Ch 197: Retirement （2）
At this moment, the image of a certain languid-faced S-rank hunter comes to mind.
If Esther were here right now, wouldn't she be chattering in her unique, clear tone, "I told you, you should have known better and stepped down sooner."
"H-how did things turn out like this, why on earth…!"
But now, regretting it is like the train has already left the station.
This is why in Alpha Uri, they never recklessly touched curse-type magicians.
Their retaliation is always passionate.
Persistent.
Also, they don't stop until their enemy meets complete destruction.
◈◈◈
Bubbling, bubbling, bubbling…
Click.
Morning, with the sun shining brightly. New York City, the largest city in the United States.
Somewhere in the forest of blue and dark buildings, a young woman held a freshly brewed coffee and looked out the window.
It's quite early now, but in Bryant Park below, some pedestrians were already out enjoying a light stroll.
The woman with the short blonde hair watched the people, who she couldn't tell if they were tourists or Americans, moving like ants for a long time.
"Haaam."
A monotonous morning routine that was just like those of office workers.
But if there was one difference, it would be that what was in the cup she held was not ordinary coffee, but a hyper-caffeinated drink for awakened ones.
Brooklyn Morgan moistened her dry throat with the hot, steaming drink and rolled her eyes.
In her other hand, she held a new tablet PC that she always used.
『The leader of the hunting association in South Korea....』
But today, the electronic newspaper contained quite interesting content.
While Brooklyn was sleeping and waking up, a noisy incident had occurred in South Korea.
It was about how Go Byeongdo, the president of the Hunter Association, was deceiving hunters and creating slush funds.
Moreover, until now, the only enchanter in Asia had been working under them with the very lenient requirement that she could choose her own work priorities.
When it was revealed that President Go Byeongdo had even broken this minimum request ━ to be exact, he had hidden and disclosed enchantment requests that came into Korea as he pleased ━ the enchanter declared a strike, and now citizens were even holding rallies calling for the association president's resignation.
"Wow."
Anyway, it's a huge mess.
The overseas news site she was reading had a photo of an elderly Korean man bowing his head in apology at a press conference.
If you scrolled down a little, it turned out that even that apology was a lie, and a second recording revealed that he had cursed at Gu Seohyeong behind her back, only fueling the fire.
"How did such an interesting thing happen?"
Did some political infighting break out in that country?
That's how Brooklyn was able to start a Wednesday more interestingly than usual.
In fact, even though the root of all this was in the Spectrum Guild that someone belonged to, she couldn't notice it.
◈◈◈
Beep beep beep.
Beep beep beep.
And then came a certain Thursday.
"Hmm."
Jeong Haseong, the S-rank hunter representing that country called South Korea, scanned his phone with an indifferent expression.
『Association President-nim☎』
Haseong dried the water from his body after showering and then nonchalantly turned his phone face down.
This meant that he ignored a call that he would have answered before the second ring in the past.
And this was naturally something that would drive a certain middle-aged man crazy.
"Damn it! Is even this bastard avoiding my calls now?"
Huff huff.
Unlike last week, a rather chaotic atmosphere filled a study in Seoul.
To cut to the chase.
Surprisingly, it didn't take long for Association President Go Byeongdo to fall!
A certain curse sorcerer exposed the association president's wrongdoings that he had been collecting, shaking public opinion once, and in the midst of this, the enchanter's revelation became a fatal blow, and eventually, even within his own party, there were calls for him to resign voluntarily.
It's a ridiculous sight.
Who would have known that such heterogeneous beings like awakened ones would attempt such a full-scale public opinion war instead of magic?
Moreover, in this incident, Go Byeongdo was essentially tied hand and foot, and was just getting hit with a one-sided beatdown.
Esther had threatened that if she announced her justice execution, she would essentially kill him with her skills, and Gu Seohyeong, whom he tried to use as a hostage, had preempted him with actions as swift as a hornet, as if she had sensed the association president's intentions.
In a way, Gu Seohyeong's revelation left an even more fatal wound in this incident.
So, the association president was frantically trying to silence the enchanter.
『I'm declaring this in front of the reporters, if the enchanter in our country is disadvantaged because of this revelation, I will also go on strike that day. Go ahead and reveal even one letter of that person's name! Do you think I'll stay still? My goodness, it's not like the person is asking for a raise, is it? Is it even right to block someone who just wants to work with life as their priority for personal gain? Everyone?』
Even that became impossible because the guild master of the Korean Magic Tower stepped forward to protect Seohyeong.
It's miserable. A truly miserable result.
Anyway, it's all because of that damn awakening.
If only an era where people suddenly used bizarre magic hadn't come, such an absurd situation wouldn't have happened.
'Ugh!'
Go Byeongdo had tried to somehow reverse this by contacting a hunter with a good image as a national hero. If he received help from a hero, he could reverse the hopeless public opinion in an instant.
But as you can see, Jeong Haseong is also deeply related to 'that hunter', so he had already been informed of the whole story and blocked the association president's attempts at negotiation.
Esther, Jeong Haseong, and even the only enchanter in Asia.
To make all those influential people move while willingly taking losses.
'This damn…'
At this point, isn't Kim Giryeo some kind of ability user who affects other people's minds?
The association president momentarily thought it was unfair.
In the end, he was only deceived by the Spectrum Guild's false information, but he was driven into a corner like this due to a moment's mistake, so a feeling of injustice suddenly arose.
If he apologized to that fourth S-rank now, would something change?
But Go Byeongdo didn't want to kneel before that young man, no matter what. He would rather lose his power in disgrace than experience such a humiliating end.
He also had a lot of power left besides the position of association president.
After all, money is everything in this world.
This meant that he had calculated that even if he gave up this authority, his entire remaining life wouldn't collapse.
Therefore.
"Ha."
Since it was already half-confirmed that he would resign from the presidency anyway, Go Byeongdo decided to throw mud at his opponent's reputation as a last resort.
It was just a petty desire for revenge, not wanting to see that hunter walking around merrily, basking in the joy of victory.
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
Today is Saturday.
'The weather is a bit bad. It feels like the humidity has increased too, is summer slowly coming?'
As always, this Saturday, I also worked Jeong Haseong hard and only left the gym around 6 PM.
And while standing in place with my phone on, I briefly checked if the association president's matter that I entrusted to Esther was progressing well.
That's when someone approached me.
"Kim Giryeo."
"You're here?"
It was the very bodyguard I hired in exchange for 10 years of my lifespan.
It hasn't been long since I encountered the overseas service called Alai. These days, I've been constantly calling this S-rank hunter whenever I go somewhere, just in case the association president tries to pull any more strange tricks.
"By the way, the rumor that you two spar every weekend must have been false?"
"Excuse me?"
"I've been watching the gym this whole time. But it seems like only Jeong Haseong was using skills."
But as soon as he met me, Kang Changho made a very stalker-like remark.
"What are you actually doing here with the Rank 1?"
"I was giving him a few pointers from the side and getting paid."
"Pointers?"
"Well, this and that…"
But I just took it as it was.
After all, I didn't plan to completely hide my schedule with Jeong Haseong.
I just spoke the truth, hoping that a certain assailant's criminal record wouldn't increase. I was just being compliant with Kang Changho and having some pointless conversations.
"Hmm, then I'll add some money, so could I perhaps listen to those pointers too?"
"I'm sorry, but it would be difficult for you, Hunter-nim."
"Why?"
"You're already adjusting your mana well. No joke, I really have nothing to advise you on."
"Is that so?"
"Honestly, if I could have asked for money from Hunter Kang, I would have said it first."
Next, I got into the bodyguard's car and arrived home…
"Hmm?"
I should have arrived home without any problems, but somehow, the atmosphere was unusual when I arrived in front of my house.
The alley in front of my house was already notorious for illegal parking, making it difficult for even one car to pass, but today, there were groups of earthlings I hadn't seen before gathered at the main gate.
People were pacing as if they were waiting for someone.
Moreover, some of them were wearing black microphones on their lapels, so this was definitely.
"They look like reporters."
Kang Changho, who was holding the steering wheel next to me, said the correct answer instead.
But what does it matter if they're reporters?
Since it seemed like the situation would be the same even if I went around to the back gate, I decided to just break through the reporters in front of me head-on.
I was tired from teaching Jeong Haseong all day, so I wanted to go home early.
"He's here."
"Hunter Kim Giryeo!"
"Hunter-nim!"
As I got out of the car and walked towards the entrance, the reporters rushed at me.
