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Jang Han-soo was anxiously staring at his smartphone screen.

He had taken a moment in the afternoon to call Si-hyun, but the call didn’t connect.

Checking on his computer, he found out she was inside a D-rank dungeon.

He figured someone of Si-hyun’s caliber would wrap things up quickly and come out.

But she stayed in the dungeon all afternoon.

With the ongoing double dungeon, the department head had no choice but to return to work.

Night fell.

While continuing his late-night work, the department head found another moment to make a call.

He knew it was a burden to call at this hour.

But given the situation, he wanted to get help if possible.

However, despite the time passing, she didn’t pick up.

‘Is she busy…?’

Just as he was starting to give up and about to press end call, he heard:

– …Hello?

The call was barely connected.

He felt a strange déjà vu and opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry for calling so late, Si-hyun. Can we talk for a moment?”

– …Yes.

‘Hmm?’

Her pronunciation was oddly slurred.

The department head tilted his head and got to the point.

“There are many hunters missing from the current A-rank dungeon. Moreover, the gate’s rampage isn’t far off. Have you heard any news?”

– Ah… yes. I’ve seen it.

It wasn’t a misunderstanding!

She sounded heavily drunk.

Realizing the reason their call took so long to connect, the department head scratched the back of his head.

It seemed best to wrap things up quickly. He immediately continued.

“I’d like to ask for your help. Do you have any intention of participating?”

– …When is it?

“The advance group is tomorrow morning, and the later group is in the afternoon!”

She was asking about the date!

Maybe it was due to the alcohol, but her response was friendly.

The department head felt a surge of anticipation waiting for her answer.

Even if she participated only in the later group, it would greatly boost their strength.

But then—

– The afternoon… I have a lecture.

“Oh, no.”

Goodness! He had completely overlooked that there would be a lecture.

The department head unintentionally slapped his forehead.

How could it be that the dates overlapped like this!

As he paused, filled with disappointment, a gloomy voice returned from the phone.

– I’m sorry….

“Oh, no! Don’t worry about it! I’m the one who disturbed you. Have a great time.”

– …Yes.

The call wrapped up.

Jang Han-soo looked at his smartphone with a wistful expression.

Normally stoic Si-hyun’s slurred, cute voice oddly gave some healing vibes.

But that didn’t help with the situation at all.

After all, she was a D-rank hunter and wouldn’t even be included in this summons.

Scheduling was one thing, and he couldn’t push her to help when she was inebriated.

“Phew….”

He let out a deep sigh and returned to work.

—

Chirp chirp—

“Yawn….”

He woke up to the sound of sparrows chirping.

Stretching lazily, he looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

9 AM.

Usually, he’d wake up early for morning prayers out of habit.

Compared to that, he had overslept significantly.

Yet, he didn’t feel much of a hangover despite drinking quite a bit yesterday.

Whether it was because he enjoyed good drinks and snacks or simply because he slept well.

Well, good is good. Hehe….

“Hmm…?”

He couldn’t find his smartphone in its usual spot.

Looking around the living room, he searched for it.

“Not here?”

Where did he leave his phone yesterday?

He expanded his search range.

He checked the corners of the living room and even the bathroom.

“Oh! Found it here. Haha….”

He discovered it next to the refrigerator.

Maybe he had put it down while grabbing something and forgot.

Finding his own behavior hilarious, he scratched his head.

Unlocking his phone, he looked at the screen.

One missed call.

Several messages.

The missed call was from Ji-a.

No matter how much he drank, he had no idea why he had a call?

Tilting his head, he checked his phone.

‘It was on vibrate…’

No wonder he missed it.

He chuckled and read through the messages.

– Si-hyun, are you busy? I’ll leave a text since you didn’t pick up.

– I decided to participate in the advance group for the A-rank dungeon incident we heard about.

– I’ll be a supporter for the Dawn Guild, so don’t worry too much!

Ji-a was saying she would participate in the dungeon raid she saw in the news.

Since he heard she usually preferred going to troublesome dungeons, he could understand why she would join this one.

…Wasn’t the advance group this morning?

She probably had already entered the dungeon.

He returned to the sofa and leaned back comfortably.

There was still plenty of time left before he had to conduct a lecture at the Academy today.

He leisurely browsed the news and articles.

He saw breaking news highlighted across various outlets.

“…….”

This looked somewhat dangerous….

Information that hadn’t been revealed while they were out enjoying drinks and wine bars was suddenly coming to light.

The danger level of this A-rank dungeon was being emphasized everywhere.

Special dungeons appearing with a rarity that could be counted on one hand.

Many cases involved the dungeon’s rank escalating.

A considerable number of S-rank hunters from Korea participated in the raid.

‘I should look through the related materials too.’

Including overseas, he browsed for information on the personnel needed for S-rank clearings and double dungeons.

After investing enough time to compile the information.

If this dungeon is indeed A-rank, it should be manageable to clear.

However, if this double dungeon turns out to be an S-rank dungeon?

It would barely be possible to clear it at all.

It seemed they were hastily gathering people, making the numbers look precarious.

Surely, there would be casualties.

Naturally, it was more probable that those gathering were hunters below S-rank.

“Phew….”

The corners of his brows automatically furrowed.

He looked at the wall clock and then back at his phone screen.

At this point, he might still be able to participate in the later group.

But doing so would mean he couldn’t conduct today’s Academy lecture.

Given that he was a part-time instructor and the president had been considerate to him, what would it look like if he suddenly took a break on the same day without a sense of responsibility?

Even if he was a student, the professor wouldn’t view him favorably.

The same would go for other professors as well.

“Ugh…”

He checked Ji-a’s message again.

