Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (3)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
Fortunately, when he contacted her the day after he drove her home, the only thing she remembered was delivering the documents regarding the Seo Guk Research Facility takeover to him.
Because she had drunk so much, she wasn’t able to formulate a plan for him to visit the Seo Guk Research Facility until two days later.
“I’ve already contacted the research facility. You can visit it tomorrow whenever you like,” Seol Ah said. She had been really drunk, but she had completely recovered from her hangover after two days.
“What are they all doing?”
“Because they weren’t tasked with anything, they’re just waiting for you. They’re still going to work like normal.”
“Aren’t they anxious?” Sung Joon asked. Since the condition of the research facility had worsened and had been just recently taken over, Sung Joon thought that the workers would be afraid that they’d be replaced.
“I’d be lying to you if I said they’re not,” Seol Ah said honestly. The workers were indeed feeling anxious. Especially now that the fate of the Seo Guk Research Facility lay in Sung Joon’s hands.
“Well, I can understand how they’re feeling.”
“When are you going to visit? It seems like it’d be best to contact the head researcher beforehand.”
“Is the head researcher the highest position?” Sung Joon asked. Seol Ah nodded her head and opened her mouth.
“Yes. The previous director was involved in the deterioration of the business, so he retired on his own accord.”
After she finished speaking, she took a sip of water. And explained in detail the circumstances surrounding the previous director’s retirement.
When she finished explaining, Sung Joon looked to have understood everything and nodded his head.
“I think I understand what happened,” Sung Joon said. Not only did the previous director falsify the reports and lie about their results, he had even embezzled funds from the facility.
“The previous director was charged, but that isn’t a matter we need to worry about.”
“I think I’ll visit them at around three in the afternoon.” Sung Joon expressed his opinion; Seol Ah briefly pondered the matter for a moment, and soon nodded her head.
“That time seems fine,” she replied. Then, she took something from her briefcase and placed it onto the table.
“What is this?”
“This is a simple, summarized report of the research facility’s executives. It should be helpful when picking a new director as well.”
It wasn’t good to leave the director position vacant for too long.
“Ah… Thank you. I keep getting helped by you.”
Seol Ah smiled, and Sung Joon could feel her sincerity.
“Then I’ll pick you up at your apartment at around two o’clock. Your first impression is really important. You should have a chauffeur drive you there. Luckily, I’m free tomorrow, so I’ll go with you.”
“I understand. I took way too much of your time today.”
“I don’t feel like the time I spend with you is a waste, so please don’t worry. Grandpa understands as well.”
Seol Ah’s grandfather, Chairman Yoon Tae Seok wouldn’t reprimand her for neglecting her work as long as it was for matters concerning Sung Joon.
“Then I’ll get going now.”
Sung Joon left her personal office. Seol Ah went all the way down to the first floor to see him off. He carried the documents she’d given him and returned to his studio apartment. And thoroughly read the information regarding the research facility’s executives with Rishubalt.
“It seems like the head researcher, Na Han Soo would be a good fit for the management position.” Rishubalt expressed his opinion.
“Yeah, it seems that way.” Sung Joon nodded his head in agreement.
There were several candidates for the management position, but the current head researcher, Na Han Soo seemed to be the best fit right now. Seol Ah had attached her own comprehensive assessment regarding the candidates and had also detailed that he was the most competent worker there.
He would soon bring workers from overseas and thought about making one of them the director, but ultimately, the head researcher was really familiar with the facility and would thus be the best fit for the job.
“And it’s perfect if I make the senior researcher, Joo Sung the researcher in charge.”
Sung Joon told Rishubalt how he planned to organize the research facility, and Rishubalt, who had listened to his ideas to the very end, nodded his head in admiration.
“A truly wise plan!”
The next day.
As soon as it hit two o’clock, just as she had promised, Seol Ah arrived in a black sedan.
“Please get in.”
Sung Joon sat beside Seol Ah in the rear passenger seat. And the chauffeur drove the car to the research facility.
