Chapter 73: Legendary Guardian

Korea Hunter Association.

Association President’s Office.

Lee Changgeon sat in his chair, watching Kim Muhyeok as he spoke.

“The Dokkaebi are violent and savage.”

“He’s a murderer. I still can’t forget the look in his eyes.”

“We need to come up with a countermeasure before it’s too late.”

Lee Changgeon chuckled as he listened.

“Violent and savage, huh?”

It wasn’t like China, who had sent the Blood Fiend—once a member of the Twelve Constellations—to Korea to kill the Dokkaebi, was in a position to say that.

Every word they said was more fitting for the Blood Fiend than for the Dokkaebi.

“Perhaps because they had the Blood Fiend under their wing, they know exactly how to make the Dokkaebi appear terrifying.”

The secretary’s words made Lee Changgeon click his tongue.

“How are the other countries reacting?”

“Apart from China, there hasn’t been much movement. But China is acting more aggressively than expected.”

The secretary handed a file to Lee Changgeon.

“Just now, China announced a temporary suspension of potion and equipment exports.”

“They want to make their presence known, huh?”

China accounted for more than 80% of the global market.

Most countries, except for the United States, used Chinese potions and equipment.

If they banned exports like this, many countries would be unable to clear dungeons.

“Yes. It seems to be retaliation for the ban on Labyrinth raids.”

“An unjustified export ban will likely lead to further sanctions.”

“That’s why they used the Dokkaebi as an excuse.”

“The Dokkaebi?”

“The potions and equipment China supplied to Korea supposedly created a merciless monster called the Dokkaebi. They claim they cannot stand seeing what they made being used by a murderer. That’s how they started their media play.”

“Isn’t that quite a stretch?”

“Hasn’t it always been like that?”

Lee Changgeon shook his head in disbelief.

“I don’t understand what they’re thinking. Do they really think they can frame the Dokkaebi as a demon because of this?”

The Hall of Glory was a fair competition.

Everyone was informed in advance that they might die in the third round.

All participants entered the game knowing every detail fairly.

The opposite outcome was always possible.

Moreover, Hunters were always risking their lives on the job. Many had died in labyrinths or dungeons.

They were the ones most familiar with death.

So, unlike other professions, it was hard to frame them with such slander.

“Isn’t this just China’s desperate act? Trying to strengthen their position by resorting to such baseless claims…”

“I’m curious what Joo Wonseong thinks. No matter how reckless he is, he wouldn’t be this thoughtless.”

Ding.

The secretary checked his phone upon hearing the alert. His expression darkened slightly as he cleared his throat.

“President.”

Lee Changgeon glanced at the phone handed to him. There was an article from Japan.

[Japan suffers the same fate as China. Is the Dokkaebi a murderer?]

The photo attached was from the Hall of Glory.

Japanese Hunters all collapsed.

The Dokkaebi walking through them.

The scene looked as if the Dokkaebi had massacred the Japanese Hunters.

“The wording is way too blunt.”

“It seems China and Japan have teamed up to bring down the Dokkaebi.”

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

The secretary’s phone rang relentlessly.

Following the article, statements demanding the truth about the Dokkaebi were released from China, Japan, and several other countries.

• The Dokkaebi must take moral responsibility for what happened inside the Hall of Glory.
• Even if killing was allowed, mercy should have been shown like with the Chinese Hunters.
• Killing humans without mercy is the act of beasts, not humans.

Faced with the coordinated attack from other nations, Lee Changgeon folded his hands and lowered his head.

The Dokkaebi had committed no crime in the Hall of Glory.

That was why other countries emphasized “morality,” not “crime.”

It was a magical phrase that could be twisted whichever way suited the argument.

“…This situation is very unfavorable for us.”

“This is ridiculous. They’re trying to bury him like this.”

“President, we must come up with a plan. First, we should summon the Dokkaebi to clarify the truth…”

At that moment, the subject of the incident appeared in the president’s office.

“I’m not that crazy.”

“…Ah.”

The secretary flinched and bowed his head.

“Dokkaebi, you’re here.”

“Of course, those concerns are natural. The Japanese betrayed each other and caused this, and the Chinese just rushed in like they were possessed. It was unavoidable.”

The Dokkaebi slumped back in the sofa, resting his head.

Lee Changgeon looked up and asked.

“Is there a way to prove it?”

“No. But if you want proof, I’ll give it to you.”

Lee Changgeon tilted his head at the answer.

“What do you mean?”

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If you want me to prove it, make China and Japan prove it first. So, could you hold a press conference?”

[China and Japan are collaborating with unknown forces?]

[Their identities: Apostles.]

[Antonio, the former Twelve Constellations member from Italy, is alive?]

[Antonio is allied with the heads of the Guns and Shot criminal organization and Dark City?]

[Members of the Messiah’s organization, responsible for terrifying the world, linked to Antonio?]

Through President Lee Changgeon, I held a press conference revealing part of what I knew.

As a result,

All countries except China and Japan focused on the Apostles.

My words disappeared completely.

The discussion centered on China and Japan’s connection to the Apostles.

