Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 82

The guild members also know.

They understand how important the words coming from my mouth will be for them.

“We’ve had a lot happen in the last three weeks. The sudden appearance of the City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon just before the Jeju Regional Defense Guild was established, and the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon. We cleared the City Hall Rank 6 with the vice guild leaders, including Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders from Teams 1 and 2. We also managed to clear the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon, which we participated in through recommendations from the Jeju Branch Manager of the Awakened Association and the Head of the Main Branch Support Headquarters, after many twists and turns. Details about the overall circumstances and clear rewards will be announced later. The guild establishment condition, the recruitment of 72 Rank 7 Awakeners, has been met by merging with the SG Guild.”

“SG Guild? You mean *that* SG from back then?”

“Are you talking about the guild Guild Leader used to hang out with?”

“So, are we going to Seoul? We’re the Jeju Defense Guild, right?”

“Quiet, quiet. The Guild Leader isn’t finished speaking!”

Gilsu silences the murmuring of the guild members.

They must be anxious too.

About the M&A [mergers and acquisitions] with a large corporation.

“That’s right. The large corporation you’re thinking of, SG. We’ve proceeded with an M&A with them, and all 187 SG Guild members will merge with our Jiwon Guild. However, instead of the title of SG Guild, we will be integrated into the Jiwon Guild, and the Jeju Regional Defense Guild will also be announced.”

“N-No way!”

“W-What? So we devoured them? SG?”

“SG is coming under the Jiwon Guild?”

“G-Guild Leader, hooray!”

“You’re the best, Jiwon Guild Leader!”

A different kind of cheer erupts, shaking the office.

“First, we need to clear the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen [re-emergence] by the end of this week. This is the clear history with the guilds that cleared the regen for the past three weeks.”

“I’ve looked into new offices. There’s a 12-story mixed-use building in Nohyeong. It has parking up to two basement floors, and we’ve decided to use from the 1st floor, with a convenience store and restaurants, to the 12th floor. Here’s the report.”

“It seems we need to separate the Dungeon Operation Support Team and the General Affairs Team by job type. Here are the resumes and team operation plans for the administrative staff recruitment.”

“We need to reorganize the team composition by job type for the SG Guild members and the current Jiwon Guild members. Here are the detailed specifications for Awakener ranks and team assignments.”

I called Gilsu, Hanteuk, Jihye, Mihae, Kimeunhee, and Choeunji into the Guild Leader’s office and started discussing future plans.

But, you know what?

Do I really have to do this?

Why are there hundreds of A4 pages combining reports and specifications?

You guys!

“Vice Guild Leaders.”

“Yes, Guild Leader.”

“Yes.”

“This, this, and this too, no, even this. No, all of it. Do I really have to do this? Are you trying to make me die from overwork? Should I summon Jullut? Huh? V-Vice. Guild. Leaders!”

“Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend], no, Guild Leader. This absolutely requires the Guild Leader’s approval.”

“That’s right. How could we when the Guild Leader is clearly here….”

“Ha… I’m going crazy.”

It’s clear.

The guys are planning to work me to death.

No, I know.

Not all of it, but some of it requires my approval, and there are quite a few things that need to be operated according to my judgment.

But the problem is, I really hate this.

How much analysis, reporting, estimation, calculation, and PT [presentation] have I done while working, and I have to do this even after awakening?

Damn it!

Can’t I just enter the dungeon and collect the clear rewards?

I’m confident I can make a lot of money.

So, can’t you guys just take care of these things and let me just make money?

“Um… Guild Leader. When I saw it last time, the SG Guild Leader….”

I was pressing down on my throbbing head when Mihae said something.

Sometimes, the words she throws out unexpectedly become cool solutions.

I hope it’s like that this time too.

“Why, what about Hongchan hyung?”

“Looking at the current situation, if we merge with the SG Guild or the guild members come down to Jeju, I’m saying that it seems like it will be difficult to operate the guild with just the Vice Guild Leaders and us.”

“Yeah. Right. I’m dying. Really.”

“I was wondering if we could just appoint the SG Guild Leader as a Vice Guild Leader.”

“What are you talking about? Hongchan hyung is already a Vice Guild Leader… Oh? Wait a minute!”

