"Is it just my imagination…?"
He wasn't sure. But he thought it was possible. Some I'UET members had been secretly dispatched to Japan. In exchange for keeping it secret for Japan's sake, the Hanjin Foundation reportedly received a significant reward from Japan, though the details were unknown.
Lying on the sofa at home, Hyunseok received a call from Kang Pyeonghwa.
―Oppa, where are you?
"I'm at home."
―Did you see the news?
"What news?"
―They say another dungeon has appeared.
Hyunseok hurriedly turned on the news.
―Once again, Slayer activity is converging due to the newly emerged dungeon.
―Here at Namsan, public access is strictly restricted…
Unlike last time, Slayers were flocking there. They seemed quite confident. Well, even if they weren't, 100 Greenstones were worth ten billion won. That was enough for many to consider risking their lives.
Orcs were still frightening monsters, but not impossible to defeat. Considering most dungeons contained only orcs, it was worth taking some risk to enter.
Hyunseok also received a call from Minseo.
―Oppa! Aren't we going to the slaying?
"It's still far from the weekend. Today's Monday."
―Tch. Oppa, you're unfair.
"You're not right. I promised you, we only go on weekends."
The original agreement was for the vacation period only. Now it had extended to weekends.
Hyunseok, without realizing it, had become a bit more lenient about slaying. And without noticing, the urge to go slaying was quietly growing. He denied this fact to himself, muttering brusquely:
"Minseo, looks like this one's itching to move again."
It seemed Minseo wanted to go slaying. Hyunseok smirked. Up until now, it didn't seem likely the dungeon wouldn't be cleared.
Unlike the non-growing (?) Hyunseok, Slayers were gradually leveling up and becoming stronger. Even upper-tier guilds should be able to clear the dungeon.
'But I can't be sure it's the same difficulty as last time. It might be higher.'
And his intuition proved correct.
―According to investigations, the new dungeons appeared exactly at the time the last remaining Twin-Headed Orc in Korea was slain…
―Predictions suggest these are even more powerful dungeons, and after four days, not a single returnee has been reported…
At least, fortunately, Jongwon did not participate in this dungeon slaying. This allowed Hyunseok to be a bit more relaxed.
He asked:
"Why didn't you enter?"
"Ah… I had things to do at home."
"Can you just skip like that?"
"My job allows flexibility. There's a rotation, so I can't take off whenever, but still. How about Minseo and Pyeonghwa?"
"I didn't bring them."
Jongwon drove quite well. He drove a black coupe when heading to slaying, skillfully avoiding cars while maintaining a comfortable drive.
"You're not supposed to fit in easy mode anyway, right? Then you could have just brought them."
"Better safe than sorry."
"Sure."
Jongwon smirked. If he were Hyunseok, he imagined he'd already be famous worldwide. Flashbulbs, spotlights, everywhere. Being born male, living that kind of life wouldn't be so bad, he thought.
"Bonus stats over 200?"
"Yep, 284."
"Crazy. I went berserk when I got 20 bonus stats before, and this… this is insane! Cheat-key bastard!"
"Achieved some impossible achievements. But my level is restricted, and I don't earn XP."
Jongwon wanted to say, "Throw that nonsense penalty away," but restrained himself. Level was meaningless, XP existed only to grow stronger. Increasing level yields bonus stats.
'You just cheat and clear achievements, so your bonus stats pile up without any effort!'
Jongwon sighed in disbelief and smirked.
Hyunseok asked:
"Aren't you nervous? We're going to rescue the I'UET members now."
"So?"
"I'UET is top in Korea. Their team is missing, and we're going to rescue them. Aren't you nervous?"
"What's there to be? Honestly, I don't get why you didn't bring Minseo. A cheat-key user going slaying should be bolder. You need to take more risks."
"But what if something happens?"
"Yeah, right."
Jongwon seemed to trust Hyunseok's ability even more than Hyunseok did himself. If he had Hyunseok's skills, he might've swept every dungeon worldwide.
❋ ❋ ❋
Eventually, Jongwon's belief in Hyunseok was proven correct. I'UET marveled once again at Hyunseok's abilities.
Upon entering the dungeon, all recovery and safe zones were withdrawn. Hyunseok demonstrated his divine power, clearing the dungeon and rescuing I'UET members. Technically, calling it a rescue might be slightly overstated, but clearly, thanks to him, it was cleared quickly.
Sunghyung said:
"Korea's speed is definitely the fastest."
"Excuse me?"
"Think of it like a game, the server update is fastest in Korea."
"Ah…"
Hyunseok understood. He had thought similarly before.
"We should compile info about this dungeon at the Union level and distribute it. And thanks, Hyunseok. Your help was huge. We've agreed among guild members to give all rewards to you."