Now it was up to them to prove their innocence.

‘Can they manage?’

No ordinary lie could escape this situation.

Because I didn’t just talk; I showed evidence—symbolic items belonging to Antonio and the crime lords.

“Well, they probably won’t give up that easily.”

For now, I was satisfied just not having to worry about them.

Once I finished the backlog of tasks,

I planned to use Bluecat’s eyes to eliminate the remaining Apostles.

‘I need to get stronger first.’

If I kill the Fourth Apostle, the Fifth Apostle, who is much stronger, will appear.

It’s best to prepare for that before dealing with the Fourth Apostle.

[Moving to Dragon Lair.]

The cave’s interior came into view, along with goblins filling the incubator with Magic Stones.

Seeing me, the goblins approached.

【Master, we are running low on Magic Stones.】

“Huh?”

Golems had been mining nonstop, 24/7, at two Magic Stone Mines.

Yet, the Magic Stones were insufficient?

Checking the warehouse, the Skillbooks and equipment items were intact, but only Magic Stones were scarce.

I moved to the Magic Stone Mine, worried the golems might be malfunctioning.

They weren’t.

It was simply because the Dragon Egg was constantly consuming the Magic Stones.

[339,400 days left until the Dragon Egg hatches.]

That’s an incredible appetite.

【The egg’s constant Magic Stone consumption is causing a shortage for the Dwarves.】

“We need more mines.”

I had planned to expand the territory anyway.

China had held the potion and equipment export market.

I’d heard from President Lee Changgeon that China was temporarily halting their export business.

‘They want to flaunt their strength.’

If I could secure a supply volume matching China’s, I could snatch their export market in one go.

Currently, the Dragon Lair could produce 5,000 potions.

In two real-world days, that would be about 10,000 potions.

To increase production further, I’d need more witches, but Anne had told me that would take some time.

‘…Time.’

Fortunately, something in this forest could solve that.

The tablets held by other forest rulers.

By combining tablets that increase the flow of time, I could produce tens of thousands of potions daily in real time.

At the same time,

Expanding the territory would increase the number of mines, speeding up the Dragon Egg’s hatching.

“Hmm.”

It wasn’t the time to start a war just yet.

The Guardians I’d dispatched hadn’t returned.

I could rule the Sixth Forest alone,

But if the other forest lords united and attacked,

It’d be too much for me to handle solo.

“First, let’s go to the Dimensional Tavern.”

If I appointed one more Guardian, by the time he returned, the others would have completed their missions and be back as well.

I opened the door to the Dimensional Tavern inside the Dragon Lair.

[You need a Dimensional Tavern Pass to use the Dimensional Tavern.]

[Would you like to use a Dimensional Tavern Pass?]

“Yeah.”

[Using Dimensional Tavern Pass.]

The firmly locked handle turned smoothly.

With a click, the door to the Dimensional Tavern opened.

I took in the interior.

Round wooden tables were scattered throughout, with a sleek bar made of black marble.

It felt like I hadn’t been here in a while.

As I stepped inside, I saw Rose, the tavern owner, standing in front of the bar.

Her red hair braided up.

Wearing a red dress.

Rose exuded an enchanting aura and greeted me with a bright smile.

“You finally came.”

“You were waiting for me?”

“Yes. Please, have a seat.”

She pointed to a chair at the bar.

Having been here three times now, it felt more familiar and less awkward.

“I thought you’d come right after defeating the First Apostle. I didn’t expect you’d handle the Second Apostle first.”

“It kind of happened that way.”

“We should be talking about battles with Intermediate Apostles or the other Apostles, but since you already know that, I have something else to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“For now, the Fourth Apostle is an Intermediate Apostle. The Fifth Apostle is a High Apostle. It’s best not to deal with the Fourth Apostle until you’re fully prepared.”

A High Apostle.

“How strong do you have to be to take down a High Apostle?”

“The main body is at least a Saint Dragon level. You’ll need two SSS-grade Guardians, with the rest at least SS-grade to stand a chance.”

“…That’s terrifying.”

“Unlike other Apostles, a High Apostle will target you, the Successor, upon descent. You need to prepare defenses for that. Developing the Magic Tower as fast as possible and establishing a branch is crucial.”

So I can set up branches too.

That would speed up research.

“Above all, please advance the Main Quest as quickly as possible. You’re already progressing faster than other Successors, but considering your growth rate, you need to move faster. That way, we can do more for you.”

“Yes.”

The current Main Quest was to raise SS-grade Guardians.

Once I returned to the Dragon Lair, before clearing the forest, I’d focus on training SS-grade Guardians.

“That’s all I can tell you for now. If you have any questions while I prepare the cards, ask away.”

Rose took a small box from beneath the shelf.

Using her delicate hands, she drew cards from inside and shuffled them with graceful movements.

However, these cards looked a little different from the ones I was used to.

“These cards are different?”

“These are Legendary Guardian Draw Cards.”

“Legendary Guardians?”

“Yes. These special cards let you meet the strongest Guardians once accompanied by the Dragon Lord.”