That’s right. SG Guild Leader Moon Hongchan.

That hyung is the Vice Guild Leader of the M&Aed Jiwon Guild. I’m the Guild Leader.

So, then, therefore… why was I even worrying about this?

I can just make Hongchan hyung do it all!

Whether it’s the SG Guild or the Jiwon Guild, it’s just one guild anyway, why am I worrying!

Originally, the top person in every organization doesn’t do the work.

You assign the work to the people below and watch.

Great.

I took out my phone and called the former SG Guild Leader, no, the Jiwon Guild Vice Guild Leader.

Hyung, you’re so screwed now. Hehe.

I don’t know. Tough luck.

I’m not doing it. Bye.

After using those words in rotation several times, and after the call exceeded 30 minutes, Hongchan hyung’s declaration of surrender came.

Still, he can’t come down right away, so he’ll send three or four smart team leaders first.

Okay. Mission success.

Now, goodbye to these tedious documents.

Now that the most troublesome thing has been resolved, the next thing is….

“Hanteuk-ah [term of endearment]. Earlier, you said we have to clear the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen by when?”

“By Friday.”

“What about now?”

“Yes?”

“What if we clear the regen now?”

“N-Now?”

“Why? Are you scared of Rank 6? Because it’s not Rank 3?”

“Of course not. Let’s go. Guild Leader. Everyone, prepare!”

“Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend, used by females]. Let’s give the guild members a ride this time. Let’s not just do it among ourselves.”

“Okay. All guild members, equip your teams and gather in front of the City Hall Dungeon within 1 hour. That’s all!”

“Understood, Guild Leader.”

“Yes, sir!”

The remaining people, except for Hanteuk and Gilsu, hurriedly leave the room.

They must be trying to inform their team members about the City Hall Rank 6 Dungeon regen clear news as quickly as possible.

I looked at Hanteuk and Gilsu, who were left behind, and smiled.

Great.

Where did I put the ruined mineral plate?

I should tell Gilsu to carve mineral plates.

1 hour later, in front of the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon.

The Jeju Branch Manager of the Awakened Association, having heard the news, came to find me with his staff, chattering about this and that, and suddenly slipped me an Idea Mirror.

“What is this for?”

“You know. All the Idea Mirrors were transferred to the four stars during the last auction.”

“So?”

“Please film the regen clear.”

“Here? This is Rank 6 though.”

“You know. It may not be accurate, but we can still make estimations, can’t we?”

This person, this guy. Is he trying to infer the Rank 3 Dungeon situation with my clear progress and unit characteristics?

Well, the situation is different, and there are many differences in dungeon size and unit characteristics, so there won’t be any problems.

That’s right.

“What’s the compensation?”

“… Are you being like this between us? Just do it. I’ll buy you a meal later.”

“Sure, why not. Hanteuk-ah~.”

“Yes, Guild Leader.”

“Start filming from now on with this.”

“Understood.”

“Everyone, pay attention! We will now begin the City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen clear. If you don’t listen to the team leader and get caught doing something else, you will be expelled from the guild. Pay close attention! Got it?”

“Yes, Guild Leader.”

“Yes!”

The shouts of about 20 Awakeners cause more and more people to gather around.

Annoying. Let’s go in quickly.

“Mages, mana manifestation!”

“Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Lament! Sea of Despair! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Sigh! Dew of Sorrow! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s… Ready!”

“Regen Clear, enter!”

“Enter!”

“Enter!”

At my shout of ‘Enter,’ the warrior-type guild members throw themselves into the dark entrance.

Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen clear?

Hmph! I’ll chew it up.

2 hours and 10 minutes after entering the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen clear.

“Teams 1 and 2 on the left, Teams 3 and 4 on the right, I’ll take the center. When the overlapping defense towers are destroyed, the warriors charge in.”

“Understood, Guild Leader.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay.”

As soon as I entered the dungeon, I produced shuttles and destroyed the multi first.

There was no need to summon Drakan, and hundreds of upgraded Julluts rushed in at once to destroy the multi.

In less than 2 hours, I destroyed two multis in order, and now I’m in front of the main base.

If I take care of the overlapping defense towers, I should be able to clear the regen without difficulty.

“Jullut, Drakan, Torkan, Grub Tank, summon all!”

