Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 23

“Yes, yes. This is Han Ji-won. But why to me…”

“Ah… Hyung-nim [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend]. Let me explain. Remember when we were desperately looking for party members to enter the Aradong Rank 10 Mech Dungeon last time? This friend was originally in our party, but he couldn’t make it due to an urgent matter back then…”

In conclusion, he was a member of the Mech Dungeon clear team last time, but he couldn’t attend because his parents had a sudden car accident, and I was a last-minute replacement.

Well, thanks to that, I made money and tested things out, so I’m thankful.

“Are your parents okay?”

“Ah… yes, yes. Fortunately, they didn’t sustain any major injuries. They just had some bruises and scratches…”

“Why is Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend, used by females] asking about Mi-hye’s parents? Huh? Are you interested? And why are you telling him? We just met today!”

“Well, still…”

“What do you mean, ‘still’? Don’t give my Oppa any attention!”

Huh? What was that just now?

And who is ‘our Oppa’ to her?

“It’s called courtesy, spelled as ‘manner.’ You probably don’t understand. Anyway… why today? We’re going to see each other tomorrow anyway.”

I said a word to Ji-hye and looked at Han-deuk, asking what was going on.

Then, Han-deuk took out a file from his briefcase, handed me the contents, and said,

“Hyung-nim. We talked among ourselves about what you said last night. How about officially forming a party?”

“Party?”

“Yes.”

“Not just privately, but officially?”

“That’s right. If it’s okay with you, Hyung-nim…”

Hmm… an official party….

“… Let’s do that. But let’s keep the term short. Let’s extend it every three months… Ah… it’s not that I don’t trust you, but, as you know, I’m an office worker. The office conditions might cause harm to you, and I might not be able to participate in dungeon clears 100%…”

“… I understand. Let’s do that.”

It’s an excuse.

We can laugh while looking at each other like this now, but you never know what might happen tomorrow.

Of course, a contract within a party organization doesn’t have the legal power to impose criminal penalties, but it is possible civilly.

Furthermore, if talk of civil lawsuits spreads around, no party in the closed community of Jeju will accept an Awakened with so many problems.

I looked through the documents, and most of the fields were blank except for the general items.

“The party name is blank. Haven’t you decided yet? And the party period is one thing, but what about the dungeon income distribution? Item distribution and contribution? … What is this?”

“We know. We’ve been handling it privately among ourselves until now, but we’re trying to establish a system this time. Since we’re officially forming a party, we’d like to hear your opinion, Hyung-nim. For the record, I’m unconditionally in favor.”

“Me too, Hyung-nim.”

“Oppa, me too!”

“M-me too.”

Huh….

What are you trying to do now?

What are you unconditionally in favor of?

“So, you’re delegating everything to me?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right.”

“Yeah.”

“M-me too.”

Are these guys collectively crazy?

Why are they doing this? What did they discuss among themselves?

“You’re unconditionally listening to my opinion now, after only clearing the Mech Dungeon once? Why? Just figure it out among yourselves…”

“Hyung-nim.”

“Why?”

“As you know, we are different from ordinary people.”

“Yeah, but what does that have to do with this?”

“Gil-soo and I are 28, Ji-hye and Mi-hye are 25. How many times do you think we’ve cleared Rank 10 dungeons?”

“… W-well….”

Why are you suddenly asking that?

Are you drunk?

“I’ve cleared a total of over 30 Mech Dungeons and Bio Dungeons. Gil-soo is about the same. Ji-hye and Mi-hye have cleared over 10. There have been many incidents and accidents, and we’ve seen injured and dead people a few times. We’ve met many different Awakened, been severely insulted, and been in mortal danger several times. But… but you know, Hyung-nim. When you gave us the items in the dungeon last time… I felt it then. Ah… there are people like this in the world. You said it like that back then, but I could roughly feel your heart. You gave us the items because you were grateful to us. Even though you could have monopolized them all, you still…”

He’s definitely drunk.

