Chapter 18: Their Own League
A 50-story building located in the heart of Yeouido, Seoul.
On the top floor of the Pungbaek Guild headquarters, loud voices had been going back and forth since early morning.
“No, Kang-woo hyung. This time, I’m serious! We absolutely have to catch them!”
In the spacious Guildmaster’s office, three Hunters were seated.
Pungbaek’s Guildmaster, Choi Kang-woo.
South Korea’s Hunter Rank 5 and Vice Guildmaster, ‘Yeom-hwang’ Yun Su-hyeok.
Ranked 16th, on the verge of S-rank promotion, and Pungbaek’s mascot, Yun Su-a.
“Have you already forgotten, Su-hyeok? You know the Choi Min you brought caused nothing but trouble and eventually got leased out to another guild, right?”
“No, hyung. Why bring up something from a year ago? And this person is different from trash like Choi Min.”
“……”
Choi Kang-woo silently stared at Yun Su-hyeok.
Yun Su-hyeok bit his lip unconsciously as the tiger-like, piercing gaze drilled into him.
He had never lost a willpower battle anywhere else.
He would have flattened anyone before him, but here he shrank—even though he was the same Yun Su-hyeok.
Yet, in front of Pungbaek’s Guildmaster, he was nothing more than a rookie Hunter.
“We are not a guild that goes crazy looking for rookie talent. We are the Pungbaek Guild, the top of the top among the three great guilds. No matter how talented someone is, if they don’t come to us, we do not move first.”
“Hyung, that’s such an old-school way of thinking…”
“Old-school or not, it doesn’t matter. But after Choi Min, I learned one thing clearly: no matter how exceptional someone’s ability is, it’s meaningless without desperation.”
Choi Kang-woo cut him off sharply.
The situation itself was unpleasant.
Three Hunters gathering to lead the guild were debating over whether to take a single B-rank Hunter.
Dungeon bids, Gate missions, guild agreements—all were piling up.
If Yun Su-hyeok had been alone, he would have been scolded and thrown out before even opening his mouth.
“Team Leader of Operation 2.”
If Yun Su-a had not accompanied him,
Choi Kang-woo turned his gaze to her.
“Hunters who made fatal mistakes during a B-rank Gate expedition and got expelled—they were B-rank too. Even verified newcomers from Hunter’s Den made irreversible mistakes.”
And yet, here they were, panicking over how to recruit a B-rank Hunter who had never even tried E-rank, barely got lucky, and got the B-rank tag.
“I know exactly what you’re trying to say, Guildmaster.”
Finally, Yun Su-a spoke.
Even under Choi Kang-woo’s reproachful tone, her voice did not waver.
“But this time, I agree with Vice Guildmaster Yun Su-hyeok.”
“……”
“Hunter Kim Han-ul is a talent who could represent our guild in the future.”
“Giving too generous an evaluation to a Hunter who caught a dying Ogre and got S-rank energy measurement among Awakened…”
Choi Kang-woo stated bluntly.
But Yun Su-a did not waver.
Her Divine Throne, the Great Warrior of the Firmament, had shown interest in Han-ul.
And there was something that made her confident about Han-ul.
“Hunter Kim Han-ul understands desperation better than anyone. That is why I recommended him.”
At the measurement room, after placing his hand on the Floating Stone.
The light in Han-ul’s eyes—
It was not the light found in careless and lagging humans.
Yet, Choi Kang-woo let out a faint sigh.
“In the end, it’s just a feeling, huh?”
“I don’t think there’s a need to force him into the guild. Han-ul doesn’t seem to have much intention to participate actively. But at least, a cooperative relationship is necessary.”
“That’s what I’m saying, Kang-woo hyung. Sanarae and Aegis have already approached him. If we just sit back, he’ll be taken right from under us.”
Choi Kang-woo silently glared at the fidgeting Yun Su-hyeok.
“……Ahem, this is serious.”
Eight-tenths of this situation was caused by a guild member who had failed to live up to their face value.
When the Vice Guildmaster publicly expressed interest in a formal setting, someone was bound to move, if only to check.
‘I don’t understand.’
Choi Kang-woo only knew what had been mentioned.
Just yesterday.
He had heard that Han-ul had gone on a personal expedition to clear the Deep Layer of the Garden of Mind.
To him, Kim Han-ul was merely a rookie Hunter who had gotten lucky and achieved B-rank.
Taking advantage of Pungbaek Guild’s weakness to get promoted.
