"Do–gyul-ah…”
I hesitated before opening my mouth. Even though I wasn’t truly Han Yi-jin, and Do-gyul wasn’t really my younger brother, I had decided to protect him in Han Yi-jin’s place. That was why I had to stop Do-gyul from entering the final dungeon. No matter the reason, I had to stand firm and say no. Having seen Do-gyul use his ability so many tis already, I wasn’t as anxious as before, though I was still worried.
Do-gyul, an S-rank, had already grown into a remarkable hunter without realizing it. Just holding his ground against Max Bryan was impressive enough. Yet, I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret. It was like a mother bird watching her young leave the nest. Had he really grown that much—was he truly ready to leave ? Silly thoughts flitted through my mind. Finally, I let out a sigh and went on speaking.
“Once we enter the dungeon, you have to stay right by my side. Got it?”
“Yes, got it!”
Do-gyul’s eyes sparkled as he nodded with enthusiasm, before turning his head to look at soone.
“Yong-sik is coming too, right?”
“No, Yong-sik…”
“…?”
Flustered, I let my words trail off. Do-gyul tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand.
“Why?”
“Because Yong-sik still can’t control his ability well.”
“Oh, because he can’t transform into a dragon?”
“Right.”
“Hmm.”
Do-gyul frowned and let out a small sigh, then quickly turned his head toward . With innocent eyes, he asked—
“But does he really have to turn into a dragon?”
“What?”
“Yong-sik is S-rank, so he must be strong even now. Is it really necessary?”
“Well…”
Once again, I was at a loss for words at Do-gyul’s question. He was surprisingly articulate. Did he take after —or the real Han Yi-jin? Honestly, it was one surprise after another.
“Still, the Ginnungagap dungeon is extrely dangerous. Being able to transform into a dragon increases his chances of surviving.”
“That’s true, but…”
Do-gyul wore a reluctant expression. He glanced at Yong-sik, then looked back at . From that dissatisfied look, I could tell he was determined to bring Yong-sik along no matter what. I let out a deep sigh.
“Yong-sik really can’t go. So why do you keep—?”
“To clear it, we need the power of an S-rank hunter.”
“There are other high-ranking hunters, though.”
“Still, there aren’t many as strong as Yong-sik.”
“That’s… I guess that’s true.”
Since transforming into a human, Yong-sik had only leveled up by being carried by Kang Yoo-hyun in the pop-up dungeons and hadn’t really used his ability. Still, his ability likely involved handling poison, just like his innate trait.
Yong-sik’s poison, which could only be cured by the genius alchemist Lee Chae-jin’s antidote potion, would undoubtedly be a huge help in clearing the dungeon. Even so, his unstable condition weighed on my mind. Beyond the fact that he couldn’t return to his original form, other problems could arise with his body. I couldn’t help but worry about him.
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t bring Yong-sik along when he can’t even control his own ability.”
“But…”
“Do-gyul, let’s drop this topic—ugh!”
“Hyung?”
All of a sudden, my head throbbed. The sharp, unexpected pain made clutch my forehead and stagger, and Do-gyul rushed over to support . At that mont, a voice echoed in my head.
【Use whatever it takes to survive. The more people, the better.】
A low, playful male voice rang out in my head. I gasped and grabbed my head with both hands.
“Ugh…!”
“Hyung! Are you okay?”
“Haa…”
I let out a sigh. What… just happened? Maybe because I was so confused, my mind went blank for a mont. Then I realized—the voice that had rung in my head was familiar. It was the voice of the god I had heard once before. I never thought the god could speak to outside the dungeon. Was it because I’d acted so foolishly? For a mont, I was at a loss for words.
“Hyung!”
“Ah, Do-gyul-ah.”
“What’s wrong? Hm?”
“It’s nothing, I’m fine now.”
I managed to answer and let out another breath. The dizziness in my head eased a little. I gave Do-gyul a reassuring smile and turned my head.
“Dad?”
“…”
The god’s powerful voice was still echoing in my head.
Use whatever it takes to survive.
That was what the god had told —, who had been about to leave Yong-sik behind. The aning was obvious. Another sigh almost escaped , but this ti I swallowed it down and opened my mouth.
“Yong-sik-ah… let’s go to the dungeon together.”
“Wow!”
“…!”
Hearing my words, Do-gyul got excited, like he was going to an amusent park, while Yong-sik’s eyes widened in surprise. I couldn’t bring myself to et Yong-sik’s purple eyes.
