CH 45

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ. Save me, Hara. When are you coming back? There’s too much work.]

While thinking about what to say to Yoojung’s text message, she placed her phone in her pocket with a complicated mind.

What else could she say? She wasn’t even able to reply in the first place. Because…

[It’s happy dungeon time with the constellation, ‘Cupid’!?

…Because Kang Hara was currently in a dungeon.

* * *

It was quite easy to sum up the situation.

While looking forward to ticketing, Hara wanted to watch some X-Tube, but the constellation came back. Following closely behind him were system messages.

[The quest ‘Love and War’ has been completed!]

[The status of the user ‘Kang Hara’ will be updated]

[The reward for quest completion will be an upgrade in status]

Hara’s heart pounded. Since she’d completed the quest, her status should naturally upgrade to an S-class. 

Hara quickly scrolled down the system message while sitting on the bed.

[The quest ‘Love and War’ has been completed]

[Due to a quest expedience verdict, the status upgrade for the user ‘Kang Hara’ will be limited to one aspect]

[The upgraded aspect will be randomly selected]

[Due to a quest expedience verdict, the skill upgrade for the user ‘Kang Hara’ will also be restricted]

Ah, why! Hara sighed, but soon she was convinced. Immediately after deciding to have a contractual relationship with Seheon, the system had forewarned her. 

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ likes contract relationships]

[If you proceed to complete the quest in this manner, certain limitations will be applied to the reward]

[A linked quest will follow afterwards]

[Are you certain that the quest has been completed? Y/N]

As Hara recalled the messages that popped up yesterday at the rest stop, she nodded in agreement. If only one attribute in her status could be upgraded, Hara just hoped that it would be mana. 

Hara’s mana is currently at 9. Although she could square it temporarily with her multiplication skill, she would’ve to fight with a mana of 9 on a normal basis. It would naturally have an adverse effect on skill duration.

“Please! Mana!”

Otherwise, stamina and strength were relatively good. No, agility wouldn’t be bad, too. Skill’s also fine. 

Hara’s skill was practically at the bottom with a value of 2. If she had obtained a high value for the Skill stat, she could consider advancing in the item production field.

Item production field… Shall I make potions and become rich?

However, such feelings of excitement were extinguished by the system message in five seconds.

[In accordance to the principle of causality, the aspect, ‘Luck’ will be preferentially upgraded] 

“Oh, why!”

The system continued to display messages like it was mocking Hara.

[Achievement Completed!]

[User: Kang Hara (Characteristic: Idol fan)]

Grade: S

Title: ‘Heartless Imp’ (Agility +1), ‘One that approaches the truth’ (Skill +3), ‘Approaching the constellation’s side in an instant’ (Stamina +2). 

Available special status: Berserker

*Status abnormality: Contractual relationship

Stamina: 7

Agility: 3

Strength: 4

Skill: 2

Mana: 9

Luck: 77

“Why is it luck! Ahh, why!”

Hara teared up the moment she looked at her status window. To use a game analogy, an insignificant character that’s like her didn’t exist. S.S.A (stamina, strength, agility) were all simultaneously lousy…… In contrast, only the luck stat, which she didn’t know where it could be used, was as high as an S-class…

[Skill list]

– Multiplication (A)

– Just the thought of you makes me strong (S) 

Usage condition: Physical contact with the designated user ‘Yoon Seheon’ 

– Flight (S) 

– Please move on (Locked)

– It may be the level of candlelight, but it’s capable! (S)  

– #HAPPYYOURDAY C (S)

Usage condition: Recognition of the target’s birthday, or physical contact with the designated user ‘Yoon Seheon’ 

– Other available skills: To be updated subsequently after entering a dungeon.

In the first place, aside from ‘Please move on’, all the other skills were unlocked. 

On top of that, there was a new update to ‘#HAPPYYOURDAY’, and it seemed like the skill could be used even without knowing the other party’s birthday through physical contact with Seheon. 

Also… 

‘To be updated subsequently after entering a dungeon.’

Hara squinted her eyes. This meant that she’d have to enter a dungeon to acquire those skills.

“Do I have to enter a dungeon?”

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ asks back if that wasn’t a given]

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ urges you to enter a dungeon today]

However, Hara shook her head firmly at the constellation’s words.

“No way, I have to participate in ticketing today.”

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ is bewildered]

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ asks if ticketing for an idol concert is more important than S-class skills]

No, isn’t that obvious? Are you asking me that now? Hara wondered how the god of love didn’t know about this.

But the constellation was stubborn.

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ flops down, and whines that he’d humoured you though.

How did you learn this emoji? And why are you acting coy?

But no means no. She even had a plausible reason.

“All dungeons are managed by the government. It’s not like I can just enter as I please.”

In fact, hunters are required to go through a complicated procedure to enter the dungeon. From an official letter requesting cooperation, to what they intend to do in the dungeon, and upon leaving the dungeon, the dungeon by-products had to be organised and sent to the government warehouse. Authorization from the upper brass was also required. 

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ asks if you can just ignore it]

What do you think?

I want to be an S-class hunter, not an S-class criminal.

The vexed constellation asked again whether it’d be fine if the dungeon had just surfaced.

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ entices you with an offer to give a good item instead of skills]

Hara contemplated for a while before nodding.

‘A dungeon wouldn’t appear whenever he wants it to, would it?’

Perhaps she’d have to wait a few days before a new gate is created. In South korean, the cycle of gate formation in South Korea was usually around seven to ten days.

She’d also seen the news that a small gate had formed in a seaside village near Ulsan yesterday night. So it’d require at least a week’s time for the next gate formation to occur.

Hara has intended to report to Chief Jung that she had to go into the dungeon for this and that in the meantime. 

