Three weeks have passed before I knew it.
In the meantime, dungeon breaks occurred all over the country, and each time, Seongjun and his party stepped forward and quickly resolved them.
In addition, the reorganization of low-grade dungeons has entered the final stage, and more than 60 percent of mid-grade dungeons have also been reorganize Of course, I hadn’t even touched the high-grade dungeons of B-rank or higher yet, but anyway, everything was proceeding smoothly.
And now.
“Ku Another Death Knight King was collapsing.
Boom!
“Done! Haha, it’s supposed to be an A-class boss, but it’s really easy. It seems like boss raid times are getting shorter and shorter.”
It’s because Sungjun oppa’s boss summoner count has increased. Besides, he’s been able to bring along up to twenty of them since last time.
As the Dark Transformation skill leveled up to 3, the number of summonable creatures increased to 20.
Perhaps that is why the speed of clearing dungeons, as well as the speed of clearing bosses, has been drastically shortened.
So, that makes six bosses and six elites?
At this rate, we’ll soon have all twenty filled with bosses and elites.
Six out of the 20 were bosses and six were elites.
Since there were only 8 regular monsters, it could be said that a tremendous increase in power was achieved.
While the party was rejoicing after safely completing the boss raid, Seongjun was checking the
notification windows that had popped up right in front of him.
[You have gained a large amount of experience points. Your level will increase.]
[Your level has increased, and you have attained the stature befitting the next rank. Your rank increases by one level.]
[New skills have been created due to level and rank increases.]
[Due to the rank increase, the efficiency of existing skills increases significantly.]
Finally, my level went up.
And just as expected, the rank went up as well.
Done!
Finally leveled up!
And even a rank up!
I finally leveled up, which I had been waiting for, and at the same time, my rank went up.
With this, Seongjun rose to SS rank.
Since the rank increase occurred a week before the battle with Revolution, the party had at least some time to adapt to the higher rank and new skills.
“Haha! With this, I have risen to SS rank. But I can’t stop here. Since my experience points have reset to zero as I leveled up, let’s use the Level Up Orb right now.”
Since his experience points were reset as he leveled up, Seongjun immediately took out the level-up orb from the subspace.
Subspace Open!
As Seongjun took out a dazzlingly colorful bead from the subspace, Gwangtaek, seeing this, asked with surprised eyes.
“Huh? Is that a level-up orb? You didn’t actually level up, did you?”
At Gwangtaek’s question, Seongjun smiled and nodded.
“Oh, I leveled up after catching that guy.”
“Wow! Damn! You finally leveled up! Seriously, congratulations! Haha, so you’re level 6 now?”
Perhaps because Seongjun’s level had risen after so long, Gwangtaek looked genuinely happy.
“Right. Level 6. And if I use this, I’ll go from a minimum of Level 7 to a maximum of Level 9. I just leveled up and my experience points are zero, so I’m going to try using it right away.”
“Oppa! Congratulations! You ran so hard, and you finally leveled up.”
“Brother! Congratulations!”
Knowing how sincere Seongjun was about leveling up, Gwangtaek, Yuseon, and Changsu sincerely congratulated him.
“Thanks everyone. By the way, I wonder how many levels I’ll actually level up.”
Seongjun stared at the level-up orb for a moment, then brought it to his mouth.
Gulp!
Seongjun swallows the colorful beads whole.
Then, a notification popped up for Seongjun.
[You have consumed a Level Up Orb.]
[You have gained a large amount of experience points. Your level will
increase.]
[Due to the rank increase, the efficiency of existing skills increases significantly.]
After taking the level-up orb, my level increased from level 6 to level 7.
However, only the level increased; there was no rank increase, nor were any new skills created.
It seemed that rank advancement probably did not occur at level 7.
[You have gained a large amount of experience points. Your level will
increase.]
[Your level has increased, and you have attained the stature befitting the next rank. Your rank increases by one level.]
[New skills have been created due to level and rank increases.]
[Due to the rank increase, the efficiency of existing skills increases
significantly.]
And the subsequent level-up notification.
As I went up from level 7 to level 8, a rank increase occurred this time.
In addition, new skills were also created.
I hoped to level up one more time here, but unfortunately, two level increases were all there was.
[Level increased by 2 due to the Level Up Orb.]
[All remaining experience points will be reset.]
It went from level 6 to level 8 in one go, and its rank surpassed SS rank and reached SSS rank.
Although it is said that the Grand Lords have entered a realm of transcendence beyond S-rank, this is merely because there was no rank higher than S-rank; strictly speaking, the Grand Lords’ level should be regarded as roughly SS-rank.
