Chapter 99: Democratic Method

-Ding-dong!

A slight dizziness washed over me.

The mana field motion sickness from floor transitions now felt completely familiar.

‘……The 4th floor already.’

It felt like the end was in sight.

Just one more step to the 5th floor where the boss, Maslow, awaited.

I slowly opened my eyes.

“This place is…….”

People in suits bustled about.

Clean stone tiles and bright incandescent lights.

A reception desk and cafe lounge.

Even a hologram request board.

Where I stood was the lobby of the Korea Hunter Association.

‘After Noryangjin, now the association.’

But a strange sense of incongruity crept in.

This place started to feel like the ‘real’ association.

It seemed like opening the lobby entrance would reveal the Seoul cityscape.

But only for a moment.

‘No way that’s possible.’

My hazy mind cleared instantly, as if doused with cold water.

At that moment.

“Master.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

A voice I’d heard countless times.

It was Jeanne.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

As Jeanne approached, a intense burning pain flared at the nape of my neck.

The mark etched by Peter Vinsfeld resonated.

Jeanne looked around and said.

“I sense unpleasant magic throughout this space.”

“Magic?”

“Yes, it seems like illusion magic that impairs cognitive abilities.”

“So that’s what it was.”

The strange incongruity I’d felt moments ago must have been the effect of illusion magic.

Jeanne looked at me and said.

“Mental resistance is a so-called innate talent that’s not easily trained. This floor is imbued with advanced illusion magic that even skilled mages can’t resist. Yet, Master seems unaffected. As expected…….”

Jeanne gazed at me with an expression of awe.

Meanwhile, Jeanne didn’t seem affected by the illusion magic either.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, Master. Mental magic doesn’t work on dead flesh and souls.”

“I see.”

Well, anyway.

My ability to resist the illusion magic was likely due to my overwhelmingly high mental stats.

If not that…….

‘Maybe my senses are gradually dulling from going in and out of the demonic warehouse.’

At that moment, a mechanical voice blared from the association speakers.

[This is an emergency. All A+ rank hunters in the association, please gather in the top-floor strategy conference room. Repeating: A+ rank hunters, please proceed to the top-floor strategy conference room immediately…….]

The people in the lobby moved in unison.

Jeanne and I looked at each other.

“Let’s go for now. Trap or not, we can meet the other hunters.”

“No matter what danger comes, I will protect you, Master.”

We took the lobby elevator and pressed the top-floor button.

Woo-woong-

The elevator began ascending with a heavy sense of gravity.

On the way to the top floor, we shared what happened on the 3rd floor.

“On my side, the Sword God, Swordmaster, Red Mage Tower Lord, and Mister Concrete Jo Taekyung, along with Luddite’s steel doll, formed an alliance.”

As we neared the top floor, the survivors seemed filtered down to A+ rank hunters.

“Lee Geuk and Cheok Junseong, plus Shin Sodam and Jo Taekyung. And Luddite’s AI robot. The team composition is roughly similar to mine.”

“In the process, Luddite’s steel doll was destroyed, but thanks to the one called Lee Geuk defeating the Titan Colossal Soldier in one strike, we passed the trial safely.”

“In one strike? The Colossal Soldier?”

I couldn’t believe it.

To crush the Colossal Soldier that overwhelmed A+ ranks with pure physical power.

‘……That old man is a monster too.’

At that moment.

Ding-!

With a clear chime, the elevator reached the top floor.

The first thing visible as the doors opened was.

“Omo-omo-omo! Who is this? Jan-jan jing! So good to see you!”

HardboiledPC, displaying extreme high energy.

HardboiledPC approached with cute gestures mismatched to his bulk.

The bursting muscles visible under the Hawaiian shirt were anything but reassuring.

But Jeanne was no pushover.

“Get lost.”

Jeanne continued with an expressionless face.

“You’re blocking the path where Master must pass.”

