Chapter 669

A moment. Perhaps only the time it takes to sip a cup of tea.

That was all it took for everything in the dungeon to be settled.

With Taesan blocking the staircase in his half-crazed, starving state, and Yal Mok and the Seven Miao Tigers following my lead, the Baek Tribe warriors completely lost their will to fight.

Which was very fortunate for me.

Not only did I need to escape the dungeon as quickly as possible, but even I, who still hadn’t fully grasped the power of the middle Dantian, was reaching my limit.

Breaking those restraints had consumed a tremendous amount of mental energy, and after a brief but intense battle, my body was aching and my chest was tight. Taesan’s sudden appearance was like the arrival of a one-man army.

“Uwooooo!”

Yeah. At this point, he was basically the Hulk.

The enemy’s rapid surrender wasn’t just because of my presence as a peak master—it was also due to the horrifying sight of Taesan mumbling to himself.

“％#$%&r&%頂? ％、$!”

“Ugh!”

Eyes gleaming with hunger, he strode forward, muttering incomprehensible words in rapid bursts. The Baek Tribe warriors couldn’t understand a thing, but to me, it was clear what that chant was.

“Roast duck, braised pork belly, fish-flavored shredded pork, stir-fried beef, sweet-and-sour pork, Dongpo pork, mapo tofu!”

“Kung Pao chicken, sautéed mushrooms, steamed dumplings, crispy ribs—uwaaah, I’m starving!”

Thank god they didn’t understand Chinese. Because if they did, watching a giant beast recite dish names like a possessed gourmand might’ve been even more terrifying.

“Baegooo paaahhh!”

“He’s using sorcery! The monster’s casting a spell!”
“S-surrender! We surrender!”

This bastard was basically a Saiyan, at least in the Southern Barbarians’ standards.

From the reactions alone, it was hard to tell if he was hungry or firing a Kamehameha.

Still, whatever it was worked. Those few brave enough to stand their ground were instantly smashed to pieces by Taesan, and the fight was over.

“Don’t be afraid! Attack!”
“We can do it! Get him!”

The ones who charged were strong—good enough to be considered first-rate masters even in the Central Plains.

Their only mistake was choosing the wrong opponent.

Wham! Crack!

Crunch!

Massive limbs swung like logs, sending bodies flying in every direction.

Seeing that, the Baek Tribe warriors swallowed hard and dropped their weapons. Yal Mok and the Seven Miao Tigers turned to me, their eyes wide in disbelief.

“What.”

“Weren’t you supposed to have your energy sealed?”

“Oh, I was. Still can’t use it.”

“…Then how…?”

“Well, my story’s complicated. That guy’s just naturally born that way.”

The human body has limits—but while I had surpassed mine through the system, Taesan was a naturally born monster.

Even without inner power, he could crush first-rate experts like flies.

‘What, was he exposed to gamma rays as a kid?’

A fair suspicion, but not the issue right now.

I looked around at the disarmed warriors and muttered quietly,

“Alright, let’s clean this up.”

In short, the surrendered Baek Tribe warriors lived. Technically, Yal Mok spared them.

Thud.

Their pressure points sealed, the warriors collapsed one by one.

The Seven Miao Tigers, who had already met me days ago on the road to Mount Aenoe, dragged them into the cells, and without hesitation, we began climbing toward the surface.

Splash.

“I told you before… you’re going to regret this.”

Yal Mok, walking beside me, shook his head.

“I won’t.”

“Our faces are all exposed now. When they come to their senses, whose name do you think they’ll mention first?”

As the Young Palace Lord of the Beast Palace, Yal Mok’s identity was widely known. The same went for the Seven Miao Tigers—renowned warriors representing the Miao Tribe.

Even if the tribes differed, some among the Baek Tribe must’ve already realized who they were.

“It’s only a matter of time before word gets out. You should’ve silenced them.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter? Are you insane? You’re not even planning to flee, so why wouldn’t it matter? Once they wake up—”

“Our identities will be revealed. We may not be killed immediately, but defying the Grand Assembly’s decision won’t go unpunished.”

“Do you… have a death wish? Is getting thrown into a dungeon part of your bucket list?”

“Bucket… list? I don’t know what that is. But this was a choice I made knowing the risk.”

Yal Mok’s voice was low but firm.

“We may belong to different tribes, but we’ve lived on the same land for generations. If we kill our own people, then we’re no better than monsters.”

His words made me think of someone—someone who had become a monster consumed by revenge.

‘Baek Sang.’

Yeah. Maybe that’s the difference between a person and a monster.

To not sacrifice others just to achieve your own ends.

Still, I spoke with a heavy heart.

“You should’ve killed them.”

“You really like killing, don’t you? Are all Han people like you?”

