[Hacking successful.]
[You can hack the tablet for 30 minutes.]
I used the hack to examine the tablet, hoping to find hidden information I might have missed.
The tablet itself is ordinary. There's nothing concealed.
I wasn't disappointed, as I had anticipated this.
The real prize is the network accessible through this tablet.
[You can hack the Dungeon Survival Reforged network for 20 minutes.]
I grinned.
Even without the tablet, information about the network was floating before my eyes data invisible to others.
The tablet has a GPS tracker. This means I can use the hack to pinpoint its location within the dungeon.
Each team receives one tablet. The leader is most likely carrying it, and since team members rarely split up, their location can be easily pinpointed.
I can even find out information about Kang Seoksu's team and their location.
Kang Seoksu's team. Their official name is "Aqua Stone," an easily recognizable team name.
The Aqua Stone Team is currently heading toward the nearest food distribution point.
This... I can find out in advance where the food will be delivered.
Throughout the Dungeon Survival, all food distribution locations within the Dungeon are predetermined. Originally, this information was only revealed 30 minutes in advance, but now it's accessible at any time.
And that's not all. I can also see the locations of monsters within the Dungeon, hidden treasures, and even upcoming events.
The amount of information was astonishingly vast.
I can even see what's happening in the studio.
The cameras installed in the studio revealed celebrities and professional Hunters watching the screens and chatting. Judging by their low energy, they must have been filming for quite a while.
I can also access the cameras inside the dungeon.
A smile crept across my face. This was an even greater advantage than I had anticipated.
I could now see which team currently held the most Survival Points.
In first place was Aqua Stone, Kang Seoksu's team.
With a total of 521 Survival Points, they had a 200-point lead over the second-place team. Reviewing their records, it seemed they had actively used team member Choi Sahyeon's "Detection" ability to locate and hunt monsters throughout the dungeon.
I can't let them discover I can hack. I need to use this information as naturally as possible.
I can't use it too obviously, or they'll suspect me.
Alright, let's put this into action.
I woke Han Harin, who was sound asleep on the bed.
"Senior, Kang Seoksu's team has left. Wake up. We need to move too."
"..."
Han Harin quietly opened her eyes and sat up. Her slightly dazed expression couldn't hide the exhaustion etched across her face. It was only natural, considering she hadn't slept all night and had been having sex the entire time.
"...Did you find some kind of strategy?"
"There's only one way for us to win: eliminate everyone else."
"Do you really think that's possible?"
Logically speaking, it seemed like an impossible task.
This dungeon was vast, filled with traps and monsters. If someone deliberately tried to escape, catching them would be difficult. But thanks to my hacking skills, I could see the entire dungeon as clearly as the palm of my hand. Finding anyone, even if they were hiding, was child's play.
"It's only the first day. We still have plenty of opportunities," I said.
We left the Rest Area before 6 AM.
The National Heaven Hunter Team's current Survival Points stood at -962.
We were overwhelmingly in last place.
"Today is Day 2 of Dungeon Survival Reforged. On the first day, two teams and one individual were eliminated, leaving 143 survivors. I actually think the number of eliminations was lower than expected. What do you think, Mr. Hong Su-won?"
MC Jo Seok-hu asked Hong Su-won. While Hong Su-won was a slightly biased commentator, his experience as a Hunter and his analytical skills were undeniable.
"This is natural. Dungeon Survival has only just begun. As it's the first day, the Hunters are likely being cautious. The competition will intensify as time passes. By the third or fourth day, we'll likely see mass eliminations."
Ultimately, Dungeon Survival is about watching Hunters battle each other. Monster hunting? A quick internet search will flood you with monster hunting videos.
What viewers truly crave is realistic combat between Hunters.
"After our shift change yesterday, something interesting happened. The Aqua Stone Team and the National Heaven Hunter Team encountered each other in the Rest Area. We don't know what was said inside, but..."
The Aqua Stone Team set up camp outside the Rest Area, waiting for the National Heaven Hunter Team to emerge.
This wasn't surprising; it was exactly what the producers had intended.
"It's a perfectly logical strategy. The Aqua Stone Team has three members, while the National Heaven Hunter Team only has two. With numerical superiority, they can be confident of victory. Plus, Hunter Kang Seoksu has set up magical traps around the area. If a fight breaks out, they're guaranteed to win. Even if the National Heaven Hunter Team avoids combat, they'll still face penalties. In fact, the National Heaven Hunter Team chose to accept the penalties rather than fight. The result? The National Heaven Hunter Team is effectively eliminated. With -962 Survival Points, it's safe to say they're finished."
Hong Su-won's assessment was immediately challenged by Baek Ji-eun.
"Well, even though their Survival Points have gone into the negative, the National Heaven Hunter Team isn't a pushover. They've lost one member, but the remaining two are powerful Natural Ability Users with Lightning and Gravity, and they can even use Mana. It's too early to write them off they still have significant firepower."
"Hah... What can two people possibly do?"
"Plenty. We'll just have to wait and see what choices the National Heaven Hunter Team makes next."
Jo Seok-hu quickly changed the subject before their verbal sparring escalated further.
"It's almost 11 AM. Starting tomorrow, we'll have events prepared by our side. Today's event will begin in one hour, at 12 PM."
11:30 AM.
A notification popped up on the tablet:
In 30 minutes, at 12:00 AM, Treasure Skeletons will appear.
