Chapter 51
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: 8. Come to Our Team (1)
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8. Come to Our Team (1)
I laughed.
"I was just curious if you were okay."
Iseo shook her head slightly.
"Still, thanks. If you hadn't been there, I might've gotten too hyped and said something stupid."
She paused for a moment.
"Hari... you really are amazing."
I flinched.
Her words lodged deep somewhere inside me.
But I pretended otherwise and bowed my head.
"I just did what I could."
"That's what makes it so hard."
Iseo said nothing more.
She simply stayed quietly by my side, steadying her breath.
I too worked in silence, sorting potion caps and moving my fingertips.
A short while later, an announcement echoed through the barracks.
"All personnel, prepare! Move to the return vehicles!"
The kids rose from their spots one by one.
Iseo folded her blanket and stood.
"Hari, let's go together."
"Yeah."
Finally stepping out of the dungeon, the sky had cleared completely.
With the dungeon's influence lifted, the breeze felt refreshing, and the sunlight warm.
The kids lined up and started moving, and I matched their pace from behind.
Just before boarding the vehicles, Hanseong paused and glanced our way.
His eyes lingered on me, scanning slowly.
No words were spoken.
Yet that brief gaze felt strangely sharp and clear.
I pretended not to notice and lowered my head.
My heart pounded for no good reason.
It wasn't very healer-like of me, and with just potions anyone could make through practice using the crafting skill, it was hard to feel confident.
But apparently, someone else thought differently.
'If Hanseong sees me as recruit material, that's not ideal... but it doesn't feel all bad. What am I thinking?'
The vehicle door shut.
The engine hummed to life.
When a dungeon's rank changes, the exit can sometimes appear elsewhere.
Especially in cases like this, where you had to pass an exit exam to leave.
'Does this confirm the cataclysm is starting in Korea?'
At the very least, high-rank Awakeners and seasoned veterans would notice.
I gazed out the window at the sky.
The realization that the first Cataclysm Dungeon was finally over sank into my chest, slow and heavy.
And an inexplicable quiet tremor lingered in my fingertips.
The final exam notice came right after morning roll call.
The classroom fell instantly silent.
I stared blankly at the announcement before blinking in realization.
Finally.
Was this the episode where so many kids from our class die?
"Everyone must participate in this final dungeon exam."
Sighs leaked out here and there as our homeroom teacher spoke.
Even F-ranks had to go in.
On top of that, they must have judged that I wouldn't die. Better to gain group battle experience than become a walking penalty magnet.
I slowly reread the notice.
Dungeon difficulty may be adjusted based on circumstances.
May be higher than usual.
In case of fatalities, the academy assumes no responsibility.
'Ah, right on cue.'
For the final dungeon alone, the school set aside student protections.
Like a lion shoving its cub off a cliff.
The dungeon was tough to begin with, and academy staff were likely judging it even worse this year.
'And after the Blue Dragon Dungeon, the hunter world is starting to sense the danger too.'
The Cataclysm had restarted—and it might be hitting Korea of all places. A clear threat.
It was basically wartime now.
'They'll have heavy alerts for the final dungeon wave too. Alerts that will prove pointless in the face of how dangerous it'll get.'
I stood from my seat and reviewed the notice again.
My hands felt a little cold.
I'll get this far, and then play it safe afterward if possible!
But if I have to go in, I need to prepare.
So I don't become dead weight.
I slipped my hand into the bag under my desk.
My fingertips brushed one of the instant recovery potions I'd made yesterday.
Short shelf life, but solid for emergencies.
"Hari."
Iseo approached my side.
Her eyes were gentler than usual.
"Yeah."
"You okay?"
I didn't know what expression I was making, but I forced the biggest smile I could.
"Yeah. You too, Iseo?"
"Yeah."
Iseo wasn't much of a talker.
Lately, though, she'd been saying more.
And since awakening, the way she looked at me had softened even further.
By lunchtime, talk of team formations was already buzzing.
Rumors said each class would form parties to enter the dungeon.
I quietly munched my sandwich, ears perked.
"Hey, who's taking Jin Hari from Class 8?"
"F-rank? No one's gonna."
"But... she was weirdly good at making potions."
"Just luck."
I nodded to myself.
