Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 103

Drizzling rain falls. *Tsk.*

After a good day of rest, we agreed to meet at the office the afternoon after next. We parted ways, and I caught a taxi waiting nearby to head home.

Less than 20 minutes later, I arrived home, entered the password, and stepped inside, calling out,

“Son! Dad’s home!”

Huh? Why are the lights off?

Huh? Why is no one here?

I took out my phone, turned it on, and called my wife.

“Where are you?”

“Oh? Honey, did you come down to Jeju Island? Where are you now?”

“Of course, I’m home. Where else would I be? Where are you?”

“Here at Aewol Pension. I came with your parents. The kid kept asking to go camping. We’re staying here tonight… Do you want to come here?”

“No. I’m tired. Have fun. Be careful.”

“Okay. I’ll go tomorrow afternoon. Order something if you’re hungry. See you tomorrow~”.

“Okay.”

After hanging up, I took a shower, changed clothes, and rummaged through the refrigerator to see if there was anything to eat. I ended up just ordering chicken and draft beer.

I should have some *chimaek* [Korean-style fried chicken and beer] for once.

I turned on a few episodes of ‘Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,’ which I hadn’t seen in a while, chuckling as I tore into the chicken and drank the beer.

This is why I come home… right? Right?

Anyway, it’s a rare feeling of tranquility and freedom.

I stayed up late watching entertainment TV shows on the living room sofa and must have dozed off. And when I opened my eyes the next morning, the world had changed.

The world’s biggest mystery of 1971. For the first time since the appearance of dungeons, 2nd-grade and 1st-grade dungeons appeared all over the world.

*Vibration… Vibration…*

It’s Han Deuk.

“Yeah. It’s me. You’re watching it too, right?”

“Yes, hyung-nim [term of respect for an older male].”

“Tell everyone to gather at the guild office in two hours.”

“Understood.”

*Vibration… Vibration…*

This time, it’s my wife.

“Yeah. It’s me. No, I’m fine for now. If possible, come home and don’t wander outside. Just in case, buy some drinking water and canned goods. Yeah, yeah. It’s okay. Okay.”

*Vibration… Vibration…*

It’s the Jeju branch manager of the Awakened Association.

“Yes. This is me. Yes. We’ve already agreed to gather within two hours. Yes? There? Yes, yes. Understood.”

*Vibration.*

It’s Hong-chan hyung [term of respect for an older male friend or brother].

“Yeah. Hyung. Yeah. I’m trying to gather the kids for a countermeasures meeting. The Jeju branch has also agreed to cooperate. Yeah. Hyung, you’re with the main association, and that Director of the Special Task Force… Oh? A special report is coming out now. I’ll call you later. Okay.”

It’s chaotic. So chaotic.

Whether it’s because I’m tired or because I fell asleep on the sofa, I felt a bit dazed. I turned on the TV and was startled.

All regular broadcasts were suspended, and emergency news and breaking news were coming out one after another.

The content we talked about at the Blue House yesterday has manifested all over the world in less than a day.

Were those symptoms I heard yesterday not just in our country?

My heart was pounding for no reason, and my mind was blank.

My phone kept vibrating, so I called my wife to come home, reassured her, told Han Deuk to gather the kids, and was on the phone with the Jeju branch manager and Hong-chan hyung when the President’s emergency special report came on TV.

I should listen to what they’re saying for now.

‘…At 04:48 this morning, a 1st-grade dungeon appeared near Taebaeksan Mountain in Taebaek City, Gangwon Province. We have urgently dispatched one division of troops to evacuate all citizens within a 20km radius and are calculating the estimated time for clearing the dungeon.

Also, as far as we have identified so far, 1st-grade dungeons have appeared in at least one location in 14 countries, including the United States, Japan, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Australia. 2nd-grade dungeons have appeared in at least one location in 11 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Norway, the Philippines, Turkey, and India.

Accordingly, the Special Task Force will be named the Dungeon Management Division, separate from the existing Awakened Association’s clearance operations and approvals, and will be delegated full authority for this 1st-grade dungeon clearance.