However, Seongjun is an SSS grade, surpassing even that SS grade.
The current Seongjun has become a true transcendent being, capable of literally subduing even an Overlord with ease.
How did it go?
How many levels did you go up?
When asked as if curious about the gloss, Seongjun said nonchalantly.
Level 2. Now I’m level 8.
Considering that it increases randomly between levels 1 and 3, reaching level 2 could be considered a good result.
It’s a shame that it didn’t go up to the maximum level of 3, but it’s not like it only went up to the minimum level of 1, is it?
“Wow! Level 2 is something, right? So. Do you feel like you’ve gotten a bit stronger?”
The party members did not yet know that as Seongjun’s level increased, his rank would also rise.
That is why I thought that only the level had gone up.
Seeing that shine, Seongjun smiled triumphantly.
Check it out for yourself.
After saying that, he cast the Guardian’s power anew.
Guardian Registration!
Seongjun, who registered Gwangtaek, Yuseon, and Changsu as Guardians.
Then.
“Gasp! W-what is this! SSS grade? M-crazy! I didn’t know such a grade existed?”
“Wow! Oh, Oppa! What is this? SSS grade?”
“Wow! Damn! This is insane! I’m overflowing with energy! Right now, I feel like I could easily take on an A-class monster by myself! No? I think I could handle two or three of them effortlessly! Plus, my aura has skyrocketed! What the heck! What is this! These newly created skills are no joke!”
It reached level 6 and rose to SS rank, and with the level-up orb, it reached level 8 and rose to SSS level once again.
Literally, it went up two levels in one go.
“I told you before, didn’t I? That your rank goes up when certain conditions are met. I think one of those conditions was leveling up. I reached SS rank when I climbed to level 6, and then my rank went up again when I hit level 8.”
Seongjun spoke as if he hadn’t realized it himself.
If he were to tell the truth now, it would only amount to saying that he had been hiding it all this time, so he simply brushed it off by saying that one of the specific conditions he was unaware of was leveling up.
“But is this really okay? Just like Chang-su said, my body is overflowing with strength. Should I say it’s excessively overflowing? It feels like an average low- ranking hunter would die instantly with just a light tap.”
It was a whopping SSS grade.
A unique class that does not exist on Earth.
If S-rank was the highest rank a human could reach, then SS-rank was literally the realm of transcendence.
Naturally, their basic abilities also far exceeded human limits, so their current physical abilities had become so powerful that they were unimaginable within the ordinary range.
“So, you have to adapt. You have to adapt not only to controlling your power, but also to drawing it out to its maximum. On top of that, you have to adapt to how to utilize the new skills. There is now only a week left until the Overlords and Lords arrive in Korea. You must adapt as much as possible within that time, so everyone keep that in mind.”
It might have been easy to adapt if it had only risen one level, but it jumped from S-rank to SSS-rank in an instant.
The gap between them was truly enormous, so it seemed that considerable effort would be required to adapt to the new ability.
Of course, the same was true for Seongjun.
***
The top floor of a high-rise building in Gangnam.
The children of chaebol families gathered here for the first time in a long while.
Quiet classical music was playing, and various foods and drinks were available throughout.
The people gathered here were all second or third-generation chaebol heirs, and most were of similar age.
And Choi Sang-jin was also present at this gathering.
Although I am very busy with this and that, I tried to attend events like this at least once a year.
Not only was the information gained from such gatherings invaluable, but it was also a means of networking.
“Wow! Sangjin hyung. Long time no see? We get together once every quarter, so how is it hard to see each other even once a year?”
When someone approached Sangjin and spoke to him, Sangjin chuckled and said So it’s Sejun.
Since taking office as the CEO of Electronics, I’ve been incredibly busy.
You should consider it an honor just to show my face once a year.
The person who spoke to Choi Sang-jin was none other than Lee Se-jun, a member of the royal family of Mirae Group, South Korea’s top company. Unlike the Shinwa Group, where a generational shift had taken place long ago, Lee Seong-taek of the older generation still held the position of chairman of the Mirae Group.
That is why the sons each served as the CEOs of affiliate companies, and the group vice chairman was Lee Seong-taek’s closest aide.
And the grandsons were learning the ropes in suitable positions while looking for an opportunity.
“Haha, is that so? Then again, becoming the CEO of a subsidiary in your twenties, it’s no wonder you’re busy. As for our Mirae, her grandfather is still in such good health that her fathers are still competing for the succession. Ah! Anyway, I heard the news. When did you become so close with Kim Sung-jun? To think he gifted an entire A-class dungeon. He must have really made a good impression on his father this time.”
