"..."
Hearing this question, Castorice lowered her gaze.
"Um..."
As the atmosphere grew tense, the healer realized her question had overstepped.
After all, Castorice belonged to her own guild, and for a Hunter associated with a Guild to ask about another Hunter's abilities when they weren't familiar, while not unheard of, was somewhat impolite.
"Ah, rather than that, shouldn't we focus our energy on the dungeon first?"
Han Song-Yi, snapping back to reality, immediately stepped in to smooth things over.
While she leaned more towards Castorice's side—after all, Castorice had just saved her and was her newly-made friend—still... the person opposite could also be considered her savior. She found herself in a dilemma.
Yet, her attempt to sidestep the question was ultimately motivated by consideration for Castorice's feelings.
"It's alright, Song-Yi."
Castorice let out a sigh, offering reassurance.
"We're in a dungeon now. Being open about one's power is only natural. I just... haven't figured out how to explain it yet. But this matter will become known sooner or later."
"Castorice-unni..."
Han Song-Yi could see the complex emotions flickering in Castorice's expression.
It seemed... Castorice-unni didn't like her own ability...?
With a gentle smile and a nod towards her, Castorice turned her attention back to the members of the assault team.
"My ability... is the power to bring death to others. Those who touch me, or even get too close, may die because of my power."
"This...?"
Son Kihoon's eyes widened. He had never heard of such an ability. If even he, an A-rank Hunter, was unaware, then the others around were even less likely to know.
Touch, or even proximity, could cause death? What kind of power was that?
Han Song-Yi also stared at Castorice in shock.
All those strange, careful actions during their time together finally made sense in this moment.
"Although it's called a death-bringing ability, a more accurate description would be the power to connect to the River of Souls, the resting place of the dead," Castorice added.
"So... while it can be used for healing, its greater purpose is to guide the living to the Pure Land."
She didn't elaborate fully on her power. After all, some truths weren't easily understood or accepted by everyone.
The assault team members exchanged glances.
This... was getting more and more mystical, bringing up the River of Souls and the afterlife.
But from her attire and features, they could tell she wasn't a native Korean Hunter. Perhaps foreign Hunters were like this?
As for the underworld, it wasn't that hard to accept. After all, dungeons contained undead and revenants; soul-type enemies existed, not to mention summoners who could call forth skeletal soldiers.
Since the appearance of dungeons, many scholars and enthusiasts had debated whether an afterlife truly existed, and in most people's eyes, it did—just not in their reality, but in the world connected to the dungeons.
And now, Castorice's existence firmly stamped a mark of confirmation on that debate.
"This is... truly astonishing, Castorice-ssi."
Son Kihoon took a deep breath, then exhaled heavily. "I never imagined a Hunter with such an ability could exist."
It was like a walking incarnation of death itself. The idea that touch or close proximity meant death... he couldn't fathom how to contend with such power.
Han Song-Yi's expression held no trace of joy, only profound complexity.
Because she remembered Castorice's reactions during their first meeting, when she called her a friend, and again on the bus and at the celebration banquet... No wonder Castorice-unni had reacted that way.
She couldn't share a vehicle, go out for a meal, visit crowded places, or even allow touch.
Yet, living such a life, Castorice-unni remained incredibly gentle, constantly restraining herself, avoiding excessive contact with others...
Thinking of this, Han Song-Yi felt as if a stone weighed on her heart, making it hard to breathe.
It wasn't that Castorice was unwilling to connect with others. She just... didn't want to put others in danger because of herself.
"Everyone, let's move out as soon as possible."
Castorice wasn't one accustomed to giving orders, but currently, she was the most qualified person here to lead. Naturally, she wouldn't shirk that responsibility.
"Understood... Everyone, maintain a safe distance from Castorice-ssi."
As the second strongest present, Son Kihoon made the call immediately upon learning that Castorice's ability was one of extreme, isolated specialization.
Putting it bluntly, her ability made her less of a main damage dealer and more of a... force of nature.
They couldn't coordinate with her directly; they could only keep a respectful distance.
Thus, the group quickly split into two.
Castorice walked ahead, a team of one, while the Assault Team followed behind, vigilant of their surroundings. (Hunter teams delving into dungeons are all called Assault Teams.)
The entire underground cavern was a labyrinth of passages.
To close the red gate, they had to defeat the boss.
For others, finding the boss would be a waste of time. Those sensitive to magical energy might instinctively sense it and locate the strongest source, but most people in this world couldn't.
For Castorice, and for magic-users from her previous world, this was child's play.
They walked for over ten minutes, passing countless branching tunnels, yet encountered not a single enemy.
The Assault Team found this situation unusual, even wondering if they'd taken a wrong turn. But upon learning Castorice could sense the boss's location, they said no more, only growing more alert.
After all... if they met no enemies along the way, it couldn't just be luck or missing each other. With an enemy leader present, it could only mean they were waiting to spring one big, coordinated ambush.
The thought inevitably brought back memories of the desperate situation when they were surrounded earlier, their expressions turning grave.
The aura of magical energy grew stronger.
Led by Castorice, even the assault team members who couldn't sense magic began to hear roars rising and falling in the distance.
With each step, the cacophony grew louder, and a bright fiery light illuminated the path ahead.
It was a vast, expansive underground plaza—or perhaps a throne room.
Standing upon the sole elevated platform in the plaza was the orc chieftain, towering far above the common orcs, a massive bone club twice a man's height gripped in its hand.
Over two hundred orc warriors clamored and vented below the throne.
But as they watched Castorice stride calmly from the tunnel into the plaza, their bellows took on a hysterical, blustering edge—a warning born of fear.
"Everyone, please wait here."
Castorice raised her right hand, the one holding the scythe, holding it horizontally before the group as she turned to speak. "The battle will be over soon."
Son Kihoon said nothing more, merely giving a solemn nod.
The orc chieftain could also feel that overwhelming aura of death washing over it. Merely looking at this incarnation of death instilled primal fear. It was almost like... a monarch.
Yet, 'almost' was the key word. For an enemy showing hostility, even knowing victory was impossible, an orc never retreats!
"ROAR!"
The orc chieftain surged to its feet from its seat, snatching up the bone club beside it. With a deafening roar, it leaped down to the ground.
Inspired by their leader, the orcs, their earlier fear forgotten, bared their fangs in savage snarls and charged at Castorice with reckless abandon.
"ROOOOAAAAARRRR!!"
The courage to face death head-on was something even Castorice could respect.
But... as she had just said, the battle would be over soon. A painless death was the only mercy she could offer them.
An oppressive, suffocating pressure filled the air. A deathly fissure dozens of meters long unfurled with the swing of Castorice's scythe.
Without even the need to fully manifest, a gigantic dragon's head emerged from the rift.
Wreathed in death and searing heat, a crimson-black breath engulfed the entire plaza in the blink of an eye.
"ROAR!!"
Pollux: 'You think you're loud?! Let's see who's louder then! Come on, let's go!'
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.