[Chapter 144]
[Phoenix's Flame]
A monster that impregnates humans.
The students were greatly shaken upon learning of the existence of a monster they had only heard about indirectly in lectures.
Right before their eyes, a monster's belly burst open and a wasp-type monster was born from inside.
It was enough to shock them.
""""...."""
The atmosphere sank heavily.
The students silently rescued those trapped in the jelly, without the energy to say anything.
"My belly! My belly! What is this!!" "Aaaagh! It hurts hurts hurts...!!"
""""...."""
The students who regained consciousness after being trapped in the jelly couldn't accept reality when they saw their own bellies.
The more this happened, the heavier the atmosphere became.
Dark shadows fell over the students' faces.
Though they weren't saying it out loud, they were personally feeling how desperate the current situation was.
A 4th tier monster, they say.
What are we going to do, really. How are we supposed to take down a 4th tier monster...
Nothing's been confirmed yet... So wouldn't it be okay to think about it after we check for ourselves?
Can't you tell by looking at how it's ruling over this scale? What else could do this if not a 4th tier monster!
Even monsters that reproduce on their own belong to high tiers, so if it's impregnating humans, what else could it be but 4th tier?
Words the students kept hidden inside.
They instinctively knew what would happen the moment they voiced their anxieties.
Fear spreads.
And when fear spreads in a dungeon, it leads to the annihilation of the group.
The students who had survived after facing crisis multiple times now understood this fact.
Above all─
"─It's okay. We have Eunha. So it'll be alright."
""""...."""
─We have Noh Eunha.
The moment someone mentioned his name, the students were able to distance themselves from their emotional turmoil.
Most of those who joined the rescue team had connections with Noh Eunha.
They knew he was a being that couldn't be measured by the standards of an Academy student.
Therefore─
"─That's right. We have Noh Eunha. If it's Eunha, he'll somehow solve this."
"If it's Eunha, who knows. He's shown us impossible things many times."
"I went to Japan with Eunha. There, what Eunha did was..."
The unknown creates fear.
Phenomena incomprehensible from a human perspective make them tremble in fear.
But the students clearly knew who the master of this dungeon was.
At the same time, they had witnessed Eunha's power that defied common sense up until now.
The tale of Eunha's exploits that one person started spreading now spread to three people, five people, ten people.
And so, fear is diluted.
""""─If it's Eunha, he can do it. So we just need to focus on doing our part.""""
From the moment they identified the enemy's identity,
Noh Eunha was in the middle of holding a meeting with the so-called Noh Eunha squad members.
The students glanced at them gathered on one side.
Their gazes filled with enthusiasm.
They decided to face the desperate reality and put their efforts into rescuing people.
It was just then.
"─Geon-ung...! Geon-ung must be here too...! He was captured with me back then!"
""""...."""
One student who regained consciousness,
The statement made just before fainting.
Those words once again stirred the students' hearts.
☆
KK Group's direct descendant, Kim Geon-ung.
The news that he was somewhere in the fortress spread in an instant.
The students who had been silent until now were greatly shaken.
"They say Geon-ung is here too!"
"Then could Geon-ung also..."
"What if something happened to Geon-ung?"
"Search everywhere! Geon-ung must be somewhere!"
"I can't see him! When I looked earlier, I didn't see Geon-ung!"
"Then where on earth is he!?"
"Damn, how did this..."
He's KK Group's direct descendant.
Kim Geon-ung's life or death is directly linked to KK Group's influence.
Among the students present, there were those receiving sponsorship from KK Group.
The anxiety spreading from them also fueled the anxiety of students sponsored by other groups.
To think Kim Geon-ung was here too...
Meanwhile, Eunha gritted his teeth.
He had been in the middle of discussing with his friends about what to do next.
The topic of discussion was whether to advance to the area where Kakgunbong might be or not.
There could be captured students in the area where Kakgunbong exists as well.
Whether to take down Kakgunbong or not wasn't even a topic of discussion to begin with.
Though Eunha didn't say it directly,
They all didn't think they could subjugate a 4th tier monster.
It's a 4th tier monster.
