Prove yourself (2)

Gathering people you already knew for a dungeon run was always easier than fishing for random talent from the bottom of the E-rank barrel.

And let's be honest — I had a plan.

A half-baked, improvised, still-slightly-hazy plan… but definitely a plan.

And to get to Jin-Woo — especially considering the event that was supposed to trigger his System hadn't happened yet — I needed a team.

So I messaged the others.

Jisoo and Song Hana were the first to reply.

Doyun came after.

Yoo Minseok… well, he didn't show.

He saw the messages, but didn't even bother to respond.

Not that I blamed him.

From my perspective, I'd been gone for maybe two or three months.

Of course, that was if you added up the resets, warped time, and all that.

But for them, Park Ilhoon's death had happened less than three weeks ago.

It still hurt.

Especially for Minseok, who'd been closer to him than any of us.

Now, we were sitting in a corner café.

The kind of place that smelled like rich people's nostalgia and garlic bread.

Wooden tables, way-too-fake plants, and an elevator saxophone playlist humming in the background.

''So this is the new Liam Han?''

Jisoo said, resting his thick arms on the table.

His axe wasn't in sight, but I swore I could still smell rust on his shirt.

''Lookin' sharp, boy. Even changed that walking-corpse look you had going on.''

I was wearing a dark gray, long-sleeved shirt.

Slightly loose at the shoulders, but fitted enough to show that the muscles were finally starting to say hello.

Black pants and basic sneakers finished the look.

''You're visibly more… defined,'' Song Hana noted, resting her chin on her hand. ''Not that it's a bad thing. Before you looked like a toothpick with a main character complex.''

''Now I'm a well-groomed toothpick.''

I shrugged.

Doyun raised an eyebrow.

''But, seriously, kid... what'd you do to bulk up so fast?''

''Sold my soul. In easy monthly installments'' I said, pulling out my chair.

We laughed — an awkward, slightly tense laugh.

You could feel it. No one wanted to bring up Ilhoon.

Not out of disrespect, but because none of us knew how to approach it.

We officially sat down, each with our own order.

I, obviously, went with the full sugar combo.

Apple pie, whipped cream coffee, and a dessert that looked like it had more syrup than structure.

''You have a problem,'' Song Hana said, eyeing my plate. ''That's a straight-up glucose cult.''

''Leave me alone,'' I mumbled with a mouthful of pie. ''This is happiness.''

''You're gonna drop dead.''

''If I drop dead, at least I die smiling.''

She laughed.

Faint dark circles marked her face.

Shadows under her eyes, like she hadn't slept well in days.

Still, she looked good.

Light brown hair pulled up in a loose bun, a few strands framing her face. A beige turtleneck sweater and a black skirt.

Subtle, but elegant.

''By the way, you look nice.''

I said, without thinking much.

''Ah...?''

She looked surprised.

Jisoo stared at me for a moment, like he couldn't believe what he'd heard.

''Thanks… you look different too.''

I smiled, whipped cream still on the corner of my mouth.

Compliments were always welcome.

''Hopefully in a good way. Especially after the toothpick analogy.''

''It is.'' she said, and for a second, the mood felt… light.

I turned to the others, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

''Anyway, straight to the point: I already got in touch with the Association. Used Jisoo's name as a reference.''

''Without telling me?''

Jisoo grumbled, but smiled.

He looked proud.

''I found two active D-rank dungeons and one E-rank with a possible closure in three days''.

''Okay.'' Jisoo said, breaking the light mood. ''But what about formation? Without Minseok, the setup changes.''

''I'll cover his role.''

I said, straight up.

Silence.

They all looked at me.

Jisoo let out a low laugh.

''You've shown a… uh… remarkable insight in… in…''

He paused, like reconsidering the compliment.

I raised an eyebrow.

''But you're still E-rank. You should stick by Hana. Carry our bags.''

''Hard pass. Get another pack mule. I'm going in as sustained damage.''

I'd already thought out the team formation with Luxxion beforehand.

But I didn't plan on saying that just yet.

Silence followed.

Song Hana looked at me, eyes narrowed.

''You're serious?''

''Dead serious.''

They didn't answer right away. And I understood.

It wasn't arrogance on my part to want that role.

