Chapter 343: Guys, I’m Telling You, We’re Going to the Underworld
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 343: Guys, I’m Telling You, We’re Going to the Underworld
Kang Ha-ni opened her eyes, feeling a wave of lethargy wash over her.
Since she had overdone it yesterday, she honestly wanted to stay buried under the covers, but she was on duty this morning. If she dawdled like this, she’d end up watching So-hyun cook breakfast the moment he woke up.
“Oh, you’re awake?”
However, when she actually sat up, it wasn’t So-hyun occupying the kitchen, but someone else.
“Professor Cathy…?”
Seeing her wearing an apron and cooking was a sight so beautiful it could make even another woman fall for her. Ha-ni felt a twinge of jealousy, but more than that, she was confused.
Why was Professor Cathy cooking there?
Wait, for that matter, where even was this?
It definitely didn’t look like the dormitory…
And So-hyun didn’t seem to be around either.
Her head was still foggy, so it took a moment to recall the events of yesterday.
She had been doing this and that with So-hyun, and things got so heated that she felt incredibly dizzy at the end, right?
Now, what happened after that?
…Huh? That was it?
Judging by the fact that she had no memory beyond that point, it seemed she had once again gone until she blacked out, as usual.
“Um, Professor, where are we?”
“Oh, well. The interior has changed a bit, but this is the infirmary. You don’t remember anything after you collapsed, do you?”
“…No.”
“Ga-eul and I went in to stop him afterward, but So-hyun was in a state where he was… a bit excessively full of energy.”
“…Did all three of us pass out?”
“I didn’t exactly pass out, but honestly, my pelvis took quite a toll. It would have been hard to move everyone back to the dorms, so I got the Doctor’s permission to let you sleep here.”
Ha-ni could easily imagine the scene, which made her feel a strange sense of dread.
…Is So-hyun actually a monster? Is he a half-blood incubus or something?
“Ga-eul is sleeping in the next bed.”
“Ah, I see.”
“…Heheheh.”
However, the fact that So-hyun himself was nowhere to be seen was a bit questionable.
Considering Ga-eul was currently drooling all over her pillow, it might be a blessing that he wasn’t here to see it, but why was only So-hyun missing?
Professor Cathy provided the answer immediately.
“…The Doctor said if she left you all together, you’d just cause another ruckus all night, so she took So-hyun away separately.”
“Oh, right. She must have seen everything.”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“The fact that I can settle for calling this ‘a bit embarrassing’ makes me think I’ve become quite strange myself.”
“So, do you hate it?”
“…Do you know you sounded a lot like So-hyun just now?”
“They say you grow to resemble the one you love. It’s not just me; you’ve started to resemble him a lot too, Ha-ni.”
Ha-ni didn’t quite understand how she resembled So-hyun, but for some reason, the thought didn’t feel bad at all.
“Anyway, I made omurice for breakfast. Is that okay?”
“Yes, for me…”
“Omurice!”
At the mention of omurice, Ga-eul bolted upright from her sleep, tilting her head with a groggy mumble.
“…Where’s So-hyun?”
“Pfft.”
“Hehe.”
Seeing her like that was so adorable that Ha-ni had a premonition that today would be another peaceful day.
Yes.
Until those words came out of So-hyun’s mouth when they met on the way to school.
“I think I need to head to the Underworld… anyone want to come along?”
Until that nonsense came out, she truly believed it was going to be a good day.
* * *
And so, the time to head to school arrived.
Starting with Lilac, who was whining about how disappointing it was that they couldn’t have an after-party because of the campfire incident yesterday, everyone was sharing various stories—things that were fun, things that were annoying, what they enjoyed or disliked from the preparation period to the end of the festival.
In the midst of all that, I was quite seriously contemplating what I should say to avoid being misunderstood by my friends and to keep them from worrying.
But no matter how much I thought about it, there was no easy answer.