Their destination, the Seo Guk Research Facility, wasn’t in Seoul, but in the Gyeonggi-do Province[1]. Therefore, they needed to drive a certain distance, but it wasn’t very far.
“Have you decided who you’d elect as the director?’ Seol Ah asked. Because the directorial position was important, she had provided him with a lot of information so that he could make a careful decision.
“I’m going to make Na Han Soo the director.”
“A wise choice. It’s written in the documents as well, but when I looked into it, Na Han Soo was not only the most talented individual there, but also had other outstanding qualities as well,” Seol Ah praised. Sung Joon wanted to meet him in person, not just read about him in a report. He wouldn’t be curious for much longer, since they were en route to the research facility.
“Then, have you decided on a replacement for the vacant head researcher position?”
“Barring any special circumstances, I’m planning on making the senior researcher, Joo Sung the head researcher.”
“Not a bad choice. Soo Jung is quite young, but he’s considered quite talented.”
“Your reports were quite helpful.”
If she hadn’t given him the reports, it would’ve taken a lot longer to make a decision, and it wouldn’t have been as easy. Hearing that, Seol Ah smiled beamingly and opened her mouth.
“It’s a relief that I could be of help to you.”
She was happy that she could help him; those were her genuine feelings.
“How much farther do we have to go?”
“Not much farther. We just need to go a little bit more.”
Like she said, it didn’t take long before they saw the research facility. The main building was a six floor building and the annexed building to the side was a four story building.
The parking lot was wide, and it seemed the research facility was large compared to others as Seol Ah had explained before. When the chauffeur parked the car, someone saw them and dashed towards them.
“It’s Mr. Na Han Soo.”
The handsome glasses-wearing man was the current head researcher, Na Han Soo. Because his appearance was essentially no different from what was depicted on the profile, Sung Joon could easily recognize him.
As soon as they finished parking, Han Soo approached and opened the rear passenger door for them.
“Welcome to the Seo Guk Research Facility.” He smiled and greeted the two.
“I’ll take you inside.”
As Sung Joon and Seol Ah followed behind Han Soo, they inspected the facilities. Whenever Han Soo passed by an important facility, he added an explanation.
“But it feels like the research facility is really empty.”
Sung Joon expressed, seeing as how he had observed half of the research facility by now. Seol Ah, who had been looking at a document, raised her head.
“It seems like they sold about half their equipment as the business was failing.”
“Ms. Yoon Seol Ah is correct. We have only about half of our equipment right now compared to before.” Han Soo nodded his head and agreed.
‘How much exactly did they sell for them to only have half of their equipment remaining…’
Sung Joon couldn’t help but shake his head. Despite them selling about half of their equipment, the workers still remained. Though their ongoing research had been halted due to the takeover, they still went about their other work.
“Is there any place that’s quiet? I’d like to talk to you about something…” Sung Joon asked.
“The Director’s office is currently empty. Let’s go over there,” Han Soo replied, and lead them to the Director’s office; it wasn’t very far.
“It’s here.”
Han Soo opened the door and went in first, and Sung Joon and Seol Ah followed him inside. He didn’t know who had cleaned the room, but it was neat and tidy.
Sung Joon and Seol Ah sat on the sofa and Han Soo placed mixed coffee atop the table.
“I plan to make you the Director of the research facility, Mr. Na Han Soo, and promote Mr. Joo Sung to head researcher.” After Sung Joon had drunk a sip of the warm coffee, he went straight to the point. Because he had suddenly brought it up, Han Soo seemed flustered, but he soon composed himself and nodded his head.
“I understand. I will make sure to transfer my duties to senior researcher, Joo Sung.” Han Soo’s overwhelmingly confident attitude was enough to put Sung Joon at ease.
“Do you have any other orders?” Han Soo asked. He looked as he was trying to perform all his tasks diligently which pleased Sung Joon. He took out a document that had been prepared prior and passed it over to Han Soo.
“This is Dr. Reville Gubert’s paper on the RG1 treatment method.”
Befitting a talented researcher, he didn’t even read a few lines, yet he was able to figure out the contents immediately. Sung Joon nodded his head and opened his mouth.
