Chapter 9 : The Rogue Explorer

At first, it was just quiet sobbing, but perhaps because so much had been pent up, Shin Jia eventually broke down into full-blown tears.

It couldn’t have been easy for someone so young to endure having debt collectors show up at her doorstep.

“Huoooh…”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. It’s a good thing—why are you crying?”

“But still, sniff…”

“Stop crying.”

“Waaah!”

“Stop.”

Yuseong gave up cleanly and decided to ignore Shin Jia.

He then started discussing sponsorship details with the President.

“Cheonghwa sponsors roughly around a hundred explorers.”

“That’s not very many.”

“There’s no need to waste money by increasing headcount unnecessarily. We run a small, elite operation. That means there aren’t any explorers below rank C.”

When an explorer first acquires their license, they start at rank D.

Leveling up isn’t easy; you need to demonstrate results in the Abyss to get promoted.

Once you reach around rank B, you’re recognized as a respectable mid-tier explorer, but to move beyond that, you have to complete significant achievements.

In his previous life, he never managed to break past the rank C barrier.

Of course, he wasn’t particularly interested in promotions either.

“In other words, since you’re going to be sponsored by Cheonghwa, you have to get promoted to at least rank 8 as soon as possible to earn recognition.”

That was the President’s immediate demand.

If you go out into the Abyss bearing the Cheonghwa name, you have to show results worthy of it.

“Don’t worry. If I succeed in cultivating Cellic Fruit, that’ll definitely count as a major accomplishment,” Yuseong said, and even Lee Woo Do nodded.

The cultivation method for Cellic Fruit that Yuseong proposed—if he truly manages to cultivate it successfully in the Abyss, promotion to rank B would be a trivial matter.

Yuseong silently steeled his resolve.

“This time, I will succeed.”

In his past life, he had discovered a Cellic Fruit colony flourishing naturally in a certain restricted zone.

At first, he thought it was a natural phenomenon, but it wasn’t.

A high-intelligence monster species was cultivating the Cellic Fruit.

Back then, he only occasionally harvested some of the fruit from the colony.

Much time passed before a company figured out the cultivation method and launched a new energy bar.

It wasn’t a loss.

For someone without any background to swallow it all alone, it was a feast too big to handle.

But this time, he would discover the cultivation method himself and hand it over to Cheonghwa.

“There may be more information like this.”

Since he used to come and go in the Abyss like it was his home, he knew strange things other explorers wouldn’t.

Back then, he was too busy just scraping by to consider using that information, but this life might be different.

“As for equipment, we basically provide suits, weapons, and preservation backpacks. Normally, supplies differ depending on rank, but if you want anything, just say so.”

It was a generous offer.

“The suit should be a survival type, and a preservation backpack with about 100 liters of capacity should suffice.”

Still, equipment obtained outside the Abyss has its limits. Yuseong decided not to be too greedy.

“As for weapons… hmm, I don’t think they’ll have what I want.”

Lee Woo Do chuckled.

“Heh, you’re underestimating Cheonghwa. One of our main businesses is refining new materials. Of course, our weapons outperform those of other companies.”

Since modern firearms can’t be brought into the Abyss, no matter how skilled an explorer is, they have to rely on cold weapons from the old days.

To overcome this limitation and strengthen weapon performance, humanity chose to change the materials instead.

The incredible minerals mined from the Abyss drastically increased weapon capabilities, and especially the weapons produced by Cheonghwa are renowned for their quality.

“Um? It’s not a matter of quality; the shape of the weapon I want is quite unique.”

“Hmm? What kind?”

Yuseong explained to Lee Woo Do the kind of weapon he wanted, and Lee Woo Do’s expression darkened.

“Can you fight demons with that?”

“Yes, it’s the one I’m most accustomed to.”

“Well… it does suit you, but still.”

Even the President respected Yuseong’s wishes.

“Very well. Discuss the details with Chief Choi. I will make sure it’s made with the finest materials.”

“Thank you.”

Yuseong smiled happily.

With a weapon made from Cheonghwa’s highest-grade materials, he could easily make it to at least the 20th floor.

“Even if it’s not official as an explorer, feel free to come back anytime.”

After the conversation ended, Lee Woo Do patted Yuseong on the shoulder.

“I’ll come by often to enjoy Rakshik’s cooking.”

“No, it doesn’t have to be Rakshik’s food. Next time, I want to taste your cooking.”

“My cooking?”

Lee Woo Do’s words made Yuseong suddenly fall into thought.

“President.”

“Hmm?”

“Have you ever tasted food made from Abyss ingredients?”

“Most Abyss monsters and plants are poisonous, aren’t they? I haven’t, though…”

“There are non-poisonous ingredients, and I even discovered how to remove their toxins.”

