Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 058
Chapter Title: Dungeon Exploration (1)
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It's full-blown spring now. The trees still hung bare with skeletal branches, but the fresh green shoots sprouting here and there whispered softly that spring was on its way.
On this day, the first-year Class 1-1 students of Green House headed to a C-Rank dungeon located in Inje, Gangwon Province. For dungeon exploration training.
The dungeon they were heading to was one scheduled for natural closure, its boss monster already subjugated, now just awaiting disappearance.
Even for the top Class 1-1 students at Green House, there was virtually no danger, but Professor Do So-young nonetheless emphasized the dungeon's risks to them—over and over.
"I assume you've all reviewed the materials I distributed over the weekend about today's dungeon, but to be thorough, I'll go over the dungeon overview and training procedures one more time."
Professor Do So-young gave the briefing to the students in front of the shimmering closed-type dungeon gate on the mountainside. The content was as follows.
First, the dungeon's layout. Beyond the gate lay a massive plaza marking the starting point of a brick-walled labyrinth that split into eight independent paths.
All eight routes led to the dungeon's core, where the boss monster had once resided. Accordingly, the 40 students of Class 1-1 would form teams of five and explore their assigned routes. The objective: retrieve the flag at the deepest part and return to the entrance.
Since this was training rather than an evaluation, all actions would be left to the students' discretion. However, to prepare for any emergencies, each team carried an emergency radio.
That said, even with radios, the supervising professor couldn't handle every crisis alone.
"...So, to cover emergencies during this training, members of the Academy Security Force have agreed to assist."
At those words, the students turned to look at the opposite side of the clearing.
There stood a jet-black armored vehicle, along with a group armed to the teeth with heavy weapons and gear. Their practiced equipment checks exuded pure professionalism.
...Or so it seemed, but the students' expressions were uniformly sour.
"Um, Professor. May I ask... just one question like this?"
The one who spoke was Ryu Jin, who had dueled Kang Haneul in the rankings match a few days earlier. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his twin sister Ryu Seol, he frowned skeptically at the security team.
"Permission granted. Ask away."
"You've said the security team will help in emergencies... but I don't quite get it. In a danger we can't handle ourselves, won't it be tough for them too...?"
"In other words, you don't trust them?"
That veiled concern was shared by most of Class 1-1.
The Academy Security Force wasn't a ragtag bunch. But compared to the handpicked elites among the students, they naturally fell short. While most Class 1-1 students were early B-Rank superhumans or late C-Rank on the cusp of B, the security members topped out at C-Rank, with most D-Rank and even the occasional E-Rank "barely superhuman."
So how could these weaker, "inferior" guards—as some students put it—save them in a crisis?
That was the implication behind Ryu Jin's question.
"I understand your concerns, but rest easy. They're still the Green House Academy Security Force. Their superhuman ranks may be modest, but every one of them is a trained pro in handling crises."
"Even with training..."
"Plus, the team dispatched for this isn't just from the General Division. Special Countermeasures Division is here too."
Special Countermeasures Division. The students' expressions changed in an instant.
Though both under the security umbrella, the General and Special Countermeasures Divisions were worlds apart in prestige. The former was seen as a haven for "fallen superhumans" who couldn't cut it in hunter guilds, while the latter was appealing enough for mid-to-upper graduates to consider applying.
Not only were pay, treatment, and social status better, but after a certain tenure, members qualified for special hires into police inspector ranks, military special forces, or other public roles. Plus, working at the academy built networks with guild bigwigs.
All these factors gave Special Countermeasures a high standing. That explained the students' sudden shift.
Yet among them, a few lit up for entirely different reasons.
'Special Countermeasures? Then...'
Ryu Tae-hyun, scanning the team, soon broke into a grin.
"Haneul, check it out. Brother Su-ho's over there."
"Oppa is?"
At his words, teammate Kang Haneul peeked over. Spotting Ahn Su-ho reviewing dungeon maps amid the others, her face bloomed with delight.
"He didn't mention coming here today. Did you hear anything, Haneul?"
"Nope, nothing for me either."
"Weird. With his personality, he'd have given a heads-up the day before..."
Ryu Tae-hyun tilted his head in puzzlement, but Kang Haneul didn't mind. Seeing Ahn Su-ho unexpectedly was satisfaction enough.
'He'll have a moment before training starts, right?'
They'd parted awkwardly Friday, and she'd avoided real contact over the weekend. But face-to-face chat would melt away the lingering awkwardness.
With that thought, Kang Haneul's lips curved into a soft smile.
***
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"Everyone remembers your assigned positions? Training starts in 30 minutes, so check your gear and head into the dungeon 10 minutes early. Nothing should go wrong, but stay sharp. Especially you, newbie—don't screw up from nerves. Got it?"
"Understood."
Special Countermeasures Team 9 Leader Marco Jackson—a towering black man nearing two meters—nodded as Ahn Su-ho responded.
The other members heading to their posts glanced at Ahn Su-ho. Like Marco, they were all Team 9.
The question of why Team 9, not Min Chae-ryeong's Team 2, was with Ahn Su-ho was slightly off-base. He was the outsider here.
Why was Ahn Su-ho sweating under the unfamiliar team's gaze?
The story rewinds to the previous day.
***
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"You want to extend your vacation by one day?"
Late night in the Special Countermeasures duty room. Min Chae-ryeong, armband on her bicep, looked up at Ahn Su-ho like he'd said something absurd.
'He said it was urgent, so I called him in...'
His wounds had healed, so what was this about?
Pondering, Min Chae-ryeong snapped her fingers.
"Is this about Kang Haneul?"
Ahn Su-ho nodded immediately at the loaded question.
'Aha.'
Min Chae-ryeong eyed him meaningfully.