“How much do you know about RG1?”
“I know that it’s an effective medicine for treating blood cancer. But it’s to my understanding that the only blood cancer it cannot completely cure is D-type blood cancer[2],” Han Soo said. Befitting an expert in the field, he knew a lot about it. It was also type of blood cancer that Sung Joon's father, Soo Hyuk had.
“I believe you can roughly guess what I’m about to say,” Sung Joon said with a serious expression. He had met Han Soo for the first time today, but he had roughly figured out his personality. Sung Joon didn’t give him a lengthy explanation, but he thought Han Soo would be able to figure out why he placed the thesis on the table and asked him that question.
“Is it perhaps to research a cure for Type-D blood cancer?”
“Right answer.”
As he anticipated, Han Soo was able to figure out Sung Joon’s intent. Sung Joon nodded his head and opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“I believe nothing is impossible, but it’s close to impossible with the facilities and workers we have at hand,” Han Soo replied realistically. However, Sung Joon already had an idea.
“You’ll be equipped with the best facilities in the world. And you’ll be joined with other talented researchers soon.”
“It’ll cost a fortune.”
Like he said, if Sung Joon set them up with the best equipment and wanted to expand their research division with talented researchers, he would need to spend a lot of money. However, Sung Joon’s clear smile didn’t fade.
“You don’t need to worry about money at all. I won’t skimp on the support, so please develop a cure for D-type blood cancer. As fast as possible.”
“I understand. I can’t give you a sure answer, but I’ll do my best.”
Sung Joon was satisfied with his meeting with Han Soo. After he spoke about the research facility in depth for another hour with Han Soo, he returned to Seoul with Seol Ah.
Seol Ah drove him right in front of his studio apartment.
“I’ll contact you later,” Seol Ah said. She wanted to talk to Sung Joon some more, even if she had to use work as a pretext. She had changed a lot since her first meeting with Sung Joon, as well as when she received the order from Tae Seok.
Sung Joon, who had returned to his studio apartment, sat on his sofa and raised his phone. Just in time, he received a call from Hyun Sung.
“This is Kang Sung Joon.”
“This is Kim Hyun Sung. Mr. Kang Sung Joon. We’ve received a certain offer; would you like to hear it?”
[2] I have no idea what this is referring to. This isn’t how you categorize cancer. It might be talking about blood type and is referring to the D antigen.
//
Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (4)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
“Please, go ahead.”
“We’ve received a request for you to appear on KTV broadcasting station’s ‘Today’s Hunter’ program. It seems as though they don’t have your contact information, so they contacted us instead.”
Sung Joon knew about the program ‘Today’s Hunter’. He didn’t watch it very often, but he had tuned in occasionally; it was also KTV’s most popular program and was South Korea’s most well-known program for introducing Hunters.
Most of the popular rank Hunters or higher had been on ‘Today’s Hunter’ before.
“It’s up to you, Mr. Kang Sung Joon, but I believe it wouldn’t be bad for you to appear on TV at least once. It’ll help with your image considerably,” Hyun Sung said. Sung Joon thought about it cool-headedly. The papers had reported that he had become an SS-rank Hunter, so he thought he had plenty of fame already, but he believed that he would need to improve his image in order to make a guild someday.
‘And besides, I’ve always wanted to be on TV at least once.’
Back when he lived powerlessly day by day, he would occasionally tune into ‘Today’s Hunter’. Whenever he did, Sung Joon would say to himself that he’d be on ‘Today’s Hunter’ someday.
“You said you were planning to rest for the time being, so… I believe it would be a nice change of pace.” Rishubalt helped Sung Joon sort out his thoughts. Like Rishubalt mentioned, he was resting right now, so he didn’t really have anything to do. It seemed like it would be a nice change of pace and he’d be able to see celebrities’ faces as well.
“I’ll show up on the program,” Sung Joon decided.
“Then, would it be alright if we shared your contact information with the broadcasting station?”
Him agreeing to show up on the program was basically the equivalent of him giving them permission to share his contact information, but Hyun Sung cautiously made sure.
