Soon, we each stepped into the teleportation portal one by one.
In an instant, everything went dark before it suddenly brightened.
As the new scenery unfolded before us, one thought naturally came to mind:
This place is a total wreck.
It must have once been a lush forest, but most of the trees had been cut down or fallen, and the ground was completely torn up.
Scattered throughout were broken weapons and the corpses of monsters.
A monster as familiar as goblins, one that shows up in all kinds of dungeons—
Orcs.
We’d be seeing a lot of them in this dungeon.
As Go Hyeon-woo surveyed the surroundings, he asked a question.
“Come to think of it, we didn’t get a guide for this place. Does that mean it’s not really worth studying in advance?”
“It’s almost all random.”
Unlike typical dungeons that unfold along a set path from start to finish, some dungeons like this one are largely randomized.
Random elements can include the number of orcs, how many elite units appear, or variations in the layout.
In such cases, predictions are almost always off, so the only option is to assess and react on the spot.
I hadn’t explained this earlier because it was easy enough to cover after entering.
First, I pointed toward two places.
“Look over there and there. See the flags? The symbols are different, right?”
They both featured orc faces, but one had long, protruding tusks, while the other emphasized a large nose.
Go Hyeon-woo’s eyes lit up, as if something clicked.
“That means they belong to different factions.”
“Yeah. Different tribes.”
“Still, even if the tribes differ, they’re the same species. Why are they fighting each other?”
“I’ll explain that in a bit. For now, let’s move.”
This area had already been cleared, and there weren’t any useful clues left.
I chose a direction and began walking, with the others following behind while keeping an eye on our surroundings.
And before long—
Chwik, Chwik!
Kuwaaaa—!
From somewhere, the sounds of angry snorts, shouts, and clashing weapons echoed.
I exchanged glances with the group.
“Sounds like they’ve already started fighting.”
“Perfect timing. Let’s go.”
We picked up the pace.
As we got closer, the noise grew louder until finally, a group of orcs came into view.
They were divided into two factions, locked in fierce combat. Upon seeing their flags, Seo Ye-in spoke.
“Different tribes.”
“These are different from the ones we saw earlier too.”
That meant the winners from the previous battlefield had already moved on elsewhere.
It was a shame we’d missed the chance to reap the rewards from their fight, but we’d run into plenty more as we went along.
For now, we had to focus on the monsters in front of us.
At the center of the fray, two orcs stood out as they fought with especially brutal force.
They were each a head or two taller than normal orcs, and the axes in their hands radiated streams of mana.
Go Hyeon-woo’s face grew serious.
“Just one look and you can tell; they’re no ordinary foes. They’re like the Beheaders among goblins.”
“Right. They’re Orc Warriors.”
Orc Warriors, or elite individuals known as warriors.
“I guess now’s a good time to answer your earlier question.”
“I’ve been dying to know. Why are they fighting so fiercely?”
“There’s no complicated reason. It’s just a show of strength.”
It was all about proving which tribe had stronger warriors and which warrior was superior.
“Hmm, I suppose that’s not entirely incomprehensible. Nothing settles a rivalry like a fight to the death.”
Go Hyeon-woo nodded thoughtfully, then a spark of realization lit up in his eyes.
“Then, this ‘Land of the Warrior’ must be…”
“The whole area is basically a battleground.”
A land where dozens of orc tribes clash in constant struggle.
And the fighting doesn’t stop until only one remains standing.
But I’d explain the rest later.
For now, there was something more important.
Staring at the two Orc Warriors, I said,
“If we take them down, there’s a 50% chance a random box will drop.”
“With the drop rate buff, that makes it 75%. What happens if one goes down before we step in?”
“No drop. We have to be the ones to kill them.”
“Then it’s best we jump in before one of them falls.”
“Exactly.”
I turned to look at Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Hit them with something big, please.”
“Mhmm.”
Hong Yeon-hwa nodded without hesitation and stepped forward.
And with a staff in one hand and the other raised high above her head, she began chanting a spell.
Soon, a small sphere of flame appeared above her palm and began to rapidly grow, swelling like a snowball rolling downhill.
