How a D-Class Alchemist Avoids Death

A few days after Go-woon acquired the magic stone of Karma.

Ga-eul, who had killed all the rushing monsters, quietly approached Min-hee while watching Go-woon happily spamming magic bullets.

“Min-hee-ssi.”

“Hm?”

“Don’t you think something’s off?”

Min-hee, who had just fried a monster with lightning, cocked her head in confusion.

“Look at the level, the level.”

“Level?”

Min-hee checked the party window.

“Huh? Why is Go-woon’s level so high?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

When they first formed the party, Go-woon’s and the four others’ levels weren’t much different.

But now…

“Level 35? Could this be a mistake?”

“Have you ever heard of the party window being wrong?”

“No.”

Originally, Hanjae was the one with the highest level. But even Hanjae hadn’t exceeded level 25 yet, and Go-woon was level 35.

“Do you think he’s secretly going to dungeons?”

“It’s not secretly. He’s doing it openly.”

“Hmm?”

Woojae, who was healing Go-woon, sighed and spoke up, “Don’t you know about the rumor circulating in the guild these days?”

“Rumor?”

Although they were busy dealing with Go-woon and had become pariahs in the guild for forming a party with him, the two of them were oblivious to the gossip spreading in the guild.

“You mean that rumor? That he’s obsessed with leveling?”

“Yeah.” Woojae nodded at Hanjae’s question, while healing.

“Obsessed with leveling? Why would such a rumor circulate?”

“Because of this.”

As Hanjae took out his phone, tapped a few times, and passed it to Min-hee, Ga-eul peered closely at the screen.

“Wow. He’s crazy.”

“He’s really crazy.”

What was displayed on the phone screen was the information on completed dungeon raids, and all the hunter’s names who completed the raids referred to one person.

“So Go-woon is going to raid public dungeons after our party disbands?”

“Yes.”

“No! Why! It would be nice if he sticks with us!”

As Min-hee blurted out, Ga-eul, Woojae, and Hanjae stared at her.

Confused by their inexplicable gazes, Min-hee cocked her head, causing Woojae to sigh.

“Look at the time of completion.”

“Time?”

When Min-hee looked at the phone again, she turned pale.

“Is he insane?”

The dungeon raid completion times were from 8 a.m. at the earliest to 2 a.m. at the latest.

Plus, he had raided three places in one day before.

“And he’s not just in Seoul. He’s also going around raiding in Gyeonggi and Incheon.”

“…I’ve made a mistake.”

At Min-hee’s words, all three nodded in agreement.

“But how did the guild find out? Unless you specifically look for public dungeons, you wouldn’t know.”

“…Seems like the vice guildmaster is making a fuss.”

“The vice guildmaster? You mean Vice Guild Leader Seo Taeju?”

Woojae massaged his forehead as if tired. “The vice guildmaster’s brotherly love has always been famous.”

“True. He was so foolishly smitten… damn it.”

“Shh.” As if scolding a puppy, Hanjae flicked Ga-eul’s lip with his hand.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Anyway. Since his beloved brother was coming in only at dawn and leaving at dawn, it seems he had a fight with the guildmaster.”

“Why did they fight?”

“The guildmaster must have pressured Go-woon with his level.”

Woojae shook his head as he recalled the fight between the guildmaster and vice guildmaster he had coincidentally witnessed not long ago.

It was truly a clash between a shield and a spear.

Both were so loud that all the guild members present that day could hear them.

“But isn’t it good to raise your level? Even if we can’t help our rank, raising our level increases our attack and defense.”

“…The vice guildmaster doesn’t want his brother to live as a hunter.”

“Wow.” Ga-eul opened her mouth wide.

They had always thought that Seo Go-woon didn’t want to work as a hunter, but they hadn’t expected that Seo Taeju didn’t want him to either.

“Then all we need to do is tell Go-woon not to be a hunter.”

“…The thing is, the vice guildmaster can’t beat Go-woon. Go-woon probably ignored him too.” Hanjae, who had heard all about the situation after the hair growth product test from Kang Do-hoon, awkwardly spoke up, “So he vented his anger on the guildmaster.”

Suddenly, Min-hee felt sorry for Guild Leader Seo Moon-no-eul, who was caught between the siblings.

“But why is he suddenly so passionate about leveling up?”

At Ga-eul’s question, everyone shook their heads. They had been tied together in a party for quite some time, but they never had the time to discuss each other’s thoughts.

It was as if Go-woon was a machine ordered to clear dungeons, pouring his heart and soul into helping everyone grow.

“Should I ask him? Maybe he’ll tell us.”

“I wonder.”

“The problem is not asking him, but will there be time to ask?”

At Hanjae’s question, everyone fell silent.

And for good reason: as soon as they exited the escape gate, Go-woon would hop into a taxi he had called in advance and disappear like the wind.

“What if we stop him?”

“Who will stop him?”

“I… I got scolded again yesterday.”

“Me too. What about Min-hee?” Ga-eul asked Min-hee.

Perhaps it was because of her sincere attitude and rapid growth, but Go-woon was the most gentle with Min-hee, even to the extent of overlooking her mistakes one out of every ten times.

“I… I’m not confident.”

Yet, Min-hee shook her head.

“What are you doing? Are you not going?”

Ga-eul was about to say something more when Go-woon’s sharp voice rang out.

“I’m going!”

At Min-hee’s response, everyone dashed deeper into the dungeon.

It was a desperate struggle to avoid getting scolded by Go-woon.

I punched my own shoulder.

“Ouch, my shoulder.”

