NOTE: This Episode Covers From Chapter 16-20 from web novel and 18-21 from Manhwa.
After reading the Novel, I cut it out a lot unnecessary story from Light novel. Honestly I'm glad anime didn't include that unnecessary parts. I followed Anime more in this chapter than Manhwa or light novel.
Also sorry about being late. I was busy with my lab project representation. But it was over now. I have assignments and I can complete them in one day.
Next part will be released in last week of this month.
Now I'm busy in writing Fgo x Marvel chapters. So see you in last week guys.
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Morgan: "Hmph. It's time to rotate seats. We can't let certain people hog the position on his lap forever."
Her sharp eyes glanced toward Artoria Alter, who sat with a smug expression, arms crossed. Her chin tilted up in defiance—clearly not planning on moving just because someone asked.
Jeanne Alter: "Tch. I've been watching this ice bitch sit there for whole episode. It's getting annoying."
Tamamo-no-Mae:"Mou~! It's my turn, okay?! I had snacks from robot and everything ready!"
Meltryllis: "Figures you'd bring snacks. But sadly Luck will be on my side."
Artoria Alter, however, showed zero reaction to the bickering. Instead, with absolute confidence and chill venom, she leaned over and—kissed Ritsuka on the cheek.
A beat of silence.
Jeanne Alter:"…Did she just—? SHE JUST DID!"
Morgan's eyes twitched. A low hum of magical pressure built in the air. The screen itself trembled slightly.
Morgan:"…Director. Name. Now. Before someone starts Civil War."
Director Goredolf, mid-bite of buttery popcorn, turned pale and hurriedly shoved the bucket aside. He snatched the small box from the table like it was the Holy Grail itself and drew a name.
Goredolf:"IT'S… Charlotte Corday!"
Charlotte Corday:"…Eh?"
She blinked once. Twice. Her small hands trembled slightly, her eyes wide and filled with immediate panic.
Charlotte:"M-M-M-ME?!"
Habetrot, sitting on the armrest with a proud smile, gave her a thumbs-up.
Habetrot:"Yup, it's you! No takebacks. Fou agrees, too."
Fou:"Fou fou!"
The chaotic room suddenly hushed. Morgan, Jalter, Melt, Artoria Caster, even Tamamo, turned to stare at Charlotte.
A strange, tense silence fell.
Then, Artoria Caster spoke up first, her voice calm, mysterious, but approving.
Artoria Caster:"…I don't mind. She's honest. She won't try anything… scandalous."
Meltryllis:"Besides, she's way too shy to even breathe near his face."
Tamamo-no-Mae:"She's cute, but not competition. I'll allow it."
Despite the passive-aggressive approval, Jeanne Alter still leaned forward with a wicked grin.
Jeanne Alter:"Hey, Corday. You planning on seducing him with revolution? Or are you just going to sit there blushing like a tomato?"
Charlotte opened her mouth, no words came out—but Ritsuka simply gave her a warm, gentle smile. He patted the seat next to him.
Ritsuka:"It's okay, Charlotte. Sit with me."
Her heart skipped a beat. The butterflies in her stomach turned into a storm. Blushing furiously, she sat beside him, nervously clutching her hands together.
Charlotte:"Y-Yes! T-thank you, Ritsuka..."
The moment she sat, Ritsuka leaned a little closer, his voice soft and sincere.
Ritsuka:"I'm glad it was you."
Charlotte:"Eh?!"
Her face turned beet red. You could practically see steam rise from her head.
In the background, Artoria Alter had now moved to sit beside Aoko Aozaki, resting her cheek on her fist, smug as ever.
Her rivals looked at her.
Artoria Alter:"Hmph. Let the little mouse have her moment. I already marked my territory."
She licked her lips subtly, making them remember she kissed Ritsuka much longer which triggered another round of furious magical pressure from the peanut gallery.
Habetrot:"STOOOOOP! Everyone's Bride Power is plummeting! Ritsuka's not going to marry any of you if you keep fighting!"
Everyone shut up. Mostly.
Goredolf clapped his hands."RIGHT. Now that peace has returned for like, five seconds… Episode 5, Start dammit!!"
The screen lit up—
[Screen shows hunter association hospital where Ritsuka is. Next we the screen shows so many nurses are talking about Ritsuka Fujimaru, how his body is hot and manly and they are surprised how quickly he became hot. we got to see Ritsuka muscular body while he is doing daily quest. His body covered with sweat, his body grown strong than before. Now he can do daily quest without difficulty.
As Ritsuka completed his workout. A nurse came to see him. And saw Ritsuka in shirtless which made her blush. Ritsuka wear shirt and she said he is going to be discharged today, and she came to ask if he feels any discomfort. He says he feeling good. When he was ready to go, the nurse asked his phone number to become close to him. But Ritsuka thought she asking his number for hospital reports and gave it to her. ]
Douman leans forward with his mischievous grin, eyes flicking between the screen and the women gathered around Ritsuka.
Douman: "Oooh? Not a single outburst? I thought the sight of your dear Master being ogled by strangers would set the room aflame."He lets out a disappointed hum."Mmnnmmn… How underwhelming."
Tamamo: "Pfft, you're thinking too small, Douman. We're not some cheap harem side characters, alright? We know what we've got."
She gives Ritsuka a wink.
Tamamo: "Mikko, We see that body every day. I personally tasted it on valantine day."
Artoria Caster, sipping her tea calmly, adds with a serene smile:
Castoria: "Indeed. That physique matches precisely with our Ritsuka's form. No need for jealousy over a screen when the real thing is just a corridor away."
Oberon, eyes glinting with curiosity, turns.
Oberon: "Wait, and how do you know that, exactly?"
Cnoc na Riabh narrows her eyes sharply and lunges, pulling Castoria back by the sleeve.
Cnoc na Riabh: "She's lying. Totally lying. Forget what you heard, Bug King. That was… hypothetical speculation."
Castoria's face flushes as she hides behind her fan.
Castoria (murmuring): "Oops…"
Oberon blinks.: "You all are really bold about this kind of thing, huh…"
James Moriarty: "Hmph… that girl has sharp eyes."
Koyanskaya: "Oh? Enlighten us, Professor."
Moriarty: "You all missed it, but the subtle implication is that she knows he's not just a 'regular patient.' From the first episode, we've learned Ritsuka is a frequent visitor to the hospital, yet Suddenly now he heals much faster than the average hunter or past self. Clearly, he possesses some form of Regeneration Skill."
Kodad: "So she's not just thirsting. She knows something."
Moriarty: "Exactly. Reawakened. A rare breed—evolved beings with advanced traits. And judging from her tone and timing, she deduced it and saw this as her only chance to form a bond."
Koyanskaya: "How desperate~. How tragically mundane. Trying to lock him down over a patient chart—pathetic, really. You'd need something far more powerful to stake a claim on that man."
Barghest, arms crossed, watching the screen with calm intensity.
Barghest: "His physical development accelerated beyond normal growth. The increase in muscle mass and core strength… that's a big change must be done by raw stat points. His STR stat has definitely been boosted."
[We see news channel with interview of S Rank Hunter Baek Yoonho. He started to explain the life of hunters. He was once a firefighter. And Illya was listening to this while eating biscuits. She was time and got ready to leave. She was silently closing the front door to her home, so that her brother wouldn't wake up from his sleep, as she was about to leave for school.
But, then….
"You going to school now?"
"Eh?"
She was taken by surprise when a voice came from near her, and she quickly turned around to look. And she saw Ritsuka came from his room.
"You're up?" Illya said
"I've been up for a while. Be careful on the road."
"The meal I made yesterday
is in the fridge...so"
Illya had detective look and thought 'Now that I think about it…'
Her older brother's back seemed broader than before, for some reason.
"Brother, have you been exercising?"
"Uh... a little." Ritsuka said without looking at her. Trying to lie.
"Have you gotten taller too? Because of exercising? Men can grow after they've reached adulthood?" Illya said with smile looking at him. She looks very short infront of him.
Looking at her smile. Ritsuka can't help but laugh.