Before one could even take a sip of water, a massive, house-sized fireball was blazing in Hong Yeon-hwa’s hand.
Fwoooosh—
[Flame Orb]
By this point, the orcs couldn’t help but notice us.
“Ch-Chiik?!”
“What the hell is that?!”
“It’s a giant ball of fire!”
“Chiik! Don’t just stand there. Move!”
But it was already too late. The Flame Orb had left Hong Yeon-hwa’s hand, flying straight toward the center of the battlefield.
Boooooooooom—!
A massive explosion of fire erupted, engulfing a large number of orcs in the blaze.
The survivors scattered in a panic, fleeing in all directions.
But the very next moment, the war cries of the orc warriors thundered through the field.
“Kraaaaaaah—!”
“Don’t be afraid. Regroup!”
The warriors quickly gathered their tribe members, then pointed their axes straight at us.
“Look over there. It’s a human!”
“There are humans over there!”
With a common enemy before them, the two tribes had temporarily formed an alliance.
The orcs charged toward us en masse, and one of the warriors stepped forward.
“Chiik! Humans! How dare you interrupt a sacred duel! You’ll pay for this with your lives!”
“I think you’ve got it wrong. We’re not interrupting.”
“What are you talking about?! If throwing a fireball isn’t an interruption, then what is?!”
“We were planning to participate too. In your sacred duel.”
“Chiik?”
Warrior 1 blinked in confusion at my words.
The orcs exchanged puzzled glances.
Then Warrior 2 spoke up with another question.
“Human, then who is your champion candidate?”
“That would be her.”
I confidently pointed at Seo Ye-in.
“….…?”
“….…?”
Go Hyeon-woo flinched slightly, as if expecting to be chosen himself, and Hong Yeon-hwa looked around, her eyes shifting uneasily.
Seo Ye-in tilted her head, looked at me, then at the orc warriors, then at Go Hyeon-woo and Hong Yeon-hwa before tilting her head again.
Then, she raised her fist.
“Champion.”
The orc warrior’s expression twisted into one of disbelief.
“Chiik… That fragile human woman?”
“She may not look it, but she’s absolutely ruthless. Judging by appearances alone? Amateur move.”
“…Very well. Then choose. Which side will you fight first?”
I gave an evil grin and answered.
“Choice? From weaklings like you? Don’t waste my time. Come at us all at once.”
– Ch-Chiik!
– Did he just call us weak?!
– That human bastard!
The provocation worked like a charm. The orcs’ faces twisted in anger, one and all.
The orc warriors were no exception.
“…Human. Don’t regret those words.”
“I won’t, so hurry up and come at me.”
Soon, everyone gripped their weapons, readying for battle.
I gave Go Hyeon-woo a quick instruction.
“Take one of the warriors. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Understood.”
Tension mounted across the battlefield….until, with a roar, one of the orc warriors charged forward.
“Kraaaaaaah—!”
“Chiiiiiiik—!”
“Kill them all, humans!”
A stampede of orcs surged in behind him.
As ordered, Go Hyeon-woo stepped up and intercepted one of the warriors, exchanging blows.
At the same time, magic bullets rained down and pillars of flame erupted.
Ratatatatatatata!
Whoooooooosh—!
One group of orcs was instantly wiped out, but the remaining ones including the warrior had closed the distance.
Crude axes, charged with mana, swung down.
“Champion.”
Seo Ye-in weaved and retreated, narrowly dodging the blows.
She seemed to be evading them well enough but had no room to return fire.
So I grabbed her arm, cast Wind Force, and lightly tossed her to safety.
Then I stepped in to smash the ones charging at Hong Yeon-hwa.
Baam!
A cluster of orcs went flying.
Two more pillars of flame shot up, swallowing the enemies whole.
Whoooooooosh—!
“Chiik—! So strong! Human!”
“I get that a lot.”
An orc warrior swung his axe wildly at me, but I wrapped Crow Staff in a shroud of dark clouds and let them drift.
Then, suddenly, the clouds puffed up like balloons.
[Soft and Cushy]
The axe bounced off hard, leaving the warrior wide open and a volley of magic bullets flew into that opening.
Ratatatatatatata!
