Chapter 50 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Snow Woman in the Dungeon (2)
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"What the hell happened!"
After finishing the emergency rescue, Han Manjae returned to the villa in a complete panic.
"This kid! He left his phone behind and where the hell did he go?"
He had thought his son, Han Hojo, had just stepped out briefly, but even by evening, he hadn't come back.
He had searched every possible place he might go, but there was no sign of him.
"Hyung-nim, instead of that, try tracking his location."
At Yoo Eunho's suggestion, Han Manjae, who had been pacing around the house, finally turned on the miniature computer strapped to his arm.
He planned to use the Children Lock to track his location.
"What's this?"
Han Manjae rubbed his eyes as he stared at the map displayed on the screen.
The blinking red dot wasn't in the city center but had stopped at the edge of the Safe Dungeon area.
"Why is it showing Hojo in the dungeon area?"
"The dungeon area?"
"Wait. It just… disappeared. Around here."
The blinking red light had suddenly vanished.
"Safe Dungeon… southwest forest area?"
As Han Manjae stared at the map, his eyes widened as if he had realized something.
"This punk. He went there!"
Without even time to grab his gear, Han Manjae dashed toward the dungeon area with all his might.
* * *
With every step deeper into the forest, the surrounding scenery gradually changed.
The warm breeze turned into a biting cold wind that pierced the skin, and the air grew so frigid it felt like the whole world was freezing over, blanketing the woods.
'Hmph.'
The cold was so fierce that even the Heavenly Demon, who had reached the state of Unfreezing Ice, furrowed his brow.
But Han Hojo showed no sign of feeling the chill, walking forward with a blank expression.
How long had they walked?
A clear chirping of birds echoed from somewhere, and the forest's appearance shifted once more.
The dark woods gradually brightened as warm sunlight filtered through the branches, and sparkling multicolored pollen danced through the air.
-Long time no see.
Upon reaching a small waterfall, a tiny voice whispered in Han Hojo's ear.
In that instant, the dazed look in Han Hojo's eyes cleared.
"Ah...."
Before him by the water's edge stood a shadow enveloped in light.
As Han Hojo stopped, the shadowy light transformed into the form of a beautiful girl.
'Well now.'
Watching from afar, the Heavenly Demon's eyebrow twitched.
Her eyes were frozen like ice, her hair white as snow. The Heavenly Demon immediately recognized the girl's identity.
'A Snow Woman.'
The girl who appeared before Han Hojo was none other than the mythical yokai from legends, the Snow Woman.
Tears welled up and fell from Han Hojo's eyes as he gazed at her.
"I came to keep my promise."
Han Hojo took a deep breath and spoke again.
"So, please don't hurt my dad."
The white-haired girl, the Snow Woman, stared into Han Hojo's large eyes, her own pupils glowing white.
She recalled the memory of first meeting this little boy.
Two years ago.
Han Hojo had come to this forest for a dungeon tour, holding his parents' hands.
But greedy unregistered Awakeners had drawn hidden monsters to the area, and in the end, his mother lost her life.
"Hojo, hurry… run away."
As the gravely injured Han Manjae lost consciousness, Han Hojo ran frantically through the forest.
With even his phone smashed, he had to get out and seek help.
'I have to escape the forest!'
But the dense woods offered no sense of direction; he couldn't tell where he was.
At that moment, a massive vibration pulsed in Han Hojo's mind.
In the dire situation, his latent SS-grade multi-element skill, All-Seeing Vision, had activated.
'I can see everything. The whole forest.'
Gazing down at the forest like a god, Han Hojo suddenly spotted a human shadow near a small waterfall not far away.
"Help!"
It had clearly been just a small waterfall in his All-Seeing Vision, but upon arrival, a strange scene unfolded.
Passing through thick fog, a vast snowy plain suddenly stretched out, unleashing a ferocious blizzard.
How long had he trudged through it, teeth gritted? Before the walking Han Hojo appeared a girl with white hair whipping in the wind.
It was the Snow Woman.
-How did you… find me?
"Please help! My mom and dad...."
Rushing to the Snow Woman, Han Hojo tearfully begged for aid. Hearing his full story, she replied:
-I can save your father.
"What about Mom? Mom?"
-The dead cannot be revived.
"Then at least save Dad!"
-Why should I?
Her icy eyes brimmed with contempt—not toward Han Hojo, but humanity itself, her innate disdain.
Having lived nearly 1,000 years, she knew well how humans broke promises.
"I'll do anything!"
Sobbing, Han Hojo prostrated himself at her feet.
"I don't care if I die. Please… save my parents! Please!"
The Snow Woman looked down at Han Hojo's teary eyes. Due to the ultra-rare All-Seeing Vision skill, his once-dark pupils now emanated a white light akin to hers.
-You...
