The Most Important Thing (2)
You have successfully cleared the rare-grade dungeon, Garden of Terror.
Party members confirmed: [18/30].
A familiar voice echoed in my ear.
It was a very pleasant voice.
A slight sense of accomplishment had settled on everyone’s faces.
Seeing that, I casually opened my mouth toward Choi Youngki, who was standing beside me. It wasn’t anything grand, of course—just a simple impression of our first clear.
“Are rare-grade dungeons usually like this?”
“Yes. They’re a little on the monotonous side. Once you kill the monsters and the boss monster, the clear is practically over. I’ve heard heroic-grade dungeons and legendary-grade dungeons have all sorts of conditions, but… embarrassing as it is, I’ve never actually been to one myself.”
“Ahhh.”
“Apparently, a legendary-grade dungeon has only ever been discovered once in the Holy Empire.”
“I see. So heroic-grade ones are a little more common?”
“Heroic-grade dungeons still aren’t that common, to be honest. This Garden of Terror we cleared seemed like a lower-tier rare-grade dungeon as well, but other dungeons might be structured a little differently.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, I’m sorry we put you through a bit of an unpleasant situation earlier.”
“Not at all. We’re the ones who should be sorry.”
Choi Youngki’s face came into view as he lowered his head slightly.
Looking at him, I could tell he wasn’t just saying it out of courtesy.
He really did seem sincerely sorry for the unexpected accident.
A little jab of guilt prodded at one side of my chest, but naturally, I couldn’t show it. I just smiled faintly and denied it.
“Thanks to you, I actually had a good experience, and I think I’ve gained a better understanding of what a dungeon is like. I also got a decent item, so….”
“No. You more than earned your share. Not just the Red Mercenaries either—the Magic Guild seems to think so too. In fact, I’m the one who feels bad that we couldn’t take better care of you.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Glancing to the side, I could see Kim Hyunsung talking with the Magic Guild members as well.
He was probably having a conversation along the same lines as the one I was having with Choi Youngki.
Things like thanking each other for the work, and promising to have a meal together sometime later.
Judging from the mood of the party after Jeong Yu-ra had been expelled, it seemed like we’d soon have a gathering where everyone would come together.
The formation had never been bad to begin with, but once Jeong Yu-ra—the eyesore everyone hated—was gone, the expedition finally got some momentum.
It was only natural that the atmosphere had become warmer than before.
If I remembered correctly, we’d been laughing almost nonstop throughout the hunt.
Of course, the biggest reason was probably that the nation’s most loathed nuisance had disappeared and the expedition had achieved national unity, but in truth the issue lay elsewhere.
Because the Black Swan’s overall durability was low, the burden on the Red Mercenaries had been heavier than it needed to be.
Once those extra concerns vanished, the frontliners of the Red Mercenaries started moving like fish thrown into water, and the priests within each guild were able to focus more fully on their proper duties.
In the end, it became clear why Jeong Yu-ra had been barking so loudly throughout the expedition.
She must have realized that her party simply wasn’t suited to dungeon clearing.
Even if the dungeon had been cleared properly in the normal way, there wouldn’t have been much left for her to gain.
Simply put, her stepping out midway had been beneficial to her.
She’d end up taking home the reward items without lifting a finger, so she must be absolutely delighted.
“By the way, is that really all right?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean the items being distributed to the Black Swan Guild.”
“Ahhh, yes. Don’t worry about it. Hyunsung also said it’d be better to keep the settlement ratio as is.”
“Even so, I think it’d be right to give a little more to Blue, since they contributed so much….”
“Deokgu’s shield alone is more than enough. Honestly, I’m even worried we’re taking too much as it is.”
Turning my head slightly, I caught sight of Park Deokgu, who was surrounded by senior tankers.
He had a very happy expression on his face.
He seemed to be thrilled with the shield he’d obtained, one classified among the upper tier of rare-grade equipment.
In terms of value, it was probably the most important weapon we’d obtained on this expedition.
Rare Grade
A sturdy shield made by the master of the garden, Araki, from plant roots. It was originally meant to be equipped by the guards defending the garden, but after everyone within the garden was cursed, no human could see the light of day. It increases defense and also mitigates external impact. Durability can be repaired on its own.
Strength +3
Durability +2
Mana +1
Looks good.
What I liked especially was the fact that it could repair its own durability.
It felt like the kind of beginner equipment with excellent cost performance.
Its stats were substantial as well, so Park Deokgu’s growth would gain some serious momentum.
Originally, the shield would have had to go through a number of procedures before it became his, but every frontliner had indicated that it was fine for him to have it.
Maybe it was their own version of an initiation rite, but for Park Deokgu, getting a piece like that on his first outing was practically heaven-sent luck.
It was enough to make me wonder again whether the pitiful sight he’d made of himself the moment he entered had been carefully arranged from the start.
There were plenty of other items as well.
From the beginning, the Garden of Terror had been a laboratory made by human hands, and its premise was that everyone had been turned into monsters by a divine curse.
There were plenty of mana cores and research-worthy materials, and to my eye the place was packed with things worth a fair amount of money.
It was one of those moments when I finally understood what people meant when they said dungeon clearing was profitable.
Actually, the Red Mercenaries and the Magic Guild had been prepared to let us take a lot of the good stuff as thanks for the way we’d performed, but when Kim Hyunsung said that everyone else should divide up everything except what was truly necessary, they could only nod helplessly.
From Hyunsung’s perspective, the items may not have looked essential, and it was only natural to strengthen ties for the future, but from my point of view, it was a little regrettable.