[Ding! Summoning 265 Julluts (Defense + Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summoning 541 Drakans (Defense + Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summoning 19 Torkans.]

[Ding! Summoning 17 Grub Tanks.]

The Julluts and Drakans that appeared with white light fill the surroundings.

“Wipe out everything except the Nexus. Grub Tanks, move out!”

There’s no need to divide the Julluts and Grub Tanks into shuttles like before.

If they are destroyed, I can just produce them again, and the number of units is more than double what it used to be.

‘Kwaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Tookwaaaang… Kwaaaang.’

When the Grub Tanks reached the range of the overlapping defense towers, I issued the final command.

“Jullut, Drakan, Torkan! Wipe them out!”

Hundreds of units rush towards the armored dungeon’s main base like a wave.

“Long-range magic attack!”

“Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire!”

“Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice!”

“Idea Goddess’s Lament! Sea of Despair!”

‘Kwaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kwagwagwang… Kwaaaang.’

“Warriors, standby! Five, four, three, two, one. Now!”

“Woaaaaa.”

“Let’s go~ Teams 1 and 2 this way.”

“Teams 3 and 4, follow me!”

Of course, the guild members also have things to do.

2 hours and 40 minutes after entering the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen clear.

“Everyone, move quickly!”

“Mages to the front, then healers and clerics, then warriors. Hey, Taeseok, are you not going to fall back? Huh!”

“Stand so you don’t overlap, so you don’t duplicate! Do you think this is a joke!”

After destroying the main base in an instant, like a giant wave collapsing a sandcastle, I am now in front of the Nexus.

Spell Shockwave generated from the Rank 6 Dungeon.

It’s to give the guild members a ride, as Jihye said.

“It’s all done.”

“Okay. Summon 20 Julluts!”

At Hanteuk’s report, I summoned 20 Julluts and ordered them to destroy the Nexus.

‘S…pa…aaat!’

The always good feeling, the sweet and clear blue light feast began.

“I-It’s real!”

“L-Level up!”

“Me too! I’m leveling up too!”

“Guild Leader! Thank you.”

“Jiwon Guild Leader is the best!”

“Guild Leader, Vice Guild Leaders, Team Leaders, thank you.”

“Okay. Take these guys and mine minerals. I’ll absorb gas.”

“Yes. Guild members who leveled up, distribute your stats later, and everyone mines minerals from now on. Warrior types to the front, and healers and clerics, give heals and blessings.”

So far, there hasn’t been a single injury while proceeding with the City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon regen clear.

No, there were two or three guild members who had minor scratches and bruises, who tripped on their own, but injuries caused by carelessness, not by dungeon units.

In other words, the healers and clerics have been playing and eating for the past three hours.

Hanteuk is the same.

Perhaps feeling sorry, he’s making a fuss about giving heals and blessings to the warrior-type Awakeners who are mining minerals.

If the warriors receive heals and blessings and mine minerals diligently, is that good or bad for them? For me?

Do whatever you want, I headed to the rock crevice behind the destroyed Nexus.

Of course, it’s also to absorb gas, but it’s to test what I’ve been thinking about all along.

[Ding! A gas mining station has been created. Total amount 89.563L]

89 liters. It’s less than 1/10th of the reserves compared to Rank 3.

Still, I have to absorb it, there’s no other way.

It’s advantageous to absorb as much gas as possible.

First, I summoned 100 Probes to absorb the gas.

And….

“Summon Dran!”

[Ding! Summoning 1 Dran.]

One Dran appeared on the dungeon floor with white light.

About 13cm in size, it looks similar to a grub, covered in transparent mucus, and has a pair of antennae on its small head.

I don’t really want to touch it, but I have no choice.

I hesitated slightly and reached out to its antennae.

In a flash.

The tech tree related to bio-unit creation unfolds in my head.

Buildings and conditions necessary for producing Zerglings, Hydras, Lockers, Wyverns, Guardians, Magic Worms, Mung-Tung-Guris, and Ultras. Defense buildings and Rank 3 adult towers, etc. It was similar to the armored dungeon tech tree.

“I’ll know if I try.”

I released my hand from the grub’s antennae, placed it on the floor, and shouted, my heart pounding slightly.

