Chapter 21

EP.21 Jin (1)

It has been proven that the magic stone can be moved by a high strength value.

My strength, which doubles when pushing objects through [Super Strength], and.

Mun Ga-eun's strength, which is adequately developed as an archer.

When we worked together, the rock trembled, so if we add one more holder who can contribute to pushing the rock, we should be able to move it.

Someone who can be trusted to keep the secret of the underground dungeon.

A holder who can contribute to pushing the rock.

Such a holder is almost impossible to find.

Because reporting an 'undiscovered dungeon' to the government can earn an enormous reward.

But that hard-to-find holder.

Someone who fits the conditions so well.

Flashed through my mind.

'Jin Woo Park.'

The protagonist of the original story, a passionate holder dedicated to training and growth.

He would not be swayed by political situations or external factors and would participate in the dungeon raid.

And he would quickly adapt to party hunting.

Originally, he and Joo Yeon Kang were a raiding duo for this dungeon.

The reason Park Jin Woo couldn't go beyond the rock.

Was that Kang Joo Yeon's magic didn't affect the rock, and Park Jin Woo's strength at the time was too low to push it.

'Also, it's a device to help Park Jin Woo's early growth.'

C-class monsters, Lizardmen.

Monsters with high strength but weak against magic attacks.

They are important opponents for building the practical experience of Park Jin Woo, who has low initial stats.

Park Jin Woo and Kang Joo Yeon worked together to raid the early part of the dungeon, achieving significant practical growth and rapidly increasing the proficiency of [Wave Sword Technique].

In essence, this dungeon is a device to help the protagonist's early growth and to synchronize the party's teamwork.

...Now, I've taken on that role, and Park Jin Woo hasn't even learned [Wave Sword Technique], so it has almost lost its meaning.

'Professor Tae Won Ho also just finished here.'

The middle part of the dungeon beyond the rock.

When the two decided they couldn't enter it.

Professor Tae Won Ho also cleanly gave up on the dungeon raid.

He felt there was no need to force the students to raid the dungeon when he couldn't do it himself.

When the Tae family's restraint was lifted.

Or when the two leads had grown enough.

They might have raided the dungeon separately, but...

In the original story, there was no mention of what happened afterward.

The entrance of the academy's underground dungeon.

It was clear that it was used only as a growth device.

The next stage of such a device.

I was about to step into with my overflowing curiosity.

It was a bit risky, but a challenge I was quite looking forward to.

"Joo Yeon. Isn't Doo Jae Hyun better at pushing the rock?"

"...Shut up."

"Then, learn some gravity magic. With your skill level, it should be enough... Ouch! Why did you hit me?"

"..."

"Ouch... Are you really a mage? Why are you so strong?"

Mun Ga-eun, who kept pestering, finally got hit.

Knowing Kang Joo Yeon's personality, I found the current sitcom-like scene quite surprising.

The original Kang Joo Yeon would ignore such pointless jokes.

At best, she would only engage in a bit of banter with Mun Ga-eun.

I clapped my hands once.

The chaotic atmosphere settled, and everyone's attention turned to me.

"Then... let's finish the distribution of the magic stones and call it a day?"

"Are we going in now?"

"Yeah. We've found a solution, so we need to add a new member and come back."

Mun Ga-eun tilted her head and asked.

"Who do you want to add as a new member?"

"Hmm, about that. If it's okay with both of you, can I choose the new member myself? I need to pick someone who can keep the secret and will be helpful to the party."

I was cautious about bringing up the topic.

After all, the two are talents from the advanced class, overflowing with abilities and wealth.

One is the daughter of an S-class holder.

The other is the daughter of a high-ranking official in a large clan.

If not for Kang Joo Yeon's approval and Mun Ga-eun's curiosity.

They would hardly ever have a chance to face each other and have a conversation.

To such high-level party members.

Saying I would choose the new member myself.

Was certainly not an easy task.

But Mun Ga-eun tilted her head again.

"Isn't that obvious? It's your party. I don't know why you're asking, but I'm in favor. Joo Yeon, what about you?"

Mun Ga-eun turned her head.

Kang Joo Yeon's expression was similar.

"Same here."

Thanks to that, my expression momentarily froze.

To grant permission so easily?

That picky Kang Joo Yeon...?

Mun Ga-eun's words were reasonable, but it's not easy to entrust the right to choose a new member to someone else, especially in a party.

