Chapter 49 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Snow Woman in the Dungeon (1)
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Han Hojo was dreaming.
It felt like a pure white light was blanketing the entire world in whiteness, and then, like a flower blooming, a small dungeon appeared right before his eyes.
Gathering his courage, he stepped inside to find a warm breeze blowing through the dungeon's interior, filled with dazzlingly beautiful flowers and trees.
Following the path deeper into the forest, he heard a clear song drifting from somewhere.
Arriving at a small lake, he saw a shadow enveloped in light.
-Remember this. In two years, without fail.
The chilling voice echoed in his ear, and Han Hojo jolted awake.
"Haa. Haa."
Panting heavily, Han Hojo stared at the calendar hanging on the wall. The day he could never forget was almost here.
And he realized there was no time left.
* * *
Lately, the Special Response Team was run off their feet.
For some reason, the appearance of Hidden Monsters in Safe Dungeons had exploded.
The Special Response Team, stationed in the Shield Boundary Zone, had to rush to every sighting first and sometimes engage in incredibly dangerous battles.
Despite their hard efforts, the Hidden Monster appearances and rescue requests kept piling up, leaving the team stretched thin even if they had ten bodies.
"Team Leader. What if..."
Yoo Eunho, returning to the command room, glanced at Cho Hong, who was guarding it, and spoke up.
"Why don't we ask that Heavenly Demon guy next door to handle these recent Hidden Monsters?"
"What?"
"Honestly, someone like him could probably take out any Hidden Monster in one shot. We wouldn't have to struggle with this one or that one like we are now."
"Eunho, cut the nonsense."
Han Manjae, removing the shield attached to his forearm, said coldly.
"The Association's Special Response Team asking help from a criminal? Does that even make sense?"
"Criminal? Hyung, he hasn't even committed a crime yet."
"Someone who skips Awakener registration and sneaks into dungeons—what else is that but a criminal?"
"Come on, you saw it yourself back then. He only does good deeds."
"I don't buy that crap."
Suppressing the rising killing intent in his chest, Han Manjae clenched his fist.
"Mark my words. There are no such things as righteous unregistered Awakeners in this world."
Bang.
Without looking back, Han Manjae stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Cho Hong, who had been watching him, sighed and shook her head.
Han Manjae's wife, a healer with the Association. She had lost her life to an unregistered Awakener who sneaked into a dungeon and summoned a Hidden Monster.
'No helping it.'
For Han Manjae to simply let the Heavenly Demon be—that alone showed tremendous restraint.
The next day.
The Special Response Team, enjoying a rare leisurely Sunday, was gathered at Han Manjae's house, eating lunch.
Cooking was always Team Leader Cho Hong's domain.
With her exceptional skills honed from years running the kitchen at the tavern 'Old Soldier,' she handled meals for the whole team like a professional chef.
"Dad."
Han Hojo, glued to his father's side while eating, spoke up as if he'd made up his mind.
"About that favor I asked. Have you thought about it?"
"Hm? What favor?"
"The dungeon."
At Han Hojo's words, Han Manjae's impassive face hardened coldly.
"Absolutely not."
"Dad."
"How long are you going to keep begging, Jo? I said no once, it's no."
It was a harsh, almost heartless reply. Biting his lip, Han Hojo shoved back his chair and stormed to his room.
"Hojo."
As Yoo Eunho moved to follow, Han Manjae shook his head.
"Let him be. He'll bring it up again soon enough."
"Hyung, but why does Hojo keep insisting on going to a dungeon?"
At Yoo Eunho's question, Han Manjae furrowed his brow and shook his head.
"I don't know."
Beep beep.
Then, red lights flashed on the team members' phones again. A rescue request from inside a dungeon.
"Hidden Monster. Called in by a team of 4th Grade Awakeners, so danger level's probably over 3,000... Looks like all three of us need to go."
At Cho Hong's words, Yoo Eunho grumbled while grabbing his gear.
"Damn, can't even eat in peace these days."
As the team members filed out, silence enveloped the villa.
'They're all gone.'
Peeking into the living room from his room door, Han Hojo pulled out a bag he'd hidden inside, resolve hardening in his eyes.
'No time left now.'
Tomorrow would mark the end of August's last day. Glancing at the calendar, Han Hojo bit his lip.
'I'll go alone if I have to.'
He'd prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Slipping carefully out of the villa, Han Hojo approached the Shield Boundary Zone.
Staring blankly at the scenery beyond the blue shield, he reached out his arm toward it.
Wung.
A low vibration and strange repulsion pushed his arm back.
"Children Lock."
There were ruthless parents who sent young Awakeners into dungeons for money. Or delinquent teens sneaking in out of curiosity or greed.