"I'm heading out." Illya said and about to leave but Ritsuka stopped her. He suddenly pushed forward an umbrella to her.
"Why an umbrella?"
Illya received it and took a look at the sky. As it was still early dawn, the sky remained dark, but it seemed to be more or less clear and cloudless.
"But, it doesn't look like it's going to rain, though?"
"Take it anyway."
"But, it's heavy, you know?"
"Better safe than sorry. Go" he put the umbrella in her bag.
"Geez, I'm leaving."
"Be careful."]
Mélusine: So this master version came back home So 4 days timeskip... That means he's been managing the daily quests. He must be adapting fast.
Goredolf: [nodding with crossed arms] Hmhm! Efficient use of time. Did he workout in his room every morning. This lad's routine is more disciplined than mine during cafeteria inspections.
Assassin EMIYA: [coolly leaning back] From Illya's surprised tone, he's not someone who usually wakes up early. He's changing his habits than before... quietly, too. That's very much like our Ritsuka, doing his best without making others worry.
Mandricardo: [scratches the back of his head] I mean, seriously, she didn't even question the muscle gain? Or the fact that he's, like, taller? She's just... rolling with it?
Habetrot: [giggling cutely] It's so adorable though! She noticed something's off, but didn't make a big deal—just smiled. That's what family is, right? You accept the weird stuff because you love them.
Tiamat: [hands clasped gently, eyes soft] Such kind children… watching over each other so sweetly. I want to pat their heads and hug them warmly…
Moriarty: [adjusting his glasses with a sharp gleam] Hmph. So the umbrella wasn't just random. That must've been a reward—probably a item from the system. If I had guess then the system predicted today it was about to rain because it will only give what is useful for Ritsuka if I remember it's logic. Does it mean it can see future or something like that.
Ritsuka: [quietly sharing his popcorn with Charlotte] Want some?
Charlotte Corday: [accepts it with a small smile, her cheeks tinting pink] Thank you… it tastes better when shared like this.
Illya: [watching quietly] My other me… she's much more cheerful and innocent than I was back then. She really trusts her brother...
Caster Irisviel: [smiling lovingly]
[He went back to hall and saw he his daily quest which he completed expect Running.
"I'll run later."
"The muscle I've gained must
be due to the ability stats. If I keep training,
I might become a bodybuilder. Haha" he gave bodybuilder pose.
" I still have some points left. Which one should I choose?"
He opened his status and found himself in difficult situation.
"I need strength to increase But it's pointless if I can't hit the target. Then I need to improve agility. I'll boost both strength and agility. It's also good to enhance vitality. Perception is useful too. As for intelligence... "
This was the problem.
He hadn't been able to figure out this Stat's uses yet.
His level had increased by quite a lot, but he didn't feel any smarter than before. His memories didn't seem to have improved, nor did his ability to calculate quickly, either.
"I think, it has to be related to magic…. Do I need it?"
This Stat might be something he didn't really need for the time being. Which left Strength, Stamina, Agility and Perception.
" Okay, I've decided. "
Ritsuka put 8 points in Agility, 2 in Strength and 2 in Perception.
"That should do it." ]
Mélusine: [with interest] four days of unspent points.
Suzuka Gozen: Can't lie, he's got a decent head on his shoulders. I mean, he's not just randomly chucking points around like some casual. He's actually planning ahead. I like that focus~ Totally my style.
Jeanne d'Arc Alter: [Arms crossed, scowling] Ugh, stop dancing around it. Just talk already old man. You've been dying to explain this like some boring math professor.
James Moriarty: [Smirking, his glasses gleaming as he adjusts them] Ahem, very well then. Allow me to dissect the boy's decision-making. Ritsuka's current stat layout, particularly his investment in Agility and Strength, is a textbook demonstration of complementary synergy. You see, he already knows Strength is crucial for hitting hard. But Agility?
He taps His chair with his finger.
Moriarty: Agility is the subtle killer. It sharpens his perception, slows the world around him, enhances his ability to respond and dodge. But more importantly—it's the key to counterattacking. When used with strength? He doesn't just move fast—he hits hard and accurately.
Kadoc Zemlupus: [Leaning forward, unusually passionate] Wait—let me add something.
Moriarty: [Grinning] By all means.
Kadoc: [Raising a hand like he's briefing a squad] He's prioritizing agility now because it's become the deciding factor in fights against fast or unpredictable enemies. Strength alone won't cut it anymore. He doesn't need raw power if he can't land it. The smarter thing is to make sure he's fast enough to see the enemy's openings first.
And perception? That works in tandem—it lets him read aura levels, anticipate danger, track faster foes. Think of it as his sixth sense getting sharper.
Boobhan Sith: [Resting her chin in her hands, looking confused] But why not vitality? Doesn't being hard to kill matter?
Moriarty: [Pointing at her with a glint of amusement] Excellent question, my dea- Comrade. Vitality is indeed crucial—but not in a build focused on evasion. Agility makes you not get hit. Vitality lets you survive getting hit. But investing heavily in both early on would be inefficient. He's not building a tank—he's building a ghost. Something you can't touch, but can hit back even harder.
Jeanne Alter: [Smirking, arms behind her head] Hah. So he's going for a glass cannon that dodges everything? Risky, but I respect it. He's not being stupid about it either.
Moriarty: [Chuckling]" Oh, and one last detail. If you're wondering why the point distribution was exactly 2 Strength, 8 Agility, and 2 Perception?
It's because he likes clean numbers."
A brief silence.
Boobhan Sith: …That's it?
Moriarty: Yes. A purely aesthetic choice. Multiples of five… look better. A foolish little satisfaction, but charming in its own right.
[Riiing, riiiing….
Suddenly he got call from landlord.
"This is the Hunter Fujimaru Ritsuka."
"Aigoo, you finally picked up the phone."
"kid, why is it so difficult to get in touch with you lately?"
The voice coming from the speaker was a familiar one.
It'd been four years already since he graduated from high school and therefore stopped being a 'kid', but the owner of the building always attached that prefix in front of Ritsuka ever since taking in both the fujimaru siblings when they were still young kids.
"I'm really sorry about that. I was admitted to the hospital because of an incident a few days ago."
"Tsk, tsk, so that's what happened. I should've known. Well, there's that and, kid…. The rent for this month hadn't come in yet, so…. what should I do? If it's a bit too tough for you, should I delay it for a month or two?"
"Oh, no. It's fine. I'll send the money in a bit later."
"Okay. But, don't force yourself, you hear? Trying to look after your mom and your younger sister, you're going through so much hardship there. I know money is important, but don't forget to take care of your body, too."
"Thank you. I won't forget that."
The call ended there.
[A/N: Landlord Is real Chad here.]]
Tamamo-no-Mae (with soft eyes, tail swaying behind her):"Mikon... that landlord… is a very good man. Not many humans show such kindness, especially to those burdened with so much responsibility."
Morgan (arms crossed, calm but firm): "Hmph. It takes strength to care for others alone like that, but it takes a special kind of man to support them from the shadows. The landlord may not wield magic or swords, but I'd say he's earned a my respect."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter) (grumbling but visibly moved): "He's not like those obnoxious landlords in dramas, always kicking out families for being late on rent. He's real. Ritsuka's lucky… someone like that didn't just demand rent, he understood."
Caster Gilgamesh (arms folded, red eyes focused on the screen): "Hmph. A rare mongrel, indeed. Both of them. One bearing the weight of a mother and sister on his shoulders, and another who sees the value in loyalty over gold. This boy… this Master Ritsuka…" (he turns toward the group) "Unlike most pathetic creatures clinging to excuses, he walks forward. Pain or not."
Ishtar (raising an eyebrow at Gil): "Wait, you're praising someone? I thought the day you acknowledged a human would be the day the heavens froze over. I'm not talking about Master here"
Caster Gilgamesh (with a superior smirk):
"I do not praise humans, goddess. I praise merit. If he earns my words, then he deserves them. Unlike certain useless deities who need divine Wi-Fi to function."
