Episode 534. Fake Dungeon (6)

• Kya-reureu.

• Ggureup, ggureureup.

Chwaak-

Nam Daeun’s Space Rend split the approaching monster’s body in two.

On the path leading towards the center, bizarre monsters of the Underworld were spread out.

“Wow… they all died without the sword even touching them.”

“Liliana-ssi, why are you acting like this when you’ve seen it often? It’s embarrassing.”

Nam Daeun smiled, seeming embarrassed, as she watched Liliana clap with her mouth agape.

On the way to the center, they had already defeated over several tens of monsters.

Most of the dungeon’s devices that Lee Hoyeon had made were near the center.

Lee Hoyeon himself had taken the fastest shortcut, but Rebecca couldn’t grasp the dungeon’s structure to that extent.

It was only natural that the path they were taking was arduous.

“Lucy, I’m scared too….”

“…Me too. Those people from earlier will be okay, right?”

“Since there were many Professors there, they’ll be fine.”

While heading towards the center, they encountered people from other areas a few times, but fortunately, there were no areas with only non-combat personnel like Moon Surin had worried about.

This was also Lee Hoyeon’s design.

Excluding the areas where the heroines gathered, people with a certain amount of magical power were distributed in each area.

In any case, if there was emotion amplification, those emotions like fear or dread could be amplified.

• Kung.

• Kung. Kung. Kung.

As they got closer to the center, Rebecca frowned at the ominous magic power echoing around them.

“Indeed… the magic fluctuation has gotten stronger.”

It wasn’t just the sound.

The unpleasant magic fluctuation emanating from the center, along with the sound, was washing over the group.

The interval between the skin-prickling magic and the sound grew shorter and shorter, and Rebecca continued her exploration more carefully.

“Rebecca. But is Lee Hoyeon really in the center? What if we go there and it’s just making ‘kung kung’ sounds?”

“This place isn’t a naturally generated dungeon, it’s an artificial magic circle. The fact that such suspicious sounds are occurring means there’s a high possibility something strange is happening.”

“So, in the end, isn’t it just a possibility? What if we go and Lee Hoyeon isn’t there?”

“….”

Why is she speaking so articulately today, especially?

Usually, she would have just followed without much complaint.

Rebecca glanced at Liliana’s face. Fortunately, Liliana was just trying to strike up a conversation because she needed someone to talk to.

Relieved upon seeing her expression, Rebecca ignored the clinging Liliana and continued the dungeon exploration.

Actually, Liliana’s words weren’t wrong.

It’s just that the possibility is high; Lee Hoyeon isn’t necessarily in the center.

The reason Rebecca is so confident is just one.

She was involved in this magic circle’s design. The center is the place that controls everything in the dungeon, so there are no monsters there.

Therefore, the loud noise echoing from the center is likely because Lee Hoyeon is doing something.

However, since she couldn’t reveal all that information, Rebecca was making somewhat vague excuses.

Fortunately, thanks to Im Sol vouching for their abilities, no one questioned further, except for Liliana.

Kung-

Kugugugung-

As they approached the center, the group fell silent.

Goosebumps rose all over their bodies due to the thick magic power of the Underworld.

With this level of magic power, one could tell even without seeing it.

Everyone here was anticipating that the moment they entered the center, they would face something immense.

“Ah… this is taking forever.”

Only one person. Except for Liliana.

Accustomed to the Underworld’s magic power, she felt less anxious compared to the other women.

No, rather, her condition had improved inside the dungeon compared to when she was outside.

Moreover, she had even become friends with the cute twins, so Liliana was also slightly happy.

“Twins. Come with me.”

“No. Lumi and I must keep watch on the front.”

“I’m sorry….”

“Hmm. Okay. Then what about Daeun?”

“I also have a position to protect. Doesn’t Liliana-ssi have a position too?”

“That’s true, but….”

Liliana swallowed a sigh, seeming disappointed.

Usually, Nam Daeun and Scarlet would play with Liliana even if she just acted like this, but right now, neither of them was in a situation to do so.

