"Even if we were only ten years old ten years ago, we know how terrifying the Great Dungeon is. But any raid hunter would have the determination and sense of duty to tackle the S-Class Red-Black Dungeon. If they were afraid of death, they wouldn't have been able to live as hunters in the first place. To be honest, we registered for this dungeon knowing we might die because of you two."
Their gazes were resolute, and their tones were firm.
They had registered for this dungeon knowing they might die.
Yoon Seo felt a sudden heaviness in his chest. Why were all hunters like this? Even for a dungeon like this, they were prepared for death, yet why, for goodness' sake, were they willing to sign up as S-Class Red-Black Hunters?
What was so important about that sense of duty?
While feeling angry and frustrated, Kwon Jihan placed a comforting hand on Yoon Seo's shoulder and spoke to the hunters.
"The Great Dungeon isn't the only dungeon out there. While the New Revengers go in, A-Class and S-Class dungeons will continue to appear outside, and there might even be Red Portals among them. The outside is actually dangerous too, just like it was ten years ago."
Kwon Jihan calmly persuaded the passionate young hunters.
"Think about it. The reason Lee Seokyoung didn't enter the Great Dungeon ten years ago was to prevent our home, Earth, from being left unprotected. Even if all 1,203 Revengers had survived and cleared the Great Dungeon, there wouldn't have been a place to return to."
As Kwon Jihan said, Lee Seokyoung, the first guild master of the Seokyoung Guild and the most significant contributor to human history, fought with a few companions to protect Earth while 90% of high-ranked hunters entered the Great Dungeon. He defeated three S-Class dungeons, but upon entering the fourth S-Class dungeon, he failed to clear it, resulting in his demise and the explosion of the dungeon.
"No one would say that Lee Seokyoung's death outside is less valuable than the deaths of the Revengers. You all claim to be prepared for death? Then while the New Revengers tackle the Great Dungeon, you can do your part here, just like Lee Seokyoung. The final judgment is yours to make."
"..."
The faces of the young hunters grew serious as if they realized something.
With Kwon Jihan saying this, Yoon Seo couldn't even get angry and tell them to cherish their lives.
The troubled hunters bid farewell and left. As they distanced themselves, Kwon Jihan glanced back at Yoon Seo and chuckled.
"Hey, Riceball, look at your owner's face. It's fierce."
Piyu.
Riceball clung tightly to Kwon Jihan's neck and stared at Yoon Seo with round eyes. Yoon Seo's expression was emotionless, but the atmosphere he radiated was intense.
Yoon Seo felt genuinely frustrated. What on earth was this sense of duty? Did that sense of duty put food on the table? Was justice and a sense of duty more important than survival? Wasn't surviving the most crucial thing?
Why were all the Awakened like this?
As he pondered in frustration, he actually knew the answer.
They understood that survival—staying alive—was the most important thing. That was why they were willing to throw themselves into the Great Dungeon. For the sake of the civilians' survival.
So, who would take responsibility for the survival of the Awakened?
Who would protect the heroes?
"Riceball. Start being cute for hyung."
Piyu?
"Go on, charm him quickly."
Kwon Jihan removed the lizard and placed it on Yoon Seo's right arm. Riceball, having returned to its owner, burrowed into his clothes. As Yoon Seo felt the tickling on his forearm and looked ahead, Kwon Jihan was smiling sweetly.
"...."
Who's really protecting this guy…?
Yoon Seo sighed.
***
Since Yoon Seo arrived in Kwon Jihan's car, he also got a ride home. Just as he was about to open the door and get out, Kwon Jihan called out to him. Startled, he turned back to see Kwon Jihan with a pleading look on his face, eyebrows raised in a very manly way.
"Can I sleep over at your place tonight?"
"What did you say?"
Piyu.
"Look, Riceball wants to sleep with me too. Right? Besides, we have to go to the S-rank yellow dungeon together tomorrow, so just let me stay over. I'll cook something delicious. It's dinner time, after all. Hyung, Jihan is hungry."
Kwon Jihan pouted, his large frame leaning against Yoon Seo's shoulder. Yoon Seo turned away quickly, trying to suppress a smile that was creeping up on his face.
"It's difficult when you suddenly ask to stay over like this. I only have one pair of pajamas at home, and I don't have any food."
"Just buy some! I saw a grocery store nearby; can't we go there?"
"Let's just go grocery shopping first."
Kwon Jihan laughed. So, with masks and hats on, the two headed to the large supermarket.
The supermarket was crowded, just as it should be on a Friday evening. Items were neatly displayed on the shelves, and the shoppers wore peaceful expressions.
"Hey babe, they say the Great Dungeon is appearing, so shouldn't we stock up on water and ramen?"
"Should we? Maybe we should buy a gas burner too. How about we get some camping gear while we're at it?"
"Let's do it! I heard indoor camping is trendy these days. It's all about the atmosphere."
A couple chatting in front of them headed toward the camping section.
They were aware of the Great Dungeon's emergence but weren't overly fearful; they seemed relaxed. It was so different from ten years ago.
