Chapter 16: Chapter 16

[Title: “Whoa, the Gate is Massive”]

[Anonymous]

"Isn't it rare for a high-rank dungeon to pop up right in the middle of Seoul?"

- "They’re saying it’s an A-rank dungeon."

- "I saw it since I'm nearby, and it’s terrifying."

└ "For real, it has that weird vibe to it."

- "Can you feel mana if you go there? I want to awaken too."

└ "Yeah, good luck with that, lol."@@novelbin@@

[Title: “According to the News, Clearing it Will Take Ages”]

[Anonymous]

"Even if it’s not S-rank, it’s a seriously tough dungeon. Everyone’s going to wait it out until the S-ranks come back from their missions, right?"

- "Didn’t a few dozen people get sucked in already?"

└ "Yeah, pretty much means they’re goners."

└ "What’s the Hunter Bureau even doing?"

- "Can’t they organize an A-rank Hunter team?"

└ "From what I heard at my guild’s meeting, it’s a one-way dungeon, so everyone’s steering clear, lol."

---

The sudden appearance of an A-rank special dungeon threw both the Hunter Bureau and guilds into a frenzy.

High-rank dungeons appearing wasn’t uncommon.

The problem, however, was that the Bureau failed to predict it in advance,

and its sudden emergence in the middle of the city meant dozens of citizens were drawn inside.

Families who couldn’t reach their loved ones were crying out, begging for someone to save them,

pleading not to lose another person they cared about.

But even the government had no immediate solution.

This wasn’t a C- or B-rank special dungeon—it was A-rank.

And worse, it was a one-way entry dungeon.

Hunters, valuing their own lives, were reluctant to volunteer,

and gathering enough A-rank Hunters to send in was practically impossible.

The number of A-rank Hunters was scarce and precious.

Nearby the gate, the officials controlling the area wore grim expressions as they conversed.

“There aren’t many A-rank Hunters in Seoul right now, are there?”

“Half of them are out on missions in other regions. Without a major guild alliance, it’s hopeless.”

One man sighed, and the other suddenly clapped his hands as if struck by an idea.

“Hey, wasn’t Hunter Kim Ji-Ah supposed to be in Seoul recently? What about her?”

“She’s known for tackling avoided dungeons, but there’s no response from her.”

“What?”

The first man was startled, while the other scowled.

“She might’ve gotten pulled in with the others.”

“If that’s the case, the civilians might have a chance of surviving, right?”

“Highly unlikely. No matter how strong an A-rank Hunter is, she’s still alone.”

“…We might lose a valuable talent.”

“Well, if she just runs around avoiding fights, she might at least survive herself.”

Maybe that would be the best outcome.

The official’s face twisted in bitterness.

---

Meanwhile, inside the dungeon...

Having fended off multiple waves of monsters, Ji-Ah finally sat down to rest.

Her entire body was covered in wounds, with blood still trickling down.

Si-Yoon anxiously watched her from nearby, worriedly studying Ji-Ah’s expression.

“U-unnie… Are you okay?”

“…Yes, I had enough potions ready, so I’m still hanging in there.”

It was a lie.

She had already used up her last potion in the previous fight.

The next battle would truly be one where she’d be sacrificing flesh and bone.

Her mental strength was being drained as well, but she gritted her teeth, holding on.

“Si-Yoon, it’s dangerous for you to stay here. Stick with the others, okay?”

“But… still…”

“You trust me, right? I’m one of the few A-rank Hunters in Korea.”

“Yeah…”

Si-Yoon knew.

She had come to be near her out of concern, but she was only a distraction.

Still, she couldn’t just leave Ji-Ah’s side.

At the very least, she wanted to provide some mental support.

“Unnie! When we get out of here, let’s grab some cold beers with Si-Hyun unnie.”

“Heh… yeah, let’s do that.”

“If she’s weak to spicy food now, her alcohol tolerance might be low too. Aren’t you curious?”

“Now that you mention it, I am curious.”

“She’ll be adorable, for sure!”

After chatting a little, Si-Yoon returned to where the civilians were gathered.

Ji-Ah watched her retreating figure and then looked over the Hunters and civilians.

Some were quietly sobbing.

Others were praying.

Some were trembling uncontrollably, casting panicked glances around.

They were all frightened, holding on by trusting her, Ji-Ah.

She etched this sight into her memory.

It was the reason she couldn’t allow herself to fall.

Ji-Ah turned to face forward again, ready to fight whenever the monsters appeared.

‘Si-Hyun, huh…’

In the rush, she hadn’t even asked if Si-Yoon had activated the bracelet.

Conflicting emotions washed over her.

She hoped Si-Hyun wouldn’t come, as it would be dangerous for her to enter alone.

Yet she also wanted someone to be there beside her, to support her.

“I can’t afford to be weak…”

Why had she fought alone all this time?

Because she didn’t want to witness anyone’s death.

