”
The nameless woman smiled sweetly.
At this point, it would be better to eliminate that woman.
Wouldn’t the woman be a slightly easier target than the Goblin Lord?
‘Damn it. I really have to thrash the Adventurer’s Guild the moment I get out.’
This was no longer Silver Rank.
By the standards of this continent, this was a dungeon that exceeded Gold Rank and could be considered Platinum Rank.
As Minjun Kim decided to eliminate the female monster in front of him.
*Clank- Clank-*
*Clank-*
The sound of metal clashing began to be heard.
By the time he knew it, numerous Skeletons were walking behind the woman.
“Madness!”
Minjun Kim exclaimed involuntarily.
It wasn’t just Skeletons.
“Why is a Death Knight here…”
A Death Knight was included among the Skeletons.
This was not winnable.
Even if he died and came back to life, he would never be able to escape.
What on earth was this?
What kind of dungeon was this to have three such monsters?
A myriad of thoughts raced through Minjun Kim’s mind.
“To think that I would meet such a pathetic end…”
It wasn’t that he hadn’t suffered before.
Minjun Kim shed tears in despair.
However, the woman before him opened her mouth as if she didn’t care.
“Your pathetic emotional games are none of my business.”
And then, the opponent raised both hands upwards.
“Still, you are lucky. You may smile. For I shall grant you the honor of becoming a sacrifice dedicated to Master!”
There was madness in her demeanor.
“You are qualified.”
Her smile was truly chilling.
