## Chapter 148 – 148. Dungeon Survival
148. Dungeon Survival
As I filled out the application for the ‘Dungeon Survival Reforged’ program, I asked Professor Park,
“It seems we’re participating as representatives of the National Cheon University Hunter Department… Who’s the other person?”
“Eun Sangmin. He’s your senior. You know Eun Sangmin is a C-rank hunter, right? He has plenty of experience as a hunter, so if you listen to him and follow his lead, you’ll be fine.”
I frowned slightly.
Eun Sangmin.
A fourth-year student who reached C-rank a week ago. I don’t particularly like him. It must have been a fluke that he even got to C-rank. I saw him not too long ago, and he didn’t look strong. I felt like I could beat him if we fought.
More than anything, the reason I don’t like this guy is because when I was just promoted to my second year, the entire Hunter Department had a get-together, and he insulted me for not having awakened my abilities.
Even if he was drunk, he was the first guy to openly disregard me there. The others subtly looked down on me or mocked me behind my back.
And Eun Sangmin never apologized after that.
“That senior didn’t come today…”
“I heard he’s doing an important dungeon raid with the Hansuri Guild. It’ll be over in three days, so you’ll be contacted then.”
Hansuri Guild.
One of the many small and medium-sized guilds out there.
Eun Sangmin’s brother-in-law is Han Suri, an A-rank hunter and the master of the Hansuri Guild.
‘If you hear this much, the answer is obvious. Eun Sangmin quickly became a C-rank with the guild’s help.’
But I can’t completely ignore him. Reaching C-rank means he can manipulate mana.
“These documents here are about the rules of Dungeon Survival. Read them carefully.”
As I read the documents, my eyes widened.
‘Baek Jieun? Baek Jieun is the commentator?’
Baek Jieun.
An A-rank hunter affiliated with the Association. She’s not only skilled but also beautiful enough to work as a model. She’s been appearing on variety shows a lot lately. Rumor has it she’s preparing to become an actress.
‘Wow. I get to meet Baek Jieun in person? I’m glad I signed up.’
She’s 29 years old.
She became an A-rank in her 20s, which is enough to call her a genius. And she has the potential to become an S-rank.
‘I remember clearly that she’s got F-cup breasts.’
I’m really looking forward to the first gathering of program participants in a week.
‘Baek Jieun won’t not show up at the gathering, right? Nah, no way.’
***
I took a small breath to relax and pressed the doorbell.
I couldn’t hear anything, but the signal must have gone through inside.
As proof, a voice came from the speaker attached to the doorbell.
“What is it?”
It was Han Harin’s voice. I was currently pressing the doorbell of Han Harin’s house.
We live in the same officetel. She’s on the 4th floor, and I’m on the 6th. But we don’t really talk to each other even when we run into each other.
“Senior Han Harin. We’re on the same team. I came because I had some things to discuss about Dungeon Survival.”
Even I thought it was a perfect excuse. Of course, my true intentions were full of ulterior motives.
“…We agreed to meet with Senior Eun Sangmin later to talk. There’s no need to talk today.”
“Then I guess there’s no helping it. I wanted to share some hunter know-how… See you later, senior.”
I pretended to back away. But inside, I was sweating bullets.
‘Ask me. Ask me. Ask me!’
Did my desperate thoughts reach her? Han Harin’s voice came from the speaker.
“Wait. You want to share know-how?”
I found out by hacking Han Harin’s smartphone last time. She’s been struggling with mana awakening.
And I recently awakened my mana. Her hunter rank is higher, but my actual skill is higher since I’ve awakened my mana. Han Harin probably feels that too.
“Yes. I’m lacking as a hunter too… And we’re on the same team. It’s good to share information, right?”
“……I think so too. Come in.”
The door opened. Han Harin was there. She was still wearing the clothes she wore at the university, as if she hadn’t changed yet. White pants and a blue shirt. She must have taken off her black jacket since she was at home.
‘She looks good in anything because she has a great figure.’
I greeted her and went inside.
I was curious about what Han Harin’s house would be like, but it was neatly organized, and there was nothing particularly eye-catching.
She surprisingly treated me well.
It was just a glass of orange juice, but I was satisfied that she even offered me that.
