Chapter 181

“Bokdeong.”

Vladimir muttered, letting out a sigh.

“Yes, hyung!”

A big lump of a man answered vigorously.

“And Geumdeong, Eundeong.”

“Yep!”

“Yes, hyung.”

A blond man and a silver-haired man came running over like arrows from behind Bokdeong.

“You guys…”

Vladimir, who’d been muttering under his breath, couldn’t continue for a moment.

‘Those three.’

Younger brothers who felt like family—people who’d been through all kinds of hardship with him.

Even though he’d only just found them again through space magic, they still ran to him, shouting “hyung!” as if nothing had changed…

‘Can I really trust them?’

Just three days ago.

Vladimir had been counting bodies in a horrific scene of carnage.

To find the traitor.

He buried the overwhelming grief in his chest and resolved, over and over, to become cold-hearted.

And as a result…

The ones missing from among the corpses were precisely those three.

Bokdeong, Geumdeong, and Eundeong.

‘Then are they really the traitors?’

Circumstantially, it had to be.

It was a hideout with no entrance—one he’d moved, one by one, using space magic.

He hadn’t leaked information to anyone.

But…

Vladimir wanted to believe in them.

Because they were the ones he’d wholeheartedly taken in as younger brothers after losing his parents to the mafia when he was young.

Honestly.

No matter how perfectly he’d sealed everything off, couldn’t information leak out anyway?

There were countless extraordinary Unique Abilities in the world.

“How… did you end up here?”

“Th-that is, hyung!”

Bokdeong scratched his head.

“As you know, I can use space magic too, just like you.”

“Mm, that’s right.”

“At first, I stayed hidden in that hideout like you told me. But at some point it got too stuffy. So I went out for a walk with my little brothers, and… I ended up forgetting the coordinates…”

Bokdeong trailed off with an innocent expression, then immediately bowed.

“I’m sorry, hyung!”

“S-sorry!”

“Sorry!”

Geumdeong and Eundeong bowed with him.

“Hah…”

Vladimir let out a deep sigh.

These guys are traitors?

He wanted to believe they weren’t. He wanted to accept it and be done.

But he couldn’t.

Because the wronged spirits of the brothers who died in that damp, humid place still hovered around him.

“By the way, hyung! I heard you became a ranker this time? Congratulations!”

“Actually, we’ve been hiding here, waiting for you to come back! Are you going back to the hideout now?”

And on top of that…

They seemed completely unaware of the horrific massacre.

Whether it was acting or not, Vladimir—his mind a mess—couldn’t tell.

“For now, wait here.”

Vladimir spoke calmly.

‘I can’t tell them yet.’

If they really were spies planted by “Gotham,” there was nothing to gain by acting like he knew.

‘If they realize I know, it might reach that bastard Andrey’s ears.’

Insect King Andrey.

The reason that High Ranker found him bothersome was simple.

‘Idam is a point organization.’

A group made by gathering victim citizens—people who’d been wronged—one by one.

And the fact that Idam was a point organization wasn’t something the Bokdeong brothers in front of him really knew.

They weren’t executive-level.

No matter how close they were, Vladimir had always clearly separated public matters from private ones.

‘What should I do?’

Vladimir’s brow furrowed.

Fortunately, the five rankers who’d recommended him for Delilah’s trial were all alive and well.

He was sure of it, because he’d checked by going around various hideouts.

‘But…’

That wasn’t the issue.

If Andrey had planted spies, would he really have planted them in only one place?

‘This is probably a warning.’

Grind.

Vladimir clenched his teeth.

No matter how much Idam was a point organization, he couldn’t give every point the same level of attention.

Especially since Idam had been built mainly by Russian victim citizens, there were many cases where they didn’t even know each other’s faces.

‘However…’

This place was different.

The place where this tragedy happened was different.

It was a place he’d established with his own hands.

Though each individual’s power was weak, they were fighters who moved with more passion than anyone else.

