Chapter 18: Just by Breathing, I Earn Ten Million Won

And then the Main Quest arrived.

[The Main Quest has arrived.]

The money needed to raise stats didn’t necessarily have to be in a bank account. Even cash on hand could be used.

Even borrowed money could be used.

But since being a Hunter meant you couldn’t take out big loans, this wasn’t all that helpful.

‘It’s a relief that just having cash is enough.’

Thanks to that, it became easier to keep my identity hidden.

Of course, there was the downside that moving cash around in the real world while hiding my identity was difficult.

But I already had something in mind for that.

‘That’s something for later.’

For now, I needed to focus on the task right in front of me, so I used telepathy to call the Goblin.

【Please wait just a moment! I’ll be right back!】

Since it would take a while for it to arrive, I decided to work on something else and headed to the Mana Stone Mine.

Just like I raised the Guardian’s stats with money—

I could also raise the facility’s level.

“Let’s spend some money for real this time, shall we?”

[Would you like to raise the level of the Mana Stone Mine?]

Yes.

[Raising the level of the Mana Stone Mine.]

[Mana Stone Mine Lv2]

[The chance of obtaining E-rank Magic Stones increases.]

[The time for Magic Stones to regenerate decreases.]

Should I raise it one more time?

[Raising the level of the Mana Stone Mine.]

[Mana Stone Mine Lv3]

[The chance of obtaining D-rank Magic Stones increases.]

[The time for Magic Stones to regenerate decreases.]

Let’s do it one more time.

I have plenty of money anyway.

[Raising the level of the Mana Stone Mine.]

[Mana Stone Mine Lv4]

[The chance of obtaining C-rank Magic Stones increases.]

[The chance of obtaining F-rank Magic Stones drops sharply.]

[The time for Magic Stones to regenerate decreases.]

It took one million won to reach level 2.

Ten million for level 3.

One hundred million for level 4.

Level 5 would cost a billion, so I gave up on that.

‘The efficiency isn’t bad.’

Now I could farm C-rank Magic Stones, which go for about five million won each.

Of course, they wouldn’t drop that often.

But at this rate, I could recoup my investment in a month or two at most.

If I got a few more Cores of the Rock Giant and made more Golems, the time would shrink even more.

After that, the money would start making more money on its own.

‘In the game, I used to push through stages to maximize idle rewards.’

Now, it was all about upgrading facilities. So I just needed to maximize efficiency in line with the current system.

‘Let’s upgrade everything.’

I returned to the Dragon Lair and visited the Elixir Farm as well.

[Upgrading the Elixir Farm.]

[Upgrading the Elixir Farm.]

[Elixir Farm Lv4]

[C-rank varieties can be cultivated.]

[The mana required for cultivation decreases.]

[The time required for cultivation decreases.]

[Special varieties may appear.]

Spending money like this felt pretty good.

‘Can I do the Library, too?’

Unfortunately, the Library hadn’t been fully built yet, so upgrading it wasn’t possible.

I’d just save some money and upgrade it later.

[Master. You’re here?!]

Just then, the Goblin arrived.

“Yeah. Hold on a second.”

I looked at the Goblin and opened the Stat Window.

The Goblin’s stats appeared before my eyes.

[Dexterity: E]

[Stamina: E]

[Accuracy: D]

[Penetration: D]

[Mana: F]

I raised all the remaining stats to D-rank.

[Increasing Dexterity.]

[Increasing Stamina.]

[Increasing Mana.]

Fifty thousand won from the money bag disappeared. But I had so much money that it barely made a dent.

[The Goblin (F) has ranked up.]

[The Goblin (E) has fulfilled the conditions for Awakening.]

[An Awakening Quest has been given.]

[Awakening Quest]

– The Goblin must hunt a D-rank Monster or an E-rank Boss Monster (Fulfilled).
– The Goblin must learn a skill of D-rank or higher.
– Reward: Guardian rank up.

I wondered why it was fulfilled.

Then I remembered—the Goblin had fought when the Ogre attacked. Looks like it took out one of the Ogres with its poison stinger back then.

That meant I didn’t even need to run a dungeon.

“All that’s left is to raise its skill.”

Just like with stats, I could raise the Guardian’s skill rank with money.

[Upgrading Lesser Poison Manufacturing (E).]