“You mean…”

“Do you know the monster called Metal Pig?”

“A pig-like monster?”

“The bacon made from its belly fat is really delicious. It’s incomparable to regular pork.”

There was an inexplicable confidence in Yuseong’s voice, and Lee Woo Do nodded silently.

“I’ll serve it to you someday.”

It was a proposal many would feel burdened by in this day and age.

“Good! I’ll be waiting.”

But Lee Woo Do was a man who wasn’t afraid of challenges, and he trusted Yuseong.

“Let’s go. Chief Choi will drive you home. The remaining ingredients will be sent separately with a cooling box.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Woo Do escorted Shin Jia and Yuseong to the door of the President’s office.

“I’d like to see you off all the way, but haha, this hair of mine…”

He gave an awkward expression and smoothed his thick hair.

No matter how much he looked, the strange jet-black hair almost reached his hips.

“You really have impressive hair, haha. Well, I’m not the type to fuss over hair, but I’ll have the hairdresser come by to tidy it up a bit.”

“Ah, the hairdresser… you mean?”

“Yeah, this isn’t a rock concert, haha. Someone might mistake me for being in my twenties.”

Though he said it casually, his excitement was obvious.

Lee Woo Do gripped Yuseong’s hand tightly and shook it with passion.

“You’re going to be an amazing explorer. I guarantee it.”

The regrowth of hair could bring such joy to a man.

Yuseong absentmindedly smoothed his own hair.

It was thick.

Still, for now.

“Well then, until next time.”

Yuseong and Shin Jia bowed deeply and withdrew.

At the elevator on the way down, Yuseong suddenly hesitated.

“Did we have any Black Beans among our supplies?”

“Black Beans? I don’t think so…”

“Let’s pack some before we go.”

“Yes…”

Fortunately, even eighteen years later, Yuseong’s hair remained thick.

But the future is always unpredictable.

Every day, Yuseong gently massaged his scalp with his fingertips and resolved to take good care of Black Beans and other Black Food.

***

Chief Choi moved busily.

Due to the nature of the Special Strategic Planning Office, they carried out work slightly different from Cheonghwa Electronics’ main operations.

To put it nicely, they were a powerful organ directly under the President, but to put it less nicely, they could be described as Lee Woo Do’s close personal aides.

“I’ve never seen an explorer use this kind of weapon.”

This was right after he had delivered Yuseong’s request to Cheonghwa’s new materials Lab.

“You wouldn’t think so, but was he really someone the President should sponsor?”

Lee Woo Do had publicly announced sponsoring Yuseong under Cheonghwa’s name.

It might have been just the President’s personal connection or directive, but Chief Choi thought differently.

Lee Woo Do had a department that strictly separated personal feelings from business.

The explorer support project was one of those.

If they decided to sponsor Yuseong, there had to be someone who had truly captured the President’s interest in him.

“Ziiing.”

His phone vibrated.

It was the contact he’d been waiting for, so Chief Choi hurriedly answered.

“Hello? Yeah. Did you make contact?”

But the caller didn’t deliver the news Chief Choi wanted.

“Damn idiot! He played us. Raise the alert status, send backup security personnel. He might have escaped into the Abyss. No, he definitely did. Those guys are predictable.”

Assistant Park, the subordinate, was tasked by the President to deal with Gwak Cheongrae.

They attached two security agents and even sent a tranquilizer gun.

Though the opponent was a promising explorer, Assistant Park had a solid Gift, so they thought there wouldn’t be a problem.

They had eliminated targets like this several times before.

“I should have gone myself. Hmph, send the medical team as well.”

The mission should have been completed long ago, but there was no contact at all.

That meant failure was certain.

“Contact the Abyss Entry/Exit Management Bureau in Seoul or the metropolitan area, check if there’s any record of Gwak Cheongrae entering. If you find it, report to me and erase the record.”

Unless he was drugged or insane, the highest chance of escape was hiding in the Abyss and sneaking out from another exit.

He’d sense that the massive organization called Cheonghwa was after him.

“I’ll escort the President’s guests and come back.”

With that, Chief Choi pocketed his phone.

Where had the serious expression gone?

When he met Yuseong’s group, a smile had returned to his face.

“Haha, the Lab was excited hearing your requests, Yuseong. They said they’d never made something like this before.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you can look forward to it. Now, please get in. I’ll escort you.”

Like when they came to Tower A1, Chief Choi arrived again with the 8th Squad’s sedan.

Yuseong thought it best to keep things simple and got into the car without hesitation.

“Haha, you might be the first person sponsored before even getting a license, Yuseong. What kind of Gift do you have?”

