The campus hadn't changed as much as he expected.
Minjae walked along the familiar stone path, hands tucked loosely into his pockets as his gaze drifted across the buildings. Everything was the same, almost like he never left it in the first place.
For a moment, it almost felt like nothing had changed at all. The medicine lectures, late-night cram sessions, and constant pressure of exams…
"Yeah, right…"
That version of him felt distant now, out of reach.
As Minjae continued down the path, groups of students, talking just loud enough to catch his attention as he passed by.
"Did you hear? Solaris just formed an academy team quite close to our campus!"
"Yeah, I saw the announcement this morning."
"They're gonna be insane this season."
"I heard they're building the team from the bench Players of Solaris, that means Arthur should be on the team!"
"Ahh, I wish the season would start sooner!"
Minjae slowed his steps just slightly, just listening as he passed. "Seems like expectations are pretty high, huh…"
Yet he can't help but frown after seeing the state the team was at. "Really hope those expectations aren't misplaced…"
But even so, he didn't stop walking.
The chatter faded behind him as Minjae turned past one of the main courtyards.
He paused on first sight, staring at the large banner hanging across the side of one of the buildings, freshly put up.
It was Chaewon, dressed for a perfume advertisement, confident and composed, unlike her usual demeanor. The tagline beneath her name was bold and almost celebratory.
'The smell of victory, presented by Cho Chaewon, the face of Korea's Awakened.'
Minjae's gaze lingered, his expression softening just slightly.
…She's probably doing fine. More than fine, actually.
He couldn't help comparing himself to her. They'd started at the same place, went to the same middle school, attended the same college…
And yet, he was so far away…
But even so, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
She'd always been there for me and never flaunted any of her success. She was just…Chaewon, the girl next door.
"…Guess I can't complain too much."
Minjae reached the coffee shop in a few strides after that, pushing the door open as the scent of roasted beans hit him almost immediately.
"…Yeah, nothing's changed."
"Oi."
Minjae didn't even turn as a hand shot out. Instinctively, he grabbed it, twisting and doing their signature code.
"The Min Brothers!" they both said at once, laughing as they finished their secret handshake.
"Took you long enough to get here. I already ordered for you, bro." Minwoo said, already handing him an Iced Americano.
Minjae took the cup from him, glancing at it briefly before letting out a small scoff. "…You already decided for me?"
"You always get the same thing."
"…Fair."
"You're still paying me back for it by the way, you promised."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
They exited the coffee shop quickly. Minjae took a sip of the coffee he was given. To his surprise, everything was perfect, it was just bitter enough to wake him up yet refreshing enough to cool him down.
"So, how'd you even get your hands on an Artifact?" Minwoo asked half-mindedly.
For a second, Minjae considered keeping it a secret. But he knew Minwoo wouldn't be someone who would snitch on him. They'd known each other since college, but became friends so quickly that others thought they'd been friends for years.
Plus…I know his darkest secret. How he'd accidentally walked into a ladies' bathroom and got beaten up. There's no way he'll snitch on me when I have such leverage, muahahaha.
Minjae reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against the metal before pulling it out. "I got it from a Dungeon simulation run, on the Cathedral map."
Minwoo blinked. "…You're kidding."
"Nope."
"That's not even supposed to—" Minwoo stopped himself, running a hand through his hair. "Wait, seriously?"
"Yeah."
"…Don't tell anyone," Minjae added.
Minwoo looked at him, then at the ring again. "…Even the professor?"
"Especially the professor."
They continued down the path, passing by a cluster of students gathered near one of the lecture halls. A screen had been set up outside, looping highlights from recent Battle Arena matches.
The building came into view not long after, taller than the surrounding lecture halls with a modern exterior made of glass.
"Dungeon History and Artifact Department," Minwoo said, tilting his head up slightly. "She basically lives here."
"…Sounds about right."
Minwoo led the way without hesitation, turning down one corridor, then another.
"You'll like her," he said casually. "Bit of a weirdo, but in a good way."
They stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall. A small plaque sat beside it:
Andrea Delgado – Head of Dungeon History and Artifact Research
Minwoo swung the doors open.
The first thing Minjae noticed was the piles of different books everywhere, even on the floor, stacked in an uneven tower that looked like it might collapse if the ground moved a bit too hard.
A woman spun around in her chair, a pen tucked behind her ear and another already in her hand. Her dark hair, matching her tanned skin, was tied loosely, a few strands falling out as she pushed herself up from the desk in one quick motion.
Minwoo closed the door before jerking a thumb toward him. "This is Kang Minjae. He's the one I told you about."
Delgado…? Sounds maybe like a Brazilian last name? Maybe I should speak English again—
No, no way. I'm not repeating the Arthur situation again…
"Hello," Minjaw bowed, speaking in Korean. "I'm Kang Minjae, nice to meet you, Ms. Delgado."
"Andrea is fine, no need for the Ms.—makes me feel old," she spoke enthusiastically, in perfect Korean. "Minwoo told me a lot about you! I didn't know you were actually a student here before—"
But she stopped mid-sentence, not because she ran out of things to say, but because her eyes had already dropped to his hand.
"…You brought it, didn't you?"
Minjae blinked. "Ahh…yes."
"Good—"
"Show me."