The story of Seong-jun gifting an entire A-class dungeon to Choi Sang-jin was a famous anecdote already known to those in the know.
“Even so, he’s still no match for Sangmin hyung. How could a mere subsidiary CEO possibly compete with the group vice chairman? The gap, which used to be so wide that I couldn’t even look at him, has only narrowed enough to show his tail now.”
Sangjin’s standing has certainly risen significantly since the incident with Seongjun.
As it became known that the two were close enough for Seong-jun to gift an entire A-class dungeon, all the attention that had been focused on Choi Sang- min began to turn toward Choi Sang-jin as well.
Of course, even so, the gap with Nam-in Choi Sang-min is still large.
“Come on, that’s something. I haven’t even reached the threshold of the succession race. Besides, if Father were to be sidelined by any chance, we’d just end up fighting over a single subsidiary. At least you’re competing with Sangmin for the entire group, aren’t you?”
Since it wasn’t wrong, Choi Sang-jin let out a smirk.
“Does it turn out that way again?”
“It would be a relief if we even got one affiliate. If one of my uncles snatches the chairmanship and ousts all the other siblings, we could really be kicked out with just a few pennies in our hands.”
At Lee Se-jun’s words, Choi Sang-jin wore a bitter expression.
“That could be true. Just like my father.”
Choi Kang-hyuk, Choi Sang-jin’s father, eliminated all his other brothers as soon as he took the position of chairman.
I asked them to hand over at least one subsidiary, but they didn’t even allow that.
That is why Choi Sang-jin and his younger brothers were able to secure the positions of CEOs of affiliate companies one by one.
“Come on, is it only Shinhwa like that? Most of them are like that. Anyway,
show your face more often. No matter how busy you are, let’s see each other
at least twice a year.”
“Haha, sure. I’ll give it a try.”
While they were chatting about this and that, Lee Se-jun asked softly in a
low voice.
“By the way, Sangjin hyung. You know that healer Kim Sung-jun? Can’t you introduce me to him too? I’m a fan personally.”
When asked to introduce Seong-jun, Choi Sang-jin looked embarrassed.
“Hmm, it’s hard for me to give you an answer to that. He’s such a busy
person that it’s hard for me to even see him.”
Strictly speaking, it was merely a business relationship formed through the
common ground of Revolution; we weren’t particularly close. Choi Sang-jin was not at all keen on making another personal request, especially since he had already made one regarding the last banquet.
“Come on, I’m just asking you to ask. If you say no, then so be it. Between
us, you can at least ask, right?”
At Lee Se-jun’s repeated requests, Choi Sang-jin eventually backed down.
“Haa, fine. I’ll ask for now. But keep in mind that it might not work out.”
When I said I would at least ask, Lee Se-jun was delighted with a bright,
cheerful
expression.
“Oh! Really! Thank you so much! If this works out, I won’t forget your
kindness!”
However, unlike his bright expression, his inner feelings were not so bright.
“This incident has made it almost certain that Kim Sung-joon is behind Choi
Kyu-taek. If that is the case, I must get acquainted with him somehow. If I establish a connection with Kim Sung-joon, even my grandfather won’t be able to ignore me, which will give my father a significant advantage in the succession race.”
In fact, the person who participated as a secretary in the deal with Choi
Kyu-taek a few weeks ago was none other than Lee Se-jun.
Contrary to his outwardly careless appearance, he possesses a very thorough personality and stops at nothing to achieve his desired goals.
That is why Chairman Lee Seong-taek kept a particular eye on Lee Se-jun
among his grandsons, and involved him in the recent Monster loan sharking and the backroom deal for Magic Stones.
What if Lee Se-jun forms a bond with Seong-jun in this situation?
Given
Chairman Lee Seong-taek’s personality, he certainly wouldn’t let it slide. That is why Lee Se-jun was naturally arranging a meeting with Seong-jun
through Choi Sang-jin.
***
The whole world was experiencing tremendous chaos due to sudden
changes.
Leaving aside the fact that monsters’ abilities have become stronger and
their intelligence has increased, as the amount of dungeons generated has
increased, the amount of Break Dungeons generated has also risen in tandem,
and as a result, much more Dungeon Breaks have occurred.
Not only did dungeon breaks occur simultaneously in three or four regions,
but as many as five or six regions also experienced dungeon breaks at the
same time.
And this was not something that could be avoided just because it was
Korea.
“T-Mr. Association President! It’s the Break Dungeon again!”
