Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: B-Rank Dungeon Experience Program
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Sorry to say it to Im Hyeji's face, but he wasn't about to recklessly douse Lee Soo-ah in pheromones on a whim.
Of course, the pheromones he'd used on Im Hyeji had been a life-risking gamble from his perspective, but deploying something like that ultra-strong Teto Pheromone always demanded utmost caution.
The world he lived in wasn't some fantasy from porn comics or adult videos where women had brains like udon noodles, thinking, "Hey, you fucked me and it felt good, so no big deal."
Sure, you might stumble into sex by accident, and if the dick's to her liking and the face isn't bad, there could be some leeway.
But in a situation where anyone could tell drugs were involved, even if she pounced in the heat of the moment, who knew how she'd flip after it was over?
'In a world where plenty of women smile sweetly first, then see you at the police station.'
He hadn't experienced it personally, but that's how the modern world worked.
Especially with someone like Lee Soo-ah, who had everything to lose and whose name everyone knew. Suppose he used pheromones and somehow managed to sleep with her.
What came next?
Lee Soo-ah wasn't going to grin and say, "Oops, sorry. I got horny for a sec and bit down on some random dick. Let's pretend it never happened and get along!"
Who knew when or where he might spill the beans? She'd probably do anything to silence him.
Or play the victim card.
Maybe he was overthinking it.
Either way, he wasn't about to assume pheromones would neatly solve everything.
The biggest reason was her pregnancy odds.
There was a faint hope he could impregnate Lee Soo-ah precisely because she desperately wanted to awaken.
In this world, awakening happened purely by 5% chance, unaffected by race, age, gender, or anything else.
Even with billions or trillions in assets, some never awakened, while others could gain SSS-grade abilities after rotting in their room until 30 as total shut-ins.
So he had to appeal to that.
He needed her to willingly crave his dick and semen on her own.
"See you in two days, then."
"Yeah."
For those reasons, his head was a bit tangled.
How should he go about it?
Was there a stronger way to sell the idea?
He decided to mull it over in the time he had left.
Six days before heading to Mars.
Im Hyeji's final dungeon schedule was set for a B-rank.
With Lee Soo-ah's sudden addition, the party had ballooned in size, apparently.
"Today, we've got C Team, D Team, H Team, seven S-rank hunters, and one SS-rank hunter."
That was enough firepower to tackle an A-rank dungeon.
The inclusion of D Team, which wasn't originally planned, showed just how badly Han Semi wanted to keep Lee Soo-ah safe during her experience.
Pre-dungeon preparations were far more meticulous too.
This was only his second time tagging along into a dungeon, but even compared to last time, the extra care was obvious.
It had to be, since Lee Soo-ah was wearing a personal body cam to film her dungeon experience as a vlog—without leaking any strategies, of course.
It doubled as promo for Semi Guild, so they were treating it like a division commander dropping by.
"But officially, your skill's still on cooldown, right Hyeji?"
"...Yeah. Semi sister knows, though."
"Ah."
The Mars gate entry was perfectly timed to Im Hyeji's Resurrection cooldown.
Originally 30 days, so they'd built in some buffer, but it should still be on cooldown right now.
Her level-up had shortened it, though, and by day 14, it was already back.
"If three S-rank monsters popped up and Lee Soo-ah bit it, that'd make for a pretty picture."
"...Oppa! No cliché lines like that in a dungeon."
"Really? We haven't even gone in yet."
Of course, no accidents could happen, but with this much setup, maybe one breaking out would make the experience memorable for first-timer Lee Soo-ah.
Especially since he needed to impregnate her, a massive incident where she died—and he revived her—might be ideal.
The moment she tasted death.
And the moment she overcame it.
Seeing her utter powerlessness, realizing how fragile humans were, ready to pay any price...
That might give him an in.
Of course, he didn't have the power to orchestrate that, so they entered the dungeon.
With Im Hyeji and Lee Soo-ah together inside, he'd have plenty of chances to chat and drop skill-pregnancy bait to spark her curiosity.
The one wrinkle was the body cam filming everything.
Anyway, the dungeon raid began.
