Korea, ablaze with a flame sparked by Nameless, was appearing constantly in major news headlines around the world.
It was only natural, as every country was suffering from the same issues regarding villains.
China and Japan, in particular, couldn’t help but pay close attention.
“China, home to two criminal organizations twenty times the size of Korea’s! How should we respond?”
“Korea begins its war on crime! What about Japan, which possesses criminal organizations ten times larger?”
The Black Society, the symbol of the underworld for billions.
The Triads, which were no longer just a single entity but represented the underworld of the South and those of Chinese descent.
The Japanese Yakuza, which had encroached upon capital and Southeast Asia.
These villainous organizations had inherited the names of Asia’s three legendary criminal groups.
In Korea’s case, the Russian Mafia had also established a presence.
Considering the scale, Korea was surrounded by some of the world’s most prominent organizations; while they might not have their own major villain coalition, it was a place where various branches competed fiercely in the shadows.
With such a massive villain sweep taking place, interest from neighboring countries was bound to explode.
– Are they really going to wipe them all out? –
L A completely clean zone is difficult.
Wherever there are criminals, there are bound to be villains.
L Still, I’m jealous.
L Ikr.
Korea was already a relatively well-managed area, but now it’s becoming even cleaner.
L Can it get any cleaner than this?
I doubt the Villain Alliance will just sit back and watch.
L Well… we’ll have to wait and see.
L It’s better than not trying at all.
As the flame that started at the Monster Management Office spread to the purging of Korea’s criminal forces, everyone was surprised yet hopeful for its success.
If Korea succeeded, there was a hope that their own politicians might at least pretend to take action out of fear of public opinion.
– Why don’t we have a hunter like Nameless? –
L They’ll probably try to make one.
L For sure.
They’ll definitely try.
L Since the existing strategies have hit a limit in the 50s, it’s time to change methods.
L Seeing how Nameless Hunter changed after achieving Absolute Perfection on the 1st floor, they’ll at least give it a shot.
L Definitely… Since he started with different rewards, his growth rate has been insane.
L He’s only on the 5th floor, but he uses Battle Spirit and his mana manipulation seems even more skilled than hunters in their 20s.
In particular, the fact that he was performing a “true strategy” rather than simply overwhelming with skills earned him higher praise.
Because of this, new hunters in Korea were following Nameless’s lead, enduring their fear to take on challenges, and an atmosphere where this was becoming the norm was being created.
As the atmosphere in Korea shifted because of Nameless, public opinion in other countries began to sour.
– Korea is at least putting in the effort, what are we doing?
– Shouldn’t we be coming up with support plans for low-floor hunters right now?
– We need to find a way to get those Bonfires.
Otherwise, the gap between us and Korea will just keep widening!
– Provide support so we can perfectly clear even just the 1st floor!
Given the situation, other countries also began to hastily release plans.
“Creating a Second Nameless! We can do it too! Through massive support from the US…”
“China: Implementing a mandate for new hunters to focus on the 1st floor for at least a month…”
“European Union: Preparing support measures to focus on the 1st floor strategy…”
“India: Establishing cooperative relationships between rookies and guilds…”
Each country entered into projects to create a “Second Nameless.”
There was no need to go as far as achieving Absolute Perfection up to the 5th floor.
If they could secure a long-term supply of even just the 1st-floor Bonfire, it would be an incredibly profitable venture.
And what if a talented individual actually managed Absolute Perfection from floors 1 to 5 like Nameless?
That would be hitting the jackpot.
They thought it was a gamble worth taking, and their respective public opinions supported them.
However, the opinion of actual hunters was the exact opposite.
– Perfect clear at Level 1? If that were easy, don’t you think the current SS-classes would have done it? –
L They think just because a strategy guide is out, anyone can do it.
L It’s only possible because it’s Nameless.
At Level 1, you’re busy just adapting.
L From the start, Nameless’s movements at Level 1 were as skilled as an experienced hunter.
How could a normal Level 1 do that?
L Nameless’s estimated rank is at least SS-class or higher.
L Even Cheon Tae-san, who is SS-class, barely attempted a perfect clear at Level 6.
Hunters who had actually climbed the tower knew all too well that even if an ordinary hunter saw the strategy, mimicking Nameless from Level 1 was impossible.
They knew that to aim for a Level 1 perfect clear after watching Nameless’s video, one would need to be at least Level 7 to 9.
Of course, there were those who disagreed.
L Isn’t it different from the past?
Because of Nameless, there are tons of Level 1 strategy videos and posts now.
L Agreed.
It’s different from when everyone ignored the low floors.
L If the government provides support, more detailed strategy data will be created, so it might be worth a shot.
L They’ll start training as soon as they awaken, and then go in.
The results might be different.
L Seeing people rain on the parade from the start, sounds like they’re just jealous.
Most were civilians who hadn’t awakened yet, but there were also active hunters who gave encouragement, saying it was worth a try.
They knew the probability was slim, but they hoped someone would get incredibly lucky and provide a Bonfire.
Around the time the flame thrown by Nameless was spreading across the entire world, the person himself, Min-hyuk, was down at his parents’ house resting comfortably.
“Everyone is only talking about Nameless.”
“No kidding.”
