By the time I was halfway through brainwashing Han So-mi, the waiter appeared carrying a large tray with both hands.
“Your duck stew and dumplings are ready.”
He began setting bowl after bowl down on the table.
Bubble, bubble, bubble…
True to its name of <Spicy Duck Soup>, the bowls were filled with a bright red broth that was boiling furiously.
The moment everyone saw it, their expressions grew tense.
“…….”
“…….”
They had heard plenty of stories about how spicy it was, but apparently none of them had expected it to look like this.
Even Go Hyeon-woo, who had been here before, looked grim, no doubt because the memory was coming back to him.
Back then, Shin Byeong-cheol had insisted it wasn’t spicy at all, and everyone had ended up competitively polishing off an entire bowl.
Honestly, it had been pretty rough.
Still, maybe this time we could actually enjoy it at a reasonable pace.
While Seo Ye-in sat off to one side, nibbling at her dumplings one bite at a time, the rest of us cautiously picked up our spoons and took on the spicy duck stew.
Dang Gyu-ri widened her eyes and let out an impressed remark.
“It really is spicy.”
Go Hyeon-woo and Han So-mi each added a comment of their own.
“Mhmm.”
“It’s spicy! So spicy!”
Even so, they seemed to find the rich, fiery flavor strangely addictive, and they kept going back for another spoonful.
Whenever it became too much, they would grab a dumpling to cool things down.
But compared to what was about to happen, all of this was child’s play.
The waiter disappeared back into the kitchen before returning once more.
This time, he was carrying something that looked anything but ordinary.
It was definitely a bowl, but it looked more like something you’d find in a blacksmith’s forge than in an inn.
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble…
Not only was it boiling violently, but the heat and the spicy aroma pouring off it were overwhelming.
“We made it extra spicy, just as you requested.”
It was Hong Yeon-hwa’s special order. The duck stew meant to “test the limits of human endurance”.
It was the masterpiece of a cook who had devoted his entire life to mastering fiery flavors, a dish infused with all his pride and professional confidence.
As the waiter set the bowl down in front of Hong Yeon-hwa, everyone instinctively scooted a little farther away.
Seo Ye-in, who had already been sitting off to one side, retreated even farther.
“…….”
“…….”
As the rest of the party watched with a mixture of fascination, curiosity, and concern, Hong Yeon-hwa calmly picked up her spoon.
Then she scooped up a spoonful of “that” and put it into her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
“It’s got a little kick to it.”
The rest of us immediately exchanged glances.
I didn’t even need to ask what everyone was thinking.
A little kick?
Just a little?
What kind of tongue does she even have?
Still, judging by the way she happily kept eating, she was clearly enjoying herself.
“…….”
Seo Ye-in and the Chattering Sloth watched the spectacle in silence.
Then, at the same time, their gazes shifted to my bowl of duck stew.
“…….”
“What? Does it look manageable?”
“…Relatively.”
– Compared to that.
Well, compared to what Hong Yeon-hwa was eating, mine might as well have been plain water.
That didn’t mean it wasn’t spicy, though.
I casually asked,
“Getting tired of eating nothing but dumplings?”
“Boring.”
“This place is famous for its duck stew. It’d be a shame to leave without trying it.”
“I’d be missing out.”
“Want a bite?”
Seo Ye-in and Chattering Sloth clenched their fists in unison.
“…Challenge accepted.”
– Try it, try it.
Of course, I’d seen this coming from the start and had already set aside a few pieces of duck on a small plate.
The broth itself was far beyond anything she should be attempting.
“…….”
As I handed her the plate, Seo Ye-in stared at it quietly.
Then she slowly leaned backward.
Apparently, even the faint waft of spice rising from the meat was enough to make her instinctively wary.
Just then, Hologram Chattering Sloth casually chimed in.
– It looks way too spicy. Better give up.
She wasn’t sincerely trying to stop her.
If anything, she was subtly egging her on.
How could I tell?
Because I would’ve said the exact same thing.
And, just as expected, Seo Ye-in’s response didn’t deviate from my prediction in the slightest.
