Chapter 109 – Action (2)

Yun Seung-Ah looked around her new office inside the world’s number 1 guild, Creator’s Sacred Grace. She relocated to a new building called the Ark.

[Rank 250. Vice-leader Yun Seung-Ah]

She rubbed the badge that displayed her updated rank. The office she received for becoming the world’s rank 250 hero looked grand and fancy as expected.

“Do you like it?”

Yun Seung-Ah only smiled at her secretary’s question.

“Right, don’t I have a schedule for Cube’s Mission Experience?”

“Yes. Vice-leader will be in charge of the tunnel next Monday, October 5.”

“Is that so?”

Yun Seung-Ah sat in her chair.

“Mm.”

She hummed in joy from the comfy leather of a blood alligator.

“I can’t believe it’s October already. Time sure flies.”

“You’re right.”

“Any other interesting news?”

“Just one. It seems Jeronimo Mercenary has a new recruit.”

“Oh, really?”

Yun Seung-Ah’s eyes flickered with interest. She also held a deep relationship with Jeronimo Mercenary. Several teams with different tasks made up Creator’s Sacred Grace like many other guilds. Yun Seung-Ah began her career in the djinn eradication team, which often required the help of mercenaries.

“Has his codename been released?”

“We aren’t sure, but sources are calling him Fenrir.”

“Oh?” Yun Seung-Ah exclaimed in surprise. “That’s quite a grandiose codename.”

Yun Seung-Ah had seen Fenrir before. Creator’s Sacred Grace also participated in the battle with that monster ten or so years ago. Valuable data on it still remained in their video records.

“Yes, but he specializes in assassination and sniping.”

“Really? That’s not very fitting considering his codename. After all, the demon wolf Fenrir tore everything apart with its teeth.”

Mercenaries who specialized in assassination often received the limelight since they primarily fought against djinns rather than monsters.

“He should be an extraordinary specialist since he joined Jeronimo Mercenary. They didn’t reveal his identity?”

“No, our sources only heard rumors of him joining. Not much else is known.”

“Mm. I’m looking forward to it. They make a spotlight video for every new recruit.”

They officially called these spotlight videos mercenary cinematics that showcased the new recruit’s gift and power. Jeronimo Mercenary began with 13 members and advertised themselves like this every time they recruited a new member.

“It doesn’t look like a new mercenary cinematic will come out.”

“Mm… Well, I’m looking forward to it.”

Yun Seung-Ah felt her heart beating faster. It felt like receiving news about her favorite video game receiving a sequel. She liked working with Jeronimo Mercenary that much.

***

[Yi Yeonghan invited Kim Suho, Kim Hajin, Yi Jiyoon, Rachel, Chae Nayun, Hazuki, and 3 others.]

Yi Yeonghan: [Hihi. This is the group chat for the tunnel team. Chae Nayun told me to make one.]

Chae Nayun: [When did I say that?]

Yi Yeonghan: [Huh?]

Chae Nayun: [What]

Kim Suho: [Mm? What’s up with this group chat? What’s it for?]

Yi Jiyoon: [Hi Suho!]

Yi Yeonghan: [I don’t know. Chae Nayun told me to make it.]

Kim Suho: [Oh, hey.]

Kim Suho: [Chae Nayun did?]

Chae Nayun: [No no, it wasn’t me. Yi Yeonghan, do you want to die?]

Xie Chen: [Hello.]

Yi Yeonghan: [Oh, it’s been a while, Chen!]

Yi Yeonghan: [Chae Nayun messaged me. She said to create a group chat, so we can move around together]

Chae Nayun: [When did I say that?? It isn’t me, really, you know he’s a pathological liar, right?]

“The heck is this?”

I came back from showering and my smartwatch received 500 or so new messages. It seemed like a group chat for the tunnel team.

“Was something like this in the original story?”

I didn’t think so. I skimmed through the messages. Cadets usually went to their missions by 10 A.M. They talked about meeting and going as a group.

“Hm…”

I sent a message once I understood the gist of the conversation. Not to the group, but Rachel.

[Rachel, are you going with the group?]

[Yes, I am.]

[Then you should wear what your attendant picks out for you.]

[Why =_=?]

“Ah, what do I do?”

Honestly, I worried about Rachel lately. I still had to give her the butterfly seedling’s dust, but I couldn’t think of a way.

“Should I put it in an accessory?”

The butterfly seedling’s dust only adhered to targets with hidden potential. The dust could naturally seep into her if I sealed it in an ordinary necklace or bracelet.

“Hm.”

That sounded like a decent plan. A necklace seemed like too much, but a bracelet should do. I could say that she did a good job on the team challenge as an excuse.

“Perfect.”

I entered an accessory shop on my smartwatch and picked out a decently priced bracelet worth about 100,000 won. Then I suddenly received a message.

[Hey, did you use to do volunteer work?]

