Joo Wonseong stared at the three figures on the screen.
The Hunter Association Presidents of the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.
It had been a while since their last video conference, but the atmosphere was very different from before.
“Aren’t they going too far? The World Hunter Association surely told us to keep quiet about the Messiah.”
“No matter who we are, it’ll be hard to cover this up if they keep pushing like this.”
“I’m curious what on earth they were thinking to pull something like this.”
The British and French Presidents were full of complaints.
The Japanese President was calm but sharp-edged.
Their attitude stemmed from China’s repeated blunders.
Jeonghwamun.
The recapture of the Labyrinth 11th Floor.
Potion supplies, dungeon control.
Everything had ended in failure, shaking the trust between them.
China’s standing had been damaged because of Korea.
Even now, the mere thought of Korea made them grind their teeth in anger and frustration.
But now, it was truly over.
“Don’t worry. This time, it’s definitely over.”
“How can we believe that? Haven’t you told us all along that it would succeed? But look at the results.”
The British President’s veins bulged as he spoke.
The French President chimed in.
“How can we trust that it will be certain this time? We need to know what cards you’re holding to feel reassured. How come there are so many secrets among us who are supposed to be on the same boat?”
Joo Wonseong smiled inwardly.
Even they probably didn’t believe Korea could beat the Messiah and become the Owner of the Floors.
Yet, they barked orders like this.
They were just putting on a show to get one more thing out of him.
“I trust you this much. Shouldn’t you give me something more?”
That was the essence behind their words.
‘Someone has planted this idea in their heads.’
Usually, they wouldn’t try to squeeze more out of the situation, but would keep their distance from China and back away.
If you put it kindly, it was caution.
Put badly, cowardice.
For such people to demand boldly meant there was some other loophole to gain something even if not through this deal.
“Is it the United States?”
Joo Wonseong’s question caused the British and French Presidents to raise their eyebrows.
“What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“America?”
Then, Yookai, the Japanese President who had been observing the situation, spoke up.
“It’s Korea.”
“Korea?”
“Korea said they’d give one Hidden Piece Achievement to the Chinese and asked them to side with Korea if China pressured them.”
Joo Wonseong, who had barely kept his composure, trembled slightly at the corner of his mouth.
Crunch.
How dare Korea try to sway the World’s Five Powers to stand against China? That was nothing short of mocking China.
“But judging from the current situation, it seems China can’t suppress Korea properly, huh?”
“President Yookai, are you looking down on us as well?”
“Perhaps you haven’t heard the rumors yet.”
“Rumors?”
Frowning, Joo Wonseong watched as Yookai handed over a file.
Something appeared on the display.
- It is said that enchantments can be done at the Golden Tower in Korea.
- The price per body part is 100 million.
- There are two types: elemental resistance and weapon attribute imbument. Enchantments can be done with desired attributes.
- This was just confirmed from an acquaintance living in Korea.
Joo Wonseong shook his head after seeing it.
“That’s nonsense. Everyone here knows enchantments can only be done through spellbooks. Korea must be muddying the waters.”
“There are dozens of witnesses.”
If this was true, then just as President Yookai said, China couldn’t act recklessly.
The only country in the world capable of enchantments.
The floor currently being cleared was the 52nd floor.
The United States had formed a vanguard to clear it, but were struggling due to the ice attribute.
The difficulty was acquiring spellbooks inscribed with ice attribute resistance.
In this situation, someone who could enchant freely had appeared, and the U.S. would surely not just watch.
But thinking it over, it wasn’t a huge problem.
“It’s fine. It’ll disappear after today anyway.”
The Apostle of the Thunder Dragon God had said so clearly.
Successor of the Lord.
In other words, if the Dokkaebi were killed, the Golden Tower that Korea possessed would vanish.
“Disappear?”
“You’ll see for yourself. I won’t let you regret waiting without aligning with Korea.”
When the Thunder Dragon God hunted for the first time, he said he had never once failed.
The moment the Dokkaebi were slain, a message would appear saying Korea had lost the Stair War.
Chinese Hunters preparing would challenge the 21st Floor and take over the floors.
Joo Wonseong trusted only the Apostle and contemplated how to cruelly trample Korea.
At that moment, a message appeared before his eyes.
[The Owner of the Labyrinth 21st Floor has changed.]
Kwang!
Joo Wonseong slammed his fist down on the desk.
“What is this!”
“We were the fools who trusted you. Don’t mess around this time. If you stir up the 21st Floor again, you’ll have to give up your position.”
“You said this time is for sure. Another failure? Let’s talk later.”
Ding! Ding!
The British and French Presidents logged off.
The Japanese President quietly ended the video call without a word.
Left alone, Joo Wonseong’s eyes turned bloodshot.
“Just… Korea of all people… Crunch.”
Knock knock!
“President, the Blood Demon has moved.”
“…Blood Demon?”
“It seems to be heading towards Korea.”
It was clear revenge for the Dokkaebi that had ruined his disciple.
Normally, he should have stopped it.
But burning with vengeance, this was a good tool for retribution. It didn’t matter what as long as the Dokkaebi died.
“Pretend you don’t know.”
Back in the Dragon Lair, he checked the rewards gained from this war.
[Bartol’s Axe (S)]
[Supreme Plate Armor Set (S)]
[Set of Artifacts of Strength (S)]
[Weight Reduction Ring (S)] [Devil Gun (S)]
[Diamond Invulnerability (A)]
[Earth Dragon Step (S)]
[Earth Dragon Heart Technique (S)]
[Earth Dragon Walk (S)]
Items worth hundreds of billions were stacked high in the warehouse.
He sorted what to use and what to sell.
Everything Antonio used was handed over to the Orcs. Besides the Orcs, there was no one else to use them.
