Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 74
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 074
Tae-jae has to enter a dungeon.
And tomorrow at that.
With my heart growing somewhat anxious, I asked in a jumbled manner.
“Why does Tae-jae have to enter a dungeon? Tae-jae isn’t even a hunter, is he? When did Tae-jae join a Hunter Corporation?”
This doesn’t make sense.
A mere 7-year-old child has already joined a Hunter Corporation and is a certified hunter?
If this is true, does that mean our child completed training center at the minimum age of 6, dressed up nicely in a business suit, interviewed at a Hunter Corporation, and walked in on his own two feet?
…I had occasionally heard news of minor hunters being active.
But even then, those were hunters who were at least 15 years old and could be called ‘teenagers’.
Our child hasn’t even entered elementary school yet!
Yu Jin-chae, as if she understood my feelings completely, made her hands like fans and tried to calm my excitement.
“Whoa, whoa. I’ll explain everything step by step.”
…
And after hearing her subsequent explanation, my impression was this:
‘This sounds like a story from another world.’
Tae-jae, who awakened as a High-rank Healer from birth, was immediately registered as a BOND hunter following his grandparents who were also former healers.
“High-rank Healers are precious wherever they go. Plus, Tae-jae is young. I heard they registered him unofficially out of concern for unnecessary contact from external Hunter Corporations or child abduction.”
However… The problem is the hunter qualification maintenance conditions that were created based on teenagers who are at least 15 years old.
“Training Center graduation was postponed to be done later, but anyway, since he’s officially registered as a hunter… To maintain his qualifications, Tae-jae needs to have records of entering dungeons at least 3 times a year. Only if his hunter qualifications are maintained does the company have a reason to protect Tae-jae.”
But still, does it make sense to send a Kindergarten Student to a dungeon?
“The law is like that, so there’s no choice. Still, the designated supervisor has been taking good care of Tae-jae for 6 years, and the company is also selecting only the safest dungeons to send him to.”
I read the paper Yu Jin-chae had handed me again.
Then, noticing which part I was reading, Yu Jin-chae continued with a slightly elevated voice.
-In the case of minor hunters, they may enter dungeons accompanied by 1 supervisor and 1 guardian.
“Last year, I went along as the guardian. Tae-jae’s parents don’t answer calls. One of his grandmothers said she would go, but…”
“…”
“It seemed better for me to go instead. But this year, he has a teacher, doesn’t he?”
When I looked up, I saw Yu Jin-chae with a mischievous smile.
“The person in charge should go. You’d want to go.”
“…”
“Isn’t that right?”
***
Following the supervisor’s guidance, I held Tae-jae’s hand and arrived at the designated location.
A thick Iron Door opened, and after walking through a passage where I couldn’t see an inch ahead…
I discovered an Electronic Pad embedded in the Wall.
[Safety Grade Dungeon E0815-F Grade]
An F-grade Underground Dungeon.
I never dreamed I would come to this Underground Dungeon again.
‘Still, fortunately they chose a sensible place.’
The supervisor, who had been walking ahead while staring straight forward the whole time, turned around to look at us.
“…”
“…”
I could tell he looked worried.
‘I don’t know why he’s looking at me like that instead of Tae-jae.’
Looking at the supervisor standing like a faithful wife waiting for her husband’s return without entering the gate, I asked.
“Um… Team Leader Lee Gyeon? Aren’t we going in?”
Right, the supervisor who had been in charge of Tae-jae for 6 years was Lee Gyeon, the Field Team Leader.
I hesitated for a moment when I confirmed the supervisor’s face, but soon felt shameless.
‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’
It was truly a coincidence that I ended up stealing Lee Gyeon’s taxi during the process of escaping from that crazy cult den.
Perhaps reading my shameless expression, Lee Gyeon hesitated for a moment before speaking with difficulty.
“First, before entering the dungeon, I’ll explain some simple precautions.”
Precautions?
“The dungeon we’re about to enter is relatively safe with dangerous monsters already removed in advance. However, there are fairy monsters called ‘Elumis’ that inhabit it…”
“They’re nice. Not really scary at all.”
Suddenly Tae-jae interrupted Lee Gyeon’s words.
Looking at Lee Gyeon’s expression, it didn’t seem like he was wrong.
“Yes, as Tae-jae said, they’re gentle-natured monsters that don’t get angry over most things. But since they are monsters, stay close to me…”
“How close? It’s summer and hot, so I’d prefer to stay just a little close.”
Why is this kid acting like this today?
I lightly shook Tae-jae’s held hand and gave him a look.
‘What’s wrong, Tae-jae?’
However, the answer came from Lee Gyeon with a shallow sigh.
“…Tae-jae, I told you before, but you can’t bring ‘Elumis’ outside the dungeon.”
“I don’t really understand.”
Lee Gyeon looks at me.
Ah?
‘I get it now.’