The place I was going this time wasn’t a dungeon, nor could it be considered a simple otherworld; it was one of the places literally called the ‘Underworld’ in the truest sense of the word.
I couldn’t act like it was no big deal, but if I was too blunt about it, they’d ask if I absolutely had to go.
If that happened, I’d have to be honest about my physical condition, and that would completely ruin the mood.
Still, seeing as I wasn’t even considering going secretly without telling them, I felt like I had improved a bit compared to before.
But since I had always solved things that way, I didn’t know what the ‘correct’ thing to say was now that I couldn’t use that method.
“The look on those villains’ faces when they were being dragged away at the end was hilarious.”
“It is still a bit surprising. To think that, aside from a few, everyone really believes yesterday’s commotion was just a show.”
“Oh, but who was the winner in the end? Are they really giving out top-tier equipment sets to each class?”
…No, seriously. Everyone is so happy.
Guys! I might be in big trouble soon, so can you help me out?!
If I said that, what would their faces look like? They’d just worry and ask if I overexerted myself again.
— But it is true that you overexerted yourself, isn’t it?
No, I don’t really mind getting scolded, but you said the Underworld isn’t a place everyone can go together.
— That is true.
Right.
That was another problematic part.
According to Sun Wukong’s explanation, the number of people who could go to the Underworld was extremely limited.
If I were to be honest with them here, and then take some while leaving others behind?
Wouldn’t those left behind feel a massive sense of exclusion?
“Hey, So-hyun, you say something too. That loser Cheon Yu-hak is trying to blame you for his defeat~”
“…I am merely stating facts. Honestly, if that guy hadn’t distributed the customers so fairly, our class would have…!”
The problem was that I was so deep in thought that I didn’t even realize my friends were talking to me.
“Huh? Oh. Cheon Yu-hak, your excuses are pathetic!”
I tried to react belatedly, but unfortunately, my friends weren’t so unobservant as to miss such a clumsy response.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“So-hyun, is something the matter?”
Starting with Ha-ni and Ga-eul, even Master and my other friends began to examine my expression.
I wanted to brush it off and say it was nothing, but that would be a lie.
“My, you look so gloomy. Are you hurting somewhere…?”
Wait, where did Cathy Noona suddenly come from…? She definitely wasn’t there a second ago…?
Anyway, that wasn’t the important part. It might actually be better that the atmosphere had turned into one where they were openly worried about me.
It would give them more time to prepare mentally than if I just blurted it out in the middle of daily life.
“Guys. Listen to me, and don’t misunderstand, okay? Seriously. This might sound a bit serious, but I’m not in as bad a state as you might think.”
“…I mean, just how big of a deal is it that you’re hesitating this much?”
“It’s scarier when the guy who spoke calmly about a war with demons acts like this. What is it this time? Is a dragon coming?”
“There’s an item I absolutely need, so I have to go somewhere, and I was hoping you guys could help me.”
After I spoke, everyone’s expressions were surprisingly bright.
No, you shouldn’t be brightening up already. I’m not going to a dungeon. You’re going to turn pale once you hear where the location is.
“Aww, what. If you’re going to a dungeon, just say so.”
“Even if it’s a difficult dungeon, if we all go together…”
“The Underworld.”
I just spat it out.
“It’s not a dungeon; I have to go to the Underworld.”
In the end, I threw it out there before they could get into their usual hopeful mood.
The smiles on Professor Cathy and Ha-ni’s faces slowly froze, and Lilac, who had been talking, frowned as if he couldn’t understand.
“…You don’t mean a dungeon created by Ghost-types, or a dungeon named ‘Underworld,’ do you?”
Yes, Yu-hak. Thank you for confirming that for me.
When I nodded, Cheon Yu-hak’s expression darkened as well.
He was probably wondering what kind of disaster had struck this time.
…It seemed I couldn’t get away without explaining.
So, I explained as briefly as possible.
