The Heroine Stole My Regression

13 – Dungeon (2)

The interior was a far cry from the shabby exterior.

Towering pillars bisected the space, and marble floors echoed the grandeur of an ancient temple.

Elegant patterns adorned every surface, bathing the space in an aura of sanctity.

Perhaps it would have been different if it were just a Skeleton Cave, but this was a Dual Dungeon.

“Ah, good. My condition is improving,”

Cheon Yeoul murmured, taking a shallow breath.

Her expression softened noticeably, and a subtle glow returned to her face.

Her hair, once dull, now shimmered with health, flowing like silken threads.

This dungeon, or should I even call it that?

It was the tomb of Iano, Japan’s legendary priestess.

Around five years ago, Japan was thrown into an uproar.

A will, left behind by Iano during her lifetime, had been discovered. Its contents were simple:

‘A false one for my homeland, the true one for a foreign land.’

According to the will, fearing desecration, she had left a false tomb in her native Japan, and hidden her true resting place in a secret mountain, unknown to all.

Her prediction proved chillingly accurate. The false tomb of Iano in Japan was looted not long after.

The problem was the fact that that will had brought to light.

The tomb that Japan had protected for hundreds of years, was after all a false one.

Based on his will, Japan scoured the globe for her true tomb, but failed.

And that tomb now lies before my very eyes.

“What tier was it?”

The question was for Chun Yeo-ul.

Iano, not content with simply placing his dungeon in a foreign land, had hidden his tomb with utmost care.

Judging that only fitting divine power would suffice, it would never reveal itself unless the standard was at least Tier 3.

Yet, the aura Chun Yeo-ul displayed just now was hardly that of Tier 3.

“Hmm… I was definitely a full Tier 3, though?”

Chun Yeo-ul, upon hearing my question, brought a finger to her lips, tilting her head.

“Why? Does it not seem like it?”

She then gave a relaxed smile and returned the question.

I scanned the dungeon interior once more.

This was a double dungeon. Originally, intricate puzzles and obstacles should have filled every nook and cranny.

‘It’s too clean.’

Not a speck of dust marred the marble floor, and the paths, which should have been tangled and chaotic, stretched out in straight lines.

This was the state that would occur when, in a game, a priest of Tier 7 or higher was mobilized using cheats.

The Tier 3 of an ordinary priest would be utterly useless.

‘…Could that be it?’

I had used top-grade Holy Water, after all. The inspiration treasured it immensely; it was incredibly precious.

Besides, Chun Yeo-ul was no ordinary priest. Even if she were the same Tier 3, the quantity and quality of her divine power would be on a different plane from other priests.

In truth, it was a good thing. It was a good thing, but…

“I memorized it all, though….”

The night before, before going to sleep, I had memorized all the strategies and puzzles.

To be unable to use them left me feeling gutted.

“Fascinating. Who knew something like this would be behind that tiny dungeon.”

Chun Yeo-ul said, looking around with leisure.

We walked along the straight path, as if a red carpet had been laid out for us.

At the end of the path, a massive door stood firmly shut.

The distance was considerable; originally, this path should have been filled with countless traps and puzzles.

‘That’s a relief.’

I shall forget my foolish self from just moments ago.

“How did you know?”

Cheon Yeoul asked as we walked.

“You even came prepared with holy water, it’s like you knew everything.”

Her eyes sparkled, trained on me.

Understandably curious. I tilted my head slightly, and produced my pre-prepared answer.

“This is Iano’s tomb.”

“Really?”

Cheon Yeoul’s eyes widened just a fraction.

She seemed to know of Iano.

“While rummaging through documents, I found records of Iano visiting Taebaek in the past.”

In truth, even the Japanese had come this far to search. They ultimately failed to find it, though.

“Taebaek has sacred energy flowing through it thanks to the mountain range, yet an undead dungeon? It didn’t quite add up. So, I speculated that it might be here.”

Cheon Yeoul nodded, listening intently to my words.

“Well, 90 percent of it was luck, though.”

Cheon Yeoul chuckled softly.

“So modest.”

As our conversation drew to a close, we arrived before a massive gate.

The spectacle that unfolded before us stole our breath once more.

Once all the traps are overcome, this gate opens automatically.

-Kugugung…

It seemed we were considered to have overcome all the traps.

The massive gate began to open slowly, emitting a majestic sound.

The moment the gate opened, a soft, warm breeze wafted from within. It carried a delicate floral fragrance.

“Wow…”

An exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily.

The landscape beyond the gate was an entirely different world.

A dwelling filled with Eastern sentiment stood there.

Roofs capped with black tiles, red pillars, and a meticulously manicured garden all came into view at once.

Especially, the cherry tree that stood tall beside the house was so gigantic it all but obscured the sky.

Scattered cherry blossoms settled like snow upon the ground, deepening the quietude.

“The atmosphere has… shifted, hasn’t it?”

Cheon Yeo-ul said, sounding surprised as she looked around.

In life, it had been a tomb modeled after Iano’s birthplace.

And in the center of the courtyard stood a colossal statue.

The figure of a samurai in armor, standing with its sword planted in the earth, it looked like a guardian protecting this place.

As though we had stepped into a space transcending time, everything was in perfect harmony.

That moment, as we took in the tomb’s peculiar vista…

– *KRAASH!* –

The massive gate behind us slammed shut, nearly shattering.

“Ahead!”

Cheon Yeo-ul shouted.

