Chapter 21

Ancient Desert (1)

It was a repetitive daily routine.

Myriad skills Old Man’s special lecture, held for one hour every day.

I occasionally took on light tasks from the mercenary guild, ‘Fixer.’

And spent the remaining time reviewing what I had learned.

I didn’t rest even for a single day.

To me, who had shown consistency for three years.

To me, who was just getting stronger.

Laziness was a luxury.

“Ju Dong-hoon?”

It was then that Gi So-yul approached me as I was doing strength training in the open space.

“Hoo, hoo……. Yes. What’s the matter?”

“I have something to say.”

She replied with a look that said, [Of course, I have something to say, that’s why I called you?]

“Something to say?”

“I promised you, didn’t I? That I would protect you from someone’s ambush until you grow stronger.”

“……That’s right. Well, I never expected you to be watching me 24 hours a day, though.”

At my words, Gi So-yul tilted her head to the left.

“Hmm? That’s a bit of a strange thing to say. How can I protect you if I don’t watch you 24 hours a day?”

Huh?

That’s true, too?

I scratched my head.

“Still, Dark Emperor, you’re a Ranker. You have to go to Dungeons and take care of guild matters.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m telling you.”

Gi So-yul nodded in agreement.

“It’s been almost two weeks since I started spending time protecting you. Even though I’m neglecting guild activities, there are still things I have to do from time to time.”

True, a person like Dark Emperor can’t be by my side all the time.

I was aware of that as well.

She has her own life, too.

“Dark Emperor must be busy. I understand.”

“So, I’m going to make a suggestion.”

“A suggestion?”

“Yes, the time I need to handle my pending tasks is… about 6 hours? So, I have no choice but to leave for that time… you have two options.”

As expected of Gi So-yul.

She was amazing.

Usually, someone who is a Ranker.

Could somehow change the promise with a low-grade Hunter like me.

But she didn’t break her promise.

She found an alternative.

Just like I didn’t lie to her.

She was clearly trying to keep her trust.

“What are they?”

“First, follow me around for 6 hours.”

“Oh.”

Not a bad option.

The safest place for me right now is by her side.

As for training, I do it all the time anyway.

Actually, I could use a little rest.

“What’s the second one?”

“Use that while I’m working.”

“That?”

That? What is it?

As I tilted my head, Gi So-yul chuckled.

“The key. The medium you got back then.”

“Ah?”

That’s right.

I had that, didn’t I?

I had forgotten about it.

The B-grade key I got as a Dungeon reward, Traces of the Ancient Desert.

[Item: Traces of the Ancient Desert]

[Grade: B]

[Type: Medium]

[Description: A key that can uncover the secrets of a hidden ruin.]

[Effect 1: Can open the Dungeon, ‘Ancient Desert’.]

[Effect 2: Item bound to Hunter, ‘Ju Dong-hoon’.]

“The medium is a bound item. That means it’s a solo Dungeon. If you’re in there, it might be safer than being by my side. Because even Rankers can’t interfere there.”

True.

Assuming a Ranker higher than Gi So-yul appears.

Being in the Dungeon might be safer than being by her side.

The problem is.

My Skeletons are still D-grade.

“Um, but this is B-grade… wouldn’t it be more dangerous inside?”

“I don’t know.”

Gi So-yul didn’t agree.

“Hun, you tend to underestimate how much you’ve improved. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go in and check it out? I think you can clear it.”

“Ah……”

At her words, I opened my mouth blankly.

What.

Did I just get praised by a Ranker?

No, did I get acknowledged for improving?

‘Feels fresh?’

It was a feeling I was experiencing for the first time.

Because no one had ever acknowledged me, who came from an E-grade mercenary background.

‘My self-esteem was pretty low.’

I admitted it.

As a deformed Necromancer.

That the life of envying the Dark Lord, who was my peer, was very narrow-minded.

“……”

It felt like something hot was slowly rising from the center of my chest.

A feeling of being rewarded, even if only a little, for the pain and effort I had gone through?

Of course, it feels good to be recognized by someone.

‘But.’

Gi So-yul wasn’t just anyone.

She was a Ranker.

A person who has raised their profession to the ranks of a professional through numerous experiences and efforts.

A person who has reached the pinnacle of hunting monsters and exploring Dungeons.

‘Good.’

My fist clenched tightly.

I wanted to fully feel this moment.

I also had other thoughts.

‘If being recognized by Gi So-yul alone feels like this.’

What would it feel like to reach the same level as her?

To go even further.

What if all 999 Rankers acknowledged me?

‘Ahhh.’

A thrill ran through the depths of my heart.

I know it’s an unrealistic dream.

But I still wanted to dream.

I wanted to live with that dream as my goal.

“That’s definitely a good idea.”

My motivation was burning brightly.

In fact, I had wanted to go to a Dungeon for a long time.

But right now, if I carelessly participate in a Dungeon, I’m likely to be exposed to the Association or the media.

That’s why I didn’t go.

Because revealing myself before I become completely strong would only make me a target for evil people.

Especially in my case, wouldn’t I be a fresh prey for the terrible terrorist group, Dark Shadow Unit!

In this place, which is like the wild, I only need one thing.

A Dungeon only for me.

Gi So-yul nodded.

