Chapter 08
Bathroom!
To open the entrance to the subspace, I needed a secluded spot. If someone were to see Shin Yeoul stepping out of my subspace, it would be a massive problem.
And the only place that came to mind at the moment was the bathroom.
But the staff had said I couldn’t leave until I finished the survey, so I had no choice but to frantically fill it out and submit it.
The survey asked all sorts of questions, like where and when it happened, and what kind of monsters appeared.
There was no time to think deeply.
“H-here!”
“…You may go.”
Ahem. I must have looked really desperate. The staff member muttered with sympathetic eyes as they watched me sweating.
Then you should have let me go earlier?!
Although I felt wronged for a moment, explaining myself was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now.
I dashed straight into the bathroom, throwing open each stall door one by one to check if they were occupied.
Thankfully, the bathroom was empty. I went into the very last stall.
I had to enter the subspace immediately.
Quick explanations and even quicker escapes from the subspace were critical right now.
If a week in the subspace equaled about two days in reality, then with the extra day that had passed while I was unconscious, Shin Yeoul had already spent approximately three straight days in there.
I grew anxious. I called out in the smallest voice possible.
“Subspace…!”
But everything remained quiet.
The skill hadn’t activated. Looking around, nothing had changed at all.
What’s this? Why isn’t it working? I was bewildered.
“Open, subspace?”
It wouldn’t open even when I tried different words.
No, then how am I supposed to do this?
The first time I entered the subspace wasn’t even by choice—it was automatically sent by the system when I was about to die.
In other words, I had never actually summoned the subspace entrance before.
What should I do?
Since I didn’t know any rules or methods, I could only move around with a confused expression trying different things.
“Subspace entrance!”
Come out? Hup hup? I tried reaching out my hand and changing my tone.
“…Summon Shin Yeoul?”
But the subspace still wouldn’t open.
[Not possible. Current location is not within a dungeon.]
While I was continuing my futile attempts, a beep sounded and a system window finally appeared with a pathetic warning.
[The entrance to the subspace can only be generated inside a dungeon.]
Ah. No wonder it wasn’t working~.
Wait, what?!
Hey, what’s your problem with me?!
I swung my hand through the intangible system window in frustration. Naturally, my hand passed through it harmlessly.
This subspace, from beginning to end, has been nothing but trouble. Only inside a dungeon? Seriously?
A wave of exhaustion and frustration washed over me.
“Urghh!”
I let out a groan.
A dungeon? How was I supposed to get into a dungeon right now?! I don’t even want to go back in there in the first place.
This was a disaster. A complete disaster.
My head started to ache.
In the end, a dungeon was the only answer, but even getting in wasn’t easy.
For an awakened to enter a dungeon, they needed a hunter’s license. I wasn’t sure exactly, but I think it took at least a day to get a hunter’s license issued.
Of course, even if by some miracle a hunter’s license appeared in my hands right now, that wouldn’t be the end of it.
The dungeons I could enter were far too popular.
Ever heard of ‘dungeon-ticketing’?
Low-rank dungeons were practically safe resource supply stations.
To enter such dungeons, Hunters competed fiercely for open slots, like concert ticketing.
Even ordinary people hoping for awakening flocked to F-rank dungeons.
Sure, joining a guild could bypass all that, as their influence secured access to dungeons without hassle…
But who would accept me into a guild in just one day?
It was a total mess.
Knock knock!
While I was groaning and tearing at my hair, I heard a knock.
Startled, I looked down. A shadow was visible beneath the stall door.
Oh no. Have I been in here too long…?
But the stall next to me is empty?
“A-are you alright?”
Just as I was about to knock back to let them know someone was here, a worried voice came through.
“Do you need any help?”
It was an unexpected question.
Help? Do they think I’m sick because I was groaning?
“Some people who’ve come out of dungeons occasionally get confused thinking they’ve gained abilities.”
“Y-you mean, what—”
“Don’t be embarrassed. Come out, and I can help you. I work here, you know?”
What they said next made it sound like they had overheard every word I’d mumbled to myself.
…No, they did overhear it.
I could feel heat rising to my face. My ears must have turned completely red.
How long had they been there?
I covered my face with my hands, wishing I could find a mouse hole to hide in.
They could have at least made some noise. Did they really listen to all that!
“These things can be easily overcome with some simple counseling in the early stages!”
“No, that’s not what this is!”
“It’s okay!”
I’m not okay!
Cold sweat ran down the back of my neck.
Please just go away. Do I really have to show my face?
“If it’s hard to come out, I can quickly call someone from psychological services!”
Are you crazy? Don’t call anyone.
Bang! At the mention of calling someone, I opened the door with tears in my eyes.
I didn’t want this situation getting bigger.
“I’m… completely fine.”
“B-but they say crazy people don’t know they’re crazy. Ah! I mean, not that you’re actually crazy!”
She seemed to be a young woman who had just started her career.
