Chapter 13: The Labor Office Shocks the Guilds

Hwarang Guildmaster, Baek Hwarang.

The Request to the Labor Management Office Head was sent just yesterday.

What was the Request about?

“Sell the items the Steel Armored Turtle dropped. I’ll pay a high price.”

That was it…

“The Request was rejected, and afterward, items were listed for sale under the Labor Management Office Head’s name?”

“Yes, it was listed last night.”

“Hmm, wait a moment. Let me check the options.”

[Gloves Woven from Wolf Pelt and Spider Silk]

‘Is this it?’

The registrant is the Labor Management Office Head.

That’s right.

What are the options?

[A masterpiece by a skilled craftsman.]

[Durable and comfortable to wear.]

[Increases attack power when equipped.]

Well, it’s a decent item…

But why?

It could be possible.

“I heard that guy’s been running dungeons nonstop while taking Requests from the Management Bureau. Maybe he got it there?”

“That’s a crafted item.”

“What…?”

‘Crafted item?’

Meaning…

“The Labor Management Office Head personally made this item?”

“Don’t know about that. No matter how high the appraisal skill, it doesn’t reveal that much.”

“Phew… So what about the appraisal results?”

“As I said, it’s a crafted item, with defense stats similar to a drop from around the 30th floor of the Tower. The added attack power value is also high.”

“What?”

Gloves Woven from Wolf Pelt and Spider Silk.

Both spider silk and wolf pelt come from low-level monsters…

‘How can those materials be used to make a 30th-floor Tower item?’

“Does that make sense?”

“They even set the minimum bid at 20 Lower-grade Magic Stones and opened an auction, and now it’s chaos.”

“No wonder people rushed in. The current price is… 300 pieces?”

“What should we do?”

“Try bidding up to about 700. If it goes beyond that, just give up.”

The average price for a 30th-floor Tower drop item is about 10 million won.

Considering the options, 700 pieces is reasonable.

‘If it goes higher?’

No need to chase it.

I already have better gear anyway.

The real question is…

“Can the item crafters in our guild make something like that?”

“Of course.”

“No, I mean, making such a powerful item out of those junk materials.”

“Uh… that’s…”

Right.

Impossible.

“Ugh… headache.”

I get the Labor Management Office Head’s intention.

‘To sell the materials?’

‘Why should I?’

I can make it too, right?

Okay… up to that point, fine.

But there’s a bigger problem.

“Contact the guildmasters of the Five Great Guilds. There’s something to discuss about the Monthly Boss Raid.”

“Got it, I’ll arrange the schedule immediately.”

They can make the items = they need materials.

That guy, the Labor Management Office Head.

He’ll definitely come for the next Monthly Boss too.

Because he’ll need materials.

“I won’t let them take it from me knowing that.”

Alone?

Absolutely impossible to stop.

Considering the damage recorded in the last raid…

Hoo…

‘Maybe only if all Five Great Guilds unite will there be a chance.’

First, gather everyone.

Then we’ll find the answer.

Differences in Dungeon Grades Explained by a 47th Floor Hunter

***

Last time I explained up to B-rank.

This time, A-rank Dungeons.

S-rank hardly ever appears, so I’ll skip that.

Interestingly, the death rate is lowest in A-rank Dungeons.

‘Want to know why?’

Because most people don’t even try to challenge them, haha.

Even I didn’t touch any A-rank Dungeons while climbing to the 47th floor.

Anyway, what I heard about them is rough at best…

Level 50.

Meaning only those who have cleared or attempted the Tower’s 50th floor are suited for A-rank Dungeons.

About ten people in our country fit that criteria.

“Great! Great! Great!”

…Great.

Whoa.

Already done preparing?

Now close the phone.

Gave the dungeon entrance a quick look.

[Corrupted Wolf King’s Tomb – A-rank]

Hmm.

A-rank Dungeon.

They say you need to be beyond the 50th floor to even attempt a clear…

“I’m only on the 10th floor now.”

Well.

I’m not the one clearing it.

Our workers are.

“A? EICH!”

“…Easy.”

They say it’s possible.

Then I’ll just put my worries aside and cheer them on.

“Fighting! After this, let’s all go out for a feast.”

“A feast? What’s that?”

