Chapter 85 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Gkok Gkok Bugi's Egg (2)
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"Swarm-type? What's that?"
At the Heavenly Demon's question, Nameless replied in a worried tone.
[It refers to monsters that share a mind and body across multiple individuals. In other words, those hundred monsters that look like a mix of insects and humans are all one 'Black Armored Soldier.']
Even with the terrifying hidden monster appearing, the Heavenly Demon looked intrigued instead.
"Sharing a body, huh. Then killing just one would take out the whole hundred."
[The opposite. You have to kill every single one without fail for all of them to vanish. That's why its danger level approaches 10,000.]
In short, unless they were killed all at once, they would keep reviving endlessly. To small elite teams of Awakeners, it was like a demon.
[Why would a hidden monster this rare suddenly show up...]
Muttering under its breath, Nameless suddenly spotted the massive fist and handprints etched across the dungeon walls.
They were traces of the Heavenly Demon's ultimate technique from earlier, Fist Demon Seven Forms.
[Ah.]
Nameless let out a short sigh. Whenever the Heavenly Demon used overwhelming power, side effects like this usually followed.
"What the hell is it? Why's a hidden monster like that showing up here?"
Go Eunjin, staring at the approaching Black Armored Soldiers, suddenly charged forward.
"Ugh, I hate things like that! I'll head to the center first, so come on your own."
[Dangerous!]
At that moment.
-Kurururuk!
With a grotesque noise, a charging Black Armored Soldier swung a mantis-like sharp forelimb at Go Eunjin.
Ziiing.
In that instant, Go Eunjin's body blurred, passing through the oncoming Black Armored Soldier like a ghost.
[Whoa, that's similar to the S-rank multi-skill Paging (matter phasing).]
Surprisingly, Go Eunjin was using an ability akin to an Awakener's skill. At Nameless's exclamation, Go Eunjin yelled while running.
"Hmph, I can use it for 5 seconds."
Paging typically lasted around 3 seconds. If she was telling the truth, Go Eunjin had a superior duration to the Paging skill.
Ziiing.
Turning blurry again and slipping through the Black Armored Soldiers, Go Eunjin caught Nameless's eye as it muttered.
[If she can chain Paging like that... she'd be untouchable in any situation...]
"Get away! Get away, I said!"
-Kururu, kururuk!
By the time she reached the end of the passage, Go Eunjin was surrounded by Black Armored Soldiers. The skill was excellent, but its cooldown seemed longer than for typical skill users.
"Gross! Get away!"
With her ability deactivated, she ended up screaming and fleeing.
[As expected... the cooldown is longer than anticipated. How did she manage as a mercenary in a private military company with skills like that...?]
While Nameless diligently analyzed Go Eunjin's abilities.
"Eek!"
Surrounded by Black Armored Soldiers, Go Eunjin reluctantly spread her arms wide. In a flash, white mist rose, and a translucent shadow separated from her body like a summon.
It was the Illusion Shock Clan's innate ability: summoning a Divine Soldier Knight created from mental energy.
Ziiing!
The translucent mist-like Divine Soldier Knight instantly materialized a body, knocking down the swarm of Black Armored Soldiers. With the encirclement broken, Go Eunjin swiftly reached the opposite passage.
-Kururuk!
The Black Armored Soldiers, having lost their target, scanned around before charging blankly at the Heavenly Demon.
"Hmph."
Sneering, the Heavenly Demon thrust out a single fist. With a puff, the oncoming swarm collapsed in heaps.
The Black Armored Soldiers that fell and staggered soon rose again, charging once more.
-Kururururuk!
Before long, over a hundred Black Armored Soldiers had surrounded the Heavenly Demon in a circle.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Fist Demon Dance of No Mercy!"
Hundreds of fist shadows unfurled from behind the Heavenly Demon, raining down on the Black Armored Soldiers all at once.
Papatapatapak.
It happened in an instant.
Every one of the hundred Black Armored Soldiers took a direct hit and collapsed.
But since one hadn't been perfectly killed, they began reviving one by one.
"Pretty tough."
With less than a year's worth of internal energy, he couldn't finish off over a hundred Black Armored Soldiers. Watching them charge again, the Heavenly Demon drew a deep breath.
He had no choice but to use the Heavenly Demon Great Ability. Just then, Nameless quickly stopped him.
[Heavenly Demon. Our goal is solely Gkok Gkok Bugi's egg. No need to waste stamina here needlessly.]
