Chapter 85: Appearance of a New Dungeon

Before heading outside, there was something I had to finish.

First, I used my activated second-stage eyes to check if any remnants of the Black Order remained.

Perhaps it was to prevent any hidden members from leaking our information to the Order.

‘None.’

The closest one was outside the forest.

Even beyond that, they were located quite far away.

Even if they came right after receiving orders, it would take a considerable amount of time to get here.

With this much distance, I didn’t need to worry for now. By the time they made a move, the forest would already be back to normal.

I turned my gaze to look inside the laboratory.

Zeit, the Lord of the Fifth Forest.

The giants were crowded around him.

[My Lord! Are you all right?]

[…These damned bastards. To do this to the Lord.]

[I’ll go out right now and find some fruit to help you recover.]

As the giants fretted, Zeit opened his mouth with difficulty.

[Bring forth the one who saved you.]

All the giants turned their heads at once and looked at me, so I walked forward and stood before Zeit.

His eyeball, as big as my own body, gazed at me.

Seeing my reflection in his eye, I felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

It was both wondrous and chilling.

[I am Zeit, the Lord who rules over the Fifth Forest.]

“I’m Cheon Yongje, Lord of the Seventh and Sixth Forests.”

[First, thank you for saving us. My body is in this state, so I cannot greet you properly. Please understand.]

“I understand.”

Zeit closed his eyes with a subtle smile, then opened them again.

[You’ve come here to become the Lord of the Fifth Forest, haven’t you?]

“That’s right.”

[It’s shameless of me to ask, but… In exchange for handing over the Tablet, could you also give me a chance for revenge?]

Zeit’s voice carried sincere emotion.

Within his grave tone was a deep-seated rage.

The pain he must have endured was easy to imagine, even just by looking at him now.

“I promise. I’ll give you the chance to take revenge on the one who did this to you. But I have one condition as well.”

[What is it?]

“Swear absolute loyalty to me.”

[Fine. As long as I can have my revenge, I don’t care about anything else.]

Looking into Zeit’s eyes, blazing with fierce determination, I appointed him as a Guardian.

[I hereby appoint Zeit, Lord of the Fifth Forest, as a Guardian.]

Now subordinate to me, Zeit explained about the Tablet.

[If you remove the Tablet once and reinsert it, you will become the new Lord of the Forest.]

“Got it.”

Then I summoned Anne.

She was still absorbed in her research, a glass vial in her hand.

[Did you call for me?]

“Please heal Zeit here. If you need any materials, just say the word. I’ll bring them.”

[…Why is Zeit in this condition?]

“Ask Zeit yourself. I’ll leave him to you.”

Leaving Zeit in Anne’s care, I made my way to the temple where the Tablet rested.

There was a gap visible inside the temple.

The Tablet embedded in that gap was about the size of an adult man. I stepped closer, reached out, and cast a spell.

Rumble—!

With difficulty, I pulled out the Tablet, and a message appeared.

[You have acquired the Fragmented Tablet of Time.]

I poured mana into the Tablet I’d removed, and then put it back in place.

[You have activated the Shattered Tablet of Time.]

[You have become the true Lord of the Forest.]

[All your abilities are doubled within the Fifth Forest.]

[You have obtained the Map of the Fifth Forest.]

[The Timeline is being distorted. From now on, time will flow differently between reality and Dragon Lair.]

[You have activated three Tablets.]

[For every day that passes in reality, eight days will pass in the current world.]

For every day in the world I lived in, eight days would now pass in Dragon Lair’s world.

‘If I activate all the Tablets, will it become 128 days?’

If I spent only three days in reality, nearly a year would pass here.

By then, not only would I reap considerable rewards, but the level of my troops and Guardians would rise dramatically.

To do that, I had to deal with the remaining Forest Lords, as well as completely clean up the Black Order.

“Let’s wrap up and head back.”

To finish the last remaining task, I checked the messages I’d missed.

[You have completed the Awakening Quest.]

[Having fulfilled all conditions, the Orc of the Desert Crocodile Tribe awakens to SS Rank.]

It was the awakening message I hadn’t been able to check during the battle.

[Ding!]

[You have completed Main Quest 22.]

[The Arena is now unlocked.]

[Transcendence is now unlocked.]

To check the details, I’d need to visit the Arena.

[To enter the Arena, you need five Sacred Relics.]

Since entering right away was impossible, I checked the next Main Quest.

[The Main Quest has arrived.]

[Main Quest 22]

• Secure Sacred Relics and become a Holy Dragon.
• 1/10
• Talent of the Martial God (EX), Dimensional Tavern Pass.

Talent of the Martial God, huh.

I wondered why I needed martial talent when I was already pushing magic to its limits.

But there might come a time when I can’t use magic.

That talent could become incredibly useful then.

“More is always better.”

Republic of Korea Hunter Association.

Association President Lee Changgeon was busy as ever today.

“President, the construction on the Potion Shop you mentioned is complete.”

He checked the photos his Secretary brought.

A giant building built next to the Golden Tower.

A sign reading ‘Potion Shop of the Witch’ hung above it, and the overall vibe was very Halloween-like.

You could say they’d perfectly nailed the witch theme that Goblin had suggested.

“I hope she likes it.”

“We’ve finished all the business registration procedures, and it’s ready to open immediately.”

“And overseas?”

“Will we be able to prepare that much stock? It already looks tough to meet domestic demand…”

This morning, China announced to the world that it would halt potion supply.

