Hidden Piece.
It means a hidden fragment, and usually refers to a special reward concealed in a game.
A special profession.
A special item.
A special skill.
Things that are so powerful precisely because they are so hard to obtain.
Even in the Labyrinth, Hidden Pieces existed.
The first place a Hidden Piece was discovered was on the 11th floor, and the very first discoverer was a Korean.
Yoo Baekjun, who used to be a firefighter.
He was said to have obtained the Hidden Piece by clearing a trial that normally required a party, all by himself.
The Hidden Piece he acquired was a Skillbook.
After learning the skill, Yoo Baekjun quickly conquered the Labyrinth and became Korea’s first S-rank Hunter, leading the golden age of Korean Hunters.
After that,
Discoverers of Hidden Pieces began appearing all over the world, and each and every one of them became S-rank Hunters, sparking a worldwide Hidden Piece boom.
Everyone set their sights on Hidden Pieces.
To the point where each country formed dedicated teams solely to find them.
Yet even after years of exploring the Labyrinth, searching for Hidden Pieces,
No one found a Hidden Piece on the 1st through 10th floors. Thus, it became accepted as common knowledge that Hidden Pieces only existed from the 11th floor onward.
So I thought the same.
[You have discovered a Hidden Piece.]
[You are awarded the achievement for discovering a Hidden Piece.]
[The dungeon conquest rewards for the country the discoverer belongs to will increase.]
[The trial success rewards for the country the discoverer belongs to will increase.]
The reason why finding a Hidden Piece is considered broken is exactly because of this.
It’s not just the discoverer who grows stronger; the entire country they belong to is affected.
What if a country has dozens of Hidden Piece discoverers?
Since the success rewards stack, you can get D-rank or higher rewards even in an F-rank Dungeon.
That’s why all the promising talents flock to countries strong in Hunters.
“Should I… be happy about this?”
When a Hidden Piece is discovered, a message pops up for every Hunter in the world.
Just like the one I’m seeing now.
[A Hunter from Korea has discovered a Hidden Piece.]
[Trial rewards for Korean Hunters have increased.]
[Dungeon rewards for Korean Hunters have increased.]
Now, the whole world will start moving to find me. But honestly, I’m not that worried.
It’s not like I’ll get caught.
After all, I discovered the Hidden Piece on the 1st floor, so no one will suspect me of being the discoverer.
Every Hunter in the world knows that Hidden Pieces don’t exist on floors 1 through 10.
As long as I keep my mouth shut, I’ll be fine.
“But… I guess it makes sense no one found it.”
I looked at my right hand, which was touching the cave wall.
Just as the Golden Dragon Eye had shown me, I pressed my thumb and index finger together, and my ring finger and pinky together, and touched the wall.
The mechanism only opened when you made this specific hand shape at this exact spot.
“There’s no way anyone could find it.”
I took my hand off the wall and walked further in, toward the altar.
A fragment shining atop the altar.
I reached out and carefully picked up the fragment.
[Dragon Heart Fragment (EX)]
- Upon consumption, you gain a small amount of mana and one of the golden dragon’s learned spells.
- If consumed without the Imprint of Dragon God’s Body spell, you will die.
How much could I sell this for?
Hidden Pieces are mostly traded at the national level, so there’s no way an ordinary person could know the exact price.
But it’s assumed they go for at least billions.
Still, since there’s the condition that you’ll die if you don’t have Dragon God’s Body, the price would probably drop compared to other Hidden Pieces.
This is the kind of thing only a rich collector would buy.
But even so, it’s still enough money to change your life.
Enough to let you live in luxury for the rest of your days.
“…But it would be a hassle.”
If I tried to sell it, my identity would inevitably be exposed, and I’d be hounded by all sorts of countries.
The achievement effect alone is enough to make people fight to claim me.
In that process, my parents could be put in danger.
That’s not something I want.
“I’ll just eat it myself.”
If I grow stronger and earn money, that solves everything.
I put the Dragon Heart Fragment into my mouth.
Gulp.
It was so small that I barely felt anything going down; it slid down my throat with my saliva.
Just in case it hit me with pain like when I got Dragon God’s Body, I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes, bracing for the worst.
But nothing happened.
‘What’s going on?’
Just as I was about to relax—
[You have used the Dragon Heart Fragment.]
