Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: I'll Come Back Alive. (1)
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"It'll take about a day or two to think it over, right?"
"Probably. It's a newly discovered dungeon, but they said it's C-rank rising to B-rank, so it shouldn't take that long. We could clear it even faster, but we have to explore everywhere thoroughly."
This wasn't just a simple raid. The Hunter Association had directly commissioned it, so we needed to gather as much information as possible. That would let us squeeze out a bigger reward, too. And of course, just like me, Lee Sun-young—who had zero dungeon experience—was coming along as well.
To fill up more solidly before entering the dungeon, I'd skipped breakfast and was getting ready to head out. Seo Ji-hyun had woken up early on purpose to see me off. Her mood had been up and down last night, but she seemed fine today. As I bent down to put on my shoes, I heard her say something from above, so I lifted my head for a moment.
-Smack!
"If I don't do it like this..."
"Do what?"
"I said to say goodbye properly."
"Didn't I just do that?"
"How can I send you off when I'm this worried?"
"Aw, come on. No need to worry."
I finished putting on my shoes and gave her the goodbye she wanted.
"Hugging like this at the front door... it really feels like I'm sending off a husband heading to work."
"It's just a light goodbye. This much is normal when you're living together."
Do women always read that much into these things? Her words caught me off guard, making me a bit embarrassed, but it still felt good. I could see her lips curving up, so I didn't let go. We stayed like that, locked in an embrace for a while, until Seo Ji-hyun whispered in my ear.
"Be careful. Don't get hurt."
"I won't get hurt."
"You said you'd protect me."
"That's right."
"Promise?"
"Got it."
Only then did she finally release me. Even though she let go of my body, she couldn't let go of my hand. I placed my other hand over hers, sandwiching it.
"I'll be back soon."
Honestly, I was tempted to ask if she wasn't used to it since I'd brought her home that first day and hadn't come back on Monday either. But bringing up last night's fight would be foolish. And somehow, affection had grown between us. Even knowing the truth, dredging up the fact that I'd slept with another woman felt off.
"...Have a safe trip."
"I'll be back."
-Slam!
Today's door closing sounded especially loud as I got in the car and headed to the guild.
Has she developed some kind of dependency? If I were her, with only one person in this world I could trust, I'd be scared too. Was I too fixated on how she was in the original story? Her unexpectedly fragile side lingered in my mind the whole drive. How long had it even been since we parted?
"Tch..."
What's with me today? Even after arriving at the guild parking lot, that unsettled feeling kept me from going straight in. I slipped into the smoking area, lit a cigarette, and took a drag.
Has living together made her special to me somehow? If I asked if I'd ever felt any fondness for her, the answer was yes, at least once. In reality, she was so stunning it was unlikely I'd ever meet someone like her. Still, no matter how much before her dark turn, I was more familiar with the Seo Ji-hyun from the novel.
I might have kept my distance on purpose because of that. She had the image of a crazy bitch stuck in my head. Of course, I knew it wasn't always like that and that circumstances had made her that way. I'd enjoyed the novel while pitying her deep down.
"Hoo..."
It felt hypocritical. Acting kind on the surface, but really doing it for myself, not for her.
Still, I'd return someday. This world was just a creation. If I left, whether it stopped or the original Lee Seo-woo came back, who knows. If the original came back, I might feel a bit sorry for Seo Ji-hyun.
-Flick. Tap.
But that's none of my business. Someday, looking back, she'll think it was a dream.
A somewhat unpleasant dream.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I didn't stay at the guild long. I'd stopped by first to pick up Lee Sun-young, who was coming with me. She'd already informed the school and skipped classes. We arrived at Yangjae Citizen's Forest, where the dungeon was, and found the entrance taped off with "No Entry" signs. The manager greeted us there.
"Oh, Hunter Lee Seo-woo! You've arrived!"
"Good to see you."
"Just the two of you, huh? Famous solo player Lee Seo-woo. According to the application, one isn't a registered hunter but a student. That's okay, right?"
"Yes. She's my disciple. Giving her some real combat experience."
"Whoa! Lucky student. Might be a bit tough, though. Haha!"