"Hmm."
After a moment's thought, the Heavenly Demon kicked off the ground hard, leaping over the Black Armored Soldiers' heads.
-Kuruk!
The Black Armored Soldiers leaped into the air after him. But the Heavenly Demon, already using Night Moon Extreme Speed, shot toward the opposite passage like a beam of light.
As the long passage continued, the backs of the pursuing Black Armored Soldiers bulged like beetles.
-Buuuung.
Black wings emerged from the swollen armor, and they began flying toward the Heavenly Demon.
"They're following."
[S-Sorry. But swarm-type hidden monsters...]
Nameless trailed off. One Black Armored Soldier had closed right up to the Heavenly Demon's back.
Thud.
The Heavenly Demon's left fist swung in an arc, smashing the Black Armored Soldier's face. With a crunch, its head shattered, but it quickly regenerated and flew at him again.
"Hmph!"
As they swarmed like hornets, Blood Flame Radiance surged from the Heavenly Demon's eyes.
"Heavenly Demon Great Ability!"
Pang!
Blazing flames enveloped his entire body.
Then, Nameless, looking back, flashed a red glow from its eye sensor.
[One of them...]
Nameless instantly counted the incoming Black Armored Soldiers: 99. One was hiding its body to maintain the revival ability.
[Heavenly Demon! One soldier is...]
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Thousand Hands Wave Breaker!"
But the Heavenly Demon had already begun his attack.
Instead of the fist barrage of Fist Demon Dance of No Mercy, he unleashed Thousand Hands Wave Breaker to sweep the entire area in one go.
[No!]
Before Nameless's cry finished.
Kwaang!
The immense power of Thousand Hands Wave Breaker poured out.
[Uh, huh?]
Nameless blinked. The destructive force hit the ceiling, not the Black Armored Soldiers.
Kwarung.
The narrow passage's ceiling collapsed, blocking the charging Black Armored Soldiers with rubble. They could no longer fly.
-Kieeeek!
Tough-bodied with sharp arms but lacking raw strength, the Black Armored Soldiers screamed, unable to clear the debris.
[You noticed one was missing too, Heavenly Demon.]
"Of course. You think I wouldn't know what you figured out?"
[But how did you know their strength was too weak to lift the rubble? I hadn't explained...]
The Heavenly Demon replied nonchalantly.
"You learn that fighting trash like them."
Nameless had immense computational power and sensors.
But the Heavenly Demon, with countless battles under his belt, matched it with insight, analysis, and judgment.
[Hearing 'trash' from you isn't easy either...]
Suddenly, Nameless found it more astonishing that someone would dare charge at the Heavenly Demon, who could split the heavens with one strike. That foe wasn't mere trash.
"What nonsense."
Unaware or uncaring of Nameless's thoughts, the Heavenly Demon remained indifferent.
[Nothing.]
Turning to the collapsed rubble, Nameless changed the subject.
[Anyway, that was really close. A hidden monster popping up suddenly in the dungeon...]
A question arose in Nameless's mind. Could it be because the Heavenly Demon left traces on the walls? Was he defying the 'laws of the world'? Or creating new ones?
No answer. Nameless suddenly felt its knowledge hollow.
"No danger at all."
The Heavenly Demon walked on calmly. He was confident in finding a path and seizing victory in any situation. That was the unparalleled Heavenly Demon.
Finally reaching the entrance to the dungeon core, Go Eunjin, crouched down, put a finger to her lips.
"Shh. Come quietly."
"What is it."
"That guy seems to be watching this way."
What she pointed to, far in the distance, was Gkok Gkok Bugi atop a plate-like structure.
Too far to see clearly, like a tiny speck, but the Heavenly Demon, Nameless, and Go Eunjin recognized Gkok Gkok Bugi's face perfectly.
[As expected, it won't break the egg unless we enter the core entrance.]
But crossing this entrance to the core, and it sensed like a ghost, smashing the egg. Did it have detection sensors nearby? Unlikely.
The Heavenly Demon's stealth that fooled even Awakeners, and Go Eunjin's Divine Soldier Knight that hid like mist.
Even an S-rank detection skill couldn't spot them quickly.
Yet a mere B-rank boss detected it? Absurd.
Whiiiing. Kiririk.
A mechanical sound from Nameless. Its eye sensor blinks quickened, scanning the core thoroughly.
[Got it.]
Finishing the computations, Nameless's eye flashed.
[The secret of Gkok Gkok Bugi is finally solved.]
