Chapter 54

"Our dungeon analysis team's research indicates that the entry point is midair, so please be cautious of falling upon entry."

'They can even determine the entry point?'

Yoon Seo had initially assumed the dungeon briefing was just a formality. After all, dungeons were unpredictable before entering, there was no way to know what kind of monsters or terrain awaited inside. So how could they possibly conduct a briefing? He had been curious about how absurd their claims would be, but upon listening, he found it surprisingly systematic and professional.

Using dungeon byproducts and wave analysis devices developed through human science and technology, they analyzed the portal's waves to determine the entry terrain. For the unknown factors, they gathered as much information as possible through revelations from prophets who could communicate with the guardian gods.

'It doesn't feel like ten years have passed, it feels like a hundred.'

It was a testament to how desperately humanity had fought to survive and the progress they had achieved.

"It is estimated that lava flows at the landing point. The thickness of this lava is presumed to be around 5 meters. While the exact area is unknown, it's possible the entire dungeon is covered in lava, so flying items are a must."

The dungeon displayed in the holographic projection was filled with red-hot lava, making it look impossible to find solid ground to stand on.

"The dungeon is as large as the Korean Peninsula, making it quite expansive. Lava flows on the ground, and the atmosphere consists of 90% carbon dioxide, with likely high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic compounds. We recommend keeping your shields layered at least three times upon entry."

The manager glanced toward the back of the room where Yoon Seo was seated. The expedition team had three designated shield users, Yoon Seo from Team 1 and two A-rank hunters from Team 2.

"This mineral is the dungeon's essential byproduct."

The manager pulled up another video. It displayed an ore that looked like solidified lava.

"There are expected to be many lava stones of various sizes in the lava zone. The bigger, the better, but even a fist-sized piece contains more energy than an entire power plant. Please secure as many as possible. It's a crucial energy source that can be obtained without harming the environment. Additionally, monster bones, hides, medicinal herbs, and rare minerals, collecting as many of these byproducts as possible is also beneficial. The third tab in the guild's subspace storage will be cleared for the operation."

"Will the byproduct collection team be accompanying us?"

"Considering that this is an S-rank Yellow Dungeon, they will not be joining us this time."

"I see."

The leader of Team 2 nodded, seemingly relieved.

Just as they wrapped up this discussion, a beeping sound came from outside, followed by the door opening. The gathered individuals turned their gazes toward the entrance.

Kwon Jihan, arriving long after the briefing had started, strolled in with an indifferent expression. But as soon as he spotted Yoon Seo, his face instantly brightened, as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep.

Once Kwon Jihan took his seat, the manager resumed the explanation. Yoon Seo had been deeply engrossed in his first-ever dungeon briefing, but after Kwon Jihan arrived, he found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. A blatant and intense gaze was drilling into him. It was fervent and passionate. And incredibly unwelcome.

***

"Hyung, did you get back safely on Saturday?"

"..."

"..."

At the utterly unexpected form of address, the people who had been preparing to leave after the briefing froze as if they had been struck by an ice spell.

'W-what?'

'That was definitely Kwon Jihan's voice just now.'

'Hyung? Did Kwon Jihan just say hyung?'

'To whom?'

The only people Kwon Jihan ever addressed as hyung were Yoo Juncheol, whom he had known since childhood, and vice guild master of Seokyoung, Do Deungsoo. However, Do Deungsoo wasn't present, and Yoo Juncheol had already left the meeting room with the manager.

So who exactly was Kwon Jihan calling hyung?

Naturally, everyone's eyes landed on the person standing in front of Kwon Jihan, black-haired, brown-eyed, youthful yet refined features. His expression clearly read, 'Did you just say that to me?'

"Yoon Seo hyung."

Kwon Jihan smiled as he confirmed it, leaving no room for doubt.

Nobody moved. They just stared at the two.

Even Yoo Juncheol, who had been walking out, stopped in his tracks with wide eyes, looking back at them.

Despite how interesting the situation was, the only people who had actually left the meeting room were Rio Deli, his partner, and Hwashim, who was probably too mentally drained to care about anything at this point.

"Hunter Kwon Jihan. Why am I your hyung?"

Yoon Seo asked, struggling to maintain his composure.

"Because you saved me, of course. I have to call you hyung. If it weren't for you, I'd still be stuck in a hospital right now."

"If you're talking about Saturday, you should be thanking Hunter Seo Chaeyoon, not me. I'm not Seo Chaeyoon, and I can't deploy a shield of that level."

"Huh? I wasn't talking about the shield."

As Yoon Seo's expression hardened, Kwon Jihan grinned. His sharp eyes curved into a gentle arc.

"Even in that urgent situation, instead of running away, you passionately called my name and warned me that the hunter had a suicide bomb."

"I was not passionate."

"You were completely passionate and desperate. Dozens of people heard it, don't try to deny it now."

