Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
When the Genesis Guild and Seong-jun’s party arrived at the airport via private jet, the president of the Taiwanese Awakened Association and other officials, who had come out first, hurriedly approached.
“Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.”
The level of Taiwan’s hunter forces was incomparably low compared to the three countries of Korea, China, and Japan.
To be precise, it was similar to the level of Southeast Asian countries, perhaps?
Of course, there were no S-ranks, and only five A-ranks.
As for whether there were many B-ranks, even those numbered less than a hundred, with the most populous grade being C-ranks.
Because of this, the reality was that they struggled even with B-rank dungeon raids, let alone A-rank ones.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ju So-jeong of Genesis. And this is Kim Seong-jun, the healer who will help with this A-rank dungeon raid, and his party members.”
When So-jeong introduced Seong-jun’s party, the Taiwanese Association President’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“Oh! So this is Kim Seong-jun, the healer known as Korea’s third S-rank and the Saint. Haha, Healer Kim Seong-jun’s exploits have been quite a topic in Taiwan as well. Not long ago, I heard Japan’s Saintess, Healer Kato Asumi, also visited Korea to meet Healer Kim Seong-jun?”
“Haha, yes. Although she had to return to Japan urgently due to an emergency in her own country, it was a meaningful time nonetheless. Anyway, thank you for your hospitality.”
For Seong-jun, it could only have been a meaningful time.
After all, she had come to steal his skills, only to have her own skills taken instead, and on top of that, even the copy ability user, Takahashi Mamoru, was taken from her by Seong-jun.
Kato Asumi could truly be called a generous person who came only to give to Seong-jun and then left.
“Rather than standing here, shall we go? We have prepared a separate welcoming reception.”
From Taiwan’s perspective, Genesis felt similar to how Holy Emperor was viewed in Korea.
It was a situation that could absolutely not be taken lightly.
And it wasn’t just Genesis, was it?
There was also Seong-jun, who was now said to be a step above Kato Asumi.
Recently, the dungeon break incident in Japan was being compared to Korea’s dungeon break incident, and in turn, Kato Asumi and Seong-jun were being compared.
Although Jeju Island was turned into a wasteland, thanks to Seong-jun’s efforts, the dungeon break was suppressed early, and human casualties were limited to around fifty thousand in Korea.
In contrast, in Japan, despite Kato Asumi’s efforts, it took a full two days to suppress the dungeon break, with casualties exceeding six hundred thousand.
In this situation, it was natural for Korea’s Saint and Japan’s Saintess to be compared, and in all metrics, Korea’s Saint, Seong-jun, achieved an overwhelming victory.
With such a Seong-jun visiting alongside Genesis, the Taiwanese Association naturally had to pay close attention.
However, Seong-jun’s party and Genesis did not have the leisure to enjoy a welcoming reception.
“Oh dear, what should we do? We plan to enter the dungeon right away. I understand the First Entry Benefit has about four days left, and to clear it within that time, we need to hurry.”
At So-jeong’s words, the Association President nodded and said.
“Is that so? We would be grateful if you do that. Actually, an A-rank dungeon portal suddenly appeared right in the middle of the city, causing us all sorts of difficulties. Then let’s go. We’ll escort you to the front of the dungeon portal.”
The Taiwanese Association had been experiencing difficulties due to an A-rank dungeon that happened to appear right in the middle of the city.
When a dungeon portal appears, the area must be controlled, but since it appeared in the city center, control was difficult, and the inconvenience to citizens was no small matter.
So, when Korea’s Genesis offered to raid it, how could they not welcome it with open arms?
Genesis was already considered almost on par with Changcheon, which had succeeded in a solo A-rank dungeon raid in Korea, and especially since Seong-jun’s party, who had greatly helped Changcheon during that solo raid, was also participating, they judged it sufficiently possible to raid.
However, one concerning point was that, unlike last time, this was a dungeon where aerial monsters, Drakes, appeared.
But since both Genesis and Seong-jun had decided to raid knowing this, they assumed sufficient preparations had been made accordingly.
—
A-rank Dungeon, Drake’s Nest.
In front of the dungeon portal that appeared right in the middle of Taipei city, numerous reporters had set up camp.
“Oh! They’re here!”