‘The promise of clearing the Deep Layer might have been empty. Su-hyeok barely survived it last time. And now he wants to do it alone?’
Actions that gave no sense of reliability.
After thinking, Choi Kang-woo spoke.
“We’ll just watch from a distance, enough to check on Sanarae and Aegis. That’s the end of the story……”
Right then.
Dudududu!
The smartphone on the premium wooden desk vibrated.
It wasn’t only Kang-woo’s phone.
Yun Su-hyeok and Yun Su-a’s phones also vibrated.
Kang-woo, checking his screen first, narrowed his eyes.
[Request for Cooperation Regarding Dungeon Rampage – Hunter Association Management Headquarters]
‘Dungeon rampage?’
Dungeon Rampage, or Dungeon Break.
It occurs when the interior collapses for some reason, causing monsters to pour out.
Unlike Gate monsters that don’t leave a set area, rampaging monsters go berserk.
Even a low-rank dungeon can inflict damage comparable to higher-rank Gates if it goes rampage.
“Dungeon rampage all of a sudden? Which dungeon…?”
Yun Su-hyeok, reading the message, widened his eyes.
Kang-woo muttered instead of the frozen Su-hyeok and Su-a.
“……It’s the Garden of Mind.”
***
Shillim Station, where the Garden of Mind is located, was closed off to civilians.
Kang-woo, Yun Su-a, Yun Su-hyeok, and other dispatched Pungbaek guild members arrived in a van provided by the Dungeon Management Bureau Gangnam Branch.
Many other summoned Hunters were also waiting.
“Welcome, Guildmaster Choi Kang-woo.”
The official from the bureau wiped sweat as he greeted them.
“What’s the situation?”
“First, we confirmed that the Garden of Mind has shifted to Red Pattern.”
Red Pattern.
The Dungeon measurement system detected that the Garden of Mind’s structure had changed.
Before a dungeon goes rampage, its internal structure twists.
During this, monsters panic and go berserk.
Thus, Red Pattern is no different from a precursor to dungeon rampage.
“There are personnel currently engaging in the dungeon, correct?”
Yun Su-a asked, calm but with an underlying urgency in her voice.
The official shook his head grimly.
“Yes. Around 4 PM yesterday, some entered the dungeon. Eight from the Indomitable Guild and one unaffiliated Hunter. The pattern change was observed shortly after, but it was minor……”
“Those Hunters couldn’t get out?”
“Yes…… not yet.”
“You should have acted the moment a pattern change was detected!”
Yun Su-hyeok shouted in frustration.
“Apologies. Dungeon rampage is not clearly defined in our jurisdiction……”
“Understood. We’ll monitor the situation for now.”
Kang-woo knew the bureau’s work style better than anyone.
Asking further would only repeat the same answers.
They had no choice but to wait for the dungeon’s reaction.
“Hey, officials, quit bothering them. Did they expect this? Even if they knew, they wouldn’t have done anything anyway.”
A rough voice emerged beside him.
A large man laughed heartily.
Aegis Guildmaster, Ma Dong-pal.
At nearly 2 meters, Kang-woo was still a head shorter.
He approached and extended his hand.
“Guildmaster Pungbaek! Long time no see. Last time must have been the Daegu Gate a year ago, right?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
They shook hands.
The handshake evoked two beasts, precisely a bear and a tiger.
“Take it easy, Guildmaster. Following you nearly tore me apart.”
“I’m just doing what a Guildmaster must.”
“That’s a bit… well, I’m doing my part as a Guildmaster too.”
A subtle standoff between bear and tiger, when a soft voice intervened.
“As expected of Guildmaster Pungbaek. You exude composure even in a word.”
Sanarae Guildmaster.
Her real name was unknown.
Even her guild name ‘Sanarae’ came from her solo Hunter days.
Ma Dong-pal looked at her and asked.
“Why have you come, so hard to meet?”
“Oh, I was just going to send a few, including So-won.”
Sanarae, hiding her smile, continued.
“But there was an interesting person among them.”
“……”
“I just had a feeling. Ah, I can’t skip this one.”
Those words stiffened Ma Dong-pal, Yun Su-a, and Yun Su-hyeok.
Kang-woo calmly replied.
“I came only to fulfill my legal duty. A B-rank dungeon rampage could turn into a major disaster. Nothing else.”
“Really? I was just curious what’s happening in that dungeon. More precisely, I wanted to see if the talent Pungbaek marked is still alive.”
