Chapter 85

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 85 – Dungeon Raid (2)

It looked like he was wearing a mask carved from stone.

Anyone who knew GG would say the same thing at least once.

That’s how emotionally unreadable he normally was. No matter the situation, he maintained a blank expression.

“……”

But ever since they entered the dungeon, even GG hadn’t been able to hide his astonishment.

“They’re coming again. I’ll cover the front.”

“Okay! Ah—Hudon oppa, behind you! Look behind you!”

“I-I’ll block it!”

The reason for GG’s shock stood right in front of him—three people.

Not because there was a problem. Quite the opposite.

“We’ll charge at the same time.”

“Hudon oppa! Please finish it off!”

“J-just leave it to me!”

Demons that came charging at them were instantly reduced to corpses by the trio.

And it wasn’t like only weaklings were attacking them.

“Watch out for the bio-priest! It’s dangerous—fall back!”

“Got it—kyaa!”

“I’ll grab it!”

An Ekimara known for its deadly venomous stingers. A Minotaur with a bull’s head. A Gargoyle with a body of living stone.

They were all lower-ranked, but well-known for being powerful demons—and they were all aiming for the group.

Yet none of them managed to land a single scratch.

“Hudon oppa! Please block! I’ll break through!”

“O-okay, but I can’t hold for long!”

“Don’t say that!”

GG’s mouth hung open in disbelief. Based on his judgment, this dungeon was easily S-rank—exceptionally dangerous.

Demons were known for their bizarre and unpredictable tactics.

But here these three were, carving through the dungeon like fish slicing through water.

What surprised him most was the one leading the team—Kwon Hanul.

Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon were strong, but Hanul was in an entirely different league.

“U-ugh! Here comes another wave!”

“W-why are there so many?!”

“Both of you, behind me.”

He’d wipe out entire waves of charging demons in an instant.

“Hanul! Look at that one!”

“That thing’s way too big!”

“I’ll handle it—please clear the surroundings.”

Whenever a demon appeared that Mei Hong or Hudon struggled with, Hanul would leap into battle alone and finish it off without hesitation.

“I think that’s the last of them. Let’s take a short break.”

“Yes, please!”

“Ahhh, I’m exhausted.”

GG glanced around. The swarm of demons had all been reduced to mangled corpses.

He’d witnessed the entire fight from beginning to end—and yet still couldn’t believe their power.

“Guide, sir?”

A sudden voice snapped him back to reality. Mei Hong was offering him a water bottle.

“Have a sip.”

“Thank you.”

GG took the bottle but didn’t drink. Instead, he stopped Mei Hong as she turned to leave.

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“You three… are you perhaps some kind of secret weapons raised in secret by Hyukcheon?”

Mei Hong burst out laughing at GG’s question. He blinked, clearly baffled.

“Ah, sorry. That’s the first time I’ve heard that one. You must not have been told anything about our team?”

“I was only told to treat you as VIPs from Hyukcheon.”

“I see. Well, yeah—our team’s pretty strong. Two of us are purebloods. Actually… all three of us are.”

GG’s face finally cracked.

Purebloods.

Even among families with bloodlines, they were rare and precious beings.

Usually, a single pureblood was assigned where necessary—never more than one.

But they had three.

“…I’m stunned.”

Yet, what shocked GG even more was that they weren’t strong just because they were purebloods.

All three had rare and exceptional talents.

Each of them had the makings of becoming a pillar for their respective houses.

Three such individuals gathered together? Of course they were strong.

But his awe didn’t last. GG quickly slapped both cheeks, shaking off his emotions.

He was here as the guide. He couldn’t afford to be amazed forever.

“We’ll proceed to the next area.”

* * *

As they cleared more of the dungeon, Kwon Hanul found himself silently impressed.

‘Everyone’s really good.’

Mei Hong, of course—but even Hudon was moving precisely when needed.

Unless something unusual happened, Hanul had no reason to step in.

He suddenly recalled a conversation with Joo Hayun.

“What role do you think is missing in my team right now?”

“A role?”

“Yeah. Isn’t dividing roles the first step to a strong team?”

“You're right… but in your case, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

At the time, Hanul hadn’t really understood what she meant.

But now, inside the dungeon, it made sense.

Roles are assigned to patch up weaknesses in a team.

But his team had none.

The reason was simple:

They were just that good.

Mei Hong and Hudon weren’t just purebloods—they had been chosen to represent their clans. Rare gems even their families struggled to find.

Two such rare talents working together—no wonder Hayun said they didn’t need fixed roles.

‘Even that GG guy shouldn’t be underestimated.’

He’d been handpicked by a Pablo Family representative. That said a lot.

He was able to detect incoming demons before they appeared, and pinpoint traps with eerie precision.

‘His sensing ability surpasses mine.’

It was hard to believe. Hanul had inherited multiple bloodlines.

