Chapter 8

“Is this… not some kind of mistake?”

Team leader Kim Jeong-su checked several times.

But the rankings didn’t change.

We were in first place, and Choi Hyeong-woo was in second.

The expression on Choi Hyeong-woo’s face, who had been sneering and teasing us until now, soured rapidly.

An earthquake erupted in his eyes.

Seeing the veins pop on his clenched fists, his pride must have been wounded quite a bit.

On our side, however, we were busy managing our expressions.

Everyone was struggling to hold back their twitching smiles.

Except for one person.

“Oh my, it looks like you took it easy with the Raids this month, Team leader.”

The melee Dealer, Kim Soo-gyeom, tossed out a remark.

“Huh? No, that’s not it. It looks like you worked even harder than usual?”

He then pointed to the Raid count column in the Excel file, feigning surprise.

I’d often thought that guy was clueless, but this time, his timing was absolutely perfect.

“My, my, it was a close call. Wait a minute, but we only raided E-Rank Dungeons…”

Unable to listen any longer, Choi Hyeong-woo shot up from his seat.

His aura was absolutely murderous. At this rate, he looked like he might hit someone.

Even so, the shock hadn’t faded, and the earthquake in his eyes showed no signs of stopping.

He seemed to catch his breath for a moment, then left the office without a word.

We watched until he had completely disappeared, and only then…

…did the sound of hissing laughter begin to leak out.

“Did you see that bastard’s face?”

“I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life. I should’ve taken a picture.”

“So this is what it feels like to have ten years of indigestion clear up. It’s so refreshing.”

The team members snickered with relieved faces.

Come to think of it, they did say they were often harassed by Choi Hyeong-woo.

“Should I reenact it? This is what he was like earlier…”

Kim Soo-gyeom sat down in his chair, then shot up, clenching his fists.

From that point on, the laughter grew so loud it was hard to believe how they’d held it in before.

“Why the long face?”

Choi Soo-jung, who had been giggling, tilted her head as she looked at me.

“Me?”

“Your expression didn’t look very good. Why are you staring so hard at the monitor?”

“The performance results… they came out much better than I thought.”

I said, licking my lips. Then I forced the corners of my mouth up.

Along with words of congratulations.

Choi Soo-jung, Kim Jeong-su, Lee Won-sik, and even Kim Soo-gyeom.

In an instant, their eyes turned red.

“…It’s a bit awkward to say this at a time like this, but thank you. Really.”

“It’s thanks to you, Choi Gi-woong, that we get to be treated like this.”

“We won’t forget this, really.”

“Can I call you Hyung?”

“No.”

Kim Soo-gyeom even tried to hug me, so I subtly pushed him away.

As the tense atmosphere loosened and faint smiles began to appear again.

Even then, my gaze was still fixed on the performance chart on the monitor.

And I found the source of the uneasy feeling that had been swirling in my head.

This thing.

I think it was fabricated.

Ilseong’s performance is calculated solely by Experience Points.

The difference in Experience Points between an E-Rank Dungeon and a D-Rank Dungeon is roughly 1.7 times.

From the perspective of a third-year in the Business Support Department, we should have, at best, achieved a performance level equivalent to the mid-tier of D-Rank.

That night, after everyone had gone home, I compared the actual Experience Points from the Dungeons we raided with the Experience Points listed on the performance chart, one by one.

“Just as I thought.”

A little bit for each Dungeon, or a lot.

The Experience Points had been inflated.

It was done so cleverly that unless you had a good sense for these things, you were bound to be fooled, especially since we had raided so many Dungeons.

This could only be seen as an intentional fabrication.

Someone trying to push us into first place.

But who? And why?

Why would anyone go to such lengths for an E-Rank team, shoved away in a corner warehouse?

As I was thinking that, the morning dawned.

I could hear a stir in the hallway, as if people were slowly starting to arrive for work.

“Sure, they got first place, but why make such a big deal over a single D-Rank Dungeon?”

“They applied for the Dungeon that Choi Hyeong-woo had his eye on. The Hwaseong D-Rank Dungeon. Everyone’s been wondering since yesterday who would get it.”

“The Raid schedule should be up soon. Should we make a bet, too?”

It sounded like they were talking about us, so I perked up my ears.

Had the rumors already spread?

“Nah. It’s obviously going to be Choi Hyeong-woo.”

