Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Ice Citadel's Seol Yu-bin (3)
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"Ugh..."
The moment we entered the dungeon, the motion sickness and dizziness hit me again.
Even though this was just a D-rank dungeon, the pain was this intense... It seemed Kang Hyun-sol's body was seriously incompatible with dungeons.
'Or maybe it's because the mana overload has already progressed to some extent...'
I first pressed my temples hard to dull the headache a bit, then checked that Sophia and Amelia had entered the dungeon safely.
"Hyun-sol, are you okay? Should I heal you?"
Amelia must have noticed my dungeon sickness right away, as she cautiously approached and placed her hand on my head.
At the same time, a cool yet warm holy power gently enveloped my head, and the nausea vanished in an instant.
"Whoa, thank you so much. You just saved my life."
"No problem at all."
While I was dealing with my dungeon sickness, Seol Yu-bin confirmed that all the students, including the last one, had entered.
She clapped her hands loudly once, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"This is probably everyone's first guild experience, but you've all done your homework beforehand through seniors, friends, or NooTube, right? And checked the rules too."
"Yes!!"
She gave a friendly smile to the students who answered confidently.
Then, she suddenly raised her right hand toward the empty air and conjured a massive ice spear that looked about 5 meters long in an instant.
"This is one of my signature ice spells, Frost Spear. It's a 7th-circle spell, and right now, I'm only using half its full power."
"...I know Frost Spear from Seol Yu-bin is really famous, but why did you cast it all of a sudden...?"
To the male student's question, she just flashed another bright smile without answering.
And hurled the conjured ice spear toward a massive rock mountain about 7 km to the east.
And then.
KWAAAAAANG—!!
With a deafening roar that felt like it would burst eardrums, the rock mountain—about as tall as a 15-story apartment— was completely obliterated by the Frost Spear's attack.
At that sight, almost all the students, including me, could only gape in shock, staring mutely at the collapsed mountain.
Wol Ha-yeon, Yoon Seo-rin, and Sophia looked intrigued.
Sophia in particular seemed to have analyzed the magic circle and mana circuit structure in that brief moment, as she muttered softly to herself.
Through the Image Creation magic circle—which I'd helped her develop to a level usable in real combat once—she successfully recreated a tiny Frost Spear.
"You asked why I showed you this, right?"
Seol Yu-bin, who had watched the mountain crumble alongside us, turned her head to the male student frozen in astonishment.
"Simple. No matter what happens, I can protect you all perfectly, so don't worry."
"I... I see."
"Well, I also had a bit of an urge to show off?"
Seol Yu-bin winked at the male students with one eye, then walked over to me, who was still staring at the ruined mountain.
"Hyun-sol, I couldn't make it to the artificial dungeon evaluation back then because of some business, but I heard you majored in magic? How'd that happen? You definitely trained in close combat with me before entering."
"...W-Well, it's like this."
Let's think calmly.
No need to panic.
Seol Yu-bin's expression was filled with interest and excitement right now.
She was probably just proud that I was walking the path of magic like her.
If I explained well, she'd buy it without suspicion.
"...Actually, I realized it right before enrollment."
"Realized what?"
"While studying hard at the academy, I wanted to become a mage recognized by the whole world, just like you, sis."
This 'sis' thing still doesn't roll off the tongue easily.
It's different from with Yoo Ji-an, I guess?
She's a senior from the same school, so calling her 'sis' wasn't that awkward.
Even considering the 6-year age gap is plenty for 'sis', it still felt off.
"......"
After hearing my answer, Seol Yu-bin wore a strange expression for a moment, as if pondering something.
Then...
"Aww!! Our Hyun-sol is so impressive!! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Your sis could've gotten you skill potions and trait potions, and even given you one of my traits!"
She ruffled my hair wildly, shouting as if she was genuinely thrilled.
"So impressive. Super impressive!! Director should've seen this... Our Hyun-sol has grown up so well!!"
"Di... Director?"
'Director? What director? Academy? Daycare? No, not daycare—Seol Yu-bin comes from the prestigious Seol family.'
Anyway, it seemed like info related to Kang Hyun-sol's past had popped up.
I calmly and naturally asked back.
And Seol Yu-bin, thrilled, continued without a hint of suspicion.
"Yeah! Director Jin Ye-sol! Your mom! Ah~ Brings back memories just hearing the name. Director played the piano so beautifully."
"Y-Yeah. My mom was really good at piano. Sometimes I miss hearing her play."
"Same here. And right before the Chopin International Piano Competition too..."