Ishtar (flustered, sparks flying around her): "Why you—!! I'll smite that smug grin off your golden face—!"
While others are busy, Ritsuka suddenly remembered the painful memories of lostbelt 5 where he saw Charlotte die infront of him helplessly. He felt pain in his heart.
Charlotte "…master?"
Ritsuka (smiling faintly, trying to hide the weight in his eyes): "It's nothing, Charlotte. Just thinking… that's all."
Charlotte: if you say so.
Ritsuka's gaze meets hers for a brief second. A flicker of something dark crosses his expression, but it vanishes quickly. He turns back to the screen.
[Ritsuka sat on sofa and took out his phone.
"I don't know if the phenomenon
on me is a second awakening But now I can kill goblins in an instant. I should be able to earn the rent easily. That being said, it's not so easy to find work. I need to enter higher-level gates to make money. However, an E-Rank hunter like me
has no chance of getting in. Should I go for a re-evaluation? If my hunter rank is higher, I could enter the high-level gates. The more attention I get, the more money I might make.".
Ritsuka suddenly started to think seriously 'But it would attract too much attention. People with second awakening are rare. Not to mention hunters who grow
stronger as their level increases. That would attract a lot of unnecessary attention. The media are annoying. I might even become a target. Better not. At least I should be ableto protect myself first.'
He tighten his first and thought 'Also, it's better to keep it down before I know what this power is.'
Suddenly he got a message
•Emergency! Searching for a single Hunter, regardless of the rank! Needs to come right away!•]
Aoko): "Ah, it seems like Ritsuka's waiting for that Hunter Association call. Too bad it's not them!?"
Kadoc: "Ritsuka was hoping for something like this. Now, He is waiting for more chances to raise his attributes, to gain strength... to push forward. It's funny, though. Back when he used to get calls like this, he'd hesitate to go for gate In episode 1. Now? Now he can't wait. But... it's not exactly the call he was hoping for, is it?"
Caster Irisviel (her eyes warm with a sense of nostalgia and care): "The landlord... he isn't just inquiring about the money, is he? He's always taken care of Ritsuka and his family, never raising the rent, even offering to delay payments when he knew Ritsuka was struggling. Such a kind-hearted soul. It makes me believe there's a place for compassion, even in a harsh world."
James Moriarty (with a sharp, analytical gaze): "In a world where rent prices are ever-rising, the landlord's compassion is almost unheard of. Ritsuka's expenses have been at a steady $375 a month if I had to guess, a sum that still cuts into his limited budget. But that's enough for him to get by, to scrape together enough to survive. However, let's be honest—the landlord's concern for Ritsuka's well-being goes beyond money. He understands the burden Ritsuka carries, taking care of his family, and knows that no matter how dire the situation is, Ritsuka never neglects his responsibility. That's true sacrifice."
Goredolf (leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms as he speaks with his usual bluntness): "Let's not sugarcoat it. For the lesser-ranked Hunters, money's always a problem. They kill monsters, sure, but the quality of the dungeon determines how much you get. The higher your rank, the better the rewards. An A or S rank, those hunters live comfortably with sponsors, commercials, even TV appearances. But for those below? You've got to grind harder for scraps—private raids, inconsistent jobs. Thousands of dollars a month, but it's never stable."
Koyanskaya (with a sharp smile, intrigued by the scenario): "Then why doesn't he just get a regular job, one with less risk? He's clearly talented. The man could make a living elsewhere."
James Moriarty (raising an eyebrow): "A regular job? It's not about the risk. If Ritsuka were to take a minimum-wage job, he'd miss out on the calls from the Association and hunter association benefits. These opportunities don't come often, and every moment he spends at work could cost him a chance to level up now, to gain more power, to earn more. A normal job would never pay the price of missing a Hunter's call."
[Ritsuka used this chance to do daily quest running and completed it after he reached the dungeon.
He got rewards.
"Confirm."
Just before he could take rewards he heard someone calling him.
"Heyyy! Over here."
It was a bearded man with a fairly big physique. He smiled softly and walked closer while speaking to Ritsuka.
"Are you Mister Ritsuka?"
"That's correct."
"Aigoo, it's a relief that you found the right place so quickly. I guess this is fate, so how about we greet each other before we get started?"
"Hey isn't he the famous guy. His nickname is ' The weakest Hunter of All Mankind '"
"Haha, For real"
"Hey, stop this. Sorry, my members are rude."
Ritsuka says not taking insults "No, it's true that I am an E-Rank hunter. Can I join?"
"No problem, I just need you to make up the numbers."
The eight of them including himself were regular teammates that worked together all the time, while the remaining guy was someone who also came here to make up the numbers, just like Ritsuka.]
Kukulkan (nodding approvingly): "Ritsuka used this chance wisely to complete his daily quest. It's always best to take advantage of such opportunities."
Aoko (laughing lightly, amused by the turn of events): "Ah, what timing! Just as Ritsuka was about to claim his rewards... I wonder what he would've gotten. Maybe some powerful gear, or a rare item?"
Nero (with an amused yet disdainful expression): "Umu! Who is this 'Dip Man'? His body language and attitude... they don't match at all. He looks like he should be cleaning the horses, not leading a team."
Morgan (snorting, with clear disdain in her voice): "Human? More like trash. What a bunch of insufferable fools."
Artoria Caster (smirking as she watches the screen): "A bunch of losers, honestly. They think they can mock someone like Ritsuka, but he could probably kick their asses with his eyes closed."
Oberon (with a smirk, crossing his arms): "Well, well. No one knows Ritsuka's changed. Can't blame them, but this guy certainly looks like a bully. It'll be amusing when Ritsuka shows them just how much power he holds."
Artoria Lancer (shaking her head in exasperation, clenching her fist): "He needs a hard slap in the face. These people don't deserve to mock someone who's been through as much as he has."
Meltryllis (grinning wickedly): "Maybe a good kick in legs would be in order too. Just to show them their place."
Boabhan Sith (leaning forward, her eyes glinting with curiosity): "I wonder how it would feel to torture them, just a little. See what happens when you push someone too far."
Suzuka (a rare hint of respect in her voice): "Gotta respect this Ritsuka, honestly. Even with those insults thrown at him, he keeps that poker face. No reaction. That's discipline."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter) (eyes blazing with righteous fury): "If I were in his place, I would burn those trash to ashes. I wouldn't let them get away with it."
Draco (with a cruel laugh, his fangs gleaming in the dim light): "Hahaha, these humans. Foolish, weak...."
Gilgamesh (his laughter rich and mocking as he observes the humans on-screen): "Pitiful. To mock that mongrel is to invite their own downfall. These mortals amuse me."
[Ritsuka greeted other team members and studied their countenance carefully. Thanks to his enhanced Perception Stat, he was able to more or less sense everyone's capabilities.
'Five with a similar rank. Four with a slightly lower rank than them. Five rank Cs and around four with D or lower.'
There was a regulation when attempting to clear a Gate rated C. The minimum number of a party had to be ten Hunters, and more than half had to be at least ranked C or higher. Only then did the Association issued a permit.
It seemed that them claiming to do all the hunting and he only needed to be there to make up the numbers didn't sound like an empty boasting after all.
"You're not counted as combat power,
so you will not share the spoils. However, we will pay your commission fee of 2 million in cash. Four C-Rank hunters and two D-Rank or lower ones? "
"I understand. What should I do?"
"You'll carry the luggage. Inside are bento meals as well as spare clothes and equipment."
"You're not bringing a healer in?" Ritsuka asked as he felt it's strange.
"It's difficult for private teams like us to recruit healers. You should know that. We have always managed like this." He should with trusting face.
"Yes." Ritsuka said but he felt it's not right.
'A team with only Tankers and Fighters, They are reckless. And the fact that there's no healer is quite concerning.'
"Then please sign the contract. The other party won't be held accountable for any incidents in the dungeon." The leader even gave pen to sign.
"Done." Ritsuka sign the contract.
