Chapter 55

Chapter 55

"No matter how hard I think...I think I missed something. I'll be right back." [I] raised my hand and spoke when [I] saw Dawon's crumpled forehead as he resolutely looked forward with his arms crossed over his chest.

The fact that the boss will continue to revive even as we kill him using various methods means that this approach isn't working.

Anyway, [I] don't know which bastard made this Dungeon, but, seeing how the undead ambled comfortably around, they must have a horrible personality. Usually after a new Dungeon has been released for several years, the contents within won't seem so terrifying...but especially when you're trying to master a new raid, one's first impressions can ruin further experiences. Users become desperate, stuck to one room or approach.

If there was a problem, rather than continuously pouring energy into meaningless efforts...[I'd] rather go on a quest to trigger a new scenario while [I] still had the stamina left.

Dawon-hyung probably already had this idea before [I] thought of it. He was probably contemplating who to send. However, Dawon-hyung didn't nod his head in agreement when [I] voiced the logical solution.

Huh? That kinda hurts [my] pride? He doesn't trust [me]?

Across the room, Bang Eunji threw down the gunblade from her shoulders and crossed to my side, pretending to mumble to herself. "Eunji thinks she can do way better...Jung Garam, who lacks stamina, dies immediately in one hit...but Eunji can take a few shots..."

Is this bitch so bored she's picking fights with [me]?

But Bang Eunji, unlike her fierce criticism, wandered aimlessly-her eyes glued to the ground-tired but pretending otherwise.

She's always like that, so [I] wondered if something was wrong in her head...but there were probably more things wrong with her than just her brain. [I] ignored what she said since [I] didn't want to get tangled up in another fight.

Though [I] tried to ignore her remarks, Bang Eunji continued, "Do you admit that it's the truth, Jung Garam?" She smiled bleakly at the ground.

Dawon looked briefly at her and shook his head, "Bang Eunji needs to stay with me."

At his rejection, Bang Eunji's cheeks turned red and she quietly withdrew. [I] don't know how she interpreted hyung's words...'You can't be controlled without me present?' Maybe?

What's funny is that when she speaks to other people, Bang Eunji always looks at the ground or the sky. With Dawon, she can bear to look at his face?

However, Dawon-hyung still refused to grant [my] leave after he ruled out Bang Eunji.

Why is he making things so uncomfortable like this? [I] already offered...

As [I] followed his gaze, [I] could see Kyung-sik's half-broken golem. Is hyung worried that with [my] departure and with the golem's steady path towards destruction, there would be a greater burden on the party's other strikers if [I], one of the main damage dealers, leave?

With a big grin, [I] bragged, "I'll be back before the Golem shatters."

"Can you break through on your own?"

Ah...[I] love everything about this hyung except for one thing: he always manages to say things [I] despise hearing. How many times do [I] have to prove myself so that the others won't doubt [my] ability...

The teasing glint in Dawon hyung's eyes informed [me] that he was provoking [my] anger on purpose.

"We've already cleared the way once. How could I not be able to break through." [I'm] not some kind of jerk Hunter who only knows how to notch a crossbow.

Besides, [I] acted alone before entering this guild. [I] have far more aptitude for solo-play than party-play. Sure, the level of difficulty is much higher alone, but [my] excitement trumped [my] fear.

Dawon slowly scanned [my] confident expression. "Come back quickly?"

"Yes, yes~" [I] refitted the 'Armguard of Jubilant Permission' on [my] forearms.

Suddenly, [I] heard Bae Jaemin's voice from behind. "I'll come with you."

'Stop trying to preach at me.'

His words overlapped with what Bae Jaemin had said a few mornings ago at the guild research center.

After that day he avoided all eye contact with me, so [I] didn't bother with him...Only troublesome things can arise from volunteering to follow [me] back into the route: for example, a one-sided apology show.

[I] really hated others evaluating Bae Jaemin's personality as 'nice,'; since that bastard spoke as if he was the main character in a youth drama, rather than a proper conversation it felt like he was reciting lines off of some script. [I] was also annoyed at how he used [me] and our conflicts in crafting a perfect image for himself.

