Chapter 41
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: 7. Roar of the Azure Dragon (1)
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They pointed to an empty table.
I approached quietly and sat down.
"The survivor counseling after the Dalmu-ri raid is all wrapped up."
The teacher said.
"But... there were a lot of incomprehensible parts about this raid."
Oh no.
I hadn't expected them to ask me directly.
I figured they'd just dismiss it as nonsense.
I nodded for now.
"Everyone fought so well. I heard Hae-sol awakened too?"
"Yeah, they all had minor awakenings, and in Hae-sol's case, he even leveled up a stage."
I'd heard today that he'd reached A-rank.
But in the Azure Dragon, he'd need to push to S-rank.
The teacher fell silent for a moment before flipping to another document.
And then said,
"The only thing was, the recovery speed was strangely fast."
"I heard some students passed out midway but got right back up."
"I see."
"That's why I'm asking. There was a report that the potions you made were used on-site. Did you provide them?"
I let out a small breath and said,
"I'm just F-rank, so I can't enter dungeons. So I just... made some and gave them to anyone who might need them."
"I knew you were selling them, but you went out of your way to hand them out too."
"Yes. I didn't charge for those. And they weren't even that high-grade anyway."
Though there were some S-rank ones mixed in.
"Hmm."
Both teachers looked at me at the same time.
Their expressions turned cautious.
And then they asked something out of left field.
"You just... gave those to anyone?"
I nodded.
"It raises survival rates."
The teachers were speechless for a moment.
I'm still F-rank anyway, and no one's going to take me into a dungeon.
The teacher spoke up again.
"Jin Hari. Your actions are praiseworthy. No, truly excellent."
"But from now on, you must report and provide them through a teacher. Got it?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
Of course, it was just words.
"And."
The two teachers chose their words carefully.
"We're grateful for this incident."
"It'll go in the school records. As a positive outlier, of course."
"...Pardon?"
I asked in slight surprise.
The teacher stated clearly.
"It means your name, Jin Hari, will be listed as the provider of irregular recovery potions in the stats for the second Dalmu-ri S-rank raid."
I steadied my breath and smiled faintly.
"Yes. Glad I could help."
Not like it can be undone now!
A short while after seeing them off and stepping out of the manufacturing room, I thought to myself once more.
'That level of record... should be fine.'
It was that very day.
That the Azure Dragon Dungeon opened.
Azure Dragon's Abyss.
This dungeon, called the Blue Dragon in other countries, was no less than a symbol of annihilation.
'All three Cataclysms began with this dungeon as the first one to open.'
This time was no different.
The blue dragon was actually a blue creature of unknown true form—whether dragon or not.
With blue eyes, a body the color of the sky, exhaling blue mists, more spirit than monster.
'Not something humans should face.'
The thought alone was terrifying, but I climbed the stairs with light steps.
The repaired manufacturing room retained more of its previous atmosphere than expected.
They'd probably just fixed the bathroom and checked the mana flows before leaving.
Thanks to that, I was enjoying a satisfying healing session when
Yoo Han-seong suddenly appeared quietly and said,
"Hari."
His tone was calmly detached as always, but the weight it carried felt a little different.
"Han-seong. You're here?"
He looked a bit emotional for some reason, then quickly erased it and said,
"Yeah. I was worried."
"Huh? Why? Oh, because I'm heading to Ongdalsam?"
I shook off the lingering herb scent from my fingertips in silence.
Yoo Han-seong looked straight at me.
"It's fine. It's true it's a perfect dungeon for gaining experience."
"Really? You're okay with it?"
His face twisted a little.
It was definitely neither pity nor a burden—some other emotion—so I tilted my head.
"It's fine. More than me, our classmates—who'll have to clean up after me if I live or die—won't be okay."
I let out a small sigh, and Yoo Han-seong immediately pushed back.
"You're not going to die. Don't worry."
"Ah."
Of course, I knew the current Yoo Han-seong had the specs to handle the Azure Dragon with ease. But that wasn't something 'Jin Hari' knew.
I gave an awkward half-smile.
Yoo Han-seong glared at the ground, looking a bit annoyed, then let out a long sigh.
And in a somewhat calmer tone, he said to me,
"Practice is starting soon."
I answered while organizing bottles.
"Yeah! Go on ahead. I'll grab a few things and follow."
"Okay."
He turned and headed out the door.
Just before it closed, he glanced back at me once more.
I suddenly realized that gaze was a little different from before Dalmu-ri.
Trust.
Heavy.
I placed the herbal extract back on the flame.
Hm, but thinking again, that trustful gaze felt a bit too... intense.
My body shivered.
'What if he drags me into a Cataclysm Dungeon?'
No, no.
That's for you guys!
Stay calm. This level of attention should pass without issue.
I stirred the herbs slowly, as usual.
And fifteen minutes before practice began,
With all the potions I'd wanted prepared, I headed to the dungeon with the excited expression of a kid off on a picnic.
To see Lee Sang-hee.
Han-seong paused at the entrance for a moment before addressing the entire Class 8 in front of him.
Class 8 was unique compared to others—all of them moved in perfect unison, following Han-seong's lead.
Seeing it in person felt distinctly different.
"Jin Hari."
"Yes!"
"Did you bring that notebook by any chance?"
"You mean the one with the strategy notes?"
"Yeah."
I hesitated a bit, knowing the current situation was being broadcast to the lounge like during Dalmu-ri, but I happily pulled out the blue notebook.
The protagonist needs it.
Hae-sol, Gong Seo-yun, Hee, and Lee Seo subtly gathered, showing curiosity.
"So this is the notebook the captain was praising."
I laughed briefly at Gong Seo-yun's funny title for him.
After getting my permission and skimming the notebook, Yoo Han-seong looked at me with a slightly changed glint in his eyes.
Different from how he'd kept a subtle distance until now, only approaching in danger.
"It's good."
I widened my eyes, and Yoo Han-seong rarely flashed a deep smile.
The rest of Class 8, who had crowded around to watch us, let out exclamations.
So handsome.
"Really?"
"Yeah. At this level... Hari, want to do it together?"
"Together? Do what?"
"Share info, and give your opinions within what you can handle. Issue instructions based on the situation too."
"What?"
I drew in a breath.
"Um, Han-seong. Isn't this the Ongdalsam Dungeon? Why would my instructions be needed?"
I asked, feigning ignorance and confusion.
Everyone looked baffled.
But I gave up on getting an answer from his meaningful smile directed at me.
He subtly opened to the page with the Blue Dragon Dungeon strategy, showing it just to me.
I gave him a puzzled look, but he just smirked.
Does he think I'm some kind of regression companion? No way, right?
'Haha.'
[What's so funny? Entering such a trivial dungeon. Guess I'll just enjoy the mountain spirit's voice to my heart's content.]
Erich grumbled, but no need to mind him.
He'd be satisfied soon enough.
"You brought the boosters too, right, Hari?"
Hae-sol asked casually as he passed by.
I nodded.
Recovery boosters, not regular healers.
A unique potion that stimulated self-recovery—a special type.
The easiest special potion to make, and the reactions had been great.
The day before last, I recalled Han-seong and Hae-sol rushing over after trying it, and I couldn't help chuckling, forgetting the situation for a moment.