Chapter 53: Dual Dungeon

**[Essence of Gorgos]**
Essence containing the power of Gorgos.
Upon use, the piercing power of polearms increases permanently.

Grade: Rare
Usage Conditions: Possession of polearm-related traits, Level 5 or higher.

When I used the portable measuring device I had prepared, the item I expected appeared.

'This is the taste of regression.'

A smile naturally formed on my face. The essence of a boss monster is not easy to obtain, regardless of the type. This is because not all boss monsters drop essences, and the drop rates themselves are quite low.

'I remember hearing that the guild that obtained this back then made a lot of money.'

However, a few essences boasted a drop rate of nearly 100%, and the Essence of Gorgos was one of them. I had heard that foreign Hunters, especially those who used spears as their primary weapon, would seek it out with stacks of cash in hand.

Essences specifically for polearms were rare. At a minimum, they were likely ten times more expensive than those from common monsters. Furthermore, there were currently no listings for the Essence of Gorgos on the market.

Naturally, Kim Hyeon-jun had no intention of selling it. He absorbed the essence without hesitation.

*Ssshh.*

The item melted like snow and seeped into his skin.

**[The effects of the Essence of Gorgos have been applied.]**
**[When using a polearm, piercing power will permanently increase.]**

By the time he checked the notification appearing before his eyes, a breeze tapped him on the cheek. He turned his gaze to see Yun Hye-jin standing some distance away with a dazed expression.

"There's nothing for you," he said.

***

'He defeated a boss monster so easily... Who exactly is he?'

Meanwhile, Yun Hye-jin, who had been watching Kim Hyeon-jun’s battle the entire time, could not help but be shocked. He had single-handedly defeated a boss monster—a Level 4 Gorgos, at that. He easily pierced its thick hide and effortlessly dodged and countered its attacks. Even after the fight, he showed no signs of exhaustion.

'Gorgos has high piercing power, so you’d suffer a major injury if you couldn't deflect its attacks properly...'

Even at the same level, there was a massive difference between a common monster and a boss monster. Bosses had higher health and combat power, and it was common for them to possess special abilities. Gorgos was no exception.

'Grandfather said that the standard strategy for a Gorgos is a minimum of a four-person party.'

While she didn't know much about military ranks, she could tell that Kim Hyeon-jun was a regular soldier. She also knew it was impossible for a regular soldier to be that strong. Just what was this man?

'I don't know how many times I've been surprised today...'

First, finding a dual dungeon on her first mercenary job. Then, watching a Hunter who could easily dispatch a boss monster.

*Whoosh.*

While Yun Hye-jin was still lost in thought, the lower-tier wind spirit, Sylph, returned and tapped her on the cheek.

"Hm? What is it? You're saying I should catch that brother because he’s a good person?"

Sylph, appearing as a small fairy, nodded her head vigorously. Even the Salamander sitting on Kim Hyeon-jun’s shoulder across the way flickered its tongue as if in agreement. Spirits generally had good intuition. They rarely reacted this way, which meant he was at least not a bad person.

"Well, that's not hard."

Sylph gave a thumbs-up at her response.

"Sylph, it looks like you like him more than I do."

Yun Hye-jin decided to ask for Kim Hyeon-jun’s contact information once they left the dungeon.

***

On the way back after finishing the dungeon raid, Kim Hyeon-jun and Yun Hye-jin were both silent.

'I heard Hoengseong is famous for Hanwoo beef. Should I buy some meat for the house?'

Kim Hyeon-jun was thinking about the Hanwoo beef he would gift to his parents.

'When should I bring it up?'

Yun Hye-jin was wondering when she should ask for his contact information.

"Good job today," Kim Hyeon-jun spoke first. "We were lucky today. We discovered a dual dungeon 'by chance,' and there was a boss monster at the end 'by chance.'"

To Kim Hyeon-jun, it was all part of the plan, but to Yun Hye-jin, everything must have seemed like a coincidence.

"I had fun coming out for some fresh air for the first time in a while. Finding a dual dungeon was fascinating, too."