The enormous statue before us was moving, as if it had gained life.

I instinctively backed away, creating distance.

With a heavy rumble, the statue pulled the sword from the ground and menacingly pointed it toward us.

“… This place knows no division of time… past, future, or present.”

A red glint flashed from between the slits of its helmet.

Then the giant sword slowly shifted, aiming at Cheon Yeo-ul.

“Do you… possess the worth…?”

The energy emanating from its blade rippled, enveloping Cheon Yeo-ul.

The very air seemed to waver.

The statue’s red eyes flickered, dimming briefly, before it slowly spoke again.

“… Worthiness acknowledged.”

“Got good eyes, don’t you?”

Cheon Yeo-ul responded nonchalantly.

The statue remained unmoved by her jest. Instead, it aimed the sword at me.

That the next Saintess candidate was approved was hardly surprising.

The problem was me.

“Do you… possess the worth…?”

This time, the energy swirled around me.

I tightened my grip on the spear at my hip.

It seemed the time to fight had come.

“Prepare for battle.”

At my quietly spoken words, Chun Yeoul gave a slight nod.

“If that’s what you desire.”

She closed her eyes, interlacing her fingers, and began to pray.

Most likely, the statue would soon plunge that greatsword down.

My muscles contracted, taut to the point of bursting. I was ready to spring at any moment.

“…The qualification is recognized.”

“…Huh?”

The statue, having lowered its sword, withdrew its red, glowing eyes and continued.

‘What is this?’

The statue began to utter incomprehensible sounds.

“You who defies the heavenly principle, have you finally laid down your burden….”

Heavenly principle? Burden?

I don’t know this kind of development.

You just fight it out, win big, and then get acknowledged by the statue. That’s the classic progression.

“And you, who share that burden….”

Chun Yeoul slowly opened her closed eyes.

“…Feel the weight.”

-KWAAGAGAGAGAK!

As the statue finished speaking, it cleaved itself in two with the colossal sword.

Cracking and crumbling like fractured stone, shimmering objects within were revealed.

“…Mm.”

Chun Yeoul quietly repeated.

“I will feel it.”

Her expression held a certain resolve.

On the foundation where the statue had stood, a cross and a transparent bottle rested.

I slowly moved towards them.

A glittering cross and a transparent bottle filled with liquid.

One was the Cross of Iano, imbued with a divine power beyond imagining.

And the other, a legendary elixir.

One that forcibly widened the channels of mana, pushing its efficiency to the absolute limit—an elixir whispered about only in legends.

I’d intended the former for Cheon Yeoul, and the latter I’d planned for Seong Siwoo.

And if I were to monetize their individual values…

‘Impossible.’

The worth of these relics surpassed all comprehension.

“A pity, if I’d known, I would have requested a split beforehand.”

Cheon Yeoul said it so casually.

I held the cross, hesitating for a moment.

‘Should I give it to her now?’

Even if she accepted the cross’s divine power, it would take time for her to fully absorb it as her own.

Handing it over here would be simpler in many ways. Once outside, the Association would descend, causing delays, no doubt.

Resolving myself, I lifted the cross and offered it to her.

“Take it. I didn’t expect such a reward either.”

“Besides, without you, we might not have even made it this far.”

Upon hearing my words, she wore a fleeting, tender expression.

But soon, shaking her head, it shifted into her characteristic playful smile.

“That’s good and all, but shall I tell you an even better way?”

She approached me, speaking in a low voice.

“Sell it to our temple for a hefty price.”

And then, she whispered in my ear.

“After all, the Order would give it to me unconditionally.”

Stepping back, she smiled, a bewitching glint in her eyes.

“How does that sound?”

…A genius.

I was momentarily speechless at her unexpected proposal.

“…Is that alright?”

“Mhm.”

She nodded, her smile radiant.

In the end, I packed both the crucifix and the elixir into my bag.

“What are you going to do with the elixir? Drink it?”

“No, I have a use for it.”

To feed Seong Si-woo. It would give wings to the only innate magical aptitude he possessed.

“…Is that so?”

Cheon Yeo-ul nodded and walked with me towards the dungeon entrance.

“Hold on.”

But then, she abruptly grabbed my arm, halting me.

“What if it’s dangerous? Give me the elixir. I’ll assess it.”

I knew it wasn’t dangerous. But her suggestion was logical, so I nodded and took the elixir out of my bag.

“Don’t open the lid, the effects might dissipate.”

Just don’t open the lid. The energy, condensed over a long time, would vanish completely if not ingested immediately upon uncapping.

I carefully handed her the elixir.

And turned my head, starting to walk forward again.

– *Pop*

?

What *pop*?

Startled by the sound of something being uncapped, I spun around urgently.

– *Shove*

And she promptly jammed the elixir into my mouth.

“Mph!”

– *Gulp*

A liquid, burning hotly, coursed down my throat.

Behind me, she held me tightly, saying.

“That’s right… That’s right… Drink it all down.”

An irresistible energy exploded and spread through my body.

My strength ebbed, and my legs gave way. I couldn’t stay upright without leaning on her.

“Yes, our Hae-in… Such a good boy?”

She whispered softly into my ear.

“Lean on your sister… And let’s wake up after a good, long sleep, okay?”

That instant, a surge of racing mana blurred my senses.

A signal the drug was taking hold.

“Hmph, something so precious… who’s she trying to give it to now…”

Her voice echoed in the fading edges of my consciousness.