Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The 1960s Dungeon
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While Chief Lee Go-eun cast the perception interference skill on me, I slipped on the camera necklace. With my eyes closed, my hand fumbled through the air a few times to hook the clasp, but I quickly found the right spot.
"What kind of people are you going with?"
"A guy who looks a few years older than me, and a really young little girl."
"A child...?"
Chief Lee Go-eun's brow furrowed deeply.
"Yes... She looked no older than first grade in elementary school, at most. It's 100% abuse."
"We'll check it out once the situation wraps up."
After confirming the skill had taken hold properly, Chief Lee Go-eun stood up. The clock on the wall now pointed to 4:40. If I took the subway now, I'd reach the building in just ten minutes.
I checked my appearance one last time, then turned to Chief Lee Go-eun.
"Alright, I'll be off then."
"We're counting on you. We'll be on standby the moment you exit the gate, so please protect the civilians."
"Got it!"
I nodded toward Chief Lee Go-eun, who looked at me with a resolute expression and patted my shoulder.
"Everyone's here, right? Even our Yeon-woo made it!"
"Yeon-woo, you stick close to the hunter and come back safe, okay?"
"Yeees..."
The couple kept stroking Yeon-woo's head. She was wearing a lacy dress that clashed completely with a dungeon, scratching at her neck like it was bothering her.
Do they think their kid's going on a field trip or something?
I tore my gaze from Yeon-woo and turned to the couple, catching the sickly glint in their eyes.
Vroom.
Right then, a large van screeched to a halt in front of the building. The driver's side window rolled down, revealing Han Cheol-min—the guy I'd only seen in photos—waving enthusiastically.
"There we go! That's our boss, who's going to help awaken you all today!"
"Hello~ I'm Han Cheol-min."
As everyone bowed politely, I stood ramrod straight, staring him down.
So that's the bastard.
He looked even fatter in person, his already soft features blurred into mush. That trendy hairstyle clashed horribly with his face.
You shouldn't judge by looks, but this guy's already scum, so it's fine to think it.
The sleazy guy opened the van door, and us non-awakeners climbed in one by one. Yeon-woo's parents clenched their fists encouragingly toward her.
The door shut, and the van glided smoothly onto the road with us aboard.
"We're heading to the D-rank dungeon at Dalim Station~ It's a past dungeon, set around 1960? Not too dangerous."
"R-Really, we can awaken for sure?"
"Can't promise it! But isn't the chance higher than for lazy bums just waiting for awakening to drop from the sky? Hahaha."
Han Cheol-min rattled off his response to Kim Gi-jin's question like it was a pre-recorded script. He glanced in the rearview mirror, then suddenly widened his eyes.
"They said we had a young guest today, but it's true! Name's... Lee Yeon-woo, right?"
"Yes..."
"Here to awaken?"
"Yes..."
Yeon-woo dragged out her replies. She reached out a small hand to redirect the AC vent toward herself. Strands of hair stuck to her sweaty forehead—it was pitiful.
"Anything our pretty guest is curious about?"
"...Huh? Me?"
"Who else but our pretty guest here?"
Could I just punch the back of his head right now?
Even Ha Mi-jun Hunter's creepy, cringey lines never disgusted me this much—this was straight-up visceral repulsion. I grimaced and ground my teeth; Han Cheol-min let out an awkward, hearty laugh.
"Oh, did that come off rude? Anyway, Ji-hee-ssi, feel free to ask about the dungeon or awakening if you're curious."
"Even going into a dungeon doesn't guarantee awakening, so what's the exact process?"
"Dungeon interiors are completely different environments from our world. Not just monsters—even a tumbling leaf can affect non-awakeners' bodies."
The van turned a corner, and Yeon-woo's body naturally leaned into mine. She jolted in surprise and tensed up, trying her hardest not to touch me.
"It's okay to lean."
I whispered to her, but she pressed herself against the door instead, curling her already tiny frame even smaller.
