Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 33

Huh? Even my aunt and uncle?

Mom’s friends?

Dad’s friends?

Why?

Why is this getting so big!

My wife completely ignored my plan to treat everyone with housewarming gifts, meal expenses, party meat, and sliced raw flounder. She boldly ordered and planned everything, so I just handed over the newly issued bank account check card.

Okay, that’s it.

I’m done caring!

Just handle it… please, just handle it.

A few days later.

Loud and boisterous. Noisy and chaotic.

A complete mess. Impenetrable.

At first, I greeted the guests nicely… really nicely.

I told the office staff to come after two, so I thought there would be plenty of room, but before two o’clock, the house felt like it was about to burst.

The large living room and master bedroom were not enough, so we set up tables in my son’s room and my room, but it was still hard to handle the flood of guests.

Is 33 *pyeong* [a Korean unit of area, approximately 1,200 square feet] really this small?

I should have just said I wouldn’t have a housewarming party… Ah, no.

My mother was smiling brightly as she greeted the guests at the front door, and my father was grinning from ear to ear. I don’t know what he was talking about with his friends. He must have really liked the three thousand I gave him (which I read as the initial multi-bonus). I guess so?

My mother-in-law and father-in-law were also smiling contentedly, busy serving the guests here and there, and my wife was busy being called around.

Well, me… I just sat on the sofa with my son, watching TV, and greeted relatives or acquaintances when they came.

Of course, some guests offered me drinks, but I couldn’t get drunk yet, so I just smiled and took a sip.

It’s not time yet.

My guests haven’t arrived yet.

After roughly entertaining the office staff, seniors, and a few close friends who had been barging in since two o’clock, I felt drained and listless.

I don’t know why it’s more tiring than clearing the Hallim 9-grade Bio Dungeon.

In about an hour, the housewarming party will be over, and if I just send off the seniors who are playing *Hwatu* [a Korean card game] with the party meat as snacks in my room… I should join them, not send them away! Hehe….

But why aren’t the so-called ‘Support Party’ kids coming?

Han Deuk said they would come when they had plenty of time.

‘Beep, beep~.’

This guy is not going to become a gentleman after all.

“Hey. When are you coming? It’s almost 4 o’clock now….”

“*Hyungnim* [a respectful Korean term for an older brother or male friend]! How about the Aradong 10-grade Mech Dungeon in three hours?”

“Aradong 10-grade? The one we cleared last time?”

“Yes. It seems our party was drawn from the 10-grade Dungeon clear waiting list that we applied for at the beginning of the year….”

“I’m going! I’m leaving now.”

“*Hyungnim*. I’ll be in front of your house in 5 minutes. Let’s go in my car. Everyone’s here.”

“Call!”

My parents and mother-in-law were staring at me because my voice was loud on the phone, and my wife came over and asked softly.

“Are you going out?”

“Yeah. I have something to do in Aradong….”

“Now? What about the housewarming party?”

“Our party was drawn for the 10-grade Mech Dungeon clear….”

“Honey! Go quickly! Be careful when you clear the dungeon!”

Whoa.

Why are you suddenly raising your voice?

“… Dungeon?”

“Clear?”

“Hey~ Gil-soo! Was your son-in-law an Awakened? You should have told me sooner! Hehe….”

“Oh my… Hee-soon’s husband was an Awakened.”

“See? I told you. I heard it from Hee-soon. That girl, she said it was a secret, but she blabbed it out herself.”

“It must be true. No wonder she’s been grinning from ear to ear lately.”

…….

After a few words from some guests and my wife’s friends, the Seven Princesses, the sound of Awakened this and that spread throughout the house.

I quickly greeted the guests and rushed out the front door, but my mother and mother-in-law even saw me off, constantly shouting to be careful in the dungeon.

How embarrassing….

“Ha… This is war. War.”

“*Hyungnim*. I’m so sorry. Should we just go by ourselves….”

“I wasn’t talking to you guys. In front of the guests at the housewarming party… It seems like rumors will spread everywhere in a few days.”

“Hehe… *Oppa* [Korean term used by a younger woman to refer to an older brother or male friend]. Everyone’s like that at first. But it won’t last a few months.”

“It better be. Anyway. Are we going like this?”

