Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 42

Whatever.

It’s their family matter.

Now that the annoying presence is gone, our party can monopolize the dungeon clear rewards… Oops!

What about the Jjangssen Party?

Huh? What are they doing?

Looking towards one corner, the Jjangssen Party members, who had little presence, were gathered in a circle, discussing something with serious expressions. Occasionally glancing at me.

Why?

Am I a bit much? Hehe.

After a while.

After thoroughly collecting all the remaining minerals from the dungeon clear reward and scouring the floor around the adult tower, I couldn’t find any items dropped by the unit.

Since it was grade 8, I had some expectations, but the fact that the drop rate was extremely low became more and more real.

Reluctantly giving up, I left the dungeon, reported the clear to the management office, washed up at a nearby sauna, and then gathered at a famous grilled clam restaurant nearby.

After ordering and the side dishes came out, we made somaek [a mix of soju and beer] and toasted before Han-deuk started to tell the story of what happened in the dungeon.

“Hyung-nim [term for older brother or respected male figure]. The reward for clearing the Haeundae grade 8 bio dungeon this time is a total of 160kg of minerals…”

“Wow~ That’s several times more than grade 9?”

“I didn’t expect it, but 160kg at once for clearing a dungeon, it’s just…”

“That’s amazing.”

If it’s 160kg of minerals, my share is 40%, which is 64kg, roughly 220 million won [Korean currency].

The remaining 60% is divided among Han-deuk, Gil-soo, Ji-hye, and Mi-hye, so they also earned about 80 million won each.

Even if we exclude about 1-2% of the dungeon reward for party operations, this is a huge amount for a 1-night 2-day or 2-night 3-day business trip.

Ah! Or is it not?

Our party monopolized the reward for clearing this grade 8 bio dungeon, so it’s this amount, but what if we cleared it with the Aria Party or the Jjangssen Party, or distributed the reward according to contribution and the number of dungeon entries?

As I was thinking about this and that, I looked at Han-deuk, and our eyes met as he was looking at me.

“Hyung-nim, as you may have felt, if we aim to clear grade 8 dungeons, I think we need to increase the number of party members. Coincidentally, all six members of the Jjangssen Party and Gil-soo’s cousin, Yang Gi-soo, want to join our party, so this is an opportunity…”

“I’m against it.”

“Me too.”

Ji-hye and Mi-hye were the first to object.

“With our number of people, it seems like the same thing will happen often when applying for grade 8 dungeons in the future? You saw it. As soon as Hyung-nim revealed his job, they ignored him. This will continue to happen in the future, so wouldn’t it be better to increase the number of party members to 15 or more? That way, the dungeon clear reward issue will be clean later, and the problem of scheduling due to the number of dungeon entry members will also be resolved.”

“… W, well.”

“It sounds right, but somehow I don’t like those girls… And why is Oppa’s [term for older brother or boyfriend] job Artificer? Aren’t you a Summoner? I think the measurement is wrong.”

“That’s not something I decide. Ask the Awakener Association.”

“Tch.”

Gil-soo realized what Han-deuk was saying and explained the advantages of accepting the Jjangssen Party as a team, and Ji-hye is picking on my job.

The only reason Ji-hye and Mi-hye are against it is just one thing.

I roughly got the feeling.

The three mages and healers of the Jjangssen Party were all women, and one of them was especially pretty.

Very. Maybe that’s why.

What was her name again? Eun-hee? Eun-ji?

Her height was around 160cm in the late teens, and she seemed to have a perfect S-line, plus her chest looked close to a C cup, and her hips were also very… How do I know?.

Compared to my wife… Hehe.

“Oppa, are you worried too? Isn’t it better to clear the dungeon just among ourselves? If we bring in strange kids, it will ruin the team atmosphere, and there is a risk of getting injured…”

“Even if we accept all 7, it’s only 12 people in total. How are you going to gather 15 people?”

I ignored Ji-hye’s words and asked Han-deuk again.

“We can recruit the remaining 3 people by posting a recruitment notice down there. There are hardly any parties or individuals clearing grade 8 dungeons in Jeju.”

“Really? Then, let’s proceed with that for now.”

“Understood.”

“I’m against it, I tell you!”

“M, me too.”

When I said I agreed, Ji-hye and Mi-hye raised their voices again.

Whatever, I agreed.

“Overruled!”

“…….”

“Hahaha… Hyung-nim, let’s have a drink.”

“Okay. Pour me a drink.”

“Tch~ Oppa, let me toast with you too.”