With Lesser Poison Manufacturing now at D-rank, all the Awakening conditions were met.

[You have completed the Awakening Quest.]

[The Goblin awakens to D-rank.]

[I, I’ve finally been recognized! Master, I’ll work hard!]

As the delighted Goblin cheered, a message appeared before me.

[You have completed Main Quest 11.]

[You have acquired an Aptitude Stone.]

A blue, star-shaped stone dropped into my hand.

[Using Golden Dragon Eye.]

[Aptitude Stone.]

– When used on a Guardian, you can discover the Guardian’s innate talent.

Knowing someone’s talent was pretty important.

Some people might have talent with a sword but be using a bow.

Some might have talent with a bow but insist on using magic.

Some might have talent with magic but wield a sword.

Everyone’s talents were different, so the Aptitude Stone, which revealed them, was extremely valuable.

‘The Orc is for combat, the Dryad is for Elixir Cultivation.’

Those two already had some direction. Of course, using the Aptitude Stone would allow for more systematic training.

But it seemed better to use it on someone else.

A colorless, odorless Goblin.

There was nothing particularly outstanding about it.

I’d been sending it to scout around the Dragon Lair, but it didn’t even have any scouting-related skills.

The only skill it had was poison making.

‘Since I’ve decided to raise it properly, let’s use it on the Goblin.’

It’s not like you can only get one—given time, Aptitude Stones would become as common as pebbles.

No need to overthink it.

[Using the Aptitude Stone.]

[The Goblin’s talent is ‘Poison Walker.’]

A poison-type assassin route.

If it kept growing—

It could become King of All Poisons.

King of All Poisons.

I’d never tried it with a Goblin before, so I was interested.

‘I’ll have to grab some Skillbooks for it in the next trade.’

Then I looked at the money bag.

There was still over 3.5 billion won left.

It wasn’t the kind of money you could do much by saving, so I might as well spend as much as I could.

“Let’s just raise all the Guardian ranks.”

[The Goblin (D) has ranked up.]

[The Orc (D) has ranked up.]

[Fryra (D) has ranked up.]

[Awakening Quests have been given.]

[Awakening Quest]

– The Guardian must hunt a C-rank Monster or a D-rank Boss Monster.
– The Guardian must learn a skill of C-rank or higher.
– Reward: Guardian rank up.

I raised all their skills to C-rank as well.

Now, only the dungeon remained.

But that wouldn’t be hard to handle either.

“Park Chanseong.”

“Yes.”

“When you go out, get me a D-rank Dungeon.”

– Conquer the 10th floor of the Labyrinth.
– Blessing of Magic rank up, Shard of Divinity, Rift.

Shall we go running again?

A shrine deep in the mountains.

After finishing his prayers, a man stepped out in front of the red torii gate.

An old man with white hair, wearing a black kimono.

Japan Hunter Association President, Yookai.

The Vice President, Sosuke, approached him.

“President. It’s time.”

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Sosuke took the lead.

Yookai followed behind.

After descending the shrine, Yookai got into a luxury sedan. Sosuke stood guard, letting no one approach the car.

Sitting in the back seat, Yookai looked at the monitor attached to the front.

He placed his hand for fingerprint recognition.

The screen lit up, and the faces of others appeared.

The President of the United Kingdom Association and the President of France.

And the President of the China Association.

“You’re quick to arrive.”

At the UK President’s words, Yookai crossed his arms.

“Wasn’t it you who called this meeting on such short notice?”

“Are we the only ones in a hurry? Isn’t Japan desperate as well!”

As the France President raised his voice, the China President mediated.

“We’re supposed to be working together. If we’re already arguing, what’s the point? Isn’t that right, President Yookai?”

The reason the United Kingdom, France, and Japan had gathered—

Was because of the Red Dungeon in Korea.

Korea had gotten its hands on a Red Dungeon before any of them.

They had agreed to meet to discuss countermeasures for that.

“I’m more curious why you’re here.”

“Hahaha. Didn’t I say? We’re all in this together.”

China had no reason to keep Korea in check.

China had everything.

They had three of the so-called strongest S-ranks, and 22 Hidden Piece Discoverers, with more on the way.

Naturally, they produced Red Dungeons on their own.

