A place where one unneutralized dungeon can bring disaster upon the entire Earth—Antarctica.
Every soul working there is protecting the world.
> (Note: Antarctica is such a sensitive place that even a small disturbance can accelerate glacier melting and flood the entire planet. Even tourists aren't allowed to urinate or spit outside the camp, to prevent foreign viruses from mutating in the cold.)
Because of this, people who work there are always under pressure—not to make even a single mistake.
After the Eclipse of 1965, it became the most protected place on Earth.
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—[Antarctica Neo Protection Hunter and Observation Guild]
[Station 7 ]
[Control Room]
It was a massive room filled with supercomputers and countless advanced machines.
Hundreds of scientists in white coats and soldiers in orange uniforms moved in and out, each step calculated, each voice calm but quick.
Among them stood one old soldier. His presence alone was enough to make anyone understand—he was the beast of this room.
The in-charge of Station 8: Erik Halvorsen.
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Robart and Musashi entered the control room and saluted the chief.
"Chief," Musashi said.
"Musashi and Robart," Erik began, without looking up, "you are ordered to go 35 km north with Hunter Squad 8."
He handed over the mission file.
"You'll be accompanied by two A-Class, five B-Class, and eight D-Class hunters."
"There's a report of an unnatural mana signal at 70 degrees north. Our measuring devices are broken. You just need to check and confirm whether a dungeon occurrence has taken place."
"Professor Neha will brief you in the monitor room."
---
As they sat at the long metal table, a brown-skinned, black-haired woman—who looked around 31—appeared in front of the monitor.
She stood beside the members of Squad 8, who also came and took their seats inside the room.
She began to explain the entire mission through a large screen.
"And this entire mission will be guided by Mister Musashi," she concluded.
---
Musashi's expression showed a little bit of discomfort.
Neha noticed that.
"Uncle Musashi, is there any problem?" she asked in a curious voice.
Musashi, in a worried tone, said,
"I'm okay with everything. But taking Robart with me... I don't feel that's the right choice. It's only been six months since he came here. It might be dangerous for him."
Neha smiled and said,
"For all the hunters present here, Robart's life is your top priority.
He is a special person who came here to research why there are so few dungeon occurrences in Antarctica compared to other places on Earth.
He came here under the direct order of headquarters.
And he is also a 'Treasured Rare-Class Awakened.'
So he must be protected at all cost.
Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," all the hunters in their gym uniforms replied in unison.
"Uncle Musashi, is there any problem left?" she asked again.
Musashi answered,
"No, daughter. Thank you very much."
---
(Erik is a different kind of in-charge. He prioritizes his soldiers' lives and happiness above anything else.
So anyone can call anyone anything here. His personal motto is:)
"We can only protect our bond with nature if we respect our bond with each other first."
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Squad 8 was ready to go on the mission...
Not realizing that, for some of them,
this would be their last.
To be continued