"Thank you." ]
Mandricardo (stroking his chin as he watches intently): "So, this is the newly posted raid Ritsuka got in his phone message with this guy. Looks like a simple contract"
Ritsuka Fujimaru (watching his own version sign the contract on the screen, his voice calm but thoughtful): "It seems he is signing a different contract. Is this similar to the Hunter Association's system?"
James Moriarty (leaning back with an amused smirk, clearly enjoying the situation): "Not quite, Master. The contract, while it may look like something from the Hunter Association, is quite different. These private raids have zero insurance. No protection. If things go wrong, they're on their own."
Goredolf (frowning slightly, shaking his head at the lack of foresight): "The line of work was so incredibly risky that no rate could make insurance companies profit. These private teams are gambling with their lives, which makes their choice of contracts all the more dangerous."
Kukulkan (shaking his head with a mix of amusement and disappointment): "The contract even states he isn't allowed to fight! What a waste! At least he's getting paid... but he's being made a glorified pack mule instead."
Tezcatlipoca (his voice sharp, almost reprimanding): "Tch, if he fights, he will reveal his sudden powers to the world. He can't afford to have that happen just yet, bird-brain."
Mandricardo (with a knowing look, glancing around at the others): "This might be one of those moments where Ritsuka's patience pays off. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up saving them all... whether they want it or not."
["Excuse me. Looks like we're both pieces of fluff in this party, huh?"
He was none other than the other Hunter Hwang Dong-Seok had brought along in order to fill up the numbers. He was a young man with a bright expression. However, unlike Ritsuka, he was actually going to participate in battles. He was ranked D, so he had the right to do so.
[Note: I changed him back to his original character instead of Fgo counter. I took the decision to follow original for few characters.]
"My name is Yoo Jinho, 21 years old, a D-Rank hunter. I was also brought in to make up numbers."
Ritsuka lightly nodded his head as Yu Jin-Ho greeted him, before shifting his gaze away. Yu Jin-Ho seemingly wanted to carry on with the conversation, but ended up scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He soon returned to his spot.
"Okay." Ritsuka said and thought 'D-Rank with such gears? His family must be rich'
"Is this your first time in a C-Rank dungeon? Don't worry. I will protect you."
Ritsuka could only gave fake laugh as to appreciate.
Hwang Dong-Seok said "Let's go then."
The party headed straight to the location of the Gate.
"Aren't the bags heavy?Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Ritsuka said
"I am younger than you. You don't have to speak so formally."
"I understand." Ritsuka agreed
"Have you heard? The president
who marked this project escaped abroad with 900 billion funds two months ago. The employees and investors are all complaining." Jinho said while looking at the construction work
"Okay."
"Ah... Did I talk too much again? I'm not used to paying attention to people's reactions." ]
Meltryllis (snickering, eyeing the young man on the screen with a teasing smile): "This guy... looks like a rich kid. He's all new and soft, like a baby who's just popped out of his shell to find a new life. What a cute doll."
Boabhan Sith (watching with a wry smile, her gaze cold yet amused): "Yeah, his presence screams money. You can tell by the looks of his armor and talks—this isn't someone who's seen real danger yet."
Oberon (chuckling darkly, amused by the youthful bravado): "Haha, this kid came to a dungeon for the first time and already says he'll protect Ritsuka. So funny.."
Edmond Dantès (with a raised eyebrow, speaking with the kind of cynical amusement only he can muster): "He also has a loose mouth, doesn't he? Constantly talking, without realizing the danger in saying too much. He'll learn soon enough."
Tiamat (her voice soft but thoughtful, perhaps even a little empathetic toward the young man): "But looks like an honest kid. Naïve, yes, but honest. It's not his fault he hasn't been tested by the harshness of the world yet."
[Finally they reached to the gate
"This is it."
"Wow, what a large entrance."
The Hunters all let out a surprised gasp.
"Hwang hyung, is this really a Gate rated C? But, isn't it too big?"
"You think the Association was lying to us? They said that investigators came around here twice already."
"Then it must be C-Rank."
"This gate is huge. Is it okay to enter?" Jinho asked Ritsuka
"The size of the gate isn't very important. What matters is the flux of magic power emanating from inside. The Association will measure that value and classify it. Normally, B-Rank and above dungeons are handled by large guilds. Those below C-Rank aren't as dangerous." Ritsuka said
"You know a lot about this, bro". Jinho said
"I have been a hunter for some time." Ritsuka said but he thought in his mind.
'But still, this is my first time in a C-Rank dungeon.' Ritsuka thought.
Hwang Dong-Seok stood in front of the Gate and looked back at his team.
"I'll be entering first. Do your best to keep up, everyone."
The Tanker entered first, and the other Hunters began entering one by one.
''Ritsuka, let's go.'' jinho said excited
''Hmm... got it." Ritsuka said while looking at the gate mana]
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer) (watching with a furrowed brow): "I hope nothing happens in this Gate."
Ishtar (eyes narrowing, a sense of foreboding in her voice): "I can feel a red flag already."
Jeanne Alter (her tone dry and sharp, almost critical): "And this is his first time going into a C-Rank dungeon."
Habetrot (grinning, her voice light-hearted yet tinged with dark amusement): "Are we going to see all of them fight the strongest monsters again, to the death?"
Douman (musing, a gleam in his eyes as he observes the screen): "Mmmmmm, now the story's getting interesting."
James Moriarty (leaning forward, eyes gleaming with anticipation): "Now I will get the hints of the system if something happens in this Gate. I hope my calculations are right, I will get close to find the system identity."
Nero (with a confident smile, her tone exuberant): "Umu!! Isn't Ritsuka looking tense?!"
Edmond Dantès (eyes narrowed, voice low and contemplative): "Despite all of Ritsuka's newly attained power, he's still tense whenever he stands in front of a Gate like this. After years of treating each as a battle of life and death, it wasn't so easy to dissociate those memories of pain from these new ones of leveling up. There was lingering trauma from all the times he'd been hospitalized."
[The interior of the dungeon was eerily quiet.
"….."
Not only that, but it was also completely dark, too.
Hwang Dong-Seok issued his first order.
"Hey, Gyu-Hwan? I need a light."
"Alright."
The magic-related Hunter Joh Gyu-Hwan created a ball of a light in mid-air. The surroundings became bright immediately.
Hwang Song-Seok lowered his shield and tilted his head slightly.
"What the hell? Where are all the monsters?"
"I wonder. There is no light in here, either."
Now normally, there should have been luminous stones found here and there inside cave-like dungeons and emitted some light to illuminate the way forward. However, this dungeon didn't have those.
Ritsuka thought 'A pitch-black dungeon reminds me of the Cartenon Temple.'
Jin-Ho whispered to Ritsuka from the side.
"Ritsuka, what is "luminescent stone"?"
"Well, luminescent stones are glowing rocks
that are common in cave-like dungeons. They are usually found on the walls or the floor, emitting a faint light to illuminate
the insides of the cave."
"So, the magic gems obtained from magic beasts, the mana crystals collected in dungeons, and the luminescent stones that light up the caves. They are quite confusing." Jin-Ho said
"You will get used to it soon." Ritsuka said.]
Suzuka (with a teasing edge to her voice): "Ritsuka, you're putting up red flags again and again. Hope you can face them when they come."
Aoko (observing closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watches Ritsuka's every move): "Ritsuka used his enhanced perception to determine exactly what it was they were dealing with. To everyone else, the dungeon appeared empty at first but for him it isn't."
Morgan le Fay (nodding in agreement): "Yeah, he really improved in his analyzing skills."
Ishtar (thoughtfully, her expression distant as she watched the light in the dungeon flicker on the screen): "Luminescent stone, I wonder how it will be."
Caster Gilgamesh (chuckling darkly, a smirk playing on his lips as he leans back in his seat): "Tch, tch. Greedy goddess. I can see a future where you attack the multiverse to steal all the treasures."
Ishtar (scoffing, but there's a playfulness in her tone): "Well, one can't help but be curious about such things. If the treasures are as valuable as they say, why not take them?"
["Ritsika, could there be a dungeon without monsters in it?"
"Shush."
