Trigger

Sunlight filtered through the glass adorned with a faded red sticker advertising hangover soup. The hangover soup restaurant was unusually quiet today during the ingredient preparation time. Park Ha-eun was at a friend's house, there were no missing ingredients, and the meat was simmering nicely on its own.

As a result, Cha Eui-jae sat alone at the counter, leisurely flipping through a paper newspaper for the first time in a while. The pleasant warmth of the sunlight, the familiar commercial jingles from the brown tube TV, and the rustling feel of the paper under his fingertips—all were welcome and nostalgic, just like before the Day of the Rift.

'…'

Cha Eui-jae rubbed his temple with his fist and tilted his head.

Is that why hunters often come here? To reflect on the fact that there were once ordinary days, even though the world and themselves have changed?

'Well, it might just be because hangover soup is cheap…'

Cha Eui-jae brushed off the sentimental thoughts that had surfaced for the first time in a long time. He decided it was more efficient to enjoy the rare peaceful afternoon and leisure instead of dwelling on emotions.

'But it really has been a while.'

When did it all start? Getting entangled with hunters. In his mind, he saw a glamorous and beautiful face smiling with a twisted lip. Thinking of Lee Sa-young's face, which exuded a striking presence like a bright red rose, Cha Eui-jae sighed deeply.

'It's all because of Lee Sa-young.'

From the moment he met him, he should have acknowledged that his peaceful life had crossed the Samdocheon 1 . Smacking his lips, Cha Eui-jae folded the newspaper and stood up, stretching.

But thanks to Lee Sa-young, he realized what he truly wanted. Picking up a broom, Cha Eui-jae spread his hand wide. Faint golden lines shimmered on his skin.

Cha Eui-jae wanted to protect people. He never wanted to experience the helpless loss of someone precious again. Why hadn't he realized this simple and obvious fact until now?

As if someone had blindfolded him…

Clang, the dustpan he tripped over flipped over. Startled, Cha Eui-jae gripped the tighter and sighed deeply again. Just then, the TV was airing a public service ad about the hotline for each country in case of gas attacks.

Everything was about Lee Sa-young. Glancing at the gas mask, Cha Eui-jae started sweeping.

Despite defeating an S+ grade golem in one hit and revealing himself as J, Cha Eui-jae's quiet daily life hadn't changed much.

He opened the shop, watched Lee Sa-young on TV, took care of Park Ha-eun, looked after his grandmother's health, watched Lee Sa-young on TV, and closed the shop. Hangover soup was still selling well, and the customers were the same as ever, with the same attitude. To an almost eerie extent.

***

Several days had passed since he declared his double job, but Cha Eui-jae's life remained quiet. In fact, it was quieter than usual. Lee Sa-young, Yoon Ga-eul, Hong Ye-seong, and Jung Bin were all nowhere to be seen.

He thought they must be busy with their own circumstances. The Awakened Management Bureau must be harassing them relentlessly. He assumed they were managing on their own.

And then one day, new news arrived at the shop. In the form of a person.

"Hello, customer."

Today, A Small Miracle Seo Min-gi suddenly showed up, standing stiffly at the entrance in his black suit and sunglasses.

Yeah, finally, the crusher of today's quiet life has arrived. Cha Eui-jae wasn't surprised and opened the door. Seo Min-gi, who had conveniently timed his visit during the ingredient preparation time, handed over a heavy paper bag.

"This is a gift."

"Why suddenly a gift?"

"Oh. I was on a business trip to Daejeon. I bought something for you while I was there. "It's bread."

"Daejeon?"

"Yes, Hong Ye-seong mentioned wanting to eat fried soboro 2 from a certain bakery in Daejeon, so I thought he might have gone there after escaping. "It was delicious."

Cha Eui-jae remembered the text message that had arrived on Choi Go-yo's phone. The message from Seo Min-gi after Hong Ye-seong's escape, and Choi Go-yo rushing out as soon as he saw it.

They must have formed a tracking team to find Hong Ye-seong. While the runaway was leisurely munching on boiled eggs!

Cha Eui-jae was going to pity Seo Min-gi, who had gone through such trouble, but seeing his slightly plumper cheeks and healthy complexion…

'Looks like he ate well and had fun?'