“Hey. Mi-hye and Gil-soo, raise your glasses too. Let’s celebrate clearing the grade 8 bio dungeon safely today. Everyone worked hard.”

“Yes. Hyung-nim, you worked hard too.”

“Oppa. You worked hard~.”

Han-deuk proposed a toast, and Gil-soo, Mi-hye, and Ji-hye also raised their glasses.

Even though the girls are saying this, they must have felt their necessity.

Unless they are going to clear grade 9 or 10 dungeons forever.

Could it be that they are jealous or wary of seeing someone with superior genes than them?

I don’t know.

We celebrated like that and had a good time before moving to the accommodation that Han-deuk had booked.

But,

“It’s a motel?”

“It’s a motel.”

“It’s a love motel?”

“What is this?”

“That… the surrounding hotels were all fully booked, so inevitably…”

Han-deuk explains to the party members with a pitiful expression.

As soon as we got out of the taxi and arrived in front of the accommodation, the surrounding area was full of colorful lights and glittering lights.

A motel village?

A love motel district? Is that what it is?

I’ve never been to a place like this, so I don’t know exactly what it is, but somehow, something, a little, my heart is pounding.

The atmosphere is strange.

It’s definitely different in appearance and quality from the inns that my wife and I used to visit occasionally in our early 20s… Hehe.

“Oppang~ I’m okay with this place too.”

“M, me too.”

Ji-hye leads the way, and Mi-hye follows.

“Han-deuk-ah. Can I see you for a moment?”

“Y, yes.”

Ignoring Ji-hye and Mi-hye looking at me with sparkling eyes, I put my hand on Han-deuk’s shoulder and turned around.

Could it be that Han-deuk deliberately booked a place like this?

Why?

Whatever the reason, it’s the accommodation I booked.

I don’t know if Han-deuk’s words are true or false, but it’s annoying to call around or move around to find another accommodation at this time.

Still, thanks to booking separate rooms for each person with a sense, there were no inconveniences.

I changed into comfortable clothes and was about to go out to explore the nearby OO establishments when I was caught by Ji-hye and Mi-hye, who came in with chicken and pig’s feet that I don’t know when they ordered.

As soon as they entered my room, Mi-hye prepared to eat late-night snacks, and Ji-hye called Han-deuk and Gil-soo.

It’s like having a second round after the grilled clam restaurant, but I have a great sense of mission now….

“Oppa. Where are you going out? At this time? You’re not going to a strange place, are you?”

“…….”

She wouldn’t starve even if she didn’t become an Awakener.

She could make a living by spreading a mat in the market.

“Are you really going to such a place? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“… What can I say? Never mind. Anyway, this is my room, right?”

“My room, Oppa’s room, what’s the difference? Between us…”

What exactly is between us?

And what is that T-shirt with the rabbit picture on it?

Well, okay. I cleared the dungeon safely today, and I came to the mainland by plane, so I understand the excited feeling.

I understand whether you go for a second or third round because the congratulatory drink is not enough. So, can’t you do it in another room?

I have to carry out this important and precious mission to look around this area!

But this amazing smell that comes in through my nose, is it Chicken-nim [term of endearment for chicken]?

Hmm… Let’s greet the Busan region’s Chicken-nim first.

The next day.

I actually went on a food tour that I had jokingly said.

I started by looking around the tourist attractions close to Haeundae, and Ji-hye decided on the meal menu, prioritizing the restaurants that were rumored to be delicious, whenever she found them.

I asked Han-deuk to book an airline ticket at Ji-hye’s words that she would look around Haeundae, Dalmaji Hill, and The Bay 101 after eating a late breakfast, and Dongbaek Island and the Busan Aquarium after a late lunch.

Ignoring Ji-hye, who said she would watch the sunrise in Haeundae tomorrow, I headed to the airport.

I should go home.

It’s annoying.

Eventually, everyone moved to the airport late in the evening, and Ji-hye’s mouth was sticking out.

Muttering, muttering.

Whatever.

I should go home and sleep comfortably.

‘Woo Woong.’

It’s KakaoTalk [Korean messaging app].

When I checked it, it was my wife,

‘Honey~ The money for going to the mainland has been deposited. 7,800. I love you♥♥’

Huh? What?

What does this mean?!

* * *

The Lunar New Year holiday has begun.

On the first day of the holiday, I headed to my mother’s house with my son to prepare food.

Am I making the food?

Yes. I make it.

Not all of it, but I grill pork, beef, squid jeok [skewered and grilled dish], pollack pancakes, zucchini pancakes, jade fish, meatballs, and ham, and I’m in charge of squid and sweet potato fries.