Ritsuka gestured the younger man to keep quiet. Because, Ritsuka's ears were twitching. He could hear lots of footsteps coming from the distance.
"It's not that there aren't any, they just haven't arrived yet."Ritsuka said
Yu Jin-Ho swallowed nervously after hearing that.
Rumble….
Soon, the party could hear what Ritsuka heard earlier on.
Only then did Hwang Dong-Seok realise something was amiss here.
A dungeon with no luminous stones could mean…..?
"What moves around in groups, lives in darkness, and rushes towards a source of light?"Ritsuka thought and came to conclusion.
"Oh, crap!!"
The complexions of Hwang Dong-Seok and his dongsaengs became ashen all at the same time.
"It's bugs!! Bugs are coming!!"Ritsuka shouted.
"F*ck it, man!! Why the hell did it have to be god d*mn bugs!!"
Hwang Dong-Seok cried out.
"Get into your positions!! They are coming! In front!!"
From the other side of this lone passage, 'somethings' were madly rushing towards them in a large group.
"Wait, could this be an ant hill?"
"Don't say something that might jinx us, okay?"
Out of all the monster types, insects were the most troublesome to deal with. Their shells were quite hardy, they always moved around in large groups, and each individual possessed pretty high combat potential, as well.
And the worst of that lot just so happened to be the ant-types. Countless Hunters made a mistake and entered the 'ant hills' only to lose their lives very quickly.
Rumble, rumble!!
The sounds of the insect legs rustling on the ground noisily reverberated throughout the cave. It meant that they had come pretty close now.
Hwang Dong-Seok raised his shield right up below his chin. However, they couldn't see any insects even then. His dongsaengs began raising a fuss from behind him.
"What's going on here? Why can't I see them?"
"But, they are close by, though?"
"Dong-Seok hyung, can you see anything out in front?"
It was at this time that Ritsuka shouted out.
"Above you!"
'What?!'
Hwang Dong-Seok reflexively looked up.
Rumble…..!
Huge insects were running towards them on the ceiling.
If they were discovered late even for a single second, those things would've jumped down on top of their heads.]
Illyasviel (impressed, her eyes wide with admiration): "Ritsuka's hearing… It's incredible. He noticed them before anyone else."
Mélusine (a bit more analytical): "I was surprised no one found it strange that Ritsuka is stronger than them.."
Douman (smiling darkly, his voice filled with anticipation): "Mmmmmm, I want to see blood. Cough, I mean, those monsters' blood."
Koyanskaya (rolling her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm): "Hell, like we believe your words. Stop that disgusting acting, Douman."
Morgan le Fay (eyes narrowing, her expression tense as she listens to the sounds coming from the screen): "Wait! Those sounds. I don't like it. If they're small caterpillars, I would use my Noble Phantasm. If only my powers weren't sealed…" (Her gaze turns to Oberon with a look of murder in her eyes.)
Barghest (snarling, her protective instincts kicking in): "Don't worry, your majesty. I'll take care of all the bugs."
Oberon (rolling his eyes, his voice unbothered): "Yo, stop looking at me like that. I don't control all the insects in the multiverse."
[The insects revealed themselves on screen, their massive, menacing forms crawling across the ceiling, their clicking legs reverberating in the air.]
Suzuka (eyes wide in shock as the screen revealed the monstrous insects): "What the? All those insects are as big as dogs?!"
Habetrot (muttering in awe, her voice a bit shaky): "If not for Ritsuka finding them, a few Hunters would be headless by now…"
Morgan le Fay (visibly relieved, but still uneasy): "Thankfully, it's not bugs or caterpillars. Or I would've jumped into my husband's arms."
[He raised his voice and shouted out.
"Fire!! Fire and bring them down!! Once they are on the ground, I'll attract the aggro!"
Swish, pow!!
Boom!!
Kiiieeehhk!!
Kiieehh…
When a few monsters fell down after getting struck by the attacks of the Hunters, the rest of them followed suit and landed back on the ground. Without a doubt, they were planning to engage the Hunters.
From here onwards, the capability of the Tanker would prove to be crucial. Hwang Dong-Seok activated his provocation skill to attract the gazes of all the monsters to himself.
And as if they had a prior agreement, monsters all turned their heads to glare at Hwang Dong-Seok at the same time.
"I'm over here, you d*mn bugs!!"
Kiieeehhh!!
Dozens upon dozens of monsters rushed towards Hwang Dong-Seok's position.
Slam!! Clang!!
Clllannng!!
Cling!! Clang!
His shield managed to defend against the attacks of the bugs without fail. The strong jaws and claws couldn't tear the shield in half. The Tanker Hwang Dong-Seok defended commendably well from the front, all stable and unmoving.
"Standby, get in position, and get ready!!"
Hwang Dong-Seok waited for the right timing.
Jinho says in protective pose "Ritsuka, please don't leave my side"
Hwang Dong-Seok roared out.
"Attack!"
Along with that short but manly shout, all the accumulated firepower of the team poured out on the marauding insect horde.
Kiiieehhhk…
Kiieehhkk!!
The pained screams of the monsters rose up from here, there, and everywhere.]
Artoria Caster): "Ritsuka knew right from the get-go that the monsters they were dealing with were insects. His instincts and experience are undeniable in gates."
James Moriarty (leaning forward, intrigued by the battle's progress): "Insects, particularly these, are troublesome. Not only are they hard to kill and detect in groups, but their dominance on the ground means that being knocked over is an instant death sentence. It's an unfortunate truth."
Kadoc (slightly grim, his arms crossed as he analyzed the situation): "The type that no Hunter ever wanted to see in the dungeon was a nest of ants. Those are the most difficult out of all the insect beasts. Their coordinated strikes, their sheer numbers—it's a nightmare."
Koyanskaya (her voice dripping with sarcasm as she shook her head): "If Hunters entered what seemed like an easy dungeon only to get wiped by a coordinated onslaught of relentless ants, it would be a tragic, foolish death. But I suppose that's what makes this dungeon so dangerous."
Goredolf (his voice a bit more subdued as he thought back to the moments before the battle): "Luckily, this wasn't what Ritsuka was dealing with here. But had he not called out the initial ambush from above, it's likely that a lot of the party would've died instantly from being knocked over. He saved pretty much everyone from that death sentence. A real lifesaver."
[Ritsuka stood at the back and observed this situation as it unfolded. That was the contractual obligation he had to adhere to for this raid.
"Amazing, all the bugs are heading towards Hwang. It's a taunting skill. C-Rank hunters are indeed better." Jinho says as he amazed to see this fight.
'They've been working together for long. Maybe it's because they don't have a healer, the way they fight is rough. As for Jinho...' Ritsuka analysis jinho and thought again 'His equipment compensates
for the lack of strength.'
When their gazes briefly met, Yu Jin-Ho quickly raised his thumb up.
"….."
Because of his expressions that looked as if he was desperately pleading for a positive response, Ritsuka was left with no choice but to reciprocate the same gesture as well.
Looking rather satisfied now, Yu Jin-Woo turned around.
'Everyone is doing well, but I feel a bit unsettled.' Ritsuka felt something fishy.
Once the coast was more or less clear, Hwang Dong-Seok issued another order to his dongsaengs.
"Don't forget the magic crystals! We split them exactly nine ways!"
"Yep."
"This is my favourite part of the raid."
"Me too."
Hwang Dong-Seok confirmed his giggling dongsaengs collecting the loot, and walked closer to Ritsuka.
"Aigoo, we survived all thanks to you."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you were the first one to alert us about them monsters coming up from above, weren't you? How did you know, though?"
"It was…. My instincts."
Ritsuka came up with a story on the spot.
Quite obviously, he couldn't come out and say that his Perception Stat was high, now could he?
"Oh, really? instincts, huh…. Well, we got lucky today. I don't even want to imagine what might have happened if we didn't discover them in time… whew-woo."
Hwang Dong-Seok patted his chest while speaking up.
It was then.
One of the Hunters rummaging through the carcass of the insect gestured at Hwang Dong-Seok to come closer.
"Hwang hyung, please come over here for a sec."]
