#65 Peerless
Choi Jun-seop and Ki Yong-su strained to commit every detail to memory.
[Notes]
'Dungeon entrance is a rock. Likely has a door mechanism. Further investigation needed.'
'Primary monsters: Orc Sentries, Orc Workers. About 2-3 Orc Warriors per floor.'
'From 5th floor: Orc Shamans appear. Combat difficulty spikes.'
'From 10th floor: One Orc Warrior commands ~10 Sentries. Squad battles become frequent.'
'15th floor: Elite units appear - two Warriors + one Shaman. Requires Ranker support.'
'20th floor: Underground bunkers/terrain obstacles. Siege conditions. Many Orc Archers.'
'25th floor: Orc Warlords appear, leading 2 Warriors + 20 Sentries.'
'30th floor: Fortified walls. Heavy gates, 2 Shamans + 1 Warrior + 20+ Archers on walls.'
'Orc village approach... Countless Workers/Sentries, dozens of Warriors/Shamans, 7 Warlords. Boss: Orc Chieftain confirmed.'
WHOOSH!
"GROOOOAR!"
THUD!
Cheoldu's axe severed the Chieftain's head, ending the battle.
"Huff... huff..."
Taking deep breaths, Cheoldu quickly recovered his stamina. Within thirty seconds, his breathing steadied.
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"What? Why the stares?"
Four people had different thoughts:
'Damn... my friend's terrifying.'
'I'd be dead if we fought seriously.'
'This dungeon's impossible without him.'
'Should I quit Special Ops and join him?'
Cheoldu's brow furrowed.
"Loot the area."
"Ah, right."
"Y-yes sir!"
The squad leaders hurried toward the entrance where 130 mercenaries stood gaping.
"Everyone search the village."
Though stray Orcs remained, the former bandits could handle them easily.
Cheoldu approached the chieftain's platform and picked up a banner.
"An insignia."
"Hoho, different design from before."
"Will you combine them?"
"Hm?"
Cheoldu shook his head as memories surfaced.
"Could make a new one."
"If selling, the Ministry would purchase it."
"They lack insignias?"
"Only three exist - ours and 1st Assault's. Others are classified..."
"Not selling."
"......"
Then why ask?
"Follow me."
Cheoldu stored the white insignia, feeling his inventory was too small.
'Priority: Expand inventory with duel points.'
No special rewards came - first clears only gave achievement recognition.
The hidden door creaked open.
[Dragon's Mystery Discovered]
[Gained Curse Resistance. Can now follow Dragon's Trail]
[Next location marked on world map]
The message wasn't exclusive to Cheoldu.
"Oh, Dragon's Mystery?"
"Right. Says there's a blessing at the end? Like a sanctuary?"
Cheoldu smirked at their excitement.
"There's a spring. And a dragon's curse disguised as blessing."
"Eh?"
"Gah!"
Ki Yong-su paled while Choi Jun-seop hesitated.
"C-can we at least check?"
"Do as you please."
When Cheoldu turned away, Choi grabbed his arm.
"You won't help?"
"Our deal with Jun-pil was observation only."
"......"
"I warned about the curse. My debt's paid."
"But..."
Choi was reluctant.
Shouldn't they verify curses or blessings?
"It's not distrust - we need confirmation."
Cheoldu shook his head.
Must they taste everything to know if it's shit or bean paste?
"Fine. But there's a price."
"Eh?"
Why's he like this?
"We're independent now."
"What's that mean?"
"We're not family anymore."
"......"
"Extra requests require payment."
Choi considered his options.
"I'll pay 3,000 coins just to verify the blessing."
Cheoldu shook his head.
"Money's no issue."
Between combat earnings and village loot - iron, timber, even Orc utensils - coins meant little.
"Then what do you want?"
"Hmm. Yong-su."
"Me?"
"Ever thought about retiring?"
"Me?!"
"Need an archery instructor."
Oh Jun-hwan specialized in melee - no match for Ki Yong-su's legendary archery.
"Yong-su's off limits! He's not a Ranker yet, but will be 'Joseon's Greatest Archer'!"
"Captain..."
You thought that highly of me?
Ki Yong-su looked moved.
Cheoldu scoffed.
"Greatest of a fallen nation? Whatever. Then send two qualified officers."
"People aren't trading goods!"
"Volunteers only. Two officers = curse protection."
A fair trade to placate Jun-hwan.
"......"
Choi considered his commander's likely response.
"Conditionally approved. Will accept volunteer retirees. No guarantees."
"Hoho. Good."
Cheoldu led them into the luminous cavern.
"No traps here. Follow."
The roar of water grew louder.
"That's a waterfall?"
"Obong Basin's cascade."
"That unmapped area connects here?"
New Seoul's decade of existence paled against Cheoldu's firsthand knowledge - perks of surpassing Rankers.
WHOOSH!
The waterfall's majesty stunned them before they noticed a glowing spot in the lake.
"There?"
"Still says 'blessing'?"
"Yes. I'll test it - save me if needed."
Choi bravely stepped forward, soon floating serenely.
"Wow, look at his face..."
Ki Yong-su marveled at Choi's blissful expression - like he'd achieved enlightenment.
"He's submerging."
"That's the curse."
"Eh? What happens?"
"He'll drown."
"Wha-?"
"Slowly dying now."
"But-"
"Look at that face. Perfect peace."
"Save him!"
"Obviously."
SPLASH!
Cheoldu's perfect dive brought him to Choi instantly. He grabbed Choi's hair-
WHOOSH!
-and flung him ashore like caught seaweed.
THUD!
"GACK!"
Choi vomited water without needing CPR.
"Hurk! Definitely... cursed. Ugh..."
Ki Yong-su fretted.
"What's wrong?"
"My ribs... fucking hurt. Pain-relief curse?"
"......"
That's from being thrown, idiot.
"Check your Status."
Choi's eyes widened.
"Whoa! [Curse Resistance]! Uses mana but boosts resistance!"
While Cheoldu gained passive immunity, the others got active skills.
"Hmm."
Maybe this was a real blessing?
Soon Ki Yong-su joined the soggy trio.
The loot-gathering mercenaries awaited orders.
"Extended stay. Everyone follow."
This might be their only chance to get the skill.
Cheoldu systematically dunked each mercenary.
Two hours later, all had [Curse Resistance].
"Move out!"
"Sir!"
Drenched but satisfied, they regrouped.
"Cheoldu, stat stones here."
"Good."
Cheoldu smiled at the full pouch. His combat focus didn't negate the men's scavenging.
"Separated the mana stones."
"Good."
Absorbing them revealed his abnormal physiology - where normal humans capped at five, he took twenty-three.
[Activated Stones]
Strength: 46
Agility: 45
Stamina: 49
Perception: 47
Mana: 23
Holding back on Stamina to delay Ranker ascension, other stats neared 50.
'At 49 across the board, I'll advance.'
Anticipation thrilled him.
At absolute peak condition-
-he'd enter the arena.
"Return to base!"
"Sir!"
The mercenaries' cheers echoed through the dungeon exit.
