"Weren't you trying to show what you're capable of? About the Gaia System…"
You said you were going to conquer the Gaia system.
Though Yoon Seo didn't finish his sentence, Kwon Jihan seemed to understand, smiling slyly.
"My thoughts on that haven't changed. It's just that I think it'd feel strange to meet others who've been test subjects like us."
That did sound like a strange feeling.
Yoon Seo grew quiet, feeling an odd sensation as if he had already met them.
"Hyung, if you're feeling off, you should try touching Riceball's belly. It's super soft. Are hedgehogs normally this soft?"
Kwon Jihan gently poked at Riceball's soft, white belly with his fingers, careful not to hurt him. Riceball was peacefully asleep in Kwon Jihan's arms. Yoon Seo, already knowing how soft Riceball's belly was, reached out his hand, not with any other intention but simply to feel it. However, when his fingers brushed against Kwon Jihan's long ones, Yoon Seo discovered another purpose for Riceball's squishy belly.
"Why are your fingers so cold?"
Kwon Jihan suddenly grabbed Yoon Seo's hand. Yoon Seo was so shocked his heart almost leapt out of his chest, but he managed to keep his composure.
"Are you feeling that bad? Or is it cold right now? Why are your hands so cold?"
"Your hands are the warm ones."
"Ah, my hands are hot, and yours are cold, so there's nothing we can do. Guess we'll have to keep holding hands. Oh well, no other choice."
Yoon Seo glared at Kwon Jihan in disbelief. Despite Kwon Jihan's shameless words, his face was slightly flushed. His fingers intertwined with Yoon Seo's, the joints thick and solid, with calluses all over his palms. The warmth spread from where their hands touched.
Right, there's nothing we can do. My hands are cold, and his are warm, so we have to hold hands.
Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan continued to hold each other's hands as they talked. From deep conversations about the dungeon, space, and the Gaia system to trivial chatter like where the next must-visit restaurant would be since Yoon Seo still had a few wills to fulfill. They even mentioned how they couldn't wait to eat at the kimchi stew place again.
The guardian gods were quiet for once, and Riceball slept soundly, allowing them to talk without interruptions.
***
['Sein Stacy' has used the 'System Loudspeaker' Item.]
[The 15th Black Market has ended! The boss monster is being brought to the crossroads. The exit portal will appear at the crossroads, so all customers should gather there!]
Finally, it was midnight. Since Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo were already at the crossroads, they didn't need to move.
"Will Sein Stacy handle the boss monster personally?"
"Sometimes. Other times, a Black Market hunter takes care of it. There are even times when an excited customer finishes it off. But it doesn't really matter to the people gathered here. It's minimal experience points anyway."
Graaaaah!
The sound of the monster's roar drew closer. Led by the Black Market hunters, the boss monster's footsteps thudded as it appeared in the square. It was a one-horned lizard with thick leather and a heavy body, its long tongue flicking out. It was a D-rank boss monster, not worth worrying over, so neither Yoon Seo nor Kwon Jihan were tense.
['Sein Stacy' has used the 'System Loudspeaker' Item.]
[I will defeat the boss monster in 5 seconds. The exit portal will be at the crossroads. Thank you all for visiting. Please come again to the next Black Market!]
['Sein Stacy' has used the 'System Loudspeaker' Item.]
[5]
.
.
.
[1]
['Ralph Stacy Jr.' has activated the
['Arien Diend' has activated the
Boom!
An excessive explosion occurred in the D-rank dungeon as offensive skills and shields collided. Yoon Seo, while idly thinking about how much money the black market must be making considering the expensive use of the 'System Loudspeaker,' was startled. The fierce aftershock caused Yoon Seo to frown, but Kwon Jihan suddenly stood up in front of him.
['Kwon Jihan' has activated the
The large, black wings spread out, shielding Yoon Seo from the dust and debris.
The crossroads became a mess, and people were bewildered.
"What, what just happened? Who used the shield?"
"Who protected the boss monster? Who blocked the attack?"
"What's going on?"
Amid the noise, Yoon Seo stood up, dusting off the dirt.
Beep! Beep!
Riceball, who had been sleeping soundly, woke up from the loud noise and angrily kicked at Kwon Jihan's chest with its tiny feet.
"Hyung, are you hurt anywhere?"
"…Did you just ask if I'm hurt?"
"Yeah."
"I'm not hurt. What about you, Hunter Kwon Jihan?"
"Good, I'm fine too."
