Episode 129.

Marina Bissett breathed a sigh of relief as she looked around the artificial islands interior, which was slowly being completed with countless peoples help.

This was somehow done within a month, huh.

It is thanks to B&Ys cooperation.

It was Lee Chung-ho, an executive of the global conglomerate Yonghwa, that played a major role in building this artificial island. After the construction began, she heard his thanks about hundreds of times, so she turned around with a bitter smile and answered back.

Be grateful to Ethan, not me. Now, if youll excuse me.

Oh, Miss Bissett

But Marina ignored the voice calling her as she left the scene. Although it was her, who was originally energetic and not particularly rude to others, there was a sense of overreaction since, over the past month, those related to Yonghwa had greatly distressed her.

Im so sick of it. Why do people from that company keep showing their friendliness to me?

There is a saying that their head has his eyes on you.

Oh, my gosh!

Marina froze there in fright as she saw Seria Wilson descending from the top to land in front of her. Marina, with her hair on end, complained.

Why do you keep approaching me from my blind spots?!

Marina Bissett, we soon need to enter the 33rd level dungeon. Stop fooling around and follow me.

You can call me, call me! This isnt the Sky Castle; its an artificial island, so the signals available.

I dont necessarily want to hear your voice over the phone.

Marina gritted her teeth at Serias aggressive attitude. Although the pasts bad blood was long, it was no exaggeration to say that they were now completely part of the same party after all this and that. Why did she always try to torment her?

Youll hear it to the point that youll grow very sick and tired of it soon, so get used to it. Come on, call me Maam.

I dont like you because you come at me like that.

Seria scoffed. Marina gritted her teeth and still asked her again.

So, where does their head keep his eyes on?

The head of the Yonghwa Group, Lee Kang-hoohes keeping his eyes on you.

Lee Kang-hoo? Hes not with the Yonghua group; hes the master of the Yongseong Guild, right?

For reference, the Yongseong Guild was the mainstay of this 33rd stage dungeon challenge. It was also the largest and most powerful guild in China. They were the ones that made this event happen by working tirelessly after grinding their teeth at losing the first clear of the 32nd stage to Korea.

Youdont you know?

Seria kindly explained to her that there was a lack of common knowledge in a strange area when she has a surprisingly short side.

The head of Yonghwa Group and the Yongseong Guild arent different people with the same name, but they are the same person.

How could such a terrible thing happen?

From Serias perspective, Marina, who was considered one of the worlds best mercenaries and even was B&Ys esteemed daughter, was no different than him. But she could criticize Marina as she was truly appalled by it.

Its a terrible coincidence from our point of view, but it must be an inevitable reaction for himself. Then, wouldnt it be natural for him to think that he is the best in the world?

Yonghwa Group was a company from China. Starting as an ordinary clothing industry, it had now become a global conglomerate with no place where its touch didnt reach from the IT to defense industries. The 3rd head, Lee Kang-hoo, turned 43 this year.

But if hes even the Guild Master of the biggest player guild in China

The expression of Marina, who had been able to guess his attitude and speech, was rotten at once.

Woah, I havent met him yetbut why can I picture him right now? It reminds me of Kim Ha-ryong. Ah-ugh.

My condolences, Marina Bissett. He marked you. Im sure hell be very annoying in the dungeon, too.

Oh

Marina stretched weakly and grabbed Serias arm. She hated it, but Marina wouldnt let her go.

Why are there so many people marking me? Its making my head hurtugh, its so hard being a beauty. I feel like Im going to die.

Yeah, just go ahead and die.

Seria spoke with jealousy, but Marina suddenly grinned as if she had thought of something.

If it turns out this way, Id rather perform a fake engagement with Si-woo before things get any more bothersome. Hes my partner, so Im sure hell do me a favor, and other men wont be able to touch me. And then, when my relationship with Si-woo develops, its okay as it is

I am studying Korean these days, and there is a Korean proverb that one only drinks soup when there is no bread. I want to tell you that.

Oh, you two havent left yet?

While the two were having a fairly friendly conversation, the last of the trio stepped in. It was Lee Seo-hee who became a much-desired ace at the construction site due to her unique barrier ability. She was busy exploring dungeons, so that she couldnt come to the artificial island that much. But when she declared that she would help out in the construction as Marina and Seria would soon enter the dungeon, there was a rumor that the entire artificial island roared with cheering.

Seo-hee!

Seo-hee, are you on break?

Yes, I dropped by since I could feel both of your Manas.

Lee Seo-hee had a better sense of Mana than anybody else. That was why she probably awakened her ability to deal with barriers. But to know that she was so skilled that she could distinguish and track other peoples ManaMarinas eye for talent wasnt out of line. Seria was quite impressed.

Both of you, go hurry. People were looking for the two of you.

Uhh, we should. Seo-hee, take care while Im in the dungeon.

If anything happens to Si-woo-nim, please help him on my behalf.

