After finishing the press conference, the new Revengers spent some time bidding farewell to family and friends before arriving at Seokyoung's Arctic base in the evening via portal stone. Dungeons occasionally appeared in the Arctic as well, but other countries were too busy managing their own affairs, so Seokyoung established this base. In other words, the only organization managing the dungeons in the Arctic was Seokyoung.
The facility could comfortably accommodate around 300 raid hunters and 100 staff members, so they planned to stay the night there before quietly entering the Great Dungeon the following morning at 10 AM.
Yoon Seo stayed in a double room with Kwon Jihan. After Yoon Seo showered first, he lay on the bed and played with the blue bird, Riceball, while Kwon Jihan took his turn in the bathroom.
"I'll make sure you get plenty of blood starting tomorrow."
Beep.
"I'll be fighting with the
Beep.
The small bird flapped its wings, trying to peck at Yoon Seo's fingers with its beak. Yoon Seo teased it by extending his fingers, then retracting them, repeating the process. The bird chirped in a huffy manner as it sulked, making little beep sounds.
Even though it was essentially a dagger, its appearance and behavior were so cute that it captivated the hearts of the people who had been driven mad in that terrible place.
Yoon Seo knew all too well how much comfort that small, indestructible creature must have provided them.
In just 12 hours… they would be in the thick of battle against the monsters in the lava region.
Strictly speaking, Yoon Seo had only experienced the Great Dungeon once, yet he was already fed up with it.
"Ah, that feels good."
At that moment, the bathroom door opened, and Kwon Jihan emerged, drying his hair with a towel. Before Yoon Seo could respond, Riceball flew over to Kwon Jihan, chirping, "Beep, beep!"
"I just washed my hair, so it's damp."
Kwon Jihan caught Riceball with his hand as it tried to sit on his head and then approached Yoon Seo, placing the bird on his side. Yoon Seo was lying sideways with one arm propping up his head.
Kwon Jihan was wearing a white robe, which exposed his upper body.
Beep, beep.
As Riceball pecked at Yoon Seo's waist in annoyance, Yoon Seo was openly admiring Kwon Jihan's thick and sturdy torso. After drying off most of the water, Kwon Jihan tossed the towel into the laundry basket and sat down on Yoon Seo's bed.
"It's not that cold, even though we're in the Arctic. It feels like there's lava bubbling nearby. I feel like my pecs are going to burn from the heat. This global warming phenomenon is so serious, hyung."
"If you don't like it, then tighten your robe."
"No way. Enjoy the view."
Kwon Jihan opened his robe wider, and Yoon Seo enjoyed the view to his heart's content. His body was so solid that it looked like it could withstand any sword thrust. Small scars told the story of a difficult childhood.
Kwon Jihan smiled lazily as he looked at Yoon Seo and said.
"How about we play a game before we sleep?"
There were two brand-new computers in the room, so his suggestion made sense.
"Are you crazy? At this hour, we should be running tomorrow's strategy simulation."
"That's what the computers are for. Why are you so against it? Just one round. It's still early in the night."
"Don't you feel nervous with the Great Dungeon coming up?"
"Would you play if I said it's to relieve stress?"
"No."
"What if I said it was to keep from getting bored because I'm not nervous?"
"Even then, I won't. If you're bored, go to the training room and work on your stamina."
"I feel like I shouldn't criticize someone as righteous as you. Not playing a game before the Great Dungeon and instead working out? You're so diligent and proper."
Yoon Seo narrowed his eyes sharply.
"That's a truly insulting thing to say."
"Wanna play a game?"
Just as Yoon Seo was about to respond, he heard light footsteps running down the hallway, and Soo Jaehee knocked on the door.
"Hyungs, are you still awake? Can I come in?"
"Come in."
Yoon Seo replied. Soo Jaehee burst through the door.
"Everyone's gathered to watch the new Revenger special broadcast. Do you guys want to join—"
"Broadcast?"
"…"
"Hunter Soo Jaehee?"
Soo Jaehee's face quickly turned red, and he began to mumble, his lips trembling.
Soo Jaehee's eyes were filled with the sight of Yoon Seo, who was lying diagonally on the bed, and Kwon Jihan, who was almost bare, revealing his muscular body.
"Why did you stop speaking?"
"I was, um, that is, I—"
"Ah, Soo Jaehee. I was just about to play a round with hyung."
Kwon Jihan said with a mischievous smile. Soo Jaehee turned completely red.
"A-A round of what?"
"Well, it could turn into more than one round."
"M-More than one…."
Yoon Seo sat up.
"I never agreed to it."
"You were about to answer."
"I was going to say no."
"Ah, hyung. Once we enter the Great Dungeon, we won't be able to play for a while, so let's just do it."
Kwon Jihan shook his large body while playfully whining, and Soo Jaehee looked like he was about to explode. Yoon Seo sighed.
"Fine. If you really want to."
"Yay!"
"Hunter Soo Jaehee."
"Yes?"
Soo Jaehee jumped in surprise. Yoon Seo casually said.
"Since you're here, why don't you join us?"
"Huh?!"
"And if you know someone who's good, feel free to invite them too."
"I-I'm… I'm not like you dirty adults!"
Soo Jaehee shouted loudly and then ran out of the room.
His voice sounded filled with some kind of sorrow. Yoon Seo blinked in surprise and turned to Kwon Jihan.
