Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 14

A field-type dungeon was an area of contamination that emerged when a dungeon break couldn’t be fully contained. These dungeons were typically caused more by the terrain’s unique features than the strength of the monsters that appeared. China and Russia were prime examples of this phenomenon.

In these countries, the land was so vast that when a gate opened, Hunters struggled to track down all the monsters, leading to areas being left unchecked. Moreover, locating the precise origin of an eroding gate was difficult, often extending the time needed for its complete subjugation.

Similarly, in South Korea, although the land was smaller, the mountainous terrain led to field-type dungeons forming quite frequently.

**[Gwanaksan Field]**

**※ Restricted to members of the Hyena Guild only**

The entrance to Gwanaksan was blocked off with barbed wire, cutting it off from the outside world. This field-type dungeon had been under the Hyena Guild’s control for a year.

Su-ho stood at a distance, observing the mountain, his face hidden beneath a hood and mask.

[This is the place.]

Perched on Su-ho’s shoulder, Beru smacked his lips greedily. The aura of the sanctuary that Rakhan’s Fang had spoken of was emanating from this very location.

However, even Rakhan’s Fang didn’t know what exactly was inside the sanctuary.

[So we’re here, and you still don’t know?]

– No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same. I was just a sword stuck in the ground. I can sense the aura of the sanctuary, but I can’t identify its contents.

Rakhan’s Fang protested, sounding frustrated.

Beru chewed on a magic stone, glaring threateningly.

[Let’s hope you’re telling the truth. If you’re lying, I’ll start gnawing on you from the handle down, nice and slow…]

– Would you stop with the threats already?

[And if I don’t?]

– I’m scared, okay?

[…]

Rakhan’s Fang was surprisingly candid. As a sword, it had no reason to be deceitful.

Just then, the sun began to set. Su-ho, who had been waiting for this moment, glanced at the darkening sky, his eyes gleaming.

“Good. Time to move.”

Pulling his hood further down, Su-ho slowly approached the barbed wire fence.

Thanks to his increased sense stat, he could see well enough in the dark, ensuring he wouldn’t be at a disadvantage in combat. In fact, the darkness was preferable.

‘The priority is not getting caught by the Hyena Guild.’

Naturally, entering a dungeon occupied by another guild without permission was illegal. However, Su-ho wasn’t planning to profit from their territory; he only intended to quietly retrieve the Fang Monarch’s relic. As long as he didn’t get caught, there would be no issues.

After all, if the Fang Monarch’s relic ended up in the hands of an ordinary Awakened, they could be possessed and turned into a berserker, just like what happened with Rakhan’s Fang.

‘CCTV and barbed wire, huh?’

Su-ho calmly surveyed his surroundings.

It was impossible to guard an entire field-type dungeon with personnel. The area was protected by an electrified fence and CCTV cameras positioned at intervals.

‘Ruler’s Authority.’

*Flap.*

Using telekinesis, Su-ho gently floated a black plastic bag into the air. It drifted naturally on the breeze until it covered one of the cameras completely.

‘Now.’

*Leap.*

In a single bound, Su-ho vaulted over the barbed wire. His increased strength stat shone in that moment.

*Thud.*

He landed lightly within the field and immediately began scouting the area.

A thick, blue mist blanketed the entirety of Gwanaksan.

In truth, the fence didn’t define the dungeon’s boundaries—it was this mist.

[This blue mist is infused with the magic of the Outer Gods. It’s used to force open the dimensional barriers and create fractures in the world.]

– That’s right. Because of this mist, my sanctuary ended up drifting through the dimensional rift and connected to Earth.

[Ultimately, the Outer Gods intend to spread this mist across the entire planet, causing a great fracture. They’re trying to open a hole large enough for their army to cross dimensions.]

“Shh.”

Suddenly, Su-ho fell silent, narrowing his eyes.

‘Killing intent.’

He hadn’t been in the field for more than a minute, but already, red eyes were starting to focus on him.

[Bladed Claw Briga]

[Bladed Claw Briga]

[Bladed Claw Briga]

Under the cold moonlight, monstrous monkeys began to reveal themselves one by one.

By now, Su-ho understood the level-up system. It displayed the color of an enemy’s name based on their strength relative to his own.

White signified they were relatively weak.

Orange indicated they were on par or stronger.

Red meant they were far stronger.

These monkeys were ‘orange.’

[These weak monkeys have surrounded us, my lord. But since you’re weaker, please be careful.]

“What an annoying way to cheer someone on.”

With a faint smile, Su-ho gripped Rakhan’s Fang tightly. Considering the difficulty and number of enemies, this could be dangerous.

‘But this is manageable.’

In fact, it was preferable.

Defeating weaklings would yield little experience.

Su-ho’s eyes gleamed as he prepared to move.

It was time to level up.

“Uki-ik!”

At that moment, the monkeys dropped from the trees in unison.

Their bladed claws slashed through the air, aiming to rip Su-ho apart.

In response, Rakhan’s Fang in Su-ho’s hand cut through the cold night air.

*Slash! Slash! Slash!*

[You have defeated a Bladed Claw Briga.]

[You have defeated a Bladed Claw Briga.]

…

“Eek! Eek eek eek!”

Su-ho continued to move forward, stepping over the endless bodies of the monsters he had slain.

Of course, he had no intention of wandering aimlessly through the night.

“Lead the way. Where’s the gate?”

– Impressive. Are you used to chaotic battles like this?

Rakhan’s Fang was genuinely taken aback.

The situation was undoubtedly dire.

For every one he killed, two more would charge at him.

For every two he killed, five more would drop from the trees above.