Sorry, but the Guild Master ordered me to bring her. And Sun-young, why are you nodding along? Is it because I pushed you hard yesterday? Next time, I'll show you real hell.
"Anyway, if it's Hunter Lee Seo-woo, it's fine. Two personnel approved. Have a safe raid!"
"Thanks. Take care."
I'd noticed it during the school visit last time, but just how high was Lee Seo-woo's reputation? Even as an A-rank, this treatment was over the top. Maybe because he was a mage who soloed. Whatever, good is good. I turned to Lee Sun-young with one last warning.
"You brought the Return Stone, right?"
"Yes. Here it is."
A fist-sized regular octahedron glowing bright blue. In the original story, Seo Ji-hyun used it often. Infuse it with mana, and it teleports you to its paired stone's location—a one-use artifact. I had no idea how it worked, but dungeon bosses dropped them rarely, so they were pricey. If mass-producible, transportation companies would've gone bankrupt.
"The rest?"
"Calorie bars, camping gear, canteen, mana recovery potions, and regular healing potions. All the items you specified."
"Good job."
She was properly dressed in the guild-issued uniform. Since she used a sword, I'd considered telling her to bring spares, but I figured I'd handle it, so no need. It might just be extra baggage.
"Let's head out."
"Yes."
Inside, the forest was visible behind, but a dark purple energy like shattered glass poured from the dungeon. So alien. In the novel, you just touched it to enter...
"...Shit."
It didn't say you got sucked in immediately. I thought you had to infuse mana or something. That's why urban dungeons are dangerous—people get caught up. The scenery looked the same, but the air suddenly pressed down heavily. The weather grew darker and gloomier.
"Vice Guild Master-nim."
"Yeah. We made it safely."
It really teleports you in instantly. I barely caught the faint ripple in mana flow. If I hadn't been on high alert, I wouldn't have noticed. No wonder dungeons backstab entrants so often.
"The air feels totally different. And it's way darker than before."
"Dungeon trait."
"But the terrain is surprisingly similar. I learned about it in school, but experiencing it firsthand really drives it home."
"That's the hypothesis: similar terrain means connected to another world. Unproven, but no counterexamples, so it's accepted theory."
"Amazing."
Good thing I read intently. If I'd skimmed, I couldn't answer, and I'd miss using Lee Seo-woo's other abilities.
Sensing around the entry area, no lifeforms nearby. Two possibilities: Association hunters cleared it first and returned, or...
"Undead for real."
Not alive, yet moving. Zombies from the novel, but wolf-shaped.
"Urk..."
Flesh torn, rotten muscles and bones exposed—they made Lee Sun-young gag. I held it together, but for a student like her, it was gruesome. The stench was overpowering.
I decided to clear the nearby ones first and assess. Detection didn't work, so visual only—annoying. But I was a fire mage with AoE attacks.
"Stick close."
I pulled the slightly distant Lee Sun-young to my side and unleashed flames widely, blocking the approaching zombie wolves. The fire spread instantly, engulfing vegetation and wolves. I relaxed, but one miscalculation.
"------!!!"
"Kuh!"
"Vice Guild Master-nim!"
Zombies immune to pain? Flames burning them, yet they advanced slowly, howling like pure grudge. Not a normal sound—felt like mana slamming in, substantial. I caught the anomaly and covered Lee Sun-young's ears in time, but tinnitus hit me, headache following. Grimacing, she shouted at me.
"Are you okay?!"
"Don't get distracted! This is basic in dungeons!"
Ears ringing, I heard nothing, but no time for questions. I yelled back to focus. She turned to the wolves, hand on her sword. Honestly, too overconfident. Thought following strong Lee Seo-woo was enough, got complacent. Never faced this in real life.
Thought it'd be like a game, just burn them casually—but it took longer than expected. Good they lacked intellect or pain, approaching to burn themselves out. Wolves and surrounding trees incinerated, leaving acrid smoke. Pathetic, I clenched my fist.
Reflect. This world is real as long as I'm here. Not an online game—the attacks, burning, this foul smell.
...Just sigh. It'll be remembered as a truly harsh dream.