The End of the Path We’ve Walked (7)
Fortunately, the wolf monster’s corpse disappeared quickly, and shortly after, Sa Hae-geon’s hand that had been blocking my view lowered.
“Let’s move. We need to set up the base camp as quickly as possible.”
At Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung’s words, who had been carefully observing where the wolves had appeared, everyone promptly formed a marching formation. The Guides, including myself, and healing Espers stood in the center of the formation, following those who moved ahead.
Unlike other dungeons, S-class dungeons had no similar structures, and there wasn’t much information available about them. Since the occurrence rate itself was lower compared to other grade dungeons, there were no clear statistics. Still, the support team’s tablets provided considerable help. Thanks to the function on the tablets that read the wavelengths of living beings in the dungeon, it was easy to grasp how many monsters there were and where they were mainly gathered.
The base camp location was also selected with the tablet’s reference. No matter where we chose as our base camp, we couldn’t feel fully at ease unlike in other dungeons, but fortunately, we had the artifact that would provide the safest base camp possible. Without the artifact, it’s unimaginable how difficult and bleak this conquest would have been.
Everyone’s senses became heightened as we passed through the forest path where the darkness was so dense that visibility was poor. Whenever rustling sounds were heard, several Espers quickly shone their flashlights in that direction. Most of the time, nothing was visible because the sounds were just from clothes or shoes brushing against each other.
In the end, we had no choice but to trust the tablet and move accordingly.
“Why is it so eerie? It feels like we came for a horror experience.”
“Let’s just bear with it a little more, since the environment will change after we defeat the boss.”
The Espers chatted as they walked. Based on the monster distribution within the dungeon identified by the tablet, the base camp installation site was chosen to be on the right side of the gate. Monsters were swarming in all other directions, but no other monster movements were visible on the right side, the position from which the wolf monsters had come. It seemed like all the wolf monsters that had been staying in the right area had rushed toward us.
After passing through the long, dim forest path, a small clearing appeared. It was a sufficient size for installing the artifact. At Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung’s instruction, the support team Espers moved busily. When the white door became visible again, the raid team members showed noticeable signs of relief.
The tension seemed to ease just from having a place to rest securely. We entered the accommodations with Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung. There were three issues with proceeding with the dungeon conquest immediately. The first issue was that the dungeon’s environment was completely different from what was expected; the second was that the dungeon was excessively dark; and lastly, quite a few team members were feeling fear due to the dungeon’s completely different aspects from what had been prepared.
Noticing this, Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung appeared to be thinking of re-planning the conquest route and plan, albeit briefly, to boost morale. Whether it would succeed was uncertain.
We headed to the conference room attached to the accommodations. Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung stood in front of a large whiteboard and looked at us. She spoke as if comforting us, seemingly knowing what we were all worried about.
“Despite the unexpected events, if we respond calmly, we can certainly overcome them.”
However, the Espers didn’t seem to agree with Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung. While the wolf monsters that had rushed at us upon entry were easily dealt with, as it was just the beginning, they didn’t seem confident about the monsters they would face afterward.
I whispered to Sa Hae-geon who was sitting next to me.
“How were those monsters earlier? Did they seem strong?”
Although Sa Hae-geon hadn’t directly confronted the monsters, there must be some vague sense of power he could feel. Sa Hae-geon shrugged and answered.
“From what I felt, they were just like monsters encountered in A-class dungeons.”
“Oh, you felt that way too? I felt something similar. Not much different from monsters in A-class dungeons, right? Just seemed manageable? I wonder if it gets harder as we go deeper?”
Hwang Ji-hyun the Esper naturally joined in on my conversation with Sa Hae-geon.
“Why are you butting in when the two of them are talking?”
Lee Seong-rok the Esper scolded Hwang Ji-hyun the Esper and shook his head.
“My goodness. And what about you? Why don’t you focus on listening to the meeting?”
“You should be listening to the meeting too, noona.”
As the voices of Hwang Ji-hyun the Esper and Lee Seong-rok the Esper grew a bit louder, Jong-hyeok hyung frowned and spoke in a low voice.
