Chapter 13

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 013

Chapter Title: A Flower in Each Hand?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Shall we have you greet the rest of the party and start the briefing?"

"Nice to meet you all."

The party consisted of four people, including Cheon Sang-ho. Thanks to my deep bow, the other members looked fairly amicable. It was that classic vibe of veterans eyeing a newbie.

"You're support and one-dealer, right? Do your best."

"I'll learn hard."

My main mentor was a C-Rank support in his late thirties named Cheon Sang-su, Cheon Sang-ho's younger brother. Unlike his bulkier older brother, he had a slender build.

"Hehe, it's nice to have a young kid around. And he's handsome too."

"Ahaha..."

This one was Jeong Se-hee, the B-Rank one-dealer. With her flowing robe and pointed hat, she screamed "I'm a wizard." But her heavy makeup and skin-tight dress gave off a sultry, mature seductress vibe. She was thirty-two.

'...Her eyes look like she's about to devour me.'

Damn, check out those tits. Yu-ra Noona at least dresses conservatively in suits, but this woman doesn't even try to hide them. One good shake and those nipples are popping out.

Having already tasted an older woman's charms with Yu-ra Noona, my dick twitched automatically as Jeong Se-hee's sticky gaze roamed over my body.

And finally, the red-haired woman whose eyes I'd briefly met earlier when greeting Cheon Sang-ho.

Jeong Se-hee was quite the beauty, but this one had a completely different feel. Like an athlete with barely any makeup. The classic girl crush type.

"I'm Sin Ju-yeon."

Her hair was tied up high, and her curvaceous figure was accentuated by her medium armor. She was twenty-three, the same age as me.

She was almost as tall as me, with a spear even longer than she was in her hand. She was the party's main dealer, B-Rank.

'A woman wielding a spear.'

Well, it wasn't about preference—it was determined by stats and skills. Or maybe she'd trained in martial arts before awakening.

"Now that introductions are done, let's talk business. Seong-han-ssi, you said you have detection and storage skills, right?"

"Yes. Not sure how well the detection will work yet, though."

"Sang-su here will guide you step by step. Today's focus is studying and snagging finishing blows for EXP, so don't stress too much."

Ah, that's why they always make newbies do Party Practice. To guarantee at least some leveling before solo runs.

Once you get your license, the Association forces two dungeon clears. It's to build experience before official activity ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and for them to evaluate your combat ability.

Based on those two evaluations and your public stats, you join a guild or go freelance.

After one Party Practice, a mentor/protector accompanies you on your first solo. E- to F-Rank dungeons are doable on basic stats regardless of position.

"Your gear looks solid. No worries about stray attacks."

"Got some advice from someone I know."

This coat I was wearing was hand-picked by Yu-ra Noona. Despite its ordinary look, it boosted stamina by a whopping 150. Cost: 30 million won.

She'd tried to gift it at first, but after some back-and-forth, we compromised. I'd "borrow" the money from her and buy it myself—with a little trick added.

'I asked for 300 million instead of 30. Said I'd send back 270.'

Yu-ra Noona gave me a puzzled look but said she'd hear the reason later and went along coolly. Of course, the amount was huge, and my account had limits, so we had to hit the bank.

The key point? I copied a clean 90 million—30% of 300 million.

No need to repay Noona right away, so my ready cash jumped to 110 million. I converted 30 million to coins.

'Just in case Golden Eye comes in handy.'

With three B-Ranks and one C-Rank, what could go wrong? Per Yu-ra Noona's advice, today's plan was studying and networking.

'...Though I'll aim higher if the chance arises.'

Just get moderately friendly with one—Jeong Se-hee or Sin Ju-yeon. B-Rank women hunters, especially beauties like these? No downside to connections.

"This dungeon has lots of magic traps. Main monsters are skeletons and golems. Great spot for supports to shine."

"Golems... You have to destroy the core, right?"

"Exactly. Even if you can't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pinpoint it exactly, marking weak points helps. Practice from neutralization onward."

With the briefing done, we had about 15 minutes before entry. Cheon Sang-ho and Cheon Sang-su headed to the smoking area, and I just hit the bathroom.

After wrapping up texts with Yu-ra Noona, a shadow fell over my head. Sin Ju-yeon had sidled up next to me.

"Girlfriend?"

"Nah, just a senior I know."

"Speak casually. We're the same age."

"Uh, sure?"

