Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Protecting Dust (1)
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Rat-a-tat-tat-!
I heard the distressed server monster calling after me from behind, but I didn't even glance back as I bolted away like a shot.
Earlier, when chasing after those men, I'd checked the servers' movements.
They were fast, but I judged my speed was more than enough to shake them off. Plus, the exit was close.
My plan was a resounding success.
"Hoo..."
Back at the abandoned factory, I caught my breath, panting heavily for a moment.
Then, to check the items I'd snatched amid the chaos using my quick thinking, I opened my inventory.
There were three promising-looking items glowing blue. The first was a small compass, the second an ordinary-looking wristwatch, and the last... a single piece of candy.
I tried using Item Appraisal, but as expected, I still couldn't get detailed info.
It just glowed blue, indicating it was decent. Better than nothing, so I closed the inventory satisfied.
Now it was really time for cleanup. I pulled out my phone and called Hanbit. He picked up right away.
"...I found the hideout of those guys impersonating Jinmyeong Group. And... how they were sourcing items."
The location, how they sourced items, their connection to Dongto.
I told him everything I'd uncovered without holding back, and Hanbit on the other end went silent for a while.
After a heavy silence, he spoke in a subdued voice.
"...Wait a sec, just wait a moment."
With that, he hung up first.
About ten minutes passed.
Then, at the entrance of the quiet abandoned factory, a small commotion stirred, followed by a loud thud! as the rusty iron door was flung inward roughly.
Beyond it, a group of people entered in perfect formation.
All dressed in colorful hanbok.
It was an utterly surreal and intimidating sight.
I recognized them at a glance.
Jinmyeong Group's elites, sent by Hanbit—the shamans.
The few people who'd been sitting grimly at computers panicked at their sudden appearance, floundering in confusion.
"Don't move! Jinmyeong Group! Hands on your heads, all of you!"
The lead shaman, a fierce-looking man, bellowed.
His eyes quickly scanned the factory interior, landing on me at the far back.
He pointed at me and shouted confidently.
"You're the one! You're in charge here, aren't you!"
"...Pardon?"
I must've looked like the mastermind—deepest in the factory, standing relatively calm.
At his words, everyone in the factory turned to me, eyes bulging.
They couldn't fathom why I—a total stranger, not their comrade Chang-sik—was here dressed as him.
This was twisting into a weird misunderstanding. I needed to clear it up first.
"By any chance... did Hanbit not contact you?"
At my question, the apparent leader furrowed his brow, then exclaimed "Ah...!" as if remembering.
"Now that you mention it... Young Master Hanbit did say there'd be one ally on site. And... not to upset that person under any circumstances."
I gave a wry smile at that.
Hanbit had tried to back me up in his own way.
I addressed the still-wary shamans.
"...That would be me."
The leader eyed me up and down briefly.
Doubt lingered in his gaze, but he soon seemed convinced, softening his fierce demeanor.
He spoke carefully, now politely formal.
"...S-sorry for the rudeness. I didn't realize you were Young Master's ally. Jinmyeong Group will handle things from here. You may go now, sir."
Music to my ears.
I had zero desire to linger in this damn factory.
I glanced at the shamans, nodded lightly, and quietly slipped out.
Thus ended my first sub-quest.
One sub-quest left. Finish that, and the new main quest would start.
With a lighter heart, I headed home.
Days passed since completing the first sub-quest of wiping out the Jinmyeong Group impostors.
Meanwhile, our Team 10 adapted to White Tiger's systems, running basic training and monster intel analysis.
Peaceful days, but impatience crept in. To clear the main quest—complete two sub-quests—I needed the next one pronto.
Whenever I had a moment, I stealthily checked above Shun's, Bora's, and Park Sunja's heads.
Sadly, the small yellow exclamation mark like Hanbit's never appeared.
I pondered what conditions triggered quests, wondering if I should try other methods.
"Um... Minjun. Got a minute now?"
In the office, mid-talisman toss training, former Team Leader Park Cheolwoo approached cautiously.
Now in another department, "Park Cheolwoo" or "senior" fit, but my mind defaulted to Team Leader Park.
"Yes, sure. What's up?"
"Well... Need to move some heavy item crates in the warehouse over there, but it's too much for me alone..."
No big deal for me.
I had strength to spare. I agreed readily and followed him.
The crates he pointed to looked hefty. Even two grown men would strain.
No wonder he struggled solo. I lifted one effortlessly, earning his awed praise for my insane strength.
"Been a while~"
"Ahaha..."
The support team's office, revisited after ages, held familiar faces: Han Sora, Seo Ji-hyun, and Rahee.
They'd adapted well, busy at their monitors.
And right then, I spotted it.
Above Han Sora's head, chatting and laughing—that tiny yellow [!] I'd hunted for so long, clear as day.
The second sub-quest was right there.
After helping Park Cheolwoo set down the crate, I casually approached her.
"No issues lately? Any worries...?"
She beamed.
"Worries? Nah! Thanks to a kind colleague, I transferred from dangerous exploration to comfy support!"
She winked at me.
But then "Ah!"—mouth agape—she admitted a minor one.
I inwardly bet it was the sub-quest, urging her to spill.
"Truth is, friends planned a quick 2-night-3-day Japan trip... Kept dodging with work excuses, but if I bail again, they'll cut me off for real..."
"...Don't wanna go?"
"Not that, but Dust'll be alone, and it bugs me..."
Dust. Han Sora's cat.
Come to think of it, seeing Dust's photo long ago inspired me to adopt Leo.
Never met in person, but we were connected.
She asked tentatively.
"So... Could you watch Dust for a few days? If not, cat hotel's fine—no pressure!"
Her words barely ended when the awaited system window popped up.
"Sure. I'll take him."
"Really? Feels safe with a fellow cat owner."
I accepted, of course. Couldn't pass up this rare second sub-quest.
Hoping my two homeboys, Leo and Daeho, would treat guest Dust kindly.
That night, I went straight to Han Sora's to meet Dust.
But this guy was no ordinary cat. In his cage, fur bristled, he snarled "Kyaak! Hiss-!" fiercely at me.
"He's wary of strangers..."
Han Sora fretted.
She also worried about Leo.
"Dust has a strong personality... Hope he doesn't hurt Leo?"
I worried differently.
Leo and Daeho were feisty too... Better avoid a three-way meet.
Worst case, isolate: Dust in my room, Leo and Daeho in living room, tough out the 2 nights 3 days.