I Awakened With My Dark History - Chapter 07

========== CHAPTER 7 ==========

“D-rank dungeon party, everyone is here, right?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

When I answered energetically, the Leader looked at me for a moment.

He scanned me and the others once before holding out his hand.

“If everyone is indeed the D-rank dungeon party, please show me your Gamja Market chat screen. I’ll check it briefly.”

“Yes.”

The others and I turned on our screens and showed the app interface to the Leader.

The Leader checked the app screen of each person and nodded.

“Then, everyone is here.”

I kept my hair tightly hidden under the hood of my hoodie and looked at the people around me.

Two people were wearing heavy armor and carrying shields, one was wearing lighter breastplate armor and carrying a sword, and finally, one was wearing light leather armor and carrying a staff.

Everyone looked like they were fully equipped with items.

‘I’m the only one in casual clothes.’

Being the only one in a hoodie and jeans, I felt a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, that embarrassment didn’t last long.

The Leader checked the number of people and started the introductions first.

“Let’s decide how to address each other based on our positions, as discussed in the chat room. Please call me Leader. And you there?”

“As you can see from my attire, I’m the tanker.”

The two people wearing heavy armor introduced themselves as Leader and Tanker, respectively.

Next, the person with the sword stepped forward.

“I’m the melee dealer. Just call me Melee Dealer. My main weapon is a sword.”

The people turned their heads in order to look at the person holding the staff.

That person bowed their head first to greet us.

“Hello. I’m the mage…… or rather, the ranged dealer. I don’t have any support or healing skills; I’m specialized in offense.”

Finally, everyone’s gaze turned to me.

I hesitated for a moment, then bowed my head just like the person before me.

“Hello. I’m the supporter and healer. Please call me whichever is more comfortable.”

It was just a light greeting, but my Synchronization Rate increased by 5%.

I didn’t know the reason, but it seemed like something aligned with the settings.

“Then, let’s go with Healer. It’ll be easier to call out in the dungeon.”

The Leader lightly settled the titles and turned toward the dungeon entrance.

Above the dungeon entrance, the Dungeon Saturation was displayed translucently.

It was system text that wasn’t visible to the eyes of ordinary people, only to Hunters.

“The dungeon we’re entering today is the Shadow Cave, and the saturation is about 70%. It’s just the right level to clear now.”

The Leader pointed to the dungeon entrance as if giving a briefing and explained to us step by step.

“Our goal is not to close the dungeon. You don’t need to worry too much about the saturation. As long as it doesn’t reach 100%, a Dungeon Wave won’t occur anyway.”

If the saturation reached 0%, the dungeon would close completely and become safe, but then it would be impossible to extract resources.

That was why Hunters didn’t bother closing dungeons unless they were exceptionally dangerous or useless.

The Leader emphasized this part as if it were something we must keep in mind.

“Our goal is to appropriately deal with the monsters, defeat the boss, and bring back the rewards. Fights with small fry will only happen when necessary, so absolutely do not step forward and provoke them.”

“Yes.”

When the four of us answered in unison, the Leader was reassured and finally gave instructions for each of our positions.

“Tanker-nim and I will block the front, Melee Dealer-nim in the middle, and Mage-nim and Healer-nim will stand at the rear. Even if a Sudden Event occurs, do not leave these positions.”

The other Hunters besides me took their positions skillfully.

I stood blankly until the very end, and only after the others had taken their formation did I find a spot next to the Mage.

“Alright, we’re going in.”

The Leader stepped into the dungeon first.

It was my first time entering a dungeon.

The monsters inside the dungeon were in the form of black cats.

However, just because they were black cats, one shouldn’t imagine them to be cute and adorable.

Kyaaaaak―!

Although they looked like cats, their essence was distorted shadows.

Thanks to the darkness of the cave-type dungeon, they were even significantly larger than a human, and they hissed at us.

The reason they didn’t pounce immediately was because two monsters were already lying at our feet.

It glared at the party members with gleaming eyes, then whipped its body around and ran away.

“Guard down.”

The Leader lowered his shield. Only then did the other party members put away their weapons and lower their guard.

I took water out of the bag I had brought and offered it to the party members.

“Would you like some water?”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“Me neither.”

The Mage and Melee Dealer refused my water.

Seeing that the Leader and Tanker were already taking out and drinking their own water, they didn’t seem to have any intention of accepting it.

I took a sip of water and glanced at my Synchronization Rate.

Was it because offering water was a kind act?

Before I knew it, my Synchronization Rate had reached 20%.

But it was still not enough to activate a skill, so I became increasingly anxious.

Although there were no injured people yet, I was worried about what would happen if the Synchronization Rate didn’t fill up by the time someone got hurt.

While I was lost in such thoughts, the Tanker approached the Leader.

“Leader, isn’t something a bit strange? I don’t think this dungeon was supposed to have Shadow Cats from the very beginning.”

The Tanker’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough to reach everyone.

All the party members looked up at the two of them.

The Leader rubbed his chin and agreed with the Tanker’s words.

“I was just thinking the same thing. Shadow Cats usually appear in the middle of the dungeon, so this is a bit early.”

“Then, are we leaving?”

The Mage raised a hand and asked. He seemed a bit reluctant, as if he didn’t want to leave just like this.

Fortunately for him, the Leader shook his head.

