episode_0356

A peaceful October has begun.

“What did you say?”

“Unnie Galaxy?”

“October’s just starting?”

Somewhere, someone who had endured a long and grueling October 1st was looking up at the sky with an utterly aggrieved expression.

Meanwhile, the [Goryongsan Dungeon], reduced to chaos in a single day, was enduring eerily quiet days—so quiet it made their eardrums ache.

“…Hey. You took the B-rank exam this time, right? Did the results come out?”

“Not yet. The Association’s in chaos right now.”

An ordinary day in October.

A peaceful routine.

“What happened?”

“Some hunters who kidnapped people in the potion lab got caught turning them into potions. They’re also the ones who set off the bomb in the [Goryongsan Dungeon]… Apparently, [Spear Heaven Swordmaster] is tearing the Association apart right now.”

“What kind of bullsh…”

But the story that would unfold from here was anything but peaceful.

As they say, TV news can be more gripping than most novels.

Rustle…

Late at night, on the road to [Goryongsan Dungeon].

People sneaking toward the dungeon, avoiding the eyes of others.

They carefully inspected the tightly sealed checkpoint at the entrance before quietly slipping toward the now-unguarded [Goryongsan Dungeon].

“Wow, these guys are insane. So is the Association gonna collapse now?”

“Not our problem. Shut up and keep moving. We’re here.”

Were these people planning to explore the [Dungeon]?

Four hunters, their faces concealed behind masks, vaulted over the tape marked “Permanently Sealed” and headed inside.

……

October 1st—the day of the promotion exam.

The [Goryongsan Dungeon] had begun the process of permanent closure.

The reason? An unidentified “black insect monster” had taken over the [Dungeon].

It had appeared once months ago in the [Cheolwon Dungeon], once somewhere deep in the mountains, and now twice in [Goryongsan Dungeon].

They say that once it appears, it wipes out all life in the vicinity before vanishing.

But this time, it had apparently settled in Goryongsan for good.

“Hey. Are we really going in there?”

“We got paid. We grab whatever we can and get out.”

But precisely because such a dangerous “monster” had nested there,

there were those who saw opportunity—licking their lips as they swarmed in.

The more dangerous the monster, the higher the quality of the magic stone it holds, right?

And with the [Dungeon] sealed and no foot traffic… the logic was that they could hunt without competition.

“[Azure Dragon Guild] put out a request. They said if we go in and scout the monsters, and if things look good, they’ll stake their claim on the [Goryongsan Dungeon]. If it works out, we’ll get our cut too.”

“Isn’t this messed up? The Azure Dragon bastards only outsourced it to hunters like us because it’s dangerous.”

“So what, you turning down the money?”

“N-No, but…”

“Relax—we’re not gonna die.”

Crreeak!

The four hunters whispered amongst themselves as they infiltrated the sealed dungeon.

Then, gripping their greatswords, they slashed with all their might at the “shell” blocking the entrance checkpoint.

Craaack! Crrk!

Days ago, this had been the entrance where hunters freely came and went.

But now, a massive “shell,” resembling a hornet’s nest, blocked the way into the [Dungeon].

KAAANG!

Even with [Body Enhancement] strengthening their swings, the unnaturally tough “shell” didn’t so much as scratch.

“Tch… What the hell’s so hard about this? Busting through concrete would be easier.”

Frowning, one hunter stepped back.

The massive concrete barrier erected to prevent the dungeon’s monsters from escaping—

But in Goryongsan,

the barrier didn’t feel like a “cage” to confine the horrors inside.

It felt like a “nest,” defending against intruders.

Skiiiik…

The sound of insect legs skittering in the darkness.

Someone, sensing an inexplicable unease, drew their weapon and scanned their surroundings.

“……Can’t we just turn back?”

“No. Start digging instead.”

But nothing changed.

The four hunters used their [Skills] and [Body Enhancement] to tunnel into the [Dungeon].

……

( 『My companion has gone further than expected. Restoring order seems troublesome, so perhaps I shall make this place our “territory.”』 )

( 『I will seal all exits. This should ease my companion’s worries.』 )

( 『Should anyone trespass, slay them without mercy. Do as you will afterward.』 )

……

♪~~~~

♬~~~~~ ♩~~~~ ♪

They stepped inside the sealed dungeon.

What greeted the five hunters was a faint, melodious tune carried from afar.

It resembled the flutter of insect wings,

or the whisper of leaves in the wind.

“……It’s cleaner inside than I expected.”

They had tunneled beneath the wall.

Passing through the “mist zone,” the dungeon’s inner boundary, the hunters gazed upon the [Goryongsan Dungeon] cloaked in darkness and let out sighs of relief.

They had feared an immediate swarm of insect monsters, but the “forest” before them showed no signs of movement.

Were there unexpectedly few black insect monsters here?

“…Ugh. This feels bad.”

