Chapter 139: World Unconquered Dungeons Forum (1)
TL: SHW
"Teacher shouldn't go to the forum and get ignored."
It was the evening, four days before the problematic World Unconquered Dungeons Forum.
Lee Mi-seon quietly approached and said this.
Of course, I asked back with a baffled look.
“I have Hong Seok-young’s endorsement. Who would ignore me?”
“I’m just saying, that’s all!”
Lee Mi-seon snapped in irritation.
As the forum drew nearer, the Hunters of Daseon, including Lee Mi-seon, were increasingly on edge.
I only knew about the stuff at Pilot High School, but they seemed to have a lot on their plate. Since the forum was hosted by the International Ability Association, even if it was being handled by the Special Activities Division moving in secret, they probably had plenty to do. I understood that and let it go with my usual generosity.
“Anyway, that’s why.”
“Yes.”
"Tell me if you need anything."
“…You’re asking that now?”
Lee Mi-seon pouted.
“I forgot.”
“……”
If she says it so confidently, I really have nothing to say.
I was already thinking of pestering Hong Seok-young tomorrow to gather whatever was needed, so this worked out fine. If Lee Mi-seon is asking me like this, I don’t have to do it myself.
"First."
"First? Is there a lot?"
“A suit.”
“Ah. A suit. Yes, that’s already prepared. The kids will bring it tomorrow. I packed one for Hunter Hong too….”
I looked at Lee Mi-seon suspiciously.
“Hunter Lee even takes care of things like that?”
I don’t mean to judge people by their wealth, but for the youngest daughter of a conglomerate family, a successful guild master, and a special agent of the International Association, it’s kind of... well. You know what I mean.
Lee Mi-seon’s face contorted in frustration, probably realizing that too.
“We’re working together right now. If Hunter Hong shows up dressed like he usually does, I’m the one who’s going to suffer for it! Hunter Hong might not mind, but still!”
I thought of Hong Seok-young’s usual outfit. A stretched-out t-shirt and pants carelessly thrown on.
“I think everyone would just assume that’s how he always dresses.”
“…He needs to manage his image from now on!”
Judging by how she’s talking, the Ability Management Agency must have some kind of plan. That’s good to know.
“Anyway, since that’s taken care of, I need a subspace.”
“A subspace? Actually, Hunter Hong mentioned that too. The one we can get immediately is kind of small... is that okay?”
Okay or not, I didn’t really have a choice.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Nothing too fancy…”
I paused to think before speaking. I had already gone over things while Lee Mi-seon was organizing the data, but it wouldn’t hurt to double-check.
“I’d like to see the confirmed list of forum participants.”
Lee Mi-seon tilted her head to the side.
“Didn’t you see it last time?”
“I did, but just in case. I want to check again.”
“Sure, well… it’s in the study, so I’ll bring it right away.”
“Oh, and.”
“Yes?”
“By any chance…”
Hearing what I said, Lee Mi-seon’s eyes widened.
***
World Unconquered Dungeons Forum.
From September 15 to 17. Held over a total of three days.
There are 193 countries affiliated with the International Ability Association.
But not all of those 193 countries participate. Since it’s not mandatory and just a gathering for Hunters to interact, there are times when hundreds show up, but sometimes barely fifty make it.
The qualification requirement is being an S-Rank Hunter. But just being S-Rank isn’t enough; there are other conditions too, like the number of conquered dungeons. If those conditions are met, an organization with the long name “World Unconquered Dungeons Raid Support Council” sends an invitation. Once you join that group, you can receive an invitation to the forum.
In other words, this forum is a kind of honorary position. Proof that you’re capable enough to attend.
Because of those qualification standards, most of the attendees are S-Rank Hunters or Archmages. But if someone already attending vouches for you, even non-S-Ranks can go.
Like me right now.
It had been a while since I wore a suit properly. Despite the tight schedule, Lee Mi-seon, being Lee Mi-seon, somehow managed to find a good quality suit. Pants and shirt, crisply ironed. I tied the necktie like I always had. I strapped the mana watch back on my wrist after setting it aside to change clothes. Its bulky design didn’t match the formal look, but there was no helping it. At this point, it felt like an extension of my body.
Lastly, I put on the jacket. I placed my usual wallet and the small pouch Lee Mi-seon gave me in the inner pocket. Since they looked different, there was no chance of mixing them up.
Inside the plain, dark-colored pouch, I of course placed Yoo Ji-eun's sword. And also the items I had separately requested from Lee Mi-seon.
With that, all preparations were complete, and I stood in front of the mirror.
In the mirror stood the familiar figure of Chief Secretary Woo Hwijae.
I considered slicking my hair back neatly but gave up, paying that much attention to it felt like it would hurt my pride. I wasn’t even a chief anymore; I was merely a member of Hong Seok-young’s guild now.
“Hyung!”
As I came out, all set, Mini-me ran toward me. Or rather, he started running, then stopped.
He was about to hug me like he usually did, but I too froze along with him.
“…What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s just… Hyung, you had clothes like that?”
“What? Ah, the suit?”
For me, this was practically casual wear, but for Mini-me, it wasn’t. Funny, he never said anything when I wore track suits. Not like I wore track suits around the research lab either.
“You said you’re going somewhere today.”
"...When did you say you'd come back?"
"Friday if it ends quickly."
"If it ends late?"
"Well...."
That depends not on me, but on what kind of guy Alex Hope turns out to be.
I tousled Mini-me’s hair.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Hmph.”
“Don’t just sit around reading comics while I’m gone.”
“…Hmph.”
