TS 030

The trail abruptly ended, as if swallowed by the forest. The flames that had been guiding their path, Kim Su-an’s handiwork, vanished, leaving them standing in an area they hadn’t traversed before. It was as if the entire landscape had shifted, the terrain rearranging itself like a giant puzzle box.

“The path keeps changing,” Yoon Taehwa muttered, recalling Team 2’s report about the dungeon’s unpredictable terrain. They’d mentioned struggling to navigate the shifting landscape, the subtle changes so gradual that they’d initially gone unnoticed.

While this was his first time clearing a dungeon with a team, Han Suryeon, with his vast experience, seemed to understand instantly. His playful demeanor vanished as he surveyed their surroundings, his gaze alert. 

“The core must be nearby.”

It was likely that the core monster was manipulating the terrain. 

‘And the fact that it shifted so abruptly…’

The subtle changes that had gone unnoticed by two experienced Espers had suddenly become drastic, almost violent. Which meant the monster responsible was likely close.

It wasn’t entirely unexpected. While the dungeon’s theme was relatively straightforward, and the monsters they’d encountered so far had been fairly weak, there had to be a reason for its A-rank classification.

“Any monster types you prefer to avoid?”

Han Suryeon, his gaze sweeping the area, asked the question casually. 

“Anything that’s resistant to bullets or knives would be problematic. My ability isn’t exactly offensive.”

Nullification, while powerful, wasn’t designed for attack. It was effective against Espers, but against monsters, it was the equivalent of engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

‘That’s the nature of Nullification…’

While it was as rare as telepathy, Nullification wasn’t unheard of. However, no Nullifier in history had ever excelled in fieldwork. It made sense. Their ability, while capable of suppressing other abilities, lacked any inherent offensive capabilities.

“That explains why you usually work with a partner.”

“My role in dungeons is primarily support. Unless we’re dealing with humanoid monsters, I tend to stay back.” 

Which is why, within dungeons, Yoon Taehwa always relied on his team. Kang Jaemin’s psychokinesis, in particular, was invaluable. The ability to lift and maneuver objects, even people, allowed for close-quarters combat, bringing them within striking distance of the monsters. It was a risky tactic, one that required impeccable control and synergy between partners. 

“If the core monster shows up, you’re on support, Team Leader.”

“You’re the support. And don’t even think about using your ability. We’re dealing with plant-based monsters. We should be able to handle this with brute force.” 

“I told you, I won’t lose control so easily.”

They continued their trek deeper into the dungeon. In a dungeon with a constantly shifting landscape, their only option was to keep moving until they encountered the core monster.

A shadow fell over them. 

Yoon Taehwa, registering the change in color the moment his foot touched the ground, looked up. The sky was still blue, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. 

‘It’s close.’

There was no need for stealth. The monster would have to reveal itself before they could engage it.

“Do you think there are dwarves around here?” 

Han Suryeon’s question, out of the blue, as they navigated the dense undergrowth, made Yoon Taehwa pause.

Dwarves? Encountering humanoid monsters in a plant-based dungeon was highly unusual. Yoon Taehwa raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident. 

“Snow White ran away into the forest, remember?  A forest just like this. And did you hear that birdsong earlier?” 

Now it was Yoon Taehwa’s turn to frown. So it was another nonsensical fairytale reference. Han Suryeon seemed to be fixated on that ‘poisoned apple’ remark. 

“You seem to be quite fond of fairy tales, Suryeon.” 

“Someone promised to kiss me if I ate a poisoned apple.”

“I don’t recall making that promise.”

The ground beneath their feet trembled, cutting him off.

A deep, guttural roar echoed through the forest, as if the earth itself were groaning in pain. The ground beneath them cracked, splitting open. Yoon Taehwa reacted instantly, leaping back. 

“Looks like our prey is coming to us… Lucky us.” 

Han Suryeon, true to his word, drew his knife instead of activating his ability. Yoon Taehwa followed his gaze, spotting the monster emerging from the chasm: a mass of tangled roots, covered in thick, pulsating moss, oozing down like slime. 

Yoon Taehwa, wasting no time, fired two shots.

BANG! BANG!

The bullets ricocheted off the creature’s bark-like hide, one of them grazing Han Suryeon’s cheek, leaving a thin trail of blood against his pale skin. 

“Sorry,” Yoon Taehwa muttered, tossing his gun aside and drawing his combat knife. The blade, honed to a razor-sharp edge, gleamed dangerously as he expertly twirled it between his fingers. 

“That’s all I get? An apology for getting my face scarred?”

Han Suryeon, his eyes wide, sounded genuinely offended.

“I needed to test its defenses. Should have used your ability to dodge.” 

“You told me not to.”

“And you said it wouldn’t push you over the edge.”