It came from Tomer.

[Yeah, I did. Why?]

[No reason. I just thought maybe I should too.]

[That’s a good idea.]

[Have you ever met a Latino like me while you volunteered?]

“Eh?”

Did she not find her father’s letter? What happened when she went to the retirement center?

“Ah, she must’ve met a different nurse.”

She must’ve not heard about the letter if she didn’t meet the head nurse.

[Yeah, I have. Why?]

Tomer didn’t reply. Did she plan to message me in a week again? Things must be complicated for her, so I somewhat understood.

“Hajin, Hajin.”

Evandel called me from the living room. I put on a t-shirt and walked over. Hayang lay on the couch while Evandel made something in front of the kitchen table.

I quietly watched. Two sharp eyes, a protruding mouth, and a four-legged body with rough fur. She made a wolf.

“Wow, what’s this? It looks so good!”

I sat next to her and stroked her head. Evandel joyfully laughed and handed me the wolf.

“Here, it’s Hajin’s.”

“Mine?”

“Un, un. Look.”

Evandel tapped the small wolf’s back. The frozen white wolf suddenly developed color and ran into my chest with a growl.

“Whoa!”

I closed my eyes in shock and fell on my back. Then I quickly recovered, but the wolf disappeared. Evandel looked at me mischievously.

“What, did you pull a prank on me? You!”

“Ah! No, no, uhehe, ah, uhihihi, ahahahaha.”

I tickled her sides since Evandel was especially ticklish. Just tickling her sides could make her cry and roll around. I continued her harsh punishment for 30 seconds.

“Aaang… but it’s a present…”

Evandel muttered out of breath on the floor. I felt something different and looked at my chest where the wolf jumped into. The symbol of a wolf had been branded there.

“What’s this?”

I checked my smartwatch.

[Buff – Infused Ghost Wolf. The wolf has recognized you as its master.] — Energy of the Wolf: Will increase your strength, stamina, speed, and vitality by 0.1 points. — Sixth Sense of the Wolf: A huge wolf will emerge to protect its master when it senses a life-threatening danger. — Movement of the Wolf: You will make less sound while walking.

“Oh wow.”

Evandel finally made something useful. It seemed she wanted to show off and earn my praise, but I misunderstood. I felt sorry and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you.”

“…”

Evandel didn’t say anything. I looked down and wondered if she was angry, but she had already fallen asleep. She must’ve spent all her energy to make this wolf.

“So cute.”

I picked her up and carefully placed her in bed. I received an alert from Violet Banquet when I returned to the living room.

[You have received an item.]

It must’ve came from Boss. A purple portal appeared in front of my laptop screen. PONG! A cylinder object the size of a baseball popped out. It looked like a Yoplait, but was actually under armor.

[Pinnacle grade Under Armor] [Pinnacle grade] [Partial Artifact] [Stored Mana 5000/5000] — Body Reinforcement: Will increase your strength, stamina, vitality, and speed by 0.3 points. — Artifact Transformation: You may use the stored mana to activate the following effects: Haste, High rank Defense Enhancement, Body Adaptation (Will fit the equipment accordingly to your body.), Underwater Mask (Can create a mask that allows you to breathe underwater.)

This state-of-the-art equipment was made from refining artifacts with magic engineering.

“Let’s see…”

I placed the cylinder on my bare chest and infused some magic power into it. Chwaak— A dark blue mana spread out from the cylinder and enveloped my body. An under armor easily surpassed 300 million won as defensive equipment made from mana crystals. It could easily be a billion won or more considering the quality of this one. As I thought, Boss tended to undervalue items. I made sure to thank her with a message as I put the armor away.

***

The tunnel team met in front of the Cube portal station the next day at 9 A.M. except for one person.

“Isn’t Kim Hajin always the last one? Don’t you think so too, Rachel?”

Yi Yeonghan asked Rachel. He tried to act friendly, but Rachel didn’t respond. Her eyes seemed to say, It’s bad to talk about someone behind their back.

“Cough. Ah, there he is.”

Yi Yeonghan awkwardly pointed into the distance. A student who didn’t look like a student appeared. He neatly styled his hair in a pomade and his beard looked well-trimmed. He wore a black jacket and boots that made him look like he was in his mid-20s.

“He didn’t shave his beard yet. Maybe it’s because a certain someone complimented him,” Yi Yeonghan muttered as he nudged Chae Nayun’s shoulder. Chae Nayun grew flustered.

“W-What about me.”

“What?”

“I-It’s not like that! He even ignored all the messages I sent him.”

“Oh? You even messaged him first?”

“Ii, iik.” Chae Nayun trembled in anger as Kim Hajin joined them.

“Kim Hajin, you’re three minutes late.” Yi Yeonghan tapped on his smartwatch as he clicked his tongue.