I had pushed myself to clear three public dungeons in quick succession as I was close to reaching my desired level, leaving my body aching in exhaustion.

‘But I’ve finally reached my goal.’

I had managed to attain the minimum level of 50, which was a requirement set by the Cradle party in the novel.

It was somewhat disheartening to just scrape by as a D-grade in a world dominated by S-grades, but I knew I could improve with more effort.

The issue, though, was that leveling up was a demanding, slow process. Even if the Cradle of Despair wasn’t imminent, it was essential for me to reach the minimum level in order to be ready when it did emerge.

Unlocking the front door, I was met with a dark living room.

Considering the late hour, even the youngest, Taeju, would be tucked away in bed by now.

‘He’s been quite the complainer recently.’

What had happened to the reserved protagonist of the novel, and why had this nattering character taken his place? His constant fretting over my health was enough to make my skin crawl.

“Time to get some sleep.”

Thankfully, tomorrow was a day off. Usually, I would have to trek to the rural areas to explore public dungeons from dawn, but that wasn’t necessary now. I intended to get a good amount of sleep tomorrow.

As I entered the living room, humming under my breath, a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea what hour it is?”

It was Taeju.

Why wasn’t he asleep when he said he was going to Australia tomorrow?

“Don’t you know how to read the clock?”

“Am I asking because I don’t know how to read the clock?!”

Why was he losing his temper at someone as tired as me? Ah… he must be waiting to get purified.

‘I meant to purify him the day before he leaves for Australia, but I forgot.’

I clicked my tongue and handed him Salt that was sitting above my head.

However, he placed Salt that I handed him on the sofa and glared at me.

What’s his problem? Wasn’t he the type to turn into mush at the slightest touch?

“Do you think I’m doing this to get purified right now?”

“Then what are you upset about?”

“Hey!”

Whether it was because I was tired or not, Taeju’s voice reverberated in my head.

“Hey, my head hurts. Stop yelling.”

“…Do you even know what time it is? Don’t you think of the person waiting for you at home?”

Since when did he start waiting for me at home? And why was he waiting for me?

“I’m tired. Let’s do one purification. Why were you waiting?”

Taeju looked at me with a betrayed expression.

Why is he looking at me like that? He must have been waiting for me because he had something to say, right?

“You’re really something.”

Looking at his red-rimmed eyes, as if he was about to burst into tears any moment, I quickly approached Taeju. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Why are you about to cry again?”

I had a strange weakness for people who cried. Of course, I’d beat murderers and madmen claiming to be mentally ill even more if they cried. I detested seeing them commit sins and then weep.

But if the person was not a criminal, regardless of their gender or age, it was unbearable for me not to do something. My colleagues and seniors would chuckle, saying I was too soft-hearted, but what could I do if I didn’t want to see people cry?

“Don’t cry.”

‘…No matter how your eyes are swollen.’

I wore the kind smile I had practiced when I was assigned to a park on Children’s Day.

“That’s right. Don’t cry.”

“Don’t force a smile.”

That’s why I dislike quick-witted kids.

With a click of my tongue, I sat down on the opposite sofa. “Now, speak your mind if you have something to say.”

I’m off work tomorrow anyway.

He has to go to the airport, so he won’t detain me for long. It would be better to let him say all he wants to say and rest, rather than dragging this on.

The silent Taeju, who had picked up Salt he’d put down, sat on the sofa and hummed to himself.

“Have nothing to say?”

A man who pulls a knife should at least cut radishes. Why is he hesitating?

After a moment of conflict, Seo Taeju finally said in a small voice, looking at Salt. “…I wish you wouldn’t do it, hyung.”

“Do what?”

“Running through dungeons like a madman.”

I furrowed my brows. ‘I’m just a little passionate about it. What does he mean by running like a madman?’

Seeing my expression, Taeju hastily added, “You don’t have to rush leveling up so much.”

I finally understood.

All the nagging about coming home too late, not resting, losing weight, looking tired, was because of this.

“So, what I’m saying—”

“I’m not going to do it anymore.”

Taeju’s head shot up and he looked at me.

“I said I won’t. I had a level goal and I’ve reached it, so it won’t happen anymore. I’ll adjust the guild dungeon schedule too.”

The tight guild dungeon schedule was all for reaching the goal level. Now that I’ve reached my target level, I don’t need to run through dungeons so frantically.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

He stared at me. As I frowned at his probing gaze, he flinched and smiled.

This brat always makes me frown.

“So, is that all you wanted to say?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

“I’m going to bed. Send Salt to my room after you’re purified.”

For some reason, Salt would fly to me in a daze if I wasn’t there when it woke up from its sleep. The problem is, since the door is closed, it would bump its head on the door.

And every time, I would have to scold Salt.

“Got it.”

I nodded at Seo Taeju, who was laughing awkwardly, then got up from the sofa.

“You know I’m going to Australia, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It will take about a week. If there’s any problem, make sure to tell Noeul noona, got it?”

What problem would there be? There was no problem when he went to the U.S earlier.

There’s no point in retorting here, it would only delay me getting to my room, so I just nodded vaguely. “Okay, got it.” I waved my hand and headed straight for the bathroom in my room.

After finishing my shower quickly and returning to my room, Salt was already sleeping on the bed, presumably done with its purification.

I threw the wet towel on my head into the laundry basket and sat down on the chair at my desk.

And crossed out ‘Reach Level 50’ which was written in my diary.

“There should be no major problems for a while.”

It was now time to move on to the next step on the list of goals I had written down to return to my original world.

“It’s time to save the blacksmith.”

There were still many people I had to save before going back home.