The Intern Program's First Field Trip (Part 2)
“Lee Minsu, what did you just say?”
Team Leader Seo Duho asked me. I answered.
“Given that this is a large-scale contaminated zone with plenty of dungeons, wouldn’t it be better for us to directly seek out dungeons worth raiding rather than the ordinary ones the Association has already found?”
To that, Soso replied.
“It is not something to speak so lightly of. If we were raiding lower-level dungeons from our academy days, perhaps. But since we are raiding under the name of Flame, we cannot simply charge in recklessly.”
Soso explained briefly. Generally, when an upper guild like Flame launches a raid, the raid team and intelligence team move together. And the intelligence team moves first.
Dungeons lie beyond the gates.
So, the appearance of the gate, the waveform pattern it emits, and the terrain changes around the gate.
Merely by analyzing the external gate first, we can grasp information about the dungeon without entering it.
And for a rich corporate guild, preliminary analysis can be completed to a deeper level for higher-level dungeons only.
Then, the intelligence team with return stones enters the interior to analyze the dungeon in greater detail.
‘But that is not common. At least it must be an A-rank dungeon or higher to break even, and return stones are ridiculously expensive.’
Soso continued.
“So, the intelligence team’s preliminary dungeon analysis comes first. Right now, Flame’s intelligence team is absent. We cannot use amateur methods like blindly charging into dungeons without prior information.”
Surprisingly, Soso spoke the truth. She was not usually like that, but as the raid team leader of Flame, she explained calmly.
And then Team Leader Seo said.
“Well, according to Team Leader Yeon’s words, it is only me in the intelligence team right now. No matter what, even with good equipment for analyzing gate waveforms, in the end, the person who must handle the input and interpretation is a member of the intelligence team. We have to rotate personnel. And even if I manage alone, it still takes time…”
Then, Team Leader Seo suddenly looked at me.
“Wait. Still, Minsu who passed the practical interview with flying colors did not speak without thinking, did he?”
“Yes. Team Leader Seo Duho. As I said, finding a dungeon worth it is possible with the current members.”
“With the current members? Without additional support from the intelligence team?”
I immediately nodded.
“Yes. And with me, I believe I can handle the preliminary analysis of the dungeon… Fortunately, Team Leader Seo is here as well.”
To that, Team Leader Seo replied with interest.
“Quite confident. While the operator’s duties and the intelligence team’s duties overlap in many points, the actual field work… No, thinking about the answers to the practical interview, Minsu already has some solid grounds, right? Explain.”
His words were correct. I was not boasting.
This Southeast Contaminated Zone. During my student days, I often visited as an intern.
And this area is quite far from Seoul where Eins is. So, once I come here, I can really farm.
I earned a lot of money by farming items here in large quantities. Naturally, it meant I moved in a way different from ordinary hunters.
I pointed to the display installed on the office wall. The map displayed there.
“As you can see from this map, the dungeons provided by the Association are all concentrated on this flat land or the old village side, right?”
“Hmm. Indeed. But that is natural. These dungeons in this zone have many in number but mostly low grades. Naturally, hunters prefer dungeons with good accessibility…”
Wait, and Team Leader Seo looked at the place my finger was pointing to with interest.
“Then, conversely, let us go directly into the mountains on this side. Is that what you mean?”
“Yes. Valuable gems are usually found in harsh places.”
“Hmm. Correct. Well understood. So, Flame’s field team always circulates in harsh places. Anyway, tell me more.”
My explanation continued a bit more. And finally, Team Leader Seo’s approval fell.
“Let us go. As Minsu intern said.”
***
The group moved together to the mountain area.
Moving for hunters is not easy. For a dungeon raid, the amount of weapons and equipment that follows is enormous.
So, large guilds hire so-called porters.
‘Not only the raid team, but the intelligence team’s equipment is also heavy.’
It is not just because accessible dungeons are popular and traded at high prices. If you waste energy before arriving at the dungeon, the static dungeon raid becomes difficult.
This mountain where cars cannot even enter is truly the worst place for hunter guilds.
‘But I am using that common sense in reverse.’
Team Leader Seo walking next to me said.
“Entering a place that everyone avoids to directly find dungeons. This is quite a change of perspective. I like Minsu’s suggestion this time. You have excellent operator qualities.”
“No. If we find a dungeon but fail proper preliminary analysis, we just waste time. If it is praise, do it then.”
“Good attitude. Then, I look forward to your future dungeon analysis too.”
It was an unexpected mountain hike, but the other guild members happily followed my suggestion. Of course, Soso, the overall field team leader, gave the final approval.
Soso had separated from the group now. Only she, an A-rank hunter, could do that.
After a while, the conversation with Team Leader Seo paused, and Arin quietly came next to me and said.
“It has been a while since I went hiking. How is it, senior?”
“It is not bad.”
“Senior cannot use mana anymore, so it is like a normal person. If it is hard, I can carry you, senior.”
“No. Still, my physical abilities have not dropped that much. I am working hard on rehabilitation.”
“Tsk… Still. Anyway, if it is hard, tell me. I will heal you right away.”
Currently, I was carrying less burden than Arin. Still, the other guild members were not carrying much either.
Originally, the dungeons the group was raiding were for intern program evaluation.
So, we did not bring much equipment in the first place. Each had their own weapons. And the heaviest equipment from the intelligence team, Uncle Dong-hyuk was carrying a lot.
And the rest were for camping. Team Leader Seo, looking at the group’s appearance, continued.
“Since we are entering the mountains like this, camping here and staying for three days would be good for shortening the time. Minsu is right.”
