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Additionally, the raid schedule for the Thunder Cave was the same for both kingdoms. The entrance to the Thunder Cave opened and closed at regular intervals, making this inevitable.

“What a strange place.”

Gazing at the distant, enormous mountain, S-rank mercenary Demun muttered to himself.

“Opening the same gates at set intervals. It reeks of an artificial construct.”

– Who is he talking to?

– Master of talking to himself

– This guy sure is sentimental

Suhyuk rubbed his ears, annoyed by Demun’s murmuring right next to him.

“He’s a classic extra character.”

– Lololol

– True that

– Extra (definition: someone who explains everything)

Suhyuk took in the whole view of the Thunder Cave.

‘It’s even bigger in person.’

He had already seen pictures of the Thunder Cave via his kit. But seeing it in person was a different experience altogether.

The mountain ridge seemed to be at least 500 meters high. The ridge stretched out, revealing the artificially created entrance to the cave, just as Demun described.

Rumble—

The sound of thunder reached them even from a considerable distance. This was why the cave was named ‘Thunder Cave.’

“Let’s go.”

At some point, Demun had assumed the role of the party leader. Suhyuk followed him toward the entrance of the Thunder Cave.

Rumble, rumble—

The closer they got, the clearer the sound of thunder became.

“The entrance of the Thunder Cave is guarded by lightning, preventing anyone from entering.”

“You seem to know a lot about the Thunder Cave?”

Bale asked, and Demun nodded.

“I do. This isn’t my first attempt.”

“Really?”

“This is my third time. Just so you know, fewer than twenty mercenaries have returned alive from the Thunder Cave. I’m one of them.”

Demun boasted about something no one asked about. Still, surviving previous attempts at the Thunder Cave indicated his prowess.

“Are you really planning to clear it? It won’t be easy.”

“Are you nuts? Unlike you guys, I don’t have multiple lives.”

“Then?”

“The Thunder Imprint. That’s what I’m after.”

The Thunder Imprint. A rare material item that had surfaced on the market a few times. Even without reaching the end of the Thunder Cave, one could obtain this valuable item.

And it was one of the few reasons mercenaries still took an interest in the Thunder Cave.

“Once I get the Thunder Imprint, I can quit this hellish life. I’m tired of this dangerous mercenary work.”

Essentially, he planned to strike it big in the Thunder Cave and retire. The Thunder Imprint was that valuable of an item. And it held the same value for players as well.

“You’re not planning to go all the way?”

“Of course not. You have no idea what’s ahead, which is why you can say that.”

Skeptically laughing at Bale’s words, Demun turned to Suhyuk.

“Especially you, E-rank. Don’t do anything. Or if you’re going to die, do it early. Don’t get in our way and cause trouble.”

Demun’s constant provocations. He clearly didn’t like the fact that an E-rank mercenary had hitched a ride on the raid party with a recommendation letter.

The party approached the Thunder Cave. The Thunder Cave had two entrances. One towards the Odman Kingdom and the other towards the Conrad Kingdom.

Inside, the two entrances mirrored each other. This symmetry was why Suhyuk could use the intel he got from Schneider effectively.

‘This is the entrance.’

Boom-!

The Thunder Cave. The entrance, over ten meters tall, looked like a giant maw. Lightning crackled across the entrance, preventing anyone from entering. The thunderous noise came from there.

The entrance only opened once every two months and stayed open for just one day. When the lightning ceased, the raid began.

Sizzle, crackle—

Rumble—

The entrance was still closed. Lightning violently struck the entrance amid the thunderous noise. Watching the entrance and the sky alternatively, Demun spoke.

“Judging by the position of the sun, the entrance will open in about an hour. Everyone, rest until then.”

Demun, having taken on the role of party leader, gave instructions and leaned against the wall to rest. The mercenaries who followed him, along with Bale and the other players, did the same.

– It’s waiting time

– Got time to share your first love story?

Viewers, feeling the boredom of waiting, shared the sentiment. On the other side, Schneider and the raid party from the Odman Kingdom, gathered to tackle the Thunder Cave again, were likely in the same situation.

However.

Sizzle—

Instead of waiting like the others, Suhyuk approached the entrance of the Thunder Cave.

– Where’s he going?

– It’s not open yet

The viewers were bewildered, sending frantic comments in the chat. But Suhyuk chose to move forward instead of responding.

‘It feels similar to that time.’

The second-floor trial.

Inside Millennium Mountain, where he went to obtain the Lightning Spear. The energy enveloping the Lightning Spear felt the same as the one at this entrance.

Crackle—

He stretched out his hand to gauge the intensity. A brief sting, soon growing familiar.

Yes.

There was a significant difference between now and then.

『’Heart of the Lightning’ resists the ‘Thunder Gate’.』

『Resisted Status Effect: Electrocution.』

Heart of the Lightning. An artifact created so humans could wield the great power of lightning. And it was now in Suhyuk’s hands.

“What the hell is he doing?”

“Is he insane? Does he have a death wish?”