"Whoa, everything's so orderly."
Lee Soo-ah was like a curious girl.
She looked around, sticking close to the central column without straying too far, watching the battles unfold.
"So cool... If I awaken, can I fight like that someday?"
Dancing. Singing. Acting.
Lee Soo-ah was top-tier in those fields, but when it came to hunters and dungeons, she was a total newbie.
He spent all day on Hunter Gallery and YouTube soaking up dungeon info without even entering one, but Lee Soo-ah was too busy with her own career to gather intel on this.
That's why she could ask such innocent questions.
Im Hyeji smiled and explained the hunter reality.
"Depends on what ability you awaken, but to fight like that in a B-rank dungeon, you need at least B-rank, and A-rank or higher to shine solo."
"Can lower ranks not hunt at all?"
"Hm... They can in low-rank dungeons, but big organized hunts like this aren't common. It's mostly small-party stuff you see on YouTube."
"Ah! Right, I've seen a few."
Bzzz!
Maybe it was his imagination, but Im Hyeji seemed extra serious explaining to Lee Soo-ah.
She was even casting heals—rarely used in B-ranks—on hunters who weren't even hurt much.
"Whoa. Is that a heal?"
"Yeah. Restores stamina."
"One of the abilities I have in mind is healer. Better ranged than melee, I think."
Im Hyeji smiled brightly, encouraging her dream.
What if it wasn't Lee Soo-ah?
Wouldn't she have tsked at the pipe dream?
Sure, she seemed immature, but an unscratched lottery ticket could still hit the jackpot.
He slipped some hope her way as she dreamed.
"Soo-ah, you seem like you'd suit magic power abilities."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah. If you awaken, I bet you'd get some amazing magic power skill."
"Wow, really? How do you know? You said your name was Kang Jik...? Aren't you a civilian?"
Lee Soo-ah beamed at first, then eyed his outfit suspiciously.
She could've ignored it, but her accomplishments made her tolerant.
"Just a hunch."
"Ah, haha."
Or maybe she was a pro at playing nice.
Her subtle laugh and averted gaze were expert-level.
As Lee Soo-ah filmed elsewhere, Im Hyeji sidled up.
"Oppa. For real?"
"What?"
"Soo-ah sister. That if she awakens... she'll get a good ability..."
"No clue. Just lip service."
"....."
Suspicious eyes looked up at him.
Some inexplicable jealousy.
He chuckled and asked,
"What?"
"Nothing... Just wondering if it's because of that... p-pregnancy thing."
Im Hyeji's face flushed as she naturally buried her head in his chest.
So cute—he patted her head.
"My ability makes pregnancy happen through sex, not hypnotizing women who don't even want to fuck me. Unless it's a rare case like you charging in heat, it's not easy."
"W-what! You pulled me in that time!"
"Sure, let's say."
"Eek!"
Lately, with so much private time together, Im Hyeji had grown comfy around him—even outside, acting like they were alone.
They bickered like always, then suddenly remembered where they were and pulled apart.
Others probably noticed, but as a close friend's brother, no one would suspect from this.
Especially after the Lee Geun-ho incident recently.
The hunt proceeded without hitches, and by evening, they set up camp.
His wish for S-rank monsters pouring in remained a fantasy—S-ranks in B-rank dungeons were rare anyway.
Instead, in the eight-person tent Semi Guild provided for Im Hyeji, a modest drinking session started.
Lee Soo-ah had turned off her body cam and grabbed a beer.
"Drinking and chilling inside felt wrong for the vlog outside."
The scene—her in light clothes, laughing with Im Hyeji over snacks and drinks—was more fun than expected.
Just being sandwiched between two pretty girls giggling was bliss for any guy with a dick.
Of course, he faded into the background as they chatted, but it was fine.
Im Hyeji kept glancing at him, dropping hints.
"Actually, my extra awakening... got a lot of help from Kang Jik oppa here."
"Huh? You can help with awakening?"
"Hyeji."
"Ah..."
Im Hyeji played it off as a tipsy slip, while Lee Soo-ah eyed her suspiciously but didn't pry.
After that, he felt her gaze lingering on him more and more.