Learning All Sorts of Things

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Handcuffs clank on her wrists. Chains stretch up to the ceiling, looking incredibly uncomfortable.

And to bind her body tight, belts wrap around everywhere.

Not enough with that—ropes? Cables? Something like that winds around her body once more.

"…Chorok."

But what sticks in my memory is her expression. She looks so sad. Even tiny through the mirror, I feel it. I want to save her, no matter what.

"Chorok, why are you spacing out like that?"

"Eek!"

A hand touches my shoulder, snapping me out of my deep thoughts.

We're back in the Yongin mountains at the gate entrance, taking a short break.

"I saw her in the mirror earlier. Mujin unni. It keeps bothering me."

"That mirror you're holding right now?"

"Yeah. The island behind her—you said it was Jeju Island?"

"Yup. I flew there once on vacation."

Jeju Island—full of citrus fruits, with stone grandpas whooshing around with kitchen knives?

"Mujin unni and Jeju Island… are they connected somehow?"

"Didn't you want to conquer gates partly to find your friend? Then getting info on the Jeju Island gate would be good."

"Uwung… how do I do that?"

Ask Behind? Or search the internet?

"For new gates, Seonhwa next to you can get the info. Existing ones get complicated. Want me to look into it? Senior service."

"That'd be great?"

"You're at the age where you wanna try everything as a hunter, so I wanna help. But it'll take time. We have issues with the gate we just conquered right now."

"Eung?"

I tilt my head at "issues." Didn't we cleanly drill through that clay lump?

"Not your problem. Don't worry. Reports say we can't re-enter this gate. We bid big money, and it's a total dud. Happens sometimes."

"Gates cost money to buy?"

Curiosity sparks at the casual mention. Come to think of it, the last training gate was Management Bureau's. Do people buy and sell gates?

"Yeah. New gates go to auction certified by the Bureau for operation rights. That's why there are scout guilds hunting new ones. Discoverers get a cut of the auction."

"Huing… I get why we need so much money now."

"Oh? You get it? Right. Dungeon gates that make money still need investment. See why I told you to hustle?"

"Yeah…"

The money in my account—I gotta save it. Can't relax just 'cause it's a fat piggy bank!

"But gathering magistones like today, taking your share of materials—you'll open paths fast. You can do it, Chorok. That mirror in your hand? Gate item—someone'd buy it."

"This is expensive too?"

I glance at the mirror. Jihye raid leader said I found it, so keep it.

"Yeah. Gates sometimes drop weapons or tools. Most are high-performance, trade for big bucks."

"Hmm… but I wanna keep this one."

"Not bad. Heard it gives useful effects to its owner."

Yeah. Yeah. It showed where Mujin unni is right away. Plenty useful.

"Anyway, I'll look into Jeju when I have time. For today's report, you're MVP on contributions."

"MVP!?"

What's that? Shiny word. Means I did awesome, right?

"Your help was huge this raid. Breaking the swamp, boss monster—dangerous without you."

Drill whirr, right? Kkumteuli revealed the clay lump's core.

"You're building a guild, right? Gotta log contributions proper. Builds your career."

"Th-thanks…"

"Nah. Just doing what's right. Any guildmate performing like you, I'd hook 'em up."

Jihye raid leader's great. Annoying in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Behind sometimes, but she cares detailed.

Remember her answering my questions first. Helped tons before meeting Seonhwa.

"Can we meet again? Jihye… unni."

"What? What? Did you just call me unni? Kinda cute? Sure. For a dongsaeng like you, anytime. I'll hit you up. Alright, disband for today!"

She heads back to the other guildmates.

Guess that's really it.

Full day. First dungeon raid adventure. Clue on Mujin unni too.

Next is Jeju-ish. Think slow for now.

"…Good work, Chorok."

"Ah! Seonhwa officer!"

Thinking of heading home, she arrives perfect timing.

"Watched as operator. You were splendid."

"Thanks, Seonhwa officer! And good work as operator."

Praise feels great. Proof I hustled.

"Keep active like today, you'll achieve your dream soon."

"Yay! I'll keep hustling! And…"

I fidget fingers, pausing. Called Jihye unni, so my closest ally needs a matching title.

"From now on, call you unni?"

Normally noona, but this body—get used to unni.

A bit shy… but close people feel closer.

"Haha… sure. Call me that."

Yahoo! Approved. Seonhwa unni smiles warmly—likes it.

"Then let's head back. Rest deep—you earned it."

"Yeah!"

Next day. Opening Behind in morning to post steady thread, Jihye unni's post catches my eye.

She mentioned something similar yesterday. Gate re-entry impossible, right?

Reading it, she's bummed hard despite hustling.

Gotta cheer her in 1:1 chat at least.

"Eung? Why reject…"

Worried, I text her number. "Everything okay?" Sent. No reply yet.

"Behind vibe's off, bad for steady post. Right, Deobseok-i?"

Nod nod. Deobseok-i, peeking at my smartphone, affirms.

Oh yeah—when Deobseok-i nommed the clay lump core, flower bloomed on head?

Plus Plant Empathy skill leveled up. Check status for changes?

"Status window."

Oh, Empathy up for sure. What's below?

This needs Jeju trip. One more thing.

What info? Better view if I can. I press the floating [View] button firmly.

"Ue… what's all this. Too many letters!"

Eyes spin. Showing my friends' skills? Cool censored names galore.

Swipe it off for now. Check slow later…

"Anyway, pops up on growth… Finding friends, Empathy levels—more unlocks?"

Nod nod. Wiggle wiggle.

Just a guess, but Deobseok-i and Kkumteuli affirm together. Oh. Right? Hustle that too.

Means more gates. Ask Seonhwa unni if any around…?

—Ring ring!

"Seo-ah? What's up?"

Reaching for smartphone, call comes first. I hit accept.

"Chorok unni! Free this weekend?"

"Weekend? Hmm… Unless Deobseok-i walkies, yeah. Why?"

"Then come with me! Need company! Don't wanna go alone!"

"Sure. Where?"

"See when we get there. Pick you up weekend!"

Click. Seo-ah hangs.

Eung? Where we going?

. . . .

Weekend. Fancy city theater.

Seo-ah brings me to Petit Cure movie.

Honestly, first dragged for theater-limited random goods? Lined up bored.

Kid stuff, no expectations?

Munch tasty popcorn, watch bored awhile.

— No matter the despair, our Petit Cure of Hope won't yield!

"Fight!"

"Fight! Pure Hope!"

But following kiddos, suddenly cheering too?

— So we'll fight! Petit Cure Pure Hope Chain Saw…!

"Pure Hope Chain Saw! Go!"

Not enough—whirring chainsaw magic wand, I mimic lines. How'd this happen?

What is this…? Way more fun than thought!