"The Monday dungeon exploration training. You think she might be in danger there? That's why you're extending vacation—to follow her."
"Pretty much."
"What's your basis for thinking she'll be in danger?"
"No real basis. I'm not certain of danger; it's just a gut feeling of unease."
"...Just unease?"
Min Chae-ryeong shot him an incredulous glare. But it was the truth. Ahn Su-ho's desire to tag along stemmed from baseless anxiety.
If he had to cite a reason, it was the Blissful Heavenly Demon's dislike for him—but he couldn't explain that to her.
No matter her insight, she couldn't infer that.
"...If you're worried about ambushes or kidnappings, don't. Team 9's deployed for this Class 1-1 training. I wouldn't send Kang Haneul out without protection. Unlike some people."
A subtle nod to their Friday date. Ahn Su-ho shrugged sheepishly, and Min Chae-ryeong spoke softly.
"With Team 9 on guard, external attacks are covered. Not just the members—the leader's Marco. You know what kind of guy he is, right?"
"Yes. I heard he strongly supported my transfer."
"That's all? Nothing else?"
"Else?"
At his puzzled look, Min Chae-ryeong tilted her head. Even with little inter-team mingling, she figured he'd know about Marco.
"That's all you know about Team 9's leader? His superpower, career...? You really know nothing?"
Contrary to her expectation, Ahn Su-ho knew little about other Special Countermeasures teams. Three weeks in, he still felt like an outsider.
"Yeah. No interactions, no reason to dig. Why? What's Marco like?"
"That man is—"
Min Chae-ryeong trailed off, lips twitching, then flashed a mischievous smile.
"Why tell you? If you're curious, go check him out yourself tomorrow."
"...Go myself?"
"I'll slot you into tomorrow's Class 1-1 guard duty. I'll handle the paperwork tonight. You wanted to extend vacation to follow the training, right? This works?"
"I'd be grateful."
It was a proposal Ahn Su-ho couldn't refuse. His goal was tagging along, after all.
One puzzle remained: Min Chae-ryeong's attitude. She'd been wary since their last talk. Why so cooperative?
"I'm looking forward to it."
"...To what?"
"Whatever incident blows up at tomorrow's site."
Addressing his doubt, she grinned delightedly.
"You say it's just unease, but trouble follows you everywhere. Won't it happen again? What do you think?"
"Haha..."
Ahn Su-ho laughed awkwardly. He did attract incidents—the Blissful Heavenly Demon ensured it.
'Please, let nothing happen this time...'
Uneasy about what might unfold, he broke a cold sweat.
***
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And so, now.
Joined to Team 9 "for external guard experience," Ahn Su-ho stood awkwardly among strangers.
"Su-ho, got a sec?"
A female member approached. Jeong A-young, Team 9's vice-leader—equivalent to Lee Tae-ho in Ahn's Team 2.
"Sure. What's up?"
"You look tense. First external mission, can't be helped, but relax. Emergencies are rare; General Division handles most. We probably won't even move."
"...Hope so."
This dungeon arc was a mere three-chapter side story.
If it followed the original plot, Jeong A-young was right—no need for Special Countermeasures.
But even if nothing happened in the original, no guarantee here.
Thus, Ahn Su-ho kept his guard up. The hefty anti-kaiju Gauss rifle felt heavier today.
"Oppa!"
A fresh cry shattered his tension.
Ahn Su-ho turned to see Kang Haneul trotting over, smiling, laden with gear and pouches for the exploration.
"You could've given a heads-up if you were coming here today. Spotting you among the team scared me half to death!"
"It was last-minute for me too. No time to message."
"Hehe. Here for our training guard duty? Knowing you're watching makes me feel secure. If something pops up, you gotta save me again, okay?"
Her words presupposed trouble; Ahn Su-ho gave a wry smile.
"Better hope nothing pops up."
"Ahaha. I'd love that, but this world throws incidents at you even if you sit still. Hope today's quiet."
Her words hit home; Ahn Su-ho shook his head. The world wouldn't leave him be.
"Right, you know Tae-hyun too? I'm teamed with him this time. He got so excited when your name came up over the weekend."
"You met your team over the weekend? Why'd I come up?"
"Explaining my situation, it just did. And when you came up, Tae-hyun praised you nonstop—said pros are on another level from students like him. I was embarrassed just listening!"
"Ahaha. Really?"
A wry smile tugged at Ahn Su-ho's lips. Praise from Ryu Tae-hyun of all people rang hollow.
Ryu probably meant it purely, no malice. But knowing his true power, Ahn Su-ho felt uneasy.
Unlike him, Kang Haneul beamed just chatting. Watching her chatter excitedly, his wry smile softened to fondness.
"Anyway, so glad to see you! Gotta prep with my team now. Work hard, Oppa!"
"You too. Train well."
Kang Haneul waved cheerily as she went. Watching her back warmly, Ahn Su-ho heard Jeong A-young sidle up.
"That's the victim from the attempted kidnapping, right? You two seem close."
"We've gotten tangled up a lot."
Ahn Su-ho turned, catching Jeong A-young's sly gaze.
"...Why?"
"How old are you again, Su-ho?"
"24."
"Oh?"
Jeong A-young hummed flatly, then chuckled offhand.
"Good thing. Four years' difference means no cradle-robber talk."
"Pardon?"
"Time's up. Let's head in."
She strolled into the gate, leaving Ahn Su-ho dumbfounded.
"...Cradle-robber?"
Realizing belatedly, he grumbled. As if he and Kang Haneul were like that.
"..."
Not that the possibility was zero someday—but definitely not now. Grumbling, he geared up and followed into the gate.
-...Crackle!
Suddenly, red sparks flared across the glowing blue gate.