Chapter 87 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Dungeon Front Volunteer (2)
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"You're injured."
"Huh?"
Seeing the Heavenly Demon's gaze fixed on his back, Kim Chanwon gave an embarrassed smile.
"Ah, it's nothing. It's from way back."
Over Kim Chanwon's sweat-soaked running shirt, vivid red scars protruded in disarray. They looked like the marks of fiercely rotating flames etched into his back.
"Burns."
The Heavenly Demon's eyes narrowed.
For something to melt Kim Chanwon's back, which wielded wind, it couldn't have been natural flames.
"A monster, was it."
"Ah, yeah, somethin' like that."
"If it scorched Kim's body like that, it must've been quite the monster."
"It was nothin' special. But back then, I was denyin' I was a yokai and tryin' to live normal..."
"You denied being a yokai?"
"Huh? Oh, no, no."
Staring blankly into space, Kim Chanwon startled and waved his hands frantically.
"There's a spot up ahead that makes killer spicy pork stew. If we're late, there's a line, so let's hurry and grab a bowl."
Kim Chanwon shrugged on his work jacket with a nonchalant expression.
But the Heavenly Demon's pupils narrowed again upon spotting the shadows under his eyes.
"Kim."
"Yeah?"
Grabbing Kim Chanwon's shoulder, the Heavenly Demon leaned in close and spoke.
"Just to be sure, I have to ask..."
* * *
D-Grade Dungeon, Pinwheel.
The dungeon's interior bloomed with diverse plants more than monsters, so hardly any Awakeners visited.
That made it the perfect spot for criminals trying to illegally summon Hidden Monsters for relics.
That was why the unregistered Awakener Kang Kyung-su had chosen Pinwheel Dungeon.
'Damn it.'
Inside Pinwheel Dungeon.
Kang Kyung-su, a 9th Grade Awakener using Invisibility, trembled violently.
A few years back, he'd lost his Awakener registration for robbing a bank with his Invisibility skill.
Fresh out of prison, he'd heard from a cellmate how to summon Hidden Monsters and snag relics.
So he'd sneaked into the dungeon right away and summoned one.
'Got too greedy!'
Staring at the massive fire moth encircling him, Kang Kyung-su shook.
The trick for a D-Grade like Pinwheel: spray CO2 extinguishers at the entrance from outside to summon the Hidden Monster, Fire Moth.
Once summoned outside and entering, the monster froze for a time—law of dungeons. Fire Moths, unable to vent heat without flapping, died on their own soon enough.
'Should've stuck to moderation.'
Kang Kyung-su gritted his teeth.
Greedy for piles of the Fire Moth relic 'Fire Essence Stone,' he'd sprayed twenty CO2 extinguishers everywhere around the dungeon.
'Damn. Why'd a giant one show up?'
Instead of twenty Fire Moths, one Giant Fire Moth appeared.
One with insane vitality that didn't die quick even inside.
'This thing. It's circling the entrance like it suspects my Invisibility.'
The Giant Fire Moth wasn't just bigger.
Faster movements, smarter too—it held its breath and patrolled the entrance when he went invisible.
'Make a sound, and it'll spew flames.'
Glaring at the hovering behemoth, Kang Kyung-su bit his lip.
F-Grade Invisibility revealed him if he moved. Only one way: creep out super slow and quiet, then call for rescue fast.
'Guess it's back to prison...'
Brrr.
Then the Giant Fire Moth shuddered like struck by lightning.
Finally dying, gasping in agony.
'Yes! It's true!'
Hidden Monsters entering die—apparently legit.
Just varies by time per monster.
Brrrrr.
But the thrashing Giant Fire Moth flew straight toward Kang Kyung-su, hidden near the entrance.
'No way!'
Kang Kyung-su dropped Invisibility and bolted for the exit.
The Giant Fire Moth chased straight after.
"Stay back!"
Bursting out, Kang Kyung-su shoved the pinwheel-shaped entrance with all his might.
Sizzle.
"Argh!"
His palms spewed white smoke instantly.
The Giant Fire Moth's heat had superheated the entrance red-hot.
"Ugh."
Still, he pushed the door with all he had.
If it opened, the dying moth might revive.
No rescue then—just hounded to death by the persistent beast.
"Die! Just die there!"
Sizzzzz.
But fiercer heat poured from the door, vibrations of the thrashing moth felt.
"What's happening!"
Then an old man, hearing screams from afar, came running breathless.
A 9th Grade Awakener patrolling for volunteer work: Kim Kwang-uk.
"Help! Giant Fire Moth's trying to break out!"
"Fire Moth?"
At Kang Kyung-su's shout, Kim Kwang-uk rushed up and reached for the pinwheel door.
Sizzle came with it—his palm burning agony.
"Hngh."
"Block it good! If it gets out, we're done."
"G-Got it."
Pushing full force, Kim Kwang-uk yelled.
"I'll hold it! Call rescue quick! Hurry!"
"O-Okay."
