Dungeon & Commander (37)
Go Cheolmin read the test results O Won-jin had brought three times over, meticulously. He knew full well why the Dungeon Association didn't recognize this test. But it wasn't something to ignore.
Not only had he jumped from 12th grade to 10th grade—which was unbelievable enough—but to 7th grade?
Go Cheolmin thought of Kim Jun training downstairs. The kid had no clue what these results meant.
'Can't blame him. He doesn't know the Raider world.'
"Doctor."
"Yes?"
"Can't you help that kid out?"
"What do you mean...?"
"Let's run that test again. Just you, me, and him—no one else knows."
"Well, I'm on night duty tonight. Bring him around midnight, and we can do it."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you."
O Won-jin meant it. That day's memory was etched deep in his mind.
What Kim Jun had done... to a guy like him, who'd nearly settled for an ordinary doctor's life, it was a miracle. Normally, you'd pay back what you got hit with, but Kim Jun had leaped over that rule so effortlessly.
He didn't need to look after him personally, but he'd double-checked the results multiple times and come all this way just to express his gratitude.
"Why'd you bring this?"
Go Cheolmin cut to the chase.
O Won-jin scratched his cheek, then explained what he'd done and Kim Jun's consideration to the guild master.
"It was my boss's orders, but I didn't refuse—that's on me. If you want payback now, I'll take it."
O Won-jin bowed his head.
"...Nah. It wouldn't hurt that bastard anyway."
A bitter O Won-jin.
"Anyway, thanks."
"I should be thanking you. Kim Jun snapped me out of it."
Go Cheolmin liked this honest doctor.
How many doctors had forgotten their Hippocratic Oath long ago?
"Uramata Guild is small. We might close any day. Can't pay much either. But our future's bright. If things work out, I'd like you as our guild doctor."
"...Pardon?"
O Won-jin blinked in shock.
"Finding a reliable guild doctor these days is like grabbing stars from the sky."
"Ah, yes. I'll think it over."
O Won-jin stood.
"See you tonight."
"Yes, sir."
O Won-jin left the master room. Go Cheolmin walked him to the parking lot, then called Kim Jun up.
"Is it serious?"
A worried Kim Jun.
"Don't know yet. We're heading to the hospital tonight—clear your schedule."
"Got it."
"How's your body lately? Any pain or weird symptoms?"
"Actually, I have something to tell you."
Kim Jun had been meaning to report it anyway. With the master's experience, he'd explain this bizarre phenomenon perfectly.
Kim Jun's story wrapped up quickly.
Go Cheolmin fell silent for a moment.
This wasn't runner's high. Endorphins made runners euphoric, but they didn't sharpen senses like that.
What flashed in his mind was the ultra-rare monster, Raifosaurus.
Go Cheolmin knew the Gwanghwamun Dungeon incident well—Debl's Day, when the Nuclataurus exploded. The tanker blocked it, but not fully from the radiation. Everyone was dying from exposure when a miracle happened.
According to the Socrates team, the Raifosaurus approached Kim Jun first and licked his wounds. It stayed close to him after.
Socrates dealer Han So-young had told Go Cheolmin:
"The Raifosaurus and Kim Jun... they seemed connected."
Go Cheolmin eyed the puzzled Kim Jun.
Too early to say, but the odds were high Kim Jun had been affected.
This kind of contact was rare... but not impossible. Dungeons defied imagination.
A Raider Go Cheolmin knew drank Stimmulus blood by accident and sprouted thorns from his arm.
It vanished in under half a year, but Dungeon Association doctors started studying monster blood deeply.
"Kim Jun, no training today. Got it?"
"...Yes."
"Don't worry too much. Could be an opportunity for you."
"Really?"
"Trust me."
Go Cheolmin grinned wide. Thirty percent conviction, seventy hope.
After sleeping in for once, Yoo Min-jeong made coffee and toast, heading to the garden. Sitting in the small pavilion shielding her from the harsh sun, a cool breeze lifted her spirits.
Three cats approached, tails hooked like question marks.
"You guys look happy."
She'd fed them breakfast even half-asleep.
The petite Russian Blue 'Kate' burrowed into her lap. The blue-eyed Siamese 'Ryoko' with the black mask climbed her thigh.
The last, Bengal 'Hyunjoo', perched regally at the pavilion's edge.
Covered in leopard spots, Hyunjoo yawned, surveying the garden like its lord.
A butterfly fluttered over the fence.
Kate and Ryoko pounced after it.
Hyunjoo sauntered over, settling near Yoo Min-jeong. As if ignoring butterflies proved her noble superiority.
Nutella on toast—devil's jam—drew a smile. Hot coffee cut the richness perfectly.
Thinking of Kim Jun reaching for ribs mid-meal cracked her up. Full of surprises.
Who knew he had such an appetite?
And a massive one at that.
Even Choi Muhyun couldn't match Kim Jun at full throttle.
More shocking: devouring mountains yet looking starved.
Yoo Min-jeong was content.