“That’s fine.”
“Then I’ll send them your contact information. You’ll be contacted by the broadcasting station today.”
The conversation ended. Just like Hyun Sung had said, he got an unidentified call at around four in the afternoon. Because it was definitely KTV broadcasting station, Sung Joon unhesitatingly brought the phone to his ear.
“Are you Hunter Kang Sung Joon by any chance?” the caller said politely.
“Yes. I’m Kang Sung Joon.”
“Ah! It’s a pleasure, Hunter Kang Sung Joon. I’m Jo Yeon Chool from ‘Today’s Hunter’.”
The caller initially hadn’t given him their name, but soon introduced themself simply. It was a woman’s voice, and just as he had anticipated, they were someone from KTV Broadcasting Station’s ‘Today’s Hunter’.
“For starters, on behalf of KTV Broadcasting Station, I would like to say we’re thankful that you accepted our request to be on Today’s Hunter. I also called to ask you about your schedule.”
“My schedule?”
“Yes. Our entire production crew is ready to film you when you’re ready.”
rank Hunters were busy, and S-rank Hunters often did as they pleased, so the production crew was always prepared to adapt to their schedules.
“Is that so? How nice,” Sung Joon said honestly. It was indeed nice. He checked the calendar that lay on his bedside table; he didn’t have any special plans for the time being.
He also hadn’t scheduled an appointment for a dungeon solo run.
“Since I plan to take a break from dungeon assaults for the time being, you can just set a date without worrying about me.”
“Is that really ok with you?” Jo Yeon Chool asked for confirmation.
“I’ll say it again, but it really doesn’t matter to me.” Sung Joon relieved her. He thought he could hear her breath out, in an almost relieved manner.
“Then how about this Friday?” She cautiously asked, having not yet released her tension.
“It’s a Friday[1], huh.”
“I-I’m sorry…!”
“No, it’s fine. Please message me the time later. I’ll be there at that time.”
“Thank you very much!”
And their conversation was finished. The following day, Jo Yeon Chool messaged him the precise date.
Now, it was Friday.
Sung Joon woke up early in the morning, and after showering, drove his car to the KTV Broadcasting Station. He finished parking and called Joo Yeon Chool.
“This is Kang Sung Joon. I’m in the broadcasting station parking lot right now.”
“Ah! Hunter Kang Sung Joon! Could you wait just a minute? I’ve just arrived myself. I’ll be in the lobby within five minutes!”
Their conversation wasn’t even over yet, but it sounded as if she was organizing her things. Sung Joon smiled thinly, pocketed his phone, and went inside the building.
There were rest areas set up inside. He waited for Jo Yeon Chool as he drank the coffee he’d gotten from the vending machine.
“Hunter Kang Sung Joon!” someone called for Sung Joon. Sung Joon turned his head towards the direction of the voice. A petite young lady with bobbed hair and an employee ID card hanging from her neck dashed over to him.
“You’re Hunter Kang Sung Joon, right?” she asked cautiously. She had seen Sung Joon on TV and on the internet before, but this was the first time she’d seen him in person, so she needed to confirm that it was really him.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Phew! What a relief. You’re better looking in person than in your photographs, so I thought I mistook you for someone else!”
“Hahaha… I’ll take that as a compliment,” Sung Joon smiled and replied, since she hadn’t said it out of spite. Seeing that, the giggling girl seemingly remembered why she was really here, and slightly hit herself.
“Ah! I’m sorry. I haven’t yet introduced myself. My name is Lee Na Hyun, and I’m responsible for Jo Yeon Chool from ‘Today’s Hunter’.”
It seemed like she had forgotten to introduce herself.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Also, this is your temporary pass. You need this to enter, so please don’t lose it!” Na Hyun passed him a card about the same size as her employee ID card.
“We still have a lot of time before the show, so would you like to take a look around?” Na Hyun asked. Even if they factored in the prep time before the show, they had a lot of time left. Sung Joon nodded his head. When he thought about it, it seemed like it would be a better idea to look around than to just wait vacantly in the waiting room.