“Want me to show you?”

Yuseong said and rummaged through the backpack on his back.

It was a bag he didn’t have before coming to Tower A1.

Chief Choi hurriedly waved his hand.

“No, no. Well, you’ll find out once you go into the Abyss anyway.”

Yuseong reluctantly set the bag down.

The sedan carrying him passed through Tower A1’s security gate.

Chief Choi headed toward the national highway leading to Yuseong’s neighborhood.

Suddenly, sirens blared, and an ambulance sped past them.

“Did some kind of accident happen?”

It seemed like a major accident not far ahead.

“The road might be blocked. I’ll find another route.”

As Chief Choi searched for an alternate path, Shin Jia suddenly spoke to Yuseong.

“Oppa, look. That car.”

“What is it?”

Yuseong glanced toward the window Shin Jia pointed at.

“It looks like a very expensive car. Did it crash?”

A bright orange sports car was speeding recklessly.

Several spots were dented, and it swerved dangerously to avoid other vehicles.

“Oh, it’s coming toward us…”

Yuseong’s instincts warned him of danger.

The orange car rapidly closed the distance.

The driver looked crazed, as if possessed.

And he was targeting Yuseong—or more precisely, the car Yuseong was in.

“Chief Choi! Jia! Damn it, duck!”

When Chief Choi tried to swerve to avoid the incoming car, it was already too late.

Yuseong pulled Shin Jia close as the sports car violently rammed the rear of the sedan.

Kraaaang!

The deafening sound echoed.

The two cars collided and crumpled together.

***

“Ugh! Huff!”

Chief Choi gasped for breath, barely holding on to his sanity.

His eardrums felt like they’d burst, and it seemed a few ribs were broken.

“Which bastard…”

But Chief Choi was as capable as his title suggested.

He remained calm.

Since the car hadn’t flipped, he opened the door and stepped out.

At that moment, three bullets whizzed through the air.

Tat-tat-tat.

Reacting instinctively, Chief Choi activated his Gift.

A massive metal shield sprang up from his hand.

The bullets struck the metallic barrier and bounced off.

The Gift was Metal Fortress (Forest Edition #1), given to Lee Woo Do as his close guard.

“Gwak Cheongrae…”

At last, the identity of this strange attacker became clear.

Gwak Cheongrae’s eyes were still half-rolled back, probably from lingering effects of drugs.

“You bastard! Did you think I’d just die quietly? Lee Woo Do, you son of a bitch!”

“Crazy guy. Not right in the head.”

High on drugs, he had charged out intending to kill Lee Woo Do before being taken down, and when he saw the familiar President’s car, he just rammed straight into it.

Luckily, the President wasn’t inside, but Chief Choi’s worry surged.

Yuseong’s group in the back was in danger.

Maybe sensing this concern, the crumpled sedan’s rear door suddenly opened.

Cough “Oh no…”

“Are you alright?”

Yuseong dragged Shin Jia and tumbled out of the car.

Thanks to his protection, Shin Jia was only unconscious, but Yuseong’s left arm was twisted awkwardly.

At least a fracture.

“Wh-where’s Lee Woo Do?!”

Gwak Cheongrae was stunned when someone other than Lee Woo Do emerged from the car.

He started to panic nervously.

Tat-tat-tat.

Chief Choi blocked Gwak Cheongrae’s path with his Gift.

Even Gwak Cheongrae used his magic, but the tough Metal Fortress shield repeatedly took hits from revolver bullets.

“Stay behind me! The police will be here soon.”

Though he said that, Chief Choi was inwardly anxious.

Alone, he could escape somehow, but there were two injured people.

If he dodged, those two would be in danger.

Just by looking, Yuseong’s injuries seemed severe.

With injuries like that, even the most seasoned person would panic.

But Yuseong’s demeanor was unusually calm.

“Chief.”

“Yes! Don’t move.”

“This isn’t our fault. That crazy guy charged at us.”

“Yeah? Right.”

“It seems related to the President.”

At this moment, what was Yuseong trying to say?

“If I handle this, you’ll pay me handsomely.”

“What?”

Chief Choi’s expression twisted in disbelief.

How could he talk about money when barely able to move after being hit by a car?

But regardless of Chief Choi’s thoughts, Yuseong began rummaging through his backpack with his uninjured hand.

Under the cooling box he’d brought separately, he found what he was looking for.

“Oh, this was supposed to be for November 11th.”

A snack popped out from the box.

It was a chocolate snack long loved by both adults and children, now impossible to find.

Chief Choi absentmindedly read the packaging.

“Peppero…?”

Then, Yuseong opened the corner of the refrigerated food storage where that snack had been frozen.