“What about it? Get in quickly.”

Han Deuk was in the driver’s seat, Gil-soo was in the passenger seat, and Mi-hye and Ji-hye were in the back seat. Ji-hye told me to sit next to her.

Mi-hye pushed Ji-hye and told her to sit in the middle.

You guys know that I’m married and my son is 8 years old, no, 9 years old now, right? Why are you doing this… Moving to Aradong with flowers on both sides… Old women flowers. Pumpkin flowers.

Oh, right!

The seniors are playing *Hwatu* in my room, and I came out without saying anything!

Well… it’s okay. They’ll go back on their own. Hehe.

After arriving at the parking lot of the Aradong 10-grade Mech Dungeon, we drank hot tea in the waiting room while planning today’s dungeon clear… No, everyone is just joking around.

We’ve cleared 10-grade several times, so instead of nervous tension, everyone is excited about the opportunity to clear it again.

In fact, it’s a natural thing.

How much is the dungeon clear reward, even if it’s 10-grade!

Well, that’s why I came out even in the middle of my housewarming party.

“Status Window.”

[Art Factor: Han Ji-won (Lv-2)

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

Agility: 3, Endurance: 3, Strength: 4, Stamina: 3, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 3,

Inventory: 6/9

(Awakened Boots, Gloves, Cloak, Zealot (80), Dracan (2), Mineral (4.531kg)),

Crystal: 0/20, Buildings: 5

(Force, Battery, Gateway, Dracan Core, Gas Mine),

Personal Stats: 0,

Summon Target Stats: 101 (Probe), Zealot’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts: Mineral Shard (Absorption) 160, Gas Shard (Absorption): 0,

Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

There’s a bit of boredom, and even though it’s 10-grade, it’s still a dungeon clear, so I was checking my status when I suddenly had a strange thought.

The Dracan I produced in the last 9-grade Bio Dungeon was sleeping in the inventory. The Zealots too.

Instead of the usual mindless Zealot rush, how about using the two Dracan, whose range is much longer than the average Zealot… Hmm….

There’s no gas in the 10-grade anyway.

It’s a Mech Dungeon, so it’ll be cleared if we just take care of the Nexus, defense towers, and Zealots.

Moreover, there’s even a safety zone.

After the Zealots take care of the defense towers… should I try clearing it with Dracan moving shots?

“Everyone, pay attention for a moment.”

The guys who were joking around looked at me at my words.

“*Oppa*. Why?”

“You saw me produce Dracan in the Hallim 9-grade Bio Dungeon last time, right?”

“Yeah. The one you put in the inventory?”

“Yeah. So, when we enter the dungeon, I’m going to summon the Zealots first, remove the Nexus and defense towers, and then use the Dracan to deal with the remaining Zealots….”

“…….”

“… Aren’t there two Dracan produced at that time?”

“*Oppa*!”

The guys look at me with dumbfounded expressions.

“You know the Dracan’s range. Zealots fight directly, they’re the meat shield. If I spin around with the Dracan and attack with the cannon, I think it might work… Well, if it doesn’t work, we can clear it with the remaining Zealots.”

“Is this a test?”

“Yeah. We can’t just clear 10-grade or 9-grade forever. We have to try everything whenever we have the chance. Right?”

“Y, yeah.”

“That’s true, but….”

“…….”

You must be worried.

I’m worried too.

Can I really deal with dozens of Zealots with just two?

Probably not?

But I have to try it whether it works or not.

You have to buy a lottery ticket to win.

If you don’t buy it because you think it won’t work… it just won’t work.

We entered the Mech Dungeon.

As soon as the slight dizziness disappeared, I put on the Awakened boots, gloves, and cloak, and summoned 40 of the 80 Zealots and 2 Dracan in the inventory at the safety zone boundary.

40 Zealots should be enough to clear it, right?

First, we need to destroy the defense towers and the Nexus.

I’ll test the remaining dungeon Zealots with the Dracan.

I gave orders to the Zealots and Dracan who were staring blankly at me.

“Only the Zealots attack first. Ignore the dungeon Zealots and focus on the Nexus, then the defense towers. Dracan, follow me, and Zealots, go!”

The 40 Zealots began to run over the hill.