“Obviously? What did you hear just now? I’m telling you, they got first place in performance this time.”

“So what? Choi Hyeong-woo is in the Hunter Head’s line. Their blood is different. Do you think a commoner stands a chance against the sacred bone?”

“By the way, since when did these guys start climbing up like that?”

“It was after that person from the Association came…”

It was around the time the last words faded.

The door to our warehouse-like office burst open.

“Who am I? The Hunter who wiped the floor with all the D-Teams using only E-Rank Dungeons.”

Kim Soo-gyeom strode in majestically, his shoulders puffed up with pride.

“Hyung. Do you know what they’re saying about us outside?”

Had he decided to just call me Hyung now?

“No.”

“Come on, Hyung. I told you to speak casually. Everyone here except the Team leader is younger than you.”

After I dodged his hand a few times as he tried to casually place it on my shoulder, the rest of the team members arrived one by one.

Just like Kim Soo-gyeom, their shoulders were puffed up as if they were stuffed with padding.

“Let’s ride this momentum and take the Hwaseong Dungeon!”

“What’s to stop us?”

“The bonus for D-Rank is on a different level. Hey, when does the Raid schedule get posted?”

“In five minutes.”

Like excited beasts, the team members couldn’t control themselves, fidgeting and making a fuss.

Kim Soo-gyeom was waiting, refreshing the intranet over and over.

They wouldn’t be this excited just to raid a D-Rank Dungeon.

It was all because their opponent was Choi Hyeong-woo.

“Oppa. What do you think?”

Had she decided to call me Oppa now, too?

At this point, it would be more natural for me to start speaking casually as well.

“Hyung, do you think we’ll get it? We’ll get it, right? We will, won’t we?”

“Who knows.”

“Don’t be like that, just tell us we can do it!”

“I’m not a shaman.”

“Still! If you say we can do it, I feel like it’ll somehow happen!”

I didn’t say it out loud, but. If. If my prediction was correct.

We would probably be the ones to raid this Dungeon.

To be honest, I was almost certain of it.

“It’s up!”

-D-Rank Dungeon Raid Schedule for the 1st week of June.

It was right after Kim Soo-gyeom clicked on the post with a dramatic flurry of keystrokes.

“…Uh.”

Like a balloon that had been inflated to its limit suddenly bursting, Kim Soo-gyeom’s face deflated.

“What is it, what is it? Did we get it?”

The faces of the other team members who rushed to look at the monitor were the same.

I casually approached and looked at the screen, and I could see why.

Suwon Hwaseong D-Rank Orc Dungeon Raid scheduled for: Team leader Choi Hyeong-woo and 4 others.

The cold result was laid bare.

“Huh.”

What the?

I tilted my head.

I, too, was surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

If someone had fabricated the performance results, it seemed like the only reason would be to put us in a D-Rank Dungeon.

“…Well, we got first place once. We can just apply for another one.”

“R-Right. It’s not like that’s the only D-Rank Dungeon. This is just the beginning…”

“It’s good for motivation, I guess…”

The team members muttered one by one with deflated expressions.

Even as the team members gathered their training gear with an air of resignation, I was confused.

Then who on earth fabricated the performance results?

It was then.

“The Division Director is asking for you.”

A man in a suit said, knocking on the office door.

Ah. The Division Director is looking for me.

Wait a minute.

What?

“The, the Division Director? For me?”

Team leader Kim Jeong-su stammered, asking again.

The man then shook his head and said,

“No. For Mr. Choi Gi-woong.”

From the moment they told me to go to Ilseong, I had dreamed of a moment like this.

Meeting with the highest executive and, as a representative of the Association, requesting a truce.

But I didn’t know it would be this soon.

My brief panic at the sudden situation passed, and I quickly wracked my memory.

The General Division Director of Ilseong.

His name was Lee Tae-jin.

Although retired from active duty, he was a proper A-Rank Awakener and a founding contributor who had been with Ilseong since it was a small-scale guild.

Now that Im Seong-joon was dead, I heard he was, in name and in reality, the number one in Ilseong’s hierarchy.

Was he in his 70s?

Why would a person like that call for me?

I suddenly remembered what Choi Soo-jung had overheard in front of the bathroom.

That they should scout me.

I took it lightly at the time, but thinking about it now, it was significant.

Around that time, the elevator stopped.