The problem in this situation was the portion that would go to the Black Swan Guild and Jeong Yu-ra, who had been kicked out midway through the dungeon clear.
This topic had been the expedition’s major talking point for quite some time, but in consideration of the Black Swan Guild’s pride, we decided it would be best to distribute things according to the original ratio.
“To be honest, even from my position, it feels a little excessive. I think it would be more appropriate to let Blue take more, since they contributed in a way that actually deserved it, but… if you’re worried about pressure later on, you don’t need to. I’ll do whatever I can….”
“No. Not at all. Ha ha ha. A lot of people have said that Jeong Yu-ra caused the disruption, but personally, I don’t think our party was entirely without fault. Deokgu tripping at the beginning, and the minor mistakes afterward, were still mistakes.”
“That’s….”
“It’s only natural that you’d be angry. I’m sure the sense of loss from having to leave the dungeon midway was huge. If a little bit of consolation can come from the limited reward, wouldn’t that be a better outcome?”
“Ha ha ha. Now I’m the one getting embarrassed. I feel like a fool, sitting here calculating gains and losses over a few items. There probably isn’t a warmer person in this free city of Lindel than you, Kiyoung. I think I understand now why Lady Sun Heeyoung, who was once called the Saint of the Abandoned, joined Blue.”
“You’re making me blush.”
Truth be told, I was the one doing more calculating than anyone else, but there was no reason to reject being praised this way.
After all, it was my own calculation that had led me to suggest handing over a large portion of Black Swan’s share, so my conscience did prick a little.
In any case, the entire portion that would have gone to the Black Swan Guild was going to land in my hands anyway.
It was only natural that the mere thought of it made me want to laugh.
Of course, I didn’t show it.
“So now we just go back to our respective guilds?”
“Yes. Any remaining materials that haven’t been settled yet will be paid out within a week. Of course, you’ll also receive the official document proving ownership of the cleared dungeon.”
“Ahhh.”
“It’s a meaningless document, of course… ha ha. Still better to have than not. Well then, we should head in ourselves. It was a long expedition, and I’d like to rest a bit.”
“Yes. Take care on your way back. I’ll be sure to contact you later.”
“I’ll contact you first. Don’t forget that drink you promised me.”
“Of course. Ha ha. I’ll be waiting.”
Not just me, but everyone else exchanging farewells came into view as well.
It was heartwarming, no matter how you looked at it.
I couldn’t help thinking that this was only possible because Jeong Yu-ra wasn’t here anymore.
The thought that this might be what true national unity looked like moved me more than it should have.
As the party members kept walking and eventually split apart in front of the Free City of Lindel, I could clearly feel that we were different groups after all, but that was a trivial matter.
This expedition had confirmed mutual trust, and unless something unexpected happened, this bond would probably last to the very end.
Just like me, everyone in our party seemed to be in a good mood.
Kim Hyunsung, who had given us so many experiences, Park Deokgu, who had obtained a new shield, and Kim Yeri, who was smiling in that oddly pleased way, all caught my eye.
Of course, Sun Heeyoung, who hadn’t been able to devote herself properly until now, and Jung Hayan, who had been struggling because we hadn’t had enough time alone together, were no different.
After exchanging a rather pointless amount of conversation, we eventually arrived at the Blue Guild house.
By now, it felt almost like home. It was a little disorienting, but also pleasant.
Reporting to the guild receptionist and recording a detailed account of the dungeon was something we absolutely had to do.
And naturally, I also had to meet Lee Sanghee, the vice guild master, and discuss the exact ratio and settlement.
Since we belonged to Blue, what we obtained had to be distributed in consultation with the Blue Guild.
Of course, I had no complaints.
Without Blue in the first place, this would have been an opportunity I couldn’t even have bitten into, so if anything, I was grateful they’d introduced me to it.
Small and mid-sized guilds probably had no such chance and just had to charge ahead from bare ground with their heads down.
Anyway, even after the clear, there were mountains of things left to do.
But there was something I considered far more important.
“Hayan.”
“Yes, Oppa.”
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“Huh? Y-yes!”
“Hyunsung, we’re going to head up first for a bit. Deokgu, go ahead and eat first. I’ll see you in a little while too, Heeyoung.”
They all nodded.
Park Deokgu shot me a somewhat lewd-looking grin, but I ignored it and took Jung Hayan straight to the room.
Her face had gone red as a persimmon, and I could tell she’d misunderstood something about my actions, but this wasn’t about satisfying any basic human desire I’d had to suppress in the dungeon.
As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, I saw Jung Hayan looking around the room nervously.
“O-Oppa.”
“Hayan.”
“Y-yes? Y-yes?”
“Can I ask you a small favor?”
“Of course, of course! Anything. You can ask me anything. Everything… everything!”
What’s gotten into her…?
“Anything is fine. Anything you want! Everything’s ready for you. I mean it—everything!”
For some reason, I felt like it was getting harder to bring myself to say it.
Seeing her expression so full of wild expectation made me feel unexpectedly sorry for her.
Still, I had no choice but to speak. This was the most important thing at this moment.
“Could you look into the press in Lindel for me?”
“Ah….”
Her face fell, just as I’d expected.
But when I leaned in a little and lightly pressed my lips to her cheek, her body stiffened as if it had turned to stone.
When I used that as my way of thanking her, Jung Hayan—who was trembling all over—came into view.
“Y-yes….”
She nodded as if entranced.
That’s right.
If you produce results, you get rewarded.
It was an unspoken promise between us, and she had remembered it.