The despicable monkeys used the darkness and trees to disorient Su-ho, even laughing as they threw stones from above.

“Cack cack cack!”

Yet, even as he darted around in the midst of the chaos, Su-ho didn’t show a hint of panic.

– No matter how much you’ve inherited from the Shadow Monarch, you’re far too skilled in battle for someone with your power. Just what kind of trials have you been through?

“Just guide me.”

Su-ho gave a wry smile at the sword’s question.

Trials? It was all because of the dreams he had during puberty.

In those dreams, he had to fight his way through countless battles to reach the final boss and escape. The harsh experiences from those dreams were deeply ingrained in his body.

If he died midway, he’d have to start all over again.

‘The tutorial was too tough.’

No matter how bad things got, it was heaven compared to that.

[Hm. Ahem. Heh. Heh.]

Beru, who was strutting around with a proud expression, became increasingly irritating to look at.

Then, the tip of Rakhan’s Fang, still in Su-ho’s hand, moved on its own, pointing in a specific direction.

– Head this way for now. But the road to the sanctuary will be hell. You may be used to skirmishes, but there’s no way you’ll reach it alone…

“Who said I was alone?”

– What?

Su-ho chuckled as he glanced around.

At that moment, black smoke began to rise from the bodies of the slain monkeys.

[Shadow extraction is possible.]

[Shadow extraction is possible.]

…

Su-ho extended his hand toward the shadows.

“Arise.”

*Hee-hee-hee-hee*

A chilling wail echoed through the cold night air.

Black hands began to emerge from the shadows of the monkeys, clawing their way out of the ground and raising themselves up.

[Shadow extraction successful.]

[Uki-ik!]

[Uki!]

In total, five shadowy monkeys appeared before Su-ho, their bodies shrouded in dark mist.

[Shadow Monkey Lv.1]

Common Rank

[Shadow Monkey Lv.1]

Common Rank

Beru clapped his hands like a seal.

[Ohh. Five of them! It seems your intelligence stat has increased, allowing you to summon more shadow soldiers! But compared to the great army of our lord, they’re still so… puny…]

“Be quiet.”

Su-ho grabbed Beru and tossed him toward the monsters.

[Heh. This is nothing for me.]

As he flew, Beru spread his sharp claws, ready to shred the monsters in one swipe…

*Thud!*

[Huh?]

He was kicked back.

“Uki-ik!”

The monkeys that had kicked Beru now turned back to attack Su-ho.

But before they could strike, the shadow monkeys closed in and drove their bladed claws into the attackers’ throats.

“…Kehek.”

[You have defeated a Bladed Claw Briga.]

[You have defeated a Bladed Claw Briga.]

[Level up!]

Vitality surged through Su-ho’s body.

[Uki-ik-ik-ik!]

The shadow monkeys cackled wickedly as they stomped on the corpses of their fallen foes.

But now that they were on Su-ho’s side, they seemed almost cute.

“Let’s keep moving.”

But before they could get too attached, it was time to say goodbye.

As the terrain became more rugged, stronger monsters began to block their path.

[Black Shadow Rajan]

[Black Shadow Rajan]

*Swish!*

The red-eyed monsters, resembling panthers, silently stalked through the darkness, viciously tearing out the throats of the shadow monkeys.

*Keeek-keek-keek!*

The shadow monkeys were helpless against the power of these assassins hidden in the darkness.

“The difference in strength is clear.”

But Su-ho’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

‘I’ll make them mine too.’

*Whoosh!*

In that instant, a menacing aura burst forth from Rakhan’s Fang.

[Activating skill: Scorn of the Weak.]

“…!”

The Black Shadow Rajans suddenly felt their bodies grow heavy.

[Effect: Fear activated.]

[All stats of the targets decreased by 50% for 1 minute.]

However, Rakhan’s Fang’s *Scorn of the Weak* was most effective against opponents weaker than Su-ho.

“Kaaooo!”

[Effect: Fear nullified.]

The names of the Black Shadow Rajans were orange.

Being on par with Su-ho or slightly stronger, they shook off the fear effect with a powerful roar.

But that brief moment was enough.

In a flash, Su-ho vanished from their sight.

And then…

*Slash!*

“Kaagh!”

Black blood sprayed as one of the panthers had its throat slit.

[You have defeated a Black Shadow Rajan.]

*Swish!*

The remaining Rajans quickly retreated into the darkness, but one was enough.

Su-ho immediately reached out toward its corpse.

“Arise!”

[Shadow extraction successful.]

One of the shadow monkeys disappeared, replaced by the shadow of the Black Shadow Rajan, which rose to its feet.

*Kaoooo!*

[Shadow Panther Lv.1]

Common Rank

Su-ho grinned with satisfaction.

“Good. A new member.”

*Growl.*

The panther, which had been trying to tear out Su-ho’s throat moments ago, now nuzzled against his leg, purring softly.

Then it turned, baring its teeth at its former kin lurking in the darkness.

Su-ho smiled broadly.

“Feeling lonely? Go invite your friends.”

*Kaaooo!*

With that, the shadow panther sprinted off to hunt its former comrades.

Su-ho continued to upgrade his shadow soldiers to stronger ones as he advanced.

– …No wonder we lost the war. These tactics are so underhanded.

Rakhan’s Fang muttered in resignation.

—

Some time later…

“Everyone, halt.”

*Snarl.*

At Su-ho’s command, the shadow panthers immediately dropped low and remained still.

– That’s it. Just ahead.

Rakhan’s Fang didn’t need to say anything.

Before them stood an outpost of the Hyena Guild.