She didn't seem to have any particular suspicions. She even let out a refreshing sigh, looking relieved.

"I wanted to catch a few more monsters... but you took care of them all, Brother."

"Doing that much was enough. Besides, the fire spirit was nice and warm."

To Kim Hyeon-jun, she was the ideal mercenary. She followed instructions well. If she had been stubborn, she might have acted on her own inside the dual dungeon, which would have made things difficult for him.

"You worked hard, so I added a bit more to your pay."

He provided a bonus on top of the original fee. As they were about to say their goodbyes, Yun Hye-jin grabbed the collar of his combat uniform.

"Could you give me your contact information?"

Why was she suddenly asking for his number? Just as he was about to say it might be a bit difficult since he was a soldier, she said something unexpected.

"I don't usually do this with just anyone, but the spirits are making a fuss, telling me I have to catch you."

She claimed the spirits had requested it.

'What? I can barely even see the spirits.'

Because he lacked spirit affinity, the fire and wind spirits only looked like small balls to him. To think that such spirits were showing him favor was fascinating.

'Since I had a fun experience, I guess I'll give her my number.'

If he didn't like it, he could just block her. With that thought, he gave Yun Hye-jin his contact information.

"Thanks, Brother. You said you were a soldier, right? I won't bother you!"

She laughed brightly and walked away.

"And the beef shop over there doesn't have very good meat. Try the one a block over."

"Right, thanks."

With the dungeon raid complete, Kim Hyeon-jun packed the Hanwoo beef and headed home.

***

"Oh my. Look at this. The color of the meat is wonderful."

That evening, Kim Hyeon-jun's mother, Lee Young-suk, let out a series of exclamations after tasting a piece of meat as it cooked on the grill.

"I'm living in luxury lately thanks to my son. I never thought I’d eat Hoengseong Hanwoo in my life."

"I bought plenty, so eat slowly. Stop putting meat on my plate. I ate a lot before I came."

"Oh, hush. Even if you bought this much meat, is it right for only us to eat it?"

Lee Young-suk piled the meat like a mountain on Kim Hyeon-jun’s plate. While doing so, she glared slightly at Kim Hyeon-jun's father, Kim Hyeon-ho, as she continued. It was as if she wanted someone to overhear her.

"Some people have never properly bought me beef because they thought it was a waste of money. Goodness."

"No... why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?"

"Hyeon-jun, do you know? Your father promised to make my life comfortable when he married me. But it was all a lie."

"Ahem..."

Kim Hyeon-ho cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. Kim Hyeon-jun chuckled at his parents' history and answered on his father's behalf.

"Just wait. I'll make sure both of you live comfortably without having to suffer."

"Did you hear that? Hyeon-jun is smart just like me. It's such a relief he didn't take after you."

"...Did I do something wrong to you lately?"

A mother nagging unilaterally and a father listening quietly. It was a harmonious scene he hadn't been able to see before his regression.

'I'll have to work even harder.'

He intended to diligently show the filial piety he couldn't before and work hard in his military life to earn the rank of Second Lieutenant. How happy would his parents be when that happened? Just imagining it brought a smile to his face.

***

"It was a productive vacation in many ways."

Time passed, and it was the day to return to the unit. During his vacation, he had swallowed up a dungeon from his honey pot list and shown filial piety to his parents. He had enjoyed a fulfilling time in his own way.

*Ping! Ping!*

The only unusual thing was his smartphone, which had been ringing noisily for the past few days. The Third Squad's group chat was lively. Usually, it was as quiet as a ghost town, so why was it so noisy?

[Han Ji-han]: Hyeon-jun. You know Seong-jin is being discharged soon, right?
[Yoon Seong-jin]: Hey. Why are you telling that to the guy out on vacation?
[Han Ji-han]: And I heard your direct junior is coming in soon, too.

It was because Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin was being discharged in seven days.

'It's already time for one of the sergeants to go.'

Furthermore, his direct junior was finally coming. Before the regression, he had wondered when he would stop being the youngest. Looking at it now, time really seemed to fly.

