‘H-how is this possible?’
Without a doubt, no one in this room was more surprised than Commissioner Jin Lung.
He had clearly visited the hospital this morning under the guise of an inquiry into the man’s condition.
He had even received confirmation from the medical staff that improvement was absolutely impossible…!
“I am truly pleased that you have welcomed me so warmly, Comrade Chairman. Seeing your face again after standing up makes me feel that recovering was the right choice.”
“Commissioner, I have been quite hurt. I went to see you once every few days, yet you are only seeing my face now.”
“Haha. I will visit you often from now on.”
“Come. Come often. No, come every day to make up for all the time we couldn’t meet.”
“Oh my. You intend to overwork this old man. Haha. But if the Chairman calls, I must go.”
In the Communist Party, the Chairman holds the position of General Secretary while also serving as a Commissioner.
Naturally, the core of power resided with the Chairman, but even he could not ignore Commissioner Jiang Lipeng.
He was called the reincarnation of Sun Yat-sen, a man who would surely have been a king had he been born in the era of Yao and Shun.
A politician who was benevolent and wise, yet firm when necessary—that was Commissioner Jiang Lipeng.
Furthermore, even setting aside his political influence, he was the mentor who had led the Chairman into politics and the benefactor who had provided immense help in his ascent to the chairmanship.
Therefore, the Chairman was genuinely delighted that Jiang Lipeng had awakened.
“However, when I visited last time, the doctor said some very grim things. Has a miracle occurred?”
“It is something similar. I will visit you separately later to explain the details. For now, it seems a meeting is in progress. Is that correct?”
“That is so. You have arrived at the perfect time.”
“I heard a bit from outside; it seems there is a discussion regarding the compensation for the Gate Incident.”
Jiang Lipeng stepped away from the Chairman and looked at the other commissioners.
Among them, those who still supported Jiang Lipeng met his eyes with sparkling gazes, while those who had subtly rebelled, like Commissioner Jin Lung, huddled their necks like turtles.
“I heard that a Hunter from the Republic of Korea performed exceptionally well. Is that true?”
“Ah, Commissioner. That is… it seems the subordinates made an error…”
“Commissioner Jin Lung. I received a brief report on my way here. It seems the reality is quite different.”
Jin Lung fell silent under Jiang Lipeng’s cold gaze.
Over the past several decades, how many political enemies had been purged because they underestimated the mild-mannered Jiang Lipeng?
Although he had just risen from a hospital bed, that transcendent, sage-like gaze was the same as it had always been.
Jiang Lipeng looked around at everyone and spoke.
“Comrades, we are a great nation. A great nation must conduct itself with dignity. If someone has done well, we should praise them and acknowledge their merit. Undermining their achievements and refusing to recognize them is the kind of narrow-minded behavior practiced by those we used to call barbarians. Is it not so?”
“The Commissioner is correct.”
“Yes, indeed!”
The commissioners of Jiang Lipeng’s faction nodded vigorously.
Even the Chairman wore an expression of agreement.
In truth, this agenda was not particularly important to him.
Praising Hunters was something they did all the time.
While it was surprising that a Korean Hunter had been the most active, he figured it was possible.
Although that country was small, prominent figures had popped up there from time to time in various fields, so he assumed this was just another such case.
“Lee Tae-sung, was it? Let us proceed with providing him appropriate compensation.”
“The Comrade Chairman’s choice is always wise.”
Once the Chairman made his decision, Jiang Lipeng smiled gently and went to his seat.
It was the seat directly to the right of the Chairman.
That position, which had been vacant for a long time, had finally found its owner.
Watching that proudly straightened back, Jang Xuan secretly wiped away a tear.
‘Little brother, thank you…’
Thanks to his sworn brother, who was likely at home by now, he was able to see his father’s dependable form once again.
This was a debt of gratitude he would carry for the rest of his life.
“Then, the discussion on the compensation plan is settled. We shall move on to the next agenda. Regarding measures to prevent recurrence and follow-up processing…”
The meeting continued.
