Chapter 7: Boot-Licking Promises and Dungeon Drama
Jongno Gate 3
The hunters of White Tiger Guild were thrilled to hear they’d finally secured a pack mule.
At last, they could tackle the new dungeon they’d been eyeing. If they’d delayed any longer finding a mule, another guild might’ve snatched it up.
Choi Cheolsu, a proud guild hunter who always threw himself into dungeon raids, couldn’t contain his excitement.
A new dungeon! It felt like the anticipation before a school trip in his childhood—though back then, he was bummed about going to Gyeongju. But a new dungeon? That was something else.
In the game, pack mules were often mocked or looked down on, but right now, Cheolsu couldn’t be more grateful. A mule who could handle their overflowing guild storage? How amazing would they be? He was curious to see what they looked like.
Just then, his guildmates started whispering.
“Didn’t the manager say something about licking boots?”
“Probably just talk.”
White Tiger was a solid mid-tier guild. Countless guilds collapsed after forming, but White Tiger had been climbing the ranks lately, making it a rising star among Korean guilds.
As the guild’s manager, there was pride in that. No way they’d actually lick boots, right?
“I heard he really did it. The mule made him keep his promise and lick them.”
“Damn, even if we needed a mule that bad, that’s a bit much. We don’t even go that far to recruit top hunters.”
Cheolsu imagined it for a moment.
The shiny bald manager kneeling and licking the boots of some burly guy. The thought was hilarious yet gross.
Cheolsu and his guildmates were waiting at Jongno Gate 3 for the manager and the new pack mule when…
“Hello, is this Jongno Gate 3?”
A melodious, almost songbird-like voice rang out nearby.
It was a voice that didn’t belong in a dungeon.
Sure, White Tiger had fewer female hunters than male ones, but they existed—like their guild master, Baek Harang.
Still, hearing such a clear, delicate voice—one that sounded like it had never seen combat—near a dungeon was a first.
Cheolsu and his guildmates turned to see a woman with long red hair, dressed in fantasy-style clothing, smiling at them.
They all thought she was stunning.
“Uh, hello. Who, uh, are you?”
“I’m the pack mule joining White Tiger Guild for the Jongno Gate 3 raid. Call me GM.”
“Game Master?”
“No, just a pack mule.”
Despite her unusual nickname, Cheolsu and his guildmates were more captivated by her beauty than her name.
GM or whatever—it didn’t matter.
They’d imagined the bald manager licking some dude’s boots, but now they pictured this woman instead.
Her sitting regally on a chair, the manager kneeling in awe, licking her boots.
It wasn’t a dirty scene—it was…
“…A reward.”
Exactly. It was absolutely a reward.
She’d told him to keep his promise and lick her boots, so it was definitely a reward.
No man in the world would see that as humiliation—it was a privilege, given how gorgeous she was.
“No wonder that bald bastard was grinning.”
“Man, I should’ve been the one out there.”
It was shaping up to be a day full of thoughts.
Jongno Gate 3
Jongno Gate 3 was a dungeon that appeared near the old Jongno subway area, recently discovered.
The system had changed a bit since I last checked. While old bad habits lingered, new dungeons were now reported to the relevant authorities, and guilds sent representatives to bid for raiding rights.
Baek Harang, White Tiger’s guild master, had won the bidding for this dungeon through the Hunter Agency.
But if they didn’t clear it within the allotted time, the rights would pass to another guild.
To sum it up: they secured the dungeon, but their guild storage was full, and their members’ inventory boxes weren’t exactly spacious.
So, I was both a savior and a business partner to them.
But…
“Why’s everyone acting like this?”
The hunters in front of me looked oddly conflicted, and it got me thinking.
I’d greeted them, but why the weird expressions?
Was it because I didn’t look the part of a pack mule?
I dressed up nice for this, so their reaction stung a bit.
Come on, I’m pretty, aren’t I? They say you play the hand you’re dealt. I can’t exactly demand to go back to being a guy, and I don’t have male gear tailored for this body. I picked out some decent clothes from my main’s rewards or cash shop items with good stats, but their reaction was kind of a letdown.