His parents, who were eating while watching TV, had expressions of exhaustion as Nameless’s name came up no matter what channel they turned to.
Even variety shows were mentioning Nameless, so it was understandable they were tired of it.
“Ahem!”
Min-hyuk, feeling a bit guilty, coughed and focused on eating.
Suddenly, both of them turned their heads toward him at the same time.
As soon as he saw their worried expressions, he realized they had heard about his illness and gave a bitter smile.
“Did you hear it from Min-hye?”
“No.”
Choi Jin-hyung shook his head and held up his phone to show a text message he had received.
“…The Monster Management Office.”
“They told me to pass it on since they couldn’t reach you.”
The fact was, they had contacted his father directly.
Since he had been busy lately and ignoring their calls, they used the family contact he had registered as an emergency contact.
[You have been selected as a recipient for additional special industrial accident compensation. Please visit with your family.]
Although information about Min-hyuk had been released in a limited capacity, the quick-witted Choi Jin-hyung immediately realized why his son had become a recipient.
“Is it Mana Disease?”
“…Yes.”
As Min-hyuk answered honestly, tears welled up in Kim Min-sook’s eyes.
He could see that Choi Jin-hyung’s eyes were also turning red.
“Thanks to the former office director, I received good treatment. It’s not at a serious stage.”
“I heard there is no cure.”
“That’s right. I heard it has to be managed constantly until awakening.”
Min-hyuk nodded honestly at his parents’ words, as it seemed they had already looked everything up.
“I heard you quit your job too. Pack up your things in Seoul and come back home.”
“Yes. You should focus on your rehabilitation while making sure you eat regular meals.”
He could feel his parents’ desire for him to live comfortably at home, but he firmly refused.
“I want to focus on my treatment for now.”
“How are you going to manage alone with that body?”
“I’m doing better than you think.”
He spoke to Kim Min-sook as if to reassure her that he really was okay.
“It’s faster and better to be in Seoul for treatment. Once my body has recovered to a certain extent and I enter the rehabilitation stage, I’ll come back home then.”
“…Fine.”
Knowing how difficult it was to break his stubbornness, Choi Jin-hyung finally accepted it.
Still worried, he encouraged Min-hyuk to take some foods rumored to be good for Mana Disease when he went back up.
In reality, the disease couldn’t be fundamentally cured.
They were simply healthy foods intended to make his body stronger overall.
Had they been waiting for him to come?
After seeing the fridge full of everything from food to healthy juices for him to take, Min-hyuk quietly went into his room.
“Phew… I think this is enough…”
Checking the news on his phone, Min-hyuk sensed it was about time to return.
The situation in Korea, as he observed it while staying at his parents’ house for a few days, was more stable than expected.
It felt as though the Bureau of Hunter Affairs had sharpened its blade and was moving in early before the villains could cause trouble.
If anything, the monsters were more of an issue than the villains.
Because the tower’s strategy rate can’t always reach 100%, there are abandoned gates in deep mountains.
Usually, the Hunter Bureau manages those areas, but this time, all those personnel had been pulled to manage villains alongside the police.
“Everyone’s going crazy.”
His phone was also full of messages from friends he hadn’t heard from in a while.
– Monster-related stocks! Should I buy now? –
– Is now the time? –
– Are Korean guild stocks about to skyrocket? –
He shook his head as he looked at the messages asking if stocks would soar.
Regardless, there was already a flood of news regarding stocks anyway.
Due to the ripple effect he caused, stocks related to the hunter industry were rising rapidly.
Of course, in that process, there were articles that rubbed Min-hyuk the wrong way.
“Creating a Second Nameless! Is it actually possible?”
Perhaps it was because countries around the world were investing heavily in the 1st floor?
Articles appeared stating that Korea was also starting investments to create a second Nameless.
‘I must be an eyesore to them.’
His existence, which openly criticized the government, must be uncomfortable.
If a replacement appeared, they wouldn’t have to be dragged around by him anymore, so it was an investment worth making for them.
Even if it failed, they could use the excuse that it was a plan to raise the overall level of hunters in Korea.
“This leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”
The government’s support plan felt as though it was saying, ‘It’s only because we didn’t provide support before; if we support them actively, we can make a second Nameless whenever we want!’
Therefore, Min-hyuk responded to the government’s provocation as if to say they could try to find his replacement whenever they liked.
[Would you like to release the 1st-floor strategy video for free?]
“Yes.”
He changed the 1st-floor strategy video he had uploaded to free.
At the same time, he added a single line to the notice.
* You may record this and share it with the general public. –
He posted a notice saying they could record the system window with special recording devices and upload it to Nutube.
Even though special recording devices were expensive, major streamers would buy them and spread the content.
This way, not only hunters but also the general public would become sufficiently interested.
“I am curious.”
Would someone else capable of a perfect clear really emerge among the new hunters?
As if he were genuinely curious, Min-hyuk released the 1st-floor strategy for free and immediately left his parents’ house.
Arriving home with the bundles his parents had packed for him, Min-hyuk opened the system window immediately without even resting.
“I’ve rested enough, shall I get moving again?”
It was time to resume the strategy he had paused while at home.
[Would you like to enter the 6th floor?]
“Yes.”