Kukulkan (frustrated as she crossed her arms, her eyes locked on Ritsuka on the screen): "It's frustrating to see Ritsuka having the power to fight but not being able to do so."
Suzuka (nodding in agreement, her eyes filled with a touch of longing): "I really want to see Ritsuka fighting, leveling up like in those games. He got the strength, but he's stuck watching. It's a waste."
Mandricardo : "His contract legally prevents him from fighting. All he could do was watch and analyze but he fight with no one around."
James Moriarty (his voice laced with a mix of fascination and annoyance as he analyzed the battle unfolding before him): "He would think about how it is he would approach the battle, then observe every opening and envision a counterattack. But the part that frustrates him the most is that despite all these openings—these perfect chances to strike—no one fighting seems to see them or capitalize on them. It's a series of missed opportunities. It leaves him looking helpless, doesn't it?"
Artoria Caster (with a sharp look in her eyes, her disdain for the leader growing): "This leader is not what he acts to be. What a liar. My eyes can see through him."
Edmond Dantès (his voice quiet but sharp, the subtle weight of his experience coloring his words): "I agree. His smile... it's fake. It only shows when they want to backstab, when they want to take credit for what others have done. A wolf in sheep's clothing."
[The cave seemed to go on forever. However, bizarrely enough. they hadn't come across a single monster as of yet.
Since the dungeon was shaped like a long cavern, there was no way that they'd miss each other, too.
We've been walking for quite a while. And jinho started conversation with Ritsuka on their way.
"The size of the dungeon... Is unrelated to its level, right?"
"It's related to the flux of magic power."
"Although the dungeon is big,
it's quite empty, right?"
"Yes."
"But transporting luggage becomes
quite laborious in such a big dungeon."
"Ritsuka, can you still manage?"
"It's not that heavy.
"It's good to earn money without having to fight."
"A good deal." Ritsuka said and looked at the team as thought.
'No.Too good, actually. I have a feeling there's something fishy. A battle-hardened team yet without a healer. And they even needed to make up the number.'
The cave seemed to go on forever. However, bizarrely enough. they hadn't come across a single monster as of yet.
Since the dungeon was shaped like a long cavern, there was no way that they'd miss each other, too.
We haven't encountered a single uninjured magic beast during the walk. All we've seen are either corpses or those barely alive. The boss should be somewhere. If there's no BOSS, the gate won't open.]
Nero Claudius (her voice full of dramatic flair, her eyes gleaming with excitement): "Umu! So, it's a C-rank boss waiting for them then."
Charlotte (her eyes narrowing, a smirk tugging at her lips): "I see. So the boss is the villain. I bet Ritsuka saves all of these hunters."
[Ritsuka, however, shook his head, his expression emotionless as he spoke in a calm, almost detached tone.]
Ritsuka: "No, I don't think so."
Charlotte (confused, her curiosity piqued): "Why?"
Ritsuka (glancing at his other version, a knowing look passing between them): "Because the enemies aren't just monsters. They're humans too. Just watch and see it."
James Moriarty (his voice dripping with admiration as he leaned forward, analyzing Ritsuka's every move in screen): "As expected of Master. He saw through them. Now, let's just watch the screen."
[It was then.
Although it had been for the briefest of all brief moments, Ritsuka still sensed the gazes of the several members of this team landing on him.
Their eyes shifted away as soon as Ritsuka displayed a hint of sensing them. With this, he was certain now.
'As I thought….'
His initial suspicions proved to be correct.
Then jinho says "Did you see the way I slayed the magic beasts?"
"Yeah." Ritsuka nodded.
"Jinho. Your sword and shield
are expensive, right?" He asked him
"Eh? Yeah. Because this is my first mission. My father bought me high-quality gear." Jinho says
"I see. I don't know for sure yet, but it's better to be cautious." Ritsuka says
Yu Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion ]
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter) (spitting the words with venom, arms crossed tightly): "Son of a bitch."
Tamamo-no-Mae (with narrowed eyes, her tail flicking with agitation): "Mikko… So Ritsuka already sensed something. He's pretending to play along, but he's watching every move they make."
Morgan le Fay (her voice cool and sharp, laced with restrained fury): "With his senses enhanced from his level ups, he knows. He knows they're watching not just him, but the boy too."
Tenochtitlan (arms folded, expression unreadable): "If they're planning betrayal… then they've just become materials. EXP offerings for Master counterpart's level ups."
Aoko Aozaki (leaning forward with a frown, eyes glinting with empathy): "I bet he's surprised. And pissed. He's been through too much to take betrayal lightly."
Edmond Dantès (his voice like a storm, low and calm but filled with gravity): "And betrayal... is not new to him. He's seen comrades turn their backs. Trusted allies raise fingers at him. The pain is familiar. So is the resolve."
[The cave seemed to go on forever. However, bizarrely enough. they hadn't come across a single monster as of yet.
Since the dungeon was shaped like a long cavern, there was no way that they'd miss each other, too.
We've been walking for quite a while. And jinho started conversation with Ritsuka on their way.
"The size of the dungeon... Is unrelated to its level, right?"
"It's related to the flux of magic power."
"Although the dungeon is big,
it's quite empty, right?"
"Yes."
"But transporting luggage becomes
quite laborious in such a big dungeon."
"Ritsuka, can you still manage?"
"It's not that heavy.
"It's good to earn money without having to fight."
"A good deal." Ritsuka said and looked at the team as thought.
'No.Too good, actually. I have a feeling there's something fishy. A battle-hardened team yet without a healer. And they even needed to make up the number.'
The cave seemed to go on forever. However, bizarrely enough. they hadn't come across a single monster as of yet.
Since the dungeon was shaped like a long cavern, there was no way that they'd miss each other, too.
We haven't encountered a single uninjured magic beast during the walk. All we've seen are either corpses or those barely alive. The boss should be somewhere. If there's no BOSS, the gate won't open.]
Habetrot): "Seems they've been walking forever, huh. I'd be tuckered out…"
Tiamat (smiling maternally): "Ritsuka and that boy… They seem to be growing close. It's nice."
Charlotte (softly, without taking her eyes off the screen): "He's cautious, but kind. That's why people like Jinho follow him."
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer) (arms crossed, her eyes serious): "The deeper they go, the more concentrated the magic it have. I suspect an earth-attribute boss… perhaps a subterranean type beast. This quiet… is the calm before the clash."
James Moriarty (leaning back in his chair, tapping a finger to his chin with a sly smile): "If I had to wager… it's a Gaint. Not just any boss. A monster of the deep. The corpses hint at it—devoured, discarded. No ant guards means no colony defense or queen. I'd put my coin on a giant spider. Eight-legged matron type."
Morgan le Fay (watching silently, then muttering coldly): "They're being lured deeper."
Tamamo-no-Mae (sighing): "Ugh, spiders. Horrible creatures."
["Hold it."
Hwang Dong-Seok in the lead suddenly stopped walking. He stopped so abruptly that people behind him ran into his back.
The Hunter whose nose had slammed into the head of the guy in front asked with a sullen expression.
"Ouch, what the heck…. Hwang hyung, what is it?"
"Gyu-Hwan-ah. I need a light over there."
Joh Gyu-Hwan controlled the ball of light floating up in the air and redirected it further up ahead, exactly where Hwang Dong-Seok had been pointing at.
"Holy sh*t."
"All these….?"
All the Hunters spat out low groans.
The torn wings, legs, torsos, and even heads of the bugs – remains of the various dead bugs were strewn about everywhere as far as the light shone. The further into the cave the light got to, the greater the amount of the remains they could see. And also, a huge chamber located at the end of it all.
"That's the boss's room."
Someone muttered out softly. Hwang Dong-Seok nodded his head.
"Everyone, get your equipment ready."
The Hunters quickly armed themselves. Nervousness was evident on the expressions of everyone present.
With Hwang Dong-Seok leading them in, the rest of the Hunters cautiously and silently entered the boss's 'room'. ]
Kukulkan (perched elegantly on a pillar of glowing wind): "Oh my… Looks like our little predator friend had quite the feast. Every ant, beetle, and bug—devoured. One predator clearing the field."