“Create Tower!”

The grub, which had been circling me, scurried about 5 meters away and crouched on the dungeon floor. A blue light enveloped it as its metamorphosis began, a somewhat unsightly, grotesque, and frankly embarrassing scene to witness.

[Ding! A tower has been created. Available unit: Dran.]

A tower was created, but for now, it could only produce Dran.

After creating two Dran, I morphed one into a Zergling Core and the other into a Speed Upgrade Core.

Then,

“Create Adult Tower!”

[Ding! Transforming the tower into an Adult Tower (2). Remaining time: 3 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds, 56 seconds…]

“Zergling Core, Speed Upgrade Zergling!”

[Ding! Starting the Speed Upgrade in the Zergling Core. Remaining time: 2 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds, 56 seconds…]

“Speed Core, Attack Power Upgrade!”

[Ding! Starting the 100% attack power upgrade for ground units in the Speed Core. Remaining time: 4 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds, 56 seconds…]

“Create Dran! Create Tower, Create Dran, Create Tower! …”

After examining the bio-unit creation tech tree, I realized this thing is a gas-guzzling hippo. It devours gas like crazy.

Of course, there are units like Zerglings that don’t require gas, but most units consume far more gas shards than armored units for production.

Even though I’ve greatly increased the gas shard absorption stat with level-ups, I’m still hungry for gas shards.

There’s no reason to waste gas on bio-unit production.

Not yet…

While I was busy producing Speed Zerglings from the tower, Han Deuk approached me and shouted in surprise.

“H, Hyung-nim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]!”

“What?”

“H, How did this happen? This is an armored dungeon! Why is there an Adult Tower… Huh? Zerglings are attacking… Huh? Could it be Hyung-nim’s doing?”

Speak clearly. What are you talking about?

“Forget it, did you mine all the minerals?”

“Minerals aren’t important right now! This is an armored dungeon! Why are there Zerglings… Hyung-nim, aren’t you going to summon Zealots! Right now…”

“Hey guys, come here.”

“Yes? Y-Yes~?”

Hundreds of Speed Zerglings rushed towards me at my call.

“Hiiiik!”

‘Kooong… Kooong.’

‘Kueeek. Kuieeek.’

I touched each of the creatures lined up in front of me and put them into my inventory.

Just a touch as I passed by, and they disappeared on their own.

No, it would be more accurate to say that I stood still and the Zerglings rushed into my hand and disappeared in an instant.

Han Deuk, who was watching this scene from the side, finally lost his mind.

“… H-H-How… In the world… An impossible thing… How… Even bio-units… This can’t be…”

What’s he been saying since earlier?

Is he really crazy?

After storing hundreds of Speed Zerglings in my inventory, I tried to produce Lockers… Wait a minute.

Just now…

“Status Window!”

[Artifact/Warrior: Han Ji-won (Lv-30)

Nationality/Affiliation: Republic of Korea/Support Party,

Age: 40, Height/Weight: 180cm/77kg,

Agility: 43, Endurance: 36, Strength: 37,

Stamina: 38, Intelligence: 36, Luck: 34,

Enchantment: 34, Inventory: 10/10

(Zealot (Defense+Attack 200%, 215),

Dracan (Defense+Attack 200%, 501),

Dark Assassin (4), Grub Tank (15),

Lightning Shaman (24), Torkan (18)

Corrupted Warrior (1), Speed Zergling (Attack 100%, 388)

Minerals (8.123kg), Idea Awl (2))

Buildings: 11

(Nexus, Battery, Gateway, Dracan Core,

Gas Mining Station, Speed Core, Land Core, Stargate,

Black Core, Light Core, Land Spore Core),

Crystal: 0/300, Personal Stat Points: 0,

Summon Target Stat: 1,601 (Probe),

Zealot’s Upper Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts:

Minerals Shard (Absorption): 520,

Gas Shard (Absorption): 710,

Idea Pouch (Absorption): 1,

Idea Awl (Absorption): 2]

“As expected, space is lacking!”

Come to think of it, there’s not enough space in my inventory.

Even if I produce Lockers, there’s no room to put them. Furthermore, seeing that the summon target stat only shows Probe, it means I always have to keep one Dran in storage.

