513

 [Chapter 140]

[At the Dungeon Entrance (3)]

Day 1 of the Academy Dungeon.

Students scattered throughout the dungeon typically spent nearly a day just gathering with their party members.

Jeong Ha-yang's party was the same.

Jeong Ha-yang, Kim Min-ji, Choi Eun-hyuk, Jin Pa-rang, Bong Gu-rae, and Bae Soo-bin decided to camp at the entrance of the second underground floor.

"Then I'll stand guard. Call me if you need anything."

Following Ha-yang's instructions.

The party members each carried out their assigned roles.

Bong Gu-rae and Bae Soo-bin briefly left to check if there were any monsters near the campsite.

Kim Min-ji—

"—Then I'll make dinner. Ramen, that's no big deal. I'll cook it deliciously for you."

""""...""""

A thunderbolt out of the blue.

Ha-yang and the other two looked at each other.

Kim Min-ji is the one person who shouldn't be allowed to make even combat rations.

They can't let her poison the party.

Their opinions matched.

The three nodded.

"Ah, Min-ji. Since Pa-rang oppa can cook ramen too, why don't you check the loot we got today?"

"That's right! I'm good at cooking ramen!"

"F-Food...! I'll make the rice!"

Starting with Ha-yang.

Pa-rang and Eun-hyuk hastily took roles to prevent Min-ji from even uttering the word "cook".

"...Huh? Why are you all pouncing on me over cooking ramen?"

"T-The boss said so! He said to cook ramen like your life depends on it anytime, anywhere!"

"Huh? No Eunha said that? I really don't understand that guy sometimes. Then I'll leave the ramen to you two."

Kim Min-ji was bewildered.

She turned away with a sullen face.

Only then did Eun-hyuk and Pa-rang sigh in relief and start cooking ramen.

And a little while later.

Jin Pa-rang's ramen was completed.

"Oh my...? It's delicious? This feels like the first time I'm eating such delicious ramen."

"See, I told you I'm really good at cooking ramen? Just say the word. I'll let you eat ramen anytime!"

"Well, Binggu oppa has always been good at cooking ramen. But something is 2% lacking. If you added something it would be even..."

"No. This is enough."

"Uh uh uh uh...! Guys! I think the stir-fried kimchi is heated up now!"

"Wow... this will go well with that..."

Even dinner wasn't smooth sailing.

Except for the clueless Bong Gu-rae, the four people showed perfect party play against Kim Min-ji.

Choi Eun-hyuk responded to Kim Min-ji's threat by bringing out the stir-fried kimchi from inside the combat rations.

Thanks to that, they were able to safely finish dinner.

And so the first day of the final evaluation was passing quietly, but—

"—So how far did you go?"

"..."

"There's a proper duty as a student but you dare to date rwubwub...!"

"Soo-bin wants to hear too?"

Saying it would be a shame to just go to sleep like this.

Under Kim Min-ji's lead, a gathering to chat in front of the campfire was arranged.

It was actually an interrogation session.

Meanwhile, Bae Soo-bin was silenced by her.

"W-What?"

"Hey, are you trying to brush it off like that? That won't do. We won't tell anyone else, so tell us."

"That's right! What kind of relationship do we have?"

"Wubwubwub...!"

The so-called Jeong Ha-yang Interrogation Meeting.

The friends holding mugs all turned their gazes to Ha-yang who was hanging her head low.

Kim Min-ji pried into her and Eunha's dating situation as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Each time, Jeong Ha-yang's face turned redder.

"So Eunha..."

"How far have you gone?"

"..."

"Holding hands... well that's obvious since you were doing it even before dating. Have you kissed?"

"...Yeah."

"French kiss?"

"We've done it..."

"How far did you go?"

"W-What do you mean how far?"

"There are stages to kissing too. That... Binggu oppa! Show us an example!"

"Okay! Hey, Choi Eun-hyuk! Help me out!"

"...You're not really going to do it, right?"

"Are you crazy? Why would I do that with you?"

The atmosphere heated up.

Pa-rang who jumped up from his seat quickly demonstrated acting out a display of affection with Choi Eun-hyuk.

While Bong Gu-rae watched with interest.

Min-ji shrugged as if to say "See?" and asked Ha-yang.

"Ugh..."

Jeong Ha-yang whose head was steaming just from seeing it with her own eyes.

She shook her head with teary eyes.

"We haven't gone that far yet..."

"Well, it's fine to take things slow, but. Still, you said before Ha-yang. That you wanted to hold onto Eunha tightly within a year so he can't go anywhere."

"Yeah."

"Then you should be even more bold. So No Eunha can't do anything about it."

"What if I seem easy?"

"How could you who's been single-mindedly devoted to No Eunha since kindergarten seem easy? Right?"

"Hmm..."

Kim Min-ji's advice.

Jeong Ha-yang fell into thought.

Though she didn't tell Bong Gu-rae and Jin Pa-rang.

The people here knew the detailed circumstances of how she started dating Eunha.