Sung Joon walked around the broadcasting station with Na Hyun for thirty minutes; she made sure to add a simple explanation regarding each place they visited.
As soon as he was finished looking around the interior of the studio, Na Hyun checked her watch.
“Hunter! You can probably go to the waiting room now!”
“Please take me there.”
“Yes!”
Na Hyun guided Sung Joon to the waiting room. It was an exclusive waiting room and its interior was vast. He didn’t know if they were ordered to minimize the waiting time, but he only waited for ten minutes before he got his makeup done and then, stepped into the studio.
All the workers were waiting for Sung Joon in the studio.
“Hello?”
It was winter, but a young lady garbed in short pants and with bobbed hair approached him and greeted him. Sung Joon, who had been introducing himself to the PDs, turned his attention towards her.
“I wanted to meet you personally.”
Based on her getup, she seemed like an idol, but unfortunately, that wasn’t something Sung Joon was interested in, so he didn’t even know who she was.
“She’s a member of an idol group called Min Hyun Ji. I believe her hometown is Paju. It’s not surprising that she feels thankful to you, my lord,” Rishubalt explained. For some reason, he sure knew a lot about her.
“It’s nice to meet you as well. Ms. Min Hyun Ji.” Sung Joon smiled and greeted her. She seemed happy that he knew her name, as he was renowned as South Korea’s first SS-rank Hunter, and she smiled beamingly.
“Please take care of me today.”
“Of course. Please take care of me as well.”
Eventually, a PD told them that they were going to start filming. The filming progressed smoothly, and the PD continuously stressed Sung Joon’s humanity.
“Thank you all your hard work!”
They were finished shooting and they were now cleaning up. Sung Joon finished his brief conversation with the PD and attempted to leave, but…
Hyun Ji blocked his path; she gave him her number and bashfully disappeared. Sung Joon wordlessly walked over to the parking lot and input her number into his phone.
“Are you going to call her?” Rishubalt asked. Sung Joon smiled lightly and opened his mouth.
“Sure, if it helps me out.”
* * *
The Empire’s Special Forces Headquarters.
The elite Special Forces were following behind a blonde man, garbed in uniform, down a long hallway. He was the top commander of the Empire’s Investigation Squad.
He had been investigating the phenomenon where soldiers of the Empire would be trapped in a dimension severed from the outside world, dubbed the ‘Other World Displacement Phenomenon’, but had discovered something important in the process and moved hurriedly to report to Commander Ares.
“I am Volt, the top commander of the Investigation Squad. Move aside,” Volt firmly said, but the Special Forces officers wouldn’t move aside.
“The Special Force’s Commander is speaking with Marquis Anfellico, the lord of the Magic Towers. He ordered that no one interfere.”
“Could you tell him that I have something urgent to report? It has something to do with the Other World Displacement Phenomenon.”
“I’ll tell him immediately.”
One of the officers guarding the door went inside and relayed Volt’s words to Ares. After around three minutes had passed, the officer came outside.
“You can go in.”
As soon as he gave the signal, the other two officers opened the door and Volt quickly went into the Commander’s office. Just like the officers said, Ares and Anfellico were both inside.
“You said that you had an urgent report regarding the Other World Displacement Phenomenon?” Ares asked. The Empire currently called Sung Joon’s Awakening Dungeon assaults the ‘Other World Displacement Phenomenon’. The more time passed, the more damage they sustained from this displacement phenomenon, so the Empire was treating it as a serious issue.
“In the site where the Other World Displacement Phenomenon occurred, we’ve discovered scars made by a sword, and we’ve requested the assistance of all Mages who have high analytical abilities.”
“Did the results come out yet?” Ares’ eyes gleamed and asked. Just a little while ago, he had gotten a report that the investigation was in progress. Volt opened his mouth with a calm expression.
“Yes, that’s correct. More than half of our results conclude that it was the previous greatest knight of the Empire, Roukel’s swordsmanship that felled the Mages of the Magic Tower.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, we checked again with the Knight Brigade.”
