Dungeon & Commander (57)
“Why did a Raider become a reporter?”
“……”
Skyla felt as if she'd been slapped across the cheek.
Yoo Min-jeong, who had been sitting beside her blocking Hyunju, Kate, and Ryoko from interrupting the conversation, glanced back and forth between Kim Jun and Skyla. Only then did she realize she was just as shocked.
“Answer me.”
“…How did you know?”
“Answer first.”
“To find someone.”
Skyla finally voiced the real reason she'd come to Korea—a secret she'd kept buried deep in her heart.
A strange sense of liberation washed over her. She'd wanted to tell someone, anyone, but couldn't bring herself to… Maybe she'd been waiting for a moment like this all along.
Kim Jun nodded slowly.
“…So you'll accept my apology now?”
“No.”
“B-but, you said……”
“I said I might accept it. Right, Min-jeong?”
“Yeah, that's right.”
Yoo Min-jeong, who had been quietly listening, answered without thinking.
In truth, she didn't know the full story and had just agreed because it was Kim Jun saying it. If he said it was right, then it was.
“What do I have to do for you to forgive me? Actually, I don't even deserve forgiveness. I just… I just don't want you to give up on yourself because of this. Anyway, I'll help with whatever you need. Anything I can do!”
At that moment, Kim Jun's face lit up like sunlight breaking through clouds from within.
“Join Uramata Guild.”
“…What?”
“Join our team. As you can see, our team leader is Yoo Min-jeong, the next top Raider who'll surpass even Yoo Wan-seop. But we only have one fire-attribute dealer, so we need a water-attribute dealer.”
“……”
Only then did Skyla understand the expression on Kim Jun's face when he'd pulled her from the pond.
It must have been how a shaman felt discovering a centuries-old wild ginseng. Or like an antique dealer holding a priceless treasure.
'I ruined this guy's life, and he sees me as a precious gem. Does that even make sense?'
“Stay on as a Raider at Uramata Guild and do reporting part-time.”
It wasn't a request—it was a demand, an order, a command. But to Skyla, it sounded like the sweetest proposal. She accepted it gladly.
“Got it.”
Yoo Min-jeong stared at Kim Jun and Skyla, her mind racing to piece together what she'd just heard.
The three cats sauntered over to Kim Jun, curled up comfortably beside him, and began to doze off.
Jay Skyla.
Level 7, ice dealer.
The license bore a much younger photo of her, with her level and attribute listed in English on the front, and the signature of the U.S. Dungeon Association president on the back.
Go Cheolmin examined the Raider license meticulously before looking across the table at Skyla.
“Everyone's gonna flip when they see this. Why on earth would you live as a reporter with this? Did you go into a dungeon and get some kind of trauma?”
A few Raiders had witnessed a comrade's death and never set foot in a dungeon again.
“It's not trauma.”
“Can't tell me the reason?”
“…To find someone. I can't go into details. Not right now.”
“That's good enough. The issue is… Uramata Guild isn't flush enough to offer a huge salary.”
“You don't have to pay me. I'm joining because I'm smitten with that guy.”
Skyla was firm.
The “that guy” in question was playing with the cats in the garden, where sunlight shattered beautifully through the leaves. Kim Jun moved with the flexible grace of a cat himself.
“Still……”
Go Cheolmin hesitated.
“If it bothers you, I'll take whatever you offer.”
“Well, in that case.”
Go Cheolmin wanted to smack her cheeks in disbelief.
An ice dealer officially recognized by the U.S. Dungeon Association, rolling in like this.
Raider stats showed over 30% of dealers were fire-attribute—your standard fire dealers. Light-attribute came second, water last, and among water, ice-types were exceedingly rare.
The going rate was that a same-level ice dealer was worth twice a fire dealer.
Go Cheolmin was so thrilled he wanted to run out to the garden and plant a kiss on that lucky charm's cheek. Of course, he couldn't show it in front of Skyla.
Instead, he called out to Yoo Min-jeong, who was pacing the living room with her arms crossed.
“Min-jeong, come here.”
“I'm against it.”
“…What?”
Go Cheolmin's head throbbed.
“Guild membership is the master's call, so I won't block it. But I can't take her on my team.”
“Mind if I ask why?”
Go Cheolmin treaded carefully.
“I can't trust someone who's lived a normal life for nearly 10 years after abandoning the Raider path. She gave it up herself. Can she pull her weight as a dealer? And for team harmony, I have zero intention of accepting her. Better to form a new team.”
One team wasn't enough for guild growth. Multiple teams tackling different dungeons were needed to earn real guild status.
But Go Cheolmin assessed coldly.
Two dealers of different attributes were essential. You never knew what monsters would spawn.
Versatile attributes improved results and reduced risks—no getting caught flat-footed or dying pointlessly.
Still, he couldn't force Skyla onto the team willy-nilly.
Ignoring the team leader's authority could shatter the team.
He needed to persuade her, but he had no counterarguments. Yoo Min-jeong's two points were spot-on.
The moment Skyla stood before Yoo Min-jeong, the air within a two-meter radius chilled rapidly. Breath fogged white in the cold.
She'd erased one reason by proving her skills hadn't rusted.
“I'll obey unconditionally, Team Leader.”
The second reason vanished.
Yoo Min-jeong stared hard at Skyla, then conjured flames in her palms. The roaring fire was more than enough to push back the chill.
“I'll believe that for now.”
“Thank you, Team Leader.”
“Don't forget I can kick you out anytime.”
“I'll keep that in mind, Team Leader.”
Go Cheolmin watched the two women glare without blinking, gauging the tension.
Then the phone rang.
“You here? Come to the front of the back garage.”
Go Cheolmin bolted to the garage like he was escaping.