In addition, the Jiwon Guild, a Jeju-based regional defense guild that successfully cleared the Seoul City Hall 3rd-grade Bio Dungeon with no fatalities, will be designated as a core guild of the Dungeon Management Division…’

“What, what? What are you talking about! I haven’t agreed yet!”

What nonsense! When did I ever? When did I ever say I would do it?

I said I’d think about it. I said I’d think about it!

I haven’t even brought it up to the kids yet. What is this!

What I was doing around noon yesterday is now on TV this morning. What am I supposed to do!

Regardless of whether I was making a fuss alone in the living room, the President’s special report continued.

‘…The Jiwon Guild will be entrusted with the decision-making power regarding the method of clearing the 1st-grade dungeon that has appeared this time, and all 7th-grade awakeners belonging to large and medium-sized enterprises and regional defense parties will be summoned.

This is because it is judged that the highest-level dungeon outbreaks that have occurred not only domestically but also worldwide will have a significant impact on the public’s right to pursue happiness, anxiety, fear, and economic repercussions. Therefore, the affiliated guilds for clearing 1st-grade dungeons will be exempt from taxes and will actively cooperate in clearing overseas dungeons…’

What is this again?

Delegation of decision-making power? Summoning all domestic 7th-grade awakeners? Tax exemption? What else?

Am I just incredibly stupid? Why is it so difficult to understand?

So, they’re saying they’ll support the awakeners [people with supernatural abilities] across the country, so we should clear it on our own, well, excellently? If we clear it well, we get a tax exemption? Something like that?

It’s like whipping us and then applying ointment. Damn it!

It seems like a mess. I can tell by how my phone hasn’t stopped ringing for a moment.

It seems like my parents, in-laws, relatives, cousins, and friends are all calling me at once.

I only answered the necessary calls while continuously watching the TV special report, and then a text message came.

I checked and it was a message from Han Deuk saying he had arrived in front of the house.

I turned off the noisy TV and went outside to Han Deuk’s car… Huh? Gil-soo and Ji-hye are here too?

As I got closer, I saw them watching the news special report on a portable DMB [Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, a Korean mobile TV service], and only when I got into the passenger seat did they turn to me.

“Hyung-nim, what should we do?”

“Oppa [term used by females to address older brothers or close male friends], are we clearing a 1st-grade dungeon? Really?”

“Is it possible? To clear it?”

“First, send a text to the kids to gather at the office… Ah, no, at the Jeju branch. The location has changed.”

“Jeju branch? Understood for now.”

Gil-soo sent a group text to the guild members, and Han Deuk drove the car to the Awakened Association Jeju branch.

Shortly after.

“Welcome. What on earth happened?”

“Let’s go inside first. Please prepare a place for our guild members when they arrive.”

“Of course. We’ve prepared the conference room. By the way, if the Jeju regional defense guild takes charge of clearing this 1st-grade dungeon, if an emergency situation arises….”

As soon as we arrived at the Awakened Association Jeju branch, the Jeju branch manager and staff members who were waiting at the gate rushed over and asked me for my opinion.

Well, even if they ask, I don’t have any refreshing answers to give. I’m just as bewildered.

We came here to discuss those countermeasures from now on.

“Please select a few good parties within the Jeju area. Are there any guild branches belonging to large or medium-sized enterprises?”

“The Saseong and LC guild branches have all withdrawn. As long as you guys are here, they see it as difficult to establish a base. Except for the Jiwon Guild, most of the parties are just so-so….”

“Pick out the top parties and select 10 with their awakened grade, characteristics, and level. Show me the report first, and then we’ll talk.”

“Understood.”

At the Jeju branch manager’s words, several employees hurriedly went into the office, and I also moved to the conference room with Han Deuk, Gil-soo, and Ji-hye.

The guild members who had received the call began to gather one by one, and it’s been an hour since I started reviewing the report handed over by the Jeju branch staff and discussing it with the kids.

The outline was roughly established, and the guide was caught, but there is still no contact from Hong-chan hyung from the so-called Dungeon Management Bureau.

