Toward the End (3)
The conquest support team moved around without rest, distributing protective equipment to everyone. After handing out the gear to all participants, they began briefing us on the dungeon information.
“This dungeon has similar wavelengths to one previously conquered in the United States. Therefore, we predict the environment will be similar as well. In the U.S. dungeon, the boss was a lizard with a volcanic crater on its back, and this dungeon might exhibit similar characteristics.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at the support team’s words.
“W-what… a crater? So we have to fight something that spews lava and gas?”
“Hey, are you an amateur? We have protective gear and shields, so what’s there to worry about?”
“Well, I’ve never had any connection with volcanic terrain before… This is my first time!”
As one Esper grumbled, Myeong Si-yeong replied with a look of disbelief.
“Even if it’s your first time, aren’t you being too scared from the start? What kind of Esper acts like that? Strange monsters appear in all dungeons.”
Myeong Si-yeong shook his head and began putting on his protective gear.
The full-body protective suit, which covered from head to toe, was essential equipment designed to protect the skin and organs from the volcano’s heat. I also put on the protective gear along with the others.
As we approached noon, the ground beneath our feet began to vibrate intermittently. The occasional gentle breeze suddenly became fierce, signaling the imminent creation of the dungeon gate. Sa Hae-geon stood in front of me, shielding me from the rough wind.
From behind him, I could barely open my eyes. Beyond my obstructed view, I saw the dungeon gate gradually forming. Sa Hae-geon must have noticed it too, as he clenched his fist. Soon, the wind subsided, and the vibrations from the ground diminished.
Cracks began writhing in a spot where nothing had been before, and then a large dungeon gate emerged. Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong, wearing helmets attached to their protective suits, took the lead.
“Let’s enter.”
“Yes!”
With a resounding response, those at the summit stepped into the dungeon one by one. Esper Lee Cheol-min also nodded for us to follow and jumped in. Sa Hae-geon and I were the last to enter the dungeon.
True to a volcanic terrain dungeon, as soon as we entered, we felt heat intense enough to melt our skin. Although I had considerable experience participating in volcanic terrain dungeon conquests, it was still an environment I could never get used to. If it felt this hot even with equipment on, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without the protective gear. Probably like our lungs burning with every breath.
Lava flowed like rivers throughout the dungeon. Vegetation burning from the high temperature emitted by the lava was soon swallowed by it, leaving no trace. I involuntarily shrank back at the brutal sight. Even with protective equipment, stepping on lava would have unpredictable consequences.
If even I, who had experienced volcanic terrain before, felt this way, how frightened must Sa Hae-geon be, for whom this environment was a first? Being an Esper doesn’t make one immune to all fears. However, I couldn’t see Sa Hae-geon’s expression through the protective gear. I tapped the back of his hand and asked:
“Are you okay? Not too hot?”
“I’m fine.”
Fortunately, Sa Hae-geon seemed okay. I thought that being an Esper who controlled water might give him an advantage in regulating body temperature.
“Still, don’t push yourself too hard.”
Sa Hae-geon nodded slightly at my words. Even the slightest movement made it hard to breathe in the intense heat. While Guides like us would be fine staying put at the base camp, I worried about the Espers who would have to move continuously without rest. Additionally, I was concerned because Sa Hae-geon only knew Esper Lee Cheol-min and Esper Yoon Seon-hoo among the present Espers.
Whether Sa Hae-geon understood my concerns or not, he seemed genuinely unaffected, so I decided to just trust him. I suddenly felt like I might be overprotecting him.
With these thoughts, we walked a bit further and came upon an area where vegetation grew abundantly. It seemed easier to breathe here, and the heat was much less intense. Woo Jae-dam must have felt the same way because after briefly examining the surroundings, he spoke:
“This looks good. Let’s make this our base camp.”
“Yes. No monsters detected moving nearby.”
A support team Esper also supported Woo Jae-dam’s opinion.
