A Certain Moment (4)
Even after discovering me, Hae-geon merely blinked as if he knew nothing and said nothing special. Speaking on his behalf, Jong-hyeok stepped forward and explained to the murmuring team members.
“As it happens, a C-grade dungeon that matches well with Hae-geon’s abilities has appeared. Though it’s a bit early, I was thinking of recommending it, and Hae-geon volunteered.”
“But even if it’s C-grade…”
“Seo-ju, who is an Esper with the same attribute, will go with him, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
Jin Seo-ju, an Esper belonging to Field Team 1, handled water like Hae-geon. With one year of experience in various field operations, she would be able to explain things well at Hae-geon’s level. Though I was clearly told not to worry, why did I still feel uneasy?
I followed Jong-hyeok as he left the office again. He didn’t seem surprised that I followed him, as if he’d expected it.
“Hyung.”
“Do-min.”
“Even if Seo-ju goes with him, isn’t it still a bit early? I think he could learn a bit more first.”
I was so flustered that I unconsciously used my casual speech pattern that I normally use in private.
“I thought you’d say that. But listen.”
Jong-hyeok leaned against the corridor wall and calmly explained to me.
“It’s a dungeon that’s good for utilizing water, so it’ll be a good experience for Hae-geon. Originally, Center Team 2 was assigned to this dungeon, but they gave up because even though it’s low-grade, it’s tricky to tackle due to that aspect. Since Seo-ju has the same attribute as Hae-geon, she’ll teach him well as they go.”
“…”
“And you’ll guide him well too.”
I unconsciously frowned at the sudden mention of me.
“Of course you’ll go with him. How could you miss Hae-geon’s debut dungeon? Go and guide him well.”
“Your explanation might even be better than most Espers’. Anyway, you’ll go, right?”
“…Hyung.”
“Then I’ll assume you’re going. I’ve already submitted the list thinking you’d go anyway. It’s tomorrow, so if you’re thinking of backing out, now is your last chance. Tell me quickly if you’re not going.”
It was completely unreasonable. But it was time to graduate from constantly coddling him as a newcomer who just arrived at the Center. Of course, I was still worried all the same.
While staying at the Center without going to dungeons was peaceful and nice, what could I do? I had to go along.
“I’ll go. Keep the list as it is.”
“I knew you would. Then I won’t modify the list. Do-min, you can’t back out now.”
With a grin, Jong-hyeok said he actually hadn’t submitted the list yet and dashed out of the corridor. Watching him leave, I sighed softly and opened the office door. Once again, the scene of team members engaged in heated discussion unfolded.
“No, first you should properly teach him how to set up a tent…”
“Shouldn’t you first tell him how bad the Center’s boxed lunches taste? At least let him mentally prepare.”
“No, no. That’s all wrong. You should first explain how to wash properly to feel refreshed and comfortable there, obviously.”
“Why are you all talking about such useless things? I thought someone would talk about how to track monster traces first, but nobody has?”
The topic seemed to be “sharing various tips for Hae-geon who will soon enter the dungeon.” …Probably. Actually, it was a bit ambiguous whether they were really sharing with Hae-geon because they were just focused on speaking their minds, not particularly concerned whether he was listening or not.
Hae-geon, who had slipped away from them after spotting me, stood beside me. He observed me cautiously and then firmly gripped my right index finger with his large hand. My tired face reflected in his worried eyes.
When I met his concerned gaze, strangely enough, I felt a tightness in my chest. It was a feeling I couldn’t quite express.
“Hyung…”
“Ah, umm. What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“What do you have to be sorry about? It’s fine. Lee Cheol-min Esper also said you learn best in the field, so this might actually be good.”
“Still… Are you angry?”
“Why would I be angry at you over something like this? I was just a bit surprised because it was sudden, but it’s fine. After all, I’ll be going with you anyway.”
At my words, Hae-geon’s eyes widened. It seemed he hadn’t heard from Jong-hyeok that I would be going along.
“Really? Really truly?”
“Yes. Really truly.”
Hae-geon’s hand gripping my index finger tightened. Glancing sideways, I could see the corners of his mouth curved up in a big smile.
Based on the briefing we received from Jong-hyeok about the dungeon conquest, Hae-geon and I discussed the dungeon at home. His eyes sparkled as he asked whether I had experience visiting similar dungeons, and how to actually set up a tent.
As I kindly answered each of his questions because he looked so cute, before I knew it, it was past 11 o’clock. If we were to depart early in the morning, we needed to go to bed now.
“It’s almost midnight. Let’s go to sleep quickly.”
“Yes. Good night, hyung.”