He’s talking too much.

And I still regret giving those items away… cough.

Let’s skip that for now.

“Okay, I get it. Stop it. Why are you writing such a novel? Let’s go with the most common conditions. Everything that comes out of the dungeon is converted into cash and divided by the number of Awakened. Got it? No one has any complaints, right?”

“…….”

“…….”

“… Oppa!”

Why? What is it now?

These guys… what do you want me to do!

Only after listening to Han-deuk and Gil-soo’s general (?) party clauses for a full 30 minutes could I create the contract clauses.

Why am I making this now… no… why am I writing this!

Am I the party leader?

And is this why you barged into my office?

I’m busy enough as it is!

Still, as I somehow managed to handle things one by one, only one thing remained.

That is the party leader and the party name.

“Who is the party leader?”

At my question, all the crazy bitches and bastards stare at me.

Ah~ why again?

“It’s Oppa~ you idiot.”

“What?”

“The party leader.”

“What are you talking about!”

“Oppa is the party leader~.”

“… Hey! Get out! Party or whatever, get out!”

I couldn’t kick them out.

Damn it….

Ji-hye acting cute and Mi-hye learning from the side.

Gil-soo and Han-deuk pledging absolute loyalty.

Why are you doing this to me?

Do I look that easy?

These crazy bitches and bastards, really… ugh!

Anyway, I barely managed to kick out the four Awakened who made me so tired that day in two hours.

For the record, the party name was decided as ‘Ji-won Party.’

Due to Ji-hye and Mi-hye’s active recommendation… damn it!

* * *

The next day, in the morning.

First, I decided to pay back the 5 million won I borrowed from Seung-chan hyung [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend] from the money in my account, and then clear the debt with my younger sibling as a guarantor.

My younger sibling works in RFID development in Incheon, and even though he’s two years younger than me, he’s still a great wizard without a girlfriend… well, not quite, but my mother and father are constantly urging him to get married soon.

I borrowed money by putting such a sibling as a guarantor, so I should resolve this and give him some generous spending money this time.

I called OO Money, OOO Capital, OOO Loan, etc. to confirm the lump-sum repayment amount, immediately transferred the money, and received the certificate of full payment by fax.

Then, I informed my sibling via KakaoTalk that I had repaid all the existing debts, and sent him a scanned certificate of full payment by email, pretending that I had received an incentive this time, and gave him about 5 million won more.

Just in case, with the nonsense that he should lend it back to me if something goes wrong later….

As the 14 million won guarantor loan and the 5 million won given to my sibling were withdrawn from the account, the money I borrowed in my name and the personal rehabilitation debt… cough!

But I’m curious as to why the principal doesn’t decrease even after paying for over a year.

What? A system that pays off the interest first?

Why? Really… ha… no.

All of this is my fault for borrowing money from these loan sharks.

Damn it!

After eating lunch, I headed to the office smoking room to make a crystal… Huh? Why am I waiting?.

Because I don’t have a car!

It’s a 40-minute distance from here to Eorimok.

The taxi fare is too much to take a taxi… it should be around 20,000 won [approximately $15 USD].

Should I just take it?

No. It’s a bit much to go out and catch a taxi and spend money when they’re willing to pick me up.

Anyway, I shouted ‘Eat, smoke, and live forever’ (食後煙草不老長生) [a humorous saying about the joys of smoking] and had a canned coffee and cigarette time in the smoking room.

I plan to make a crystal in advance before entering the Eorimok Rank 10 Mech Dungeon in two hours.

“Status window!”

[Art Factor: Han Ji-won (Lv-1)

Nationality/Affiliation: Republic of Korea/Ji-won Party, Age: 39, Height/Weight: 176cm/84kg,

Agility: 1, Endurance: 1, Strength: 2, Stamina: 1, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 1,

Inventory: 3/5 (Awakener Boots, Gloves, Cloak), Crystal: 0/3,

Buildings: 3 (Force, Battery, Gateway),

Summon Target Stats: 16 (Prolb), Julut’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts: Mineral Shard (Absorption) 80, Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

Watching outside the smoking room, I summoned minerals.

