The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

EP.183 - The Spark of Power (1)

Team Leader Jung Ye-rin emerged from the dungeon. As soon as she exited, she gathered her team for a briefing.

"We’ve gathered some crucial information from this dungeon exploration."

Her voice was calm, as usual, with a hint of gentleness to reassure her team, even while keeping her emotions in check.

"The Minotaur dungeon, which we estimated to be B-grade, turned out to be much more complex and dangerous than expected."

The team members who had entered with her nodded in agreement. I, too, quietly focused on her words. She described how vast and intricate the labyrinth was.

I already knew the dungeon’s name from my status window.

’The Wandering Maze.’

The name itself indicated it was no ordinary dungeon. The guild had estimated it as B-grade, but in reality, it was A-grade. After all, the dungeon’s master wasn’t just any Minotaur, but a Minotaur Chieftain.

’Seems like nothing unusual happened.’

Of course, it couldn’t have. Besides Baalzerith, there was another presence in the dungeon. My guardian, the Skeleton Paladin, Maru. With Maru accompanying them, any unexpected events would be unthinkable. Both Maru and Baalzerith are 5-star monsters, comparable to A-grade Hunters on Earth. In fact, considering their monster traits, they might even surpass A-grade Hunters.

The important part is what comes next. Maru was assigned to protect Jung Ye-rin, while Baalzerith was sent to conquer the dungeon. What kind of conversation transpired between Baalzerith and Jung Ye-rin after conquering the dungeon? However, that story wasn’t shared. Instead, Jung Ye-rin delivered other news.

"And... there’s some unfortunate news."

Unfortunate news? What could it be?

"Yoon Tae-kyung lost his life in an accident inside the dungeon."

A small gasp escaped from the team members. But none of them seemed truly saddened. Even Jung Ye-rin, who called it unfortunate news, didn’t show any sadness on her face. Instead, she looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Their reactions alone revealed how little help Yoon Tae-kyung had been.

’Well, considering he was in the Deputy Guild Master’s line, it’s no surprise.’

Yoon Tae-kyung was a man of the Deputy Guild Master of the Phoenix Guild. Deputy Guild Master Jung Tae-young had placed him in Jung Ye-rin’s team to keep her, his half-sister, in check. And this was his end.

’But how did he end up dead?’

Coincidentally, among the team members who entered the dungeon, only Yoon Tae-kyung died while the rest survived.

’I should ask about this later.’

Jung Ye-rin concluded the briefing by mentioning the Minotaur corpse they retrieved and the importance of never letting one’s guard down in a dungeon.

"……?"

As the briefing ended, I was taken aback. Was this really the end? Could it be that she didn’t encounter Baalzerith inside the dungeon? If she had met Baalzerith, the briefing couldn’t have ended so quickly.

I glanced at Maru. Sensing my curiosity, Maru spoke up.

"Tap-tap- tap."

(The conversation with Baalzerith went well.)

According to Maru, Jung Ye-rin and Baalzerith had already had a conversation, meaning they met inside the dungeon.

’Then what is it?’

The fact that she didn’t mention it meant she was deliberately hiding it. What was Jung Ye-rin trying to conceal? It seemed the team members who entered with her were already in on it, as none of them said a word.

While I was pondering, Jung Ye-rin approached me and whispered softly in my ear.

"Kang-Hyun, do you have a moment?"

*

I met with Jung Ye-rin alone. The pretext was sufficient. Officially, I was the advisor to her team, so seeking my opinion on dungeon matters was natural. After contemplating for a while, she finally spoke.

"There are a few things I couldn’t mention earlier."

Of course. If she had met Baalzerith, the story wouldn’t have ended so easily.

"After entering the dungeon, I realized that its actual grade might be A, not B."

She was spot on. I listened quietly to her words.

"And the true master of that dungeon wasn’t a Minotaur, but a Vampire."

"...A Vampire."

I feigned surprise, slightly parting my lips. It would seem odd to remain completely unfazed when a Vampire appeared in a Minotaur dungeon.

"I was shocked too when I first saw it. The Vampire inside was named Baalzerith. I don’t have precise information, but it was powerful enough to kill a B-grade Hunter with a mere gesture. In fact, Yoon Tae-kyung’s death was because of Baalzerith..."

Her explanation clarified the situation. I had wondered why only Yoon Tae-kyung died while the others survived, and it turned out Baalzerith was responsible.

’I can’t really say anything about that.’

Nor could I blame Baalzerith.

’I never instructed Baalzerith not to kill Hunters.’

Baalzerith’s primary mission was to conquer the dungeon. By conquering it, Baalzerith had fulfilled its original mission.

"So, what kind of deal did you make with Baalzerith?"

I got straight to the point. Usually, when a dungeon master and a Hunter meet, one of two things happens. Either one of them dies, or they strike a deal to spare each other’s lives.

In this case, it was the latter. It was only natural to ask such a question when she had encountered the dungeon’s master and survived.

Jung Ye-rin closed her eyes for a moment in response to my question.

"As expected, Kang-Hyun, you catch on quickly. You’re the best man I’ve ever met."

"……?"

She praised me before letting out a sigh.

What was this ominous feeling suddenly washing over me? An awkward silence lingered between us for a while. Then, Jung Ye-rin opened her eyes.

"Kang-Hyun."

There was a determination in her eyes that I hadn’t seen before.

"I’m planning to use this dungeon to overthrow the Deputy Guild Master."

"What?"

