Shadow Monarch X Dxd Chapter 4 Part 1

A soft and pleasant voice cut through Min Joon's brooding silence. "Have you recovered, Jin Woo?"

He tilted his head, finding Lee Joohee standing beside him. Her gentle face, framed by long, bright orange hair in a ponytail, radiated concern. She wore a maroon coat, a stark contrast to his drab attire. "Hi Joohee. How are you?"Her brow furrowed at his formality. "You never called me Joohee before."He shrugged, attempting nonchalance. "Now I am doing it.""Why now?" she persisted, her blue eyes searching his face.Min Joon faltered. "Should there be a reason?" he finally managed, the sting of her earlier concern still fresh.Lee Joohee's lips curved into a faint understanding. They fell into step, walking side-by-side, a comfortable silence settling between them. But Min Joon couldn't escape the whispers.Two middle-aged men a few paces ahead discussed him with a callous disregard. The man in the green sweater bragged, "It's good to be young. Many women fell for me when I was young."His companion, eyeing his protruding belly, scoffed. "Really? Then wouldn't they have tripped over you?"A snort escaped Min Joon, unnoticed. The conversation turned grim."They gave him a title," the first man said. "The weakest hunter.""Weakest?" the other echoed. "That's bad luck for him.""Imagine, being that weak and surrounded by monsters.""Let's stop," the second man cautioned. "He might hear us."Another voice of a man entered his ears," Did you see his sister? Damn, what a fuckable body she has. If not for her being a hunter I would have fucked that bitch in front of him. Imagine moaning my name in front of him."Other people laughed at his words lecherously.Min Joon gritted his teeth. Heard them – he had heard every word. Shame burned through him and anger filled his nerves threatening to burst. He clenched his fist, the pain a welcome distractionSuddenly, a booming voice cut through the tension. Song Chiyul, the team leader, announced, "Comrades, it's time to close the gate of the dungeon. Let's gather!"As the hunters assembled, introductions filled the air. Min Joon stood silent, the weight of their mocking whispers heavy upon him.They entered the dungeon, a grim procession. Min Joon brought up the rear, his senses on high alert. The familiar transition – a blurry passage, a blinking vision – deposited him in a damp, cavernous space. Cobwebs clung to the rocky walls, tunnels branching out into the darkness, and the faint chirp of insects filled the air. This was it. The real test.A pair of hulking insects scuttled towards the group. Song Chiyul barked orders, and the hunters scattered to engage them. Min Joon watched, envy churning in his gut. Each hunter dispatched their opponent with practiced ease.Then, a colossal insect, its wings buzzing with menace, barreled towards him. Fear flooded him, but a flicker of defiance sparked in its wake. He wouldn't go down without a fight.The insect lunged. Min Joon rolled, adrenaline pumping through his veins. It attacked again, and again he dodged, a desperate dance for survival. Seeing his strategy, the insect grew frustrated and increased its speed.This time, Min Joon calculated his move. He sidestepped the attack and with a surge of strength honed by weeks of training, he swung his sword. The rusty blade connected with a sickening thud, severing the insect's head. Relief washed over him, tinged with surprise. His strength had increased.Lee Joohee rushed to his side, her eyes wide with astonishment. "How did you do that?" she gasped."I trained," he replied, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "And killed it."The unspoken question hung heavy in the air. "You can grow strong?""Why? Are you doubting me?" he challenged, a spark of his old defiance returning.A small smile played on her lips. "Then why did you say you needed me?"Min Joon met her gaze. "Because it's you."Lee Joohee's smile widened. "Will you go to the cafe with me… after all this?"His heart skipped a beat. "It would be my pleasure," he replied, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips.The whispers continued, laced with disbelief. Still, they moved forward, encountering and defeating various weak monsters. But as they ventured deeper, a primal fear settled upon the group. A pack of ferocious wolves, their eyes glowing with predatory hunger, emerged from the shadows."Don't spread out too much," Song Chiyul commanded, his voice tight with tension. "Stay close enough to help each other."The battle commenced. Min Joon faced a hulking wolf, its razor-sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. He mirrored its movements, his past lessons on survival kicking in. The wolf lunged, but MinJoon sidestepped with practiced agility. It snapped its jaws where his head had been a moment before, the sound a chilling reminder of his vulnerability.A surge of adrenaline fueled him. He rolled onto the ground, coming up behind the beast. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm from blocking a previous attack, he lunged for the wolf's neck. It thrashed and snarled, but Min Joon held on with a desperate strength that surprised even himself. Man and beast grappled, locked in a silent struggle for survival.They were both E-Rank, predator and prey, mirroring each other's desperation. Min Joon's vision blurred with exertion, his muscles screamed in protest, but he refused to let go. With a final surge of strength, he managed to twist the wolf's neck, feeling a sickening snap before the creature went limp.He collapsed onto the cold, damp ground, gasping for breath. The battlefield was a chaotic mix of growls, screams, and clanging metal. Around him, his fellow hunters fought with varying degrees of success. Some fell, their screams echoing through the cavern, while others emerged victorious, their faces etched with grim determination.Silence descended, broken only by the ragged breaths of the survivors. Min Joon looked around, his gaze landing on Lee Joohee, who rushed to his side. Her face was pale, but relief flooded her eyes as she checked him for injuries."Didn't I tell you not to endanger yourself?" she scolded gently, her voice laced with worry. "If you had stayed with me, I could have healed you sooner."Min Joon winced at the sting of her words, but a grateful smile played on his lips. "What about the others?""I'll get to them," she said, her gaze sweeping over the remaining hunters. "But you come first."A warmth bloomed in his chest, a flicker of hope amidst the carnage. As she cast a healing spell, a wave of relief washed over him, easing the throbbing pain in his body.A triumphant shout broke the silence. Jeongho, a young hunter who had initially mocked Min Joon, stood by a gaping hole in the cavern wall. "Hey, there's a cave over here!"The remaining hunters, battered but alive, converged around him. A glimmer of hope ignited in their eyes. Could this be the path to the dungeon boss and the much-needed essence stones?Debate erupted. Some argued for caution, others for pressing on. Finally, they decided to take a vote. Min Joon, still recovering, watched from the sidelines. The votes were cast, and the decision was clear: they would explore the cave.They ventured deeper into the earth, following the winding tunnel. After a grueling half-hour trek, they reached a massive stone door, intricately carved with ancient symbols. With a combined effort, three hunters managed to pry it open.A gasp escaped Min Joon's lips as their eyes adjusted to the sight that greeted them. The cavern beyond was bathed in an eerie blue light, emanating from glowing torches embedded in the walls. The room was vast, filled with imposing statues depicting forgotten deities and walls etched with strange markings.But before they could marvel at the spectacle, a chilling event unfolded. With a deafening bang, the stone door slammed shut, trapping them inside. Panic surged through the group. One hunter, desperate for escape, lunged for the door, only to be met with a sickening thud. His body crumpled to the floor, a crimson stain blooming around him.A grotesque statue, previously unnoticed in the shadows, came to life. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and a guttural growl rumbled from its throat.Screams filled the cavern. Hunters scrambled for cover, their confidence shattered. Lee Joohee huddled close to Min Joon, her face etched with terror.But amidst the chaos, a steely resolve hardened Min Joon's gaze. He wouldn't let these monsters claim another life. He wouldn't let his memories fade into oblivion. He looked at the monstrous statue, a symbol of his forgotten past, and a single thought echoed in his mind: "I have to win. No matter what it takes."

Chapter 4 - Part 1

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