Chapter 31: Go and Provoke Them to Invade

The Purification Sect holds three Stages.

From the 11th Floor to the 13th Floor.

If any criminals slip through on the 11th Floor, they block them on the 12th and 13th, with China making deals with other countries to acquire these Floors.

The 12th and 13th Floors.

They don’t have as many as the 11th Floor, but still hold quite a few Jeonghwa Sect Disciples.

That’s only possible because China itself has so many people—other countries wouldn’t even consider this method.

In a world where power is authority,

Descending the Labyrinth and gathering many strong Hunters is the best.

Since I conquered the 11th Floor, they must’ve tried to catch me on the 12th.

Looking at the Jeonghwa Sect Disciples, I used Dragon’s Blessing on the Orc.

“Orc. I need your help.”

“Uoooooo!”

The Orc roared and charged at the Jeonghwa Sect Disciples. There were a total of twenty opponents, all D-grade Hunters.

With the buff effects, it should be about C-grade within the Labyrinth.

Fwoooong!

The Orc’s muscles twitched as its heavy axe swept the area. Some Jeonghwa Sect Disciples, caught off guard, were beheaded on the spot.

I could see that the Purification Sect Disciples were slightly flustered.

“What the? Why is that Orc so strong?”

“If it can kill us in a single blow, isn’t it at least B-grade? Is there even a B-grade Orc in the Labyrinth?”

“It’s fine. We outnumber it. Let’s kill the Orc first.”

The Purification Sect’s Hunters combined forces to attack the Orc. At first, it looked fairly even.

But as Dragon’s Blessing wore off, the Orc began to get pushed back.

I had to admit, the Purification Sect really showed the teamwork they’d built up over a long time.

On the other hand, it was also the Orc’s problem.

‘It really is lacking in real combat experience.’

All the enemies it’s faced so far have been weaker than it, and to begin with, the Orc’s innate talent was only D-grade.

I’d forcibly raised it to C-grade with money, so it was natural that it couldn’t handle its abilities properly.

‘Well. Then I just need to make it even stronger.’

After clearing the main quest, the grade of the Dragon Lair rose, and the Guardian’s grade cap was lifted as well.

I opened the Orc’s status window.

[Attack: C]

[Health: C]

[Endurance: C]

[Evasion: C]

[Mana: C]

I raised all its stats to B-grade.

[Attack has been increased.]

[Health has been increased.]

[Endurance has been increased.]

[Evasion has been increased.]

[Mana has been increased.]

Each stat upgrade cost 1 billion won.

‘I should raise its skill too.’

The Orc’s skill was Axe Technique.

I invested another billion to raise the grade of Axe Technique.

[Axe Technique grade has increased.]

[You can now imbue your axe with mana.]

Oh.

“Uoooooo!”

A blue light flowed from the Orc’s axe. Along with that, its power increased as it began to sweep through the Purification Sect’s Hunters.

This is what makes spending money worth it.

[Orc of the Desert Crocodile Tribe (C) has met the awakening conditions.]

[An awakening quest has been given.]

[Awakening Quest]

-The Orc of the Desert Crocodile Tribe must hunt a B-grade monster or a C-grade boss monster. (Complete)

-The Orc of the Desert Crocodile Tribe must learn three B-grade or higher skills.

-B-grade Earth Attribute Pill is required.

-Reward: Guardian grade upgrade.

Gathering various attribute materials and making them into a pill form creates an Attribute Pill.

If I use the things I’m growing in the Elixir Field, it should be enough to make an Attribute Pill.

But I don’t have an Elixir Master who can actually make the pill.

‘I’ll have to look into that too. Either find someone, or get the skill.’

When I finished my thoughts and checked ahead—

The Orc had already swept through all of the Purification Sect Disciples.

“Good work.”

After sending the Orc back, I wandered around the Labyrinth alone, searching for Hidden Pieces.

When I arrived at the spot the Golden Dragon Eye pointed to, there was a boulder the size of an Orc.

A golden light was emanating from within.

“Gravity Hand.”

Bang!

When I smashed the boulder, inside was a Dragon Heart Fragment.

[You have discovered a Hidden Piece.]

[Hidden Piece Achievement Reward granted.]

[Dungeon Raid rewards for your country increase.]

[Trial Success rewards for your country increase.]

I no longer needed to go home to consume it, so I ate it right away.

