Chapter 23

'I wish this resistance would disappear quickly….'

Yoon Seo startled himself with this thought.

'No. I shouldn't think like this. This resistance is proof that the Revengers risked their lives to protect Earth.'

In the Great Dungeon, Yoon Seo had almost died. No, he should have died. The people who had forcibly kept him alive no longer existed in this world. Those who had been abandoned and left to die despite deserving healing, and those who had exhausted all their mana to heal Yoon Seo were all gone. To selfishly wish for this resistance to disappear just for a more comfortable life felt like a deeply rude thought.

Yoon Seo hurriedly pulled out a medicine bottle. The Great Dungeon was the very reason he had become dependent on tranquilizers. If he didn't take the medicine as soon as such thoughts surfaced, he would later experience difficulty breathing.

Since there was only one pill left in the bottle, he poured it into his mouth, swallowed it, and then pulled out a new bottle from his inventory. Yoon Seo's inventory contained five bottles of the medicine. While the medicine was human-made, the bottles were classified as items, so they could be stored in his inventory. In Yoon Seo's opinion, the inventory system was Gaia's greatest update.

'If we had this current system when I entered the Great Dungeon, it would've been easier to clear.'

The Gaia system was an evolving one. It grew at such a rapid pace that it was now completely different from the system during the apocalypse 12 years ago.

Back then, the system window was crude, and the explanations were unkind. Even specific numerical stats like statuses didn't exist, so the awakened had to fight monsters bare-handed, essentially.

South Korea, having many awakened individuals and thanks to Seokyoung's founding Guild Master Lee Seokyoung, the world's first hunter, suffered relatively less damage. However, neighboring countries like North Korea, China, and Japan completely collapsed. Not just in Asia, but Europe, Africa, and the Americas all fell under monster domination. Lee Seokyoung spread the knowledge he had discovered to people worldwide in an effort to rebuild Earth. When humanity's efforts began reducing the damage, the catastrophe known as the Great Dungeon arrived.

At that time, there were only eight S-class hunters in the entire world, and skill descriptions were so unhelpful that people had to discover how to use them on their own. Items were so rare that hunters would endlessly debate whether a suspicious-looking rock was an item or not. Naturally, there was no inventory system, so a hunter's default outfit resembled military-style techwear with countless pockets. They carried heavy bags packed with grenades, pistols, bandages, and medicine.

"We've arrived at the destination."

The vehicle came to a halt, and Sticky Rice announced their arrival. Yoon Seo didn't move.

He had always assumed that someday, before he died, he would end up fighting monsters again. But he never intended to enter a dungeon again. Injuries sustained during outdoor battles could be treated at a hospital, but in a dungeon, that wasn't an option.

To think he would end up entering a dungeon like this, even though he had tried so hard to avoid it, such was the uncertainty of life.

'That's why I didn't want to live any longer.'

Yoon Seo clicked his tongue.

"You did well."

"Master, please enter the dungeon. When will you return?"

"It's a B-class dungeon, but the party members are strong, so it shouldn't take days. I'll be back either tonight or tomorrow."

"Be careful. It's okay if you fail, just don't get hurt."

"Alright."

Sticky Rice bid a gentle farewell as Yoon Seo stepped out of the vehicle. Though it was midsummer, the early morning air was pleasantly cool, just the right amount of refreshment to lift one's spirits.

[Park Youngbum] Yoon Seo, are you really okay? ㅠ Ugh, sending someone on desk duty into a dungeon? This is insaneㅠㅠ

[Goh Heewon] That's what I'm saying, seriously… Oppa, if you can't go, I'll just trip and fall right now.

[Park Youngbum] Huh? What does you falling have to do with Yoon Seo going into the dungeon?

[Goh Heewon] He introduces me as his girlfriend and says his girlfriend got injured falling! Then they'd surely pull him out, wouldn't they?

[Park Youngbum] Ohhh! Then I'll fall too. If you say your esteemed mentor got injured, they'd have to pull him out!

Even this early in the morning, the chatroom was abuzz with messages. Yoon Seo knew their sleep schedules. Judging by the time, they were still supposed to be sleeping but had clearly woken up for his sake.

[Me] If you're really that worried, just buy me some meat when I get back.

[Park Youngbum] Of courseㅠㅠㅠ I'll get you some beef, or do you want monster meat instead?

[Goh Heewon] Oppa, you better stick right behind Kwon Jihan! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Be careful out thereㅠㅠㅠ

[Park Youngbum] Let us know as soon as you're out. We won't be able to sleep until thenㅠ

[Goh Heewon] ㅠ It's like leaving a baby by the water ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Yoon Seo chuckled as he closed the chatroom. Nothing calmed his nerves better than his team members' banter, it was even more effective than his medication.

These team members didn't fight monsters. They'd never leave behind a horrifying last image of themselves or weird parting words….

***

The temporary team's target dungeon was a B-grade dungeon located above Mt. Homyeong in Yangju. It was the type that would explode if not cleared within the set timeframe. With Kwon Jihan participating, the likelihood of failure was near zero. Still, all access to Mt. Homyeong had been entirely restricted for safety reasons.

Guided by a Seokyoung Guild member waiting at the mountain's entrance, Yoon Seo arrived at the dungeon portal. Seeing the large, navy blue, oval-shaped portal floating mid-air, he felt a sigh rising in his throat but managed to suppress it. At least it was navy. Compared to the blood-red portals of the Great Dungeon, this color wasn't so bad.