I need to buy an Idea Pouch from the Awakened Shopping Mall as soon as I leave the dungeon. If possible. Anyway, for now,

“Summon all Minerals and Idea Awls!”

[Ding! Summoning 8.123kg of minerals.]

[Ding! Summoning 2 Idea Awls.]

Okay. Two slots are empty, so I can produce and store Lockers. The same goes for Dran.

I was producing Hydras and activating Locker production in the Hydra Core, waiting for the Hydras to morph, when I heard a crunching sound.

I turned my head and looked back, and Han Deuk was carving minerals with an Idea Awl.

“… What are you doing?”

“Yes? Didn’t you take it out to break it apart?”

“Why are you doing it… No, never mind. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Yes.”

Crunch, crunch. Nibble, nibble.

This guy has some quirky sides sometimes.

“Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend from a female], I mined all the minerals… What, what is it!”

“What, what is it!”

“I-Incredible!”

“Guild Leader!”

Ji-hye, Gil-soo, Kim Eun-hee, and Choi Eun-ji approached and said a word each.

“Shhh~.”

I put my index finger to my lips.

They were confused and flustered, and Han Deuk was diligently breaking apart the minerals.

Crunch, crunch. Nibble, nibble.

After clearing the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 Armored Dungeon and coming outside, the Jeju Branch Manager approached me, as if he had been waiting.

“Congratulations on safely clearing the regen. By the way, that is…”

“Han Deuk.”

“Yes. Here it is.”

The Jeju Branch Manager quickly snatched the Idea Mirror from Han Deuk.

“I’ll be on my way today. And I got a call from the association earlier, the association president wants to see you.”

“Not the Support Headquarters Manager?”

“Yes. The association president. The big boss.”

The branch manager raised his thumb and poked upwards.

“Are you telling me to go up to Seoul?”

“There was no such thing… Anyway, I’ve delivered the message. Good work.”

“Yes.”

This guy. He should have finished what he was saying properly. What is he talking about?

As the Jeju Branch Manager left with his staff, I said to Han Deuk.

“Let’s go to the sauna and shopping mall, then have a company dinner. As always.”

“Understood. Everyone, move by vehicle. Maintain the moving formation.”

“Moving out. No chatting, just move.”

“Contact the support team to reserve the sauna and reserve OO specialty restaurant in two hours.”

Han Deuk, Gil-soo, and Ji-hye stepped up to relay the situation to the guild members, and headed to the city hall parking lot where the vehicles were located.

While moving, Han Deuk spoke to me.

“Hyung-nim, is that okay?”

“What?”

“The mirror. The Idea Mirror.”

“Why what about it?”

“You told me to record before entering the dungeon, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It was recording until we left the dungeon, you know?”

“So? What are you saying?”

This punk again.

“No, that. That. Destroying the Nexus and creating a tower with Dran behind Hyung-nim…”

“What!”

“Yes?”

“Crap! Was all that recorded? Really?”

“Yes, yes. I always carry it with me, so of course it was recording… Was it confidential? Did I do something wrong?”

“Ah~ Damn it! Call the branch manager. Tell him to return the mirror. Immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

As my voice grew louder, the guild members and team leaders looked at me and stopped walking.

I gestured for them to move and took out my phone. Han Deuk’s call isn’t being answered by the branch manager. Damn it.

The next day.

I had a rough agreement with the branch manager yesterday.

Never look at the mirror. Instead, in exchange, he’ll give me the Idea Mirror video of the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Regen Clear next time.

But should I really hide this? Should I just open it up?

No. There’s a saying in the martial world, though it’s not much of a saying, to hide three parts of your skill.

This isn’t the martial world, and it might not even be three parts, but it’s good to have something up your sleeve. I don’t know how long it will last, but knowing something and not knowing it is a world of difference.

The difference between knowing I have Lockers and not knowing is like heaven and earth.

Being able to prepare and not being able to is the difference between getting slapped in the back of the head or not. Is that a weird analogy?

Anyway, not yet. Not yet…

“S-Sorry. Hyung-nim.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault, it’s my fault for not paying attention.”

“H-Hyung-nim.”

“Still feel sorry?”

“Yes? Yes.”

