The Regressed NoBody

“I’m back.” I greeted with an almost loud voice which reverberated inside the cave, as I announced my arrival to the siblings.

“Welcome back!” Jihoon greeted me as I entered the cave, his voice sounded relieved and encouraged as he saw me.

Walking up to the two, I sat down and took out my water canteen and drank from it.

A week had come to pass, since I'd entered this dungeon, my encounter with the siblings had been a coincidence, but I'd become more acquainted with the two. Well, from the way Jiyoung wasn't as wary of me from a week ago, I thought it was for the better. I mean, I had made some progress.

And after thinking for a while I proposed them both a suggestion of forming a party after we had come to know each other better.

Both of them were apprehensive and skeptical about the idea, but after thinking about the pros and cons about my disposition, we came to mutual agreement.

I was sure something was wrong within this dungeon. And it was definitely linked with the sudden system quest and how the rescue boxes weren't operating.

But why this dungeon? It didn’t even have a complete description, and there was almost no information about iti n the black market data base, perhaps it hides more secrets than they could find.

But in the past week, all I'd been doing was continue fighting the mans beasts in here and grow my level as fast as possible, as much as I could.

But I also learned that the more stronger I grew, the less experience I gained to level up from killing the same mana beasts. It was a varied system which gave me experience points as I killed a beast and converted them into points and distributed them into my stats equally.

Currently I had reached up to ‘Level-22’, that was a significant boost considering I was on level-10 only a week ago, my progress was quite good, but still not enough. At the rate which I was progressing, I wouldn’t be any better than any simple hunters out there. I needed to make leaps instead of being content with my current progress and level.

I wanted to become as strong as fast as I could. I needed to surpass my old self.

Leaning back on the wall I opened the system interface, as a window like structure bloomed in front of me.

There I saw my stats.

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NAME: SEO JIWOO (???)

HP: 690

LEVEL: 22

STRENGTH: 42

STAMINA: 45

AGILITY: 39

VITALITY: 37

INTELLIGENCE: 27

MP: 270

PROFESSION: ????

POINTS: 817

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FATIGUE: 9

PERSEVERANCE lv.1

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{SKILLS}

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【Returnee’s Privilege】 [Time: ???]

–MIND’S EYE (Sealed)

–????

–????

–????

–????

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【?????】

–????

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Oh yeah! I learned something while levelling up in the meantime.

The points which I got when I killed a mana beast, I can either use them in the system shop, or use them to increase my stats by adding them through the interface simply. The system was quite user-friendly.

It was due to this that the intelligence stat was not increasing. Or so I thought.

But after testing a few more things and theories, I came to the conclusion that I was able to increase all of my stats to a considerable level, but without the externally earned points, I wasn’t able to increase the intelligence stat.

Because, right now, I wasn't alone. With Jiyoung and Jihoon having formed a party with me, I needed to be prepared. Because now two more people were with me, and as the one who had proposed the position for forming a team, I was somewhat responsible for their lives as well.

“Here, Jiwoo." Jolting me out of my train of thoughts was Jiyoung's crisp voice.

Her frame stood in front of me, in her hands was a wooden bowel, as he handed it to me. I grabbed the bowel from her hands, as I looked at my portion of the food.

Afterwards she gave some to Jihoon who delightfully ate without a word.

The wooden bowels were something that Jihoon made a few days ago.

I was quite surprised to know that he knew how to carve and wood work. I guess, he knew his wood well. I chuckled silently as I moved my gaze to the bowel and looked at the inside.

Inside the bowel was a meat stew. The chunks of meat floated over the stew as I smelt the pungent flavor of the spices mixed inside.

After having gotten acquainted with both of them more than enough, and making sure they were good people, I revealed the portion of food and the amount I had. I had already showed my face to Jiyoung, and after Jihoon had woken up, he was quite surprised to see my face, that I was someone who was similar to them in age. I mean my body was getting better and my face had its vitality recovered as I corrected my diet and exercise for the past few days.

‘Well, survival is a single man’s game, alright!’

Then without a delay, I brought the bowel close to my mouth and blowed on it a few times as I hid my salivating mouth.

Afterwards I took a sip of the stew.

It's rich flavour stimulated my taste buds, and the flavour of the chunks of meat had gotten hundred times better after being served with the stew.

The meal was well prepared even with the low and limited materials. But it wasn't because of the materials, but the chef's ability to make such a great meal even with the limited stock.

For the past week, Jiyoung has been the one to cook our meals.

And I was left dumbstruck by her cooking skills, which were on another level. I had only eaten this good from either extremely expensive restaurants or the handmade cooking from Fujimoto.

‘Does she have some kind of secret cooking system on her?’ I thought as I looked in Jiyoung’s direction with an intentional gaze.

“Is something wrong?” She caught me staring at her and questioned, her gentle and emotionless voice entered my ears..