Something along the lines of: if I didn’t find a certain item in Hell, it could put a strain on my body.
“So, I think I need to head to the Underworld… anyone want to come along?”
“…Are you even asking that?”
“Exactly. Did you think we’d back out just because it’s the Underworld?”
As expected, starting with the two protagonists, my friends and even the Professor began to clamor, saying they would obviously go. But unfortunately, I still had one more thing to say.
“Um, I’m really touched and grateful, but… the thing is, not just anyone can go…?”
To form a party that met the minimum requirements, I would have to leave some of them behind.
If someone couldn’t handle the Yokai or the dead of the Underworld, something truly terrible could happen, and to be perfectly cold about it, they would only be a hindrance.
“…Who has to stay behind?”
Ga-eul, who was looking at me with an incredibly anxious face, seemed to think I would leave her behind again this time. However, the composition was going to be quite different from usual.
“Ga-eul, you’re a mandatory participant this time.”
“Really!?”
…I mean, I’m telling you we’re going somewhere dangerous, so why are you so happy?
“…Just in case, I’m saying this: you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Stop talking nonsense and just tell us already. So-hyun, if someone asked you to go to Hell with them, would you just stay behind if they said, ‘Oh, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to’?”
…Well, Aisha’s criticism stung quite a bit.
She was right, after all.
“First of all, Aisha, you’re excluded.”
“…Uh, if it’s because of what I just said, I apologize.”
“No, it’s because physical defense and attack power don’t mean much this time.”
The current Aisha didn’t have high resistance, and her stats were excessively skewed toward the physical side. She might be fine against Yokai, but she wouldn’t be able to resist the dead at all.
It would be a different story if her armor were black, but for now, red was her limit even at her best.
On the other hand, since Ga-eul had the power of a Demon King, she was less likely to be possessed or cursed by the dead.
As I explained the reasons and announced the members one by one…
Those who were chosen looked relieved, while those who weren’t had sour expressions.
Ha-ni was fine because she had swordsmanship that could cut through essence. Professor Cathy was physical-oriented, but since she had surpassed the wall, Sun Wukong guaranteed she’d be fine as long as she had a decent weapon. Lilac, of course, had the Holy Sword, so there was no problem there.
Lee Yu-na was fine since she could handle divine power, Baek Seol had various holy artifacts, and Master was fine since she could use Taoist power.
Professor Park A-ram, who joined us halfway through, also insisted on coming along even if she had to use her annual leave, so she squeezed into the party, but that was it.
It meant the rest of the group couldn’t come.
“…I see. So I cannot participate this time.”
Cheon Yu-hak, who always ranked among the top in terms of combat power, didn’t seem particularly pleased about being left out.
…If I lent him a holy-attribute artifact, he might be able to function, but it would be dangerous if he wasn’t used to handling multiple artifacts like Baek Seol. Considering the penalty where his consciousness fades if he uses his Talent for a long time, Cheon Yu-hak likely wouldn’t be much help in a battle against the dead.
Ju Ri-ra, Rose, and the others were excluded for similar reasons.
“…Fine. I suppose that happens sometimes. When do we leave?”
“I’m going to explain the situation to the Chairperson today. There’s someone I’m scheduled to meet briefly, so we’ll leave right after that, around evening.”
“Is that so?”
I felt a bit bad seeing his somewhat frustrated back as he turned away, but it would be weird for me to apologize, and I didn’t think Cheon Yu-hak would want that anyway.
“Yeah. Just make sure you guard the Academy well this time. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“That’s right, Yu-hak. It’s a shame, but let’s go together next time.”
But then, Ha-ni and Lilac suddenly threw out what sounded like provocations disguised as consolation.
“…Dammit.”
Wait, but thinking about it, this is really strange. We’re going to the Underworld. Why do these guys want to go so badly? Guys, you’re supposed to be scared.
It could be really dangerous this time…
Whether they knew how I felt or not, the others were acting no different than usual.