‘Should I just whine a bit? Ugh, that doesn’t seem right.’

In the end, Liliana gave in and maintained formation behind Lucy and Lumi.

No matter how oblivious Liliana might be, she could sense the grim atmosphere everyone else felt.

‘Even though the air is good, it’s somehow eerie.’

As overflowing with the Underworld’s magic power as it was, it was a pleasant space for Liliana, but the atmosphere itself was gloomy.

Carefully following behind the twins, Liliana suddenly caught a sweet scent.

Keunkeun.

‘I smell Lee Hoyeon’s scent.’

And it was Lee Hoyeon’s scent, mixed with that of a very cute girl.

A scent similar to Nam Daeun’s, yet different.

The source was the twins.

Even if they washed thoroughly and removed Lee Hoyeon’s scent, a succubus’s sense of smell cannot be fooled.

Lee Hoyeon’s scent was clearly emanating from the twins before her.

“Oh… what kind of relationship do you twins have with Lee Hoyeon? It seems like a very deep one.”

Liliana tossed out the question without much thought.

Heumchit.

The group, advancing tensely, stopped abruptly.

Everyone knew.

That there was something going on between the women here and Lee Hoyeon.

But no one voiced it.

Moon Surin, who had been recklessly poking around at first, was now walking nervously at the front as they got closer to the center.

“…Liliana-nim. Let’s talk about that topic a little later.”

“Right. Liliana. It doesn’t seem like a good topic.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll ask later.”

Scarlet and Rebecca stepped forward and stopped Liliana from talking nonsense.

They couldn’t believe she’d display that attitude even in the dungeon.

“…That woman is truly amazing.”

“I know, right? Alice shouldn’t grow up like that.”

“I’ve already grown up.”

Alice, who was behind them, was inwardly surprised.

To think that a person with such a destructive figure could have such a pure heart.

Or rather, I can’t tell if she’s stupid or just pure.

Kung.

Kung.

Kung.

Kwaaang-!

Just as everyone’s tension had slightly eased at Liliana’s words, a tremendous roar sounded, and simultaneously, the Underworld’s magic power exploded from the front.

The magic power that had been flowing out until now seemed like child’s play, as a gale of magic power, bursting forth with tremendous force, surged towards the group.

“What the hell… Everyone hide behind me!”

Rune barriers and shield magic circles were immediately unfolded.

Rebecca, reacting the fastest from the front, cast a rune barrier, and behind that, Im Sol’s shield overlapped doubly.

“I’ll control the magic power, so stay still in your places! Ahyoung-ah. Can you assist?”

“Yeah. I’ll try.”

Im Sol quickly spread out her magic.

Piggybacking onto Rebecca’s rune barrier, she constructed a strong form to block the entire group.

“Here it comes!”

Ta-ang-!

The gale of magic power struck the rune barrier.

Although the magic power approached with tremendous force, it could not pierce Rebecca and Im Sol’s magic.

Tadadadang- Tadadadang-

After the magic repeatedly struck the barrier, Rebecca checked her surroundings.

“Is everyone okay?!”

“Yes. We survived thanks to Rebecca-ssi and Professor.”

Moon Surin, who was at the front, quickly got up from her spot and looked behind her.

She was looking, just in case someone was harmed by the magic.

“Fortunately, it seems there are no injured people. What was that sudden burst…?”

Rebecca and Im Sol’s barrier was so sturdy, and everyone was skilled, so there were no injuries.

However, that unidentified magic power required caution.

Just then.

Teolsseok-

“Liliana-ssi?”

“Are, are you okay?”

“Liliana-nim?”

“Ah, aaa… aaaa.”

Liliana, who was between the twins and Scarlet, collapsed to her knees on the floor, writhing.

Since being exposed to the Underworld’s magic power, her legs wouldn’t move as she willed, and she felt a pain like something was digging into her head.

“Liliana…?”

“Aaaa! Ah, aaa. Aaaaaaaaaak!”