“Eating lots of meat and drinking plenty of coffee.”

“Oh! Sounds good! Count me in for the feast!”

“…Meat.”

Simple folks…

Hearing meat and coffee, they immediately rush out.

[Workers enter the dungeon.]

[Auto-hunting begins.]

Arthur and Robin have gone in.

What about Rani?

“Hehe!”

Playing with the Steel Armored Turtle’s shell and core.

‘Is that stuff really that valuable?’

Well, anyway.

It’s our first A-rank Dungeon.

Let’s see how it goes.

[Monitoring]

Tapped the screen.

Whirr—

Dungeon interior comes into view…

“Whoa, spooky.”

“Scary!”

‘When did you get here?’

I slide sideways to make room for Rani.

Looking again.

Still creepy as hell.

[Corrupted Wolf King’s Tomb]

The strange wind sounds, the horror movie–like atmosphere.

This place lives up to its name.

“They don’t seem scared at all!”

“Right…”

Even watching through the monitor is eerie.

‘If I saw it in person?’

No way I’d be able to move.

But those two walk around like it’s nothing.

Kuhng! Creak~!

The dungeon’s masters are monsters.

A-rank Dungeon, Corrupted Wolf King’s Tomb, is full of wolves with rotting, tattered skin.

Probably the corrupted wolves.

They charge in dozens at a time.

Slash! Whoosh!

Still, they don’t stop.

Keep walking while swinging swords and shooting arrows—

They all fall down one by one.

Regular wolves.

Slightly stronger wolves.

Even—

KRRRAAAAAGH!

The boss, Corrupted Wolf King, appears.

But as soon as it comes out, it’s cut down.

An A-rank Dungeon.

And cleared this easily?

“Wow, amazing!”

[Dungeon cleared.]

[Auto-hunting ended.]

[Clear time – 00:15:26]

It’s over.

Long live auto-hunting.

Dungeon cleared.

Now, time to check the rewards! Let’s open it.

***

[A-rank Dungeon Cleared!]

[Clear time – 00:15:26]

[Rewards – 15 Intermediate Monster Stones / Wolf Fang of the Corrupted Wolf King / 5 Intermediate Healing Potions]

Oh, the Wolf Fang of the Corrupted Wolf King?

Sounds like a crafting material.

Let’s give it to Rani to check out.

“Wow! Material! Material! This is good stuff too!”

Material fanatic as always.

Jumping up and down excitedly.

Next is…

Healing potions.

Set those aside for now.

“Oh… 15 Intermediate Monster Stones.”

At 500,000 won each, that’s 7.5 million won.

Wow.

Definitely feels different since it’s a higher-grade dungeon.

But…

Somewhat stingy feeling.

They said the difficulty is similar to the Tower’s 50th floor, but the rewards feel a bit…

Especially the material items feel a little disappointing…

“…Materials, from the Tower…”

“Yeah?”

“They say there’s lots of materials from the Tower? Okay, I’ll remember that.”

For now, that’s the dungeon reward.

‘What’s next?’

Let’s check the Request.

Valued customer, Awakening Management Bureau.

‘The reward?’

20 Intermediate Monster Stones.

That’s even better.

“So with this dungeon alone, we made almost 20 million won.”

Purely from the stones, 17.5 million won.

‘Including the healing potions and wolf fang?’

Wow…

That’s why they call them hunters.

They just rake in the cash.

“Phew!”

All items are in the inventory.

Next, the Labor Management Office window.

This is the core part.

[A-rank Dungeon, Corrupted Wolf King’s Tomb cleared!]

[Additional Bonus]

[Request Points 1,000]

‘Oh?’

[Base is 1,000 points.]

Double it with the scroll?

2,000 points.

“Ah! This is it!”

‘Lower-grade Magic Stones? Crafting materials?’

Of course, they’re good.

‘But what I need most right now?’

Request Points.

Had to move, postponed Tower runs, but kept doing Requests…

So far, I had 2,300 points.

Was wondering when I’d ever get more, and suddenly 2,000 points in one go?

“Even A-rank Requests doubled are sweet.”

Hope a few more A-rank Requests come in.

“Head! Did the item Rani made sell? What about that?”

Ah, right.

Gotta check that too.

