Dungeon Seoul

The briefing room on Tiger Gate's Level 10 was too small for the egos inside it.

A long table gleamed under bright lights. Holographic flags shimmered over each delegation, floating like territorial spirits. Jinho sat near the end with Pan hovering close by, feeling very much like a student who'd wandered into a conference of professors armed with lawsuits.

Yoo Mirae stood at the head of the table, calm and sharp as a blade.

"Thank you all for coming on short notice," she said. "Let's proceed in an orderly manner."

"Orderly," repeated the French delegate with a bright smile, "is such a lovely word."

Guild NéoCode's envoy, Étienne Leclerc, had hair so perfect it deserved its own rank. His tailored jacket sparkled with mana-stitched embroidery.

"To begin, we offer a formal invitation for Monsieur Kang Jinho to join us in Paris. His… anomaly would be most appreciated in our innovation labs."

Jinho blinked. "Innovation labs? You mean—"

"You would not be experimented on," Étienne said smoothly. "We would simply… observe. Gently."

Pan hissed.

"OBSERVE: LIKE AN EGG.

UNTIL IT CRACKS."

Étienne's smile flickered. "Is the… utensil supposed to be speaking?"

"Apparently," Jinho muttered.

A cough echoed from across the table.

Shin Doyoon leaned back in his chair, representing Silvercore in an unzipped jacket and smug grin. "Don't waste your time, Leclerc. We've already made Jinho an offer. Front‑line contract, triple salary, a parking spot with his name on it."

"You again?" Jinho asked.

"Of course," Doyoon said. "You think I'd let my rival rot in this madhouse? I mean, look at them, they're feeding him canteen eggs."

"Those are good eggs," Jinho said defensively.

Across from him, Hoshino Keiji from Sunblade Guild adjusted his crisp white gloves. He spoke in measured tones, bowing slightly.

"Sunblade would also extend our welcome. In our care, Specialist Kang would be taught restraint, focus, and the ancient art of not breaking reality in public."

"BORING," Pan declared.

Keiji's eyebrow twitched. "Your… weapon is rude."

Mirae let the chatter build before raising a single finger. Silence fell instantly.

"Gentlemen, ladies, and representatives of unknown culinary implements," she said smoothly, "Tiger Gate appreciates your enthusiasm. However—" she turned to Jinho, "Specialist Kang is under contract. He will remain with us."

"Then allow us to co‑sponsor missions," Étienne pressed. "An exchange program, perhaps?"

"No," Mirae said.

Silvercore's rep leaned forward. "At least let him freelance. His 'Patch Slam' went viral. The world's watching."

"No," Mirae said again, smiling like a patient lioness.

Pan spun in the air.

"I LIKE HER.

SHE SAYS NO LIKE SHE MEANS IT."

Jinho tugged at his collar, wishing the ground would swallow him.

"Look," he said, "I'm really flattered, but I barely know what I'm doing. You saw the stream. I almost destroyed a camera drone."

Silvercore's rep laughed. "Exactly. That's why everyone wants you."

Sunblade's Keiji folded his hands. "Your powers are disruptive, Kang‑san. Dangerous. But properly honed, they could save thousands."

Étienne leaned in. "Or… rewrite the rules of combat entirely."

"DO NOT TALK ABOUT REWRITING IN FRONT OF ME," Pan growled. "I HAVE BEEN PATCHED ENOUGH."

A guild aide entered carrying tea. Pan swooped over, sniffing the steam.

"THIS IS NOT TEA.

IT IS LIQUID DISAPPOINTMENT."

The aide nearly dropped the tray. Étienne chuckled. Keiji frowned. Doyoon laughed so hard he choked on his water.

"See?" Doyoon said, wiping his mouth. "Even the pan knows quality control."

The laughter died when Gong Seokjin, the robed admin liaison, cleared his throat.

"We appreciate your offers, but you are missing the true problem. The anomalies around Hunter Kang are not just unusual, they are escalating."

He flicked a screen, showing fragments of code over dungeon maps.

"These dungeons are whispering. We've intercepted echoes referencing a… Patch Bearer. Every time Kang Jinho enters a rift, the Administrator Layer shifts."

Étienne's smile faltered. Keiji's eyes narrowed. Doyoon leaned back, suddenly quiet.

"Which means," Mirae continued, "removing him from our oversight is not an option. If anything, we should increase containment."

Jinho raised his hand. "I'm sitting right here, you know."

"HE IS NOT A THING TO BE CONTAINED," Pan said loudly. "HE IS A STORM. I AM HIS THUNDER."

The delegates started talking over one another.

"We can handle his growth—"

"No, he needs proper discipline—"

"He belongs in a lab!"

"He belongs in the field!"

"He belongs with me," Pan interjected.

Everyone stopped.

Mirae pinched the bridge of her nose. "Pan, please."

"NO."

Doyoon laughed again, shaking his head. "I swear, every time you people meet, it's like a comedy show."

After hours of debate, Mirae rapped her knuckles on the table.

"Enough. The summit's purpose is to address inter‑guild coordination, not auction off my Specialist."

She looked directly at each delegate. "Tiger Gate will host a cross‑guild exercise next month. A controlled anomaly simulation. You may send observers. Until then, Kang Jinho stays with us."

Étienne sighed dramatically. "You wound me, Madame Mirae."

Keiji stood, bowing. "We shall observe… and prepare."

Doyoon smirked at Jinho on his way out. "Enjoy your leash, rival. Don't get too comfy."

The room emptied, leaving Jinho slumped in his chair.

"Was that normal?" he asked Mirae.

"No," she said. "But it's the new normal for you."

Pan floated closer, humming.

"THEY FIGHT.

THEY WANT.

BUT WE REMAIN.

UNPATCHED."

Jinho rubbed his face. "I think I need more tea."

"NO. YOU NEED… A BIGGER PAN."

Jinho groaned. "Don't start. "