"Really? What is it?"
At Go Eunjin's question, Nameless spoke lowly.
[My analysis: Gkok Gkok Bugi doesn't detect intruders or presences from Awakeners.]
"Huh? Then what does it detect?"
[Intent.]
"What?"
[Gkok Gkok Bugi detects the intent to steal its egg.]
Go Eunjin gaped, unable to hide her disbelief.
"That makes sense? Then it should've felt our intent and smashed the egg already?"
[Gkok Gkok Bugi's detection range is probably around 400 meters—right before entering the core. That's why it knew the instant we entered the entrance.]
Go Eunjin closed her mouth. Nameless's reasoning sounded absurd but convincingly so.
[Otherwise, detecting a Divine Soldier Knight shaped by mental energy would be impossible.]
Nameless had seen Go Eunjin's Divine Soldier Knight earlier.
It was a form undetectable by any sensor or sense. Even if Gkok Gkok Bugi had detection skills.
"If that's true, why isn't it in the monster guide?"
[Gkok Gkok Bugi isn't of interest to the Korean Awakener Association. Research on unprofitable monsters or artifacts is still lacking.]
Dimming its eye sensor, Nameless spoke gravely.
[Then, I'll explain the strategy to retrieve Gkok Gkok Bugi's egg.]
Gkok Gkok Bugi detects intent to steal from the dungeon entrance. Assuming that's true, Nameless outlined a plan using the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin's abilities.
[...With this plan, we'll surely get a perfect egg.]
Finishing, Nameless shook its head.
[Unfortunately, success rate estimated at about 30%.]
"30%? Why?"
At Go Eunjin's words, Nameless glanced at the Heavenly Demon.
[It requires perfect coordination from both of you.]
Yes. The Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin shot looks of disgust and unease just glancing at each other.
Perfect coordination in this state? Near zero chance.
"30%, huh."
Go Eunjin's eyes darkened. She didn't know much, but this nanobot's analysis felt spot-on.
If so, without a mindset shift, the plan was doomed.
"Ahem. Still, we've been through a lot together today, right?"
Clearing her throat, Go Eunjin approached the Heavenly Demon and extended a hand.
"Put aside feelings for now. How about it? Let's do this properly."
"What."
But the Heavenly Demon just stared at her outstretched hand. Go Eunjin's hand began to tremble.
'This petty jerk! A person—no, a yokai—offers reconciliation first, and he dares ignore it?'
As she withdrew her hand, biting her lip.
[Heavenly Demon. Go Eunjin is extending a gesture of reconciliation. That hand is for a handshake.]
'Huh?'
What? He said 'what' because he didn't know what a handshake was?
As Go Eunjin gaped in shock, the Heavenly Demon spoke lowly.
"No need for hopeful words."
"What do you mean?"
"Show it with actions. Gray-eyed yokai."
He'd always called her gray-eyed, but now added 'yokai.'
Go Eunjin sensed that was the Heavenly Demon's maximum concession.
"Fine. Muscle-mon senior."
Changing from muscle-mon to senior, Go Eunjin bared white teeth. Gazing leisurely at Gkok Gkok Bugi atop the tower, she clapped palm to fist.
"I'll show you with actions."
* * *
Exuding powerful yokai energy, Go Eunjin closed her eyes and focused her mind.
As majestic yokai power intertwined with the Illusion Shock Clan's unique mental waves, white mist rose behind her.
Ziiing.
With a low hum, a translucent Divine Soldier Knight finally manifested grandly above her head.
[Send the Divine Soldier Knight to the tower with Gkok Gkok Bugi, but absolutely think only of approaching, not stealing the egg.]
At Nameless's words, Go Eunjin snapped her eyes open and nodded. Simultaneously, the translucent Divine Soldier Knight flew toward the plate tower with Gkok Gkok Bugi.
"Indeed, it doesn't smash the egg."
Even with the translucent Divine Soldier Knight right behind it, Gkok Gkok Bugi didn't touch the egg.
Nameless's theory that it only sensed theft 'intent' was spot-on.
[Heavenly Demon. Ready?]
The Heavenly Demon nodded, and with a pang, powerful winds and red light surged from his body.
He had maxed out the Heavenly Demon Great Ability.
[Go Eunjin. The Heavenly Demon will now fly full power to the tower. Prepare.]
"Got it."
Nodding, Go Eunjin's eyes faintly glowed gray, as she controlled the Divine Soldier Knight.
