"Yoon Seo, wouldn't it be better if you didn't go? You have trauma… healing resistance… How could you with such a fragile body…?"
Fragile body?
Yoon Seo was about to retort in disbelief, but Soo Jaehee immediately spoke.
"Yeah, hyung. Going to the Great Dungeon with a body as soft as tofu…?"
Tofu?
"Hey, are you really trying to enter the Great Dungeon again with such a glass-like body? Just wait outside for us."
Glass-like body?
"It would be better if Yoon Seo, with a body as soft as silken tofu, didn't go in…"
Silken tofu? Sounds delicious.
At that moment, Yoon Seo, who had been thinking, glared at the people who had spoken.
"I know the strategy for the Great Dungeon, and I am the only one who can guide you. Besides, even with this body, I could subdue all three of you in five seconds, so please stop worrying pointlessly."
A blue light flickered in his brown eyes, as if to say, 'Who do you think you're worrying about…'
Park Soobin, Soo Jaehee, Hong Euiyoon, and Alec shrank back and distanced themselves from Yoon Seo. Watching this scene, Kwon Jihan chuckled quietly and whispered.
"Everyone's worried about you, hyung. Meanwhile, you can't sleep at night worrying about them."
"…"
The three S-rank hunters would have heard the low whisper, so Yoon Seo didn't bother to add anything.
A few minutes later, the chairperson of the World Hunter Alliance appeared on TV.
The chairperson's face, announcing the return of the Great Dungeon, wasn't one of distress but of determination. His eyes were not filled with worry, but with firm resolve.
As soon as the chairperson's announcement ended, regular programming was canceled, and urgent breaking news followed. There was also an alert that the Seokyoung Guild Master would make an official statement in 30 minutes.
Family and friends of the members of Perfect reached out as soon as the news broke. Hong Euiyoon answered his phone, saying, "Hey, uncle," as he stood up. Park Soobin and Soo Jaehee also left the briefing room after receiving calls from their families and friends. The room became quiet in an instant. The only ones remaining were Yoon Seo, Kwon Jihan, and a few others speaking with someone at a distance.
Yoon Seo's phone was also buzzing with incoming messages.
[Park Youngbum] What's going on? The Great Dungeon?
[Goh Heewon] How could they just now reveal something like this?
[Goh Heewon] They've already evacuated their families!
[Goh Heewon] They're telling us just now because there's only a month left! Unbelievable!!
[Park Youngbum] Huh?
[Park Youngbum] The chairperson's two children are both Awakened, and they're going to participate in this Great Dungeon raid?
[Goh Heewon] …..
[Park Youngbum] Still, telling us this late is extreme… No wonder they say information is power these days.
[Goh Heewon] Wow, I just heard from someone I know.
[Goh Heewon] It's highly likely that Perfect will enter from Seokyoung's side. If Yoon Seo oppa hadn't been cut from the temporary team, what would have happened…
They weren't the only ones.
「Hunter-nim, what's happening? Is the Great Dungeon really appearing?」
「Hunter-nim, did you see the news?」
「Hunter-nim, I'm in Yeouido 00 Villa. Please call me.」
Messages were pouring in from clients who had Shield Traps installed by Yoon Seo.
[Annoying Park] Yoon Seo. Did you see the news? The Great Dungeon from 10 years ago is going to reappear.
[Annoying Park] The same dungeon where Domin died.
'Annoying Park' had contacted him as well. He was Lee Domin's friend, and although he knew that Lee Domin was the same Domin from the Revengers, he didn't know that Yoon Seo was Seo Chaeyoon.
The three of them had hung out together, but he was closer to Lee Domin. Feeling quite lonely, he kept reaching out to Yoon Seo. Most of the people who had shared the peaceful life before the Cataclysm had died, and Yoon Seo was the only one left from his childhood, so he couldn't completely cut ties.
[Yoon Seo] I just saw it.
[Annoying Park] It's shocking… Do you think we'll find any trace of Domin there?
[Yoon Seo] Probably not. Dungeons destroy everything inside when they close.
[Annoying Park] Is that so… Anyway, do you want to meet up? We can visit Domin.
When he suggested visiting Domin, he meant going to the National Cemetery. Yoon Seo had been refusing to meet him because he knew they'd end up talking about Lee Domin.
But now…
Yoon Seo thought for a moment and then sent a positive reply.
[Yoon Seo] Sure, let's meet.
[Annoying Park] What!?
[Annoying Park] You actually agreed to meet?
[Annoying Park] I guess it takes world-ending news to get a meeting with you, Yoon Seo.
[Annoying Park] How about next week?
[Yoon Seo] I'm busy for the rest of the year.
[Annoying Park] …Didn't you just agree to meet?
[Yoon Seo] Let's meet next year. Anytime in January.
Of course, since now wasn't the time to be casually meeting people, Yoon Seo pushed the date to after the Great Dungeon raid.
[Annoying Park] January…
His friend was silent for a few minutes before sending another message.
[Annoying Park] Alright, let's meet in January. How about the first weekend?
