---

The inside of the skyscraper.

Unlike outside the dungeon, signs of human touch were faint. It was unkempt, rusty, and dirty.

‘They said the fantasy world is like a mirror.’

So, it seemed that the building didn’t get dirty because of human touch, but the dungeon was different. No matter how many wings one had, they couldn’t fly forever. Naturally, resting was essential, and with only upside-down buildings as shelters, it made perfect sense. My nose became numb from the various excrement and the rising stench.

‘By the way.’

I was puzzled about how the building could stay upright without falling. An upside-down skyscraper should logically collapse due to its inverted center of gravity.

‘There are more questions than just that.’

But figuring it out with my limited knowledge was impossible. The very nature of dungeons was filled with things hard to comprehend with common sense. The moment I locked eyes with the White Deer, I nodded slightly. After consuming substantial magic power to climb this high, going outside before recovering was out of the question.

‘Moreover.’

Most importantly, as soon as I step outside, Bichunmang would attack. I could feel it; it hadn’t given up on us and was lurking for an opportunity.

“…Let’s go up for now.”

It sounded like a full-bellied statement, but having just climbed the Roteworld Tower, the thought of climbing another 120 floors felt like torture. I glanced up briefly and sensed the presence of monsters, my eyes gleaming.

‘This is.’

I shook my head, telling the White Deer and Fairy not to follow, and used Stealth to ascend the stairs. About ten floors up, I could spot a monster still asleep. It looked quite similar to my previous evolution.

Although there was a difference between a wolf and a bird, it was just about that. The black fur and the visible skull were eerily alike.

It wasn’t particularly strong, like the Skull Wolf I had seen at the blind spot research lab. I swiftly sliced its neck and devoured it.

[You have consumed a Skull Bird. Experience and satiety have increased.]

Even the name was a copycat. Stealth and ambush. I continued to devour monsters in this manner while climbing the skyscraper. Their levels were mediocre and not too threatening. Occasionally, there were sensitive monsters that woke up and lunged at me, but they weren’t much different.

“Ho. Missed this.”

With a brief admiration from the White Deer, the monster that lunged at us crashed to the ground and thrashed about.

“―――!”

The fierce wind it kicked up tore through the membranous wings, leaving it unable to fly any longer. The impact shattered the windows, and shards of glass swept through the body of the cave predator. Soon, it lay still on the ground.

[You have consumed a Cave Predator. Experience and satiety have increased.]

[Experience has reached maximum. Lv.20 → Lv.21]

“……!”

The first boss I encountered in the dungeon of the fantasy world… Before I could even dive into that thought, a deafening roar echoed from beyond the broken window. No prizes for guessing.

‘Bichunmang.’

Our eyes met through the window. Its gaze carried a thick malice and a hint of anxiety. Was it the beast’s instinct? It seemed to sense that entering the building would get it in trouble. After staring for a while, it must have given up, realizing we weren’t planning to step outside.

‘I thought it would destroy the building…’

But that didn’t seem to be the case. Anyway, while it disappeared quickly, I rushed up the stairs and reached the first floor, where I discovered marks and broken windows revealing its presence.

‘So that’s why it didn’t come in.’

Roteworld Tower. The tallest skyscraper in this upside-down city. This place seemed fit for the master of the dungeon, as if it considered it its home. That was one of the reasons we hadn’t been ambushed.

‘……’

Bichunmang had already moved far away. There were still many winged beasts soaring through the sky, but I could sense some presence on the ground as well.

‘It’s asleep.’

Even monsters needed rest. The skyscraper had been thoroughly cleaned, but there were still plenty of buildings left.

‘…I guess I have to go alone.’

When I turned back slightly, the White Deer shook its head with a tired expression. I had regained my stamina and magic through leveling up during the climb, but the same couldn’t be said for the White Deer. I turned back, and the White Deer nodded, as if to say not to worry. I quickly entrusted Fairy to it and leaped up, creating a foothold for myself.

Drawing in a deep breath, I stretched out my tentacles. The long tentacles wrapped around the building’s pillars, and the spines that sprouted from the tentacles clung tightly, refusing to let go.

‘With this.’

Though there was anxiety, pulling the tentacles allowed me to reach the adjoining building. I barely found my balance on the outer wall, but the wind distorted my expression.

‘Damn…’

I desperately tried not to look down as I chased the presence between the buildings.

***

It had already been half a month since Baek So-yul began to stay at the dawn. There was no way to keep her under supervision indefinitely. While she could have been disgruntled, Baek So-yul seemed rather welcoming. Even though she wasn’t allowed to leave the clan, that time had allowed her to focus on training.

‘It’s tough, but.’

What Hong Yu-ri asked her always seemed like pushing her limits, but when it came down to it, she was somehow able to pull through. Before, she thought she had done pretty well, but now she felt completely out of her depth. As she was lost in thought, the door opened, and Euna walked in.

