Before the screen switched to the next news, my phone vibrated.
[Shin Mira: What are you doing, Kwon?]
[Shin Mira: Why haven't you messaged lately? Are you working late?]
[Shin Mira: Oh right, you quit your job, didn't you? I'm so jealous ㅠㅠ]
It was a message from my high school friend, Shin Mira. Come to think of it, I had told her about quitting my job, but with all the chaos of the awakening, I hadn't been in touch for a while.
"Human, you have friends?"
What does this cat think of me?
I may be lazy, but I do have friends. I mostly just send them messages to let them know I'm alive.
It had been a long time since I last saw them, as the last time we met was before the regression.
[Me: Yeah, you should quit too. It's good for your health.]
[Me: Let's meet when you're less busy.]
[Shin Mira: ㅇㅋㅇㅋ]
After replying to the message, I took a shower and went to bed.
The branches will bear fruit tomorrow. It's fortunate that I don't have to wait long.
With that thought, I fell asleep.
* * *
"Didn't it grow at all?"
The next morning, when I went to check the tree, I was shocked.
Not only had the fruit not ripened, but the World Tree was even more withered than yesterday. The green leaves had started to turn yellow at the tips.
Rustle.
Ah, a leaf fell.
The remaining leaves looked like they would fall off soon if they withered a bit more.
"But it was supposed to grow overnight, right?"
I protested, but the system message remained silent.
Yesterday, it displayed a pitiful notification that made my eyes hurt, but now it's pretending it doesn't know anything.
Instead, Miumi spoke in a small voice.
"The branch lost a lot of strength while it was left outside. It seems that ordinary water won't make the tree grow. Whyoong..."
"Then what kind of water should I use?"
The description in the Ether-Wiki said 'fresh water.' Does that mean tap water won't work? Should I buy some Evian and pour it on?
"We need water with a high concentration of Ether."
"Where can I get that?"
Miumi stared at me without answering immediately.
Ah. I know what happens when this cat makes that face. It's definitely going to ask me to do something incredibly troublesome.
Stop, you don't have to answer. I'll pretend I didn't hear.
"You need to go to the dungeon, fill a bottle with Ether Water, and pour it on the tree."
I covered my ears.
"I can't hear you. I can't hear anything..."
"Participate in the tutorial dungeon."
"Right now?!"
"There's a river in the first floor of *Abyss*, the tutorial dungeon. You need to bring water from there."
I knew it.
It feels like I'm being dragged into something. Miumi and the system are definitely plotting to get me into the dungeon.
I should have realized it when they kept saying it was easy and offering rewards.
This is it.
It's like the RPG protagonist who goes on an errand to the neighboring village and ends up getting involved in a troublesome situation, eventually fighting the Demon King.
No, I won't do it. If the system is an RPG game, my role is just the innkeeper in the beginner village who sees the protagonist off.
I only wanted to water the tree, not get involved in a troublesome situation that leads to entering a dungeon.
"I really can't hear you. Ahaha, Miumi, I can't hear anything at all."
"Kyaoong!"
Miumi suddenly stood up on her hind legs and launched a meow punch. A cat's front paw attack can be quite painful.
'I'll put you in a bathtub soon.'
I vowed revenge in my heart.
"Whyoong! What's that suspicious look on your face!"
As if sensing my thoughts, Miumi leaped onto my lap. Despite her heavy, plump body, she moved with surprising agility. The force of the attack made me stagger, and my hands, which were covering my ears, fell away.
Ding ding.
At that moment, a clear notification sound rang in my ears. The system, which had been silent until now, displayed a notification window.
[A quest has been triggered.]
I won't fall for this trick anymore.
The innkeeper is busy today, having to exchange 50 million won. I don't have time to check quests.
But the system forced the quest details onto the screen.
[Side Quest: Green Our Mountains and Rivers
Oh no, our precious branch is in danger of withering due to a lack of Ether.
Let's give it water rich in Ether to make it green again.
Required Item: 1 liter of Ether Water
Pour Ether Water on the branch: 0/1
Reward: 3 Golden Draw Tickets]
Golden Draw Tickets?
A draw?
The worst invention of human civilization. A draw that gives you false hope with a 0.1% or 0.5% chance and leaves you in despair?
"..."
Phew. I almost fell for it.
I can't resist draws, but I won't do it. I won't.
* * *
At the bustling Apgujeong Hunter Market Station Exit 2 intersection.
In this place in Seoul, known for its high land prices, the flashy sign of the Apgujeong branch of *Hunter Market* was visible. The large building and sleek interior seemed to shout, "No newbies allowed."