Debl's Day stole loved ones; even Dad lost an arm and shut down emotionally. But things had changed.
Dad restarted training on Jirisan.
When he descended, the world would flip. No one would notice his empty sleeve then.
Her team leader doubts? Resolved.
The master was the master.
One piece of advice cleared months of brooding.
"Time to build my dealer skills."
To her, Fire Arrow—fire-attribute magic arrow—wasn't enough.
"You think so too, right?"
She patted Hyunjoo's rear.
The cat didn't glance but softened under her hand—pleased.
Fireball.
Several times stronger than Fire Arrow; dozens with mastery.
Impossible short-term, but ways to boost odds existed.
Just then, she decided her training method.
Phone in hand, she called Dad's friend.
"It's Yoo Min-jeong. Dad? He's up the mountain. Oh, I didn't tell you? Sorry. He's fine—shaking it off, coming back stronger. Calling about a portal. As soon as possible. Money's no issue. Tonight? Book it. Thanks always. I'll call when Dad's down. Yes. Thanks."
Portal booked, her throat tickled.
A good sign.
Whenever starting something new with excitement bubbling up, her throat itched.
A gaze prickled.
Yoo Min-jeong looked at Hyunjoo.
Standing, its eyes pleaded more than usual. Sensing she'd abandon them?
"Sorry. You'll hotel a few days. Plenty of friends there."
She reached out.
Hyunjoo eyed indifferently, licked once, then wandered to the garden.
'That's his charm.'
Departure set.
Too little time for tasks ahead.
Yoo Min-jeong rose.
Uramata Guild master room.
Having heard her out, Go Cheolmin spoke.
"South America?"
"Cotopaxi, Ecuador. Active volcano."
"Dangerous."
"Safer than dungeons at my level. Not alone—fire-attribute Raiders worldwide train there."
"You know better than me. When back?"
"Two days before dungeon opens."
"Make it three. Need time to sync new magic with the team."
"Ah, right."
"You look relaxed."
Go Cheolmin gazed at the radiant Yoo Min-jeong. Heart lighter, she seemed prettier.
"Thanks to you, Master."
"Come back strong."
He extended a hand.
Shaking it, she descended, seeking team members. No one in guildhouse. Parking lot: Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek, Kim Jun by a plain car.
Choi Muhyun spotted her, beckoned.
"Kim Jun brought his car."
"Really?"
Yoo Min-jeong was stunned.
Kim Jun? Forever a road runner!
"Test drive."
"Count me in."
No time, but couldn't miss this fun.
Won't see them awhile. She strode confidently to shotgun. Choi Muhyun, eyeing it, took rear with Yeom Sang-taek.
Kim Jun shook his head, slid into driver's seat, started engine.
"Buckle up. First drive since license."
Yeom Sang-taek buckled fast.
Yoo Min-jeong, spotting sweat on Kim Jun's brow, slyly fastened hers.
"Let's roll!"
Choi Muhyun brimmed confidence.
Twenty-minute drive.
Yoo Min-jeong loved it.
Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek chattered like nonstop radio. Kim Jun's near-misses startled everyone. First McDonald's drive-thru nearly rear-ended the car ahead.
More thrilling than Ferrari sprints.
Back at guildhouse lot, Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek bolted inside.
"Heading to Ecuador tonight."
"Ecuador? South America?"
Kim Jun's eyes widened.
"Yeah. Magic training."
"Master knows?"
"Told him."
"Ah."
"Back stronger. Might not recognize me."
"Gotta train harder. Safe trip."
"Thanks. Tell Muhyun and Sang-taek for me. No time—lots to prep."
"Sure."
Yoo Min-jeong headed to her Ferrari.
Turning, she waved at Kim Jun, then peeled out.
A hole gaped in her chest.
If possible, she'd take Kim Jun, Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek too. Trainable there. But impossible—unfair as team leader.
Bonded deeply.
They filled Dad's void?
Maybe.
Still, she had to go.
To grow stronger.
To lead with pride.
10:30 PM, Seoul Portal Station parking lot.
Red Ferrari pulled up.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped out, hauling two suitcases—pared to bare minimum. Freely packing? Five wouldn't suffice.
Dragging them alone into the station, she froze in shock.
"Team leader, what gives? Can't ghost like that."
Approaching Choi Muhyun snatched her right suitcase. Yeom Sang-taek took left.
Kim Jun approached, offering an envelope.
"From Master. Said you forgot."
Yoo Min-jeong, fighting! Training support funds. Don't expect much.
Yoo Min-jeong bowed her head.
Uramata was different from Jushin, for sure.
Jushin, Korea's strongest, had superior systems and numbers, but Uramata brimmed with humanity.
With her team, she headed to check-in.
Portal stations mirrored airports: verify ticket, tag luggage, clear departure, enter the plane-like portal.
Difference: continent-spanning trips in under ten seconds.
Of course, stabilization took about an hour.
Varying by person, skipping it risked severe bodily harm.