Gil-soo stepped forward to prepare for a possible surprise attack, Ji-hye, Mi-hye, and Han Deuk followed me, and the two Dracan followed from behind.

As soon as we climbed the hill, dozens of Zealots who had left in advance ignored the defense tower cannons and dungeon Zealot attacks and focused only on the Nexus.

The Nexus was destroyed in an instant, and the remaining Zealots rushed towards the surrounding defense towers.

‘Kwaaaang… Kwaang….’

‘Kuuwoowoo….’

The cannons fired from the defense towers with white smoke, and the dungeon Zealots around the gateway.

The Zealots completely ignored their attacks and destroyed only the defense towers.

About 20 Zealots were consumed during that time.

About half survived, and now it’s time to deploy the Dracan for testing….

“Zealots, retreat! Don’t attack, just retreat.”

At my command, the Zealots retreated… Crap!

The dungeon Zealots are chasing after them with fire in their eyes.

“*Hyungnim*!”

“*Oppa*!”

“It’s okay. Wait and see. Zealots, keep retreating, and Dracan, forward!”

The two Dracan who had been waiting in the back stepped forward.

“Dracan, approach the dungeon Zealot’s range, lure them out, and then retreat while continuously firing cannons. Move to the left around the destroyed Nexus, drawing a large circle. Dracan, go!”

As soon as my order was finished, the two Dracan began to waddle forward.

Their movement speed is similar to that of the dungeon Zealots, but I don’t trust them.

Should I just clear it with the Zealots?

No.

I need to test how to use the Dracan.

After a while.

“Hey! I said shoot the cannon and move!”

…….

“Damn it! Turn big, big! Shoot the cannon and move! Shoot and move… Hey, you son of a bitch!”

…….

[Ding! You have cleared the 10-grade Mech Dungeon.]

In the end, the dungeon was cleared by summoning the remaining Zealots and 10 additional Zealots.

Dealing with the dungeon Zealots with the moving shots of the two Dracan was like pouring water into a bottomless pit, digging in the air, cutting water with a knife… right?

Anyway, because the movement speed is similar, while considering the range and firing cannons to deal with the rushing dungeon Zealots… Okay. Explaining it makes me feel annoyed.

I’ll refrain from complicated orders in the future.

I should just give them one order at a time.

Destroy the Nexus, destroy the gateway, destroy the dungeon units, etc.

“Ha… *Hyungnim*. Then we didn’t do anything?”

“It’s okay. It turned out like this because of my greed, so the dungeon rewards will be according to the existing ratio.”

“B, but….”

“*Oppa* is the best!”

“Thank you.”

Today, the guys didn’t even have a chance to step up to clear the 10-grade Mech Dungeon.

Because of my greed, I deprived them of the opportunity to increase their dungeon clear contribution for the Dracan test, so even if they didn’t do anything, the rewards will be according to the existing ratio.

After mining the minerals left around the Nexus, I sighed and left the dungeon.

In the end, what I confirmed through today’s Mech Dungeon clear was….

The stupid Dracan, which I read as the bird-brained Dracan.

A useless guy.

After submitting the dungeon clear completion application, I asked Han Deuk on the way to the sauna.

“We can’t enter the 9-grade Hallim Bio Dungeon until after the Lunar New Year, right?”

“Yes. The 28th at 3 PM.”

“Tch… This is the end of this month?”

“Yes.”

“Then what do we do until the 28th of next month?”

“Well, we’re okay, but… *Hyungnim*, how about clearing a mainland dungeon?”

“Mainland dungeon?”

“Yes. As you know, the competition for clear applications in the Jeju area is so fierce that the waiting list is purely luck. There are quite a few 8-grade dungeons on the mainland. I checked and there are a few places that haven’t been regenerated.”

“Really? Up to 8-grade?”

“Yes.”

Hmm….

“We’re 9-grade. To enter an 8-grade, we need at least 15 9-grade Awakened, right?”

“That’s right. So we have to join with another party.”

“Hmm… Then the dungeon rewards will be according to contribution… Heh… Han Deuk, you used your head a little?”

“Haha… *Hyungnim*, come on.”

“Then shall we try clearing a mainland dungeon? If we go to the mainland for a few days, how much money… Ah~ Damn it!”

