The Family That Refuses to Let Me Quit
I skimmed through the information on GN-493688 that had flown in from the Gangnam Branch. It was an S-class dungeon, but at scale 4, it was of average size. For an S-class, the window before a dungeon break was unusually short, making it the annoying type that required a rapid clear.
The dungeon logs—the progress reports—were nothing short of disastrous.
The first party discovering the boss room on their third entry was a massive achievement. If they had succeeded in the clear then, it would have been finished well ahead of the recommended period. But the 4th entry resulted in the brutal outcome of total annihilation. Since then, even the second party had been wiped out. Today was the final day of the recommended clear period.
The Gangnam Branch had been working through the weekend to recruit a 3rd raid party for GN-493688. But judging by the lack of a roster, it seemed they had no results.
Recommended clear periods usually have a 7-to-10-day buffer before the expected dungeon break. In this case, it might hold out for about a week longer. That meant I had to assemble a party and get them into the dungeon within a week at the latest.
“The problem is, there’s no one willing to join the party.”
Not a single person had applied in the last few days. It was a natural result, considering two raid parties had already been wiped out. Inside a dungeon, you are completely cut off from Earth. Hunters have to rely solely on their own abilities to clear it. Since it was an S-class dungeon, there were even S-class hunters among the fallen. It meant there was an unknown danger that even S-class hunters couldn't handle. So, it was only natural that no one would want to join.
“Well, not that it’s any of my business. Heh.”
Actually, this was good news for me. If the raid party couldn't be completed, the dungeon break would happen before they could even attempt a clear. Then, the bet I made with Shin Chi-hyun would automatically be my loss. And I’d be kicked out of this land with the stigma of being an incompetent fool who couldn't even put together a party. Perfect. If it only goes that way, it’s like taking candy from a baby.
“What’s this, Jiwoo? Is this a Gangnam Branch gate, GN-493688?”
I didn't know when she’d approached, but Kim Hee-yeon rested her chin on my shoulder and pressed her body against me. Ever since the presentation ended, Kim Hee-yeon had been coming on quite aggressively. She seemed to have misunderstood something quite firmly, but listen—I’m the guy who was trying to screw you over. I decided to just play along for the time being because I was too lazy to deal with it. I was going to quit soon anyway, and I didn't even know where to start explaining to clear up the misunderstanding.
I tried to turn my waist slightly to distance myself, but Kim Hee-yeon just brought her chair right next to mine and pressed her arm against me.
“I’m in charge of it due to some circumstances. But isn't this a bit too close, Assistant Manager?”
“I can’t see the screen well if I don’t do this, Jiwoo. You have too many books on your desk.”
It’s normal to have this much reference material. You’re just the one who’s terrible at working.
“But why suddenly? It’s an S-class dungeon, right?”
Kim Hee-yeon didn't care and read the dungeon info for GN-493688. I could feel the flesh of her arm through her thin white shirt. I thought she was completely skinny, but she was surprisingly toned. My gaze inadvertently drifted toward Assistant Manager Kim Hee-yeon. Because she was leaning forward, her thin waist and pelvis were accentuated. The white shirt tucked into her black skirt made her waist look like it wouldn't even take a handful to span. And because her waist was so thin, her rounded pelvis looked even wider. It was also because the skirt was skin-tight. Her thighs in black stockings also looked surprisingly sturdy. Was she actually managing herself, despite always saying we should just eat salads and chicken breasts every day?
“…You were put in charge of this dungeon?”
“Y-yes?”
I, who had been blankly staring at Kim Hee-yeon’s figure, was startled and answered. Fortunately, Kim Hee-yeon’s gaze was still fixed on the screen.
“An S-class party being wiped out twice means it’s practically impossible to clear in the current situation. They dumped something like this on you, Jiwoo?”
She didn't seem completely stupid. She knew how to read dungeon data.
“Isn't this just dumping the dirty work on you, Jiwoo?”
“Well, it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been dumped with dirty work. I even found an Unbound awakener because of it.”
“T-that’s…”
You’re the one who dumps more dirty work on me. Kim Hee-yeon hesitated, perhaps feeling a prick of conscience.
“And I requested this one myself. I had personal reasons.”
“…Really? As expected… there’s something only you know, isn't there, Jiwoo!”
Kim Hee-yeon’s eyes sparkled. She seemed to think I was doing this because I had some grand plan again. I’m sorry, but everything I’ve done so far was with the intention of ruining things. I knew nothing about Unbound awakeners or magic mines. I just brought this here to quit, too.
“It’s not like that. Go back to your seat. Don’t you have work to do?”
“Today’s work is almost finished. More than that, I came because I had something to say.”
“Something to say?”
For some reason, Kim Hee-yeon was twisting her body. Her tone of voice seemed to have become much gentler.
“Because of the presentation earlier and other things, I have a lot to be thankful for, so I wanted to treat you to a meal. I told you earlier, didn't I?”
“Ah.”
That was a promise I made without knowing the presentation would actually succeed. I never thought I’d actually get a free meal out of it. Still, since it’s a free meal, should I take it? I would have refused normally, but I didn't have many days left to see her anyway.
“Yeah, sure. Let’s do that.”
“Really? Then next time, I’ll personally…”
Ring-a-ding-ding-
“Y-yes, just a moment.”
Kim Hee-yeon’s phone rang while she was talking. I nodded vaguely and turned my eyes to the phone. Kim Hee-yeon nodded vigorously, answered something, and returned to her seat.
“Ugh…”
I, who had been ready to switch back to work, saw the caller and grimaced. It was because the person calling was my younger sister.
“You don’t even call normally… Hello?”
