A Bus Ride at the Dungeon Gates
"Ah, I'm offering a bus ride, you know?"
"Hoo, this is harder than I thought."
The reason he was rejecting party invitations from these total amateur groups without even basic gear, right in front of the dungeon since early morning, was simple. 10th-grade hunters couldn't enter dungeons solo. Not even for a 10th-grade dungeon.
His military record only helped during promotion reviews—civilian life followed civilian rules. Plus, since he'd always entered dungeons with 7th-grade special officer Jeon So-young back in the army, it was hard to get full credit for his experience. In truth, he'd been little more than a baggage handler, not even proper support.
Of course, with his current physical stats, he could probably clear up to an 8th-grade dungeon alone. For someone like him, a 10th-grade dungeon was as safe as strolling in with a 10-year-old kid.
So really, it didn't matter about skill—he just needed one warm body to make the headcount. Babysitting a pack of freshly awakened, opinionated 10th-grade noobs? Hard pass.
"Hmm..."
He scanned the crowd in front of the dungeon, filtering out the rowdy chicks and looking for someone suitable.
The type he wanted: someone who'd come alone because they had no one to go with, but now at the entrance, they were panicking since everyone else had arrived in full parties. Timid personality, no pushy demands, the kind who'd stay quiet and follow orders inside without causing trouble. A meek one.
"Found her."
There she was, perfect match. Dressed in what looked like everyday clothes—a black polo shirt and jeans—maybe she couldn't even afford gear. She fiddled awkwardly with the dagger at her waist, glancing around nervously.
Her bangs were so long they nearly covered her eyes, casting shadows on her face. Could she even see? She had a dagger, so probably melee fighter type, but she looked like she never exercised—zero muscle tone.
Skinny all over. Sure, he was a guy, so chest and hips might catch the eye, but... baggy, sloppy clothes? No real curves to speak of—chest blending into ribs, hips into waist. Nothing to hold the gaze. Overall, just a frail noob who clearly wasn't used to physical work.
She wasn't the type overflowing with confidence to dive in like that; there had to be some circumstance. Probably money issues, like most people.
But none of his business. He just needed someone to get him inside. Nothing deeper.
Sensitive to stares, she flinched and met his eyes. He kept gazing steadily, and she quickly looked away, bowing her head.
Timid: pass.
She averted her gaze, but he walked right up and spoke—kind of rudely.
"Hey, you wouldn't have come here solo without a party, right?"
"P-Pardon? Oh... yeah..."
Even with his snarky tone—like mocking a clueless newbie who showed up alone—she didn't snap back. Instead, her voice and posture shrank.
"Pass!"
"Eek?!"
Even freezing up at his sudden shout instead of reacting. Total pass.
From his perspective, someone who stayed meek like her in a surprise situation was way easier to handle than an unpredictable type.
Perfect fit for what he wanted, so he extended his hand.
"Then come with me. Into the dungeon."
"Huh? Uh, okay..."
Frail body and bad hearing? He repeated kindly.
"Looks like you just finished basic training and want to enter, but no one's available, right?"
"Oh? Yeah, exactly. I thought I'd find a party here at the entrance, but everyone's already grouped up."
Just as expected. Now she asked him a question.
"But why me, specifically? You turned down all those other party invites earlier."
She'd noticed? He was briefly thrown—she had more spine than he thought. Not completely timid.
How to explain? No need for his full goal, but he'd be straight like he'd been taught.
"You just seemed right. I was looking for a party member, and you clicked the moment I saw you. Talking a bit, your personality fits too."
"E-Eh?!"
"Waited since dawn, and no one else measured up. Spotted you and came right over. Sorry if that creeped you out."
"Ahh... What is this..."
He'd been honest without offending. She seemed to sense his sincerity, dropping her guard and looking at him more warmly.
Hated recalling it, but Jeon So-young's social tips worked in civilian life too. Extra effective since she was the same gender as his advisor.
Sincerity in words worked anywhere.
But she just fidgeted, not responding much. Still hesitant to join?
Time for the clincher.
"Oh, don't worry about combat. As you can see, I'm a recent dischargee from the military awakeners—no civilian hunter record yet, so I'm here to build one. Real combat power's 8th-grade equivalent, so you're safe there."
Rare chance for a 10th-grade dungeon with 8th-grade muscle. Tempting offer? He'd handle most fights anyway. Basically a bus.
But surprisingly, she pushed back.
"I came to hunt in the dungeon, not ride a bus."
Strong-willed voice, belying her looks. She spoke her mind more as they talked.
He backpedaled quick.
"Sorry, got ahead of myself. Just wanted to party up."
"Just party up... Hmm."
She softened instantly at the apology, eyes friendly. Sincerity worked.
"How about this? I'll solo-clear this dungeon. You just enter with me."
Same as before. But,
"Not just me hunting alone—I'll teach you how to handle dungeons. Watch and learn this time, then we party properly next one. Honestly, do you even know what to do inside?"
"Uh, nope."
"That's it. I'll teach you. Bluntly, clueless folks just hinder. So I lead this run, you observe and learn, then we team up next. Sound good?"
"Next dungeon means... partying again?"
"Yeah. Like I said, you're exactly who I was looking for."
"Hrmm..."
His pitch landed; after pondering, she extended her hand.
"Okay. Let's do the dungeon together."
"Smart choice."
They shook, and he finally saw her face properly—bangs had hidden half. No scars or anything; clean and actually pretty. Fresh-faced, just turned 20-ish, no makeup at all. Mana-awakened smooth skin made her glow anyway.
But dark circles under her eyes like heavy mascara—chronic fatigue or insomnia? Suited her oddly well. Unkempt long hair, dark clothes amplified the gloomy vibe despite her features.
Mana users rarely got bags like that. Wonder what her deal was.
"Self-intros? Han Yeoul, 25. Attacker vanguard. Main weapon sword, as you see."
"An Jeong-hwa. 20. Attacker vanguard. Main weapon dagger."
Just as he figured—barely adult. Party secured, intros done. Time to enter.
He headed to the management office with An Jeong-hwa for temp party registration.
"Party reg first?"
"Sure."
The office encircled the dungeon entrance. Looked like standard steel-concrete, but infused with magitech for dungeon-grade durability. Designed to withstand a boss break, double as blockade or shelter.
Normally, clerks handled hunter logs, temp parties, admin stuff.
"Insert mana here."
Following the clerk, they inputted mana into the scanner. Linked to national systems, it verified IDs via mana patterns and confirmed their temp party.
Post-verification, the clerk handed out bracelets each. Vital sign trackers for monitoring life status inside.
After all the hassle, they could finally enter the dungeon.