It felt like I was crouched in the middle of a burning pit. The searing pain pierced down to the bone.
In the pitch-black darkness where nothing could be seen, the screams and wails of people echoed endlessly.
Screeech!
A crow flapped its wings and cried mournfully from nearby.
It was Cha Sahyeon's shadow, the one attached to me. It revealed itself upon detecting the wounds on my body, trying to protect me—but in this situation, there was nothing a shadow could do.
"Hngh, ugh...!"
The thought that I needed to get out of here right away made me try to get up, but I collapsed again.
A sharp, stabbing pain like a drill bored into my leg. I couldn't stand at all.
I instinctively pressed my hand to the ground again, only to jerk it up quickly. It felt like my hand was on fire. If not for the wet sensation of liquid, I would've thought I was literally burning.
Panting, I wiped my soaked hand against my clothes, but the ragged flesh scraped against the fabric, making it hurt even more.
Only belatedly did I recall the defensive item I had stored in my inventory. I hurriedly pulled out the robe and threw it on.
But the sensation of my skin and flesh burning barely improved. It didn't have any meaningful effect.
Even though the robe had S-rank defense and even an A-rank special resistance option—it wasn't enough to block this. Which meant... the liquid coating the floor must also be of a high rank.
If this much pain persisted even with the robe, then regardless of whether they were dealers or supporters, everyone's body must be melting in this acid-like liquid. The countless screams of the Hunters all around me were proof.
Even S-rank Hunters wouldn't be exempt from this.
I had asked Cha Sahyeon to protect Ryu Sunghyun, but could he really shield him from a liquid that melted flesh? Even the shadow stuck to me could only circle nearby helplessly.
What do I do?
A fear I'd never experienced before came crashing over me.
I had expected danger upon entering the underground. But I thought it would come from facing a boss monster—not something like this.
"Help, help me..."
"Ugh..."
"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."
The loud screams gradually began to fade.
And that was even scarier. It meant the people who couldn't escape the liquid were now too far gone to even scream.
Or... they were already dead.
Annihilation.
That word filled my mind.
"Cha Sahyeon..."
I murmured without realizing it, but the name scattered pointlessly into the air.
I'd made up my mind to ask Cha Sahyeon for help without hesitation if the team was on the brink of being wiped out. But now, even he couldn't do anything.
There's been no quest update yet, but...
The sub-quest to protect key individuals in the Great Dungeon.
If something had happened to any of the seven listed names, a new status window would have appeared.
At the very least, that meant those seven were still alive. I had to figure something out before any more deaths piled up—including them.
What if I use Holy Power?
The "Blessing Power" effect within the Holy Power skill provided an area-wide heal.
I could restore the melting bodies of Hunters nearby—but it would only be a temporary fix.
Unless I resolved the unknown liquid flooding the floor, people's bodies would keep dissolving.
The darkness blocking vision was just as much of a problem. Escaping this place while blind was impossible.
I had to maintain Holy Power until both the liquid and the darkness were dealt with.
Can I manage that?
I brought my hands together.
I just have to try.
I swallowed dryly and was about to activate Holy Power when—
"...!"
A massive force crashed onto my shoulders like ice water being poured down my back.
At first, I thought it was the boss monster appearing—but I quickly realized it was a very familiar aura.
I lifted my head toward the source of that aura. Astonishingly, the 'darkness' that had filled the underground space was being sucked into it.
The area around me gradually brightened.
A moment ago, I ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) couldn't see an inch ahead as if my eyes were shut, but as the unnatural black light was pulled in a single direction, everything became visible again.
Not that it turned bright as day.
Ominously crimson smoke rippled in every direction, and far above on the high ceiling, there was a massive, sun-like orb glowing down.
"Ugh!"
As I looked around, I gagged at the stench rising from below.
With the darkness gone, the true identity of the liquid was revealed. There was only one kind of fluid this repulsive, this disgusting.
Demonkind's blood!
Looking around, I saw chunks of odd flesh floating amid the dark red liquid. Remains of demonkind corpses.
Stifling the urge to vomit, I spotted Cha Sahyeon standing across from me.
In his hand, a pitch-black sphere was spinning and whirling. I realized it was the same darkness that had filled the entire space moments ago.
Having gathered all the remaining darkness into his grasp, Cha Sahyeon crushed it in one move. Beneath his fluttering black hair, his green eyes gleamed coldly.
Has the effect of the fake drug worn off?
Maybe it broke under the pressure of Sahyeon's aura. The energy just moments ago had been that intense.