"You'll naturally tense up, and when you face a monster in that state! Your heart pounds like you've spilled coffee on yourself, adrenaline surges! And naturally, something happens."
"Sounds like you're throwing us into mortal danger."
Han Cheol-min glanced at me via the rearview. I met his disgusting gaze head-on until he looked away first.
"Nah, why phrase it like that~ Don't worry about safety!"
The van stopped. Outside the window stood a pretty convincing single-story building.
A gate inside here?
Now I noticed a major construction company's logo plastered on the exterior.
Figures it's corporate-owned. They hide it well.
We got out and entered the building. In the center floated a massive iron gate, flanked by a staff member who looked exhausted.
"I'll verify your reservation..."
His voice dripped with fatigue. He half-heartedly scanned Han Cheol-min's ID against his tablet, then patted the gate to signal entry.
"Let's head in!"
Han Cheol-min slid the gate's bolt aside and flung the door open. Kim Gi-jin went in first, following him. Yeon-woo glanced between me and the gate, steeled herself, and dashed inside. I followed right behind her into the dungeon.
"Cough, cough!"
The acrid air mixed with a weird spice scent, making it hard to breathe. Looking around, I saw rundown shops lining the street—ordinary and worn.
Is this what Dalim-dong looked like back then?
Chinese signs, a hardware store with busted lights, ramshackle huts everywhere. I could hear people coming and going, see shadows flit by, but no actual figures anywhere.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, something grabbed my finger. Looking down, Yeon-woo had a death grip on my index and middle fingers, practically hugging my leg. Hard to believe this was the same kid who'd flinched away from touching me earlier.
"Yeon-woo, scared?"
"...Yes."
I crouched to meet her eyes. She avoided my gaze, looking down. I gently stroked her hands; the cold backs slowly warmed.
"It's okay. Unnie will protect you no matter what."
I whispered just loud enough for her. She nodded firmly, lips pressed tight.
I wanted to ask a million things, but first, we had to tail Han Cheol-min. I stood, readjusted my grip on her hand, and followed his brisk stride.
Thump, thump.
Ah, again.
The moment past memories overlapped. My heart raced irregularly, guts churning like they might flip, but I bit my lip to hide it.
"Aaaahhh!!"
This memory kicked off with my scream.
"Because of me, because of me...!"
"It's not Hunter Shin Ji-ui's fault!"
"I got Yeon-woo killed, I killed her!"
Me...?
I looked down at Yeon-woo. Calmer now, she clutched my fingers tight as she walked diligently.
"I failed to protect her again..."
"Gasp!"
"Ji-hee-ssi, you okay?"
"Y-Yes..."
My hoarse voice marked the end of the memory. I caught my breath and walked slowly, desperately pulling up more past recollections in my mind.
My mistake killed Yeon-woo. Not a monster—some 'mistake' I made.
This time, I'll protect her.
I gripped her hand tighter. That's why I was here—to atone.
"Boss, I'm E-rank already. If I awaken, how high can I go?"
"In terms of potential, S-rank! A senior of mine did this a few years back—one client went from non-awakener to S-rank!"
Talk about blowing smoke.
Han Cheol-min shrugged and turned forward.
"S-So we could be one of those S-ranks on TV? Amazing, unbelievable..."
Kim Gi-jin clapped in awe. I could only frown.
S-rank my ass—they'd be lucky to hit C. Spouting lies without a drop of spit. It boiled my blood.
People cling to even tiny hopes. Seeing a lotto winner makes you think maybe me next, so you buy tickets. Hearing about someone landing a big corp job fuels your dreams. It motivates some, but most end in despair.
That made Han Cheol-min even more repulsive. He knew that psychology inside out.
Shhhk.
"Whoaah!"
Suddenly, a crow dove at Kim Gi-jin's head. He clutched his hair and dropped to the ground. Han Cheol-min tracked it, hand igniting as he snatched the returning bird and incinerated it.
As if sensing their kin's death, a flock of inky smoke-like crows erupted from behind a building, swarming wildly.