“Why, *Oppa*?” [Korean term for older brother, used by a younger sister or female friend]

“I have a job. I need to go to the office.”

“…….”

“… Huh….”

“*Oppa*! I’m telling you to quit that job! How long are you going to keep going? *Oppa* can’t make money. You have no ability! Why are you doing this!”

Ji-hye yells loudly from the side.

But why don’t I hate it so much?

And I kind of want to follow Ji-hye’s words… *Keu keum*…. [Sound of clearing one’s throat]

I should seriously think about it with my wife today.

The next day.

As soon as I got to work, I wrote my resignation letter and looked for the boss.

The boss offers me a cup of coffee as I sit on the sofa.

“Yes. What brings Team Leader Han here….”

I handed in my resignation letter without saying a word.

“… Team Leader Han. Did I do something wrong? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“Boss. That’s not it. If you look at this first….”

I took out my wallet from my coat and put the Awakened license inside on the table.

The boss hesitated for a moment, looked at the license, and handed it back to me.

“Huh… When did you awaken? Looking at the registration date, it was last year… It’s Yongkun that you haven’t said anything until now. Anyway, Team Leader Han was an Awakened… You’ll give me time to hand over, right?”

“I’m sorry. Boss. I will proceed with the handover regarding the project that is in progress until this week. Once again… I’m sorry.”

“No. You’ve worked hard in the meantime. How can an Awakened be satisfied with a regular company, not a large corporation? What I’ve seen in newspapers and dramas has happened to me. *Heoheoheo*… [Sound of laughter] It’s a shame.”

I don’t know exactly what’s a shame.

Because the boss’s expression is full of loss and futility… I can’t bring myself to ask, does that mean I’ve been doing a good job?

Okay. Let’s not think about it.

I quietly got up from my seat, bowed deeply, said thank you for everything, and left the boss’s office.

I was writing the handover document and checking the project-related matters when Executive Director Kang Jae-yoon calls me.

He said he was in the smoking room on the second floor, but the executive director is a non-smoker.

The boss probably told him. To get the handover right.

As I approached the smoking room, Executive Director Kang looked at me.

“Team Leader Han. No, Ji-won….”

“That’s how it happened. I’m sorry for telling you so suddenly.”

“Think again about quitting. I’ll support you with schedules and manpower so that you can do both the Awakened work and the office work….”

“…….”

Was I really good at my job? Really?

Well, I made all the proposals for the project that is currently in progress and gave the PT presentation [PowerPoint presentation], and I went through almost all the other projects, so if I quit, Executive Director Kang will be tired right away.

He needs me, so he’s holding on to me, not because I’m holding on to him because he’s tired without me right now?

“I’m writing the handover document. I will submit it by this week. Then….”

Ignoring Executive Director Kang’s cry calling me, I returned to my seat and turned my eyes to the document I was writing.

I should have done well when I was there.

Now that I’m quitting, do you feel it?

I’ll hand over all the projects I’ve proposed so far.

Look forward to it.

* * *

“I submitted my resignation letter today.”

“Didn’t they say anything at the office?”

“The executive director told me to think again, but there’s no reason to do that. I think the handover will be over to some extent by this week.”

“Then, when are you going to go up to the mainland? You’re not going to be there for a whole month, are you?”

“Yeah. I don’t know exactly, but I think it’ll take about 2-3 days to apply for dungeon entry and clear it? I’ll tell you exactly later.”

“Okay.”

I had dinner with my wife and son at a *galbi* [Korean BBQ] restaurant near my house and told them about my resignation from the office that I had discussed this time.

If I hadn’t awakened, I would still be working at the company, but I quit to make more money and seize more opportunities.

That’s how people are.

As long as it doesn’t harm others, it’s self-centered and selfish.

Isn’t that what life is all about?

There are no good people or bad people.

The environment just makes it that way.

A week later.

Many things happened while quitting the company I had been working for for 10 years.

The team members asked why I was quitting with expressions that didn’t know what was going on, what happened, and all sorts of requests not to quit, but in a word, I patted them on the back and told them to live well in the future.

I made them aware of project-related issues, said my last greetings to the president, executive director, and directors, and met with the auditor regarding the severance pay settlement… um… the severance pay is quite a bit.

