The dungeon had been cleared.
It wasn't only Hyunseok's group who had managed to clear one, several other dungeons had been cleared as well.
The ones with entry limits were left untouched, but among those without restrictions, three had already been conquered.
And in those three, survivors had endured.
Some had managed to stock up on food beforehand, while others had barely clung to life inside recovery zones or safe areas, until finally being rescued once the dungeons were cleared.
Ha Jongwon, in particular, had achieved something remarkable, he had cleared a highly difficult dungeon with a 7-person limit, rescuing three survivors along the way.
I'UET was already a well-known name, but thanks to Ha Jongwon, their prestige soared even higher.
"Hey, but isn't it weird that I'm the only one getting famous?" Jongwon scratched his head with a grin.
Hyunseok shrugged.
"It's not weird, it's actually the best-case scenario."
No matter how much effort they both put in, the spotlight naturally fell on Jongwon. After all, he commanded the Eradication Squad organization and was affiliated with I'UET.
But the survivors had nearly been sent to a psychiatric hospital.
After all, who in their right mind would believe their claim that a lone man named Hyunseok had slaughtered dozens of orcs all by himself?
Officially, Jongwon and Hyunseok insisted they had fought together. And compared to the ramblings of people trapped in a dungeon for over ten days, it was far more believable to accept the word of Ha Jongwon, the already famous Slayer captain.
After all, was it really possible for anyone to solo an army of orcs?
At least, not according to common sense.
And so, the survivors' testimonies were dismissed as delusional nonsense.
Hyunseok let out a dry laugh.
"Getting famous isn't all that great anyway. It only brings trouble. It's not like I have a shield like the Hanjin Foundation backing me."
Jongwon smirked.
"Still, even inside I'UET, there are definitely people starting to keep an eye on you."
"That can't be helped. It's not like I'm deliberately hiding my strength, but I don't plan on going full-time as a Slayer either…"
He wasn't hiding his power because he had to.
He just didn't feel the need to flaunt it.
He wasn't planning on making this his entire life.
But mid-thought, Hyunseok frowned.
'…That was true before. But lately… my thoughts have started to change a little.'
Inside the dungeon, there had been only three rooms.
Maybe because it was still Easy Mode, the enemies were all orcs, nothing Hyunseok couldn't handle easily.
But in the final chamber, there was one massive orc, far larger and sharper-toothed than the rest.
And in that fight, for the first time, Hyunseok had felt something.
Tension.
Excitement.
A strange… thrill.
It was actually fun.
Even though the battle ended in a single exchange, he had enjoyed it.
And then, when they smashed the crystal at the very end, the rewards that poured out shocked him even more.
[Green Stones ×120]
[Martial Arts Skillbook (Low)]
[Poison-coated Dagger]
[Earrings of Wisdom]
Four rewards in total.
The Martial Arts Skillbook went to Hyunseok, the dagger to Jongwon, and the earrings to Minseo.
And beyond the items, there had been an extra gain.
All Slayers inside the dungeon had been granted +3 bonus stat points.
It was recognition for an achievement, and the reward was accordingly distributed.
It was the exact "Achievement System" Jongwon had once mentioned.
Hyunseok only received +1 due to his permanent penalties, but it was still valuable.
Meanwhile, Jongwon had also leveled up, netting him another +1 in addition to the +3.
Hyunseok himself wasn't affected by the leveling system, to him, levels were meaningless. But for other Slayers, the leveling system was fully functional.
Hyunseok realized something.
'So the Achievement System… that's the path I can use to keep growing stronger, even without levels.'
"Oppa, what about the Green Stones?" Minseo asked.
"What do you mean, what about them? By law, they can only be sold to the government. I'm not stupid enough to stash them and end up in prison."
The government bought them for ₩100 million each.
Hyunseok sold all 120 stones and received ₩12 billion. He gave Jongwon ₩4 billion and kept ₩8 billion for himself.
Minseo, overwhelmed by the enormous sum, asked her brother to manage her share as well.
But then she frowned.
"Oppa… at school, the teacher said they're actually debating lowering the official price of Green Stones."
"What?"
It turned out that since dungeons had begun being cleared, the government's stockpile of Green Stones had rapidly increased. At least 300 were now in storage.
Hyunseok scowled.
Checking online, he found that some lawmakers were indeed pushing to cut the official price.
'They set the buy price at ₩100 million because even then they were making a profit. And now they want to drop it further?'
He clenched his teeth.
Even ₩100 million was already too low, he knew that.
Reports suggested that countries like China and the U.S., where demand was high and supply scarce, were quietly importing stones at over ₩100 million each.
Corporations were even offering higher prices for research and development.
