Chapter 19

Chapter 19

[Episode 04] Solo Play (4)

In front of the elevator.

Necromancer Han Gyeoul’s two pupils were fixed on the numbers above the button.

[11]...[12]...[13]...

Continuously rising numbers.

What it stopped at was.

...[30]

‘...30th Floor.’

Having confirmed the floor number, Han Gyeoul slowly came out of the building.

Coming outside, she raised her head and stared quietly.

It seemed as if looking at the night sky, but in fact she was confirming the window on the 30th Floor.

Flash—

Having confirmed the light turning on, she made a satisfied smile.

‘...Confirmed.’

This ‘corpse farming’ was a failure.

When opening the empty refrigerator in the mortuary, she was disappointed.

Regrettable, but it couldn’t be helped.

Because the dungeon is such a place.

Looking at the 30th Floor where the light was on, she thought.

‘...Must not die in the dungeon.’

Because that is why she gave the [Emergency Escape Right].

Of course, it was also to encourage the heart of wanting that man to quickly do a dangerous ‘challenge’.

Hoping that he receives a fatal wound right before dying in the dungeon, and can use the [Emergency Escape Right] by squeezing the last remaining strength.

So that he can die wholly in reality.

So that she can ‘recover’ as quickly as possible, praying, she left the place.

***

“Kang-i unni, unni also saw, right? Just now our unni saved me, you know?” “······.” “Somehow it felt strange. It’s not like a corpse was found either. I thought she was dead because she returned too late, right, unni?”

Even to Jeong Ha-eun’s desperate remarks, Shim Kang could not say anything.

Because she knew.

The definite evidence that Jeong Hana had died.

“The Management Bureau is plotting something, right? There is some special mission so they have to hide our unni. Right?” “······.” “Well, unni also can’t say. Sorry. Still, just confirming that our unni is alive is enough for me.”

Jeong Ha-eun faintly smiled and stepped back.

She is convinced.

That the person who appeared just now and saved her was Jeong Hana.

‘...It can’t be helped.’

It is not simply doing that with the heart of wanting her sister to come back alive.

Purely rational judgment.

Because the power of Jeong Hana’s exclusive patent skill Chain Lightning was the evidence.

A new [Unique] grade Explorer appeared ten days ago.

Even if that person inherited Jeong Hana’s class, at this point he could not show such a powerful Chain Lightning.

Because it was physically impossible.

‘At most Level 11.’

Even if eating the Skill Points obtained in the meantime and the [Skill Point Candy] that is definitely given every first clear of the 10th Floor, it is only Level 4 now.

Moreover, Shim Kang vividly remembered Level 11 Jeong Hana.

The time when they all risked their lives clearing the dungeon with no information.

Grasping the skills of the party members together and their power is basic.

The Chain Lightning that Jeong Hana of that time used.

Certainly powerful, but she could assert it was not to the extent of handling dozens of Kelicans in one strike.

It was natural.

Because that was clearly power comparable to the Chain Lightning used by Level 50 Jeong Hana.

So Jeong Ha-eun was also convinced that the person standing in the darkness was her sister Jeong Hana.

Because if not Jeong Hana, Chain Lightning of that level of power could not be explained.

A somewhat logical conclusion.

If Shim Kang had not confirmed that the person standing in the darkness was ‘him’, she would also have mistaken that Jeong Hana had come back alive.

Unfortunately, her eyes were too accurate, and she confirmed that he was not Jeong Hana.

Not only that.

‘That person was not holding the [Lightning Staff].’

The [Lightning Staff] is quite bulky.

That was not an item that could be hidden even if trying to hide it.

It would have shown somehow.

But.

‘There was clearly none.’

Shim Kang’s eye for detail was superhuman.

Being a [Unique] grade Awakened and having a class with Agility as the main stat, the dynamic vision itself far surpassed ordinary people.

The fact that she recognized the part sticking out above that man’s bag at Hyeseong Hospital previously as the end part of the [Lightning Staff] was also all thanks to the overwhelming Agility value.

So she cannot deceive Shim Kang’s eyes.

‘At most he would have been holding a [Wand].’

The fact that he cast the skill while holding a [Wand] means he did not receive the lightning magic damage +200% buff attached to the [Lightning Staff].

Nevertheless, that power.

Even by simple comparison, it becomes the sound that the current man’s Chain Lightning is a full 3 times more powerful than Level 50 Jeong Hana.

‘Impossible.’

Even if he obtained and held a [Rare] grade wand with a lightning magic damage buff option from somewhere, it is the same.

Even the best Rare grade is only a +50% buff.

No matter how much she racked her brain, showing such a performance was impossible.

‘I should go find him directly and ask.’

Originally she was going to wait for him to come find her directly.

Because she thought that if he directly experienced the scariness of the [Unique] grade dungeon and the usefulness of the strategy book, he would come find her on his own.

But.

‘If what I saw is real, he might really attempt to climb alone.’

That is a crazy act.

A thought that a woman like Han Gyeoul whose head has gone crazy would do.

She had to stop him before he really caused an incident.

‘I want to go find him even right now but...’

She couldn’t.

Because she had to fulfill the duty of coming to this place.

Shim Kang slowly walked in front of her friend’s portrait and expressed condolences.

***

Shook off the salt stuck on the clothes.

The salt that Mom directly sprinkled in front of the house still remained.

Sitting on the desk chair, I checked the item in my hand once more.

[Emergency Escape Right] -Tear to escape the dungeon

An item that some unfamiliar woman gifted.

It was not fake.

Because if so, a system window like this would not have floated up.

‘I received it for now but...’

It couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

‘What on earth is that person’s identity?’

Suddenly blocking the path and handing over paper, a pretty woman.

Isn’t it a typical pseudo-religion proselytizing process.

But the paper she handed over was not a pseudo-religion guide but the [Emergency Escape Right].

An item hard to buy even with money.

She handed that over without any compensation and left without lingering.

If uploaded to the Explorer community, it was obvious one would get cursed saying even a cheap novel would be better than this.

Knock knock—

“Jaehyun? Can I come in for a moment?” “Yes. Come in.”

Mom who opened the door and came in asked with a very worried expression.

“Are you really okay?” “I said I’m okay. I only showed my face and left right away, so when the monster appeared I wasn’t there. Look. Perfectly fine without any injuries anywhere, right?”

Sorry for lying.

But being fine was true.

“You don’t know how worried I was. Suddenly monsters appeared at the place you went, the phone doesn’t connect...”

I didn’t know, but it is said that it was briefly paralyzed due to a sudden surge in call volume.

Because of that, the call didn’t connect and she seemed to have been very worried.

On top of that, it took quite a bit of time to arrive home.

Because the transportation around the funeral hall was paralyzed, I couldn’t even take a taxi, and I also stopped by a convenience store before going home.

I received the call then and explained the situation, but it seemed that was not enough to relieve her.

“I’m really fine so please don’t worry. I’ll wash and sleep now.” “Yes, thank goodness. Wash quickly and sleep.” “Ah, wait a moment, Mom.” “Yes? Why?” “When is Mom and Dad’s time okay? Let’s go eat dinner. I’ll treat.”

Mom smiled and nodded.

“Treating delicious food with the first salary?” “Yes, let’s go eat beef.” “Our son earned a lot?” “Yes, I earned about 200 million.” “······?”

Mom who paused for a moment answered while chuckling.

“Yes yes. Our son is amazing?”

It seems she knows it as a joke.

I looked forward to the time of directly showing the bankbook balance later.

‘I should show it while eating.’

How surprised would they be seeing the balance with 200 million actually stamped.

I already look forward to the reaction.

“Then I’ll coordinate the schedule with Dad and upload it to the family group chat.” “Yep!” “Sleep well.” “Mom also sleep well.”

Immediately prepared to wash.

Even raising the Stamina value, the heat is unavoidable, so my clothes were in a state soaked with sweat.

Carefully enshrined the [Emergency Escape Right] inside the desk drawer and then took off the clothes and entered the bathroom.

Shaaaaa—

How hot the weather was, not cold water but lukewarm water came out first.

Soon the boiler operated and I stood as is for a moment receiving the warmed water stream.

‘...Good.’

After finishing the shower, roughly dried the hair and lay naked on the bed.

“Hua. Refreshing.”

How long had it been since walking home.

Grateful that I could walk ordinarily even in the middle of the night in the muggy tropical night.

Until just a while ago, such a thing itself was an impossible life.

Probably if I hadn’t Awakened, I would have died recuperating at home all my life.

Above all.

‘Dinner that I treat.’

One of the bucket list.

Treating parents to a meal with the first salary.

There was also buying underwear, but that seems to have to wait a bit more until winter comes.

‘And...’

I lay on the bed and extended my hand to the desk and opened the drawer.

Two sheets of paper placed next to the [Emergency Escape Right] I had just enshrined.

[Single-Person Survival Right] X2 -Tear to unlock

Things purchased for the parents.

These are also scheduled to be given at the dinner place.

‘I hope they don’t feel too burdened.’

Closed the desk drawer and habitually accessed the Explorer community.

These days, when there is free time, I habitually access the community and lurk posts.

[Question: Hyungs, is there no way to easily clear the 5th Floor? It’s urgent.]

I am a Mage. Other than the obvious like putting the hand in as soon as the boss room opens and attacking, is there none? I will give a reward.

┗ Buy a Rare-grade weapon and it’s done. ┗┗ I have no money;; ┗┗┗ Then it’s your fault for having no money ┗┗┗┗ These days Rare-grade wand prices have all gone crazy, shiiit!

‘Come to think of it, I also have to sell the [Ice Crystal Staff].’

Currently [Rare] grade wands/staffs were experiencing a shortage phenomenon and their value was skyrocketing.

Explorers who only rice-ate on the 3rd Floor until now or Mages who didn’t challenge the dungeon itself were urgently looking for them.

The reason was obvious.

‘Because one has to clear the 5th Floor to be able to purchase the [Single-Person Survival Right].’

Anyway, lower floor Explorers are not well accepted for immigration.

Because the moment of immigrating fills the Explorer TO of the corresponding country.

So they have no choice.

A fate of having no choice but to sink together with the Republic of Korea.

At least to not die in vain, there is no choice but to clear the 5th Floor by one’s own power and obtain the [Single-Person Survival Right].

‘Many will die.’

It is not something that can be seen easily.

One could quite often find posts that said they would challenge climbing and then comments not attached as is.

There were also quite a few posts of newly becoming Explorers yesterday and today.

It means that many died that much.

“······.”

Suddenly the portrait of Jeong Hana I saw at the funeral hall today came to mind.

It didn’t feel like someone else’s matter.

Because I also didn’t know when I might become like that.

It was then.

“Mm?”

Presence was felt outside the window.

Thanks to the senses themselves becoming sensitive after investing a large amount of bonus stats into Agility, I could notice.

I quickly put on clothes with swift body movements.

That being possible was also thanks to the Agility that achieved 120.

Knock knock—

The sound of carefully knocking on the window.

It was Shim Kang.

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