Chapter 48 (1/2)

Siheung 8 Dungeon (1)

“That’s tense.”

There were not even common reporters around the Siheung 8 dungeon. There were no citizens that were out to observe, and the state strictly controlled the place.

In fact, no ordinary person would want to snoop around here.

The S-Class dungeon might collapse anytime. The apartment complex, where residents had finished evacuating, was bleak beyond being bare, and the multinational Hunter team was conducting a final inspection in front of the gate.

“I heard there was another personnel change at the last minute.”

In consideration of rotation and reserve personnel, about 100 Hunter pools were formed, and 40 were required to enter the dungeon to match the gate limit. Still, several people were adjusted at the last minute.

The first thing that caught my eye was that Seo Gyu-cheol was moved into the reserve.

It was not because of his wish but was due to the demands of foreign Hunters who had briefly trained together. When that news became known, the media went wild again.

‘The news must spread fast that his ability as a Hunter could only go that far.’

He may be the first S-Rank Hunter in Korea. Still, he was pushed aside because he was not better than other equivalently ranked Hunters in combat capability and had no special ability to be used in the dungeon.

On the other hand, Han-seol, officially known as the top-ranked Hunter in the A-Rank, remained in the list of the 40.

‘In terms of the frequency and time, she has experienced the Siheung 8 dungeon the most.’

She even took the position of the expedition leader.

There was one more reason for this. It was because she had a support type skill of [Battlefield Command]. It was rare to find somebody who learned it.

It’s a telepathic skill that she learned by dedicating a skill slot, as she was more experienced in being the expedition leader than Seo Gyu-cheol. It could increase the explorers’ survival rate through accurate and rapid communication, or so she said.

In any case, it was unusual to do so for an expedition team with numerous S-Rank Hunters, even if she had such a background.

‘She means that in a war, a commander doesn’t necessarily have to be the best marksman.’

“Seo Gyu-cheol must be grating his teeth.”

This was a Korean Hunter belonging to another guild. He was certified as S-Ranked later than Seo Gyu-cheol, but he was among the 40 members.

Even after Seo Gyu-cheol’s growth stopped, other Hunters continued to strengthen.

‘Well, Seo Gyu-cheol didn’t make it to the final attack team even in my previous life.’

That was why he survived. What was waiting for him was a miserable life until his death, though.

“Here we go, final check!”

Item inspection was not as thorough as other attacks.

Still, there was nothing good about being noticeable, so I slightly changed the appearance of a magic sword and bracelet by adding different artifacts and materials. I particularly put extra attention on the sword so that no one else could touch it except me.

The sword groaned with exaggerated feelings as if deplorable.

‘What a shame. Such simple combination work… Will I have to wear this sloppy outfit throughout the exploration of this dungeon?‘

Instead of replying, I tapped the sword handle, which was meant to close its mouth. One would think it was a habitual behavior.

‘But I’m a little excited since it’s an S-Class dungeon. I’ve heard the briefing as well… but I think you know more about this dungeon. Am I right?’

Tap, tap, tap.

More and more force was added onto the hand that tapped the sword.

‘No, it’s not just the dungeon. I think you’re one step ahead of other humans in everything, in all kinds of information. So, what is your unique skill? If you let me know, I’ll show you how to combine it with my accumulated knowledge and use it more efficiently and…’

Tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

I thought I should try to egg Oh Jin-hwa once more. The Senator still couldn’t find the statue I asked for.

‘When the hell can I get it? I wish I could stop its muzzle.’

“The shift starts now!”

While the final attack squad was preparing, Korean Hunters filled the dungeon to the limit with 40 people. This was due to the dungeon’s characteristics, which became more difficult later if left empty for a long time.

The shift between them and the final attack team proceeded by one coming out of the gate and one going in from here. Hunters who were fatigued appeared one by one, looking wretched. At the same time, there were groans from all over the place.

“Phew! I really thought I was going to die this time.”

“Don’t you think the wave cycle is getting shorter and shorter?”