Two of the three aunts are busy watching a newborn baby younger than my son, and my wife is at work.

Of course, if my wife wasn’t on duty, or if my cousin younger than my son hadn’t been born this time, I would have mostly done errands.

Like my younger brother.

Anyway, I took my son and headed to my mother’s house for lunch.

Taking a taxi.

‘Beep beep… Ddiriri….’

I pressed the password for the front door and went inside, but what’s going on?

The three aunts were already at home.

The aunts usually came after 2 p.m.

“Oh~ Ji-won is here. Hyung-nim, Ji-won is here.”

“Ji-won is here? You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Shall I make it for you?”

“Welcome.”

Oh my.

What on earth is going on?

Looking at the aunts making holiday food at this time, as far back as I can remember, I can’t understand it at all.

“You’re here? Oh my~ my baby. Jun-sung, come here. You have to kiss your grandmother~.”

“Grandma~.”

My mother came out of the veranda with a fruit basket and called her grandson to rub his face.

Then she looks at me, but her expression is a bit strange.

It’s a strange expression that I know something but don’t know, and her mouth is about to reach her ears.

I went into the room, greeted my father, and took off my coat and hung it on the hanger.

My mother followed me, closed the door, and said one word.

“Ji-won-ah. Do you know what time the aunts came today?”

“What time did they come?”

“10:30. The third one was the fastest.”

“Huh….”

My father, who was playing internet Go in front of the computer, also said a word.

“Look at that. Your son is doing well, so you’re comfortable. Tell them to do everything except the seasoned vegetables to be prepared tomorrow morning. I don’t know how long that will last.”

“I know roughly too. You and Jun-sung haven’t eaten yet. Let’s have lunch together. I made pig’s feet.”

“Okay.”

I took off my coat and went out of the room, and the aunts smiled and prepared lunch together.

The aunts, who would usually check the time to see when my wife would come, don’t seem to care today.

After eating lunch and having a cup of coffee, I was about to start preparing food in earnest… Huh… I can’t believe this is really happening in the world.

The aunts ask how the Awakener job is, if it’s dangerous, if I went to the mainland this time, if I’m tired, and tell me to just rest.

They say they’ll tell me anytime they need help, so play with my son or play Go with my father.

My father’s hearty laughter, who was sitting on the living room sofa watching TV, echoes in the living room.

It seems like they’re showing a funny gag show….

[Ting! Family member satisfaction has greatly increased, and your father and mother are very happy. Level 1 rises with accumulated availability. Personal stat 10 is granted.]

“… Huh! Hehe.”

My face turns red at the sudden notification, and I cough.

First, I got up from my seat, opened the front door pretending to go out for a smoke, and stepped outside.

As soon as I was out, I jumped and ran to a corner of the parking lot, screaming like a madman.

I had a rough idea of the criteria for leveling up, but I didn’t know when, where, or in what form it would happen.

I just act according to the surrounding circumstances. I stood in the corner, calmed myself down, took out a cigarette, and cautiously shouted.

“Status window.”

[Art Factor: Han Ji-won (Lv-3)

Nationality/Affiliation: South Korea/Support Party,

Age: 40, Height/Weight: 177cm/81kg,

Agility: 3, Endurance: 3, Strength: 4,

Stamina: 3, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 3,

Inventory: 6/9

(Awakener Boots, Gloves, Cloak,

Zealot(80), Dragoons(41), Mineral(5.867kg)),

Buildings: 8

(Nexus, Battery, Gateway, Dragoon Core,

Gas Extraction Plant, Speed Upgrade Core, Land Core, Stargate),

Crystals: 0/30,

Personal Stat Points: 10,

Summon Target Stats: 151 (Probe),

Zealot’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts:

Mineral Fragment (Absorption) 160, Gas Fragment (Absorption): 0,

Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

My level went up by 1, making it 3.

And the rest—nationality, affiliation, age, height, huh?

Something’s a little off?

Wasn’t my height 176cm?

Oh? My weight has also decreased by about 3kg.

Have I been exercising consistently? I don’t think so?

I’m not at an age where I’m still growing taller, um… Is it the influence of the personal stat points I assigned when I leveled up to level 2 before?

Well, it’s good to be taller. Just get over 180cm.

So I don’t get called a loser. Ahem.

The Zealots and Dragoons are still in the inventory, and the buildings…?

“Haha… Hahaha! Land Core status window!”

