CHAPTER 12
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Our gazes locked briefly, an unspoken understanding flickering between us. I stifled a laugh and beckoned Hyun Oh, the hunter, to join us.
"Just as we're about to order lunch, why not join us? Any particular dish you fancy?"
"Oh, no, I merely stopped by to greet you. I should be leaving now."
Hyun Oh appeared almost on edge, poised as though ready to make a swift exit. I gestured again, insistent, implying it would be remiss to let him depart after his kind gesture.
Director Yoon, standing by his side, echoed my invitation. "Don't hold back; come join us. It's only fitting after your kind visit. If you're free, let's share a meal."
"Well, if it's not too much trouble... I'll join you, then." Hyun Oh acquiesced with a hesitant nod and trailed behind us.
Picking up my shopping bag, I led the way to the reception area's waiting zone.
Reaching a waiting area adorned with a round glass table, I set my bag down, while Director Yoon took a seat opposite me. Hyun Oh, attempting to fit his large build into a limited space, looked around uneasily.
From our first meeting, I had perceived Hyun Oh as somewhat introverted and bashful. Eager to ease the atmosphere, I initiated a conversation about the meal.
"What's your preference for lunch?" I inquired.
"I'm easygoing with food; I'll eat whatever's available." Hyun Oh, still emanating a sense of rigidity, sat up straight and responded in a formal, almost militaristic tone, as if addressing a superior officer.
Aiming to relax him, I offered a warm smile and gently patted his arm. Our eyes met inadvertently, an unexpected connection sparking in that moment.
Feeling the intensity of the gaze upon me, I reflexively lifted my hand to my cheek, trying to mask the growing discomfort. Thankfully, Director Yoon's action of pulling out her phone to make a call provided a much-needed diversion from the burgeoning awkwardness.
...What was that moment about?
"Since Seonwoo is likely picking up the tab today, go ahead and choose something lavish. You're now a part of the Yeolmu Guild, so it's only fair he treats. Right, Seonwoo?"
"Ah, yes," I replied with a light chuckle, playing along. "Please, order to your heart's content. I'm open to anything."
I observed Director Yoon browsing through delivery options on her phone. Turning back to Hyun Oh, I prepared to inquire once more about his meal preference.
Hyun Oh, previously absorbed in his thoughts, seemed taken aback yet again, licking his lips nervously.
"Yeolmu Guild?" he queried.
"Yes, it's a temporary arrangement. I've shut down my clinic for now to join them," I explained.
"I see. Congratulations on joining the Yeolmu Guild."
"Thank you. But remember, it's just temporary. I might return to my clinic soon."
"Nonetheless, congratulations."
As Hyun Oh offered his well-wishes, a subtle smile played on his lips, yet his expression seemed somewhat clouded.
Is he uncomfortable with the Yeolmu Guild?
Pondering over his distant demeanor, I was suddenly pulled back by Director Yoon's stern gaze. She looked at me intently, her eyes narrowing, which made me instinctively tense up.
"You never mentioned reopening your clinic!" she exclaimed.
I laughed nervously, feeling cornered by her sharp tone, and raised my hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "The future's unpredictable. I can't leave our esteemed Director Yoon in the lurch with uncertainties."
"But if you do reopen the clinic, will you call me?" she asked, her tone softening slightly.
"Of course. If I restart, you'll be the first to know. I'd be lost without you."
I put on an exaggeratedly distressed look, pleading with my eyes, which finally seemed to mollify Director Yoon. She resumed scrolling through the menu. But just then, an all too familiar notification popped up, obstructing my view with its countdown.
Recognizing the familiar countdown of the Servant Summon skill, my frustration boiled over.
"Damn it...!"
"Yes?" Director Yoon's voice was tinged with confusion.
"Seonwoo?" Hyun Oh, the hunter, echoed, equally puzzled.
