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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Decision
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When they first descended into the deep layer, Han So-hee and the five men following her had nothing to fear.
Every one of them possessed a decent Unique Ability, and they had been handpicked from the Strategic Planning Office as the best of the best in terms of combat prowess.
Especially—
BAM!
「Graaah.」
Sacred Strike Lv. ?
Adds 100% holy attribute damage to all attacks.
Go Cheol-woo, the section chief whom every employee revered without question, stood out as the most exceptional among them.
"Whoa, taking it down with a single punch."
"At this rate, isn't Section Chief the strongest human alive?"
His ability, optimized for hunting undead, shone brilliantly in this Lair of Evil Spirits. Even a casual tap would send a wight crumpling to the ground, never to rise again.
"Looks like we've cleared all the mobs now, miss."
"Good work, Section Chief Go. Let's go find the remains."
After smashing through every last deep-layer mob, they soon discovered Bardo's Remains. But there, they encountered something they never should have seen.
"That's one creepy-looking door. Decorated with over two hundred skulls."
"Isn't this that thing? You know, like in games—the boss room."
The thought of a boss instantly filled their eyes with greed. It was common knowledge that bosses dropped great rewards.
Above all, these people—who had never faced a single moment of hardship or danger thus far—had no reason to skip it.
"What do you think we should do?"
"Let's go in."
...And so the tragedy began.
"Aaaah! M-my leg!"
"H-help... Gahk."
"I'll clear a path! Everyone, protect the miss and run!"
The six who had boldly entered returned as three.
Gasp. Heave. Heave. They had barely escaped alive, but their minds froze in place, refusing to process it.
Defeat. Sacrificed comrades. Fleeing like whipped dogs, clinging to life by a thread. They couldn't accept that reality.
Squeeze.
Instead, crushed by guilt and defeat, they chose the easy path.
Revenge!
Find someone to blame, shift the responsibility. Rationalize that they themselves were blameless.
"Let's gather more people. We go back, get revenge, and recover the bodies."
That was the best the young, barely twenty-year-old leader could come up with. And then...
"Fuck that."
"What?"
"The world's gone to shit, and you think we're still gonna follow you?"
"Uh...?"
"You're delusional or something. We didn't come for you—we came for the section chief. With his sharp judgment, insight, and experience, we figured we could survive even this hellish trial."
Han So-hee stared at her two remaining subordinates in stunned silence. The bright smiles they used to flash whenever she spoke to them were gone. They didn't even show her basic courtesy anymore.
"But that crazy bitch without a mom wants to take on the boss."
"Exactly."
She felt wronged.
"W-what are you talking about? You all agreed! You said we had to take down the boss no matter what. That's how it works in games..."
She froze.
Mid-sentence, Han So-hee clamped her mouth shut.
The way the men looked at her was off.
A chill crawled up her spine. Instinct screaming danger, she whipped around and bolted.
"Miss, where are you going?!"
Gasp. Heave. Heave.
She ran through the darkness. Climbed ladders without rest. Footsteps pursued from below.
"Miss, how do you plan to survive in this brutal world without people like us to escort you? Heh heh heh."
The creepy laughter closed in, ladders rattled clang clang clang, the presence unmistakable. All she could do was sob and keep climbing the pitch-black ladder.
Reaching the middle layer, she hid in the fog. With so many people around earlier, no Specters lurked, and the presences were too numerous—they couldn't pinpoint her.
"Fuck, where'd that bitch go?"
"Sigh, Section Chief's gone too. Was hoping to climb on that pretty ass and hear her moan. Damn, she's quick on the uptake."
...
"You check that way. I'll take this. Meet at the chapel entrance."
"If I catch that fucking bitch, I'll pound her till both holes won't close."
The moment their presences faded, she rifled through nearby corpses, finding clean hoodie and pants to change into.
She rationed the food she'd pocketed and endured.
Hiding her breath in the fog, she moved between theater seats, holding out, holding on.
"Fuck, looks like the bitch fled all the way to the top layer. What now?"
"Pfft. Let's just give up. Plenty of other pussy out there anyway."
"Man, never got to shove my dick in those pretty lips. That's my one regret."
Only after they vanished back into the deep layer did she emerge from the fog.