What? I thought she was just a sporty type with a rough exterior, but her personality was refreshingly straightforward too. First time dealing with this, so I was a bit flustered, but Sin Ju-yeon plopped down beside me without a hint of awkwardness.

"I skimmed your profile. Having one stat specialized from the start is a good sign."

"Oh... Really?"

"Most people align with skill traits on level-up. Intelligence specialization suits a detection main like you. Magic power gains get boosted on level-up."

"Didn't know that."

It was knowledge Yu-ra Noona had drilled into me, but I nodded along. No reason to play cold when she approached friendly first.

"Hmm, what's up with Ju-yeon? Heart fluttering over a handsome guy?"

"Just wanna look out for him since we're same age."

Sin Ju-yeon stayed nonchalant despite Jeong Se-hee's provocative jab. Probably not love at first sight—just happy to meet a peer.

"Learned a lot?"

A soft pressure.

Jeong Se-hee plopped down on my other side and hooked her arm in mine. Hard to tell without stripping her, but she felt a cut above Yu-ra Noona.

"Unnie."

"What? Can't I get friendly too?"

Sin Ju-yeon furrowed her brow slightly and let out a quiet sigh. Looked like this wasn't their first rodeo.

'Fuck, this is hot.'

I thought sex with Yu-ra Noona had toughened me up, but a stranger woman's physical advance hit harder than expected. Good thing the long coat hid my lower half.

"Planning to stick with support forever, Seong-han-ssi? Or switch to attacker later?"

"Still thinking about it."

For final checks before entry, I pulled up my status window. Per Yu-ra Noona's advice, I'd dumped all remaining 170 points into stats.

Dumping into Luck is usually dumb, but I'll raise it steadily if possible. Level-ups give spare points via Copy anyway.

'The guidebook had surprisingly useful info.'

Copy skill can yield extra effects with high Luck. Worth testing if efficiency improves.

Plus Yu-ra Noona's permanent status buff—my stats were now solid C-Rank, well past D. That's why I'd swung by her place last night on purpose.

"Intelligence spec? You could aim for one-dealer. Might snag attack skills on level-up."

"Yeah?"

"Boost Agility and main a bow—not bad. Supports don't just spectate from behind."

Both veterans for sure—Sin Ju-yeon and Jeong Se-hee gave practical advice even Yu-ra Noona hadn't covered.

That said, Jeong Se-hee was boldly flirty. Not content with rubbing her tits on my arm, her other hand was slyly kneading my ass. Pants and coat dulled the thrill, but it was brazen.

"Ask Noona anything you don't know. I'll be right here."

Whispering hot breath in my ear—she clearly saw me as tasty young prey. Aphrodisiac was made for types like her?

Honestly, Sin Ju-yeon tempted me more. Not age or looks—her scanned stats were overwhelming.

B-Rank requires Strength+Agility over 350. Sin Ju-yeon hit 430. Above Jeong Se-hee's slight 350+ and even Cheon Sang-ho's near-400.

Jeong Se-hee, as a mage, had high Intelligence like me. Cheon Sang-ho fit tank with Strength and Stamina. Sin Ju-yeon was balanced, with solid 65 Intelligence for a melee dealer.

"Kahat, kid's popular with the ladies. Se-hee already hunting?"

"Can't you see I'm kindly mentoring a junior?"

"Watch out, newbie. Bad guidance and she might rip your dick off."

"Always ganging up. Just a taste, only a taste."

Cheon Sang-ho cracked a vulgar joke, but Jeong Se-hee just smiled slyly and doubled down. Sin Ju-yeon was the one blushing.

"Cut the nonsense and gear up. Anything else to grab, Seong-han-ssi? Weapon in storage skill?"

"Yes. Pull it now?"

"Dump everything once—we'll sort what you need."

"Oh, and everyone, speak casually. I'm way behind in age and experience."

"Alright?"

I pulled my gear from inventory for Cheon Sang-su: bow and quiver, long spear, two big backpacks with emergency rations and kits. He nodded approval.

"Solid basics. Bow and arrows on you, rest in storage."

"Got it."

"Let's move."

Sin Ju-yeon up front, Cheon Sang-ho with his big shield next. Cheon Sang-su and Jeong Se-hee flanked me protectively.

Woooong—

"Entering."

The gate hummed and rippled. Sin Ju-yeon plunged in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first, vanishing like she'd been sucked away. I was fourth.

'My first dungeon at last...!'

In that moment, skills and all faded from mind. Heart pounding, I stepped into the gate.