I suggested the method I did during my student days. Going directly into harsh mountains to raid dungeons.
At that time, I was trying not to pay dungeon intermediary fees, but in the current situation, this method was useful too.
“And since there are not many hunters who go to such troublesome places, the competition to secure B-rank dungeons will be less.”
The most popular dungeon in this intern evaluation is definitely B-rank.
Not too dangerous like A-rank, and not too easy like C-rank where rewards are nothing. It is efficient in many ways.
‘Better than academy interns, but for most interns lacking experience, B-rank is perfect.’
Naturally, B-rank dungeons in accessible flat areas are monopolized by all major guilds. So, the remaining dungeons for us were, as talked in the office, only C-rank at best.
If we find and raid several B-rank dungeons in this mountain, it would be worth challenging the interns of major guilds who have already secured and are raiding B-rank dungeons.
‘But those guys have probably already entered the dungeon. So, instead, I have to desperately do preliminary dungeon analysis.’
After moving like that. The group created a camping site at the mountain mid-level place I had pre-known.
And Soso returned to that place.
“Minsu, as you said. By looking around mainly the place you told me, there were quite a few gates that looked B-rank.”
As expected, Soso handled the task I assigned easily. This contaminated zone has mana distribution fixed nearby.
Especially in this area where people do not go much, with little mana interference, there was a fixed place where similar grade dungeons spawn.
I had asked Soso to scout that place. Team Leader Seo said.
“Perfect. Then, when we move, Arin will be left alone. Let us all move.”
We had to do preliminary analysis of the B-rank dungeon gate Soso found. Of course, we could not carry all the heavy analysis equipment from the intelligence team, me and Team Leader Seo.
Uncle Dong-hyuk carried that burden.
“It is hard to continue analysis until deep night. Let us move quickly. Wait. Even if I can move fast because I am an awakened, the mountain is harsh… Minsu?”
Even if carried by Dong-hyuk, he had a lot of burden.
“I will try to move as fast as possible. I cannot use mana, but my physical abilities are not that low. Somehow, I will run…”
“Wait! No need. Wastes time.”
Soso stepped in front of me.
“Will you carry me? Or let me ride on your back?”
***
After directly confirming the gate Soso found. The group returned to the camping site again.
“Fortunately, the analysis equipment stores the gate’s waveform pattern. Team Leader Seo. No need to stay up all night in front of the gate.”
“Yes. Buying such equipment that stores patterns costs an enormous amount of money. That is why the finance team and our intelligence team do not get along well. If the guild leader did not cover it, we could not have bought it.”
It was still winter. And the night in the deep mountains was bitterly cold.
I was sitting next to Team Leader Seo by the fire like a campfire, busy with preliminary analysis.
‘Really good equipment. Without waveform interference, achieving this resolution.’
The equipment only displays the waveform pattern. Analyzing that pattern to pre-analyze information beyond the gate, the dungeon’s information, is the intelligence team’s role.
And Team Leader Seo, who was working on that task skillfully, glanced at me next to him and clicked his tongue.
“This is, Minsu. Really, did you just graduate from the academy? Our intelligence team members analyze dungeons much faster.”
As he said, I had already finished analysis of two dungeons. Based on the gate waveform pattern, the dungeon’s terrain attributes. The scale of monsters inside. The type of boss.
Even the dangerous elements of the dungeon that would cause great damage if I did not know preliminary information were all organized and output to the equipment’s monitor screen.
“Well… I was interested in such things since my student days. So, I am familiar with it.”
“Even so, it should be possible only with at least a master’s in related major. Wow. No one can call Minsu a dropper now. Impressive. If it were not for operator, we would have pulled you into our intelligence team. Too bad.”
“… It is nothing special. Really.”
I was embarrassed by Team Leader Seo’s praise. The reason I was familiar with dungeon information analysis was because of pre-information monopoly. All because of that.
Pre-information was items that people’s hands had not touched yet, but would definitely be discovered in the future of arch-hunters.
I had pre-seized the items that should go to other characters in the novel, so I was familiar with them.
‘Well, if you think about it, it is stealing. I cannot really brag.’
And that pre-information monopoly caused the butterfly effect leading to the Tragedy of Eins. But I immediately pushed away the surging emotion.
‘Right now, I have to do what I have to do.’
While I was busy with Team Leader Seo on dungeon analysis, Arin brought warm soup and bread to me.
“Senior. Eat this first. We will grill meat later. Look forward to it.”
“Ah. Thanks. I will eat well.”
Then, Arin showed a very satisfied smile.
She seemed to have a lot of complaints about being left alone in the camping site. But while the group was away checking the gate, Arin had prepared all the dinner for the group.
‘As expected, she is meticulous.’
And from the seat beyond, I felt a gaze looking at me and Arin. It was Soso.
***
Meanwhile, Yeon Soso was sitting at a place in the camping area eating dinner.
‘Still delicious. Arin’s food.’
During student council days, I had eaten Arin’s made food a few times. I like eating, but my skill in cooking is on a completely different level from hers.
And around the time I entered the third year student council, it improved a bit.
Essentially, Soso and the lively and popular Seong Arin were opposites in personality.
‘Those two… what kind of relationship do they have?’
Arin is kind to everyone, but the distance Arin had towards Minsu was completely different.
Clearly, the affection, no, love for him was full, as seen by anyone. And she did not seem to think of hiding that fact from others.
‘Is it possible… that they have already started dating.’
When that thought made my heart drop, someone spoke from her inner self.
- Foolish girl. Nothing has changed from that time.
It was the voice Soso hated the most.