I gestured to them as if to say, if you have something to say, say it quickly.
But the questions that followed were quite interesting.
"We came to visit to briefly confirm some news. It's been said that the enchanter who recently exposed Association President Go Byeongdo was actually a very close classmate of Hunter Kim Giryeo, is that true…"
"Hunter-nim! I'm from SBC. Just now, our SBC received a tip that you, Hunter-nim, incited the enchanter to sow discord in the relationship with the association and tried to use enchantment requests privately. What do you think about this allegation?"
Go Byeongdo…
Even after so many wrongdoings were revealed, he's not giving up and is trying to drag things into a mud fight. Moreover, this time, he's digging into the relationship between a certain S-rank and Gu Seohyeong.
If you consider the direction of the questions the reporters are asking, it was easy to tell that they were pro-association president figures.
But there was no need to be afraid of such a fact. It would be different if I had caused this incident alone, but I had the reliable backing of the Korean Magic Tower's guild master.
'Let's leave the public opinion war to Esther, who is an earthling. If I leave this alone, that curse sorcerer will take care of it.'
I lightly affirmed the truth that I was classmates with Gu Seohyeong and firmly denied the other allegations. And I gestured for them to move aside so I could enter the building.
"Hunter Kim Giryeo-nim! Just one more thing, I have a question!"
But only one person among the reporters gathered here.
Somehow, only that man, whose impression was vaguely imprinted in one corner of my memory, didn't put away his recorder and blocked my way until the end.
Somehow, his face is familiar. Just as I was thinking that, the reporter said this.
"Shockingly, it's been said that you, Hunter-nim, didn't grow up in a normal family, but in an orphanage. Is this also true?"
I stopped in my tracks upon hearing that.
"Moreover, according to the investigation… it seems that even though you made so much money from the Siren subjugation earlier this year, you didn't donate a single penny to the institution that raised you so diligently in place of your parents."
The other reporters from the surrounding broadcasting stations had long since turned their heads towards the man who asked the question.
The fact that South Korea's fourth S-rank was actually a lone individual with no one to rely on was definitely information that had never been revealed to the media.
"Aren't you ashamed of your actions of ignoring your orphanage classmates?"
The reporter, with his hair neatly combed back, held a small microphone in front of me.
And I remembered.
『'Beast-like' things with no ability? …Shocking outburst from the new S-rank』
Come to think of it, wasn't this the journalist with the surname Yang who most actively wrote negative articles about me shortly after I defeated the Unfulfilled Malignancy?
Ch 198: Retirement （4）
Two days passed like that.
*Beep beep beep beep.*
I followed the sound coming from my pocket and picked up my cell phone.
What I saw was an unsaved number.
But the fact that a call came at this timing probably means it's that guy's contact. Without delay, I answered it.
As soon as the call connected, someone's voice echoed in my ear.
━Kim Giryeo… Is this the hunter's number?
It was the voice of a man, sounding like he had aged drastically in just two days.
━Are you listening? This is Go Byeongdo. Go Byeongdo.
*Sniffle.*
Through the speaker, I could hear the sound of someone wiping away what seemed like tears or snot.
And the reason the Association President was calling so dejectedly was.
━I, I'm sorry for contacting you so suddenly. But there's something I really want to say.
"Go ahead."
━I'm really sorry. I, I think I went crazy for a moment. I, it's all because of some American guild called Spectrum… !
I couldn't help but chuckle at the enemy's broken attitude.
That's right.
In fact, Go Byeongdo had gone through truly unimaginable hardships over the past 48 hours.
The fact that the head of the Hunter Association had taken the lead in stabbing hunters in the back was not something that could be covered up with mere shallow public opinion tactics.
This fight was already decided the moment Esther released her trump card to the press.
But Go Byeongdo, not knowing that the scales were heavily tilted, had stirred up a hornet's nest that he shouldn't have touched in his desperate struggle.
『From 'Crisis Child' from an Orphanage → Rebirth as an S-Rank Hunter』
To cut to the chase, my trivial secret was eventually revealed to the world.
And because of this article, a certain S-rank curse sorcerer was infuriated to the point of moving up the execution.
The initial plan was to take away Go Byeongdo's power and slowly start pressuring him when the public's interest had waned.
Esther was now at a point where she couldn't stand the very fact that this Earthling was alive and breathing.
━What can I do? Huh? I'm sorry for daring to touch Kim Giryeo Hunter. If you want me to kneel… I'll kneel!
To reveal a small truth, the president of the Hunter Association is currently under 'some curse'.
It was such a painful curse that it made him bow his head to the awakened ones he hated so much.
I heard that the curse resistance equipment that had recently appeared on the market suddenly disappeared. It seems he had made some preparations of his own… but…
'The opponent is an S-rank hunter.'
Unlike other magic, curse formulas use the power of the mind as a rather important fuel.
The president of the Hunter Association had foolishly increased the intensity of the attack he would receive himself.
Seo Esther was now beyond caring about public opinion or anything else, telling me to go ahead and accuse her if I wanted to.
Instead, she bit the Association President mercilessly, with an attitude that if we went down together, she would wipe out his entire lineage.
Besides, as you know, the range of curse magic is terrifying.
The Association President was essentially consumed by the curse in his own home, despite making those preparations.
Having experienced the power of an awakened one to this extent, he couldn't afford to act so leisurely anymore.
'If he had just quietly stepped down from his position as president and just written a pledge not to harm me again, it would have ended quietly…'
Anyway.
I slightly lowered the cell phone I was holding to my ear, pondered something, and then spoke to the other party.
"So, what you're saying is that the Spectrum Guild said I was fake. And you believed that and did all this?"
It was a kind of fact check.
To this, Go Byeongdo replied in a loud voice.
He groveled, saying that he was only guilty of believing the words of the Americans and that such a thing would never happen again.
"Oh, really. But you hired the mercenaries yourself, and now you're blaming the Americans…"
━Wh, what did you say?
"Anyway, I heard Esther-ssi will be bringing a copy of the 『Knight's Oath』 sometime this afternoon, so you should prepare to sign it."
━No, wait! I, I'm saying I'll apologize! We can have a normal negotiation without using such harsh methods. Huh? Hunter-nim. What do you want?
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
I completely ignored Go Byeongdo's voice, which was apologizing so abjectly.
"What I want."
Well, the man had touched the most unforgiving people in this world.
Alpha Uri natives. And curse-type magicians.
The end of a human who touched these two races at the same time was obvious.
"Why are you asking such an obvious question? What I want is for you to be punished. I'll hang up now."
━Yes? Wait… !
*Click.*
I ended the call and blocked the Association President's number.
And after a few more days, the news I had been waiting for poured out like a flood on TV.
『"I'm sorry for the disappointment…" "Resignation from the Presidency"』
『Go Byeongdo Bows His Head』
『Sudden Deterioration of Health? Former President Claims Critical Condition. However, the public's reaction is a cold backlash, questioning whether it is not an attempt to avoid detention for creating slush funds…』
That's how this incident was resolved relatively easily with the past debt I had placed on Esther.
It was a story that started with a grudge and ended with a grudge.
◈◈◈
And 17 hours later.
"Hmm?"
The cell phone, which had been quiet for a while, rang again. This time, a text message had arrived.
『I did everything you asked. Now you can relax! （^_^）v』
I scanned the text that Seo Esther had sent in detail.
First of all, I had him sign the Knight's Oath under the pretext of lifting the curse on Go Byeongdo, so he would never be able to oppose awakened ones again.
Of course, as soon as the oath was made, as I had said, I placed a new curse on him that was different from the previous one, so the punishment was still ongoing.
Now, my goal was to torment him until the trial so that he would definitely cough up the money that the former Association President had swindled, and then bankrupt him.
By the way, until a new head is appointed, the vice president of the organization will be acting as the authority.
I had specifically told my grandfather about this matter, so the new Association President would probably not be strange, etc.
"Clean."
Isn't this more efficient than a genie in a lamp?
I scanned the current situation that Esther had sent with satisfaction, and just as I was about to finish reading the long text, the next message arrived.
『Giryeo-ssi, by the way.』
It was truly unimaginable good news.
『…that 『Nest of Grass』 appeared in Daejeon yesterday afternoon. Are you thinking of participating in the raid, Giryeo-ssi?』
『I've already put in a bid with the guild members, so if Giryeo-ssi wants, I'll leave a spot open after the bid is won…』
◈◈◈
*Thump thump thump.*
A blonde man in a suit walked quickly through the hallway.
