Clunk! Clunk!
Due to the urgent nature of the mission, the hunters had to depart quickly as soon as they were gathered. As a result, the hunters had to introduce themselves while riding in the moving truck. Normally, for a standard mission, the Hunter Association manager would introduce the team members. However, since this was a time-sensitive emergency mission, they had to give brief introductions inside the truck.
The first to speak was a man who appeared frivolous, with his short hair dyed blond. He looked to be in his early thirties, tall and as skinny as a skeleton, which made his long limbs appear even longer. He had daggers tucked into his waist.
"Ha ha! Nice to meet you all. My name is Ga Geon-ho. I'm a level 5 rogue."
Even as he spoke, he couldn't keep still, making it look like he was on drugs. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for hunters to rely on drugs in life-threatening dungeons.
Although everyone had similar suspicions, they couldn't voice them openly, so they let it slide. Next was a muscular man who looked about 190 cm tall and in his early forties. His bald head contrasted with his lush beard, and beside him was a massive greatsword.
"I'm Kwon Hyuk-min, a level 6 warrior. Let's work well together on this mission."
Emergency missions come with high rewards, so a level 6 warrior joined even though it was a level 4 dungeon and a level 5 rescue quest. The atmosphere in the truck lightened up, knowing they had a strong teammate, which meant reduced risk for the mission.
Next was a man who appeared to be at least 50, with short hair and a beard sprinkled with gray hairs.
"I'm Kim Jang-won, a level 4 wizard."
Unlike typical wizards who wear thin robes, he was properly armored but wore a wide-brimmed wizard hat. After his brief introduction, Ga Geon-ho smirked and asked mockingly.
"Still level 4 at that age? You must have hit a wall."
To level up, hunters must defeat monsters or complete quests to gain experience points, but that's only up to level 4. From level 5 onwards, a special realization is needed to advance. This wall of realization is steep and difficult to overcome, causing many hunters to despair at level 5.
Ga Geon-ho's comment could have been a sore spot for Kim Jang-won, but Ga Gun-ho didn't hesitate to speak his mind. Kim Jang-won growled in response.
"…Mind your own business."
Despite the fiery look in Kim Jang-won's eyes, Ga Geon-ho just shrugged and added.
"Heh heh! Still, a wizard always has a place. Unlike a ground rogue like me, right?"
Just when it seemed a fight might break out, Kim Jang-won bit his tongue and backed down.
Next was a young man in his early twenties, who looked even younger than Hyeon Su-ho.
"I-I'm So Ji-hoon, a level 3 swordsman. Please help our party."
He was the one who had barely escaped from the dungeon and had requested help from the Hunter Association. Now, he joined the rescue mission. He looked exhausted and defeated, understandable given the uncertainty about his comrades' fates.
While the other hunters looked like fierce wolves, So Ji-hoon resembled a gentle lamb. Naturally, Ga Geon-ho couldn't help but ask.
"What? Fresh out of the Hunter Academy? How old are you?"
"I'm twenty-four."
Though young, being level 3 at twenty-four wasn't low. It typically takes at least four years of continuous hunting to reach level 3.
Kwon Hyuk-min spoke sternly to the dejected So Ji-hoon.
"We may be taking this job for money, but you need to realize the chances of your comrades being alive are slim."
"…I understand."
If they were hiding well in a corner, they might still be alive. But usually, they would be found as corpses. Ga Geon-ho also added to the disheartened So Ji-hoon.
"Just don't get in the way. If you freeze up in front of a monster, I'll throw a dagger at your butt."
"Yes, sir."
So Ji-hoon nodded obediently like a well-behaved student.
Now it was my turn.
"My name is Hyeon Su-ho. I'm a level 4 Gunner."
As expected, Ga Geon-ho had a snide remark.
"What? A handgun, not a rifle? Can that even scratch a monster?"
Currently, Genocide was in handgun mode.
In a confined space, a large rifle form could be cumbersome. Without intending to explain everything, Hyeon Su-ho used a cheat code. 'My skill only applies applies to handguns.'
"Really? Well… okay."
Given that it was a skill, even Ga Geon-ho had to accept it.
[What a noisy human.]
'This mission might be a bit tiring.'
Thankfully, after the introductions, Ga Geon-ho sprawled out and said.
"Wake me when we arrive. I'm going to take a nap."
Soon, he was snoring loudly, and the others looked at him incredulously. No matter how advanced the Hunter Association's truck was, this was a red zone where monsters could appear at any time. Hunters were always supposed to stay alert.
Sleeping soundly in such a dangerous place could be considered a talent of its own. Watching him, Kwon Hyuk-min shook his head and addressed the others.
"Even though this is an emergency mission, it's rare for individuals from separate parties to be grouped together like this."
Hunters typically moved in party units, with trusted comrades at their backs. Party composition and synergy were crucial. Having five strangers in one team was unusual.
"Rrrrr!"
Despite Ga Geon-ho's snoring, the rest remained vigilant against potential monster attacks. At Kwon Hyuk-min's request, So Ji-hoon explained what he knew about the dungeon they were heading into.
"The monsters that appear are…"
Even the previously chatting guides who used to joke around in the city became tense in the red zone. Anything could happen, and any monster could appear. Those who overestimated their abilities and forgot this didn't last long.
Fortunately, no incidents occurred on this journey.
"We have arrived! Everyone, get off!"
When we got off the truck, we saw a vast area covered by a large, opaque dome, resembling an enormous overturned bowl.
Since the Great Cataclysm, dimensional gates and dungeons have appeared all over the Earth frequently.
