My Tamed Beast Returned with a Dragon Chapter 31 - The Butterfly’s Grave

Before entering the dungeon, Eunsae gathered the hunters for a briefing.

When she was with her friends, Woori gave the orders, but here, as an S-rank hunter, Eunsae had to take the lead.

“The dungeon we’re about to enter is called ‘The Butterfly’s Grave.’ The last raid duration was 24 hours and 8 minutes. The terrain is a jungle, and the dungeon boss is a Psychopsis. You’ve all researched the weaknesses of the beasts appearing here, right?”

Hunters swallowed nervously under Eunsae’s sharp gaze.

“Since this is a re-clear, our main focus will be on reducing the time. I’ll be at the front with the beasts, followed closely by Guild Leader Kim Jungyeol and Vice Guild Leader Lee Kimin. Healers, ranged damage dealers, and tanks will stay in the rear. You’ve all secured enough necessary items, right?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Once inside, the only people you can trust are your teammates. Healers, please cast buffs.”

Eunsae’s orders were clear—this would be an offensive-focused speed run.

With an experienced S-rank leading them, an AA-grade dungeon wasn’t something to fear. The hunters’ morale soared.

“We’re entering.”

A brilliant light engulfed them.

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in the middle of a dense forest.

The first thing that hit them was the stench of rotting vegetation. Thick green shrubs sprouted over decaying plants and rich, damp soil.

Moss and parasitic plants hung from branches like strands of hair, creating an eerie atmosphere.

As the hunters tensed, Eunsae’s beasts, having enlarged to their full sizes, let out thunderous roars that echoed through the forest.

KRAAAAH!

Wild animals scattered in panic.

But in doing so, they attracted the more aggressive beasts.

Since the terrain made it difficult to ride Dodari, Eunsae gripped her staff, sensing incoming movements from all directions.

“Nine o’clock—incoming.”

Ssssshh!

The first attacker was a Venomspike Python.

Its body stretched over 110 meters, lined with dozens of venomous spikes along its back.

Dandelion and Haneuli intercepted the beast before it could strike.

Dandelion’s constantly shifting shadow disoriented the python, obscuring its vision.

While they focused on its head, the hunters launched attacks on its massive body.

Arrows and bullets pierced its scales, while aura-infused swords, spears, and axes steadily chipped away at its health.

The python retaliated fiercely, sending hunters flying with its powerful tail.

Some were unfortunate enough to get impaled by its venomous spikes.

Each time someone was injured, the healers responded immediately, preventing fatalities.

“Cookie, Dodari! Fall back!”

Eunsae had barely given her order when new beasts appeared—Giant Claw Mantises and Four-Eyed Iguanas.

Surrounded by towering monsters, the hunters faltered.

Though Cookie, the unicorn, and Dodari, the draconic beast, fought fiercely, the group’s morale had already taken a hit.

Eunsae coolly assessed the battlefield and swung her Veil Karas Staff.

She looked different than when she fought alongside her friends.

The baby dragon, Byeol, watched the battle unfold, his heart pounding.

I want to fight too!

The instincts of a dragon stirred within him.

‘I’ll help Nuna!’

A canary-yellow aura flared up in Byeol’s small hands.

Focusing on the Giant Claw Mantis, he cast a spell.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the beast collapsed, sending a cloud of dirt and debris flying.

“Uwaah!”

Hunters screamed as they were caught in the unexpected explosion of mud.

[“H-huh? That wasn’t right?”]

“Baby? Did you do that?”

[“Nuna, I messed up…”]

Byeol looked down, dejected.

Eunsae waved him over.

“It’s okay. You’re still learning to control your strength. Come here, let’s do it together.”

[“Okay!”]

Byeol eagerly flew to her side as she analyzed the battlefield.

“Can you blind that beast’s eyes for a moment?”

She pointed at the Four-Eyed Iguana, whose tongue shot out toward an unsuspecting hunter.

“Argh!”

Just as the hunter was about to be dragged away, Cookie charged in, snorting aggressively.

The iguana’s four eyes moved independently, giving it a wide field of vision that let it dodge attacks with ease.

[“I’ll try!”]

Byeol gathered his magic.

A way to blind the beast’s eyes…

‘Oh! I know!’

From his subspace, Byeol pulled out a flower he had been saving for Eunsae.

Its plump, red petals looked lush and vibrant.

‘I was going to give this to Nuna, but…’

He shook out the flower’s pollen and used magic to create a gust of wind.

“Why is there suddenly wind?”

The hunters looked up as a strong breeze picked up.

A cloud of pollen engulfed the Four-Eyed Iguana’s face.

GARRRRR!

The beast thrashed wildly.

The pollen had triggered an intense itching sensation in its eyes.

Byeol had chosen this flower because it contained irritants that caused inflammation upon contact.

He had planned to show it to Eunsae, but not let her touch it.

“You did great, Byeol!”

Arrows rained down from the archers, while the healers’ debuff spells took effect.

“Cookie, finish it!”

