Chapter 29
Chapter 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Encounter (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
「A-Rank Dungeon. Crystal Spider Nest」
Silver and Jade Corporation's exclusive dungeon, the Crystal Spider Nest.
Inside this dungeon, where entry was permitted only to properly formed hunter parties, four hunters advanced through the dark cave, lanterns in hand.
"Let's take a break here for a bit."
The one who declared the break was the party's leader and A-Rank hunter, Kang Hye-eun.
Though the youngest in the party by age, her talent and role as a shield bearer had earned her the position of leader.
The moment the word "break" left her mouth, the other three nodded immediately. Without even spreading out mats or handkerchiefs, the remaining three sat directly on the cave floor, each relaxing in their own comfortable position.
Quenching their thirst from the exploration, leaning against the wall to loosen tense muscles—each in their own way.
"Yu-ri, how much mana do you have left?"
"Five times at five-circle level. Ten times at three-circle."
"Hmm, then let's just destroy the nest up ahead and head back today. Min-ah and Ji-hee look a bit worn out too."
After checking her party members' conditions, Hye-eun ran through several possibilities in her head and made a prudent decision that balanced safety and results.
"Yeah, I'm all for it~."
"...I'm not tired yet, so it's fine... ."
"No, Ji-hee. Dungeon clears aren't about pushing yourself to the limit. You have to end it at just the right point of regret to prevent emergencies."
"...Fine, since it's you saying it, Hye-eun."
Kang Hye-eun smoothly handled the party's striker, Cheon Ji-hee's objection as usual, then unzipped her tights slightly to cool off. She scanned each resting party member's expression, mentally sketching out the next battle.
If the next nest they encountered was a blue crystal spider nest, she would tank with her shield while Cheon Ji-hee went on the offensive. Han Min-ah would draw aggro, and Cha Yu-ri would support Ji-hee.
If it was a yellow crystal spider nest, she'd buy time for Cheon Ji-hee and Han Min-ah, then lower its defense with shield shatter. Finish with Cha Yu-ri's large-scale wind magic.
For a purple crystal spider nest, start by neutralizing the spiderlings with Cha Yu-ri's wind magic. She and Han Min-ah would draw attention, finishing with Cheon Ji-hee's awakening ability in one shot.
As Kang Hye-eun organized her plans mentally, her concentration was broken by the voice of Han Min-ah, her longtime friend and fellow graduate of the hunter training academy.
"By the way, how's it going with that Sung Tae-kyung guy lately? You said things were going great last time."
"...Who's Sung Tae-kyung?"
"Oh, Hye-eun's childhood friend guy. He's also my middle and high school classmate. This idiot pined after her for nearly ten years, but the other day at his place, they finally... you know."
"It wasn't unrequited love. I was waiting for Tae-kyung to give up dangerous work as a male hunter and decide to become my husband."
"That's hilarious. Back in middle school, he didn't have the guts to confess. Then after graduation, when you ignored him for a while, he called crying at night. 'Ughhh, does Tae-kyung hate me~?'"
"...I told you not to bring that up, Min-ah."
-Crunch!
"Ow, ouch! That hurts! Hey, Kang Hye-eun! It hurts more when you're still wearing your armor!"
Kang Hye-eun punished Han Min-ah by grabbing her head with her arm, for freely spilling her dark history.
Amid the commotion, the party's mage, Cha Yu-ri of 「Sky Blue Shield」, simply rested without a care, quietly imagining the fateful man she'd met a few days ago.
And one member listened intently to their conversation.
"So?"
"Huh?"
"...You and that guy went all the way? Are you dating?"
Kang Hye-eun felt a twinge of doubt at Cheon Ji-hee's unusual interest whenever Sung Tae-kyung was mentioned, but she answered earnestly as always.
"Well, the first time might leave some doubt, but since something similar happened again after, I'm considering us as dating for now."
"Y-You can't say that for sure. G-Guys these days don't really care about that stuff... ."
"Come on, Ji-hee unnie. Two times having sex means you're dating, right? Wait, wasn't it two? Last time it was five or six times in one day—banana—ow, ow, it hurts!!"
"The first time might be an accident, but from the second on, you're dating... ."
Cha Yu-ri, who had been listening intently, nodded quietly.
As she fiddled with her smartphone in her pocket like she was plotting something, party leader Kang Hye-eun changed the subject with small talk.
"A-Anyway, we're really glad you came back, Yu-ri."
"Yeah?"
"Wind mages with your level of skill aren't exactly common. Fire magic's too risky in a closed dungeon like this, and water magic lacks lethality for combat. We agonized for a while over whether to recruit a new main dealer."
"So that's why my spot was still open even after over two months off."
"Your strength's fully back, right? You seemed even stronger earlier. Did something happen while you were resting?"
