The all-knowing Player

Shin Chun-Hee (1)

"We received a call from the association." Yool announces. "A new dungeon opened and they want us to take part in the raid. The three of us."

I freeze. Isn't it around that time that Jin-Woo goes on a raid with Ju-Hee, Song Chi-Yeol and the other survivors of the double dungeon? But the most important thing about this raid isn't their reunion, but the participation of three prisoners and the B-rank assassin who tried to kill the whole party. There's no way the association would make us participate, too. So we'll just have to raid normally without any incident. But I can't help but start getting worried for Jin-Woo. It will be alright, he managed to do it alone in the original story, he doesn't need me.

"What's the rank of the gate?" I ask.

"E. It should be alright, but you don't have to come if you don't want to."

I shake my head. "No, I'll go."

"Are you sure?" Seon-Ji makes sure.

"Have I ever let you go on raids without me?"

"Well... during these past weeks, since the double dungeon, you have."

"I- I needed to recover and the association called you specifically, not me." I justify myself. "But I'm ready to join you, now."

I really am.

[*]

"Hello! My name is Shin Chun-Hee, it's a pleasure to meet you." A middle-aged woman offers me a hand to shake with a smile.

Surprised, I accept her hand and return her smile. She is B rank and uses a rapier. Out of everyone else in the party, why is she approaching me? She probably knows who I am just like everyone knows Jin-Woo. I thought that the hunters would ignore me, especially if they are high ranked.

"Soo Hee-Jin." I tell her my name just in case, but her expression doesn't change for a disgusted one. "Nice to meet you too."

It really is nice to see that not everyone sees a hunter's worth by his rank. She's the second hunter who doesn't care, at least from what I know. The first one is Ju-Hee, and I haven't actually met her yet. Maybe I never will.

"You're one of the hunters that survived a double dungeon, aren't you?"

The image of the hunter laughing madly while slicing a comrade's neck comes back to my mind. I freeze. Yes, I am. But I wished I wasn't. I wished I hadn't lived that.

"Can we... not talk about it, please? It's a sensitive subject." I lower my head.

"Yes, of course!" she immediately agrees, worried. "I understand. Many hunters have died, it surely isn't pleasant to remember. But I'm glad that you survived."

She smiles so nicely that I can only thank her for saying this. Somehow, it makes me feel better. We focus on the five other party members who start to gather in front of the gate. Accompanied by Seon-Ji, Yool and Shin Chun-Hee, I follow them into the dungeon. I don't summon my dagger: I'm not supposed to have it since I didn't properly buy it. Seon-Ji didn't buy new gauntlets since the double dungeon. We didn't have enough money for that, so having such a good and therefore costly dagger wouldn't make any sense.

In the dungeon, I try to get closer to one or two weak beasts, but Seon-Ji and Sin Chun-Hee take care of them before I can approach them while Yool grumbles something about not wanting to have to heal me. I protest against their efforts to keep me safe, but earn no reaction. The five other hunters don't complain: if it gives them more work, it also means that they can earn more essence stones, and with it more money. So when the path goes in two different directions and we decide to form two groups, some want to join us to take care of all the monsters in our stead. But we refuse their help and go on our side. I choose the path that leads towards the boss's lair.