Even the Snow Woman, who had lived eons, had once had a family. Her son had eyes like Han Hojo's.
-Fine. I'll save him.
But memories of betrayal by humans resurfaced, freezing her heart like ice.
-In exchange, you must promise two things.
With cold words, she gazed into Han Hojo's grief-stricken eyes and said:
-Tell no one you saw me here. And in two years, return alone and offer your life. Can you promise?
"Yes, yes."
-If you're even a day late, I'll take your father's life instead.
As Han Hojo nodded without hesitation, the Snow Woman extended her hand.
Light poured out, teleporting them instantly to where his father, Han Manjae, lay collapsed.
-Remember. Never tell anyone you saw me. And in two years, you must offer your life.
After healing Han Manjae, the Snow Woman vanished with chilling words.
She knew human nature. In 1,000 years, she had never seen one keep such a promise.
Especially a weak-willed child? The outcome was obvious.
Two years.
The time humans forget their dreams, goals, and promises. After two years, their hearts inevitably change.
The Snow Woman hadn't even expected the young Han Hojo to return alone to this dungeon area.
By yokai nature, she had to aid cornered humans—but could kill promise-breakers. No issue.
After two years, she'd simply eliminate the boy and his father.
* * *
"I kept my promise. Please keep yours."
At Han Hojo's words, the Snow Woman snapped from her reverie, her eyes flashing.
Only then did she realize Han Hojo was not one to break a resolve.
He wouldn't speak of meeting her, this hidden dungeon forest, or anything. Nor did he fear sacrificing his life for his father.
"To think a human like you exists."
A faint smile graced her lips as she gazed at the boy who had risked his life to honor their pact.
"No helping it."
She extended her arm. Was she about to claim Han Hojo's life as promised, sparing the father?
"I made an oath long ago. If a human ever kept all my promises, I would spare them."
"Huh?"
Han Hojo, eyes squeezed shut, opened them to see the Snow Woman smiling gently.
"For a child like you to keep your word—astonishing. You deserve a reward."
Her smile melted the frozen lake like spring sun.
Warm light like spring sunlight flooded out, enveloping Han Hojo's vision.
"Hojo."
A familiar voice rang in his ears. Opening his eyes, his focus sharpened on a beautiful silhouette.
It was his mother, longed for even in dreams.
"Mom."
"Hojo."
Mother and son reunited in light.
Han Hojo leaped into her embrace, savoring her warm scent and soft hold.
"Mom. It's really you."
The mother he'd yearned for stood before him.
The boy who had acted so mature broke into sobs.
"I missed you so much! Mom!"
No matter how clever, he was just a twelve-year-old.
Fearing his father's pain, he had endured two years without grieving.
Dreading harm to his father, he hadn't forgotten a single day.
"You look exhausted. Rest in Mom's arms a bit."
"Mhm."
Burrowing into her warm embrace, Han Hojo fell asleep.
Gazing warmly at her sleeping son, mouth agape, the mother whispered softly.
"You've waited long."
Before Han Hojo's mother—no, the Snow Woman—approached a gray shadow step by step. It was the Heavenly Demon.
"Snow Woman."
He spoke in a tone of admiration or sigh.
"In my world, there were similar legends. Speak of meeting the Snow Woman, and you die."
The Snow Woman smiled coldly at the leisurely approaching Heavenly Demon.
"Those who see me are never spared."
"Good mindset."
"What?"
"Kill and erase all traces. The surest way to guard a secret since ancient times."
His barren smile, like white ash, somehow mirrored her own.
"Most humans can't keep secrets."
"Including you?"
"Do I look like most humans?"
As the Heavenly Demon's Blood Flame Radiance flickered, the Snow Woman faltered slightly.
"You...."
The blazing red glow seemed hot, but everything within was coldly extinguished, reduced to ash.
Only utter emptiness remained.
"Remarkable."
Sensing the Heavenly Demon's nature, the Snow Woman sighed.
"How can one who hasn't lived even 100 years comprehend the emptiness of one who has lived 1,000?"
"Time means nothing. One can grasp 10,000 years' truths in a single day."
Heavy silence descended on the forest.
"I will soon leave this land. But then, the dungeon forest's demon beast I've suppressed—Fire Web Earth Dragon—will rise."
Gazing at Han Hojo in her arms, the Snow Woman spoke.
"Can you return this child safely from the Fire Web Earth Dragon?"
"Troublesome. I followed out of curiosity, nothing more."
"Not for free."
Her tone oddly resembled the Heavenly Demon's.
"I'll pay."
Extending her white arm, transparent light surged.
Five radiant petals of indescribable hues bloomed before the Heavenly Demon.
"Divine power?"
It was the power obtainable only through Divine Requests: divine power.
"And… this should suffice."
In her hand was the 'Smiling Sunflower' the Heavenly Demon had sought for his Divine Request—a relic.
