S-Class Except Me

「Have you ever intentionally entered an S-Class dungeon before?」

「No. Never.」

「But, leaving our granddaughter in such a dangerous place…!」

「Ah, if you want to argue, ask Brian! I just received a request!」

Haeun stared blankly at Baek Doohan and Rick fighting. Rick, who had been intimidated at first, growled as if he had adapted to it now. When Baek Doohan clenched his fist, he used to back down. 

She thought they could escape from the dungeon if they found the cause of the problem and solved it. Even that became difficult. 

The only thing left now is the straightforward tactic to attack the dungeon formally.

Haeun called up the system window.

[SYSTEM: View clear conditions]

[Gather the tears of an Archangel who has been abandoned by God and understand his despair. If you don’t understand his despair, you can’t escape.

Reward: Angel’s Blessing (S). 

Case of Failure: Death]

The last word, death, came very heavy.

[The constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ is dissatisfied, saying he doesn’t know why it was skipped when she had the perfect debut condition of being people in crisis in an S-Class dungeon.]

[Now, Haeun has no choice but to step forward, and he tells her to stop making up her mind.] 

Haeun shook her head vigorously.

[SYSTEM: Current synchronization rate 21.13%]

An ominous synchronization window still exists beside Haeun.

As the Constellation says, if Haeun steps forward, the chances of succeeding in clearing the dungeon can increase. But that was only when this dungeon stayed still without changing.

What if that synchronization rate rises and the surroundings react? 

Even outside the dungeon, when Haeun used her ability, a strange phenomenon immediately appeared. 

Just like how, on an unfortunate date not too long ago, when she removed a falling piece of glass to save a child and a woman, a louder vibration resonated, and all the building windows were smashed.

Moreover, this place is inside the dungeon. It’s also S-Class. 

If, like in middle school, the level of the dungeon rises, stronger monsters pop out, and people die because of it—.

Haeun, who was staring at the system window without saying a word, asked.

‘Why the surrounding around me react when that number rises?’

She waited, but no answer came. As always, this question is not answered. This brat. 

Then, someone pulled Haeun’s hem.

“You…” 

When she turned around, she saw Baek Soyeon, whose eyes were red from crying and were looking up at her with anxiety.

They decided to work together, but it was Haeun who still worried about directly approaching Baek Soyeon.

So, while standing a little apart, Baek Soyeon crawled to where Haeun was.

Haeun reflexively looked for Baek Doohan. Baek Doohan was completely focused on kicking Rick, paying no attention to Haeun. 

Baek Soyeon opened her mouth.

「‘luvpet’?」

It was Haeun’s Instagram ID that she used when sending DMs to Baek Soyeon. Haeun slowly nodded her head.

「C, can you really help me?」

Baek Soyeon shuddered.

Baek Soyeon became more anxious after Rick’s escape hatch failed. This is because the last moment she saw in her dream was still approaching. 

「Is it really there? That….」

「Tell me before that. What did you dream about your grandfather?」 

Haeun abruptly cut off Baek Soyeon’s words.

Seo Dojoon and Jung Jinho were also here, so she had to be careful. Even though everyone seems to focus on Rick, they probably listen to Haeun and Baek Soyeon’s conversation.

Today, Haeun will work as hard as she can to help Seo Dojoon escape, but she won’t go out directly to the point where she reveals she’s awakened. 

If people find out that Haeun has awakened, they will definitely not be able just to sit back and watch. 

「The dream you were talking about your grandfather was today, right?」

「That….」

「If you don’t tell me, I can’t help you even if I want to help you.」

「…That’s right.」

Baek Soyeon, who hesitated, eventually confessed. Baek Soyeon, who looked around as if someone was eavesdropping, whispered in a small voice.

「I’ve seen this place before.」

「In a dream? This dungeon?」

「Please save my grandfather. You must save him. I don’t want my grandfather to die because of me.」

Baek Soyeon grabbed Haeun’s hem tightly. Baek Soyeon was very confused and terrified. 

「Uh, Ugh.」

When Baek Soyeon had trouble breathing again, Haeun quickly rubbed the back of Baek Soyeon.

「It’s okay. Take a breath.」

「Promise… promise me. Will you save my grandfather?」

「Of course. See that Oppa over there? I think you might know because you saw him last time, but he’s a really great Oppa. He’s an S-Class Hunter who’s ranked first in Korea. He will help Soyeon and Baek Doohan not get hurt.」

「Not that Oppa. How about Unnie?」

Haeun flinched. Baek Soyeon held on to Haeun.

「Unnie has that scary thing with you, too. Unnie is stronger than the others, right? Can you save my grandfather?」

Haeun was silent for a while when she saw she had to do that.