“……”
Silence fell again.
“You’re still an unpleasant one. Anyway, good to see you, Pungbaek Guildmaster. Let’s grab a drink soon.”
Ma Dong-pal returned to where his guild members were waiting.
Sanarae watched Yun Su-hyeok and Yun Su-a behind Kang-woo.
“Yes. Next time, we’ll arrange a meeting.”
“……”
“Ah, including the B-rank Hunter struggling in there. Let’s have something nice. No need to trash-talk just because we’re competitors. Right?”
Sanarae smiled and returned to her place.
After she left, Yun Su-hyeok spoke.
“Hyung, you saw that, right? This is exactly why. We have to get Kim Han-ul……”
“Shut up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kang-woo realized how absurdly big a stir Yun Su-hyeok had caused.
Since he openly approached, Pungbaek could not back down in the battle for Kim Han-ul.
Yet, even Kang-woo hadn’t expected to be entangled consecutively like this.
‘I’m tired.’
Now he had to talk to Kim Han-ul somehow.
Of course, this was after he returned alive from the Garden of Mind.
“Wait! The dungeon is reacting, a rift seems to be opening!”
A panicked voice echoed from the other side.
An official monitoring the dungeon measurement device below the Garden of Mind shouted.
“It’s not a dungeon rampage pattern!”
Wooooong.
Right next to the device, a blue rift opened with resonance.
“Eh… People, people!”
“Medical team!”
Inside, those battered were helped out by other Hunters.
Six unconscious Hunters were ejected one by one.
A short time later.
After a quick medical check and situational assessment, the official returned to Kang-woo and the other Hunters.
“The Hunters who entered around 4 PM yesterday have been confirmed alive.”
The Hunters listened silently.
“All eight confirmed alive. The dungeon pattern remains Red. The newly created rift is one-way, so entry from our side is impossible. Until the pattern changes, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait here.”
Sanarae twirled her black hair and asked.
“Waiting is fine. But I thought there were nine engaging in the dungeon.”
“Yes. One unaffiliated Hunter has not returned.”
Ma Dong-pal, holding an 80kg dumbbell in each hand, asked.
“Who is it?”
“Unaffiliated Hunter Kim Han-ul.”
“Dead?”
This time, Choi Kang-woo asked.
“No. According to the survivors.”
The official, watching the three guildmasters, continued.
“Hunter Kim Han-ul cleared the Lake and chose not to return halfway. He immediately entered the Deep Layer.”
Their eyes met in silent understanding.
***
“Gono, seems like he’s not part of a guild after all.”
“Kiruk?”
Garden of Mind.
I looked at Gono beside me.
“I thought about it. We did get information from Yun Su-hyeok.”
“Kiruk, keruk.”
The ‘tip’ Yun Su-hyeok gave before the expedition had mostly become useless as the garden’s structure changed.
But not all tips went to waste.
[Choose: Exit Midway or Enter Deep Layer.]
I cleared the blinking interface and immersed myself up to my neck in warm water.
Ah, outdoor hot springs are the best.
Ultimately, the best tip ever.
[Agility permanently +1.]
After clearing the Lake, six hot springs appeared.
Soaking in each for 10 minutes permanently raises a stat per hot spring.
An hour in total, gaining 6 free stat points.
Relieve fatigue and gain stats.
A crazy advantage.
“Anyway, I did get information. Maybe joining Pungbaek isn’t so bad.”
“Kiruk, keruk.”
“Nope. You guys are enough. You’re my everything.”
“Kiruk…?”
Gono removed the towel-like cloth from his head.
And stared at me intently.
But it wasn’t an expression of admiration.
Rather, like watching a criminal being dragged by police.
“Why are you staring like that?”
I don’t know why.
It’s really because of my beloved monster friends.
Never.
[Challenger Reward – All Stats +10, Contribution Reward Stats +5]
Bonus stats from unprecedented achievements.
[Hidden Mission Reward – Acquired High Priest’s Dimensional Pouch.]
[High Priest’s Dimensional Pouch – A-rank]
[Though ordinary in appearance, it contains the knowledge of ancient gods. It holds a subspace that can store up to 100Kg of items.]
A mysterious item like this.
[Items stored in Dimensional Pouch – Lizardman Heart, Lizardman Skin ×30, Lizardman Blood ×30 (byproduct from Hidden Mission Reward)]
A profitable byproduct.
Not hoarding alone.
“Kiruk……”
Gono turned his head.