Chapter 17
The D-rank gate this time was a maze-type dungeon.
As soon as the party entered, the leader began to move according to the prearranged manual.
“Be careful not to get separated — it’s easy to lose your way in here. Stay close and move forward.”
He added, tapping the ground lightly with his shoe.
“There are likely plenty of traps around too, so only step where the person in front of you has already passed.”
“Understood.”
“Alright, let’s proceed.”
They passed through the gate and opened a door engraved with a lion’s face, revealing the path ahead.
As expected of a maze-type dungeon, it didn’t take long before the road split in several directions.
Each time, the leader would crouch, touch the ground, and close his eyes.
“…This way.”
After several seconds of cautious detection, he would decide on the direction.
‘He’s probably using a mana detection skill to find the way.’
It was Ju-hyuk’s first time entering a dungeon-type gate, but he had studied the theory endlessly back at the Academy.
In most maze-type dungeons, the way to find the exit is to use detection-type skills to sense the escape gate.
The alternative method — touching one wall and following it until you find the way out — was far too dangerous here, since monsters and traps were everywhere. And if the escape gate was in the center rather than the perimeter, that method would lead nowhere.
That’s why maze-type dungeons required at least two support-type Hunters with strong detection skills.
‘Since it’s the first time this gate is being cleared, they must’ve picked only seasoned veterans.’
Even from the leader alone, Ju-hyuk could feel a heavy, commanding presence.
The rest of the Hunters were all C-rank or high-ranking D-rankers with over ten years of experience.
‘Normally, they wouldn’t send an F-rank Hunter to something like this.’
He could only assume the Mir Guild had pulled some strings.
If not, no matter how talented he was — even if he had single-handedly taken down a mutant orc — no one would’ve let an F-rank join a brand-new D-rank gate raid.
[Just follow your teammates’ instructions, and you’ll get through it without any problems.]
Those were Yena’s parting words before he left.
She probably wasn’t too worried, knowing Ju-hyuk wasn’t the type to cause trouble, but it sounded like she wanted to help him relax a little before his first real D-rank expedition.
‘Well, maze-type dungeons barely have any monsters anyway.’
Unless another mutant appeared like last time, there shouldn’t be any issues.
Ju-hyuk quietly followed the person in front of him.
They walked endlessly, stopping at each fork while the leader determined which way to go.
As time passed, his tension gradually eased.
Still, he kept his guard up for any sudden monster appearances.
“Let’s take a short break here.”
Hours had passed, and not a single monster had appeared.
It was going smoother than expected.
“This area has the weakest mana presence, so monsters are less likely to show up. Let’s take turns keeping watch while we rest.”
Following the leader’s instructions, everyone assigned shifts and began resting.
As Ju-hyuk sat down and cleaned his sword, Ji-hoon plopped down beside him.
“So, what do you think? D-rank doesn’t seem so bad, right?”
“Yeah. Honestly, it’s almost disappointing that no monsters have shown up.”
“Hah… Even if they did, we probably wouldn’t get a chance to touch them anyway.”
Ji-hoon chuckled awkwardly.
Then, with a curious look, he asked:
“You said you took down that mutant orc last time, right? What was that like?”
“What do you mean? You’ve been in a gate before, you know how it is.”
With his grades — within the top ten of the Academy — Ji-hoon definitely had battle experience and even a C-rank license.
But Ji-hoon shook his head.
“No rookie gets to fight alone. Even against F-rank monsters, we always have to go in with a senior Hunter.”
“…Wait, that wasn’t just a formality?”
In Ju-hyuk’s previous gate, they had left him to fight alone the whole time.
He’d assumed that was normal. The Mir Guild must have been unusually reckless with him.
“Of course not! Who lets a rookie fight solo? At the very least, you should have someone beside you holding a shield.”
Judging by Ji-hoon’s reaction, what Ju-hyuk experienced wasn’t normal at all.
“That’s why you’ve been getting so much attention. A rookie who sent his team away and defeated a mutant orc alone? That’s unheard of.”
“Guess I did stand out too much.”