Yeon-woo hid behind me, burying her face in my waist until the chaos died. Kim Gi-jin flailed around swatting them; Han Cheol-min picked them off one by one, burning each.
"What a mess."
I wanted to yell and end it all at once.
Caw!!
A crow chasing Kim Gi-jin veered toward my neck.
"Ah."
Pop.
I popped it with a voice, but punched it mid-air to mask the skill.
"Ji-hee-ssi, did you just awaken?"
"No. Still F-rank."
"Hitting a crow with your fist... Impressive! Re-awaken and you'll hit S-rank for sure."
"Haha, sure~"
I replied flatly and checked on Yeon-woo behind me. Tense, but fine. I sighed in relief and smiled; she shyly sidled up beside me.
"Let's keep moving!"
Han Cheol-min led on, torching incoming crows one at a time.
Nothing too brutal yet, as expected. Kim Gi-jin was startled but unscathed...
Brokers deliberately expose people to danger, triggering primal fear. But Han Cheol-min's handling was mundane so far—watching regular monsters before dispatching them, checking we were keeping up.
Only attack skills?
I shone my ability on his back; purple text shimmered.
[Han Cheol-min (43) C-Rank]
[Fire Attribute]
[C-Rank Attack Skill 'Flame Fist': Engulfs hand in fire.]
[D-Rank Stealth Skill 'Heat Haze': Creates a mirage to hide user. Cannot fully conceal body.]
[Bound Weapon: None]
Stealth skill, huh.
Those gloves look like his weapon, but not bound.
Avoids binding so he can resell?
I dismissed the ability and shoved my hands in my pockets.
"U-Unnie..."
"Yeah?"
"Did your mom and dad make you come too?"
Yeon-woo spoke up out of the blue. I looked down; she peeked at me, then faced forward.
"I came because I wanted to. You?"
"They made me."
Worst parents ever. I scowled involuntarily, startling her.
"Sorry, didn't mean to frown."
"...This is a total secret, okay."
She glanced around, lowering her voice even more.
"There's a hunter upstairs from us. Super strong one."
"Wha—uh, uh..."
Good thing the perception skill was up. She was spilling my story; I listened quietly.
"So Mom and Dad want me to be like that hunter."
"And you?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want to be a hunter?"
She stared at me, mouth agape, then shook her head and tugged her lace down to scratch her chest.
"Huh?"
Wasn't there a bruise there?
I'd barely glimpsed it—a dark blue splotch under the white dress. Yesterday's long sleeves and pants in the heat, today's long-sleeved dress unfit for a dungeon.
Clear abuse evidence.
"Alright, everyone—this is where the boss monster appears."
"Huh, same door as before?"
Kim Gi-jin peered curiously at the gate. Han Cheol-min grinned amiably, swiped the air, and rusty weapons clattered down—weapons, gun, pipe—from his inventory onto the asphalt.
"Just in case. Might become hunters, so learn to handle weapons, right?"
Ego resembled a gun, but I grabbed the bat instead.
Never fired a real one; blunt weapons are easier.
Yeon-woo hesitated before the pile, grabbing nothing and sticking by me.
Hope she never has to hold one in her life.
Han Cheol-min touched the gate; the ground rumbled, and a scarecrow-like figure with outstretched arms emerged.
"Dalim-dong D-rank dungeon boss monster, 'Jiangshi'~"
Ah, that Chinese hopping vampire.
Up close, it wore traditional Chinese garb, skin corpse-blue. Han Cheol-min alternated glances between us and it, lips curling in a soft smile.
"Okay, you're on your own~"
"Y-Yes?!"
"What?"
His body glitched like static, then blended perfectly into the surroundings.
Heat Haze...!
With him gone, the jiangshi pivoted toward us and hopped forward at blinding speed.
Shrieeek!!
No time for rage at Han Cheol-min. The jiangshi's long arm was already swinging down at me and Yeon-woo with ferocious force.