I was obviously staring at her with an exaggerated gaze.

“O-Oh no, its just that the meals you cook are really delicious," I exclaimed as I focused on the meal instead, feeling embarrassed by my mistake.

“Yeah, Jiyoung always cooked for us back when we are home. Her cooking is really delicious.” Jihoon braged like he was extremely proud of her sister.

“Well, she wasn't always this good." Jihoon trailed off, I felt his expression distort slightly as he reminisced over the past. "She only got this good after consistent practice. She practiced so many times that even I can’t remember!” Jihoon exclaimed whilst turning his head to look at Jiyoung.

“Well, I was more of her guinea pig for taste testing her food back in the days. The early days were like a trial for me, Jiwoo.” Jihoon added with an exaggerated sigh.

“Is that so. Must have been...tiresome.” I smiled as I listened to Jihoon.

Jiyoung on the other hand was only focused on eating her stew. The solemn look on her face looked as if she was not fazed by any of Jihoon's word.

In the past week, I'd realized that Jiyoung wasn't a talkative person, she did reply if asked a question, but rarely sparked a conversation unless there was a need to. But deep down she was a talented and caring individual. Everything she did was perfect, from cooking to fighting.

I realized Jiyoung's lips were curled slight upwards and her cheeks were slightly red, which gave her away.

Afterwards, the three of us continued eating.

With another sip I took in the stew and just as I was about to swallow it, a system window opened in front of me. I gave it a side glance, as my eyes widened in shock and I almost chocked on my food as I saw what was written on the window.

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【Quest: Clear The Dungeon 】

Name: Devil’s Whisper

Rank: ???

Penalty: Death (If failed to clear the dungeon, the host will die immediately as a penalty)

Reward: 5-lv increase, additional points and all stat increase by 20.

Clear Time: 12 hours

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“You alright, Jiwoo?” I saw Jihoon approach me with a concerned expression.

But nodding once I told him I was fine.

Looking at the system interface, a confused frown flashed my face as my brows creased heavily.

The quest criteria had suddenly changed. What why? Why so suddenly and at a time like this? There was a timer now on it.

'Twelve hours! What the hell is going on?’

I looked at the window with wide and confused eyes.

‘Damn it, calm down.’ I grunted under my breath as I took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to relax my body as eased the expression from my face.

“Here drink this.” Jiyoung handed me some water as, Jihoon kept looking at me with concern.

“Thanks.” I said back as I grabbed the canteen from her hand and took a sip from it, as I looked back at the both of them.

After a moment of silence, I spoke with a heavy feeling of foreboding. “I think it’s about time we left."

Confusion flashed across their faces but both them knew that sooner or later we had to leave this place, and clear the dungeon in order to leave.

"Alright." Jihoon replied.

They didn't question me on my sudden change of behaviour. That's what I liked about them. Despite the sudden decision, they both trusted my judgment and started to move.

After five minutes or so, we left the cave and started to walk away from the area we were previously in.

Marching through the dead forest, we couldn’t find any mana beasts along the away. The silence had a wild exaggeration to it. Making me nervous and anxious with each step.

We did find a few goblins but Jiyoung hurriedly took care of them. She was a skilled fighter was someone her age and her talent was ever-growing.

We continued forward and had been walking for almost an hour, the day light allowed us to see more properly in our surroundings as I realized something and turned to Jihoon.

“Oh yeah? Jihoon.” I asked.

“Yeah.” He mused with a surprised expression.

“Did you find any tracks of where the boss could be in this dungeon?” I asked as Jihoon thought for a quick second.

“Well, even after being stuck inside here for two weeks, we still couldn't find where the boss monster was located. We tried our best, but as if it was purposefully obscured from our sight. I'm sorry, we couldn't find much."

“I understand. Don't worry, you both must have had your hands tight, finding the exit while trying to survive."

Then we again started our exploration inside the dungeon. If we want to get out of this dungeon, we have to clear it first by killing the boss monster or whatever entity which resided in here.

After having walked for almost three hours, we still couldn’t find any clues to the exit. We had searched high and low, and we were close to the outer region of the forest which we had yet to explore.

I was running short on time, and so were these two. It was now a race against time.

If I don’t clear the dungeon then as the penalty suggested, I would die.

‘Damn it, just where the hell am I supposed to look?’ I grunted a curse as my mind raced for a solution.

Ahaaa—!

I heard a shout coming from in front of us. It was quite a distance away, but the voice travelled from a nearby place, perhaps the area which was just ahead the forest region.

At most it was a few hundred meters away.

Signalling both Jiyoung and Jihoon, they drew their weapons and so did I as we cautiously moved forward.

Jiyoung held a thin sword in her hand which was curved at the edge, like a katana, while Jihoon held his dagger firmly.