“So, uh, did the manager really lick your boots?”
Oh, that. Word must’ve spread.
Yeah, I made him do it. He said he’d lick boots in the comments, so a promise is a promise. Honestly, I was curious what it’d feel like. Without this body, how could I ever get someone to do that?
So I made him.
And it felt amazing.
A grown man kneeling, bowing his head, licking the boots of a woman half his size as she raised her foot—it was hilarious and sparked some inexplicable thrill in me.
In short, it felt incredible.
I’d long since stopped caring about gender in this body, but seeing a man do that in front of a stunning woman like me was exhilarating.
If they were asking about it, I’d be honest. It’s their guildmate, and hiding it might make things awkward later.
“Yeah, he said he’d do it, so I was curious.”
“Damn, that bald bastard’s lucky.”
Their gritted-teeth reactions were comical. But why was the bald guy lucky?
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Yes, this is Jongno Gate 3. But you’re really a pack mule?”
“Yup. I already showed my abilities to the guild master and the manager—and made him lick my boots.”
“Oh, got it.”
Looks like I convinced them. Good thing they believed me without making me dig through my inventory again.
With that settled, I was eagerly looking forward to exploring the gate when an interrupter showed up.
“What’s there to get? Just because the manager and guild master approve doesn’t mean we have to.”
A woman with sharp eyes stepped forward.
She had that classic vibe of someone who’d pick fights out of jealousy or inferiority—black hair, wearing a tight hunter suit that suited her… or maybe made her look like a villain.
“Baek Jangmi?”
“Hmph. Look at her. Bet she seduced that bald guy with her face. It’s obvious, isn’t it? Making him lick her boots?”
Just as I thought—she’s got a prickly personality.
She sauntered over, one hand on her hip, moving seductively. Who’s seducing who here? Isn’t she the one swaying her hips like that?
Why’s she coming at me so hard?
I could shut her down with my Conversation skill, but honestly, she’s pissing me off a bit.
I’m pretty good at more than just Conversation—I can hit where it hurts with words.
Or rather, I can stab with facts.
“Hey, it’s our first meeting,” one of her guildmates said, glancing at me nervously, trying to rein in Baek Jangmi.
But I wasn’t backing down and stepped forward.
“The guild master was there too, you know?”
Talk sense. The other White Tiger hunters’ faces changed—they didn’t say it, but they clearly thought Baek Jangmi was spouting nonsense. She’s a guild hunter, so why’s she picking a fight with me? If the guild master approved, that should be enough.
Oh, I get it now.
She’s worried I’m threatening her position.
This is a woman-to-woman power play, trying to put me in my place. You’re just a pack mule, so know your place.
She’s got the wrong idea.
I have no reason to join their guild. It’s obvious she’s the type to flaunt her looks.
“Who’s the expert at seducing men here? You’re the one sashaying around, twisting your hips and shaking your butt.”
“What? This is just how I walk!”
Sure, but normal people don’t sway their hips that much. It’s so deliberate, like she’s begging for attention.
She’s doing it on purpose.
“Oh, so you always walk like you’re trying to seduce men?”
“What did you say? You done talking?”
I could keep going, but dragging this out will just sour the mood. I’ll shut her down and be done with it.
I could just prove myself and watch her squirm, but she’s the type to keep picking fights.
“Look at your outfit.”
Her clothes are practically designed to seduce men. Geez, even I’m drawn to her curves. That hand on her hip, accentuating her figure—she’s basically screaming, I’m the queen bee here.
Yup, that’s her vibe.
It’s not just my looks—she must’ve heard about the boot-licking and feels threatened. I can work with that.
“What? My outfit? Is that what a pack mule wears to a dungeon?”
“As long as I do my job, what’s it matter? This is enchanted armor. It’s as good as any hunter suit.”
I smirked, grabbed the hem of my skirt, and twirled, giving her a teasing look. Bet you can’t pull this off.*