Clearly, the true market value was far higher than the government claimed.
'And they want to cut it further? Just because I've been obediently supplying them 120 stones at a time? Now they think they can cheapen it?'
His mood soured.
And then, one politician actually said, "Obtaining Green Stones has become much easier now, so…"
Hyunseok nearly laughed in disbelief.
Easy?
It might be easy for him.
But for other Slayers, obtaining even one was a matter of life and death.
The arrogance of someone who had never risked their life in a dungeon… it disgusted him.
"…If they're full, I'll make them hungry again."
Hyunseok stood up, Minseo rising quickly after him.
"Oppa, where are you going?"
"If they've gotten fat and comfortable, then I'll make sure they starve. You stay here, Minseo. I'll be back soon."
❋ ❋ ❋
It didn't take Hyunseok long.
Clearing dungeons was no longer difficult, the only time-consuming part was traveling to each one.
And as he suspected, the system had another trick for him.
[Within 24 hours, you have cleared your 3rd consecutive dungeon.]
[An Impossible Achievement, "The Impossible," has been recognized within Easy Mode.]
[As a reward, you receive +30 bonus stat points.]
[Due to Easy Mode stat penalties, 50% of bonus stats are reduced.]
It was considered impossible to clear so many dungeons consecutively.
And yet, Hyunseok was doing exactly that.
It was as if he were playing the game with a cheat code.
Even the occasional unlucky back-attack from an orc meant nothing.
[You were struck in a vital point. A Critical Hit has been applied.]
[Damage — 0]
No matter what, even critical strikes couldn't scratch his HP.
His ridiculous endurance gave him more confidence with every dungeon.
And the best part, this "Impossible Achievement" wasn't a one-time reward.
When he cleared the 4th dungeon, the same notification came.
Then again at the 5th.
[Within 24 hours, you have cleared your 5th consecutive dungeon.]
[An Impossible Achievement, "The Impossible," has been recognized within Easy Mode.]
[As a reward, you receive +50 bonus stat points.]
[Due to Easy Mode penalties, 50% of bonus stats are reduced.]
The rewards scaled upward: +30, then +40, then +50.
Even halved, the total points stacked into the dozens.
'…And to think Jongwon was ecstatic about just +20.'
Compared to other Slayers, who had to grind painfully for every single stat point through the level system, Hyunseok's method was overwhelming.
While others carefully distributed their stats into strength or intellect according to their class, Hyunseok just bulldozed through impossibilities and earned points en masse.
'Balance is most important. Best to raise everything evenly.'
Any other Slayer would have fainted hearing him casually dismiss such absurd fortune.
By the time he cleared the 5th dungeon, dawn was breaking.
His body felt heavy with fatigue, but his stat page was overflowing.
[Remaining Stat Points: 149]
[Stat points are valuable resources that directly strengthen the user.]
[It is highly recommended that you spend them immediately.]
Hyunseok smirked.
"Nope. That's a trap. I'll save them."
He left the 149 points untouched.
❋ ❋ ❋
The next morning, for the first time in three years, Hyunseok arrived late for work.
At KEPCO, the power company, the office was already in chaos.
Goo Changmin, a colleague, ran in panting.
"All the dungeons in Korea, they've all been cleared overnight!"
Hyunseok froze.
The truth was, he knew why.
Power plants, politicians, corporations, police, all of Korea was now in turmoil.
Soon after work ended, Jongwon cornered him.
"…It was you, wasn't it?"
"…What was?"
"Don't play dumb! You left Minseo alone last night and went out! Don't tell me you—"
"Lower your damn voice, you'll blow my eardrums."
Hyunseok admitted it.
Jongwon nearly exploded.
"You bastard! You should've taken me! Forget the stones, do you know how many bonus stat points that was worth?!"
Hyunseok chuckled.
To him, it was funny that Jongwon valued stats more than billions in currency.
"…Fine. Let's go to Japan this weekend."
"…What?"
"There are still uncleared dungeons there. You wanted stat points, didn't you? We'll take Minseo too. Let's all go."
Jongwon lunged forward and hugged him.
"Hyung, I love you."
"Get the hell off, idiot."
Hyunseok activated his Combat Field and slammed a fist into Jongwon's stomach, knocking him flying into a wall.
But even injured, Jongwon staggered back up, grinning.
"You cheating bastard! PK'ing a low-level?!"
"You're no low-level. You're already in the top ten Slayers in Korea."
"…Damn recluse master…"
"Shut up and get your passport ready. We leave Thursday night."
Jongwon broke into a bright smile.
"Yes, Hyung!"
And so, the weekend trip was set.
(End of Chapter 14)
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