LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 73
I immediately began researching the dungeon after Seong San-ha left.
Daecheong Dungeon was a stage-type dungeon composed of interconnected spaces called “floors.” It was an immensely large dungeon extending down to underground levels, a rarity worldwide. This meant that to reach the desired floor, one had to pass through all preceding spaces. Seong San-ha acting as if his help was necessary was annoyingly understandable.
The next day, as soon as Lim Cheong and Zero returned to the workshop, I called them to my room. Lim Cheong, with her stoic expression, and Zero, with a sly smile, sat across from me. Looking at them, I spoke up.
“Who wants to go to a dungeon with me?”
“……”
Though there were three people in the room, not a sound was heard. As I glanced between them, Zero adjusted his glasses and asked,
“Oh, I apologize. It was just so sudden. But why would Ho-hyun nim want to go to a dungeon?”
“There’s an item that can substitute for the Windstorm Crystal. It’s a bound item, so I have to go myself.”
“Hm, what kind of item is it?”
“We’re going to get the Abyss Crystal from Daecheong Dungeon.”
“Oh no…”
Both Lim Cheong and Zero reacted simultaneously as soon as they heard my words. Instead of Zero clicking his tongue, Lim Cheong, with a dark expression, asked,
“Ho-hyun nim, may I ask if you have any notable attack or defense skills?”
“Nothing particularly useful.”
“To be frank, we need to go below the 20th underground floor, and we can’t guarantee Ho-hyun’s safety. And….”
Lim Cheong’s expression grew even more stern, and her gaze naturally shifted to Zero, who was sitting beside her. Zero met her gaze and shook his head with a regretful expression.
“Even if we go together, it would take at least a week, and that would disrupt the original material procurement schedule.”
“I don’t want to work with him either.”
With Lim Cheong’s resolute refusal, Zero clutched his chest, looking hurt.
“
Ugh
, I thought of you as a good comrade.”
“…Nonsense.”
“Would it really take a week even if both of you go together?”
The situation was worse than I had expected, and I couldn’t help but sigh. With both of them saying this, there was no way to force the issue. The little bit of time we had was thanks to Lim Cheong and Zero’s excellent skills in quickly gathering the necessary items. The original timeframe was already tight, so there was no room to fit in a dungeon trip.
Reluctantly, I decided to discard the option of enlisting the help of mercenaries and looked at the two of them.
“Alright. I’ll handle this, so don’t worry about it. Just focus on getting the remaining materials.”
“Understood, Ho-hyun nim.”
“Hmm. I was curious about what it was, but it’s a pity.”
After they left and I was alone, I threw myself onto the bed. No matter how much I racked my brain, no solution came to mind. If I had more time, I could have researched in another direction to find a recipe, but it was too late for that now, and I lacked the time and skills.
There were only twenty days left… I stared at the phone in my hand.
“At this rate, I’ll have to ask Seong San-ha for he- help…
Argh
!”
Even thinking about it made me feel like ants were crawling all over my body. I tossed and turned, burying my face in the pillow again. It was so different from my time in Nox. There, they would lock me up and make me work, so it was natural for them to scold me for not getting the materials. But with Seong San-ha… Even admitting that I needed his help was difficult. Not to mention, I had already received so much help from him!
Even if I conceded that the help I received unintentionally didn’t count, I still didn’t want to ask for more.
“No, Kang Eui-jin. You don’t have any other options. Just borrow his strength this one time. It’s no big deal. You can repay him. The ring, the support funds, this time too, you can repay everything… Oh, right, there’s also the time he saved you when you escaped. Damn, it’s a lot.”
I tried to convince myself it was nothing, but instead, I was reminded of just how much I owed him.
After repeatedly tossing and turning, picking up the phone, hesitating, and tossing and turning again, I finally shut my eyes tight and pressed the call button. After a short ring, Seong San-ha’s voice came through.
[…What’s going on?]“What time do you want to meet tomorrow?”
I tried to sound casual, but my lips were dry. I heard a chuckle from the other side, followed by a playful response.
[Why tomorrow? I don’t know if I’ll have time.]“Don’t play dumb… You know what I mean. Let’s go to the dungeon tomorrow.”