Meanwhile…

“Wow, these are faces I’ve seen on TV a lot. They really gathered only those above S-Rank, huh?

“Thank you very much for your service! Good luck!”

Some people recognized the Hunters, who were similar to each country’s S-Rank Dream Team, and shouted cheers.

“But is this going to work? Isn’t it customary to fill a limit of more than 30% with the next-highest grade? We should give our everything; it should be safe when at least 10 SS-Rank joins…”

“Think about it. SS-Ranks are like critical weapons, so do you think they will use all of them? When we aren’t even aware of the structure of the dungeon.”

Not all countries let the Hunters be as free as the United States. Some were anxious because the composition of SS-Ranked people who joined is less than expected.

‘All countries agree that if it collapses, it may not end just in Korea.’

But then…

‘That doesn’t mean that all risks will be shared equally.’

The results of countries’ fierce calculation of risk distribution were now being implemented in the expedition’s composition.

‘Even if this blows up, Korea will bear the primary damage.’

Waiting for my turn, I walked into the gate by shifting with a Hunter who had just come out. When he made eye contact with me, he looked desperate and spoke in hard English pronunciation.

“Please close that gate!”

I answered briefly. “I will.”

*

As the landscape changed, exclamations of the Hunters were heard everywhere.

“Wow, what in the word…!”

“That’s amazing.”

S-Ranked Hunters, who had experienced all sorts of hardships, dropped their jaws. Beyond the gate was a small island that floated in the altitude far above, defying gravity.

Since it was classified as a field type, the entire island was surrounded by a barrier’s thin sphere.

Due to the island’s small diameter, the distance between the barrier that surrounded it 360 degrees and the island’s ground was not that far.

“It’s almost like a fortress.”

On this small island, something stood out in addition to the traces of the fierce battle. First of all, an anti-aircraft guard post resembling a modern war surrounded the floating island’s edge.

Enemies here always come from the sky.

“Looking at it with my own two eyes, it feels very different from the video.”

A Hunter stood on the edge of the island and looked down. The bottom was covered with something like white clouds, so the natural landform underneath was not identified.

As we all heard the briefing, everyone knew that it was not a cloud in the sky but a thick fog covering the ground.

“Group 1, start the guard at the pre-assigned post. Group 2, rally on the central portal!”

At the instruction of Han-seol, 40 Hunters were divided into two.

Twenty people in group 1 took their places in the air defense posts, which were guarded by 40 people who returned to Earth after taking turns.

While the dungeon attack was suspended for a while, only 20 people remained to protect the area from now on, which had been guarded by 40 people. It was twice as much coverage per person.

In the meantime, 20 people from Group 2 left this place for the next stage. That was the plan.

“That’s the portal.”

This was definitely the inside of the dungeon that we arrived at through the Earth’s gate. However, inside the dungeon, there is another gate, which was technically a portal.

“Multiple dungeons…”

It was one of the factors that made the attack of the Siheung 8 dungeon difficult.

The first stage was the floating island dungeon directly connected to the Earth. This portal would lead to the second stage, which was a ‘Dungeon in a Dungeon.’

Nevertheless, the maximum number of personnel was limited by a total of 40, regardless of the stage. It was the same for any Hunter who entered any stage that passed the Earth’s gate.

The Clear would not be completed until the last stage. It would only give rewards once then, and the key from there would close the Earth’s gate.

An experienced Hunter grumbled.

“You know how hard it has been to clean up this island without leaving a single nest? I’m saying that portal wasn’t that open from the beginning!”

When the Siheung 8 dungeon gate was opened and Korea’s first expedition team set foot, the floating island was a monster den. After beating up all the monsters and completely destroying the nests, parts that looked like it was made from the alien race’s technology rolled around the island.

“It took time to figure out how to assemble them and how to make use of them.”

The finished artifact created a portal to the second stage of multiple dungeons, but that wasn’t the end of the struggle.

“It’s not a gate that’s open for thousands of years and beyond once you open it! This portal thing is…”

Before he could finish his speech, a sound was heard.