“Korean Hunter Association President, do you have anything you would like to say?”
“I have nothing.”
“Then, this concludes the meeting.”
Along with the message that the video conference had ended, Lee Changgeon leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. A smile played on his lips.
‘To think a day like this would come.’
Originally, the position of the Korean Hunter Association President was one where you only took criticism. Because of that, no one wanted the job.
It held almost zero power yet was met with daily abuse, so even those greedy for authority didn’t easily covet it.
The only reason he had held onto this position for so long was out of guilt for his fallen comrades and his pride as a Korean.
There was a time when Korea was the center of the Hunter industry.
However, with the deaths of several S-rank Hunter colleagues, the nation began a rapid decline. He couldn’t just stand by and watch.
‘If no one had taken the lead…’
Korea would have likely vanished from the Hunter industry long ago.
Though he couldn’t do much in this position, he had protected the Korean Hunter community by bowing his head and absorbing the insults.
In the Korea he had protected, the Dokkaebi appeared.
And the Dokkaebi had grown Korea back into the center of the Hunter industry. Lee Changgeon was the one who felt that influence most directly.
He chuckled.
“…To think other countries are now actually walking on eggshells around Korea.”
Normally, he wouldn’t have even been granted a turn to speak easily.
Today, they had gone as far as to ask if he had anything else to say.
Throughout the meeting, the association presidents of other nations had been busy gauging his reaction. From Lee Changgeon’s perspective, truly unbelievable things were unfolding.
In particular, the biggest change had occurred one week ago, following the Dokkaebi’s successful raid of the SS-rank Red Dungeon.
Korea’s status had risen to become one of the world’s two superpowers.
The United States and Korea.
Korea now stood where China and Japan once were, while China and Japan had plummeted far below. Into a deep pit where they couldn’t even be seen.
“You look like you’re in a much better mood.”
At the familiar voice, Lee Changgeon opened his eyes to see a man wearing a Dokkaebi Mask sitting on the sofa.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“I had a place to visit for a moment. Has some kind of problem occurred?”
“It has.”
Lee Changgeon rose from his seat, grabbed a file from his desk, and headed toward the sofa. He sat across from the Dokkaebi and handed over the file.
As he watched the Dokkaebi check the file, Lee Changgeon continued his explanation.
“The Twelve Constellations will be reorganized.”
“I see my name is in here.”
“You are the First Star. The first of the Twelve Constellations. All association presidents worldwide, including the Twelve Constellations themselves, have agreed to this.”
“A new rank system? What is this?”
“The skills of the Constellations who went to the SS-rank Red Dungeon have grown significantly. They’ve moved onto a completely different level compared to standard S-rank Hunters. To define them, we have added the SS-rank.”
“Then all the Twelve Constellations will be composed of SS-ranks.”
“Yes. I don’t know if all twelve seats will be filled, but that’s how we’ve decided to proceed for now.”
With the reorganization of the Twelve Constellations, various rights and responsibilities were added. He explained these one by one.
“There probably won’t be many merits for you personally. If there’s something you want, tell me, and I plan to demand it from the World Hunter Association.”
“I’ll let you know if something comes up.”
“Alright. Tell me anything. You’re in a position to do so now. Though it’s all thanks to you.”
Lee Changgeon smiled brightly and moved on to the news regarding China and Japan.
“The association presidents who colluded with the Apostles will be imprisoned in a jail managed by the World Hunter Association.”
It was a detention center guarded by S-rank Hunters.
It was difficult to enter, but even harder to escape. It was a place for the worst criminals who had committed heinous atrocities. Once they were inside, their lives were essentially over.
“Also, Korea will take over all floor ownership rights previously held by China and Japan. To be precise, they will become your property.”
“Please manage the Dungeons as you see fit, President.”
“I will do that.”
Instead of taking over the floor ownership, he explained that the restrictions on their Labyrinth entry and Hunter training would be lifted.
He went through the list of changes that had occurred over the past week.
“Quite a lot has happened.”
“I’ve handled things arbitrarily for now, but they can be modified at any time. If there’s anything you don’t like, just say the word. If you want more regulations on China and Japan, we can do that too.”
“No, it’s fine. There’s no need for others to shoulder the burden of what the Chinese and Japanese association presidents did.”
Thinking he had said everything he needed to, Lee Changgeon looked at the Dokkaebi.
“I’ve finished my side. What is it you have to say?”
“A powerful enemy will invade soon.”
“The Apostles?”
“Yes.”
An Apostle had already caused a riot once before. Of course, the Dokkaebi had stopped it, so no major damage occurred, but hearing that someone even stronger was coming made him worry. He wondered if they could stop them this time as well.
Reading Lee Changgeon’s expression, the Dokkaebi curled his lips into a smile.
“Don’t worry. I can handle it with my own hands. However, there might be a situation where we have to accept a certain level of damage.”
“…How much time is left?”
“About 3 weeks?”
“What should I do?”
“Later, if I end up blowing up a few cities, please just take care of the aftermath.”
“As long as there aren’t too many casualties, it’s possible.”
“I will do my best to ensure there are as few casualties as possible. Since the mages of the Golden Tower are here, Korea at least should be safe.”
At the Dokkaebi’s words, Lee Changgeon set aside his worries for a moment.
“I’m telling you this only because it’s better to know in advance than for it to happen suddenly.”
“Thank you. Oh, and I have a gift for you.”
After asking for a moment of his time, Lee Changgeon called the secretary’s office. A short while later, the chief secretary arrived. It was a moderately sized box.