“Suhyuk-nim?”

“Where are you going—”

Seeing Suhyuk’s actions, Demun, Bale, and the other mercenaries and players rushed towards him. But Suhyuk didn’t stop and continued inward. The mercenaries chasing him came to a halt, unable to follow him inside.

‘It doesn’t harm me.’

The initial sting was brief. Beyond that, it felt almost comforting.

‘So it wasn’t just closed after all.’

At first, he had intended to break through. But it seemed that wouldn’t be necessary.

『’Thunder Gate’ is assessing eligibility.』

『’Lightning’ responds to ‘Thunder Gate’.』

『’Heart of the Lightning’ responds to ‘Thunder Gate’.』

Sizzle, crackle-!

For a moment, the gate shook violently. It trembled as if about to explode, then slowly calmed down, akin to a dying ember.

Crackle—

The electric currents drew together, converging into a single point and fading. And then.

『’Thunder Gate’ transforms into ‘Thunder Imprint’ and disappears.』

Shine—

The concentrated electric charge of the Thunder Gate transformed into a yellow crystal and fell into Suhyuk’s hand. The once fierce-eyed Demun’s eyes went wide.

“L-L-Lightning….”

The very reason he risked his life and sought the Thunder Cave repeatedly—to secure his retirement and make a fortune. And now, the object of that quest lay in Suhyuk’s hand.

Demun had been to the Thunder Cave three times in search of the Thunder Imprint. But unexpectedly, the item was now in someone else’s possession.

‘Wasn’t expecting this.’

Suhyuk looked at the small crystal in his hand. A thumbnail-sized, yellow-glowing crystal.

The Thunder Imprint was a rare material item that players who challenged the Thunder Cave could obtain, albeit at very slim odds.

Not only Demun, but even among players, some sought the Thunder Cave for quick riches.

Of course.

Given the dungeon’s difficulty and the fact it opened only one day every two months, finding the Thunder Imprint was akin to reaching for the stars.

‘So it wasn’t simply closed.’

The thunderous noise faded, and the gate swung wide open. It felt as though it had been awaiting him.

‘It was looking for its rightful owner.’

Two keys unlocked the gate.

The first was Lightning.

The second, the Heart of the Lightning.

In other words, the Thunder Cave on the third floor was an extension of the Lightning trial.

– Wow, incredible

– Why here of all places?

– Lucky bastard, damn

– What’s the market price for that?

The chat exploded with excitement upon the appearance of the Thunder Imprint.

Viewers were fervently debating its market value. Given it hadn’t appeared on the market in years, its exact price was unknown.

Meaning, it was a name-your-price item.

But while his viewers were immersed in this joyful topic, Suhyuk moved swiftly.

Whoosh—

Wham!

An axe flew past, narrowly missing his head and smashing into the wall. Demun had aimed it at Suhyuk’s neck.

Demun, shocked at missing, glared at Suhyuk, who had quickly moved out of range.

“Missed?”

Of course, it was an axe meant to kill. Having observed Suhyuk’s movements, Demun realized he wasn’t facing a novice. His eyes hardened as he gripped the axe with both hands, pulling it out of the wall.

“Looks like you didn’t get that recommendation letter for nothing.”

Clatter—

Debris fell from the cracked wall. It was an impressive axe throw, enough to make him think Demun could have succeeded as a lumberjack.

Any substantial tree would likely fall with a single swing like that.

“Just hand it over, and I’ll let you off easy.”

“Not exactly a friendly suggestion. Why should I?”

“It wasn’t meant for you. You were just lucky it fell into your hands.”

It was a fallacy. Demun probably had some inkling that the Thunder Gate transforming and the Imprint falling into Suhyuk’s hands wasn’t mere coincidence.

Step, step—

Two mercenaries who had joined the party with Demun approached and stood by his sides. Though they weren’t on Demun’s level, they were confident enough in their skills to challenge the Thunder Cave.

They each drew their weapons and glared at Suhyuk with murderous intent.

“Even if you aren’t from this world, dying must still matter to you. Isn’t that right?”

Demun grinned, showing his yellowed teeth. His statement was true. Even if death in the trials wasn’t permanent, it didn’t free one from pain.

Moreover, failing the trial meant losing points as a penalty. Reattempting the trial required paying the entry fee again, which was a significant burden.

Demun had likely killed many players throughout his long mercenary career.

However.

“This settles it then.”

Suhyuk nodded, almost as if relieved, and said.

“I’ll ‘Vulture’ these guys too.”

Without adjusting his microphone.

“Vulture?”

“What is he babbling about?”

Demun and his companions didn’t understand the meaning behind Suhyuk’s words and tilted their heads. They expected him to either negotiate splitting the loot or boast about his skills and challenge them head-on.

But “Vulture”?

“Seems like they’re not up-to-date with the latest trends.”

Suhyuk still hadn’t adjusted his microphone.

And then.

“They’ll find out soon enough.”

He moved his feet to enlighten them about the latest trend.

TL’s Corner:

Vulture these bitches.