“Summon all minerals.”

[Ding! You can create 8 crystals with 80 minerals. Would you like to synthesize?]

“As expected….”

The number of minerals summoned in the vacant lot near my house last time was 20. I made two crystals with those 20 minerals.

And I added one crystal in the Aradong Rank 10 Mech Dungeon….

“Synthesize!”

[Ding! 7 crystals have been created with 70 minerals. You have reached the maximum number of crystals for the current level. You can no longer create crystals.]

[Ding! The total amount of possessed artifacts increases. Summoning ability increases.]

“Hmm….”

It seems that 10 crystals are the limit at the current level.

Well, it would be stranger if I could create them endlessly when my level is 1.

How many Juluts did I create with 3 crystals last time?

Today I have 10 crystals… ganging up?

Zerg rush Juluts [a term from the game StarCraft, referring to overwhelming an enemy with a large number of weak units]?

I got a ride in Han-deuk’s car and headed to Eorimok.

He tells me what I have to do as a party leader in the middle….

Why do you make me do it… they’ll give me at least 5% more of the dungeon clear income. They say it’s customary….

I arrived at the entrance of Eorimok, but the atmosphere is somehow strange.

There are ambulances and police cars in front, and some dungeon management office association employees are running around.

“Why is the atmosphere like this?”

“Just a moment. I’ll go find out….”

As Han-deuk was about to get out of the car to assess the situation, Ji-hye, Gil-soo, and Mi-hye, whom I met yesterday, approach from over there.

“Oppa. Something terrible happened! A warrior-type Awakened died during the dungeon clear one time before!”

“…….”

“Weren’t there any healers or priests?”

“I heard that only two warriors and two battle mages went in.”

“Geez. What were they going to do if they got hurt… there should always be at least one healer-type Awakened….”

It’s chilling.

I feel goosebumps down my back.

The thought that people die because of money… has become a reality.

Thinking that things I only saw on the news on TV could happen to me makes my chest feel heavy.

I have no guarantee that this won’t happen to me either….

“Hyung-nim. Let’s have a cigarette. You don’t look good.”

Gil-soo came up to me and muttered quietly.

My expression must have been strange.

Of course. Someone died….

Gil-soo took the lead, and I followed behind.

Now that I see it, my hands are wet with cold sweat.

I smoked a cigarette behind the parking lot and thought about it carefully.

I happened to awaken and am standing in this place now, but I still don’t have any purpose or consciousness in clearing dungeons.

It’s just because it makes money, because it makes a lot of money, that I’m trying it out this time.

High risk, high return.

That’s right.

But what if that high return is your own death?

It’s scary.

If an Awakened died even in a Rank 10 Mech Dungeon, what kind of things would happen in Rank 9, Rank 8, and above… cough.

It’s still something that happened around me, not something that happened to me.

I still have no reason to die, and I don’t want to.

It’s not that I’m going to forget this, but there’s no need to keep reminding myself of it.

Especially now that I’m waiting to enter the dungeon.

I calmed my emotions a little and came out to the front of the parking lot, and Han-deuk, who was waiting, tells me what’s going on.

“The association will be running the dungeon for about an hour to assess the situation. Only after that can we enter.”

“Then… we have two hours to spare?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… I understand. Everyone gather around. Let’s make a plan.”

“A plan?”

“Yeah.”

“…….”

“…….”

What were these guys thinking when they cleared the dungeon until now?

This is a place where people die!

Of course, we should prepare thoroughly before clearing it, but what are these soulless expressions?!

Everyone has different jobs, different attack and defense characteristics, and we need to coordinate when Han-deuk will give heals or blessings… or not? … Wait a minute….

“Wait a minute. Once we enter the dungeon, there’s a safety zone in the 10th rank. So… I’ll summon Probes to mine minerals first, then create a crystal and a gateway, and produce Zealots from there to attack… Huh?!”