"No need. Even without me, they could've cleared it."
"No, thanks to you, we cleared it fast and earned bonus stats. That's enough for us."
"Won't it be tough with the company?"
"That's already settled. Material rewards are all we can offer, sorry about that."
By ordinary standards, no apology was necessary. Even just counting Greenstones alone exceeded 100, worth 10 billion won. Even without Hyunseok, they could've claimed them, just more slowly.
Sunghyung continued:
"At least, fortunately, there are no casualties this time."
Hyunseok smiled awkwardly:
"No, sir. They could've cleared it even without me, just slower."
I'UET had many good items. Among them was a 'bag', an artifact impossible with current science. It preserved food and held far more than its physical volume. Essentially an 'Extra-Dimensional Artifact,' its exact name was unknown.
Upper-tier guilds usually had one or two. Other guilds would likely soon emerge from dungeons as well.
"Well, thanks to you, we saved a ton of time. Originally, it would've taken three more days."
"If I'UET had been that fast, other guilds would take at least five days."
"Before that, the Union should send rescue squads. It might be purely for show, but surprisingly effective."
Hyunseok stared at Sunghyung. He looked perfectly suited to be a leader, with ambition. His goal was to expand the Korean Union into the top Union and eventually a world-leading Union. His dream was serious, and Hyunseok had listened carefully.
Hyunseok liked Sunghyung, and Sunghyung liked Hyunseok, humanly, deeply. He was 37, seven years older.
This dungeon clearance was slightly lower than the Twin-Headed Orc's 'Difficult Achievement,' categorized as 'Slightly Difficult Achievement,' but bonus stats were still +10. Probably because it was dungeon completion.
Park Sunghyung, I'UET's deputy leader and head of the Korean Union, quickly compiled and announced dungeon info. Rescue squads were dispatched to all dungeons.
Hyunseok's guild proudly featured in the Korean Union's rescue squads. I'UET's current strength, and the Korean Union itself, was thanks to Hyunseok. The guild could be so strong now because he had helped achieve these feats.
Minseo giggled:
"Our oppa's excited."
"Excited about what?"
"Now… it seems he's enjoying slaying. Originally, he started just because of me…"
Hyunseok frowned slightly. Enjoying slaying? He wasn't sure yet. But he couldn't deny he was participating more actively.
"Quiet, you brat. You're not a full-time Slayer anyway."
"Why does it always turn into this? Oppa, I'm really strong too, I just don't show it."
"That's obvious, you've been following me."
Kang Pyeonghwa, behind them, smiled warmly and bowed slightly when their eyes met.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"Just… it looks nice."
Hyunseok sighed:
"Seriously, why's everyone so calm going to clear a new type of dungeon?"
❋ ❋ ❋
Kang Pyeonghwa first saw Hyunseok about a year ago. She had just awakened as a Healing Slayer.
She had a strong liking for him, initially due to his appearance and personality, and he helped her in a dangerous situation. Not love at first sight, but enough to inspire dedication, she never skipped volunteering and exercised diligently.
Though told, "You'd be really pretty if you lost some weight," she lacked motivation before. She was already popular enough. The world seemed to prefer 'cute, slightly prettier than average girls' over 'goddess-like girls,' and she had considerable popularity.
Seeing Hyunseok inspired her to start exercising. His physique suggested years of training; she thought sharing the hobby might work. Losing weight, friends praised her. Her distinct features became even more pronounced, giving her a fresh, pure aura.
'So what? The one I want to notice me doesn't.'
Pyeonghwa had never received much attention before. She didn't know how to express interest to Hyunseok. But after he invited her to join his guild, she was so excited she couldn't sleep that night. More time together, that was enough.
'Does he even know I've volunteered for over a year because of him?'
For the past year, she quietly harbored feelings. Hyunseok maintained a certain distance, neither disliking nor clearly showing affection. Occasionally, she envied Minseo, who had a close, affectionate relationship with her brother.
One day, Minseo said:
"Do you know? Our oppa doesn't mess with girls he really likes. He used to be a huge flirt, but he can read hearts like a ghost. Girls he likes a little, he just pushes away. Girls he likes a lot, he doesn't touch. So cheer up, sister. I support you."
Pyeonghwa couldn't help smiling at Minseo and Hyunseok playfully bickering. Now, she wasn't nervous despite the higher-difficulty dungeon.
'If safety wasn't guaranteed… he wouldn't have brought Minseo.'
Pyeonghwa had by now understood Hyunseok's abilities.
A voice called:
"What? This is the team we're supposed to cooperate with? Total rookies, and two girls. Uh… is something wrong? Contact the Union again!"
(End of Chapter 19)
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