There are a total of 10 Treasure Skeletons, and they will roam the Dungeon for one hour. Hunt down the fleeing Treasure Skeletons!
Defeating a Treasure Skeleton will reward you with Survival Points, food, and information.
The locations of Treasure Skeletons will be displayed in real-time on the map.
This was an event prepared by the organizers.
Treasure Skeletons. The name sounded grand, but in reality, they were just beggar skeletons. Each one yielded 100 Survival Points, enough food for one team's meal, and information hints about hidden treasures scattered throughout the Dungeon.
100 Survival Points are meaningless to us. With my hacking skills, we don't need the information either. The food might be the only useful reward.
I was feeling a bit hungry. The mushrooms we found in the forest were tasteless and too small to satisfy me.
"...This is clearly designed to make Hunters fight each other."
Han Harin immediately grasped the Organizers' intention upon seeing the Treasure Skeleton event.
"After all, the real thrill of Dungeon Survival comes from the practical combat between Hunters."
"Skeletons are F-Rank monsters. If we find one first, it should be easy to take down."
"No, it won't be easy. These aren't ordinary Skeletons."
I knew the truth about the Treasure Skeletons.
They were Skeletons summoned by a B-Rank Necromancer Hunter, far stronger than regular Skeletons think of them as being at least D-Rank Monsters.
Han Harin stared at me intently before asking,
"You're planning to use the Treasure Skeleton as bait, aren't you?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"You said it yourself at dawn. You were going to eliminate all the competition."
"It's more likely to succeed than trying to gather Survival Points."
"You realize there's a flaw in this plan, right?"
A flaw.
She meant we couldn't predict who would follow the Treasure Skeleton. Powerful teams like Kang Seoksu's, or groups of ten or more Hunters, might target the Skeleton.
This strategy was only viable for teams like Kang Seoksu's, who had overwhelming confidence in their abilities. We were a strong team too, but there were only two of us.
"Don't worry, Senior."
I knew who the nearby Hunters were through hacking. The Kang Seoksu Hunter Team was quite far away. Among the Hunters in our vicinity, none could stop us.
Of course, I couldn't tell her the truth.
"I'm just lucky, you know."
Midnight!
The Treasure Skeleton event has begun!
Ten Treasure Skeletons are roaming the Dungeon! Be the first to capture them and claim their treasures!
I glanced at the tablet.
Ten red dots were moving across the map, undoubtedly marking the locations of the Treasure Skeletons.
For reference, the blue dot represented our current position.
"Senior, there's a Treasure Skeleton nearby. See? I told you I was lucky."
"Then we proceed with the plan as scheduled, right?"
"Yes, Senior."
I scanned our surroundings. An Association staff member was filming us from a distance.
"They had five Association staff filming Kang Seoksu's team. We only got one."
This made it clear that the organizers had already decided we were going to be eliminated.
"In a survival game, the last one standing wins."
We moved toward the Treasure Skeleton.
We soon found it.
The clumsily moving skeleton carried a bundle slung over its shoulder, containing information and food.
"..."
Han Harin and I exchanged glances, held our breath, and began following the skeleton.
Three Hunters appeared. Two carried swords and shields, while the third wore gauntlets.
"Found it! Looks like we're the first ones here. Talk about lucky!"
"Stop chatting and catch it already. I'm starving."
"We don't have time for idle talk. Other Hunters will be here soon. We know we can't win in a direct fight, right? We need to survive as long as possible and wait for an opening."
The three Hunters abruptly stopped talking and began approaching the Skeleton with utmost stealth.
The Skeleton remained oblivious to their presence. Being a Hunter-controlled construct rather than a real monster, it was rather dim-witted.
I gauged the timing and raised my hand. Han Harin nodded in response to my signal.
"Ugh?!"
"What the hell is this?!"
"My body...!"
Han Harin's Gravity Field crushed their bodies, making them feel unbearably heavy and unable to move easily.
The Skeleton turned around, startled by the sight of the Hunters, and scurried away.
The Skeleton won't get far anyway. Now's the time to focus on these guys.
Hidden in the tree, I gripped my sword and leaped down toward them. I swung my Thunderbolt-infused blade at the Hunter wearing gauntlets first.
Crackling!
"Argh! Enemy! Help me!"
The blade failed to pierce the Hunter's body, blocked by his Energy Protect. Even the Thunderbolt's electric shock had no effect.
Still, the Thunderbolt is clearly damaging him.
I intensified the Thunderbolt, sending a searing blue current surging through his body.
"You bastard!"
"What do you think you're doing to us?!"
Two of the Hunter's comrades swung their swords at me, but the Gravity Field slowed their movements.
"I'm within the Gravity Field too, but I can still use Mana."
As I channeled Mana, my body felt lighter.
Yeongcheon Style's advanced technique: Hanlei (Frost Lightning).
With a swing of my sword, lightning crackled outward in all directions.
Originally, Hanlei was a technique that released both sword qi and lightning simultaneously. Since I couldn't yet project sword qi, only lightning surged forth.
"Kuaaaah! Fuck! This ability is OP!"
"T-tingly...!"
The three Hunters soon collapsed to the ground. The Energy Protect devices on their shoulders shifted from blue to red.
As I watched them being escorted away by Association staff, I thought,
Those guys are weird.
Even after being eliminated, they were still grinning like idiots. It seemed they hadn't taken the Dungeon Survival seriously from the start.
Well... you get all kinds of people.