Dungeon Team Reunion and a Private Night
Two days later, Hye-mi finally stepped foot on solid ground again after being drenched in that hellish dungeon. She never imagined cement floors could feel this comfortable. The bone-chilling cold she’d endured inside had softened into something almost bearable. This mild chill felt like an invitation to strip and run naked through the streets.
“Haaaah…”
Hye-mi collapsed onto the pavement, every muscle screaming in relief. She’d never imagined she’d experience this level of euphoria just by surviving. This was the first time she’d felt true happiness since being dragged into this absurd world.
“You guys worked so hard.”
Kang-jun flipped the switch in his mind, turning off his cold-blooded mode and switching back to the warm, caring senior he’d been showing her. Part of him wanted to crack open a beer right then and there and savor every second of the win, but Hye-mi and Oh Geon-nam weren’t in any shape for it. They both needed a hot shower and a proper sleep. He understood them perfectly.
He pulled out his phone. Just past seven in the evening. The timing had been spot-on with the plan.
They headed straight to the management office, weighed the loot they’d hauled out, and signed it over for official sale. The rest would hit their accounts after the taxes in a few days.
The three of them stepped back into the city, lighter than they’d been in weeks. Hye-mi stretched her arms skyward and yawned, then turned to Kang-jun and bowed her head with genuine respect.
“Thank you so much, Sunbaenim. It’s all because of you.”
“Nah. You did great for your first time. Next one will be even better.”
“Yes! I’ll work hard!”
They shuffled toward the subway station. It was a weekend, so the platform was crowded. The three of them looked like they’d been through a war, but Hye-mi moved with a new kind of boldness that made the stares slide off her. Even with their beaten-down appearances, she barely noticed anymore.
Since their directions split in the middle, they parted ways at the junction. Hye-mi headed toward Zone 31, while Kang-jun and Oh Geon-nam turned toward Zone 41.
Kang-jun didn’t show it, but the moment he crossed the threshold into his own home, a wave of satisfaction rolled through him. The same was true for Oh Geon-nam. They dropped their bags the second they walked in, stripped off their clothes, and stood under the hottest shower they could handle. The moment their bodies thawed, they both sighed in pure bliss. They ordered food, devoured it like they’d never eat again, and cracked open a beer for the first time in ages.
“Now you know how it’s done?”
“Yeah. I get it.”
“The most important thing for a guard is aggro. …I mean, aggro is about drawing eyes. You have to make sure the monster doesn’t stick to the dealer or the healer. Got it?”
“Got it, boss.”
“If that fails, the guard is basically useless. I told you before — if the healer dies, everyone dies. Even if the dealer can’t hold them, the healer has to be protected. That’s your job.”
Hillers with high intelligence and mana were naturally more vulnerable to monster attacks. The guard’s role was to intercept as much of that damage as possible. If the healer went down, the guard took full responsibility anyway.
Kang-jun slammed his beer back while delivering the lecture. Of course, Oh Geon-nam wasn’t really absorbing every word. He just nodded along, but his eyes were distant — half listening, half processing. The type who learned by bumping into things and surviving. Kang-jun figured once they’d been through a few dungeons, Geon-nam would start understanding his role naturally.
Exhausted, Geon-nam kept chewing his food until his head hit the table and he passed out. Kang-jun yawned, cleaned up, and tucked a blanket over him.
He stripped down and crawled into bed himself, then checked his phone before sleep.
Thank you for your hard work, Sunbaenim. Sleep well.
That message had come from Hye-mi. He replied instantly.
“You too, sleep well.”
He closed his eyes.
…And the next thing he knew, the nightmare had come.
· · ·
The next day, Kang-jun headed to Zone 31 right on time for Hye-mi’s shift. He snuck up behind her as she stretched and gave her shoulder a casual tap.
“Oof!”
She spun around, startled, then froze when she saw his face. A bright laugh burst out of her.
“Sunbaenim! When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
Kang-jun flicked his eyes toward the café and then back to her face.
“How much longer are you at the café?”
“This week. …After that I’m done wasting time. I’m going into the dungeon.”
“Good call.”
They fell into step side by side and started walking.
“Slept well yesterday?”
“Yes. I showered the second I got home, ate, then passed out. I didn’t know how good a warm bed felt until now.”
“Lucky.”
“How about you?”
“Me? I showered, ate, chatted for a bit, then passed out.”
They laughed and talked the whole way. He wondered what kind of chaos his messages had stirred up in the chat. He’d seen them too — he’d been stirring up trouble himself. One punch and he was done for.
“…But what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you. There’s stuff to discuss. …You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Want to grab lunch together?”
“Yes! I’ll pay this time.”
They ended up at a jjigae-jjigae restaurant. It wasn’t the most romantic date spot, but a cheap, hearty bowl was exactly what they needed. Besides, he wanted to see how much pocket money Hye-mi had left.
“So what did you want to talk about…?”
“First, your training method. And your living situation.”
“Living situation?”
The idea of training made sense, but her eyes lit up at the mention of housing. She was clearly interested.
“It’s a team. Usually we share quarters. We train together, sync formations, that kind of thing. Teamwork is crucial in the dungeon.”
“Yes, I know!”
Hye-mi already understood how important teammate chemistry was down there — she’d felt it in her bones.
“So I’m moving in right away. I’ve earned some money, after all.”
“Oh… What about the debt?”
“We don’t have to pay it all at once. Just pay off part of it and rent a room for the rest.”
