The Shameless Woman?
That shameless woman? Jeong Soo-hyeok, the Director of the Hunter Association’s Dungeon Research Institute, was a man who had dedicated decades of his life solely to dungeon research. In Korea, he was the undisputed authority on dungeon studies, and his achievements were recognized by international academic societies as well. His work had undoubtedly laid the foundation for the current system of dungeon management. Yet, recently, discoveries were being made in the academic world that even he found difficult to keep up with.
“It’s certain… the danger level of dungeons occurring recently is steadily increasing.”
New types of dungeons that had never existed before were being discovered. Some were dungeons where the mana density increased exponentially over time. Others were dungeons where bosses with rare behavioral patterns, like the GN-493688, appeared. Or there was the scale-10 magic mine discovered recently. The latter might have existed all along, simply unnoticed due to ignorance. But the other two were different. They were clear anomalies. Their very malice was different from the ordinary dungeons of the past. The problem was that dungeons containing such unpredictable elements were increasing.
Recently, the rate of failed dungeon raids had been rising, centered around Seoul. Most of these failures were due to threats that exceeded conventional wisdom.
“How on earth did Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo know?”
Among those dungeons, only the ones Shin Jiwoo was in charge of had been successfully cleared. It was as if Shin Jiwoo knew. Even setting that aside, his basic knowledge was at the level of a researcher. Following in Shin Jiwoo’s footsteps, there was no shortage of astonishing discoveries.
“The Association President said it’s nothing to be surprised about.”
Jeong Soo-hyeok muttered to himself out of habit. He had recently met with the Association President, one of only two S+ class hunters in the country. At that time, the President had said that the dungeons of the past were far more vicious than the ones occurring now. What was happening today was merely a return to those days. The regrettable part was that technology hadn't been advanced back then, so there were almost no records.
‘Shin Jiwoo. Multiple countries are targeting him. It’s only happening in Seoul for now, but the increase in dungeon difficulty will soon spread worldwide.’
Jeong Soo-hyeok recalled the President’s words. If she was right, the world would surely fall into chaos soon. And for some reason, Shin Jiwoo seemed to see through every dungeon. If only he were here, South Korea could remain safe from the dangers to come. Furthermore, they could quickly accumulate research data to prepare for dungeons with new risks. Other major powers weren't blind to this, either. It was said that the United States was already targeting Shin Jiwoo.
What kind of person was he? How could a mere employee of the Dungeon Management Team know such things? Jeong Soo-hyeok wanted to bring him into the research institute, but it was said that Shin Jiwoo rejected all offers from other departments. Even the newly established special Dungeon Management Team had only been formed because Shin Chi-hyun had forced the issue.
“…Get a grip, is this it?”
In a recent internal newspaper interview, Shin Jiwoo had criticized many things. Naturally, that included the current problems of the research institute.
“He’s a person who knows that great tasks cannot be accomplished alone.”
He was saying that even if one person was outstanding, they couldn't achieve a grand cause without people to support them. He was pointing out that the current level of the research institute couldn't overcome this situation. So, improve your skills. That seemed to be what Shin Jiwoo was saying.
Just then, a researcher frantically sought out Jeong Soo-hyeok.
“Director! They say an ICG occurred in Gwanak-gu!”
“…Is that so?”
Jeong Soo-hyeok, who had been deep in thought, replied indifferently. An ICG was certainly not a common occurrence. However, repairing the damage wasn't the research institute’s job. But the next words made Jeong Soo-hyeok realize why the researcher had run over so urgently.
“But they say there are zero casualties. Even though it occurred inside an officetel!”
“…How can that be? An ICG is a gate that triggers a break the moment it appears.”
“Well, it just so happened that Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo was in that building. And Shin Jiwoo, having sensed the signs in advance, evacuated everyone in the area. So they say there wasn't a single death or injury!”
“What?”
Director Jeong Soo-hyeok jumped to his feet. He predicted an ICG? That was impossible. Shin Jiwoo wasn't even an Awakened. That meant he didn't even have the sensory perception to feel mana. If so, it might mean he knew the conditions for an ICG to occur in advance. No, perhaps even the conditions for gate generation itself.
There was no set rule for when, where, or in what form a dungeon would appear. The current situation was that it was random, and the best humans could do was respond to it. But if one could perfectly uncover the nature of gates—and furthermore, knowing about an ICG meant he had even predicted the form of the dungeon inside the gate—this might be a monumental discovery that would change history.
“S-so, the Seoul Headquarters Director has ordered research on the area. He says we must find out what the conditions were.”
“And Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo?”
“They say Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo didn't say anything. Since he criticized the incompetent research institute,”
“So he’s saying since he gave us this much of a hint, we should figure it out ourselves…”
The researcher had a frustrated expression. However, Shin Jiwoo wasn't wrong. The current research institute was in a situation where it was worse than a single first-year Dungeon Management Team employee. Perhaps Shin Jiwoo was despising the research institute for being incompetent. And if this situation continued to occur, Shin Jiwoo might be disappointed in the Korean dungeon academic community and leave for overseas. That was what the Association President feared most. It would be a tremendous loss for Korea, and for him as a scholar.
“…We are starting the research immediately. I will go myself.”
“…Yes!”
Then I will accept the challenge. I must show that Korean researchers are not just incompetent. Jeong Soo-hyeok headed to the scene himself and began researching day and night. However, Jeong Soo-hyeok gradually fell into despair.
