Chapter 25
After sitting on a park bench for quite a while, I started making my way back.
As I passed a tiny bookstore, my steps suddenly came to a stop.
Should I go in?
I couldn’t even remember the last time I had entered a bookstore.
Come to think of it, it had also been a long time since I had opened a book.
I quietly stepped inside and picked up a book titled The Happiness of an Ordinary Life.
At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind me.
“Oh, Chef?”
I turned around.
It was Kang Jaemin.
He approached me without bothering to hide the pleased smile on his face.
“What brings you to a bookstore?”
“I just thought I might read a book today.”
He smiled and glanced over the books beside me.
“What did you pick?”
I showed him the title.
A small smile appeared on his face.
“That looks nice.”
“What book did you buy?”
He gave an awkward laugh and held up the book in his hand.
Beginner Cooking Anyone Can Follow
I let out a small laugh.
“Looks like I should read that with you.”
“Come on, Chef. You’re already good enough without something like this.”
“No, I’ve still got a long way to go. Have you gotten any better at making rolled omelets?”
“Of course. I’m trying cheese rolled omelets now. I’ve been burning them so far, but next time I’m definitely going to make one without burning it.”
I smiled at his words, and we walked out of the bookstore together.
It was a slow, leisurely walk.
By the time the sun was beginning to set, we had returned to the food stall.
Normally, this would have been the time to hurry and prepare for business.
But today, I didn’t feel like doing that.
I intended to leave the stall closed and simply end the day sitting there peacefully.
Looking slightly sleepy on my shoulder, Poming murmured softly,
“Chef, let’s take days off like this once in a while from now on too. It really was a day to be thankful for.”
I quietly nodded.
Yeah.
Maybe these small moments of gratitude are the reason we have to keep living.
And just like that, our small day of vacation came to a quiet and gentle end.
Once tomorrow came, I would go back to cooking busily and entering dungeons to fight.
But at least for this moment—
an ordinary everyday life was quietly embracing me.
Some time later.
A BX-rank dungeon.
A place normally entered by parties made up of mid-to-high-ranking Hunters.
Just a few months ago, I couldn’t have even imagined entering somewhere like this.
Well, I might have imagined it.
But these were mid-to-high-level dungeons that I could only enter after desperately begging someone to let me tag along.
And now—
together with Kang Jaemin,
I was standing in front of BX-01, the BX-rank dungeon with the lowest number.
Everyone knew how dangerous BX-01 was even without anyone having to explain it.
It was infamous for the saying—
“More Hunters come out dead than alive.”
The dungeon entrance was packed with Hunters.
Countless anxious and curious gazes were gathered there, as if everyone wanted to see what condition the people entering would come back in.
When I started walking forward, voices began reaching my ears.
“Hey, isn’t that guy Hong Mangi?”
“Huh? Yeah, it is. He’s that guy who’s been showing up on the community lately.”
“Wasn’t he F-rank until just recently? And he’s already trying BX-01?”
“Maybe he got reevaluated. His recent record has been pretty impressive.”
More whispers followed.
“His partner is Kang Jaemin. That guy’s B-rank, right?”
“Kang Jaemin might be young and strong, but even then, this is ridiculous. What are they planning to do without a healer or a tank?”
“They’ll probably recruit some.”
“Come on. Unless they’re A-rank, who would willingly go in there? You’d have to be drowning in debt.”
“Are those two seriously planning to go in alone? They’re going to die.”
I ignored them and continued toward the dungeon entrance.
Then—
I heard a commotion.
When I looked over, it was coming from a corner some distance away from the entrance.
A Hunter who apparently hadn’t been able to find a party was wandering around anxiously.
“Excuse me! Any party is fine! I’ll work really hard!”
“Sorry, but for BX-01, we only take Hunters who are at least C-rank. And even then, you’d probably have to be a healer.”
“I-I can really do anything! I can carry your luggage or transport supplies! I’m F-rank, but seriously, isn’t there anyone who’ll take me?”
Everyone avoided him.
People turned their heads away.
Some didn’t even bother answering.
Hmm….
I casually approached and took a look at him.
He seemed to be somewhere in his mid-twenties.
He was short and had a rather small frame.
On top of that, the dagger in his hand was such a poor-quality weapon that it was almost pitiful.
I can see why everyone ignores him.
At that moment, Kang Jaemin walked up beside me and whispered,
“I feel kind of bad for that guy. There’s no way anyone would take an F-rank into this dungeon. If he can’t find a team, he probably won’t even be able to enter… and there’s nowhere else for him to fit in either.”
“Let’s take him with us.”
“What? Why?”
I thought for a moment before answering.
“I was F-rank until recently too. Looking at him reminds me of myself not that long ago.”
After saying that, I slowly walked toward him.
Everyone’s attention gathered on us again.
“Excuse me.”
He jumped in surprise and turned around.
“…Yes?”
“Would you like to go in with us?”
He looked bewildered, but a smile slowly appeared on his lips.
“M-Me? Really? You really mean it?”
“Yes. Of course.”
His eyes widened.
“B-But I’m F-rank. Are you sure that’s okay?”
I smiled.
“It doesn’t matter. I spent more of my life as an F-rank than anything else.”
“Oh!”
He stared blankly for a moment.
Then his face turned red as he bowed his head.
“Thank you. My name is Lee Yuhan.”
I held out my hand.
“Hong Mangi. This is Kang Jaemin. I’m D-rank, and he’s B-rank.”
“Oooh….”
Kang Jaemin also gave him a quiet smile and nodded.
“Nice to meet you.”
And just like that, the three of us walked side by side toward the dungeon entrance.
When we were almost directly in front of it—
a Hunter stepped into our path.