Oberon (half-lidded eyes gleaming with mischief): "That explains why the ants were fleeing. Instincts, hm? They knew something far more terrifying was in the shadows."
Ishtar (arms crossed, legs swinging impatiently): "If those hunters are planning betrayal, I hope they walk straight into its fangs. Serves them right. Instant karma."
Meltryllis (twirling a single razor-sharp finger): "No, no, Ishtar—bad karma. Cruel retribution served cold and skittering. I approve."
Goredolf (gripping his seat's armrests nervously): "C-Can't you all just think a little more positively? This is real danger! Ritsuka is down there!"
Koyanskaya (adjusting her pristine suit, amused): "Oh, I will Director. You are so positive to the point you even kept my lipstick with you. Quite adorably, I might add."
Goredolf (blushing furiously): "T-That was a strategic alliance! And you don't have to bring about lipstick!"
Koyanskaya (mock-offended, tails twitching): "Still so bitter, are we? I did save your life, you know. Perhaps you should be thanking me with another offer. Matte this time."
[However, their silence only lasted for a few seconds afterwards.
"J-Jackpot!!"
The Hunter with a red nose cried out. He was none other than the guy whose nose slammed into someone's back of the head.
Originally, it was forbidden to shout out too loudly inside a dungeon. Because there was a possibility that a monster they didn't have to fight might hear the noise and run towards where the Hunters were.
However, none of the others scolded the red-nose for his mistake.
"Wowsers."
"How much could all of these be?"
"It is a real jackpot, innit?"
Everyone was way too busy gasping out in admiration and happiness, that was why.
"Wait a second."
When Joh Gyu-Hwan fixed the beam of light high up in the middle of the air, the situation within the room became clear for all to see – as well as the jewel-like stones jutting out from one of the walls of the cave.
"They are mana stones!"
"The entire wall is made up of them!"
These mana stones reflected the light attractively and caused the eyes of the Hunters to sparkle brightly in greed as well.
Mana stones!
They were one of the treasures that could be found inside dungeons.
Although each stone possessed a lower amount of magic energy compared to a magic crystal extracted from a monster, they almost always were found in large quantity, so if one were able to mine them, one could earn a substantial profit.
Besides, the mana stone deposit they had discovered was incredibly large. The entire wall of the huge cave was actually filled up with these stones.
It's not as valuable as the magic gem,
"They are worth about a billion."
"Dongsuk. Your brother will be green with envy." A hunter said
"Hey. Don't bring up his brother." Another mob said
"Dongsoo, I've told you." .Dongsuk thought with a evil smile.
'You're not always right. I'm no longer the guy who always listens to his younger brother. I will use these as capital
to build my team.' ]
Ishtar (her eyes glowing gold as she leaned forward eagerly): "Mana stones, huh? Not quite the divine gems I like, but hey — shiny is shiny! I'd take the whole wall and remodel my treasury!"
Assassin Emiya (arms crossed, eyes narrowed): "A treasure like that in the hands of a crew this suspicious? Ritsuka and that rich kid should be careful. The glint in their eyes says it all."
Mandricardo (rubbing the back of his neck, visibly uncomfortable): "That Dongsuk guy... He smiled like a guy planning betrayal in broad daylight. What kind of messed up family dynamic is that? 'Don't bring up his brother'I wonder what type of person his brother is?."
Oberon (sipping tea, laced with ill amusement): "Oh, this is getting fun. Greed… betrayal… the classic dungeon descent into madness. I'm just here to watch it all burn."
[Yu Jin-Ho had been staying at the back until then, and when he heard those words, he began poking Ritsuka side with his elbow.
"Hyung, show me your copy of the contract."
"Why?"
"Just trust me on this one. I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to law, you see."
Ritsuka shrugged his shoulders once and handed over the contract as requested. Yu Jin-Ho walked over to Hwang Dong-Seok while carrying that.
"Excuse me, seniors? I wanna ask you about something."
The eyes of the celebrating Hunters immediately focused on Yu Jin-Ho next. Yu Jin-Ho flapped open Ritsuka's contract and showed it to them.
"Mister leader, this is Ritsuka hyung's contract. As you can see, there is no clause about splitting the treasure beside the magic crystals earned from the hunting itself."
Everyone there caught on to what Yu Jin-Ho was trying to say.
– It's customary to share the treasures or other rare items found in a dungeon equally among all the participants of the raid. The splitting of the profit, in this case, is different from monopolising the magic crystals of the monsters one hunted themselves.
In other words, the mana stones had to be split ten ways, not nine.
The light within the Hunters' eyes changed greatly, but Hwang Dong-Seok simply smiled and took a step forward.]
James Moriarty (resting his chin on his hand, sighing theatrically): "Ah… naïveté at its finest. That boy's walking into a lion's den thinking he's holding a leash."
Goredolf (huffing and crossing his arms): "His father probably tossed him in there to toughen him up. Old-fashioned parenting or corporate cruelty? Hard to say."
Kadoc (eyes glued to the screen, voice quiet): "He's brave, though. Doesn't matter if it's naïve or reckless—he's standing up for someone. I hope he doesn't end up paying for it."
Moriarty (chuckling lowly): "Oh, he'll pay. That smile from Dong-Seok? That's the smile of a man who's already decided where to bury the body."
Goredolf (muttering): "By the Root, why don't these types ever just talk things out over tea…"
Kadoc (bitter smile): "Because in dungeons power talks. He's not wrong, but he's outnumbered, outgunned, and standing between greed and its prize."
["Of course, we'll be sharing them equally. I know the rules well. We still have some things to take care of before that, though."
Hwang Dong-Seok raised his index finger and pointed to his front.
Yu Jin-Ho grandly flinched from that. He thought that he was the one being pointed at, actually.
He shuddered slightly and turned his head around to take a look, and finally spotted a spider as huge as a house quietly squatting way over there.
"Heok….!"
Yu Jin-Ho began taking hurried steps backwards and covered his mouth after seeing the spider's appearance. As if it was fast asleep, the huge spider didn't even budge an inch from the spot.
Around the creature, there were empty shells of the dead insects piled up as high as a mountain.
A fair few of them were 'half-eaten', and there were bodily fluids mixed in among them as well, basically resembling a trash pit full of food waste.
"That's the boss, huh."
"Did that thing eat the bugs inside the dungeon?"
"Well, it sure did eat a lot, didn't it?"
Hunters glared at the spider and passed their opinions one at the time.]
Jeanne Alter (arms crossed, smirking with a little pride): "So your guess was correct, old man. The thing did eat everything in sight."
Artoria Lancer (stern, with narrowed eyes): "And it's been in hibernation. Like a anaconda nesting over its hoard… until someone pokes it awake."
James Moriarty (polishing his glasses with a pristine cloth, voice amused): "Of course I'm right. If it walks like a predator and leaves half-eaten corpses like a predator, then it certainly isn't on a vegetarian diet."
Jeanne Alter (glancing sideways at him): "You sound too happy about being right when something like that is involved."
Moriarty (with a charmingly cold smile): "Why wouldn't I be? It's not like our master trapped in a cave with a monster the size of a cathedral. Now, this is the moment where things fall apart. The panic. The betrayal. The desperation."
[Hwang Dong-Seok called the others to gather around. Ritsuka and Yu Jin-Ho, too, stood in front of Hwang Dong-Seok as well.
"As you all know very well, as soon as the boss is killed, the Gate will start closing up. So, before we kill the spider, let's mine the mana stones first."
Everyone nodded their heads.
"Cheol-Jin-ah, did you bring along the equipment for the job?"
The man named Lee Cheol-Jin shook his head.
"No. Who knew we'd find mana stones inside a C-ranked dungeon? All the mining equipment is back in the van."
"Oh, come on now, dude…. Didn't this hyung always tell you to keep it around just in case?"
"My bad, my bad. I'm really sorry about this."
Lee Cheol-Jin grinned brightly and began apologising to Hwang Dong-Seok, the rest of his teammates, and even to Jin-Woo.