[Using the mana, memories, and magic contained in the fragment, you will create a Dragon Heart.]
[You may experience some pain at first.]
Uuuuuung!
A heavy yet gentle energy spread from my abdomen throughout my body. At the same time, a pain like someone was wringing out my insides crashed over me.
“…Damn! Grrrrrk!”
Korea was a Hunter superpower.
While other countries only had three or four S-rank Hunters, Korea had seven, an incredible concentration of talent.
But, ten years ago.
Korea attempted to conquer an unidentified Dungeon and failed, which sent the Korean Hunter world into a tailspin.
Of the five S-rank Hunters who participated, four died.
The one survivor was left crippled.
The remaining S-rank Hunters stopped exploring the Labyrinth and turned to training the next generation.
No active S-rank Hunters remained in Korea.
During that time, the world changed once again.
The Hall of Glory has newly appeared.
Unlike Dungeons, the Hall of Glory is a space where Hunters fight each other.
The first nation to claim the Hall of Glory is the United States of America! The USA is taking the Hall of Glory rewards!
The reward for winning the Glory Tower is said to be increased Dungeon rewards for Hunters belonging to that country.
According to the American Association, this stacks with the Hidden Piece achievement……
Hunters from the United States of America, China, and any country that won in the Hall of Glory even once grew faster than Korean Hunters.
Korea… is in last place.
The Hall of Glory looks difficult for Korea again this time. The absence of S-rank Hunters is just too big.
Now, just being active as a Hunter in Korea means you’re naturally falling behind.
Talented prospects aiming for the top would be at a disadvantage by staying in Korea.
If you received full support from another country, you could grow faster than anyone else.
[Why did the Guildmaster of Immortality and the Swordmaster’s Disciple both naturalize in China? Was it due to pressure from the Korean Association?]
[What is the Korean Hunter Association doing?]
[The Korean Hunter Association is incompetent.]
Lee Changgeon, President of the Korean Hunter Association, clenched his fist as he watched news about the Guildmaster of Immortality and Kim Muhyeok on TV.
“Those… traitorous bastards!”
Korea was trapped in a Mobius Loop.
To get good results in the Hall of Glory or conquer the upper floors of the Labyrinth, you need outstanding Hunters.
But every promising Hunter left for overseas. Only a few patriotic Hunters remained.
But now, even that couldn’t be guaranteed.
The difference in Dungeon rewards would only keep growing, and over time, Korean Hunters would be eliminated.
“…Any contact with the Swordmaster?”
“I heard he hasn’t shown up inside the Sword Pavilion for a long time.”
“Is it possible he doesn’t know about this?”
“He might be hiding to avoid answering, since he’s involved.”
“He’s not that kind of person.”
Lee Changgeon brushed his face, recalling the Swordmaster of the past.
To be absent at such a critical moment…
“What about the Swordmaster’s other disciples?”
“All the ones from other countries are preparing to return home.”
They had spent years preparing to break the endlessly repeating Mobius Loop.
Highest-grade Dungeons and Highest-grade Skillbooks.
Equipment and artifacts that were nearly impossible to obtain.
They’d sold the future to pour everything into Kim Muhyeok.
But now, with Kim Muhyeok naturalizing in China, everything was lost.
“For now, send a protest to China. Notify Kim Muhyeok and the Guildmaster of Immortality about their breach of contract. I’ll try to protest to the World Hunter Association.”
“Will it… make any difference?”
“We have to do something. We can’t just sit here with the Hall of Glory right around the corner.”
The Hall of Glory would open in a month.
According to the latest information, only those who had conquered below the 20th floor of the Labyrinth could participate.
Korea’s last chance to bounce back.
No matter what, they had to seize this opportunity.
“Check the new Awakeners again. And update the list of mercenaries working overseas.”
“Yes.”
The secretary checked the time.
“It’s time for your press conference.”
“…I really don’t want to go.”
“Shall I cancel?”
“No. I’m sitting here so those guys can take the heat for me. Even if I hate it, I have to go.”
As Lee Changgeon got up from his seat, a message appeared before his eyes.
[A Hunter from Korea has discovered a Hidden Piece.]
[Trial rewards for Korean Hunters have increased.]
[Dungeon rewards for Korean Hunters have increased.]
The secretary, seeing the same thing, widened his eyes.
Lee Changgeon and the secretary looked at each other.