Click!
Click!
As Genesis and Seong-jun’s party arrived, the camera shutters and lights of the waiting reporters flashed incessantly.
“Just a word, please! The A-rank dungeon, Drake’s Nest! Is clearing it really possible?”
“We understand that objectively, your combat power is inferior to Changcheon’s. Even with Healer Kim Seong-jun, are you really okay facing Drakes, aerial monsters famous for being troublesome?”
“Healer Kim Seong-jun! We heard you recently met Japan’s Saintess, Kato Asumi! What did you talk about?”
“Among Taiwanese foods, which one do you like the most?”
“There are A-rank dungeons in Korea too. Is the reason you came all the way to Taiwan to raid an A-rank dungeon because of the First Entry Benefit?”
“For the F-rank hunter from Taiwan entering with you this time, what level of compensation do you plan to provide?”
The reporters threw out various questions, starting with ones aimed at Genesis.
Ju So-jeong of Genesis ignored all those questions and moved forward, only turning around slowly after arriving in front of the portal.
Tsk!
“Let me say one thing. Although there’s a slight difference in world ranking between Changcheon and Genesis, in terms of actual combat power, they are almost equal. If Changcheon can do it, Genesis can too. No, in some aspects, Genesis is even superior. We’ll show you clearly today. By perfectly raiding the Drake Dungeon, which is much more troublesome than the dungeon Changcheon raided, we will show that Genesis is above Changcheon.”
Having said that, So-jeong turned her body again.
“Everyone, let’s enter.”
Then, without looking back, she immediately entered the portal.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoooooosh!
So-jeong and Seong-jun entered first, followed by the Genesis guild members and Seong-jun’s party.
Finally, as the F-rank mercenary from Taiwan entered the portal, the entire Drake’s Nest raiding team entered the dungeon.
Whoooooosh!
Seong-jun’s party and Genesis, who entered the dungeon through the portal.
“Everyone’s in, right? Starting today, we won’t leave this place until we clear the dungeon. Four days until the First Entry Benefit ends. We will absolutely raid the dungeon within that time, so everyone, be firmly prepared.”
“Yes!”
They had already brought ample hunter-style combat rations, intending not to leave the dungeon from the start.
Normally, dungeons aren’t raided with such extreme measures, but this was truly an expression of strong will to absolutely clear the dungeon within the four days before the First Entry Benefit ended.
“Then, before moving to the entrance, I’ll start applying the buffs.”
Finishing his words, Seong-jun immediately applied the buffs.
‘All-in-One! Wide Area Mode! Healing Light! Wide Area Mode! War Cry! Energy Amplification! Wide Area Mode!’
Seong-jun first applied all the existing buffs in one go.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Vooooom!
Voom!
Then, he cast the new buff he acquired upon reaching S-rank.
‘Holy Attribute Infusion! Wide Area Mode!’
Whooooooosh!
The first cast was Holy Attribute Infusion.
[Active] Holy Attribute Infusion [1/10]
Infuses a target with the Light attribute.
– Increases attack power of target receiving Holy Attribute Infusion by 10%.
– Increases defense power of target receiving Holy Attribute Infusion by 10%.
– Increases agility of target receiving Holy Attribute Infusion by 10%.
– Inflicts 20% additional damage against Dark attribute targets.
– Applies 20% additional defense power against attacks from Dark attribute targets.
Casting Time: [3]
Duration: [1 hour]
Divine Power Consumption: [2,500]
Cooldown: [10]
Holy Attribute Infusion was literally the exact opposite skill of Dark Attribute Infusion.
It turned the target into a Holy attribute, increasing attack, defense, and agility while additionally boosting damage and defense against Dark attributes.
After applying Holy Attribute Infusion to everyone gathered at the entrance, Seong-jun cast another buff.
‘Holy Attack Power Enhancement! Wide Area Mode! Holy Defense Power Enhancement! Wide Area Mode!’
Whoooosh! Whoosh!
Immediately followed by Holy Attack Power Enhancement and Holy Defense Power Enhancement.
[Active] Holy Attack Power Enhancement [1/10]
Maximizes attack power with holy power.
– Holy Attack Power +300,000 increase. [Applies only to targets possessing Holy attribute.]
