A peculiar standoff continued.
Kyler checked his waist with a tense expression, but then he remembered that he had left his weapons behind ever since entering Kyu-seong’s dungeon.
Hassan, caught off guard by Kyler’s unexpected appearance, forced a smile while preparing to vanish at any moment.
“I never imagined I’d see you here. Have you been well?”
“You entered without an invitation.”
Knowing at least a little about Hassan’s abilities, Kyler widened his eyes.
“Hassan, let me warn you. This place is not as easy as you think.”
“Haha.”
Despite Kyler’s warning, Hassan merely laughed leisurely.
Noticing that his opponent had yet to grasp the gravity of the situation, Kyler eventually shrugged, relaxing his shoulders.
“I’ve given my warning. Of course, I wouldn’t just let you run away anyway, so it’s a meaningless statement.”
“I was wondering where you had been, and it turns out you’ve been staying here. Do you know that the Level 9 meeting has been held?”
“Hassan, now that you’ve seen me here, you won’t be leaving so easily.”
Two superhumans who refused to communicate with words.
As Kyler finally released his ominous aura first, Hassan erased his previous leisure and took a firm stance, his expression turning grim.
“I don’t know what brings you here, but this is a good opportunity. I’ve been wanting to fight you at least once.”
The Level 9 Awakener were those who had cleared all the quests, standing on the verge of their growth limit.
However, even among them, strength was not equal.
Just as the abilities of the Level 8 Awakener varied, so did those of the Level 9.
It was human nature to desire superiority over others.
However, their power was so immense that any poorly handled battle could cause massive destruction.
As a result, direct confrontations between Level 9 Awakener were rare and could be counted on one hand.
“Kyler, you are the only one among us Level 9 awakeners who has fought against two others of the same rank. I will personally confirm just how strong you are.”
Without a word, Kyler activated his adaptability ability.
Hassan was not an opponent he could afford to underestimate.
In fact, he was one of the top contenders among the seven Level 9 Awakener—a monster in his own right.
Srrr—
Hassan vanished into thin air.
But Kyler believed in his own abilities.
After a brief moment…
Clang!
Sparks flew in midair.
‘He’s strong!’
He had already expected it.
Hassan al-Din Sinan was extremely powerful.
Though he thought it was just a single clash, small wounds had already formed across Kyler’s body.
A faint tingling sensation spread from the wounds.
Poison—it was unmistakable.
Fwsh!
However, Kyler gathered the poison that had infiltrated his body into his palm and then expelled it toward Hassan.
Hassan, who had been hidden, was startled and backed away.
But Kyler didn’t let him escape.
“Got you.”
However, contrary to Kyler’s expectations, Hassan turned into a wisp of smoke and vanished.
Immediately afterward, multiple figures of Hassan appeared, blending into the darkness.
Seeing this, Kyler felt troubled.
Ssshhh!
Shadow attacks poured in from all directions.
Even Kyler’s formidable defenses were breached.
As his wounds multiplied, the shadows surged like waves, swallowing him.
Crack!
However, while Kyler’s abilities weren’t particularly flashy, he was never one to fall easily.
His combat style relied on overwhelming persistence.
He steadily gained the upper hand, waiting for his opponent’s energy to deplete.
But this time, it seemed more difficult than usual.
‘He’s strong.’
Hassan al-Din Sinan had been a legendary assassin even before becoming an Awakener.
With his Level 9 abilities added to the mix, even the tenacious Kyler struggled to find an opening.
Tap, tap, tap.
At that moment.
Light footsteps approached in a cheerful rhythm.
Kyler immediately recognized who it was.
“What are you doing?”
Ara tilted her head as she appeared.
She glanced at Kyler and Hassan before asking.
“Oh, Ara.”
“Hmm.”
Kyler was flustered, and even Hassan, unwilling to provoke Ara, eventually dispelled his abilities.
As the ominous waves of shadows quickly dissipated, Ara widened her eyes in fascination.
“Wow! What was that just now? Hassan, was that your doing?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Was it amazing? What does it taste like?”
“Taste?”
Hassan was bewildered.
But without waiting for an answer, Ara brought her mouth to a lingering wisp of shadow.
Nom!
The shadow was actually sucked into her mouth.
Hassan, feeling his energy suddenly being drained, staggered in shock.
“Wha—?!”
“Mmm, it’s chewy and quite a delicacy.”
Ara chewed with her small mouth, looking delighted.
Kyler couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Before he knew it, all the wounds scattered across his body had healed completely.
“Ara, do you know this man?”
“I just saw him outside! It’s Hassan!”
As Ara answered, she suddenly gasped and pointed at him.
“How did you get in?”
“I apologize for coming unannounced. My curiosity got the better of me.”
“Ohh, then you must get permission from Kyu-seong Kyu-seong!”
With that, Ara quickly called out.
“Follow me!”
Hassan glanced at Kyler for confirmation.
It was only natural—Hassan had long suspected that Kyu-seong’s continued safety was actually due to Kyler.
‘That would make sense.’
Kyu-seong’s ability was exceptional.
Though he wasn’t particularly strong in combat, he possessed abilities that no one else had.
Moreover, Hassan had heard faint rumors that Kyler had a sick daughter.
He speculated that Kyler might have made a deal with Kyu-seong to take care of her.
“The puzzle fits.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Haha.”
In that case, Kyler was effectively the leader of this place.
That realization put Hassan at ease.
Based on their brief clash just now, he had calculated that he could win if they fought seriously.
Of course, Ara’s bizarre ability was slightly concerning…
‘Come to think of it, what was that just now?’
Even though his magic had formed it, the shadow was real.
It was inconceivable for someone to eat something intangible like a shadow.
The more he thought about it, the more perplexed he became.
