The Dimensional Swordmaster C25

Chapter 25. The Unknown Means (5)

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s not just the gate—people are buzzing about other things too.”

It was the same old scene every time a problematic dungeon appeared. The higher the dungeon’s rank, the greater the rewards upon clearing it. Not only could one earn titles or items, but the rankings of the hunters who participated in the raid could be reshuffled.

“They say there’s a rumor that this dungeon has a legendary-grade item hidden inside. With attention already sky-high, that kind of story has everyone going nuts.”

The dungeon had appeared within the territory managed by the Yeollak Guild. By principle, the guild held ownership of the dungeon.

However, after one round of meetings, it was settled that other guilds would be allowed to enter simultaneously. On paper, it was framed as a polite request for cooperation, but in reality, it was a decision wrung out through coercion and pressure.

“Having this many people enter at once is pointless. Except for a handful, the rest will only end up as background extras. The hunter who kills the boss monster is the one who takes all the benefits. Honestly, the greater danger is hunters fighting each other, not the monsters.”

Gong Siyoung frowned. They were already blinded by the potential profit. Judging from Gong Sijin’s tone, he must have been tormented thoroughly during that so-called ‘meeting.’

They hadn’t even figured out the nature of this layered gate yet. It was pathetic to see them scrambling for gains before making any effort to solve the problem.

“No wonder the D-rank entrance was swarming with people.”

“If you want to know whether the rumor is real, the only way is to check it yourself.”

Gong Sijin exhaled a long sigh. It was something he had learned painfully while running a guild—people were far less righteous than one expected. Everyone had their own reasons to act cowardly.

He didn’t think that made them entirely bad, but he certainly didn’t want to justify selfish behavior just because they were hunters.

“With this many people, there’ll definitely be interference. And there’s no telling what sudden incidents might happen inside the dungeon. Haejin is skilled enough to manage everything, but Siyoung… you need to be especially careful.”

At the mention of Myeong Haejin’s name, Siyoung’s face twisted reflexively. Gong Sijin stressed the point again.

“Seriously, tone down that temper a little.”

“I got it.”

“And look after Yuri-ssi too. I don’t need to tell you how important he is, do I?”

The hand patting his shoulder tightened. Siyoung slapped it away instead of replying.

“I know he isn’t a total lunatic. That’s why I’ve been treating him well.”

There was no end to what could be said about Yurian’s uniqueness. How many people discovered spontaneous dungeons, used abilities outside their skillsets, and possessed deep knowledge of monsters? Such people were practically nonexistent.

Furthermore, Yurian’s status window registered him as “Unknown.” That alone made it stranger if he wasn’t from another dimension.

“It’s good that you’re treating him well… but don’t trust him too much, Siyoung. What we need is his ability. For all we know, Yurian may not be as good a person as we think.”

Even though he treated Yurian with gentle affection, Sijin did not trust him fully. It was cold, but it was reality. There was simply too much they still didn’t know about him.

“Didn’t you tell me to treat him well? Why shove someone who might be dangerous onto me then?”

“I told you already—you’re the only one who can overpower Yurian if necessary. Which means if something happens, you’ll have to deal with him. You understand what I’m saying, right? Don’t get attached.”

Siyoung was a kind of safety mechanism—the one who could eliminate Yurian if things went wrong. Sijin’s intention had been clear from the beginning.

“If Yurian betrays us or acts on some other agenda… then you may have to take him out.”

Like fattening livestock for slaughter, Sijin casually spoke of Yurian’s usefulness. The command to kill him should he become a threat was realistic—yet merciless.

It was a far wiser choice to avoid carrying a risk. As guild master, Sijin had made the decision needed to protect his people. Siyoung understood that—at least logically.

“…I’m heading out first.”

But logical understanding didn’t make the heart feel lighter.

Did he genuinely like Yurian? Not really. Honestly, Yurian was more of an annoyance—noisy, clingy, endlessly talking.

It hadn’t even been a week since they met. How meaningful could their relationship possibly be?

Even so, Sijin’s words weighed heavily on his mood. He had told him to feed Yurian properly, and now he said to kill him if necessary.

Easy to say. But once you’ve spent days side by side with someone, constantly interacting, doing what he asked… there was no way it stayed purely procedural.

I shouldn’t have gotten involved.

He shouldn’t have picked him up from that dungeon. Should’ve ignored him instead of bringing him out and earning these unnecessary worries. Siyoung rubbed between his brows.

