Chapter 260: Episode 260

The underwater city of Atlantis. Unlike other dungeons, it was an ancient, city-like ruin that had rested in the deep sea for ages.

[A Mana overload phenomenon is occurring.]

[The Mana of the Atlantis Crystal Sphere has exceeded its limit.]

That day, like any other, the crystal sphere spewed violent magic. It was a phenomenon that had persisted for years. Hwanhee, who had been standing at a distance, quickly approached to stabilize it.

[Cast Magic Control.]

[The Mana of the Atlantis Crystal Sphere is beginning to stabilize.]

His special class was Magic Manager. While it offered no combat skills, it granted him specialized techniques for managing magic. With practiced hands, Hwanhee controlled the volatile energy and restored balance.

“Phew. Done for today,” he sighed. “I guess I’ve surpassed the million mark by now.”

A long time had passed since he began hoarding magic with his unique skill. Though he hadn’t progressed beyond A-rank, this was his designated role. Hidden in the deep sea, he faced no interruptions and had repeatedly refused the Demon Realm’s invitations to focus on his objective.

’The Holy Kingdom invasion was the biggest crisis, but thanks to their help, I managed to pull through.’

He was going through all this for them; a little help was the least they could offer. Hwanhee checked the Atlantis Crystal Sphere.

[Atlantis Crystal Sphere]

[Rank: A]

[Level: 7]

[Mana: 1,543,961/900]

[Upgrade Level: 7]

It was a Mana level an ordinary dungeon couldn’t even dream of, the result of relentlessly absorbing energy from deep-sea magic pearls.

’Not much longer now. Another month of this, and I’ll have enough. I should let him know.’

It was a plan they had been preparing together since they were first summoned to this continent. He couldn’t achieve his goal alone; their help was essential. Hwanhee took out his communication device. At that moment, a message appeared before him.

[Aquanteil dungeon soldiers have appeared.]

[Balak dungeon soldiers have appeared.]

Intruders. Here, in the deep sea.

—

’So this is what it’s like underwater. My first time seeing it for myself.’

The magnificent, sprawling blue of the deep sea unfolded before him. Fish swam leisurely past, and strange creatures clung to rock crevices. It was a pristine, natural world.

[Aquanteil Dungeon Master Jiyeon Kim has cast Water Breathing.]

[For a certain period, grants the ability of water breathing to designated targets.]

Suddenly, breathing became effortless. It was the second time she had cast the skill. No gills sprouted on his neck, but he could inhale as if he were on dry land.

“Jiyeon, moving is still a bit awkward down here,” Taehyun noted. “Cast another skill, would you?”

“Ugh. Stop being so friendly all of a sudden,” she grumbled, rubbing her arms. Her glasses seemed to flash with irritation. “Once this is over, I’m going straight back.”

It was an understandable reaction, given that he’d coerced her into a contract by promising to restore her polluted lake. Still, despite her protests, she cast the skill.

[Aquanteil Dungeon Master Jiyeon Kim has cast Waving Movement.]

[For a certain period, removes movement restrictions in the water.]

Her special class was Wave Tamer. As the master of Aquanteil, her skills were perfectly suited for underwater environments. Taehyun felt his movements become fluid and nodded in satisfaction. Meanwhile, the elite force he’d brought for the invasion was marveling at the alien seascape.

“M-Master, look over there! There’s a huge fish!” Hyena exclaimed.

“Oh my, how lovely,” Mederia said, her eyes drawn to shimmering objects. “These all look like magic pearls. It would be wonderful to take a few and make some accessories.”

“To think we’d even come into the sea,” Dropin remarked. “I’m certainly having all sorts of new experiences.”

The group consisted mainly of his top raiders: Hyena, Mederia, Dropin, Kadum, Roquin, and Inhye. Jiyeon’s skills had a target limit, so he had brought a small, elite force instead of an army.

[A-rank Dungeon, the underwater city of Atlantis, has been discovered.]

At last, the city buried in the depths was revealed. Fishmen soldiers were already swarming its perimeter, clearly having detected the intruders with familiars.

“Guweeeek!”

“Guek!”

“Guuuuuuuruk!”

Hundreds of A-rank Murloc soldiers shrieked in unison. As the eternal guardians of Atlantis, they immediately began hurling spears at the sight of the intruders.

[Giant Murloc Jirunda has cast Magic Javelin.]

[Giant Murloc Enjes has cast Magic Javelin.]

[Giant Murloc Tsraul has cast Magic Javelin.]

Their main forces were already deployed, and javelins of considerable power rained down on them. Jiyeon ordered her guardian, Nikshurm, to erect a barrier.