Casting Time: [3]
Duration: [1 hour]
Divine Power Consumption: [1,500]
Cooldown: [3]
[Active] Holy Defense Power Enhancement [1/10]
Maximizes defense power with holy power.
– Holy Defense Power +500,000 increase. [Applies only to targets possessing Holy attribute.]
Casting Time: [3]
Duration: [1 hour]
Divine Power Consumption: [1,500]
Cooldown: [3]
Holy Attack Power Enhancement and Holy Defense Power Enhancement only apply when the buffed target is of the Holy attribute, drastically increasing Holy Attack Power and Holy Defense Power.
In other words, unless one is of the Holy attribute, these buffs are useless.
However, with the new addition of Holy Attribute Infusion following Dark Attribute Infusion, it became possible to convert targets to the Holy attribute.
By casting Holy Attribute Infusion and immediately following with Holy Attack Power and Holy Defense Power Enhancement buffs, those buffs would be fully applied.
“Wha-! B, base stats at one hundred fifty thousand? C, crazy! Isn’t this almost on par with S-rank stats?”
“Uh! Light is coming from my body! I hear I’ve changed to Holy attribute?”
“Wow! Damn! What is this! This is completely different from the last time I got buffed! This is insane!”
The last time the Genesis guild members received buffs was after the dungeon break incident ended, when they finished clearing the A-rank Centaur dungeon with Holy Emperor and Changcheon.
In other words, the last time they received buffs was when Seong-jun was A-rank.
Since this was their first time receiving buffs after he reached S-rank, they couldn’t help but be surprised by the drastically changed buffs.
Moreover, with new buffs that didn’t exist before, how could they not be surprised?
After applying all the buffs in Wide Area Mode, Seong-jun then applied Holy Weapon Enchant and Holy Armor Enchant only to his party members.
‘Well, when the time comes, I’ll have to release the Enchant buffs in Wide Area Mode too, but not now. To stay even a little ahead of them, we need to maintain this level of advantage.’
He planned to release the Enchant buffs in Wide Area Mode someday, but at least not now.
One might think, what’s the point of trying to gain an advantage while raiding a dungeon together?
But anyway, even the buffs applied now were more than sufficient to deal with A-rank monsters.
Therefore, he judged it right to take this level of advantage for himself.
“You’ve all received the buffs, right? Then let’s start moving.”
As Seong-jun, having finished applying buffs, moved his steps toward the entrance, his party members and the Genesis guild members quickly followed.
—
The hunting proceeded smoothly.
For the first few times, they all gathered and proceeded together, but since the efficiency was too low, they eventually decided to split into teams and scatter.
Thus, Genesis split into two parties forming one team and scattered, and Seong-jun’s party decided to act independently without linking with other parties.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Gwang-taek tanking three Drakes pulled with Chain of Light!
And Yuseon and Chang-su pouring fierce attacks onto those Drakes.
Of course, Seong-jun also steadily dealt damage using Surge of Holy Arrows.
“Kuuuuuuuu~”
Kooong!
It was true that the hunting speed had become dramatically faster compared to before as Seong-jun’s buffs became more powerful, but still, they had to attack dozens of times to take down one.
“Whew! Me tanking three A-rank monsters? Seong-jun, your buff power is no joke.”
Gwang-taek, who used to struggle even tanking one, was now simultaneously tanking three.
Who would believe that a B-rank tanker was simultaneously tanking three A-rank monsters?
But that unbelievable thing was happening right now.
“How many do you think you can manage at most?”
At Seong-jun’s question, Gwang-taek showed a momentary thoughtful expression.
Then, he soon looked at Seong-jun and spoke.
“First, three… hmm, it feels a bit tough but still doable. Four… I probably can’t guarantee up to four. If it goes over five, it’s absolutely impossible.”
Actually, tanking three wasn’t easy either, but it seemed he could somehow hold out if he tried.
However, simultaneously tanking four was hard to guarantee, and if it went over five, it seemed utterly impossible.
No matter how amazing Seong-jun’s buffs were, and even with constant life recovery through various healing skills, the impossible was impossible.
Unless Gwang-taek re-awakened into a higher-grade tanker, or unless Seong-jun’s buffs became much more powerful than now, this was the best he could do currently.