Eventually, he stopped in front of the iron bars that still had a brutal form, unlike the other detention centers that had been replaced with electronic ones.
"Hunter Kang Changho."
The prisoner in the solitary cell, whose name was called, was standing and talking to some ordinary person, as if he had just finished a meeting with his lawyer.
After confirming Kim Giryeo's appearance, the S-rank hunter said goodbye to his lawyers and sent them away.
And then he began to talk with the person who had come to visit.
"What brings you all the way here?"
"I have something to say, but you weren't answering your phone."
"When you come in here, your belongings are taken away. It's called impounding, so those guys are holding onto my cell phone for me."
Giryeo looked at the detention center manager that Kang Changho was pointing to with a smile, and then straightened his posture.
And then he clearly stated the purpose of his visit.
"Anyway, I have something urgent to tell you. The 『Nest of Grass』 gate appeared in Daejeon City yesterday afternoon."
"A dragon dungeon, then."
"The auction for the gate entrance ticket just ended, and my acquaintance won it."
Kang Changho raised one eyebrow as if to say, 'Tell me more.'
"So, to get to the point… I want to participate in this raid…"
What followed was a tone that was somewhat cautious.
"I'm sorry, but when can Hunter Kang Changho get out of here?"
Of course, the answer to the question wasn't very good.
If he could get out easily, that man wouldn't still be wearing handcuffs.
"Well. It looks like I'll be here for the full 10 days."
Even if it was a first offense, it was a big enough incident to cause a stir.
The third S-rank hunter in Korea had a prior conviction of the same kind, so things were complicated due to public opinion.
But if Kang Changho spent the maximum 10 days in detention as he had said…
'The time will be over.'
I wouldn't be able to match the schedule with the Magic Tower's raid team.
Since dragons are highly dangerous creatures, the rule is to get rid of them before a dungeon break is imminent.
"A dragon."
But a moment later.
Kang Changho leaned against the bars of the cell and, unusually, pondered something. Then, he conveyed his intention to Giryeo.
"It can't be helped. Then, go alone."
"Yes?"
He had allowed the offering of Enhancement to go to the Dragon's Nest.
"Instead, on the condition that you put Jeong Haseong in the raid party."
"Will the Korean Magic Tower allow it?"
"That hunter would volunteer even without pay, so the guild wouldn't refuse unless there's a good reason."
Giryeo was briefly surprised by the other party's easygoing answer.
To be honest, he was the one who had suspected me even before the Spectrum Guild and had slapped my face, so I didn't expect the conversation to go this way.
'Wasn't he convinced that I was a fake S-rank?'
The blonde man rolled his eyes expressionlessly.
Soon, a tall hunter with vitiligo came into his sight.
If he was that big, it must be uncomfortable to be confined in a narrow solitary cell, but how could he still be so relaxed?
Is it because he's experienced?
"Yes. Then, I'll take care of the dragon hunting."
Giryeo crossed his arms and pondered, then he voiced the thought that had entered his mind.
"But before I go, there's something I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"Come to think of it, Hunter Kang Changho, you have a prior conviction for special assault, right?"
"…."
"I don't remember the details, but I think the other party was a driver or something."
He had sometimes shown actions similar to justice, to the point of punishing a reporter who mocked the pain of others.
Suddenly, I wondered if there was some reason behind that past conviction.
"Anyway, could you tell me how that conviction came about?"
But when the question about his prior conviction came up, Kang Changho's expression noticeably changed.
The smile that had revealed his unique dimple was gone, and he had returned to a rather cold, expressionless face.
"I don't really want to talk about that."
Kang Changho then entered a long silence.
"Hmm."
And fortunately, this alien wasn't rude enough to hold onto someone who didn't want to talk.
"Okay, I'll be going now."
"Okay."
Well, I've finished reporting to my contractor. Now it's time to start preparing for the dragon hunt in earnest.
Giryeo left the detention center and took out his cell phone from his pocket.
『Me: The classes on the 12th（Fri） and 13th（Sat） will be replaced with field practice. Prepare your equipment and potions and come to the front gate of the Korean Magic Tower by 9 AM on Thursday.』
『Jeong Haseong: Yes?』
『Me: I said I'm replacing it.』
And after sending the text message, he put his cell phone back in his pocket.
Ch 199: It Doesn't Look Like It, But It Is （1）
It may seem like there isn't, but there is.
This is a phrase Choi Jin used when describing a certain reptile that exists on Earth.
It wasn't the obvious method of hiding and concealing itself among the dense trees, but rather, its characteristic was to use advanced magic to conceal itself and watch for an opportunity to ambush.
『Nest of Grass』.
This was an A-rank gate known as the habitat of the 'Green Dragon,' one of the three types of dungeons where dragon species appear.
And I already know how to deal with the cunning monsters that appear there.
I had received advice directly from Choi Jin, who is famous as a dragon hunter, in preparation for days like this.
Furthermore, I have all the information I collected at that time recorded without missing a single word.
[Raid Tips]
· When entering the dungeon for the first time, all Green Dragons are in stealth mode, so you need to take a 360˚ picture of your surroundings with an analyzer.
· The transparent state is only released when the dragon is hit.
· Their crawling speed is inherently slow, so there is no major problem if you catch them one by one, but be careful as dragons in stealth mode can approach if they aim for a melee. （If they gather, there's no solution.）
In addition, they have high resistance to physical attacks, almost comparable to golems.
Also, although they are a similar color to grass, they are not surprisingly weak to fire, etc.
When I opened the hand-held notebook I had brought, the information about the Green Dragon that I had written down by hand was revealed in detail.
"Those who haven't received buffs yet, please come this way~"
"How many potions did you bring? Three? You bought a lot. I thought there was a shortage of high-grade ones these days, so wasn't there a scalper?"
"Everyone remembers your positions well, right? You can't be flustered inside the dungeon later. You must turn on your analyzers at your own angles at each timing."
But why is it so noisy around here since a while ago?
I stopped reviewing the strategy and looked up. What I saw were hunters wearing various equipment.
This place was none other than a bridge in Daejeon where the 『Nest of Grass』 had appeared.
Those in front of me were fellow hunters who would be going dragon hunting together.
"Team Leader-nim, please take a look at this new equipment I bought. I got it at the market last time…"
But.
"I barely found one that fits…"
Glance.
The hunters of the Korean Magic Tower, who were preparing for the raid at the gate entrance, had been glancing at one place since a while ago, for some reason.
And the reason why they are sending such secret glances must be because of that young man.
"Wow, seeing Jeong Haseong in person, his mana is really insane…"
"Hey, be quiet. Shut your mouth. S-ranks have hearing that's incomparable to ours, so they can really hear you."
The most famous awakened one in Korea was standing in this place.
A white coat with countless repeating diamond-shaped patterns. And two layers of bracelets and a red one-handed sword.
The other person was dressed in a way that seemed a bit hot for this mild weather.
But for a hunter who has to consider performance rather than style or seasonality, that's the obvious choice.
I was staring blankly at the young man wearing an item called 『White Scale Armor』 on his shoulder.
As if sensing my gaze, the other person turned his head and met my eyes.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
To be precise, I was hoping that 'something' wouldn't happen in the future.
"No, it's nothing."
First of all, as you can see from the fact that I'm standing next to Jeong Haseong like this, we were successfully granted permission to accompany the dragon hunt.
━You're going to bring Haseong-ssi? And the pay only needs to be the same as other A-rank hunters?
━Yes.
━Ah~ Then, of course, it's OK. It's unconditionally OK.
I thought they would refuse this request since it was a raid permission that I had won after a fierce bidding war with Neo Sisters.
After listening to the story in detail, it turned out that dragons are indeed creatures with high economic value.
At the same time, they are all exceptionally strong, so the hunting process is difficult, and the probability of casualties is quite high.
So, if an S-rank hunter participates, it's actually welcomed from the guild's perspective.
The number of people is small, so there is no need to divide the profits greatly, but with the participation of the top-tier hunter, the risk to the guild members can be drastically reduced.
'As I said before, Esther-nim couldn't come in the end because she has a lot of things to clean up related to Chairman Go.'
Anyway, I'm glad that my application was accepted without any problems.
I told Haseong to wait here and headed to where the Korean Magic Tower guild members were gathered.
Before departure, it was to check one last time if there was anything I had missed.
"Team Leader-nim, both Haseong and I are ready. What time is the departure?"
"I think we can start soon. We just finished checking as well."
