Toward the End (13)
Meanwhile, Nam In-cheol, the chief researcher at the Dungeon Research Laboratory, was staring at the monitor with a serious expression alongside his colleagues. The wavelength patterns of the predicted S-class dungeon location were moving strangely on the screen, resembling a fly losing strength and falling.
Until now, the wavelengths of S-class dungeons had never appeared like this. Most showed irregular patterns but generally trended upward, signaling the approaching emergence of a top-tier dungeon. However, this upcoming S-class dungeon was a little—no, considerably—abnormal.
Nam In-cheol’s pupils trembled intensely as he focused on the graph in the monitor. He had never seen such an erratic, unpredictable, and bizarrely downward-trending graph that almost made him laugh in disbelief. As the chief researcher at the Dungeon Research Laboratory who could recite from memory the graphs of overseas S-class dungeons, he had never encountered anything like this.
According to the current graph, the S-class dungeon that had thrown the nation into terror might not emerge at all. The wavelength seemed that weak. Of course, it would be wonderful if the S-class dungeon simply disappeared, but unfortunately, S-class dungeons had to manifest. The potential impact of an S-class dungeon’s wavelength disappearing without manifestation remained unknown territory.
Nam In-cheol thought it might be similar to a volcanic eruption. A volcano that remains quiet and composed past its expected eruption time without releasing sulfur gas was truly more frightening than one on the verge of explosion. If the S-class dungeon disappeared without manifesting, it could bring greater calamity in the future.
The sudden breaking of a consistently observed rule indicated a problem. And hadn’t there recently been an extraordinary incident where a boss in an A-class dungeon died on its own? There must be some connection with this graph.
He needed to inform the Ability Management Department quickly about the S-class dungeon’s increasingly unpredictable patterns. They couldn’t leave any possibility for the worst-case scenario.
Nam In-cheol grabbed his phone and headed out of the lab while the other researchers continued to observe the gently fluctuating wavelength graph.
* * *
After completing the desert-terrain dungeon conquest, the team members’ faces were filled with relief. They soon looked at Woo Jae-dam with anticipation. They were clearly excited to hear the Ability Management Department’s response about yesterday’s dinner party discussion, holding their breath.
Bearing the burden of their expectant gazes, Woo Jae-dam spoke with a gloomy expression.
“Well… I’m afraid that given the imminent manifestation of an S-class dungeon, a dinner party involving alcohol will be difficult.”
“Oh come on… the Ability Department is too rigid!”
“That’s what I’m saying! They’re so uptight! People need occasional breaks to stay motivated…”
Disappointed grumbling could be heard from various corners.
“What, did you think they’d say ‘You’ve all worked hard, so drink and have fun as much as you want’? Are you all naive or just complacent?”
“Exactly. Is this really the time for that?”
“Honestly. They act like they liked the idea too.”
Woo Jae-dam watched the team members bickering for a moment before adding:
“Still, they did approve a meal together.”
“That’s good! Where are we going?”
“I wasn’t expecting alcohol anyway. It’s a relief those uptight people at least allowed us to have a meal together.”
“Sigh, we’re just trying to make a living here.”
While some expressed disappointment about the lack of alcohol, most seemed satisfied with at least having a modest dinner together, smiling brightly.
“So when do we eat? Tonight?”
“I’ve already arranged a restaurant through the Ability Department. Those who want to join for dinner can stay here, and those who have other plans or want to rest can leave. It’s not mandatory, so decide what works best for you.”
When Woo Jae-dam kindly added this, someone raised a hand and asked:
“Will Esper Woo Jae-dam and Esper Myeong Si-yeong be joining us? You worked so hard leading the vanguard… You’re not thinking of not coming, are you?”
“Uh…”
“Ah…”
Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong exchanged glances with bewildered expressions, as if they hadn’t considered participating in the dinner beyond escorting the team to the venue. After awkwardly assessing the eager gazes of their team members, they nodded hesitantly.
“That’s right! You should join us! You worked the hardest, how could you not come?”
“Still, attendance isn’t mandatory, so feel free to decide…”
“Come on, what are you saying? We all struggled together, so we should all go together! Let’s taste the food the stingy Ability Department is paying for!”