“Whoa…”
It was my first ti stepping into the Odin Guild’s grand conference hall. The place was far larger than I had expected—so big it felt overwhelming. Wasn’t this even bigger than the Association’s headquarters? No wonder the major guilds didn’t get along well with the Association.
“Please, have a seat here.”
“Ah, yes.”
I nodded to the guild mber who guided and took a seat. The conference hall, as large as a school playground, was lined with round tables that could each seat about ten people. With so many attendees, the tables filled the place completely. The whole atmosphere reminded of a celebrity award show I’d once seen on TV.
I sat with the nervous Do-gyul and Yong-sik, along with Eden. Normally, they’d chatter away without a care, but now—perhaps overwheld by the setting—they sat with their mouths tightly shut. It struck as a little funny. No, actually, not really. Because I was nervous too.
I forced an awkward smile and lifted the glass of water in front of . Even though it was just plain water, it sohow felt classy. Hopefully, this wouldn’t turn into a full-course hotel-style al.
“Hunter Han Yi-jin! So you’re here!”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, soone appeared beside , smiling broadly. It was Sung Yoo-bin. Seeing her after such a long ti, I was surprised at first. Then, belatedly realizing how happy I was to see her, I smiled brightly and stood up from my seat.
“Hunter Sung Yoo-bin, it’s been a while.”
“Yes. There have just been way too many obstacles lately.”
“Huh?”
I tilted my head, unable to understand what she ant. Then, with a completely nonchalant expression, Sung Yoo-bin changed the subject.
“How have you been? Guild Master Park Yoon-sung was so good at keeping things under wraps that, ever since the last dungeon, no one has been able to track your movents, Hunter Han Yi-jin.”
“Ah… haha.”
It seed that Max Bryan’s attack on had taken place in a region managed by the Odin Guild, because the other guild mbers didn’t seem to know anything about it. Even Sung Yoo-bin couldn’t find out. As expected of the Odin Guild. I let out an awkward laugh and answered her.
“I’ve been well. How about you, Hunter Sung Yoo-bin?”
“Yes, I’ve been well too. And preparations for the raid have been going very smoothly.”
“Ah…”
I flinched at her even more threatening aura than before. Even though Sung Yoo-bin was probably holding back because she was around other hunters, the prickling on my skin only got stronger. How much stronger had she beco in the anti? She didn’t even look human anymore—more like so kind of monster.
“I truly felt my own helplessness in the Muspelheim dungeon. This ti, I will make sure to protect Hunter Han Yi-jin properly.”
“It’s okay. Everyone had a hard ti back then.”
“No… if I had done better…”
Biting her lip, Sung Yoo-bin lowered her head. I had survived the Muspelheim dungeon, but many others hadn’t. Sung Yoo-bin wasn’t just thinking about —she was rembering the other hunters she hadn’t been able to protect.
I felt conflicted as well. But Sung Yoo-bin had done more than enough. Wasn’t she the one who, together with Kang Yoo-hyun, had defeated the boss monster and opened the portal? On top of that, she had guarded it to the very end so the villains couldn’t take it. Those were things no one else could have done but her.
“Thanks to you, Hunter Sung Yoo-bin, everyone was able to escape safely through the portal. You did more than enough.”
“Hunter Han Yi-jin…”
Sung Yoo-bin raised her head and gazed at , visibly moved. I felt a bit awkward.
But shouldn’t the protagonist be the one giving this kind of comfort? Anyway, the protagonist is far too busy, and that’s the problem.
Kang Yoo-hyun and Park Yoon-sung had arrived before to run the eting, yet there was still no sign of them. In the original story, the romantic developnt went smoothly, but this ti, I don’t know why it’s dragging on.
Once we clear the final dungeon, I’ll make sure to give it a proper push.
The mont that thought crossed my mind, the lights in the conference room suddenly went out with a click. It looked like the eting was about to begin.
“I’ll return to my seat now.”
“Yes, see you later.”
After Sung Yoo-bin left, I sat back down as well. Looking toward the podium, I saw Park Yoon-sung, Kang Yoo-hyun, and, next to them, Kang Soo-hyun. Since Kang Soo-hyun would be the main guide for this dungeon raid, it seed natural for him to stand alongside them.
The sight of SS-class Kang Yoo-hyun standing next to his younger brother drew quiet murmurs from the crowd. For so reason, I felt a sense of pride as I looked at them.
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