It was just… logic.

I was stronger. A lot stronger.

But they'd only believe it if they saw it.

''Anyway, about the D-rank portals...''

Jisoo took the lead.

I nodded and pulled out my phone.

''Two in Seongnam and one in Mapo.''

I explained, showing the map on my screen.

My notes were scribbled alongside the image.

''The Seongnam one looks promising. Less Association activity, but higher magical presence.''

I checked if they were keeping up.

Everyone focused.

Perfect.

''Possibly a stronger boss. But nothing abnormal or dangerous.''

It was good to reassure them — no more freak-show surprises.

I'd done my research beforehand.

''On the other hand, the one in Mapo is more standard, but reserving it from today to tomorrow will be tougher. My vote's for the first.''

Hana raised an eyebrow, impressed.

''You really did your homework, huh. And to think you messaged us just… three days ago.''

''I'm just making up for lost time.''

I gave a wry smile.

''Huh… looks like someone's taking the hunter life seriously now.''

Jisoo said, drinking the last of his iced coffee with the same grimace of someone realizing too late that all the sugar was at the bottom.

Doyun stretched.

''I vote Seongnam then. If it's gonna be tough work, might as well be worth it.''

''Same here'' Song Hana added.

''It's settled, then.''

Jisoo clapped his palm against the table with the tone of someone who's led more than a few missions.

''Seongnam it is. Let's check out that portal.''

The conversation stayed light after that.

We finished our food, swapped jokes, shared life updates.

Two hours passed in a blink.

One by one, they said their goodbyes.

Hana was first — she wished me luck and gave one last smile before leaving.

Doyun followed soon after.

It was just me and Jisoo left in the café, along with a few scattered customers.

''I asked you to stay because I wanted to talk real quick.''

I spun the empty cappuccino cup between my fingers.

There was still a bit of bitter foam at the bottom.

''Go on.''

Jisoo crossed his arms and leaned back.

That relaxed posture of his never fooled anyone.

His eyes were sharp.

They always were.

Old habit of someone who'd survived more missions than he cared to count.

''You've got contacts inside the Association, right?''

''I do. Plenty.'' He tilted his head slightly. ''What are you looking for?''

''A way to get in touch. For the new porter. I already have someone in mind, but… no access.''

He understood without me having to go into too much detail.

''Name.''

''Sung Jin-Woo.''

Silence.

One of those short but heavy ones.

''Hm. Unusual name.''

Jisoo scratched his chin.

He seemed to think of something before giving an answer.

''I'll need a couple of days to see if I can find anything. If he's already in the system, that helps.''

''That works. Thanks.''

I nodded without dragging it out.

He gave me a sideways look.

''By the way, you serious about this? You're really taking Minseok's place?''

''I am.''

''Really?''

''Really'' I said without hesitation.

''Really really?'' he asked again, probably just messing with me.

''Ask one more time and I'll change my mind just to piss you off.''

Jisoo laughed through his nose, but the sound died quickly.

He looked off to the side and let out a tired sigh.

One of those sighs only someone who's seen too much can pull off.

''Alright. I'll allow it.''

He raised a finger.

His arm was already huge, but up close, it made me feel tiny.

''But listen: if you slip up even once, or the danger level spikes… you go back to what you were. One step back. Got it?''

''Got it, hyung.''

''Don't call me hyung.''

''Alright, supreme leader.''

''That's worse.''

He grumbled.

Then I asked:

''In the meantime, what do we do about the porter?''

''Hire a temp. One that doesn't die from a strong breeze will do.''

''Preferably someone who knows how to run when shit hits the fan'' I added.

That would be up to him.

I'd already handled plenty when it came to organizing the raid.

Jisoo stood up, pushing the chair back with his foot.

''What a phase…'' he muttered. ''We're really putting our trust in a kid who orders five slices of chocolate pie for breakfast.''

''Hey. Energy source. Sugar's a temporary buff.''

''Yeah. Very temporary. Enjoy it while it lasts.''

We stared at each other for a moment.

I stood up too.

We said goodbye with a simple nod.

But as he walked away, only one thought passed through my mind.

Tomorrow would be my first D-rank raid since the incident.

This was it.

My plan was in motion.

The mission had finally begun for real.