Yeom Sang-taek stepped out of the jeep and gazed at the hanok roof beyond the serene walled compound. It blended traditional hanok style with modern structure.
“I've seen this place in a magazine.”
Yeom Sang-taek spoke in a dreamy haze.
Yoo Wan-seop's home had been featured in a Raider magazine once.
“Obviously. It's Yoo Wan-seop the Raider's house.”
Choi Muhyun headed to the back seat to grab the luggage.
Then the garage door opened, and Go Cheolmin emerged. He scanned the area before approaching Choi Muhyun.
“You shook the tail?”
“Of course.”
Choi Muhyun skipped mentioning how persistent reporters had delayed them.
“Come on in. And I've got some shocking news.”
“Nothing shocks me anymore. Not after that newspaper.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Sure.”
“Loser buys lunch.”
“Deal.”
Choi Muhyun hefted the luggage in both hands, passed the garage, and entered the living room. The dark hallway opened into bright light. As he stepped in, Kim Jun rushed over and took the bags.
Looking around the house, Choi Muhyun spotted someone who shouldn't be there—and couldn't be.
“You……”?
“Surprised?”
Go Cheolmin, carrying a plastic box, brushed past and set it down in front of the sofa.
“How……”?
“Min-jeong.”
At Go Cheolmin's cue, Yoo Min-jeong explained to Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek—who had just entered the living room, seen Skyla, and frozen—what had transpired.
The two couldn't believe it, even seeing Kim Jun chatting and smiling with Skyla right there.
“Too early to be surprised.”
Yoo Min-jeong revealed Skyla was a U.S. Dungeon Association Raider—an ice dealer, no less. She'd joined Uramata Guild and the team.
Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek went rigid like logs.
Yoo Min-jeong shook her head and walked over to Kim Jun. The three cats hovered or clung to him.
“What're you talking about?”
“My hunch was right. My sister wrote the article, but the editor stuck it on the front page on his own.”
“Sister?”
That word hit Yoo Min-jeong hard.
“She's like a sister.”
“Call her by name. It's easier. Better for the team too.”
Skyla chimed in.
Only then did Kim Jun realize “sister” might undermine Yoo Min-jeong's authority as team leader. Hierarchy hadn't been an issue before since everyone was around the same age.
“Come here a sec.”
Yoo Min-jeong pulled Kim Jun aside. They headed to the shade of a tree deeper in the garden.
“Sorry.”
Kim Jun said.
“…For what?”
“Proposing to Skyla without telling you first. Sorry to the master too. But there was no time to let you know. I didn't expect her to hop the fence. In that moment… I had to hook the big one right then or lose her.”
It made perfect sense. Yoo Min-jeong had been right there, so she couldn't argue.
Instead, she switched tacks.
“How'd you know? That she's a Raider. And an ice dealer too.”
“From the contamination. I told the master—I've developed a sixth sense.”
“Sixth sense?”
“That's how I knew.”
“…I see.”
Yoo Min-jeong softened.
Contamination was like a time bomb—you never knew when or how it'd change. A unique sense like this today could mean bones rotting from the inside tomorrow.
Seeing her worried face, Kim Jun felt a pang of guilt.
It wasn't a blatant lie.
He had been contaminated by the Lycosaurus. He'd just skipped the brutal… grueling training on Yeongun Island and called it recovery.
“Skyla can't join this raid.”
“I know. Can't go into a dungeon without syncing first.”
“Kim Jun.”
Yoo Min-jeong called softly.
“Yeah?”
“Lots of people see you as a thorn in their side. You know Baek Seungtae from Guanpo Guild holds a grudge from the Association test and is gunning for you. Those pissed by today's article? They'll take it out on you in the dungeon. You could die.”
“Probably.”
Kim Jun stared at her, smile gone.
“Say you're scared when you are. No need to force a grin. You're afraid right now.”
“I'm not.”
Kim Jun flashed a genuine smile.
“Drop the mask. At least in front of me. I'm… your team leader.”
“Got it. And thanks.”
He meant it.
He couldn't admit fear in front of his mom—especially not her. Nor dump it on his innocent little sister.
Fear was an old foe he'd battled long. If he hadn't conquered it, he'd never have become a carrier.
The only change? Now there were monsters besides dungeon beasts.
Yoo Min-jeong spread her arms.
“C'mere. Big sis'll hug you.”
“What?”
Kim Jun burst out laughing at the absurdity.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped forward and embraced him. She whispered,
“I get it. You're not alone. You're our team. No need to stand tall by yourself.”
Kim Jun stayed still. He didn't want to reject his team leader's care and comfort for the team.
Then he reached out and hugged her tight.
“You're not alone either. You're the leader, but you're our friend too—no need to stand tall by yourself.”
“I'm not alone. Dad's around, and……”
“He's on Jirisan. You've been holding down this big house with three cats all this time. Right?”
“Well……”
Yoo Min-jeong realized she'd been lonely. Kim Jun had shown her what she'd ignored as mere discomfort.
“Can I come visit often?”
“…Yeah.”
Then Choi Muhyun shouted from the living room to the garden.
“Hey! What're you two doing?”
Startled, Go Cheolmin gawked wide-eyed at Kim Jun and Yoo Min-jeong.
“Master, can team leader and team member date?”
Yeom Sang-taek asked.
“Are you two like that?”
Skyla.
Kim Jun waved from Yoo Min-jeong's embrace.
“Team leader's generously comforting her heartbroken carrier with pure, sincere vibes—so turn off your worry radars, everyone!”
His deadpan delivery cracked up Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek, Go Cheolmin—and even Skyla watching from the living room.
As Yoo Min-jeong broke the hug and swatted Kim Jun's head, the laughter grew louder.