episode_0101

The weather slowly started to get colder.

As I worked hard every day, the midterm exam was getting closer.

In the meantime, we steadily strengthened our teamwork.

We always take overlapping classes together, and if we don’t have anything else going on, we eat lunch together… .

In order to improve my skills, I also made a lot of money by going through C-level dungeons every week.

Thanks to this, the movements started to come together quite a bit.

To put it bluntly… , To what extent are we able to move so as not to become an obstacle to each other?

And the improvement in our teamwork was proven by another phenomenon.

That’s Elena’s characteristic.

“I think my feet have become a little less slow… ?”

“I’m not the only one who felt that way, right?”

“I felt that way too.”

The slowdown rate of the floor she created began to be relaxed and applied only to us.

Unlike the first time, which slowed down 30% of the overall speed, now it is about 15%.

Although my feet still feel heavy, moving is much easier than before.

In other words, it meant that she was gradually starting to accept us as colleagues rather than enemies.

Nevertheless, Elena had an apologetic expression on her face.

“I’m sorry… . “I believe in my teammates, and I still feel this way.”

It’s something that can’t be helped.

Her characteristics distinguish Pia through her inner self.

What this means is that in order to be completely recognized as an ally, our presence must penetrate deep into her inner being. How can that be easy?

If you can freely manipulate the characteristics, you will be able to distinguish between friends and enemies with will alone, but it takes longer than melting into one person’s heart, so it is impossible right now.

“are you okay. “Where is this?”

“what… “Because becoming friends doesn’t always work out the way you want.”

Shin Yu-jeong adds comfort to my words.

But why is he glancing at me while saying that?

“Thank you, everyone. “I will work harder from now on!”

Elena said, clenching her fists.

Recently, her expression began to liven up.

The reason is probably money.

I would send money to my family with the money I earned after conquering C-level dungeons every week, and I would have made small but meaningful changes to my meals.

Considering that the last time I saw him in the weight room, he said he bought a protein shake and offered to give me a bottle, I’m guessing he’s right.

“Then let’s go back now.”

After finishing cleaning up, I went out of the dungeon, changed my clothes in the locker room, and headed to the currency exchange booth.

The profit earned this time was approximately 8 million won.

The profits of C-level dungeons are generally around this level.

There were a lot of ant caves for a C grade.

After distributing the profits excluding taxes equally, I went home with Shin Yu-jeong.

On the bus going home.

He’s looking at his smartphone, leaning his head on my shoulder as if it’s normal.

He thinks I am his pillow.

“Yoojeong.”

“why.”

“Have you ever thought that my shoulder might hurt if you lay your head on it like that?”

When I asked politely, the guy answered with a sour expression.

“uh.”

“… … .”

“If your shoulder hurts this much, you should hit Hunter.”

I’m even more upset because it’s true.

While I was frozen for a moment, Shin Yoo-jeong thrust the smartphone she was looking at in front of my eyes.

“Hey, how about this?”

I was curious and found that I was searching for pomegranate juice.

“Why a pomegranate all of a sudden?”

Then he ruffled my hair and said.

“No, mom seems to be a bit sharper these days, so I did some searching.”

“… however?”

“They say menopause can begin around your mid-40s. “I was wondering if that was why I made money, so I could buy my mom some good things for menopause.”

Menopause… .

The lady didn’t seem to be in a very good mood recently.

But this might be because of me, not menopause.

On the outside it looks the same as usual.

They prepare every meal, bring side dishes, and take care of various things… It’s the same thing… .

I have to say that the atmosphere has become a little colder.

It’s clear that he’s upset or angry about something.

But I don’t know exactly what’s causing this.

It’s better to solve this problem quickly.

“I heard that pomegranate is so good for menopause. So I’m thinking about buying this, what do you think?”

“hmm… , well.”

We know that pomegranates are good for menopausal women.

But the problem is that since it is not because of menopause, it is of no use.

“I think another gift would be better.”

“What gift?”

The guy opens his eyes and looks at me.

I know.

What gift would you like?

If you knew why the lady was upset, a gift related to that would be best… .

“We’ll have to think about it later.”

“hmm… , Then I’ll do some more searching, so you should think about it too. Honestly, how much did your mom care about you? At this point, I should say “my mom,” not “my mom.” admit?”

It must be said that Chin Do Jin was half destined to die when he ran away from the orphanage.

I ran out into the world bare-handed in the cold winter without a single penny, but didn’t I freeze to death?

So, it is as if the lady saved her life by saving her from death.

In addition, haven’t you taken care of him with the utmost sincerity?

To this extent, it is correct to say that she has been dozens or hundreds of times more motherly than those who are mothers in name only.

“Okay, I admit it.”

“Hehehe… , Mother-in-law is also a mother, then.”

“… … .”

This guy seems to have something completely different in mind.

I came home, changed my clothes, and immediately lay down on the mattress.

