The swarm of Hollow Warrenspawn scattered like ash in the wind, torn apart by Jin Hwan's blazing golden aura and wind-infused kicks. His figure blurred and spun through the air, his foot crashing into the last of the mutated rabbits that threatened his team.
Smoke and dust cleared.
Ryu Hae-Rin knelt with her back against the wall, her breathing ragged, her shoulder cut and bruised. Hana was guarding her with a summoned ice spear half-melted from overuse. Joo-Yeon crouched low, her eyes flicking across the shadows, one of her beasts — a projection of a fanged wolf — standing protectively before her.
Bae Sang-Il grunted and helped Jin Hwan lift the twisted corpse of one of the creatures off his leg. "You saved our asses, Bunny Boy."
Jin Hwan winced. "I thought I told you not to call me—"
"You get to complain after we clear this."
They all laughed a little. The tension eased, if only for a moment.
But Jin Hwan's gaze landed on Ryu Hae-Rin's bleeding arm. His brows furrowed.
"You're even an A-rank Hunter," he said, voice quieter now. "We're just B, C, and... well, me. F. How'd you get injured?"
Ryu Hae-Rin looked away, a rare moment of awkwardness clouding her confident aura. "It's… not a great story."
"We just faced off a mutated rabbit flood. I think we've earned story time," Jin Hwan said gently.
She sighed and tilted her head up, the tunnel lights catching her crimson hair.
"I ran into someone. Do-Hyun. From the One Hand Guild."
Jin Hwan's eyes widened. "That guy who always wears sunglasses even underground?"
"Yup. S-rank, bastard, and full of himself. He was supposed to be doing a solo sweep earlier in the dungeon. We crossed paths. He didn't like me questioning his methods. Things got... heated."
"He attacked you?"
"No, we fought. And he sealed me."
"Sealed…?"
"My flames," she muttered, clenching her hand into a fist. A flicker of fire sparked—and died. "He has some cursed relic or skill. Just shut my fire off like flipping a switch."
Jin Hwan stood silent for a moment.
"That's… terrifying."
"Tell me about it."
He reached out and gave her a light punch to the shoulder — not enough to hurt, just enough to ground her. "We'll deal with him later. Right now, we've got bigger problems."
Bae Sang-Il cracked his knuckles. "Speaking of problems…"
He pointed toward the heavy iron doors at the end of the broken station — the boss chamber.
Scrawled on the wall in dried black blood were the words:
"DEN MOTHER WAITS"
A low, thunderous growl trembled through the walls.
[Active Dungeon Objective Updated]
– Clear the Boss Room– Survive the Den Mother's Wrath– Bonus: Defeat the Boss Together Without Any Casualties
[New Quest Condition Added!]– Unlock Burrowheart Blessing (Progress: 1/2 – Warden Spirit Bonded)– Final Step: Cleanse the Mutated Heart
[Skills]
Rabbit's Mark (Lv. 1)
Aerial Drift (Lv. 2)
Rabbit's Wind Aura (Lv. 1)
Momentum Grace (Passive)
[NEW] Hollow pact - borrow father's legacy (Lv. 1 – S-Rank)
Wind Step (Lv. 2)
"Let's move," Bae Sang-Il said. "We do this fast, clean, and as one team."
Jin Hwan nodded. "Agreed."
The iron doors creaked open with a chorus of ancient rust and pressure. Inside, the chamber was vast—half cavern, half sunken train station swallowed by roots. In the center coiled the Den Mother.
A colossal rabbit-like beast, bloated with twisted flesh and a crooked, tumor-like growth covering half her face. Her fur was ragged, her limbs long and cracked, and her maw opened with a horrific clicking that echoed through the chamber.
She had once been beautiful, a guardian spirit like the Burrowfather.
Now she was a monster.
[Boss Identified: Mutated Den Mother – Hollow Matron]
Class: B (Corrupted)Element: Dark / Blood
Behavior: Defensive Aggressor
Special Traits: Spawns Warrenspawn, Den Pulse, Bone Creep Nesting
"Positions!" Sang-Il barked, taking the front.
Jin Hwan took a deep breath and activated Wind Step, vanishing in a blink of golden motion as he bounced between crumbled platform rails and torn walls. His foot shimmered with golden energy, Wind Aura curling like smoke around it.
He leapt into the air, spinning.
"Golden Burst Kick!"
A thunderous boom shook the room as his foot connected with the Den Mother's shoulder. Black ichor splattered against the cavern wall.
But the Den Mother roared in response, her legs launching her forward with unnatural speed.
Bae Sang-Il intercepted her charge, slamming his reinforced arms into her with a growl. "I've got her! Focus fire!"
Choi Hana stepped forward, frost blooming around her feet. "Freezing Field!"
Ice exploded outward, crawling up the Den Mother's hind legs and momentarily slowing her movement.
"I've got her stuck!" Hana shouted.
Joo-Yeon didn't waste a moment.
Her beast projection — a massive ethereal falcon with claws of crystal — shot forward, slashing at the Den Mother's eyes.
"Go! While she's distracted!"
Jin Hwan used Aerial Drift to vault again, twisting mid-air and landing another hit with his Golden Burst Kick against the beast's ribs.
[Combo Hit Count: x3]
[Temporary Buff: Momentum Surged – +10% Attack Speed for 10 seconds]
The Den Mother screamed.
A burst of black eggs ruptured from her abdomen, hatching mid-air into six Warrenspawn.
"They're multiplying!" Bae yelled.
"I got this," Joo-Yeon snapped, summoning two more beast projections — a serpent and a boar — to intercept them mid-pounce.
Ryu Hae-Rin, standing farther back, clenched her fists, frustration clear on her face.
"No fire. Damn it…"
Still, she began hurling rocks and debris with impressive aim, providing cover support as Sang-Il took the full brunt of the Den Mother's retaliatory attacks.
His armor was cracking.
"She's going berserk!" Hana shouted, barely dodging a swipe from the Den Mother's tail.
"I'll go again!" Jin Hwan said.
He crouched low, wind gathering beneath his feet.
"Wind Step. Double Jump. Burst—"
He shot forward again, this time targeting the tumor on her head.
"KICK!"
Crack!
The Den Mother shrieked.
The tumor burst slightly, black mist spraying out.
But she was still alive — angrier now, her eyes glowing crimson.
"We're close!" Joo-Yeon screamed. "One more round—!"
But the Den Mother stomped the ground with all four limbs, triggering a shockwave that sent everyone flying back.
"GRAAAAAAAH!"
To be continued...