After calling Tae-seok hyung, the president of the main association, I received the personal information, affiliation, characteristics, grade, and level DB (database) of all awakeners above 7th grade nationwide from the Jeju branch, and then divided and output them by job category. The number of awakeners exceeds 30,000. If each awakener’s personal information sheet is one A4 page, there are only 30,000 sheets.

When will I ever look through all of this… Hmm, we don’t need to do this.

“Exclude all warrior job types. Healer and priest ratio 30%, mages who use long-range fire magic and ice magic 50%, if there are any art factors among the job types, tell them to participate unconditionally, and separately output and report users of special magic such as teleport, instant movement, blink, fly, shield, buffer, worm, or raining. Until tomorrow.”

“Yes, yes? Until tomorrow?”

“Yes. Until this time tomorrow. Why? Is it not possible?”

“Well, that’s….”

The association employee has a troubled expression at my words.

Well, even if we exclude the warrior job type, which is the largest proportion of awakened job types, there will be at least 15,000 people, and it won’t be easy to organize them all in one day. But we don’t have time for that now, do we?

“Hire part-timers, outsource, or have all employees stay up all night, but unconditionally follow the words of the Jiwon Guild leader. Didn’t you see the special report? The special report official document has been issued. Don’t you know?”

“Ah, no. I understand.”

At the branch manager’s words, the employee hurriedly leaves the conference room.

From now on, either run around with sweat on your feet, work until your hands become feet, or raise dust on a rainy day… Ah, is this not it?

Anyway, the separation and organization of the awakened DB is up to them… Huh? Wouldn’t it be easy to solve by running a search with conditional statements in the DB? Okay. They’ll figure it out.

There’s no reason for me to explain it in detail, accurately, and precisely. They must have IT-savvy employees too. I think the old habits from when I was working are coming out for no reason. *Ahem.*

“I’m not forcing anyone. As you all know, it’s a matter issued by presidential decree, but the decision-making power is with me, and what authority do I have to be responsible for your lives? We will form a clearance team only for those who wish to participate.”

“I’m definitely going.”

“Me too.”

“I can’t miss out when the guild leader is going.”

“Me too.”

Han Deuk, Gil-soo, Ji-hye, and Mi-hye agree before I even finish speaking.

Well, we’ve been together since I awakened to 10th grade, so we know each other so well that it would be strange to move separately now.

If I were anxious or wavering, they wouldn’t be like this, but as I firmly proceed with the situation, they follow.

But you know what? I’m also very nervous and trembling right now.

The reason I’m acting like this is because Hong-chan hyung isn’t here.

Someone has to take the lead and lead the situation, but there’s no one to do it. It seems too serious to tell Han Deuk or Gil-soo to do it.

Anyway,

“I will also participate.”

“Same here.”

“I can’t be left out of the Jiwon Guild clearance team.”

“Ditto.”

Like moths gathering around a bonfire, the guild members all rush in, not knowing how important their necks are.

Do I have a lot of benevolence and virtue that they follow me?

Or are they taking this situation lightly?

We need to make this clear.

“To be clear, the type of dungeon has not yet been identified. The grade is 1st grade. The first dungeon that has never appeared anywhere in the world. I don’t know how it’s being handled overseas right now, but if you think of it as twice the Seoul City Hall 3rd-grade Bio Dungeon, and then twice again, you’ll get a big nose. Due to the characteristics of the dungeon units that come out for each grade, extremely vicious units may appear, and we know nothing about the correlation between the dungeon size, etc. I won’t say anything if you drop out now, so decide carefully. However, once a decision is made, it cannot be reversed. I’ll give you 30 minutes to think again.”

“Even if I think again and again, I’m going. Step on me and go, guild leader.”

“Same here.”

“Both of you, get down. I’ll step on you.”

“Kekeke.”

“Haha, hahaha.”

“What, what is it. Such a corny joke… Hehe.”

At Han Deuk and Gil-soo’s answers, my joke is added, and the guild members put on awkward smiles one by one.

I know too. The intention of Han Deuk and Gil-soo making such jokes.

They also know. The reason I accepted such jokes.

