Chapter 33

There’s no need to get serious just because Han Seung-hoon’s voice suddenly popped up. It’s not a big deal to communicate with Hunters during Dungeon Assignment management.

The fact that it wasn’t Han Seung-hoon’s original number and his sharp voice were a bit grating, though.

But I could just write that off as him having a bad day.

As I tried to convince myself of that, my heart sank at the next words.

-I, I can’t do it.

It was a voice 180 degrees different from the image I usually had of Im Seong-joon. The recorded voice of Im Seong-joon was terrified, as if he would burst into tears if you poked him.

-The Goseong Dungeon? I’ll die if I go in there. Just give it to Daehu. You said Daehu was supposed to raid it originally.

The content was even more problematic. It sounded like he knew he was going to die.

But before I had time to think, the conversation continued rapidly.

-What a ridiculous bastard. After all you’ve done, you expect to live? Is tormenting perfectly fine E-Rank and D-Rank Hunters a new hobby of yours?

-Th-that’s because of the department head…

-It’s because of that damn department head again? Your repertoire hasn’t changed in ten years.

-It’s true! The department head fed me something strange…

-Right. I’ve heard your confession. Are you all set for the raid?

-I said I’m not going in! I can’t go in!

-You said you haven’t been sleeping well lately because of some head-eating bug, and now your temper’s gotten worse. Yelling at me and everything.

-You crazy bastard. You’re the one who gave the department head that poison, aren’t you?

-Why is it suddenly my fault? You’re the idiot who happily ate it.

-Because you’re the only bastard who would do something like that.

-So, are you going in or not? Speak up. By the way, does the department head know your younger sibling is in college?

-Stop with the threats. You think I haven’t done my own background checks?

-What?

Im Seong-joon sneered as if casting a finishing move.

-Choi Gi-woong. You seem to cherish him so dearly. I’ve never seen you act like that. It seems my death is a sure thing anyway, so should I dance with a knife before I go?

For a moment, I frowned at the sudden mention of my name.

-Let me show you what happens when an S-Rank Hunter you so despise decides to get serious…

Im Seong-joon’s continuing words were crushed.

-Now you’re crossing the line.

Han Seung-hoon muttered chillingly.

-If you touch him, you won’t even be able to die as you please.

A non-Awakener threatening an S-Rank Hunter. I wasn’t sure if anyone would believe me if I told them.

-Decide. What are you going to do?

The sound of a sigh filled the room. Im Seong-joon spoke in a barely audible voice.

-Promise me two things.

-Speak.

-My sibling’s safety, and killing the department head.

-Goodness. The guy who did things too dirty to even speak of to others is so diligently taking care of his own family.

-Just promise me.

-Fine, I promise.

-…Son of a bitch.

Click.

The call ended just like that.

What in the world is this situation?

I sat there, lost in thought for a long time. Even setting aside the suspiciousness of the whole situation, it was still strange.

I couldn’t understand how that great S-Rank Hunter was so flustered by Han Seung-hoon, a non-Awakener.

Honestly, I didn’t want to think of it that way. But that’s how it sounded. Like Han Seung-hoon was the bad guy, and Im Seong-joon was the pitiful one.

And that thought naturally led to suspicion.

That my remaining at the Association, and my going to Ilseong, might have been Han Seung-hoon using me with malicious intent.

I shook my head. Whatever the truth was, I wouldn’t find the answer thinking about it alone.

And this kind of thing shouldn’t be left to fester.

Whether I ask him honestly or subtly probe him. Let’s find out. Right now.

-The customer you have called is not available…

But he wasn’t answering his phone.

To use the excuse that it was two in the morning, I knew Han Seung-hoon too well. This man was deliberately avoiding my calls right now.

“Tsk.”

I had even sent a text asking him to call me as soon as he saw the missed call.

Only then did the things I hadn’t been able to check earlier slowly start to come into view.

First and foremost.

[Hong Gyeong-pyo]

-Gifticon.

I frowned.

I checked several times, thinking I had seen it wrong. But it was indeed Hong Gyeong-pyo.