“Oh, excellent. This area is definitely much easier to breathe in than the others. Ah, finally I can feel alive again.”
People nodded in agreement and began setting up the base camp with the support team. As I tried to help with the tent and temporary shelter installation, Sa Hae-geon kept taking things from my hands almost forcibly. Seeing Sa Hae-geon being quite reliable and proactive, contrary to my worries, I couldn’t help but laugh.
After installing artifacts that blocked the hot air in the base camp, everyone could finally remove their stifling helmets. The Espers immediately gathered to discuss strategy without even taking a break.
Guides who weren’t directly involved in the strategy stood back and quietly listened to the conversation. However, the strategy I overheard seemed centered around Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong. This seemed completely different from what was discussed in yesterday’s meeting… If even I, a Guide, felt this way, how would the other Espers feel?
Sure enough, some Espers started voicing opinions similar to my thoughts.
“Wait a minute. Isn’t this too focused on just you two for a coordinated effort? This direction seems different from the strategy we planned yesterday.”
“Exactly. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. At this rate, we’ll be kicked out of the dungeon after just watching you two fight, let alone coordinating.”
“As others have mentioned, it seems unreasonable to say that all Espers are deployed optimally. This feels quite different from the strategy we previously discussed.”
“Right. Where did the strategy we planned in that meeting go? Why brief us with a plan focused on just you two? Why are you doing this in a conquest that’s supposed to be coordinated? Is it because of performance metrics?”
Sa Hae-geon wore a confused expression at the atmosphere, which was markedly different from when we were with Field Team 1 members. Understandably, since Sa Hae-geon had only conquered dungeons in harmonious atmospheres without concern for performance metrics, this situation would feel unfamiliar. Central Center Field Team 1’s atmosphere was quite unique.
Espers with little interest in performance metrics listened to the discussion with indifferent faces but quietly nodded in agreement with those expressing opinions about unfairness. Myeong Si-yeong, who had been quietly listening to their comments, calmly asked:
“So you’re dissatisfied because, according to the briefing, it seems like this dungeon conquest will be centered around me and Jae-dam hyung?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Why did the Ability Department call us and assign us to one team? It’s to coordinate with each other.”
“According to your new plan, this isn’t about coordination; it’s about watching two people show off their skills. That’s not the purpose of why we entered this dungeon.”
“I mean, wouldn’t it be fine to just go with the original plan? Why create this weird atmosphere before the conquest by making a new strategy between just the two of you without consulting everyone? Even if you came up with a new plan, you should have given us a heads-up first. No, actually, discussing it with us first would have been the proper order.”
More complaints from several Espers followed. Myeong Si-yeong, uncharacteristically calm, listened to the Espers’ comments before nodding and offering a clear conclusion:
“Then let’s focus on all of you. Jae-dam hyung and I won’t take the lead. Do you think we’re doing this because we lack performance metrics? We don’t care about metrics. Considering it’s a volcanic dungeon, we thought the difficulty was quite high and quickly changed the strategy, but if we knew it would cause this much conflict, we would have just proceeded with the original plan.”
“What? That’s not what we’re saying. We’re talking about cooperating for the conquest. Does that sound that offensive to you?”
“Right. What a strange conclusion. Who said we wanted to be the focus? I’m speechless… it’s absurd. Aren’t you being too immature? You tried to make it centered around yourselves, and now that we’re strongly objecting, you’re pretending to concede while actually trying to save face.”
The atmosphere heated up, and the tone of the conversation escalated. The Guides, including myself, watched the situation with bated breath. While we were prepared to step in if necessary, it was difficult for Guides, who weren’t familiar with the Espers’ strategies, to interfere carelessly. I swallowed a sigh as I watched Espers tightly clenching their fists. Sa Hae-geon also seemed troubled, stepping back with furrowed brows.
I had anticipated that things wouldn’t go smoothly, but I hadn’t expected conflicts to arise like this before the conquest even began, and it gave me a headache.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
