Dungeon of the Alchemist (2)
“Ouch… It hurts. You’re so mean.”
Sol rubbed her backside, wincing in pain. Hyun offered his hand with an awkward smile, but Sol turned her head away in defiance. Hyun looked taken aback. I approached with a stern expression and helped her up. Sol pouted but allowed me to assist her.
“Why… why are you only like this to me?”
“Hmph.”
Hyun tried to squeeze between Sol and me, voicing his frustration, but was met with cold indifference. Watching Hyun’s dejection, I spoke to Sol in a firm tone.
“Sol.”
“What is it~?”
Her response was more challenging than her usual innocent “Yes?” Perhaps she had some complaints against me too. But seeing my serious expression, she quickly lowered her gaze and hung her head. Then, a sudden scream escaped her lips.
“Ahhh?!”
…All my effort to help her up was in vain. As the saying goes, if you’re unlucky, you can even break your nose falling backward. Sol was the perfect example of that.
“Calm down. Calm down. There, there. Good girl.”
One thing puzzled me: why did she manage to avoid Hyun so skillfully and end up in my arms? Still, she was genuinely startled, and I comforted her as she trembled with tears in her eyes.
Hyun and Yujung also crouched down beside me, only to recoil in shock. Beneath Sol was a corpse, grotesquely twisted and contorted.
“Ugh…!”
Yujung couldn’t hold back and retched. Even I frowned at the sight. This was the kind of atrocity only the most depraved of the murder brigades would commit…
Next to the body lay a broken bow, suggesting the deceased was likely a ranger. The neck and face were contorted in agony, bones twisted and pulled out. I had thought they were a competent caravan to have made it this far into the dungeon, but now I understood why they were wiped out.
“Fools… venturing into a dungeon without a guide? They must have been out of their minds or blinded by greed.”
Though it wasn’t my place to judge, I muttered to myself, biting my lip. I knew the atmosphere would change drastically between the surface and the underground, but this was a harsh reality check. As I comforted the shivering Sol, I surveyed our surroundings.
The path was a dark, narrow corridor. We could only move forward or backward. There was no need to follow the caravan’s trail anymore. It was unfortunate they were discovered two years and a few months after their demise, but it had nothing to do with me. I planned to activate my third eye and thoroughly search the area, hoping to catch the alchemist. As the dungeon master, they likely had valuable equipment.
Calculating my next steps, I turned to the others with a sense of anticipation. But their anxious faces, still reeling from the sight of the corpse, made me frown. Yujung, in particular, seemed eager to return to the city. I addressed them sharply.
“Is this your first time seeing a user’s corpse? In the Hall Plain, this is common. Even those who’ve killed vagrants are making a fuss over one body.”
My reprimand made their throats bob nervously. Yet, they still hesitated, glancing at each other. I continued in a firmer voice.
“What’s wrong with you all? You were thrilled to find a dungeon on your first expedition, and now you’re ready to give up? Do you know how great the rewards will be if we succeed?”
”…”
It might sound materialistic, but it was the truth. Their reaction showed they hadn’t reached the mental fortitude I expected. In the Hall Plain, people aren’t just “modern people.” They’re “users.”
“Do you not realize the significance of discovering a dungeon on your first expedition? If we endure this, our future will be much easier. Do you want to kick away the treasure right in front of you? Should we just be satisfied with the discovery and return to the city?”
“N-no. Absolutely not. No, hyung. It’s not like that.”
Hyun was the first to regain his composure, repeatedly denying it as he slapped his cheeks and shook his head, seemingly rearming his resolve. Though I felt a bit relieved, it was still frustrating. Following Yoo Hyun’s group or Han So-young’s lead had been challenging. I knew they couldn’t be compared, but I couldn’t help feeling anxious.
“You’re all the same. It’s not uncommon for caravans to be wiped out in expeditions like this. I want to keep you all alive. I don’t plan on us being wiped out. But I can’t do it alone. I need your help.”
”…Okay. Sorry. I understand. I’m sorry, oppa.”
Finally, Yujung seemed to gather herself, standing with a determined expression. Though she still trembled, the sight was better than her earlier retching.
”…Phew. Anyway… Sol, move to the center. Yes, good. Let’s get going. Everyone, form up.”
As they nodded and took their positions, I sighed and turned away. I heard Yujung mutter, “Always favoring Sol,” but I didn’t comment.
Objectively and subjectively, Yujung wasn’t wrong.
We moved forward in a triangular formation. It was slightly different from the one we used in the forest; Hyun and Yujung, who were on the flanks, were now positioned 45 degrees closer to me. Though it was dark, Sol’s light magic provided some visibility.
We walked through the dim underground, staying alert. So far, there were no traps or monsters detected. Occasionally, we came across monsters reduced to ashes or already triggered traps. It seemed the previous caravan had dealt with most of them. I felt a bit grateful for the easier path.
I wondered if this would change the future, allowing them to claim all the rewards from the expedition. But it didn’t matter. I could always take it back after dealing with them discreetly. With such thoughts, I pressed on.
