The day we were set to depart began with a drizzle. It wasn’t a downpour, but a five-minute walk without an umbrella would have completely soaked anyone. Kang Sihyun carried an umbrella, his smile tinged with bitterness.
"The mood is heavy."
The overcast sky, heavy with dark clouds, only deepened the somber atmosphere among Sihyun and his companions, given the gravity of the situation. Ruth muttered curses under her breath, sheltered by an umbrella. "The weather’s not helping." Sihyun, agreeing with the man who clicked his tongue in displeasure, grabbed his umbrella and headed for the car.
“We will take care of everything.”
Staff members of the association, holding large umbrellas, bowed politely and assisted in the transport. Journalists gathered around the sleek black vehicle, busily snapping photos.
"Mr. Kang Sihyun! What are your thoughts about today’s dungeon strategy?"
"Are you feeling positive about it?"
“The head of the Redem Guild…”
Despite the pouring rain, their passion for coverage didn’t seem to cool down as they called out his name from all sides. Sihyun responded with a light smile before entering the car. If he had known that the scene would be captured and immediately broadcasted with headlines like 'Redem Guild’s Doppelganger?' or 'Kang Sihyun, a Smile Just Like Iha Hyuk, We’ll Conquer the Final Dungeon,' he surely wouldn’t have smiled like that.
Ruth, having turned his wet umbrella towards the ground, shook off the rainwater on his jacket and sighed.
"It’s been a hectic morning."
“It’s the last dungeon, after all.”
“Until yesterday, I didn’t think much of it, but hearing you say 'last' makes it feel like the end. Let’s do well, kiddo.”
Ruth spoke with a face slightly lost in thought. Sihyun gave a slight nod.
It hadn’t felt real during the meetings, but as the day to tackle the dungeon approached, the reality began to sink in. After clearing this dungeon, only the final battle against Gula remained.
At that moment, everyone in the car shared the same feeling, having contributed to at least one of the ten dungeons tackled so far.
"Maybe we’ll throw a party afterward."
Leaning his elbow on the window sill, Hamin muttered quietly—a reminder of his wealthy family background to those who might have forgotten, though it was neither cheerful nor surprising. Instead, it only added to the anxiety, prompting Sihyun to immediately slap his forearm with a snap. The one who was hit without understanding why bore a look of injustice, but Sihyun only furrowed his brows.
He’s like a flag generator.
Every disaster came from his mouth—it needed to be sealed off.
“We’ve arrived.”
As they stepped out of the vehicle, the first thing that caught their eye was the swollen water level of the Han River. Next, their gaze was drawn to a quaint cottage boldly situated on the river. The sight of the cottage floating like something out of a fairy tale on the Han River was quite alien and disconcerting. It had been an odd place ever since the dungeon appeared there.
“Hard to believe every time. That’s a dungeon?”
Taeju laughed disdainfully from another vehicle, remarking on how unimpressive the final dungeon looked, suggesting it wouldn’t have much flair on the inside. Considering the crowd gathered near the Han River to capture and observe the group heading to tackle the last dungeon, it indeed seemed underwhelming.
But that’s not necessarily the case inside.
Sihyun pondered the memories of his past life fighting Primus.
“It might look small, but it’s vast inside. Like a subspace.”
“Subspace?”
“Simply put, it’s a space that’s bigger on the inside than it looks.”
“That’s fascinating.”
Hyuk responded, to which Sihyun nodded before checking that all the members had arrived. Although everyone looked tense, they seemed alright. Still, just to be sure, Sihyun took a few steps forward and then turned back.
“Let’s do a quick check before we go in. If anyone feels off, please tell me now. Even if you feel fine, just reach out your hand to me once.”
The tense members obediently stretched out their hands, though Hyuk, Ruth, and Taeju were exceptions. Unlike the others who quietly extended their hands, these mischievous adults playfully called him "teacher," prompting Sihyun to look at them with eyes that said, 'I hope I never grow up like that,' before confirming that everyone was fine.
“How about you?”
“I really don’t want to go in.”
“You look fine to me.”
Not forgetting to check on the enormous Irregular, who seemed moved or perhaps just feigned illness a beat too late, Sihyun ignored Arumus’s lie and gathered everyone before creating a path to the dungeon.
Primus’s dungeon, though
floating, didn’t have any particular force obstructing entry, so simply laying down a protective platform seemed to suffice for access.
“Let’s lay the path.”
This is a direct route to Primus’s dungeon.
Sihyun chuckled as he spoke. The playful comment seemed to ease the group’s tension, and they all stepped onto the platform he had prepared.
Ruth and Hyuk took on the task of opening the cottage door. Sihyun stood behind them, clutching a gleaming staff that, although not very impressive in appearance, was more effective than using one artifact alone. When comparing a complete single power against six incomplete ones, the scale was clearly tipped.
Still, it looked too plain.
