Chapter 36: Stronger Than I Thought (1)

Suho set the carp down and said,

“Let’s talk while drinking.”

Kim Jinseong, whom he had met during the Association request, waved his hand.

“This is a little too expensive to just drink, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine, the original price was cheap. It’s all I have to serve, so drink it.”

“Well then, I’ll gladly have some.”

Suho picked up a bottle of sake and sat across from Kim Jinseong.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I should’ve told you beforehand. Sorry, hyung.”

“It’s not that I’m nagging, I’m just really curious. The future that was supposed to come didn’t arrive, but you showed up first.”

After a short pause, Kim Jinseong answered,

“You probably noticed already, but my class is a bit unusual.”

“Oh, the one where you transform into a non-human?”

“Yes. Globally, transformation-type abilities are rare, and among those, turning into a non-human is even rarer.”

“I see. So?”

“Well, in Baekho Guild, I’m the only one with transformation abilities. The training feels… lacking. I can’t use my full power, like I’m being held back somehow.”

It did look like he was fighting with a penalty inside the dungeon.

“You do seem to tire out quickly after transforming.”

“Yes, that too. And my fighting style… it’s kind of clumsy.”

“I see. But why come to me? I don’t think I’d be of much help.”

“You’re a Magic Swordsman, aren’t you? A hybrid class, yet you fight so well. Your movements in battle are really natural.”

“… I told you, I’m not a Magic Swordsman.”

With an awkward look, Kim Jinseong continued,

“The truth is… I graduated from the 1-Star dungeon last time. But like I said, things aren’t going the way I want. I felt stuck, so I came out for some fresh air… and ended up here.”

So that was it.

“You graduated 1-Star? Congrats. I just graduated from there last time too. We’re graduation buddies then.”

“Ah! Congrats to you too, hyung.”

“Don’t worry. Once you run a few 2-Star dungeons, the blockages clear up fast.”

Problems that once felt like life-or-death often turned out to be nothing after some time.

Suho added,

“When I was stuck, I felt the same way.”

Just then—

Bzzzzt—

Suho’s phone rang.

He answered.

“Hello.”

“Hyung, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Hyunsu? Yeah, I’ve been fine. You?”

“I’m good. By the way, hyung, are you free this weekend for a dungeon run? A 1-Star slot opened up.”

Suho clicked his tongue.

‘Damn, I should’ve told Hyunsu earlier.’

On the way back from the Association, that whole Ondal Bear mess had made him forget to mention his 1-Star graduation.

“Hyunsu, I can’t this time.”

“Then next time, hyung. But… is something wrong?”

“No, it’s just—I graduated from 1-Star.”

He felt guilty. They were party members, after all.

Though he never thought the party would last forever, just telling him like this felt inconsiderate.

“Whoa, seriously?! Amazing! I knew you’d graduate soon. Congratulations, hyung!”

“Thanks. Sorry for not telling you earlier.”

“No, don’t apologize. I didn’t contribute much anyway. I mostly tagged along in your runs. Thanks to you, I got some decent gear.”

“Still, I feel bad.”

“Haha, it’s fine. When I graduate 1-Star, take me along again. I’ll make sure I can pull my own weight next time!”

“You already did. You handled your share well enough with your elemental arrows.”

“Then… what about 2-Star? Should I reserve a slot? It’ll be dangerous to go alone.”

Ah, right. He hadn’t thought that far.

“Don’t book anything until I say so. I’ll call you if I need it.”

“Got it, hyung. Let me know anytime.”

“Yeah.”

The call ended.

Suho leaned back, thinking.

“What should I do about 2-Star?”

Earth had magic and monsters.

He couldn’t just avoid dungeons.

One way or another, he had to get stronger.

‘Still, it might be risky to solo.’

The best case was soloing. With Balryong around, it might be possible.

But jumping straight into a 2-Star dungeon alone wasn’t wise.

‘At least once, I want to get a read on it first.’

Just like he had taken Junghyun into 1-Star before, it would be good to have someone reliable, even just once.

While Suho was pondering, Kim Jinseong asked,

“Hyung, are you planning on going to a 2-Star dungeon?”

“I have to. But my old party hasn’t graduated yet, so I’m conflicted.”

“If it’s okay with you, would you like to go with me?”

“What about your guild? Won’t you just go with them?”

“I graduated before my party members. Waiting around while they catch up… honestly, I feel suffocated. I want a change of pace.”

“Won’t your guild mind?”

“It’s fine. I’ll report it properly. It’s not against the rules.”

He clearly had thought this through already.

Smiling, Jinseong added,

“Actually, I was about to ask a guild senior to come along. This works out perfectly. The three of us can go together—me, you, and him.”

“Well, I’d appreciate that.”

Suho nodded.

A 2-Star from Baekho Guild would be reliable enough as a guide.

“Then I’ll consider it settled.”

“Alright. Which dungeon are we tackling?”

Suho couldn’t just piggyback on Baekho Guild’s 2-Star dungeon.

That would be shameless.

He had planned to ask Hyunsu to reserve one through the Association anyway.

“I was thinking of the Association’s 2-Star dungeon. Our guild’s dungeon has a fixed schedule.”

“I see.”

That was even better—less pressure.

“Then I’ll reserve it and let you know.”

“Sounds good.”

***

“Leave it to me, kid. Got it?”

“If you’re in trouble, just tell your senior everything.”

“Who am I? I’m Song Jaegoo, aren’t I? Song Jaegoo!”

Baekho Guild’s Level 36 Hunter, an archer class.

That was his trademark line.