In the silent darkness, she blankly surveyed her surroundings.
"..."
No one left to protect or follow her.
No parents, no family, no company here.
She was truly alone, cast into the world by herself.
"..."
A profound loneliness washed over her. The first since she was five. But she didn't collapse.
She approached a party that had just arrived in the middle layer.
"Hm? You want to join us? Sure, we're happy to have you. I'm Kim Yu-rim. And you?"
...Snapping back from the memory, Han So-hee steeled her gaze and argued firmly.
"So we're scrapping the raid. No lies—we swept through mobs like a storm before even reaching the boss room. Everyone was begging to join our party."
Kang Min-jun nodded.
It made sense. Go Cheol-woo's Sacred Strike was one of the top abilities against undead. If Kang Min-jun had it?
He'd have piggybacked the Saintess and raided the boss already.
'Holy attacks are always criticals against dark-attribute mobs.'
With his all-in on Strength, even a boss would melt in one swing.
'Just a what-if, though. Narrative ability.'
The reason even a mere narrative skill was so strong: it only worked against undead and demons.
'Anyway, it's a shame. Beyond Han So-hee's party, tons more died the same way, and more will follow.'
Did they ever imagine? Their unstoppable run crashing into ruin in an instant.
Early trials hid traps like this. To weed out the arrogant despite their power.
The Lair of Evil Spirits was one, the raid boss its core mechanism.
Countless transcendent ability users got cocky after trash mobs and vanished into history.
'Unless you're holy-based, no chance. Even five transcendent users couldn't take it. That's the caliber of this boss.'
Conversely, proper holy matching made it doable.
Why Kang Min-jun summoned the rock ghost to extract its bile sack.
'Got the angle to take it down—quitting now would be foolish.'
Better to risk a bit early for easier sailing later.
Far preferable to dozens of crises down the line.
"Don't worry. I'm confident in this raid."
"What?"
"Confident we'll down the boss, and even if things go south, I've got a way to get us all out alive without a single sacrifice."
"I'd like to hear what that is."
To Han So-hee, who wanted to see the safety net with her own eyes, Kang Min-jun pulled the letter envelope from his pouch and shook it.
"Ah."
Her face lit up in understanding.
He planned to give it to Yi-se-ra and have her wait at the boss room entrance.
If the hunt went poorly, escape via Yi-se-ra.
"You really are..."
"Hm?"
Han So-hee reached out, cupping Kang Min-jun's cheek.
At first, she'd dismissed it as baseless bravado, like the guys around her and Go boasting about games.
But this confidence stemmed from flawless preparation.
He was different. The first like this. Nose to nose, her face flushed, Han So-hee whispered,
"I've never seen a guy your age as capable or handsome."
...You're more than worthy to be my husband.
But she swallowed the last part. If he'd felt anything for her, even briefly, her poise and elegance had played a role.
So she'd maintain that elegance.
Even if her heart was already stolen, aching to embrace him, kiss him endlessly, straddle and grind wildly... She'd hold back.
Until he asked first.
"So you're on board with the raid too?"
"Yes."
With that, the two returned to the group.
One as usual, the other with a profound shift in heart.
"How'd it go?"
"Talk go well?"
The curious pair gathered. Han So-hee stepped forward, nodding.
"I'm for running the raid."
"Hah?"
Shin Seo-yeon, from the opposition, shot back incredulously.
"Wait, you went to convince him and got convinced instead? It was close earlier—what makes you think this won't be worse?"
"Honestly, I still think it's risky."
"Then why?"
Clutching my arm, Han So-hee replied calmly.
"If the master of the house makes a decision, supporting and cheering him on is a virtue of the lady of the house."
"What the hell? You his wife or something? And what's with this Joseon-era bullshit about 'lady of the house'?"
No response. Whatever Shin Seo-yeon said, Han So-hee just straightened my clothes and smoothed my hair.
Shin Seo-yeon whipped around, frustrated.
"Sis, say something!"
But the other one wasn't helpful either. The Saintess's eyes sparkled, as if moved.
"Y-yes! Supporting a man's work wholeheartedly is a wife's virtue...!"
"...Sis?"
"I should too. Min-jun oppa, I'm with you!"
"..."
