Chapter 260: Odd Party (2)

“Seriously, this is driving me crazy,” Han Jung-Woo muttered with a sigh as he dried the water off of his wet hair with a towel.

Who would’ve thought the Sanctuary of Corruption would have such a ridiculous entry restriction?

He had tried various methods to bypass it, but it turned out to be a system lock. Eventually, he admitted defeat, declared his surrender, logged out, and finished his shower.

“I’m sure I could clear it alone, though.”

He had explored many dungeons before, but this was the first time he had encountered such a situation. Of course, most dungeons had entry restrictions. It was meant to prevent too many players from entering and clearing the dungeon too easily compared to its intended difficulty.

But this time, it was the opposite. Rather than a maximum party size, the condition was a minimum party size required to enter.

Even branch manager Kang Min-Gu said this was an intentional decision from the game's development phase, so there’s nothing that can be done...

He had already tried every method he could think of. However, even the branch manager Kang Min-Gu had repeatedly said it was impossible to bypass.

So, that means I need four more people besides myself.

But who could he call? He couldn’t just drag strangers into a dungeon. For once, Han Jung-Woo found himself frustrated with his shallow social circle.

That’s when...

Ring, ring, ring!

His phone suddenly started ringing.

“

Huh?

”

Even the name that appeared on the screen was unexpected.

[Producer Kim In-Ha]

Why is Producer Kim In-Ha calling me?

She was the producer in charge of the project that had turned the Battle of Bir Plains into a video.

I did make a ton of money from that video.

The Blu-ray and online streaming sales profits were still pouring into his bank account endlessly. On top of that, NET Media was exceptionally good at marketing. They had even released the Battle of Bir Plains on movie theater screens, not just for online or home viewing. Of course, that was a massive hit as well.

I’m grateful to her for making me money, but...

That was simply the result of a deal. There was no reason for him to feel one-sided gratitude. In fact, he hadn’t expected to be contacted by her again.

“Hello?”

—

Oh!

Jung-Woo, how have you been? I don’t know if you remember me...

“Your number is saved. You’re Producer Kim In-Ha, right?”

—

Ahaha,

yes, that’s me. I’m glad my number’s still in your phone. The reason I’m calling today is that I’d like to talk about a new video project.

“A new video project?” Han Jung-Woo furrowed his brows.

His deal with NET Media had only been for the Battle of Bir Plains—that was it. It was also explicitly stated as such in the contract. Thus, a call like this was far from welcome.

—

Oh,

I’m really sorry if this feels like a burden. But as you know, the Battle of Bir Plains video was a massive hit.

“That’s true.”

That much was obvious just by visiting the largest search engine on the internet. Typing just the letter B would bring up Battle of Bir Plains as an autocomplete suggestion. And even without that, the amounts being deposited into his bank account were more than enough to make it clear.

—If you were to provide even a glimpse of your everyday life, I’m confident I could create another huge success.

Ah!

I’m asking purely on a personal level. While there is some pressure from above, I’ve made it clear that my prior project with you was a one-time deal.

The clear establishment of boundaries, the concise explanation, and the subtle self-promotion—Han Jung-Woo didn’t particularly dislike someone this competent.

“

Hmm

. Actually, I do have plans to enter a dungeon soon.”

—

Oooo

, dungeons are fantastic! What kind of dungeon? Considering your level... Could it be the newly updated Gardan Den of Thieves, Remfa’s Forest, or maybe even the Deep Sea Dragon’s Nest?

Han Jung-Woo shook his head. “No, it’s not a public dungeon.”

The dungeons Producer Kim In-Ha listed were recently updated dungeons from Pegasus Corp. Since they hadn’t been cleared yet, they would undoubtedly draw a lot of attention if he attempted them.

But is it necessary?

The only thing he could gain from clearing those dungeons would be a bit of leveling. While most people would obsess over the fame and money that came along as bonuses, Han Jung-Woo wasn’t interested in such things.

“This dungeon has never been revealed to the world before. I’m currently gathering party members.”

—

Oh

, I thought you would clear the dungeon alone this time as well since you always solo play.

“That’s how it’s been so far, but this dungeon has an entry restriction, so I can’t go in alone.”

