The Silent Swamp

I felt a wave of revulsion rising within me at how readily Yoo Se-rim had agreed, though I kept my face a mask of indifference.

‘Is he trying to bait Pyo Yoo-jung into targeting me? That sly bastard… I couldn’t tell what he was thinking back then, and I still can’t now.’

“Thank… you.”

I managed a forced, decaying smile and gave Yoo Se-rim a curt nod.

At any rate, after that little “incident,” we headed for the dungeon. Monsters began to appear even on the path leading there. It was common sense that creatures would swarm near a dungeon entrance, so I had come prepared; I wasn’t about to be a burden to the party.

And I made sure to…

“[Heavy Steps].”

“Oh! Thank you!”

I focused specifically on marking Seong Gyu-rim.

She was a powerful mage, which also made her the most conspicuous target for the enemy. Standing behind her, I worked to disperse the aggro of the monsters swarming her—either by casting debuffs to sluggish their movements or by blinding those lunging from her blind spots.

“[Will-o’-the-Wisp]!”

With a sharp snap, Gyu-rim unfurled her fan and unleashed her signature fire magic.

Fortunately, this dungeon was particularly vulnerable to fire-based spells. The forest erupted in flames, and the ‘Marsh Goblins’ that had been lunging at us were incinerated like candle wicks.

Spat—!

Of course, that bastard Yoo Se-rim was no slouch either. He was tearing through twice as many monsters as Seong Gyu-rim without breaking a sweat. The other party members followed suit.

Positioned at the center of the formation, I spammed debuffs until we safely reached the dungeon’s threshold.

“That was amazing, Han-sol!”

As we stepped into the entrance, the surrounding monsters vanished, granting us a brief moment to breathe. Seong Gyu-rim approached me, her cheeks flushed as she offered her thanks.

“How do you know exactly when I’m about to cast a skill? For the first time today, I didn’t have to worry about my back for a single second. You’re incredible.”

“I-it was nothing.”

In truth, it was only possible because I had spent a year living and dying with this party in the past, and I’d already spent two months syncing with Seong Gyu-rim’s rhythm.

To an outsider, however, my ability to land perfectly timed debuffs the moment I joined the party must have looked uncanny.

‘Did I overdo it?’

I glanced sideways, conscious of Yoo Se-rim’s gaze, wondering if I should dial back my performance. But Yoo Se-rim said nothing, one way or the other. His eyes were fixed on me with an unreadable, piercing intensity.

‘I really should have made a few mistakes…’

But in a dungeon, a mistake usually leads to a grievous wound or death. Since I had already committed, I decided to give it my all—not for the team, but to keep Seong Gyu-rim safe.

Just then, Yoo Se-rim spoke.

“Han-sol, you…”

“Yes?”

“……Never mind.”

His cryptic attitude made my brow furrow involuntarily, but I managed to maintain my composure and waited near Seong Gyu-rim.

Yoo Se-rim lit a torch made of oil-soaked wood and led the way into the massive cavern. We followed in his wake.

[You have entered the dungeon: ‘The Silent Swamp’.]

Shortly after, the notification chimed in my ear. Seong Gyu-rim heard it too, her shoulders flinching slightly.

“There are monsters ahead. They are several times stronger than the ones outside, so stay sharp.”

Yoo Se-rim spoke as if he were addressing me specifically while snapping his whip in an X-shaped arc.

‘Tch. I know that without you blathering on about it.’

As it stands, I know significantly more about this dungeon than any of you.

Scoffing at him inwardly, I pouted and twisted the ring on my left hand.

With a sharp prick, a needle emerged and pierced my finger. I watched as the blood began to flow, waiting for the gauge in the ring’s gemstone to fill.

‘This much should be enough for the spiders in this dungeon. The boss is the real problem.’

When the gem was half-full of blood, I twisted the ring back to the right to lock it. If I didn’t, this gluttonous ring would keep draining me dry.

Steadying myself, I stared into the darkness ahead. Soon, the monsters revealed themselves.

[Kweee-eek!] [Kwaaaa-rk!]