The Dokkaebi opened it. Inside, it was filled with golden Stones of Achievement.
“I obtained these by seeking cooperation from all over the world.”
“Oh. I didn’t expect you to gather this many. Thank you. I’ll put them to good use.”
“Then, what do you plan to do for the next 3 weeks?”
The Dokkaebi laughed as if he were being asked something obvious.
“I have to get stronger.”
[You have discovered a Hidden Piece.]
[An achievement reward for discovering a Hidden Piece is granted.]
[The Dungeon raid rewards for the discoverer’s nation will increase.]
[The Trial success rewards for the discoverer’s nation will increase.]
[Sixty-three achievement rewards have accumulated. The probability of an SS-rank Red Dungeon appearing increases.]
Since fewer people had discovered Hidden Pieces from the mid-40th floor onward, he was able to obtain three per floor.
He tossed the three Dragon Heart Fragments in his hand into his mouth and swallowed them. Then, he moved to where the Boss Monster was located.
It was a place thick with frigid air. A Yeti stood upon it. Shaped like a massive ape, the Yeti’s pure white fur fluttered in the wind.
“Uwoaaaaah!”
When the Yeti saw him, it let out a roar, and a cold wind blew as frost scattered through the air.
Thump!
Thump!
Watching the Yeti rush toward him, he clenched his fist, stepped forward, and threw a massive punch.
“Burning Impact.”
Along with the flames blooming on his fist, a bright red light flashed, and an explosion occurred.
Kaaaa-boom!
The red light swallowed the Yeti and burned intensely, melting everything that had been frozen in the vicinity.
[You have completed the Trial of the 50th floor of the Labyrinth.]
[As Trial rewards, thirty Magic Stones (S), one Yeti’s Heart (S), and ten Ice Crystal Stones (S) are granted.]
[A Hidden Piece was obtained on this floor.]
[You have acquired a Floor Challenge Letter.]
[By using the challenge letter, you can challenge the Floor Master.]
He put all the Labyrinth rewards into the Dragon Lair and returned to reality. He checked to see if there were any messages from the association.
– No additional S-rank Red Dungeons have occurred as of today.
– We will contact you immediately if any occur in the future.
For about two weeks since returning to reality, he had received reports on Red Dungeons like this every day after raiding the Labyrinth.
Whenever a Dungeon appeared, he immediately raided it and hunted the Fallen Apostle to secure Arena Tickets.
‘Have I gathered about ten of them?’
If possible, he wanted to gather more and use the Advanced Arena, but it didn’t seem like more would be collected just by waiting.
Now was the time to use everything he had gathered to grow.
Deciding to enter the Arena after finishing today’s tasks, he moved to the Dragon Lair.
Flash!
As he walked toward the training room inside the Lair, he saw Yoo Seolha in the middle of training with her eyes closed.
[Golden Dragon Eye has been activated.]
[Golden Tower Master Yoo Seolha (SS-)]
– The Master of the Golden Tower in Korea and the only daughter of the Hero Yoo Baekjun.
– She is concentrating.
– Comprehensive Stats: SS
– Potential: SSS
– Items Owned: Archmage’s Hat (Artifact), Blue Moonlight Staff (S)
– Skills Owned: Archmage’s Talent (SSS), Dragon Guardian (SS), Concentration (SS), The First Archmage (S), Mana Flow (S).
When he first saw her, she was a D-rank and unawakened. Her growth rate was truly fast, reaching SS-rank within just a few months.
‘If she goes out like this, one of the seats in the Twelve Constellations is practically hers.’
If a little more time passed, it seemed possible for her to reach SSS-rank. Seeing her grow like this made him feel like it was worth supporting her.
Just as he had raised Artina, he wanted to give her full support and try raising her to SSS-rank.
“Phew.”
Whether she had finished her training or not, Yoo Seolha exhaled and opened her eyes, meeting his gaze.
“Oh? It’s been a while.”
“How is your training?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve enjoyed being able to train to my heart’s content. I feel like I’ve achieved some results in my own way.”
“Really? That’s good.”
“By the way, how is the situation outside?”
He actually had something to discuss regarding that.
“Shall we talk over some food?”
“Yes!”
He took Yoo Seolha out of the Dragon Lair.
Whether she had truly been stuck only in the training room, her eyes grew as wide as saucers as she looked at the natural scenery.
He couldn’t help but chuckle when her mouth fell open at the sight of Elves, Goblins, and Wyverns.
“Where on earth is this?”
“My hideout? I’ll introduce those guys to you slowly later. You have too much to do today for introductions.”
“Ugh. Is another all-nighter starting?”
“Something like that.”
After arriving at Balak’s Restaurant and ordering food, they discussed the upcoming High Apostle.
“You helped me once before by protecting a city, right?”
“Yes.”
“This time, you might have to protect an even wider range. Someone much stronger is coming for me.”
“What do I need to do?”
“You just need to install defensive magic circles in major cities across the country and set up Apostle trackers so you can report to me the moment one appears.”
Since the relevant research was already completed, she would be able to execute it immediately upon her return to the Golden Tower.
“Yes. I’ll do that.”
After finishing their meal while discussing other light topics about what was happening in the real world, they returned to the Dragon Lair.
Just as he was about to follow Yoo Seolha after creating a portal for her to return to the Golden Tower in reality—
Crack!
The Dragon’s Egg, which had been consuming Magic Stones in the center of the Lair, began to crack.
“Oh?”