The low-floor ecosystem was extraordinary!
News continued to pour in from various regions across the globe regarding the failure to achieve Flawless Clears on the 1st floor.
Consequently, the atmosphere on the Hunternet in those regions grew increasingly somber.
In stark contrast, the Korean Hunternet was in a festive mood.
-Succeeded in getting three traits with weasel meat! [Attached Proof]-
->All of them except for one fixed trait are random, but that’s still amazing!
->Unknown: [3rd Floor Weasel Meat Option]
->That’s too much. Are you just going to keep discouraging us?
->No matter how much of a god you are, trampling on the sprouts is a bit much….
Perhaps because Unknown, who had previously limited himself to uploading walkthrough videos or listing items on the exchange, was now actively participating, everyone was moving aggressively to clear the lower floors just to get his attention.
He mostly left comments that asserted his dominance by showing off options that were incomparable to the posts others had uploaded as a boast.
However, if that were all, the Hunternet wouldn’t have been fired up to this extent.
—I got one!—
One poster bragged about receiving a private message from Unknown.
When someone succeeded in crafting above a certain level, Min-hyuk would send them a message informing them of ingredients for meat he had crafted with even better traits.
As several days passed like this, people who had received messages from Min-hyuk began posting walkthrough videos and articles detailing various experiments they had conducted with the same ingredients.
However, without exception, the results were far inferior to Min-hyuk’s.
People only became certain once the internet was flooded with results that were worse than items made with ingredients from only the 1st to 5th floors.
—It seems to be a difference caused by Unknown’s skills.—
->Agree. You can follow it similarly, but it seems impossible to replicate perfectly.
->At this point, I’m really curious about what his skill is.
->True. He’s not just in a simple crafting class, yet his combat sense is also outstanding? It’s a cheat code.
->I’m also curious about the difference in taste.
The descriptions showed extreme differences, making people wonder just how delicious the food actually was.
As if responding to this curiosity, Min-hyuk personally listed exactly one of each of his meats on the auction house.
Hunters famous for being gourmets secured them through fierce competition.
—To judge based solely on the taste of the rabbit meat, it can’t compete with the top-tier food from the 30th floor. However, the cost-effectiveness isn’t even a contest. It’s a total victory.—
—The boar meat seems comparable to ingredients from the 30th floor. I don’t know what kind of fruit it was aged with, but it almost entirely eliminated that unique gamy smell.—
—The bear meat is definitely lacking in taste. Even though it was aged, there is a lingering scent that pierces through the fruit aroma, but considering the options, you should bow before eating it.—
—The giant bird meat is dry. The cooking method needs more research. But the other bird meats are definitely edible. They would likely taste better fried.—
The meats Min-hyuk listed instantly took over the bulletin boards.
Those who took that information and produced videos caused the comment sections of Korean YouTubers and streamers to be flooded with foreign languages.
How many days had passed since Min-hyuk cleared the 6th floor?
The ecosystem of low-floor hunters was changing once again.
Perhaps because of this, the Hunter Management Bureau summoned all the leaders of the giant guilds, an unprecedented move given that it wasn’t an emergency situation.
“As you can see… simply keeping Unknown in Korea is bringing us enormous benefits. We are already receiving an increasing number of inquiries from foreign hunters wanting to enter Korea.”
For rookie hunters, Korea was a land of opportunity.
Even if they had to push themselves, if they could just obtain temporary immigrant status and come to Korea, they could enter the Korean Tower.
If that happened, they could climb stably without being tied down by slave contracts or signing as a prospect.
This was because Korea was currently the only place in the world where one could consistently earn money on the 1st to 9th floors.
Torches, inner cores, absorbable mana stones—additional materials only available in Korea.
But would it end there?
As long as Unknown remained in Korea, more benefits were scheduled to be created in the future.
Furthermore, Korea was the place that could react most quickly to the trends Unknown initiated.
For rookie hunters, immigrating to Korea was becoming a necessity rather than a choice.
“As you can see, the influx is so great that we cannot even process the screenings, so we have currently suspended immigration applications.”
Rookie hunters from all over the world were ready to flock to Korea.
No one could deny that all of this was caused by a single person, Unknown.
“The judgment of the Hunter Management Bureau is that we want to hold onto him, even if it means providing every benefit the state can offer.”
Every giant guild leader nodded as if agreeing with the words of Director Park Young-hwan.
The reason for summoning the guild leaders just to say something that should naturally be done was simple.
It was because in the past, whenever benefits were given to a specific hunter, the guilds would step forward and protest.
They would argue that giving benefits to a specific hunter violated the principle of fairness.
Through this, they would negotiate with the Hunter Management Bureau to achieve results like lifting some of the restrictions placed on hunters.
However, this time, there was no room for such negotiations.
“The government has already agreed to accept any conditions Unknown puts forward.”
Even before summoning the guild leaders, the Hunter Management Bureau had finished all preparations.
It was practically as if they had summoned the guild leaders just to announce it.
Even so, there was no backlash like before.
Instead, Cheon Tae-san clicked his tongue while looking at Park Young-hwan as if it were long overdue.
“Tsk, tsk. You should have done this sooner.”
“…I apologize.”
Watching Park Young-hwan bow his head in apology, Cheon Tae-san waved his hand as if to say it was fine and then spoke to the guild leaders.
“He is a being who will change the ecosystem of the Tower. He is a different kind of existence compared to us, who are merely blocking the 60th floors. He has already become a more valuable existence than we are.”