"Is there meat at your place?"
"We have meat, vegetables, and all kinds of fish, but it's in small quantities. We'll need to buy more for the two of us."
"Oh, you've got a variety! How surprising…"
Kwon Jihan trailed off.
Yoon Seo looked up, puzzled, only to meet Kwon Jihan's deep gray eyes.
"It was a will, after all."
Kwon Jihan let out a short sigh and then suddenly cursed. A swirl of complex emotions passed briefly through him.
"Why does thinking about the will make me want to cry?"
"...."
Yoon Seo remained silent.
After gathering himself, Kwon Jihan said.
"Let's start by picking out some vegetables."
Yoon Seo pushed the cart towards the vegetable section. Everyone around was sneaking glances at Kwon Jihan.
What does it matter if he wears a mask and a hat? Just his presence draws so much attention. A physique of 194 cm is not something you see every day.
Yoon Seo stood close to Kwon Jihan, feeling strangely proud. Kwon Jihan extended his arm towards Yoon Seo.
"Wanna link arms?"
"Are you crazy?"
"No, it's just that there are so many people. What if I get lost?"
"Stop talking nonsense and put some vegetables in the cart."
Kwon Jihan chuckled as he started shopping.
Yoon Seo didn't touch anything but watched as Kwon Jihan filled the cart with various items. His confident movements suggested he had already planned out some dishes. Yoon Seo was already drooling in anticipation of what delicious meal he would make this time.
Beep, beep, beep!
Riceball, who was exploring the crowded mart on Yoon Seo's shoulder, clung to Yoon Seo's clothes and shouted.
"What's wrong, Riceball?"
Beep!
Riceball's blue eyes sparkled like jewels. The lizard's gaze was directed toward the toy section.
"I guess I should buy a toy for our Riceball."
Kwon Jihan pushed the cart.
Among the toys, Riceball showed particular enthusiasm for the toy swords. Although they were meant for kids and seemed like long swords to them, they were more like daggers for adults, and conveniently, they resembled Riceball's shape. The sight of the black lizard clinging to the sword box and making beeping sounds was both adorable and pitiful. After placing a toy sword in the cart, Kwon Jihan pretended to wipe away tears.
"Oh no, our Riceball must have been lonely. It seems like he wants to make a friend. Hyung, let's go to the black market and find a pretty, handsome dagger to be Riceball's friend."
"That would be nice. I'm not sure if there's a shape-shifting weapon item like Riceball, though."
"True, I haven't seen anything like Riceball. There are shape-shifting items among C-rank or lower, but those don't have a consciousness like Riceball. Such ego swords have never appeared even in the VVIP shop inside dungeons."
"Is that black sword you're currently using from the VVIP shop?"
"No, it was made by the Seokyoung item production department. I haven't bought any weapons from shops."
"Then what do you usually buy?"
"I expanded my inventory slots."
"Oh… I see."
Now that he thought about it, Kwon Jihan had mentioned this last time too.
"I probably have the largest inventory among all awakeners."
Yoon Seo now understood the reason behind it.
"So that's because of 'that operation.'"
"Exactly. As the space increases, the experience required to expand it grows astronomically. I heard the next level of my inventory requires 100 billion experience points."
"That's nearly impossible to achieve."
Yoon Seo clicked his tongue, recalling his experience points. Out of 13.2 billion, about 10 billion would likely be from the Great Dungeon. If he could clear the Great Dungeon once a year, he might be able to accumulate 100 billion in ten years. It was practically impossible.
"Right. I've already increased what I need, so I've just given up on the next stage. Hyung, they're starting to sample the donggureung-tteok over there. If it tastes good, let's buy some."
"It'll definitely be delicious. Let's buy some and try it."
Yoon Seo's eyes sparkled. He looked just like Riceball when he saw a toy sword, which made Kwon Jihan chuckle softly.
***
When Yoon Seo came out of the shower, Kwon Jihan had already set up cans of beer and snacks on the table, and the TV screen was ready with episode 31 of "Love in Han River," which they planned to rewatch. Kwon Jihan, dressed in navy pajamas, looked at Yoon Seo and patted the seat next to him.
"Hyung, come here. I'll help you dry your hair."
"Kwon Jihan, your shower speed is ridiculously fast. Are you washing thoroughly?"
"I've just gotten used to washing quickly. I'm a clean person. Especially since I'm at your place, I made sure to scrub everywhere. Want to check?"
"If you don't take those dirty hands off right now, Riceball won't let you hold him."
When Kwon Jihan placed his hands on his pants, Yoon Seo warned him sharply.
"Okay, okay. Look. I took my hands off. I can't not hold Riceball. Right, Riceball?"
Beep, beep.
The black lizard peeked its head out from Kwon Jihan's wrist and let out small beeping sounds. Riceball usually took on a bird form, but for the past few days, it had been maintaining its lizard appearance, indicating that it seemed to quite like this form. Moreover, the way it clung to Kwon Jihan's neck, wrist, and head showed that it really liked him a lot.