“Yeah, you too.”
I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep thinking about what happened last night, but as soon as I laid my head down, drowsiness came. Well, I didn’t sleep properly yesterday, so I couldn’t stay up again tonight.
And so, the next day. Hae-geon and I finished preparations by 7 AM and headed straight to the vicinity of Icheon City in Gyeonggi Province where the dungeon had appeared. Despite having slept only about six hours, Hae-geon at the wheel looked as fresh as if he’d had a full night’s sleep. In contrast, I was as limp as overripe kimchi.
As I kept yawning, Hae-geon spoke up.
“Hyung, get some sleep. We still have a ways to go.”
“How can I sleep while you’re driving?”
“You can. And I think I’d feel more comfortable if you slept.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. It would be better if you got even thirty more minutes of sleep.”
“I’ll try to sleep if I keep feeling drowsy. But are you okay?”
He blinked his eyes, seemingly trying to figure out what I meant, then asked.
“About what?”
“Well, it’s your first dungeon. Aren’t you nervous? Did you sleep well?”
“…Ah. I haven’t really thought about that.”
Hae-geon seemed to have quite thick nerves. How could he not be nervous? When I was about to enter my first dungeon, I was trembling… Thinking about the responsibility, nervousness, and pressure an Esper must feel when fighting at the forefront of a dungeon made my chest tight.
Hae-geon and I chatted for another thirty minutes as we drove, and soon we were able to park near the mountain where the dungeon had appeared. As soon as we got out of the car, the fresh morning air filled our lungs.
The team members who had arrived earlier on the Center bus waved their arms. Next to them stood two staff members from the Center’s conquest support team.
“Hey, you arrived around the same time as us! Come on over.”
“Ah, our youngest is already entering his first dungeon… I’m getting teary-eyed.”
“I wonder how envious the people who stayed at the Center must be.”
There were a total of seven team members selected for this dungeon conquest, excluding Hae-geon and me. Two offensive-type Espers, two defensive-type Espers, one healing-type Esper, and one Guide. Then us, Hae-geon and me.
It was quite a standard composition for conquering a low-grade dungeon. Usually, dungeons like this are often tackled with just three A-grade Espers and one Guide, but it seemed Jong-hyeok had paid special attention since it was Hae-geon’s first dungeon.
There’s no harm in approaching it like a high-grade dungeon. Is this why he said there was no need to worry?
“Alright, first we need to change clothes. Please take out the clothes and equipment.”
At Lee Cheol-min Esper’s words, the conquest support team staff began to move busily. They unloaded several pieces of luggage from the bus trunk and explained kindly, as if to a small child. It seemed like a tailored explanation aimed at Hae-geon, who was entering a dungeon for the first time.
“Espers and Guides must change into activity uniforms before entering the dungeon. If you go in wearing your current clothes, you could be injured by monsters or the dungeon’s ecosystem. The activity uniforms are made using by-products from dungeons…”
“Hey, that’s enough. You’re being unusually detailed today. Let’s skip the clothes and explain something else.”
“Yes. This is a tent made from by-products, a one-touch tent that doesn’t need complicated setup. Since it’s a C-grade dungeon, one day should be enough, but we always bring it just in case. And these are the boxed lunches and…”
The conquest support team’s explanation continued on. Meanwhile, Hae-geon changed clothes following our lead. The black activity uniform made of form-fitting material suited him well. I hadn’t felt any particular reaction when looking at other Espers, but Hae-geon looked somewhat different. Should I say he finally looked like a proper Esper?
Noticing that I was staring blankly at him, he curled up the corners of his mouth in a smile, and I belatedly came to my senses and pretended to look away.
Finally, the conquest support team finished their explanation and looked at us with backpacks packed with necessary items.
“Then shall we depart?”
“Alright, let’s go!”
Hae-geon and I followed Lee Cheol-min Esper, who was humming and leading the way. Being a C-grade dungeon, the gate size was only about as big as a small single-story building. When Hae-geon finally stood in front of the dungeon gate, he seemed moved by the experience and asked in a slightly dazed voice.
“This is… the dungeon gate?”
“Yes. It’s a bit small because it’s a C-grade dungeon, but this is the dungeon gate. The gate size differs depending on the dungeon grade.”
“I feel… strange. Am I really entering this place with you as an Esper?”
“Of course.”
Hae-geon swallowed dryly and quietly took my hand. I could feel a slight vibration from his large, cool hand. Was he trembling from nervousness, or excitement? Since he was someone with few expressions, it was difficult to discern his emotions.
Eventually, we entered the dungeon gate.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
