LIGHTNOVELSTORY Episode 5
I stopped singing out of shock.
“Um, are you alright?”
“Yes, the effect is certainly there.”
Though he seemed unchanged. He stepped forward, signaling that was enough, then reached into the air.
Brilliant light like white crystal gathered in his hand, forming a massive scythe. The sight triggered my memory of Guild Leader Jung-hwan’s other alias.
‘Reaper.’
“Let’s get out. Now.”
His scythe cut through the air, filling everything with crimson light. I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut, and when I opened them, I stood before the subway platform screen doors.
Others materialized one by one around us. Dungeons release people in order—first the initial clearer, then those who contributed.
Which meant I was the second biggest contributor to clearing this dungeon.
As I stared in disbelief, he calmly handed me a small card bearing Hanttae’s hologram logo.
“Start work tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
“This is an intern’s teleport card. Use it to enter, and we’ll convert you to full-time.”
The man, apparently finished, turned to leave but stopped to remove his black coat.
“Ah?”
“It’s my fault, so keep it.”
He vanished at incredible speed, leaving me no time to understand his meaning or return the coat.
The ankle-length garment swallowed me whole, sleeves extending past my hands. I wondered what I’d done wrong.
While checking my clothes beneath it, I noticed my suit skirt had been cut by a fingernail’s width.
[Lily: Being too conscious of it is also a problem.]
“…”
‘You’re saying he was conscious of that?’
[Lily: How shameless.]
I quietly pulled the coat closed.
I hadn’t even noticed its weighted pocket.
* * *
“Hey, Yeom. This is equipment—can’t be dry cleaned.”
“What? Ah, yes… but why not?”
“Remember that article about someone paying 3 billion won after using fabric softener on equipment? Don’t suggest such dangerous things.”
‘So it really is equipment.’
When he gave me the coat, I’d assumed it was just fashion. The laundry owner returned it neatly hung alongside my repaired skirt, refusing to handle the coat.
Equipment required awakened ones with crafting skills for cleaning and repairs. The prices were astronomical.
With just 120,000 won left after expenses, it was completely out of reach. I carefully folded the clothes in their plastic wrapping and placed them in my paper bag.
“You seem bright today? Yesterday too, when you dropped off your clothes.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah, never seen you smile in the past year.”
“Come on, boss. People will think I lived like a walking corpse. Actually, I got a permanent position.”
“Really?”
After retrieving my cleaned suit, I bid farewell to the kind owner who shared my joy.
“Yeom! Wait!”
He rushed out, stopping me mid-stride to hand me something like a black jewel.
“What’s this?”
“This fell from that coat. Take it.”
I’d nearly walked off with someone else’s possession. I quickly dropped it in the paper bag and hurried away.
[Lily: Heading to work now?]
‘…Yes!’
[Lily: Then I’ll provide Baldur’s awakened one’s gift.]
‘Yes!’
The legendary awakened one’s gift—unavailable through regular awakening, requiring dungeon entry.
A welcome kit from ‘Baldur,’ presumed creator of the world’s status window system, with contents varying by ability and conditions.
-This station has a wide platform gap. Please be careful when boarding or alighting.
Unlike yesterday, I boarded confidently. Other hunters’ dazzling equipment no longer intimidated me.
Because now I’m a hunter too. A healer—nobility wherever they go.
Excited, I opened my blinking status window mail.
Baldur congratulates your first Ragnarok participation and provides your new gift package.
May fortune and blessings accompany ‘Yeom Ye-ah’ forward.
[Random Music Box (S ~ D)(2)]
[Ragnarok Guide (Yeom Ye-ah) – Available after third entry]
New buff! Until third dungeon entry, Strength, Magic Power, and Speed increase by 0.5 levels.
[Random Equipment Box (A ~ D) Provided by ability proficiency at opening. Up to 4 random additional stats possible.]
Everything except the Music Box seemed self-explanatory.
I’d open it after work.
One final screen appeared:
[First Ragnarok dungeon entry acknowledged. Baldur’s protection ending. Forced defense against fatal attacks no longer provided.]
My excitement deflated.
The protection’s loss seemed steep compared to the gifts.
Seeing my dark expression, Lily rushed to explain.
[Lily: Highest death rates occur in first dungeons. This newbie-exclusive buff is costly. Too expensive to maintain—please understand.]
‘Haven’t you been connecting more these past days instead of waiting for calls?’
[Lily: The distance between us has decreased. Closer proximity allows longer chats. Even closer, I might manifest in your world! But daily message limits mean I talk more when connected. Do you dislike it?]
I could imagine her crying face emoji. My heart softened, and I shook my head.
[Lily: I’m glad! I’ll only connect after work to avoid disturbance. Call if you need anything. Fighting!]
Your conversation with your assigned staff has ended. Resumable upon request.
The subway arrived. Now my solo battle begins. I walked forcefully, encouraging myself.
Third teleport machine—after using the intern card, blue smoke rose thickly, making me dizzy.
Seconds passed. The scene before me flipped.
On the familiar street behind the Hunter Association, where I’d thought was just residences, stood a massive building. How expensive must the equipment be to hide it so completely?
[Hanttae]
Those two simple characters made my heart swell—we need only these to show our status.
They say company loyalty peaks on day one.
I might have heard someone cursing as they left for field work, but I tactfully ignored it.
I saw busy people everywhere. Famous Hanttae hunters, known freelance rankers, and others wearing confused expressions like mine.
I checked the employment notice once more.
[Welcome to Hanttae, Hunter Yeom Ye-ah. Please visit room 2701 on the 27th floor by 10 AM for work explanation and training. Duration: approximately 40 minutes.]