Wait a minute again! … These guys! ….

They didn’t just create a party and make me the leader for nothing!

As I glare at them, Han-deuk and Gil-soo, sensing something, avoid my gaze for the first time since meeting me.

“Oppa~.”

Ji-hye, who was looking at me from the side, asks for bread again.

Before entering the dungeon, I went to the bathroom one last time and checked my status again.

“Status window!”

[Artifact: Han Ji-won (Lv-1)

Nationality/Affiliation: South Korea/Support Party, Age: 39, Height/Weight: 176cm/84kg,

Agility: 1, Endurance: 1, Strength: 2, Stamina: 1, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 1,

Inventory: 3/5 (Awakened Boots, Gloves, Cloak), Crystal: 0/10,

Buildings: 3 (Nexus, Battery, Gateway),

Summoned Creature Stats: 51 (Probe), Zealot’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts: Mineral Fragment (Absorption) 10, Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

Summoning stat is 51, and there are 10 crystals….

Hmm… As planned, I need to create crystals and gateways as quickly and efficiently as possible, and then produce Zealots to destroy the Nexus [core building], defense towers, and other Zealots in the dungeon.

A moment later.

“Oppa! The association employees are here.”

“Yeah. I see them.”

“…….”

“… Why?”

“What are you doing, Oppa? You need to submit the dungeon entry application quickly! If we’re even 5 minutes late, we’ll lose out! You know… the mineral consumption.”

“Oh. Right. But why is that my problem?”

“You’re the party leader! When a dungeon clearing party enters, the party leader has to submit the application! Hurry up. Go now!”

“…….”

Hmm? That’s strange?

What I was thinking a little while ago… Ah, never mind?

* * *

I entered the dungeon.

As planned, as soon as the slight dizziness subsided, I quickly walked to the edge of the safety zone and shouted.

“Awakened Boots, Gloves, Cloak.”

As I recognized the Awakened Boots, Gloves, and Cloak in my inventory, I felt a tingling sensation on my legs and the back of my hands, and the magical items I purchased from the Awakened Shopping Mall appeared.

They increase agility and strength, and the cloak provides defense… Hmm… I think it does, but I’m not sure… I can’t really feel the difference.

Reaching the edge of the safety zone, I summoned the Probes.

“Summon all Probes.”

[Ding! Summoning 51 Probes.]

As dozens of Probes appeared with a white light in front of the safety zone, I faintly heard someone’s surprised exclamation from behind.

As I stepped out of the safety zone, dozens of Probes began to circle around me. It’s the first symptom when summoned.

I picked up one of the Probes, brought my hand to its antenna, and placed it on the ground. Then, staring at a point 3m in front of me, I shouted.

“Create Crystal!”

Then, the Probe in front of me crawled there, and its body was dyed blue.

‘Poo… Chi… Chijik’

Lightning-like streaks of light shot up from the ground, and a 2m-sized crystal was completed.

[Ding! 1 Crystal has been created. Total amount of possessed artifacts has increased.]

[Ding! You can create a Nexus, Battery, and Gateway.]

[Ding! Summoning stat has increased.]

“Create Gateway!”

[Ding! Would you like to create a Gateway? 30 Mineral Fragments will be consumed.]

“Huh!”

[Ding! Insufficient Mineral Fragments to create a Gateway.]

“Huh…? Why?”

Why are there not enough Mineral Fragments… You stupid Probe bastards!

“Hey! Why aren’t you guys working? Go mine minerals quickly!”

Only then did the Probes, swarming under my feet, begin to waddle over the hill.

These guys only work when ordered… Huh?

I thought they mined minerals on their own last time… That’s strange.

Let’s just create crystals while the Probes are bringing Mineral Fragments.

“Create Crystal, Create, Create….”

Since I already created the crystals in the office this morning, I don’t consume dungeon Mineral Fragments. Of course, I can only create up to 10 crystals, but with this many crystals, the number of Zealots I can create is… Keueueueum [evil laughter].

