The Sea Dragon Temple (1)

That night.

I successfully reported to Chairman Yu Neung-hae.

I wasn’t entirely pleased, but it was enough.

I barely managed to get Peng Jin-ah’s permission to subjugate the <Trial>.

Only then could I finally check my phone.

And I was simultaneously shocked.

The number of messages from Ju Na-young and Moon Bora was unusual.

‘…How many messages did I get?’

99+ was just a joke of a number to say.

All of them were messages from the two looking for me.

Feeling a slight madness, I hesitated briefly.

For now, I settled the situation by saying I’d explain in detail tomorrow.

‘Because I can’t just pass on confidential information.’

Yes, definitely the next day.

Not late at night.

But, unfortunately, regardless of my intention, I found myself kneeling in confusion.

‘…Hmm.’

Even thinking about it again, it was absurd.

Why did it turn out this way?

I recalled the events for a moment.

Surely, I conveyed the details about the [Sea Dragon Temple] subjugation to Meowi and Choi Mari.

I was about to eat, wash up, and sleep when…

Suddenly, bang, bang! The two barged in.

―Yu Seha, open the door! You scoundrel!
―Seha. Open the door. We won’t do anything bad. Probably…

I was startled and opened the door for them.
Then, the room was filled with the strong smell of alcohol, making me flinch.

The alcohol scent was so pungent that I had to cover my nose.

Their faces were also flushed, as if they had drunk with a purpose.

―What’s this, you two…? Did you drink? How many bottles did you have? The alcohol smell…
―Be quiet!
―Be quiet!
―…Guys?

Hmm, right.
That’s how things led to this moment.
For the record, they didn’t ask me to kneel.

But their relentless storm of nagging naturally made my knees bend.

Indeed, sometimes on TV, married men say that when they mess up, it naturally turns out like this…

I thought it might be in a similar context.

“How could you just leave a single text and go?! Do you know how anxious I was?”
“Sorry. But I really couldn’t contact–”
“We’re a team! A trio, right?”
“Y-yes, a trio, right. So–”
“More than that… Yu Seha, what’s your relationship with that senior from <Sisterhood>? Is it Choi Mari? She’s a pure and pretty senior. How did you manage to woo her in such a short time? You seduced her with that face of yours again, didn’t you?!”

Oh, this sounds bad to hear…

Who said I seduced her?

Rather, it was Meowi who seduced Senior Mari.

If I had gone alone in the first place, convincing her would have been impossible.

“It’s not like that. How dare you speak to Miss Senior in the second grade like that? Seriously.”

“Miss Se-senior…? You even added ‘miss’? You, you, you, and even Meowi… You like innocent, kind girls with gentle eyes, don’t you? That’s your type, isn’t it?! Right?! Not a wicked dragon like me, right?!”

“Hey, Ju Na-young. You’re too drunk…”

“This is perfect timing. Since it’s come to this, I’ll ask, too. What’s your relationship with Divine Light Garam? She’s a third-year, even holding the position of the convent head… How special must your relationship be to have cozy tea times with someone so respected by everyone? I didn’t even know… but she came directly to treat you? What on earth is your relationship with her?!”

Wow…
Crazy…
My head was ringing from all this.

The continuous babble, chatter, babbling, bark bark! Woof woof! Waaa, Young-ah!

I sighed and placed my hand on my forehead.

The two of them, as if they had planned it in advance, attacked relentlessly.

They chattered as if determined not to give me a chance to refute.

Normally, it wouldn’t have been like this.

Both of them were far from being stubborn and selfish individuals.

But the demon called alcohol took away their rational judgment, leaving only their primal sides.

I reflected inwardly.

‘This is my mistake.’

Even though it was supposed to be kept secret, my careless attitude seemed to have caused this mess.

No wonder they were upset.
I hadn’t explained anything; I only took Meowi and someone with <Divinity Profession> they didn’t know and left them behind.

If I were Ju Na-young or Moon Bora, I would have felt hurt too.
But that didn’t mean I could stay like this.

Clap!

“…!”
“…!”

I used [Stone Hardening] on both hands and clapped them together.

The sound of rough rocks colliding made both of them flinch.

It wouldn’t last long, but it didn’t matter.

If I could take control, I could handle their drunken antics somehow.

‘At times like this…’

“You two. Sit on the bed.”

Their expressions hardened at my request.

Then, they showed an interesting reaction.

Ju Na-young turned as red as her hair.

‘“W-What? The bed…?”

Moon Bo-ra, startled, muttered,

“Both of us…? What are you planning…? No way… no, but that’s a bit–”
“Ah, be quiet!”

Sit down quickly!

Squish, squish.

“Hang in there!”

Squish, squish.

“Ouch!”

Squish, squish.

“Wait a minute… Y-Yu Seha! You’re too intense… Ouch!”

Press, press.

“H-Hey…! It hurts… Please, gently… I was wrong.”