It wasn’t really difficult because I just used magic behind the scenes, but on the days I went to the dungeon, I didn’t want to do anything after that.

It feels a bit like that.

Like the wise man time that comes after taking a refreshing step?

I was lying on my back without thinking about anything, staring blankly at the ceiling, and suddenly I felt empty.

“Something… , It’s empty.”

Sometimes that happens.

I feel like I want to hug something tightly and curl up with my whole body.

But there is nothing like that in this room.

“… “Maybe I should buy another pillow.”

I wonder if I should buy a long cushion and put it next to the mattress.

I had no choice but to roll up the blanket and hug it to my chest when my smartphone rang.

Someone checked and found out it was a lady.

“hello.”

-Dojin, come down for dinner.

Dry tone of voice.

But it’s not that it’s dry because it doesn’t contain anything, it feels like they’re trying to force out what’s in it.

“uh… , I don’t think I need to eat today. “Maybe it’s because I’m tired, but I’m not really hungry.”

-… so? Then take a good rest.

“yes.”

Even after I ended the call, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

It was from that moment that I felt something strange.

I feel very helpless today.

“… “It wasn’t like this originally.”

I’ve run through the dungeon in this body several times so far, but this is the first time I’ve felt anything like this.

So, what I’m feeling now is not just the feeling of helplessness after conquering the dungeon.

I closed my eyes and slowly observed my body, wondering if something was wrong with my body.

The magic power flowing smoothly around the core became my eyes and looked into various parts of my body, but strangely enough, my body was in excellent condition.

First of all, I don’t think the cause is in the body.

As the magical power was pushed back into the core, I slowly opened my eyes.

A translucent window appeared before my eyes.

[We inform the 504 ‘those with qualifications’ who have proven themselves after many twists and turns.]

[A face-to-face ceremony is being held at midnight tonight.]

[We hope that all ‘qualified people’ will attend and make the event shine.]

[If you are unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances, your characteristics will be revoked. Please note this.]

[Then I’ll see you at midnight.]

“… “What is this?”

A face-to-face ceremony out of the blue.

The moment I saw the message, the feeling of helplessness that had been weighing down my entire body also slowly began to disappear.

I don’t know what the connection is, but I think the symptoms from a while ago were due to this message.

“Face-to-face… .”

To put it simply, it’s just an event where you meet face to face and say hello.

Looking at the beginning of the message, it is limited to 504 people with the characteristic ‘person with qualifications’.

So, does this mean that you have prepared a place where you can meet them face to face and say hello to them?

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think it will be a good place.”

The name of the trait is ‘one with qualities’.

Even if we don’t know exactly what that quality is, it means that the possibility is open anyway.

Normally, in cases like this, all 500 people laugh happily and do not reach the end.

As for possibilities, the more you go up one step at a time, the narrower the space becomes.

Even if, by chance, the platform is wide enough for all 500 people to climb up holding hands… , it would be impossible to rise without one person’s sacrifice.

“They will fight and fight amongst themselves. Is that possible?”

Humans are like that.

A being that can’t see hundreds of beings with the same power as me walking around alive.

Why?

Because if I have power on my own, it leads to greater power.

500 absolutes and one absolute.

Which one do you want to be… , everyone knows it without having to say it.

“At midnight… , you’re close.”

I didn’t specifically tell you where to go, so I guess you can just wait until that time.

The feeling of lethargy disappeared, and as I continued to think for a long time, I suddenly became hungry.

“Oh, I should just have dinner.”

There are a lot of side dishes in the refrigerator, so it’s okay to prepare and eat alone, but I really don’t like eating alone.

Should I eat it or just starve?

While I was lying down and thinking, I suddenly heard a noise coming from the front door.

“Dojin, lady. “Would you like to open the door?”

“uh.”

What’s happening at this time all of a sudden?

I went straight to the front door and opened the door.

A lady wearing the same tight dress as always.

He was holding a small pot in his hand.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“yes? Ah yes… .”

The lady who came inside said “excuse me” and immediately put a pot on the gas stove, turned on the light, and opened the refrigerator door.

Then, he took out all the side dishes that were inside, stretched out the legs of the small table set up next to the refrigerator, and placed them all on top.

“Madame… ?”

When I called the lady with a puzzled expression, she answered me by scooping up a lot of rice from a small electric rice cooker.

“I heard you went to the dungeon today.”

“… yes.”

“Then you must have used a lot of energy, but if you skip dinner, you won’t be able to use it.”

I guess he came up because he was worried about me going to the dungeon and skipping dinner.

His tone is still harsher than usual, but there is a lot of worry embedded in it.

As I was staring blankly at the woman’s back, I suddenly began to notice something different.

“Madame.”

“why.”

“Have you lost weight?”

“… … .”

Although it was only for a moment, it was visible.

The woman’s cheeks, slightly exposed to the side, were turning red.

“Hey.”

I think I chose the right answer.