Hwang Dong-Seok spoke up while scratching the back of his head.
"Aigoo. What a bother this has become. In that case, why don't you two stay here and wait? We'll go outside and fetch the equipment in the meantime."
When the Hunters tried to leave all at the same time, Yu Jin-Ho formed a confused expression and quickly asked them.]
Aoko turned her head, only to find Artoria Alter lounging with one leg over the other, munching on chips from a crinkled bag. Her eyes weren't even on the screen.
Aoko (staring in disbelief): "You're seriously eating junk food right now? While they brigade walks into an obvious betrayal trap?"
Artoria Alter (glancing sideways, unfazed): "Want some?" (She holds out the bag casually.)
Aoko (flatly): "No. Aren't you at least going to watch it?"
Artoria Alter (shrugs, still chewing): "Not interested in watching it. I'm only interested in fighting scenes. If I get my turn to sit next to Ritsuka... I'll happily spend all my time watching him instead."
She pops another chip into her mouth without a care, eyes briefly flicking to the screen with vague disinterest before focusing on the snack again.
Aoko (speechless, eyes twitching): "...You absolute muscle-brained romantic."
["Are you telling me and Ritsuka hyung to remain in the boss room?"
Hwang Dong-Seok smiled with his eyes and replied.
"The b*stard is yet to wake up even though we've been talking loudly for a while now. So, I'm sure nothing's going to happen here. Well, there are some things I wanna speak to my boys, too, so we'll take a short smoke break as well. But, don't worry, it won't take long."
"But..." Jinho tried to argue
"Yoo, it's your first mission, right? Mr. Sung, this is also your first time at a C-Rank dungeon, isn't it?" The leader gave big smile.
"Just trust me, guys." He said before turning his back.
"Okay?" Jinho said with uncertain.
"I need to tell my members something. I'll come back after a smoke. " The leader said and left them.
'According to the rules, at least eight people are needed to conquer a C-Rank dungeon. Excluding Jinho and me, this team originally had six people.' Ritsuka thought
He remembered the leader words "We have always managed like this."
Ritsuka started to connect the dots. 'He said always, which means... They often conquer C-Rank dungeons. They should have regulars to make up the numbers.'
Around the same time, Hwang Dong-Seok turned around towards the boss room. The Hunters following him also came to a stop. They had arrived at a far-enough spot from the boss room now. At this sort of distance, there was no danger of being overheard.
Hwang Dong-Seok smiled deeply and signalled to Joh Gyu-Hwan next to him with his chin.
"Hey, Gyu-Hwan-ah? Block up the entrance to the boss room."Dong-Seok said to his teammates who reveals his trueself. ]
Morgan (coldly, narrowing her eyes): "He didn't even give them a chance. No warning. Just manipulation and forced isolation."
Meltryllis (arms folded, voice laced with venom): "These bastards. They planned to kill Ritsuka and that rich doll from the start."
Habetrot (wringing her little hands, clearly upset): "I knew it! His smile looked fake! 'Trust me,' he says—then turns around to gut them like it's nothing!"
Draco (furious, gripping her armrest): "Spineless cowards. Can't even face them directly. They're hiding behind numbers and lies."
Kadoc (quietly impressed): "But that Ritsuka… He's calm. He's already figuring it out. His mind's putting the pieces together."
James Moriarty (lightly chuckling, adjusting his glasses with a glint in his eyes): "Indeed. Sharp instincts. A deductive mind. In another life, he could've rivaled top detectives himself."
Moriarty (with a trace of wistful admiration): "But alas… he won't walk the detective's path. He walks a harder, lonelier one."
[Kabooom!!!
With a loud explosion, the entrance of the boss room suddenly caved in.
"Uh, uh?! Huh!! Ahhh!!"
Yu Jin-Ho hurriedly ran towards the entrance.
Unfortunately for him, the entrance was completely blocked up by the fallen rocks. He pushed on with all his might, but not a single stone budged.
Ritsuka slowly walked over there in the meantime.
"The entrance is...What is this? Did they betray us?" Jinho says
Ritsuka thought 'As expected. They are...' and remember Mr. Song words.
"Sometimes you just come across such scumbags. This work is inherently dangerous, and accidents are par for the course. But even if an accident happens, it won't be made public, hence the crime rate is high.There are no surveillance cameras in the dungeons. If everyone is dead, there's no evidence left. They use the weak as bait to lure the enemy or abandon them in there. In simple terms, it's like a gecko dropping its tail to survive."
Jinho fell on his knees and said " They plan to kill us over a few mana crystals. I talked too much about the contract."
Ritsuka thought 'No. No matter what the situation is, they will kill us immediately
if we act rashly. More importantly...' Ritsuka saw the boss woke up.
"Keurruuuk. Keururuk."
The spider's sleep had been interrupted by that loud explosion and it was slowly raising its massive body up.
The body the size of a house.
Dozens upon dozens of eyes.
That horrifying mouth.
Eight long, long legs.
Now that it had begun moving for real, it looked far more terrifying than when it was actually in a deep slumber.]
Caster Irisviel (placing a hand over her heart, her expression pained yet kind): "Mr. Song is such a good person… even when his hand was taken in past episode, he protected Ritsuka until the very end and told him reality of hunters World. I hope he's safe, wherever he is."
Douman (grinning wide, one hand lazily propped against his cheek): "Mmmmmm… Now this is more like it. A sealed tomb, betrayal, and an awakened monster. What a lovely dish of despair."
Boabhan Sith (narrowing her eyes in disgust, swiping her fingers across the air like she could erase the image): "Ugh… Look at that thing. It's not even terrifying, just revolting. Even a banshee with a twisted neck has more grace than that bloated nightmare."
[On-screen, the spider's enormous body began to shift fully upright. The cave shook as its grotesque legs clawed at the stone floor. Its many eyes glowed faintly.]
Douman (with a playful hum): "So, dear Ritsuka, what's your move? Will you run? Or will you dance with death or beg for mercy?"
Caster Irisviel (softly): "He won't give up. He's already thinking. You can see it in his eyes."
Boabhan Sith (rolling her eyes, though a slight smirk appeared): "He better. Or he'll end up spider food before we get to the good part."
["Euh…."
Yu Jin-Ho leaked out a fearful gasp.
"Ritsuka, please step back." Jinho says and stood up to fight.
"I will figure out a way. "
Ritsuka saw a short route but he guessed the real plan 'We should be able to get out from there. This must be their plan.'
'C-Rank Boss And E-Rank hunter.'
The boss roared at them.
'The difference in strength is too great. But...Is it?' Ritsuka remember double dungeon.
'I take back what I said.'
"Jinho, stay put. I'll handle this guy." Ritsuka put the laggage down. This was the perfect opportunity to test out his enhanced stats.
The Poison Fang of Kasaka appeared in his right hand….
"Huh?" Jinho surprised "What did you just say?"
"I'll take it down."
The fight begins. ]
Jeanne Alter (arms folded, her glare locked on the screen): "Tch. So those cowards plan to crawl back through that narrow tunnel after letting the spider do their dirty work. Filthy scum, the lot of them."
Cnoc na Riabh (lounging sideways, kicking her legs idly in the air): "They think they've trapped Ritsuka… but in truth, they're the ones who've sealed their fate. He'll win."
Artoria Caster (gazing at the screen with a serious expression, staff resting beside her): "It's simple. The only path forward is victory. If he can't run, then he must defeat the boss. That's the unbending rule of the throne."
Oberon (smirking behind his fingers, mischievous sparkle in his eyes): "So what will our dear Ritsuka counterpart do now? Charge with reckless bravado? Or slice through fate like a sharpened edge?"
Nero Claudius (leaning forward, golden eyes alight with excitement): "Umu! The stage is set! This battle—yes, this duel—is where his frist victory in real dungeon shall bloom! Strike it down, my Praetor counterpart!"
Kukulkan (smiling with ancient curiosity, arms folded): "I wonder… what skills he had. Can't wait to see his fight."
Douman: Mmmnnnmm I don't like his confidence.