As long as it's under the dungeon's influence, it's not simply a 4th tier monster, but a monster whose tier should be considered at least half a rank higher.
It's not something we can take down on our own.
Even if his friends were considered promising talents, they weren't Players.
It didn't mean they were weak.
It meant they lacked experience as Players.
The experience to not make mistakes even when facing a high-tier monster.
Maybe if it was a 5th tier monster...
From 4th tier onwards, they're all on a completely different level.
How are we supposed to take down such a thing with kids who have no experience? I can't take it down alone either.
Humans have limits.
No matter how strong a human becomes, as long as they're human, they can never escape the vessel of humanity.
4th tier, 3rd tier, 2nd tier, and the unclear 1st tier monsters were beings that human power couldn't handle.
Fighting such creatures alone was insanity.
Of course, it wasn't impossible.
Tiers are ultimately not a classification of a monster's power, but a standard classified according to how dangerous they are to humanity.
Even among the same 4th tier, the power levels between individuals are subtly different.
The reason Kakgunbong is classified as 4th tier is firstly because it's a monster that can command a legion, and secondly because it has the ability to impregnate monsters regardless of species.
Therefore, if judged by simple danger, it fell behind other monsters of the same tier.
Even if that's the case─
─Insanity is still insanity.
To fight such creatures alone, you have to fight with your life on the line.
Usually starting from 5th tier,
Monsters called high-tier.
The Mana Management Organization always recommended fighting them in units of at least a party.
That's how dangerous they were.
If fighting alone, one had to be prepared to risk their life.
Up to 5th tier is somehow manageable.
But from 4th tier onwards, it's difficult even with my power.
In his previous life,
Even then, he barely survived.
Though he was aware that his current self was stronger than his pre-regression self,
That was only something that could be said by 'human' standards.
Above all─
─There's no reason for me to risk my life to take it down.
Eunha was cold-hearted.
He was very displeased that Lee Cheon-seo had been impregnated with Kakgunbong's egg.
But if Cha Eun-woo's gift combined with Lee Cheon-seo's own gift, he should be able to survive.
So he didn't care about the other students who weren't his people.
Unfortunately, Eunha didn't pay much attention to people who weren't his own.
The problem is─
─Kim Geon-ung...
KK Group's direct descendant, Kim Geon-ung.
Now that his name had been mentioned, Eunha couldn't ignore him.
Even if Eunha didn't want it,
The world would now try to link the life or death of Kim Geon-ung to Eunha, who was leading the party.
That's the kind of world it is.
""""...."""
Eunha was already feeling the gazes of the students looking at him.
Because the decision he would make from now on would determine Kim Geon-ung's fate.
"─Noh Eunha."
"Ah, you're back?"
"Yeah."
Just then,
Hosimiya Kaede and Jin Pa-rang, who had been sent on reconnaissance, returned.
Their role was to check if there were any other spaces producing monsters besides this one.
"So how was it?" "It seems this room is the last one."
"Really? That's a relief."
Eunha hurriedly received their report.
Hearing Kaede's words, he was finally able to feel relieved.
But it was only for a very brief moment.
Because Kaede continued speaking with a serious expression.
"─We found a room that's presumed to be where the boss is." "..."
"And we witnessed monsters taking kids into that room." "...I see. Understood."
There are still students who need to be rescued.
Those students are in the boss's room.
And Kim Geon-ung is probably there too.
Eunha soon thanked Kaede and Jin Pa-rang for their hard work and gulped down some water.
Damn it...
It was about time to withdraw from here.
By now, the wasp-type monsters should have noticed their presence too.
Now Eunha had to make a decision.
"Noh Eunha. So what are you going to do?"
"Well, I'll leave it up to your choice."
"Eunha..."
"I also... you decide. I'll just follow whatever you say."
"Noh Eunha."
"..."
Save everyone,
Or save only some.
Mok Min-ho, Bae Su-bin, Cha Eun-woo, Jin Pa-rang, Kaede, and Ariel who was keeping her mouth shut.
Eunha looked at his friends first, then at the gazes of the students directed at him.