Hye-mi agreed without hesitation. She was already staying in a gosiwon and said she could move out with no trouble.
They polished off their bowls and stepped outside. A cold wind whipped by, but the sky was clear. After everything they’d endured, she joked that this level of chill was nothing.
“Got time today?”
“…Huh?”
“Let’s blow it off. We just got out of the dungeon yesterday.”
Ah. Hye-mi’s gaze dropped. A hint of embarrassment showed on her face.
“You’ve never seen a movie here before, right?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“…Want to go together?”
“Yes!”
They walked along the leaf-lined path side by side. Conversation suddenly went quiet. Hye-mi bit her upper lip. Kang-jun broke the silence.
“Any favorite genres?”
“Y-yes? Genres? Uh… I actually like spy stuff. Action.”
“Really? …Interesting.”
“What about you, Sunbaenim?”
“Me? Action and thrillers.”
Hye-mi smiled shyly. The timing was perfect. She even let her imagination run wild for a second.
They reached the nearby theater. Couples were already filling the seats. They asked the ticket clerk which film was most popular with couples.
“Couples usually go for Beautiful Love.”
“No romance? What else?”
“Hero films?”
“Ah… Yeah, that works.”
Kang-jun glanced at Hye-mi. She gave a tiny nod. He nodded too.
“Then Lightning Man it is.”
“Perfect.”
He bought two tickets. Hye-mi offered to get popcorn and drinks. He chuckled and handed her his card.
“When I get my next paycheck, I’ll buy you a drink.”
“…Sure.”
Hye-mi quietly worried that the card might decline if she had no cash on her, but she didn’t have enough anyway.
The movie date ended and they stepped back into the evening. The sky was painted with the last orange glow of sunset. Hye-mi clasped her hands together and stared in awe.
“Oh my, it’s so pretty…”
Her healer instincts were clearly extra sensitive. They kept walking. The neon lights were starting to flicker on as the streets darkened. They strolled under the glowing signs, the whole atmosphere strangely romantic.
“This kind of thing… I haven’t felt it in forever. I’ve been so busy every single day.”
“Well, how many people actually have time to enjoy this in a place like this.”
“…I’m not sure if this is real anymore or not.”
“You just have to adapt and live. …But you’re doing great. Not just in words — really. I mean it.”
Hye-mi playfully stuck her tongue out. They laughed together as they walked.
Soon they were hungry again. Kang-jun steered her into a pizza place. The moment they walked in he knew they’d made the right choice. The atmosphere was upscale, perfect for hitting on her. She looked nervous already.
“My treat. Don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry for always being a burden…”
“We’re teammates. This is normal.”
Once he said the word team, her shoulders visibly relaxed. Yeah, teammates could do this much.
They demolished the pizza and stepped outside again. Eight o’clock. He asked if she wanted a cocktail. She nodded.
This time they walked into a cocktail bar. The place was already humming with an odd, slightly strange energy. Hye-mi felt out of place.
“I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
“Then try the Kalua Milk. It’s perfect.”
Kang-jun ordered the same. They clinked glasses and savored the sweet, strong taste. Conversation flowed deeper. They talked about the dungeon as if it had happened years ago, even though it was barely two days.
Kang-jun deliberately dragged the evening out. He ordered another drink — slightly stronger this time. Hye-mi’s nose wrinkled, but she kept drinking with the crowd.
He checked his phone. Eleven twenty at night. The last subway ran at ten forty. …Everything was set.
“Whoa, time’s flying.”
“What time is it?”
“Half past eleven.”
“Oh no, the last train—”
Her face flushed crimson the second the words left her mouth. Her eyes darted sideways, hands twisting nervously. The conversation died. The atmosphere grew thicker.
“Let’s head out.”
“Y-yes.”
Kang-jun paid the bill and stepped outside. The sudden cold air hit his warm body. He stood there for a moment, staring into the dark distance. Hye-mi followed, silent, waiting for him to turn around.
“Let’s go.”
They walked slowly through the empty streets. Hye-mi kept tucking her hair behind her ear. The sound of passing cars cut through the heavy silence, then silence swallowed them again.
They hurried across the blinking traffic light without waiting. The deserted road had its own strange romantic charm.
“No one’s here. It’s nice.”
“Yes.”
Kang-jun felt the moment was perfect. He turned to her in the empty street. Hye-mi took a deep breath.
“Hye-mi-ya.”
“…Yes.”
“Can I hold your hand?”
Her hand trembled. She slowly raised it. He took it firmly. It had gone cold in the night air.
He gently pulled her closer.
“Can I kiss you?”
No answer, just a tiny nod.
Kang-jun lifted her chin slowly with one hand and kissed her full lips. His other arm wrapped around her waist. The kiss started gentle. Then her defenses melted. Her teeth parted, letting his tongue slide in. Their tongues tangled slowly at first, then faster and deeper.
Once it started, it was unstoppable. The kiss grew passionate. Her hot, sweet breaths panted against his face. His hand slid lower, squeezing her skin, tracing down to cup her small, firm backside.
They broke apart for air. Haa… haa… She was breathing sweet, trembling little gasps.
“Shall we… go somewhere?”
No direct answer needed. The switch was already flipped. She gave the tiniest nod.
They headed straight for the nearby motel. The red neon sign flickered obscenely in the dark.
Kang-jun checked into a room, grabbed her hand, and pulled her inside. Before the door even clicked shut, they were devouring each other’s mouths like animals.
Krung!
The door slammed behind them.