—
At the same time the Communist Party’s central meeting was taking place, Lee Tae-sung was unable to enjoy the Dream World at Jang Xuan’s mansion.
“Why is it so busy?”
Checking his phone, he saw several messages from Kang Woo-joo.
Most were status reports explaining that the packaging for the Elixir deliveries was difficult but going well, asking how the task was going, and inquiring if he was hurt.
However, the next part was the important one.
– We are so busy that we don’t have much time to go on Missions.
If we go once, we end up exhausted for a whole day, so it’s a burden to even attempt it.
While Lee Tae-sung cleared Hunter Missions easily, that was not the case for most Hunters.
The problem was that the Taesung Guild was currently receiving orders for Score Shop items from all sorts of corporations.
In modern high-tech industries, items from the Score Shop had become indispensable.
The Taesung Guild had grown significantly since its founding and received many orders, but they were currently unable to keep up with the demand.
If they failed to provide the supply, Lee Tae-sung’s reputation wouldn’t matter; they might not be able to renew their contracts.
They needed to hire more people and refine their systems, but the problem had erupted because he had left for China before doing so.
Ultimately, instead of enjoying rest and games, Lee Tae-sung had to head into a mission.
“Enter Mission.”
*Ding!*
**[You have entered the Mission]**
His vision shifted instantly.
Lee Tae-sung stood before an ancient castle situated in the middle of a wasteland.
The sky was an unnervingly dark red.
A sinister energy lingered on the ground, and crows circled above the ramparts, exuding an ominous aura.
Then, the Mission notification appeared before his eyes.
*Ding!*
**[This is the 21st Mission]**
**[Mission: Reclaiming the Fortress]**
**[The castle before you was once a bountiful place flowing with milk and honey. However, it lost its vitality after being occupied by a Death Knight and his subordinates. While the Death Knight is briefly away, ring the Heavenly Bell located at the top of the ancient castle to return it to the warm place it once was.]**
**[TIP: Ancient protection magic is installed throughout the fortress. Activate the protection magic while avoiding the eyes of the Death Soldiers. It will be of great help in proceeding with the Mission.]**
**[TIP: The Death Knight is an extremely powerful being. The possibility of winning in close combat is very low, so you must never fight him at close range. If possible, ring the Heavenly Bell before the Death Knight returns.]**
**[Mission Reward: 17,500 SC]**
The mission was to reclaim the fortress while the Death Knight was away.
‘The bell… is that it?’
Lee Tae-sung looked at the bell tower soaring high in the center of the fortress.
The old tower jutted into the sky, and at its peak hung a bell tightly bound with iron chains.
Lee Tae-sung moved cautiously and scaled the castle walls.
Although he had not mastered the Wall Climbing Art, thanks to his superhuman strength and footwork, stepping into the crevices of the wall and climbing was not difficult.
Once at the top, Lee Tae-sung could see the entire fortress at a glance.
Spear-wielding soldiers were patrolling here and there.
They were not human; they were shrouded in dark energy.
These seemed to be the Death Soldiers mentioned in the mission description.
As he turned his gaze, he saw objects bound with iron chains scattered across the ground.
‘Is that the protection magic?’
According to the tip, breaking the chains and activating the protection magic would make the mission easier.
‘This seems like a stealth mission too.’
He felt like Kang Woo-joo would be good at this.
Since Lee Tae-sung didn’t have a stealth skill yet, he jumped down into the inner castle.
With a *thud*, the gazes of several nearby Death Soldiers shifted toward him.
*Thwack!*
Simultaneously, Hidden Blades flying like rays of light pierced their foreheads.
He had imbued them with the flames of the **Heavenly Net Flame Hand** and the divine energy of the **Heavenly Fire Holy Law Art** on top of the **Biseong Chuhon**.
It was too much for the Death Soldiers to withstand.
*Ding!*
**[You have defeated a Death Soldier]**
**[You have earned 750 SC]**
**[You have defeated a Death Soldier]**
**[You have earned 750 SC]**
A Score of 750 each.
That was quite good.
‘I don’t need to call Ashaka.’