Why had she often taken missions to avoidant dungeons?

To protect as many people as possible.

Ji-Ah stood up.

At that moment, another group of monsters spotted her and began approaching.

“Hoo…”

She took a deep breath to steady herself.

Several trolls were advancing toward her slowly.

Trolls could appear as early as C-rank dungeons, but these were a higher species.

And unlike in C- or B-rank dungeons, there were dozens of them appearing at once.

There was no way to retreat.

No way to let these monsters get past her.

Right here, in this very space—

she had to defeat them all.

“Let’s go—!”

Ji-Ah’s battle cry echoed through the eerie air of the dungeon.

She kicked off the ground, charging forward.

First, she thrust her sharp spear into the knee of the nearest troll.

“Graaaah—!”

The troll let out an agonizing scream, swinging its massive arm in pain.

Ji-Ah kept her distance, dodging the swing with composure.

Then, she struck the same spot once more.

If it were one-on-one, she could have repeated this simple routine.

But it was just her versus the many.

While she was attacking, other trolls closed in, throwing punches her way.

She barely twisted her body to dodge the first punch.

But then, another troll’s fist came barreling toward her.

Had she been in perfect condition, she could have dodged it with ease.

But now, both her body and mind were exhausted.

She narrowly dodged the punch,

but her stance was off-balance.

The next troll’s kick came at her, and she barely blocked it with her spear.

“Ugh…”

The force of the blow pushed her backward.

Her arm was numb from absorbing the troll’s attack.

But Ji-Ah didn’t back down.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed forward again.

Once more, she clashed with the monsters.

She relentlessly targeted the troll she had already injured.

Without the power to take down multiple monsters at once,

her best strategy was to eliminate them one by one.

Thanks to Ji-Ah’s determined judgment and persistence,

finally, one troll’s life ended as it crumpled to the ground.

But Ji-Ah was far from unscathed.

“Argh—!”

A troll’s punch struck her shoulder, which she had failed to avoid.

The difference in their sizes was undeniable.

Even though her body had been strengthened as an awakened Hunter, there were still limits.

Her body flew backward, rolling across the ground.

For a brief moment, she almost lost consciousness, but her indomitable will kept her grounded.

“Cough, cough…”

Her left arm wouldn’t respond.

Sweat poured down her face.

But she gripped her spear with her right hand, struggling to her feet.

“Oh no…”

“What… what do we do…?”

“Isn’t the Hunter at her limit?”

The civilians’ tense voices reached her from behind.

But Ji-Ah didn’t look back.

Letting her left arm hang limp,

she gripped her spear tightly with just her right hand

and moved forward again.

“You’re not getting past me.”

If she fled right now,

she might be able to save herself.

Even with her left arm disabled, her legs were still functional.

If she ran with all her strength, she could survive until reinforcements arrived.

But that wasn’t an option.

Because she was Kim Ji-Ah.

The Hunter Kim Ji-Ah, a firmly established self, could not allow retreat.

Ji-Ah was confident in her purpose.

The reason she had awakened as a Hunter,

the reason she had

reached A-rank so quickly.

It was her drive to grow stronger so she could protect others.

That was the source of her power.

So, she would not retreat.

“Graaah!”

A troll screamed as her spear sliced through its neck.

“Ugh…!”

Despite fending off attacks, she lacked the strength to hold her ground and was sent flying.

“…Here we go again.”

The battle continued.

Time passed, and the number of trolls dwindled to half.

But Ji-Ah’s body was battered beyond recognition.

She could feel her limits closing in.

Still, she held her ground.

At least until the last troll standing was defeated, she couldn’t afford to collapse.

Staggering, she pressed on.

Thrust!

Crash!

Killing, getting hit, again and again.

Ji-Ah could only keep one eye open as she faced forward.

One troll remained.

She had nearly taken down over a dozen trolls.

The end was in sight.

But her body wouldn’t move.

“Please… move…”

Clenching her teeth, she commanded her body,

but it refused to obey, having reached its limit.

Even just one troll could wipe out the civilians.

The two other Hunters were barely of any help now.

Just a little longer, if she could only hold out a bit longer!

Though another wave of monsters would surely come,

at least until then, they would have a chance to survive!

Ji-Ah fixed her gaze on the remaining troll.

It flashed a sinister grin as it approached her,

pulling back its massive fist, preparing for a lethal strike.

‘Damn it…’

Ji-Ah widened her eyes.

If her body wouldn’t move, she’d keep her mind sharp.

The troll readied its stance and swung with full force.

At that moment!

Slash—!

The troll’s massive body split cleanly in two, diagonally, severed.

Ji-Ah’s eyes widened.

The troll’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

And behind it—

A figure in a jet-black nun’s habit appeared.

A veil covered the face, hiding any recognizable features.

But instinctively, Ji-Ah knew.

The Saint, Jung Si-Hyun, had come to save them.

Ji-Ah’s lips curved into a slight smile.