The Fire Bird Guild’s armory was located on the 10th floor of the main building.
Yerin Jeong took out a specially made key card and scanned it in front of the door.
With two beeps, the heavily reinforced steel door slowly opened.
“Alright, please come in. This is the Fire Bird Guild’s armory.”
She gestured to me. Before fully entering the dungeon, she willingly opened the storage to keep a promise from last time. Yerin Jeong’s promise was to give me a Rank-S equipment. I also needed equipment, so there was no reason to refuse the favor.
As I stepped inside the steel door, the sight that unfolded before my eyes made me stop in my tracks.
‘I didn’t expect this.’
Even for a guild armory, I had imagined a normal storage with weapons neatly arranged, but the reality was different. Dozens of magic stones were installed on the ceiling of the spacious area, and inside reinforced glass cases lining the walls, various weapons and equipment were displayed, surrounded by magic barriers.
“Wow…”
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of admiration. It looked more like a museum than an armory. Various equipment sparkled like jewels everywhere.
‘If the Fire Bird Guild is like this, how much more would other top guilds have?’
Suddenly, Suho of the Divine Guild came to mind.
‘I wonder what he’s up to right now?’
Thinking about it, I hadn’t seen any activity from him lately. He was probably in secluded training somewhere, or if not, he was definitely doing something.
‘Well, it doesn’t concern me anymore.’
Whatever Suho tried to do to me, I was now confident I could easily overcome it.
As I quietly looked around, Yerin Jeong spoke.
“Isn’t it amazing? I was surprised too when I first saw it. I really didn’t know it would be this much.”
“Yes, it’s truly amazing.”
It was sincere. All of this was likely the work of the deceased Taeyoung Jeong. If the weapons here had been distributed to guild members, the guild’s ranking would have risen several levels.
“Come this way.”
Yerin Jeong led me to the innermost part of the space. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floor. Following her, I found a separate area, distinguished from other exhibits, equipped with a special security system. The walls were engraved with the Fire Bird emblem, and a complex barrier was drawn on the floor.
“This is the Rank-S equipment storage.”
Yerin Jeong underwent another authentication process to open the door to the special area. As the door slowly opened, seven independent glass cases were arranged in a hexagonal shape, each containing a piece of equipment.
“We have a total of seven types of Rank-S equipment in our Fire Bird Guild.”
Yerin Jeong explained proudly. Her eyes held genuine pride.
“The problem is that Rank-S equipment sometimes chooses its owner. No matter how good the equipment is, if it doesn’t match the user, it won’t function properly.”
She introduced each piece of equipment as she walked.
“This is the ‘Fire Bird’s Sword’.”
A red and golden sword seemed to float in constantly burning flames.
“It’s the weapon my father used, and it’s now the symbol of our guild.”
Yerin Jeong’s father must be Taesoo Jeong, the Guild Leader of the Fire Bird Guild. Although he was now almost retired, he was once a renowned hunter in Korea. There was no way I wouldn’t know about the Fire Bird’s Sword he used. It was praised for its flames dancing around the sword, making it look like a living firebird.
‘That was the origin of the Fire Bird Guild.’
It seemed he kept the weapon in the Fire Bird Guild’s armory because he rarely engaged in activities now.
‘Even so, the Fire Bird’s Sword is practically useless to me.’
Didn’t Yerin Jeong say it? Rank-S equipment chooses its owner. No matter how good the equipment is, if it doesn’t match the user, it won’t function properly. And the Fire Bird’s Sword didn’t match me.
‘After all, I only need to support the monsters from behind.’
Moreover, the Fire Bird’s Sword had become the established symbol of the Fire Bird Guild. Choosing such equipment wouldn’t create a good image for me.
The next case contained a pair of gauntlets.
“These are the ‘Thunder God’s Gauntlets.’ They imbue the wearer’s attacks with lightning. However, if worn by someone with low electrical resistance, they might get electrocuted first.”
As if to prove her words, blue lightning occasionally sparked around the gauntlets. Despite being displayed inside the case, they felt threatening.
The third case contained a golden bow that shone like the sun, and the fourth contained a set of black daggers that seemed to traverse the boundaries of light and shadow. However, what caught my eye was the robe in the fifth case.
A luxurious robe with a dark navy background and silver patterns.
“What is this?”
I asked. Yerin Jeong looked at the fifth case in response to my question.
“Ah, that’s the ‘Nebula Robe’.”
She replied with a smile.
“Basically, it’s magic armor that can defend against not only normal magic attacks but also mental attacks. And more—”
She lowered her voice slightly. Although no one was around, she spoke cautiously, as if conveying an important secret.
“It also has the effect of amplifying the wearer’s mana and magic power. So it’s particularly useful for summoner hunters.”
I examined the robe inside the case closely. I had a feeling about it.
“Moreover, its physical defense isn’t low, so it seems like it would suit you well, Kanghyeon.”
Yerin Jeong’s words further deepened my interest. Even though I became a Rank-A Hunter, safety was always important. And my current position was being covered by Maru fighting in front while I supported from the rear, and with that robe, I could hunt more safely. Especially since I didn’t know what situations might arise inside the dungeon, I needed to be prepared for anything.
‘This is perfect.’
It was equipment that possessed everything I needed.
“I’ll take this one.”
***
At the entrance to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’, Fire Bird Guild hunters were gathered. The sound of equipment checks and tense conversations filled the morning air.
I checked the robe I received from Yerin Jeong and touched my smartphone screen.
– You can dispatch monsters to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
The Minotaurus Dungeon should never be underestimated.