—There are dungeons like that? Fascinating. But watching you do party play would definitely be popular too. And...

hehe

.

Producer Kim In-Ha suddenly let out a strange laugh.

“What’s with that laugh?”

—

Oh

, sorry about that. And this might seem like a random question, but do you watch TV often?

“No, I don’t have the time.”

Many people envied rankers, but they had their own struggles. Though they could enjoy wealth and fame, they couldn’t casually go to a movie theater or leisurely visit a bathhouse, and going on an overseas trip was nothing more than a dream, as time was literally money for rankers.

Of course, gossipers would say: “They get famous and make tons of money just by playing a game they like. How spoiled.”

However, there was a clear difference between choosing not to go somewhere and being unable to go despite wanting to.

Though in my case, my schedule isn’t as tight.

Most rankers spent their days grinding endlessly, fearing a drop in their ranking. Kai, on the other hand, was the overwhelming number one. The gap between him and the second-ranked Yoo Ha-Rin was nearly fifty levels. This meant that if Kai wanted, he could be the only ranker capable of taking a overseas trip. That was the ironic reason why other rankers secretly envied Unknown so much.

—Since

MID Online

became a massive hit, the TV variety industry has been changing bit by bit lately.

“Can you give an example?”

—Well, there’s a trend of shooting variety shows within

MID Online

itself, which doesn’t require much production cost. If you look at the recent hit shows, they’re all set inside

MID Online.

“I didn’t know that.”

—

Haha,

you’re a busy person, so that’s understandable. I get it. There are various trending programs now, like Masked Ranker, where rankers wear masks and engage in one-on-one duels, With Pets, a healing variety show where players run around with their pets, and I Do It Alone, which follows a single player and a cameraman as they clear a dungeon.

“I see. But why are you telling me this?”

While it was an interesting topic, it wasn’t something Han Jung-Woo had been particularly curious about.

—

Ahem,

well... I thought you might know. You see, I actually came from the variety show department.

“You did?”

Han Jung-Woo’s expression showed a hint of surprise. And understandably so, as the video production of the Battle of Bir Plains was so exceptional that it could be described as top-tier.

I assumed she came from the fantasy drama division.

He couldn’t believe someone like her came from the variety show department.

At that point, Han Jung-Woo began to get a sense of what she wanted to say.

“Are you suggesting we shoot my dungeon clear as a variety show?”

—If you’re willing to allow it, I’ll put my all into making it happen.

“But I’m not very good at talking.”

—Don’t worry about that. I’ll stitch together captions, music, and situations in a way that makes it entertaining. Besides, it’s a dungeon clear video by none other than Unknown. Even if it’s labeled as a variety show, it’ll still be a massive hit.

Producer Kim In-Ha spoke with immense confidence.

—If you don’t have any party members in mind, our broadcasting station can help connect you with celebrities. Or is there any ranker you would like...

“

Hmm.

No, I’d prefer to choose the people I’ll bring to the dungeon myself. Thank you for the offer, though.”

—

Oh

, not at all. I’m the one who should be grateful. So... about the contract, then...

“Send it over to my mail.”

—Thank you! Thank you so much!

Han Jung-Woo ended the call with Producer Kim In-Ha, who was practically jumping for joy, and let out a small chuckle.

“A variety show in a dungeon,

huh?

Now that I think about it, it does sound intriguing.”

For the first time in a while, he considered turning on the dusty TV.

But not right now.

That was because today was Tuesday—the day he volunteered at the Happy Orphanage.

***

“

Ah!

Welcome!”

When Han Jung-Woo arrived at the orphanage, Yoo Ha-Rin was already there, dressed in sportswear and doing laundry with the children. The kids were stomping on clothes in a large brown tub placed in the middle of the yard. With every stomp, bubbles floated into the air, and the children laughed each time.

“Kids, he’s here to help out, so you should greet him politely.”

“Hello!”

“You actually came!”

“Thank youuu!”

“Hello, kids. But...”

Han Jung-Woo glanced at the laundry tub with a puzzled look. It might have made sense at another orphanage, but at Happy Orphanage, there was no need to do laundry that way. Thanks to Yoo Ha-Rin’s investment, the orphanage had many high-end washing machines.