“You idiot. I’m not some bloodthirsty demon. It’s just—”

“That’s enough. You don’t need to say it. I already know.”

“What?”

When I turned, Yal Mok was smiling faintly.

“You’re worried about us, aren’t you? Feeling guilty that we might suffer because we helped you.”

“Even if our languages differ, the word ‘friend’ exists in the Southern Barbarians too. Maybe that’s what we’ve become—or maybe it’s just my delusion.”

‘Damn it.’ I didn’t know what to say.

While I struggled for words, the stairs ended, and the dungeon’s entrance finally came into view.

“Yuanhu.”

At Yal Mok’s call, the middle-aged man stepped forward.

Inserting the keys one by one, he unlocked the massive gate. With a deep rumble, the heavy iron doors began to open.

Rumble…

As the faint moonlight streamed in, Yal Mok took out two small wooden cases from his robe.

“These are [Antidotes] that lift the energy seals. They’re made using the Baek Tribe’s secret techniques, so I could only get two. But with your power restored, you can lead the others out of the Southern Barbarians.”

“The others?”

“The old and the wounded. For some reason, their area was poorly guarded. Not very thorough of Uncle Baek.”

At his words, I saw them—two unconscious figures slung over the white tiger’s back beyond the open gate.

“Lord! Nam Ho!”

Recognizing familiar faces, Taesan ran ahead, stumbling over his own feet in excitement. I looked at Yal Mok, my expression complicated.

“Go. We’ll buy you as much time as we can. You’ll have half a shichen at best, but it should help.”

I didn’t know what to say.

If not for them, what would’ve happened?

Even if Taesan and I could’ve escaped on our own, we wouldn’t have made it this far, this fast.

Nam Ho and Sama Pyo, who had been imprisoned elsewhere in the palace, were my greatest shackles—heavier than any iron chain.

‘Without their help, I might’ve been caught again.’

But they risked everything to help me, knowing the danger.

Because of them, I had been given another chance to correct my mistakes.

“…Thank you.”

For the first time, I said the words I hadn’t before.

Yal Mok, the Seven Miao Tigers, and the disguised warriors outside all smiled faintly and shook their heads.

“There’s no need for thanks.”
“Right. The Southern Barbarians are just repaying a debt.”
“My brother was at Mount Aenoe. Because of your help, I got to see him again.”

Faces and names I didn’t know. Yet they had helped me.

Some called it repayment.

I looked at each of them, one by one.

Then I took the wooden case from Yal Mok’s hand and stepped into the pale moonlight.

Crunch.

As my foot pressed into the damp ground—

-Ding.-

– Escaped the dungeon before the execution deadline.
– Quest completion requirements met.
– Quest [Escape from Namsaengke] completed successfully!
– Quest rewards granted!
– Massive experience acquired!
– Level up!
– Some injuries and abnormal statuses removed!

The familiar quest notification rang in my ears, followed by a cool, refreshing sensation washing over my entire body.

‘Ahhh… finally.’

After a full day of tension, the stiffness in my muscles eased. The fatigue from forcing out what little power my middle Dantian could muster melted away, and even the lingering pressure on my lower Dantian dissolved.

“Haaah…”

As I exhaled, heat from my Scorching Yang Energy mingled with the air.

Sensing the shift, Yal Mok and the Seven Miao Tigers widened their eyes.

‘Yeah, it’s surprising. I haven’t even taken the antidote yet.’

But there was no time—or need—to explain.

I tossed one of the pills from the wooden case to Taesan.

“Here. Snack.”

Then I gave the other to Sama Pyo, who was still unconscious.

Sizzle.

The pill melted like water under the heat of Scorching Yang Energy. As the liquid slid down his throat, color slowly returned to Sama Pyo’s pale face.

‘He’s better than I thought, but still… he shouldn’t push himself yet.’

Nam Ho was fine, but without Sama Pyo at full strength, our combat ability would be limited. Still, it was better than before.

‘I’ve recovered my men and gained some insight. That’s enough.’

And then Yal Mok extended one final act of unexpected kindness.

“Take him with you.”

Grrrr.

That familiar growl—

The white tiger gazed at me with sad eyes before turning its back toward me.

“Muyaho is a divine beast among the white tigers of the Southern Barbarians. He’s like a brother to me. Take good care of him.”

As if understanding Yal Mok’s words, the tiger licked my hand and nudged my shoulder with its nose.

Smiling faintly, Yal Mok pointed toward the horizon.

“Go. Head northeast from where we first met. You’ll find the scouts there.”

And then—

Thud.

A dull impact. Yal Mok’s body wavered. Yuanhu caught him, offering a faint smile in my direction.

“You already know what needs to be done.”

“You guys…”

“Take care of the Young Palace Lord.”