Her sudden declaration caught me off guard. What on earth had happened inside the dungeon?

*

The atmosphere in the Deputy Guild Master’s office of the Phoenix Guild was icy. Jung Tae-young, seated on a leather sofa, spoke with an indifferent expression.

"So, Yoon Tae-kyung is dead?"

"Yes, Deputy Guild Master. Jung Ye-rin’s team returned from the Minotaur dungeon, but... Yoon Tae-kyung died inside."

The subordinate’s voice trembled as he reported to the Deputy Guild Master. Jung Tae-young’s mood seemed displeased. After all, Yoon Tae-kyung was his man.

Tap- tap-

His finger tapping on the desk grew faster.

"Any other casualties?"

"None confirmed yet. It seems only Yoon Tae-kyung..."

"I see. So, what spoils did Jung Ye-rin bring back?"

His voice was sharp.

"...Just a Minotaur corpse."

Bang!

Jung Tae-young slammed the desk, which collapsed with a crashing sound. The subordinate took a step back in surprise.

"Just a corpse..."

They went into the dungeon and only brought back a Minotaur corpse? It seemed a meager reward for sacrificing a team member. While it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible, Minotaurs are B-grade monsters. Jung Ye-rin, as a B-grade Hunter, would have found it challenging to perform well in a Minotaur dungeon, even considering her unique role as a healer.

The question was why only Yoon Tae-kyung died. Yoon Tae-kyung was also a B-grade Hunter. If he died, it would make sense for the others to have suffered at least severe injuries. Yet, it seemed like something had happened inside the dungeon, as only Yoon Tae-kyung died while the others returned safely.

’…….’

The pieces began to fit together in Jung Tae-young’s mind. Yoon Tae-kyung’s death and the Minotaur corpse. This was undoubtedly intentional. Jung Tae-young rose from his chair and approached the window, scanning the Phoenix Guild’s landscape.

’Jung Ye-rin must have known about Yoon Tae-kyung...’

He had personally placed Yoon Tae-kyung in her team. It was impossible for her not to know when he had acted so openly.

"Were there any other peculiarities in the dungeon exploration report?"

"No, nothing else noteworthy, except for the labyrinth’s complexity."

"Tsk."

It was clear now. He could deduce what had happened.

’It seems she’s trying to monopolize the dungeon’s interests.’

Jung Ye-rin must have discovered something in the Minotaur dungeon. To monopolize those interests, she likely killed Yoon Tae-kyung.

Recently, Jung Tae-young had felt that Jung Ye-rin’s actions were unusual. Not just this time, but she had suddenly added an advisor to her team. Initially, he thought it was a remarkable Hunter, but it turned out to be an F-grade Hunter.

’Either hiding their strength or a fraud.’

He hadn’t intervened, as if things went wrong, he could use it as an excuse to expel Jung Ye-rin from the guild.

But now, she was crossing the line. If she had indeed killed Yoon Tae-kyung, it was time for him, as the Deputy Guild Master, to make a decision.

’Jung Ye-rin...’

Thinking of his half-sister made him uncomfortable. In a few years, he would succeed their father as the new Guild Master. Then, the Phoenix Guild would be entirely under his control. But Jung Ye-rin was a thorn in his side.

’She’s always been like that.’

Memories of the past flashed through Jung Tae-young’s mind. Despite being a B-grade Hunter, she was well-regarded among her team members and guildmates.

And what about the Goblin Lord dungeon he had sent her to fail? No one had known how to defeat it, yet Jung Ye-rin succeeded in subjugating the Goblin Lord. Her reputation soared to the heavens.

If things continued like this, even if he became Guild Master, he might be compared to Jung Ye-rin. In the worst-case scenario, her reputation might overshadow his.

Even now, it was like this. If she discovered something significant again, he couldn’t afford to stand by any longer.

’Even if I start an investigation, she’s probably already destroyed the evidence.’

Jung Ye-rin wasn’t foolish. If she had planned something, she would have taken precautions. Here, he needed to act decisively.

"Effective immediately, I am suspending Team Leader Jung Ye-rin for mismanagement of her team."

"But the dungeon accident..."

"Are you the Deputy Guild Master?"

His cold words silenced the subordinate, who immediately bowed his head.

"Also, reclaim the ownership of that dungeon and reorganize the raid team under my direct command. Make sure it’s composed entirely of A-grade Hunters!"

"But A-grade Hunters are..."

A-grade Hunters were valuable. If something went wrong inside the dungeon, the Phoenix Guild would suffer a severe blow.

"Do you have any objections?"

Jung Tae-young glared at the subordinate. His gaze silenced the subordinate, who dared not speak further.

"I’m sorry! I’ll relay your orders immediately."

Jung Tae-young watched as the subordinate left. Soon, a Minotaur dungeon raid team would be assembled.

He returned to his seat and pulled out a document from the desk drawer. It was a report listing all the dungeons managed by the Phoenix Guild, including information on the Minotaur dungeon before it was assigned to Jung Ye-rin’s team.

The information on the dungeon was simple. It mentioned a vast and complex labyrinth, making further reconnaissance impossible.

"Hmm."

But what had Jung Ye-rin seen inside? What had she seen that made her want to keep it hidden, even at the cost of a Hunter’s life? Or was it even true that Jung Ye-rin had killed Yoon Tae-kyung?

"Whatever she’s hiding, it doesn’t matter."

He would take everything from her. His grip tightened on the report. It was time to solidify his power within the guild.