“Roukel… Are you saying he’s returned?” Ares’ eyes quivered. If he, who was considered the strongest Swordmaster of the Empire had returned, the Empire would be crippled.
“That’s impossible. The Imperial Magic Tower confirmed that he was dead, and it was discovered that he didn’t have a disciple,” Anfellico said.
When Roukel died in the Ridonia Great Plains, the Imperial Magic Tower checked Roukel’s corpse and checked to see if he had a disciple.
“However, it is to my understanding that this phenomenon comes from the other world. Couldn’t Roukel have hidden something in the other world?”
“It’s very unlikely.”
“Roel… That sword that Roukel had! Are you sure that the sword is being properly stored?”
“Of course. I’ll check right now.”
Anfellico took out a crystal ball and opened a line of communication to the Imperial Magic Tower. Roukel’s sword had been taken off his body and was being stored in the Imperial Magic Tower.
“The Lord of the Magic Tower has just checked!” a high ranked Mage’s voice came from the crystal ball. His voice was trembling tenuously. Anfellico couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“‘Roel is still there, right?”
“It has disappeared.”
Everyone was speechless. With this, Roukel’s return had been confirmed.
//
Chapter 42 – Heal’s New Discovery (1)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
Because S-ranks dungeons were so uncommon, when they did appear, there would sometimes be a competition for them. Right now, Sung Joon was experiencing that competition.
“We’ve confirmed that another guild has used their possessory rights priority for the dungeon.”
Han Soo Eun, who had become Sung Joon’s exclusive clerk just a short while ago, relayed the fact that the other guilds were using their possessory rights priority on the S-rank dungeon that appeared.
Sung Joon furrowed his brow.
Because S-rank dungeons were so rare, it wasn’t a particularly unforeseen development, but the competition over the dungeon made him feel uneasy.
“Possessory rights priority… I believe I have that as well.”
“Yes. I’ll check how many you have right now.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’ll just use them all. That should be enough, right?”
“O-Of course it would, but… is that really alright?” So Eun asked for confirmation. Sung Joon possessed quite a few of those tickets right now. One might feel that they were being wasted, but Sung Joon unhesitatingly nodded his head.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be waiting at home, so please tell me how it goes later.”
“I’ll contact you within two hours.”
Sung Joon returned to his studio apartment and passed the time by browsing Hunter.com. He had ambitiously decided to assault an S-rank dungeon, but because they were so rare, it wasn’t that easy.
And exactly two hours later, So Eun called him.
“Hunter! You’ve successfully acquired possessory priority for the S-rank dungeon!”
She had relayed quite the good news. Sung Joon was relieved. He had used all of his possessory rights priority tickets, but he couldn’t be sure of the results. After all, he would’ve lost the competition if someone else had used more tickets than he did.
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“As you requested, we have scheduled your appointment at the earliest time available,” So Eun said.
“So,when is my appointment?”
“In two days; three o’clock in the afternoon!”
“I understand. Good work.”
He did feel like it was a bit too soon, but Sung Joon had asked them to schedule the appointment at the earliest time available, and he had rested plentifully already, so he didn’t really have anything to say.
This was his first time soloing an S-rank dungeon. Though his combat abilities were superb, an S-rank dungeon was vast and the assault time was long. Therefore, he visited the Hunter Mart, a place he hadn’t visited in some time, and bought whatever he needed.
Time passed by quickly and it was already three in the afternoon, two days later. Sung Joon had finished all his preparations and appeared at the entrance of the dungeon.
“Hunter Kang Sung Joon? May I verify you one last time?” the Dungeon Bureau worker on standby asked. Before one could enter the dungeon, they needed to go through the verification procedure; that didn’t change even after he had become an SS-rank Hunter.
“Right here.”
“You’re verified. You may enter now.”
Sung Joon showed the worker his Hunter’s License and after finishing a simple verification process, Sung Joon was able to enter the dungeon.