“Then, get along with these people. So I don’t have to worry. Got it?”

“Yes. I understand.”

I said to Han Deuk, looking at the three team leader-level Awakeners who had come down from the SG Guild, no, the Support Guild Seoul Branch, whom Hong Chan-hyung had sent down first.

Kim Jong-tae, Han Tae-woo, and Park Jin-man, Awakeners with early Rank 5 stats who had their faces read during the M&A with the SG Guild.

With three more smart guys joining, the kids won’t be able to harass me with all sorts of documents anymore. Hehe.

‘Oong… Ooong.’

“Ah, really.”

Another call from an unknown number.

Since clearing the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon, I’ve been getting dozens, hundreds of calls a day. From unknown numbers. So after that, I don’t answer any calls that I haven’t saved.

I’ve been busy, but most of the time I turn off my phone, so it’s not that annoying, but these days it is.

Once I turn on my phone, dozens of text notifications vibrate for a while. I don’t check them anyway.

I should change my phone number or get another one.

‘Knock knock.’

“Um, Guild Leader. The Awakener Association Secretariat has been calling since yesterday morning. They’re still waiting, but what should I do?”

“Secretariat? Why from the Secretariat?”

“I don’t know either…”

“Connect me.”

“Yes.”

One of the support team staff connects the call.

Should I run a secretariat myself? Me, doing everything, one by one… It’s annoying.

“Yes. This is Han Ji-won.”

‘Good work. This is Go Taek-geun, Chief of the Secretariat of the Korea Awakener Association. Our Association President would like to meet Mr. Han Ji-won. Please come to our Association President’s office by Friday of this week.’

“… I’m not going.”

‘Please avoid the morning if possible, and between 3 PM and 4 PM… Excuse me?’

“I said I’m not going. Why would I go there?”

‘W-What are you saying? It’s the Association President? The President said…’

“If he wants to see me, tell him to come down to Jeju. Where else.”

I said my piece and hung up.

Association President, is this person also a gold spoon [born into wealth and privilege]? Why is his head so full of crap? Does he think that if he calls me, I’ll come running like a puppy? Why? Anyway, these gold spoons…

‘Oong… Ooong.’

“Ah~ again. Huh?”

It’s my father. Hehe.

“Yes. This is Ji-won.”

‘Son. Do you happen to know anyone at the Jeju Branch of the Awakener Association?’

“I do. Why?”

‘No, these people. They should pay for the work they did, but they’re not. It’s a subcontract of a subcontract, but I don’t think a quasi-public institution should do this.’

“You didn’t get paid? How much? And the client is the Jeju Branch, right?”

‘Yeah. The client is there. It’s not a daily wage, it’s the Tongkey payment [Korean payment system], but let’s call it a daily wage. But this is…’

“Do you know the name of the person in charge there? Never mind. I’ll go there. Where are you?”

‘Oh. Here, across from Ara Elementary School…’

My father, who has been doing welding work for over 30 years.

I’ve told him to quit several times, but he says people have to work no matter what, and he’s been doing it ever since. Money is a secondary issue.

A situation I’ve seen somewhere, a setting I vaguely recognize… It can’t be? Nah~ no way.

Anyway, let’s go for now. I wonder which guy is pretending to be a gold spoon this time.

I dissuaded Han Deuk and Gil-soo from following me and took a taxi towards Ara Elementary School.

When I arrived, my father was outside, and there was quite a loud argument coming from inside the prefabricated container being used as a field office.

“… So why are you telling me that! We haven’t been paid either!”

“The site manager doesn’t know, the client doesn’t know. Then where do we go to get paid!”

“What about the material costs? A daily wage is a daily wage, if you make someone work, you have to pay them!”

“Hey! We haven’t been paid yet either, why can’t you understand!”

“You little punk, where are you yelling and causing a ruckus!”

“What? You little… Well, you’re so lucky~. Working as a day laborer at your age!”

“What! You son of a bitch!”

“Oh? Are you going to hit me? Go ahead, hit me. I already have a meager salary, let’s make some money this time.”

I heard some bickering, and then I heard something breaking. Someone trying to stop them and each other cursing… Okay.

It wasn’t until I got almost all the way to my father that he finally realized I had come. He must have been thinking about something else.