'Chopin International Competition? What's that?'
I didn't know the details, but I'd gleaned new info.
Kang Hyun-sol's mother was an exceptional pianist who competed internationally, and Seol Yu-bin was probably her student.
I sorted the thoughts flashing through my mind and smiled as naturally as possible.
"You're talking about the Apostle Descent 10 years ago, right? Yeah. Right before her most important competition..."
"Exactly... But seeing you talk about it calmly now, looks like you've sorted out your feelings somewhat?"
"...It's been a long time. Ten years can change mountains and rivers—I've changed a bit too."
"True, our Hyun-sol's all grown up."
Seol Yu-bin ruffled my hair again, clearly proud.
Fortunately, not a speck of suspicion.
"Anyway!"
She clapped her hands suddenly.
At the same time, the air around us felt slightly chillier—or maybe it was my imagination.
"I think that's enough explanation... Everyone!"
All the students naturally turned to Seol Yu-bin.
She spoke with her signature confident smile.
"From now on, each group will conduct free exploration. Remember the rules I told you earlier?
No excessive deviations, stay within 20 meters of your group members, return immediately if you detect abnormal mana fluctuations!"
The students replied in unison.
"Got it!"
"Great—then your first field-type gate exploration."
Seol Yu-bin brushed her hair behind her ear and said,
"Enjoy it and gain some experience. I'll handle any danger."
At her words, the students buzzed with trust,
checking their group assignments again and dispersing one by one.
Seol Yu-bin strode over to me last.
"Hyun-sol."
"...Yes, sis."
"If anything happens during exploration, call me right away? Don't try to handle it alone like before."
"Like before... Haha, got it."
"Good. See you later! Good luck!"
Leaving echoes of frost, she headed toward another group.
I let out a small sigh, feeling drained.
'Whew... How many near-death experiences is this today?'
As I turned back to my group members with that thought,
"Um..."
Sophia crossed her arms, scanning me from head to toe.
"Our Hyun-sol said he doesn't remember well, but why do you two look so~ close?"
Amelia, beside her, stared at me with wide eyes and mouth slightly agape, surprised by something else.
"...I'm actually shocked by something different. That Hyun-sol's mom is that Jin Ye-sol? When I checked the info, I thought I misread it at first... couldn't believe it."
"What do you mean by 'that'...? "
'She's so upfront about her background check...'
I asked, bewildered, and Amelia's eyes deepened with admiration.
"You don't know? Jin Ye-sol was called Korea's genius pianist in the world music scene."
She took a breath and continued softly, like reciting an ancient legend.
"Won the Munich International Competition at 23.
Solo concerto with the Warsaw Philharmonic.
Played the full Chopin Etudes without a single mistake and received rave reviews.
Even European music critics praised her
for her top-tier expressiveness, rare for an Eastern musician.
I couldn't believe it at first when I looked her up... No, really."
"M-My mom was that amazing?"
As I asked in surprise, Amelia nodded vigorously.
"Yes!... And this is personal, but I've watched her debut performance video dozens of times."
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Before awakening as a saintess... I had a dream. To become a cool, beautiful pianist like Jin Ye-sol.
So I learned piano from a young age and imagined performing on stage.
Jin Ye-sol was... my idol."
Amelia paused, catching her breath, then bowed her head.
"To be her son... How could I not be surprised."
Sophia muttered softly beside her.
"...Yeah, I only studied magic as a kid, so I don't know much, but I've heard the name. She's like a 'legendary' pianist."
"......"
I couldn't say anything.
My mind felt blank.
Another piece of 'Kang Hyun-sol's' past had been revealed... and this one carried heavy weight.
Seeing my expression, Amelia said gently,
"You don't need to feel pressured. I was just... amazed and in awe that you're the son of someone so admirable."
She waved her hand lightly with a bright smile.
Sophia cleared her throat crisply, wrapping up the mood.
"Alright, enough past talk. Time to start exploration. Scout the surrounding terrain first."
"Yeah! Let's start slow and safe."
Amelia smiled and joined in.
I looked at them both and exhaled softly.
"...Yeah. Let's go."
With that, our group's full exploration began.
And at the same time, a quest popped up.
Main Story Chapter 5: The Hills Where Ice Flowers Bloom begins.
Main Quest: Defeat the dungeon's true master, High Lich Karselion, and clear the dungeon with minimal damage.
🎁 Reward: 10,000 SP, additional SP based on High Lich kill contribution, 2x D~A Rank Item Draw Tickets, 1x Trait Random Draw Ticket.