“Can’t be helped. Well, even this much is amazing. Then, if more than three gather, you just tank three, hyung. I’ll tank the rest. Yuseon and Chang-su, take down the ones hyung is tanking first, then come to my side.”
Seong-jun, who had blossomed as a tanker after acquiring the Essence of the Royal Paladin Pellis Truian.
However, until now, since Gwang-taek was blocking everything on his own, he hadn’t felt the need to unleash his tanker abilities.
But if a situation arose where Gwang-taek alone was struggling, he planned to switch to tanker immediately.
Frankly, since Seong-jun was superior to Gwang-taek in all aspects, including base stats, if he properly tanked, he would show far superior tanking ability compared to Gwang-taek.
But if he focused on tanking, he might neglect healing or attacking, so he planned to focus on the role of a sub-tanker rather than the main tanker, and proceed as usual otherwise.
“You, Seong-jun? Are you sure? You’re not even properly equipped with armor.”
Unlike Gwang-taek, clad head-to-toe in tanker heavy armor, Seong-jun was wearing healer attire.
Naturally, there would be a difference in defense, but what did that matter?
Even his life force was incomparably higher than Gwang-taek’s, and above all, Divine Combat Technique was an exceptional combat technique in both defense and evasion.
In other words, he could tank focusing on evasion, and only block or deflect with a shield in truly critical situations.
“It’s fine. Anyway, you’re the main tanker, hyung, so I’ll probably only need to tank one or two at most.”
At Seong-jun’s words, Yuseon joked.
“Oppa, are you debuting as a tanker today? Should we call you Paladin Kim Seong-jun instead of Saint Kim Seong-jun now?”
“Paladin, what nonsense.”
Seong-jun waved his hand dismissively and approached the monster corpses and mana stones, immediately opening a subspace.
‘Subspace Open! Store!’
Then, he moved the three Drakes into the subspace.
“We’ve filled up with fifteen Drakes’ worth of corpses and mana stones. From now on, what we hunt is ours.”
Seon-hwa had mentioned four or five, but Seong-jun had separately collected fifteen Drakes’ worth of corpses and mana stones this time as well.
In fact, this was why he proposed acting independently without linking with other Genesis teams.
If there were people other than his party members, he wouldn’t be able to cast Subspace comfortably.
Fortunately, Ju So-jeong accepted Seong-jun’s proposal, and as a result, he could use Subspace comfortably without worrying about anyone else’s notice.
“Really? Then we should start in earnest, right? Let’s see……”
Saying that, Yuseon quickly began scouting.
Then, after a moment.
“Over there! There are four Drakes gathered over there, and if you go a little further to the right from there, there’s another group of three.”
After finishing her scouting, Yuseon pinpointed the Drakes’ locations.
“Let’s go.”
Now that the monster locations were identified, there was no need to delay.
To clear the dungeon within the time limit, they had to hurry as much as possible.
—
An office in a high-rise building overlooking the nightscape beyond the window.
Someone was frowning while looking at a cell phone in hand.
“Tsk, they asked for time to think, but still no contact? Surely they don’t have some other scheme, do they?”
He was none other than Choi Sangjin, the CEO of Shinwha Electronics.
“That shouldn’t be the case. I heard they headed to Taiwan early this morning with the Genesis Guild. Probably…”
Perhaps because it was the first time he was hearing this, Choi Sangjin looked at his chief secretary with a puzzled expression.
“Genesis and Taiwan, you say?”
“Yes, it seems they had previously promised to raid an A-rank dungeon with Genesis.”
Roughly understanding the situation, Choi Sangjin subtly frowned.
“Tsk, so you’re saying they’re in Taiwan right now to raid a dungeon? No, those Genesis guys, there are A-rank dungeons in Korea too, what are they doing causing a fuss all the way in Taiwan?”
“It’s presumed to be because of the entry benefit. The dungeon Genesis and Kim Seong-jun’s party entered is one that hasn’t been around long since its creation.”
“Sigh, so? When do you think they’ll return to Korea?”
At Choi Sangjin’s question, the chief secretary answered immediately.
“They say about four days are left. They’ll probably try to clear it within that time somehow, so returning