ATCP 06

If I were to pick a phrase that best describes me right now, it would be “blinded by curiosity.”

I had installed the app solely out of curiosity about my Awakening ability.

But how could I not check this? They said the annual salary is at least 100 million won! If I had that kind of patience, I would have already been admitted to Korea University as the top student, received a full scholarship, and landed a job at a major conglomerate.

I tapped on the now-installed application.

[Seeking B-Rank Dungeon Party.] [Urgent / 30% Loot Split. 10% bonus for Supporters.] [Location: Daegu, Recruiting 3 C-Rank players.]

“Potato Market.” It was an anonymous dungeon party recruitment app.

Because it didn’t require user registration, it had its fair share of security issues, yet there were always people using it. It was the go-to for unaffiliated hunters like me, who wanted to keep their names hidden or were looking to run short-term dungeons. As if to prove its popularity, the main screen was constantly flooded with new posts, each with various conditions like Rank, Location, and Ability.

After some deliberation, I moved to the detailed search page. Since I didn’t want to travel too far, I entered my current region as a filter. Luckily, there were a few fresh posts.

[Urgent / 30% Loot Split. 10% bonus for Supporters.] [D-Rank Dungeon Party. (3/5)] [Dungeon C-Rank. No Novices. Dealer needed.]

Most of the listings that followed were already marked as “Complete” the further down I scrolled. There were only about ten parties I could realistically join at this moment. Among them, one title caught my eye.

“My skill is ‘Supporter,’ so… I think I’d be okay.”

Strictly speaking, I was a healer who doubled as a supporter. It seemed difficult to approach those D-Rank dungeon parties that lacked information or the C-Rank ones that explicitly excluded novices. Ultimately, I clicked on the “Urgent/Supporter bonus” listing at the top.

Hello. I’m messaging because I’d like to join as a supporter.

I sent the message and waited for a moment. Somehow, I was nervous enough that my palms were sweating. Perhaps the other person was waiting for a message just as eagerly, because the reply came back almost instantly.

Hello. I was worried because it’s an urgent request, but thank you for coming right on time. You are a supporter, right?

“Ugh!” I felt a sudden, inexplicable shyness now that I had received a reply. I wasn’t sure if it was because the nature of my skill was a dark secret, or simply the tension of the dungeon ahead. I wiped my palms on my trousers to shake off the nerves and gripped the phone again.

Yes, that’s right. Which side of support do you focus on?

What was that supposed to mean? I typed the question exactly as I was thinking it.

? What do you mean by ‘which side’? Ah. Are you by any chance a novice?

At their question, the C-Rank dungeon post I had seen earlier popped into my mind. Feeling anxious, I moved my fingers to reply.

Yes, I just awakened not too long ago. Do you not accept novices? It’s not that.

It was the fastest reply yet. It seemed they were worried I might misunderstand and leave. They even added an explanation.

Are you an Attack Enhancement, Defense Enhancement, or Stat Enhancement type of supporter?

Aha. They were asking what kind of assistance I provided. I quickly opened my system window to check.

Healing and Attack/Defense enhancement.

When I replied quickly, the other party paused for a moment.

Your skill range is quite wide. By the way, what is your enhancement value?

The jargon hunters used so comfortably was still foreign to me. Not knowing what “enhancement value” meant, I started digging through the internet. As if they had anticipated this, a new message popped up.

By ‘enhancement value,’ I’m asking what percentage you increase attack and defense by.

I closed the search portal and immediately sent the reply.

50%.

Objectively speaking, was that high? Or was it low? I expected the other person to react, but strangely, their response was indifferent. They simply sent a link to the group chat in the Potato Market app.

Hmm, maybe not indifferent—maybe desperate? I hope I’m the talent they don’t want to lose.

We’re in a rush as we’re entering the dungeon in an hour. Let’s talk more in there. Enter with your name set as ‘Supporter(Heal)’. Okay!

They didn’t even acknowledge my reply. Sensing they were already waiting in the group chat, I entered as well. There were already six people in the room: the Party Leader, Dealer 1, Dealer 2, Tanker 1, Tanker 2, and “Supporter(S).”

Hello. This is Supporter(Heal). Welcome. Hello. Nice to meet you.

The dealers and tankers welcomed me warmly. As I accepted their greetings, I waited for the Party Leader’s announcement. That was when a message from “Supporter(S)” popped up.

How many times have you been on a dungeon raid?

The abrupt question, void of any greeting, felt quite rude. I felt a prick of irritation, but I answered honestly.

Ah. I’m a novice.

The Party Leader said it was fine, so it should be fine, I thought. Then, three seconds later, came the reply that made me regret joining.

I thought this was a B-Rank dungeon—are you really taking a novice?

The group chat fell into a heavy silence. It seemed like no one else could even bring themselves to move their fingers. I managed to pull myself together and typed into the chat window.

The Party Leader said it was fine. Dungeons are conquered in party units. Do you think it’s enough that only the leader agrees?

What is this guy’s problem? I was left speechless—or rather, “finger-less.”

If you’re a novice, you should be building experience in D-Rank or lower dungeons. Did you even check the dungeon rank?

With his persistent criticism, the Party Leader finally stepped in.

Wait a minute. Supporter-nim. The supporter has a stat increase skill. We brought them along because having a healer is good.

But the other party wouldn’t back down, even in front of the leader.

Usually, healing skills have low ranks and aren’t helpful in mid-to-high-level dungeons. It’s better to have nothing than to add dead weight. What is your skill rank? Did you even get tested by the Association?

I hadn’t. That would require revealing my identity. Seeing the delay in my reply, the other person seemed to have read the room.

I don’t want to risk conquering a dungeon while protecting a novice. Exclude the novice.

He was acting as if he were the Party Leader. The leader tried to reply quickly, but the other guy was stubborn. And to be honest, my feelings were hurt. It was clear that facing him in person would only lead to more unpleasantness. I pressed my lips together and typed rapidly. My reply went up just as the Party Leader and Supporter(S) were locked in a sharp conflict.

Ah, I see. I didn’t know novices were excluded. I’m sorry. Goodbye. Supporter-nim, wait a moment. We are genuinely okay with it.

The Party Leader typed faster than ever to keep me there. At the same time, “Supporter(S)” sent a message more infuriating than anything else yet.

Good thinking. Go build some experience in D-Rank or below.

As if “finger-blocked,” even the Party Leader’s chat stopped. I didn’t say another word and abruptly exited the chat room. The Party Leader sent a flurry of direct messages, but my mind was made up.

“What the hell is wrong with that guy? Do you even know what my skill is?”

Well, they shouldn’t know. Absolutely not.

My reason told me that, but my emotions were a different story. I pouted, scrolling through the system window. The frustration of things left unsaid in the chat room swirled in my head.

My skills look objectively fine, though…

Since I had no experience, I couldn’t even refute him. To confidently fight back against words like that, I needed at least one dungeon experience. Naturally, my eyes drifted to the next recruitment post.

[D-Rank Dungeon Party. (4/5)]

It wasn’t that I was listening to that insufferable Supporter’s words. I wasn’t… but…

My finger was already tapping on the recruitment post.

What do you think will happen in the next party? Would you like to continue the story?