Chapter 12: Dungeon experience

Five people formed the dungeon exploration team.

A diverse group of people in gender, physique, and age.

They introduced themselves inside the van heading towards the dungeon.

First up was Kang Arin.

She scratched her long, messy black hair and spoke in a slightly more curt tone than when she was with Cheok Chaerin or Ham Yui.

“I’m Kang Arin. My specialty is fistfighting, and I think I’ll be taking on the role of tank and main damage dealer.”

A tactic made possible by her rapid growth and strong physique.

If they were going into a dungeon, Kang Arin would be positioned at the front, consistently dealing damage. She was assigned the role of the main damage dealer, fighting on the front lines.

The veteran, a middle-aged man, smiled and asked her a question.

“Who is your Constellation?”

[Atheist Human is startled!]

“Uh…”

Kang Arin hesitated at the question.

Everyone subtly showed interest, but her vision was flooded with a single message.

[Atheist Human says be quiet!]

[Atheist Human says he’s embarrassed!]

[Atheist Human says he’s shy!]

Desperate messages from the Constellation she adored.

Kang Arin wanted to brag about her Constellation, but…

Due to her possessiveness, obsession, and her Constellation’s request, she crossed her arms and remained silent.

Next up was Ham Yui, Artemis’s Incarnation.

She subtly showed the sword she was holding and said:

“Sub-dealer. I’m a swordswoman who uses water… I’m a bit weak, but I can also attack from a distance.”

As befitting her small stature, Ham Yui moved quickly and skillfully.

Her role was to deliver surprise critical hits while Kang Arin and the tank held the front line.

Everyone clapped politely, and the next person introduced himself. A well-built man with white hair and tanned skin. Baek Taeyang, with a staff casually tucked under his arm.

“Yo. I’m Baek Taeyang, and I mainly use a staff. Main damage dealer role~.”

Baek Taeyang acted tough.

He was the man who had picked a fight with Kang Arin on the bus.

And a message from a Constellation appeared before Baek Taeyang.

[Atheist Human growls.]

“Wh… what?! I’m just playful, I’m a pure-love type!”

Perhaps it was a misunderstanding he often faced, because Baek Taeyang immediately explained.

“I’ve been dating my childhood sweetheart since I was nine, with marriage in mind. I’ve never even held hands with another woman besides her!”

He was a romantic at heart, unlike his appearance.

Anyway, these three were promising trainees who ranked high in the training center.

Ham Yui, the most exemplary among them, spoke to the kind-looking veteran.

“Enough chit-chat. We received good grades and are participating in this dungeon trial to gain practical experience.”

“Oh ho ho… I see!”

The middle-aged man stroked his long beard.

He looked at the red-haired woman sitting next to him, Cheok Chaerin, who exuded a haughty and cold aura like a queen.

Cheok Chaerin glanced at everyone, then closed her eyes and spoke:

“Sub-dealer, swordswoman, uses lightning. Participating to build a portfolio for official ranking.”

She gave a brief and concise explanation.

She clearly didn’t want to talk.

But the veteran, out of curiosity, asked another question:

“A swordswoman who uses lightning… impressive! I’m curious who your Constellation is.”

There aren’t many Constellations who use lightning.

A veteran’s attitude, wanting to know for sure and figure out how to utilize it.

But….

“I refuse.”

“Cooperation is necessary.”

“…My Constellation doesn’t approve.”

A message window appeared, visible only to Cheok Chaerin.

So, four talented individuals lacking in cooperation.

Normally, it would be a frustrating situation, but the veteran, living up to his name, just laughed heartily and introduced himself.

“Oh ho ho, call me Mister! I’m the tank, a D-rank Incarnation who specializes in dungeons.”

The man finished his introduction.

Polite applause followed, but an awkward silence lingered. There was no camaraderie or common ground between the five.

In this uncomfortable silence, the veteran cleared his throat to draw attention.

Then he smiled kindly and said:

“It seems you’re not interested in me. Oh ho ho!”

The veteran laughed heartily.

And then he brought up a topic that would interest the newly-minted Incarnations.

“Do you know the nicknames based on rank? Slang used among those who fight on the front lines. Oh ho ho!”

“…Nicknames?”

“Oh ho ho ho! Now you’re showing some curiosity.”

Ham Yui raised an eyebrow, showing interest.

And although they pretended not to care, Kang Arin, Cheok Chaerin, and Baek Taeyang all perked up their ears.

The man may only be D-rank, but he’s an Incarnation with a lot of practical experience.

The veteran explained with a smile.

“First, F-ranks are called newbies.”

“Well… that’s obvious.”

“Oh ho ho! The phase every Incarnation goes through after becoming an Incarnation! Anyone can escape it, even an old man like me, as long as they have time!”

The veteran spoke cheerfully.

Everyone became a bit more interested in his affable explanation.

Especially the newbie Constellation, who was watching nervously from the sky.

“E and D ranks, they are called pebbles.”

“…Pebbles?”

Cheok Chaerin, unusually, showed interest and asked.