"Huu."
Deep breath. The bloody glow from the Heavenly Demon intensified.
Crack.
Pushing Night Moon Extreme Speed to full, cracks spiderwebbed the ground underfoot.
[Now!]
Kwaung!
With an ear-splitting boom, the Heavenly Demon's form shot toward the plate tower.
Flash!
Without stealth, Gkok Gkok Bugi spotted the full-speed Heavenly Demon instantly.
-Kuoo!
Sensing theft intent from the red cloud-like Heavenly Demon, Gkok Gkok Bugi screamed and reached for the egg.
Ziiing.
Go Eunjin's manifested Divine Soldier Knight tickled Gkok Gkok Bugi's armpit.
-Kuhuhuhuhu!
The moment Gkok Gkok Bugi dropped the egg from the tickling.
Then.
Whirlic.
The streaking red silhouette snatched the egg.
"Got it."
In the Heavenly Demon's hand was Gkok Gkok Bugi's egg—never successfully obtained before (actually, no one had tried)—in perfect condition.
Shalarararang.
Examining the intact egg closely, it emitted a subtle, ever-shifting glow. Mysterious and beautiful enough to captivate even the impassive Heavenly Demon.
Watching from afar, Go Eunjin hoisted Nameless triumphantly, cheering.
"We did it! We did it!"
-Ku-hu!
Conversely, robbed of its egg, Gkok Gkok Bugi knelt on the tower, weeping pitifully.
* * *
Opening the wooden box revealed a large, round egg glimmering softly.
"Waaah..."
Jang Chaewon exclaimed at Gkok Gkok Bugi's egg, glowing faintly in the dark.
"So this is how it shines."
Gkok Gkok Bugi's egg emitted a mesmerizing, elusive light that captivated the eye.
"No one's ever gotten a whole egg before... I didn't know."
Placing the box back carefully after staring entranced, Jang Chaewon patted the Heavenly Demon's shoulder—arms crossed, standing there—with a satisfied smile.
"Good job!"
"Honestly, I didn't think you'd bring back a perfect one. Great work. The dungeon management team will love it."
She also said to Go Eunjin, standing off to the side.
"You too, Eunjin. Really great job."
"No big deal."
'They bonded after all that hardship together? No more fighting?' thought Jang Chaewon, smiling warmly at them.
"All thanks to me. Be grateful, gray-eyed yokai."
"What nonsense? I stopped the egg from breaking. Senior mon."
"Only my divine step can achieve that speed. Yokai."
"I'm the only one who can make intent-wielding creations like Divine Soldier Knights. Muscle-mon human?"
Jang Chaewon sighed as they growled new nicknames at each other.
'Don't use those weird nicknames.'
Then Go Eunjin turned to Jang Chaewon, her gray eyes sparkling.
"So, can I work here now?"
"Of course. I already registered you as staff when you went to the dungeon."
Winking, Jang Chaewon added.
"I even got divine permission for dungeon ingredient harvesting anytime."
"Really? Thank you!"
"Please take care of me from now on, Eunjin."
"Yes! I'll work hard!"
Saluting crisply, Go Eunjin shouldered the icebox and headed to the back door.
"Then, no other tasks today, so I can harvest ingredients, right?"
"Huh? But official start is next week..."
But Go Eunjin had already vanished out the back.
"Egogo."
Sighing like a wrinkled grandma, Jang Chaewon glanced at the Heavenly Demon seated at the reception table.
'I really have to ask this.'
Seeing his impassive face, she couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"How is she?"
"What about?"
"Eunjin, I mean."
The Heavenly Demon's page-turning hand paused briefly. Her question carried layers of implication.
How would he answer? As she smiled playfully.
"Her speech is weird, keeps cutting off mid-sentence."
"Cutting off?"
"'You only suffer? Me too, it seems.' Switches between odd phrasings constantly."
"That's all? Nothing else?"
Avoiding her gaze, the Heavenly Demon returned to his book.
"Pretty arrogant, head full of udon noodles."
"More?"
"Seems lax on physical training, and aside from skewers, her cooking's mediocre."
"That's it?"
"Hmm. Lacks judgment..."
Under her persistent stare, he grunted. This could go on forever.
"Seems oblivious too, but..."
Flipping a page casually, he grumbled.
"Not entirely useless."
"Yeah?"
Finally getting the answer she wanted, Jang Chaewon rested her chin on her hands, blooming like a rose.
"Good."
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