Chapter 30

As the two entered the boss room, they were greeted by a massive monster.

The sleeping monster slowly rose upon sensing human presence.

Jia tilted her head back to gauge its size.

About 2-3 stories tall? It was that enormous.

“Mutated drake.”

“Yeah, looks like it’s ice-elemental too, huh?”

When Si-hyun spoke, Jia nodded and replied.

Basically, it was a dragon without wings.

Except for the area from its jaw to chest and belly, its entire body was covered in blue-scaled armor emanating cold energy.

Its head and back bristled with large, sharp spines.

A melee hunter would be skewered if they let their guard down.

Grrrr—

The drake exhaled sharply, freezing the air around its mouth—an opening signal of battle.

“It’s coming!”

“Got it!”

Scratching the ground with its hind legs, the drake charged at them like a speeding bullet.

Si-hyun and Jia swiftly scattered to either side to evade the attack.

Kwaang——!

The drake’s head collided with the wall, creating a loud noise echoing through the cave.

After making a crater in the cave wall, the drake raised its head, causing dust to fall from the spikes atop it.

Crumbles falling…

Truly a terrifying sight.

Rejoining in the middle, Jia muttered under her breath.

“If we get hit by that, we’re in trouble, right?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you alive.”

“Ah, hahaha…”

Jia gave an awkward laugh.

It was partly to maintain appropriate tension and partly as light-hearted banter.

But the calm reply unsettled her somewhat—it felt almost…believable, sending slight shivers down her spine.

Shaking her head to clear such thoughts, Jia wasn’t planning on getting hit by something so simple anyway.

“Let’s go!”

Facing the incoming drake, Jia stepped forward.

Though daunting, this was the boss of an A-rank dungeon.

Normally, two hunters alone wouldn’t stand a chance against such a foe.

But because she was teaming up with “Jeong Si-hyun,”

Jia advanced with confident strides.

Focusing all her concentration,

She dashed forward, pushing off the ground.

As she closed in, the drake fiercely spun around, swinging its tail.

Using her spear as an axis, Jia leaped high into the air.

Taking advantage of the momentum, she rapidly closed the distance.

Just as the drake completed its spin and faced forward,

Jia’s spear tip, glowing with mana, prepared to strike.

The weak point: the area without scales!

Gripping her spear tightly,

In defiance of gravity, Jia began plummeting downward.

Chaaack—!

Like a meteor descending from the heavens, leaving a blue streak, Jia’s spear slashed across the drake’s chest.

“Roooar!”

With a tearing sound, the drake let out a painful roar.

Worthy of being an A-rank dungeon boss, the wound wasn’t deep.

The drake’s eyes, filled with rage, locked onto Jia.

Positioning its massive jaws toward her as if seeking revenge.

At that moment,

Kwaang—!

A sudden explosion of flames struck, snapping the drake’s neck.

“Nice one!”

Thanks to Si-hyun’s timely support, Jia cheered and readied herself for another attack.

Holding her spear firmly with both hands, she bent backward,

Then powerfully pushed off the ground and soared upward.

Spinning mid-air, she accelerated her spear and once again left a long gash across the drake’s chest.

The mana concentrated on her spear blade pierced deeply into the drake’s chest.

“Rooooaar!”

The drake screamed in agony again, attempting to kick her off with a powerful rear leg.

But once again, it didn’t go as planned.

An invisible barrier had formed, blocking the drake’s attack.

With the failed assault came an opening,

And Jia unleashed her mana freely.

Whoosh! Swish—!

Stabbing, slashing, smashing—all with incredible speed.

Thanks to adapting to Si-hyun’s buffs earlier,

Jia pushed past her limits, making even superhuman speeds her own.

The spear moved so fast ordinary people couldn’t see it,

Continuously adding new wounds to the drake’s chest.

Finally, the drake made a grand movement to turn the tide,

Curling its body and spinning toward Jia.

“Kyaaah…!”

Jia instinctively yelped in surprise while retreating.

Fortunately, though threatening, the attack was slow.

Jia quickly evaded and regrouped with Si-hyun.

“Si-hyun, can you stop that?”

“Leave it to me.”

With a reliable reply, Si-hyun immediately prepared her magic.

While keeping distance, she could only hinder the drake’s hind legs.

But when protecting someone nearby,

Si-hyun had absolute confidence it wouldn’t break through.

Preparing all her power, she braced for the drake’s breath attack.

First, a unique barrier made of holy force revealed itself, shining brilliantly.

“Grrr…”

The drake’s massive mouth slowly opened with a low growl.

Cold, chilling energy swirled around the surrounding air.

A brief silence, then—

Kooowaaaak———!

An explosion accompanied the drake’s icy breath shooting toward them.

But what Si-hyun prepared wasn’t just the holy barrier.

Right on time, a wall of roaring flames appeared before the barrier.

Double walls.

The path of the breath froze solid.

Even moisture in the air crystallized into ice, scattering everywhere.

However, Si-hyun’s countermeasures were perfect.

The elementally-appropriate wall reduced the breath’s potency,

So the holy barrier held firm without a single crack.

“Si-hyun! That was amazing! Wow!”

“…”

Si-hyun gave a bashful smile at Jia’s enthusiastic praise.

Once the breath attack ended,

After releasing all the magic barriers, the ice stuck to them floated away.

Jia immediately ran along a trajectory avoiding the breath’s path.

“Roooar!”

Again, it was the chest.

The drake roared loudly after being attacked in the same spot twice in a row.

