Haemin sat down with Kang Minho while they waited for the team to call them. Han Jiwon handed her young master a refreshing mango drink when he noticed what she was wearing.
He squinted his eyes and asked the system.
Hey, system. Don't Jiwon's suits look kind of different from yesterday's? Why?
[System:
Answer. Yes. Identifying the items…]
Ding!
[System:
Item: Leather Suits (A)
Category: Protective Gear]
[System:
Item: Warlord's Piercing (B)
Category: Enhancement Gear]
She's wearing gear?
Haemin frowned in the air and looked at Jiwon.
"Are you going to the dungeon?"
Jiwon tilted her head and nodded at him.
"Yes, of course I am, young master."
"But why? There are plenty of hunters here. This is an A-Rank dungeon. It's dangerous, you know? You should go home."
Haemin couldn't understand why she needed to go with him to a dungeon. If he was her, he would never volunteer to do such dangerous work.
But Jiwon only smiled and nodded at him.
"Yes, and I'm an A-Rank hunter."
Huh? You are?! Why am I only hearing this now?! System! Is that true? She's a hunter?!
Ding!
[System:
Answer: Yes. Would you like to see her status window?]
I can do that? Of course, yes!
Ding!
[System:
{Status Window}
Name: Han Jiwon
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Type: Attack
Rank: A]
Eh?! She's a combat hunter?! A true A-Rank, at that! Amazing! Or more like, I'm so jealous! Dammit, why can't I be a combat hunter too?!
Haemin faked a cough.
"I see… You're right, but must you go? This is Blue Dragon's dungeon, and they only commissioned me…"
He heard her sniff and her hands clasped together. She kneeled in front of him.
"Y, young master, do you have a grudge against me? If I don't go with you, Raehwan-nim will surely kill me! He probably doesn't even know that you're going to a dungeon due to short notice. Who knows what he'll do to me if he heard his precious little brother went to a dungeon without a guard. There's no telling whether those bastards from the Blue Dragon Guild would even protect you! He would definitely kill me! Waa!"
She cried into his knees, making Haemin panic. The hunters surrounding looked at them, wondering about the ruckus happening.
"Wha, what are you doing?! Stand up! Come on, don't cry. I was just asking, okay?! You're coming with me, don't worry!"
It took a little more convincing until she finally calmed down.
The fight hasn't even started yet, and I'm already exhausted… Why are the young master and his guard always crying? Geez…
Ryu Jinmu walked to the center and stopped in front of the dungeon gate. He observed the surroundings and looked at his secretary.
He put on his black gloves and told Shin Moon,
"I'll leave the rest to you."
Shin Moon nodded,
"Yes, guildmaster. Leave it to me."
Ryu Jinmu's eyes wandered for a moment, and stopped. His brows slightly furrowed as he looked at one spot.
Baek Haemin flinched and rolled his eyes.
That guy, did he just glare at me? Why? I'm not doing anything. Don't pay attention to me!
He put his head down until Jinmu finally glanced at his team. He lifted his hand and commanded,
"Let's go."
Everyone headed to the gate.
Haemin squeezed his fists and exhaled. This is his first time going to a dungeon. He tried to prepare as best as he could, but he's still nervous.
Everyone here seems strong, and the main character is here. It's going to be fine, right? Ah, shit. I want to go home.
He clenched his eyes shut before stepping inside the gate. The sensation of going through another dimension gave him goosebumps. It's like his body was sucked into the gate once he made contact with it.
A strong gust of wind passed through them, making Haemin's body tremble as he fought against the pressure.
W, what's with the wind? Isn't it too strong?
Coo. Coo.
Hmm? What?
Coo. Coo.
He peeked at the surroundings only to see a group of chickens walking around a field.
Chicken? In a dungeon?
They were a bit larger than a regular chicken, but everything else down to their beak and wings wasn't much different.
Once they walked around the field, the chickens started to run away.
They seem harmless. Was I nervous for no reason?
Coo. Coo.
One of the chickens cooed at his feet, which made him stop in his tracks.
Its dark brown eyes looked at him as it tilted its head.
…cute. Can I pet it? I kind of want to try it now that it has approached me.
He bit his lip and held his hand out. The chicken's eyes darkened as it saw his hand getting closer.
"Young master!"
A chain got in between them, making his body fall back. Han Jiwon quickly caught him and shielded him.
"Haemin-nim, please step back! It's dangerous!"
"Eh? But it's just a chicken…"
The chicken's beak slowly expanded and fire roared at them.
What in the…?
Han Jiwon used her chains to redirect the chicken's beak, and Haemin saw a green light surrounding him. Kang Minho, the young porter, put a barrier for him.
Minho reached his hand out to Haemin to help him get up.
"Let's go, Haemin-ssi. It's dangerous, we have to get you to safety."
"Ah, uh, okay…"
The other chickens who were just roaming around earlier started to form a line, and their beaks expanded. They started attacking the hunters of Blue Dragon Guild, who in turn fought as they gritted their teeth.
One of the hunters clicked his tongue.
"Dammit, I knew it. That bastard's really here to screw us up!"
"Watch out!"
"Ugh! Those who have flame resistance, go up front!"
Baek Haemin, who still has Kang Minho's barrier, watched the hunters fight in a corner. His brows furrowed while he's biting his bottom lip.
The hunters of Blue Dragon Guild fought in clear annoyance, with some even glancing at him in spite.
One of them screamed,
"Fuck, guildmaster! Why'd you have to get that bastard here, of all people?!"
Ryu Jinmu slashed the raging chickens silently, freezing some of them while he's at it.
Pop.
Haemin pressed his knuckles subconsciously and grounded his teeth.
Dammit. Is it my fault? They were fine earlier until I tried to pet them. Is it bad? Shit, no one told me you can't do that though!
He used his hand to cover his face.
Meanwhile, Kang Minho, who's standing beside him, observes him silently. He looked at his fellow guildmates' fight, and glanced at Baek Haemin who was clearly in distress.
His mouth opened,
"Was that on purpose?"
Haemin lifted his head, but didn't answer. He seemed confused at the question.
Kang Minho continued,
"Everybody knows that Basans are pretty amicable as long as you don't try to bother them. You getting close triggered them."
Basan? Is that what they call those chickens?
Ding!
[System:
Monster identified.
Name: Basan (A)
Attribute: Fire]
You damn system. Why are you showing up now? How useless! It's too late now. Tell me about it earlier next time!
[System:
Answer: Understood.]
Haemin frowned,
"No, I really didn't know. I didn't do it on purpose. I wasn't trying to…"
Minho sighed.
"Well, it already happened. I'm sure a lot of my sunbae* are thinking that you did it to mess with them."
He's right. Dammit. What an idiot, Baek Seungho. How could you make such a huge mistake right from the start? So much for trying to change Baek Haemin's reputation. Ha!
His face scrunched in weariness.
"It really wasn't on purpose… I'm sorry…"
Minho's eyes widened. He scratched his cheek and looked away.
"That's… okay, then. If you really didn't do it on purpose…"
The young porter folded his arms as he peeked at Baek Haemin.
What is this? It's like he's actually feeling bad about it.