But somehow, a strange atmosphere is suddenly detected.
Until just now, it was quite noisy around here, but as I approached this side to talk to the team leader of the Magic Tower's 1st team, the commotion suddenly subsided.
'What is it.'
Swish.
When I turned my head to check, I could sense the hunters hurriedly avoiding my gaze with my poor dynamic visual acuity.
"Ahem."
"Ahem."
Ah....
I'm also an S-rank awakened one on the outside. So, I was getting attention as well.
'They don't even know that what they're looking at is an empty shell, and they're lowering their eyes like that.'
How pitiful.
A moment before the dragon hunt.
I was lost in thought as I scanned the hunters gathered on the bridge.
I never thought this day would come since I had been reincarnated with an F-rank body that had no hope.
It felt quite different to be treated as a special strong person again.
"Wow, what kind of gaze is that…"
"They said that if you see Kim Giryeo Hunter in person, you'll be instilled with manners…"
There were some differences in the detailed evaluations.
Still, I decided to be satisfied with the fact that I was treated as an S-rank hunter like Jeong Haseong.
◈◈◈
The dragon hunt that started soon after.
"Haseong-ssi, fighting!"
"Please be careful, both of you!"
They were happy about the participation of the S-rank, but in the actual hunt, Jeong Haseong separated from the Korean Magic Tower team.
Well, there would only be more casualties if they stuck too close to an S-rank fire sorcerer.
"Okay, from now on, let's proceed to the right and slowly reduce the number of dragons."
Haseong and I were grouped into separate teams and started the raid separately.
But ridiculously, our team, the minority, was much faster.
That's thanks to the great magician on our side whose sixth sense is an analyzer.
'Oh.... their stealth level is definitely high. This is much better than that Park Juntae or whatever his name was, right?'
Unlike the Korean Magic Tower, who were cautiously moving forward, checking the enemy's location with tools as if crossing a stepping stone, the S-rank team was walking with large strides.
Before long, a dragon curled up and sleeping was discovered.
Then, now that we've located the target, it's time to carry out the task.
"Jeong Haseong."
I raised my index finger and pointed precisely at the enemy's location. And I said in this state.
"Cast it as 'clearly' as possible."
Haseong reacted quickly to this.
Before I could add any further explanation, he summoned a red flame spear in the air and shot it straight ahead.
"Kaaaaaaaak!"
The dragon, hit by Haseong's skill, was released from its transparent state and let out its first cry of pain.
The wings of the Green Dragon that the skill had pierced through had round holes left in them, as if they had been made by a punching machine.
The edges of the wounds were not yet perfectly clean, but considering the past when he only produced faint flames that could almost be considered amorphous, wasn't this a remarkable improvement?
"Good job."
This was the result of the past days.
I had corrected a significant portion of the habit of that primitive sorcerer leaking mana whenever he used magic.
"Now, at least a circle is being stamped out."
Seeing how sharp his magic had become in just a few weeks, I could tell even with my eyes closed that Jeong Haseong had been working hard all this time.
That's why my conscience is hurting even more…
'Ugh.'
In fact, I had lured Haseong into this by saying that I would check if he was applying what he had learned in class well.
Since Kang Changho was locked up in jail, I needed another labor force to use in the dragon hunt.
But Haseong doesn't know that some alien is not only taking a week's worth of classes for free but is also trying to pass on the work.
"Kim Hunter-nim, which one was better, the first or the second one?"
"Huh?"
"The first skill I shot used mana evenly in the part that looked like a long rod. The second time, I tried to concentrate the power on the spearhead. I don't know if it worked well."
The disciple was soon waiting for an evaluation with an extremely docile expression.
He even looked like a model student who had achieved excellent grades on an exam, waiting for praise in front of his respected teacher.
'Haseong-ah, that's why you've been exploited by the Association all this time…'
As expected, Jeong Haseong, who doesn't even recognize someone's scheme, is acting with a sincere attitude.
But I can't stop this act with just a guilty conscience.
No, rather, I have to grit my teeth and use that young man's good side.
'If it can create even a 0.1% chance of getting a dragon's lung!'
If it wasn't for this overflowing greed, I wouldn't have entered the monster's den in the first place.
"Hmm, it seems like it's too simple of a task to just burn the dragon to death."
Right after the first Green Dragon fell.
I ordered the young hero.
From now on, don't instantly kill the Green Dragons you encounter, but try to make them incapacitated somehow.
"You know this is all a suggestion for you, right? It's to practice controlling your power~"
Haseong started trying various things on the newly encountered dragons.
At first, he tried to remove their activity by burning their limbs, but failed because the monster couldn't withstand the damage and died.
Next, he tried the idea of suffocating them by burning the surrounding oxygen, but when he removed the flames that had covered them, the dragon was found to be in a suitably crispy state, etc.
There were trials and errors, but the S-rank hunter soon got the hang of it quickly.
"It's done."
He used the same thin flame spear as he had used at first to damage only the important muscles of the monster.
'I see now that I've brought Jeong Haseong inside the gate. His experience related to hunting alone is definitely not something to ignore.'
Swoosh.
With my eyes wide open, I approached the dragons in a half-dead state, writhing on the floor.
And I stabbed their tongues several times with the blade of the Hydra that I had pulled out beforehand.
If I do this, the life that was barely hanging on will be cut off by the overlapping poison damage.
"Kkieeeek."
It was an act called 'spooning' in professional terms.
The minimum threshold for the reward for top contributors to start dropping is lower than expected, so if I do this, even a weakling like me has a chance to get additional items.
Of course, Haseong didn't find this situation particularly strange.
Because what I did is an act that is already widespread in the hunter industry.
'It's just that it's almost never tried on dangerous monsters like dragons.'
Is the only thing I regret that I'm taking all these good benefits for myself alone?
But I can't show others that the fourth S-rank hunter is only spooning.
"Jeong Haseong, from now on, I'll do the finishing touches. You don't have to worry about it and just focus on practicing…"
I decided to be roughly satisfied with this much.
But then.
"Kaaaaa!"
"Oops."
Clang!
Just when I was about to put my sword to the next dragon to perform the poisoning process.
Suddenly, the dragon on the floor snapped its head and knocked away the blade that was approaching its mouth.
It just seemed like it had only slightly moved its head, but how could the impact be so great that my wrist was twisted?
'I dropped the sword.'
Sparkle.
Whether that was its last struggle or not, a new item soon floated next to Haseong.
But Haseong didn't even check the reward given to him and walked towards where the sword that had been knocked away was.
"Ah, I'll bring it to you."
Judging by his calm tone, it seems that the secret that someone's grip strength is so weak that it's powerless hasn't been discovered yet.
It was at that moment.
Haseong, who was about to pick up the sword by bending his waist, suddenly twitched his shoulder.
"Huh?"
"Ah."
When I focused my gaze to see what was going on, I saw a thin line drawn on the hero's finger, as if a red silk thread had been drawn on it.
No, you should have grabbed the sword by the hilt. If you just grab the blade when the direction is twisted!
"What, did you get cut?"
As I strode closer, Haseong, while picking up the 『Hydra』 again, said with a slightly surprised look.
"Yes. I didn't know it would be an item with such good mana conductivity. But it's not a deep cut, so it's okay…"
Swish.
Haseong stopped talking and looked down at his index finger.
"..."
"..."
And there was skin that was being dyed in a bluish color.
Haseong and I had a conversation with expressionless faces while standing side by side like that.
"Excuse me, but what grade was this sword?"
"Epic."
Ch 200: It Doesn't Look Like It, But It Is （2）
Epic, huh.
No matter how many legendary-grade items a hunter possessed, they would never devalue an epic-grade item.
This was because both were precious items that hunters couldn't get enough of.
"Epic-grade… So that's why it had an effect on me."
Following that, cold sweat trickled down Haseong's gaunt face.
Although there wasn't a big change in his expression, he spoke awkwardly in a slightly trembling voice.
"Then, I'm sorry, but could you possibly lend me just one antidote potion?"
However, we couldn't give him what he wanted.
"I don't have anything like that."
"…Are you saying that someone who handles epic-grade poisonous equipment doesn't have any first-aid supplies?"
And so, we took an unexpected break.
Seriously, what a bolt from the blue in the middle of a successful raid.
◈◈◈
A little later.
"I'm sorry. Kim Hunter-nim handled it so casually. I thought it was only around unique-grade."
They were currently sitting on a large stump somewhere in the dungeon.
