The weekend arrived without incident.
Seong Si-woo has been quieter since that day.
He also looked as if he had a lot on his mind. I hope he sorts things out soon.
[A report regarding Mr. Jung Hae-in has been received.]
A reply regarding the report also arrived. In reality, it’s highly likely that no significant measures will be taken. Schools often know about such loopholes but tend to keep quiet about them.
However, that wasn’t what needed attention now.
In this world, there is a marketplace used by heroes. It is called ‘Auction’.
At Auction, almost every type of item is sold, from monster byproducts to equipment, elixirs, manuals, and more. However, what I’m looking for today isn’t such items.
‘Dungeon’
Auction has a separate tab just for dungeons.
Once a dungeon is discovered, the first person to report it to the guild is granted immediate rights to it.
Thus, one could either directly venture into the dungeon,
[Goblin Den]
[Location: Jeongseon, Gangwon-do]
[Seller’s Description: A standard goblin dungeon.]
[Price: 57,000,000 KRW]
Or, as shown, sell the dungeon’s right to be ventured.
However, one might think the price is low, but in reality, this dungeon is practically junk.
With the Skeleton Den, even if you conquer it, the only reward you’ll get is bones.
Alchemists might buy them for a low price, but for regular heroes, it’s just useless baggage.
Moreover, since it’s an undead dungeon, it requires the assistance of a priest, which doubles the labor costs.
[Bid]
Nevertheless, I placed a bid.
The true nature of this place is actually different.
‘Dual Dungeon’
Before entering the dungeon, a particular ritual reveals its true nature.
And the reward for this dungeon is…
“I absolutely have to get it.”
Not long after pressing the bid button, the purchase confirmation popped up.
[Seller]: Thank you so much for your bid, Alchemist. Let me know when you’re ready to conquer it!
It seems they mistook me for an alchemist.
But it does make sense, who would buy such a dungeon otherwise?
Upon finalizing the dungeon purchase, I stretched my arms. The only thing left was finding a priest.
The expedition should start the moment a priest is found. It’s typically hard to find them in the first place.
Moreover, due to their profession, they can be awfully prideful and the reward distribution must be clearly settled.
I opened the hiring board next to the Auction.
I was about to post a hiring request when I paused.
[1000_y] [Class: Priest] [Current Status: Job Seeking] [Content: Capable of various rituals and all-around care.]
[♥: 92]
One priest was job seeking. Their specialties matched exactly what I needed.
But it appeared that nearly 100 people have already reached out.
‘This might be tough.’
Despite feeling like giving up, I decided to shoot a message out of curiosity.
[belief_]: Hello. Is tomorrow possible? It’s the Skeleton Den near Taebaek, Gangwon-do.
[belief_]: 50 million won for hire, to be paid after completion. Hence, there’s no separate reward distribution.
Excluding distribution isn’t exactly a favorable condition for a priest, but with such a low-reward dungeon, 50 million won seemed adequate.
The response would take some time, honestly, the odds were higher for no reply.
Meanwhile, I posted my own hiring message.
“Priest… as soon as possible… ritual…”
-ding
-ding
Huh?
I thought it was Sion, but it was the priest.
[1000_y]: Sure.
[1000_y]: Can we leave today?
“Why this urgency?”
Today was a bit tricky; tomorrow seemed better.
[belief_]: No, let’s start tomorrow.
[belief_]: By the way, which temple do you belong to?
While slightly suspicious, I checked during the watch as I asked him. It was odd that he replied only to me considering how many applicants there were.
[1000_y]: Arcadia
“Good.”
My suspicions disappeared.
When it comes to priests, Arcadia is a guarantee. Just being affiliated makes it trustworthy.
[1000_y]: By the way, did you contact any other priest?
[1000_y]: If so, cancel all of them.
[belief_]: No one else contacted me.
[1000_y]: Then I’ll see you at the hub at 8 AM tomorrow.
I didn’t expect to find a priest so easily. Lucky.
I’ve heard some gather experience by only venturing into easy dungeons; she probably falls into that category.
With all the planned tasks done, I informed the seller about the time, 8 AM tomorrow, and closed my laptop.
Now I only needed to procure the materials necessary for the ritual. It wasn’t a complicated preparation.
[Hae-in]: Sion, is the old man at home right now?
*
The following morning arrived.
Sunday, 8:00 AM. The portal hub in Taebaek, Gangwon-do, was quiet.
Due to it not being a region where dungeons frequently appear, this place generally maintains a tranquil atmosphere.
