Chapter 57 …
This episode marks the protagonist team’s first dungeon raid, and it begins like this:
“That’s it, right? The new dungeon that the first raid party entered and gave up on after just two days.”
“Really? What was inside that made them give up?”
“It’s a maze-type dungeon. Their exploration skills didn’t work at all, so they couldn’t find the way. They wandered around the maze the whole time and only got out using an escape item.”
“Wow, so they left without taking any of the rewards inside?”
“Apparently, there wasn’t much to begin with. The structure was just a maze, no monsters, no items. Sometimes you get those empty dungeons.”
‘So, it’s exactly how I expected.’
On the TV screen, the scene of hunters trudging out after giving up on the dungeon was being broadcast.
It played out exactly like in the original story I remembered, only the location was different. I pretended to focus on the story and subtly adjusted my posture.
Innocent Kwon Seowoo spoke up cheerfully.
“Still, since it’s a maze, it looks kind of fun. By the way, can we enter dungeons now?”
“Well, we could go in, but why bother with a dungeon that has nothing? It’s better to go to one where you can farm items.”
Objectively speaking, Yeomyeong’s opinion made sense. Entering a dungeon with nothing to gain would just be a waste of time.
But!
“Still, wouldn’t it be fine for our first dungeon? Except for the complicated maze, there are no monsters, so it shouldn’t be dangerous.”
“Huh? Asol, you agree too?”
When I agreed with Seowoo, Yeomyeong and Piuri looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“I think it’s good to get a feel for the dungeon. And nowadays, dungeons are so crowded that not having to wait is a merit. I checked, and there wasn’t a single person on the waiting list.”
“Really? I hadn’t thought of that. You’re amazing, Nuna!”
Not really; I had just preemptively used the line Seowoo said in the original story.
‘Normally, you’d have to wait at least a week to enter a dungeon at this time, but not this one.’
New dungeons are always a hot topic among hunters, but in this case, it was known that there were no items, so the hype disappeared two days after its discovery.
Of course, the claim that there are no items wasn’t true, and the monsters also appear as the final boss. The first raid party simply misunderstood and left.
“That makes sense. It’s risky to enter a high-grade dungeon right from the start. So, you’re suggesting we go in now while no one’s interested, just for practice?”
“Exactly. If we can’t find the way, we can just use the escape item to get out.”
“If our goal is experience rather than rewards, it doesn’t seem so bad.”
“Right? Right? It’ll be fine! And since it’s a maze, won’t it be super fun?”
“Hmm.”
Ignoring Seowoo’s chatter, the two of them fell into thought.
After a short pause, a positive answer came.
“…Okay! Since no one else is waiting, let’s go in two days from now!”
“Yes. We’ll need some practice before the real thing anyway.”
“Wow! I’ve never been in that dungeon before. This is going to be fun!”
‘Phew.’
Fortunately, it was settled well. Just as I swallowed a sigh, Seowoo turned to me with an expectant look.
“Thanks, Nuna! But, you like mazes too? If you did, you should have said so earlier! Want me to tell you about a famous escape room cafe I know?”
“Sure. Think whatever you want.”
I didn’t know where to start with a rebuttal, so I stayed silent.
There was only one reason I was so focused on this dungeon.
‘Magic Stone.’
A rare mineral found in only 0.001% of dungeons worldwide, a piece the size of a fingernail worth tens of millions of won.
The magic stone that Piuri needed at all costs to develop sentient equipment was inside this maze dungeon. And…
—Author, I really don’t know what Piuri did wrong. He just wanted to be happy with his equipment. How did this innocent guy, obsessed only with his gear, end up like this… — Likes 877 / Dislikes 23
By the end of this episode, the magic stone was about to be shattered right in front of Piuri.
Let’s recall the original maze dungeon episode. The raid went as follows:
[Entered Dungeon <Minotaur’s Labyrinth>!]
[Party Members: <Piuri>, <Kwon Seowoo>, <Shin Yeomyeong> (3/5)]
[Did they all get separated? I guess I need to head to the center of the maze.]
[Wow, this is huge. Let’s see, the exit is in the center, right?]
[Yeomyeong Nuna! Piuri! …Looks like everyone got separated. Let’s move first.]