Its counterattack came again, but Jia easily evaded it this time.

Since the beginning of combat until the breath attack,

Si-hyun’s continuous debuffs had been accumulating.

Raging mana continuously gnawed at the drake.

Ordinarily, Jia should have slowed down due to the drake’s cold energy.

But thanks to Si-hyun’s blessings and buffs raising her resistance,

Whenever she started slowing, Si-hyun promptly purified and removed the cold.

Thus, the drake’s cold couldn’t significantly affect Jia.

Ultimately, time favored Si-hyun and Jia.

That way, the two continued exchanging blows with the drake smoothly.

Despite its desperate struggles, the drake gradually weakened.

While Jia remained as she started, the drake kept getting weaker.

If Jia got injured, Si-hyun’s blessings would immediately follow.

Eventually…

“Grrrr…”

The massive boss monster collapsed onto the ground, breathing its last.

“Huff… Huff…”

Jia exhaled the breath she’d been holding.

Approaching her with excited steps,

“Jia, good job. You were awesome!”

“You too! You were the best supporter ever!”

“Hehe…”

“Haha!”

Fully savoring the joy of victory,

Si-hyun and Jia slapped a triumphant high-five.

It was a clean, perfect victory.

* * *

At the Hunter Management Agency in Seoul’s office.

Director Jang Han-soo kept staring at the monitor screen.

Several hours had passed since Hunter Kim Ji-a entered the A-rank dungeon on an agency commission.

Normally, individual hunters aren’t assigned A-rank dungeons.

In fact, Director Jang recommended starting from B-rank dungeons.

Even for an A-rank hunter, solo-clearing a B-rank dungeon was quite extraordinary.

But she insisted on challenging an A-rank dungeon.

He tried dissuading her, but she confidently requested to take the mission.

At that moment, a certain female’s information flashed through the director’s mind.

The returning hero who claimed to be a paladin, currently registered as D-rank hunter Jeong Si-hyun.

While respecting her wishes and preventing information from spreading,

Based on his personal speculation, she was likely B-rank, possibly even A-rank level.

Director Jang understood Hunter Kim Ji-a’s reasoning.

Though neither mentioned names directly during negotiations,

Things proceeded smoothly, and Director Jang processed the gate entry procedures considering Si-hyun as well.

Today,

For several hours now, the director had been repeatedly refreshing the app screen while glaring at the monitor.

‘Can’t concentrate…’

Though he had other work to do, he kept glancing over. It was quite the torment.

Rarely does an A-rank dungeon get cleared within a day under normal circumstances.

The director knew this well.

Yet, perhaps due to their previous record,

No matter how hard he tried not to care, he found himself looking involuntarily.

“Ugh, let’s grab some coffee.”

Stretching, the director stood up.

Returning from the break room with a cup of coffee, he sat back down.

And noticed.

“Ho?”

Unconsciously clicking to refresh the screen,

The A-rank dungeon in Gangneung

Had been cleared yet again! In less than half a day.

The director unconsciously clenched both fists tightly.

“This is it! This is it! Kuh—!”

Excitement widened his nostrils.

Bouncing in his seat, he rocked his head with satisfaction.

Though uncertain, the two women hadn’t disappointed.

They’d splendidly conquered another A-rank dungeon together!

The director felt elated as if he’d accomplished it himself.

Soon realizing he’d unintentionally shouted, he calmed his excitement.

But it was already too late.

Someone nearby had noticed and approached.

“Director, is there some good news?”

“Ah, Hunter Kim Ji-a just finished clearing the A-rank dungeon.”

The director casually responded.

Since this information would spread quickly anyway.

“Woah, again? At this rate, won’t Hunter Kim Ji-a reach S-rank soon?”

“That’s right! She’s very dependable.”

“Man, hearing these kinds of news makes me proud somehow! Like the emergence of a new hero in our country!”

“I agree! Hahaha!”

The team member chatted briefly with the director about Hunter Kim Ji-a.

After they parted ways, the director leaned back comfortably in his chair.

Frankly, he wanted to reveal Miss Shin’s identity.

To announce that we also have a returning hero in our country! Someone greater than America’s returnees!

Just imagining it was thrilling.

But it was still too early.

Offending Miss Shin might result in no gains at all.

The relationship between the management agency and Miss Shin shouldn’t resemble the adventurer party she’d mentioned.

For now, it would remain information known only to a select few, including himself.

The director indulged in his elevated mood.

* * *

Si-hyun and Jia’s dungeon run was a same-day trip.

After conquering the A-rank dungeon and finishing dinner, the two promptly returned to Seoul.

“Si-hyun, thanks for today!”

“You too! Be safe going home!”

After dropping Si-hyun off at her house, Jia drove off.

Si-hyun stared at the car’s fading silhouette for a moment before turning around.

Considering the distance between Gangneung and Seoul, plus stopping by the mart,

It was already nighttime.

Her hands were full of delicious groceries.

Thanks to the profitable dungeon run, she’d picked up various items at the mart.

Returning home,

Si-hyun tilted her head curiously while observing her surroundings.

She thought Lin would be watching TV in the living room,

But there was no sign of her anywhere.

Placing the bags on the dining table,

She blankly looked around then glanced at her phone.

She’d sent a message saying she’d arrive with lots of food tonight.

Checking the chat history, Lin had read it and replied.

‘Is she still in her room?’

Didn’t her work hours end already?

Si-hyun tiptoed to Lin’s door.

Knock knock—

“I’m here! Still working?”

Si-hyun knocked to check if her younger sister was inside.

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