Yoon Seo stood next to Kwon Jihan. Even though Yoon Seo said he wasn't hurt, Kwon Jihan scrutinized him from head to toe with sharp eyes. Kwon Jihan was already in battle mode.
"What happened to your wrist? It looks bruised."
"Oh."
Yoon Seo raised his wrist. He didn't think it would bruise, but it had turned a little bluish.
"That's from when you grabbed me earlier."
"...."
Kwon Jihan's eyes widened in shock as if he couldn't believe it.
Yoon Seo clicked his tongue and scanned the area.
The dust was settling, and the boss monster came into view. In front of the boss monster stood five hunters dressed in black robes with their faces covered, seemingly protecting it. The hunters hosting the black market were facing off against them.
"Who are you guys? Get away from there now!"
"We can't do that. We're protecting the boss monster."
Though they seemed to be foreigners, they were speaking Korean, which was almost a common language at this point.
"You crazy fools. Do you even realize what nonsense you're spewing? The dungeon's about to explode soon."
[You have entered the Dungeon. Number of Hunters: 611 | Time Until Explosion: 3 Hours]
With only 3 hours left, they needed to defeat the boss monster quickly and get out.
"I don't know where you crazy people came from, but I'm not responsible if you get hurt!"
['Ralph Stacy Jr.' has activated the
['Arriendiend' has activated the
['Lo Villao Pou' has activated the
Boom! Another huge explosion occurred.
[The
Yoon Seo created a shield around them, ensuring that Riceball, who had just woken up, wouldn't get more irritated.
This time, the black-robed hunters didn't stop at just using shields. They poured offensive skills onto the black market organizers and the hunters behind them. Many high-ranking hunters were present, and thanks to their shields, no one suffered any major damage.
A few exchanges of attacks occurred between the black market organizers and the black-robed hunters. The organizers, seemingly hesitant to kill, naturally weakened their attacks. The ones in black robes focused more on protecting the boss monster than themselves. It seemed like they didn't care if they got hurt.
One of the clients shouted out.
"Hey! Where are you guys from? Some kind of hunter organization? What do you want?"
"We are awaiting the end of the world."
"The end?"
"We will die here alongside the Great Dungeon's hunters. For the apocalypse!"
"Crazy…"
Sighs echoed from various directions.
Yoon Seo shook his head. His eyes met Kwon Jihan's, who looked equally exasperated.
The Gaia System considers it a failure if the boss monster isn't defeated within the given time, causing the dungeon to 'explode' or 'flood' before disappearing. Like deleting all files within a folder, anyone inside would die without any means of protection.
Yet, no one seemed particularly worried. Their resistance was nothing more than a futile struggle. Most people here wouldn't be too concerned. After all, there were S-rank hunters like Kwon Jihan and Jo Mir present.
"Hey, two of those guys are Arriendiend and Lo Villao, right?"
"You know them?"
"Yeah, those guys used to be priests of the 'Gaia Church,' but they were kicked out when they started spouting nonsense about how the world should end and humanity was better off dead. I heard they formed some weird cult called 'Galaxaia' or something, but I didn't expect to see them here."
One of the clients said. There wasn't an awakened person here who didn't hear that voice.
"The world must end. Humanity must die…! We've missed several chances to reset things. This time, we can't miss it. The entire universe is watching and giving us one last chance for humanity's demise!"
The ones in black robes, once exposed as fanatical cultists, immediately began spewing their nonsense.
"Hey, Stacy! Just kill those bastards. If we hesitate, we're all going to end up dead."
"We do not fear death. We will sacrifice ourselves here with you. If our deaths can create a new, unblemished universe, then our sacrifice is noble—"
Yoon Seo used
One was an A-rank, and the others were C-rank hunters, but there was something unusual about them.
Yoon Seo gestured to Kwon Jihan. Kwon Jihan came closer and leaned down.
"Hyung, what is it?"
"The one in the middle wearing the black robe is an American hunter and a new Revenger recruit. I saw him online."
"…Really?"
[The God of Life tells you to check the remaining time.]
[You have entered the Dungeon. Number of Hunters: 611 | Time Until Explosion: 3 Hours]
Kwon Jihan seemed to have received the same message from the God of Life. He glanced briefly at the air before pulling out his 'Sword of the Cold Wind' from his inventory.
"I'll take care of things here first. Let's talk outside."
"They might try to self-destruct. They don't fear death."
"They definitely will. But they won't be able to."
"What?"