“…I can do it.”
With the utmost care, she moved her spoon over to the plate, picked up a single piece of duck, and placed it into her mouth.
Less than a second later, it was as if a dozen exclamation marks had popped up over her head.
“…….!”
“Well, that challenge was obviously a failure.”
“…….!”
“Quick, eat a dumpling. And drink some water.”
“…….!!”
***
Although there was a brief incident in which Seo Ye-in was thoroughly defeated by a single piece of duck rather than the stew itself, the rest of the meal passed in relative peace.
Now that we’d replenished our energy, it was time to begin the real assault on the Black Death Sect.
In short, the plan was a pincer operation.
The main force of Dang Gyu-ri, Seo Ye-in, and Hong Yeon-hwa would engage the Black Death Sect Leader and his followers head-on, drawing all of their attention.
Meanwhile, Kim Ho, Go Hyeon-woo, and Han So-mi would slip inside unnoticed and make for the Sect Leader’s secret treasury.
And if they happened to run into the hidden boss White Snake along the way, then all the better.
Before long, the three members of the infiltration team changed into the uniforms they’d taken from the low-ranking Black Death Sect warriors.
There was just one minor issue.
Han So-mi’s borrowed uniform looked noticeably loose on her.
She was much smaller than the two men, after all.
It was the sort of thing that could easily arouse suspicion, but she didn’t seem concerned in the slightest.
Instead, she offered a simple solution.
“We just have to get rid of everyone who sees us!”
“That’s an excellent attitude.”
Kim Ho nodded in satisfaction.
It seemed his repeated brainwashing sessions were finally starting to pay off.
Dang Gyu-ri let out a dry laugh, and Kim Ho turned to her.
“Well then, we’re off.”
“You’ll probably be too late. It’ll be over before you get back.”
“We’ll see.”
“Don’t start making excuses afterward.”
“You either, Noona.”
The two exchanged amused smiles.
They had already made a small bet during the strategy meeting.
But that could wait until later.
Watching the infiltration team disappear into the distance, Dang Gyu-ri turned to Seo Ye-in and Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Let’s get moving too.”
“Yes.”
The three of them headed toward the Black Death Sect headquarters.
The pavilion that had seemed so far away quickly filled their field of vision, and before long, they were approaching the main gate.
Two gate guards were standing watch, idly passing the time.
The moment they spotted the approaching group, they frowned.
“Doesn’t look like you’re here with good intentions. Who are you people?”
Thud!
Clang!
The only response they received was Kim Ho’s merciless Shadow Club and Kim Ho Pot.
In an instant, the gate guards were subdued, and Dang Gyu-ri casually glanced toward her side.
At the cue, Hong Yeon-hwa drew up her mana and began chanting a spell.
Fwoooosh—
A huge crimson magic circle spread across the air, its interior filled with intricate arcane formulas.
She told me to make it as big as possible.
This was their chance to launch a preemptive strike against the Black Death Sect without any interference.
The greater the commotion they caused, the more attention would be drawn here, making it that much easier for the infiltration team to move unnoticed.
Fwoooosh—
The flames rising from the magic circle soon converged into a single point, and a phoenix was born.
It rapidly grew to full size, spread its wings with a powerful beat, and soared over the main gate.
Kraaaaaaaash—!
It immediately began reducing everything in its path to an inferno and a field of devastation.
The sudden disaster threw the Black Death Sect into complete chaos.
– What’s happening?
– What is that thing flying around?
– A phoenix! Is it a phoenix?!
– It’s at the main gate! Hurry!
By the time the phoenix’s magic ran its course and it dissipated on its own, much of the main buildings had already been engulfed in flames.
Inside, people were rushing about in a frantic effort to put out the fire.
At the same time, a group of black-clad figures poured out, intent on identifying and eliminating the cause.
One of them, apparently a squad leader expert, stepped forward and looked at Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Could you perhaps be the successor of the Flame Emperor?”
A legendary master of the previous generation who had wielded martial arts of absolute yang.
As far as they knew, he was the only person capable of controlling flames on this scale, making the question only natural.
