Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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“Not even that kind of pathetic moping.”
In the crowded space filled with people, Kang Han sat alone.
From the occasional glances thrown his way, it seemed everyone knew who he was.
No one approached him, as if some ominous aura lingered around.
And what was even more infuriating was that Kang Han seemed accustomed to it, glaring at... well, not complaints, but probably his status window.
Actually, he was likely checking his status window, just like me.
He was one of those who could view it without relying on a machine.
“Staring like that won’t change a thing.”
All his key skills were restricted, and it was just an S-rank status window in name only.
But in the early parts of the novel, it was his habit to blankly stare at his status window while tormented by that utter helplessness.
I slowly walked toward where Kang Han was sitting.
As the distance shortened, more eyes turned my way.
“Ugh, I’m tired.”
Pretending to be oblivious, I didn’t even glance at him directly and settled into a spot that wasn’t too close but not too far either.
Fortunately, Kang Han just flicked a quick look to confirm me and didn’t budge from his seat.
“That girl with Kang Han? Are they party members?”
“Never seen her before.”
“New recruit in the Justice Guild?”
“No way. Who’d willingly join that defective bunch?”
I can hear you all, you know.
It hit me anew just how much of a punching bag Kang Han was in this world.
But whatever the people around muttered.
Pretending to warm myself by the fire without making it obvious, I observed Kang Han.
Like I thought last time, he really is handsome.
Awakeners, especially high-rank hunters, undergo changes in appearance after awakening.
Depending on their ability type, eye and hair colors might shift, or their height and muscles bulk up.
Kang Han was the type whose eye and hair color had changed.
Already tall and well-built from his military days, now with brown hair and green eyes, he drew eyes in a completely different way from Sama Young.
Even just sitting there warming himself by the bonfire in the clearing.
Dressed in dusty combat boots and a worn uniform, he gave off the vibe of a massive, hollowed-out dead tree trunk, rotting from within.
That’s probably why people cursed and stared from afar but never confronted him directly.
Alright, time to peek inside.
I casually held my hands closer to the bonfire and murmured inwardly.
Status window.
The status window was in a wretched state.
Even as guild master, his only item was a D-rank sword.
The poisoning was severe, and his two main skills were completely deactivated.
No wonder people say he’s no S-rank.
I clicked my tongue softly.
The question is whether I can activate those skills for him.
That’s why I hadn’t approached him back at the bunker.
First, I needed to register as an awakener myself, and confirm if I could intervene in the ‘mining disaster’ episode from the [Sejong Wall] by altering the original flow.
Maybe I could shatter the shell that wouldn’t break for quite some time with my own hammering, speeding things up.
I’ve got a plan on how to tap into it, at least.
I was rubbing my hands by the bonfire, lost in thought, when...
Clunk.
The large metal drum holding the fire shook once.
Lifting my head, I saw Kang Han had tossed in a big log.
The flames devoured the fresh wood and roared higher.
Because of me?
An S-rank shouldn’t even feel the cold.
I glanced again, but he was still glaring at the fire.
Nah, probably just didn’t like how big it was.
I shrugged and bided my time.
Not long after, large vans and buses started rolling into the clearing one after another.
Pre-arranged awakeners boarded their rides, while others raised hands to on-site recruitment staff.
Kang Han, apparently one of the former, stood as a gray van approached.
Can’t let him slip away.
I had to enter the same dungeon as him no matter what.
I scurried after him, and a middle-aged man in his fifties greeted Kang Han.
“Oh, you’re here. Hang on a sec. Need to gather more people.”
Then he bellowed loudly.
“Five miners for Incheon Mansu Mountain Dungeon!”
Four gathered quickly.
Men and women, all sturdy builds.
“One more to go!”
“Me! Pick me!”
I shot my hand up and dashed over.
“You look pretty scrawny.”
The middle-aged man eyed me up and down, muttering.
“I can do it! No job I haven’t tried, and I’ve got some strength too!”
“Kid, ever done mining? It’s no joke. Even physical enhancement types struggle. Your ability doesn’t seem attack-based either.”
“Well, yeah...”
“Don’t waste money on hospital bills later. Look elsewhere.”
But I didn’t back down.
“I really need this job. I’ll work hard.”
“Take her.”
A low, steady voice cut in.
It was Kang Han.
“I’ll cover more for her.”
When even Kang Han—who already pulled the weight of ten—said that, the man’s scowl softened.
“Well, if the guild master vouches...”
“I’ll work hard! Please take care of me!”
I bowed deeply to seal it, and he turned away with a tsk.
“Just don’t come crying for painkiller money later.”
This level of snark didn’t even qualify as hazing.
This uncle’s a softie at heart.
After all the hassle, I boarded the van—and somehow ended up in the seat next to Kang Han.
Better say hi at least.
“Thanks for earlier. I really wanted to go to this dungeon.”
“...”
No response from Kang Han.
He glanced at me briefly, nodded once, then turned to stare out the window.
Man, getting a single word out of him is like pulling teeth.
How am I supposed to build affection with a guy like this?
Right before the van started, a crisp number floated above Kang Han’s head.
“Whoa, so this is what it looks like.”
After a long drive, as the sun peeked out, we arrived at Mansu Mountain Dungeon.
I’d only read about gates in the book, but facing one in person, it was bigger and blacker than imagined.
A gate was literally the entrance to a dungeon.
Like peering beyond a closed door, no one knew what environment awaited once you passed through.
Of course, this already-cleared Mansu Mountain Dungeon was fully mapped.
Still, staring blankly at the massive, rippling black gate—big enough to swallow a couple of large building revolving doors—gave me chills down my spine.
“Alright, you know this got cleared just days ago? It’s open till next week, so hustle. Today’s gonna be intense—no slacking.”
The foreman who’d introduced himself as Gu Gyeong-il in the van led the way into the gate.
Kang Han followed, leaving me last.
“Whew.”
I took a deep breath and stood before the gate.
Don’t chicken out over this, Nayeo-ju.
Your 25 billion bunny is watching.
I inhaled sharply and thrust my face into the ink-black gate.
“Doing better than expected?”
“Easily pulling double duty.”
I agreed with the praise from behind.
Despite my initial worries, my pickaxe never stopped swinging.