– Dispatching Necros (★★★★★) to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
– Dispatching Death Knight (★★★★★) to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
– Dispatching Berter (★★★★) to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
– Dispatching Banshee (★★★) to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
– Dispatching Skeleton Knight (★★★) to the dungeon ‘Wandering Maze’.
… …
So my choice was monster dispatchment. These were dungeon monsters to protect me in any unforeseen situation. Finally, I summoned Maru.
“Maru, are you ready?”
Skeleton Priest Maru. The sight of him now, with the Holy Sword and Demonic Sword at his hips, felt even more majestic. He was still wearing a black robe and a mask, but his presence was different from before.
“Shall we go now?”
“Clap!”
Maru quietly followed behind me.
Among the hunters gathered in front of the Minotaurus Dungeon were the ones I chose and those recommended by Yerin Jeong. Among them, I saw Minchul Kang and Seyoung Jang.
‘They said they were Taeyoung’s close aides.’
Besides the two, several other hunters were standing a little apart. They seemed to be communicating something with just their eyes. I took in their presence. Just then, someone called me.
“Advisor.”
Team Leader Namgung Hyuk approached and showed respect. Even though we were now both Rank-A Hunters, his respectful demeanor towards me was impressive.
“All preparations are complete. We’ve also thoroughly checked the dark stone extraction equipment.”
I nodded at his words. The extraction equipment was just inventories to store the dark stone. Maru would handle the extraction.
Soon, hunters began to gather around me. In some of their eyes, curiosity and awe were mixed. Some of them marveled at Maru standing behind me.
“Is that the Skeleton?”
“They say he fought Death Knight and Goblin Lord alone…”
“He’s truly amazing.”
I heard faint whispers. Those seeing Maru for the first time would know him well from the rumors. I briefly surveyed the surroundings. Including myself and Maru, a total of forty hunters would enter the dungeon together today. All of them were Rank-A and Rank-B Hunters.
“Let’s depart.”
At my words, the hunters moved in unison. They formed into a predetermined formation and headed towards the dungeon entrance. Maru and I were at the forefront.
But then.
“May I speak for a moment?”
Turning my head, Hunter Minchul Kang pushed up his glasses and raised his hand.
“The primary objective is to explore the location of the dark stone, or so I’ve heard.”
It was true. Of course, I had already ordered Baalcherit to locate the dark stone, but they didn’t know that.
“Then, how about we split into two teams? In the previous raid, we were caught off guard because we didn’t know there were various monsters in the dungeon, but it’s different now, isn’t it?”
As Minchul Kang said, this time all forty people were thoroughly armed.
“And it would save much more time that way.”
Some agreed with his words. They were all hunters classified as Taeyoung’s close aides.
“Hmm…”
Hunters who should know how dangerous this dungeon is are suggesting separate movements? Something was fishy. But it was also awkward to refuse because of the efficiency.
‘Minchul Kang is right.’
This was a step to confirm the existence of the dark stone before extracting it. They would think efficiency would be low if everyone moved together. But it didn’t matter. The most frightening thing for people is the fear and dread of the unknown.
“That’s a good idea too. Have you decided how to split? However, I still recommend acting together because it’s dangerous.”
A gentle refusal. Most of the people nodded at my words. Rather than dying foolishly by splitting up, they judged that staying by my side, who had a definite winning hand, was more favorable for survival.
“…”
Minchul Kang remained silent for a moment, then made a proposal.
“Then we will move separately. That’s good in terms of efficiency, and since we are thoroughly armed, unlike last time, you don’t need to worry.”
He said that and began to form teams by calling out a few hunters. It was as if they had decided to form teams like that from the beginning.
‘Hoho.’
The people gathering around Minchul Kang now could be considered the close aides of the deceased Taeyoung and Team Leader Seo Gyuhye.
‘I’m definitely being set up.’
Even so, they are the ones who are acting separately.
***
Thirteen hunters, including Minchul Kang and Seyoung Jang, decided to move separately. There was a reason for that.
– Divide into teams before entering the dungeon.
I remembered Team Leader Seo Gyuhye’s words from the previous day.
– Since it would be suspicious if only Lee Kanghyeon died, we need to kill a few more hunters. To disguise it as a dungeon accident, it’s natural for several people to sacrifice themselves. Wouldn’t it be better if they stick together in their teams?
If only Lee Kanghyeon died inside the dungeon, the picture would be strange. For a natural portrayal, it was necessary to kill other hunters as well. If that happened, it would deal a significant blow to Yerin Jeong, who recklessly pushed for the dark stone extraction, and above all, she would crumble without the foundation of Lee Kanghyeon.
“…”
Minchul Kang deliberately split the teams to follow that plan.
***
“Hmm. Delicious!”
Baalcherit sat and enjoyed cola mixed with fresh blood today. Beside him, the Lich rubbed his palms together, bowing subserviently. Suddenly, the air shimmered, and monsters began to appear. Starting with Necros, various undead monsters like Death Knight and Berter appeared.
Then, the Lich, who had been rubbing his palms, immediately abandoned Baalcherit and rushed towards Necros.
“Clack clack!”
(You have arrived!)
The Lich bowed to Necros at a perfect right angle. No, he bowed so low that his head almost touched the ground.
“Clack.”
Necros watched the scene and took out a notebook, starting to record something.
– Lich, polite. This is a reason for praise.
The Lich didn’t stop there.
“Clack clack!”
He offered cola to Necros. Necros nodded at the cola and started using his hands again.
– Truly polite. This is a reason for double praise.
Thus, undead monsters began to appear in the Minotaurus Dungeon.