-Hey. Are you actually insane?
As expected, my sister started right off the bat with insults. I pulled my smartphone away from my ear at the eardrum-piercing decibels.
“…What do you want? I’m at work, so make it short.”
-You’re really something… Are you crazy? Did you really take on that dungeon!
“I took it. It’s done, and there’s no going back. If you have nothing else to say, I’m hanging up.”
-W-wait! Wait a second! Why are you like this, seriously…
My sister grabbed me urgently as I tried to hang up. I sighed and held the smartphone to my ear again.
-…So. Are there any hunters participating?
“No. The Gangnam Branch must have already contacted all the capable hunters. Do you think I’d ask them to do it?”
In truth, I hadn't even contacted any S-class hunters. For some reason, I felt like if I contacted them, they would actually say they’d do it. It felt like there would definitely be a hunter who’d say, ‘Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo brought a dungeon from the Gangnam Branch? There must be a reason…!’ Since I had handled two major cases in a row (not that I intended to), it was obvious I’d get attention if I brought a dungeon that was guaranteed to have a break. Even I would think there was something to it, damn it.
-Ha… I knew it. So why did you say you’d do it?
“I don’t know. I’m busy, so hang up if you don’t have anything else.”
-Wait! Even if I try to help, you’re really…
“…What?”
Help? What are you helping with? You helping is just you staying still.
-…I’ll participate. In that dungeon raid party.
“…What?”
-I’ll go in. If word gets out that I’m participating, a few other hunters will join too. At least you have to try, don’t you?
“No, what kind of bull… What are you talking about! Don’t say such nonsense, you crazy bitch!!”
I jumped up from my seat and shouted. The people in the office looked at me with wide eyes, but I didn't have the luxury to care. I had finally found the perfect way to quit, and she was going to block it? Just how far was she planning to interfere with my life! Wasn't it enough that she practiced soccer kicks in the corner of the room every day!
-…It’s already decided. Not much time left until the dungeon break, right? I’ve already cleared my schedule, and I’ve even gotten permission from that person, Shin Chi-hyun, so don’t worry.
“…What? You got permission from Chi-hyun hyung?”
-Yeah. Shin Chi-hyun said that at least we should attempt a clear for it to be a proper bet, so he’d allow this much privilege. Even Shin Chi-hyun knew that if we just left it alone, we wouldn't even be able to form a raid party.
What is that nonsense, why is that a privilege! That’s just driving me into hell!!!
“No, what is that… I don’t need your help! Just live like you normally do! Why are you suddenly doing something dangerous, do you want to die?”
-Shut up. I said it’s already decided. And I’m an S-class hunter too. I have a duty to stop the dungeon break of an S-class dungeon. I’d be deployed anyway if the dungeon break happened.
“That’s different from going in directly! I told you two parties have already been wiped out!”
Stopping a dungeon break and raiding it directly are different things. A dungeon break is a catastrophe from a citizen’s perspective, but it’s actually more comfortable for a hunter. Because the act of entering a dungeon itself carries the possibility of death. Especially if it’s a place like this dungeon where you don’t know what kind of threat is inside. Instead, if a dungeon break happens and you fight on Earth, hunters feel relatively at ease. At least you won’t die without being able to communicate with Earth like you would in a dungeon. Conversely, from a citizen’s perspective, it’s better for hunters to clear the dungeon before the break. Anyway, what my sister is saying right now is insane for a hunter. Of course, before that, it’s also blocking my path forward. Stop ruining my life, you wench!
-So what do you want me to do! If we stay like this, you’re going to die!
I had to stop it. Whether I cursed or got angry, I tried to stop my sister’s participation somehow, but my sister raised her voice louder than mine and got angry instead.
“I’m not going to die! I’m just going to be kicked out of this land!”
-That’s the same thing! I’d rather die… No more, no more… Ah, anyway! It’s already been approved by the Association, so know that and proceed! Form the rest of the party properly!
“Hey, hey… Hey!!!”
Click.
After shouting like that, my sister hung up the phone. I urgently tried to call her back, but my sister didn't pick up.
Thud-
“Ha… damn it…”
Why are you blocking my path this much? How much more of my life do you have to ruin to be satisfied!! As I leaned back in my chair with dead fish eyes, the phone rang again. It was Shin Chi-hyun.
-…You must have heard. If two S-class hunters are participating, you should be able to form a party to some extent. Kim Eunji and Kim Yeo-won’s participation in the raid party has already been approved. The Patriarch will only recognize it as a proper bet if you actually enter the raid, so take it seriously. It will be a difficult task, of course.
“No, why…! I was going to handle it myself! Why did you approve… wait a minute, what? Two people?”
-Yes. Kim Eunji and Kim Yeo-won. Both of them said they would participate in GN-493688. Of course, at first, they asked to call off the bet. But when I told them that since the Patriarch knows, that’s impossible, they said they would step up to clear it themselves. Well, it doesn't look like a dungeon that will be cleared just because those two go in.
“What? Even Mother!”
-Yes. Kim Yeo-won said she would take the role of party leader for this raid.
Even Mother is going in? And on top of that, Mother is taking the role of party leader?! Why are they both doing this to me? No, before that, why are they stepping up to die!
-Then. It will be impossible, but give it a try. If you truly succeed, then I will truly acknowledge you. Shin Jiwoo.
“Wait…!”
Click-
Shin Chi-hyun hung up the phone after only saying what he wanted to say. Is it a characteristic of people in this family to only say what they want?
Ding-
And just as he said, the dungeon information was updated. My sister and mother had really put their names on the raid party list.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!”
A scream echoed through the lazy afternoon office.