We have been like this until now, and we will continue to be so in the future.

Late afternoon.

After roughly grasping the outline at the Awakened Association Jeju branch and organizing the contents to be coordinated with the association, I stopped by the guild office.

There’s nothing to do, but I felt a compulsion to come here and wait, a similar feeling.

The guild members seem to have the same thought as me, either searching the internet for the current situation in their seats or quietly talking to acquaintances. A bit of a chaotic atmosphere with tension flowing.

*Vibration… Vibration…*

It’s Hong-chan hyung.

“Yeah. Hyung. How did it go?”

“Just listen. It’s a security matter. 7 days later at 7 PM is the Max Time. You have to enter the clearance before then. The type is Bio. The grade is confirmed as 1st grade.”

“Hmm.”

“The Dungeon Management Bureau has requested that the clearance team be formed at least 4 days in advance. How should we organize it?”

“Can I open it up [share the information]?”

“Where are you? Who’s next to you?”

‘Office. Team leaders.’

‘Then, it’s okay.’

‘I requested the branch to crack the Association DB [database] this morning. Excluding warriors, I want 30% healers and clerics, 50% or more mages, and I’m planning to add special mages. And the rest are us.’

‘Are you taking everyone? Is that even possible?’

‘What? Absolutely not. I’ll only pick the top 10% or so. Like last time, we’ll put extra people on the spare shuttle and proceed with the existing clearance method. Of course, it might change depending on the situation.’

‘It’s a relief it’s bio, at least. We only have to deal with the air.’

‘True. But, we won’t know until we go inside. If a bunch of dummies show up, we’re screwed.’

‘We need to scout thoroughly.’

‘Of course.’

‘Okay, I understand. I’ll sort it out as you said. By the way, when are you coming up? I think you should come up in advance to prepare?’

‘Ha… I just came down yesterday, and again? I’ll go up the day after tomorrow or the day after that.’

‘Alright. Oh, and we’ve been registered as a support guild with VVIP [Very Very Important Person] status by the Association and the Bureau. I got a call from the Bureau earlier.’

‘Huh? What do you mean?’

What? Not just VIP, but VVIP? Double IP [Internet Protocol address]? IP bypass? Porn site… ahem.

‘Priority boarding on all domestic transportation and all expenses paid. Priority use of accommodation and convenience facilities operated by the Association and the Bureau, and all expenses paid. The right to draw Awakened from the Association in the dispatch area, something like that?’

‘… Jackpot! The jackpot of jackpots!’

‘But!’

‘But?’

‘Only when the guild leader or vice-guild leader participates.’

‘I understand. etc?’

‘End.’

‘Okay. See you later.’

‘You’re still doing that until the end. You’re no fun.’

‘Bye.’

As soon as I finished the call and put my phone on the table, the kids stopped drinking their coffee and stared at me.

Did they hear something? Why are they like this?

“Oppa [term used by younger women to address older brothers or male friends], what’s that ‘jackpot of jackpots’ thing?”

“Hyung [term used by younger men to address older brothers or male friends], is something good happening? Right?”

“No, what was that strange English you said at the end? Is that a code you made with the vice-guild leader?”

Hmm, should I tell them? It’s annoying. Can’t I just keep it to myself?

Look at them. Those sparkling eyes, like they’re about to drool over a delicious meal.

Ah, Han-deuk is in charge of guild transportation and accommodation, so I have to tell him… Why is it so annoying to say?

* * *

4 days later.

Every day is hard. Every single day is really hard.

Ah, not for me. For them.

I entrusted them with the task of organizing the domestic rank 7 or higher Awakeners by job type, which the Jeju branch gave me.

Our Support Guild has about 220 members.

Surprisingly, about 210 people applied to participate in this rank 1 dungeon clearance.

Well, there was a survey that showed that most citizens, who had been reacting sensitively to the dungeon type being revealed as a rank 1 bio dungeon on TV, had found some stability.

The reason was simple.

The main reason is that our Support Guild’s ability to cleanly clear the Seoul City Hall rank 3 bio dungeon without a single death was revealed and generalized, and people started comparing it.