It hadn’t even been a few days since the last Dungeon Break occurred, but
hearing that another Break Dungeon had been created drove the Association
President
absolutely
crazy.
“What? A Dungeon Break happened just a short while ago, and now another
one? Where on earth is it this time!”
Th-that, it was generated simultaneously in Sokcho, Incheon, Dangjin,
Pyeongtaek, Jeonju, Yeosu, Ulsan, and Tongyeong!
When it was said that Break Dungeons were created simultaneously in a
total of eight regions, the Association President’s eyes widened.
Jump up!
“W-what! Damn it! So what’s the rank!”
There were as many as eight regions.
If most of them were low-grade, the
damage could be minimized somehow, but if a large number of high-grade
dungeons were included, the situation could become very desperate.
“Sokcho, Pyeongtaek, and Ulsan are E-class! Incheon and Jeonju are D- class, Dangjin and Yeosu are B-class! And Tongyeong is…… A-class!”
The association president turned pale at the news that an A-class dungeon
had been created as a Break Dungeon.
“Gasp! What, what did you say? A-Class? Did you just say A-Class? You
crazy bastard! A-Class?! There has never been an A-Class spawned in a Break
Dungeon before! What on earth is going on?”
Until now, an A-class dungeon break has never occurred anywhere in the
world.
I don’t know if that was one of the advantages, but the highest rank
generated by Break Dungeon was B-rank until now. However, hearing that an A-class Break Dungeon had suddenly been
created, I naturally couldn’t help but be bewildered.
We
are just as perplexed.
At least the A-class dungeons offer some leeway
with 5 hours remaining until the Dungeon Break, but the B-class dungeons are
extremely tight with 1 hour and 10 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes
respectively!
The E-class and D-class dungeons provide ample leeway with 9 and 10 hours!
As
there was plenty of time and the grades were low, it was safe to say that
the E- and D-grade dungeons could be resolved on their own.
The problem is the B-class and A-class dungeons.
Even though the A-rank dungeon has a somewhat generous 5-hour time
limit, once a dungeon break occurs, the damage will be on a completely
different level compared to a B-rank dungeon.
Besides, B-rank dungeons only give you a little over an hour, don’t they?
“Ugh! What on earth am I supposed to do about this? Even though the B-
Class is urgent right now, I can’t just leave the A-Class alone.”
The urgent matter for now was Dangjin and Yeosu, where a B-class Break Dungeon had been created, but we couldn’t just leave Tongyeong, where an
A-class Break Dungeon had been created, alone either.
If by any chance an A-class dungeon break were to occur, Tongyeong
would literally be reduced to rubble.
“Um… I heard the minimum requirement for the A-Class Break Dungeon is
75 people. I understand that Healer Kim Seong-jun and his party are capable
of
clearing the A-Class Dungeon on their own, but if the main force of the
10 guilds joins them, shouldn’t we not have to worry
nation’s top
Dungeon?”
Class Break
about the A-
Seongjun and his party had cleared an entire A-class dungeon with just four
people.
Fortunately, since there was plenty of time, the suggestion was that if they
could fill the required number of
personnel with Seongjun’s party and the main
force of one of the top 10 guilds in the country, they might be able to prevent
the A-class dungeon from breaking.
“Of course, that is possible, but if we do that, it will be no different from
clearing a regular dungeon, so it could take at least 4 to 5 days, or even over a week. What are we supposed to do with the B-rank dungeons in Dangjin and Yeosu in the meantime? Even if we mobilize all the remaining top 10 guilds in
the country, we would barely be able to hold off one place. If that happens,
the other one will be completely devastated. I am saying that we can only
minimize the damage if we have Healer Kim Seong-jun.”
If Seongjun was deployed to clear the A-class dungeon, the remaining B-
class dungeon breaks had to be stopped entirely by the power of each guild.
The problem was that this meant they wouldn’t receive Seongjun’s buff, and
with their pure abilities alone without the buff, they could barely block a single
B-class dungeon break.
The point is that either Dangjin or Yeosu must be completely devastated.
Then, what should I do?
The association president, after contemplating for a moment, soon picked
up his cell phone and spoke.
“I think I need to speak with Healer Kim Seong-jun first. Inform each guild of
the current situation immediately and tell them to assemble their main forces
as quickly as possible. You must be fully prepared so that you can move
immediately once a strategy is formulated! Hurry!”
In the current situation, the only one I could trust was Seongjun.
Therefore, the association president intended to first speak with Seong-jun
and formulate
a
strategy.
In addition, since we had to move immediately once a strategy was
established, I intended to ask each guild to assemble their main forces so that
we could move at any time.