“Ah, sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s only three minutes. Anyways Hajin, you look great today.” Kim Suho spoke as he nudged Kim Hajin’s arm.

“You’re one to speak.” Kim Hajin placed his hand on Kim Suho’s waist. Chae Nayun felt disgusted by how close they became.

“I’ll forgive you since it was only three minutes. Alright, let’s go to Busan!”

Yi Yeonghan led the group today. He was still the class president despite often being the joker. The group took the portal to Seoul before transferring to Busan. The most famous tunnel in Busan was the underwater tunnel. The world-renowned architect, Kim Kyunggwan, had constructed it through the ocean to connect with Japan and China. This tunnel wasn’t for trade, but for subjugating sea-dwelling monsters and dungeons.

“Hey.”

Chae Nayun tapped on Kim Hajin’s shoulder as the group walked to the underwater tunnel’s entrance.

“What.”

“Why didn’t you shave?”

“Hm?”

The beard’s 0.5 charm buff would disappear if he did. Kim Hajin replied half-heartedly, “Just because.”

“Just because?”

“What.”

“No, nothing. By the way, why aren’t you replying to my texts? It says you read them.”

Honestly, Kim Hajin was just playing hard to get. Thinking about it made Chae Nayun mad as she frowned.

“I forgot.”

“What?”

“Ah, over there!”

Yi Yeonghan pointed into the distance at a woman in front of the underwater tunnel’s entrance.

“Whoa! Isn’t that hero Yun Seung-Ah!”

The cadets’ eyes flickered as they saw her. The world’s rank 250 hero, Yun Seung-Ah, possessed both beauty and talent. Many often lauded her as the future of Korea and both civilians and heroes looked up to her. A few cadets completely froze in front of such a great figure.

Yun Seung-Ah stepped forward when she noticed that we spotted her. A powerful gale erupted and her single step covered 200 meters.

“Whoa!”

“Ah!”

She teleported using magic power combustion. Her sudden appearance caused several cadets to jump back in surprise.

“Hello, everyone.”

Meanwhile, Yun Seung-Ah scanned the group with a leisurely smile.

“Suho, Nayun, Yeonghan…”

She recited each cadet’s name.

“Rachel, and… Hajin? Is that you, Hajin?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my, you changed quite a lot. You… even grew a beard.”

Kim Hajin silently nodded.

“Good morning, everyone. Mm… I’m not good with words, so let’s just head down immediately.”

Yun Seung-Ah gestured as everyone followed after her like ducklings. Yun Seung-Ah and the cadets got on the elevator as she explained, “This underwater tunnel is extremely useful. It allows us to hunt sea monsters and serves as a pathway to underwater dungeons.”

Ding. The elevator soon arrived underground. The underwater tunnel felt truly massive. It looked as wide as a four lane highway going both ways and as high as two ogres combined. It also had rest areas, restaurants, and vehicles driving through.

“We’re still underground, but you’ll find that we’re surrounded by water as we walk further. It’s quite a beautiful view.”

The group continued following Yun Seung-Ah.

“You’ll see other roads forking out every once in a while down this main road. You can see where these roads lead by reading the signs. If it says D, it leads to a dungeon. If it says M, it leads to monsters…”

Tiriring— Tiriring— Yun Seung-Ah’s smartwatch loudly rang. She frowned and checked the content.

“Ah shoot! It looks like there’s an emergency at the end of the tunnel. I’ll have to go ahead…”

Yun Seung-Ah awkwardly smiled. “I’ll come back quickly, so take a look around in the meantime.”

“Yes!” the cadets replied loud and clear.

“Don’t go too far. Stay in groups of 2 and check out the side roads.”

Yun Seung-Ah suddenly turned around and snapped her fingers before leaving. “Ah, I’ll fairly form the groups.”

Yun Seung-Ah projected a smartwatch app that paired the cadets. Kim Suho and Chae Nayun. Yi Yeonghan and Hazuki. Xie Chen and Yi Jiyoon. Kim Hajin and Rachel. It quickly assigned the groups.

“I’ll be back in a jiffy!”

Yun Seung-Ah winked at Chae Nayun before running down the tunnel. However, Chae Nayun only bitterly smiled at her as she ran off.

You didn’t need to do that…

Her gaze turned to Kim Hajin who laughed as he talked to Rachel.

“Tsk.”

Chae Nayun clicked her tongue and walked to Kim Suho.

“Hey, Chae Nayun.”

“Hey…”

Wiing— Chae Nayun’s smartwatch suddenly also rang. She casually checked it.

[This is the director of Daehyun Hospital.] [Patient Chae Jinyoon showed signs of waking up around 10:23 A.M. today] [I can’t say for certain that he will wake up soon, but it is surely a great sign.]

Chae Nayun’s mind turned blank at the sudden news.

Author’s Note: Yun Seung-Ah’s age has been buffed. Now, she’s only 10 years older than Suho!