Sol’s light spell was still unstable, the orb floating erratically. Yujung, irritated by its proximity, waved it away with a sharp gesture, causing it to drift elsewhere.
I didn’t understand why they were bickering, but I decided to ask later and focused on expanding my senses.
“Hmm.”
After some time, I stopped abruptly, sensing something ahead. The others tensed, raising their weapons and scanning the area. I felt a slight satisfaction at their improved readiness. Sol, too, was murmuring a spell, though no enemy had appeared. I raised a hand to ease their excessive caution and spoke calmly.
“I sense something ahead. It’s strange. We need to get closer.”
As I signaled them to relax, their hands shot up again, making me chuckle wryly. I wished they were more consistent. Their reactions varied too much with the situation, making them unpredictable even to me. After clearing my trivial thoughts, I heightened my sight and hearing.
Though there was still some distance, the presence I sensed wasn’t a monster but a user. The size was too small for a user, but I could hear faint groans. I gestured for the others to follow and dashed forward.
“Ugh…”
The closer we got, the clearer the groans became. Could the caravan have been wiped out so quickly? No, it shouldn’t have been this easy. Various thoughts crossed my mind, but confirming their condition was the priority. If they were alive, we might extract some information.
“Ah… ugh…”
I could see them now. A user lay on the ground ahead. I rushed over, dropping to my knees. The others, who had followed without understanding, gasped at the sight. First, a ranger. Now, a priest lay before us, their body torn in half.
”…It’s a miracle they’re alive.”
A faint white light emanated from the severed torso, indicating a desperate healing spell. After checking the user’s condition, I instinctively activated my third eye.
<User Information (Player Status)>
Name: Park Nam-heon (4th Year)
Class: Normal Priest Expert
Affiliation: Babara
The man lay there, his life hanging by a thread. His stats were impressive, yet they couldn’t save him from the critical injuries he had sustained. A high-level healing spell or an elixir was needed to save him, but I had already decided it wasn’t worth the effort. After all, he was in his fourth year, and his abilities didn’t justify the resources.
Sensing our presence, he struggled to open his eyes and looked at us. It was a miracle he was still alive with such wounds, likely due to some self-healing spell or latent ability. But with injuries this severe, death was inevitable.
“U…user…how…?”
“What happened? When did you enter this dungeon? And where are your companions?”
“Th…thank…cough!”
“Brother, we should try to save him first…”
It’s no use. Better to extract any information we can. I barely managed to hold back the words that almost slipped out. We needed to be cautious with our words. Sol began chanting a healing spell, and Yujung handed me a health potion. It felt like a waste of magic and potion, but I reluctantly opened the bottle.
“Foolish. What were you thinking, entering a dungeon without a guide? Anyway, open your mouth.”
I whispered softly, supporting his head and pouring the potion into his mouth. He managed a few sips before coughing up a mouthful of blood. Sol was so startled that her spell was interrupted. When I tried to make him drink again, he weakly shook his head, accepting his fate with a calm resignation.
In that moment, I sensed something was off. Despite accepting death, he seemed to cling to life, wanting to hold on just a bit longer. But seeing us, he gave up. It meant he had something to tell us.
Finally, the man coughed up more blood and, with great effort, began to speak.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ryu Yujin.
Today, I spent the day in a daze, but by the afternoon, I managed to pull myself together and read the comments. One comment, “Stay strong, those around you need to be strong for the patient to be strong too,” really struck a chord with me. I realized that wallowing in sadness would only invite more sorrow. So, I’m trying to return to my usual bright and lively self. Surely, that will bring about positive results, right? I’m certain it will.
Thank you to everyone who commented. With all the support, I’m sure they’ll get back on their feet. Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart. (__)
Halmaliumne: Congratulations on being first! :)
Saraminseong: Haha, thank you. I read everything. Really, thank you. (__)
Eungeungi: Get up! Get up! Get up! Just like that!
GradeRown: Hehehehe.(?)
EvilLawyer: Thank you. You’ve helped me change my perspective. I realized that being gloomy won’t make my relative happy. I’m sure they’ll recover. For that day, I’ll also live as I always have, diligently. Thank you!
Kriasen: Oh dear. The thought of not being there at the end gave me chills. I’m sure they’ll recover! :)
Toranoanal: My father went down immediately after getting the call. I wanted to go too, but he told me to wait. I might go down soon. Hopefully for good news. Thank you for the comment!
MartialArtsNovelFan: Yes, I plan to go down soon. Thank you. :)
Sonagwiyoweo: Thank you for the comment. My relative broke a bone, which pierced an organ (like the lung…). I must believe. If I’m sad, sadness will come; if I’m happy, happiness will come. ^^
Demodex: Thank you so much. With all the support, I’m sure they’ll get back on their feet. I’m sure of it. They’ll greet me with a warm touch and a smile, just like always. Thank you so much. (__)
I always read all the comments repeatedly. Please don’t feel too disappointed if there’s no reply. If you’re really curious, send me a message, and I’ll respond! (Please leave lots of comments! And recommendations…☞☜)
I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.