Chapter 18 – The Death of the Lizards
Ha-Joon narrowed his eyes, feeling the growing tension in his chest.
— Then… I guess I'll have to get serious, — he muttered under his breath. Without hesitation, he summoned Natsu and activated his Byakugan. His eyes became veined and clear, perceiving even the tiniest movement and weakest chakra. A fiery aura surrounded him as he dashed toward the massive spider.
— Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon! — he roared, his voice echoing through the cave like a war drum. The flames surged around his arm, and he delivered a devastating blow to the spider's abdomen. The creature screeched in pain, its grotesque form writhing violently. Its massive legs flailed, shattering nearby rocks and columns as it thrashed blindly.
Ha-Joon evaded with skill, flipping between falling stones and slicing limbs, but a stray leg cut across his shoulder, ripping his jacket and skin. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, and closed the distance again. With a mighty leap into the air, he focused all his energy into one final move.
— If I die here… then I die fighting, — he thought, his resolve burning hot. His aura ignited like a firestorm.
— Flaming Claws of the Dragon! — he bellowed. His fist, engulfed in spiraling flames shaped like monstrous claws, struck the spider. The impact tore through its legs, sending the creature crashing to the ground with a rumbling quake. It shrieked in agony, desperately launching a jet of searing fire toward Ha-Joon in retaliation.
He didn't flinch.
— You wanna play with fire? You're not even close to my level! — he shouted with fury. — Roar of the Fire Dragon! —
A torrent of flames burst from his mouth, colliding with the spider's fire breath. The two forces met mid-air, creating a massive explosion that shook the entire dungeon. Smoke and fire billowed, and heat scorched the stone walls.
When the dust finally settled, the massive arachnid lay lifeless, burned and broken.
Ha-Joon approached cautiously, blood dripping from his side. He examined the corpse, breathing heavily.
— You're done. —
From his pouch, he pulled the explosive talisman. Its glow flickered ominously. Ha-Joon attached it to the spider's body, then turned and climbed back toward the tunnel entrance where he had come from. As he reached higher ground, he glanced down once more at the defeated beast.
— Let's bury you properly, shall we?
With a flick of his fingers, he activated the detonating tag. The explosion roared through the cavern, and the ceiling caved in, collapsing entirely and burying the spider under tons of rock and debris. Dust filled the air like a suffocating fog.
Ha-Joon watched the destruction for a moment, his expression calm.
— No one will trace anything now. The clues are all gone. I'm still way too weak to be known by the world... yet.
He turned and hurried back toward the main chamber, where Jin-Woo was still fighting. As he approached, he could see the battle drawing to an end. Most of the had already been taken down. Only one remained — Hwang Dong-Su.
Jin-Woo, covered in cuts and bruises, was locked in combat with him.
Suddenly, Ha-Joon's sharp vision caught something — one of the Jin-Woo had previously struck wasn't dead. The twitched, then rose silently behind Jin-Woo, aiming a blade at his back.
— Damn it! — Ha-Joon whispered, reacting instantly. He summoned his flaming bow and activated his Byakugan again, locking onto the enemy's head. The arrow, formed of pure explosive mana, appeared instantly.
SWOOSH!
The arrow flew, whistling through the air before slamming into the man's skull. A fiery blast erupted, splattering the creature's remains.
At that moment, Jin-Woo drove his blade through Hwang Dong-Su, ending the fight. Breathing heavily, he staggered back.
Ha-Joon descended into the room, stepping over broken weapons and bodies.
— You made it… You're alive, — he said, smirking.
— So are you, — Jin-Woo replied, panting.
Ha-Joon walked up to Hwang Dong-Su's corpse, staring at it for a moment before turning to Jin-Woo.
— You know... we're totally in trouble now. This isn't just any guy.
Jin-Woo nodded.
— I know. But we can just tell the Hunter Association it was an accident.
Ha-Joon frowned and crouched by the body.
— I'm not worried about the Association. I'm worried about this bastard's little brother. He's an S-Rank hunter, Jin-Woo. Whether we're innocent or not, he'll come after us.
Jin-Woo's eyes darkened.
— Then I have to be ready before that happens.
Ha-Joon stood and dusted off his coat.
— One step at a time. For now, let's get out of here.
He gestured to Jin-Woo and Yoo Jin-Ho, calling them toward the exit of the dungeon. As they walked, the silence was thick with tension. Broken crystals and corpses littered the ground. Faint magical energy still hummed through the ruins.
Jin-Woo thought silently,
— Before that S-Rank hunter comes for revenge, I have to level up… I have to grow stronger… stronger than anyone.
Ha-Joon followed beside him, his thoughts equally focused.
— If that guy's really a rank S… then I'll need to be stronger too. But that's okay. Natsu's about to reach the Tower of Heaven in the manga. That means his next power-up is close.
His eyes lit up with excitement.
— That'll be Natsu's first upgrade since I summoned him… and it's gonna be epic.
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