[Calculating the principle of causality as requested by the constellation, ‘Cupid’…]

A week…

What’s one week more?

[With a causality error margin of less than 0.0003%, gate formation is accepted]

A system message appeared as though it was mocking Hara.

Tak, The bewildered Hara dropped the phone she’d been holding.

“Does this make any sense…?”

However, such thoughts were on her mind when she spotted the message that popped up soon afterwards. 

[An event dungeon is being formed……]

[Time remaining before gate formation: 11 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]

[Constellation event quest: If a dungeon appears at the Han River’s Bamseom Island, is it under the jurisdiction of the Mapo branch office or the Yeongdeungpo branch office?]

[Goal: Before the gate forms, complete the dungeon raid]

[Special reward: Trajectory of Confusion (A)]

Bamseom Island? System, have you followed the constellation’s descent into madness?

Hara’s mind was filled with panic. Creating a gate next to the Han River’s bridge was pretty much creating a huge disaster.

Hara looked at the line stating the quest’s goal as calmly as possible. The phrase, ‘Before the gate forms, complete the dungeon raid’. 

“Can you even enter a dungeon before the gate forms?”

[This dungeon is an event dungeon created for the quest of the user, ‘Kang Hara’]

[If you succeed in completing the dungeon raid before gate formation, Additional reward: Kang Hara’s successful ticketing]

[If you fail to complete the dungeon raid before gate formation, Penalty: Failure of Yuri’s concert]

Hara’s eyes widened. Why are you giving me a penalty like this? If you fail to target the dungeon, it’s not a ticketing failure, but a failure to hold my idol concert.

[Additional penalty: Mapo Bridge, Seogang Bridge, and Wonhyo Bridge will be completely closed (till the end of next year)]

“Crazy…”

The failure to hold a Yuri’s concert was not the problem. Hara’s vision swam. 

All three bridges to Yeouido will be closed. For over a year at that?

What does this mean? It means that the Mapo branch office will be flooded with complaints. This was an SSS+ grade disaster for Hara, a civil servant.

Oh, crap. Ticketing wasn’t the problem. While sobbing, Hara tried to call Kwon Wook. It was to ask for his help because of the various circumstances occurring. 

But once again, the constellation stopped Hara.

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ offers you a hidden quest]

[Hidden quest: ‘Time for Two’]

[Clear condition: Pair up with the designated user ‘Yoon Seheon’, and complete 5 dungeons]

[Reward: Cupid’s Bow (S)]

[Will you accept the quest? Y/Y]

“Why isn’t there an option for N!”

Even though she pressed the air strongly, an N wouldn’t have appeared. 

“What’s this hidden item?”

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ suggests that you should prepare the sir] 

[This is a great thing]

The constellation asserted that if Team K was present, the items that Hara had received as the quest’s reward will also go directly into the government-owned warehouse. 

Eventually, Hara could only text Seheon sadly.

[Can we meet a little earlier?]

[What time are you talking?]

[2pm…?]

[Don’t you think that’s a little too early for dinner?]

[I think so too, but I guess that’s not the case for the constellation……]

Fortunately, Seheon immediately understood as Hara continued to explain.

There was around 11 hours left before the gate was formed. 

It was evident that Seheon was feeling shocked at the message, “If the quest isn’t completed in time, access to three bridges will be restricted until the end of next year.” 

This is because Seheon’s reply, which always had perfect spacing and was without a single typo, was: 

[I’monmyway]

* * *

After coming to Hara’s house to pick her up, Seheon parked his car in an outdoor parking lot that’s next to Seogang Bridge and behind a large church. Bamseom Island was the most eye-catching thing aside from Seogang Bridge. 

In the meantime, Hara familiarised herself with the quest conditions by looking through the system window.

As soon as Hara got out of Seheon’s car, the river breeze blew through Hara’s long hair relentlessly. As she tied her cumbersome hair up, her hair slapped her on the cheek. It was ominous.

But what else could she do? She had to go out there.

However, there was one thing that bothered Hara.

“Erm, Anchor.”

“Please go ahead.”

“There isn’t any way for civilians to enter Bamseom Island, is there…?”

That’s right. As Bamseom Island was the birthplace of migratory birds, it was classified as a ‘natural ecosystem conservation area’, and entry was barred for civilians. 

Seheon, who’d gotten out of the driver’s seat and closed his car door, answered with a frown.

“Not that I know of.”

She got a slap from the river breeze, whereas that man still looked pretty decent in the face of the river breeze. This world was so unfair.

Hara opened her mouth again hesitantly.

“As expected, we’ll have to walk to the middle of Seogang Bridge, and then I’ll carry Anchor Yoon and use Flight…”

“Seogang Bridge and Mapo Bridge are places where people jump from frequently, so 119 will be dispatched immediately.”

[T/N: 119 is the direct-dial emergency telephone number for the fire brigade and ambulance service]

Hara shut her mouth. It was a method she’d barely managed to come up with, but it probably wouldn’t do either. Other than Seheon, she couldn’t share details of the quest with anyone. It meant that it’d all be futile if she was spotted by others. 

“……What should we do? Should we ride on a duck boat……”

Seheon glanced at his watch. It was currently 2pm. There are 10 hours left before the gate is created. He sighed.

“Even if we ride a duck boat, it’d be impossible to go to Bamseom Island, and anyone that spots it will call the police immediately.”

Is that so? Hara imagined diligently pedalling the duck boat and attempting to reach Bamseom Island, and agreed with Seheon’s words. She’d do the same as well. It was too suspicious……

“Please follow me.”

“What?”

Yoon Seheon began walking first, which made Hara’s eyes widen. 

Seheon, who took a few steps forward first, looked back with a raised eyebrow.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“Oh, where are you going?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Let’s ride a yacht.”