[Ting! Checking the status of the Land Core building. Category: Building, Name: Land Core, Units Available for Production: Shuttle (Requires 200 Mineral Fragments, 50 Gas Fragments)]

Shuttle, a shuttle, huh.

Will I be able to fly around on a shuttle in the future?

Or can it only carry units?

I’ll have to check it out later. Anyway,

“Speed Upgrade Core status window!”

[Ting! Checking the status of the Speed Upgrade Core building. Category: Building, Name: Speed Upgrade Core, Upgrade: Zealot Movement Speed +100% (Requires 150 Mineral Fragments, 60 Gas Fragments)]

“Movement speed 100%, that means twice as fast as the current speed!

Very good! Next, Stargate status window!”

[Ting! Checking the status of the Stargate building. Category: Building, Name: Stargate, Units Available for Production: Scout (Requires 300 Mineral Fragments, 200 Gas Fragments)]

“Scout? Hmm… I don’t think I’ll need this? Finally, Nexus status window!”

[Ting! Checking the status of the Nexus building. Category: Building, Name: Nexus, Upgrade (1/3): Ground Unit Attack Power +100% (Requires 200 Mineral Fragments, 100 Gas Fragments)]

“Attack power increased by 100%, that’s double the current power! So, if I upgrade the Zealot’s movement speed and attack power, hehe… hehehe… This is, this is amazing!”

I raised my hands in the parking lot corner, shouting.

Leveling up once gave me more abilities than the Haeundae Rank 8 Bio Dungeon clear reward.

I don’t know about the other stuff, but since the Zealot’s movement speed and attack power have each become twice as fast and strong, I can devastate Rank 10 or Rank 9 dungeons with a small number of Zealots.

I need to test this quickly….

The problem is gas.

Gas fragments are needed to create buildings, but gas fragments will also be needed for the units produced in new buildings and for upgrade costs.

It varies from dungeon to dungeon, but the gas storage in a Rank 9 dungeon is about 60 gas fragments, and a Rank 8 dungeon has about 130.

Even if I collect all the gas after clearing a Rank 8 dungeon, I need 50 gas fragments to create a Dragoon Core, so I can’t even upgrade the ground unit’s attack power.

Should I try challenging a Rank 7 dungeon?

Or should I absorb as many absorbable gas fragments as possible and then clear another Rank 8 dungeon?

As my head started to get complicated, I took out another cigarette and pondered.

Even after agonizing over it for nearly 10 minutes, I couldn’t find an answer.

It’s a shame I don’t have Han Deuk-i right now. He’s incredibly good at organizing situations. Ahem.

I was about to go back home, but it felt strangely incomplete, like I hadn’t finished something after taking care of business.

What is it?

What did I forget… Ah! You crazy bastard.

I didn’t allocate the personal stat points given when I leveled up.

In the previous level up, I distributed them evenly to agility, stamina, strength, endurance, and luck, but I didn’t see any effect in the dungeon clear.

I’m not a warrior type like Gil-soo, and I don’t have magical attributes like Ji-hye and Mi-hye.

I’m not going to step forward and fight dungeon units with a sword, nor am I going to throw fireballs or ice chunks from afar.

My job, which is not a warrior type, combat mage, healer, or priest, is an Art Factor among mages.

It’s useless to assign stat points to strength, stamina, agility, or endurance.

Then there are only intelligence and luck attributes left, but I’m not going to fight dungeon units with my head in the dungeon, so I’ll pass on intelligence too.

Then there’s only the luck attribute left….

Should I go all-in on luck?

If the luck attribute stat is high, will the item drop rate change from extremely low to hello?

Luck, the luck attribute, huh… I took out another cigarette.

I’m going to get lung cancer at this rate… Forget it. Not fun.

In the end, I put all 10 personal stat points given when leveling up into the luck attribute.

A luck attribute of 13. Hoping that the item drop rate would increase even a little, I went back home.

* * *

After a few days since the 정신없던 [mentally exhausting] Lunar New Year holiday ended, the entire Jjangssen Party, Gil-soo’s cousin Yang Gi-soo, and the Support Party members gathered in one place.

Seeing them come all the way down to Jeju, not the mainland, to participate in the meeting, everyone’s enthusiasm is great… Well, they have to come if I tell them to, what choice do they have?

The Support Party is in Jeju, and all the party members live in Jeju, so the ones who are desperate have to dig the well [idiom meaning those who need something will go to great lengths to get it].

They exchanged New Year’s greetings and well wishes, and although they knew each other’s faces, they took the time to introduce themselves again according to their roles.