Releasing his hands, Kang Kyung-su whipped out his phone.
But something struck him—he stared blankly at Kim Kwang-uk.
"What're you doing? Call rescue now..."
"I-I'm on parole, registration canceled."
"What?"
"Sorry. Really... sorry!"
Kang Kyung-su spun and fled.
"H-Hey!"
Kim Kwang-uk, pushing the door, glimpsed it and instinctively eased his arms.
Boom.
With a massive thud, the pinwheel door flew open—a huge shadow bursting out.
"Ugh."
Falling back, Kim Kwang-uk opened his eyes to a flame-wrapped Giant Fire Moth looming over him.
It mistook him for the hider till now.
"Heh. So this is my end."
He was always ready to die.
Gazing at the blazing moth monster, Kim Kwang-uk felt peace instead.
"Fitting last for me."
A smile rose on his lips.
So that's it. Decide to sacrifice for another, and you can smile even at death...
A serene smile graced Kim Kwang-uk's lips.
As crimson flames engulfed his vision, he slowly closed his eyes.
"Hup!"
But a low shout came, cool wind pouring behind Kim Kwang-uk.
Whooooosh!
Fierce wind blasted—the oncoming flames veering skyward instantly.
"Huh?"
Opening his eyes, before Kim Kwang-uk stood a gaunt man planted firm.
Filthy work clothes of unknown meaning, weird kettle mask on his face.
"Wh-Who are you?"
Kim Kwang-uk stammered; the kettle mask's speaker crackled oddly.
"A passerby, Awakener."
Awkward tone, rising at ends—like heavy dialect forced standard.
Kim Kwang-uk gaped blankly, then bowed his head.
"Th-Thank you. You saved me."
"No biggie, it's all, done."
Creaking stiffly, the kettle mask scratched his head—then yanked Kim Kwang-uk behind him.
Roarrrrr.
The Giant Fire Moth returned, spewing crimson blaze.
"Hup!"
But the kettle mask lightly swept a hand—the flames rebounding.
Tumble tumble.
Flames missing every time enraged it—the Giant Fire Moth shuddered with weird cries.
"C-Careful."
At Kim Kwang-uk's words, the kettle mask said flatly.
"No worries at all.... Ahem. Don't worry."
As the kettle mask mumbled nonsense, white smoke and hot flames rained from the sky like downpour.
Sizzle. Patter patter.
Heat and fire cascading, the kettle mask raised both hands before his face.
Whirl—whoosh, wind swirled at his fingertips.
Whooo.
Gentle breeze swelled to savage storm.
"Hup!"
With a shout, he unleashed the winds skyward.
Rumble rumble.
The gale swept all the Giant Fire Moth's flames and smoke upward.
Tumble tumble.
"Hmph."
As the startled moth paused, the kettle mask flicked a hand lightly.
Crack.
Blade-like wind sliced past—the Giant Fire Moth cleaved in two midair.
Rustle rustle.
Crimson stones poured from the fallen body.
Dungeon material sold dear at Awakener shops: Fire Essence Stones.
"Am-Awesome. Truly stunning skills."
Amazed, Kim Kwang-uk bowed deeply.
"Thank you truly for wasting skills to save this old fool."
He extended a hand with a grin.
"Nothing much, 9th Grade Awakener Kim Kwang-uk. And you..."
"Just call me Kettle, please."
The kettle mask waved both hands; Kim Kwang-uk looked puzzled.
Thought young, but voice gravelly, hands wrinkled sparse.
"I see. Truly grateful."
"But why wander dungeons alone, so dangerously."
At the kettle mask's question, Kim Kwang-uk smiled sheepishly.
"Ah, well. Long ago, an old comrade helped me... So I volunteer to never forget that grace."
"Could I hear, the details."
Awkward speech, but Kim Kwang-uk just grinned.
"Not a good tale."
"Really want to hear."
"Hmm. Well, as my lifesaver..."
Kim Kwang-uk briefly shared his story.
Hearing all, the kettle mask spoke cautiously to him.
"Overstepping, but may I say something."
"Of course. Anything, freely."
"I've been through similar, so speaking from that."
The speaker leaked a tiny, sincere voice.
"The friend who helped Kwang-uk surely wouldn't want you suffering forever."
"That's true."
"No, listen proper. If he knew you'd torment yourself lifelong over it, could he have smiled in those flames?"
Then Kim Kwang-uk recalled his comrade smiling, beckoning.
That face nearer joy than pain—a willing smile.
"Even so... How can I live easy, betraying a trusted comrade."
"Betrayal is abandoning trust."
The kettle mask stared straight into Kim Kwang-uk's eyes.
"That friend knew you feared, were scared. Knew you'd turn and enter that exit. Knowing, he blocked flames with his body."
"What do you..."
"So swift, sharp friend wouldn't miss you heading in first."
Solemn light from the kettle mask.
"Knew already, so could smile. That exit couldn't fit two anyway. And he did it because he wanted Kim Kwang-uk safe, desperately."