And the reason was stated as follows.

• Due to the Korea Jeonghwamun raid incident and the dungeon entry restrictions, it has become difficult to nurture new Hunters in China, resulting in disruptions to ingredient supply.

It carried a nuance that the fault lay with Korea, along with a demand to lift the labyrinth entry restrictions.

China, which dominated 90% of the global potion market.

The moment China stopped potion supply—

All countries except the five major world powers would take a massive blow.

Small nations couldn’t produce potions themselves, and even if the world powers expanded their potion factories and tried to supply potions, it wouldn’t be enough to meet demand.

Even if they could, prices would undoubtedly skyrocket.

‘For now, we’re safe.’

Since China had already exported a considerable amount of potions, it would be possible to hold out for a while.

But as time passed and the stockpile ran out, new potions would have to be sourced.

At that point, if China eased restrictions on one country at a time and lured them to its side… everyone would end up dancing to China’s tune.

So this was the perfect opportunity to rein in China’s hold over the potion market, even if it meant slightly reducing the supply for domestic distribution.

“Just make all the preparations.”

“Understood. The next report concerns the Baekho Raid Team.”

The Baekho Raid Team.

It referred to the elite team of Hunters assembled in Korea.

Those who had once failed in an S-rank Dungeon.

They had regrouped under the name Baekho, steeling their resolve, and began challenging Red Dungeons.

“This morning, they succeeded in conquering an A-Rank Red Dungeon. Their next plan is to challenge another A-Rank Dungeon, and after that, they will take on an S-rank Dungeon.”

“They worked hard.”

“To make the next challenge go smoothly, we’ve asked the owner of the Golden Tower for enchantments. Once Jessica finishes her current work, she’ll begin enhancing the Baekho Raid Team’s gear.”

There were also reports on the overall direction of the Korean Hunter Industry, information President Lee Changgeon needed to know, and various business updates.

With so many recent changes happening in Korea, the volume of reports was dozens of times the usual.

Just as he started feeling a bit drained after hearing all the reports—

A message appeared before Lee Changgeon’s eyes.

[You have discovered a Hidden Piece.]

[You have received the Hidden Piece Achievement reward.]

[Dungeon raid rewards for the discoverer’s country increase.]

[Trial success rewards for the discoverer’s country increase.]
[You have accumulated 30 Hidden Piece Achievements.]

[Chance of Level Stone drops in Red Dungeons increases by 3%.]

[An SS Rank Red Dungeon has appeared.]

A surge of dopamine rushed through his body, blowing away his fatigue.

“SS Rank Dungeon?”

“…You mean there’s a dungeon higher than S Rank?”

“What on earth…”

Though shocked at the appearance of a dungeon rank he’d never seen before, it lasted only a moment.

Ding-a-ling!

Lee Changgeon’s work phone rang.

Ding-a-ling!

Then the Secretary’s phone.

Ding-a-ling!

Even the office phone began ringing.

That wasn’t all—messages from messengers, mobile texts, and social media poured in on the computer.

“Turn it all off for now.”

“Understood, sir.”

Together with his Secretary, he turned off all forms of communication.

A moment of silence fell over the previously noisy office.

Knock, knock, knock!

“President?”

“What is it?”

“A call just came from the Blue House… And just now, the White House also contacted us.”

“Calls are pouring in from hunter associations around the world. They all want to talk about the SS Rank Red Dungeon…”

“Have them wait.”

He then looked at the Secretary.

“Go find the location of the SS Rank Dungeon, send personnel, and block anyone from entering. Also, help coordinate the situation.”

“Understood.”

As the Secretary opened the door and left, Lee Changgeon sank back into his chair.

“An SS Rank Dungeon, huh.”

He was so surprised himself that he was at a loss for words.

He doubted others were any different.

It was only natural so many were reaching out.

A never-before-seen, highest-ranked dungeon had just appeared.

“President?”

Hearing a familiar male voice, Lee Changgeon turned his head, and there was Goblin, who he hadn’t even noticed had arrived.

“I was just about to talk to you, so this is perfect.”

Lee Changgeon rose from his seat and sat down across from Goblin on the sofa.

“What do you plan to do about the SS Rank Dungeon?”

“We’ll raid it ourselves.”

“Other countries will show interest, and I’m sure America will want to participate in conquering the SS Rank Dungeon.”

“Let’s charge an entry fee. Of course, I’ll take all the rewards.”

To others, it might seem like they’d get nothing in return, but S-rank Hunters would still try to join no matter what.

The experience of a new dungeon could take them to new heights.

‘S-rank Dungeons appeared, and S-rank Hunters were born.

Now that SS Rank Dungeons have appeared, a new rank of SS Rank Hunters will surely emerge as well.’

“What do you want for the entry fee?”

“The best they can offer.”

At his bold confidence, Lee Changgeon let out a laugh.

“Understood. Of course, China is excluded, right?”

“Of course.”

“Oh, and the potion shop you requested is finished.”

As the Secretary handed over the photos, Goblin looked through them and nodded.

“Not bad. I’ll open for business right away.”

“Do you have plenty of stock?”

“How much do you need?”

Lee Changgeon relayed the news about China’s announcement that morning, saying now was the perfect time to develop overseas markets China had previously controlled.

Hearing this, Goblin’s lips curled up.

“I’ll get in touch with everyone first. Once you let me know how much you need, I’ll make sure to prepare that amount.”