In the afternoon, I came to this *Hunter Market* as planned.
However, my purpose had changed completely. I wasn't here to exchange 50 million won, but to buy items to enter the dungeon.
"Ha..."
I really didn't intend to do the quest.
I didn't, but...
I have a weak heart.
The branch was so withered it looked like it would die any moment, and I felt I should see the quest through to the end once I started it.
And they're giving Golden Draw Tickets.
I'm not doing it for the Golden Draw Tickets.
I just felt sorry for the withering branch. It might not sound convincing, but it's true.
Of course, I didn't plan to rush into the dungeon without preparation. At first, I had a plan.
According to the information, Ether Water can be obtained from the river on the first floor of *Abyss*, the tutorial dungeon.
So, I thought I could join a party with a hunter participating in the tutorial and just get the water. Or I could pay someone to bring me some water.
With this in mind, I entered the party matching service on the tutorial dungeon application site.
This site matched hunters who wanted to form a party to participate in the dungeon. Those who couldn't clear the dungeon alone, like mages, healers, or support classes, often formed parties.
I skipped the long explanation and entered my personal information in the application field, but an error message appeared.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
/System Error/
Service available for combat hunters E-rank and above, non-combat hunters D-rank and above.
(For other ranks, please inquire. [email protected])
F-rank, I'm so frustrated!
I know what 'inquire' means in this context. If I inquire, they'll politely tell me that my rank is too low to form a party.
'With your rank, it might be a bit difficult to participate with the hunters you want.'
That's the kind of response I'd get.
Having no choice, I decided to look for recruitment posts on the hunter community.
But...
[Recruitment] Tutorial Party Member Wanted (Healers E-rank and above)
[Recruitment] Looking for someone to do the tutorial dungeon (D-rank and above)
[Discussion] Is it a bit much for F-rank to apply to party recruitment posts?
[Recruitment] Looking for 4-person party for tutorial (E-rank rejected)
No matter how much I searched...
[Recruitment] Tutorial Bus Ride Offer
Ah, this one looks good. Instead of forcing myself into a party, I could just tag along with a strong hunter and get the water.
I clicked on the post with this thought.
[Recruitment] Tutorial Bus Ride Offer
Recommendations: 13 / Disrecommendations: 1
Author: Supreme
Party Leader: C-rank Level 20 Swordsman
Level verification possible
Possesses full set of C-rank equipment
Familiar with strategy, guarantees quick clear
Welcome to lower-rank non-combat hunters as well^^
I, Supreme, will ensure that even the lowest newbies can clear the tutorial dungeon^^
Everyone knows the tutorial dungeon is important for early leveling, right?
Don't waste time with lower-rank parties; choose a truly capable hunter early on^^
Only three spots left, so please send a private message if you're interested.
*Note*
No negotiation on bus fare—
People keep asking for a discount, but I'm offering the lowest price possible. lol
I won't respond to negotiation inquiries.
—Bus Fare—
D-rank: 10 Rubies
E-rank: 30 Rubies
F-rank: 100 Rubies
...
What, 100 Rubies for F-rank? 10 million won?
What a scoundrel. Even the nickname 'Supreme' is terrible. I pressed the disrecommendation button and closed the window.
[Recruitment] F-rank Tutorial Together
Well, it might be better to form a party with hunters of similar awakening ranks rather than tagging along with a strong hunter.
[Recruitment] F-rank Tutorial Together
Recommendations: 5 / Disrecommendations: 0
Author: Pro-rank
Hello^^
New hunters who have awakened to F-rank, it's hard to form a party, isn't it? ㅠㅠ
But F-rank hunters can easily clear the tutorial if they stick together~!!
Looking for F-rank hunters to join.
I'm a ranged attack mage, so I'm looking for defensive or swordsman types.
Non-combat types... I'm sorry^^;;;;
And it's good manners to have at least an E-rank equipment set, right?
Please send a private message~!!!
Yes, I'm sorry...
After being rejected several times, a sense of defiance started to rise in my heart. It's always annoying when you're cut off from something you don't really want to do.
Kwon Ji-won could probably get me the Ether Water if I asked him, but...
"Don't show interest in hunters; live a normal life."
When I think of his words, I can't bring myself to ask.
We're already on awkward terms, and I've already caused trouble with the black bear incident. I haven't even told him about my awakening yet.
So, I decided to somehow enter the dungeon and complete the quest on my own. Who says I can't?
"Meow? What's wrong, human? Your eyes are scary."
"Miumi, don't try to stop me."
"Whyoong...?"
That's why I came to the Apgujeong branch of *Hunter Market*.