Ch.3914. A-Rank Dungeon Conquest (4)

Meanwhile, as the night deepened.

Yeon Soso couldn’t fall asleep. The demonic energy of the dungeon filled the air around her. Of course, it was natural to feel uncomfortable while camping inside a dungeon.

But as an A-rank hunter, she wouldn’t be bothered by merely spending a night in a dungeon. The reason for her sleeplessness was because of one person.

‘Minsu. I wonder if he’s okay.’

The Flame raid members were currently on a short break period.

While other members might have been fine, with Father Stefano absent from the raid to supervise the interns, Yuri had given them a few days of rest, knowing that tackling high-rank dungeons would be too risky.

But Soso had deliberately accompanied the interns on their business trip. Naturally, she was concerned about Minsu.

‘He’s using fire spells now. The backlash must be significant.’

Yeon Munwoo, her small grandfather, had remained silent about Minsu’s condition. But judging from his reaction, it seemed unlikely that Minsu’s body would return completely to normal after just one secret technique.

‘His qi and blood were so turbulent.’

Just as she had personally helped calm Minsu’s qi and blood the night before he received the secret technique, she wanted to be of help to him.

‘And now he’s not just operating but also acting as a direct dealer.’

Of course, today’s performance was impressive. Father Stefano couldn’t close his mouth after witnessing Minsu’s fire spell.

‘Wasn’t he clearly classified as a C-rank awakened? Yet he dealt with so many undead… Good heavens.’

Holding a rosary in his hand, he made the sign of the cross in surprise. And Soso saw delight spreading across his face.

Given Father Stefano’s intense hatred for monsters and villains, Minsu’s explosive fire spell seemed to have pleased the priest greatly.

‘Hmm. Beyond what I expected. They say fire mages who create blue flames have fire spells on a different level. Even in Manseong, I haven’t seen anyone use fire magic at such a high level.’

And Team Leader Seo Duho felt the same way. He was a capable person who had held an important position in Manseong’s famous intelligence department. Naturally, he had countless experiences collaborating with Manseong’s elite raid teams.

‘In terms of raw power, I’ve seen fire mages who can produce even more than that. But what’s important is that Minsu’s awakening rank is only C. It means that even with a small amount of mana, his method of utilizing it is extremely sophisticated.’

That pure amazement made even Soso feel good. As Minsu’s close friend, Soso knew well how he had worked tirelessly, staying up nights to create that blue flame.

With that blue flame, he had helped her awaken the Cheonma Divine Technique.

‘As expected, he was amazing even at Ains.’

But Soso was anxious. Minsu had used such a powerful fire spell.

However, Minsu’s blood vessels and mana roads, which Soso had personally checked, weren’t in a condition to properly handle such a spell.

– If you’re so worried, why don’t you secretly go check on him?

Soso flinched at the moment. As Blood Demon suggested, Soso had been constantly worrying. She was extremely concerned about Minsu’s condition.

And lately, even more so. Since returning from Hong Kong with Minsu, she had become much more conscious of him. It seemed her feelings had grown stronger.

And as much as her feelings had grown, she was bothered by Arini, who was always around Minsu.

– No. I’m here today only to supervise the interns. It would be against the intern program rules for me to intervene directly.

– That’s why you should go check. If his condition is too poor to proceed with the next raid, it would be right for you to stop him directly.

– T-that’s…

Given Minsu’s personality, he would never abandon a task midway, even if his body was breaking down. Plus, he had made a bet with interns from other major corporate guilds.

– What I’m saying is, that’s the situation. Don’t you understand?

Soso belatedly understood Blood Demon’s words. He meant she should find an excuse to go see him. With that, Soso couldn’t resist any longer.

– You’re right. This is also part of my duty as a supervisor and person in charge.

Soso carefully got up. For someone who had mastered martial arts, and the highest level at that, sneaking past Team Leader Seo and Father Stefano to check on the interns was no challenge at all.

Of course, it was far from the dignified behavior expected of a Cheonma, but Soso couldn’t help herself.

‘I’ll just go for a moment.’

Her camping spot wasn’t far from where Minsu was. She arrived there quickly. She could see Jang Donghyuk standing guard outside.

Carefully, to avoid being spotted by him, she approached the window of the abandoned building. The structure was already dilapidated, allowing her to see inside through the window.

Despite the pitch-black dungeon night, the Cheonma’s eyes could clearly see the interior.

Just then, a greenish light was shining inside, making it even more visible.

‘What’s that light?’

At that moment, Soso’s heart sank. The greenish light was holy power. Naturally, the one creating that light was Seong Arini.

‘W-what is she doing?’

She was straddling a man’s body. A familiar silhouette. Of course, that man was Minsu. And at that moment, Soso desperately covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming.

The two, with their bodies pressed together, were kissing.

***

Hearing Arini calling me, I lay straight and said.

“It’s getting late, why aren’t you sleeping? You’re the next one on watch duty.”

“My husband hasn’t come home from work, so as a good wife, I should stay up and wait, right? Unfortunately, given our location, I couldn’t wash up and wait for you properly.”

“Stop saying such nonsense.”

Arini slowly approached me. Above my face, lying in the sleeping bag, I could see Arini’s face with her pink short hair.

Despite her playful words, Arini’s expression had turned serious.

“Earlier today, the MCI purification holy spell. I couldn’t cast it on you, senior.”

“As you know, I’m not affected by mental contamination… What are you doing!”

Arini suddenly climbed on top of me.

“What’s wrong, senior?”

To my startled words, Arini brazenly asked back.

“Are you thinking something dirty? As expected of a pervert.”