"Then don't exaggerate and make it sound like I was passionate just because dozens of people heard it."

Yoon Seo deflected, but Kwon Jihan only chuckled leisurely and gestured with his chin toward the man behind Yoon Seo.

"Soo Jaehee."

"Yep?"

Soo Jaehee straightened up and answered crisply.

"Yoon Seo hyung called my name super passionately, didn't he?"

"Super passionately. I thought you two were lovers!"

Kwon Jihan raised his eyebrows as if to say, 'See?'

Yoon Seo was at a loss for words. At the same time, he decided that from this moment on, Soo Jaehee was his enemy.

"But hyung, even as an S-rank, I had no idea about the bomb's existence. How did you know?"

"Unlike someone, I don't underestimate hunters. If someone dares to invade a place full of hunters, it's only natural to assume they have a trump card."

"If you have an S-rank item detection skill, that means you're S-rank or higher. Ah, but it could also be a detection item instead of a skill. Since hyung owns items that aren't publicly known."

"It was just a guess, but thanks for the high praise. And stop calling me hyung."

"First, you asked why I was speaking informally, and now you don't like me calling you hyung? What am I supposed to do?"

"I'd prefer if you just didn't address me at all."

"Don't be so cold. I know how to repay favors. When someone saves my life, I treat them with respect and call them hyung. If you save me one more time, next time, I'll even use formal speech with you."

Kwon Jihan smirked arrogantly, like an actor following a stage direction that read: 'With the most cocky expression in the world.'

"The briefing is over, so what are you going to do now, hyung? If you have nothing to do, want to come with me? I have a secret sparring match with a foreign S-rank today."

He said it was a secret match, but more than twenty people in this meeting room were still listening to their conversation.

"If you want, I'll let you watch me fight an S-rank up close."

Why the hell would I want to watch other people spar?

As Yoon Seo frowned in distaste, there was a sharp intake of breath from beside him. The source was Soo Jaehee. He was staring at Kwon Jihan with an expression of utter disbelief, as if he had just been betrayed.

"I'm not interested. I'm going straight home."

"Why? If you're jealous, I don't mind if the three of us do it together."

Hiiik.

"Whether it's three or four, I have no interest in watching that."

"That's too much. I really want to see hyung do it with multiple people."

Huuh.

"Are you a pervert? Why would you want to see that?"

"A pervert? Don't you know that watching fires and that are basic human instincts? Ah, now that I think about it, I'll get to see it in a few days anyway. No matter how much you avoid it, once we enter the dungeon, you'll end up doing it with monsters."

Ugh.

"Why are you dragging me into this? You're the one who's excited to roll around with monsters."

"Don't act coy. Just do it together with me. Once you actually start, hyung, you'll enjoy it too."

Huhhh.

"..."

"..."

Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo simultaneously turned to look at Soo Jaehee. He had been interrupting their conversation with increasingly bizarre reactions.

His face now pale, Soo Jaehee covered his mouth with both hands, tears welling up in his eyes, and shouted,

"Ugh… Adults… are disgusting!"

His voice brimmed with betrayal as he bolted out of the meeting room.

"..."

Yoon Seo blinked in disbelief. Apparently, he wasn't the only one left speechless, as murmurs filled the room.

"Why is Jaehee acting like that?"

"No idea. Is he going through puberty?"

The pure-hearted adults in the room remained completely unaware of what misunderstanding had taken root in Soo Jaehee's mind. Kwon Jihan merely let out a low chuckle, as if he either understood or simply found the situation amusing.

Taking advantage of the pause in their conversation, Alec discreetly raised his hand.

"I'd like to change half of my bet on Hwashim to Hunter Yoon Seo. I've never seen anyone handle Kwon Jihan like this. I must commend his boldness."

"Ah, me too."

"Same here. That bravery is worthy of being a Seo Chaeyoon candidate. Honestly, he doesn't seem very Seo Chaeyoon-like, but as a sign of respect, I'll put my money on him."

Yoon Seo was speechless.

If they wanted to praise him, they should just give him the money directly…

"Now that the first phase is over, it's time to adjust the bets. Gather up, everyone. Let's redistribute."

Yoo Juncheol led the Seo Chaeyoon betting participants out of the meeting room. As the crowd poured out, only Kwon Jihan, Yoon Seo, Park Soobin, and Hong Euiyoon remained.

"Hmph, I should go train too."

Hong Euiyoon huffed, gathering up his notes. Among the hunters, he was the only one who had brought a notebook and pen, diligently taking notes throughout the briefing, even though all the materials had already been sent to their U-Pads. His words might have been rough, but in reality, he was an exemplary hunter.

"Ah, training, training. I need to train."

Hong Euiyoon repeated himself multiple times as he lingered in front of Yoon Seo. It was obvious he had something to say, but since Yoon Seo had been talking to Kwon Jihan, he hesitated to butt in.