Seven days later—there wasn't much time left. An interesting scene would unfold for Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin the day before his discharge. Just as he was about to consider doing some more strength training for that moment...

[Han Ji-han]: And this guy is going to that Social Adaptation Training Camp tomorrow. So, you know what that means for tonight, right?
[Yoon Seong-jin]: No, damn it. Why are you saying that?

At the unexpected news, Kim Hyeon-jun's pace quickened.

"I can't miss an event this fun."

Kim Hyeon-jun practically ran toward the base. Tonight, Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin’s discharge beating event was waiting.

***

As military service periods increased due to the appearance of monsters, a system called the Social Adaptation Camp was established. It was a system that provided various types of education to soldiers nearing discharge to support their return to society.

The training lasted seven days. If a soldier attended the training, they would be discharged from the camp rather than their original unit. Of course, participation was optional. Many sergeants nearing discharge didn't participate because the training was boring.

However, some sergeants chose it as a refuge rather than for its educational purpose. Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin was one such case. This was because he feared the commonly known 'discharge beating.' No matter how much of a devil a senior was, they usually stayed quiet until the day before discharge. It was the day they paid for the karma they had accumulated.

"Hey! Where did Yoon Seong-jin go?"
"Didn't the bastard hide because he's going to the camp tomorrow?"

Inside the Third Platoon barracks, the soldiers began searching for Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin as soon as the evening roll call ended.

"Found him! He's inside the cleaning supply closet!"
"He's got skills. How did he even fit in there?"
"Pull him out."

At the senior's signal, the juniors grabbed Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin by both arms and dragged him out.

"Hey. Wait a minute. I didn't treat you guys that badly."

Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin was usually a man of few words, but he was talkative today.

"Is there a need to weigh things like that? We're just hitting you because it's the day before you go to camp."
"This guy didn't say a word about going to the camp until the end because he didn't want to get a discharge beating."
"You bastard. Do you know how much I suffered when I was a Private First Class? Prepare yourself tonight."

Resentful words flew from all directions. Eventually, Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin closed his eyes tightly as if he had resigned himself.

"Roll him up!"
"Yes, sir!"

Soon, a blanket was thrown over his body. Then, fists and kicks began flying from everywhere.

"Don't hit my waist!"

A desperate voice leaked out from under the blanket, but the soldiers didn't care.

'Is everyone fueled by spite?'

Kim Hyeon-jun considered joining this fun event but decided to just watch. There was more than one or two soldiers who had been waiting for his discharge day. Just how much karma had he accumulated?

"The discharge beating really is a great culture. We can't do without it."
"Whew. Since I'm a nice guy, I'll let it slide with this. Brother Seong-jin."

A moment later, the soldiers poured out of the barracks with refreshed expressions.

"I'm going to have bruises all over. Damn it," Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin grumbled after roughly tossing the blanket aside. It was a complaint that they were hitting him by force even though he hadn't done much wrong.

"Brother Seong-jin. We haven't hit you yet," Corporal Han Ji-han said.

Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin’s shoulders flinched at the corporal's words. Perhaps because he was about to become a civilian, the corporal was speaking comfortably.

"Hey. Ji-han. I really didn't do anything wrong to you."
"Ah, I'm just kidding, Brother."

Kim Hyeon-jun also spoke comfortably to Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin.

"Brother Seong-jin. Your body is going to be in bad shape. I'll give your shoulders a refreshing massage."

"No. It's fine. I said it's fine!"

Kim Hyeon-jun approached with a grin, while Sergeant Yoon Seong-jin declined with a pale face.

"Brother Seong-jin, your shoulders are really knotted. Doesn't that feel refreshing?"

Kim Hyeon-jun put a bit of emotion into it as he loosened the shoulder muscles.

"Gaaah! Why is this guy so strong... Urrgh!"

At the same time, Kim Hyeon-jun thought of the junior who would be joining soon.

'I'll make sure to take good care of him this time.'

It was one of his regrets from before the regression. This time, he planned to set it right. After all, the direct junior who would soon arrive had great potential.