Songs in the Void

ICDS Universe, Earth, South Korea, Yeongdeungpo.

The meeting place where Tatsuo, Sumire, Shin, Yungoong, and Hwaya were supposed to meet was a quaint little coffee shop in the Yeongdeungpo shopping district. And not long before Tatsuo, Sumire, and Hwaya, who were on a mini-tour of the area arrived at the coffee stop, a pair of men, Shin and Yungoong were seated at a table sipping cups of coffee they ordered.

However, they did not wait long for the arrival of their allies. But in that time, they did manage to get into an argument about something stupid. Something they argued about a lot. Which of them would be the strongest.

"You two really get along." Hwaya, who had arrived by the table where the father and son sat, completely unnoticed, said in a dry tone.

That caused both Shin and Yungoong to turn in the voice's direction. When they did, they found Hwaya, wearing a gorgeous, somewhat revealing, fluttery battle dress, flanked by Tatsuo, wearing the [Azure Green-Scaled Body Suit] with the cowl lowered, and Sumire, dressed in a thin, translucent battle dress, staring at them in amusement. However, before the two could introduce themselves, Sumire put on a shocked expression as she pointed at Shin.

"He's wearing [Otus' Secret]." Sumire exclaimed.

Hearing that, Shin flinched visibly. However, he did not try to defend himself.

"In other words, that's not what he really looks like, right?" Hwaya asked with narrowed eyes. "He might be taller or shorter, skinnier or fatter, his hair and eyes might even be a different color. Hell, Yeon Hwawoo probably isn't even his real name."

"Well, this just got awkward." Tatsuo said with a grin. "Anyway, I'm Tatsuo, how you guys doing?"

If the atmosphere was not awkward before, Tatsuo's flippant statement definitely made it awkward now. And he had no intention of stopping there.

Shin, on the other hand, glared at Tatsuo because he could tell the younger boy was having fun at his expense. Especially since there was no way that he did not know that Shin and Yeon Hwawoo were the same person.

"It's nice to meet you, as well, Young Man. " Yungoong, who was completely unconcerned with the awkward atmosphere, said in a manly tone as he extended his hand for a handshake. "I'm Kang Yungoong. And you must be the boy from the Soramoto dojo, right?"

"Oh, you remember me?" Tatsuo asked with a smile. "It's been like eight years since then. I wonder if your son remembers me. I mean, we spoke a little bit back then when you had that spar with my dad."

"Ah! That was a good match." Yungoong said in a nostalgic tone. "Though it wasn't the closest I've ever come to losing, it was definitely pretty high on the list. I would love the opportunity to fight with your father again."

Hearing that, Sumire and Hwaya looked at Tatsuo with concern, something that Shin noticed immediately. However, Yungoong seemed to be oblivious. Even so, Tatsuo was not saddened at the mention of his diseased parents. Instead, he felt proud. Especially since when taking the settings of this world into consecration. Since Kang Yungoong was quite possibly the world's best, pure martial artist.

"Unfortunately, that won't be possible." Tatsuo said while shaking his head. "They were killed in a plane crash back when Two Moon first started. Their plane was attacked by wyverns and crashed in Mongolia. There were no survivors."

Yungoong opened his eyes in surprise when he heard that. Then, his expression shifted to one of sincere sadness.

Though Yungoong and Tatsuo's father in this world could not be considered friends, Yungoong truly appreciated his skill as a martial artist. So, the thought of losing such a fine warrior truly saddened him.

"But if it's possible, I'd like to have a friendly match with your son someday." Tatsuo said with a smile. "Even if he doesn't remember me, I do remember when he beat all the strongest students of our dojo. And though I wouldn't' call it revenge, I'd like the chance to regain the Soramoto Dojo's honor."

"Hahahaha!" Yungoong immediately burst into uproarious laughter when he heard that. Then, he started patting Tatsuo on the shoulder vigorously. "Good! That's the way a man should act. I approve. I'll make sure to set up the match before you go back to Japan."

"Thank you, Kang-San." Tatsuo replied with a smile while glancing at Shin discreetly.

Meanwhile, Shin, who could not participate in the conversation because of his fake identity as Yeon Hwawoo, was feeling even more awkward then before. Still, Tatsuo was not done making it even worse.

"Since this is Kang-San, then you must be Yeon Hwawoo-San." Tatsuo said with a smile as he extended a hand for a handshake to Shin. "It's nice to meet you, as well."