Upon entering, the team was warped to different points in the maze and headed toward the center to find the exit. During this, a notification appeared before the team:
[<Baekgeon> requests entry approval from outside the dungeon! (3/5)]
[Huh? What’s this? Some emergency?]
[<Baekgeon> added to the dungeon with approval from party member <Kwon Seowoo>! (4/5)]
[Did someone join? I can’t see him, so where is he…? Hopefully nothing happens…]
However, nothing unusual occurred afterward in the dungeon.
After some time, they finally reached the center and found the magic stone, thrilled. But then…
“The final boss monster appears, and while struggling in the battle, Baekgeon, who had entered following Seowoo, triggers an explosion, turning the maze, monsters, and magic stone into dust before their eyes.”
To clarify: the original author made Piuri go through hell and then destroyed the magic stone right in front of him.
‘Are they serious? No, if they were sane, they wouldn’t have written a story like this.’
As a result, Piuri went home dazed, like someone who lost his country. What happened afterward was never shown.
At the time, the most common comment was speculation that Piuri might go dark like Najin.
“…Nuna, why are you staring at me like that?”
“What? Here, eat some more. And drink more too.”
“Eh?”
“Nuna, what about me?”
“You take care of yourself.”
My goal wasn’t just to help Piuri develop his equipment safely.
‘Help Piuri get the magic stone, build trust, and then ask for an introduction to the Cheon family.’
I needed to raise his favorability now, bit by bit. Approaching the Cheon family wouldn’t be easy, but anything involving the magic stone changes the situation.
‘A perfect plan!’
“…?”
I smiled, gazing at Piuri’s side profile. From today onward, I would be the embodiment of kindness in front of him.
“Oh, right!”
“Huh? What’s up?”
“I just remembered something I forgot.”
A fact I had overlooked flashed in my mind. I jumped up and said,
“Can you come here for a moment? I’ll return what I borrowed.”
“What you borrowed?”
Piuri looked puzzled but followed without complaint. Soon, we arrived at a dark second-floor storage room.
“This is a storage room? Why here…”
“Wait. Ah, here it is.”
I rummaged through a box and pulled out a familiar item—the perfectly cool, pleasant-to-touch A-grade equipment.
“Sorry for returning it late. I couldn’t find it before because it was buried in moving boxes.”
“Oh, this…”
Thanks to a large glass window, the room was bright even without the lights.
The ruby bracelet in my hand glimmered mysteriously in the moonlight. It was a fire-resistance bracelet I borrowed in preparation for the Gyeongbokgung Gate.
“Thanks, it was really useful! I closed the Gyeongbokgung Gate safely. Appreciate it.”
“….”
“Your equipment is amazing. I only glimpsed the others briefly, but it’s clear each piece was made with care. Very memorable.”
“….”
“Also, thanks for getting along with Seowoo. And…”
I desperately thought of something nice to say to raise favorability. Then I noticed Piuri’s face.
“Us?”
“….”
In the dim light, Piuri silently stared at the bracelet in my hand. Why isn’t he saying anything?
‘Maybe he’s mad I returned it so late? Well, fair enough.’
It had been weeks since I borrowed it, so it was a little embarrassing. I brushed my hair back awkwardly. Piuri finally moved his lips after a long pause.
“You can keep it.”
“Huh?”
“If needed, I can make another one. And it will make me happier if you keep it.”
“No, wait. Isn’t this expensive equipment? Can I just… give it to you like this?”
“It’s fine. Consider it a gift.”
Piuri spoke calmly, but knowing the approximate value of the bracelet, I couldn’t react calmly.
‘Fire-resistance armor starts at 6 million gold; this bracelet must be similar.’
My mouth dropped. He’s just giving it away? This guy must have money to burn…
‘Of course he would!’
His family was rich too. Even making a few items could earn a regular worker’s annual salary. My worry was silly.
‘I approached with impure intentions, and yet he’s so thoughtful.’
“Us. In this dungeon, I’ll really… protect you no matter what.”
“Huh? You, Nuna, will protect me?”
Piuri looked flustered as I returned to my usual expression. I said resolutely,
“Yes. There’s something like that. Trust me.”
In this dungeon, I will protect the magic stone at all costs!