They say watching the idiot box for a long time makes you an idiot, right?

That’s right.

It’s the result of endlessly broadcasting similar programs on TV, every day, every hour, even if you change the channel. To put it simply:

1. Rank 1 and 2 dungeons have appeared all over the world.

-> Crap! Are we screwed? Is everyone going to die? End of the world?

2. We have a rank 1 dungeon, but it’s bio.

-> Uh? Still a problem!

3. We have a guild that cleared a rank 3 bio dungeon without a single death.

-> Uh? Uh-oh?

4. We will attach all rank 7 Awakeners in the country to that guild, and the government will actively help.

-> Uh? Then?

5. Don’t worry, keep doing what you’re doing. Of course, it won’t be easy, but we will stand tall as a dungeon clearance powerhouse that has cleared rank 1 bio dungeons with minimal casualties.

-> Wow, you guys are awesome.

This pattern of broadcasting brainwashes people on TV.

At first, even those who thought, ‘There’s no way it’s that simple,’ keep hearing the same content repeatedly, and they start to think, ‘If it really turns out like that, maybe we can clear it safely, even if it’s not easy?’ And after some more time, when most people around them express the same opinion, they establish their own thoughts based on assumptions, saying, ‘That’s right. We can clear rank 1 smoothly.’

I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

Even my wife, who was restless every day, my parents, who called every hour, and my son, who cried, ‘Dad~ where are you going? Don’t go,’ now take it for granted.

Well, I, or rather our Support Guild, may not be heroes who protect the world, or rather the country, but I don’t think this is the right pattern?

Still, I should be thankful that there are no clumsy farces where people grab my pants and don’t let go, crying and wailing?

I feel somewhat empty and uneasy for no reason.

Anyway, the conclusion is. If you blindly believe in the idiot box, you become an idiot. Hehe.

2 days later.

When I got on a special chartered plane at Jeju Airport four days ago, receiving a passionate send-off, and landed at Gimpo Airport, I was truly overwhelmed.

Thousands, tens of thousands of people gathering near the airport and scattering flower petals… There’s no way that would happen.

Only Dungeon Management Bureau agents in black suits, black cars with black seats, black ties, and black sunglasses greeted us.

After stopping by the Support Guild Seoul branch office to encourage the guild members once again, moving together in a large bus, stopping by the Dungeon Management Bureau, having in-depth, one-sided, and not very meaningful consultations with the bureau director and section chiefs, we moved to Taebaek City, Gangwon Province, and the installation of the base camp near Taebaeksan Mountain proceeded smoothly.

Support Guild 211 people, and existing Top guild members and Ensoli guild members, about 50 mages, healers, and clerics, about 80 top-ranked Awakeners belonging to regional defense parties nationwide, 8 퍼버s [likely refers to buffers, characters that enhance the abilities of others], 5 블랭커s [likely refers to characters that can nullify or block attacks], 3 실더s [likely refers to characters that provide shields or defensive barriers], and about 20 special mages, including 370 people, are on this Taebaeksan rank 1 bio dungeon clearance team.

Well, there was a protest in the middle about why all the members of the large corporations were being excluded, but I ignored it neatly.

It’s my decision.

I hate gold spoons [Korean slang for someone born into wealth and privilege].

I was delegated full authority over the composition of the clearance team, so I’m just using it.

Am I doing this out of spiteful feelings… That’s right. I’m a man who holds grudges.

Of course, it’s impossible to find in them the teamwork, characteristics and level stats according to job type, and the trust to entrust the rear, but still, Top Guild and Ensoli Guild are teams hoping to be M&A [mergers and acquisitions] with the Support Guild.

If I’m going to be with Awakeners from large corporations I don’t know at all, this is better.

Of course, the value of their lives from the previous Seoul City Hall rank 3 dungeon, 7 billion per person, is a bonus. It’s not like I told them to come because I was going to get that no matter what.

Gil-soo, Han-deuk. Organize it well, take good care of it. Hehe.

The next day.

The day I had been waiting for finally arrived.