Recalling the moment she'd regained her power, she blushed slightly and shyly told her comrades.
"......It's a secret."
"...... ."
"...... ."
Though she called it a secret, it was obvious to Kang Hye-eun and Han Min-ah.
But prying would invade her privacy, so they swallowed their questions. With long party experience, they knew Cha Yu-ri disliked touching on personal matters.
Judging the break sufficient, the leader prepared to push deeper.
"Everyone rested enough? Let's head back in now."
"Yeah~!"
"Sure."
"...... ."
Thus, Kang Hye-eun's A-Rank party advanced deeper into the cave.
At that moment, none of the four in 「Sky Blue Shield」 realized they all had the same person on their minds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 「B-Rank Dungeon. Abandoned Village. Sector B」
It might be obvious, but hunting monsters isn't just about mindlessly slashing with a sword or magic to cut their throats.
Hunting is merely one step in collecting monster materials. Without processing the remains, it's just a show of strength.
Usually, swordsmen or scouts handle this. Not discriminating against melee fighters, but those with blades find it easier.
To extract the core, I climbed onto the sideways Trellarodon's corpse head, jammed my greatsword into its eye socket, and disassembled it.
After the somewhat gruesome work, I found a glowing green core inside.
"Ah, found it."
This alone covers the dungeon entry fee and more.
I cleaned the core thoroughly, descended, and held it before the resting blonde woman, confirming material distribution again.
"You're really okay with me taking this? No complaints later?"
"I told you, chump change like this isn't my goal. How many times do I have to repeat myself, you idiot."
"Stop calling me idiot all the time. If you're so curious about my name, let's introduce ourselves."
"Why would I tell my name to some guild hunter... ."
"I'm Kim Sung-cheol."
"...Do Si-hee."
Doesn't seem like a famous hunter whose name I'd know. Maybe just me being ignorant.
With the Ariel Foundation emblem on her badge, she's probably some chaebol heiress or politician's daughter.
Her hair screams foreigner, but in this world, hair or skin color doesn't define nationality.
Warp through a gate, and you're in another country instantly. Translation magic handles communication.
International marriages are common, so nationality here is just birthplace.
'No need to get more involved... .'
Getting tangled with foundation types was never wise.
But having witnessed her situation, ignoring felt off.
Her clothes were torn and ragged from the long fight with the Trellarodon. Without my intervention, victory wasn't guaranteed.
...It reminded me of first meeting Cha Yu-ri, so I couldn't leave her precarious state alone.
Thus, despite risks, building some rapport seemed necessary. Just talking and listening might prevent her recklessness.
Confidence from the mystery mask hiding my face helped.
"Kim Sung-cheol... Sounds manly."
"I hear that a lot."
"No normal male hunter jumps 10 meters from flat ground, so obviously not."
"That's pretty standard."
No lies there. Yep.
With conversation flowing and her guard down, Do Si-hee and I exchanged questions.
"What's your hunter rank? A? Or B?"
"C-Rank."
"Really? You don't look like a newbie. Recently awakened?"
"If it's not rude, what's yours, Do Si-hee?"
"B. ...Not making excuses, but I was on the verge of A-Rank recently. Practically A."
"Practically A-Rank, yet struggling against a B-Rank Trellarodon?"
"I said B now. And I wasn't struggling?!"
"Ah, yes."
...It sure looked like struggling.
Arguing would just build resentment, so I nodded along.
"E-Even without you, I could've handled it alone. Getting flung by the tail was strategy to close distance... ."
"Got it. I worried needlessly."
"...Separately, you made it safer. So take the worthless core."
Even this 300k won core is chump change. Foundation folks have different money sense.
"Anyway, why's a soon-to-be A-Rank hunting Trellarodons in a B-Rank dungeon? Not monster breeding season. Ariel Foundation's near Sector A, right?"
"...None of your business."
"Pardon?"
My words apparently upset her. Do Si-hee stood abruptly and moved deeper into Sector B.
"Wait, Do Si-hee! You should head back to the guild!"
"Mind your own business! I'm still full of energy! You think I'll return empty-handed?!"
"You took heavy damage in that fight. Where do you think you're going injured like that!"
"Don't worry about it! I can handle myself!"
Anyone could see it led to doom, but she stubbornly pressed on. I couldn't watch the obvious sacrifice.
"Do Si-hee! Don't—wait... ."
As I called her name to persuade her back to the guild—
"......Huh?"
A familiar system window appeared, blocking my view.
📜 EMERGENCY QUEST 📜 B-Rank Hunter Do Si-hee is unable to perform at full capacity due to suddenly building lust.
Resolve B-Rank Hunter Do Si-hee's lust to allow her to perform at maximum capacity.
🎁 Special Reward: Awakening Points +200
⏰ Time Remaining: 05:59:59
...Wait, this again?