Right.
That's how the rumors painted me.
'Potion rumors didn't matter before, but now I've been in a dungeon!'
And it turned out the Blue Dragon Dungeon footage had been recorded!
For now, staying the "lucky F-rank healer" was safest—no forced dungeon runs.
'I can't beg my friends to protect me forever, though.'
Then someone plopped down next to me.
Seoyoon.
"Hari."
"Yeah."
"Wanna join our team by any chance?"
The final dungeon, obviously.
Seoyoon's face was usually all mischief, but today it held a subtle seriousness.
I bit into a piece of bread and shook my head awkwardly.
"Taking me... it'd be tough. I'm weak."
"Your moves looked pretty good for someone like that, but yeah, I know. That's exactly why I'm worried."
I swallowed the bread and ducked my head.
"Thanks. But I'm really weak. More useless than you think?"
Especially if they were expecting my heal skill.
There were reasons, but I wasn't even using my three daily heals right now.
"Hari, we all know you're weak anyway..."
Seoyoon trailed off playfully, lightening the mood, when someone cut in from the side.
"Come to our team."
This time it was Yuhee.
Her angelic face said it like it was the most natural thing.
'Hanseong's team isn't full yet?'
Yuhee and Gong Seoyoon were supposed to be on the same team.
Hm.
This was a bit worrying.
And why were they so keen on dragging me along?
"Me just following from behind or supporting would help the most."
"That's why we're asking. Having a team versus not makes all the difference."
Yuhee smiled.
I didn't get the implication, but her smile was still beautiful.
I waved my hands frantically.
"I... I need a bit to think."
The two nodded and backed off.
But the real issue came next.
Not just Class 8 kids—even some from other classes started sounding me out.
Not for teams, but for potions.
Still, this was too weird.
Kids who'd squirm if I even talked to them before were openly approaching now.
And this without me revealing any special potions.
'Is everyone so broke they're desperate for basic potions?'
Or did taking me really give some edge?
I breathed steadily, recalling the curriculum.
The final dungeon was brutal even normally—but way more dangerous now.
Too many overlapping variables.
Considering the Blue Dragon Dungeon, even my predictions could be off.
How much time passed like that?
Suddenly, a presence behind me.
I turned to find Hanseong standing there.
"Jin Hari."
"Yeah."
"Come to our team."
His tone was concise and firm.
I flinched on reflex.
"Me? Why on earth?"
He paused, thinking, then replied shortly.
"Need you."
I didn't know what for, but it was weirdly hard to refuse.
Maybe because he didn't say I was useful or that he was worried.
"It's temporary, right?"
"Final dungeon teams aren't permanent, so technically yes."
I nodded slowly.
"Alright then."
I'd have to apologize to Seoyoon.
Returning to the classroom after deciding to team with Hanseong, everyone's gazes shifted subtly.
I looked away first.
Crowds of stares like that never led to anything good.
A weak kid drawing attention usually meant trouble.
'Like Sanghee.'
Then Iseo approached quietly.
"Hari."
"Yeah."
"You okay?"
Her tone was so earnest that I gave a small smile.
"Yeah."
I returned to my seat and opened my bag.
Double-checked my organized potions.
Detox.
Recovery.
Stamina.
Barrier—weak version.
And the special enhanced ones I'd made fresh yesterday.
This was my max for the final dungeon.
If I pulled them out quietly from the back, someone might survive.
That would be enough.
As break time hit, the atmosphere grew even rowdier.
Team rosters had been posted for each class.
I spotted our final team's names too.
Hanseong.
Hae-sol.
Iseo.
Yuhee.
Gong Seoyoon.
And me.
'Hee and Gong Seoyoon made the final cut after all.'
Good.
This lineup was basically the class's top tier.
I felt relief that it matched the original story's team comp—and a weight settling in my chest.
'Ah, why am I on the attack squad?!'
Hanseong's team slot was attack squad position.
Attack squads needed heals even more.
There was zero reason for someone as weak as me to be in a powerhouse team like this.
"Hari."
Iseo slung her bag over her shoulder and came over.
"Let's head to training together."
"Sure."
Stepping into the hallway, a few students quickly looked away.
Whispers grazed my ears, but I pretended not to hear.