The portal entrance bustled with Seokyoung's dungeon entry team staff and members of the temporary team. Everyone was present except Hwashim. Yoon Seo considered the possibility that Hwashim might've run away.

Guild master Yoo Juncheol and Kwon Jihan were deep in conversation, their expressions not particularly serious. Only Kwon Jihan wore a faint scowl, looking dissatisfied.

"Yoon Seo, you're here." 

Greeted the temporary team manager, walking over. They gave him a quick once-over from head to toe with a look of mild curiosity.

"Are you planning to go in dressed like that?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't seem like dungeon-appropriate gear…."

"I've never been inside a dungeon, so I don't own hunter attire."

"Oh, we should've prepared something for you. There's an equipment team in the guild, once the dungeon is cleared, we'll make sure to get you the necessary gear immediately."

"My main skill is a shield skill, so I'll be fine. This is enough."

"All right, if you say so. For now, wear the lenses and warm up while waiting."

"Lenses?"

"We decided to use lenses instead of body cams. You can wear one on whichever eye feels more comfortable. Don't worry, the system windows won't be visible to others through the lens."

The manager handed Yoon Seo a lens case. Inside, he found two transparent lenses. Having never put anything in his eye before, Yoon Seo was a little nervous about the new experience. Carefully, he inserted the right lens into his eye. Surprisingly, it slipped in smoothly and stayed in place. After a few blinks, his vision felt normal, and he quickly adapted as there was no foreign sensation.

Yoon Seo opened and closed a few system windows. These system windows couldn't be seen by cameras, it didn't need explaining. Human technology couldn't surpass Gaia's system, after all.

Scanning the other hunters, he noticed their varying reactions. Some meditated with blank expressions, others nervously warmed up, while a few excitedly tested their systems.

Each hunter wore clothing or items suited to their skills and abilities, treating them as uniforms.

For example, Park Kang's outfit consisted of a navy blue robe and a black headband with red edges, an adapted traditional Korean style. Noticing Yoon Seo's gaze, Park Kang flinched and nervously hid behind a tree trunk. He clearly still believed Yoon Seo disliked hanbok.

Lee Jungin, on the other hand, was dressed in a casual suit. The cross-shaped earring on his ear appeared to be an item.

Looking closely, everyone seemed to have at least one visible item. Kim Jinhae had a shawl draped over his shoulder. Namgung Simhae wore a wristband. Hong Euiyoon, on the other hand, seemed decked out, his piercing, belt, wristband, and even shoes were all items. There were likely others Yoon Seo hadn't noticed with the naked eye.

"Is this really what you're wearing?"

Lee Jungin, who happened to meet his gaze, smiled warmly and approached. Yoon Seo had noticed during their first meeting that Lee Jungin was the sociable type. While others were shy, too reserved, arrogant, or prickly, it always seemed to fall on Lee Jungin to initiate conversations, most of the time, with Yoon Seo.

After exchanging a nod, Yoon Seo answered the question.

"I don't need items. I'm not an offensive type, and I have shield skills, so it's fine."

"I wasn't asking about items, but about your outfit."

"I don't have specific hunter gear."

"Ha, as expected of the Guild of Leaves. Unique as always."

"…?"

"You don't see people wearing clothes with so many pockets anymore. Not when there's an inventory and guild subspace."

Ah. Realizing his blunder, Yoon Seo glanced down at his outfit. His vest alone had ten pockets, while his pants had eight more. Just days ago, he had been so pleased with this find, but now he felt embarrassed.

"They say older hunters used to wear clothes like that a lot. Yoon Seo, you're only a year older than me, but you seem so old-school."

"I'm a fan of the old generation hunters."

Yoon Seo decided to play it cool.

"Oh, really? Who's your favorite? I like some of the old hunters too."

"You probably wouldn't know if I told you. Who do you like?"

"Seo Chaeyoon, obviously."

Yoon Seo flinched. Lee Jungin, his narrow eyes curving into a smile, teased.

"Why are you so surprised? Isn't Seo Chaeyoon an idol for awakened ones our age? I'm a huge fan. I even joined the fan club—"

"What's this? Who's talking about Seo Chaeyoon?"

Someone suddenly butted into the conversation. Though it was an arrogant redhead, Yoon Seo was grateful for the interruption this time. For a brief moment, Lee Jungin's lips tightened before he gave a sheepish smile and turned to Hong Euiyoon.

"Oh, were we too loud? It wasn't anything important."

"What about Seo Chaeyoon?"

"I just mentioned that I'm a fan of Hunter Seo Chaeyoon and admire him."

"Hmph. Why admire a coward who ran away for ten years because he was scared of monsters?"

Hong Euiyoon sneered sharply. His loud voice caught everyone's attention, including Yoo Juncheol and Kwon Jihan, who had been talking at a distance. Especially notable was the curiosity in Kwon Jihan's gaze, making Yoon Seo slightly uneasy.

"If you're going to admire someone, it should be the hunters who risk their lives and consistently fight against monsters, not some cowardly deserter. Are we pigs or dogs to keep longing for a coward?"

"Of course, I admire all hunters, but we don't know for sure if Hunter Seo Chaeyoon really disappeared out of fear."

"Isn't it obvious? If he's still hiding, he's probably just growing fat off his national hero pension."

"You must not have heard the reports about him suffering serious injuries, Hunter Hong Euiyoon."

A sharp voice interrupted the conversation again. It was Kim Jinhae. With one of Yoo Juncheol's most-watched figures stepping in, Yoon Seo couldn't help but feel a heavy weight settling on him.