Tae-jae must have tried to bring out some fairy or something before. And Lee Gyeon was the one who stopped him.
I spoke to Tae-jae as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Tae-jae, shall we go in first and ask the fairies? The fairies might not want to come outside the dungeon.”
“…Yes, let’s go in and ask.”
See?
If you just say no outright, kids get upset and won’t even try to think about the reasons why not. So you have to speak as indirectly as possible.
As a bonus, it’s even better if you shift the responsibility not to me but to the fairies.
‘Though I’m not sure if we can communicate with the fairies.’
Lee Gyeon gestured toward the gate with already tired eyes.
We proceeded to pass through the gate leading to the F-rank Dungeon one by one.
***
F-rank ‘Elumis’ Sanctuary’.
A dense forest with trees so tall you can’t see the sky.
Plants you’d never see in reality fill the forest, creating a spectacular view.
However, the sense of alienation is just as strong.
Right… it’s probably because of that.
“B Section work completed.”
“A-3 Section work started. Mineral acquisition rate about 20%.”
“C-2 Section, Elumis are suddenly blocking passage, so work start will be delayed.”
Here and there, people wearing watches on their hands walk around. And people who appear to be miners following behind them as well.
Like workers disturbing the peace of the forest.
After watching the people moving busily, Lee Gyeon started walking.
“Tae-jae has a predetermined job.”
“Does Tae-jae have something specific he needs to do here?”
“Yes, according to regulations, even when visiting a dungeon to maintain hunter qualifications, one must faithfully perform their assigned duties.”
So they don’t make exceptions even for young children.
“It’s not a task that would burden a young child. He just needs to check on the condition of the miners and researchers in the dungeon and help those who need healing.”
“Using his ability, right?”
“Yes. According to regulations, when performing duties, using personal abilities to solve problems is primarily recommended.”
Though Lee Gyeon explained throughout, Tae-jae, the actual person involved, seemed busy looking around and greeting people passing by.
Lee Gyeon also seemed to be explaining to me as the guardian rather than to Tae-jae, like a preliminary briefing.
Finally, we arrived at what looked like a base camp where people taking breaks from their work were gathered.
“A-rank Hunter Nam Tae-jae, your mission begins from this moment. Failure to comply with the supervisor’s instructions may result in forced dismissal.”
“Yes~ Can I go see the fairy after I finish the mission?”
“…Fine. But you can’t try to put the fairy in your bag like last time.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Do those two always talk like this?
Lee Gyeon pressed his brow firmly, then pushed Tae-jae’s back lightly with a tired expression.
Then, before the child could even protest, he ran off toward the base camp.
I also hurried to follow Tae-jae, but suddenly Lee Gyeon stretched out his arm and blocked my path.
What?
“…Teacher, you can stay here and watch with me.”
“Can’t I watch from nearby?”
I’m worried.
“There shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Even if an unexpected situation occurs, I can handle it.”
Of course, he does have a naturally trustworthy face, but…
‘This is just occupational hazard, so I can’t help it.’
But since I came as a guardian, I decided to faithfully follow the supervisor’s words for now.
The base camp became noisy with the sudden appearance of a child.
“Huh? It’s a kid.”
“A kid? Why is there a kid here?”
“Whaaaat? Who is this? It’s Tae-jae, isn’t it? Tae-jae! Ah~ today’s the day you’re coming!”
“Tae-jae? Tae-jae came? Gasp~! It really is him??”
Even the people who were confused by the unexpected appearance of a child quickly calmed down when someone who had seen Tae-jae before appeared.
After a short while…
“Tae-jae, try this too.”
“This is delicious too. Tae-jae, try what your sister is giving you too. Ahh~”
What a scene.
‘It’s like he came to put on a cute show rather than do a mission.’
Contrary to my worries, there was hardly anything for Tae-jae to do.
He only needed to tend to minor injuries of miners who occasionally got hurt while mining minerals.
“Ta-da~”
“Th, thank you. But what should I do, I don’t have anything to give you right now…”
“It’s okay. That mister over there said if I work hard today, I can take the fairy with me.”
I could hear Lee Gyeon’s dismayed voice from beside me.
“I didn’t say that…”
Anyway, it’s excessively peaceful.
Standing still for about an hour was surprisingly tiring too.
I did some light stretching and looked around the peaceful forest.
‘Did they say there are about 3 places like this base camp?’
Around the time it was getting close to moving to the next base camp as instructed.
A thunderous sound came from beyond the forest.
-BOOM!!!!
I looked up toward where the thunderous sound came from. The ground vibrated finely, and birds and such flew hurriedly overhead.
From the distance, I could see a massive wall approaching.
“…!”
While Lee Gyeon swiftly launched his body somewhere, I realized the identity of the rapidly approaching wall.
…Dirt?
A pile of dirt was pouring toward us at tremendous speed.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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