Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Real Raid - 1
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…A brief silence fell over the café.
Had I been too honest?
In the original story, Choi Do-han had simply replied to Soo-ah’s question with “Sensual Western style.”
In short, his preference was [Sexy Caucasian].
And later, during their first three-way date in the middle of the story, the heroines, each trying to showcase their understanding of “sensuality,” showed up in ill-fitting dresses, red lipstick, flashy accessories, and ridiculously high heels they could barely walk in, providing a comedic scene.
Soo-ah, in particular, was far from sensual, so her awkward attempts were even more endearing and charming.
And now, *that* Soo-ah was looking at me with a surprised expression.
“Oh my, you’re quite specific, aren’t you, Brother Tae-jin?”
“He just likes the innocent and natural type.”
Han-na said nonchalantly and sipped her coffee.
I felt a bit sorry for Han-na, as she was almost the opposite of my ideal type.
Well, not that I needed to apologize.
And although the *situation* was similar to the original story, their individual reactions were different.
After all, I wasn't Choi Do-han, and I wasn’t involved in any romantic entanglements with the heroines.
Mi-jin also just nodded, sipping her coffee through a straw.
Then, she curiously asked Soo-ah a question. And their conversation sounded strangely familiar.
“Why are you suddenly asking about Tae-jin’s ideal type?”
“I was just curious. And I’ve been bombarded with questions from my fellow nuns who are curious about Brother Tae-jin’s preferences.”
It was exactly the same as in the original story.
Mi-jin asked for the reason, and Soo-ah replied with “inquiries from fellow nuns.”
And then…
“…Why would nuns be curious about a male cadet’s ideal type?”
“Well, we’re girls before we’re nuns. A little human curiosity is allowed even in our world, Sister Han-na.”
Han-na’s sharp question, and Soo-ah’s smiling, “Just curious” reply…
The situation the protagonist experienced was partially repeating itself.
Were the main heroines really starting to see me as the protagonist?
‘The dialogue being identical is too much of a coincidence.’
I didn’t know.
It seemed like Choi Do-han was taking the villain route instead of Han Tae-jin, and Han Tae-jin was taking the protagonist route instead of Choi Do-han, but…
…the evidence was still too weak to be certain.
‘I guess I’ll find out when Choi Do-han comes back to school.’
Professor Ella said Choi Do-han was recovering from injuries sustained during the duel and would return next week.
Of course, most cadets suspected that the “duel injuries” weren't the real reason for his absence.
Anyway, it seemed certain that I was partially reliving scenes from the original story due to my interactions with the main heroines.
There was no other explanation for the identical dialogue.
I didn’t know if it was because I was becoming the protagonist or if they were simply reciting lines ingrained in them as the main heroines of the original story, but I would be able to figure it out after Choi Do-han returned.
If he came back corrupted, it would be 99% certain that he was taking Han Tae-jin’s place as the villain.
‘I’ll find out next week.’
How the deviations from the original story would affect us, and what kind of changes it would bring to the main heroines… I would find out after Choi Do-han’s return.
Until then, I had to focus on the upcoming raid.
“Shall we get going?”
“Yes, I have a part-time job.”
“It’s almost time for my prayers.”
And so, my first meeting with the main heroines ended without incident.
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“Is everyone prepared?”
“Yes, Master— I mean, Professor.”
“Me too!”
“I’ve done my best.”
Four days after the pre-raid meeting, we gathered at Gate 3 of the southern wall as planned.
Han-na with her shield and one-handed sword, Mi-jin with her greatsword strapped to her back, and Soo-ah with her wooden wand at her waist.
I also carried a combat dagger and the B-rank [Rain Bow] longbow I received from my master.
Bersha wasn’t with us.
-What if you get hurt again, Master?!
She had fussed over me before I left, but I didn’t bring her since we had an S-rank Hunter supervising us.
Only verified Hunters and porters were allowed to enter dungeons.
Bersha wasn't qualified as either, so she couldn’t enter. I had heard she beat up(?) the Guards to get into the previous dungeon. Fortunately, the Guards’ insubordination was discovered, so Bersha wasn’t punished.
“Alright, everyone, take out your ID cards and line up.”
Professor Park Na-yeon, who gave the order, also carried the Heavenly Dragon Thunder Bow on her back.
She probably thought ranged attacks were best suited for providing support from the rear in case of emergencies.
“And this is Park Seung-yoon, a B-rank porter who will be in charge of gathering loot today.”
Park Na-yeon introduced the man standing next to her.
Professional porters always accompanied real raids to gather items.
Only those officially registered with the Porter Association could participate. Even ordinary people without magical awakening could work as porters in lower-rank dungeons with the help of magic tools.
Of course, the risks were higher for non-awakened porters, but the rewards were substantial, with E-rank dungeon porter earnings being five times higher than the average office worker’s salary. So, there were quite a few non-awakened porters.