Based on what he had confirmed in the Dream World, summoning Ashaka inside the Dream World didn’t cost mana, but in the real world, it continuously drained Lee Tae-sung’s mana.
If Ashaka used magic, she would become a mana-hungry beast.
In a situation like this where he could handle the enemies without her, there was no need to summon her.
Lee Tae-sung drew his sword and strode forward.
He didn’t even show the intention of hiding himself.
Rather, he welcomed the Death Soldiers when they noticed him and approached.
*Slash!*
He defeated them one by one using the **Red Cloud Seven Forms**.
Every time the sword light flashed, the heads of the Death Soldiers dropped.
He overwhelmed them in terms of elemental compatibility, and they were enemies Lee Tae-sung could crush through sheer combat power alone.
*Ding!*
**[You have defeated a Death Soldier…]**
…
Leaving the endlessly ringing notifications behind, Lee Tae-sung arrived before the first protection magic circle.
There had originally been nearly ten soldiers guarding it, but they had all been converted into Scores for Lee Tae-sung.
A black magic circle was drawn on the floor.
On top of it, black stakes were driven deep, and iron chains were wound tightly around them.
Lee Tae-sung swung his sword, cutting through the chains and the stakes.
They were sturdy, but by performing the Strong Sword Form of the **Red Cloud Seven Forms** with a sword saturated with internal energy, it was possible to even break iron.
*Vwoom!*
The magic circle groaned like a waking dragon as it stretched.
Light erupted, and two knights appeared above it.
*Ding!*
**[The protection magic circle is activated]**
**[Fortress Guardians are summoned]**
**[You may now command the Fortress Guardians]**
The Fortress Guardians placed their hands over their hearts and knelt on one knee upon seeing Lee Tae-sung.
It was a gesture of loyalty toward their lord.
“Can you speak?”
“……”
“I guess not. But you can listen, right?”
The guardians nodded.
“Then, do you want to try catching that guy over there?”
Lee Tae-sung pointed at a lone Death Soldier wandering in the distance.
The guardians immediately stood up, their eyes flashing.
They drew their swords and ran out.
Despite wearing heavy plate armor, they were quite fast.
They charged straight ahead, rammed the Death Soldier with their shoulders, and then plunged their swords into its torso.
The soldier died without even putting up a proper resistance.
Afterward, the guardians returned and knelt before Lee Tae-sung again.
They were the epitome of loyal knights.
“Hmm. From now on, your role is to stay right by my side. Do not take action without my permission.”
Lee Tae-sung spoke with a stern expression.
He had used them just once, but he had made a decision.
No matter how many monsters these guys caught, they didn’t give him Scores.
Unless the mission was overwhelming, they were units he shouldn’t use.
—
Lee Tae-sung roamed the entire fortress, defeating the soldiers.
‘I’ve gathered… about 70,000 Score from killing the Death Soldiers.’
He had cleared the path to the bell tower long ago, but he couldn’t give up because the mission gave a lot of Score compared to the difficulty of killing the soldiers.
In the meantime, he activated every protection magic circle he saw, and the number of Fortress Guardians following him continued to grow.
By the time he had finally defeated every soldier in the fortress, he had as many as twenty guardians.
They were a crowding presence.
Normally, a common Hunter would have had to exhaust the Fortress Guardians to defeat the Death Soldiers.
Estimating their combat power, one guardian could handle roughly three Death Soldiers.
However, since Lee Tae-sung had defeated them all alone, there was no loss of troops.
‘They’re gone now.’
Though he had searched every corner of the fortress, there were no soldiers left.
Regretting that his Score collection had come to an end, Lee Tae-sung looked up.
It seemed it was time to climb the bell tower.
*Clank, clank.*
At that moment, the sound of metal clashing reached his ears.
It was the sound of something in armor walking.
When he turned his gaze, he saw a knight wearing a helmet with demonic horns, carrying a greatsword, walking from a distance.
One look at the streams of dark energy it emitted was enough to tell him who it was.
It was the master who had briefly left the fortress—the Death Knight.
Lee Tae-sung smiled broadly.
“You’re finally here!”