[A-rank Hero Guardian Nikshurm has cast Bubble Shield.]

[For a certain period, blocks enemy ranged attacks with a water bubble.]

[Bubble Shield use limit 1/2]

The spears slammed into the shimmering bubble and were deflected. Jiyeon commanded her soldiers, and the battle against the Murlocs began.

“Now what?” she demanded, her voice tight with panic. “This is their home turf! Even with my soldiers, we can’t hold out for long.”

“They’ve definitely used buff items to enhance their firepower,” Taehyun observed calmly. “Let’s watch for a moment.”

“Aaaahk! I knew it was a mistake to trust you!” she cried. “You came here without any real plan! Listen to me: if all my soldiers are wiped out, I’m using Position Transfer to get out of here. Don’t you dare try to stop me!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Taehyun replied dismissively.

Jiyeon was right; they were at a disadvantage. Even with all of Aquanteil’s main forces, the difference between lake-dwellers and deep-sea warriors was vast. Taehyun turned to Roquin.

“You’ve evolved into an A-rank Top-tier Raider. Show me what you can do.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!” she chirped.

Her evolution had significantly enhanced her puppetry skills. Roquin took a miniature door from her pocket and tossed it into the water.

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Roquin has cast Doll Gate.]

[All dolls created through the Doll Workshop are summoned.]

In an instant, an army of quasi-A-rank dolls appeared, each possessing a different class. Jiyeon cast her underwater skills again to grant them mobility.

“For what purpose have you summoned us, Master?” one of the dolls asked.

“Help the Aquanteil soldiers and destroy our enemies,” Roquin commanded.

“Understood.”

The dolls, now possessing their own will, surged into the fray. Just then, a massive figure emerged from the Murloc ranks.

[A-rank Hero Keeper Deep Sea Fish Kodox has appeared.]

It was a grotesque creature with an elongated body and a gaping maw that glowed with an eerie light—a Keeper unique to the deep sea. Kodox opened its mouth wide and began to inhale.

[A-rank Hero Keeper Deep Sea Fish Kodox has cast Life Force Absorption.]

[Begins to suck the life out of the soldiers in front.]

“Kyaaaaak! My soldiers!” Jiyeon screamed. “Wh-what are you doing? Stop it, now!”

“Is your guardian just for show?” Taehyun retorted.

“What are you talking about? If the Bubble Shield goes down, we’ll die first!”

“Tsk. Fine,” Taehyun sighed. “Roquin, target Kodox. Everyone else, clear a path.”

Balak’s main forces, who had been waiting in the rear, finally entered the battle. Roquin’s puppetized body shifted, and she became a swordsman. Her A-rank dolls engaged the giant Murlocs, creating an opening.

[A-rank Hero Guardian Celestial High Fairy Mederia has cast Sacred Magic Bullet.]

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Hera has cast Binding Trap.]

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Eleonora has cast God’s Teaching.]

Though few in number, their elite power was overwhelming. Jiyeon stared, wide-eyed, as a new shield formed over her Bubble Shield.

“Th-this is?”

“It’s my shield,” Inhye explained calmly. “It automatically regenerates its durability, so you’ll be well-protected for a while.”

“A-amazing… To have raiders like these.”

“It’s still too early to be surprised,” Inhye said, pointing toward Roquin and Dropin.

The two moved in perfect sync, closing in on Kodox.

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Dropin’s Permanent Freeze has been activated.]

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Roquin has cast Become a Star in the Sky.]

In a flash of frozen time, a massive hammer slammed down. Kodox, caught mid-absorption, was launched upward, soaring toward the distant surface.

“Kurururururuk—!”

The Keeper had quite literally become a star in the sky. Jiyeon stared at Taehyun, her face a mask of astonishment.

“Th-this is the power of an S-rank dungeon?”

“No. It’s my power,” Taehyun corrected her. “Other S-rank dungeons don’t have forces of this caliber. Now, shall we get to the main event? By the way, how many more targets can your skill handle?”

“Umm… I think one more person is possible.”

“Good. I’m calling someone else. Get ready to cast the skill.”

The giant Murlocs were being annihilated. It was time to head for the crystal sphere at the city’s center. Taehyun took out his communication device.

“Can you come here now?”

“I can come anytime.”

“Good. Get here right away. We’re in a hurry.”

“I’ll be right there.”

A moment later, a small girl holding a doll appeared. She was the only Dungeon Master in the Resistance with a movement skill.

“Taehyun!” Songyi chirped.

“Yeah. Good to see you,” he said, pulling her into an embrace. “I really needed you right now. You’ll help me, right?”

“Yes.”