It seemed more like I had been on vacation than a business trip. Well, the tyrannical boss must have been busy too, so he must have enjoyed it. Cha Eui-jae put aside his worry and sympathy. Seo Min-gi, looking more energetic than ever, put the bag on the table and spoke seriously.

"There were many delicious-looking breads, but I bought a gift set since it was a gift. If there's any bread you find tasty or want to eat, let me know. I'll get it for you."

"No, you don't have to go that far."

"No."

Seo Min-gi shook his head firmly and spoke seriously.

"For the past few days, the first team of the Pado Guild's combat support team has been operating as your close backup team. That's our Guild Leader Lee Sa-young's order."

"…Excuse me?"

Cha Eui-jae looked at Seo Min-gi with a dazed expression. But Seo Min-gi's pale face was more serious than ever. The combat support team, a select few elite members of the Pado Guild, including A Small Miracle Seo Min-gi and Romantic Opener Choi Go-yo. They weren't a team to support guild members?

Seo Min-gi pushed up his sunglasses.

"There's no need to be surprised, J. We have the title of a combat support team, but we're actually the guild leader's direct minion team. We do whatever we're told. This time, it's backing you up. Oh, and we're also diligently keeping the rankers' mouths shut!"

'Minions…'

Cha Eui-jae looked at Seo Min-gi, who gave a thumbs up with a bright smile, with a hint of pity. Clearing his throat, Seo Min-gi looked around and leaned in to whisper.

"Let me explain briefly about this case. The Awakened Management Bureau has no intention of revealing J's return. The eroded dungeon itself is not well-known, and this time there was an unprecedented event of dungeon reconstruction. "It's the first in the world."

"Forks."

"Being first isn't always good. No matter how much this country is obsessed with ranking and making lists, being the first in this kind of event… well."

Seo Min-gi rubbed his chin with his fingers and briefly said.

"It rather incites fear. The fear and anxiety of 'What if it happens again?' kind of thing."

The public is more easily swayed than you might think. Fear is the best emotion to manipulate people. Watching Cha Eui-jae's expression, Seo Min-gi cautiously continued.

"Well… the countries don't want to unnecessarily stir up anxiety. There was also the unprecedented event of a rift appearing in the registration center."

Cha Eui-jae was there too. Cha Eui-jae clasped his hands together and pressed his forehead against them. Wherever Cha Eui-jae went, incidents happened. As if his very existence was a trigger. Seo Min-gi munched on the vegetable crackers Cha Eui-jae had given him. After swallowing, I shrugged.

"The system itself is unrealistic even now… but anyway, when unrealistic events occur multiple times and at close intervals, it's only natural to feel anxious. "Especially for ordinary people."

"…"

"Anyway, the hunters who witnessed J all insist they don't know who he is, and since J appeared in a dungeon where a reconstruction phenomenon occurred, it's hard to announce it openly. Besides, you said it yourself, didn't you? "That you'd show up again if something like this happens."

"Yes, that's right."

"That reassured them somewhat."

It was an odd statement. Cha Eui-jae looked up at Seo Min-gi. Seo Min-gi was smiling cynically.

"It's about trust in J, something like that. "They believe J won't abandon them."

"…"

"Well, anyway."

Seo Min-gi rested his chin on his hand and murmured as if lost in thought.

"I've been thinking hard about it. "They say it's the first time for dungeon reconstruction… but I feel like a similar phenomenon has occurred before."

"Excuse me?"

It was a bombshell statement out of nowhere. Cha Eui-jae whispered quietly.

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Dungeon reconstruction means the dungeon's form suddenly changes and its rank rises."

"That's right."

"Well… forgive me for being rude, but you've experienced something similar before, haven't you, J?"

Clenching his fists, Cha Eui-jae's hand gripped the table tightly. His black eyes glowed with a cold blue light as he looked down at Seo Min-gi. The back of his neck chilled automatically. But Seo Min-gi continued steadily.

"The West Sea rift was initially rated as a grade 5, but it was upgraded to a grade 1 immediately after your team entered, J."

"…"

"The phenomenon itself is similar to the eroded dungeon, isn't it? Although the West Sea rift grew larger over time."