Shin Seo-yeon slapped her forehead in exasperation.
One left. I looked at Shin Seo-yeon. She grumbled with half-lidded eyes, clearly displeased.
"What? Got something to say? Three already decided—no need for mine."
"I made the plan, but lives are on the line. If even one objects, we skip it."
"...For real? You'd bail if I say no?"
Nod.
Everyone, Shin Seo-yeon included, stared in surprise.
"Even the perfect plan fails without full party buy-in."
"Wise..."
"So like Min-jun oppa!"
The women admired. But Shin Seo-yeon smirked mischievously.
"Hmmm."
Seemed she'd agree to the raid...
Just using the chance to squeeze something out. Sorry, but after twenty-plus years together, I knew her inside out.
"Heard in the Rest Area that boss rewards are special."
"What? For real?!"
"Yeah. But rewards? Safety first. You're right this time, Seo-yeon. Let's skip—burning the remains now."
I pulled the remains and lighter from my pouch. As I went to light it, Shin Seo-yeon dashed over, stopping me.
"?"
"Hey! W-who said I don't wanna raid?!"
"So you're for it?"
"..."
The Crimson Flame Witch, regretting a free extortion shot.
As she dithered, I brought the lighter back. She flailed wildly, yelling.
"Fine! Let's raid! Do it!"
"Good, decided. Let's head down fast."
Leaving the rest spot, I led the group charging ahead.
「You too shall not escape this place...! Graaah.」
No need to farm items anymore, knew the path to the goal.
Plus, today we'd return to the Rest Area—warm showers, sunlight, real rest. Everyone's steps quickened at the thought.
"Sis, whatcha wanna eat at the Rest Area?"
"Dunno. You haven't tried that restaurant yet, right? Let's hit it first if it's there."
"Ooh, nice."
Through the waiting room, stairs, middle layer, chapel.
Pat pat pat.
Quiet all around, our footsteps—the sole survivors'—the only sound breaking the silence.
「Grooo.」
"These ghost types are no big deal? Feels easier actually."
Han So-hee, whose face had been tense leaving the safe zone, gradually relaxed watching our fearless advance.
'She's feeling the difference in levels.'
What others risked lives for,
Even her party approached seriously,
We breezed through effortlessly.
"Oh, this the deep layer? Atmosphere's pretty menacing."
Especially—ignoring my ten years of grinding—Shin Seo-yeon strolled like on a picnic.
Even with the Saintess's Recovery Authority soothing mind and body, bouncing back an hour after near-death showed her mental fortitude was no joke.
'Crimson Flame Witch indeed. Most optimized talent for the Selection Process.'
With me and Shin Seo-yeon casual, even the swept-along Saintess caught the vibe, her aptitude shining.
Party morale brimmed with confidence.
"Come on, bring it!"
「Give us blood! Your hot blood!」
「Why have you forsaken us, light...!」
Not reckless confidence, though. No party outmatched ours.
"Ah, Min-jun oppa. Mobs coming from both passages."
"Handle this side—you two, support Dickhead."
Whoosh!
Flames erupted from my palms like flamethrowers, incinerating wights before they neared.
On the opposite passage, wights couldn't even graze me before being bisected.
"...Impressive. Solid firepower, perfect recovery... No weaknesses. This team might actually down the boss."
Impressed, Han So-hee stuck close, providing sharp support without hindering—true Sword Master.
"Alright, beyond this door then."
Having cleared all deep-layer trash, a grotesque door adorned thick with skull decorations loomed beside us.
"Check weapons, drop packs here."
"No one's taking them?"
"Just us—who else?"
"Sure? Feels like my gems are missing."
Quick-witted but practical Shin Seo-yeon couldn't fathom a stealthed thief snatching her gems.
As the group set down packs, I slipped the Summoner's Letter Envelope backward. It vanished smoothly into thin air.
"Take care of it."
Nod.
Preparations complete.
Looking up, the group breathed deep, faces tense. First boss fight—expected.
Fwhoosh!
But a quick heal from the Saintess returned them to calm composure.
Battle-ready state achieved.
"Alright, let's go see the boss's ugly mug."
I shoved the skull door open roughly.
A sinister aura of death poured out to greet us.
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