News that the German dungeon, known to be the most challenging dungeon revealed to date, was cleared just two days after the initial attempt spread quickly around the world through various media outlets. While dungeon expeditions have always been a subject of public interest, the speed of this news delivery was influenced by several factors.
Firstly, the German dungeon was an unprecedentedly large-scale dungeon, and secondly, it was due to the opinions of senior association officials who were engaged in theoretical discussions. They had announced that the Quintus dungeon would require at least a week to conquer, but their confident predictions were completely overturned.
People who relish criticizing could not miss this point. They criticized the association's incompetence while also expressing admiration for the overwhelming force demonstrated by Kang Sihyun's party. Although there were those who showed envy and jealousy, equally, many came to respect or admire them. It even reached the point where a fan club for the German expedition team was formed.
The attention of the entire world was on Germany, or more precisely, on Kang Sihyun's party who had conquered the German dungeon. People showed interest in every detail about them—their whereabouts, what they ate, what they wore—and wanted to know their future course of action. Amidst this, it was revealed that they had cooperated with an Irregular for the first time during this dungeon expedition, causing quite a stir.
While some people harbored hope, others expressed displeasure at the fact that there had been cooperation with an Irregular. Some scholars mentioned the possibility of coexistence between Irregulars and humans, but the matter was concluded with just one interview with Armus.
"Can other Irregulars not cooperate with humans like Mr. Armus?"
"I cooperated to deal with Gula. Once Gula is dealt with, I'll leave, and there is no sentient being among the Irregulars superior to me. They're all empty-headed fools, so it’s easier to deal with them as I do now than to seek cooperation. If you want to see an Irregular's attack at a negotiation, just try it."
Ultimately, if the world was to regain peace from the threat of dungeons and Gula, it would only be through conquering upcoming dungeons and defeating Gula. There was no need to add that this was quite a despairing message.
The world was enthralled by the German expedition team because they believed it could resolve the current bizarre situation.
They thought that they could overcome the threatening and unstable reality of each day.
It was similar to how people seek a god in times of crisis.
But with the hope of finding peace without facing dungeons and Gula now gone, how bitter must everyone have felt?
All this while, people pretended to show interest in the Awakeners' affairs but ignored the most critical issue—Gula.
People desperately tried to forget the nightmare, so they diligently erased the remnants of the disaster experienced during Gula's return. They tried not to consciously recall it and avoided mentioning it, as if mentioning it would somehow invoke Gula’s presence.
The nation's high-ranking officials were no different. But now was not the time for that, as pointed out by an Irregular himself. It was as if getting slapped in the face and told to come to their senses had finally awoken those who were lost in a dream.
"The World Awakeners Association must reveal the hidden truths!"
"A government that manipulates information through the media is unnecessary! Protect the right of the citizens to know!"
"Must the non-Awakened die in ignorance?"
People began to unite and raise their voices toward the government and the association. They demanded information about the current situation that the association and the government had been monopolizing. As a result, the association promised to disclose all information related to Gula.
It was also announced that the owner of the current dungeon was Gula's offspring, and that four more dungeons would appear, and Gula was a monster of ancient origin not found even in myths.
Of course, they did not overlook the impact this revelation could have. If only despairing news was shared, people might lose their will to live and fight, so the association announced the existence of a great hope.
They strategized to use the heroically regarded Kang Sihyun as their figurehead. Haehyuk agreed to this, and as the guild leader of Redem, he helped the association. After all, if the situation was to be overcome, someone needed to lead as 'justice.'
However, becoming a representative meant bearing the responsibility if anything went wrong. The students of Class A opposed it, but Haehyuk was adamant. If no one else stepped forward, the united will of the people would scatter, he argued, and even Armus agreed this was the right course, causing the students' faces to fall.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll take all the responsibility. Think of it as Kang Sihyun wearing a ceremonial hat."