After all, I could randomly bring in an F-class holder as a new member.

If that happened, the two would certainly object, but that was the point.

'Maybe I gained some favor by fighting well this time.'

No matter how I thought about it, there was no other reason.

Then, I suddenly met Kang Joo Yeon's eyes.

Her eyes, like deep lakes.

Unfortunately, I couldn't look at them for long.

At some point, she, who always maintained her dignity and composure.

When she met my eyes...

She couldn't hold it for more than 3 seconds and turned away.

"..."

Oh, damn.

Kang Joo Yeon acting like this.

I've seen all sorts of strange sights in my life.

Clearly, I must have fought exceptionally well.

Otherwise, it would be hard to imagine such behavior.

...It was a good omen for our future party.

* * *

-If it's okay with both of you, can I choose the new member myself?

Doo Jae Hyun asked, leading the party.

Moving the magic stone rock and reorganizing for the next raid.

The core of this was the selection of a new member.

Kang Joo Yeon found this very strange.

She and her friend Mun Ga-eun.

Their strength greatly influenced the party's performance, but...

After all, Doo Jae Hyun formed this party.

Without his proposal, the party wouldn't have been formed, and they wouldn't have known about this good undiscovered dungeon.

Especially the information about the dungeon, which required secrecy and Professor Tae Won Ho's situation.

Sharing this information with them, who didn't know about it, was a difficult decision and a sign of trust.

Probably the help during the Sizzling Salamander hunt influenced it.

When choosing a new member for the party.

It was only natural for Doo Jae Hyun to have the decision-making power.

'And... he became incredibly strong.'

Doo Jae Hyun's strength was visible in every moment.

The first time she saw him in a practical sparring match.

He was just at the E-class holder level.

He fought fiercely, but his stats were ordinary, and his rune level was low, with no common skills.

But during the Sizzling Salamander hunt, he showed results beyond his abilities, and rumors said he had reached the D-class holder level.

And in this dungeon raid.

He demonstrated abilities and combat sense far beyond the D-class level.

Although Kang Joo Yeon and Mun Ga-eun handled the core damage in the party, the raid's success would have been impossible without Doo Jae Hyun's relaxed tanking at the front.

'Now I understand what Dad meant by "raw gem"...'

Kang Joo Yeon finally understood what Kang Woo Hyun meant by 'raw gem'.

A raw gem is an unprocessed treasure.

If it can be processed to fit its purpose and performance.

It is a gem with infinite potential.

Doo Jae Hyun was such a raw gem.

Not an elite from the start, but someone who knows his own value and can spread his wings.

Someone who can step into the elite domain through effort.

Kang Joo Yeon smiled faintly.

The Holder Academy.

Wasn't as boring as she thought.

"Did you call me, Miss?"

While lost in thought.

A familiar voice sounded nearby.

A neatly dressed suit and black pompadour.

A man who looked like a young businessman.

Joo Kyu Hyuk, the leader of the <Fire's Judgment> clan's scouting team.

Kang Joo Yeon slightly frowned.

"Stop calling me 'Miss.'"

"Ha ha. To me, you will always be Miss. I can't treat the clan master's daughter like an ordinary clan member."

Joo Kyu Hyuk's friendly words made Kang Joo Yeon sigh.

Despite pointing it out several times.

It seemed he was enjoying it and had no intention of changing.

She took a document from her pocket and handed it to him.

"Here."

Joo Kyu Hyuk, who received the document, looked surprised.

In his memory.

He had never received such a document from Kang Joo Yeon before.

"What is this?"

"It's a holder's document."

"..."

Joo Kyu Hyuk knew that.

The name 'Doo Jae Hyun' was clearly written on the report, along with brief information about him.

But Kang Joo Yeon, who had no interest in clan operations.

Suddenly handing him such a document was curious.

Moreover, Doo Jae Hyun.

Was a name Joo Kyu Hyuk had never heard before.

Kang Joo Yeon shifted her gaze to the window and continued.

"He's the closest to what Dad described as a raw gem. Among my peers, there's no one else who stands out."

"Ah! Then..."

"I want you to observe him once. I..."

Kang Joo Yeon's stiff face slightly softened.

The promised re-raid of the dungeon was in three days.

Unconsciously, she was looking forward to it.

"I want to recruit him into our clan."