Chapter 33

This time, Han Donhee raised her hand. When Seo Un ignored her, she stretched her hands out in all directions, even intruding into Chahaya's seat. Chahaya grabbed Han Donhee's hand and bent it back sharply.

"Ouch! You crazy bitch!"

"Han Donhee, you spoke without permission, right?"

"Hey, both of you, you've each lost one turn to speak."

"Great, Chahaya bitch."

"Two for Han Donhee."

Han Donhee, with her lips tightly pressed, glared at Chahaya.

"As I mentioned before, there's a tunnel in the northwest where variants are generated. This time, a Level 6 variant appeared there, and Chahaya and I hunted it to obtain this ore."

Originally, she was going to say that Chahaya had caught it alone, but he said he wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Considering all the explanations, Seo Un agreed to take the easier route.

"I've already suggested to DK that we swap the southeast and northwest areas, but I expect them to refuse. They won't give up the tunnel that lays golden eggs."

Gangsan waved his hand, urging everyone to look at him.

"Gangsan, speak."

"Anyway, they can't catch the Level 6 variant, right?"

"There's no guarantee that Level 6 variants will keep appearing. It seems that the highest level before this was Level 5."

"Then, should we pretend to help them after they endure until a Level 6 variant appears?"

This time, Yuchan raised his hand abruptly.

"Yuchan, speak."

"Are you going to keep giving Gangsan turns to speak? That kid has already spoken twice."

Seo Un wanted to hit her forehead with her hand. Somewhere, a snicker was heard, and the source was, of course, Chahaya.

Is this funny? Is it amusing?

"Ah... I want to go back into hiding again."

A complaint, almost a mutter, slipped out.

Bang! At that moment, Chahaya slammed his palm on the table. Without any Cosmo, the table broke into a V-shape. Those sitting in chairs were about to raise their voices, but Abdulraziz beat them to it.

"Chahaya."

Abdulraziz picked up the ore that had fallen to the floor.

"I'm sorry."

Even with both ears wide open, it was a half-hearted apology.

"Because you can't focus, the deputy guild leader is going into hiding again."

"Is that so? That's not good, then."

Abdulraziz also shifted his focus from the ore to Seo Un.

Despite the process, it was good that it became quiet, but it still looked like a total mess. Maybe it was because they were sitting around the broken table.

Suddenly, Chahaya turned his gaze to the office entrance. Seo Un followed his gaze and looked in the same direction.

Could it be a variant?

They held their breath, and the others reached for their weapons. Soon, the sound of heels echoed in the corridor. Behind the open door, the sound of heels, and the presence of a few people could be felt.

Knock knock.

The woman who knocked on the door was none other than DK's Kim Hansol. She, with her long hair tied up, nodded her head.

"Phew, I'm exhausted from finding the Tachun guild hideout. Can I come in?"

Kim Hansol asked for the Tachun guild members' understanding. Seo Un, who didn't expect DK to come so quickly, approached her with caution.

"Come in."

"Can you at least offer me a glass of water? Oh! Before that."

Kim Hansol clapped her hands.

"I'll give up the tunnel and accept the swap conditions. But the problem is, our guild leader is dead."

"Leader Lee Gi-yong?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Seo Un only guessed that he might have been killed by a variant.

"It was self-defense. He tried to kill me, so I killed him. Anyway, that's not very important, so let's move on."

The other Tachun guild members also stood up at the mention of the guild leader's death.

"Do you know that with our current abilities, it's difficult to handle a Level 6 variant? So, we have to swap. But there's a condition... Our deputy guild leader is currently living in Korea and doesn't know about the guild leader's death. Plus, we have about 100 guild members. To quell the dissatisfaction of the deputy guild leader and the guild members, we need a plausible reason for the swap."

"Are you saying we should wait for another Level 6 variant to appear?"

"Wow, Deputy Guild Leader, I only thought you were shameless, but you even think like me?"

Kim Hansol looked around the office as if she were visiting a house.