The doors opened, and a lobby that was incomparable to our warehouse-like office came into view.

And in front of it, I saw a familiar man.

The familiar man, that is, Choi Hyeong-woo, frowned deeply as soon as he spotted me.

It was a clear ‘what are you doing here?’ look.

That, too, was brief. Choi Hyeong-woo smirked.

“You were so happy yesterday, what are you going to do? I’m the one taking that Dungeon.”

He wore his characteristic sneer again, as if he had completely forgotten yesterday’s wound.

“It’s obvious you’re trying to save Team Kim Jeong-su’s team to make a good impression on the higher-ups, but what to do? It seems the higher-ups have zero interest in you.”

He’s disgustingly quick-witted, anyway.

I ignored Choi Hyeong-woo and spoke to the man in the suit.

“Should I go in?”

I could feel Choi Hyeong-woo’s sharp gaze on my back.

But what could he do here?

While I was thinking that, the man in the suit knocked on the door.

“Division Director. Assistant Manager Choi Gi-woong is here.”

Let him in.

The door opened with a low voice.

A spacious area and a luxurious sofa caught my eye.

And two men sitting on the sofa.

The middle-aged man sitting in the seat of honor must be the Hunter Head.

And next to him sat a familiar face.

The man who tried to punch me on the first day.

His name was Park Cheol-hyeong, right?

Seeing his expression sour the moment he saw me, he must still dislike me.

“Sit.”

The Division Director pointed to a chair.

“Thank you for calling me, Division Director.”

Before I could even answer, Choi Hyeong-woo, who had entered without me noticing, abruptly sat down.

I was about to naturally sit next to him, but.

“Why are you…?”

The Division Director tilted his head and asked Choi Hyeong-woo.

Then he spoke to Park Cheol-hyeong next to him.

“You haven’t told him yet?”

“It’s only been a short while since it was decided. I was going to call him separately and tell him…”

Park Cheol-hyeong clicked his tongue, then gestured at Choi Hyeong-woo with his chin.

“You. The Hwaseong D-Rank Dungeon. You need to back off.”

“What?”

Choi Hyeong-woo asked back with a dumbfounded look.

“Look for another Dungeon instead of that one.”

“H-Hunter Head. What is this all of a sudden…”

Choi Hyeong-woo’s voice was thick with bewilderment.

“Team leader Kim Jeong-su’s team will be taking it this time. Just know that and look for another…”

“Hunter Head. This isn’t right. I was the one who was supposed to raid that Dungeon.”

“What?”

At Park Cheol-hyeong’s single word, Choi Hyeong-woo’s timid resistance vanished.

So he can make a face like that, too.

The kids would have loved to see this.

“Are there only one or two D-Rank Dungeons? Stop talking nonsense and find another one. Don’t whine like a child just because you lost one.”

The order to leave was given.

Choi Hyeong-woo, having gained nothing, left the room with a dazed expression.

“Tsk.”

And the face of Park Cheol-hyeong, the Hunter Head, looking at me, was even worse than before.

Regardless, the Division Director had been watching me with an amused expression for a while.

“Why do you think I called you here?”

“Is it because of the D-Rank Dungeon?”

“That’s right. How much do you know?”

I instinctively felt that I had to answer well.

This was a test of sorts.

A testing ground where I, as the face of the Association, could make a good impression on the representative of Ilseong.

“I only know that you intentionally fabricated the performance results.”

There was no reply.

He just kept watching me leisurely, like before.

He was telling me to reveal a little more.

But I had no intention of revealing my true thoughts.

Not before he revealed his first.

“I believe it was to give Team leader Kim Jeong-su an opportunity, since his recent performance has been good.”

“……”

“And you were also curious how I, who came from the Association, would react…”

“Are you interested in joining Ilseong?”

The Division Director cut me off and said.

So this was it.

“Didn’t you dislike me?”

“Me? Why would I dislike you?”

Because I didn’t… kill Im Seong-joon, but you might think I did.

“You’re not Head of department Han Seung-hoon, so why would I dislike you? You think too highly of yourself.”

“……”

“Anyway, are you interested in joining us?”

“What do you need me for?”

“I’ve been watching you for the past month, and it was interesting. I wondered how you managed to shape up those guys who were struggling with even E-Rank Dungeons.”

Is he giving me a disease and then the cure?