‘How… I can’t know anything. How did Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo do it? Just how much does he know!’
He couldn't find out anything. Jeong Soo-hyeok even began to feel fear at the level of Assistant Manager Shin Jiwoo, which was completely beyond his ability to predict.
***
“I’m telling you, I don't know anything! I didn't do it because I knew!”
I shouted at Shin Chi-hyun over the phone. As soon as I heard the news of the ICG that occurred at Kim Hee-yeon’s officetel, Shin Chi-hyun had called me. When he asked how I knew, I told him I didn't.
—…So you’re saying I should research it myself. Indeed. Until last year, the Korean research institute had become very lazy. It is necessary to raise our level to compete with other countries. Acknowledged.
Shin Chi-hyun muttered to himself and hung up the phone. Walking while talking on the phone, I had arrived home before I knew it.
“Ha…”
“…Was that the Deputy Director?”
“Yes. This is all because of you, Assistant Manager. You said nonsense to the Headquarters Director, and now rumors are already spreading!”
“Heh heh…”
Heh heh, my foot. Things had gotten blown out of proportion because of Kim Hee-yeon for no reason.
“Doesn't this mean Jiwoo will get promoted even faster? You can't pretend you don't know me later~”
“Becoming a team leader in my first year is already fast enough.”
“You said you have to decide who’s going to the new team, right? Can’t you take me with you?”
“What are you…”
At Kim Hee-yeon’s words, I hesitated. Of course, for a new project team like this, it was normal to take capable people. But if I did that, I might be held back even after five years, let alone quitting. In that case, maybe it would be better to take a dead weight like her and ruin the results.
“I’ll think about it. More than that…”
But more than that, there was a bigger problem right in front of me. I had decided to let Kim Hee-yeon, whose house had collapsed, stay at my place. I couldn't bear to ignore someone who had lost their home overnight. It wasn't permanent; we promised it would only be until the dungeon break victim support funds came out from the Association.
“I won't be a bother. I’ll do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry.”
For some reason, Kim Hee-yeon said this while pressing her body against me. My face flushed hot, remembering what happened earlier. Well, it was a big house anyway, so it didn't matter if one more person lived there. The important thing was the housemates I lived with. Come to think of it, my younger sister and older sister were also freeloading, so I had no room to talk. I was worried that my younger sister’s personality was so eccentric that she would throw a fit.
“That… no. Let’s go in first. I don't live alone.”
“…You don't live alone? By any chance, do you live in this apartment?”
“Yes. I live with my younger sister and older sister. My older sister is on a business trip, but my younger sister might be home right now…”
Kim Hee-yeon’s expression stiffened slightly, as if she hadn't expected that. A moment later, we entered the house.
“Hey! It’s dinner time, where did you go…”
Sure enough, as soon as I opened the door and went in, my younger sister popped out. She froze the moment she saw Kim Hee-yeon.
“H-Hunter Kim Eunji?”
“…Who is this woman?”
“Say hello. She’s my… senior. Assistant Manager, this is the younger sister I mentioned earlier.”
“Hello. I’m Kim Hee-yeon from the same department as Jiwoo.”
“…A coworker? In that outfit?”
My younger sister said, furrowing her brows deeply. Kim Hee-yeon covered herself slightly, looking embarrassed. She was still in the same outfit from when she left in a hurry earlier. I explained the general situation to my younger sister.
“…What? ICG?”
My younger sister brought her phone over with a suspicious look. Only then did she seem to learn the news, and her expression was filled with shock.
“An ICG occurred inside an officetel… but you knew and stopped it? How did you know about this one?”
“It’s not like that, so don't ask me either. It was just a coincidence.”
“Wait a minute. Then did you go to this woman’s house today?”
“Well, yeah. I went for a bit, and an ICG happened to occur.”
“What did you two do at this woman’s house?”
“We just ate. It was nothing. Anyway, she needs to stay at our place for a while. There are plenty of rooms, so it doesn't matter, right?”
“No, wait a second.”
The moment I tried to enter the house, my younger sister blocked the way.
“No way. A shameless woman like this?”
“Sh-shameless…? Th-this is just because I came out in a hurry while I was at home.”
“Anyway. No. Is this a house where you live alone?”
“Strictly speaking, you and my older sister are the ones who invaded my house. You have plenty of money, so move out already.”
“Th-that’s. Anyway, no.”
For some reason, my younger sister was being firm. How can a hunter be so heartless? I wanted to force her out, but how could an ordinary person defeat an S-class hunter with force? Even if I moved to another house, she’d just follow me again. *Sigh.* I need to quit and leave Korea soon…
Just then, Kim Hee-yeon raised her hand cautiously and said.
“Um, by any chance, does Hunter Kim Eunji just call Jiwoo like that?”
“…What?”
“No, it’s just. Even so, he’s your older brother. Calling him ‘hey, you’.”
“…What did you say?”
For some reason, the atmosphere seemed to turn hostile. Kim Hee-yeon was right, though. And is it right to just talk down to someone you’re meeting for the first time, sister? But the opponent was an S-class hunter. I had to stop it before things got worse. I quickly cut in.
“Anyway, just know that. The Assistant Manager’s hometown is in the provinces, so it’s hard for her to go back right away.”
“Then I’ll be in your care. Hunter Kim Eunji.”
“This…”
And so, Kim Hee-yeon ended up staying at our house for a while. It felt like it was going to be an uncomfortable cohabitation.