A place like the heart of Idam.

That’s why he was angrier.

The thought that a spy might have been among them, in a place like this.

‘Bokdeong, Geumdeong, Eundeong.’

‘Which one of you is it?’

‘Who’s wearing a mask?’

‘I’m sorry for suspecting you, but if I catch you…’

Crunch!

‘I’ll chew you to the bone.’

Just as Vladimir was making that vow to himself—

[Ding!]

[Guide invites you to [Chat Room].]

[[Chat Room] name – Dragon Slayer Classmate Room]

[Number of people (5/7)]

‘Hm?’

His eyes widened.

—

[Space Mage enters Dragon Slayer Classmate Room.]

[Judgment Spear: Oh, you came.]

[Spring Apostle: Vladimir, nice to meet you~]

[Water Witch: Ooh, the fifth is Vladimir? Nice to meet you. It’s amazing how we’re gathering one by one like this.]

[Absolute Unrivaled: Didn’t I tell you. The invitation only gets sent when you’re within a certain distance of Capu.]

[Absolute Unrivaled: The reason we went to Russia last was because Capu wanted to surprise our team leader.]

[Water Witch: Ooooh, as expected! The protagonist always comes last, right?]

“…”

Vladimir blinked.

‘What is this?’

‘Why are my classmates’ chats appearing as status windows in front of my eyes?’

Vladimir stood up abruptly and headed outside the building.

“Hyung?”

“Where are you going?”

Geumdeong and Eundeong called after him, but—

“Wait here for a moment.”

He waved them off and headed to a quiet emergency staircase.

‘How do I do this?’

He tried speaking inwardly.

[Space Mage: O_O]

[Water Witch: Ooh, Vladimir is talking. It’s a bit awkward, right?]

[Space Mage: Mm… ah, mm.]

[Water Witch: Everyone’s like that at first. The people here took a while to adapt too.]

‘This…’

It seemed like inner thoughts were being translated into each person’s language and shared.

‘How is that possible?’

Goosebumps rose across Vladimir’s skin.

Because he knew better than anyone how overpowered it was to communicate regardless of distance.

Cell phones don’t work inside Dungeons.

So what hunters usually rely on is, at best, radios or walkie-talkies.

Even those become useless beyond a certain range, so communication issues are always critical in Dungeons.

‘To put it bluntly…’

‘If Idam had something like this, wouldn’t our unity have been stronger?’

If intentions were conveyed through status windows as an “ability,” the risk of being hacked would drop close to zero.

[Space Mage: How on earth did you get something like this…?]

Vladimir’s message was filled with awe.

[Guide: I’ll explain that, Vladimir.]

Capu’s message appeared.

[Guide: First, this is the [Chat Room Manager] (SS-rank) skill that came from an [SS-rank Skill Box] I got as a [Theme 5] reward in the trial. At first, I was going to figure it out and hide it away… but the skill itself was completely useless if I kept it hidden.]

That made sense.

If it was a skill for chatting, the more people knew about it, the better.

[Guide: So the first thing I made was this chat room. As the administrator, I can create multiple chat rooms.]

[Space Mage: Amazing.]

[Guide: Also, as the administrator, I can feel the emotions attached to chat participants’ messages. Vladimir. You’re sad right now?]

[Space Mage: …… ]

Ah.

‘Damn.’

Vladimir’s brow tightened.

He didn’t want to burden them.

‘This is my problem.’

The “Gotham” he had to face were terrifying people.

No matter how reliable and dependable his colleagues were, he couldn’t force them to risk their lives again.

[Spring Apostle: Hm? Vladimir is… sad?]

[Water Witch: Unexpected. Vladimir being sad doesn’t suit him.]

[Judgment Spear: My friend, what’s wrong.]

[Water Witch: Yeah, tell us.]