When she was young and couldn’t Awaken alone, Haeun longed for it. She says she wants to become a hero who will Awaken and save people someday.

However, as the power she first used returned as a disaster, Haeun refused to use the power herself. 

There was nothing difficult. She just pretends it doesn’t exist. Haeun could be satisfied with her life even if she didn’t have to act as an Awakened person or a Hunter. 

As a non-Awakened member of a wonderful S-Class family—.

‘No.’

Suddenly, a hot feeling welled up inside her.

That wasn’t what Haeun really wanted.

She actually wants to stand side by side with her family. She didn’t want to be someone who had to be protected.

‘Why is this penalty only for me?’

Haeun glared at the system window displaying the synchronization rate.

If it weren’t for that, if only that number didn’t change, everything would be fine.

It’s really the worst that she can’t do without it.

「…Unnie?」

When Haeun said nothing, Baek Soyeon anxiously called Haeun’s name. Haeun took a deep breath as if to calm her heart. 

「Mmh.」

But she had to be patient. Haeun didn’t know what would happen if she used her strength in this situation.

Currently, all Haeun can do is cooperate with Hunter Seo Dojoon to help him clear this dungeon. 

「Ung, okay. I promise you.」

But Baek Soyeon was already scared and couldn’t have gotten any worse, so she told her a little white lie.

“Everyone, please gather here.”

Just in time, Seo Dojoon called the people in a loud voice. Haeun looked back at Baek Soyeon.

“Shall we go?”

Baek Soyeon hesitated for a moment, then she stretched out her arm to Haeun.

「Mmh.」

Haeun took Baek Soyeon in her arms and went back to the people. 

“Soyeon-ah?”

Baek Doohan was surprised to see the two of them suddenly getting closer.

Haeun handed over Baek Soyeon to Baek Doohan. Baek Doohan looked at Haeun for a moment, noticing that his granddaughter had calmed down.

“I will try to clear the dungeon.”

Seo Dojoon focused on the audience.

His mouth was stiff in the present situation, which can’t be said to be hopeful even in empty words.

“I am the main attacker, but Hunter Jung Jinho will supports me. Baek Doohan, please take care of Baek Soyeon.”

“Okay.” 

“I’m sorry Haeun-ssi, but since it’s an emergency, it seems difficult to protect only Haeun-ssi. I hope you will be as careful as possible while walking around with Baek Doohan.”

“It’s all right. I know.”

“And…” 

She swung the short dagger that Seo Dojoon was holding once.  

The black magic binding Rick until now split into two and swayed like a pair of heads. A swaying head surrounded Haeun, Baek Doohan, and Baek Soyeon in a circle. 

At the same time, an opaque line appeared and disappeared instantly.

Haeun widened her eyes. 

“This is my special ability. As long as this line doesn’t disappear, you can hide to your opponent so that no one can see you. It also applies to monsters.”

Seo Dojoon calmly explained.

“As long as I don’t fall… it won’t disappear. I can’t go into detail, but the dungeon here is dangerous. So, no matter what happens, don’t step out of the shadows and stay safe.”

After that, after a brief explanation of the plan, the group left the space they were currently staying in. Haeun looked around and muttered quietly.

“It looks like a temple.”

Angel’s Silence of the S-Class Dungeon.

A tall marble pillar supports the huge space. The ceilings were endless that she couldn’t see the sky.

A statue in the shape of an angel with wings and a spear was standing in the cool, straight corridor.

It was a magnificent sight as if visiting a historic site and a quiet sight as if time had stopped. It was so quiet that there seemed to be no monsters.

「Why do I have to be at the front?」

Rick, who was restrained by Seo Dojoon’s magic power, let out a groan.

As it is a dungeon where he doesn’t know what will pop out, Seo Dojoon chose Rick as a human shield. It is a punishment for what he has done.

「Damn it. Why won’t the door open?」

「Ssh.」

Drkk, drrkk.

Then there was a sound of a hard rock hitting each other and scratching.

Haeun felt the black shadow surrounding her grow thicker.

At the same time, she saw something black in front of her eyes, and there was a loud roar.

Bang–!

In front of Haeun, black magic power gushed out and formed a huge protective shield.

A black curtain rising from the floor blocked the long spear wielded by the statue. The window of the statue was broken in two.

The stone statue’s window was broken in two.

The wave-like magic power created a tsunami in an instant.

Boom, boom boom! 

The stone statues that came abruptly were swept away by magic. The stone statue of an angel slammed against the wall and creaked.

Taak.

And without missing the moment, Seo Dojoon fiercely hit it and ran.