I Ascend Alone-Chapter 119: Dungeon Break Part II

The battle was a blur of motion and sound—drakes roaring, spells detonating, and steel ringing against hardened scale. The scent of scorched pavement and sulfur filled the air, thick and choking, as more of the volcanic beasts spilled through the open rift.

But even as we fought, I began to sense another kind of presence pressing in—not mana this time, but attention.

High above, several hovering drones zipped into position, blinking red and blue as they locked their lenses onto the scene. Within seconds, a news chopper crested the skyline, camera already trained on us.

"News feeds just lit up," Leon muttered as he cleaved through another drake. "Great."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

From the opposite side, Mirae slammed her glowing spear into the ground, sending a burst of kinetic force rippling outward. Three drakes were hurled back, skidding across the pavement. She landed gracefully, flicking her hair back as the mana pulse from her weapon faded.

A moment later, the live broadcast began to echo from civilians' handhelds nearby.

"That's Ahn Mirae!" came a voice from the crowd. "She's back?! The Rank 2 S-Rank?"

Cameras swiveled toward her instantly. A dozen lenses locked onto the legendary figure standing calmly beside the freshly fallen monsters.

"This is City-A Live News with an urgent broadcast! We are witnessing a real-time response to the sudden dungeon break near Market Tower. What you're seeing now—yes, that's right—is the unexpected return of Ahn Mirae, top-ranked Hunter stationed overseas, back in action on home soil alongside her husband, Leon Vael!"

The feed cut to a high-angle shot—Mirae lancing forward in a swirl of silver and violet magic, Leon moving like a phantom beside her, his blade carving precise arcs through the drakes.

Meanwhile, on the left flank, I moved swiftly among the scattered remains of the last few drakes, blades slick with residual energy. The live feed followed the motion, zooming in.

"And who is that?" one of the anchors said over the live broadcast. "Moving alongside Ahn Mirae and Leon Vael—that's no ordinary hunter. We're checking records now, but... is that the same unidentified fighter from the chamber incident weeks ago?"

"Of course they'd dig that up," I muttered, tossing a dagger skyward before catching it and flicking it back into my holster.

"Congratulations," Mirae said through the team channel, amusement in her voice. "You're back in the headlines."

Leon gave a quiet grunt. "So much for keeping things low-profile."

Just as the final drake collapsed and the area began settling, the first wave of reporters broke through the barrier, camera drones hovering around us like hungry insects.

"Ahn Mirae! Can you confirm your return to active duty in City-A?"

"Leon, what does this mean for your position in the Guild Association?"

"Is that your new team member? What's his identity?"

Mirae turned slightly, giving a composed smile and waving them off. "No official statement yet. We're just glad we were nearby."

Leon stayed silent, glancing at me briefly. "They're not going to let this go."

"Let them talk," I said, pulling my hood up. "Let them wonder."

From behind the news line, someone shouted, "Ahn Mirae, does this mean the top Hunters are reuniting?"

One of the Hunter Association agents—dressed in the navy-blue uniform with reflective armbands—stepped forward with a megaphone, his voice cutting over the clamor of reporters and the buzz of camera drones.

"Everyone, clear the perimeter! This area is still classified as an active hazard zone! The rift hasn't fully stabilized. I repeat, the dungeon break is not completely sealed!"

The words sent a ripple of panic through the gathered civilians. Reporters hesitated, their excitement faltering as the reality of the danger set in. Some began backing up toward the makeshift barricades while others, reluctant to lose their spot, kept their cameras trained on us.

A low rumble vibrated through the street. Cracks splintered further along the pavement near the still-glowing rift, releasing another burst of heat and sulfur into the air.

"Fall back!" shouted another agent. "Drakes aren't the only thing that could come through!"

Mirae was already moving. Her spear flared faintly, and with a single smooth motion, she slammed it into the ground. A shimmering barrier of pale gold spread outward, forming a protective dome between us and the civilians.

"They don't listen," she muttered, tightening her stance. "So we make them safe until they have to."

Leon turned to her. "Think more are coming?"

"I'd bet on it," she said calmly, eyes fixed on the rift as another pulse of mana rippled outward.

I stepped forward, scanning the shifting light within the fracture. "We'll need to hold this position if anything else gets through."

One of the agents ran up to us, panting slightly, tablet in hand. "S-Ranks—thank you for neutralizing the first wave, but readings are showing unstable mana fluctuations. There might be another emergence event within the next few minutes. We've got a suppression team en route, but they won't make it in time."

Leon nodded. "We'll hold the line."

The agent blinked at him, then glanced at me and Mirae. "Wait... are you three seriously covering this by yourselves?"

Mirae answered without turning. "We're not the type to leave loose ends."

The news drones floated higher, catching the shot of the three of us lined up before the still-simmering rift—Mirae with her radiant spear, Leon with his blade at rest but ready, and me, fingers curled around the hilt of one of my daggers, eyes locked on the shifting light.

The broadcast caught every second. The camera anchors were already losing their minds.

"This is unprecedented! With the rift still active, the Rank 2 Hunter Ahn Mirae, her husband Leon Vael, and a newly assigned A-rank combatant are holding the breach on their own!"

"This could be the return of one of the most formidable triads in modern hunter history!"

And yet, in the middle of all that noise, Mirae glanced at me with a small, knowing smile.

"You ready for round two?" she asked.

I smirked, drawing my second dagger.

"Always."