“……”

Sigh.
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
Anyone who saw this would think something inappropriate was happening.

“Just be quiet. I’m just pressing the acupuncture points!”
“Ouch…”
“But it really hurts…”

What I was doing was pressing the acupuncture points that were good for hangovers.

I had learned it from taking care of my perpetually drunken comrades and father, and I was confident in its effectiveness.

It was working.

The cloudiness in their eyes was starting to clear.

Apparently, even the <System> recognized my skills.

Unexpected ability acquisition.

It was somewhat absurd.

I never thought I would acquire [Hand Movements] like this…

Anyway, thanks to that, they both calmed down.

I immediately explained what had happened.
I didn’t forget to draw up a contract for <Confidentiality>.

First, about the <Sticky Sewer>.
Next, the additional space that appeared below.
Mentioning the entry conditions and clearing of the <Underground Waterway> that appeared there.
Then, I also reported to Chairman Yu Neung-hae.

“C-confidentiality… you say?”
“There’s a dungeon that requires <Divinity Profession>…”
“That’s why I couldn’t tell you properly. I never intended to leave you two behind.”
“……”
“……”

At my words, Moon Bora and Ju Na-young looked at each other in silence.

Their faces showed a hint of guilt.
Of course, only for a moment, their eyes widened at the mention of <Trial>.

“A-a real trial? A trial?! Really?!”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s called the <Sea Dragon Temple>. The estimated grade is B+. I don’t know what kind of gimmicks or bosses are inside. We’ll have to go in to find out.”

The two listened with eager expressions.
Anticipation and desire were written on their faces.

It was a natural reaction.

For hunters, a <Trial> was like winning the lottery.

No, it was even more than that.

It was a treasure, where dreams and adventure combined into one tangible form.

<Trials> were just that thrilling.

‘…And equally dangerous.’

Thanks to that, they immediately accepted my party invitation without hesitation.

I also entrusted the <Pendant> to Moon Bora.

“…Ah, the [Magic Emperor’s]…”
“Yeah, the Chairman said it wouldn’t be a problem if it were you.”
“……”

Judging by her expression, she didn’t want me to ask any more about it.

I let it slide.
It wasn’t anything significant anyway.

‘Great.’

With this, the five-person party was formed.
At the same time, it was the first official adventure.

‘Anyway…’

I didn’t need to explain anymore.
The misunderstandings were cleared, and I had laid everything out.

Except for one unexpected remark from Ju Na-young.

“…Yu Seha.”
“Huh?”
“So, is that gentle-eyed Senior Choi Mari your type? Huh? Hurry, answer.”
“…Me too. What about Senior Divine Light Garam? I must hear your answer.”

No, seriously, you two…

‘Were you even listening to me?’

In the end, that night, I was hounded by the two of them and didn’t sleep a wink.

After the stormy commotion ended, the next day arrived.

Early in the morning, I took Meowi, Ju Na-young, and Moon Bora to <Sisterhood>.

The reason wasn’t anything major.

The first was to bring Choi Mari back with us.

‘The second…’

The <Skill Rune> that I could now equip due to the lifting of the [Overlord Sword technique]’s restriction.

When I first visited <Sisterhood>.
I had asked Divine Light Garam for a favor, and the report came that it was all done.

Now, we just had to prepare the necessary consumables and challenge the true source lurking beneath the <Underground Waterway>.

The <Sea Dragon Temple> awaited.

This was the extent of my plans.

I didn’t expect anything more, no surprises.

But then why…

“Here, Yu Seha. Say ah~”
“……”

Divine Light Garam.

I couldn’t understand why she was smiling softly, trying to feed me cake.

Sneakily.

I swallowed dryly at the gazes focused on me from all around.

I opened my mouth to escape, even if belatedly.

“…Excuse me, Senior Divine Light Garam?”
“Oh my, it feels so distant… You can just call me by my name like usual, you know? If it’s too long, you can even call me ‘Garama~’.”
“…Why are you doing this? I’ve never called you that… Besides, we’re not that close.”
“Oh my, why would that be~?”

Divine Light Garam playfully grinned.
Her eyes turned to my companions who had come along.

“Meeeooow…!”

Covering her eyes with both hands, ‘Meeoow, meeeoow!’ cried Meowi.

“Young-ah…!”

‘Y-You mean… it was all a smokescreen with Senior Choi Mari?!’ thought Ju Na-young.

“……”

Lastly, there was Moon Bo-ra.
She stared at me with an expressionless face, cold eyes fixed on me.

“Huhu~”

Divine Light Garam murmured, ‘This is quite amusing. I can’t miss this opportunity.’

That appearance suddenly reminded me.

One of Divine Light Garam’s characteristics.
Specifically, one of her flaws.

In addition to [Narcissism], she had another malicious trait.

‘…Damn.’

As the atmosphere worsened, cold sweat trickled down my back.

Why on earth…

‘Why is this trial being bestowed upon me…?’