The Move to Ulsan (1)
For the past five days, nothing major had changed.
The first Shelter Invasion had occurred simultaneously across all shelters, but since then, it had only happened occasionally in small numbers.
Moreover, since the monsters weren't particularly dangerous, people could respond adequately.
Still, I can't let my guard down.
No announcements had been posted after the invasion, but who knew what might happen next.
Monster attacks.
Theft by other guilds.
Constant preparedness for other dangers.
But what can I do now?
Besides wandering around nearby to level up, there's nothing I can do.
So, most people formed teams to go hunting.
But since my level was so high, I couldn't level up against nearby monsters.
Of course, there were strong monsters too.
But they were too high level to approach.
Strong monsters who had made their habitats and lived there.
It was rather fortunate that they didn't come out of their dens.
If my level was higher, maybe, but in this situation, if they roamed around, it would be terrifying.
What about the situation in other regions?
Busan was still relatively stable.
After the Shelter Invasion, almost no one died to monsters, and most people had taken shelter in the shelters.
What about Daegu's situation?
Daegu where the family is.
I checked the bulletin board every day, but no news about the family.
After so much time since this happened.
Dad, mom, and little brother.
Were they all safely in their shelters?
Or had something happened.
That thought never left my mind.
I can't take it anymore. I have to go to Daegu.
Up until now, with all sorts of things happening, I couldn't go.
But now that I've found some breathing room.
I thought, if I leave the shelter with someone else watching it for a bit, it should be okay.
I need to talk to Hyung.
A moment ago, Hyung had finished hunting and was resting outside.
I slowly approached that Hyung.
"Hyung. Can I talk for a bit?"
"Yeah? Uh. Sure."
"Should I move the location?"
My serious tone must have caught on.
Without much question, Kang Hyuk followed me.
Now, we went to the rooftop of the completely cleaned and tidy building, and I took out the cigarette I had taken from Jin-hwan earlier.
Tick. Tick. Whoosh.
"Huu."
"You didn't quit smoking?"
Of course I did.
But while thinking about family, my hand naturally went to the cigarette.
Each time I smoked one, I ended up smoking an entire pack.
"What the hell is it?"
"Hyung. Can I go to Daegu for a bit?"
At that, Kang Hyuk immediately understood what I was going to say.
"Daegu. Because of the family, right?"
"Yeah."
"Don't worry and go. Now we're strong enough too. You can't depend on me forever."
But even with that, I was worried.
If the strongest power here, me, is gone, can I withstand any invasion by other guilds or monster attacks?
That's why I hesitated.
"Still, will it be okay?"
"Yeah. Ssaem."
"But still..."
"Actually, I think you've endured a lot. While finding families of others, how much did you think about your own family."
Kang Hyuk's sincere words.
At that, my heart swelled.
"Hyung."
"Your family will be safe. If I go, I can definitely meet them."
Kang Hyuk's eyes had a bit of tears.
It seemed he was thinking of his deceased parents.
"Moreover, there's the Return Scroll."
"Right."
The Return Scroll.
It was one of the scrolls used by Cheonha Tongil Guild during the pillage war.
This scroll was one that came out of the silver box, and by inputting the designated location, you could instantly move to that place.
So, even if something happens here, I can immediately return.
It seemed it couldn't be used in some specific places, but in general situations, it seemed usable.
"When are you planning to go?"
"As soon as possible."
"Yeah. For now, there won't be any problems, so don't worry and go."
As he patted my back.
"But once I go, how am I supposed to go? It's unclear."
"Yeah, since I can't take the car. I'll spend a lot of time just going."
"Car... car. Ah!"
At that moment, a person flashed through my mind.
Kim Ha-jin.
If his ability to make no noise is used, I could go to Daegu without being attacked by monsters and come back and forth quickly.
But will he help me move?
I was doubtful about that.
No matter how much alliance, would he use his ability to go to Daegu for me.
Still, I should contact him.
If he does, it's the best.
If well, even if roads are destroyed, I might be able to come and go within a few days.
After talking to Hyung, I contacted the Cheonha Tongil Guild.
-Oh? What's the matter?
Answering through Slime, Geum Bit-na-ra.
-Are you able to meet Kim Ha-jin?
-Um~ Why? Can't you talk to me?
-Yeah. I have something to ask Kim Ha-jin.
Geum Bit-na-ra looked disappointed that she wasn't the subject of conversation.
-Tsk~ You're not coming to meet me and doing this? This is sulking.
