NOVEL NEXT CH 7
“There’s no one as pitiful as that.”
In a vast space, Kang Han sat alone.
Every now and then, I noticed glances thrown his way; it seemed everyone knew who he was. Yet, it felt as if a dark energy surrounded him, making no one dare to approach.
What was even more infuriating was that Kang Han appeared accustomed to this situation, glaring in frustration.
No, he was likely just looking at his status window.
Like me, Kang Han was someone who could view his status without relying on machinery.
“What difference does it make to look at it that way?”
His status window was probably filled with restrictions on important skills, all while being rated S-class.
Yet, there he was, lost in a daze, staring at his status window, plagued by a terrible sense of helplessness—this was a habit of the early Kang Han in the novel.
I walked slowly toward where Kang Han was sitting.
As the distance closed, more eyes turned my way.
“Ugh, I’m tired.”
Pretending to be oblivious, I deliberately avoided glancing at Kang Han, choosing a spot that was neither too close nor too far.
Fortunately, Kang Han merely glanced at me, confirming my presence, but he didn’t move from his spot.
“Is that woman with Kang Han?”
“I’ve never seen her before.”
“Is she a new guild member in the Justice Guild?”
“Don’t tell me someone would willingly join that troublesome group.”
I could hear them; these people were speaking so loudly.
I realized anew just how much of a pariah Kang Han was in this world.
But no matter what the people around said, I feigned warming myself by the fire while secretly observing Kang Han.
‘I thought about this last time too; he really is handsome.’
Awakened ones, especially high-level hunters, often undergo physical changes after their awakening.
Depending on the type of abilities they possess, their eye and hair colors may change, and they might grow taller and more muscular.
Kang Han was one of those whose eye and hair color changed.
Having been a soldier, he was already tall and fit, but with his brown hair and green eyes, it was hard not to be drawn in, offering a different allure compared to Samayoung.
Even while simply warming himself by the bonfire, Kang Han exuded an aura akin to a decayed, hollowed-out ancient tree, dressed in dusty combat boots and a worn combat uniform.
That’s probably why people dared to curse him from afar but refrained from confronting him directly.
‘Now, let’s take a look.’
I thought to myself as I moved my hands closer to the fire.
‘Status Window.’
**Kang Han S**
Type: Growth
1. Electric Current (S) – Deactivated
2. Charging Spear (S) – Deactivated
3. Counterattack Opportunity (A)
4. [Empty]
5. [Empty]
Incarnation Recovery – Baek Young
Status Ailment – Dark Poisoning 83%
Equipped Items – Common, Worn Sword (D)
The state of his status window was miserable.
Yet, as the guild leader, the only item he possessed was a D-grade sword.
His poisoning condition was severe, and both of his main skills were deactivated.
‘No wonder he’s being called not S-class.’
I clicked my tongue softly.
‘The real issue is whether I can activate those skills for him.’
This was the reason I hadn’t approached Kang Han in the bunker.
First, I needed to register as an awakened one myself and see if I could intervene in the ‘Mining Disaster’ episode that occurred in
If everything went as planned, perhaps I could break the shell sooner with my hammer than it would naturally take.
‘I have a method in mind for how to hammer it out.’
While I was lost in thought, rubbing my hands by the bonfire, a sudden jolt interrupted me.
Clunk.
The large iron pot in which the fire was burning shook slightly.
Looking up, I saw Kang Han throw another large log into the fire.
The flames roared higher as they devoured the new log.
‘Was that because of me?’
An S-class wouldn’t feel the cold, to be honest.
I glanced again, but Kang Han was still glaring in dissatisfaction.
‘Ah, maybe he just doesn’t like the size of the fire.’
I shrugged and let time pass.
Before long, a large van and buses started to roll into the clearing.
The awakened ones who had already been notified hopped into the vehicles, while some others raised their hands, volunteering to the recruitment staff on site.
Kang Han, whether it was his intention or not, stood up when a gray van approached.
‘I can’t miss this.’
I had to enter the dungeon with Kang Han.
Trailing behind him, a middle-aged man who looked to be in his 50s greeted Kang Han.
“Hey, you made it. Wait a moment; we need to gather more people.”
Then he shouted in a loud voice.
“Five miners for the Incheon Mansusan dungeon!”
Quickly, four people gathered around.
They were all well-built individuals, men and women alike.
“Okay, we just need one more!”
“Me, me!” I shouted, raising my hand and rushing toward the man.
“You don’t look so great.”
The middle-aged man looked me up and down, muttering.
“I can do it! I’ve never had a part-time job I couldn’t handle, and I’m pretty strong!”
“Have you ever worked in mining? It’s not an easy job. Even those with physical enhancement abilities struggle with it. Your awakening ability doesn’t seem to be offensive either.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t waste money on hospital bills; look elsewhere.”
But I didn’t back down.
“I really need this job. I’ll work hard.”
“Take me with you.”
A calm voice interjected.
It was Kang Han.
“I’ll do a bit more work.”
With that, Kang Han, who could easily handle the workload of ten people alone, softened the middle-aged man’s previously frowning expression.
“Well, if Guild Leader Kang says so…”
“I’ll work hard. I appreciate it!”
I bowed deeply, firmly pressing my hands together in gratitude, and the middle-aged man clicked his tongue as he turned away.
“Just don’t come back asking for ointment money later.”
This was hardly even a reprimand.
This man was surprisingly soft-hearted.
After a series of twists and turns, I ended up sitting next to Kang Han in the van.
I should at least greet him.
“Thanks for earlier. I really wanted to go to this dungeon.”
“…….”
Kang Han didn’t respond.
He glanced at me for a moment, nodded slightly, then turned his gaze back to the window.
It was tough to get a word out of him.
How could I build rapport with someone like this?
Just before the vehicle started, I noticed a clear number floating above Kang Han’s head.
《 ♥ 0 》
* * *
“Wow, it looks like this.”
After a long drive, we arrived at the Mansusan dungeon just as the sun began to peek through.
I had only read about gates in books, but standing in front of this one, it was much larger and darker than I imagined.
A gate was precisely that—the entrance to the dungeon.
Just like you couldn’t see what lay beyond a closed door, no one knew what environment awaited them when they passed through this gate.
Of course, the already cleared Mansusan dungeon was well understood.
However, standing before this massive, dark, swirling gate that looked as if it could easily fit a couple of large revolving doors from a skyscraper sent chills down my spine.
“Okay, you know this is a place that just cleared a few days ago, right? It’s only open until next week, so we need to mine quickly. Today’s work is going to be tough, so don’t think about slacking off.”
The team leader, who introduced himself as Gu Kyung-il, said this before leading the way into the gate.
Kang Han followed him, leaving only me behind.
“Huuh.”
I took a deep breath and stood before the gate.
Don’t get scared over something like this, Yu-joo.
The rabbit-like 25 billion is only looking at me.
After taking a deep, steadying breath, I leaned into the ink-black gate.
* * *
“You’re doing better than I expected.”
“You can easily handle two people’s worth of work.”
I agreed with the praises coming from behind me.
Despite my initial concerns, my pickaxe never ceased to swing.