Excited that even Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong—who seemed like they would be the most difficult to persuade—were joining, the team members clenched their fists, determined not to let a single person miss out. Because of this, Chae Do-min and Sa Hae-geon also ended up heading to the dinner venue, caught up in the atmosphere.
The dinner venue was a Korean restaurant near the Ability Department headquarters. The restaurant, famous for its elegant and high-quality table settings, warmly welcomed the ability users.
“Wow, seems like the Incompetent Department actually spent some money?”
“Well, they probably know how hard we work.”
“You think? I guess even though those Incompetent Department guys are annoying, they don’t completely neglect us.”
The Ability Department—officially the Ability User Management Headquarters—was as stingy with ability users as its name suggested. But that didn’t mean they provided no benefits at all. They occasionally arranged team dinners for morale-boosting or sent individual operation support funds. That was why ability users didn’t hate the Ability Department beyond a certain point, despite all their complaints.
“Wow…! This table is about to break from all the food!”
“Don’t exaggerate. Well, the spread isn’t bad. The rice looks well-cooked too.”
“But doesn’t the atmosphere feel like we’re meeting potential in-laws or about to have an important conversation? Don’t you think?”
“Good grief… Why so much talk in front of food? The meal is getting cold.”
Following Esper Lee Cheol-min’s criticism, the proper dinner began. Chae Do-min and Sa Hae-geon, sitting across from each other in the corner, glanced at each other before picking up their chopsticks.
“Hey, this place is good. Wow, delicious.”
“The seasoning of these vegetables is perfect. I heard getting vegetable seasoning right is the most difficult. Is that true?”
“Ah, I think I’ve heard that somewhere too.”
Praise erupted from all directions. Of course, the taste was guaranteed since it was a fairly famous restaurant near the Ability Department headquarters. The Ability Department wouldn’t have arranged just any restaurant. Thinking this, Chae Do-min picked up some bracken and put it in his mouth. Sa Hae-geon wasn’t eating, just staring intently at Chae Do-min chewing the bracken.
The vegetable seasoning was appropriate, as others had mentioned. But… it wasn’t quite worthy of the exclamations of amazing deliciousness. It was tasty, but something felt lacking to his palate.
It seemed he had become too accustomed to Sa Hae-geon’s cooking. The problem was that the other’s food had become his standard, raising his expectations for outside food that he would have previously enjoyed. And people naturally prefer familiar tastes, so perhaps his taste buds were simply responding sensitively to different flavors.
Chae Do-min glanced at Sa Hae-geon who was watching him eat, then picked up his phone and sent him a message. Soon Sa Hae-geon’s phone vibrated. He tilted his head curiously at Chae Do-min before checking the screen.
After confirming the message, Sa Hae-geon’s cheeks flushed red. Looking down shyly with a smile, he typed on his large phone screen. Shortly after, Chae Do-min’s phone briefly vibrated.
[Hae-geon] [Is there anything you want to eat when we get home?]
After pondering briefly, Chae Do-min replied.
[Hmm.. you?]
Sa Hae-geon’s face instantly turned crimson upon reading the reply. He rolled his eyes around before frantically moving his fingers. After repeatedly typing and erasing, the answer he finally sent was short.
[Hae-geon] [Me too]
Chae Do-min chuckled at the rather cute response and picked up his water glass to moisten his throat. Somehow his mouth felt completely dry. Did all lovers become addicted to intimacy like this, provoking and seducing each other?
Still, with the A-class dungeon conquest completed, they would have more free time starting tomorrow, so it seemed fine to spend as much time together with Sa Hae-geon as he wanted. As they exchanged loving glances, just as Chae Do-min was about to pick up his chopsticks again, he felt someone’s gaze from a diagonal direction.
Slightly turning to check, he saw Esper Yoon Seon-hoo observing him and Sa Hae-geon with a smiling face. Perhaps because of what Sa Hae-geon had told him before, the man’s gaze felt somehow unsettling. While Chae Do-min didn’t want to view him with prejudice for the sake of his brother Yoon Seon-ho, his instincts were telling him to be wary of the man.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