“No. It’s possible that their food supply in the middle of the dungeon ran out or they were pushed out in territorial competition. I think it’s fine to go to the middle of the dungeon, check the situation, and then retreat.”

The Melee Dealer and Mage let out a sigh of relief.

Not knowing the situation well, I felt awkward about being relieved, and the Tanker’s expression was dark, as if something was bothering him.

“Then, let’s continue forward. Healer-nim.”

“…….”

“Healer-nim!”

“Ah, yes?”

Having forgotten that I was Healer-nim, I snapped to attention and answered loudly.

The Leader laughed lightly as if he understood my reaction and urged me.

“Please be prepared to provide buffs and heals at any time.”

“Yes. I will do that.”

Assuming my Synchronization Rate fills up, that is.

While giving a firm answer, I scratched my head, feeling awkward.

Fortunately, my Synchronization Rate had just increased by another 10%, reaching 30%.

‘I have no idea what the criteria are.’

I grumbled to myself and followed the party members deep into the dungeon.

The deeper we went into the dungeon, the darker it became. It was truly a Shadow Cave.

The surroundings were covered in shadows, making it difficult to see even an inch ahead.

“From now on, we will turn on our flashlights. If we turn on the flashlights, the enemies will know our location, and they can hide in our shadows. From now on, you must not let your guard down.”

Knowing they wouldn’t see it, I still raised my hand slightly and asked.

“How do we know if an enemy is hiding in the shadows……?”

“The direction of the shadow will change. If the position of my shadow is different from other people’s, please let me know immediately. It’s the same if it’s someone else’s shadow, not mine.”

The Leader answered diligently every time, as if my questions weren’t annoying at all.

Strangely, every time that happened, my Synchronization Rate increased a little bit.

“Since Healer-nim is at the very back, it would be good if Healer-nim could keep watch for shadows. The rest of you, please keep an eye out for approaching monsters.”

“Yes.”

After the Leader gave his final instructions, he took a flashlight out of his pocket.

As he turned on the flashlight, the surroundings brightened up, and the appearance of the cave became clear.

The cave was wide enough for the five of us to walk in a line with room to spare.

The Leader held the flashlight straight and strode forward.

I followed behind them, keeping an eye on the party members’ shadows that stretched in the opposite direction of the flashlight’s beam.

Clatter. Clatter.

Kieeeeek― Kiek―

By the time we walked through the dungeon and reached a fork in the path, strange noises began to be heard.

When the Leader heard the sound, he lowered the intensity of the flashlight and shone it toward the floor.

“Judging by the sound, it doesn’t look like there are just a few of them. It seems a battle has broken out among themselves, so avoiding it is the best policy.”

The Leader listened to the side where the sound was coming from and then gestured to us with his chin.

It meant we should move to the fork where there was no sound.

“We will move to the left fork, so keep the noise to a minimum and watch your surroundings.”

“Yes.”

The entire party tiptoed, killing the noise, and moved their feet to the left fork.

The Leader first shone the flashlight into the left fork to check if there were any other monsters.

Once safety was secured, the Leader entered the fork first.

The Tanker, Melee Dealer, and Mage followed in order, and I was last.

As soon as we entered the fork as quietly as possible, the Leader gradually increased his speed.

Eventually, until our walking turned into a run.

The Leader stopped only after we were far enough from the fork that the sound could no longer be heard.

The three people, including the Tanker and Melee Dealer, were fine, but the Mage and I were breathing a little heavily.

“Is everyone here without falling behind?”

“Yes.”

The Leader turned the flashlight toward us to check on the party members.

The party members’ shadows stretched long at my feet.

Except for one.

“Melee Dealer-nim’s shadow!”

Kang―!

At the same time as my shout, the Leader raised his shield and ran toward the Melee Dealer.

And the shadow that surged from the Melee Dealer’s shadow slammed its body into the Leader’s shield.

Syaaaak, Syaak.

As four Shadow Cats struck in succession, the Leader and Melee Dealer were pushed back.

“They were hiding in the fork! Arise, flames!”

The Mage quickly activated magic to keep the Shadow Cats in check.

The Shadow Cats scattered to avoid the flames and stuck to the cave wall.

The Tanker didn’t miss that gap and took a position in the vanguard.

One Shadow Cat saw the gap as the vanguard’s position changed and dug in.

But that was a big mistake. The Melee Dealer’s sword quickly pierced through that gap and skewered the Shadow Cat.

Perhaps the Shadow Cats had no camaraderie for each other, as they tried to run away, taking advantage of the moment one of them died.

“Ignite!”

The Mage raised flames as if to say he wouldn’t allow the monsters to escape.

Sya, Syaaaa―

The Shadow Cats began to hesitate as their retreat was blocked, then looked around.

Loyalty was nowhere to be found, no matter how hard you looked.

The Tanker and Leader raised their shields and slowly approached the Shadow Cats.

The Shadow Cats bared their teeth repeatedly and arched their backs threateningly.

And that was it.

Swaaak―!

Kyaak!! Kyaaaaa!

Something that flew like a projectile from the right fork snatched one of the Shadow Cats.

The Shadow Cat struggled and screamed, but the sound gradually faded.

Crunch. Crunch. Crack.

As the Shadow Cat’s sound faded, the chilling sound of tearing grew louder in the darkness.

The entire party fell into silence.