Five ‘Quiano’—green spiders that looked like they’d turn into matcha lattes if you tossed them in a blender—emerged.

A Quiano has three attack patterns:

1. Tearing with sharp legs and fangs.

2. Tucking its legs in to spin rapidly, spraying venom from its back.

3. Launching webs to immobilize the target.

Since each attack has a distinct telegraph, I decided to signal only Seong Gyu-rim.

[Kwee-eek!]

The lead spider reared its front legs. I shouted to her.

“It’s going to lunge! [Heavy Steps]!”

“Got it! [Will-o’-the-Wisp]!”

Suddenly slowed, the spider was caught in the flames for far longer than usual, collapsing as it was charred to a crisp.

The spider died, and a corresponding amount of experience flowed in.

‘In the past, I would have frozen in terror when a Quiano charged and had to be saved by Kim Jae-ho.’

I felt a pang of bitterness watching Kim Jae-ho nearby, hacking away at the spiders’ legs with his axe. It was true; back then, I really was a burden to this party.

‘He’s an impulsive prick, but… a debt is a debt.’

“[Invisible Pain]!”

[Kwaaaaa-rk!]

I cast a curse on a spider creeping up behind Kim Jae-ho’s line of sight.

Kim Jae-ho only turned around after hearing the monster’s scream. He glanced at me briefly before splitting the writhing, cursed spider in half with his axe.

And as for Yoo Se-rim…

Whish— Crack!

He lashed out with his whip, striking two Quiano simultaneously and bursting their innards instantly. It was clear he didn’t need any help.

“You’re amazing, Se-rim.”

“Thank you, Yoo-jung.”

Pyo Yoo-jung was practically glued to Yoo Se-rim’s side. Since she was a healer and had little to do during the skirmish, Yoo Se-rim seemed to just let her hover.

Pyo Yoo-jung looked completely smitten, her eyes sparkling at his every move. It was nauseating to watch—mostly because I used to look exactly like that. I quickly looked away from them.

[Kwek……]

Once the five Quianos were dealt with, we reached a black marsh thick with a foul-smelling stench.

Pyo Yoo-jung, the healer, ignored me even as my eyes turned bloodshot from the mild poisonous fog; instead, she focused on casting a shield on Yoo Se-rim.

‘Fine. I can endure this much.’

But Yoo Se-rim didn’t seem to like the look of my condition. He gave Pyo Yoo-jung an order in a voice that was soft yet firm.

“The shield is more necessary for Han-sol than for me, Yoo-jung.”

“……Fine.”

Even if the shield was cast grudgingly, the fog cleared instantly, making it much easier to breathe. I decided to silently accept Yoo Se-rim’s unsettling kindness. Pyo Yoo-jung looked like she wanted to murder me, but honestly, what was I supposed to do?

[The Dungeon Master, ‘Arcilla,’ has appeared.]

In the midst of the tension, the dungeon boss finally emerged, revealing its massive form. An imugi with the upper body of a woman, dwelling in the heart of the swamp—that was Arcilla’s true self.

[Hiss… Welcome to my lands.]

Arcilla let out a wheezing hiss and smiled radiantly. This is where many Awakened make a mistake. The reason Arcilla welcomes us is…

[I hope you will become fresh sacrifices for my children…!]

Because she intends to eat us alive.

Arcilla slammed her massive tail into the venomous surface of the marsh, sending a wave of toxic sludge flying toward us.

I immediately dove behind the largest target available: Kim Jae-ho.

“Ha…?”

Kim Jae-ho looked dumbfounded by my audacity, but perhaps remembering the help I’d given him earlier, he blocked the toxic spray and actually pulled me under the fold of his cloak.

Standing nearly two meters tall with a massive frame to match, Kim Jae-ho swiped his axe—which was as big as his torso—and blew most of the poison away with the sheer wind pressure.

Once I realized Kim Jae-ho was the type to honor a “give-and-take” relationship, I felt much more at ease. I stepped out from under his cloak, brushed off my shoulder where it had touched him, and spoke.

“Thanks.”

“…….”

Kim Jae-ho didn’t say a word, his face merely twisting into a deeper scowl.