He pondered, and pondered again.
The conclusion he reached after much deliberation was─
"─We'll divide the party into two. One party to escape this fortress with the captured students. One party to rescue the kids still captured somewhere here and escape."
He would divide the party into two again.
An escape team and a rescue team.
Hearing Eunha's conclusion, they finally showed relieved expressions.
They too wanted to save the captured students if possible, but they knew the reality wasn't easy.
So even if Eunha, who was leading the party, had decided to all escape together, they would have followed without complaint.
But they would have continued to remember this day and time with guilt.
So they welcomed Eunha's decision.
Welcoming it, and because they trusted him─
"─I'll go too."
"Ah, me too." """"Me too.""""
All his friends hoped to remain on the rescue team.
Eunha was internally satisfied with their decision to stay with him.
Though it was reassuring, he couldn't take all of them.
"Eun-woo, you need to be on the escape team. You need to use your gift to delay the hatching of the eggs inside the kids' bellies."
First, Cha Eun-woo.
Eunha rejected her participation and assigned her to the escape team.
Next, he sent Jin Pa-rang and Ariel to the escape team.
"Su-bin, you... Stay with me."
"Okay. Killing monsters is much better than wasting energy escorting kids to escape."
He decided to put Bae Su-bin on the rescue team.
Bae Su-bin could use fire magic.
Fire magic was a weakness for wasp-type monsters.
He had to consider the possibility of being surrounded by wasp-type monsters while rescuing the remaining students.
Next, Eunha put Kaede and Mok Min-ho on the rescue team.
"─No. Min-ho's strength has dropped a lot right now. He'll just be a burden if he stays."
"Eun-woo..."
At that moment,
Cha Eun-woo added that Min-ho shouldn't be put on the rescue team.
Her words had a point too.
What should I do?
Should I put the silly hyung on the rescue team instead of Min-ho?
Just as Eunha was lost in thought,
"─Let me go. I want to stay here and rescue people."
Mok Min-ho's attitude was firm.
Eunha closed his mouth seeing Mok Min-ho speak resolutely.
He decided to respect his opinion.
On the other hand, Cha Eun-woo seemed different.
"I told you. Value your own life more than others' lives."
"Of course I'll prioritize my body. I'll make sure nothing like that happens again. I promise."
"...Really?" "I value myself more too. It's not like I want to die rescuing other kids. I promise. Really." "...Alright. I'll believe you."
The argument between Mok Min-ho and Cha Eun-woo.
Eunha decided to make a conclusion based on the direction of their conversation.
Eventually, Cha Eun-woo accepted Mok Min-ho's attitude, though reluctantly.
Instead, she repeatedly emphasized:
"─Stay right next to Eunha. If it seems dangerous, you must survive even if you have to throw Eunha next to you as a sacrifice, okay? Absolutely, okay?"
"...Alright. I promise. In that case, I'll offer Eunha as a sacrifice."
"Hey, hey, hey. These guys really..."
This is why they say not to raise black-haired Cha Eun-woo,
Eunha belatedly regretted.
☆
The work of dividing the original party into rescue and escape teams proceeded quickly.
Meanwhile, the students assigned to parties rescued the students still trapped.
When they finally rescued all the students from the monster-producing room,
"Su-bin."
"I know."
The students who left the room.
Eunha ordered Bae Su-bin.
She nodded and held out her hand to start chanting.
""""...."""
Before leaving the room,
Eunha had instructed the students to set traps in every corner that would explode upon receiving a signal.
The magic she was chanting now could be called the detonator to set off the traps.
─Explode.
Eventually,
The mana floating around Bae Su-bin like smoke rushed into the room as if riding the wind.
The traps exploded.
─Boom boom boom boom!!
An impact that shook the ground.
However, Cha Eun-woo spread protective magic, so the sound wasn't too loud.
They had to prevent the monsters from knowing as much as possible.
The reason for still going ahead with blowing up the room was─
─We can't let Kakgunbong give birth to any more monsters.
What's scary about monsters that reproduce on their own is that they can create countless monsters in a short time.
Eunha, who knew well the terror of these creatures, couldn't just pass by this room.