“Even if you’re worried about the difficulty. You have the skills to run away when you think it’s dangerous.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded.

Unless it’s a special case like the last ‘Grade Unknown Dungeon.’

Originally, Dungeons are generally accessible.

“Then I’ll go with the second option.”

“I knew you’d say that, Hun. Are you going right away?”

“Well, why would I dawdle? The morning training is already over anyway.”

Quite a bit of time had passed.

The energy I used during training was already full.

“Then put energy into the key to activate it. The Dungeon will appear.”

Gi So-yul smiled.

As if my excited expression, as if I had made up my mind, was cute.

Whoosh!

When I activated the key, a message popped up.

[Would you like to activate ‘Traces of the Ancient Desert’?]

[You can open the Dungeon, ‘Ancient Desert’.]

[Caution!]

[This Dungeon is a solo Dungeon.]

When I met Gi So-yul’s eyes, she nodded.

Meaning, have a good trip.

‘Okay, let’s do it.’

I stared blankly at the shining golden key.

Another ‘opportunity’ that all Rankers are looking for with their eyes wide open, a medium.

If I can become even stronger through this?

‘No turning back.’

Flash!

A dazzling light occupied my vision.

[Entering a special Dungeon.]

“Hmm?”

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the middle of the desert.

Similar to the previous Dungeon, but with a slight difference.

‘A pyramid?’

A huge brick structure in the shape of a square pyramid was filling my vision?

[You have entered ‘Ancient Desert’.]

[You have discovered ‘Pyramid’.]

My heart started beating fast at the following message.

A pyramid in an ancient ruin.

How strong are the monsters and traps lurking there?

And what kind of rewards are waiting?

I was nervous, but also excited.

There’s no need to be intimidated just because it’s B-grade.

Ranker Gi So-yul said there’s a possibility, so I should trust her.

Whoosh!

First, I swung my staff to summon the Bones.

[Using skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

From Bone One to Bone Five.

They were sharpened through intense training.

‘No need to move hastily.’

Slowly, very slowly.

I’m going to clear it carefully.

I started walking across the sandy desert.

The direction is the main gate built below the pyramid.

Judging from the circumstances, the inside of that place is the Dungeon.

“Everyone, maintain formation.”

Squeak!

At my command, the Skeletons nodded at the same time.

As D-grades, we can only be thorough underdogs in this B-grade place.

‘The weak must fight like the weak.’

To clear the Dungeon safely, we must fight as efficiently as possible through formation.

If I recklessly push forward just because I’m confident, I could waste my energy, which is like my life.

Creak!

As I approached the door, the huge brick door opened automatically.

It was then.

[Ding!]

[Discovered the job relevance between the Dungeon and Hunter Ju Dong-hoon.]

‘Hmm?’

I stopped for a moment.

Because I felt an uneasy energy stirring.

[Caution!]

[This Dungeon is transforming.]

[You cannot leave the Dungeon.]

“Wait?”

I realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.

Whoosh!

Because the huge wind in front of me was pulling my body strongly.

I was sucked into the pyramid in a daze.

Behind my back.

Swish…… Thud!

I could only hear the sound of the door closing.

The inside of the pyramid was pitch black.

Because there was no light, I couldn’t see anything.

“What is this.”

I muttered.

What is this all of a sudden after coming in with confidence?

I kept feeling a chill down my spine and an uneasy feeling.

But.

I couldn’t just stand still.

This is a Dungeon.

A place where you can only survive if you can flexibly respond to unexpected situations.

“Bone Three.”

Clack!

That was a relief.

Judging from the sound of teeth clattering, the Bones must have been sucked in safely as well.

“First, check what’s around you.”

Clack!

I heard a sound of affirmation.

[‘Bone Three’ uses skill, Securing Vision (Lv.6).]

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Bone Three pulled the bowstring four times in the air.

Then, the shining arrows fired from there exploded in all directions.

Two arrows were constantly fired forward and backward.

The remaining two arrows fired to the sides bounced around, checking the distance above and below.

‘I can roughly imagine a long corridor.’

I closed my eyes.

At the same time, I shared the vision that Bone Three was sending me with my senses.

After a few seconds had passed.

‘What.’

I flinched.

I couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘Is this right?’

If I keep going straight ahead, I can clearly see a large open space.

Unlike this dark place, a wide space with a fire burning.

So far, so good.

‘But. This…….’

It didn’t make sense.

There were numerous Skeleton soldiers inside the open space.

The number wasn’t one or two…….

It wasn’t even dozens.

‘About a hundred……?’

[Discovered stage ‘Grievance of the Sun Spear’.]

Damn it?

[Ding!]

[Stage: Grievance of the Sun Spear]

[Deep in the pyramid lies ‘Tae Yang-chang’, a warrior and absolute ruler who ruled the ancient desert empire.]

[Break through the obstacles and reach ‘Tae Yang-chang’.]

Tae Yang-chang?

What is this again?

It was the moment I, confused, frowned.

Flash!

The lights in the extinguished corridor turned on.

At the same time.

[Warning! Warning! Warning!]

[100 Ancient Skeleton Lancers (D-grade) are rushing in!]

Crazy, really 100 D-grades?

There are five of us?

A hopeless situation unfolded.