“Both of you, be quiet.”
While we momentarily lost focus on the meeting, an Esper from the Southern Center raised his hand and asked.
“What happens if after conquering the forest-type dungeon, we encounter a dungeon environment completely different from what we expected? Will that be okay?”
Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung swallowed a sigh with slightly downcast eyes before speaking.
“Nothing can be certain. The plans made outside, the expected progression of the dungeon from the Dungeon Research Institute – we should consider them all as having gone up in smoke. I don’t intend to deny that fact.”
“Oh my goodness…”
“But we can’t just give up here. So, dealing with monsters one by one, carefully based on the information confirmed by the tablet, is the only way to conquer this dungeon. I know you’re all very anxious, but I need the cooperation of all team members.”
With Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung’s words, only silence filled the conference room. Up until yesterday at the parking lot, most people had cheered at Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung’s words, but as the situation changed, everyone seemed to have a lot on their minds.
At that moment, someone started clapping. Those seated looked around to find who was applauding. They hesitated when their eyes met Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper with his smiling face.
“The Deputy Minister is right. We have to finish this somehow. Isn’t that why we risked our lives entering this S-class dungeon?”
Everyone looked at Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper in bewilderment, as he seemed to simply enjoy this situation, but he continued to applaud generously toward Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung, regardless of their gazes.
Immediately after the meeting ended, everyone prepared except for the Guides and healing Espers who had to remain at the base camp for safety, and a few attack-type Espers who stayed behind for any unforeseen situations. Sa Hae-geon was also among those leaving the accommodations.
“I’ll be back.”
“Come back safely. Don’t overdo it.”
Sa Hae-geon, who nodded, joined the still somewhat disorganized formation. As many others were also exchanging farewells, we were able to avoid unnecessary attention. Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper and three or four other mental-type Espers were also part of the group waiting at the accommodations. This was decided under Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung’s judgment that there would be no immediate battles requiring mental-type Espers.
After several exchanges of advice to be careful and not get hurt between those who were close, Deputy Minister Han Yoon-jung and the Espers finally left the accommodations. There had been much resistance after the meeting until they left, but the Espers’ expressions were resolute as if nothing had happened. It seemed they had agreed because the Deputy Minister was moving with them.
I watched the door of the accommodations close and then went to the large window next to it. I could see team members talking outside.
The Deputy Minister had said it was a space separated from Earth like a dungeon, but to me, it felt more like a hidden space. Since Sa Hae-geon, who usually noticed my gaze, showed no reaction, this thought was further reinforced.
Although we were in the same space, only those in the accommodations could unilaterally see outside; from the outside, they couldn’t see in. As if the spaces were separated.
If that’s the case, could the dungeon be similar? Due to my mixed feelings, all sorts of thoughts kept following one after another.
“Guide Chae Do-min.”
At that moment, Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper approached me. For someone like me who wasn’t good with words, dealing with an unfamiliar, particularly uncomfortable person was somewhat challenging. I tried hard not to show it as I looked at him. Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper asked with a smiling face.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just… looking outside.”
“It’s such a fascinating item, this artifact. Isn’t it amazing that it can be processed and used like this?”
“Yes, it is…”
As I nodded and agreed, Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper smiled, raising the corners of his mouth. He stood very close to me and looked at exactly what I was looking at. The team members who had been conversing outside had already left, so nothing was visible except the dark forest.
Realizing this fact, I momentarily felt relieved. But why? Why did I feel relieved? Even if he was an uncomfortable and unsettling person, he was still a team member…
While I was quietly thinking, Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper suddenly brought his face close and asked.
“Aren’t you excited?”
“Pardon? About what?”
“This dungeon.”
“Ah…”
“What do you think will happen here? I’m so excited about that. I’m also curious about what others think.”
Yoon Seon-hoo the Esper muttered as if he were enjoying himself.
“…I see.”
While I answered so he wouldn’t feel awkward, I couldn’t stop thinking that the mental-type Espers’ way of thinking was truly unfathomable.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
