I woke up leisurely and stepped outside.
Enjoying the sunlight, I headed toward a nearby restaurant.
Balak’s cooking was delicious and fine, but perhaps because I had been eating similar food for a month, I found myself craving dishes that burst with the flavors of Korea.
“Yawn.”
With my eyes half-open, I arrived at the restaurant district near the Association.
Back when I was a miner in the Dungeons, if I was lucky enough to meet a kind manager, they would buy me a meal after the work was done.
There was a soybean paste stew place I used to go to back then.
The savory taste was top-tier.
It was such a popular spot that there were usually no seats available if you arrived during the lunch rush.
However, because the shop itself was near the Association, the prices were a bit high, so I couldn’t come often since I couldn’t afford it with my own money.
‘Oh, there’s no one here.’
I entered the shop and sat in a corner seat. Checking the time, it was 10:30 AM. It was the perfect time to avoid the crowds.
“What can I get for you?”
“One soybean paste stew and one Jaeyuk Bokkeum, please.”
“The Jaeyuk is only served for two or more people… Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
After placing my order, I opened my Status Window and browsed the Golden Tower. Under the Research category, I selected a few things I needed and assigned them.
[Researching Demonic Power.]
[Researching Divine Power.]
[Progressing Research on Mana Attribute Conversion.]
To properly utilize Turkan of the Dark Night, I needed dark-attribute Mana—specifically, Demonic Power.
Similarly, the light-attribute Guardians I would obtain in the future would likely require Divine Power. Researching them together would be useful in many ways.
After finishing the assignments, I checked my experience points. It looked like I would reach my target Level soon. Once I reached that Level, I could construct a second Golden Tower.
‘Where should I build it?’
Should I just build it in Japan or China and take total control? The thought just popped into my head, but it didn’t seem like a bad idea.
If I could exert strong influence, I would be able to solve annoying matters all at once.
“Your meal is served.”
A savory soybean paste stew served in a stone pot. Spicy yet sweet Jaeyuk Bokkeum served on a plate.
Along with those, various side dishes filled with the owner’s skill.
Looking at the table that held the essence of Korean cuisine, I picked up my spoon.
First, I scooped a bit of the soybean paste stew and put it in my mouth.
As the tofu and zucchini crumbled slightly, the nutty flavor of the soybean paste spread through my mouth.
‘This is the taste.’
I scooped a spoonful of rice and shoved it into my mouth along with the Jaeyuk Bokkeum. It was so delicious that my brow furrowed instinctively.
Even the basic side dishes besides the main ones were well-seasoned. In the blink of an eye, one bowl of rice completely vanished.
“Two more bowls of rice here, please.”
Only after I had stuffed every bit of food on the table into my stomach did I feel somewhat full.
‘Should I try teaching Balak how to cook Korean food?’
I could already picture him excitedly analyzing it, calling it a new type of cuisine.
Above all, since he enjoyed cultivating things himself, it was obvious he would grow everything from the cabbage for kimchi to the beans for the paste himself.
Since things grown in a Dragon Lair were fundamentally superior in taste…
*Slurp.*
My mouth watered involuntarily.
“I should buy some Korean cookbooks on my way back from conquering the Labyrinth.”
After paying and stepping outside, I ordered an iced coffee at a nearby cafe. While I was waiting, the Association President called me.
“Yes.”
—Is it okay to talk for a moment?
“It’s fine.”
Association President Lee Changgeon’s voice was unusually serious. Once I heard the whole story, I understood why.
It was a plot by China and Japan. They were trying to screw me over by twisting the fact that they had contacted the Apostle.
‘Why did they make such a stupid move?’
There were plenty of ways to prove that I obtained the Hidden Pieces myself.
I could record it directly using the Labyrinth Cam that was popular these days, or I could prove the facts by being accompanied by someone.
There was no way those who called themselves Association Presidents didn’t know that.
“So, what did you tell them?”
—I told them I would let them see for themselves.
“You did well.”
If I proved it clearly this time, China and Japan would find it difficult to maintain a strong voice anymore. Since they were self-destructing on their own, I had nothing to lose.
—Instead, because of this matter, the conquest of the SS-Class Red Dungeon might be delayed a bit.
“Why?”
—There is a World Hunter Association law that states if there’s a disqualifying reason regarding the Dungeon owner, the Dungeon cannot be raided temporarily. China and Japan…
China and Japan. The Apostle. The SS-Class Red Dungeon. As those three words merged, something flashed in my mind.
‘Teleport.’
I moved to the location of the SS-Class Red Dungeon in a single bound. As soon as I arrived, I flicked my fingers to equip the Goblin Mask. I looked down from the air.
The site was filled with employees dispatched from the Association. They were preparing various things for the raid, starting from controlling the surrounding area to constructing a command center. In the center of it all was a massive Dungeon entrance.
[Red Dungeon (SS)]
– If not conquered within the time limit, a Dungeon Break will occur.
– Time Limit: 28 days.
– Eliminate all Boss Monsters inside the Dungeon within the time limit.
– Boss Monsters: 0/100
This was the Dungeon Status Window that ordinary Hunters saw.
[Using Golden Dragon Eye.]
[Red Dungeon (SS)]
– Eliminate the Red Dragon guarding the Lair and obtain the Reward.
– The SS-Class Red Dungeon is a testing ground to select a new Apostle.
– The chosen one here will immediately become a Lower Apostle and act with a portion of the Red Dragon God’s authority.
– An Apostle of the Red Dragon God currently exists inside.
– Red Dragon: 0/1
– Reward: Red Dragon Heart (SS)
After reading the details, a clear picture was formed.
‘They’re stalling for time.’