“So I became curious. What would happen if you were in charge of proper Hunters, not an E-Rank team.”

“…Is that all?”

Not because you’re curious about the Association’s corruption, but purely because you’re curious how Team leader Kim Jeong-su and the others grew so quickly?

Well, that’s thanks to the magic I learned in my past life.

But the Division Director, as if my reaction was suspicious, spoke in a dumbfounded tone.

“So it’s true you only handled paperwork at the Association. Do you know how much bone-breaking effort it takes for an Awakener to grow?”

The Division Director pushed a piece of paper toward me.

It was a document with rankings written on it.

Not the fake one on the intranet, but a document with the real performance results.

Team leader Kim Jeong-su’s name was, as I expected, ranked in the middle of the D-Rank tier.

“To be able to shape them up like this after just a month or two of dabbling. It’s too humble to say that’s all. It means that in your hands, even a low-level Awakener can become a useful person.”

“Thank you.”

I answered, feeling a bit awkward.

I’m grateful for the positive assessment, but this is a bit burdensome.

Well, it’s better than a murderous atmosphere.

I cautiously gauged the mood and brought up the words I had prepared.

“Division Director. Then if I join Ilseong, the relationship with the Association…”

“You’re asking if it can be restored to how it was?”

“Yes.”

“No. I don’t covet you that much.”

I expected it, but I was shot down flat.

Tsk.

As I was savoring the bitter taste, the Division Director spoke with a meaningful smile.

“Would you like to make a bet with me?”

“……?”

“If Team leader Kim Jeong-su’s team successfully raids the Hwaseong D-Rank Dungeon.”

If they do?

“I’ll do as you wish and make peace with the Association. What the hell, I’ll do it.”

Park Cheol-hyeong, who was next to him, frowned. It looked like he had a lot to say but was forcing himself to hold back because the person in front of him was the Division Director.

Even I found it strange.

Over a single D-Rank Dungeon?

Of course, its difficulty was extreme, but.

Why was he giving me this opportunity?

I looked at the Association President again and threw out the words that had been swirling in my mouth.

“What happens if we fail?”

“Then you’ll have to come work under me.”

Only after hearing the Division Director’s words did I understand. He was trying to kill two birds with one stone.

The chances of Kim Jeong-su raiding a D-Rank Dungeon were zero anyway.

He could leave the uncomfortable relationship with the Association as it is, and still take me.

In other words, this was a poisoned chalice to anyone who looked at it.

But the poison was so sweet, the problem was that my hand was reaching for it on its own.

I felt like an opportunity like this would never come again.

My deliberation was short. I had to drink this, even if I died.

“I’ll do it.”

---

I thought my mind would be a mess, but it was surprisingly clear.

Was it because I now had a clear goal?

Thanks to that, I was able to tell the team members calmly.

“The Hwaseong D-Rank Dungeon. We’re the ones going in.”

Of course, the reaction from Kim Jeong-su and the others was anything but calm.

For a few seconds, the team members showed no reaction, as if they had been hit by freezing magic.

“O-O-Oppa. I-Is that true?!”

Belatedly, Choi Soo-jung let out a shriek.

When I nodded, as expected, four beasts started screaming their heads off.

I watched the scene for a moment, then quietly slipped out.

When they asked where I was going, I made the excuse that I hadn’t slept all night.

No, it wasn’t an excuse.

I actually needed to sleep.

I flopped down on the simple bed inside the office.

The thoughts in my head began to surface one by one.

How am I supposed to get them to clear a D-Rank Dungeon?

Can I go in, too? But I’ve never even seen the inside of a Dungeon in my life. What help would I be? What if. The possibility is higher now, but what happens if we can’t clear the D-Rank Dungeon? Do I really have to join Ilseong?

I shook off the thoughts.

No matter what happened, there was nothing for me to lose.

Well, if it really comes down to it, what the hell, I’ll just change jobs.

My loyalty to the Association wasn’t that high, anyway.

If an envoy sent to an enemy nation applies for naturalization, well. The Association would think very poorly of me, but the Division Director would probably cover for me somehow.

However.

The fact that Han Seung-hoon came to mind at this particular moment was what felt unsettling.

As I was thinking that, my eyes slowly began to close.

It was then.

-Skill, Past Life Lucid Dream is cast!

Whoosh!

“…Your name is Ian?”