Then, in a way that only Shin could see, Tatsuo winked at Peika, who was floating over Shin's right shoulder, invisible to everyone else. In response, Peika bowed her head politely. Meanwhile, Shin's left eyebrow began twitching fiercely, though no one could see it thanks to [Otus' Secret], as he accepted Tatsuo's handshake.

"That's right, I'm Yeon Hwawoo." Shin replied with a forced smile. "It's nice to meet you."

After that, Shin quickly released Tatsuo's hand. Then, he extended his hand towards Hwaya, who showed no hesitation in accepting his handshake.

"I'm Hwaya Eleni Mastiford, a proud British Noble." Hwaya said in a confident and haughty tone. "And just because you're being polite, don't think that I've forgiven you for all the things you said."

"Not that I was asking for forgiveness." Shin muttered under his breath.

After that, Shin extended his hand towards Sumire. However, unlike the other two, she cowered a little before taking a step closer to Tatsuo.

"Sorry, But I'm not really good with men." Sumire said in an apologetic tone. Then, she blush slightly as she lowered her head and continued. "Tatsuo-Kun is an exception, though."

In response to Sumire's reaction, Shin awkwardly took his hand back and scratched his cheek.

'Is it so bad that she can't even shake hands?' Shin thought to himself. Then, he glanced at Tatsuo as a thought struck him. 'Or maybe she doesn't want him to get the wrong idea.'

Tatsuo, on the other hand, only shook his head in amusement. Sumire was afraid of making physical contact with him, too, in the beginning. But after talking to him and seeing how strong he was, she got over that rather quickly.

"Anyway, I just noticed, but why isn't anyone paying attention to us?" Shin asked after collecting himself. "I mean, there are two SS-Rankers in one place, but the people don't seem to care at all."

Reaching that point, Shin gestured towards all the people who were simply minding their own business and enjoying the coffee they ordered.

"Oh, that's because I'm using an anti-recognition barrier." Hwaya said proudly as she puffed out her impressive chest. "As the world's best mage, this is quite simple."

"I'm obscuring my presence with my [Stealth] Skill." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. "Even without her magic, no one I don't want to see me would be able to."

Hearing those two explanations, Shin could not help grumbling about the unfairness. But no one, other than Hwaya, who was happy to prove that she was better than him, cared.

"Anyway, should we get going?" Yungoong asked. "I'm really curious to see what it's like inside an Event Dungeon."

"Yes, let's go." Hwaya replied with a nod.

With that, the group of five, covered by Hwaya's barrier, made their way out of the coffee shop and to the Gate that swallowed the Yeongdeungpo shopping mall. However, just as they left the coffee shop, Shin asked a question as if he had just thought about it.

"By the way, will you two be alright with those outfits?" Shin asked, his gaze focusing on Sumire and Hwaya. "I mean, this is an Event Dungeon and not a stroll through the park."

"I commissioned this battle dress from the 45th Floor Shop." Hwaya said proudly, happy that someone had finally asked about it. "They used materials dropped by a rare monster in its construction. It raises my Magic by 50 points. But it lowers my Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution by 10 each."

"Hearing that, Shin seemed impressed. And considering that Hwaya was a mage, her physical stats were not as important. So, he could not see any drawbacks.

"I probably could have made something better." Tatsuo said uncaringly. "Probably would have raised the stats even higher, too. There might not have been any drawbacks, either."

That statement caused Hwaya to snap her head in Tatsuo's direction with a scowl on her face. At the same time, Shin and Yungoong looked at Tatsuo with questioning gazes. Sumire, on the other hand, could only smile wryly at Tatsuo's words. Since, she knew he was only saying it to get under Hwaya's skin.

"You make equipment?" Yungoong asked in a curious tone.

"Yeah, it makes it easier to find weapons and armor that fit my fighting style." Tatsuo replied with a nod. "I even modify them, too. The Floor Master Sets don't' really fit the way I fight, you know."

With that, Shin remembered that he had seen Tatsuo use Floor Master Skills. However, he never saw Tatsuo wearing the Floor Master Sets. But now, he finally understood why that was. He had modified the sets to suit him better. Yet, he had no idea that Tatsuo had found a way to do something similar to his [Collector's Pocket Watch].

The [Collector's Pocket Watch] was an item Shin received from Loretta after completing a quest. After gaining three Floor Master Sets, it allowed Shin to store the Skills in the [Pocket Watch]. That way, he could use the Skills without having the Floor Master Sets equipped. Though the restriction of once per day still remained.

After getting an answer about her attire from Hwaya, Shin shifted his gaze to Sumire.

