noveltune Chapter 98
Chapter 98
Sometimes, a dungeon like this would appear.
A “Grudge Dungeon,” born from human resentment that had mingled and congealed.
Typically, these dungeons never exceeded Level 2. This was because they weren’t designed to kill intruders.
What the departed desired was for their unjust suffering to be known. As a result, Grudge Dungeons often took on a form somewhat welcoming to adventurers.
"Hmm..."
Yeoreum, who had entered the dungeon, turned around. Despite not meeting the clear conditions, a portal rippled behind her, allowing an exit. This unique trait was exclusive to Grudge Dungeons, which didn’t seek to kill visitors but only to convey the grudge of the dead.
"Yeoreum-nim, this... this is..."
Encia swallowed hard as she surveyed the area. Unlike typical dungeons that sparked a sense of adventure, the dungeon’s eerie atmosphere set it apart.
The sky was tinged with an ominous twilight, and rotting trees exuded an oppressive air. Those who had entered the dungeon could see a single building looming in the distance.
"This must be... a Grudge Dungeon..."
It was a Level 6 Grudge Dungeon, a rarity not even mentioned in adventurers’ guides. Given the dungeon’s nature, there was bound to be an intense emotional impact. For Yeoreum, who was more physical than emotional, fighting and bleeding seemed like the preferable option.
"...Shall we go?"
"Yes..."
"Let’s do this!"
Argo, looking determined, took the lead toward the building. But he hadn’t even taken a few steps before he was forced to stop.
On the blood-soaked, muddy ground, a figure lay with only tattered skin remaining, reaching out toward the setting sun, as if yearning to communicate their grievances to the world.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of such entities lay scattered.
Yeoreum covered her mouth, stifling a gasp.
"Ugh..."
This was not just a scene staged to invoke fear. She knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that each one of these figures had once been alive.
What kind of grudges could have birthed such a dungeon?
The group stood silent for a long while, exchanging helpless glances.
“Gyeoul... what could you possibly be going through?”
Yeoreum bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. She wondered if they would even be able to clear the dungeon today.
---
Having descended from the mountain, I took a seat on a nearby bench to rest. I tapped Levinas’s cheek as he napped in Jung Yu-na’s arms, then glanced up at her.
“I’m sorry... because of me, you couldn’t go to the dungeon...”
“It’s fine. I’m happy just spending time here with you, Gyeoul.”
“Still...”
I couldn’t help but feel guilty, knowing I’d caused a delay in clearing the dungeon.
“A Level 6 dungeon is manageable, even if one person is missing. Don’t worry too much.”
“Alright...”
Although she reassured me, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt, and my gaze drifted to the ground.
“You must have been really scared, Gyeoul. Right?”
“Yeah...”
To be honest, it wasn’t that I was terribly frightened. It felt more like my body was scared, not me. As if my physical self, not my mind, was traumatized by some horrifying experience, leaving me paralyzed, unable to act.
What kind of ordeal had the original owner of this body faced?
As I sat there, swinging my legs in frustration, Jung Yu-na placed a comforting hand on my head.
“Come on, let’s stop thinking about the dungeon. How about we do something fun?”
“Something fun?”
Playing sounds good, but what do adults even do for fun? I’ve never done that before.
While I was lost in thought, Levinas’s ears perked up in Jung Yu-na’s embrace.
“Play?”
“Oh, you’re awake?”
“Oh! Levinas wants to be caught too!”
From the slide, Levinas hurried over, joining us in a group hug. She squirmed around, trying to wedge herself between Jung Yu-na and me.
“Wow! Getting caught is the best!”
“Y-yeah...”
My tail, trapped by Levinas, tried to wriggle free to wag. The hug was a bit awkward and shy, but it was honestly quite nice.
“Seems like Levinas misunderstood the game! Hide-and-seek is a game where you get caught!”
“Hmm...”
That’s... not quite right, but if it makes Levinas happy, why not let her believe it?
“Can Levinas be ‘it’ next time? Levinas wants to hug too!”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
We made up our own rules, changed who was “it” however we wanted, and didn’t worry about it. We were just happy to play together.
---
In the building’s basement, a young girl sat huddled inside a massive glass tank.
Though her face was hidden, pressed against her knees, Yeoreum instinctively knew.
That child was Gyeoul.
“Ah...”
Her heart raced, her clenched fists drawing blood as she gripped them tightly.
What kind of suffering had Gyeoul gone through?
Something even more terrifying than the cruelty of adults?
Yeoreum pounded her fist against the glass, pouring all her strength into it. But at the moment her fist touched the glass, she hesitated, fearful of injuring Gyeoul with the shattered pieces.
“Gyeoul...”
Yeoreum called out, but Gyeoul didn’t lift her head. She sat there, unmoving, as if frozen in time.
“Yeoreum-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Here’s the file.”
──
Subject - 307
──
307. The name given to Gyeoul in the lab.
It likely meant she was the result of over 300 experiments before her. The team fell silent, horrified by the gruesome scene of human experimentation.
“This... it’s something we can take out with us.”
“Yes. It seems we can take the other files as well.”
“...Then let’s head out for now.”
“Yes. That would be best.”
A Grudge Dungeon could only be cleared by resolving the grievances of the dead. Merely defeating a boss wasn’t enough to complete it.
They’d have to review the files with everyone outside.
Yeoreum tapped on the glass tank where Gyeoul sat.
“Gyeoul, I’ll be back for you, okay?”
“...”
“When
I come back, I’ll make sure to get you out of here...”
“...”
There was no reply from Gyeoul.
Even though Yeoreum knew this wasn’t truly Gyeoul, a sharp ache bloomed in her heart.
“I miss you, Gyeoul...”
Yeoreum needed to get out.
Every fiber of her being longed to escape this horrific place as soon as possible.