“Jan-jan jing! So cold~! But that’s Jan-jan jing’s charm point, right? I like it! But Jan-jan jing’s master? Who, who?”

HardboiledPC looked at me.

I greeted lightly.

“We meet again soon.”

But.

“Hmm? Have we met somewhere before?”

The reaction was off.

HardboiledPC said with a subtle expression.

“Well, I wouldn’t forget such a handsome guy…… Ahaha~! Was that a flirty line? Omo- what a cheeky cutie! Aww, so adorable! Should I just hug you tight? Hehe- joke!”

My soul felt like it was slipping away.

Anyway, no matter how I looked, it didn’t seem like a joke.

I whispered to Jeanne.

“Is it because of the illusion magic you mentioned?”

“Yes. It seems to have distorted cognitive abilities.”

“Hmm, then how do we…….”

At that moment, HardboiledPC interjected.

“You two. You know about the emergency assembly order, right? Sorry, but from here on, non-A+ rank hunters can’t enter. Even if you’re Jan-jan jing’s acquaintance. So, could you head back?”

HardboiledPC started pushing me toward the elevator.

Then.

Sreung-

Jeanne drew her sword immediately.

Jeanne glared at HardboiledPC with murderous eyes.

“I won’t overlook harm to Master. Remove your hands.”

“Seriously? Jan-jan jing, you’re dead serious with the sword drawn, no smiles?”

“This is your last warning. Step away from Master.”

“Troublesome. I hate violence between allies.”

HardboiledPC’s eyes changed.

A tense standoff, on the brink of explosion.

At that moment.

“Hehe- everyone was here.”

Someone walked out from behind HardboiledPC.

A figure approaching like a sage, white robes fluttering.

A+ rank 1, Lee Geuk, approached with a benevolent smile.

“Cha Hasang might become A+ rank soon. It’s good to get to know each other.”

“Ooh? If Lee Geuk ssaem says that much. Kinda exciting. Meaning he’ll become even more handsome? Then I have no complaints! I’ll head to the conference room first! See you all soon-!”

With that, HardboiledPC vanished down the hallway in the blink of an eye.

Soon, Lee Geuk looked at me.

“Cha Hasang, glad you’re safe. By the way…… do you recognize me?”

“You recognize me too, elder.”

“Yes. Yes. Then what about you, Jeanne? Do you recognize me?”

Jeanne replied with an expressionless face.

“Of course I remember. The Ravianglily royal family never forgets enemies or favors.”

“Yes. Yes. That’s right. Hehehe-!”

Lee Geuk chuckled and continued.

“It seems we’re the only three with clear minds right now.”

“That means…….”

Lee Geuk nodded.

“The other A+ rank hunters are all under the illusion magic. They think this is the real association in reality. They’ve completely forgotten they’re in a dungeon.”

A+ rank hunters possessed mental strength close to superhuman.

Even the top-tier powerhouse HardboiledPC was illusioned, so no need to mention the others.

Conversely, that meant those unaffected were the abnormal ones.

In Lee Geuk’s case, due to power rivaling S-rank.

In Jeanne’s case, as an undead immune to mental magic.

‘……In my case, thanks to the artifact’s help.’

Well, anyway.

The one who cast the illusion magic on the A+ rank hunters was most likely the manager of this floor.

Soon, Jeanne looked at Lee Geuk and said.

“Haven’t you found the monster managing this floor?”

“Hehe- unfortunately, it’s skilled not only in illusion magic but also in hiding its body. This emergency assembly is probably its scheme too.”

Lee Geuk walked forward with hands behind his back.

“To catch a tiger, enter its den. Standing here changes nothing, so let’s go together.”

A large round table under dim lighting.

A+ rank hunters sat around it.

A+ rank 3, HardboiledPC.

A+ rank 5, Swordmaster Cheok Junseong.

A+ rank 6, Red Mage Tower Lord Shin Sodam.

A+ rank 7, Blue Mage Tower Lord Han Seoha.

