Chapter 36
Not only during the Transitional Phase, but even after a Dome phenomenon occurred, this passage could still be used to enter and leave the dungeon.
Because it was connected to the outside, there were even times when phone signals could pass through if you were lucky.
The reason we had been able to make a phone call from the lecture hall one year ago was entirely thanks to this.
A White Hole was connected to a Black Hole outside the dungeon.
The Black Hole had one distinctive feature: it always appeared somewhere near the dungeon entrance.
However, it was only about half the size of the dungeon entrance, and unlike the strong mana leaking from an entrance, its presence wasn't easy to detect.
There was a reason even the most skilled Hunters wouldn't discover it for another half a year.
But now that I had revealed its existence, knowledge about White Holes would soon spread throughout the world.
That was exactly why I had spent so much time wondering whether I should reveal it.
If I did, the novel's story might change.
And I didn't want the information I knew to become unreliable.
I especially didn't want the future to move in a direction I couldn't predict.
But...
I also knew that countless lives could have been saved if people had known about this passage.
Maybe I was already too late.
Still, I hoped at least some of the people who would otherwise die in the future could survive.
And while I'm at it, I might as well benefit too.
Anyway, the water had already been spilled.
I took a short breath before slowly speaking.
“You probably already guessed, but this is the only passage that allows people to enter a dungeon during the Transitional Phase.”
“What?”
Lee Dohyun was the one who answered, but Kim Taeyoon wore almost the same expression.
Kim Taeyoon asked,
“How did you know about this?”
“Did you forget that I have something similar to a prophetic ability?”
I had lied about prophecy so many times that acting natural about it had become surprisingly easy.
“Since when?”
That question felt as if it had been directed straight at my conscience.
There had probably been more than a few people who died because of my selfishness.
I quietly looked away.
“...I haven't known for very long.”
My heart pounded over something so simple.
Apparently, I needed to become even more shameless.
“That prophecy ability of yours is incredible.”
Kim Taeyoon muttered in a tone that might have been admiration.
The longer we talked about it, the more uncomfortable I became.
I quickly changed the subject.
“More importantly, accept this.”
[Party invitation sent to 'Lee Dohyun'.]
[Party invitation sent to 'Kim Taeyoon'.]
“A party invitation?”
['Lee Dohyun' has accepted the party invitation.]
['Kim Taeyoon' has accepted the party invitation.]
I felt slightly relieved when their names appeared in the Party Window.
The definition of 'teammates' in the quest was vague.
I figured doing at least this much would make things safer.
At just the right moment, the others approached.
“Y-You guys...!”
“...How are you here?”
My brother pointed at them in shock.
Han Siwoo looked equally stunned.
Lee Junhyuk stood farther behind them without saying anything, but the disbelief on his face made his confusion obvious.
Hmm.
Apparently, they were even more shocked than I expected.
Kim Taeyoon raised a hand and greeted them cheerfully.
“Hey. Been doing well?”
“No, forget whether we've been doing well...”
Tap. Tap.
Because of the constant shaking, small pieces of rock fell from the cave ceiling.
My brother kicked one away with his foot.
“Does this look like we're doing well? More importantly, how did you even get in here?”
Kim Taeyoon shrugged and looked at me.
Naturally, everyone else's attention turned toward me.
My brother narrowed his eyes.
“Was this you again?”
Why was he treating me like some habitual criminal?
“What did I do?”
“You seriously... Why do you keep secretly planning things by yourself?”
My brother's frustrated words made me flinch a little.
Still, this was the only time I had actually planned something completely on my own.
...Of course, there was also my retirement plan.
But didn't everyone carry an imaginary resignation letter in their heart?
I didn't think mine was that different.
When I remained silent, my brother let out a short sigh.
“Explain.”
He gestured toward the White Hole with his chin.
Han Siwoo and Lee Junhyuk came closer behind him.
I shrugged.
“You heard already.”
“Not that. Your plan.”
I hesitated at my brother's question.
Not because I was debating whether I should explain.
I was wondering where to begin.
My hesitation didn't last long.
“We can't clear this dungeon with our own strength, so I called people who can.”
My brother frowned slightly, ran a hand through his hair, then turned his head.
“Well... fine. You probably had your reasons. But seriously, next time, tell us beforehand.”
With that, he turned away.
I had expected him to question me more.
It was a little surprising.
I also felt slightly wronged.
If he was going to accept my decision this easily, why hadn't he listened to me back then?
That was a question I would never be able to answer now.
“I don't know what you're thinking.”
I looked up at the voice.
It was Han Siwoo.