"This is a drop from a Named Monster." Sumire said, replying to Shin's previously asked question. "So, it's got really good defensive stats."

"I see." Shin replied as he turned his head away.

At the same time, Tatsuo felt that he could hear Shin muttering to himself to not be jealous since he was wearing the [Lizard Knight Set], which the two ladies had seen earlier that day.

"So, I guess you're from the 1st Dungeon, too, huh?" Hwaya asked in a somewhat discontented tone.

"Huh? How did you know?" Shin asked, turning his head towards Hwaya in surprise.

Shin had made it a point to not tell Hwaya which Dungeon he was from because of her high pride. So, since she found out, he was a bit confused. At first he thought that Tatsuo might have told her. But he quickly squashed that thought. It did not seem that his identity had been revealed, after all.

"Because I saw Tatsuo Ex--- Hmph!" Hwaya replied nonchalantly. However, before she could finish, her mouth was covered.

"They don't need to know about that." Tatsuo said in a cold tone.

Seeing the serious glint in Tatsuo's eyes and the cold tone in his voice, Hwaya could not help but shiver involuntarily. Then, when Tatsuo mentioned that he could kill her without her being able to do anything about it flashed past her mind.

In fact, the reason Tatsuo stopped Hwaya was because he did not want to have to do anything to her. He did not consider her a friend, after all. He only saw her as Sumire's friend. Meaning, the only reason he was being so cordial was because he did not want to upset Sumire, who saw her as a close friend despite how long they've known each other.

In other words, just because he forgave Sumire for telling his business, did not mean he would do the same for Hwaya. And based on the look in his eyes, Hwaya realized that, as well. And that realization kind of made her sad.

Shin and Yungoong were surprised by the coldness in Tatsuo's tone, as well. However, since Hwaya was about to tell one of Tatsuo's secrets, neither of them thought it was too excessive. But Sumire was nervous about what might happen. She knew that Tatsuo had forgiven her for doing the same thing, but that didn't mean Hwaya would get the same treatment.

Luckily, things ended there. And at that point, just as Tatsuo removed his hand from Hwaya's mouth, the group reached the shopping mall. And to no one's surprise, it, or rather the Gate that swallowed it, was surrounded by the Awakened from Guardian. And it did not look like they had any thoughts of letting anyone inside, no matter who they were.

"Looks like they took our warnings seriously." Tatsuo said with a smile. "Not that it would be enough to stop anyone truly strong from going in."

"At least they're trying." Hwaya replied with a shrug. Though, her tone was not as lively as before. "Anyway, let's get going."

With that, Hwaya walked up to the Gate, weaving between the patrolling Awakened casually, while the others followed her, before reaching out to touch the Gate.

"Hold on a second, Mastiford-Ssi." Shin said while shaking his head in exasperation.

"What is it?" Hwaya asked with a small frown on her face.

"We didn't make a party." Shin replied.

"Oh, that's right." Hwaya said in a slightly embarrassed tone.

After that, with the intention to create a party, Hwaya invited the other four to join her party. Then, she shook hands with everyone present to allow them to join. She naturally made herself the party leader, as well. And despite all the bickering from before, no one objected. Though, it was mostly because they really did not care who the leader was. Tatsuo, on the other hand, had something else in mind.

"Okay, we're all in a party now, right?" Hwaya asked. Then, after receiving nods of acknowledgement, she raised her hand and touched the swirling cloud of black energy that served as the Gate and continued. "Good, then let's go."

As soon as Hwaya's hand touched the gate, everyone in the party heard a Dungeon Notification.

{Would you like to enter the A-Rank Event Dungeon, "Spider Den"?}

"… I suddenly don't wanna go anymore." Hwaya whined as she paled rapidly and slowly remove her hand from the Gate.

"Let's hurry." Shin said gleefully after realizing why Hwaya's attitude changed.

"W-Wait! I hate spiders." Hwaya whined.

"Then, pass the leader position to me." Tatsuo said with a grin. "You can just sit this one out. Since I'm SS-Rank, too, it shouldn't be a problem.""

"No, just give me a minute." Hwaya, letting her pride do the talking, said while shaking her head. "I'll be fine after I have time to prepare my heart."

"Sorry, but we don't' have time for that." Tatsuo said while grinning devilishly.

Then, without warning, Tatsuo pushed Hwaya from behind, sending her stumbling into the Gate.

"Kya~~~~~!" Hwaya screamed in terror as she fell into the Gate.

In the next instant, all five Explorers disappeared into the Dungeon without anyone ever knowing they were there.