Until yesterday, no. Until just a moment ago, he had treated me like someone he wanted to kill. What was he doing all of a sudden?

What was more absurd was that there was nothing else besides that.

Don’t tell me he’s telling me to eat this and get over my anger?

This required no thought. Whatever it was, I wouldn’t be getting involved with this person anymore.

After deleting the chat room, I moved on to the next one.

-Oppa. Is it true? Did you really beat Jung Hye-in?

-It wasn’t a win, it was a draw.

-Anyway! How on earth did this happen?

-Revere me. Worship me. Submit to me.

It was the traces of Choi Soo-jung, Lee Won-sik, and Kim Soo-gyeom chattering in the group chat.

Seeing this felt like it was clearing my complicated mind. I chuckled, typed a rough reply, and left.

Then I flopped onto the bed.

My eyes started to close, as if my stamina had reached its limit.

Right. For today, I’ll just get a good night’s sleep and think when I wake up…

I was about to.

-The Skill, Past Life Lucid Dream, will now be cast!

My mind snapped awake.

Whoosh!

I don’t know how long it’s been since I last had this dream. The last time was when I followed Team leader Kim Jeong-su into a D-Rank Dungeon.

It feels like it’s been at least two months.

In any case, no matter how tired I am, I can’t miss this.

I opened my eyes wide, no, I gathered my wits and focused.

As always, it began with my mouth opening on its own.

“You said you received the Gold Dragon’s blessing, Isaac?”

“Why, you want one too?”

“No. I’m fine with that.”

“?”

“How… can one meet a Dragon?”

At the same time, the memory returned.

Looking at the timing, there was nothing strange about it.

It was right at the point after wandering for two years when I had just been acknowledged as a proper Mage by Isaac.

But this makes the timing a little off.

I learned Ares’ Shield a little after this point.

The order is jumbled, but whatever, I’m satisfied just having the dream itself.

“A Dragon, you say. Well, I suppose it’s about time you met Lord Azadun.”

“Is the Gold Dragon’s name Azadun?”

“Yes. Saint Ajadun. The great and venerable guardian of the Middle Realm.”

Isaac’s face was full of pride as he said that.

So much so that it made me curious as well.

“First, go to the Tower and learn 7th Circle… I mean, in your terms, learn Advanced Magic.”

“Why?”

“Because the Tower Master said so. That once you, Ian, have learned Advanced Magic, you must be shown to him.”

“…I see. Advanced Magic.”

“That’s when Dragon Language Magic gets real.”

As he said that, Isaac stared at me as if I were some kind of monster.

“Still, I have a feeling you’ll learn it in no time.”

“Let’s go. I’m curious to see what it’s like, too.”

It was then, as we were setting off with excited hearts.

“Are you on your way to the Eastern Mage Tower?”

A young woman who had appeared out of nowhere blocked our path.

With a pretty face, she spoke with a friendly smile.

“That area is my hometown. I was wondering if I could go with you, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Despite her good-natured smile, I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

In the two years it took for a country boy to become a War Mage, I had experienced all sorts of people.

“How did you know we were from the Eastern Mage Tower?”

“There’s probably no one around here who doesn’t know you two. The duo of Mages who take down all sorts of Monsters. I saw you from afar, you were amazing.”

“I appreciate the compliment, but you’d be better off finding someone else. We’ll be taking a shortcut.”

“I have good stamina. I won’t be a burden if you take me.”

Even with the blatant refusal, the woman didn’t back down at all.

“I’m a good cook, and I’m good at hunting. I can climb most mountains while singing. It’s true. If you think I can’t keep up, just leave me behind. I won’t hold it against you.”

That was even more suspicious.

“With skills like that, you should have no problem going somewhere else.”

“There are just too many people who are only after my body.”

“We’re men, too.”

“Are you going to do something strange to me?”

“……”

I felt like I was being drawn into her pace. And in times like this, refusing is the better option. Just as I was about to open my mouth.

“Very well. Let’s go together.”

Isaac said.