“… Lastly, this person is the leader of our Support Party, Han Ji-won. As you know, his role is an Art Factor among the mage types, and when entering a dungeon… well, everyone knows, so I’ll skip it. Next, I will explain the compensation system and future schedule according to the Support Party membership approval, which is the main agenda today.

Within the current Support Party, the dungeon clear reward is set at a ratio of 40% for the party leader and 60% for the party members, which, as you can imagine, is calculated based on the contribution to the dungeon clear. Unless there are any special circumstances, the current ratio will not change in the future.

Also, in the case of items dropped in the dungeon, priority is given to the Awakener with the corresponding attribute among the party members, and that priority is determined by the contribution to the clear. If there is no corresponding attribute within the party members, the item is sold through auction, and the sold amount is used for party funds and distributed to the party members, which is settled on an annual basis….”

As expected, Han Deuk-i takes the lead in managing the situation.

When the number of Support Party members officially increases, I need to find an office and register as a business.

Right now, there are only five people, so I’m personally settling taxes, but I can’t keep doing it in a haphazard way, and the taxes paid by individuals and businesses are different, so later I’ll have to think with Han Deuk-i about whether to register the business as an individual or as a corporation.

We distributed the Support Party membership application, security agreement, and dungeon clear compensation agreement, which were not created by Han Deuk-i and me after much deliberation, but were secured general party membership applications provided by the association, and had them sign and seal them.

Since it had been agreed upon in advance, everyone signed and stamped their seals without saying a word.

Now, if I submit this to the association and gather three more Awakeners to register the business and open an office, clearing Rank 8 dungeons will be easy.

Why do they limit the minimum number of people allowed to enter a dungeon, creating such complicated tasks… is an excuse, and this is to reduce the loss of life of Awakeners.

It’s been 40 years since dungeons appeared.

There have been all sorts of things during that time.

Before the Korea Awakener Association or the Dungeon Management Act or the Awakener Preference Act were created, the loss of life of Awakeners who entered dungeons to clear them recklessly was enormous.

It wasn’t until minerals replaced oil and natural gas, and their by-products penetrated our daily lives, mainly through large corporations, that associations and laws for Awakeners were enacted.

It took a full 10 years to select the ranks of dungeons worldwide, calculate the minimum number of people required to enter according to the rank, and establish dungeon management offices.

As the influence derived from minerals, along with gold, became established as a means of replacing cash and being traded, becoming an Awakener became a greater blessing than winning the lottery first prize in a row.

Regardless of whether they are warriors, mages, healers, or priests, if they take only the license issued by the Korea Awakener Association to the bank, they can get a loan of 200 to 300 million won on the spot, regardless of their credit, so you can imagine the status of Awakeners.

Of course, there are those who seek to borrow that amount.

However, unless the Awakener’s stats are single-digit like mine in the past, if they gather the minimum number of people to enter a dungeon and clear it, they can earn a monthly salary equivalent to that of a mid-sized company’s assistant manager, so most don’t seek bank loans. Well, except for Awakeners with extremely poor stats.

Anyway, officially, the Jjangssen Party will be disbanded, and they and Gil-soo’s cousin Yang Gi-soo will all belong to the Support Party.

After explaining the future dungeon clear schedule and having a question-and-answer session for the last inquiries, the absurd incident started then.

As soon as Han Deuk-i finished asking if there were any questions, someone raised their hand.

Kim Eun-hee, a Rank 9 combat mage from the existing Jjangssen Party.

Similar attributes to Ji-hye, similar attack magic manifestation.

However, a female Awakener in her late 20s whose appearance is by no means similar.

Straight arms and legs, long wavy hair, a sharp nose and white skin, distinctly curved body, and even more, a voluptuous… ahem.

She stared intently at Ji-hye and opened her mouth.

“I want to confirm one thing. What is the relationship between Han Ji-hye and the party leader? Are they family? Close siblings? The age difference seems large.”

“He’s my brother.”

“Does that mean they’re family?”

“Why do you want to know our relationship, Kim Eun-hee?”

“Now that we’re in the same party, considering the dangerous high-level dungeon clear work ahead, we need to understand these small things in advance. Does Ji-hye think dungeon clear is a joke?”

“Who ever said dungeon clear was a joke? Why are you making up things that aren’t there? And why are you downplaying the relationship between my brother and me as a small thing? Are you challenging the party leader’s authority?”

“Isn’t Ji-hye the one challenging the party leader’s authority, not me? Even though they’re not related, the way she acts is ridiculous. Isn’t it?”

