Chapter 33

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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33.

“There’s good news and bad news for you. Which one do you want to hear first?”

Whenever Lee Seong-han was asked this question, he always replied the same way.

“Just say whatever. The result’s the same anyway.”

This time was no different.

First, the good news?

“Well, Kang Jin-young has joined us.”

Kang Jin-young.

The “Mad Magician of Namsan,” the “Guardian of Albocil and Seolleongtang,” the “Embodiment of Jealousy and Lust.” There were many titles to describe her.

But to Lee Seong-han, she was best described as the “128th Circle Grand Magician.” It sounded like a web novel title, but Lee Seong-han decided to ignore that.

Heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one.

MAX talent + overflowing madness. Her overwhelming talent and destructive power made her the most reliable ally.

Now, the bad news?

“…That Kang Jin-young has joined us.”

He couldn’t help but shake his head. Just thinking about what she had done to him made his blood boil. He didn’t want to recall it.

“Sir.”

Kang Mi-young cautiously approached. She had just fought with her sister, and traces of magic were still visible on her body.

“Any signs of the enemy?”

“Eliminated. No further movement.”

Kang Jin-young also approached, peeling off limbs that had stuck to her body.

“That’s right. We took care of it. I did more.”

Finally, Lee Seong-han plopped down in the corridor, relieved.

Fighting in a tense state had left him completely exhausted. [Automatic Combat] demanded perfection in any situation, but physical abilities couldn’t always keep up.

Even in battle, rest is necessary. Descending to the theater lobby on the first floor, they took a moment to catch their breath.

Or at least, they tried to.

“But isn’t that a fountain?”

“Yes, it’s a fountain. A marble fountain in Western style. It contrasts with the dark tones of the theater. It was in the plaza.”

“…It’s a fountain. What’s the big deal?”

Lee Seong-han, who had just come down the stairs, turned pale.

Why was the fountain from Gaknyeong Market Plaza here?

What, some kind of hidden camera prank?

He had never heard of a fountain teleporting. It wasn’t normal. Lee Seong-han blocked the sisters’ path with his arm.

It looked ominous.

“You two should wait. It’s probably Hong Seo-min’s trap. That puppet appeared back then, didn’t it?”

100%.

Using such a cheap trick to intimidate them. How much did she underestimate them?

Splish-splash───

This time, the water flowed perfectly.

Clear and transparent water.

“Sir, you seem too paranoid.”

“It’s not paranoia.”

“Anything can happen in a Gate. That fountain too. I’ve seen it before.”

Kang Mi-young strode forward. She stood neatly in front of the fountain, scooped water with her hand, and drank it.

[The power of love and purification fills your entire body.]

[All stats of this raid team increase by 20%.]

Kang Mi-young wiped the water from her mouth with her sleeve, acting as if it was nothing.

“Strange things happen inside Gates. This fountain is one of them.”

“Huh?”

“Sometimes, beings within the Tower show favor. For example…”

Kang Mi-young stopped speaking.

[Fountain of Rest]

A fountain that appears in Gates with a certain probability. Only activates when there are no enemies nearby.

“Ah.”

Lee Seong-han swallowed a bitter sigh.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Relaxing, he carefully scooped and drank the fountain water. He didn’t have the energy to shout. They had been fighting for hours.

He didn’t feel like picking a fight.

“Ugh.”

Kang Jin-young awkwardly paused, as if remembering something.

“…By the way, Seong-han, let’s get back to the main point. Haa. You called me because you needed me, right? Even using that magic.”

Lee Seong-han nodded.

He had already explained most of it.

He and Kang Mi-young were on the same page.

He didn’t want to blush for no reason. It was like a rigged game of Go-Stop.

“Yes.”

Mmm, the water tastes like honey.

Lee Seong-han also drank the fountain water.

“Now you’re worrying people… Are you being blackmailed or something?”

“No.”

“Then wave a carrot or something. I need a reason.”

“Let’s rest and think. You’re too excited right now.”

Kang Jin-young reluctantly took a sip of the fountain water.

[The power of love and purification fills your entire body.]

The wounds on her face quickly healed.

The tension seemed to ease as well.

Lee Seong-han watched her intently.

“We’re fine.”

“…Haa, then what was that I heard? Huh? When my sister tried to pounce on me.”

“Ah, that was because of Hong Seo-min’s hypnosis. As you know, the spirit has almost no resistance to mental series.”

Kang Jin-young’s face twisted.

“Bullshit. You definitely did something.”

“I’ll trust you this once. Then.”

With that, Kang Jin-young joined the Gaknyeong Market Raid Team (Hong Seo-min Defeat Party).

The trinity was complete!

『Bruiser Kang Mi-young』

『AP Burst Mage Kang Jin-young』

『Max Level All-Rounder Lee Seong-han』

A truly perfect combination, right?

Even Lee Seong-han thought it wasn’t bad. Sure, there was no healer and internal conflicts might arise, but their individual skills were unmatched.

