The Ring's Hidden Intent
Jeong Hayeon hurried toward the bathroom in the artifact shop. This is insane. This is really insane. She paced around the bathroom, biting her nails.
"I know a place with artifacts that would surprise even you."
Nam Doyun had said that and brought me to this artifact shop. Up to that point, it was fine. The real problem was that he'd taken me straight to the section filled with ring artifacts.
The Nam Doyun I knew absolutely hated wearing rings himself. So why on earth had he brought me here?
"...To figure out what kind of ring I like?"
Jeong Hayeon replayed their conversation in front of the crystal ring.
"It's that pretty?"
"Yeah. I'd want to wear it even if it had no artifact effects."
"You mean you'd want to wear that one?"
"Yeah. It really is beautiful."
"...Right. I definitely said that."
She chewed on her lips. Afterward, Nam Doyun had bought the ring. Sure, buying an artifact made sense—especially if it had good effects that could help in dungeons. The issue was that this particular ring was a fake with no effects at all. It only looked like the real thing.
So why would someone who hated rings buy a useless one?
"...No, I might be jumping to conclusions."
Ring ring—
Jeong Hayeon made a call.
"Hey, Minseo."
"Oh, Hayeon? What's up?"
"It's about someone I know. Can you listen for a bit?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"There's this guy who took someone I know to an artifact shop."
"Okay, and?"
"He specifically brought them to the section with all the ring artifacts."
"I mean, that could happen, right?"
"...The problem is he bought the exact ring the person said was pretty."
"If it had good effects, that wouldn't be weird."
"No, the issue is that the artifact was a fake with zero effects. And this guy hates wearing rings."
"...."
"Why would he buy that ring? It wasn't cheap either—ten million won."
"....Is the person he knows a girl?"
"Yeah."
"...Then isn't it obvious? He's planning to confess."
"....."
Jeong Hayeon's face flushed bright red.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, why buy a ring artifact? Especially one that costs ten million won."
"......"
"By the way, Hayeon."
"Yeah?"
"Is this 'someone you know' actually you?"
"What are you talking about? No, it's not."
"Hmm... really?"
"O-of course not. Anyway, thanks. I'll hang up now."
***
I stood quietly in the ring artifact section. [12:30] Ten minutes had already passed, and Jeong Hayeon still hadn't come out of the bathroom. Did something happen? I sat down and stared at the packaged ring, turning it over in my hands. It really was pretty. If I wore this ring for a month, all my stats would increase by about three. It would definitely help me.
In the distance, I saw Jeong Hayeon walking toward me. But was she feeling sick? Her steps were stiff and awkward, and she kept her head down the whole way. She stopped in front of me.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"That ring you bought. I said it was pretty before, but thinking about it now, it's not really my style."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah. The design is nice, but wearing a fake just feels off. Especially since I'm the Hunter Association President's daughter."
"Well, that's true."
"So I don't need it. Unless it was the real thing, of course."
"Got it."
"I clearly said I don't need that ring. You understand, right? Don't even think about giving it to me."
With that, she spun around and walked away.
"....?"
I never planned to give it to her anyway. I needed to wear it myself to raise my stats. Why would I hand it over?
"Hey, where are we going next?"
Jeong Hayeon didn't answer right away.
"Um... I don't know? I haven't really thought about it."
"We're entering the dungeon at three. Let's grab something to eat before that."
"Is there a restaurant nearby you know?"
"Yeah."
I led her to a restaurant on Ginza Street. The interior was dim, lit only by a single candle on each table. Soft classical music filled the space. I looked around as we entered—every table was occupied by couples. That made sense. This place was famous for its romantic atmosphere, perfect for dates.
"This way, please."
The waiter guided us to a table in the center.
"Please call me when you've decided on your order."
"Sure."
I was looking over the menu when I heard voices from the next table. I glanced over.
"Soojung."
"Yes?"
"I've been thinking about this for a long time."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, presenting it to her. When he opened it, a beautiful ring sat inside.
"Will you go out with me?"
"I've been waiting for you to say that."
The woman smiled brightly.
Wow. This really was a famous confession spot. Not that I'd come here for that reason. The steak here was supposedly incredible, and I wanted to try it.
"I decided. What about you?"
Jeong Hayeon jumped.
"H-huh?"
She seemed distracted, her mind somewhere else.
"Just order something for me."
"Alright. Two steaks, then."
"....Okay."
"Two of your famous steaks, please."
"Understood. I'll bring them right out in about ten minutes."
Ten minutes later, the waiter returned with our food.
"Here are your steaks."
The steaks looked mouthwatering even at a glance. I cut into mine and took a bite. The juices danced on my tongue. It was absolutely divine. This place really lived up to its reputation.
But what was she doing? Jeong Hayeon wasn't even looking at her steak. Her gaze kept drifting somewhere else. I followed her line of sight.
There was a ring.
"..."
Did she really want that ring that badly? She had called it incredibly pretty, after all.
"...Not eating?"
Of course, I couldn't give it to her. I needed the stat boost myself. My own problems came first.
"..Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm eating."
Jeong Hayeon started cutting into her steak.
****
Slice— Slice—
Jeong Hayeon mechanically cut her steak, but she couldn't focus on it at all. That ring kept bothering her. Why had Nam Doyun brought her to this restaurant, famous as a confession spot? And right after buying the exact ring she'd said was beautiful?
She took a bite and chewed slowly. But she couldn't taste anything. She wasn't even sure if the steak was going down her throat or her nose. Her entire attention was fixed on that ring.
****
"Alright, is everyone here?"
It was already three o'clock, and all the students from Class 1-A had gathered in front of their homeroom teacher.
"As you all know, today we'll be exploring the dungeon that suddenly appeared in front of the Ohikima Inn."
"...."
"Of course, since this dungeon has already been cleared, it won't be dangerous. The goal today is simply to experience a dungeon in Japan."
"...."
"Your exploration progress will affect your evaluation score, so keep that in mind."
"Yeees—"
"I'll assign the teams now. You'll enter in groups of three."
The teacher began calling out the groups. My team consisted of Cha Jiyun, Ace, and me—Team 3. Jeong Hayeon's team was Becaria, Jeong Hayeon, and Eden—Team 5.
"When you enter the dungeon, you'll see a cave. There'll be a number written above the entrance. Enter through the matching number."
"..."
"Higher numbers mean higher difficulty, so be careful."
I glanced at the innkeeper watching us from a distance. The crystal ring that had been stolen today—he was definitely the thief. I also knew his current situation. He'd hidden the ring somewhere no one would find it. And that place was right here, near the inn—this very dungeon. The real crystal ring was somewhere inside.
I'd already narrowed down the possible hiding spots. I knew every terrain feature in this dungeon where something could be concealed.
"Alright. You may enter the dungeon now."
The ring that would come out of there was something Jeong Hayeon absolutely needed.