[Absolute Unrivaled: Hmm, I just arrived in Russia too. The team leader is also in Russia. Don’t tell me something’s going on with the mafia here?]

“…”

For a moment, Vladimir’s pupils shook.

‘Team leader…’

Joo Donghoon.

Someone more incredible than any hunter he’d ever met.

He’s here?

Vladimir had been running around frantically, so he hadn’t even learned why he’d come to Russia.

‘If it’s Joo Donghoon…’

Maybe this situation could be resolved easily.

Wouldn’t he smash “Gotham,” that wall that felt impossible to climb, with a smile on his face?

His heart wavered with his eyes.

Honestly…

He wanted to ask for help.

He wanted to reach out.

Even knowing how dangerous it was.

[Spring Apostle: What happened? Who made our Vladimir sad?]

[Water Witch: Hey, Vladimir! Are we strangers? Why are you hesitating!]

[Absolute Unrivaled: Right. We help each other when we need to.]

With his classmates saying that, even more so—

[Space Mage: Well…]

Just as he was about to speak—

[Guide: Wait a moment.]

Capu cut in.

About five seconds passed.

[Skeleton King enters Dragon Slayer Classmate Room.]

[Room is full. (7/7)]

It was the protagonist’s entrance.

—

At that moment—

“Hooh.”

I briefly asked my companions for understanding and checked the chat room from a distance.

Messages from classmates flooded in as soon as I entered, and when I heard Capu’s reasoning for opening the chat room…

‘I see.’

I nodded.

I was proud of Capu.

To think he’d share something this good with us first.

Wasn’t he a true classmate?

And after some time—

Vladimir’s calm confession followed.

[Space Mage: …Those Gotham bastards tore apart my brothers. My family I told you about back then. Sorry. I know it’s shameless to say this. I think I’m having a harder time than I expected, so I said it.]

“…”

A moment of silence settled over the chat room.

Even though it was just text, his desperation came through so clearly that no one could speak carelessly.

It had only been about a week since we returned from the trial.

How deep must the wounds he’d suffered be?

And on top of that, there was the possibility of traitors.

Vladimir laid out the details.

[Judgment Spear: They are evil. I want to go and judge them immediately.]

[Water Witch: I can’t stand this either. Should I take vacation? Or should we make this public? If we tell the Magic Tower Lord, it feels like it would be resolved immediately.]

[Spring Apostle: I thought Russia was quiet… so that’s what happened. It’s definitely inhumane.]

[Guide: …If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll do my best.]

My classmates, too, became one with him and shared his emotions.

‘Vladimir…’

I muttered inwardly.

During the battle with the dragon, why did the moment he offered his heart to protect me come to mind?

Actually…

My motivation for having to fight the Insect King had been a little weak.

‘This works out well.’

I quickly posted a message.

[Skeleton King: Gotham means Andrey and Zima, right? This works out well. I’m about to fight them. Want to come here and provide support?]

After my sudden declaration, silence.

About ten seconds passed.

[Space Mage: What… do you mean…? You’re saying you’re about to fight Gotham…?]

[Water Witch: Wow, really? Hoon? Did you already know and go there? As expected, the team leader’s class is… This won’t do. I’m going too.]

[Absolute Unrivaled: I was going to join the team leader anyway, so I’ll help.]

[Spring Apostle: I’m packing and heading out now too. When a classmate is in trouble, I can’t just sit still.]

[Judgment Spear: Is everyone participating? Then I cannot be left out either. Above all, isn’t this about judging evildoers!]

Simple, decisive participation.

Their responses were refreshingly straightforward.

[Space Mage: …… ]

[Space Mage: Everyone…]

[Guide: Vladimir is so surprised he can’t speak properly.]

I didn’t need him to say it.

His feelings were being transmitted to me too.

‘Gotham, you bastards.’

‘You touched our Vladimir.’

It was the moment a proper justification to kill those guys finally took shape.

(T/N : Who is cutting a damn onion?!? )