Shaking off Irene’s arm, who approached with a worried expression, Liliana writhed on the floor, clawing at her head.

The thick Underworld magic power, which she had never experienced in the human world, burrowed into Liliana’s brain.

Her head felt like it was tearing apart; it hurt.

Liliana clenched her fists tightly, trying somehow to hold onto her consciousness.

• It can’t be helped. Calliope is a succubus. She was born with immense power, too much for a succubus to possess.

The seal placed upon her.

The seal, which even she couldn’t properly understand, was starting to waver as it was exposed to the immense amount of magic power.

Moreover, this magic power was not ordinary Underworld magic.

It was magic power emitted with true intent by Lucifer, the highest-ranking demon and her bloodline.

Being directly exposed to that was enough to stimulate Liliana’s seal.

• …Aren’t you afraid your daughter might covet your position?

Liliana’s memories became jumbled.

The immense power that commanded the Underworld.

Her followers who obeyed her.

The monsters of the Underworld who were terrified just by meeting her eyes.

The surrounding demonic beasts who knelt just by her walking past.

Scenes she didn’t remember flashed before her eyes.

• Even for you, please don’t say such words. It’s an insult to a succubus who cherishes blood ties.

Chwaaaaak-

Things she had never seen flashed before her eyes like a montage.

Liliana moved her body with all her might.

Desperately, she opened her eyes to escape these unpleasant memories.

“Hooook…. Haaa. Haaa…?”

She blinked.

The unpleasant magic power that had enveloped her body dispersed, and she saw the women surrounding her.

They were all looking down at her with worried eyes.

“Liliana-nim. Are you alright?”

“Liliana-ssi. Snap out of it.”

Blink. Blink.

From both sides, Scarlet and Nam Daeun shook her body.

Blinking, Liliana unsteadily pushed herself up.

“You’ll be okay soon. Relax your body.”

Jiiiiiing-.

Baek Ahyoung’s bright magic power seeped into Liliana’s head.

The Saintess’s ability could address even mental issues.

“…What the…?”

Liliana frowned from the headache.

The memories are blurry.

It was as if she had dreamt.

The scene she had vividly seen until just now was hazily fading from memory.

Only one thing remained.

Liliana turned her head.

The place where the Underworld’s magic power had burst forth.

“Lucifer.”

“Huh? Liliana. What are you talking about?”

Liliana stood up.

Her body felt light enough to fly.

Even though this space itself was favorable for Liliana’s activities, she had become strangely stronger.

“Um, the treatment…”

Liliana’s senses opened up.

Her seal hadn’t completely broken.

But the sturdy lock had loosened considerably, and the magic power dormant within Liliana awakened.

“Lucifer is in the center. Let’s go. Rebecca. Prepare for battle.”

“Um, Liliana? Liliana!”

Her sharpened senses instantly identified the enemy.

Liliana took the lead and started running.

Rebecca, following quickly behind her, looked at Liliana and swallowed hard.

‘…What is this?’

Clearly, her outward appearance was the same.

But what was that confident stride?

Behind Liliana, Rebecca began to open magic circles.

Wherever Liliana’s hand touched, magic circles were automatically calculated and formed, and seeing that ability, the women’s eyes widened once more.

“…It’s here. Rebecca.”

Liliana instantly opened a gap in the magic circle.

A shortcut leading to the center.

Liliana herself opened the path Lee Hoyeon had taken.

Chwaak-

Liliana flung open the dark path leading to the center.

The Underworld’s magic power passing through her entire body made her numb, and in the very middle of the center, two figures stood.

“That’s…”

One was a man wearing a black tuxedo.

Goat horns sprouting from his head and luscious wings pointing upwards.

His burly body and the Underworld’s magic power flowing everywhere.

Such was his appearance; just looking at him seemed likely to instill terror.

And then, one human, covered in red blood, was floating in the air with his neck grabbed by that Lucifer.

Most of his body was hidden by blood, but Rebecca could recognize that person immediately.

“…Baby’s dad?”