Let’s just summon as many as I can when I can.

After about 5 minutes, the Probes waddle towards me, carrying Mineral Fragments as big as their heads.

This scene of 50 Probes standing in a line and approaching me is quite a sight to behold.

[Ding! Absorbed Rank 10 Mech Dungeon Mineral Fragment. Mineral Fragment increased by 1.]

[Ding! Absorbed Rank 10 Mech Dungeon Mineral Fragment. Mineral Fragment increased by 1.]

[Ding! Absorbed Rank 10 Mech Dungeon Mineral Fragment. Mineral Fragment increased by 1.]

…….

Ah… Annoying.

It’s so annoying every time the notification pops up.

After dozens, hundreds of notifications, I created a Gateway again.

“Create Gateway!”

‘Poochi… Chijik… Chijijik.’

[Ding! Would you like to create a Gateway? 30 Mineral Fragments will be consumed.]

“Yeah!”

[Ding! Gateway has been created. The currently producible unit is Zealot (20 minerals per unit).]

“Okay! Produce Zealots!”

[Ding! Producing Zealots from the Gateway. Time required: 2 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds…]

The production speed per Zealot is 3 minutes.

To produce 10 Zealots from one Gateway, I have to wait 30 minutes… but there’s no reason to!

“Create Gateway!”

[Ding! Would you like to create a Gateway? 30 Mineral Fragments will be consumed.]

“Of course! Create Gateway, and another, and another!”

[Ding! Gateway has been created. The currently producible unit is Zealot (20 minerals per unit).]

[Ding! Gateway has been created. The currently producible unit is Zealot (20 minerals per unit).]

[Ding! Gateway has been created. The currently producible unit is Zealot (20 minerals per unit).]

…….

Now it’s the last one.

Looking at the Gateway, I started producing Zealots.

“Produce Zealots!”

[Ding! Producing Zealots from the Gateway. Time required: 2 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds…]

“You too, produce Zealots!”

[Ding! Producing Zealots from the Gateway. Time required: 2 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds…]

“Same here. Produce Zealots!”

[Ding! Producing Zealots from the Gateway. Time required: 2 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds…]

…….

A moment later.

It’s spectacular.

It’s so cool.

Dozens of Zealots… about 80 of them, I guess.

80 Zealots, 2m tall, with sharp gauntlets, hard armor, and pointed helmets, stand in front of me in perfect formation.

Their eyes are sparkling like puppies waiting for my command… well, not really, their red eyes are just blank.

As I look at them with satisfaction, they approach me.

“O, Oppa!”

“Hyungnim [term of respect for older brother or male friend]! You’re really amazing. Now, just like this….”

“That’s right. Now it’s the last step. As I said before, you guys support from behind. Don’t get hurt by stepping forward unnecessarily.”

“Understood, Hyungnim.”

“I’ll heal the Zealots.”

“I’ll destroy the defense towers first with fire magic.”

“I’ll deal with the Zealots….”

Gil-soo, Han-deuk, and Ji-hye, who were watching from the side, excitedly answered, and Mi-hye is just staring at me with surprised eyes.

Ji-hye might have heard about this situation in advance, but it’s probably the first time she’s seeing it with her own eyes.

Keuheum [ahem]… I think it’s kind of… cool, even to me.

First, I need to clear the dungeon as quickly as possible to get even a little more minerals.

I finally gave the final command.

“Destroy the Nexus, buildings, and all units in the Mech Dungeon. The priority is the Nexus, then the Zealots, then the defense towers. Go!”

Dozens of Zealots, hearing my command, run wildly towards the hill.

I thought they might get tangled up and fall, but they rub against each other and run well.

I also sprint with my weak body… but I got out of breath and walked.

When I felt a little better, I ran again.

No, it’s not that I felt better, but when Han-deuk healed me, I became super energetic.