A+ rank 8, White Mage Tower Lord Yun Yeobaek.

A+ rank 9, Mister Concrete Jo Taekyung.

A+ rank 11, World’s Strongest Man Ma Seokdong.

A total of seven A+ rank hunters attended the meeting.

Soon, Shin Sodam spoke.

“Why are so many gathered? Is the world ending today? Even the global superstar Han Seoha graced us.”

“Oh my, did you mean ‘thank you for coming’? Then I’d say ‘you’re welcome.’ Though we don’t need Shin Sodam since I’m here.”

“What did you say? You push-up bitch.”

“Oh dear, must have a rag in your mouth. So vulgar, doesn’t suit you.”

Shin Sodam and Han Seoha growled across the table.

Shortly after, Shin Sodam said with a sly smile.

“I get it now. Why the cosmic superstar Han Seoha is hysterical. Dropping from 5th to 7th must have twisted your guts?”

“Scratch?”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Hit a nerve?”

“I told you to shut it?”

Frost and sparks began swirling between the two women.

At that moment, HardboiledPC interjected.

“Ey-ey- both of you stop! Violence and hate only create a chain of negativity!”

At that moment.

Kkiiik-

The conference room door opened, and men in suits entered.

The oldest-looking middle-aged suit spoke.

“Thank you for responding to the call despite your busy schedules. Except for Lee Geuk nim, Luddite nim, the Gray Mage Tower Lord nim, Deathstalker nim, and Ravianglily’s Sword Demon nim, everyone is here.”

“Ow- no no! Lee Geuk grandpa and Jan-jan jing are here too! But I saw them outside earlier, why haven’t they come in yet? Anyway!”

Soon, the middle-aged man nodded.

Then.

Thud-!

A young association staff placed a large metal briefcase on the round table.

Han Seoha, watching, spoke.

“Get to the point quickly? If I miss my afternoon drama shoot, will the association take responsibility?”

“Ooh- showing off like crazy. As if you’re the busiest in the world.”

“Right? Unlike Shin Sodam, I don’t know why so many seek me out.”

“Ah, don’t know? Let me tell you. Easy women always attract crowds.”

“Oh my. But why is no one around Shin Sodam? Strange~!”

Shin Sodam and Han Seoha bickering again.

Regardless, the middle-aged man said with a serious expression.

“The reason we gathered you is that the association has acquired an extremely rare artifact. An S-rank artifact, to be precise.”

The A+ rank hunters’ attention focused instantly.

Even Shin Sodam and Han Seoha silently stared at the metal briefcase on the table.

The middle-aged man continued.

“It’s an artifact called ‘Maslow’s Core,’ and simply possessing it enhances not only physical abilities but also mana and mental power by tens, hundreds of times. Additionally…….”

At that moment, Ma Seokdong said.

“So, why show us that artifact.”

“In short, to find the owner of this artifact among you A+ ranks who shoulder Korea’s power.”

“Intriguing. Choosing an owner……. Sounds like competing for the artifact.”

At Ma Seokdong’s words, the A+ rank hunters’ eyes changed.

An S-rank artifact.

An item with immense influence rivaling nuclear weapons of the past.

An item allowing S-rank hunter-level power just by possession.

An item affecting not only Korea’s hunter rankings but the world’s.

Soon, the association official spoke.

“After internal discussion, we concluded the most outstanding among you A+ rank hunters should take it. So, please decide who will possess the S-rank artifact.”

Heavy silence fell.

The method to choose the S-rank artifact’s owner.

The most democratic, least disputable way was one.

……The strongest hunter takes all.

Soon, Shin Sodam spoke.

“The method is simple. No need to waste more time?”

“Nice pretext. I’ve been sick of someone rampaging without sense lately anyway.”

With Han Seoha’s words.

Kwa-bang!

The conference room round table shattered.

The A+ rank hunters’ fight for the S-rank artifact had begun.