Chapter 42
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Roar of the Blue Dragon (2)
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That day.
Yoo Han-seong was leaning against the back table, arms crossed.
Watching my work process quietly felt as natural as ever.
I adjusted the viscosity of the new stabilizing aid I was mixing, twirling the glass rod.
A faint red glow swirled briefly before settling into a calm yellow.
It's going better than expected.
I still didn't know how effective it would be.
"Hari."
Yoo Han-seong called out.
"Yeah?"
"Check this."
He handed me a small glass vial.
Inside was half of the recovery aid I'd given him before, though the color had faded slightly.
"Using it in the field definitely burns through it faster."
At his words, I held the vial up to the light.
Recovery potions seemed to dilute a bit over time, but the effect held steady.
The real issue was that he'd gone out of his way to bring it back for confirmation.
"Was it any good?"
I asked in a quiet voice.
"More than good."
He paused, choosing his words, then continued slowly.
"It was pretty potent."
Hae-sol nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. I used it that day to catch my breath. Calmed me right down."
I suppressed my reaction and said,
"Glad to hear it."
"You don't grasp its true value."
Yoo Han-seong said in a low tone.
"But that's understandable."
I blinked.
"What do you mean?"
He replied evenly.
"A potion exceeding its rated grade in quality? That's unprecedented worldwide."
Hae-sol bowed his head, staring at the vial intently.
His fingertips trembled ever so slightly.
'That big a deal?'
I set the vial down on the workbench.
Flustered inside, I tried not to show it.
"Anyway... happy it worked well."
"Hari."
Hae-sol called softly.
"From now on, keep an eye on your surroundings while you work."
"Why?"
"Your process stands out. Could draw unwanted attention."
I nodded.
"Got it. I'll be careful."
Hae-sol fell silent, leaning against the workbench and gazing out the window.
A moment later, Yoo Han-seong said casually,
"You're coming to next week's training, right?"
"Uh... yeah. Planning to."
"Good."
Those short words carried a hint of reassurance.
Hae-sol smiled faintly.
"When you show up, the vibe stabilizes. Weirdly."
"Really? Why's that?"
"No idea. But it's nice having you around. Yu-hee's been half-dead lately."
"What? Why?"
"All the training. She perks up especially when you're there, though."
I smiled quietly, putting away the tools.
Hearing that my presence helped felt strangely new.
The idea that I could be that kind of existence here was awkward.
As I brushed off the lingering herb powder and finished tidying up, Yoo Han-seong spoke.
"Let's wrap up for today and head upstairs."
"I'm fine. Just a bit more and..."
"You've done plenty. You need to conserve your stamina."
He said firmly.
"Your complexion's off."
It was really from the varicose issue, but that stayed secret.
Hae-sol nodded too, looking worried.
"Hari, seriously, take a break."
I finally gave in, straightening my uniform top.
"Alright. I'll head out first."
"See you tomorrow."
Hae-sol waved.
Yoo Han-seong added curtly,
"Get to bed early."
I smiled faintly and nodded.
Stepping out of the lab, the corridor light seemed a touch brighter.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor.
Since the Moon Halo Dungeon, the students' gazes had shifted.
Not good or bad—just different.
A quiet, unmistakable change.
Walking alone, I thought to myself.
It really wasn't a big deal, yet everyone was overreacting.
I'd just wanted to help them hurt a little less.
No need to get this shaken up.
But I couldn't help the warmth blooming somewhere in my heart.
'Not sure how much that'll matter in the Blue Dragon Dungeon.'
Still, my potions showing unusual effect boosts inside dungeons was a fact—not meaningless.
Soon, after going through the consensus process, we stepped into the dungeon entrance.
And right then.
"Hold up!"
Hm?
First time seeing the homeroom teacher sprinting like that. His face was deathly stern.
What's going on? Ah, no way?
"Everyone freeze and listen up."
The murmurs died down instantly.
I looked at the homeroom teacher too.
"Emergency alert. Blue Dragon Dungeon waves detected—and it's opening inside the academy."
"Huh?"
"Blue Dragon? That famous one?"
"Yes. Starts at basic S-rank, a massive dungeon. First time in the academy—or Korea, for that matter. All schedules are to be cleared and return. Student volunteer surveys and guild collaborations set within the week."
The air turned to ice in an instant.
Lee Seo, standing beside me, drew in a sharp breath and clenched her fists tight.
Yoo Han-seong said nothing, but his eyes grew colder.
He'd known.
No—probably planned to clear it today.
Ironically, clearance rates were higher when he led an informal raid than official parties. Must be frustrating.
The homeroom teacher sketched a simple map in the air.
"While I'm at it, quick rundown. Reference this for region, timing, and difficulty."
The Abyss of the Blue Dragon's signature deep-layer structure.
"As you know, difficulty's locked at S-rank. Students will be restricted to early layers before using return stones. Danger level's on another plane. Don't lump it with Moon Halo. Clear?"
Abyss of the Blue Dragon.
Too many terrain quirks and variables—no room for my prep work.
Unlike Moon Halo, where I could've tailored potions for specifics.
But since we'd be together, I'd assist as much as possible.
'Probably heading in right now.'
The homeroom teacher handed out materials.
"Each class homeroom will rerun basic training and survival checks this week. Potions and gear—prepare everything you can personally. Eden Guild's attaching a broadcast setup too."
Attaching a broadcast was a safeguard for the awakeners inside. Those magic tools were mandatory, no matter the risk—insanely expensive.
Without guild backing, clean footage was a pipe dream.
But Eden—Korea's top guild—backing it? Small mercy.
"Here it comes."
The state-of-the-art broadcast magic tool from Eden rolled into the lounge.
Us and the other classes paused mid-prep for their dungeons, all eyes on it.
Someone muttered,
"External broadcast too...?"
"That's seriously dangerous, right?"
The homeroom teacher raised a hand to quiet the students.
"I get the anxiety, but our school will prepare to the utmost. Check with your homerooms for training schedules after."
I slowly tightened my bag strap and took a deep breath.
Yoo Han-seong quietly approached and whispered,
"Hari."
I looked up.
"You know, right? The Blue Dragon—it's already begun."
Yeah. He was spot on.
Moon Halo was essentially part of the Blue Dragon.
A precursor tremor, of sorts.
Something verifiable in old records.
Abnormal rank fluctuations before Blue Dragon openings.
I nodded, and he continued.
"It remembers us from Moon Halo. High chance it'll open near us."
His voice stayed even, as always.
At odds with the words.
"The dungeon's tracking us?"
"Scouts have us marked. Like it or not, we're going in."
"What if we get backup?"
Just voicing what Jin Hari should ask—I already knew the answer.
"Non-targets have higher death odds."
Purely from his regression knowledge, no hard proof. If I called BS, he'd have no comeback.
Aware of that, a faint tension laced his voice.