Kyu-seong hadn’t seemed particularly surprised to see him.
Of course, he had been startled—but only as if encountering a famous person.
Ordinary Awakener would tremble at the mere mention of Hassan’s name, dropping to their knees in fear.
If Kyler had been in this dungeon at that time…
Then why hadn’t Kyu-seong feared him?
“Child.”
“I am Ara.”
“Ah, I see. Ara, may I ask you a question?”
“Speak.”
“You seemed to have eaten my shadow just now. How did you do that?”
“I can eat anything!”
Ara declared proudly.
Kyler, now completely relaxed, nodded as if it were natural.
Seeing them like this, Hassan felt a growing sense of disconnect.
Just moments ago, Kyler had been on full alert, brimming with caution.
Now, his worries had vanished.
Was he truly confident that Hassan wouldn’t act rashly?
Moreover, if his speculation was correct, then Kyler’s daughter was likely here.
That should have made him even more nervous.
But looking at his current demeanor, Hassan couldn’t understand.
“Sorry, but may I ask one more question?”
“Yes!”
“What is the name of this dungeon?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Kyler intervened.
However, Ara tilted her head and answered without hesitation.
“It is the Dungeon of Gluttony!”
“Glut…tony?”
Hassan flinched.
At first, he thought it couldn’t be…
But when he saw Kyler’s troubled expression, he let out a hollow laugh.
“You don’t mean to say this is one of the Seven Deadly Sins’ dungeons?”
“Seven Deadly Sins!”
Ara repeated cheerfully.
At the same time, her earlier words replayed in Hassan’s mind.
She had said she could eat anything.
“…Gluttony?”
Muttering to himself, Hassan stared at Ara.
Then Kyler cautiously warned him.
“Don’t act recklessly. I’m saying this for your own good.”
“……”
Hassan had encountered the Seven Deadly Sins before.
As one of the highest-ranking officials of the Isthart Guild, he had once visited the dungeons of Greed, Lust, and Wrath.
He had even faced Greed and Lust directly.
Fortunately, those two weren’t particularly aggressive monsters, so he had barely escaped using his shadows.
But the despair and fear he had felt then…
– Ara, where have you been wandering off to?
Greed?
A goblin with a familiar appearance came into view.
The goblin also noticed Hassan and tilted its head.
– I don’t recall expecting any guests today. Am I going to get scolded by the Overlord?
It didn’t seem to remember Hassan.
It was simply uneasy about revealing itself to an outsider.
“Mammon! Where is Kyu-seong-Kyu-seong?”
– Uh, um…
“He’s in the kitchen, isn’t he? Let’s go together!”
Before he realized it, Mammon had naturally joined them.
And Hassan began questioning whether all of this was just a dream.
‘Am I caught in an illusion spell? Or is it some kind of mind control?’
Hassan found himself doubting reality.
It wasn’t enough that this was the Dungeon of Gluttony, one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Why was Greed’s goblin, believed to have disappeared, here as well?
But his shock wasn’t over yet.
“Kyu-seong-Kyu-seong! Hassan is here!”
“What? Hassan?”
Kyu-seong emerged from the kitchen with a surprised expression.
Behind him, a small rabbit bounced out.
“Haha… I must be seeing things. There’s no doubt about it.”
Hassan muttered as if he had lost his mind.
Watching him, Kyler nodded as if he understood.
“I denied it at first too.”
“…Are you telling me this isn’t an illusion?”
“Do you think I’d let you follow me around so easily? Now that Ara is here, there’s nothing you can do anyway. And not just Ara—look around. She’s not the only one here.”
Gluttony.
Greed.
Lust.
Three of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Moreover, he had already seen two of them before, so there was no way he could not recognize them.
“How did you even get in here?”
“Haa…”
Hassan was too drained to even answer Kyu-seong’s question.
He looked as if all the energy had been sucked out of him.
Just then, the White Nightmare—no, Ashu—emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup.
– Ashu made this soup. Eat up and regain your strength.
A plate was suddenly thrust toward him, and before he realized it, Hassan had accepted it.
Then, as it dawned on him that he was receiving food from one of the Seven Deadly Sins, he was once again dumbfounded.
“Hahaha…”
“You don’t look well at all. Did you strain yourself getting in here?”
Even in this situation, Kyu-seong was considerate enough to show concern for Hassan.
Kyler eventually burst into laughter.
“Hey, old man. Try that soup. I think you’ll like it.”
– Kyler, do you want some of Ashu’s soup too?
“Yeah. Get me a bowl too. And some bread to dip it in, if you have any.”
– Of course!
Ashu hopped cheerfully back into the kitchen.
Hassan, staring blankly, then noticed Ara sitting at the bar-like dining table nearby, enthusiastically eating something.
“Nom nom! Mmm! This is delicious!”
Watching her eat so joyfully, Hassan glanced down at the bowl in his hands.
It was a rich tomato soup.
The aroma was heavenly.
Forgetting the absurdity of the situation, Hassan instinctively lifted his spoon and took a sip.
…!!
An explosion of umami.
The deep, concentrated flavor of tomatoes.
A hint of herbs, perfectly balanced—not overpowering at all.
“This… is tomato soup?”
– Ashu makes a lot of different soups. If you want more, just ask!
“Thanks, Ashu. This is really good.”
Proudly carrying a basket of bread and a bowl of soup for Kyler, Ashu beamed.
Wearing a little chef’s hat, Ashu looked absolutely adorable.
‘Adorable? That White Nightmare?’
Hassan was startled by his own thoughts.
But before he knew it, he had already taken another spoonful of soup.
And soon, he had no choice but to ask—
“Could this old man have a piece of bread as well?”
“Of course!”
Cliche Novel 
Peak Chapter
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