– Don’t worry too much; I’m a supporter for the Dawn Guild!

Is it really not that dangerous? Or is it just my overthinking?

…..

He tapped his cheeks, gathering his thoughts.

It was not merely an ordinary dungeon, it was an undead dungeon.

The later group joining the advance group would also have to face some resurrected monsters in a fierce battle.

Would the combined hunters be able to clear the double dungeon without any issues?

He looked anxiously at the wall clock again.

Slowly, time was ticking away.

A decision had to be made.

If it is indeed an A-rank dungeon, the gathered personnel should be enough to clear it.

But if it haplessly turns out to be an S-rank, injuries and even fatalities could occur.

Honestly, he didn’t care about what happened to others.

But the fact that Ji-a was involved was the problem.

Maybe it was just my simple worry; she might return safely without issue.

Yet, it was also true that variables in high-level dungeons could lead to unexpected events.

One choice had to be made.

Between the uncertain, potentially life-threatening situation of Ji-a and the responsibility bestowed upon him as an Academy professor.

He had to decide what mattered to him more.

One had to be sacrificed.

“Ha….”

Frustration surged, and he got up from the sofa.

He grabbed a cool bottle of water from the refrigerator and gulped it down.

The cold water coursing down his throat made him feel somewhat relieved from the accumulated heat.

Cooling his head and regaining composure.

He checked the time on the wall clock again.

Then re-confirmed Ji-a’s message still displayed on his phone.

Which of the two choices was the right one?

“…Of course, it would be this one.”

He absolutely didn’t want to have regrets.

Having made his decision, the tasks he had to undertake became clear.

—

On the day of the Monster Studies Introduction lecture.

Jae-woo finished his major courses for the 3rd and 4th periods and headed down to the basement of the building.

As usual, he casually resolved his lunch at the cafeteria.

Returning to the first floor, Jae-woo headed straight to the lecture hall at the end of the corridor.

He sat in the front row facing the hall as usual.

Occupied his time by casually browsing through the T-Tube or something on his phone.

– Creak.

The back door of the lecture hall opened, and another student entered.

Usually, it was Ah-reum and Eun-byeol, but today it was a different student.

Jae-woo tore his gaze from the student and turned back to his phone.

…

More students entered the lecture hall.

The starting time of the lecture was drawing near.

Yet, the number of students seemed significantly lacking.

Ah-reum and Eun-byeol weren’t there either.

At that moment, Jae-woo sensed something strange.

‘Could it be?’

He hurriedly logged into the academic information system.

Checking the announcements for the Introduction to Monster Studies.

[Notice of Class Cancellation for Intro to Monster Studies 4th lecture.]

He found a notice that had appeared a few hours ago as an urgent announcement.

Due to an urgent schedule, today’s class had been canceled, and a separate makeup class would be conducted later.

“……No way.”

Jae-woo scanned the lecture hall.

The students present must have all come without knowing the notice, just like him.

Conversely, Ah-reum and Eun-byeol had known and hadn’t come.

‘Why didn’t they share it with me….’

Feeling a little upset, Jae-woo let out a sigh.

He stood up and walked to the blackboard.

He wrote in large letters that today’s lecture was canceled on the board.

At that moment, the students began to murmur.

“What? Was today canceled?”

“Isn’t it the 4th lecture already? Are we already having cancellations?”

Some students checked the academic information directly.

“It was posted a few hours ago?”

“Cancellations aren’t a problem, but they should have posted the notice sooner.”

They grumbled lightly and began to leave the lecture hall one by one.

Watching their backs, Jae-woo started gathering his things too.

‘What could have happened to warrant a class cancellation?’

He wondered as he fiddled with his smartphone.

Today, he planned to diligently book an E-rank dungeon.

Before launching the app, he checked for new messages first.

– Jae-woo, shall we go to the dungeon today? Ah-reum is going too.

– Ah! Please tell me you didn’t go to the Intro to Monster Studies lecture!

A message from Eun-byeol arrived. Only a minute ago.

“…Sigh.”

Letting out a light sigh, Jae-woo replied to the message.

—

Meanwhile, Si-hyun.

She was seated in the passenger seat of a car, heading toward the gate.

Having expressed her desire to join the later group, Jang Han-soo had come to pick her up personally.

“…I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s not a problem. Just participating is more than enough.”

The traffic light turned red.

Pausing the car for a moment, the department head glanced at Si-hyun in the seat beside him.

Wearing her nun’s outfit, she appeared lost in thought with a tense expression.

‘This person gets nervous too.’

Should he help her relax a bit?

After finishing his thoughts, the department head spoke slowly.

“Si-hyun, are you nervous?”

“…Hmm? Nervous? Not at all.”

“Excuse me?”

That was an unexpected reply.

The department head widened his eyes and asked again.

“Wasn’t there something bothering you?”

“Oh, how did you know?”

Si-hyun blinked and tilted her head.

Then she revealed her thoughts from just a moment ago.

“It’s about the Academy lecture. I put up the cancellation notice rather abruptly. I feel really bad for the students…”

“Oh, I see.”

The department head let out a small laugh without realizing it.

So, she was worried about her students and not nervous about going to the dungeon.

“I think I can help with that.”

“Oh, really?”

When Si-hyun asked in surprise, the department head smiled reassuringly and said.

“I have been considering what kind of compensation we could give you from the management department. It would be perfect to prepare something the students would like together, right?”

“Yes! Please do that!”

Now that her worries were neatly resolved, Si-hyun’s face lit up with a bright smile.

The department head reddened and turned his head away.

It was because the memory of her voice and manner from their call yesterday popped up in his mind.

Clearing his throat, he resumed driving.