Representing the friends' hearts—

"—We're all on your side. So don't try to keep things bottled up inside like before."

"Wuub...!"

"...Yeah. Thanks, guys."

All the friends supported her.

Especially Kim Min-ji, Jin Seo-na, Cha Eun-woo, etc. The girls who knew Ha-yang's feelings of liking Eunha single-mindedly until now were actively helping her.

Sometimes they even condemned Eunha.

Jeong Ha-yang felt grateful to such friends.

But even so—

"—So Eun-hyuk, do you have nothing?"

"...Huh? Uh uh uh uh?"

She couldn't just be the only one treated like this.

She who had been waiting for an opportunity quickly changed the topic.

Who's the target?

The target is Choi Eun-hyuk.

She smiled triumphantly along with the other friends.

In contrast, Choi Eun-hyuk—

"—G-Guys? Why are you suddenly like this?"

"Choi Eun-hyuk, what's going on with you? Why is there still no news at all?"

"W-What did I..."

"This guy is pretending not to know? We already know everything!"

Like a cornered mouse.

He who was second largest after Jin Pa-rang trembled in front of Jeong Ha-yang and Kim Min-ji who were much smaller than him.

☆

Unlike the first underground floor, the second underground floor was very wide.

If you take even a slightly wrong turn, you end up wandering complex paths like a maze.

So students typically chose to camp midway to recover their stamina.

We don't need to do that though.

The monsters encountered in the maze are no match for me anyway...

And we don't have to worry about getting lost.

No Eunha, Jin Seo-na, Hoshimiya Kaede.

The three people made a forced march unlike typical parties.

They cut down all monsters they encountered and advanced through the dungeon without getting lost once.

And so they were able to reach the third underground floor by evening.

"—How did you think to bring green onions and cheese?"

"I'm thorough in my preparations, right? When I assumed I'd form a party with you Eunha, those things naturally caught my eye? I think people really need to be relaxed."

They broke through the dungeon without resting.

As a result, the three were hungry by this time.

So they quickly divided roles and started preparing camp.

While Kaede set up the tent.

Eunha who was known for cooking ramen well among friends cooked ramen, and Seo-na cooked rice.

They also opened one person's worth of combat rations to use as side dishes.

Meanwhile, she who finished her task approached Eunha and showed surprising ingredients.

Bean sprouts, cheese, green onions, etc.

"...Well done."

Eunha swallowed his saliva.

He was impressed by Jin Seo-na's preparedness.

Soon the ramen was completed.

They ate ramen as if being rewarded for their hard work today.

They devoured the ramen silently because they were so hungry.

"Ha-yang's group must be eating dinner now too?"

"Probably."

"I hope they don't get food poisoning..."

"They probably know that too and are eating well somehow."

"I guess so. Ah, I'm going to wash up now. Eunha, thanks for the delicious food! Please take care of cleaning up!"

"What?"

"Kaede, you'll enter the hot springs with me too, right?"

"Yeah. Then I'll leave the cleanup to you."

"Hah, really..."

As soon as they finished dinner.

Seo-na grabbed Kaede's hand and ran off to the women's bath.

Eunha who was left behind could only let out a dry laugh.

In the end, Eunha had to enter the hot springs after finishing the dishes.

Kieeeeek!

There was something to be careful of before entering the bath.

It's not like only humans can bathe.

There could be monsters in the hot springs.

Sure enough.

Eunha had to deal with goblins soaking in the bath.

"...It's warm."

Thanks to students not arriving yet.

Eunha was able to have the vast hot springs all to himself.

The only downside was that there was no one to talk to.

Occasionally he chatted with the two in the women's bath.

"—Then please endure a little."

After bathing.

The three chatted for a while then decided to go to bed.

Kaede would stand guard first while the other two entered the tent.

There was only one tent.

Since it was a party of three people, setting up two tents wasn't very efficient.

"Eunha."

"What?"

"I just called you."

"Go to sleep already."

"I can't sleep."

Eunha and Seo-na who entered their sleeping bags like pillbugs.

The two chatted in the darkness.

Not looking at each other.

Perhaps because they were just staring into the darkness while talking blankly.

The two talked about topics they don't usually discuss.

It was quite a sincere conversation.

"—How far have you gone with Ha-yang?"

It would have been a sincere conversation.

If she hadn't brought this up.

Eunha didn't answer.

"Can't you just tell me quietly?"

"...Ask Ha-yang."

"Ha-yang is too embarrassed to talk about these things."

"Then do you think I'm not embarrassed?"

"How can you say that?"

"Hah..."

As their eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness.

He looked at Seo-na who had turned to face him.

Something moves in the darkness.

It seemed to be perking up triangular ears.

"What about you then?"

"What?"

"Are you dating Eun-hyuk or what?"

"..."

Since it's come to this.

Eunha decided to speak frankly.

Then he naturally passed the conversation topic to her.

"...We're not dating."

As soon as Choi Eun-hyuk's name came up.