She waved her hands with a flustered face. It was more awkward because she seemed genuinely concerned.
“Oh? But.”
And I had a feeling things were about to get even more awkward.
“Aren’t you the person who suddenly lay down and fell asleep after coming out of the dungeon yesterday?”
I smacked my forehead.
So she had seen that too.
Wow, I must look really weird.
“Yes, that’s me.”
Thank you for finding me. At least I didn’t end up with a twisted mouth.
Forcing an awkward smile, I replied. This was the moment I realized that when embarrassment reaches a certain level, you just stop caring.
“I knew it! I’m glad you woke up! Are you okay… or not? Anyway!”
“Haha. But I’m really fine.”
“No way, you’re not fine~”
I gave up trying to think.
✦✦✦
“Ah! Where are you going!”
I had just run out of the building while the staff member was trying to take me somewhere.
I didn’t have time for this argument right now.
Huff, huff. This should be far enough, right?
Once the Dungeon Management Department building was out of sight, I finally stopped running.
When I regained my breath, I realized I was standing in a park.
Mentally exhausted from everything, I crouched down where I was and sighed deeply.
Whether I liked it or not, I absolutely needed to enter a dungeon by the end of today.
It felt overwhelming, very overwhelming.
“But there’s a dungeon right there!”
Why can’t I just go in?
It was a gate in the middle of the park.
An F-rank dungeon was so old that nobody paid attention to it anymore. Only an unmanned surveillance machine diligently guarded it.
Having the gate right in front of my eyes made me feel even more frustrated.
If only I could sneak in…
But that machine had items installed to prevent unauthorized entry. Unless you were an S-rank hunter, there’s no way a mere E-rank nobody like me could break through that.
“Haah.”
But thinking about it, entering a dungeon wasn’t impossible.
I could participate in dungeon ticketing while hiding my awakening. Or get tickets from the black market.
Though the fine would be over 100 million won if caught, and you might even go to jail if unlucky.
Haha. A hollow laugh escaped.
Although the situation had somewhat stabilized, I couldn’t let Shin Yeoul rot in my subspace any longer during this national crisis.
His absence was a serious national loss.
It wasn’t for nothing that Shin Yeoul was called a national hero.
While part of that image came from his achievements when dungeons first started appearing, it was also because he had consistently been saving people ever since.
Dungeon breaks, or dungeons where people got caught up in – somehow, he was always there.
Despite his fame, everything about him from his titles to his past remained veiled in mystery…
But one thing was certain—he was different from other top rankers who were busy being arrogant and selfish.
He always silently extended a helping hand to people.
He must have been struggling more quickly than anyone else in the dungeons that appeared simultaneously this time too.
And then somehow ended up in my subspace.
“Ugh.”
The more I thought about it, the more my conscience hurt.
I stood up again.
Yeah, whatever. Just get into a dungeon!
Though I didn’t want to, I was thinking of using connections, even if it was with the worst person in my life.
There were many items from various subspaces in my inventory.
There was even subspace water that could cure baldness. I could ask for help getting into a dungeon with this.
Of course, such backdoor dealings are all illegal…
No. What can I do? I have to do it.
It’s not like a dungeon is the neighbor’s dog’s name, it won’t just pop up in front of me—
KWAAAANG—!
Just a few steps ahead.
With a thunderous sound, the ground was swallowed up and a dungeon gate was created above it.
It was the gate I had wanted to enter so badly.
Huh?
I couldn’t help but be shocked by the dungeon gate that unexpectedly really did pop up.
You… you were this easy all along…?
It was unusual for another gate to appear in a place where a gate already existed.
“A-a gate has appeared!”
“Huk! It’s a gate!”
People in the park screamed at the sudden creation of the dungeon gate.
The area was in chaos as part of the ground was absorbed into the gate.
Water was spurting up from one side where water pipes must have broken, and many people had fallen where the ground collapsed.
“Ru-run away everyone!”
“Kyaaak!”
“Get out of the way!”
A newly created gate was unstable and couldn’t help but be an object of fear for ordinary people.
Everyone was running away without hesitation.
It was pure chaos.
But ironically, this was my opportunity.
There was a dungeon right in front of me now. And without any obstacles.
In this chaos, no one would notice if I went in there.
I carefully moved forward while checking my surroundings.
There were still people around, but it should be fine. I just needed to avoid the hunters who would soon arrive.
Beep.
And that’s when I stood in front of the dungeon gate.
My attention was drawn to a familiar sound. Like from those safety education sessions.
Beep! Beep! Beep beep! The sound wouldn’t stop.
Why now of all times?
Warning sounds were coming from the dungeon that had existed in the middle of the park.
Contrary to the government’s claim that it had stabilized long ago, the machine surrounding it was blaring fiercely.
It was an undeniable reality.
This was the warning sound for an imminent dungeon break.
No, not imminent…
It was happening now.
🌱
Thank you for reading! ♡