The Great Dungeon was set to open on October 14th, with a time limit until December 31st. If they didn't clear it within 78 days, the world would end on January 1st, and this promise would be canceled automatically. His friend hesitated, fully aware of this.
As they finalized the specific time and place, Kwon Jihan suddenly poked his head in.
"What's up, hyung? Who are you texting?"
"Ah!"
Yoon Seo, startled by the voice so close to him, nearly dropped his phone. Of course, with S-rank reflexes, he caught it before it hit the floor.
"Why are you so jumpy? Were you talking behind my back?"
"If you suddenly shove your handsome face so close, of course, I'll be startled. Don't do that again."
Yoon Seo sternly warned him, not realizing the adjective he had just used.
Kwon Jihan chuckled.
"Sorry. You looked so serious, I wondered who you were messaging. Was it the people from the Guild of Leaves?"
"I was just making plans with a friend."
"..."
Kwon Jihan tilted his head after thinking for a moment and asked.
"The National Cemetery?"
How did he know? Did he see the content of the message?
When Yoon Seo blinked in surprise, Kwon Jihan gave him a look that said he understood everything.
"I want to go too. When is it?"
"Why would Hunter Kwon Jihan tag along when I'm just meeting a friend?"
"It's the National Cemetery. Of course, I should go."
Yoon Seo couldn't understand how the location being the National Cemetery was connected to tagging along with him to meet his friend. But seeing Kwon Jihan's expression, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Yoon Seo found himself agreeing without realizing it.
"Don't mention this in the group chat. And don't say anything to Soo Jaehee or Park Soobin either. It'll just be me tagging along, okay?"
"…Why?"
"Sigh. If I don't say this, they'll both cling to you, and the friend-loving hyung will happily let them. You're already way too popular with the younger ones. Isn't one person enough? If I don't keep an eye on you, you'd easily give your number to random strangers, being all open-minded. Who calls you indifferent? You're like Agape itself. What's the point of looking calm on the outside? Just look over there. Riceball is flirting like crazy with another guy."
Following where Kwon Jihan pointed, Yoon Seo saw Riceball rubbing up against Hwashim, showing affection. Hwashim was staring blankly, but his eyes were visibly shaken.
"Now that I think about it, Hwashim is younger than you, right? Unbelievable."
Kwon Jihan grumbled and then called out softly, "Riceball." At his voice, the ferret squeaked and hurried over to him.
Yoon Seo didn't understand what Kwon Jihan was talking about, but he just found it cute.
In the end, Yoon Seo messaged his friend, 'Is it okay if one more person comes?' and only then did Kwon Jihan look satisfied.
"Hyung, now we absolutely have to clear the Great Dungeon to keep this promise."
"We have to clear the Great Dungeon regardless of this promise."
"No, what I mean is that we both have to survive, not just clear it."
"..."
"I'm going to survive and have you personally introduce me to your friend. I'm pumped up already. I also need to hear all about your childhood. I bet it'll be hilarious."
Kwon Jihan laughed heartily, his smile radiant and confident.
Only then did Yoon Seo realize that Kwon Jihan, too, was fully aware of the one person who would enter the black portal. Whether that person would live or die wasn't revealed in the prophecy.
For 'that plan' in the black dungeon to succeed perfectly, both Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan had to enter together. But in terms of just clearing the dungeon, Kwon Jihan could handle it alone.
However, Yoon Seo had no intention of letting Kwon Jihan go in alone.
There wasn't a trace of fear or anxiety on Kwon Jihan's face. His grey eyes were brimming with confidence, and his lips were curved in a calm smile. Yoon Seo wanted to protect that smile. To make sure it never twisted in despair, never stained by hopelessness.
***
After the Alliance Leader's announcement, Hunter Associations from countries all over the world began officially accepting applicants for the Great Dungeon. The application period was set for the end of next week, giving people plenty of time.
Those affiliated with guilds had to register through their guilds, while mercenaries had to register directly with the Association. Although Yoo Juncheol told everyone to consult their families and then decide, the members of the Perfect team sat together and signed up on their U-pads right away.
Hong Euiyoon, in particular, even took a screenshot and posted it on his social media.
[HELLHONNG
(Photo)
Fear?
Death?
None of that matters—
I'm a Hunter.
As Hong Euiyoon basked in pride after posting, Soo Jaehee commented, "Hyung, but according to the Alliance Leader, only 400 to 500 people are going in. If there are too many applicants, you might not make the cut."
"What the hell? What kind of shitty rule is that?!"
"Don't yell at me. Go complain to the Alliance Leader or the Guild Master."
"Wouldn't Yoon Seo's influence be stronger than the Guild Master's?"
Park Soobin shifted the conversation toward Yoon Seo, and Hong Euiyoon immediately rushed over to him.
"I want to go in too. I'm top-tier even among A-ranks, a huge asset. I can do this. I want to enter the Great Dungeon, get revenge, and protect the Earth."
"…I'm not the one who decides."
"How are they going to test us? Will there be a written exam?"
"I'm not sure about a written exam, but there will probably be some practical tests."
"A practical test? Thank goodness. Then I have nothing to worry about."
Hong Euiyoon sighed in relief. He had absolute confidence in his abilities.