So, early that morning, [I] advised him to fix his peculiar disparities, but he lept into an absurd temper tantrum......

Inwardly, [I] felt refreshed.

[I] happily noticed that beyond that mask he was something human-festering inferiority complexes like any other person. Additionally, it always felt good to metaphorically kick a prick for no good reason.

The next day, when he awkwardly avoided my line of sight, [I] also pretended to be socially debilitated by that same awkwardness. [I] cared little for our fight, honestly, but [I] worried that if I acted casually, Bae Jaemin would once again try and engage me in that fake, rehearsed manner.

But looking at him offering to follow [me]...Is he gradually trying to act all nice again?! Would he babble on about how he was unusually 'harsh' that day-how he was uncharacteristically upset...?

Fucker.

[I] immediately turned to hyung and begged him with my eyes, 'Please reject him!'

"Then, I'll leave it to the two of you."

"But....." [I] whined.

However, Dawon hyung chicly ignored my pleading eyes.

Damn it...Hyung, are you caring about guild harmony and inter compatibility just because you're the guild master?

But, instead of lecturing us on the nature of friendship, Dawon hyung grabbed [me] by the shoulders and talked in that disgusting cheesy voice of his coupled with that devastatingly handsome face. "Don't get hurt, okay?"

Ah, hyung! [I'm] not gay!

But, [I] couldn't stop my cheeks from blushing. "I won't get hurt! If I get back without injury, give me a billion more in the cut!" Flustered, [I] quickly escaped.

Ah. Goosebumps. Seriously.

When [I] first met hyung, [I] thought he'd be the type to not care whether or not [I] died...that sort of dry relationship was comfortable for me.

Since [I] joined the guild, however, he's treated [me] like a real brother...somehow, it hurts [my] pride that [I] don't dislike that kind of treatment. Recently, [I've] realized how [my] feelings are being swayed by this sort of family play.

Since when did Dawon hyung know [me] well enough to bait me like that? Perhaps [I'm] being sensitive, but [I] hate that subconscious desire to be intimate with another.

Especially that vague desire for family, friendship, love.....

Ugh, it's pretty hair-raising to be conscious of that weakness. It crossed [my] mind that this way of thinking is what makes Bae Jaemin-who was desperate to be regarded highly in this field-and [I] clash too often.

Originally, [I] was going to speed through whether or not Bae Jaemin followed, but some lingering attachment changed [my] mind. [I] waited until he caught up.

Though the two of us walked alone for at least 10 minutes, Bae Jaemin did not readily offer conversation. [I] thought he was going to start offering useless information about himself and his backstory. [I] was going to suggest, "If you don't bother with me, I won't provoke you either. Let's just create a cordial relationship with each other."

Instead, [I] warned, "...Only step on the blue blocks." Sadly, we were stuck in a situation where [I] had to make the first overtures of conversation. When [we] entered the trap room, the mechanics of the traps were randomized and reset.

But this bastard Bae Jaemin acted as if he didn't hear me yet still followed my advice.

What the fuck is that?

I mean, I had hoped just now that he'd ignore me for the rest of his life, but I didn't expect him to be so petty about it.

"Why don't you at least answer me?"

"....."

Wow, there's two of us here, but one is sulking-how aggravating. I glanced at Bae Jaemin out of the corners of my eyes, and he stared back without breaking eye contact.

His eyes weren't hooded with kowtowing shadows as always, but, rather, his eyes had a glass-bead-like quality to it that seemed to scrutinize our every interaction, pressing at [my] buttons.

How cheeky. How very Bae Jaemin-like.

"Oh, is this another instance where I'm supposedly 'preaching at you?' Is that why you're not responding?" [I] regurgitated that famous line from our conflict earlier this morning. At the same time, Bae Jaemin's footsteps quieted.

TL: Jung Garam has such a potty mouth~

Also, Thanks to Areli for the kofi, hope you enjoyed this bonus chap.