The Green Dragon's Nest was famous for its vastness even before the dungeon's size began to increase.
If the monsters were cleared away, there were plenty of places to rest.
"For now, how about drinking a lot of water?"
Giryeo, having learned from the previous distress situation, had been carrying simple drinks and necessities whenever he went to a dungeon these days.
So, he opened the messenger bag he had slung over one shoulder and took out a bottle of water.
Haseong, upon receiving it, seemed surprised but soon accepted it gratefully and drank it.
"How is it? Are you okay?"
"Yes. If I just rest like this, there shouldn't be any problems."
Still, it was fortunate that the victim was an S-rank, so nothing serious happened.
'If a hunter were to die because of something like this, what percentage of the blame would be placed on me?'
Click.
Giryeo firmly placed the Hydra, the cause of the accident, into its sheath.
And then.
Haseong, who was on the stump, somehow couldn't take his eyes off this sight.
"By the way, Hunter-nim, you don't use a holder."
The holder that Jeong Haseong was referring to was a "leather additional belt where you can insert a sword with its sheath," which was commonly seen in the hunter industry.
Moreover, there was no need to go far to find an example of this.
After all, the items that came out of dungeons often had designs that were difficult to wear.
"Ah, that."
Giryeo, upon hearing those words, lowered his gaze and looked at Jeong Haseong's waist.
Then, a complex-shaped holder, which had just been mentioned, was revealed through the other's long coat.
However, even after seeing it, he didn't particularly feel the desire to have it.
"I'm just comfortable like this. The belt only needs to secure the item box."
Whether this was a characteristic unique to Alpha Uri natives, he didn't know.
Not holding a weapon imbued with mana in his hand and dropping it somewhere made Giryeo feel somehow unstable.
So, he declared that he would continue to carry it like this in the future.
Either just tucking the long sword into his side with the sheath on, or dangling it in his hand.
Honestly, since he didn't have many cases of doing great battles, he thought this much was enough.
'As for portability, it's fine now that I have the item box.'
However, Haseong, upon hearing the other's answer, suddenly brought up the next question.
"What's the name of that sword?"
It was a series of questions about artifacts.
"『Hydra』. And as you just experienced, its effect is related to poison damage."
As the owner answered nonchalantly, Jeong Haseong nodded to himself and then calmly continued the conversation.
"『Screaming Stake』 as well as 『Hydra』. You seem to use a lot of dangerous items. All of them seem to be weapons that activate even when the owner touches them…"
"Well, that's true."
Wait a minute.
By the way, did he tell Jeong Haseong that he used the Screaming Stake?
'Hmm?'
Giryeo was briefly puzzled, but he vaguely thought that he must have seen it somewhere like the news and let it slide.
In fact, these phenomena were a prelude to something he didn't know.
"Hmm…"
Anyway.
Jeong Haseong stopped looking at Giryeo's sword and spoke, clearing his throat.
"But there's one thing I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim, when you acquire equipment, do you tend to appraise it yourself instead of entrusting it to an outside appraiser?"
Giryeo nodded in response.
"Then… could you possibly take a look at my sword with that appraisal skill?"
However, his nod stopped at the following words.
The identity of "my sword" that Jeong Haseong mentioned was the first legendary item discovered in this world.
In short, it was an item that scholars of Earth had given up on.
"I know that the effects of the skills used by appraisers are all the same, but I thought that maybe Kim Hunter-nim, who passed through the Magic Tower Maze, might be different…"
Haseong's 『Sunset Sword』 was a truly difficult treasure, with only rumors of its rarity, but no revealed effects.
Appraisers, scientists, and even Haseong, the owner, had struggled to figure out its abilities, but failed.
Therefore, as of now, everyone just considered that weapon to be a sturdy blade that wouldn't melt even when touched by S-rank flames.
"Hmm."
At the other's words, Giryeo looked down at the long sword hanging on Haseong's holder.
"Okay. Give it to me for a moment."
To be honest, he had been interested in legendary-grade items for a while, so he quickly gave a refreshing answer.
For some reason, the great magician's attitude changed as soon as he took the red sword in his hand.
"..."
There wasn't any change in his expression.
However, from the perspective of an S-rank hunter with keen senses, Kim Giryeo had definitely stopped breathing for a moment right after touching the sword.
"This is…"
The silence was fleeting.
Giryeo resumed breathing after 3 seconds and spoke in a calm tone.
"I don't know either."
It was an obvious statement.
Legendary-grade items were treasures that had not revealed their secrets even in the hands of numerous first-class appraisers.
Logically, Kim Giryeo shouldn't be able to analyze it either.
"Not at all?"
"Yeah, um. Yeah. I'm sorry, but even I don't know anything about this."
Giryeo scratched the back of his right ear and quickly returned the 『Sunset Sword』 in his hand to its owner.
Then, Haseong lowered his head as if he was disappointed and said.
"I understand. Then, we should probably resume the raid."
However, the appraiser next to him stopped him.
Although his complexion was certainly better than before, there were still blue marks on the young man's fingers.
"Well, wouldn't it be better to rest a little more, just in case it gets worse?"
"But…"
"It's okay. Anyway, even if the Magic Tower tries to catch up, it will take a long time to match the number you've caught so far."
Giryeo said that and took out new food from his messenger bag.
It was a high-calorie chocolate that had recently become quite popular in the hunter industry.
They took an additional break for a few minutes to replenish their lost energy.
Then, while they were having such a leisurely time, what would the Korean Magic Tower's raid team be doing?
◈◈◈
Meanwhile.
The Korean Magic Tower's raid team.
"One Green Dragon in the rear! One Green Dragon in the rear!"
"Those with area skills, quickly spread your skills over there!"
"Stealth has been canceled~"
"Ah! My shield!"
As one great magician had predicted, even though they had been working diligently without rest, they were still far behind Haseong's achievements.
Dragons were considered especially strong among A-rank monsters, and since their scales were so tough that damage didn't properly go through, the hunting speed was bound to drag on.
Time passed slowly.
It was like trying to take down an elephant with just a single hammer.
"Haa, that's it."
But, if the ancestors of the past hunted those big mammoths, what else couldn't they do?
Crack!
Awakened ones with ice-type skills successively activated their skills to freeze the skin.
On top of that, they repeatedly applied fire to the deformed protein parts and fired all at once.
The modern hunters used the data they had accumulated over time to continue their skillful attacks.
Then, one by one, loot began to appear on the empty blue plain.
"Everyone stop attacking! Stop! The item dropped. Death confirmed."
And then, the Green Dragon group was annihilated.
Originally, this time when Jeong Haseong's team was resting would have been the only chance to surpass their hunting numbers, but the people here also decided to take a break.
For meals, and for bathroom issues.
Earthlings still had bodies that were unsuitable for working all day long.
"Ugh~ I'm going to die. Seriously, why are these Green Dragons so cunning in their habits?"
"Haha! I know, right. They really do backstab you with stealth if you're just a little careless."
The Korean Magic Tower's guild members soon secured a safe zone and had lunch.
The food they took out was also a high-calorie preserved food that wasn't much different from what Kim Giryeo had brought.
"Hmm."
But a few minutes later.
Was it because this A-rank hunter sitting on the stump was bored with the jerky he ate every day?
He suddenly had a mischievous look on his face and slyly spoke to his team members.
"By the way, about Kim Giryeo Hunter."
For reference, the topic of their chat was the S-rank awakened one who came with them.
"No matter how I look at it, it seems like he and our Guild Master are in that kind of relationship, don't you think?"
The young female hunter, who was listening to the conversation, chewed on her kimbap and thought.
The middle-aged man, who was the team leader of the Korean Magic Tower's A-1 team, was a very decent person normally.
But he had one fatal flaw: he was too interested in other people's love lives.
"You know, they were even seen walking around together at some clothing store before? Just the two of them!"
Did that team leader even know that he was called a busybody behind his back?
The subordinate hunter said to his superior with a reluctant expression.
"You really try to connect people's relationships whenever you get a chance."
However, the other didn't even bat an eye.
"Well, there's no such thing as friendship between a man and a woman. Since Kim Hunter and the Guild Master, who are of similar ages, contact each other so often, isn't it suspicious?"
"No, why wouldn't there be friendship between a man and a woman."
"Hehe, I used to think like you once. But after living life, I found that it's quite difficult to believe in that kind of friendship between the opposite sexes~"
There was a reason for this meddlesome tendency.
"Well, my ex-wife cheated on me for five years with her male friend before I caught her…"
"Ah."