“Go to the Labyrinth right now and get today’s list of entrants. Then delete all the records.”
“Yes.”
“This time, we absolutely have to secure them.”
When I opened my eyes, a message appeared.
[You have created a Dragon Heart.]
[Dragon Heart (F)]
- Only dragons can use this method of storing mana.
- With each breath, mana is naturally stored in the heart. Magic, martial arts, supernatural powers—you can use them all.
- Mana efficiency greatly increases with each grade.
- The total amount of mana stored in the Dragon Heart increases significantly with each grade.
- You can further increase your maximum mana by using Potions.
- Current mana grade: F
I could feel an alien energy in my heart.
Is this mana?
It felt warm and cool at the same time. Hard to describe in words. It just felt like I had more power.
Its size was about the same as the grain of sand I swallowed.
[You have learned the spell left in the Dragon Heart Fragment.]
[Absolute Barrier (S)]
- Creates a shield that nullifies attacks within a certain area. The wider or thicker the barrier, the more mana is consumed.
The spell engraved itself into my mind.
“Absolute Barrier.”
As soon as I spoke,
The Dragon Heart reacted.
Mana flowed out, wrapping my surroundings in a semi-transparent light.
Uuuung!
I looked at the Orc standing at attention nearby and gave an order.
“Hit me with everything you’ve got.”
The Orc stepped back, then charged at me with all its might, swinging its fist.
Boom!
A small shockwave exploded, sending the Orc flying backward. Meanwhile, inside the barrier, it was calm.
“Looks like it easily blocks D-rank attacks.”
Now that I’d gotten the hang of it, I dispelled the spell and also reverse-summoned the Orc to the Dragon Lair.
Time to head back.
I walked down to the 2nd floor of the Labyrinth.
[You may only conquer the Labyrinth once per day.]
[You have completed your allotted run for today. Exiting the Labyrinth.]
With the message, my surroundings went dark, then cleared again, and I was back at the Labyrinth entrance.
A group of people who looked like Hunters and Association staff were gathered to one side.
“What floor of the Labyrinth did you clear today?”
“The 23rd floor.”
“Did you happen to find a Hidden Piece?”
“Nope. Didn’t even catch a glimpse. Must be someone else.”
Looks like they were looking for the Hidden Piece discoverer.
“Mr. Cheon Yongje?”
Just then, one of the Association staff approached me.
“Yes.”
“You cleared the 1st floor of the Labyrinth today, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re free to go, Mr. Cheon Yongje.”
I silently thanked the Association staff for letting me go so coolly and headed up to the 1st floor.
When the elevator doors opened,
I saw the lobby of the Association building packed with people. From the top three major Guilds in Korea to mid-sized companies, and even some foreigners.
All their gazes instantly fell on me.
“What floor of the Labyrinth did you clear?”
In response to someone’s question, I held up my pass.
The words “Labyrinth 1st Floor” were written on it.
As soon as they saw that, everyone inside lost interest in me at once.
“Ah, not him.”
“No way someone who looks like that is the Hidden Piece discoverer.”
“You never know, though?”
“It’s the 1st floor. There aren’t any Hidden Pieces there.”
I passed them and headed for the Magic Stone exchange counter.
Standing in front of the machine that looked like a mailbox, I took out all my F-grade Mana Stones and put them in.
You could exchange up to 50 F-grade Mana Stones at once.
[Please enter your account number.]
Once I entered my account,
A million won was deposited.
All I did was breathe, and I earned a million won in a day.
I was so happy I couldn’t close my mouth.
And I still had attribute materials I hadn’t sold yet.
‘I should hurry up and sell them.’
It’s most efficient to use the Hunter community marketplace to sell material items.
Using the listed number, I signed up for the community and posted a listing to sell a Lowest-Grade Lightning Flower.
I also had Fire Herb and Ice Herb.
But if I sold those too, after only clearing the 1st floor of the Labyrinth, it might raise suspicion.
‘Since the trial rewards increased thanks to the Hidden Piece, selling just one Lightning Flower should be fine.’
Maybe I’ll have pork for dinner tonight.
There was a famous meat restaurant near the Association, so I was about to head that way when—
Ding!
[Hey. Sell that to me. Two million won. How about a quick deal?]
A buyer reached out to me.
‘Yoo Seolha? Is that the Yoo Seolha I know?’
ttftc.