“It’s a warp gate,” Rishubalt said. It was an uncommon warp gate, befitting an S-rank dungeon. Sung Joon wordlessly went atop the warp gate and applied his mana. Then, his sight was obscured by a white flash.
By the time he’d gotten a hold of himself, he was in a different space.
“Is it a fortress type dungeon…?”
There was an enormous fortress about 300 m away. And there were several mana responses along the way to the fortress.
“They seem like golems. I’m counting on you for the scouting.”
“As you command, my lord.” Rishubalt briefly disappeared, and returned around ten minutes later.
“They’re Iron Golems,” Rishubalt reported his findings.
“They’re the type that are kind of a hassle.”
Iron Golems’ bodies were rank monsters composed of steel and were difficult to face, but he was an aura user, as well as being an SS-rank Hunter, so they were only a pain in the ass to deal with because of their size.
“How many of them are there?”
“There are nine of them, all gathered together. I feel that if you advance, my lord, they will all attack you together simultaneously.”
“So they’re lying in wait?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Though you and I have already seen through the trap.”
If the trap was discovered beforehand, it would lose all its effectiveness.
“Let’s go.”
Sung Joon and Rishubalt began moving towards where the Iron Golems were lying in wait. As soon as he came closer, the Iron Golems on the ground stood upright and the ground shook, as it there had been an earthquake.
“Trespassing!”
“Is not permitted!”
One of the differences between Iron Golems and Stone Golems was that Iron Golems could speak through magic. Befitting rank monsters, the Iron Golems were faster than Stone Golems as well. In an instant, nine stone golems came into sight.
One of the golems charged, swinging its arm adorned with sharp awls, and the remaining golems threw projectiles at him that were the size of several combined adult heads.
“Slash.”
Sung Joon focused on the incoming Iron Golem first, and unleashed an aura slash. Though an Iron Golem was agile, it was impossible for it to avoid Sung Joon’s 52% aura slash.
He precisely aimed for a location that would be difficult for the Iron Golem to dodge.
Koong!
The Iron Golem attempted to dodge, but ultimately, it lost its leg to the aura slash and helplessly fell to the floor.
The sound of its heavy and giant body hitting the floor echoed, reaching even Sung Joon.
“Shield.”
Sung Joon utilized the shield formed by ‘Dragon’s Protection’ to the block the other projectiles.
“They’re coming,” Rishubalt warned. As soon as he blocked the ranged attacks, the other golems began charging towards Sung Joon. With a cold expression, Sung Joon raised his aura clad blade. Eventually, his body disappeared.
Koong! Koong! Koong!
Sung Joon reappeared. The Iron Golems’ ‘cores’ were destroyed in a single blow and they helplessly fell to the ground.
“Absorb.”
After Sung Joon had replenished his stamina and mana through ‘absorption’, he moved in the direction of the fortress. Now, there was no mana he could feel from outside the fortress.
It seemed like the Iron Golems were the only things guarding the road.
“It’s steel. And there’s protective magic as well.”
As soon as they neared the front gate, Rishubalt finished his analysis and reported. Though a steel gate with protective magic would increase its durability exponentially, it was pretty meaningless before Sung Joon's aura.
Sung Joon shattered the steel gate with his aura clad blade and entered into the fortress.
“They’re Living Armors,” Rishubalt reported. As soon as he entered the fortress, he sensed several strong mana reactions, accompanied by hundreds of Living Armors surrounding him.
It looked like there were at least 20 rank Living Armor Commanders.
“Rishubalt.”
Whilst the Living Armors closed in on him, Sung Joon called for Rishubalt with a calm expression.
“Please speak, my lord.”
“At my current synchronization rate, can I cut through their armor with sword winds?”
“You probably can’t cut through the commanders, but the normal B-rank Living Armors’ armor isn’t very thick. You should be able to take care of them with either your Gale or Tempest Sword,” Rishubalt explained. Sung Joon nodded his head and raised his sword. As soon as he drew his mana, the Living Armors immediately closed the distance.
One of the Living Armor Commanders attacked him simultaneously with nineteen other Living Armors.
“Ha!”