At that moment, a bright light burst from Cookie’s horn. The unicorn charged straight at the beast, sending it flying.

The creature convulsed before taking its final breath.

At the same time, Dodari tore off the Giant Claw Mantis’s head.

Thud!

Its massive body collapsed.

Now, the only enemy left was the Venom-spike Python.

Eunsae, who had been meticulously analyzing the hunters’ skills and strengths, issued precise commands.

“Mr. Kim Jungyeol, condense your aura as much as possible before releasing it. Mr. Lee Kimin, use your combo attack in 20 seconds! Ms. Bae Yeonkyung, activate your Unyielding Knight skill. Mr. Im Yuseong, sync your Torrent attack with Mr. Lee’s strike! Everyone else, fall back!”

Then, she turned to Byeol.

“Byeol, can you do what you did earlier? Make the ground sink. I need that beast’s belly exposed!”

[“I’ll try!”]

Byeol’s heart pounded.

As a dragon, he instinctively knew how to use magic, but Eunsae was teaching him how to control it.

He could feel his internal power stabilizing.

Maybe this was why Belquior had sent him here.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dirt exploded into the air as the ground beneath the Venom-spike Python caved in, flipping it over and exposing its pale underbelly.

Eunsae, who had worried the beast might be too massive for Byeol’s magic, beamed.

“Now!”

Lee Kimin’s combo attack and Im Yuseong’s Torrent struck in perfect succession.

Screeeech!

The beast writhed in agony as its belly was torn apart.

Then, at last, it went still.

The hunters erupted in cheers.

“Great work, everyone! Rest and reorganize before we move on.”

“That was incredible, Hunter Yoo Eunsae! I never thought we’d end this battle so quickly. Taking down three large beasts right at the entrance!”

“If we keep this pace, we’ll definitely shorten our raid time.”

“What was that just now? The ground shifting like that—it was an amazing skill!”

“Wasn’t that Hunter Yoo Eunsae’s new beast? I’m pretty sure it came from over there…”

The hunters’ eyes turned toward Byeol.

Overwhelmed by their attention, Byeol squeaked and dove into Eunsae’s arms.

Eunsae stroked his head.

“You did amazing, Byeol. That was your first time, and you nailed it.”

[“Did I do well?”]

Byeol was filled with excitement.

Nuna had praised him!

Eunsae’s beasts crowded around, licking Byeol’s face in approval.

Byeol wanted to do even better.

“We’re moving out.”

Toward the Dungeon’s Core.

The battles didn’t stop as they advanced deeper.

A swarm of Twin-Stinger Death Wasps buzzed menacingly, facing off against the hunters.

“Ranged fighters, don’t miss your targets! Tanks, the right flank is exposed! Mr. Lee Junil, spread your fire ability wide for area control!”

Eunsae inhaled sharply.

A wasp diving from above was struck by Veil Karas Staff, its abdomen bursting open.

Sticky green fluid splattered everywhere, but Eunsae remained unfazed.

The archers and gunners struggled with their multi-targeting accuracy.

Eunsae, accustomed to Yuha’s precise shots, felt frustration creeping in—but she didn’t let it show.

She knew better than to expect the same level of skill from everyone.

She was the leader, and it was her job to give orders that matched her team’s capabilities.

“Dandelion, bind them with your shadows!”

Kyaaaang!

Dark tendrils shot up, ensnaring the wasps.

With their movements restricted, the hunters’ hit rate skyrocketed.

After a fierce battle, the creatures lay scattered across the ground.

Haneuli sniffed at the fallen beasts.

Sometimes, monsters pretended to be dead to launch surprise attacks.

Kim Jungyeol laughed heartily as he approached Eunsae.

“What a waste. Twin-Stinger Death Wasp venom is a key ingredient in low-tier potions! Hahaha!”

Eunsae nodded.

Healers were rare compared to other combat classes.

And even those who existed were often scouted abroad.

Since not every party had access to a healer, potions were a necessity in this world.

Potion research was constantly evolving.

“We’re getting close to the core.”

A sickly-sweet scent of rotting fruit filled the air.

Along the path, pools of black water teemed with writhing leeches.

The dungeon boss—Psychopsis.

Also known as the Butterfly Dragon, it had stunning, wing-like eyespots that resembled a butterfly’s wings.

Though small in size, it was dangerous due to its ability to induce hallucinations.

Before initiating the fight, Eunsae addressed the team.

“If you’ve read the reports, you know Psychopsis’s weakness—fire.”

Im Yuseong and Lee Junil swallowed hard.

It was their first time holding such a critical role in a raid.

“Mental attacks can be tricky. Whatever you do, do not make eye contact with the boss. Even staring at the patterns on its wings can mess with your mind.”

“If you see someone staring at it, stop them—even if you have to hit them. But don’t knock them out completely.”

Tension filled the air.

Then, Eunsae grinned.

“If you start seeing illusions or feel like you’re being hypnotized, signal the healers immediately. Now, let’s go hunt the boss.”