Suddenly, odd feeling struck Kim Kwang-uk.
Simple comfort anyone could give.
But the kettle mask's voice held power melting decades-deep guilt.
"If you think that way... He'd close eyes tormented too. Remember that."
Thick tear from one of Kim Kwang-uk's eyes at the voice.
"Thanks."
Bowing again, suppressing surging emotion.
"Never thought so... But he might've."
"If known, live easy from now. No useless thoughts."
Very familiar accent, nostalgic voice from the speaker.
Sensing oddity, Kim Kwang-uk looked up.
"...is what your friend would say."
Whooo.
Chill wind blew near the entrance; the kettle-hooded shadow waved.
"Bye."
Short mutter, storm gale whooshed.
Winds gone, Kim Kwang-uk barely opened eyes—searched, but kettle mask vanished.
Veteran drinker's pub, window corner seat.
Tatatak.
Savory smoke rose from small brazier under the table.
Gazing at skewers on the brazier, Kim Chanwon offered the Heavenly Demon a small bundle.
The kettle mask borrowed from One Good Deed a Day.
"Thanks, used it well. Cleaned and repacked."
"Just keep it. Mine's a gift too."
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Setting the bundle down, the Heavenly Demon spoke as Kim Chanwon did.
"But why hide your face."
"Huh?"
"Seeing you hale and hearty would've eased that old man. No?"
Shaking head at the Heavenly Demon's question.
"Couldn't bear to..."
Downing full cup of Three Blessings Brew, Kim Chanwon shook head again.
"How tell that friend—no restful day in decades from my bad call—that I'm fine now."
Head down, thick tears poured from Kim Chanwon's eyes.
The one who'd helped Kim Kwang-uk was Kim Chanwon, as Heavenly Demon guessed.
"Doesn't make sense."
Recalling Kim Kwang-uk's tale, Heavenly Demon tilted head.
"With your power, brushing off flame-spewing beast nothing. Why act so."
Deep sigh from Kim Chanwon at Heavenly Demon's question.
"Back then, just tried living normal. So fought with gun alongside humans. But..."
Deep breath, head shake.
"Knew couldn't live normal till dungeons stabilized. So ditched identity, went yokai true form into dungeons, slew monsters, saved humans."
Recalling aged Kim Kwang-uk's face, Kim Chanwon wailed sigh.
"Didn't know he'd suffer since from that. If known... Wouldn't have vanished."
"Not too late. Tell truth now."
"No, way too late."
Drunk flush reddened Kim Chanwon's eyes.
"Dungeon dawn days, Awakeners treated as monsters sometimes. And... yokai same."
"What's that mean."
"Friend burned before eyes... Was yokai actually. Too late to say hid it all this time."
Filling cup from Three Blessings Brew kettle, Kim Chanwon's eyes blurred hazy.
"Didn't wanna reveal yokai, so avoided Kwang-uk. Didn't know it'd torment him more."
Thud.
Finally, liquor beat him—face planted on table.
Watching sleeping tormented face, Heavenly Demon downed his cup.
"Hmm."
Potent Three Blessings Brew flavor flooded mouth, but tasteless.
Seeing teary Kim Chanwon evoked Kim Kwang-uk sobbing out past.
"Right. Past time unchangeable."
Gazing at exhausted sleeping Kim Chanwon, Heavenly Demon slowly reached hand.
Whumm.
Low vibration, purple light lingered on Heavenly Demon's hand.
"But world guarded from monsters—so right to good dreams."
Eyes blooming Blood Flame Radiance as if mustering all qi.
"At least meet there."
Injected purple glow from hand into Kim Chanwon's head.
* * *
Fierce wind blasted—fire moth flames veering skyward instantly.
"Huh?"
Opening eyes, gaunt shadow stood before Kim Kwang-uk.
Head graying slight, but middle-aged skin on elder's profile—Kim Kwang-uk jolted.
The one saving his life, grudge etched decades in chest: Kim Chanwon's face?
"Y-You..."
"Long time no see. Been well?"
Turning, Kim Chanwon grinned; waterfall tears from Kim Kwang-uk's eyes.
"How..."
Kim Chanwon spread arms to sobbing Kim Kwang-uk.
"Been through hell, huh?"
Clutching old friend tight.
Spotting red burn scar behind Kim Chanwon's neck, burst weeping again.
"Truly sorry. Leaving you behind..."
"No. Sorry I tricked you. Made you suffer so—truly sorry."
"No. No."
Kim Kwang-uk beamed smile.
"Direct apology from you—like dream. Truly fortunate."
Kim Kwang-uk lived guilt-wracked for Kim Chanwon lifelong.
Dragging war-ruined body onward—to atone seeking Kim Chanwon.
"Kwang-uk, let's drink and talk first."
"Y-Yeah."
Shoulder to shoulder, Kim Chanwon and Kim Kwang-uk departed.
Tonight, they'd pull all-nighter boozing. Decades-stored friendship, memories as snacks.
Even if dream, not reality.
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