Pleased with her reaction, the veteran answered with a smile.

“Well, it’s simple. Losers who can’t reach C-rank. There are tons of them, mediocre people who can’t climb up due to lack of talent. Like this useless old man. Oh ho ho ho!”

The veteran laughed heartily, self-deprecatingly.

But he also advised them not to underestimate them, as they’ve accumulated a lot of experience.

Then he introduced the next tier.

“C-ranks are called hunters! People who can properly pull their weight.”

“Hmm… then that should be our first goal.”

“Oh ho ho! That’s right!”

In other words, the wall of talent that blocks your path no matter how hard you try.

The rank of lament that you can never break through without talent.

That is the price of C-rank.

“B-ranks are called elites. Out of the 40,000 Incarnations in South Korea, there are only 200 of them.”

“Mister~ are they strong?”

Baek Taeyang, still acting tough, asked.

The veteran, still chuckling, answered:

“You’ll have to meet them and see for yourselves! They’re true elites who have overcome the wall of talent at C-rank and also have experience. Oh ho ho!”

“What about above that?”

As the conversation shifted to higher ranks, the trainees openly showed their interest.

Even Cheok Chaerin was intrigued enough to ask a question.

The upper tiers that every Incarnation dreams of reaching.

An exciting topic for newbie Incarnations just starting out.

The veteran answered with a smile.

“A-ranks are called superhumans. They receive full support from the government and can enjoy popularity on par with celebrities!”

“…That’s not important.”

Baek Taeyang leaned his head back against the seat and looked at the veteran.

His eyes sparkled with competitiveness.

“How many are there?”

“Only 35, oh ho ho! Both the Constellation and the Incarnation need overflowing talent to reach that level!”

Only 35.

Only 35 out of 40,000….

A mere 0.0875% probability.

To put it another way, the chance of finding one among 1,143 people.

Ordinary people would despair at such abysmal odds.

Or they would aim for C-rank, do their best, and then settle for reality.

But the story didn’t end there.

“S-ranks are called heroes. There are only seven of them, and they possess a level of… that can’t be explained by talent alone.”

“Destiny?”

“Yes, that’s right! Destiny is the most appropriate word!”

Heroes, surpassing even superhumans.

Power so unreasonable for a single human to possess.

As if it were predetermined by fate.

Those are S-rank Incarnations.

Currently, even the largest guilds in Korea have only one or two at most.

They are that valuable.

However, Baek Taeyang and Cheok Chaerin smirked.

“That sounds like my ticket to heaven. It wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t that challenging!”

“…It’ll be easy. It’s a necessary step to repay my Constellation.”

Cheok Chaerin muttered to herself in a cold voice.

Then, turning secretly, she spoke in a low voice to her Constellation, who must be watching.

“Right? ♡”

A change of expression that would surprise anyone who saw it.

A blushing face and submissive eyes, like an obedient puppy.

On the other hand, Kang Arin, lacking in talent, asked Ham Yui, who was sitting next to her, with a dejected expression.

“Uu… Yui, do you think I can do it…?”

“…I… I don’t know! Stop hugging me!!”

“You’re small and easy to hug.”

“I’ll bite you?!”

The dungeon exploration team members’ morale soared.

It was a stark contrast to when they were silently riding in the van.

The veteran smiled, watching the four young people, now lively and cheerful.

“You’re all young, so please work hard not to end up like this old man. Oh ho ho ho!”

“Ah, but….”

At that moment, Ham Yui interrupted.

She looked cute, being forcibly hugged by Kang Arin, but her question continued.

“Isn’t there also SS-rank? Is there no slang for them?”

“Oh ho ho…”

Everyone focused again at Ham Yui’s words.

SS-rank Incarnations, rumored to be capable of single-handedly overturning a nation.

Of course, she had heard that their activities were restricted for political reasons, but….

Still, she heard they were incredibly powerful.

“Even if you searched the entire world, there are only fifteen SS-rank Incarnations. Only three in Korea. In the 35 years since Constellations and dungeons appeared! Oh ho ho!”

“….”

“Let’s see… what was the slang for them….”

The veteran touched his beard, searching his memory.

Then, he smacked his fist into his palm and said:

“They were called ‘Disasters,’ right? Oh ho ho!”

Monsters capable of reshaping the map if they so desired.

People praised them, saying they were stronger than Constellations.

Of course, whether those rumors are exaggerated or not is unknown, but….

Still, aware of the prestige of SS-rank, the four young Incarnations froze.

Even Baek Taeyang and Cheok Chaerin, who had just moments ago boasted about reaching S-rank.

The veteran noticed the sudden shift in atmosphere.

He let out his characteristic hearty laugh.

“Oh ho ho! I’m sure you all can do it!”

The excited atmosphere in the van cooled down instantly.

Of course, unlike the beginning, they were now comfortable enough to have conversations.

The veteran, skillfully managing the team’s atmosphere, picked up his shield and said:

“It seems we’re almost there, shall we depart?”

Kang Arin and Cheok Chaerin’s first dungeon exploration had begun.