“Orc, good work.”
[Thank you.]
Clark’s items were partially given to the Goblins, and Lina’s equipment he kept himself for now.
Using a gun instead of a staff didn’t seem bad.
‘I should research this later.’
Then he looked at the SSS-rank Skillbook selection ticket. It was too precious to use now.
He decided to store it in the warehouse for when it was truly needed.
“Well then…….”
Only one thing remained.
[Constructing the Alliance Building.]
[Construction time: 48 hours.]
The Alliance Building allowed mutual support and offered rewards upon completing certain missions.
Guardian Experience.
New Guardian Recruitment.
Equipment items or Skillbooks.
The higher the mission stages, the better the rewards, eventually earning A to S-rank Guardians or legendary items.
‘I’m curious how it’s implemented.’
It would be completed in reality in one day, so he would be able to check tomorrow at this time.
“Thanks for your hard work, everyone.”
He left the Guardians behind and returned to reality.
There was a need to discuss with the President to handle the massive number of dungeons gained by acquiring the Labyrinth 21st Floor.
Using teleport, he quickly moved to the Association.
The towering Golden Tower was visible.
Next to it, a building was under construction.
‘A potion shop.’
They planned to sell various potions there, including health potions and the Witch’s Essence.
They intended to snatch away China’s entire potion market.
‘Wow, so many people.’
Not knowing well since it had been a while, he was surprised by the massive crowd at the Association entrance.
They had to line up to enter.
Waiting, he took out his phone.
“Let’s see the reaction.”
He checked the news overseas to see how the world viewed it.
- Korea has succeeded in capturing the 21st Floor. Should we say the Dokkaebi defeated the Messiah?
- Yes. Already showing such performance… If they go deeper, the Twelve Constellations’ positions might be overturned.
- You think that highly of it?
- I think reclaiming Jeonghwamun or the 11th Floor is possible with talent. But this case is on another level. A criminal organization called the Messiah that killed the Twelve Constellations. And they beat those who had the Labyrinth Buff alone. Truly a Hunter with insane talent has emerged.
- Then what do you think will happen to Korea?
- I cautiously think the names of the World’s Five Powers might change.
- Why do you think so?
- Korea holds a massive number of dungeons generated on the 21st Floor, can produce potions on their own, and has someone capable of enchantments. Plus, they have the same Hidden Piece Achievement as China.
- That sounds incredible.
- It’s hard to ignore Korea anymore.
Most overseas news outlets reported similar stories.
More than anything,
the reaction from the Korean community was explosive.
- Dokkaebi is the best!
- Isn’t this national glory?
- Soaking in patriotism properly.
China’s media was viciously critical, but when I checked their news, they didn’t say a word.
Totally frustrating.
- What will they babble now?
- I wonder too. What nonsense accusations will they make?
- What does it matter? The Dokkaebi will shatter all those baseless accusations.
- So if the 21st Floor belongs to Korea, does that mean we can freely raid dungeons now?
- I guess so? The number of returning and new Hunters is no joke.
- I’m on the scene, and there are tons of people. It’s like all the awakened ones have gathered.
There was a sense of pride.
He wasn’t particularly patriotic, but thinking that Korea’s status had risen a bit made his shoulders lift slightly.
He was, after all, Korean.
“Go on in.”
The line gradually shortened as he entered the Association.
He telepathically connected to Association President Lee Changgeon.
[President.]
[Good work.]
[What will you do about the Labyrinth?]
[Of course, we’ll negotiate. 100 billion for the 21st Floor. After that, half the income from dungeons will go to you.]
[Then I’ll designate all the dungeons to Korea for now.]
[Thanks. If we make deals with other countries later, can we change it then?]
[Yes. That’s fine.]
[Also, I want to talk about the enchantment business.]
Enchantment business?
[What’s that?]
[The U.S. plans to visit Korea directly. They want to check the enchantments and sign a formal contract tomorrow.]
[Ah.]
[Yoo Seolha Hunter will explain in detail, but I thought I should tell you first.]
Now that he thought about it, the President knew the Golden Tower existed because of him.
[Thank you for your concern. Please coordinate well with Yoo Seolha on the enchantment business.]
[Understood. Also, the potion shop will be finished in about a week. We entrusted the best company, so it will be built well.]
[I look forward to it.]
After ending the telepathy, he opened the dungeon management window.
[11th Floor]
- Daily dungeon production: 3
- Grade: F
Dungeon generation country: Korea
[12th Floor]
- Daily dungeon production: 4
- Grade: F
Dungeon generation country: Korea
[13th Floor]
- Daily dungeon production: 5
- Grade: F
Dungeon generation country: Korea
[21st Floor]
- Daily dungeon production: 500
- Grade: F-D
Dungeon generation country: Undecided.
He designated the 21st Floor’s generation country as Korea.
‘Tomorrow is going to be crazy.’
It might be a slightly overwhelming number, but with the mages of the Golden Tower, it wouldn’t become a big problem.
With magic, a quick click and managing those dungeons would be easy.
“Let’s call it a day. I should rest a bit.”
Yookai, the Japanese Hunter Association President, had just finished his day and returned to the Association building when someone appeared.
A figure in a red hood.
Just looking at them gave no hint, but Yookai’s long experience warned him.
They were no ordinary person.
“Who are you?”
“I came to kill the Successor of the Lord in Korea. Seems like I’ll need your help.”
“Successor of the Lord?”
“The Dokkaebi that appeared in Korea. I’m targeting him.”
“If I help you, what do I get?”
“I can offer you a Twelve Constellations-level Hunter or even create a Red Dungeon. Interested? Let’s talk thoroughly.”
Yookai’s eyes narrowed into a sharp curve.
“Let me hear what you have to say.”