“Nari!!”

“Ah, step back a bit!”

“Nari! We were so scared. We thought we were going to die! What is this place? We barely found our way here. And what is this outfit again? Is this Nari’s taste?!”

“Seriously?! Be quiet for a moment!!”

Kang Ih-hyun, dressed as a white rabbit, clung to her and began to wail loudly.

Nari sighed and gently patted his head a few times, pushing him away. Kang Ih-hyun sniffled.

After briefly explaining the situation to Kang Ih-hyun, Nari slapped her forehead. It was time to break free from the fairy tale and return to reality.

“Anyway, let’s get out of here quickly. We can take Jung Soo-ho with us, right?”

“Even though Soo-ho isn’t here, can we still take him with us?”

“Just be aware that you’re trapped together. That’s how it worked with the Chaos Dominator too.”

Kang Ih-hyun nodded. It might or might not work, but this was Nari’s subconscious world.

Nari firmly held Kang Ih-hyun’s hand and approached the white door.

Suddenly, Nari, who grabbed the white door handle, turned around.

Kang Ih-hyun, who was playfully stroking rabbit ears with a puzzled expression, smiled proudly at her. Nari cleared her throat.

“Well, it’s a nice outfit.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I said only the person I trust the most would look like that.”

With a mumbled remark, Kang Ih-hyun remained silent. Nari, feeling a bit embarrassed, glanced up at him.
Kang Ih-hyun stared at her, blinking his eyes.

“I said you looked like someone who would protect me no matter what happened.”

After stumbling through his words, Kang Ih-hyun continued to gaze intently at Nari, who turned her head again.

Seeing her blush, it seemed like she wasn’t lying.

The person she trusted the most. Someone who would protect her no matter what. With those words, all of Kang Ih-hyun’s internal conflicts seemed to vanish.

In Kang Ih-hyun’s eyes, Shinnari was truly fascinating.

She said exactly what he wanted to hear. She reassured him, even though she might not have known he was feeling uneasy.

“Nari, um…”

“Yeah?”

Nari turned around abruptly to face Ih-hyun.

With her petite stature and black eyes shining, for some reason, Nari’s expression seemed more relaxed than usual. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it felt like she looked more at ease.

“Well, um…”

In reality, he had planned to say it right here.

About Nari’s Throne, about the Creator, and the possibility that the Chaos Dominator might not treat her with mere goodwill.

But for now, he decided to let it pass. Finally, he could see Nari’s bright expression.

However, in that state, he couldn’t bring himself to say that the Throne, which they had trusted together for years, might be trying to manipulate them.

So, instead, he made a decision. He would act in a way befitting the person Nari trusted the most.

“No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. I’ll definitely find you. I can do that much.”
No words were spoken. Suppressing the nervousness, pressing firmly against his chest, Kang Ih-hyun, who had been looking at himself, was suddenly greeted by Nari’s broad smile.

He faced the overwhelming laughter from Nari.

If he could create such a smile, that alone was enough. Kang Ih-hyun finally felt a part of himself being recognized.

“Gasp…!”

Jung Soo-ho collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

After throwing the 30th Silver Dagger at Nari and announcing that he had found her, Kang Ih-hyun collapsed right there.

At that moment, while protecting Kang Ih-hyun, they continued the struggle with Nari for a while.

[Trait: ‘Little Explorer in Dreams’ is activated!] [Already cleared floor. Exiting the respective profound world.] [Total participants: 3, 1st place]

With the message window, the world shattered into pieces. After the entire field was covered in black darkness, what appeared was the maze of the gate from which screams echoed.

When the footsteps of the Minotaur were heard, Jung Soo-ho furrowed his brow. His whole body ached.

Facing Nari was much more challenging than facing the Minotaur.

He felt like he could collapse from exhaustion at any moment. Finally, he returned to square one. This feeling was long overdue.

[Grade 2 Gate Boss Monster: Encounter with the Prince of Ill-Fortune!]

Thud! Right in front of him stood a massive Minotaur with a human body on the head of a bull.
Kang Ih-hyun and Nari clearly had not yet arrived at this place. If that’s the case, he had to face it first.

‘But…’

He felt powerless. With the failures already imprinted countless times in his body, Jung Soo-ho tightly gripped the gun inside his cloak.

The pain and mental shock he felt countless times facing this monster overlapped once again.

[Kuooooo!]

The Minotaur raised its axe. Jung Soo-ho focused magic in his eyes.

The blue eyes shone bright blue. He didn’t know if he could do it. No, he had to.

[Thud!]

The axe struck the ground at a rapid speed. The labyrinth floor was destroyed, and fragments scattered. Hazy mist lingered around.

“Ugh…!!”

[Ranger Exclusive Basic Skill: ‘Area Declaration’]