I can receive it as a pension or a lump sum, but I decided to receive it all at once.

Well, it’s a company I’ve been working for for 10 years, and my debt has only increased during that time, so if I hadn’t awakened, this would have been my last property.

As I left the office for the last time, a sense of relief, regret, and emptiness crossed each other, and I felt quite mixed.

I opened my cell phone and it was 2 p.m.

Um…

What to do?

Han-deuk will be looking into 8-grade dungeon clear applications, focusing on Gyeonggi, Incheon, Daegu, and Busan on the mainland, and after selecting a few dungeons, he will let me know the results.

Should I go to a PC room while waiting until evening?

First, I sent a group text to Gyeong-hwang, Seung-chan *Hyung*, and Sang-jun. [*Hyung* is a Korean term used by a male to address an older brother or close older male friend]

‘I’ll be near City Hall, so contact me when you’re done.’

First, I have to play internet *baduk* [Go, a strategy board game] at a PC room near City Hall.

For reference, my *baduk* skills are amateur 2nd *dan* [rank]. *Keu keum*…. [Sound of clearing one’s throat]

After playing *baduk* at the PC room for about 3 hours, I headed to the billiard hall.

Today’s members are 4 including me.

A 2-on-2 team was divided and a dinner bet billiards game began.

The result is a terrible defeat. My stomach hurts.

Sang-jun, who was on the same team, fought quite well, but Gyeong-hwan *Hyung*, who was in front of me, didn’t give me a lot of balls.

It’s natural to lose the bet because I can’t hit basic cushions or long shots due to severe ups and downs.

After moving to a Korean fusion restaurant, side dishes were set and ordered beer and soju came out, so I mixed a glass of *somaek* [mixture of soju and beer] and drank it all at once.

Then I said a word to the members, the *Hyungs*.

“I quit the office this time.”

“Why? Are you just going to do Awakened work? What’s your grade….”

Gyeong-hwan *Hyung*, who is the closest to me, asks first.

“It’s 9th grade. But I’m going to try to clear the mainland dungeon. So I quit the office.”

“The mainland?”

“Yeah. One of the party members is looking into it now.”

“Wow… Ji-won is playing all over the country now?”

Sang-jun said something strange that I didn’t know whether he was teasing or envious.

“What are you playing… I’m going to make money. Dungeon clear.”

“There’s an 8th grade in Jeju, right?”

“That’s right. But I can’t get in. No, it’s hard to clear it once a month. So I’m going to go around the mainland.”

“Are you going to rake in money with a rake?”

“Isn’t *Hyung* doing that now?”

“Well, that’s right. In that sense, should we run today? You don’t have to go to work tomorrow if you quit.”

Seung-chan *Hyung*, who has made the most money so far, is slowly starting to start.

Um… I quit my job and I’m free from tomorrow, should I go fishing?

I wonder if the weather will be good? I should ask Gyeong-hwan *Hyung* to go too….

“Ah~ right. Ji-won, what did you say about the party member earlier? Did you join the party? What’s the party name and who’s the party leader?”

“… Ji-won Party. I’m the party leader.”

“…….”

“…….”

“… *Ssaekki*. [vulgar Korean term, similar to ‘bastard’ or ‘jerk’] You’re lying!”

If a person tells the truth, please understand it in one shot?

Why can’t you believe it like this?

Because you know me too well?

The next day.

My head hurts because I ran too hard yesterday.

Seung-chan *Hyung*’s coaxing and Gyeong-hwan *Hyung*’s congratulations, and Sang-jun’s unbelievable eyes made me drink a lot.

In the past, I would have created an atmosphere to get another drink, but now the 2nd and 3rd rounds are determined according to my mood.

With a slight migraine, I took cold water from the refrigerator and drank it, took out a cigarette and went to the bathroom.

After taking care of business and taking a shower, I checked my cell phone and there was a missed call from Han-deuk.

“Yes. *Hyungnim*.”

“I called. Why?”

“Yes. It’s not that, but a meeting with Aria Party and Jjangssen Party is scheduled for Saturday, the 15th of next month, at 2 p.m. at OO Coffee Shop in Haeundae, Busan. I’m going to apply for an 8-grade bio dungeon clear in Haeundae.”