“Here I am!!”
In the distance, the seller waved his hand.
He rushed over and extended his hand for a handshake, which I reciprocated.
“Haha… I didn’t expect someone so young.”
It was his role to guide us to the entrance today, but he wouldn’t accompany us afterwards, and even if he tried, I would have stopped him.
“By any chance, is the priest already?”
“She’ll be here soon.”
It was the appointed time, with the next portal activation about 10 seconds away.
She might arrive through this portal.
-whoosh
The portal opened with a distant sound.
And there, a familiar face stood.
Her neatly combed hair was held in place by a hairband, and she stood beside a senior priest.
“Cheon Yeoul…?”
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Cheon Yeoul walked over with a slight smile.
“Did you wait long?… Oh.”
Cheon Yeoul’s companion, the priest, bowed to me as a sign of respect.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, he continued.
“I apologize… Candidate Cheon Yeoul suddenly announced she was going to conquer a dungeon, so I came to confirm.”
“Even though you’re with another student in the Realm… I can leave reassured.”
I understand. Cheon Yeoul is a very important figure in Arcadia. When she announces a dungeon conquest, a top-tier support team usually joins her.
However, going with some unheard-of person to the Skeleton Den makes sense that someone would come to verify.
I scanned her once more and nodded.
‘This works well.’
Fine.
Cheon Yeoul is definitely a skilled priest, and divine rituals are her specialty as well.
Moreover, one of this dungeon’s rewards was originally intended for her share.
“… Let’s start then.”
Just as I turned to head towards the dungeon, the seller hesitantly inquired.
“Um… is this the Skeleton Den you’re visiting?”
“Yes.”
When I firmly answered, he still hesitated.
“Here, it’s highly possible that there’s nothing special… if there’s any misunderstanding, we can offer a refund…”
He was conscientious after all. I nodded at his sincere attitude and replied.
“It’s fine. Please guide us.”
The seller sighed with an awkward expression and began leading the way.
“Hmm… Alright. Please follow me this way. Using a vehicle, we’ll get to the entrance quickly.”
Following the seller’s guidance, we headed towards the dungeon entrance.
Cheon Yeoul, the group consisted only of us two. The priest left.
“That’s the head priest.”
“Hmm.”
That good-looking priest’s position was head priest.
Why did he come here?
I stopped thinking about it.
“We’ve arrived.”
The seller stopped the car and pointed at the dungeon entrance.
After winding around the mountain roads and reaching quite a secluded spot, the entrance appeared rather shabby.
The seller scratched his head and said,
“Honestly, you’ve been warned. Now, refunds aren’t possible anymore.”
“Yes.”
I responded while standing in front of the wavering dungeon entrance.
I opened my crossbody bag and took out the items I prepared.
“Top-grade Holy Water.”
A rare item that the temple also strives to obtain.
I snatched it from the old man’s place. Thanks, old man.
I sprinkled the holy water without hesitation.
A silver glow spread out.
“How high can you go with the divine ritual?”
Focusing on sprinkling, I asked Cheon Yeoul.
“Hmm… as high as you want?”
… What kind of answer is that?
The ranks are from 1 to 9. 1 is beginner, and 9 is divine-level. Realistically, 8 rank is the highest.
For a normal adult priest, achieving 3 rank is possible.
This sounds a little risky, doesn’t it?
“Can you reach rank 3?”
Ideally, I’d like it higher but, since she’s still a student…
Cheon Yeoul smiled and approached me.
Then she whispered softly in my ear.
“Be honest. I can give you anything you want.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she took a few steps back.
She then folded her hands and closed her eyes.
As her lips began to move rapidly, the holy water I sprinkled started to shine.
The light was blinding.
I had drawn out a magical circle with the holy water, and it was now dazzlingly bright.
“… Sio… calo…”
With her final invocation, the divine ritual was complete.
After a brief moment of silence, an absurd level of mana explosively discharged from the dungeon entrance.
-eeeeearrrrrggghhh!
The air-splitting alarm echoed through the distance.
It’s an automatic boundary alarm that activates when a certain level of mana is discharged.
That means the association will be here shortly.
“Let’s go in.”
“Okay.”
Cheon Yeoul calmly responded and followed me.
On the other hand, the seller stood there with his mouth open, looking at us.
His face was etched with confusion and shock.
“It’s a dual dungeon.”
I simply replied and passed by him.
“Please explain the situation to the association when they arrive.”
After saying that, Cheon Yeoul and I entered the dungeon.