Silence fell.
The Korean Magic Tower's guild members focused on their lunch with stiff faces, but at this time, the problematic team leader continued the conversation.
"But well, now that I think about it, I can't imagine Kim Giryeo hitting on anyone."
He was the Korean Magic Tower personnel who had the most conversations with Kim Giryeo as the core commander of this raid.
"No, even though he looks like a total gangster, his manners are so polite. I was so surprised when I talked to him this time."
The hunter who was eating kimbap suddenly thought that the team leader might die if that description of his appearance reached the S-rank hunter's ears.
"Besides, he always wears a suit every day like a company employee. You can see his seriousness from his attire. He's a very impressive friend."
"Hmm."
"Maybe I should buy a suit too."
Upon hearing this sentence, they thought that even if he bought a suit, he wouldn't look as good…
And that the team leader would quickly suffer serious injuries due to his lack of defense since he wasn't an S-rank, but the hunter eating kimbap didn't bother to say that either.
"One Green Dragon in the front!"
It was around that time.
One of the guild members, who was keeping watch with an analyzer, suddenly shouted loudly.
In response, the Magic Tower's hunters all raised their equipment, and among the chilling sounds of cold weapons, a certain man spoke.
"I'll block them first! Those who still have something in their mouths, swallow it well and get up slowly!"
He was taking the lead instead of his subordinates and giving up his rest time. In this aspect, he was a truly ideal leader.
"Well, since this is a good opportunity, let's try this out…"
At that moment.
One of the Magic Tower's guild members discovered that his superior was taking out a piece of equipment that he hadn't seen before.
A weapon with a pointed dagger attached to an antique wooden handle.
"『Screaming Stake』? When did you buy that?"
Wasn't that the unique-grade item that became famous for being used by a certain S-rank hunter?
"N-No, I didn't buy it because I was following anyone~ I just thought it might be a good move against an opponent with such high defense, so I brought it."
Somehow, it felt uneasy.
The 1st team leader, firmly holding the 『Screaming Stake』, used his area skill, Stone Spike, to dispel the opponent's stealth.
And then, he thrust the dagger's blade towards the enemy whose body was revealed.
And then, the sight that unfolded was…
"Kaaaaaaaak!"
"Oops!"
"Ah, that busybody."
The Green Dragon, stimulated by the pain, began to thrash wildly and trample on everything.
Upon seeing this, the Magic Tower's guild members put down their chopsticks and rushed to the scene of the incident.
Ch 201: It Doesn't Look Like It, But It Is （3）
That's why you shouldn't just buy the same equipment as celebrities.
"Uwaaack!"
"Wh-what kind of power is this…!"
"Aish, crazy! It's even harder to catch now that it's going berserk!"
Despite the hunters' strong resistance, the Green Dragon continued its relentless attacks.
Thud!
With a heavy sound, the spear blade was crushed in an instant.
Thud!
When the sound was heard again, the hunter's arm was bent backward because he raised his shield half a beat too late.
"Tteueok!"
A corner of the peaceful stump suddenly becomes chaotic.
And at this moment, amidst the chaotic roar, someone's calm voice suddenly flows in.
"…What."
Even though it was just a single word, the opponent's statement had a strange way of grabbing people's attention.
Perhaps it was because his pronunciation and tone were so distinct and clear.
"Did the Green Dragon have such an aggressive pattern?"
It was Kim Giryeo's appearance.
In addition, the Rank 1 of Korea was also standing behind him, preparing fire magic.
◈◈◈
A few minutes later.
"Th-thank you for saving me...."
"Ah, as expected, S-rank hunters are different. They dealt with it in an instant."
I shamelessly accepted the people's thanks, even though I didn't directly catch the dragon.
Haseong was busy checking on the safety of the surrounding hunters.
By the way, you went so far as to create distance to prevent secondary damage from the S-rank, so why did you suddenly come here?
"But if Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim came…"
"Yes. I'm on my way back after clearing all the dragons in the southern part of the dungeon. Now, all that's left is the boss's group."
As you can see, there was a reason for this.
Before entering the dungeon, we had agreed to split up and reduce the number of minions as much as possible, and then rejoin when only the boss fight remained.
Well, I'm pretty good at tracking anyway.
It was a possible plan because the Korean Magic Tower's raid team also included a searcher with a high detection ability.
"Then, shall we finish our meals and start off with energy?"
"Yes!"
"Please wait a moment!"
With that, we set off towards the north of the dungeon, where the owner of this dungeon resided.
'Let's see, the leader of the Green Dragon....'
According to the information I heard from Choi Jin, in this world, they always call the boss of the dragon species 'King'.
Green Dragon King, Black Dragon King, and so on.
It means that the naming system for specific individuals is already systematized.
And these kings of dragons have similar characteristics that are almost certain.
The first is their huge size.
The second is the special organ on their heads that looks like a chicken's comb.
But unlike a simple red and protruding chicken comb, the special organ they possess looks quite like a 'crown' at a glance.
'Is that why they call them kings?'
Whatever its shape, a large amount of mana is gathered in that organ, so destroying it first brings several advantages. Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to remember the weakness well.
"Ah, everyone. Stop. Stop."
Swish.
I finished my thoughts and raised my fist to signal the group.
"There's a boss ahead."
At this, the hunters of the Korean Magic Tower began to swallow hard.
They were still invisible due to the transparency, but the fact that the apex of an A-rank dragon was in front of them was enough to create a considerable sense of pressure.
The breath that the Green Dragon spews out has a strong acidity, so if you were hit directly....
"Ugh."
You would experience a really great pain until you were treated with a potion.
'That's why inferior Earthlings are no good.'
I looked back at the hunters who were groaning, recalling the pain I had experienced before.
And I clicked my tongue softly inside and looked straight ahead again.
Thorn bushes intertwined in a bizarre shape as if they had grown overlapping from the beginning, and a super-giant reptile quietly crouching inside.
"Hmm."
I felt it in Japan too, but the leaders of the dragon species really have a height that fits the expression 'as big as a house'.
If their size is that big, what is their weight, and how much mana flows through their bloodstream?
"Okay, then let's do the plan we made at first."
Still, I didn't need to worry.
Because my role wasn't included in the plan we made outside.
There is a reliable 'real' S-rank hunter here, so what's the point of the lesser minions struggling?
"Jeong Haseong."
"Yes."
When I gave the signal by calling his name, the hunters hesitated and moved away from Haseong.
At the same time, external mana began to gather fiercely into the body of a certain sorcerer.
The top-ranked hunter, the S-rank, drinks in the surrounding mana and soon realizes the desire that arises.
We.
These magicians have always been beings who prayed to nature for something.
'According to the skill name registered with Pixy, is that 『Hellfire』....'
Soon, the fire sorcerer's attack stretched out towards the dragon.
The flames that Jeong Haseong unleashed at full power without hesitation.
So, how powerful would this be?
The red undulation literally boiled the dungeon floor like a river flowing in hell, and soon swallowed the tree nest where the dragon was contained as if it were inhaling it.
"Kuaaaaaaa!"
Hwarrr!
The Green Dragon King reflexively spread its wings at the surprisingly rough preemptive strike.
But the hunters' attacks don't stop here. We were counting the days until it would lift its thin membrane.
"Now!"
"Right side! Focus on the right side no matter what!"
Kwaaang!
As soon as the dragon's appearance came into view, the elite hunters of the Korean Magic Tower shot their skills at its wings.
It's already bewildered with its whole body on fire, so what kind of bolt from the blue is this?
"Kaaaaaaak!"
The king of the sky with a green body fails to succeed in a single attempt and falls pathetically. Flight failure.
The dragon's right wing was tattered with holes.
However, since the Green Dragon uses breath less frequently in the air, what we really need to be careful about is the ground battle that will take place from now on.
"Grrr…"
"Cough!"
"Kaaaaaa!"
Thud. Thud. Thud!
Soon, the minions who were guarding the nest also rose one by one and recognized their enemies.
An eerie tension created by the heterogeneous existence called a dragon.
However, the result of this fight will eventually go as predicted.
Because in this place, there is the great magician of Alpha Uri....
'Ha.'
…because there is a disciple that he raised with great care.
"Then, shall we see your skills?"
I stepped back and said to Haseong.
Then, the young hero nodded and drew his sword.
For him, the red long sword only has the role of being sturdy.
But the S-rank hunter was able to cut off the neck of a myth with just this simple weapon.
"I will do my best."