Sung Joon let out a battle cry and bisected the Living Armor Commander with a single blow. Then, he got past the nineteen Living Armors’, and entered deep into the enemy ranks.
“Gale Sword.”
With the utterance of the activation words, he swung his sword, unleashing sword winds. The Living Armors helplessly fell, and only the thickly armored Living Armor Commanders were left standing. But even they couldn’t hope to match Sung Joon.
Sung Joon cut through them with his brilliant swordsmanship. Though the Living Armor Commanders were skilled in their own right, their swordsmanship couldn’t hold up against Sung Joon’s.
“Scout.”
Sung Joon, who’d annihilated the Living Armor Commanders, commanded Rishubalt to scout out the dungeon. Eventually, Rishubalt finished with his reconnaissance and returned.
“There are some facilities underground as well. The doors are locked and the mana interference is quite severe, so I couldn’t go in. It seems like that’s where the Boss is.”
“Does one of the monsters have a key?” Sung Joon asked. If there wasn’t a monster who held a key to the underground door, then he would have no choice but to use the ‘Anvel’s Master Key’.
It felt like a bit of a waste.
“There’s a tower inside. And at the top of that tower, there’s a box that contains the key,” Rishubalt replied.
“Then we should head there first. Lead me there.”
“I understand.”
Rishubalt lead Sung Joon into the fortress. Though there were several Living Armors and Iron Golems that blocked his way, Sung Joon was easily able to defeat them.
But the problem was that the fortress was so wide. It took five hours before he got to the tower, as he had to fight his way through.
There were no monsters at the tower. Sung Joon got all the way to the top, took the key from the box, and left.
“Now take me underground.”
Sung Joon and Rishubalt went towards the basement. There was a mansion within the fortress that had an iron gate leading underground. It was small, but because it was equipped with powerful magic that would allow it to even withstand aura, he had no choice but to use the key.
As soon as he opened the door leading underground, he felt a powerful mana.
“Stealth.”
Sung Joon readied for an ambush by utilizing his item to stealth, and hid his presence.
“Are you a trespasser?”
It was a voice produced by mana. Below the torch that silently radiated within the darkness, there was a Living Armor wielding a giant greatsword.
“It’s a master-ranked Living Armor.”
Though master-ranked Living Armors were considered low-ranked within their tier, they were still S-rank monsters which possessed superb swordsmanship and could use aura armor as well. Therefore, they were a difficult opponent to face in battle.
‘Seems like there’s not just one of them, huh.’
He could see two more of them. Three in total. They were equipped with a greatsword, a longsword, and a spear. Sung Joon had attempted to hide his presence, but because he had been fighting for so long, he was a bit careless, and the master-class Living Armors were able to sense the mana flow of someone in stealth.
“Aura armor!”
Altogether, the three Living Armors activated their aura armor and raised their weapons.
“My lord! You must strike now!” Rishubalt said. He wasn’t wrong. If Sung Joon stayed put for just a little while longer, they’d be able to find out where he is.
Sung Joon acted, rather than responding to Rishubalt. He closed the distance with the long sword wielding Living Armor in an instant. Because he had used high-speed movement, his stealth was released, but the targeted Living Armor couldn’t even respond due to his speed.
“Ha!”
“T-This…!”
Sung Joon let out a battle cry and cleaved through the longsword wielding master-class Living Armor. Though its aura armor was protecting its entire body, Sung Joon’s aura was much stronger. When the Living Armor fell, the remaining two Living Armors attacked him, but Sung Joon was able to block their strikes and mixed in feints to counterattack.
The remaining two weren’t able to last for even a few minutes and fell. But the fact that they even lasted a few minutes against Sung Joon was quite the feat.
“How much longer before we get to the Boss room?”
“If we factor in your speed, it should take about ten more hours.”
Sung Joon sighed, but continued with his dungeon assault. He rested a couple of times through the assault. Because of his ‘Absorption’, his mana and stamina consumption was minimal, even without resting much.
“It’s the Boss room,” Rishubalt said. He could feel a powerful mana from within.
//