“The one trying to do something strange is you…”

“It’s not like that! Senior, your mana roads and mana heart aren’t normal right now, are they? I know you pushed yourself too hard using fire spells today.”

Ignoring my attempts to push her away, she placed her hands on my body.

“So I’ll cast a holy spell on you. It should ease the pain considerably.”

“Still, in this position…”

“We’re fully clothed, so what’s the problem? It’s not like we’re doing anything indecent. There’s no issue as long as you don’t think anything strange, right?”

Her brazen response left me speechless. Soon, Arini began to caress my body with gentle hands.

As she did, a greenish holy power began to spread throughout my body. The position was a bit embarrassing, but I could feel the holy power being transmitted more directly due to our close contact.

And just as Arini had said, the burning sensation of mana that had been smoldering inside me like residual heat began to gradually disappear.

I thought about making a joke to ease the awkward atmosphere, but Arini’s expression was very serious.

So I remained silent, allowing her holy power to heal me. My entire body was becoming languid.

‘And yet… it’s comfortable…’

That familiarity and warmth of Arini, who had been nursing me for the past two years. I suddenly recalled the “vow” that had allowed Arini, who wasn’t a nun, to use holy power.

‘Arini has never told me the content of that vow…’

What’s certain is that the vow definitely has something to do with me. In fact, Arini’s holy power, like now, matched very well with me.

Just as I was about to ask about the vow again, I felt an unfamiliar sensation on my cheek.

‘Rainwater?’

The abandoned building we had entered was dilapidated enough for rain to leak through, but it wasn’t raining outside. In that moment, I realized the reason.

Arini was silently shedding tears.

“Arini?”

She was clearly crying. I thought I might have seen wrong for a moment, but Arini’s voice was very choked when she spoke, confirming it.

“… I, senior. Can’t you just live a normal life instead of being a hunter? When you use mana like this… when it’s so painful…”

I couldn’t easily answer her words. Arini had actually said this to me many times before.

Professor Seong Chaerin wouldn’t have told Arini about my condition, but with her high holy power, she might have guessed my state.

That it wasn’t normal. That my body would break down more and more as I used mana.

‘And she’s used holy power on me so often…’

The highest healing spells of priests allow them to empathetically feel the emotions and pain of the person they’re casting the spell on.

I wiped Arini’s tears with my thumb as I answered.

“You know well that I can’t do that.”

“Brother Siwoo and Sister Mina’s deaths aren’t your fault! So there’s no need to punish yourself so harshly by damaging your body like this!”

Saying that, Arini laid her body on top of my torso. Her body trembled. She continued to cry.

“Senior. I like you. So please, stop doing this and live a normal, happy life with me? I can take revenge for those two. Please, just quit this hunter business!”

Though her voice was low so that Uncle Donghyuk wouldn’t hear, she spoke to me in a voice close to a scream.

“I’m sorry, Arini.”

But even this conversation wasn’t the first. Arini had already expressed her feelings to me countless times. But I always rejected her.

Until I eliminated the Red Lake from this world, I couldn’t accept anyone’s heart. And despite my repeated rejections, Arini always remained by my side.

Instead of answering, Arini’s muffled sobs continued. I silently patted her back.

The two of us held each other like that for a long time. After some more time had passed, Arini, now calmed down, said to me.

“… Senior. Still, I’ll always be by your side. Even if you push me away.”

“Yes. I won’t stop you from doing that.”

After being silent again, she spoke in a serious voice.

“And I’ll never let you be lonely. If something happens to you… if you… uwup?!”

I didn’t want to hear the next words from Arini. The words she had said many times before, that if I were to die, she would follow me.

So I stopped Arini’s next words. I pressed my lips against hers.

The kiss that followed. The two of us replaced words with soft lips and tongues meeting. And that was all I could give to Arini.

***

The next day. The sun rose in the dungeon.

There was no way to get proper sleep in a dungeon in the first place, but my condition was very good.

‘Thanks to Arini, perhaps.’

The mana backlash that wouldn’t subside on its own had now calmed down. With the boss battle ahead, in this state, I felt I could use quite powerful fire spells.

Uncle Donghyuk exclaimed energetically.

“Then let’s hurry! If we want to be first, we need to defeat the boss quickly, right?”

And then uncle looked at Arini and me.

“What’s wrong, Arini? Are you not feeling well?”

“N-no, uncle!”

Arini was awkwardly keeping her distance from me.

Since she usually clings to me to the point of annoyance, it was understandable that uncle found it strange. Especially since she couldn’t even make eye contact with me.

‘Is it because of last night?’

Thinking about it again after waking up, I felt a bit embarrassed too, so I pretended not to notice Arini’s reaction. And the party reached just before the boss room much faster than expected.

I used fire spells a few times on monsters we inevitably confronted along the way.

Thanks to the holy spell I received from Arini last night, my condition was actually much better than yesterday. Right before entering, Arini used a holy spell once more.

“Is this enough for everyone?”

I checked both of their MCI levels. Both were around 50. Since they both had high thresholds, there would be no problem entering the boss room as is.

When I nodded, Uncle Donghyuk said energetically.

“Then let’s hurry in and tackle the boss! Before those guys from other guilds come in and try to get a piece of the action…”

“No. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

“Huh? Wouldn’t it be better to go in quickly and tackle it? It’s an A-rank dungeon, so we don’t know how long it will take…”

“We need to wait. I have a plan.”

I briefly shared my thoughts with Uncle Donghyuk.

And an hour later, the party entered the boss room and successfully hunted the boss. Right after that, interns from other guilds who had belatedly entered the boss room shouted at us.

“T-those guys defeated the boss first!”