Yoon Taehwa, his gaze fixed on the creature, slowly tilted his head back. The monster, emerging from the earth, was a grotesque amalgamation of roots, thick and gnarled, intertwining to form a humanoid shape. What should have been legs and a torso were now a mass of pulsating wood, reaching for the sky. 

“Team Leader, that’s disgusting.”

Han Suryeon, his playful demeanor replaced with a childish whine, hid behind Yoon Taehwa, burying his face in his back. Despite his revulsion, his voice was soft, almost clinging. 

“It is… rather repulsive.”

The monster, mimicking a human form, continued to grow, its roots twisting and contorting, forming arms, a chest, and finally, a head. Or rather, what should have been a head was simply a smooth, featureless surface, a blank canvas where eyes should have been. 

Yoon Taehwa let out a sigh as he and Han Suryeon stared up at the monstrous monster, its height easily exceeding ten meters. 

Their team members would have spotted it by now. They’d have to hold it off until reinforcements arrived. 

Taking a deep breath, Yoon Taehwa ran a hand over his cheek, the gesture instinctive. He wasn’t sure what it was made of, but the monster’s hide was as tough as bark.

CRACK

He ducked, narrowly avoiding a swipe from one of the creature’s massive limbs. He caught a glimpse of Han Suryeon, his face flushed, his eyes unnaturally bright.

‘He’s showing signs of rampaging’

Seeing as the other Espers still hadn’t arrived, it seemed like the monster was up to something. It would be better to just clear the dungeon quickly and get out so he could guide him properly.

As if to prove he wouldn’t disobey orders, Han Suryeon had been limiting the use of his ability. 

“Han Suryeon.”

Gray eyes, flickering with heat, met his. 

“You’re not going to lose it while fighting an A-rank, are you?” 

“So, I can use my ability now? You’re right, it’s best to end this quickly… Which means I need to get you out of harm’s way first.” 

Get him out of harm’s way? Before Yoon Taehwa could question him, he was lifted off his feet, his body flung backwards as if propelled by an invisible force. Han Suryeon, ignoring his orders, had activated his psychokinesis.

“What the…” 

Yoon Taehwa curled into a ball, bracing himself for impact.

CRASH

The force of the psychokinetic throw sent him crashing into a tree, the impact knocking the air out of his lungs.

“Ugh…”

His back throbbed, the pain a dull ache that spread through his body. He scrambled to his feet, about to return to the fight when the sight before him stopped him dead in his tracks. 

The monster, massive and grotesque, was being ensnared by a network of roots, thick and gnarled, that had erupted from the ground. Towering trees, as if imbued with a life of their own, swayed and twisted, their branches wrapping around the creature, binding it tightly.

Sharp, broken branches, propelled by an unseen force, shot upwards, coalescing into a spear-like projectile.

The air whistled as the makeshift spear, a deadly point of sharpened wood, pierced the monster’s empty eye socket, burying itself deep within its head. Impaled on the protruding tip was a shimmering object. 

Yoon Taehwa, recognizing the core, sprinted towards Han Suryeon. He kept his eyes on the sky, watching as the core, a beautiful jewel-like object, shattered, sending shards of light scattering through the air. 

It was over. 

‘He overused his ability…’ 

Yoon Taehwa, his breath even despite the long run, found Han Suryeon standing motionless, his back towards him. A sense of foreboding washed over him. 

“Han Suryeon.”

He quickened his pace, activating his own ability. Han Suryeon, who usually turned to greet him with a playful smirk, didn’t even flinch. Yoon Taehwa grabbed his arm, spinning him around. 

“Haa… fuck.”

Han Suryeon’s eyes, unfocused, flickering with an unnatural light, were a clear indication that he’d lost control. Trees, ripped from the ground by his erratic psychokinesis, rained down on the forest floor.

“I told him to eat a poisoned apple, and now he’s getting rampaging.” 

Yoon Taehwa ran a hand through his messy hair, grabbing Han Suryeon by the collar, slamming him to the ground. 

THUD

Even with the rough treatment, Han Suryeon remained passive, his gaze distant, his eyes slowly blinking.

Yoon Taehwa sighed, his frustration mounting. He straddled Han Suryeon’s prone form, pinning him down, his hand pressed against the other man’s cheek, his body leaning in, his gaze predatory. 

“Han Suryeon.” 

Han Suryeon’s eyes, recognizing his name, flickered towards him, his cheeks flushed, the color of the apple he’d been eating.

“Open your mouth.”

A scarred hand reached out, cupping Han Suryeon’s face, gently forcing his lips apart.

Yoon Taehwa hesitated, his gaze holding Han Suryeon’s for a moment before he lowered his head, letting out a sigh. His lips, parting slightly, captured Han Suryeon’s.