Jeong Haseong left those polite words and leaped towards the king of monsters.
What unfolded was the scene of a dragon hunt by the top-ranked awakened ones of Korea.
◈◈◈
Crack, crack....
The sound of embers burning, which could be heard at a campsite on an autumn night, flows.
After a long time.
I watched from afar as the Green Dragon King, who had turned into rags, fell.
With the dull sound that flowed when it hit the floor, the dragon hunt finally came to an end.
━Sparkle.
As always, boss subjugation rewards were given to the top contributors.
"Ahem. Ahem."
But right now, I'm about to die because smoke keeps getting into my nose and mouth, regardless of the reward.
'Holding my breath is only good for a day or two. As expected, I can't use Jeong Haseong like Kang Changho.'
I covered my nose and mouth with my hand and scanned the surroundings.
When the hunt was over, some of the Korean Magic Tower members headed for the exit to call the transporters who would be waiting outside.
And since we weren't the standby team to maintain the dungeon either. All we had to do was roughly organize the loot and leave.
'Let's see, the results I got next to Jeong Haseong are....'
I worked so hard at spooning, but in the end, the only reward from the normal monsters was this 『Greed's Compass』.
Well, it was a natural result, since it was rare for minions to drop loot in the form of a sphere of light from the beginning.
But getting such a disappointing item made me feel bad in a way.
The identity of this palm-sized gem called 『Greed's Compass』 was an item that showed the location of nearby treasure chests....
Unfortunately, I was a body that could track artifacts on my own without such help.
'At best, it's going to the market.'
Then, what's left is the reward from the Green Dragon King I just got.
I checked the sphere that was still sparkling next to me, showing off its presence.
Around the time the boss hunt was in full swing.
I threw my main weapon, the Hydra, at the dragon's affected area and managed to get into the top contributors with the poison status ailment.
But even though it was a reward I struggled so hard to get, I didn't have high expectations. The mana density flowing out of it was at best around the rare to unique grade.
I can tell it's a piece of junk even without looking at it with my eyes....
[Dragon's Lung]
◈◈◈
"....."
Pause.
I observed the magical tool in the empty air, which was submerged in a cluster of light, once again.
A cluster of beautiful alveolar cells, quietly nestled inside a small translucent bead.
Red, blue, and bright.
At the same time, it was a kind of delicate structure that closely resembled the lungs of a living creature.
"-Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim."
I quietly put the given subjugation reward into my item box.
At this time, Jeong Haseong, who had finished the raid, was approaching me with a somewhat excited face, but the conversation didn't last very long.
"Um, as you told me, when I compressed the fire and fought, the A-rank people really didn't get hurt...."
"Haseong-a."
"Yes."
"I just remembered, but I think I left the gas on at home."
"Yes?"
"So, take care of the magic stones and leather yourself. I'll get my share later. Then, I'll be going now. Make sure to have a good dinner."
Hurry.
After finishing his words like a machine gun, I left the dungeon with a faster pace than ever.
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
The fortunes and misfortunes of life cannot be easily predicted.
In a way, it seems like the old saying 'Saengongjima' fits the situation perfectly.
Dragon's Lung.... A lung.
The new lung I've been dreaming of is finally in my hands.
No, even though I went hunting for this, really.
Is it really true that this thing just came into my grasp?
"Kuh...."
The corners of my mouth are slowly rising.
This time, there was no time to control my facial muscles separately.
I want to scream and roll around right now, but this is an old one-room with poor soundproofing, so honestly, I'm holding back as much as possible.
"Hehehe."
Ah──
It really was a long, long wait.
『2.0.00 Changes』
●Removed the penalty for respiratory organs
I'll reveal the results first, without further ado.
With the power of the magical tool called 『Dragon's Lung』, I restored the mana exchange function of my damaged lungs.
Now, I can cast magic multiple times.
No, in fact, I can use magic an incomparable number of times compared to an F-rank sorcerer on Earth.
Only now have I finally become a being that can be called a 'magician'.
'I didn't need to get the Blueshell.'
In addition, with my current body condition, I can use the Body Exchange Technique without additional awakening agents.
Now, all that's left is to find a suitable vessel and gradually switch to a higher rank.
"Finally!"
By the way, I had already noticed it with the 『Dragon's Heart』 that Brooklyn or Choi Jin had shown me, but these dragon organs were not completely replacing the previous organs as expected.
To put it simply, it feels like strong cells are being added between the previous organs, like a tumor migrating.
'I was also expecting a little bit of the Dragon Breath function. It seems like it will be difficult to utilize that because the lung damage in this body was too severe.'
I think I can remove these biological tissues one by one again if I want to.
That's good news. Because it means that even if I change my body, I can always recycle the dragon's lungs.
Now that the range of magic I can use has greatly increased, what should I do first?
'Getting a corpse isn't something that can be done right away anyway....'
After a moment of thought, I decided to prioritize making a dummy （Dummy） to deceive Kang Changho.
The Body Exchange Technique, being a high-level magic, required a large space to draw a medium-sized magic circle, and even if such conditions weren't necessary, I didn't have the confidence to bring the body I would acquire later to Kim Giryeo's one-room without being detected, where there were many eyes watching.
The place to perform the spell, hiding the corpse, how to deceive the route, and other alibis, etc.
'It's amazing that a day like this is coming!'
Kuhahaha!
Clearly, the things that came to mind were all bloody topics. Yet, my skin kept making a bright expression that was the opposite of that.
Ch 202: It Doesn't Look Like It, But It Is （3）
That's why you shouldn't just blindly buy the same equipment as celebrities.
"Uwaaagh!"
"Wh-What kind of power is this…!"
"Aish, crazy! It's even harder to catch since it's going berserk!"
Despite the hunters' strong resistance, the Green Dragon continued its relentless attacks.
Thud!
With a heavy sound, the spear blade was crushed in one go.
Thud!
When the sound was heard again, the hunter's arm was bent backward because he raised his shield half a beat too late.
"Tteuak!"
A corner of the peaceful stump suddenly becomes chaotic.
And at this moment, a calm voice suddenly flowed into the chaotic roar.
"…What."
Even though it was only a single word, the opponent's statement had a strange way of grabbing people's attention.
Perhaps it was because his pronunciation and tone were so distinct and clear.
"Did the Green Dragon have such an aggressive pattern?"
It was Kim Giryeo's appearance.
In addition, the Rank 1 of Korea, who was preparing fire magic, was standing behind him.
◈◈◈
A few minutes later.
"Th-Thank you for saving us..."
"Ah, as expected, S-rank hunters are different. They dealt with it in an instant."
I shamelessly accepted the people's gratitude, even though I didn't even catch the dragon myself.
That's because Haseong was busy checking on the safety of the surrounding hunters.
By the way, why did you come here all of a sudden after creating distance to prevent secondary damage from the S-rank?
"But, if Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim came..."
"Yes. I'm on my way back after clearing all the dragons on the south side of the dungeon. Now, all that's left is the boss's group."
As you can see, there was a reason for this.
Before we entered the dungeon, we had agreed to split up and reduce the number of minions as much as possible, and then rejoin like this when only the boss fight remained.
Well, I'm originally quite good at tracking.
It was a feasible plan because the Korean Magic Tower's raid team also included a searcher with high detection abilities.
"Then, shall we finish our meals and start heading out with renewed energy?"
"Yes!"
"Please wait a moment!"
With that, we set off towards the north of the dungeon, where the owner of this dungeon resided.
'Let's see, the boss of the Green Dragon....'
According to the information I heard from Choi Jin, in this world, they always call the boss of a Dragon Species a 'King'.
Green Dragon King, Black Dragon King, and so on.
It means that the naming system for specific individuals is already systematized.
And these kings of dragons have similar characteristics, almost without exception.
First, their enormous size.
Second, the special organ on their heads that looks like a chicken's comb.
But unlike a simple red and protruding chicken comb, the special organ they possess looks quite like a 'crown' at a glance.
'Is that why they call them kings?'
Whatever its shape, a large amount of mana is gathered in that organ, so destroying it first will bring several advantages. Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to remember the weakness well.
"Ah, everyone. Stop. Stop."
Swish.
I organized my thoughts and raised my fist to signal the group.
"The boss is ahead."
At this, the hunters of the Korean Magic Tower began to swallow hard.
Although they couldn't see it yet because it was in a transparent state, the mere fact that the apex of the A-rank dragons was in front of them was enough to cause considerable pressure.
The breath that the Green Dragon spewed out had a strong acidity, so if you were hit directly....