[You have consumed a Dragon Heart Fragment.]

[The mana within the fragment merges into your Dragon Heart.]

[You learn the magic left in the Dragon Heart Fragment.]

[Meditation (S)]

-While focusing your mind, you absorb nearby mana into the Dragon Heart.

Not bad.

While I was at it, I also consumed the Dragon Heart Fragment obtained on the 11th Floor.

[Purification (S)]

-Purifies any target or item afflicted by contamination, curse, poison, or illusion.

That’s good too.

I was satisfied with both skills.

‘I’ll look around a bit more before leaving.’

Since I’d found two Hidden Pieces on the 11th Floor, I checked the surroundings in case I missed anything.

But the Golden Dragon Eye didn’t activate.

I went to the place I’d already scouted where the boss monster resided, took care of it, and completed the trial.

[You have cleared the Trial of the Labyrinth 12th Floor.]

[As a reward, you have received seven Magic Stones (E).]

[You have obtained the Hidden Piece for this Floor.]

[You have acquired a Stage Challenge Ticket.]

[Use the Challenge Ticket to challenge the Floor Master.]

I gripped the Challenge Ticket and tore it.

[Challenging the Floor Master of the Labyrinth 12th Floor.]

Normally, a person can only possess one Stage, so it’s best to transfer the Labyrinth I have and then use the Challenge Ticket.

‘But if I give them time, they might prepare.’

It’s better to rush the Purification Sect while they’re still in chaos and snatch the Labyrinth.

Above all.

I have Park Chanseong, a Guardian who was once a Hunter. He should be able to take charge of a Stage. And even if not, it doesn’t matter.

If someone else takes it, I’ll just take it back and hand it over to Korea.

Now’s the time to focus on smashing the Purification Sect.

[The Master of the 12th Floor has selected a restriction.]

[You may not receive help from any other Hunter in the Stage War except yourself.]

As the message disappeared, the scenery of the Labyrinth 12th Floor came into view. Directly ahead, hundreds of Purification Sect Hunters stood.

[The battle mode is all-out war.]

[Fight until one side’s formation is wiped out.]

[No time limit.]

The right-hand man of the Master of the 12th Floor.

Vice Master Jangpal.

He stood there. I used the Golden Dragon Eye on him.

[Jeonghwa Vice Master Jangpal (B)]

-Floor Master of the Labyrinth 12th Floor, and Vice Master leading the Purification Sect. Jangpal.

-Enraged at the goblin who shattered the Purification Sect’s pride.

-Overall Abilities: B

-Potential: B

-Possessed Items: Yulcheon Spirit Bell (B), Sturdy High-Grade Plate Armor Set (A), Artifact of Knowledge Set (A).

-Possessed Skills: Yulcheon Formation (B), Yulcheon Mind Method (B), Yulcheon Step Method (B), Curse Enhancement (B), Stage Master (S)

Jangpal cracked his neck and loosened his fists.

“You better not think about making it out of here alive. The moment you lose your abilities, I’ll invade Korea and kill you myself.”

“You think you can?”

“Hmph. I’ve already figured out all your abilities.”

At his nod, the Purification Sect’s Hunters fanned out, forming a wide encirclement around me.

“Summon Guardian.”

I called my own allies.

Five Guardians gathered around me.

Just seeing them stand there gave me confidence.

“Let’s finish off these guys and have something tasty.”

[Bo… bossam?]

[I’d like pig’s feet.]

[Pig! You’re a pig and you like pig’s feet?!]

【I want a fresh salad.】

“Bossam, pig’s feet? What are those?”

[They’re delicious. Really! Captain, you’ll love them.]

Already calling me Captain?

“You punks! Let’s go!”

The Purification Sect’s Hunters put on masks and threw something with one hand.

Colored powder spread everywhere.

[Due to Dragon’s Body, poison does not affect you.]

[Due to Dragon’s Body, poison does not affect you.]

[Due to Dragon’s Body, poison does not affect you.]

Poison is the best you could come up with?

Meanwhile, Jangpal gathered mana and shook the bell in his hand.

Flash!

Crackle!

Bang!

Black clouds rolled in and lightning flashed.

“Suffer the Curse of Yulcheon!”

Unfortunately for you—

[Due to Dragon’s Body, curses do not affect you.]

Neither poison nor curses work on me.