“

Oh,

well...” Perhaps noticing his gaze, Yoo Ha-Rin suddenly looked embarrassed and hesitated before saying, “Before I started playing games... When things were really tough for me, I used to do laundry like this all the time. The kids said they missed it, so we’re just,

uh

... washing...”

Her pale face turned bright red, like a ripe persimmon.

Seeing this, the children' s eyes widened and began laughing.

“

Huh?

Ha-Rin noona’s face is turning red!”

“Really?

Whoa

, it is!”

“

Oolala!

”

“Y-you guys!”

When Yoo Ha-Rin raised her tiny fists and shouted, the children ran away barefoot.

“You guys aren’t even wearing shoes! Go straight to the showers and wash up!” She yelled after them as they disappeared.

Han Jung-Woo had a strange feeling as he watched her.

Honestly, every time I see her, she doesn’t seem like the Yoo Ha-Rin people talk about.

The Yoo Ha-Rin widely known to the public was the epitome of chic—cold, silent, and ruthless. But through Han Jung-Woo’s eyes, Yoo Ha-Rin was simply a pure young woman for her age. Nothing more, nothing less.

So he asked her, “Ha-Rin, did you really glare at people and scare them off when they tried talking to you?”

“D-did I do that?!” Yoo Ha-Rin exclaimed in shock. “N-no! It’s just... I was bullied a lot growing up, so I have a hard time opening up to people.”

“You? Bullied?”

Han Jung-Woo’s expression showed that he thought that was absurd. Wasn’t she the kind of woman whose beauty would have had boys lining up for her during her school days?

“

Uh

, well... it’s a little embarrassing to say this myself, but...”

“Because you’re beautiful?”

“

Ahhhhhh!

” Yoo Ha-Rin covered her face with both hands.

Her face was so small it could be entirely hidden by her palms.

After a moment, she calmed herself and said in a quiet voice, “It was just... like that. Not a single person ever approached me because they genuinely wanted to get to know me. All the boys wanted to date me, and even the girls only wanted to use me to talk to the boys they liked. Sometimes, they even spread rumors that I had tried to steal their boyfriends. It was all because of my face.”

“So you don’t really trust people,

huh?

”

“Yes, a little.”

Watching her bitter expression, Han Jung-Woo wore a similar one. The emotions she described were something he had also experienced at one point.

Even I only started to feel better recently while playing MID Online.

He suddenly realized that they could be more similar than he had thought. The only difference was that she was still walking the path he had already walked.

So that’s why she’s so reluctant to reveal her face.

At that moment, it made perfect sense why she had never revealed her face in the game.

Wait. Hold on a second.

Sensing something strange, Han Jung-Woo asked, “But what about me? You showed me your face, and you even gave me that Triple-Head Ogre leather, didn’t you?”

“Th-that’s...” Yoo Ha-Rin quickly turned her head and softly mumbled, “...Because I’d never seen such pure, clear eyes before.”

“What did you say?”

“N-nothing!” Yoo Ha-Rin yelled and, for some reason, began stomping the laundry more vigorously.

As expected of the second-ranked player, even her stomping was on another level! The dirty laundry quickly began to turn clean.

“Let me help. I’ve done this a lot, so I should be useful.”

As Han Jung-Woo washed his feet at the faucet and joined in, the laundry was finished in no time. In the process, Han Jung-Woo and Yoo Ha-Rin ended up having quite a few conversations, and he came to one conclusion.

She really does have a lot in common with me.

He felt pity for her, but at the same time, knowing that he knew her true self made him feel happy.

I wish the world didn’t misunderstand her as cold and heartless.

But what could he possibly do about it?

Sigh. There’s no way I can show the world who she really is... Wait, hold on.

At that moment, as he let out a faint sigh, a sudden idea flashed through his mind. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Yoo Ha-Rin.

“Ha-Rin, are you free the day after tomorrow?”

I-is he asking me out on a date?!

Yoo Ha-Rin’s already red face turned even redder, as though it was about to explode. Of course, she answered that she didn’t have any plans that day.