[Dungeon? Ah, that…]An uneasy silence stretched out, making me suspect my prediction was correct.
[Sorry, but I don’t think I’ll have time.]“What do you mean you don’t have time? You said you’d come with me yesterday.”
[I’m the head of a guild, you know. Not as free as some people.]“What? Who’s that some people supposed to be!”
[Who do you think? By the way, why the sudden change of heart? Weren’t you going with your mercenaries?]“Well….”
I was at a loss for words at his innocuous question. An awkward silence followed. As I hesitated with my lips cracked, I heard a voice from someone on Seong San-ha’s side. It seemed that he wasn’t alone.
[It’ll be over soon, just wait a moment. …Hello?]“Yeah.”
[I can look into it, but I can’t give you a definite answer. I already have other plans.]I bit my lip in frustration. It hadn’t even been 24 hours since he confidently said he was ready to help, and now he was changing his tune. What a petty bastard. Sure, I did tell him to get lost, but that doesn’t mean he should immediately make other plans. He spends all his time lounging around my workshop,
Tsundere xD
Even though I knew I should probably ask for his help again since there wasn’t anyone else as skilled, my pride wouldn’t let me. As if reading my mind, his voice came through, tinged with amusement.
[I can’t say no if you act like that, you know.]“…You already did. You said you didn’t have time.”
[Say ‘San-ha hyung, please come to the dungeon with me.’]“What?”
[I’ll make the time if my dongsaeng asks nicely.]
I stared at my phone in disbelief. This crazy bastard… The very thought made something churn inside me, making me feel sick as if I were forced to eat something I detested.
[Huh? Come on, puppy.]“…You cheapbastard.”
Laughter came through the phone. Seong San-ha didn’t rush me, but I could hear someone else talking in the background. He couldn’t wait any longer and spoke first this time.
[I’ll call you back later. I need to go now…]“Ah, damn it! San-ha hyung!”
[…]“Please go to the dungeon with me! You said you’d come. Why are you suddenly busy now when you’re always lounging around? I’m ask…..asking for a favor. I’ll pay you back later. Show me some of that ‘generous kindness’ you always brag about. To me!”
I shouted in desperation. Once I started, the words flowed more easily. As I spat out the words I’d been holding in, Seong San-ha’s laughter finally erupted. After a while, he managed to suppress his laughter and spoke.
[…Keup. Alright, Ho-hyun ah. Let’s go together.]***
“Hohyun-nim, this is a simple dungeon meal kit, and here are some snacks for you. These are emergency rations, combat food, and preserved food, in that order.”
I stared in disbelief at the pile of supplies Yeon Seung-yeon kept pulling out. There was enough food to build a tower.
“I don’t have much inventory space. A few will do.”
“You never know what might happen… You’re going to a dangerous place, and this is all I can do…”
“There’s no need to worry. We’ll be back soon.”
Despite my reassurances, Yeon Seung-yeon’s worried expression didn’t fade. I sighed and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, making him sit down.
“Are you sure it will be okay?”
“I understand your concern, but that guy is the leader of the Cheon Rang Guild. His skills are…”
I had only seen Seong San-ha in action once before, on the day he found me trapped in the cave. I didn’t know what skill he used, but the cave had shattered in an instant, showing that he possessed tremendous power.
Besides, he had confidently said he could finish the dungeon in three days, which Zero and Lim Cheong estimated would take a week.
“He must be skilled.”
I muttered, grabbing my jacket draped over the chair as a loud car horn honked outside.
“I’m heading out.”
“Yes. Have a safe trip….. Ho-hyun nim! Don’t forget your rations!”
The trip to Daecheong Lake took over three hours. However, the view from the window made the journey pleasant. The endless mountain ranges under the clear, open sky were soothing to my eyes.
‘I wouldn’t mind living somewhere like this someday.’
Lost in the scenery, I was brought back by Seong San-ha’s voice.
“Here, take this. You’ll need it when we enter the dungeon.”
“What is this…?” I asked, taking the item from him.
It was a Hunter’s ID card. Despite my awakening, I had never officially registered as a hunter, so this was my first time receiving such an ID. As I opened it, I saw my photo alongside the name Jeong Ho-hyun.
“What’s with the boring name
Jeong Ho-hyun
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