With their guild leader going so far,
the students had no grounds to oppose further. Thus, on the promised day, the contents related to the announced hope were as follows:
"To defeat the ancient monster, God has sent a savior. The person following in the footsteps of the first Awakeners, Adam and Eve, is none other than the Quadruple Awakener Kang Sihyun, the main hero in conquering various dungeons."
It was a hope made of 80% truth and 20% falsehood. At this news, people excitedly called out Kang Sihyun's name. The actions Kang Sihyun had shown thus far made people believe in his existence as hope and instilled the belief that he could defeat Gula. It was almost fanatical, though the students were worried, but Armus remained calm. The power held by a savior and the absolute existence known as God was naturally so, he said along with the statement.
A huge uproar ensued across the globe.
Within a world undergoing turbulent changes, after enduring days of interview requests, the members of the expedition team returned to the accommodation provided by the German association, looking as if they had agreed on something.
Ruth and Kang Sihyun.
The two individuals who were the main forces behind the successful dungeon conquest and whom everyone was most curious about had not awakened even a week after the expedition.
"How many days has it been now?"
"Exactly ten days since we left the dungeon."
"..."
Haehyuk's answer darkened the expressions of those around. Breaking the silence was Hamin, glaring at Armus.
"It was supposed to be alright, wasn't it?"
"It would have been, had the plan gone as intended. The problem was the demigod receiving a hit in a soul state halfway through—that was an unforeseen variable."
Armus's response was bold. Since there was nothing to point out, Hamin sat down with his lips pursed, messing up his hair. Both Kang Sihyun, who hadn't awakened after his soul was stolen, and Ruth, who was sweating and hadn't opened his eyes since, were concerns.
"Man, this might take a while."
Right after escaping the dungeon, Ruth had said this with a faint consciousness and then fainted. Armus had tried to slap him awake, calling him weak, but the act only left a red mark on Ruth's cheek without much effect. Now ten days had passed in that state.
The people revered them as heroes, but no one in the team that had conquered the dungeon together could be truly happy. Even if they had been well, they wouldn’t have been able to celebrate freely. The responsibility was too heavy.
"People are calling us the hero team."
Haehyuk chuckled lowly, perhaps trying to lighten the serious mood, as if he had heard an amusing joke, but the expressions of the Class A students darkened further.
"The disappointment will be just as great as the expectations we're receiving now."
Seowoo gently ran his fingers through Kang Sihyun's hair and softly pointed out the issue. While Hamin and Haru twitched their shoulders, Raohchun and Haehyuk simply smirked.
Laughing now?
As Seowoo's pupils narrowed at that reaction, Haehyuk banged the table and opened his mouth.
"That's how it is. You all have been protected under my shadow until now, but S-class Awakeners typically operate with the thought that the entire nation will curse them if they make a mistake. And indeed, they do get cursed."
I've been cursed quite a bit, haven't I?
The face speaking with a laugh was mixed with bitter feelings and sheer irritation. Raohchun felt the same.
"That's the weight of being S-class."
Tossing out the words and agreeing, the guild leader of Redem laughed. "We guild leaders have it even worse," Haehyuk tried to create a sense of solidarity, but Raohchun gave him a disgusted look just as Haewoon stood up energetically.
"Still, it's better to be recognized for what we've done than not knowing how great our actions were! Worrying won't change anything, so we might as well enjoy it at times like these."
The boy who always maintained an optimistic attitude, whether a year ago or now, offered a simple solution. Just then, the Class A students chuckled.
"I agree with Haewoon's thoughts."
The voice that penetrated the conversation had a strangely unfamiliar depth due to deep sleep. Everyone widened their eyes and turned to look at the bed. The boy who had been asleep for ten days was now sitting up.
Facing the burning gazes, he showed an awkward smile.
"Long time no see...."
The greeting delivered awkwardly made the group gasp again. The boy's eyes, familiar until now, had two colors mixed like Ruth's—blue and gold.
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