That was clearly a non-answer.
“I’m going to check later.”
“I won’t read that much!”
He didn’t say he wouldn’t read any at all.
Han Tae-kyung, you bastard… what did you do to this kid? Are there no dungeons around this villa? It’d be perfect to send Han Tae-kyung out there.
This is the villa of none other than Daeyeon’s chairman, so I’m sure it’s all been secured.
“Ugh, just go already! You said you’re leaving!”
At the comment about not reading comics, Mini-me started pushing me on the back.
Just a month ago, he was stuck to me like glue. And now he’s nagging me to leave. I don’t know if I should be happy or feel a little sad.
That he’s less dependent on me is a good thing, though.
…Should I say something to Han Tae-kyung before I go? Or maybe I should just ask Kim Chae-min instead?
“Teacher Woo. Are you ready?”
“Yes. All set.”
“Oh, I-rok. Did you come to see hyung off?”
When Hong Seok-young saw Mini-me, he smiled kindly and bent his knees. Mini-me flinched a little, but he didn’t avoid him.
Hong Seok-young was also wearing the suit Lee Mi-seon had brought. A dark gray suit with a black tie.
Somehow it looked familiar... That suit, so it was the one Lee Mi-seon gave him.
I clicked my tongue once and waved at Mini-me.
“Behave yourself while I’m gone.”
“……”
Mini-me looked away.
Hong Seok-young laughed like he was about to die from holding it in. The way he kept glancing at my face, it was like he found it hilarious to see me now suffering like his past self...
“……”
And it is kind of funny. If I were in Hong Seok-young’s position, I’d laugh too. The fact that he’s only laughing makes him a generous man. I probably would’ve added a few words I’d regret.
I was about to kick Hong Seok-young in the shin but held back because Mini-me was watching.
“You remember the number I taught you, right?”
“Yeah.”
“If you ask Teacher Kim Chae-min, she’ll let you use her phone.”
Kim Chae-min was originally going to attend the forum too, but she decided to stay for safety reasons.
Not a trace of regret could be found in her. These days, Kim Chae-min was enjoying teaching Park Seo-hyun and Choi Jin-woo so much that she probably would’ve been annoyed if asked to go to the forum.
That’s a mage for you.
“Hyung might not be able to answer during the day because I’ll be working, but I’ll call you back later. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
“Listen to your teachers. And you have to listen to the other hyungs and noonas too.”
“……”
“I-rok.”
“……”
“You have to answer.”
“…I’ll think about it.”
That was good enough.
As soon as Hong Seok-young and I stepped out the front door, Mini-me dashed back inside. He didn’t even look back. This is why raising kids is pointless.
“Keuk… kukuk…”
Hong Seok-young was still laughing quietly, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes as he looked at me.
“Keep your mouth shut.”
“Kup… I haven’t said anything yet.”
“Exactly. So keep it that way.”
“……”
“……”
“Kukukukuk…”
I let out a sigh.
***
While on the way to the forum venue, I reviewed the latest information about Alex Hope one last time.
In the meantime, Lee Mi-seon had updated the data on Alex Hope. He entered the country through Incheon Airport yesterday. A photo was taken of him eating at a restaurant near the hotel.
Aside from Alex Hope, there were three other Hunters from Australia. All of the Australian Hunters appeared in the photo.
Unlike the time when he ambushed Kang Tae-woo, Alex Hope was comfortably smiling and chatting with the Hunters who had come with him. His small build stood out noticeably among the Hunters. So did his pretty face.
Looking at him smiling so gently like that, it was hard to believe he was the same person as that bastard.
…Is he really the same person? Or maybe not?
Once I meet him in person, it will become clear.
Whether he’s from Ark, or something other than Ark.
“There was no Alex Hope in your timeline, right?”
As we were getting close to the forum venue, Hong Seok-young, who had been silent until now, asked.
In the car, it was just me and Hong Seok-young. Now was a good time if we were going to talk.
“Yes. At least, not as far as I knew. It’s possible he was quietly active in Australia or New Zealand, but...”
“So, an unknown variable.”
“There hasn't been a time when something wasn’t unknown ever since I came here.”
“That’s life.”
Hong Seok-young laughed loudly with both hands on the wheel.
“If life got easier just by traveling to the past, every dog and cow would be scrambling to time travel.”
“I wouldn’t want to do it again even if someone paid me billions.”
“You can say that because you’re the one who went through it. Most people have at least one or two things they’d like to change in the past.”
“…You too?”
“Me? Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
Hong Seok-young gave a smile that was hard to read.
“Even if you have information about the future, the bigger problem is whether you’ll ever be in a position to actually use it.”
“Of course.”
“You have to treat future knowledge as just a small hint. Like, ‘If you choose this path, it might be a shortcut, or maybe not!’ Something like that.”
“…That’s not even a hint, is it?”
“If there are hundreds or thousands of forks in the road in front of you, wouldn’t it still be better than nothing?”
“……”
“But what if you have no hint at all?”
“Then check every single one?”
“If I said there are thousands. How are you going to do that?”
Hong Seok-young looked at me with an exasperated expression.
“You just grit your teeth, pick one, and start walking. If you believe it’s the right path, then it becomes the right path.”
“That’s pure nonsense.”
“The loudest guy always wins.”
I’m not sure that’s what that saying meant…
Still, I understood that this was Hong Seok-young’s own way of trying to comfort me. So I just let out a deflated puff of laughter.
The car began to slow down. In the distance, the venue where the forum was being held came into view.
“Then, are you ready?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
World Unconquered Dungeons Forum.
Day 1.
***
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