At first, these dungeons were objects of fear. If a dungeon wasn't cleared within a certain time after its creation, it would collapse and countless monsters would pour out. This is called a "dungeon break."
There used to be many cities that were destroyed due to dungeon breaks.
'But that's a story of the past.'
As time went by, the status of dungeons changed significantly from the initial days. They were no longer objects of fear but places of opportunity where one could earn substantial rewards. Clearing a dungeon could yield treasures unimaginable in the real world.
The emblem and the Genocide I obtained earlier are prime examples of such treasures.
Dungeons discovered are auctioned off by the Hunter Association, and the guild that wins the bid gets ownership. Hence, hunters who discover a dungeon first are considered very lucky. They get rewards just by reporting the discovery to the association and even better rewards if they clear it themselves.
Usually, dungeons are discovered accidentally while hunting.
The guides, familiar with the routine, surveyed the dungeon and said, "It's a field-type dungeon. Haven't seen one this big in a while."
There are various types of dungeons. Some, like this one, change the entire terrain, while others are underground dungeons leading through the earth or caves.
[A wide field is advantageous for the Master. That's why this mission was chosen.]
'Thank you.'
In temporary parties like this, the highest-level hunter usually assumes the role of leader. Naturally, the man wielding a giant sword, Kwon Hyuk-min, stepped forward and said, "If there's nothing else to prepare, let's head in right away."
The talkative Ga Geon-ho was also preparing meticulously now that they were at the dungeon entrance. It was fortunate that he wasn't the one leading.
Once ready, the party entered the dungeon.
Shushushushu!!
Korea, with its distinct four seasons, is rich in plant species, and naturally, there are many evergreen broadleaf trees like camellias. However, the temperature and humidity here were too high, and coniferous trees dominated the landscape.
The change wasn't just in climate.
As soon as we entered the dungeon, we could feel the air was different. It was unsettling, a sensation that prickled our skin.
Sensing he wasn't the only one feeling it, Kwon Hyuk-min frowned and said, "Something... feels strange."
It was a roundabout way of saying it felt ominous. A leader can't demoralize the party from the start.
Others felt similarly, but no one was overly worried. No matter how easy a place was said to be, a dungeon is still a dungeon. There are no truly safe places once you're in the Red Zone.
Just then, a quest log appeared before the party.
"Dungeon Quest Activated"
◆Quest: The Nine Seals
(Difficulty: ★★★★)
▷Objective: Complete the Sealing Ritual
The quest objectives and difficulty were displayed.
Like all quests, the objectives weren't explained in detail. Only vague hints were provided, leaving the rest for the hunters to figure out.
Kwon Hyuk-min stroked his beard and said, "The difficulty is higher than expected. Was this a timed quest?"
Although the previous party didn't return, it was said to be a level 3 dungeon. Normally, the difficulty for a group of level 3 hunters would be three stars.
Even with a level 6 hunter like Kwon Hyuk-min in the party, the difficulty was four stars, indicating the situation had changed.
All eyes turned to So Ji-hoon, who was noticeably flustered and said, "I-I don't know. When we first entered, it was definitely a 3-star difficulty..."
We had come thinking it was an easy rescue quest, but the difficulty had suddenly increased.
Four stars weren't impossible for this team, but it was certainly burdensome.
Leader Kwon Hyuk-min, after a brief consideration, said, "We have no choice. Our goal should be the rescue rather than clearing the dungeon. Any objections?"
Naturally, everyone looked at Ga Geon-ho. If he decided to leave, the quest's difficulty would surely rise even further.
Surprisingly, Ga Geon-ho, twirling a dagger on his finger, said, "We've come this far. Can't go back empty-handed. Let's pick up any rookies we find along the way."
His words made So Ji-hoon breathe a sigh of relief.
In rescue missions, time is of the essence. If this expedition disbanded, the Hunter Association wouldn't gather another team.
Feeling responsible for the increased difficulty, So Ji-hoon actively stepped forward and said, "I'll guide you. I know where my comrades scattered."
He said that giant beasts roamed this field.
As he said, the first monster we encountered was a wild boar larger than a bull.
"Snort!!"
Upon seeing us, the wild boar scraped the ground with its hooves, ready to charge at any moment.
Kwon Hyuk-min, wielding his massive greatsword, stepped forward and said, "Everyone, be careful!"
With Kwon Hyuk-min acting as the tank, the rest of the team could form a stable front line.
I fired the first shot.
Bang!
My bullet hit the boar's forehead precisely.
As the boar staggered, the others joined the attack.
But...
Thud!
The staggering boar collapsed and didn't get up again.
"..."
"..."
We stared at the boar, waiting for it to get back up, but after a long time, we realized it was truly dead.
"One shot? With a bullet?"
In the age of hunters, firearms are often looked down upon. Even for those with shooter classes, their damage is usually much lower than that of archers.
So when I mentioned being a shooter, expectations were low.
But I had taken down a monster in one shot.
Ga Geon-ho approached, poking the boar with his finger, and said, "Is this thing just incredibly weak? Maybe it's not a monster but just a regular animal?"
Wizard Kim Jang-won shook his head and said, "I used a scanning spell at the start. It's a level 3 monster. Not something our party should worry about, but it shouldn't go down with one shot."
With everyone looking at me, I scratched the back of my head and said, "My weapon is just expensive."
Not incorrect.
Kwon Hyuk-min said, "Guess you're a rich kid. Well, it doesn't hurt us."
A strange misunderstanding ensued.