“You’re only realizing that now? Amazing.”
Ji-hoon burst out laughing — genuinely, not mockingly.
After laughing for a while, his tone softened.
“But honestly, you were bound to stand out eventually.”
“I doubt it. My grades didn’t exactly show that.”
“Grades aren’t everything, you know.”
Coming from someone who ranked in the top ten, that statement carried weight.
“And you proved it during the tournament.”
The rebellion of the underachiever.
That match had shocked everyone who judged skill purely by grades.
Ji-hoon grinned as he recalled it.
“See? I told you — effort always pays off someday.”
He looked genuinely happy, as if Ju-hyuk’s success was his own.
Most people would’ve felt jealous seeing a lower-ranked peer rise faster, but Ji-hoon’s sincerity showed no trace of envy.
Some at the Academy used to accuse him of “putting on an act,” but at least right now, he didn’t look like he was pretending.
“You stopped saying that after we hit third year.”
“…Didn’t think you’d remember that.”
Ji-hoon’s shoulders twitched awkwardly. Ju-hyuk couldn’t help smiling too.
They kept chatting about old Academy stories until one of the party members approached.
“Hunter Ju-hyuk, it’s your turn for watch duty.”
“Got it.”
He stood up and went to switch shifts with another Hunter.
“Nothing unusual. Good luck.”
“Thanks, get some rest.”
The other Hunter yawned and walked off — but suddenly tripped and slammed into the wall.
“Ugh!”
His graceless yelp echoed through the maze.
‘Wasn’t that the guy who tripped earlier too?’
Apparently so — even in the middle of a gate, he’d managed to fall on flat ground.
The Hunter standing beside Ju-hyuk just sighed.
“Ignore him. He’s built like a tank; he’ll be fine.”
The embarrassed man sprang to his feet immediately as the others laughed, his face turning bright red.
“…Looks like it.”
The impact had even dented the stone wall — it looked like the wall took more damage than he did.
“Great, now every monster around knows we’re here…”
The other Hunter frowned, then glanced toward the dark corridor.
“Stay alert. The noise might draw something in.”
“Understood.”
They tightened their grips on their weapons and watched the darkness carefully.
Ten minutes passed. Still nothing.
‘Maybe this gate doesn’t have any monsters at all?’
He’d heard of rare gates composed purely of traps — maybe this was one.
Most F-ranks would’ve been thrilled at the lack of danger, but Ju-hyuk needed magic stones, so he wasn’t too pleased.
‘A few monsters would’ve been nice…’
As he kept watch, hoping for at least one,
“Looks like something’s coming.”
“Huh?”
“Monsters.”
The senior Hunter pointed down the hallway.
Ju-hyuk squinted, focusing his mana vision — but saw nothing.
“Where? I can’t see anything.”
“Tch. You can’t see that? Then what are you even doing here?”
The older Hunter clicked his tongue and turned toward the resting party members.
“Emergency. Monsters inbound.”
“Ah, not again…”
The others got up with a sigh, like this wasn’t the first time.
The clumsy Hunter from before stood silently, looking ashamed, and readied his weapon.
“…There are monsters?”
But something felt wrong.
No matter how hard he stared, Ju-hyuk couldn’t see a thing.
“Don’t just stand there! Get ready!”
Even when he drew his sword, the hallway was completely empty.
Despite the tension, the Hunter beside him spoke casually:
“There’s a lot of them, so stay sharp.”
‘Wait.’
Could there really be invisible monsters in this gate?
Impossible.
Monsters capable of true invisibility only appeared in B-rank gates or higher — he’d learned that in class.
‘If there really were monsters, the leader’s detection skill would’ve picked them up already.’
Even while resting, the leader continuously maintained his detection field. There was no way he wouldn’t notice enemies this close.
Ju-hyuk immediately pieced it together.
He turned and rushed toward the leader.
“Leader.”
“What is it? I’m not detecting any monsters.”
So he thought the same — there were none.
That left only one conclusion.
“It’s an illusion.”
A hallucination trap inside the dungeon had been triggered.