My outburst had clearly caught both Director Yoon and Hyun Oh off guard. But before any further questions could be asked, my world shifted dramatically. My vision blurred, contorting as if disrupted by static, the familiar sounds of the office fading away. Suddenly, I found myself tumbling backward, landing unceremoniously on my backside.
"Ugh, damn it!"
Cursing under my breath, I massaged my sore buttocks, taking in my new surroundings. I was back in the same office I had visited a week prior. Slumped on the couch, Jehee lay like a ragdoll, while Greenie, his guardian, offered me a sympathetic glance.
Frustration bubbled within me.
"What's going on all of a sudden?"
Jehee, nonchalant as ever, beckoned me inside. "I called you to discuss something. You can stay on the floor if you prefer it to the couch."
His flippant attitude irked me.
He had summoned me abruptly, showing no regard for my situation. My fist clenched in anger, but noticing Greenie's icy gaze on my tightened hand, I quickly relaxed it and wiped it on my pants.
I reminded myself of the stakes—one life, one chance. Sometimes, survival meant swallowing pride.
"How many times must I remind you that the floor isn't my preferred spot?"
I managed to curb my annoyance, moving reluctantly to a couch across from Jehee.
Until now, Jehee had been lying with his eyes shut, seemingly disinterested. But as I settled, his eyes opened, meeting mine. They were dark, piercing, devoid of any humor.
"You seem particularly irate today."
As I typed a quick message to Director Yoon, likely concerned by my sudden disappearance, Jehee's voice sliced through my focus.
"You ought to manage your 'life' better instead of complaining to me. Isn't that part of our agreement?"
His words halted my fingers mid-text.
What's happening here? Jehee isn't quite himself today.
My instincts, sharp as ever, were signaling a warning. There was something off about Jehee's demeanor, urging me not to rile him up. It was a gut feeling, a survival instinct kicking in.
"I should have everything sorted by week's end," I said, trying to maintain a neutral tone. "But why the summons? Is there a problem?"
After sending the message, I slipped the phone back into my pocket. As I did, my wristwatch clinked against the fabric—a timepiece I'd held onto, unable to part with it on the second-hand market.
I took a breath, bracing myself for whatever Jehee had in store, a mixture of caution and curiosity guiding my approach.
Jehee's gaze lingered on my watch with an unreadable expression before he signaled to the green-haired man, who obediently lowered the document he was holding, offering me a clear view.
"Take a look. This is the reason for your summoning."
Intrigued, I reached for the document on the table, scanning from the top. It detailed a new C-rank dungeon's emergence in the northern part of the city.
Nowon, maybe? Considering the Yeolmu Guild's location near University Road, it was a fair distance away.
I recalled from my first month in this world that, following the Outbreak's end, Seoul's dungeons were divided into five regions. The Yeolmu Guild managed the north, Neon Tetra the east, the Union handled the west, the south was left to smaller guilds, and the central region was government-controlled.
A new C-rank dungeon in the north meant the Yeolmu Guild had the responsibility to clear and manage it.
But why share this with me?
"It appears to be a report on a newly discovered C-rank dungeon," I remarked.
"You're quick to grasp," Jehee responded.
"But why am I looking at this?" I frowned, puzzled.
Jehee leaned back, his usually pale complexion appearing even more ashen, as if he were in pain.
Is he suffering from something?
As I observed him, puzzled, he abruptly spoke, his usual irritation evident in his tone.
"Considering your woeful stats, I thought some improvement was necessary. If we continue journeying together, higher-ranked dungeons will be inevitable. What if you perish from a single monster strike? Level up a bit before that happens."
His point, albeit valid, was delivered with his characteristic irksomeness.
"So, you're suggesting I venture into this dungeon?"
"Yes."
"Today?"
"Why not tomorrow? It's only a C-rank dungeon."
His nonchalance was grating.
To him, C-rank might be trivial, but for me, it's a serious matter. I can't just dive in unprepared; my life is at stake.