“Busan? Haeundae?”

“Yes.”

“What grade are those party members you mentioned earlier?”

“The Aria Party consists of 7 people and the Jjangssen Party consists of 6 people, and they say they are all 9th grade.”

“Huh… Can we join?”

“Gil-soo’s cousin is an Aria party member. I told you last time….”

“Ah… that college student? Is he in that party?”

“Yes. Anyway, what should we do? Should we go up on that day?”

“Yeah. Book a plane ticket that morning. Use the expenses as public funds. Will it take about 1 night and 2 days? What about the accommodation?”

“I’m looking into it. It’s Saturday, so go up with *Hyungsu-nim* [term for older brother’s wife] and go sightseeing near Haeundae….”

“Rejected!”

“… Yes.”

“Okay, I understand, let’s have a meeting before we leave. Good job~.”

I hung up the phone before Han-deuk could say anything.

That ignorant guy. I’m going to the mainland to make money, why are you taking your wife and kids?

After clearing the dungeon, I have to enjoy the nightlife in Busan Haeundae.

It’s frustrating. Frustrating.

* * *

Three weeks later.

Should I buy a car?

No, I have to get my license again before I buy a car.

Should I get it? Should I not?

Should I buy it? Should I not?

Um… This is a concern.

I don’t feel the need for a car because I haven’t had a car for a few years in my 40 years of life.

No, my wife’s Avante 2006… um… I have to change my wife’s car first.

If you’re a man, it’s a pearl-colored SUV.

What are the popular SUVs… Ah~ my wife will use it.

Okay. I’ll have to let her choose.

I went fishing to my heart’s content for three weeks and drank a lot of alcohol.

I had time to recharge after quitting the company, so now I have to make money as the head of the family… what, I’m leaving for Busan tomorrow.

I’m going to have dinner with my wife tonight and tell her to look into a car.

Um… how much money is in my account… huh?

My Awakened account and card are missing.

Who took it?

The next day.

As soon as I told my wife to change the car yesterday, she asked how much money was in the account and if she could buy it with that… as expected, my Awakened card was with my wife.

After saying okay for now, I had dinner and went home to pack underwear, towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.… um… will this be necessary?

I’ll just change my underwear tomorrow, and the accommodation will have all the toiletries, and if there’s anything I need, I’ll buy it there….

I stopped packing.

My wife sings that I should be careful, careful, and careful again when clearing the dungeon, and not get hurt.

I played with my son until I went to bed, and it seemed that he was bragging at school these days that his dad was an Awakened.

The teacher wants to see me once, but I don’t know if I’ll have time.

What’s the meeting if I just make a phone call?

Parent-teacher conference? Meeting?

I don’t need it.

9 a.m. the next day.

I took a call taxi to Jeju International Airport.

After getting off at the departure floor on the 2nd floor of the airport, about 15 minutes from Oedo, Han-deuk calls me and gestures at that entrance.

Embarrassingly.

Only Han-deuk, Gil-soo, and Mi-hye were visible, and Ji-hye hadn’t arrived yet.

As I got closer, Mi-hye’s big travel bag was quite impressive.

“Are you going sightseeing somewhere? Why do you have so much luggage?”

“I’m going sightseeing.”

“Huh?”

“Haha… *Hyungnim*. I decided to clear the Busan 8-grade Bio Dungeon and go sightseeing. I’m coming down in two days.”

“Really? Do that.”

“*Oppa*. Let’s go together too. With Ji-hye….”

“Rejected! I’m going to explore famous restaurants in Busan….”

“I’ll follow *Oppa* too.”

“That’s also rejected! Delicious food is eaten alone. Absolutely rejected!”

What is she talking about now?

Where are you trying to join? I have to be alone!

“*Oppang*~!”

Ji-hye, who got out of the taxi, calls me in a loud voice from over there.

I pretended not to hear and left the group and entered the entrance.

It’s more embarrassing than before.

But, when I think about it, these guys don’t seem to have any tension about clearing the 8-grade Bio Dungeon.

They’re already thinking about sightseeing before clearing it, it’s a big deal. Ah, is it not?

Ordinary Art Factor

Volume 2