They controlled as many Labyrinth floors as the United States of America. They were a powerhouse that saw thousands of dungeons appear each day.

So why was China part of this meeting?

As he pondered, Yookai realized China’s intention and smiled faintly.

‘The United States of America, huh?’

That was the only answer.

To surpass the so-called world’s strongest—the United States of America.

With a snort at China’s ambition, Yookai spoke.

“You were the ones who cut off our arms and legs, and now you want to cooperate?”

The reason Japan, the United Kingdom, and France couldn’t bring in Hidden Piece Discoverers from other countries—

Was because of the strong opposition from the United States of America and China.

They emphasized the dangers of the Red Dungeon, warning that unprepared countries couldn’t handle it.

“I couldn’t help it either. When the United States of America insists, there’s not much we can do.”

“So things are different now?”

“We have a way.”

At the China President’s words, the UK President pursed his lips.

“Stop beating around the bush and say what you want—and what you’ll give.”

The China President lifted his teacup.

After calmly taking a sip, he spoke.

“We’ll hand over Korea’s Hidden Piece Discoverer.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. If we could, we would’ve done it already.”

The China President smiled slyly.

“We just need to use the same method the United States of America did.”

“The United States?”

At the France President’s question, the China President replied.

“You’ve all heard that Korea is attempting to clear the Red Dungeon on their own, right?”

“I heard they gathered all the Ranker Guild Hunters. They’ll put together their best members—it’s a matter of survival.”

“Exactly. But what if they fail to clear the Red Dungeon? What if a Dungeon Break occurs?”

Yookai’s eyes flashed.

The best of the best challenged it, but failed.

That would mean—

The World Hunter Association would have a justification.

“Korea is not yet capable of managing a Red Dungeon.”

At Yookai’s unconscious mutter, the UK President clapped.

“The citizens would be anxious. Red Dungeons are on a different level than normal Dungeons.”

“With a bit of agitation, people will call for the Hidden Piece Discoverer to be sent abroad.”

“But can they really fail?”

At the France President’s question, the China President answered.

“I’ll take care of that. You just stand by and be ready to pick them up.”

“You wouldn’t do this for nothing. What does China want?”

The China President gave a strange smile.

“The United States of America. I want your help when it comes time to kill the United States’ Hidden Piece Discoverer.”

Every morning, I had breakfast with the Guardians. At the same time, I checked the resources that had accumulated overnight.

About 5 million won worth of Magic Stones piled up each day.

About 2 million won worth of materials as well.

If I added what the Orc and Goblin found while scouting around the lair—

I made about 10 million won a day.

‘Earning ten million just by breathing.’

After enjoying that dopamine rush, I’d head to the Association to clear the Labyrinth.

And then—

I’d order coffee at a nearby café, collect a Hidden Piece, enjoy a brief break, and return home.

Today was no different.

I stopped by a café, ordered coffee, and picked up my eighth Hidden Piece.

“Your iced vanilla latte is ready.”

I picked up my coffee and sat down.

Sipping the sweet drink, I thought about a recent problem.

‘The Dragon Lair’s territory has gotten too big.’

It was getting too hard for the Goblin alone to scout the whole area, and blind spots were starting to appear.

Someone could even sneak into the Dragon Lair when no one was around.

I needed a solution for this.

Increasing the number of Guardians was one way, but I wanted something even more effective.

‘…The Dryad Tribe.’

The Dryads who followed Fryra were obedient to my commands even without being appointed as Guardians.

If you controlled the head of a tribe—

The whole tribe came with them.

To scout a wide area and block intruders, that method would be the most efficient.

‘The tribe the Goblin belonged to.’

I’d just have to raise the Goblin to dominate that tribe.

If not—

I could appoint the chief of a new tribe I met through territory expansion as a Guardian.

“…I guess I’ll take a walk around the Dragon Lair today.”

With that thought, I relaxed and enjoyed my time as the giant TV played the news.

–The date for Korea’s Red Dungeon Raid has been announced. The raid will begin the day after tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Oh ho.

“I guess I’ll watch that the day after tomorrow.”

Then I left the café and entered the Dragon Lair. The Goblin and Orc had returned from scouting.

Judging by their faces, they must have found something.

The Goblin rushed over to me, full of excitement.

【M-Master! I found an Elixir!】