“I don’t know about the future, but to receive such an evaluation already…”
At Kim Seon-hwa’s words, Cheon Tae-san smirked.
He knew very well why she wore such a resentful expression.
She was one of the few people in the world truly aiming for the SS-class.
Kim Seon-hwa was one of them.
Others also had expressions similar to hers, as if they felt the same way.
And for good reason—every single SS-class hunter was a monster.
They were overwhelmingly strong beings that an S-class couldn’t even hope to compare to.
Cheon Tae-san explained the reason to them.
“Right now, he’s only changing the ecosystem of the lower floors, but once he moves past the 10th floor, everyone will realize it. Unknown is an existence that can change the entire Tower. Even now, isn’t he guiding people to build their foundations on the lower floors?”
Something that hadn’t changed no matter what they did was being completely overhauled by a rookie hunter who had only recently awakened.
“I guarantee it. Once a little more time passes, nations will give up on trying to recruit him and instead, intelligence agents from every country will flock here to protect him.”
There was no need to say who he needed protection from.
The Villain Alliance.
Drugs, brainwashing, sorcery, magic.
If they could just make Unknown submit by any means possible, they might be able to control the world.
The Villain Alliance would never leave such a precious existence alone.
Because of that, Cheon Tae-san made a declaration toward those gathered there.
“Do not try to find him forcibly or play tricks by forming alliances between guilds to recruit him. The moment anyone does something foolish, I will also cross the line.”
“…”
“It’s not just me. All the SS-class hunters are watching him. So keep my words in mind and do not act rashly.”
After saying that, he was the first to stand up from his seat.
Park Young-hwan and Kim Seon-hwa stared blankly at the empty seat left by Cheon Tae-san, who had already walked out alone.
Both of them knew well why Cheon Tae-san was trying to protect Unknown to this extent.
‘To prepare for the disaster that will begin from the coming Tower.’
To the SS-class hunters who had thought only of that, Unknown was a ray of light.
Protecting the man who was reforming the overall flawed climbing system and even changing the Tower itself seemed just as important as maintaining the clear rate of the 60th floors.
***
As if their thoughts were correct, as soon as he stepped outside, Cheon Tae-san called another SS-class hunter.
“Have you made a decision?”
—Yes.—
“If you’ve decided, William, then practically every SS-class has made their decision.”
If he, who was cautious to the point of being old-fashioned about important decisions, had made a choice, it was as good as settled.
—Once Unknown reaches the 10th floor, I will make an official declaration of support and register him as a special protection target with the World Hunter Association.—
“Thank you.”
—It is simply what must be done for the sake of the world. If he reveals his identity, we must even consider taking turns dispatching SS-class hunters to protect him.—
William spoke as if he, too, had been checking Unknown’s recent activities.
—Just take good care of Korea. Block every single hole the villains might use to approach Unknown.—
“I’ll handle that myself. You just do your job well.”
—Tsk. I’m just uneasy… Part of me wishes he would just stay well-hidden without going public.—
“I agree. But… he will reveal himself one day, so we have to be prepared.”
It was just as the two of them were vowing to protect Unknown at all costs.
—Your country must be in a festive mood.—
“That’s true. In fact, I tried the meat Unknown made, and it was incredible.”
When Cheon Tae-san teased him after having bought and eaten one, William licked his lips.
—Was the 7th floor the sea side?—
“That’s right.”
—Korea was a powerhouse in seafood dishes.—
“Yes. That’s why I’m looking forward to it.”
—I’m jealous.—
At Cheon Tae-san’s words, the word “jealous” escaped William’s mouth for the first time.
“If it gets listed on the auction house, I’ll try it and leave a review for you.”
—Tsk. If you have nothing else to say, hang up.—
Seeing William hang up irritably, Cheon Tae-san smiled satisfyingly and muttered as if his earlier words were sincere.
“He’ll list seafood too, right?”
Cheon Tae-san folded his hands together as if praying he would.
Had his wish been heard?
Min-hyuk, who had been busy experimenting by repeatedly running the 1st through 6th floors, finally headed toward the 7th floor.
There were many pending walkthrough videos, but since things had turned out this way, he planned to finish up to the 9th floor first and then upload the videos slowly as he headed to the next floor.
[You have reached Level 7. Your mana and physical abilities will grow significantly.]
[Minimum Clear Condition: Survive for more than 5 minutes on the 7th floor or hunt one monster.]
[※ Move to the opposite side via the wooden bridge on the 7th floor.]
[Physical recovery ability is added as a reward for the 6th floor Flawless Clear. Unless it is a serious injury, you can consume health to heal wounds bit by bit.]
[You have completed the exploration of the 6th floor. As a reward, your field of vision widens and your senses become more acute.]
[By completing special conditions, the 7th floor Ecosystem Survey Quest has been generated.]
[The quest will remain active until completed. — Can also be cleared as a repeatable quest —]
“Ah.”
Feeling the mana filling his body, Min-hyuk smiled broadly and looked straight ahead.
A wooden bridge that looked like it could collapse at any moment.
He had to cross the sea via that bridge, which led to the desert visible beyond the sandy beach.
The problem was that menacing fish and sharks could be seen jumping above the bridge.
A person would normally wonder if they could even cross such a narrow bridge, but something else came to Min-hyuk’s mind right now.
‘I wonder how tasty those things will be?’
Min-hyuk wiped the drool that unconsciously started to run from the corner of his mouth, gripped his greatsword, and began running toward the wooden bridge.