I looked at Isaac with a ‘have you lost your mind’ expression.

Isaac winked at me.

What. What am I supposed to do about that.

“Really? Thank you! I’ll work really hard!”

The woman bowed her head deeply. As she did, she subtly glanced at me. Isaac, next to me, nudged my side in agreement.

Tsk.

I guess I have no choice.

“…Let’s do that.”

The woman’s name was Sanna. And what Sanna said was true.

“This is the most tasteless venison I’ve ever had! Wait a minute. Venison becomes much more edible with just a few seasonings.”

“Just adding some jerky to pre-dried grains and boiling it in water is much better than the watery soup they sell for 3 silver.”

“I think it’s going to rain soon. Let’s rest in this cave today, shall we?”

It was astounding. She never just slept on the ground, and she never just ate whatever was available.

“I think there’s a pack of Monsters over there. Let’s go around.”

This was magic, not the other stuff.

“You want 30 silver for a room like this? Sir. That’s not right. I’ll give you 20 silver for two rooms and hot water. We’ll take care of our own food, so you can leave that out.”

Because she was affable, friendly, and good at her work.

Isaac had long since warmed up to her, and even I was on the verge of letting my guard down.

“We’ll arrive at the Mage Tower tomorrow, so how about we have a beer with the 10 silver we saved?”

“Sounds good.”

“Excellent.”

Isaac winked at me as if this was his chance.

I’d seen that wink so much over the past fortnight that I was starting to understand what it meant.

It meant I should make myself scarce at an appropriate time.

“What do you plan to do when you return to your hometown?”

Look at him. He’s even using a tone he never uses.

“Well. I’ll have to think about it from now on.”

“By any chance, have you thought about working at our Mage Tower?”

“Isn’t that a place for Mages?”

“We need many people with life skills like you. Did I mention that our Mage Tower is the richest of all the Mage Towers?”

I stood up from my seat after hearing that much. I felt like the alcohol would come back up if I stayed any longer.

It was then, as I was trying to shake off the effects of the alcohol.

My head tilted.

“Isaac.”

“Hm? You haven’t left yet?”

“My Mana isn’t moving.”

Isaac, who had been grinning foolishly, tilted his head just like me.

“What’s wrong with this?”

“What’s wrong?”

Sanna asked with a smile.

“…My Mana won’t move.”

“As if you’ve been hit by some kind of circulation-blocking poison?”

“Yes. Exactly like that.”

Isaac’s expression hardened as he stood up.

I looked at Sanna, took out the Dagger from my belt, and asked.

“Isaac. Who did this?”

Isaac clicked his tongue and answered.

“The most immediate suspect is this woman sitting right in front of us.”

Isaac said with a world-weary face.

“It seems we’ve been tricked.”

“I definitely said we shouldn’t go with her.”

“You liked it too.”

“So you’re saying this is my fault?”

“If we’re being specific, it’s 51 me, 49 you.”

“It’s 30 me, 70 Isaac.”

“Fine. So how long do you think it’ll take to undo this?”

“About 10 seconds left.”

It was then.

One of the guys in the tavern shot to his feet. A man who looked like a bandit grinned and approached us.

“10 seconds, my ass. Do you even know what kind of poison you drank? Even a 7th Circle Mage would be sick for three months if they drank that much.”

Around that time, the guys who had been disguised as customers slowly began to rise.

“Looks like they’re all in on it together. Twenty of them.”

“So who the hell are these guys?”

“Demons.”

“What’s that.”

“There are humans who joined hands with the Demon King. It’s a relief, though. They seem to be low-rank.”

“You let her join us even though you knew such things existed?”

“I thought they were all dead. I’m sure the Saintess, in the last great war…”

It was then.

Whoong!

Someone rushed over, swinging their arm wildly.

After easily dodging, I stabbed the guy’s eye with my Dagger.

“Kuaargh!”

His one remaining eye shot wide open. I pulled out the Dagger and stabbed that one with all my might, too.

Thwack!

“Being a War Mage isn’t just about being good at magic.”