She who had been making swallowing sounds stopped tossing and turning.

After a moment of silence.

The fox answered Eunha in a somewhat displeased tone.

"Why?"

"How would I know that?"

"Well, that's true."

Even in the darkness.

Eunha could feel Jin Seo-na's sharp gaze.

Hearing her grumbling.

Eunha soon understood.

What is that Eun-hyuk doing?

Then he clicked his tongue inwardly.

Thinking about it, they seemed to be treating each other cautiously since that group date.

But what is Choi Eun-hyuk doing?

"Don't you think about confessing?"

"Hmm..."

Inwardly thinking Choi Eun-hyuk was pathetic.

Eunha asked her.

There's no law saying the man has to confess.

He spoke with that nuance, then—

"—I can't do it."

"Why?"

"..."

Jin Seo-na speaking weakly.

The fox seemed to give a bitter smile.

Soon Eunha waited for her to continue speaking.

"Because I'm... an ain."

Carefully.

Jin Seo-na answered.

"I know Eun-hyuk wouldn't, but I'm still a little scared. Maybe the reason Eun-hyuk isn't saying anything to me... is because I'm an ain."

"He wouldn't do that."

"I know. I know that too. But this is unavoidable. I just keep... having those thoughts."

"..."

Once she started talking.

She revealed everything she was thinking.

Though she acted nonchalant outwardly.

Just because of being an ain.

She still seemed to be lowering herself.

"And... this might be me getting ahead of myself but... if I get married someday, the child born between me and that person will definitely be an ain."

"...I guess so."

"Will that person be able to be happy seeing a child that doesn't resemble them at all?"

"..."

Jin Seo-na's question.

Eunha couldn't answer.

Ains can only give birth to ains.

Ains born under the influence of pyeonjae have no biological connection to the parents who gave birth to them due to genetic alteration.

So they inevitably become very cautious about having their spouse's child.

It's a worry of all ains, she added.

Eunha could only nod hearing Seo-na's addendum.

"So I sometimes think."

"How?"

"Maybe it's better to just maintain this ambiguous relationship. I'm scared of forming too deep a relationship and getting hurt later."

"Choi Eun-hyuk is at fault... That wouldn't happen."

"Eun-hyuk is at fault, right? But you never know with people. Eun-hyuk might not be like that, but Eun-hyuk's parents' hearts could be different..."

"Why are you already thinking about marriage when you're not even dating yet?"

"Hmm... that's true."

"You don't seem like it, but you worry unnecessarily."

"But I can't help it. I've lived like this until now."

Relationships between people are truly difficult issues.

Eunha couldn't give her a clear solution.

 Nevertheless, she spoke in a coy voice as if just listening to her story was fortunate enough.

What's wrong with this puppy.

Still, Eunha felt uneasy.

He resented the world that made her have such worries.

In the current situation, all he could do was comfort her heart.

"What if—"

So he brought it up.

Red eyes seemed faintly visible in the darkness.

Eunha spoke while following those eyes.

"—If Eun-hyuk is still living alone with nothing happening between you even when we're grown up, then I'll take you in."

"...What? Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious, do you think I'd lie?"

"Won't the people you marry dislike it?"

"Then I'll build you a house in the yard."

"...Huh?"

"We'll just say we're raising a puppy or something."

"You..."

"So don't worry too much about maybe living alone."

One fox seeming to glare.

Eunha chuckled.

"Let's sleep now. Good night."

"Okay, you sleep well too. Dream of me."

Not long after.

The two fell fast asleep.

☆

Voices can be heard from inside the tent.

Voices that sound somewhat joyful.

"..."

Hoshimiya Kaede who had been guarding the surroundings with her eyes closed quietly lifted her eyelids.

"...Seems fun."

Gaze directed at the tent.

She kept listening to the sounds coming from the tent.

Though she didn't say it out loud.

To be honest, she wanted to go inside the tent and have fun conversations too.

"Huu..."

Distracted by the two people's conversation.

She can't concentrate.

Kaede tried to refresh herself by drinking some warm milk.

Just as Kaede got up from her seat like that.

"—Huh?"

The sudden presence of a monster detected.

The startled Kaede quickly picked up the bow that had fallen to the ground.

Though she couldn't see its form.

She relied on her instincts and quickly drew her bowstring towards the direction she sensed the presence.

Whish

An arrow made of mana flew.

She felt like something fell to the ground.

She approached closer to the being that fell to the ground.

"...A bee?"

About the size of a finger span.

The monster that looked to be around 8th rank resembled a hornet.

Sruruuk

Soon after, the monster pierced by the arrow transformed into particles of mana and disappeared.

A small mana stone fell to the ground.

She picked up the mana stone and looked around.

"I felt like I was being observed, was it because of this..."

A somewhat uneasy sensation.

She thoroughly searched the surroundings just in case.

But nothing was caught in her detection net.

"Hmm..."

And so.

Day 1 of the Academy Dungeon passes.