On top of that, now that I’ve gained the Purification skill, it doesn’t work on the Guardians either.

“Take care of the summons. That guy’s just an ordinary magician if he can’t summon.”

“Yes!”

As the Purification Sect’s Hunters rushed the Guardians, I used Purification.

[You purify all poison and curses affecting the Guardians.]

The Guardians dashed in all directions, dispatching the Purification Sect’s Hunters.

[This is how you use poison!]

The masks melted from the goblin’s poison, and a Purification Sect Hunter succumbed to the toxin.

[Uoooooo!]

The Orc, now reborn with B-grade skills and stats, imbued mana into its axe and swept away enemies.

[…You pig bastard! What did you eat by yourself?!]

[Uoooooo!]

【Eeeeeek!】

As the two bickered, Fryra used Attribute Grass to take out the remaining enemies in one go.

“If you want to eat something good, you gotta earn it.”

Ropenheim strode forward and subdued Jangpal in an instant, then ended him for good.

Thud!

A few who tried to hide were finished off by Park Chanseong.

[You have annihilated the enemy.]

[You have won the Stage War.]

[You have obtained all spoils carried by the defeated in the Stage Battle.]

[The Stage Master has changed.]

[Hunters of Korean nationality now receive a special buff in the Labyrinth 12th Floor.]

[You have acquired dungeon ownership for the Labyrinth 12th Floor.]

[Labyrinth 12th Floor is now bound to the Rift.]

[From now on, you can enter the Labyrinth 12th Floor via the Rift.]

Huh?

So I don’t have to give it up after all?

Does this mean I can monopolize Stages continuously?

[A being possessing two Stages for the first time has been born.]

[The number of dungeons generated in your Stages increases.]

Wow.

This is crazy.

The Dragon Lair piled high with spoils.

Equipment owned by Lee Gak and Jangpal, of course, and the skillbooks they’d mastered, all became spoils.

All B-grade or higher.

‘Combined, these should go for several billion.’

I set aside a few useful items for immediate use, and planned to sell the rest to the Korean Association.

With that money, I could upgrade all the Guardians to B-grade.

Plus, I needed to talk about the Stages, so I headed to the Association and used telepathy to contact Lee Changgeon.

[Director. Did you see it?]

[I did. Seeing the Chinese Association President’s face turn sour right in front of me was so refreshing. You handled the Purification Sect alone. How on earth did you do it? And what’s this about acquiring two Stages?]

[Trade secret.]

[Hmm. I suppose sometimes it’s better not to know.]

The Korean Association President is the best at reading the room.

[Speaking of China, it looks like they’re involved behind the scenes in this Red Dungeon.]

[Honestly, they talked to my face. They demanded I hand you over, threatening to cut off all dungeons contracted with Korea otherwise.]

Threats, huh.

[So, about the Stages. What are you planning to do?]

[I’d love to buy them, but honestly, I’m not confident I can manage them properly.]

[Then just buy the dungeons. I’ll manage the Stages.]

[50 billion per Stage. That’s the maximum Korea can pay. Since the Stages are still low level, the number of dungeons is limited. There’s nothing else I can do.]

[Hmm……]

[But if you transfer the rights to the Stages, I’ll give you a share of the profits.]

[Like what?]

[If you create an organization like the Purification Sect and manage the Stages, you can receive support funds from the World Hunter Association. I’ll pass those on to you.]

[Sounds good. Then I’ll designate all dungeons from the two Stages for Korea.]

[Thank you.]

[And I got a bunch of stuff from the previous Stage Masters. You don’t want those, do you?]

[…How much are you thinking?]

[Let’s just go with the average price by grade.]

Skillbooks would go for several times the average price.

But since the Director is being considerate,

I should be considerate too.

We’ll be working together for a long time.

[…Gulp. Are you sure that’s okay?]

[Of course. Let’s do the deal through some couriers.]

[Thank you. Really. I feel so reassured having you with us.]

My nose itched for no reason.

[I’ll be off then.]

[Be careful of China. Now that you’ve hurt their pride, they’ll try to take the Labyrinth back.]

They should have a rough idea of my level.

If they prepare accordingly—

‘Someone they’ve poured an obscene amount of money into will come for me.’

Should be fun to clean them out.

[If the Director gets threatened again, just tell them to invade. I’d prefer that.]