-You know my ability, so how would I meet you?
-Eh. What's between us?
-What kind of relationship is this?
Geum Bit-na-ra making strange jokes.
Since I didn't contact to exchange such trivial jokes, I brought up the main topic.
-Please put Kim Ha-jin on the line.
-Tsk. Okay.
Soon, Geum Bit-na-ra called Kim Ha-jin and prepared a place for me to talk.
-What is it?
-Can I ask you for one favor?
-Favor?
Kim Ha-jin tilting his head.
It seemed he was curious what favor I wanted to ask.
-Can you drive me to Daegu?
-To Daegu?
-Yes. Please.
-Please wait a moment.
Kim Ha-jin who said that went outside for a bit.
It seemed he was talking to Geum Bit-na-ra.
After a short time, Kim Ha-jin came back and sat down, shaking his head.
-I'm sorry.
-Please. Is it not possible?
-Yes. The master seems to be against it. I don't think I can leave this place now.
Of course, I understood.
That guy, her right-hand man.
For him to go to Daegu because of me is a big leak of power.
Who knows what might happen in the meantime.
-Is that so? I understand.
Realizing it was unavoidable, I was about to end the call.
Kim Ha-jin made a gesture to stop for a moment.
-Ah. Still, I have one thing to tell you.
-What?
-When going to Daegu, please do not go up through Ulsan.
-Ulsan? Why?
-There's a guy called Minotaur there.
Minotaur that Kim Ha-jin is talking about!
I've heard of him from somewhere.
Ah. Scenario Quest!
According to the message that appeared, it was definitely that guy who said to consume it.
Minotaur was in Ulsan.
-Is it a very dangerous guy?
-Yes. According to rumors, the 10th ranker died to that guy.
A ranker died.
And it was a 10th ranker.
My current level is 14.
My current ranking is 8th.
The 10th ranker probably didn't have much level difference from me.
It was clearly a person who had at least similar ability to Hwang Min-soo.
That a person of that level died shows how dangerous the Minotaur is.
-Is it not in a specific area?
-Yes. I don't know if he's enjoying hunting or what, but he appears in the city occasionally.
-I see. Thank you for the advice.
-Yes. Then.
After talking to Kim Ha-jin, I ended the communication.
Minotaur.
I don't know if I have to do this scenario quest.
But the reward given would definitely be different from normal quests.
Should I detour to Ulsan and check about the Minotaur. Contrary to Kim Ha-jin's warning, I was thinking of stopping by Ulsan to check about the Minotaur.
My intuition was telling me that I should break this scenario quest.
First, I should tell the people.
I told everyone that I would go to Daegu for a bit.
Then, everyone nodded their heads.
"Definitely go and come back!"
"Even just what Ssaem did is a lot."
"Don't worry here. We're enough on our own too."
Not only the students, but others also understood my situation.
That day, we had a party.
Since it was a journey to leave the next day as soon as possible, as if pulling out a nail with pliers.
At the shop, we bought chicken that was placed around, and the grilled meat I made and Lizardman Soup were on the table.
Also, the alcohol made a lot with Medusa's Goblet.
How nice it is that I can make alcohol endlessly.
On this day, everyone got drunk on alcohol and somewhat forgot about this gloomy world.
***
The next day.
After finishing the journey to Daegu, we prepared to move.
The people moving this time were not just me.
"Ssaem. Let's go."
"What's with you being so excited? We're not going to play."
"Ei. It's just to feel good. Just to feel good."
Jin-hwan, who was stuck to me like a barnacle.
Jin-hwan had said he would go to Daegu with me and come back.
The guy who said he needed to be there for my ability to work more efficiently.
Of course, that's right.
Moreover, he said he wanted to repay what he had helped me with so far.
And Ah-ra.
Ah-ra had an uncle in Ulsan, and when this happened, her parents had gone to her uncle's house for a bit, and Ah-ra remembered that.
She decided to go with us, thinking maybe her parents were there.
The other one was Jin-ri.
Since Ah-ra was going, the guy said he would go too.
It seemed she was a bit uncomfortable sending only Ah-ra, her closest friend.
"Everyone is ready?"
"Yes. Of course."
"Yes! I'm ready too!"
This schedule that might be dangerous.
The time it would take was unclear.
"Then let's go."
Jin-hwan, Ah-ra, Jin-ri, and me.
The journey of four to Daegu began.
First destination was Ulsan.
There, the goal was to find out about Ah-ra's relative and about the Minotaur.