Dirty adults? Is he disappointed that we're playing a game the day before entering the Great Dungeon?
"Why is he acting like that?"
"I don't know."
Kwon Jihan shrugged, then stood up and turned on both computers.
Yoon Seo also placed Riceball, who had been curled up on his waist, down on the bed and sat in front of the desk. He never thought he'd be entering the Great Dungeon again, let alone playing a game the day before.
However, it might be a good way to relieve some tension.
Yoon Seo, being quite fond of Kwon Jihan, even started to think that maybe Kwon Jihan had suggested this deliberately to help ease his nerves.
***
October 14 at 9 AM, an S-rank Red-Black Portal appeared.
It was located thirty minutes away from the Arctic Base. The new Revengers and other personnel already preparing at the base headed straight to the site.
In front of hundreds of challengers, the red and black portal flickered ominously. The dark red color emanated an indescribable sense of pressure that was far more foreboding than the red portal.
The World Hunter Federation and various hunter organizations, including the Seokyoung Guild, quickly set up base camps. Inside each organization's tent, the leaders encouraged their respective Revengers.
The hunters from the Seokyoung Guild were also gathered inside their tent, with 98 out of 300 members belonging to Seokyoung.
Yoon Seo wore clothing covered with numerous pockets and a mask on his face. Seokyoung item production department had created the outfit and mask for him; the clothing would automatically dissipate any bloodstains, while the mask featured voice modulation.
As Yoon Seo stood next to Kwon Jihan, both those who knew Yoon Seo was Seo Chaeyoon and those who didn't were glancing at him instead of focusing on their guild master's encouragement.
'Wearing this mask was a good idea.'
He had planned to remove the mask once they entered the dungeon, but if the intense stares continued, it might be better to keep it on.
Yoo Juncheol finished encouraging his guild members early and sent them out. The new Revengers, now free, began to warm up in front of the red-black portal. Some prayed, some made phone calls, and others simply stood still, gazing into the portal.
Among the last arrivals was Hwashim, his eyes were filled with a sense of melancholy, as if he were watching the last sunset of his life.
'It feels like he was dragged here rather than volunteering.'
Yoon Seo, who had caught a glimpse through the gap in the tent, shook his head and closed the tent. He planned to stay inside until it was time to go out; the attention on him would be too overwhelming once he stepped outside.
Aside from Yoon Seo, Kwon Jihan and most of the Perfect team were also inside the tent. Alec and Do Deungsoo were engaged in a conversation with Yoo Juncheol, while the couple clung to each other as usual. The team leader of Team 2 and Park Soobin were reviewing their strategies.
Although everyone was internally tense, they were putting on a brave face. The youngest among them, Soo Jaehee, was the exception, nervously shaking his legs and displaying his anxiety openly.
"Ugh, man. I'm so nervous. This is driving me crazy. Aaaah! Hong hyung, aren't you nervous?"
"It's not like it's our first time in a dungeon. Why would I be?"
"That's so impressive. Can you get me some Cheongsimhwan?"
(note: cheongsimhwan is a traditional Korean herbal medicine for calming anxiety)
"Sure. Here you go."
"This is yogurt, though?"
"Oh, my bad. Here it is."
"Hyung, this is Bacchus."
(note: bacchus is a popular South Korean energy drink)
"Ah, right. Here it is."
"This is Ferrero Rocher."
"Ahhhh, here it is."
"..."
Soo Jaehee, who had received a mini free time, sighed. Park Soobin chuckled briefly and went to get some Cheongsimhwan, handing one to everyone. Hong Euiyoon, who was more nervous than anyone else, trembled as he quickly took one and swallowed it.
"Yoon Seo, you should have one too."
"Thank you."
Yoon Seo tucked the Cheongsimhwan into his front pocket.
'It's not like I'm that nervous.'
Could it be because he played a game yesterday?
Even in front of the Great Dungeon portal, he didn't feel any signs of panic; In fact, the waiting was a little boring. Yoon Seo fidgeted with the dagger at his waist, contemplating whether to transform Riceball into an animal.
Kwon Jihan, who had been quietly observing Yoon Seo, decided that he didn't need water and put his water bottle back into his inventory.
"Hyung."
Kwon Jihan called out to Yoon Seo.
"Yeah?"
"Have you greeted the people from the Guild of Leaves?"
"I told them yesterday that I wouldn't be able to contact them for a while due to the dungeon expedition."
"What about Sticky Rice?"
"It went into sleep mode."
"Alright. Then, can I read your profile?"
"..."
The tent fell silent.
Alex, Yoo Juncheol, Do Deungsoo, the couple who were acting lovey-dovey, Soo Jaehee who was swallowing his second Cheongsimhwan, Hong Euiyoon, the team leader of Team 2, and Park Soobin, who were in the middle of a tactical discussion—all eyes were on the two of them.
Yoon Seo had currently changed his system profile's name to Seo Chaeyoon using the skill
Everyone must be dying to see it.
Seo Chaeyoon's real profile.
If it were someone else asking, he would have frowned, but he couldn't do that with Kwon Jihan. How could he possibly scowl at those bright, shining eyes?
Yoon Seo sighed and nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Thanks."
'Kwon Jihan' is using the skill
'Kwon Jihan' is viewing your system profile.