Chapter 24: The Healer Challenges the Raid
“Let’s stop this. We’re getting divorced.”
“...What? Oppa, what are you talking about?!”
It was absurd. Until now, Kang Ga-young’s dreams had always been pleasant. But this one wasn’t. Divorce out of nowhere? Yesterday’s dream had been their wedding. She’d worn a white, beautiful dress—the most expensive one in the world, probably. And Lee Seojun, that man, had waited for her in a sharp suit, his hair neatly slicked back. He’d become her husband completely with their vows.
So today should’ve been the honeymoon, right? What the hell was this mess? It was just a dream, but her nerves were frayed. Still, with a let’s see how this plays out mindset, she watched on.
A cold attitude utterly unlike the cute, bunny-like image she had of him. It hurt her heart in a way that pissed her off. Against her better judgment, she spat sharp words in the dream, as if the mask she wore had slipped off.
“It means exactly what I said, Ga-young. I want a divorce...”
“What’s the reason? Oppa, do you even know what you’re saying? Is divorce a joke to you?”
When he’d been bullied at the company, she’d used her influence to get him fired. Sure, she’d played a big part, but who cared? Wasn’t this a successful life for a guy like him? Honestly. All he had to do was stay home, not look at other women, and gaze only at her. Was that so hard?!
Kang Ga-young forgot it was a dream as anxiety crept in. These weren’t her memories. Unfamiliar thoughts and emotions flooded her. The dream version of herself thought: Has he found out, maybe? About not wanting to share his love. His mother’s mysterious death. But that really had been an accident. She’d been terrified of even the tiniest suspicion, so she’d already dealt with everyone involved.
Seojun looked at her with uneasy eyes. His gaze choked the air from her lungs. Or maybe for the same reason. Had he learned she’d been on birth control because she didn’t want to share his love? He’d said it was fine without kids, that she was enough. But maybe not.
Kang Ga-young had no intention of sharing her husband’s love, even with their own child. That’s why she’d consistently used birth control. Maybe... if there’d been a child, this situation wouldn’t be happening.
Calm down. He probably didn’t even know about the birth control. And even if he did, he wouldn’t bring it up like this. She’d cleaned up all his relationships anyway. He didn’t have many friends to begin with.
Where else could he go? Who was it? Who’d put ideas in her man’s head? Her usual phone checks had shown nothing unusual. But how did she even know that?
Suddenly, a previous dream flashed back—the one where she’d gossiped at a café with Jeong Ye-na, who looked different from reality.
“Don’t take it personally. Oppa said he feels uncomfortable, so he wants to stop contacting you.”
“...Ah. I was short-sighted. It won’t happen again.”
Kang Ga-young grew confused. Her mind went blank. It was too chaotic. Was this really a dream?
“Ga-young-ah, did you ever love me?”
“I love you. What else could this be? I’d rip out my heart and show it to you if I could, to prove how much I love you.”
The words came naturally. She was never the type for such pathetic pleas. She’d build walls or reject outright, not grovel like this.
“...This isn’t love. How could you do this to someone you love?”
“Anyway, no divorce. You’re acting weird, oppa. It was all for you. How can you say this to me?!”
What did I even do wrong? Just tell me the reason, please. Her irritation turned to dread. She was dead certain she couldn’t sign those papers. She wanted to rush to her dream self and smack some sense into her.
But it was the man who dropped to his knees, begging to be let go. Seeing him plead choked her again.
“Where in the world is a man as happy as you, oppa? Married to a capable, beautiful S-rank hunter like me, living in a big house, eating luxurious meals, enjoying everything others dream of. Where else could you find a woman like me?”
“...I’m sorry.”
“You’re never satisfied, no matter what I do. Ha, fine. I’ll divorce you. Let’s see how long you last. I hope you wake up to reality and come back soon...”
In the end, she never got a proper reason. Next time she dreamed, it wouldn’t pick up from here, would it? Yesterday’s wedding, today’s divorce—how could they differ so much?
Kang Ga-young slowly opened her eyes in bed, as if accustomed to it. Today was the day for the raid dungeon she’d been waiting for. She wanted to see him right now. Lee Seojun, that man.
⁕⁕⁕
Kang Ga-young approached with her light brown hair whipping behind her. Last time, she’d been decked out head to toe in black luxury brands. Now, she wore light, sturdy armor. The massive sword at her waist proved she was a swordswoman.
“So, Mr. Lee Seojun, you ended up joining Pania Guild after all.”
“...Yes. It seemed like a good fit for me.”
I took her offered handshake. Her sticky gaze slowly roamed my body. It felt like a snake crawling over me, raising goosebumps. It was that blatant. I turned my head away.