To counter that, the country mandated 'Children Lock' shield repulsion devices implanted in the backs of all minors' hands.
Of course, entry was allowed with Association permission or accompanied by two 3rd Grade or higher Awakeners.
Meaning Han Hojo's only way into a dungeon was with his father's permission and one Special Response Team member.
"Mom..."
In the past, Han Hojo remembered holding both his parents' hands on a dungeon trip.
Recalling two years ago, he crouched down, face twisted in pain.
"Can't let Dad end up like that too."
Taking a deep breath, Han Hojo pulled a hook-shaped bead from his pocket.
An Anchor Bead sold at Awakener shops.
Made from the beak of the Hidden Monster Anchor Eagle, it sent vibrations in all directions to detect distant objects or monsters.
It also had an unexpected side effect: its strong vibrations jammed phones and electronics while active.
"My whole year's allowance."
Anchor Beads were pricey magic tools, not for kids.
Anticipating he'd have to go alone, Han Hojo had saved his pocket money to buy one.
"Alright then..."
As he activated the Anchor Bead, his eyes caught the rundown building right against the shield boundary.
Suddenly, last night's rooftop chat with Yoo Eunho came to mind.
"Uncle, there's an unregistered Awakener living there—why not arrest him?"
"Oh, he's a good guy."
"Good guy?"
"Yeah. He doesn't register because he wants to help people quietly."
"You said he surpasses 1st Grade Awakeners."
Han Hojo looked up. If he's an unregistered Awakener who loves helping people, maybe he'll help me?
Nodding with firm resolve.
Thud thud thud.
Climbing cautiously to the rooftop, he entered the rooftop room where dull thuds echoed from inside.
Thud thud thud...
Peering closer, it sounded like striking stone or something with a blunt tool.
"Anyone home?"
No response.
"Anyone home?"
Even shouting louder yielded nothing. Finally, Han Hojo mustered courage and knocked on the three rickety rooftop doors.
Knock knock knock.
As he knocked again, the door creaked open.
"What."
Looking up, a muscle-bound man straight out of a game glared with red eyes.
'Doesn't look like a good guy.'
Silently cursing Yoo Eunho, Han Hojo stammered.
"H-Help... please."
"With what."
[Lost your way?]
Then, a white-bodied nanobot appeared from behind.
[Don't worry. This uncle isn't some demon lord from hell or a people-eating monster like you think.]
Caught off guard, Han Hojo dropped his head.
"No, what I mean is..."
[Don't worry. I'll call the police station right away.]
"That's not it... Help me get into a dungeon!"
Silence stretched in the rooftop room at Han Hojo's plea.
[How old are you?]
"Twelve."
[Got it. If you want to tour a dungeon, tell your parents. They'll file with the Association, and you can go on a tour soon.]
Nameless, recalling the absurd cost of Association dungeon tours, added,
[But dungeons are way more dangerous than on TV. Monsters scarier than this Heavenly Demon uncle eat people. Nothing good comes from going.]
"Not a tour."
[?]
As Nameless blinked, Heavenly Demon waved his hand.
"This seat has no time. Begone."
"I'll help you in return."
"With what."
"I heard you sneak into dungeons too. Don't you want something from them?"
Heavenly Demon frowned, but Han Hojo flashed dimples with a cute smile.
"I'm good at finding hidden stuff in dungeons."
Heavenly Demon paused, glancing at Nameless.
"What's this brat babbling about."
[The boy seems to have a detection-related skill.]
"Detection?"
[It's rare, alongside Appraisal. Makes finding hidden treasures or monster relics in dungeons easy.]
Heavenly Demon stroked his chin, eyeing the boy up and down.
"Hoh, can it find anything?"
"Not everything, but if you want something, I'll find it for you."
Heavenly Demon pondered.
He was already seeking mysterious relics absent from Nameless's database for Divine Request.
A boy with detection? Perfect match.
[Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless spoke cautiously.
[This boy is the only son of Han Manjae, 3rd Grade Awakener with the Association next door.]
"How did you..."
Han Hojo startled.
No matter how advanced the nanobot, unregistered Awakeners had no records. How did it know?
[Heavenly Demon. Minors' Children Locks double as trackers. Taking him will alert his parents immediately.]
As Nameless explained, Han Hojo pulled a small item from his pocket.
"It's fine. I can dodge tracking."
In his small hand was a silver bead with a hook-shaped metal piece.
An Anchor Bead from the Awakener shop.
"What's that."
"Anchor Bead. With this, I can cross the shield boundary, and no tracking."
"Hm."
"Please. Just take me to the dungeon."
"Dungeon?"
Pressing his pounding chest, Han Hojo said,
"Yeah. I found a dungeon. Undiscovered one. Just drop me there."