Alright.

Lee Seo-hee gave a light hug to Marina and added, nodding with a bitter smile at Serias earnest request.

Si-woo kid, I dont know whats going on right now because he always finishes his matters in short sentences.

Isnt that the kind of guy he is in the first place?

But he was so sweet when we were dating

As she was still listening to Lee Seo-hee, speaking with a sad expression, Marinas expression became a little awkward, and she hurriedly extended her feather wings after releasing her hug with Lee Seo-hee.

I-Ill go, now. Seo-hee, take care! Seria, follow already!

Ah.

The remaining two women burst into laughter as they watched Marina fly away in a hurry.

She ran away.

She ran away.

You think Marina likes Si-woo a lot, dont you?

And she mentions just being partners and fake marriage in that stateshes a shameless liar.

The two looked at each other, shrugged, and shook hands.

Lets go into the 34th level dungeon together.

You have to come back safe, Seria.

Seria, too, spread her wings and followed Marina. Lee Seo-hee, who was left alone, stood still for a while, chasing the Mana traces that the two left, and soon turned around, tapping her cheeks.

Well, shall I go get it over with?

Marina and Seria quickly joined up and headed for the Sky Castle. There was a party gathered there for the 34th level dungeon clear. It had a total number of 50 people, which was barely near the limit on the maximum number of people entering the 34th stage dungeon floating over the African continent they found.

Oh, Bissett and Wilson are here!

By this, all of us have gathered.

Welcome, Marina Bissett.

When they landed at the Sky Castle departure station, an Asian man with his hair slicked back in pomade approached them and greeted Marina. He was middle-aged-looking, but strong Mana was felt insidewithout a doubt, this was the main player in this dungeon expedition, Lee Kang-hoo.

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

Even so, since it was her first time seeing him, Marina desperately used the social etiquette that she learned from her brother. However, Seria still kept an icy expression when she greeted him. Lee Kang-hoo tried to greet her with a bright smile but belatedly recognized Seria, who was next to her.

Oh, my days.

His eyes glistened with joy.

Are you Ms. Seria Wilson? I heard you and Miss Marina Bissett are in a close-run for the worlds most beautiful player rankings, and that rumor was not wrong indeed. Nice to meet you.

Serias expression as she heard that grew colder. Marina couldnt resist and whispered to her with a small smile.

Could it be that he marked you, too?

Shut up.

If so, she would only have to mark him from this side, too, even if she had to borrow Si-woo-nims hammer. Seria moderately played along and fell off from Marina.

We need to help him focus on the main target.

Please dont do that; were at the same party. Ill leave few good words to Si-woo, okay?

But contrary to their concerns, Lee Kang-hoo didnt bother them much when they entered the 33rd level dungeon. Unlike Kim Ha-ryong, who was always clingy, his top priority was the dungeon clear!

Indeed, you two are worthy of being at the forefront of the players. Our guild has learned a lot.

Oh, yes.

If youre having a hard time, please let me know. Our guild aims to clear the dungeon without a single casualty.

Of course, he tried to talk to them as much as he could, such as handing them water when he had a chance, but he was polite as well. Looking at that, they breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that at least they wouldnt fail to clear the dungeon for stupid reasons. However, the problem arose because of the secret that the 33rd level dungeon held.

[Hiss!]

Its a snake.

Snakes?

Up to the middle of the dungeon, they had only faced orcs and trolls that almost regularly appear in high-level dungeons, and monsters evolved from monkeys appeared occasionally. The pre-exploration teams information has identified even the existence of flying elite monsters appearing in a certain pattern, so they thought they were the only ones who needed to be careful, but

Be careful. They use lightning!

Lightning? Wait a minute.

While listening to the party leaders report, Marinas senses sounded an alarm. She had come across many gods in the dungeon, and only one of them was related to serpents and lightning.

Could it be that Laia had influenced this dungeon?

Laia? Ah.

As they were in a similar position called ranged, Seria, who was forced to shoot Mana bullet from a similar position to her, stiffened.

Whats going on? Its different from the expedition report. Didnt they exclude the place where they could feel at least a hint of a gods power among the easiest dungeons?

They wouldnt have searched all the way to the end of the dungeon, too, so even if different types of monsters appeared in the processno, wait.

Marina strengthened her vision by adding Mana to her eyes. It was nothing more than instinctively imitating Jung Si-woos visual skills, but the effect was outstanding.

The path in front of us, the cliff that rises just around itdont you think that parts Mana is divided into boundaries?

Manadivided? What are you on about?

Seria frowned and asked back. Marinas impression was as distorted as hers.

I saw this similar scene just a while agoat the Grand Canyon.

As if to support her thinking, Lee Kang-hoo, the leader of the party, suddenly shouted.

Retreat! Damn it. everybody back!

[Im here under the command of Laia-nim!]

Soon, a roar of the voice filled the dungeon.

[Marina! Hand me your head!]