‘Kuwoowo… Kuwooo~.’

‘Kwagwang… Kwaang….’

“Wall of Fire. Fire Wall!”

“Warrior’s Fury! Triple Cut!”

“The Goddess Idea’s Arrangement. Heal them. Personal Heal!”

‘Kuwoowo… Kwaaa….’

‘Kwang… Kwaaaang….’

…….

… I was wrong.

I misspoke.

I’m an idiot for thinking it was spectacular to see 80 Zealots standing in front of me in perfect formation.

This scene right now is the most spectacular of all, the grandest spectacle.

80 Zealots ignored the cannon fire from the defense towers and the Zealots attacking from the surroundings and ran straight to the inside where the Nexus was.

Dozens of Zealots, running like it was a first-come, first-served race, frantically smashed the Nexus.

Some smashed the pillars under the Nexus with their gauntlets, some crawled up to the middle and stabbed the building inside, and some climbed to the top and destroyed the Nexus crystal. It’s all different.

As dozens of Zealots swarmed, the Nexus was destroyed in an instant, and the dungeon Zealots attacked in the middle, but they ignored them or just got hit.

More than 60 Zealots, still remaining, aimed their sharp gauntlets at their own kind (?) as soon as the Nexus was destroyed.

I must have produced a lot of Zealots from the Gateway.

For each dungeon Zealot, 2-3 of my lovely… blank Zealots were attached….

Ji-hye’s fire magic and Gil-soo’s greatsword smashed the Gateways, split the heads of the weak Zealots they encountered in the middle, and Han-deuk gave them healing.

And Mi-hye is still next to me, drooling with her mouth open.

Stuttering, saying, “Oh, oh…” or exclaiming, “Unbelievable! Oh my god! I can’t believe it!” etc….

Next time, I must put popcorn, cola, and a portable chair in my inventory and bring them with me.

Of course, they’ll fit in the inventory, right?

A moment later.

[Ding! Cleared Rank 10 Mech Dungeon.]

The notification for clearing the Orimok Rank 10 Mech Dungeon rang.

And at the same time as the notification, the lovely… blank Zealots I created disappeared, emitting black smoke.

Hmm… I should produce moderately next time.

Each of those Zealots is a Mineral Fragment… but since they’re just fragments, it should be okay, right?

Ji-hye, Gil-soo, and Han-deuk shouted and approached me from over there.

“Oppa! It’s really fast. It feels like we cleared it twice as fast as last time~ Awesome!”

“H, Hyungnim! We cleared it even faster than last time. It’s really fast.”

“Really~ Amazing, Hyungnim.”

“Everyone worked hard. Let’s go to the Nexus.”

“Yes, Hyungnim.”

“Alright! Let’s go.”

As we started to move, Mi-hye, who had been blankly watching the clearing situation, hurriedly followed.

She passed me by and linked arms with Ji-hye and started whispering to each other.

Looking at me occasionally… Ah, ah. I know how you feel.

But I’m a married man. Please don’t look at me like that?

I’m sorry I’m married… Huh?

Or not. Why are you looking at me like that….

Ji-hye scans me up and down with strange eyes. Like a lioness in front of prey… and then they start whispering to each other again.

“Awesome! More awesome! Even more awesome than last time!”

“Wow~ This is the first time I’ve seen so many minerals while clearing a dungeon.”

“Me too. Same here. Hyungnim, you’re really amazing.”

“There’s nothing amazing about it. It’s not like I cleared it myself. Let’s mine it first. I can’t help you….”

“Haha… Hyungnim, just wait a little bit. After we mine and settle up… how about the beef restaurant we went to last time?”

“Deal!”

“I’m tired of beef. I want to eat sashimi today.”

“Then, go and eat a lot by yourself. Miss.”

“Hahaha… Okay, okay~.”

“Tch!”

Everyone started mining the mineral chunks while joking with each other.

When we mine all these minerals, we’ll probably look around to see if any items have dropped….

So, if, if….