Yet GG, who had only one beast-bloodline, outperformed him in this area.

‘Must be the power of the Sacred Beast Bloodline.’

Sacred Beast blooded individuals could mimic monsters’ abilities.

If GG was using a monster’s detection skill, it made sense he’d surpass Hanul.

‘His combat ability is a bit lacking, though.’

As a guide, GG didn’t engage in fights unless necessary.

Still, when he did step in, it helped the flow of battle immensely.

‘What if he used a monster’s combat ability instead…?’

It was hard to say. That’s how versatile and high-potential beast-bloods were.

“Even if you leave Kwon Hanul’s team as-is, they’ll continue to grow stronger.”

Hayun’s words resurfaced.

“If I had to point out one flaw… I’d say they need one all-rounder. Someone who can support everyone.”

Hudon had excellent stamina and defense, but weaker offense.

Mei Hong was overwhelming in offense, but lacking elsewhere.

Someone to patch up their blind spots.

‘That guy would be perfect… but—’

They barely knew him. He couldn’t just rush into a recruitment.

Besides, GG was a suspicious figure. They couldn’t accept him into the team so easily.

‘Guess it can’t be helped.’

Hanul shelved the idea and let the thought go.

The already dim sky darkened even further—night had fallen in the dungeon.

“It’s dangerous to keep going. We’ll make camp.”

GG led the group to a safe zone he had scouted in a previous expedition.

Once there, he moved with practiced ease—setting up camp, pitching tents, and preparing a meal.

“All done.”

Before any of them could even step in, GG had everything ready.

“I made a simple stew. Please forgive me if the taste is lacking.”

He handed steaming bowls to each of them.

The three took a spoonful almost simultaneously—and immediately let out murmurs of amazement.

“This is really good!”

“Seriously, how’d you season this?”

“C-can I have seconds?”

The stew wasn’t just decent—it was delicious.

Everything was cooked perfectly, and the deeper they ate, the more flavor unfolded.

The trio quickly emptied their bowls and lined up for more.

“Sorry to leave all the work to you,” Hanul said mid-bite, clearly feeling guilty.

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s most efficient for the quickest person to handle it. Please leave it to me again next time.”

GG was firm, but Hanul didn’t back down.

“At least let us help with the dishes.”

“No, really, it’s—”

GG suddenly paused, as if thinking something over.

“…Instead of that, may I ask a favor?”

“A favor?”

“I’ve heard the Hyukcheon clan is based in Korea. I’d like to know more about the country.”

There was a faint curiosity in GG’s eyes.

“What kind of places to visit… what the people are like…”

His voice was slightly excited.

“Oh, come on—what are you going to do with that info?” Mei Hong grinned, handing over her empty bowl.

“Just come visit! You’ve earned it after cooking us this meal! Hudon oppa can give you the grand tour!”

“M-me?!”

“Well, it’d be weird for me, a Chinese national, to introduce Korea, don’t you think?”

It was a fair point.

Hanul nodded, but then—

“…That won’t be possible.”

GG’s voice abruptly cut through the atmosphere. The three turned to him.

Gone was the slight excitement. His tone was ice-cold—oppressively dark.

“What do you mean, it’s not possible?”

“Yes. I cannot visit another country for personal reasons.”

“But it’s just a trip—”

“No.”

GG’s eyes were shadowed. His voice was final.

“I… must atone.”

He added a phrase none of them could decipher.

“I’ll keep watch. Please rest.”

Dinner had ended, and it was time to sleep.

GG saw the others off to bed and took the first watch himself.

As time passed, the night grew deeper.

The tent zipper opened quietly—Hanul stepped outside.

Scanning the area, he spotted GG standing atop a nearby rock.

“You’re not sleeping?”

“I couldn’t fall asleep.”

“You should rest when you can, especially in a dungeon—”

“You have multiple bloodlines, don’t you?”

Hanul cut in suddenly, testing him.

“Yes, I do.”

But GG didn’t even flinch. Hanul was left disarmed.

“So it’s not a secret?”

“No—it is. A deadly one. If it ever got out… I’d kill whoever discovered it.”

“Then why are you so calm?”

“Because I know I can’t kill you.”

GG admitted it freely.

“So all I can do is tell the truth.”

“Have you given up?”

“You don’t intend to use this against me anyway, do you?”

That, too, was accurate.

GG hadn’t caused any harm up to this point. In fact, he’d supported the team selflessly.

“One more question. Are you the one who’s been killing Pablo Family executives?”

“Yes. That’s me.”

Again, he admitted it without hesitation.

“Why?”

This time, he hesitated—looking up at the sky.

“There are people I need to find.”

Then turned to Hanul.

“Please don’t ask me anything more.”

Hanul stayed silent. What could he say to that?

“May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

GG stared at him. Just as Hanul was about to ask again, GG spoke.

“How can you stay so sane, with that many bloodlines inside you?”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]