Heavenly Demon stroked his chin, eyes flashing.
"Refused."
"Uncle."
"Go home."
As Heavenly Demon shut the door, Han Hojo balled his fists.
"Because I'm a kid? Too dangerous?"
"What nonsense."
"Don't act righteous. You're unregistered too."
Looking up, Han Hojo's eyes brimmed with resentment.
"You do good deeds, but you're still breaking the law."
"Don't delude yourself."
Staring blankly down, Heavenly Demon pointed to the clubs in his hands.
"This seat is busy."
Before Han Hojo could retort, Heavenly Demon slammed the lid-like door shut with his hand.
Bang.
The old front door's slam chilled his heart.
"What good guy crap."
Recalling Heavenly Demon's cold eyes, Han Hojo bit his lip.
"Fine. Planned to go alone anyway."
He'd only asked because of the 'helps people' rumor.
Whatever dangers lurked, he could avoid them. Clenching his fists, Han Hojo headed back to the Shield Boundary Zone.
Thud thud.
Back inside, Heavenly Demon resumed hammering with clubs in hand.
On the broad stone lay Our Clothes from Hogwang.
Washing them clean, pounding, folding repeatedly—the fabric gleamed wrinkle-free.
"Not bad."
Heavenly Demon smiled in satisfaction.
The gentleman-fied Our Clothes, like Blood Demon Battle Clothes, held various functions. Plus, injecting internal energy let him alter its form.
"Heh heh heh."
As Heavenly Demon admired the spread Our Clothes, Nameless approached cautiously.
[That boy seems set on sneaking into a dungeon alone.]
"So what."
Ignoring it, eyes on Our Clothes, Heavenly Demon continued. Nameless pressed.
[Undiscovered dungeon sounds like Variable Dungeon territory. Nine out of ten die.]
Heavenly Demon ignored, eyes on his book.
Nameless hopped onto the table before his chair.
[Name: Han Hojo. Only son of 3rd Grade Awakener Han Manjae with Association. Records show mother died two years ago in dungeon. Killed by Hidden Monster summoned illegally by unregistered Awakener.]
Nameless paused.
[Perhaps heading to where his mother died?]
At the subtle probe, Heavenly Demon cut in.
"No interest."
[But if the boy gets in trouble, it could implicate you.]
"How so."
[He visited your place before entering. Tracing him leads straight here.]
Thud.
Irritated, Heavenly Demon slammed the book. Nameless's eyes curved like half-moons, as if grinning.
* * *
Whoosh.
Unfurling his movement technique, Heavenly Demon streaked like a meteor across the sky, landing instantly on a ruined building's railing in Safe Dungeon territory beyond the boundary.
"Hmm."
Far below, a small shadow with a bag moved suspiciously.
Han Hojo.
He seemed to have real detection, deftly dodging patrolling Awakener groups, delving deep into the dungeon.
[Heavenly Demon, up close, won't his detection spot us?]
At Nameless's question from atop his shoulder, Heavenly Demon snorted low.
"Not detection."
[?]
"That brat's ability."
Pondering Heavenly Demon's words, Nameless's sensor narrowed.
Suspicious points abounded, especially since Heavenly Demon started tailing—Han Hojo's steps grew bolder, nimbler.
"Not heading to Variable Dungeon territory."
As Nameless fell silent, Heavenly Demon stroked his chin watching below.
"Looks like the forest."
Han Hojo slipped stealthily toward the vast forest in Safe Dungeon's southwest.
Navigating ruins familiarly, he entered the woods and gasped.
"Ah."
The pristine southwest forest in Safe Dungeon was a popular tour spot for civilians and students.
Han Hojo had come often as a child with his parents.
Staring into the forest, an odd light gleamed in his eyes.
-...In two years, without fail...
A whisper barely audible melted in his ears, vision blurring.
Standing trance-like, unfocused, Han Hojo slowly entered the forest.
[Heavenly Demon, move where I can see the boy's face.]
A whir came from Nameless's eye on Heavenly Demon's shoulder.
Whoosh—heavenly Demon vanished ghost-like, reappearing on a tree opposite, facing Han Hojo directly.
[Something's off.]
Observing intently, Heavenly Demon nodded.
"This seat sees it too."
Han Hojo's advancing eyes were strange.
Expression entranced, walking slow. Staring at the dazed face, insight flashed in Heavenly Demon's eyes.
"Intriguing."
Baring fangs, Heavenly Demon smirked oddly.
Han Hojo's pupils showed symptoms like the Great Soul-Subduing Technique, enslaving souls and controlling spirits.
Fortunately, the Anchor Bead jamming signals had stopped working.
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