A strange tension settles on the base camp from the morning.

People eating a hearty brunch and lunch, eating or not eating, taking out their greatswords and wiping them with dry cloths, team-level guild members checking food, drinking water, potions, and emergency supplies one by one, Hong-chan hyung talking to the general manager in charge of the defense of the soldiers who surrounded the dungeon radius of 5km, Han-deuk and 싸이 [likely a nickname or shortened name] following me around.

For someone, today may be, for someone, now may be, for someone, this time may be the last.

Hoping that it’s not them.

2:30 PM.

“It’s okay even now. Those who want to drop out can drop out.”

About 370 Awakeners are looking at me.

Even if I scan the formations organized by job type from left to right, no one is shaken.

The feeling is pretty good.

“I won’t repeat the same words. I believe. In you. I believe. In myself! Believe. In us! Then, we will always be able to clear the dungeon safely and come out. Taebaeksan rank 1! Bio dungeon clearance begins! Warriors, enter!”

“En.ter!”

“Enter!”

Dozens of warriors throw themselves into the dark, pitch-black darkness.

It’s starting.

“Huh? What, what is it!”

Before the dizziness disappeared after passing through the dungeon entrance, I felt something strange.

After struggling to come to my senses and looking around, there was a multi [likely refers to a structure or complex within the dungeon] right in front of me, less than 1km away. An eerie and gloomy dirge echoes from the grotesquely shaped, enormous mature tower 3.

“Crap! Mage mana manifestation! Probes summon! Crystal formation, gateway formation, Dracan core formation… Huh?”

Ignoring the absurd, throbbing heart, I quickly summon probes to create gateways and Dracan cores, but strange movements are detected in the multi ahead.

It is absolutely impossible to face the dungeon ground units in this state. It is impossible to face them, and at this rate, we will be annihilated.

I need to quickly produce shuttles and rise into the air!

‘Ooooo… oooo.’

‘Kieek. Kueek.’

‘Kura rarak. Kurak.’

The grotesque dirge and the cries of bio units echo everywhere.

Something is wrong.

Something is very wrong.

“Crap! Spiked core formation! Land core formation! Land core formation, land core… Damn it!”

Why is the building creation speed so slow today! It’s like 3-4 minutes is like three or four hours.

“Overlapping spines! Overlapping spines! Th, they’re moving!”

“Mature tower! The mature tower is moving!”

“500m ahead! 450m! They keep coming closer!”

“B1! Retreat! Retreat!”

“There’s no space behind us. We’re surrounded!”

“Crap! A2! Warriors, get out! Buy time! Guild leader!”

“I know! 20 minutes. No, just hold on for 17 minutes!”

“Damn it! Mage magic attack!”

“Mage magic attack!”

“Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire!”

“Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice!”

“Idea Goddess’s Lament! Dew of Sorrow!”

‘Kwaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kuaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kieek. Kieek.’

‘Kura rarak. Kurak’

What! What the hell is this! A moving multi!

I never even thought of this. Moreover, a giant mature tower 3 that I have never seen before. It seems to be over 100m tall. How am I supposed to destroy that!

Crap! Why is this damn land core creation speed so slow! Is the timeline wrong?

“100m ahead! Buffer! Give the mages a buff!”

“All warriors on standby! Everyone, prepare your skills!”

“Fire! Attack with fire mainly!”

“Pour out your mana without saving it! Guild leader!”

“10 minutes! Just hold on for 10 minutes! Crap!”

‘Kwaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kuaaang… Kwaang.’

“50m ahead! Uh, uh? Th, the mature tower is changing!”

“Th, the lower part of the mature tower! It, it’s opening!”

“Damn it, they’re swarming out!”

“Humans! Humans are coming out!”

“What are you talking about! This is a dungeon!”

“No, it’s not humans. There are wings on their backs! They’re coming closer! It’s walking alone!”

“Female-type human! No, humanoid dungeon unit! Approaching alone!”

Ignoring the shouts of the guild members around me and trying to concentrate as much as possible on producing shuttles from the land core, a strange ringing starts in my head.