Kim Ho had said he’d been asked something similar after using Inferno Fist.
In that case, all she had to do was give the exact same answer he had.
Hong Yeon-hwa spoke in a haughty tone.
“I have no answer to give the likes of you from the Unorthodox Faction.”
“……”
The atmosphere grew taut with tension.
In their minds, Hong Yeon-hwa had already been confirmed as the Flame Emperor’s successor.
“…Bring the Sect Leader.”
One of the black-clad men shot back inside at full speed.
The squad leader expert fixed his gaze on them, his aura steadily rising before he suddenly kicked off the ground and shot forward.
Whoosh—!
At the same time, the black-clad figures charged in from all directions, and the battle began in earnest.
“……”
Completely unfazed despite the murderous atmosphere, Dang Gyu-ri wore a calm expression.
She rested her club across one shoulder and casually waved her other hand.
In response, the shadow beneath her feet stretched out before human-shaped figures began rising from it one after another.
Qyu Undead, Blood Cult Edition.
Clink….
The Ghost Demon or rather, now the Qyu Demon….Undead No. 4 shook its bell.
At the sound, the other undead seemed to grow slightly darker.
In contrast, the black-clad figures visibly flinched and trembled.
It’s similar to Soul Summoning.
A simple yet powerful effect that strengthened allies while weakening enemies.
Although much of its original power had been lost, it was still worthy of its A-rank.
“Grrraaaagh!”
Perhaps thanks to the buff, the Shadow Commander and the Blood Sword Commander cut through the black-clad figures like wolves among a flock of sheep.
The Lab Director also swelled both arms to the size of human torsos and swung them about wildly.
Even so, several squad leaders and vice squad leaders managed to break through the defensive line and close in on Seo Ye-in and Hong Yeon-hwa.
Just as they were about to strike,
Thwack!
Dang Gyu-ri smashed them away with her club.
Securing the safety of the backline was the highest priority, so while she had sent only the undead forward, she herself had remained nearby to guard them.
Thanks to that, Seo Ye-in and Hong Yeon-hwa were free to unleash their firepower without restraint.
Ratatatatatatata—!
Fwoooosh—!
Tree Sloth and Chattering Sloth sprayed magic bullets in every direction, while blazing flames erupted wherever Hong Yeon-hwa swept her staff.
The black-clad figures turned out not to be ordinary Black Death Sect members but remnants of the Demonic Cult. Yet despite their fearsome reputation, their numbers were dwindling at a rapid pace.
The more we thin them out now, the better.
The fewer enemies remained, the easier the boss fight would be.
With that thought in mind, Dang Gyu-ri swung her club with all her might.
Thwack!
As the fierce battle raged on, some time passed.
Almost simultaneously, every member of the Qyu Party turned toward the main gate.
A heavy, oppressive presence had made itself known.
“……”
Sure enough, a middle-aged man stood there, his appearance and demeanor reminiscent of a giant snake coiled and ready to strike.
He was Black Snake, the final boss of this dungeon.
She had expected him to start talking about the Flame Emperor again when he saw Hong Yeon-hwa, but instead, his gaze remained fixed on Dang Gyu-ri.
“……I find this difficult to understand. You appear to be a daughter of the Dang Clan, yet instead of hidden weapons, you wield a staff. And what is that wicked sorcer?”
“Coming from the Demonic Cult, you’re hardly in a position to mock someone else’s sorcery.”
Dang Gyu-ri replied with a scoff.
At that, the Black Death Sect Leader’s expression stiffened. Rather than taking the bait, however, he seemed to have reacted to the words “Demonic Cult”.
“……So you’ve come here knowing everything. Then I have no choice but to silence you all.”
With that, he circulated his internal energy and assumed a fighting stance.
He was a master of claw techniques, specializing in raking his opponents with razor-sharp strikes that left vicious wounds.
The tips of his fingers and even his fingernails were stained pitch black.
It was proof that he had cultivated an exceptionally deadly poison art.
Seeing that, the three members of the Qyu Party quietly exchanged glances.
‘But… aren’t we all immune to every poison?’
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