“You said you wanted to share know-how? What kind of know-how do you want to share?”
“I recently had my second awakening. It’s a natural ability to control lightning… Senior Han Harin, you control gravity, right? Do you have any good know-how?”
“……Lightning?”
“Yes. I call it thunderbolt.”
*Fzzzt.*
Lightning sparked on my palm.
“Don’t use your abilities inside.”
“Ah. Yes. I’m sorry.”
I immediately extinguished the thunderbolt at her cold words. Han Harin crossed her arms and thought for a moment before speaking to me.
“Look for specialized books related to lightning. You might find unexpected ways to use it.”
“I see. I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t you have any questions for me, senior?”
At my words, Han Harin stared at me. She seemed hesitant about something, but then she parted her lips and asked me.
“……How did you awaken your mana?”
“Ah. Mana. This is actually a secret I haven’t told anyone… I’ll tell you only, senior.”
“……”
Han Harin’s eyes intensified. I could see her determination to not miss a single word I said.
“I received a special mana massage. You know what mana massages are, right?”
“I do. It’s a massage using mana.”
Mana massage. It was also called qi massage. The principle was simple. It was just a massage using mana. But it was quite effective, and it was very popular a few years ago.
And mana massage is still a massage that people look for.
“Wasn’t mana massage only known for its excellent fatigue recovery?”
Most people know it like Han Harin. But in fact, it is very effective for physical health, including fatigue recovery. Mana itself is a beneficial energy. However, it is not very effective for hunters.
“The one I received was a special mana massage. I got it for about a month? …I got it consistently for that long. Then one day, I suddenly had my second awakening and awakened my mana.”
“……You expect me to believe that?”
Of course, she wouldn’t believe it. She must have researched mana awakening deeply, so she wouldn’t have heard of a special mana massage.
“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. But that’s 100% the truth.”
“……”
Han Harin bit her lower lip.
I was calm. I knew I wasn’t the one in a hurry.
Han Harin had suffered a lot because of mana awakening, so she would want to believe even a ridiculous story.
“……Where can I get that special mana massage?”
“You can’t. The masseuse was a B-rank hunter, but he passed away recently.”
“……”
Han Harin looked slightly disappointed.
“Ah. But I worked under him for a while, so I know how to do the massage. He said I had talent and even taught me his secret techniques. He was a good person…”
I acted as gloomy as possible. Honestly, I’m not confident in my acting, but I couldn’t be cheerful when a friend I knew had died. Even though it was all a lie.
“You can do it?”
“Ah. You don’t seem to believe me. Senior. Can I go to the bathroom for a moment? I’ll show you something amazing.”
Han Harin hesitated and then nodded. Her bathroom was the same as the one in my house.
‘It’s the same building, so it’s natural.’
The only difference was the type of shampoo.
I filled the bathroom with a little water and stood on top of it. I activated Water Walking.
“That’s… Water Walk? You can do that?”
Han Harin’s eyes widened.
“I have some talent in controlling mana. That’s why the masseuse said I had talent. And I have the secret mana oil used for the special massage at home… I’ll go get it. Please wait a moment.”
Before Han Harin could say anything, I hurried back to my house. Then I went into the Yuhee Inner World and earned some points.
[Holy Water
Drinking or applying holy water may bring good things?
Price: 2 points
※Caution
The effect and duration vary depending on the amount.]
I spent 2 points to buy it.
I took it and returned to Han Harin’s room.
“Senior. Give me your hand. This is the secret medicine… If you apply it, it will glow faintly like this. It means the effect is working properly.”
I personally applied the holy water to her hand.
Han Harin let out a small exclamation as she looked at her hand, which was glowing faintly.
“I didn’t know there was something like this…”
If I showed her such amazing things, she would have no choice but to trust me.
“But you have to massage it in a specific way using mana. It’s said that it’s not effective unless you have extremely good mana control like me. If you want, I can give you a special mana massage.”
And I added.
“Ah. It’s not free. It’s a bit expensive. I paid 15 million won when I got the special massage.”
If it was free, she would be suspicious. She had a lot of money, so I quoted a reasonable price.
‘Han Harin has a lot of money anyway. 15 million won for one massage is nothing to her.’