And the risks weren’t *that* high; it wasn't like they were constantly dying.
Both awakened and non-awakened porters had to complete the [Porter Training Academy] curriculum and obtain an official license to work.
Since porters earned a share of the profits from gathering, strict verification was required to prevent theft or inefficient gathering.
“Nice to meet you. I’ll be in your care.”
Park Seung-yoon, carrying a large mana pocket on his back, bowed deeply.
He was a seasoned porter, at least ten years older than us, but due to the prevailing social perception of “Hunters = nobles,” porters were implicitly considered lower class.
In medieval terms, Hunters were nobles, and porters were something like butlers.
That was the social perception.
But who cared about social hierarchy?
Everyone had different roles to play.
I returned his bow politely.
“Likewise. I’m Han Tae-jin, a trainee ranged damage dealer.”
“Ah, you’re him. I’ve heard a lot about you. The rising star of this graduating class.”
I chuckled awkwardly at his compliment.
“Haha… thank you.”
I didn’t deny it.
It was true that I had defeated Choi Do-han and earned the embarrassing title of the Academy's strongest.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han-na, the tank.”
“I’m Baek Mi-jin, a melee damage dealer who uses a greatsword!”
“May the blessings of the Holy Spirit be with you. I’m Yoo Soo-ah, the healer.”
The heroines introduced themselves.
After organizing our gear, we stood before Professor Park Na-yeon and took our first steps outside the wall as proper Hunters.
Of course, instead of walking or riding horses like in medieval times, we boarded a special vehicle called a [Mana Glider].
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- *Whoosh.*
The Mana Glider, a vehicle that levitated using mana, was the most suitable mode of transportation outside the massive walls surrounding the cities.
It was silent, fast, and could navigate the uneven terrain often caused by dungeon outbreaks.
Outside the walls, various monsters roamed the fields, even excluding the dungeons.
These field monsters were usually dealt with by “mercenary groups” hired for monster extermination requests.
Mercenaries were independent Hunters who weren’t affiliated with guilds. They hunted monsters in the relatively safe fields instead of risking their lives in dungeon raids.
They also filled in for raid parties when there were unexpected vacancies.
So, seasoned Hunters usually avoided hunting field monsters, which were the mercenaries’ livelihood.
It was an unspoken rule.
Both the Mercenary Association and the Hunter Association tacitly approved of this arrangement.
So, we usually used Mana Gliders to travel quickly and quietly, avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
“Oh, is that a Salamander?”
“Ooh, awesome.”
The Mana Glider resembled an armored vehicle. We sat facing each other along the sides, and there were long, narrow windows at the top.
Through the windows, we saw a large reptilian monster with small wings on its back – a Salamander.
Salamanders were medium-sized monsters found in Forest-type dungeons and fields. They were relatively easy to hunt, but their hide, wing bones, meat, teeth, and other parts were valuable, making them popular targets for mercenaries.
“Oh, that’s a Hammerfox.”
This time, we saw a Hammerfox, a large fox-like monster that walked upright.
As its name suggested, it carried a hammer in one hand and was quite challenging to hunt.
After about 30 minutes of sightseeing(?), watching the field monsters through the windows…
- *Whoosh.*
The Mana Glider came to a stop, making a sound like a spaceship landing.
A wave of tension washed over us.
The real raid was about to begin.
A life-or-death battle.
Although we had the support of an S-rank Hunter, I couldn't help but feel nervous about participating in my first real raid since transmigrating.
But it was a pressure I had to overcome.
“Disembark.”
““Yes.””
We quickly got off the Mana Glider at Park Na-yeon’s command and headed towards the dungeon.
There were no Guards stationed at dungeons outside the wall.
The Mana Glider returned to the city after dropping us off, waiting for its next call.
We had registered our raid at the gate and submitted our ID cards.
So, once the Mana Glider left, we would be alone in this vast field.
I looked around.
Only mountains and trees were visible. It was desolate.
The feeling of being alone in the world with only monsters was unsettling.
My party members seemed to feel the same way.
Park Na-yeon looked at us with amusement.
“Don’t get scared before we even start. Hurry up and enter. Are you planning to stand around here all day?”
“Y-yes, Master.”
I naturally became the party leader.
So, I gripped my bow and issued the commands I had practiced during the group project.
“Prepare to enter.”
“Ready!”
The party members quickly prepared for battle and formed their ranks.
Porter Park Seung-yoon, looking relaxed, and Park Na-yeon, yawning, followed behind.
A moment later…
“Enter.”
<w:pgmar w:bottom="1440" w:top="1440" w:left="1440" w:right="1440" w:header="720" w:footer="720"><w:pgnumtype w:start="1"><w:r w:rsiddel="00000000" w:rsidr="00000000" w:rsidrpr="00000000"><w:rpr><w:rtl w:val="0"><w:t xml:space="preserve">We entered the Maze dungeon.