“Wait a moment. I’ll check now.”

Got completely distracted by the A-rank dungeon and totally forgot.

‘How much did it go for?’

Minimum was 20 Lower-grade Magic Stones, so…

‘At least 100?’

‘Maybe 200?’

[Sale proceeds: 1,000 Lower-grade Magic Stones]

What?

Rani’s crafted item sold.

The price?

1,000 Lower-grade Magic Stones.

In cash…

20 million won.

“Wow!”

***

“Why? Did you make a lot of money? Can you buy Rani some materials?”

“Uh… yeah, made a lot.”

“Wow! Great! Buy Rani lots of materials!”

Jumping with joy.

Materials?

Just say the word.

I can buy anything!

But just how much do they cost?

Confidently looked it up…

[Item Transactions]

“Rani, shall we buy materials next time?”

No.

‘Why are the materials so expensive?’

Some advanced materials are at least a few hundred each.

“Hoooh…”

Even if I get discouraged, there’s nothing I can do.

It’s not like we need just one or two…

If one costs a hundred, it’s bankruptcy.

Instead, “Robin, did they say materials mostly come from the Tower?”

“…Upper floors.”

“Oh, higher floors?”

Nod.

Okay.

So that means…?

I’ve been thinking about it lately anyway.

[F-rank Chaos Box]

If there’s an F-rank, there must be others too.

‘How to get them?’

Obviously.

Climb the Tower.

Of course, gotta set records.

“Just saw them clear that dungeon. Looks doable.”

They said the A-rank dungeon is about as difficult as the Tower’s 50th floor.

Arthur and Robin?

Cleared it easily.

Then it’s worth a try, right?

If Arthur alone struggles, add Robin and climb one floor a week.

Then the Key of Chaos is likely.

‘Plus materials can be gathered?’

“Head! Shall we go get the materials?”

“Yes, we must.”

Especially with Rani on our side.

Give her good materials…

I’m already excited to see the results.

“Wow, a sword!”

Right.

Naturally, we need to craft items our workers will use first.

“Okay, it’s decided. We’re climbing the Tower too.”

“Great!”

“Rani too! Rani wants to go!”

Uh…

That’s a no.

You stay home and craft items.

“Arthur, sit down. Your work’s done for today anyway.”

“Right!”

And even if it wasn’t today but tomorrow, we still can’t go up yet.

First, we have to move.

We have to gather points diligently tomorrow too.

So, “Let’s put that aside for now and have a feast today.”

“What’s a feast?”

I already told you.

‘Rani, what were you doing earlier?’

Ah.

Busy looking at materials.

“A feast is a day to eat delicious food.”

“Delicious food?!”

“Sounds good!”

“…Meat.”

Everyone, wait a bit.

We made a lot of money today.

This Head will set everything up perfectly.

The Awakening Management Bureau is excited for the first time in a while.

Because their biggest headache was just solved.

“Labor Management Office Head, A-rank Dungeon cleared!”

“Now, even if A-rank Dungeons come up for a while, no worries!”

“If only I Bojun was fine, we wouldn’t have this problem.”

A-rank Dungeon?

Normally, no big deal.

I Bojun is the Management Bureau’s top Tower attacker.

If he went, it’d be over in no time.

But…

“What can we do… Who knew his weapon would suddenly break and put him in a slump.”

“At least there’s still time on the Tower so that’s a relief.”

“The dungeons are the real problem.”

B-rank Dungeons are okay.

The problem is A-rank, the domain of top hunters.

Would the Management Bureau give up on the strategy just because I Bojun’s in a slump?

Nonsense.

Giving up would mean the end of public safety.

In the end, there was only one choice.

“How many benefits have been handed to the Five Great Guilds for clearing A-rank Dungeons until now…”

They got criticized every time for favoritism.

But somehow…

There was no alternative.

“It should be better now. There’s the option of the Labor Management Office Head.”

“Though it’s a bit unsettling since his identity is unknown…”

No choice but to trust him.

The Management Bureau’s situation is too urgent to reject someone just because their identity is unknown.

“Just got a call from the Director. From now on, we can pay more.”

“Oh, aren’t there other urgent dungeons?”

“Two places.”

“Let’s put out Requests again.”