It was Songyi. Taehyun, still holding her, called Dropin over. Their destination was the Atlantis Crystal Sphere. Without hesitation, Taehyun pointed to the heart of the city.

“Songyi. Let’s go there.”

“Okay. I’ll cast it right away.”

Mana flowed from her doll. Designating both Taehyun and Dropin as targets, she activated her skill.

[A-rank Dungeon Master Songyi Han’s Short-Range Teleport is cast.]

[S-rank Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo and Dropin are moved together.]

The distance vanished in an instant. Songyi cast the skill again and again, rapidly closing in on the crystal sphere. Taehyun leisurely took out the Magic Jade, a smirk playing on his lips.

“With a prize like that, this will be some very worthwhile thieving.”

—

[Kodox has flown into the sky.]

[The giant Murloc soldiers have been annihilated.]

[The Deep Sea Tribe soldiers are retreating.]

Contrary to his expectations, the battle was turning into a rout. A mere six elite raiders were dismantling the forces Atlantis prided itself on. At this rate, the crystal sphere was in grave danger.

“Damn it! What kind of dungeon is Balak? I’ve never seen forces like that before!” Hwanhee cursed. “And since the city is in the deep sea, I can’t even get a clear line of sight. This is bad!”

“Calm yourself,” a deep voice rumbled. “First, leave a Position Transfer mark near the crystal sphere and prepare a neutralization item.”

A dragon with iridescent scales gave the order. It was Rukarsha, the sole survivor of the Water Dragon Tribe. With only him, an A-rank Hero Guardian, and a few remaining soldiers, their only option was to defend the crystal sphere at all costs.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Hwanhee agreed, his panic subsiding slightly. “I can’t use my Dungeon Master skills because of the magic level, so I’ll have to win this with items!”

Rukarsha’s special ability was still available. Clinging to that hope, Hwanhee placed a mark near the crystal. Just then, three figures began to approach at an incredible speed.

[A-rank Dungeon Master Songyi Han has cast Short-Range Teleport.]

[S-rank Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo and Dropin are moved together.]

Intruders, aiming for the crystal sphere. Hwanhee quickly hid, readying a neutralization item and an effect conversion card. As the three drew closer, he clutched his Position Transfer item, his throat dry.

“Now!” Rukarsha roared.

The signal. Without a moment’s hesitation, Hwanhee used Position Transfer, teleporting all his remaining forces directly to the crystal sphere.

[A-rank Hero Guardian Rukarsha has cast Water Dragon’s Roar.]

[For a certain period, the enemy’s movements are sealed.]

[For a certain period, the enemy’s skills are sealed.]

[Water Dragon’s Roar use limit 1/1]

A wave of pure fear washed over the intruders. At the same time, his A-rank soldiers surrounded them. They were trapped. Hwanhee stepped out from his hiding place, a triumphant smile on his face.

’Except for one, they’re just Dungeon Masters. Fools. You may have stumbled upon this place by chance, but you won’t be leaving!’

Their movements were sealed. All he had to do was neutralize any items they might try to use.

“You’re surrounded,” Hwanhee announced. “If you don’t want to die, tell me how you found this place.”

“Hmm. So you plan to neutralize Position Transfer and kill us the moment we try to use a return item,” Taehyun observed coolly.

“So you understand. Good. You can’t use skills now, so you’d be wise to start talking.”

“That’s true,” Taehyun conceded. “But this isn’t a skill. Dropin.”

The Paladin, who had been standing silently, nodded. A look of confusion flashed across Hwanhee’s face, and he gave the order to attack. In that instant, the very space around the crystal sphere began to freeze.

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Dropin’s special ability ‘Permanent Freeze’ has been activated.]

[The space around the caster begins to freeze.]

[A field where time is stopped has been created within a certain range.]

[The field will automatically disappear when all of the caster’s Divinity is consumed or when canceled directly.]

[Permanent Freeze use limit 1/3]

It was the Paladin’s special ability. Rukarsha lunged, trying to bite him, but it was useless. Time itself was grinding to a halt within the frozen space.

An absolute silence fell. All of the soldiers were now frozen like statues. The Paladin—Dropin—looked at Taehyun, who was also caught in the temporal stasis, and felt a pang of uncertainty. Just then, the Magic Jade in Taehyun’s hand began to glow, ignoring the frozen time as it greedily sucked the magic from the crystal sphere.

“Well, I suppose the objective has been achieved,” Dropin murmured to himself. “In that case, I should clean up these pests before all the magic is absorbed.”

His evolution had increased his Divinity. He could easily buy enough time for the Magic Jade to finish its work. And so, Dropin summoned a frost sword, his eyes glinting with cold purpose.

—

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