“Oh? So-yul. Your magic power…?”

She reacted with wide eyes at the rapidly increasing magic power of Baek So-yul. In response, Baek So-yul gave a bitter smile. It felt strange receiving praise from Euna, of all people. While she never thought she lacked talent, comparing herself to Euna made her feel inadequate. She had mixed feelings of envy and slight jealousy toward that talent.

—Until recently.

“Thanks. I think it’s because I’ve been in good condition lately. But yesterday…”

“Yeah. Right. I went to visit the vice team leader yesterday~”

Euna shared news about Hong Yu-ri on behalf of Baek So-yul, who couldn’t leave the clan. She knew the reason why things turned out that way; it wasn’t like it was ignored when it made the news.

“……”

Her feelings were complicated. Upon first hearing about the confrontation between her temporary mentor, Hong Yu-ri, and the wolf that saved her, her heart sank. When she learned that Hong Yu-ri was hurt, her mind went blank for a moment.

‘But.’

There was a sense of relief overwhelming that. Instead of the fact that Hong Yu-ri was hurt, it was more about the fact that the wolf hadn’t been caught that eased her heart.

“……”

Baek So-yul slipped her hand into her pocket and took a deep breath.

She was no longer afraid of the night coming. Since being saved by the wolf, she hadn’t experienced a nightmare. The nights she once hated. —Baek So-yul quietly closed her eyes, recalling the ‘dreamlike’ dream she had the previous night. It seemed she had gotten used to waiting for nightfall every day now.

***

And so, four days passed.

[You have consumed a Thunder Hawk. Experience and satiety have increased.]

[Experience has reached maximum. Lv.24 → Lv.25]

“You never seem to get tired of eating. Looking at you makes me think I might get gobbled up eventually.”

Chuckling at the pointless joke while extending my senses, I noticed only one presence besides us.

‘Finally.’

In the past few days, Bichunmang had occasionally attacked us, but whenever it slipped into Roteworld Tower, it would turn around in frustration. Having worked hard to avoid it for four days—those moments felt like a flashback in my mind.

‘But now.’

All preparations were complete, and the only thing left to do was hunt it down. Regardless of it being a monster, it couldn’t keep flapping its wings without rest. If it went up into the sky, it would become Bichunmang’s target; thus, we had no choice but to wait for the winged creatures to tire and return to their nests. That was the reason it took four days. Fairy yawned widely, appearing tired.

“Are you tired?”

“I’m still young.”

In response to Baek Rok’s comment, I nodded. It was a time of growth, eating well, and getting bigger. I didn’t know how long it had spent as a Dragon Worm, but as a Fairy-type, Fairy hadn’t even been three months yet.

“Come to think of it…”

“What is it?”

While I was sure Fairy understood my words, I wasn’t so sure about the other way around. I had started to understand it somewhat through its actions and gestures, but it was completely different from actual communication. So I asked if the magical beasts had their language, but Baek Rok shook his head in denial.

“Beast language? We don’t have such a thing.”

“But you can communicate with Fairy, right?”

Though unable to confirm it, it seemed at least Baek Rok communicated with Fairy. In response to my question, Baek Rok shook his head.

“It’s not that we communicate but feel. Our magical beasts excel in sensing each other’s feelings as if they were a language.”

“…Feel?”

“It’s hard to explain clearly. Just look into my eyes.”

Baek Rok met my gaze. The deep, hollow, and light-absorbing eyes of the White Deer seemed to sink. The only reflection in its retina was me. As we exchanged dumbfounded glances, Baek Rok asked again.

“Do you feel anything?”

“No. Not at all.”

I didn’t feel anything special. It would be different if I could grasp some intentions, but Baek Rok let out a short sigh, seemingly disappointed, and closed its eyes.

“…My explanation was lacking. It’s not just about reading the emotions in your eyes. Haven’t you ever experienced this? When your eyes cross with someone else’s, did you ever read their intentions?”

Thinking carefully, I slowly retraced my memories and came up with a similar experience.

‘Survival.’

When life was on the line, I could read something from the opponent’s eyes. Thick malice and hostility. It wasn’t exactly language, but I could faintly sense their intentions and possible next moves.

‘The most recent was.’

Four days ago, that look from Bichunmang was similar. It felt something akin to animosity and fear—therefore, I knew it wouldn’t step into Roteworld Tower. Upon sharing that experience, Baek Rok nodded in affirmation.

“That’s close.”

“……”

“It seems your life of struggle has enhanced those skills especially well.”

At Baek Rok’s comments, which seemed to carry a tint of regret, I let out a short breath. I thought I might figure out how to communicate with Fairy, only to realize it was only something possible among magical beasts.

‘Disappointing.’

Just as the conversation wrapped up, the only presence besides us—Bichunmang was soaring higher and slowly approaching.

Last preparations before Neverland. Now, it was time to settle the score.

 

---