Wheeze...
Rumble...
Screech...
However, the monsters that lost their lives in the explosion could be counted on one hand.
The jelly enveloping them absorbed the impact of falling to the ground.
Of course, Eunha had expected this.
"Silly hyung."
"Yes." "Take good care of the kids. I'm counting on you." "Alright, just trust this big brother. You do well too."
"I'm counting on you."
For now, Eunha decided to send the escape team led by Jin Pa-rang first.
A moment later, the escape team left.
After confirming their departure, Eunha now spoke to the students remaining in place.
"Everyone follow Kaede and go ahead. I'll clean up the remaining ones and catch up."
"Can you handle it alone?"
"It won't take long. Go ahead."
"Alright, understood. Be careful."
"You too."
Though Mok Min-ho was dubious,
Eunha sent the rescue team ahead without further explanation.
They had been through the wringer.
Mok Min-ho entered the hot spring area leading his party members with a tired mind and body.
Just then, he was able to meet No Eunha who said he came out for a brief walk.
"...I didn't know I'd miss your face this much."
"Did this guy eat something bad? Why is he like this?"
"Eunha. No Eunha."
"What. ...You're not crying right now, are you?"
"You're so admirable."
"Why is this guy like this..."
No Eunha's face was fresh and glowing.
It must be proof that he rested well.
Compared to him, how was he himself?
Party leader, he just couldn't do it.
He didn't have the qualities of a leader.
Mok Min-ho gained one realization facing Eunha.
A useless realization.
Anyway, Mok Min-ho poured out the frustrations he had been holding in to Eunha.
Eunha made a bewildered expression with a flustered look.
"Well... Looks like you had a hard time. There's no one in the hot springs now so hurry and go wash up. What's with your appearance?"
"Sigh... okay."
His appearance was indeed a mess.
Min-ho looked down at his appearance and decided to go into the hot springs with his party members to relieve fatigue.
And then go down to the lower floor the very next day.
Just as he was about to step towards the hot spring area—
"—Eunha Eunha! Didn't you miss me?"
"Cough...! Why are you like this again? Ah... you were always like this. No, get off a bit. You smell... ugh...!"
"How can you say I smell when we're meeting after so long? You're really too much. Was I nothing more than that to you!? Huh? Huuuh??"
"Hah..."
Ariel who suddenly rushed at No Eunha.
Ariel clung tightly to Eunha like a tick.
Even wrapping her legs around his body.
Eunha who was captured unable to use his arms made a tired face.
His fresh glowing face was gone.
"...Okay. Hurry and go wash up."
"What will you give me if I wash?"
"What would I give you?"
"I brought alcohol, will you drink with me?"
"Don't act cute..."
"Hiing, scary... Do you dislike me? Dislike? Disliiiike?"
"...Min-ho. You're admirable."
"...I find you more admirable."
"I find myself most admirable!"
No Eunha grimacing saying she stinks.
Eunha soon made a resigned expression surrendering to Ariel.
Here, Mok Min-ho realized one thing.
That No Eunha was no different from himself.
It was an unexpectedly important realization.
On the other hand—
—At least Ariel won't bother me for today.
Mok Min-ho felt relieved.
He decided to hand Ariel over to Eunha.
He now resolved to refresh himself and enjoy a short rest in the hot springs.
Looking around roughly, he saw a few students he was close with.
Since Ariel brought alcohol too.
Mok Min-ho decided to drink with them later at night to relieve fatigue.
He looked forward to that night like that, but—
"—Eun-hyuk's group went down already, right? There's no way they'd be late..."
"No. They say they're leaving tomorrow?"
"...!"
"...They're over there. Min-ho, you take good care of I-byeol."
"Hah..."
No Eunha whispering to Mok Min-ho while approaching dragging Ariel along.
Mok Min-ho flinched.
Eun-hyuk's group, Choi Eun-hyuk's party.
In other words, Jeong Ha-yang's party.
And her relationship with Yoon I-byeol was—
"—We're ruined."
Mok Min-ho who instantly finished calculating muttered in a miserable tone.