Chapter 58— "Core of the Cave"
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**Team 3 – Inside the Third Portal**
Hyung's voice was low but firm.
"Stay alert. There can be danger inside the chamber… or it could be a nest."
Every soldier raised their rifle—muzzles forward, fingers resting on triggers, ready to fire in a heartbeat.
They stepped through the glowing blue ring.
The chamber opened before them.
Blue light pulsed from the center—something massive, breathing, wrapped in glowing veins.
Monsters surrounded it—standing guard, eyes glowing.
Not small ones.
Larger. Heavier.
Hyung signaled—fist closed, then two fingers to the wall.
They split silently—half to each side, backs pressed to crystal, hidden in shadow.
One soldier whispered.
"What the hell is that thing?"
Kim Ji's voice was steady.
"I don't know. But the way they're surrounding it… it's like they're protecting it."
Hyung nodded.
"Possible it's the core of the cave. Monsters have cores. This could be the same."
Kim Ji glanced at him.
"We still don't know what happens if we destroy it…"
Hyung's eyes hardened.
"We'll find out after we destroy it. Let's go."
They moved.
Monsters sensed them instantly—heads snapping toward the intruders.
The chamber erupted.
**BRRRT—BRRRT—BRRRT!**
Soldiers opened fire—controlled bursts, precise.
Hyung pressed a button on his boots.
**WHOOSH!**
He launched upward—rockets in the soles firing.
Mid-air, he spun—sword flashing.
**SLASH! SLASH!**
Necks opened. Cores shattered.
He moved like a shadow—effortless, emotionless.
One monster threw a punch—massive fist whistling.
Hyung twisted in circle around the arm—full rotation.
**CRUNCH—SLASH!**
The arm fell in pieces.
Another monster roared—mouth wide.
Hyung saw the core glowing inside.
He dove—straight into the maw.
The monster swallowed him.
For a second—silence.
Then—
**SHING!**
Blade exploded out the back of its head.
The monster collapsed.
Hyung stepped out—covered in purple blood, breathing steady.
Kim Ji moved silently toward the core—knife ready.
Monsters blocked her.
Hyung flew down—sword singing.
**SLASH-SLASH-SLASH!**
Heads rolled.
He cleared her path.
Kim Ji reached the core.
It pulsed—alive, breathing, veins of gas connecting to every wall.
She raised her knife.
**SLICE!**
Cut clean in two.
The core shattered.
All monsters froze.
No movement.
No roar.
Just… stopped.
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The soldiers lowered their rifles.
Then—
**"YAAAAAHHH!!"**
Cheers erupted.
"Yes! Yes! We did it!"
Laughter—loud, relieved, happy.
**"HAHAHAHA!"**
One soldier wiped sweat and blood.
"These masks were about to run out… but we did it!"
Another clapped Kim Ji on the back.
"Who said Kim Ji was a princess? I was wrong. Miss Princess was actually right!"
He bowed deeply.
"Sorry for shouting. Sorry for not trusting you."
All soldiers bowed.
"We're sorry!"
Kim Ji stood there—stunned.
First time anyone had ever apologized to her like this.
She didn't know what to say.
Some soldiers sat down—exhausted, smiling.
"Coming here is always dangerous… but we survived. Thanks to you two."
They stood.
"Okay. Let's go."
Kim Ji pointed straight.
"I think… since the core is destroyed… this time it'll be just straight."
Soldiers laughed.
"You don't need to explain. We trust you."
Hyung looked at Kim Ji.
She was smiling—small, genuine.
He smiled too.
For the first time.
One soldier stretched.
"I stink so much… I'm going to take a shower for a whole day."
Another grinned.
"Why? No male to impress?"
A third laughed.
"There are some. If we get lucky, they'll choose us."
One more snorted.
"But boys don't like muscle girls!"
Everyone burst out laughing—**"HAHAHAHA!"**
Kim Ji and Hyung smiled wider.
Hyung looked back at the soldiers.
*Is this… peace?*
*Is this how they smile after a long time?*
*I'm feeling that same feeling again…*
One soldier laughed loudly.
"You know my—"
**CRACK!**
His head exploded.
Not cut clean.
Blasted apart by force.
The body stayed standing—arm still around the soldier next to him.
Blood sprayed.
Everyone froze.
Hyung's eyes widened in horror.
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*End*