Seo Ye-in had regained her distance and fired the moment she had a clear shot.
The orc warrior let out a death rattle and collapsed.
“Chiik… Champion… got me!”
Then it dropped a box with a soft thud.
[Land of Warriors Random Box (C)]
Whoooooosh—!
Another pillar of fire surged up, sweeping away the remaining orcs without mercy, while Go Hyeon-woo took off the head of another warrior.
After retrieving his sword, he walked over and picked up the recently dropped random box.
“This wasn’t easy. We struggled more than expected, even though we’re not at full strength.”
“Well, it was a mid-boss for a C-rank, after all.”
Normally, these guys don’t show up until halfway through the second year.
That means the party is barely holding the line here in terms of skill.
And among the orc warriors, there are some particularly strong variants. If we run into one of them, I’ll probably have to use my restricted skills.
“Still, this is a good start. Both dropped random boxes.”
It was a back-to-back 75%, so the odds weren’t that low, but hey, good news is good news.
Might as well use them while we have them.
[Glutton Box]
▷ Glutton Points: 500
Before that, I called over Seo Ye-in.
“Lucky Charm, could you come over here for a moment?”
“I’m here.”
Then I placed one of the random boxes into the Glutton Box and asked her a favor.
“Could you open this one?”
“……?”
“There’s a chance we might get more points that way.”
By default, the Glutton Box gives points based on the rank of the random box fed into it.
However, there’s a hidden trick or a loophole, really. If you activate the Glutton Box right as the random box is being opened and right when the effects show and the item is about to be confirmed, it won’t use the box’s rank for point calculation, but the rank of the actual item that comes out.
It’s all up to luck, so it’s not exactly reliable for a hidden mechanic. But if you’ve got the Sloth of Luck, who knows?
I decided to demonstrate.
I reached into the Glutton Box, grabbed the lid of the random box, pretended to open it quickly, and then yanked my hand back just as fast.
“You do it like this…shak to open, shashak to pull it back. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Now try it. Shak, shashak.”
“Shak, shashak.”
“Excellent.”
Seo Ye-in placed her hand on the random box.
Then she whipped the lid open and pulled her hand back in one smooth motion.
“Shak, shashak.”
Fl—aaash—!
Just as a bright light burst out, I slammed the Glutton Box shut.
There was a faint squirming from inside, then the points counter updated.
[Glutton Box]
▷ Glutton Points: 1,500
“Judging by the 1,000-point increase, that must’ve been a B-rank. Outstanding as always.”
“Very lucky.”
“Shall we go for another?”
I placed the next random box in, but Seo Ye-in just stared at it blankly.
Then she slowly shook her head.
“……”
“You want to do it later?”
“Mhmm.”
“Well, can’t be helped.”
It’s not like Lucky Charm being fickle is anything new.
We’d already banked the points from two random boxes, so there was no need to rush.
But just then, Hong Yeon-hwa spoke up hesitantly.
“Um… can I try it?”
“That’s unexpected.”
“I don’t know… I just have a good feeling…?”
Opening it in place of Lucky Charm, even though she said now wasn’t the time—
Was that really okay?
I glanced at Seo Ye-in, but she didn’t object.
Go Hyeon-woo chimed in as well.
“Nothing wrong with that. She may not match Miss Seo, but we can still expect a decent result, don’t you think?”
True enough. Even a C-rank would break even.
I slowly nodded.
“Alright. Give it a shot.”
“Mhmm…”
Hong Yeon-hwa reached toward the Glutton Box.
With her hand resting on the random box inside, she took a few deep breaths.
Then—
“Sha, sha, shak!”
She flipped open the lid in a flash and yanked her hand back.
Click.
Even the sound effect felt ominous. But regardless of what came out, we had to register the points, so I shut the Glutton Box.
Soon, a faint rustling came from inside.
[Glutton Box]
▷ Glutton Points: 1,600
Only a 100-point increase.
That meant an E-rank item had come out.
Two full ranks lower than the C-rank box. It was a complete bust, the kind even Shin Byeong-cheol would be proud of.
“……”
“……”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s pupils drifted, unable to find a place to land.
A heavy, awkward silence settled over the group.
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