I myself had withdrawn Bleak Star from the inventory. I placed it over my waist. It was resting inside it's scabbard as I placed a hand over the handle to draw it at any given moment.

Then with a movement of my finger we dashed in the direction of where the shout came from. We covered a quick stride as we finally reached the edge of the thick dead forest.

I drew Bleak Star from its sheath and the blade twinkled under the setting light.

My eyes followed along the open plain as I saw a mana beast which sat on one of the withered trees and impersonated the shouts of a human man. The screams and shouts were horrendous and shaking.

But aside from it what came into our view was surprising. It left me flabbergast.

A trail was made from the withered trees, which led to a black imposing fortress which stood a kilometre away from the dead forest.

The black fortress and the road which let to it had an intimidating vibe around it. The imposing and tall fortress looked harrowing and silent as if out of some horror story.

It felt like something extremely dangerous could come out right now and attack us.

But I was somewhat sure that this is where the boss was supposed to be. It looked different and subtle for it bearing.

“Let’s go," I gestured for both of them to follow along. They wore hesitant expressions, but followed along without a word.

Pressing on my heel I marched forward, each step covered in caution. Following me from behind were Jiyoung and Jihoon with their weapons drawn in they hands and demeanour perfectly wary.

Approaching the castle cautiously we all put up our guards as we looked around.

‘At this point anything could happen to us.’ I inwardly thought as I looked in front of me.

We had reached the fortress and the only thing that stopped us from entering was the enormous gate which stood like an obstacle which seen to give me a bad vibe.

With a heavy rustle the gate opened all on its own, my mind turmed wary by the unknown action. I wasn’t afraid from facing any challenge. But the oldest emotion of mankind was the emotion of fear, and the oldest fear was the fear of the unknown, and I was anxious about the adversity awaiting us inside.

The creaking and jarring noise it made lasted for a few seconds as the gates jarred against the stone ground, and then it clearly opened up.

I felt a gust of wind flutter my clothes and hair as I took a breath and then stepped inside.

Following me from behind, Jihoon and Jiyoung also entered the fortress.

With another deafening creak the gates shut closed behind us like a ghost was operating them.

“Let’s move on.” I ordered as I moved in the front and stepped into the wide hall.

Then with a flicker, the torches on the inside of the fortress walls lit up, the interior was revealed with a flash, as I saw it was no less inferior from being magnificent. The floor adorned with lush and expensive rugs, the ceiling or the decorations which were on the walls or the armours that were placed there on display added an additional element of awe to the inside

Every thing looked expensive and breath-taking as I moved my gaze from one thing to another.

But right now my priority was defeating the boss.

Then we reached the end of the hall as I observed several chamber along the way, some had their doors opened and appeared dilapidated, while some had appeared still in use. At the end of the hall, I saw a red arched entrance which led to the throne room from the way it was adorned, the doors stood sealed.

“I think this might be the place.” I said as I looked at the door with a solemn expression. My eyes glaring at it.

I also felt a strong presence from behind the chamber which was subtle, but made mw anxious.

Whoever that presence belonged to was someone strong. And perhaps, it would take great effort to defeat it, and find a way out.

Pushing the doors open with Jihoonand Jiyoung's help, we stepped inside cautiously, our steps slow and silent.

Suddenly, the room lit up. The torches on the wall illuminated the throne room which stirred with a flash of light.

Then my eyes fell over the throne where someone with a cape sat. Their features were completely hidden and obscured from sight. But I found it weird. There was no presence...nothing.

I didn’t know what to make of this but I was sure that he was the boss monster. But why did something appear amiss?

“M-Mom!” Jihoon said from beside me, his eyes looked shook and voice sounded sorrowful and almost as if he was about to cry.

I looked at Jiyoung, who had a surprised and painful expression, she shared her brother's expression, as I found the words leaving their mouths ood for the situation. Something was definitely amiss.

“Mom.” Jihoon said again, this time genuine tears welling down his eyes.

Then he stepped forward, but I grabbed him from the back of his shirt and pulled him back with all my strength.

“Jihoon, get it together, we’re inside a dungeon. Whatever you both are seeing is just an illusion created by the boss monster. Snap out of it." I simultaneously looked at Jihoon and Jiyoung, who both appeared confused and perplexed by my actions.

“Jiwoo, what are you saying, our mom, she’s right there sitting on the throne. It's her, Jiyoung you can see it too, right?" Jihoon said desperately, his voice broken and eyes widened.

“Damn it, what the hell is going on?” I cursed as I looked around the throne room.

Suddenly, the heavy noise of applause reverberated inside the chamber as the hair at the back of my neck stood.

My eyes watched in horror and confusion as the body on the throne fell on to the floor and a second later it turned into fine powder.

"Welcome!" A cruel and twisted voice reverberated inside, as goosebumps rose on my skin.