The injuries… were just scratches. A bit of expensive bandages would do. Or just drink some rest water.

Kang Mi-young sat down beside him, leaning against the base of the fountain.

“Did you catch it? The one shot with the bow.”

“I did.”

Hoo.

Lee Seong-han carefully continued.

“It wasn’t Hong Seo-min. From the looks of it, it was that assassin. It was a puppet.”

“The one we rescued?”

“Yes.”

Including Kim Seo-jeong’s main body, they had found a few civilians.

Some of them had already been declared dead due to long-term disappearances. Who would have thought Hong Seo-min had them? If she used their abilities to make puppets…

‘Why would she need civilians?’

To use them as sacrifices?

He had never heard of the Tower wanting human lives. If it did, it would have sent monsters.

Lee Seong-han shrugged. Overthinking wouldn’t change anything.

He tossed the bow to the ground.

“I can’t use this bow anymore. I’m out of arrows too.”

“That’s a shame. Someone might mistake you for Jumong.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

An E-grade bow.

Its durability was already spent.

He didn’t consider using it further.

‘Still, it lasted a long time.’

Lee Seong-han sighed. He didn’t know how much time they had spent in this theater.

This place was a maze.

A huge maze.

There was no turning back.

They had to keep moving forward.

The maze of Tartarus, themed around floors 6-10, was like this too. But at least there were moments to rest. Here, they had to keep pushing.

By the way…

“Jin-young? You have a scratch on your cheek.”

Blood was streaming down her cheek. Only then did she seem to realize the pain, wiping her cheek with her palm.

The wound was deep.

A handful of blood was wiped away.

“Sit by the fountain for now. Stop drinking the water.”

“I’m really angry, you know.”

“What are you going to do about it? Kill everyone? You know Hong Seo-min wants that, right?”

He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out medical supplies.

“If you leave it like that, it’ll get worse. Your pretty face will get ruined.”

“…Hmph.”

Her face turned completely red.

Was she in pain?

｢It, it smells good. Really sweet.｣

Good smell?

He approached to check her condition.

“I’ll put on some gauze.”

“Ah, ahhh.”

She kept avoiding his gaze.

“Don’t move. It’ll get worse. Can you help, Spirit? Just hold her still.”

Kang Mi-young let out a deep sigh.

“Fine.”

She quietly joined in.

After all, they were sisters, sharing the same blood.

Family is family.

Washing blood with blood was instinctively repulsive even to her cold-hearted self. As they stopped Kang Jin-young’s bleeding, Kang Mi-young spoke up.

“Sir. I request a reconnaissance of the front after a short rest. Is that possible?”

“Of course.”

Lee Seong-han had already used [Super-Reconnaissance].

…

It was certain. This place was safe for now. No enemies. No other life forms.

No traps were detected either. The danger level was almost 0%. It was certain.

“Nothing detected.”

“Are you sure? Just now?”

“Yes.”

“Strange. That’s not like her. Can I see the map?”

Lee Seong-han tapped his backpack.

“There’s a blueprint. Here, top right. Third floor.”

Kang Mi-young rummaged through the backpack and quickly scanned the theater blueprint. Found in the second-floor archive. Carefully scanning it, she spoke.

“Huh, really… According to the design, that’s the end.”

That place.

The third-floor corridor where they had just fought.

There was a grand door at the end.

A majestic door fit for a palace.

“We’ve already checked everywhere else.”

“Right. There’s a strange space in front of the stage. That must be…”

Kang Jin-young cut in sharply.

“Hong Seo-min. That bitch must be there.”

Lee Seong-han scratched his cheek. She was right. The expression was a bit crude, but the old saying that the more you dig, the worse it smells was true.

* * *

‘Red makes you three times faster!’ someone once said. He couldn’t remember who, but Lee Seong-han thought he could reach supersonic speed if he stood on the semi-circular protruding stage. The blood surging onto the stage was unusually thick.

The stench was unbearable too. As they descended the stairs, Kang Jin-young tightly grabbed his arm.

“Seong-han. Stay close to me. It’s dangerous.”

“Got it.”

What lay before them was simple.

A stage.

A huge theater stage!

With a two-tiered structure, the projection room and screen on the upper level suggested it could also function as a cinema. The audience seats were all empty.

“Sir.”

“Yes.”

“There, the switch.”

Kang Mi-young, covering the rear, pointed to the center of the stage. There was indeed a switch. It looked hastily made.

Now he noticed the cardboard decorations, small puppets likely used for puppet shows, and paper boards.

“Sir, do you have any idea? It seems we need three people.”

“Sir, as you can see, it might be a ploy to distract us.”

“We might need to press the switch simultaneously. It’s just us here.”

Cardboard surged onto the stage, and the set pieces revealed themselves one after another.

The spotlight from above turned on from left to right, clicking as it illuminated Lee Seong-han. As if he were the protagonist.

“What, what’s this?”

The sound of gasps and cheers, like sound effects.