Two Weeks Later.
The Hunter community in Seoul was buzzing with a strange rumor.
It started in the online forums—a place where low-rank Hunters gathered to complain about pay and share dungeon locations. A new thread had appeared and quickly went viral.
[Topic: Has anyone seen the 'Ghost Duo'?]
"I was near a Green-Rank Gate in Mapo yesterday. We were struggling against the timer, worried about a Break. Suddenly, two people walked in. Twenty minutes later, the Gate just vanished! All I saw was a guy with a huge black gun and a... shadow? Has anyone else seen them?"
The "Ghost Duo." They were clearing dungeons at a pace that defied logic. They targeted Green-Rank Dungeons (C to E potential) and were even rumored to have entered a Purple-Rank Dungeon (B to A potential), ignoring the terrifying "Dungeon Break" timers that hung over the city like guillotines.
Inside the Green-Rank Dungeon: «The Toxic Swamp»
Squelch.
Han-wool's boot landed on a patch of mossy ground. The environment inside this specific dungeon was a humid, suffocating swamp.
The ecosystem here was entirely hostile; even the plants tried to bite.
Above them, the sky was a swirling vortex of green mana, indicating the dungeon's rank.
"Young Master," a voice crackled over the comms. "Two targets at 11 o'clock. Behind the rotting tree."
Han-wool tapped his earpiece. "I see them. Swamp Trolls. They regenerate fast. Aim for the head."
"Understood."
Han-wool stood in the open, acting as bait. From the murky water, two massive figures burst out.
"GROOOOAR!"
The Swamp Trolls charged.
Bang! Bang!
Two streaks of azure light pierced the fog. Woojin, perched on a high branch 400 meters away, didn't miss. The mana bullets obliterated the trolls' heads before they could take three steps.
Han-wool moved in quickly. He sliced open the chests of the fallen monsters and ripped out their hearts.
Gulp.
[You have consumed a Troll Heart.]
[Vitality +2.]
"Tastes like expired spinach," Han-wool grimaced. "Let's move, Woojin. The time limit on this dungeon is 30 days, and it's been open for 28. If we don't clear it today, a Dungeon Break will occur."
"Right behind you, Young Master."
The Boss Room.
The center of the swamp was a large, circular island of dry land. In the precise middle of the island stood a structure that looked out of place in the wild swamp—a majestic chair carved from obsidian and pulsating with ancient runes.
The Abyssal Throne.
Every Boss Monster, regardless of the dungeon type, sat upon or guarded an Abyssal Throne. It was the heart of the dungeon, the anchor that kept this dimension stable.
Coiled around the throne was a creature that made the trolls look like toys.
[Boss Monster: Basilisk King]
[Rank: Green (C-Equivalent)]
It was a massive serpent with scales like iron plates. Its eyes glowed with a petrifying yellow light.
"It's guarding the Throne," Han-wool whispered from the shadows. "Bosses are instinctively bound to protect it. They cannot destroy the Throne themselves, but they will kill anyone who tries."
Woojin was positioned on a cliff overlooking the island. "I see the red dot. It's inside the mouth."
"Then I'll make it roar."
Han-wool activated his Ring of Deceit, assuming his adult form to maximize his reach. He stepped out of the shadows.
"Shadow Step: Step 1 - Deactivate."
The Basilisk snapped its head toward him.
HISS!
Yellow beams of light shot from its eyes.
Han-wool dove, using Shadow Step: Step 2 to merge with the ground, dodging the petrification beam that turned the mud behind him into stone.
"Now!"
Han-wool surged out of the shadow behind the throne. He leaped onto the Basilisk's back, driving his dagger between the scales.
"ROAR!"
The pain forced the beast's jaw open.
ZZZ-CRACK!
Woojin's bullet flew across the swamp. It threaded the needle, passing right past Han-wool's shoulder and diving straight into the Basilisk's open maw, piercing the brain.
THUD.
The massive snake went rigid, then collapsed, sliding off the Abyssal Throne.
The Aftermath.
As the life faded from the Basilisk, the dungeon reacted immediately.
Wooooong.
Particles of light gathered on the empty obsidian seat. A heavy, ornate wooden box materialized on the throne.
[The Boss Chest]
"Target down," Woojin radioed in.
"Come down here. It's payday."
Han-wool approached the carcass first. He sliced open the snake's underbelly and found the core—a swirl of yellow and grey energy.
CRUNCH.
He bit into it.
> [Ding!]
> [You have consumed a Basilisk Core.]
> [Skill Stolen: «Paralysis Glare» (Lv. 1)]
>
"Excellent," Han-wool wiped his mouth. He then opened the chest on the throne. Inside were a pair of boots and a skill book. He tossed them into his inventory.
"Now for the exit."
Han-wool looked at the Abyssal Throne. The only way to leave a standard Temporary Dungeon and prevent a Break was to destroy this anchor.
He channeled mana into his leg and delivered a crushing kick to the armrest.
CRACK!
The ancient obsidian crumbled.
As the throne shattered, the dungeon began to rumble. The sky turned from green to red.
The pieces of the broken throne didn't fall to the ground. Instead, they floated up, swirling together to form a glowing vortex.
[Exit Portal Generated]
"Let's go," Han-wool said, stepping into the swirling light.
Outside the Dungeon.
Pop.
Han-wool and Woojin stumbled out onto the pavement of a park in Seoul.
Behind them, the massive swirling gate that had terrorized the neighborhood for a month shrank rapidly. With a soft fizz, it vanished completely, leaving only empty air.
"It really disappears," Woojin marveled, holstering his gun. "Every time we destroy the Throne, the dungeon just... ceases to exist."
"That is how Temporary Dungeons work," Han-wool explained, adjusting his tie. "They are bubbles of reality. Pop the Throne, and the bubble bursts."
Han-wool paused, looking toward the north.
"But Woojin, remember this. Not all dungeons are like this."
"What do you mean?"
"There are Permanent Dungeons. They don't have an Abyssal Throne. Even if you kill the boss, the dungeon doesn't disappear, and the exit isn't formed in front of the entrance. Instead, it connects to other places, sometimes even other worlds."
Han-wool's eyes darkened as he thought of Mount Chiri.
"Amartya's dungeon... is a Permanent One. We can't just destroy a chair to stop him. We have to burn the whole thing down."
He checked the date on his watch.
October 15th.
They had two weeks left.
"Pack up, Woojin. We're done with swamps."
"Where to next?"
Han-wool smirked.
"To the black market. Since we can't destroy the dungeon with a kick, we're going to need explosives. Lots of them."