Time for the Lower Apostle to pull some tricks. To buy that time, they were holding me back by playing an absurd and strange card.
Their target itself was hit accurately. Until the suspicions were resolved, the World Hunter Association would block the conquest of the SS Rank Dungeon.
Even though it was a Dungeon I owned, because it was the first of its kind, I had to follow the World Hunter Association’s regulations. If we didn’t follow this, Korea would have to face the entire world.
War.
Even if all Twelve Constellations rushed me, I was confident I wouldn’t lose. However, there would definitely be innocent victims.
I didn’t want such a situation. That didn’t mean I intended to let the World Hunter Association drag me around and walk on eggshells either.
‘Let’s settle this once and for all.’
The fact that even if all Twelve Constellations attacked at once, they would be no match for me. Just where Korea—no, where I stood.
“President, please prepare a Labyrinth Cam.”
—They won’t easily believe it, saying that videos can be manipulated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make it so they have no choice but to believe, even if they don’t want to.”
After the World Hunter Association meeting ended.
Media outlets across the globe covered the news about Dokkaebi.
[Is the Secret to Dokkaebi’s Achievements Murder?]
[An Artificial Show Created by Korea?]
[My Father Was Killed by Dokkaebi.]
[Where Did Korea’s Ugly Struggles Begin?]
[The Blood Demon is a Victim? Dokkaebi is the Perpetrator?]
All sorts of sensational articles poured out. Journalists chewed on and tore apart sources leaked from somewhere.
—Is that guy really trustworthy? The guy I met was all talk… Tsk.
The Chinese Association President’s face was reflected on the screen. Yoosaki looked at him and shrugged his shoulders.
“That doesn’t matter.”
—What?
“Anyway, if the Apostle doesn’t kill Dokkaebi, we’re finished.”
The things they had done to trample Dokkaebi. Until now, they had suppressed Korea and Dokkaebi using their background as members of the World’s Top Five, but that had reached its limit.
Because of Dokkaebi’s fierce resistance, the prestige of Japan and China had fallen to the floor.
If the Apostle couldn’t kill Dokkaebi, it was safe to say that the Hunter industries of China and Japan were finished.
That was why they had to succeed no matter what.
‘I’ve bought him time, so he’ll surely catch Dokkaebi.’
The World’s Top Three, excluding China and Japan.
Considering that they would personally verify the secrets related to the Hidden Pieces and the investigations into Dokkaebi would proceed, they should be able to buy at least one week.
—Can we really buy enough time? The United States seems to suspect us.
“There’s nothing certain, is there?”
China and Japan had personally met the Apostle and heard and seen many things. Other nations had not.
To them, things like Apostles, conspiracies, Dragons, and Golden Towers were closer to fairy tales. Since nothing was certain, the process of revealing the truth would not be easy.
—Do you think Dokkaebi will follow along obediently? I don’t think he will.
“Then the Twelve Constellations will move.”
Excluding the Twelve Constellations of Italy and China who had died, there were ten remaining members. According to the laws of the World Hunter Association, they would move personally to judge Dokkaebi.
No matter how strong Dokkaebi was, it would be difficult for him to handle all of them. Those ten were the strongest beings among current humanity.
—He’s an unusual fellow. You never know what he might do, so don’t let your guard down until the very end.
“How much of a mess can he really make here? We just have to wait.”
Yoosaki laughed as he watched the thoroughly terrified Chinese Association President.
Just a few months ago, he had been talking about gathering the United Kingdom, France, and Japan to take down the United States.
Now, he had become a toothless tiger.
‘If the Apostle kills Dokkaebi… I’ll take Korea. And then I’ll take China too.’
Yoosaki rolled his tongue at the thought of ruling over all of East Asia. If he expanded like that one by one, he could rule the entire world.
“Then, keep up the hard work.”
As soon as he ended the video call, his secretary entered the office.
“President, you should see this.”
The secretary broadcasted something onto a massive screen. On the screen was a man wearing a Goblin Mask.
“Dokkaebi?”
He was standing on a terrain where lava flowed, resting his hand on a solid rock.
—Hey. Association Presidents of China and Japan. Watch closely.
As he clenched his fist and lightly tapped the rock, golden fragments appeared among the stone pieces that crumbled into powder. Simultaneously, a message appeared before Yoosaki’s eyes.
[A Hunter belonging to Korea has discovered a Hidden Piece.]
[The Trial Reward of the Korean Hunters will be enhanced.]
[The Dungeon Reward of the Korean Hunters will be enhanced.]
Dokkaebi smiled and spoke.
—See? Easy, right?
Dokkaebi, who had tucked away the golden fragments, was about to walk away when he stopped.
—Ah. No. If you see this, will you say the video was manipulated? Man, if you can’t believe it even when I show you directly, that’s a problem…
As Dokkaebi let his words trail off, a small piece of paper appeared in his hand. Ordinary people wouldn’t know, but Yoosaki knew exactly what that paper was.
“A Floor Challenge Ticket…”
Currently, the Stage Dokkaebi had conquered in the Labyrinth was Floor 40. That was the floor ruled by Ryuki, one of the Twelve Constellations and an S-rank Hunter representing Japan.
—Fine. Whether you believe it or not is your freedom. Can you guys do the same thing to the United States, United Kingdom, or France that you did to me?
—Why do you keep trying to push people down with your weight in such a pathetic way?
—Do I look easy to you? Does Korea look easy?
The Dokkaebi on the screen rolled his tongue with a bitter smile.
—And did you really think I wouldn’t know you guys were stalling for time?
Yoosaki clenched his fists and sucked in a breath.
“…!”
Dokkaebi grabbed the Floor Challenge Ticket and ripped it wide open.
—I’ll show you exactly who you’ve messed with.
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