"Heh, you even peered into my mind. Sly woman."
Staring at the Snow Woman, the Heavenly Demon smirked faintly. Killing a beast for five years' inner energy? A fine deal.
"Payment accepted. I'll do it."
Nodding, he prompted her smile at Han Hojo.
"Sorrow is fleeting. You're strong; you'll overcome."
Wiping his tear stains, she gently stroked his hair.
"Sorry. For making you hide memories of me."
* * *
"Damn it!"
Han Manjae punched the ground.
He and Yoo Eunho had scoured the southwest forest of the Safe Dungeon area, but no trace of Han Hojo.
"Hyung-nim. Seems he's not here."
Yoo Eunho, who had combed the interior at super speed, shook his head.
"Hyung-nim. Let's head back first. We can assemble a full search team...."
Boom! An explosion rocked the forest, collapsing one side.
"Th-that's...."
From roaring flames rose a 30-meter colossal dragon, only to crash to the ground.
Before it stood the Heavenly Demon, wreathed in red light, cradling Han Hojo in one arm.
"H-Hojo!"
Han Manjae rushed toward his son in the Heavenly Demon's arms.
"Hojo!"
"No worries. He's just asleep."
Carefully taking Han Hojo, Han Manjae trembled.
"What happened? Why are you here?"
Before the Heavenly Demon could speak, Nameless did.
[This boy was spotted sneaking past the Shield Boundary Zone. Though illegal, the Heavenly Demon, concerned, followed discreetly.]
"No way. I've searched these woods multiple times."
At Yoo Eunho's exclamation, Nameless continued.
[This forest has many hidden spaces invisible from outside.]
Gazing at the sleeping Han Hojo, Nameless added.
[Deep inside, we found him collapsed. A strange hidden monster targeted him. The Heavenly Demon protected him....]
"F-followed our Hojo...."
As Han Manjae spoke, Nameless crossed its arms like the Heavenly Demon.
[Yes. Thus, the Heavenly Demon had to dispatch the monster.]
Han Manjae examined his son's face in his arms.
Unlike his usual shadowed expression, he slept with a hint of happiness.
"Hojo. Hojo...."
Stroking his beloved son's cheek, Han Manjae turned to the Heavenly Demon.
His wife had died due to unregistered Awakeners sneaking into the dungeon.
Yet one such Awakener had saved his irreplaceable son, more precious than life.
"Um...."
Clenching his fists, Han Manjae bowed deeply.
"Truly...."
Tears streamed from his bowed head.
He'd lost his beloved wife to an unregistered Awakener, and one had saved his beloved son.
His heart was a storm of complexity and torment.
"Thank you so much."
Words he thought impossible flowed naturally.
Watching Han Manjae's expression—like a thorn pulled from his chest—the Heavenly Demon turned indifferently.
"No big deal."
"Um. Would you… consider registering as an Awakener?"
As the Heavenly Demon turned, Han Manjae ventured cautiously.
"No matter the good deeds, entering dungeons unregistered is illegal. If you're open to it… I could arrange a simplified registration."
"Good deeds?"
Glancing at the Smiling Sunflower in his robe, the Heavenly Demon replied apathetically.
"I don't do such things."
With that, he walked away from the forest without a backward glance.
"'Don't do good deeds,' he says."
Yoo Eunho watched his retreating figure with admiration.
"To him, this isn't even a good deed."
Normally, Han Manjae would have scolded him harshly, but now he just pressed his lips shut.
Days later, at the Heavenly Demon's rooftop room.
Han Hojo, bringing Gobongsan delicacies as a set with Han Manjae, bowed to the Heavenly Demon.
Han Manjae stood awkwardly behind, embarrassed.
"Thank you so much."
"For what?"
"For watching over me from afar."
"You saw everything, huh."
"Yeah. My skill isn't detection—it's All-Seeing Vision."
[All-Seeing Vision? So it manifested?]
Nameless popped out from its charging station.
All-Seeing Vision.
An SS-grade skill allowing godlike observation of everything in its activated space.
For this boy to possess one of the world's rarest skills?
[Why not attend an Awakener academy? With that, you could aim for association president.]
"I… hate going into dungeons."
Nameless nodded silently. He'd lost his beloved mother in one.
"Um, Uncle Eunho said you liked this before… Can I leave it?"
"Since you brought it, leave it."
"And um...."
Nibbling his lip, Han Hojo squeezed his eyes shut.
"Can I come visit often from now on?"
"Refused."
Slam.
He shut the door hard as before, but it didn't feel cold this time.
From outside, Han Hojo shouted loudly.
"Mister, I'll come again!"
Glaring at Nameless on the floor, the Heavenly Demon said.
"You caused this needless hassle."
[Sorry, Heavenly Demon.]
It said, but Nameless's eyes were smiling.
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