But Jaegoo regretted saying it this time.

“Damn, who would’ve thought he’d actually ask me to come?”

He and Jinseong were on good terms. The clueless junior had asked him to accompany them into the dungeon.

“I should’ve refused…”

Pride, image, reputation.

Song Jaegoo valued these above all.

And with party members watching, there was no way he could turn him down.

Now, though, he was regretting it.

He was nearly done with 2-Star, and now he had to babysit a newcomer.

“I’ll end up doing all the work… sigh.”

He could already imagine how things would go.

His head was throbbing.

“And it had to be an Association dungeon, not even one of Baekho’s.”

The Association dungeon—old, widely documented, and public.

But not as familiar as their own.

“And on top of that, we’re dragging an outsider along.”

It kept getting worse.

Some newbie Hunter who’d just graduated 1-Star.

Jinseong vouched for his skill, but—

“Hah… skill, my ass. He’s still just a fresh graduate. And unaffiliated, too. Wonder if he even has proper gear.”

From 2-Star onwards, the difficulty spiked.

Unlike the enclosed 1-Star dungeons, 2-Star was vast—mountains, fields, rivers, even full ecosystems.

The number and quality of monsters was incomparable.

Veteran Hunters even called 1-Star a tutorial.

“He’d better not mess up.”

Jaegoo clenched his teeth.

If the outsider faltered, he’d scold him mercilessly—with the authority of a senior.

He steeled himself as they set off for Pocheon, where the Association dungeon was located.

***

The day came to meet Jinseong.

“Keep the house safe.”

“You think I’m some mutt?”

“You know what I mean. Watch the fridge and the suitcase especially.”

“Don’t worry. When you return, make sure to pay me back as promised.”

Balryong would stay behind.

Every time Suho left, something happened.

This time, better to leave it under Balryong’s watch.

‘There’s probably more monsters in the Forest too…’

And the dwarves could be attacked anytime.

At least with Balryong around, they’d be safe.

“Don’t just sit back and watch like last time if someone barges in. You’ll get it when I’m back.”

Leaving that warning, Suho stepped out.

“Let’s find out today. Just how much I can do in 2-Star.”

And he had something else to practice—using Haste in combat.

He had practiced it at home, but real combat was different.

He needed live experience.

While he was thinking, the bus rumbled along.

Soon, the destination came into view.

Pocheon 2-Star Dungeon.

An Association-owned dungeon, open to all 2-Star Hunters.

“Quite the crowd.”

The place was packed.

Hunters, collection teams, even merchants buying byproducts.

“No wonder. It’s the largest 2-Star dungeon in the metro area.”

Its moderate difficulty attracted many Hunters.

It was, in effect, an officially recognized hunting ground.

“In places like this, we have to be extra careful. Multiple parties enter at once.”

Because the dungeon was so vast, they couldn’t just clear it and wait for monsters to respawn.

Many teams went in together, and with crowds came accidents.

‘Still, not a bad starting point for 2-Star.’

A crowded dungeon wasn’t necessarily bad. It was good for experiencing a standard 2-Star.

“Hyung!”

A familiar voice called out.

Jinseong approached from a chartered van.

“You’re here early.”

Suho got out, answering.

Beside Jinseong stood another Hunter.

“Hyung, this is my senior from the guild, Song Jaegoo. He’s a ranged dealer.”

The bow slung across his back made it obvious.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Won Suho. Please take care of me.”

“Ah, yeah. Let’s both do our best. No point coming all this way and leaving empty-handed. Haah…”

Though he tried to sound energetic, Jaegoo sighed softly.

Suho’s appearance didn’t please him.

‘Knew it the moment he stepped out of that beat-up truck. Why’s he empty-handed? No armor, no weapon. Don’t tell me he left it in the truck…’

As Jaegoo glared in irritation, Suho reached behind his back.

There, strapped to his waist, was a hip pouch.

“Let’s put on a show.”

It was Suho’s prep for today—a so-called fake magic pouch.

“I’ll gear up now. Just a sec.”

He reached into the pouch.

“Huh? That’s… gear?”

“Hyung! So that’s where your items were! Is that… a magic pouch?!”

Both Jaegoo and Jinseong shouted in shock.

A magic pouch—an item with spatial expansion magic.

Rare, only obtained as complete drops from dungeons.

And expensive. Few 2-Star Hunters owned one personally.

“Yeah, I bought one recently.”

He had actually purchased a dimensional bag for this moment.

“Incredible, hyung. Our guild lent us one too.”

“Oh, really?”

Suho glanced at Jaegoo’s back. Sure enough, a real magic pouch hung there.

“Since we couldn’t bring a collection team, I borrowed one from the guild. If I knew you had one, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

“Guess I should’ve told you earlier.”

Suho reached into his pouch.

At the same time, he opened the dimensional bag and pulled out his gear.

Crimson-gray Guardian Armor and a Flame-forged Magic Sword gleamed in the light.

Jaegoo’s eyes widened.

“T-that set alone must be worth tens of thousands…! The pouch, the armor, the sword… what are you, some rich heir?!”

Then why the hell did he show up in that crappy truck?!

As Jaegoo reeled, Suho calmly donned his equipment.

“Shall we go?”

He lifted his hand and tapped the back of his neck.

Click—

From the armor’s collar, a helmet unfolded, wrapping around his face.

“Y-you’ve got to be kidding me. How much does that cost?!”

Through the visor, Suho’s glowing eyes met Jaegoo’s.

And in that instant, Jaegoo realized—

He had gravely underestimated this man.