“What’s bad? Stay here if you’re scared. You’re the digger, anyway.”

“W-Wait a…”

“Forget it. We’re just grabbing a couple of monsters and leaving.”

Their escape tunnel remained intact.

Leaving behind one visibly terrified hunter at the tunnel entrance, the other four readied their weapons and ventured into the forest.

A mean trick, but they knew being alone would be even scarier.

“……”

Left alone in bewilderment,

the remaining hunter suppressed the creeping dread and looked up.

The dome-shaped “mist zone” obscured the [Dungeon] sky like storm clouds.

Something about this felt… off.

But he couldn’t pinpoint what.

♪~~~~

♬~~~~~ ♩~~~~ ♪

The distant flute melody tickled his eardrums like a mischievous child.

‘……Isn’t it too dark here?’

He stared at the forest—oppressively shadowed, unnaturally black.

The woods where his companions had disappeared.

Like ink spilled over the shadows themselves.

As if something pitch-black was masquerading as darkness.

“Huh?”

Then, in his solitude,

he noticed it—a “black slip of paper” dangling from a tree.

Hidden by the gloom, only now revealed.

He forced his heavy legs forward, toward the parchment.

‘What’s… this?’

A guide of some sort, hanging from the branches.

Black paper, scrawled in crimson ink—a guide for something unseen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

– We sing.

приводом связанный лоб : 포함하고 있는 нет

– With No. 1003,Our Mischievous Princess.

– Our concert welcomes you!

0. Please listen to our song.

– A once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear the most enchanting, most delicious melody in the world.

– Do grant us the honor of composing your musical score.

1. I am dark and overturned…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Skiiiik…

And right after he finished reading—

Something hidden in the “dark forest” began to stir noisily.

♪~~~~

♬~~~~~ ♩~~~~ ♪

Skreeeek…

Skree-ree-reek.

Fiddle-dee-dee…

The distant melody blended with discordant harmonies.

Shadows blanketing the forest rippled like waves as things concealed in darkness began advancing toward living prey.

Skiiiik… Skiiiik…

Pitch-black insects.

Tiny, insignificant… yet countless beyond measure.

Then, he saw it.

Far beyond the woods, past the mountain range—

Bzzzzzoooooo—

A black cloud soaring over Goryongsan’s ridgeline.

♪~~~~

♬~~~~~ ♩~~~~ ♪

The flute’s vengeful tune grew louder.

No.

He had to run.

Kim Ha-yang, the guild leader of [Spear Heaven Swordmaster], had thrown a fit demanding this place be sealed permanently for a reason.

He had threatened the Association—he’d stuff Hunter Division Head Go Yeong-in into his sword case if they didn’t listen.

If Guild Leader Kim had seen that sight, his reaction made perfect sense.

……Or did he not see it after all?

“Gh… H-Hick…!”

He had to escape.

Abandoning the companions who had ventured into the woods,

he spun around and sprinted madly toward the tunnel he had dug.

Grroooooo…!

Just then, beyond the mountains, a centipede the size of a train rose.

‘This is insane—! That can’t be real!’

He ran for the tunnel.

He had to escape.

He cursed the [Azure Dragon Guild] for sending him here.

The promised pay was worth risking his life—

but not worth losing it.

Tap!

Reaching the tunnel, avoiding the approaching insects,

he grinned down at his exit.

He would live.

He could live.

Skiiiik… Skrik…

And so, the terrified hunter—

dove headfirst into the passage leading outside…

Skreeeeeik.

Into the tunnel—unnaturally darker than before.

……

……Skik.

Skiiiik.

Skiiiik. Skrik.

Within the pitch-black tunnel,

only the sound of tiny creatures feasting could be heard.

Fiddle-dee-dee…

Insects emerged from the shadows, filling the tunnel with earth.

……

……

“This is a goldmine!”

Meanwhile, the three hunters who had left their companion behind at the tunnel entrance cheered.

They had stumbled upon “monster carcasses” strewn across the forest.

Gggehk… Gggruk…

Corpses hanged from the trees.

Like overripe fruit, countless monsters dangled lifeless from the branches.

Gggruk…

Monsters of all shapes and sizes.

A faint breeze swayed the bodies, tightening the taut ropes as the trees groaned under the strain.

Ggehk… Ggehk…

No matter where he looked, there hanged another carcass.

Dozens of monster corpses, swaying left and right—

The grotesque, chilling sight plunged them into surreal dread,

as if they had slipped into another world.

Gggruk…

But what mattered most was—

The bodies were completely intact.

Meaning the magic stones inside remained.

“Grab everything! Fast!”

“Hold on! This isn’t right! Why would monsters hang themselves?”

“You wanna leave them? Those stones are ours now!”

One hunter, gripping his greatsword, lunged recklessly toward the nearest corpse.