If it was too cheap, Han Harin would be suspicious.
“……That special massage. Which part do you massage?”
“The effect is different for each part… The whole body is the most effective. You have to feel the mana throughout your whole body. Special massage. Would you like to try it?”
“……”
Han Harin was deep in thought. My heart was pounding.
But Han Harin shook her head.
“No, thanks.”
She still didn’t trust me. Or maybe she was uncomfortable with entrusting her body to me. I hid my disappointment and said to her.
“If you want, tell me anytime. I’ll do it for you. Ah, this is a secret. It might be a bit annoying if it gets out.”
“Okay. I won’t tell anyone.”
“……I’ll go now. It’s almost dinner time.”
“Okay.”
Han Harin was still cold. She didn’t even ask me to have dinner together.
***
Three days later.
Han Harin and I met Eun Sangmin at a cafe.
Eun Sangmin was a man with small, sharp eyes. He was grinning as he looked at us. His confident appearance was annoying.
‘Why is that guy, who isn’t even that handsome, grinning like that?’
Eun Sangmin scanned me and then turned his gaze to Han Harin.
“Harin, it’s nice to see you here. It’s our first time meeting privately, right?”
“I don’t think we’re meeting privately.”
Han Harin replied coldly. She was a woman who was equally cold to everyone except her friends.
I was 100% sure. That guy had ulterior motives for Han Harin.
‘Ignoring me is one thing… How dare he target the woman I’ve set my eyes on?’
I couldn’t forgive him. I had to put him in his place.
“Well, it’s true that we gathered for a meeting. How about we have dinner together after the meeting? I’ll treat you. I know a good hotel restaurant.”
“I have plans for dinner, so I’ll pass. How are we going to move in Dungeon Survival?”
“We don’t even know what kind of dungeon it is yet. I’ll give the orders when we get there, so you just have to follow me. I’m a C-rank hunter, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
Han Harin frowned. This wasn’t the kind of meeting she wanted.
“……I see. Okay. Then let’s part ways here.”
As she was about to get up from her seat, I spoke to Eun Sangmin.
“Senior Eun Sangmin. I can’t acknowledge you as the leader.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Eun Sangmin frowned and asked. It wasn’t that he didn’t hear me properly, but he was asking because he was dumbfounded.
I decided to explain it simply so he could understand.
“I don’t listen to the orders of a hunter who’s weaker than me. You seem weaker than me, senior. So, I’ll act as the team leader in Dungeon Survival. Is that okay?”
“Is this guy crazy? Hey, what year are you?”
“I’m a 18th year!”
“Ha… Unbelievable. Even if the Hunter Department is free-spirited, you should at least respect your seniors, right?”
A guy who doesn’t even go to school properly is talking about being a senior. At least have a proper conversation before acting like a senior.
“What I said isn’t wrong, is it? Isn’t it basic that the strongest hunter in the party acts as the leader? That’s what I know. Ah, senior, you only do group activities in the guild, so you don’t know these basics? Ah! I’m jealous! I want to join a guild and hunt comfortably too!”
Eun Sangmin’s face hardened.
“You’re not in your right mind. Get up, you punk. I’ll teach you what manners are today.”
“You want to fight? Sure. Don’t cry after you lose.”
“You’re putting on a show in front of Harin… You’ve made a big mistake.”
“I would have done this even if Senior Harin wasn’t here. I’m the type who doesn’t listen to the orders of someone weaker than me… But why is Senior Harin suddenly coming up? Do you perhaps like Senior Harin?”
I glanced at Han Harin. She was watching us with a cold expression. She didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping us. Perhaps, from her point of view, we were just strangers who didn’t matter.
Judging from Han Harin’s attitude, she was ignoring us and was about to go home.
“Come out here, you punk!”
“I’m coming even if you don’t shout. They say a scared dog barks. Are you perhaps scared?”
There’s no senior or anything in front of a woman.
“Didn’t anyone teach you not to say things you can’t handle?”
“I said it because I can handle it. You weakling.”
I suddenly came to my senses.
“Ah. I’m sorry, senior. I was a little excited and said something wrong.”
“This punk is now… Why are you getting scared now?”
“No. That’s not it. You piece of trash.”
A fist flew towards my face.