"We plan to guard the tunnel until a Level 6 variant appears. Of course, Tachun guild members are welcome to stay with us."

"I refuse. Who knows when a Level 6 variant will appear?"

"You're right. If we get lucky and no Level 6 variant appears, DK will continue to monopolize the tunnel."

The guys who were raising their hands and causing a commotion earlier now said nothing. Seo Un was slightly impressed by their restraint.

"Isn't it inappropriate to demand a swap like this?"

Kim Hansol suddenly pulled out a small notebook from her back pocket.

"Here, feel free to check it thoroughly. It's the data I collected on the variants coming out of the tunnel. According to my calculations, a Level 6 variant will appear within ten days."

<'Ambitious Healer Kim Hansol' correct! A Level 6 variant will appear exactly one week later!>

Seo Un rolled her eyes skyward.

<It's only Level 3 now, but it will become incredibly strong at Level 6, and we might all die.>

"If you don't believe me, just wait ten days. We'll guard the tunnel until then. If a Level 6 variant doesn't appear, I'll take responsibility for the swap."

"Are you the tunnel guard?"

Swish, Chahaya poked his head out from behind Seo Un. Although he wasn't ugly, she didn't want to be compared to him. Moreover, the heat from his proximity made her move a step to the side.

"Can't we just push through the tunnel?"

Even Han Donhee, who had been holding back, chimed in.

"We've tried. But no guild member who entered the tunnel has come out alive."

"How skilled were they?"

"There were twenty in total, and they were all capable of handling up to Level 5 variants. After that incident, our strength has significantly decreased."

If twenty high-level members didn't come out alive, there was a high possibility that a Level 6 variant existed inside the tunnel. Seo Un carefully examined Kim Hansol's notebook.

At first, Level 1-2 variants appeared a few times a day. Gradually, the danger level increased, and the frequency of variants appearing increased over time. Strangely, after the first appearance of Level 3 variants, only Level 1-2 variants appeared for a week. After a week, Level 3 variants started appearing again, and the frequency increased. It seemed that this pattern applied to Level 4 and Level 5 variants as well.

That's why Kim Hansol asked for ten days. According to this data, a Level 6 variant would appear again.

Maybe we can catch it before it fully awakens, like the theme park variant?

"Hmm... Still, we'll try to enter the tunnel."

Swish! As soon as Seo Un finished speaking, Chahaya raised his sword high. Seo Un looked at him with a puzzled expression. Chahaya nodded as if to say, "I understand your intention."

"Listen up, Tachun. We are loyal guild members who follow the deputy guild leader's orders. We will take over the tunnel!"

"Ugh! We will follow! We are Tachun, who follow the orders of Mermaid Seo Un!"

"Right, isn't it?"

"Hansol, we are brave variants and will defeat the tunnel that threatens our lives. Don't underestimate Tachun's strength again."

"Right! Seo Gangsan, the outcast is right!"

These concept-obsessed guys only unite at times like this.

Seo Un felt embarrassed to look at the DK guild members standing outside the door. Kim Hansol also frowned, saying she had seen something she shouldn't have, so Seo Un maintained a calm demeanor.

Showing embarrassment here means losing.

"Deputy Guild Leader, please think again. Our missing guild members were as skilled as Tachun."

"You said the variants kept evolving from Level 1-2 to higher levels."

That's right, Kim Hansol nodded.

"This is just my theory, but I think the variants evolve inside the tunnel."

<'Elephant Shrew Seo Un' wise judgment. Surefire win!>

"Evolve...?"

She looked at Seo Un, questioning if it made sense. But after a moment, she let out a short, exasperated breath.

"Given that reawakened beings exist, it's not impossible. Still, if you go inside, we, DK, can't help you."

"That's fine. We'll handle it ourselves,"

<Just us?>

Seo Un's eyes widened as a message came in.

<There are about 1,500 Level 3 variants inside the tunnel. Hehe.>

Seo Un swallowed hard, unable to continue speaking.