No hesitation. Free monster stones were free monster stones.

With the [Dungeon] sealed and no competition, they could take their time harvesting every last one.

“……”

The other two watched uneasily before scanning their surroundings.

No matter how they looked at it, this wasn’t normal.

Who would string up monsters like this, and why?

Skiiiik…

The sound of skittering legs.

They turned toward the noise.

A “black slip of paper” hung from a tree.

Too dark to notice before.

A guide for the insects’ concert.

Unrelated to the scene before them.

Tearing his gaze away, he drew his weapon just in case.

Rustle—

At that moment, a leaf fluttered down from above.

Startled, he stepped back and stared at the fallen foliage.

“……”

Dissonance.

He looked up.

Thick leaves blotted out the sky, casting an unnatural darkness overhead.

“……”

He picked it up.

A lush green leaf, as if plucked in spring.

Yet strangely heavy.

Fwip.

He carefully flipped it over.

The underside—the side untouched by sunlight.

The side that faced the earth.

Skiiiik.

Jet black.

Unnaturally so.

“……What kind of…”

Fiddle-dee-dee—!

The next moment, the insects clinging to the leaf

crawled onto his hand and slithered beneath his clothes.

Only then did he understand.

Why the canopy above was so unnaturally dark.

The leaves were smothered beneath teeming insects.

“AAAAHHH!!!”

Shrieking, he flung the leaf away and rolled on the ground.

Slamming his club against his arm, black insects rained down.

This wasn’t the [Dungeon] he knew.

What was this? Where were they?

No answers came.

This was not a place for humans.

“Everyone! Fall back! Now!”

Every second counted.

Brushing insects off his neck, he called out to his companions—who were probably still gleefully collecting stones.

“……”

“……”

And then it dawned on him.

It had gotten too quiet.

Since when?

“……Guys?”

Gggruk…

What he saw.

Monster corpses dangling from trees.

Their swaying bodies obscured his vision.

“……”

A moment of hesitation.

Then, he slowly lowered himself to the ground for a better view.

This way, he could peer beneath the hanged monsters—

and maybe spot his companions’ legs.

Gggruk…

Crawling through the undergrowth.

The dangling corpses’ feet came into view.

Skreeeik—

And beyond them,

something wearing a vast, black gothic dress approached.

The extravagant skirt dragged along the ground, hiding whatever moved beneath.

A person? The culprit behind the hanged monsters?

Regardless, danger radiated from it.

Still prone, he began crawling away,

Skreeeik—

keeping his distance from the leisurely advancing figure.

Gggruk… Ggehk…

But soon, he saw it.

Ggehk…

Among the hanged monster carcasses—

his companion’s legs,

swaying beside them.

Gggruk… Ggehk…

Familiar boots, familiar trousers.

Swaying gently in an unfelt wind.

“H-Hic… Ih… Ih…”

♪~~~~

♬~~~~~ ♩~~~~ ♪

The vengeful flute drew closer.

Alongside the skittering of countless legs.

Before him—his hanged comrade’s swaying legs.

Consumed by terror… he slowly raised his head.

“……Uh.”

Looking up.

Thunk!

A noose descended from above,

hoisting him to eye level with the thing he had glimpsed.

……

Gggruk… Ggehk…

Peaceful October days.

Skiiiik…

Peace endures.

Like unknown things hanging from trees.

Like prey caught in a spider’s web.

Like bait luring in the next victim.

『The Azure Dragon Guild, was it… To release insects into my companion’s and my domain. How… playful of them.』

Skiiiik…

Today, too, the [Goryongsan Dungeon] remained silent.

A peaceful stillness persisted.

……

……

Tap-tap-tap!

“Guess who~.”

Elsewhere.

On the 10th-floor hallway of Morning Star Apartments.

Galaxy, having returned from her café shift, happily grinned while covering Fly the pumpkin bee’s eyes as it buzzed around the hallway.

Bzzzz…

Soft hands sneaking from behind to obscure Fly’s vision—

Yet before Galaxy could even cover its eyes, the bee’s head was already buried between massive breasts.

Fly instantly knew who had caught it,

but being smothered like this was just too fun to care.

Bzzzzz…!

Wriggling excitedly within the soft embrace, Fly couldn’t help but wag its tiny rear.

A peaceful daily life.

A fleeting moment bound to become nostalgic someday.

『What kind of fool teases a child who cannot even speak?』

Click—

Then, the door to Unit 1003 opened.

The [Insect Princess], lowering her parasol, greeted Galaxy.

“Ah, good eve—…… What is that?”

『I merely redecorated a little.』

Skreeeik—

Beyond the open doorway,

the insects’ concert echoed—

A symphony of fluttering wings from the flower garden of [Goryongsan Dungeon],

welcoming Galaxy home.

“……You remodeled without the landlord’s permission?”

Galaxy had no idea.