But what use was it now? Trying to hide Cha Sahyeon's true nature felt ridiculous in this situation—it was already a disaster.
"L-look over there!"
"It's the exit!"
People were more focused on the faraway dungeon exit than the fact that Cha Sahyeon had cleared the darkness.
Though distant enough to look no bigger than a pinky nail, an exit was still an exit. Hope lit up the faces of those writhing in pain.
Fortunately, my teammates' condition was better than expected. I saw several unconscious, but they could be healed quickly with Holy Power.
The biggest relief of all was that the liquid melting our bodies was demonkind blood.
If it was something related to demonkind, I could purify it with Holy Power.
It meant I'd inevitably reveal I could use purification and healing skills... but Kwon Taehyuk would probably cover for me.
Let's heal them and get out of here.
Only then did it feel like I could finally breathe again.
Taking slow breaths, I began gathering energy—when suddenly, Cha Sahyeon's voice rang out clearly.
"Don't move yet, hyung."
Screeech!
The shadow crow let out a sharp cry at his warning. And then—
Boom!
The ground shook.
Boom!
A crushing pressure followed, along with bloodlust that sliced across my skin.
It wasn't Cha Sahyeon's familiar presence.
My hands trembled. Even knowing I had to use Holy Power to purify the liquid and heal the others, my body was frozen in terror, refusing to obey reason.
Even underground, something massive descended from the high ceiling that resembled the sky.
My gaze lifted to see it—and kept going higher and higher.
Is this how a mere bug feels? Just the sight of this being that surpassed imagination stole my breath away.
The first thing that caught my eye was the cross-shaped mark embedded where its face should be. That mark gleamed with a vivid green light.
The source of the aura!
The liquid on the floor was nothing. That was the real boss monster we had to deal with.
Someone approached my side while I stood paralyzed in dread.
Splish.
Light footsteps splashing through the liquid. A cold hand gently rested on my shoulder.
"This is why I told you not to come."
Strolling across the blood as if on a casual walk, Kang Haeil whispered in my ear.
"Your heart's beating so fast. Are you that scared?"
Kang Haeil gave a small laugh and tapped my cheek.
"It's okay. I'll save you."
"...What?"
"See that exit? If we make it out through there, we'll live. I'll help you."
"What are you... what kind of bullshit—"
"With my skill and the people here, we can make it. Just you and me—we'll be the only ones to survive."
"..."
"Trust me, Seohu. I'm the only one who can save you in this place."
His voice was firm. His expression radiated certainty that I'd cling to him.
And that's when I realized—Kang Haeil had followed us into the Great Dungeon solely for this moment.
"This is it?"
I gave a hollow smile.
"This was the 'foresight' your little brother had?"
"That's right."
He answered easily, as if he knew my question wouldn't change anything.
"...Foresight isn't perfect."
It was true that his brother's foresight skill was impressive. But it had a flaw.
It predicted outcomes based on what the caster knew. Among the many futures, it chose the most likely one.
...And his little brother didn't know about my skill.
"Hah!"
As I laughed again, Kang Haeil furrowed his brow. He was sharp—he must have sensed something was off from my reaction.
I shoved him away forcefully.
The pain wracking my entire body no longer mattered. None of it did now.
"If you're not gonna help, get lost. I'm going to save everyone and clear this dungeon, no matter what."
I brought my hands together with defiance. A burst of pure white light exploded from within me.
《Skill: Holy Power (S-rank) activated!》
《Divine energy overflows!》
《Due to the high level of Holy Power, a special effect has been triggered!》
[Prayer Meditation: S-rank (Holy Power effect)]
Holding both hands together amplifies the skill's effects and expands its range.
Wings of light unfurled wide from my back.
As the light spread outward, the dark red liquid purified into clear, clean water. The melting flesh of those it touched regenerated, burn scars vanishing without a trace.
The area touched by the light continued to grow. It surged outward as if determined to engulf this entire massive space.
"Th-this is..."
"Ah..."
Those who had fainted came to their senses in the warm glow. All eyes turned toward me.
When I had healed every single member of the raid team, a new status window appeared.
《Hidden Quest unlocked!》
《Hidden Quest: Heal 150 wounded using Holy Power (A-rank)》
《Hidden Quest: Heal 150 wounded using Holy Power (A-rank) — Cleared!》
《Hidden Quest reward granted.》
《Existing skill rank has increased!》
《Bond of the Guardian (S-rank) → Bond of the Guardian (SS-rank)》

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