Suppressing a sigh, he left the meeting room. The moment he stepped into the hallway, an electronic boing-boing sound echoed faintly.

Yurian and Myeong Haejin were sitting on the bench installed along the corridor. The white-haired head and pink-haired head stuck together made the irritation he had forgotten flare all over again.

“What are you two doing?”

Yurian jerked his head up. His cheeks flushed rose-pink. Those endlessly sparkling eyes made Siyoung halt awkwardly.

“Oh, this? Haejin was showing me how to use it.”

“Hyung, see this? If you press here, you can subscribe too. I’ll recommend some channels for you.”

Haejin tapped away at the phone. Yurian looked like he was about to sink right into the screen, eyes wide with fascination. Haejin lightly nudged Yurian’s arm.

“Want to try it yourself?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Yurian quickly accepted the phone. Every clumsy tap he made came with a gasp of amazement. The two of them were close enough that they might as well have been about to kiss.

“Good job, hyung.”

Haejin beamed at him. Then he glanced at Siyoung, as if only now noticing him—completely brazen.

As if an A-rank hunter wouldn’t sense someone sitting three meters away. Obviously, he was acting like that just to provoke him.

Clutching Yuri’s arm as if to show off, Haejin smirked wickedly.

“Haejin-ah, how do I do this part?”

Yurian called his name. They had been together for barely minutes, and he was already calling him by his name without honorifics. Was he serious?

Unable to endure anymore, Siyoung shoved himself between them.

“Aren’t we supposed to be leaving? I’m sure you don’t have time to sit around giggling.”

“We were just about to go. Yuri-hyung, I’ll see you soon. I’ll head out first.”

“Mm.”

Not even lifting his eyes from the phone, Yurian answered. Haejin casually strolled off. He reached the stairs and suddenly turned back.

“Oh, right. Siyoung hunter—there were a ton of articles about you. You might want to be careful for a while.”

He fluttered a hand and disappeared before Siyoung could even ask what articles he meant.

Glaring after the annoying pink head, Siyoung called out to the still-seated Yurian.

“Let’s go. Get up.”

“Huh? Ah, okay.”

Even as he replied, Yurian didn’t lift his gaze from the screen. Curious what had him so enthralled, Siyoung peeked over his shoulder.

“All the World’s Craftsmanship — Korea’s Top 5 Mass-Production Technologies”

The screen showed a factory mass-producing fishing rods. Machines moved in perfect rhythm.

He had no idea why Yurian found this entertaining—let alone how he found it at all.

The shot changed to rolling machinery assembling the rods. With a steady whoosh-whoosh, the fishing rods were completed. After watching for a moment, Siyoung spoke hesitantly.

“…Why are you watching this?”

“Oh? Uh… it’s just neat? Hold on, let me finish this part.”

Half-walking, half-not, Yurian’s attention was completely absorbed in the phone. It wasn’t inappropriate content, so Siyoung didn’t know what to say.

At least there was one upside: Yurian had never been this quiet before. The man who couldn’t go a full minute without talking now pressed his lips tight and stared in silence. Honestly, Siyoung liked that part.

So this was why parents gave phones to their kids. He suddenly felt he understood them all.

The moment they reached the stairs, Yurian bumped into his back with a thud. Startled, he rubbed his forehead.

“What? You scared me. Why’d you stop?”

“…Stairs. Put away the phone before you fall.”

Only then did Yurian notice the stairs and look embarrassed—but still clutched the phone.

Narrowing his eyes, Siyoung stretched out a hand.

“Give it. I need to check something.”

He didn’t specify, but Yurian clearly understood. He hesitated but handed it over.

Siyoung scanned the video app first, registering his own account to filter inappropriate content. Then he opened the contacts. His finger stopped at the name “Myeong Haejin.”

Without hesitation, he deleted it.

After confirming that Sijin had already input his number, Siyoung finally closed the phone.

“I’ll hold onto this until we arrive.”

“Why? I didn’t finish it yet!”

Yurian protested, insisting the fishing rod wasn’t fully assembled. Siyoung shook his head firmly.

“That’s not what matters right now. Did you forget we’re entering a dungeon?”

“I didn’t forget, but…”

“I’ll teach you how to use smartphones properly later. For now, follow me—we really don’t have much time.”

They still had to register on-site and prepare. Steering the conversation away, Siyoung shoved the phone into his pocket and started forward.