Sihyun briefly imagined how he must look in real-time coverage, holding a plain white staff. It was embarrassing compared to other Awakeners who carried staves or swords.
Once all seven pieces are gathered, then it can be fully unlocked. Once that happens, it might be less embarrassing, Sihyun thought as he made eye contact with the two leaders and nodded.
“Then, we’re entering.”
With a low warning, the two men opened the door.
Creeeeak.
The wooden door made a sound that could belong in a horror movie soundtrack as it pushed back. As Ruth and Hyuk’s feet crossed the threshold, a dark light spilled from between the door cracks. Sihyun immediately pushed them back and swung his staff.
“Right from the start!”
He grimaced as he deployed a shield that enveloped the group. The barrier, infused with divine power, shone amidst the darkness, and an unfamiliar voice sounded.
“You’re quick to react.”
Low and dry.
“You’re not human.”
Just as that voice seemed to draw closer, a shape moved incredibly swiftly and grasped Sihyun’s throat in an instant. At the same time, the dark light pierced the shield, pulling the group inside the cottage. The door that had opened clanged shut, blocking their retreat. Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
“......”
An occurrence unprecedented in any dungeon unfolded. As the group reflexively stiffened into silence, Sihyun coolly eyed the one gripping his throat. The figure had long black hair reaching down to his knees, eyes mixing red and gold, a height surpassing 2 meters, and distinct circular pupils.
His appearance was chillingly human-like, yet felt distinctly otherworldly. Sihyun squinted his eyes and, grasping the man’s wrist, called out a name he hadn’t spoken in thousands of years.
“Primus.”
The firstborn of Gula and the Irregular most influenced by ‘Eve.’
This was the master of the final dungeon.
“......”
The man stared incredulously at his hand, easily slapped away, and slowly raised his head to face Sihyun. A standoff ensued for a moment.
“You recognize me.”
As Sihyun had recognized him, he recognized Sihyun in return.
“I didn’t expect you to recognize me with a different form.”
“Just because the appearance changes doesn’t mean that disgusting energy disappears.”
Primus narrowed his brow and spoke before shuffling toward a bookshelf inside the cottage. He then pulled out a dark red book and turned to face Sihyun.
“I’ve made a space for you. Let’s move there.”
It was an absurd statement.
Already inside the tiger’s mouth, why would he walk into its stomach? Sihyun aimed his staff at Primus. Hyuk and Ruth positioned themselves on either side, and finally coming to their senses, the rest of the group drew their weapons. Sihyun’s lips curled up.
“I’d rather stay here.”
His lips formed a smile, and Primus blinked his tiger eyes.
“This is my sanctuary.”
“So?”
“I won’t allow it to be ruined.”
Having been trapped in the dungeon for so long, he acted as if he were the absolute ruler.
What can you do if I don’t allow it?
Sihyun scoffed disdainfully and swung his staff without hesitation.
However,
Clang!
Primus swiftly countered with his sword, overpowering Sihyun.
Ting, ting. The force would have split any ordinary weapon in two, so Sihyun gasped for breath in disbelief as he stared at the deranged Irregular who had somehow acquired a new power.
“You…”
“I have awakened to the sword.”
“......”
“It might be impossible to cut you down with one stroke, but slicing through the humans behind you will be easy. I can end all their lives right here if I give up mine.”
Primus rolled his pupils to glance over Sihyun’s shoulder at the others. It was no bluff. If he fought with his life on the line, the group would have a hard time resisting. Sihyun bit his lip as Primus twisted the sword engaged with his staff. Crunch. The grating sound of metal scraping tore through the air.
“Next time, I’ll target the humans behind you
. We can fight. Not here, but somewhere else. Come quietly.”
For you, I have prepared this.
Using human language clumsily, the Irregular muttered as he sheathed his sword. Ruth signaled with his eyes to combine their strength for a surprise attack, but Sihyun shook his head.
His warning was no joke. If they acted rashly, the creature would start by attacking the weakest among them.
He was smart enough, and sensitive enough to detect human divine power.
Gula really created a nuisance.
Sihyun felt the same sentiment he always did when fighting Primus and followed his words. He had come to this battle intending not to lose anyone. If they united their strength, they could save everyone, but there was no point in risking certain loss due to pride.
Seemingly reading Sihyun’s thoughts, the Irregular proudly turned his back and opened the dark red book by the bookshelf. The space split, and a portal shimmering with blue light formed. He stepped into the portal first.
“Move.”
Into my dungeon.
The word ‘dungeon’ slipped directly from his mouth. Sihyun hesitated before following through the portal Primus had created.
And Sihyun regretted following Primus immediately after entering the portal.
He should have guessed when he said it was a dungeon.
There’s no answer when lunatics go mad.
Among the Irregulars, Primus was a true eccentric. Arumus might have had common sense, but Primus lacked it.
And that madman had spent thousands of years waiting for this battle, crafting a very bizarre place.
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