“What? What’s ridiculous? Do you even know anything about my brother? What do you know to tell me what to do!”

“What? Did you just say that?”

“Yes, I did. What are you going to do! A newcomer picking on a founding member! Looking like a sly fox.”

“Is she crazy right now? What did you say?”

“What! Crazy? You little thing!”

Ha… I wondered why this kind of 막장 [makjang – Korean slang for over-the-top drama] drama wasn’t happening.

“Hey! Everyone, stop!”

Ji-hye and Eun-hee flinch at my shout.

“Should I kick you both out of the party?”

“Oppa!”

“Oppa or not, what are you doing right now! Other party members are watching. How old are you to be fighting over such nonsense?”

“It’s not nonsense. I’m just concerned about the team atmosphere….”

“Hey. Kim Eun-hee.”

“Yes.”

“Eun-hee, you don’t know well, because you just joined, because you’re a newcomer, I’ll explain it just once. Other new party members, listen carefully. This is the first and last time.”

The new party members, who had been watching the interesting spectacle, changed their posture at my words.

“I’m speaking with the party leader’s authority. I’ll overlook minor arguments between party members, but I’ll expel anyone who engages in violence. Keep that in mind. And from now on, I’ll differentiate between existing party members and new party members. I’ll give 5% of the dungeon clear reward to the existing party members. Also, the Support Party will be registered as a business in the future and will be run like a company. Of course, there will be positions and ranks, and existing party members will receive higher positions than new party members. Think about the reasons for yourselves, anyone disagree?”

As soon as I finished speaking, Kim Eun-hee in front of me raised her hand.

“Speak. Kim Eun-hee.”

“Yes. Party leader. I understand the first thing you said about expulsion due to violence, but I can’t accept the parts you mentioned after that. Why is that? Aren’t all the people here Rank 9 Awakeners? It doesn’t make sense to differentiate when the ranks are the same. If you differentiate just because someone came in earlier, who would take the risk and actively participate in dungeon clear?”

“Who takes the risk?”

“Yes?”

“Eun-hee, you must have seen it too? Me clearing the Haeundae Rank 8 Bio Dungeon.”

“…….”

“Did you see anyone there taking the risk of their own injury and clearing the dungeon?”

“… That’s not it.”

“Whether that’s it or not, isn’t the reason the existing Jjangssen Party is coming here because they saw me clearing the dungeon? Or is there another reason?”

“…….”

Kim Eun-hee’s reddened face, who had nothing to say, gradually turned to the floor.

“If the temple is not to your liking, the monk leaves [Korean proverb meaning if you don’t like the situation, you can leave]. If you don’t like my way, leave this place now. I can find other Awakeners. I’ll go smoke a cigarette, so if anyone doesn’t want to stay, talk to Han Deuk-i and withdraw. I’ll give you 10 minutes.”

As I stepped outside, Ji-hye followed me.

“Oppa~ you were really 멋졌 [meotjyeot – cool/awesome in Korean]….”

Ji-hye closes her mouth, seeing my stern expression.

“Keep the jokes to a minimum. If something like this happens inside the dungeon in the future, I won’t let it go. Keep that in mind.”

“… Yes.”

She crouches down like a rain-soaked cat and answers in a mosquito-like voice.

“I still can’t forget the time when I was recruiting party members for the Aradong Rank 10 Mech Dungeon. I received a lot of help from you guys back then.”

“… Oppa.”

“Even though my role is a mage and an Art Factor, and even though my stats are 4, whether it was sincere or not, you guys accepted me.”

“…….”

“Of course, it may be different depending on the situation, but other parties and other dungeons may have accepted me. But I can’t deny that that one dungeon clear back then gave me a lot of strength. We also have good teamwork. So I want to be with you forever. I’m forty years old. I’m too lazy and bothered to go around complaining and gathering Awakeners. This state is perfect. It’s not about repaying the favor or material give and take, it’s just doing what my heart tells me to do. So Ji-hye, you help me too. Don’t just joke around, okay?”

“O, Oppa~.”

Whether my words moved Ji-hye, she raised her hand and groped my chest….

“Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]! Everyone’s not withdrawing from the party… Ahem. Should I come back later?”

Ha… 막장 [makjang – Korean slang for over-the-top drama] drama, who writes the script?

Let’s have an interview.

I put Han Deuk-i and Ji-hye in front and went back into the coffee shop room, everyone is just looking at me.

Kim Eun-hee, who had been hesitating for a moment, came forward and opened her mouth.