“I see. That’s a shame.”
Kang Ga-young smacked her lips and returned to the Cheonsu Guild side. I’d gotten tense over nothing.
“Seojun-ssi, you’re here? It’s so crowded, right? I was surprised at first too.”
Yoo Chae-eun, who’d finished registration, came over and spoke. I nodded and took the coffee she offered.
“Thanks. Did the last one go well?”
“Of course. Invite me again next time?”
Yoo Chae-eun giggled and fiddled with the quiver on her back. Yoo Jae-hyun glanced at Cheonsu Guild with a stiff expression, then smiled as he approached. Up close, the siblings really looked alike.
“Hey~. Seojun-ah~. What’s this, what’s going on between you two? I love meddling.”
“Ah, seriously. Oppa, why all of a sudden?”
“What else? We’re heading out soon~.”
“Don’t push yourself, oppa. It’s totally different from back then.”
Yoo Chae-eun said it with a resolute face. Yoo Jae-hyun looked at her proudly.
“We’re heading out!!”
The dungeon staff shouted through a megaphone. The voice echoed everywhere. Melee hunters from Cheonsu, Pania, and Maxas Guilds took the lead. I followed slowly behind them.
It had finally begun.
⁕⁕⁕
The inside of this raid dungeon looked like an ordinary forest. Trees spaced just right, dirt paths wide enough for people—nothing special.
“Wonder what monsters will show up.”
“Hmph, whatever comes, I’ll burn them all with my flame magic. Doesn’t matter!”
Lee Soo-jung tipped her hat up proudly. Her antics were just cute now. But the urgent voice from the front shattered the light mood in an instant.
“Orcs!! This dungeon’s got orcs!!!!”
“Send the men back now. Hurry!!”
Goosebumps prickled my back. Of course. Orcs were infamous among monsters—and not in a good way. They killed women and sexually ravaged men. Before hunters appeared, most soldiers were men. Captured soldiers or male hunters suffered horrific fates. The few rescued left testimonies that left them with PTSD. Female orcs. I’d tried reading one survivor’s article but couldn’t finish—it was too soul-crushing. Death would’ve been more honorable. For men, they were the worst nightmare.
“Seojun-ssi, stay behind me. I’ll protect you!!”
“What’re you doing? I’ll burn them all with my flame magic, so get behind and stay safe! Hmph.”
Even melee combat hunters, if male, fell back here. I saw Yoo Jae-hyun and Ma Pildu heading my way.
“Good thing Unicorn Guild didn’t show.”
Yoo Jae-hyun muttered as he reached me. He was right. Rookie male hunters would get snatched in seconds. Technically, I was a newbie too.
“Hmph. Those orcs are one-punch fodder for me.”
Ma Pildu grumbled regretfully, glancing at Kim Na-yoon. She speared orc heads with a contemptuous look.
“Flame Orb Barrage!!”
Lee Soo-jung raised her staff, drawing a red magic circle. It turned into nine brilliant red fireballs.
“Go!!”
The orbs flew at the front-line orcs. Green-skinned orcs were visible in the distance. Her attack landed true, scorching them badly as they collapsed.
And then—
Thwack!!
“Perfect assist.”
Lee Se-ah finished them with her dagger. Orcs weren’t that hard to kill, really. The problem was their insane strength when they spotted a presumed male, plus they hunted in packs.
“Ooh, our little sis has leveled up! This oppa’s got no regrets now.”
Taat!! Ignoring the proud Yoo Jae-hyun, Yoo Chae-eun loosed a wind spirit arrow. Her shots were pinpoint accurate too.
“Buhiik. Buhi hiik!!”
An orc from the rear spotted us and charged with monstrous power. Even from afar, the desire in its eyes was palpable.
“Damn. Missed one.”
Kim Na-yoon sighed as an orc slipped away. Looking around, Cheonsu and Maxas were locked in fierce fights too.
No, orcs swarming from all sides? This was over the line. For real.
Yoo Chae-eun slowly drew her bowstring, aiming carefully and steadying her breath. Yoo Jae-hyun readied his gun, waiting for range.
Thud!!
A whirlwind sword aura shot toward the fast-approaching orc. A familiar hunter skill. I turned toward where it came from.
The orc’s head exploded, splattering filth on the ground. Kang Ga-young, far off, glanced our way then casually returned to her orcs. From that distance, and dead on. That took serious skill.
“What the hell? Why’s she doing that?”
Yoo Jae-hyun muttered in disbelief. Yoo Chae-eun nodded.
“Right? Who knows what she’s scheming. Ah! Don’t worry, Seojun-ssi. Just trust us.”
I nodded quietly. I shoved stray thoughts aside and focused on the situation.