"Ugh."
You would experience really great pain until you were treated with a potion.
'That's why inferior Earthlings are no good.'
I looked back at the hunters who were groaning, recalling the pain I had experienced before.
And I clicked my tongue inwardly and looked straight ahead again.
Thorn bushes intertwined in a bizarre shape, as if they had grown together from the beginning, and a huge reptile quietly crouching inside.
"Hmm."
I felt it in Japan too, but the boss of a Dragon Species really has a height that fits the expression 'as big as a house'.
If the body size is that big, how many kilograms would the weight be, and how much mana would be flowing in the bloodstream?
"Well, let's do as we planned."
Still, I didn't need to worry.
Because my role was not included in the plan we made outside.
There is a reliable 'real' S-rank hunter here, so what's the point of the lower-ranked grunts struggling?
"Jeong Haseong."
"Yes."
As I gave the signal with his name, the hunters hesitated and stepped back from Haseong.
At the same time, external mana began to gather fiercely into the body of a certain sorcerer.
The top-ranked hunter, an S-rank, drew in the surrounding mana and realized the desire that soon arose.
We.
These magicians have always been beings who prayed to nature for something.
'According to the skill name registered with Pixy, is this 『Hellfire』....'
Soon, the fire sorcerer's attack stretched out towards the dragon.
The flames that Jeong Haseong released at full power without hesitation.
So, how powerful would this be?
The red flickering advanced, boiling the dungeon floor like a river flowing in hell, and soon swallowed the tree nest where the dragon was contained as if engulfing it.
"Kuaaaaaaaah!"
Whoosh!
The Green Dragon King reflexively spread its wings at the surprisingly rough preemptive strike.
But the hunters' attacks didn't stop there. We were waiting with bated breath for it to raise that thin membrane.
"Now's the time!"
"Right side! Focus on the right side first!"
Kwaaang!
As soon as the dragon's figure came into view, the elite hunters of the Korean Magic Tower shot their skills towards its wings.
It was already bewildered with its whole body on fire, so what a bolt from the blue this was.
"Kaaaaaaak!"
The monarch of the sky with a green body failed to succeed in a single attempt and fell pathetically. Failed flight.
A hole was torn in the dragon's right wing.
However, since the Green Dragon's use of breath in the air is infrequent, what we really need to be careful about is the ground battle that will take place from now on.
"Grrrrr...."
"Kack!"
"Kaaaaaaa!"
Thud. Thud. Thud!
Soon after, the minions guarding the nest also rose one by one and recognized their enemies.
An eerie tension created by the heterogeneous existence called a dragon.
But the result of this fight will ultimately go as predicted.
Because in this place, there is the Great Magician of Alpha Uri....
'Ha.'
…has a disciple he has carefully raised.
"Then, shall we see your skills?"
I stepped back and said to Haseong.
Then, the young hero nodded and drew his sword.
For him, the red long sword that only serves the role of being sturdy.
But the S-rank hunter was able to cut off the neck of myth with this simple weapon.
"I will do my best."
Jeong Haseong left those polite words and leaped towards the king of monsters.
What unfolded was the scene of a dragon hunt by the top-ranked awakened ones of Korea.
◈◈◈
Crack, crack....
The sound of burning embers, which you could only hear at a campsite on an autumn night, flows.
"Ugh, it's smoky."
A long time later.
I watched from afar as the king of the green dragons, who had turned into rags, fell.
With the dull noise that flowed at the moment it hit the floor, the dragon hunt finally came to an end.
━Sparkle.
As always, the boss subjugation reward was given to the top contributors.
"Ahem. Ahem."
But right now, I'm about to die because the smoke keeps getting into my nose and throat, not because of the reward or anything.
'Holding my breath is only good for a day or two. As expected, Jeong Haseong can't be used carelessly like Kang Changho.'
I covered my nose and mouth with my hand and scanned the surroundings.
After the hunt, some of the Korean Magic Tower members headed to the exit to call the transporters who were waiting outside.
And we weren't the standby team to maintain the dungeon either. All we had to do was roughly organize the loot and leave.
'Let's see, the result I got next to Jeong Haseong is....'
I worked so hard on spooning, but in the end, the only reward that came from the normal monsters was this 『Greed's Compass』.
Well, it was a natural result in a way, since the loot from the mobs was rarely in the form of a sphere of light in the first place.
But getting such a disappointing item makes me feel bad on the one hand.
The identity of this palm-sized gem called 『Greed's Compass』 was an item that showed the location of nearby treasure chests....
Unfortunately, I was a body that could track artificial objects on its own without such help.
'At best, it's going to the market.'
Then, what's left is the reward from the Green Dragon King I just got.
I checked the sphere that was still sparkling next to me, showing off its presence.
When the boss hunt was in full swing.
I threw my main weapon, Hydra, at the dragon's affected area and barely managed to get into the top contributors with the poison status ailment.
But even though it was a reward I got after struggling so much, I didn't have high expectations. The mana density flowing from it was at best around the rare to unique grade.
I could tell it was a piece of junk without even looking at it....
[Dragon's Lung]
◈◈◈
"....."
Pause.
I observed the magical tool in the air, which was submerged in a cluster of light, once more.
A cluster of beautiful alveolar cells quietly settled inside a small, translucent bead.
Red, blue, and bright.
At the same time, a kind of delicate structure that closely resembled the lungs of a living thing.
"-Kim Giryeo Hunter-nim."
I quietly put the given subjugation reward into my item box.
At this time, Jeong Haseong, who had finished the raid, was approaching me with a somewhat excited face, but the conversation didn't last long.
"Um, as you told me, when I compressed the fire and fought, the A-rank people really didn't get hurt..."
"Haseong-a."
"Yes."
"I just remembered now, but I think I left the gas stove on at home."
"Yes?"
"So, you take care of the magic stones and leather. I'll get my share later. Then, I'll be going now. Make sure to eat dinner well."
Hurry.
After finishing his words like a machine gun, I left the dungeon with a faster pace than ever before.
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
◈◈◈
The fortunes of life cannot be easily predicted.
In a way, it seems like the proverb 'Saengongjima' fits the situation perfectly.
Dragon's Lung... A lung.
The new lung I had been dreaming of is finally in my hands.
No, even though I went hunting for this, really.
Is it really possible that this has come into my grasp?
"Heuk..."
The corners of my lips were twitching up.
This time, there was no time to control my facial muscles separately.
I wanted to shout and roll around right away, but this is an old one-room with poor soundproofing, so honestly, I'm holding back as much as I can right now.
"Hehehe."
Ah──
It really was a long, long wait.
『2.0.00 Changes』
●Removal of respiratory organ penalty
I'll reveal the results first, without further ado.
I restored the mana exchange function of my damaged lungs with the power of the magical tool called 『Dragon's Lung』.
Now, I can cast magic multiple times.
No, in fact, I can cast magic a number of times that cannot be compared to an F-rank sorcerer on Earth.
Only now have I finally become an existence that can be called a 'magician'.
'I shouldn't have bothered getting the Blueshell.'
In addition, with my current physical condition, I can use the Body Exchange Technique without additional awakening agents.
Now, all that's left is to find a suitable vessel and gradually switch to a higher grade.
"Finally!"
By the way, I already noticed it with the 『Dragon's Heart』 that Brooklyn and Choi Jin showed me, but these dragon organs were not in the form of completely replacing the previous organs as expected.
To put it roughly, it feels like strong cells are added like a tumor between the previous organs.
'I was also expecting a bit of a Dragon Breath function. It seems that it will be difficult to utilize that because the lung damage in this body was too severe.'
It seems that these living tissues can be removed again one by one if I want to.
That's good news. Because it means that even if I change my body, I can always recycle the Dragon's Lung.
Now, the range of magic I can use has greatly increased, so what should I do first?
'Getting a corpse isn't something that can be done right away anyway....'
After a moment of thought, I decided to prioritize making a dummy （Dummy） to deceive Kang Changho.
The Body Exchange Technique, as a high-level magic, required a large space to draw a medium-sized magic circle, and even if there were no such conditions, I didn't have the confidence to bring the body I would acquire later without being discovered in Kim Giryeo's one-room, where many eyes would see it.
The place to perform the spell, hiding the corpse, a way to deceive the route, and other alibis, etc.
'It's amazing that I'm having a day like this!'
Kuhahaha!
Clearly, the things that came to mind were all bloody themes, but my skin kept making a bright expression that was contrary to it.