Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Myunghoon was undoubtedly an exceptional Trapper, even though it was still uncertain whether other Slayers possessed the Trapper class, but his abilities stood out. Up until now, no hidden dungeon had reportedly been discovered by another Slayer, so it was highly likely that this was the first hidden dungeon ever found. Being the first to discover a hidden dungeon indicated a remarkable level of skill.
However, while discovering a hidden dungeon was impressive in itself, this dungeon revealed its presence immediately upon discovery. Conveniently, another guild nearby noticed it too, and a dispute arose over its ownership.
Though the details of Myunghoon’s negotiations were unknown, when the Inha Guild arrived, the other guild insisted, through PvP, that they claim ownership of the dungeon.
It was possible Myunghoon anticipated this. After all, there was probably no guild capable of defeating Inha, which included Hyunseok, in PvP.
In fact, solving the matter could have been simple. Hyunseok was the only Platinum-ranked Slayer in Korea, a one-of-a-kind Slayer capable of slaying Cyclops solo.
Connections mattered everywhere in the world. Hyunseok belonged to the group of people who needed to make a strong first impression or befriend immediately. Even though the number of Slayers had grown to around ten thousand, only about 10% were high-tier Slayers who shared hunting grounds with him. In other words, it was a small world where you could know someone through just one connection.
Under these circumstances, there was nothing to gain by clashing with a Platinum-ranked Slayer. While a guild might not yield dungeon ownership easily, any guild with sense would welcome slaying with a Platinum Slayer.
At the dungeon entrance, Hyunseok shook his head.
“Since when did dungeons become this easy to see?”
This dungeon had first appeared in Normal Mode. Even if luck played a part, discovering a dungeon was a major accomplishment, but that wasn’t all. Discovering a vault but failing to crack its password was as if it hadn’t been discovered at all. Frustrating, even.
“They’re underestimating Normal Mode dungeons.”
It seemed they had forgotten that when the first dungeon appeared, many Slayers had gone missing, and fatalities had occurred. While the rewards from dungeons were significant, Hyunseok valued life above all else.
“Judging by their reckless eagerness, they trust their own abilities too much.”
In real-world terms, accidents often happen after 2–3 years of experience: beginners are cautious, masters are competent, but the semi-confident tend to cause the most problems.
If they were top-tier Slayers, they would not have attempted solo entry. Even if the dungeon was discovered by another guild, they would attempt to recruit other nearby Slayers to enter together. And they would acknowledge the skill of the guild that discovered the dungeon, in this case, Hyunseok’s Inha Guild, and attempt a joint clear.
“If I were a normal Slayer, I’d request cooperation.”
But that was unnecessary. Hyunseok had exceeded the Normal Mode stat thresholds, making the dungeon easy to clear. Similarly, he had exceeded Easy Mode stats, so Easy Mode dungeons had been trivial.
“PvP for ownership… this might actually work in my favor.”
Hyunseok was no saint. Sharing rewards with strangers, especially at this exact moment when they were practically enemies, was not appealing. Strength in the Slayer world was relative; there was no reason to help someone you didn’t even know. Unlike past outings with I’UET, there was no personal gain.
He could have proven he was a Platinum Slayer and forced their submission, but he chose not to. The other guild had initiated the PvP before Inha’s arrival, likely orchestrated by Myunghoon. They targeted Hyunseok, leaving Ha Jongwon and Hyunseok’s other allies for secondary concern. The other guild’s assessment of Hyunseok’s strength appeared flawed, they didn’t even recognize Ha Jongwon’s face. Top-tier Slayers at least recognized each other’s faces.
A man from the opposing guild spoke:
“Shall we open the battle field on our side first?”
He spoke confidently. His tone suggested he was certain of victory, typical pond-frog thinking. Top-tier Slayers would have known at least something about Hyunseok. Ignorance of him suggested they were not top-tier, possibly not even high-tier, though they had lucked into discovering the dungeon.
Hyunseok shrugged. Unlike the confident man, he feigned hesitation.
“Yes… sure. Go ahead.”
“Let’s start lightly.”
The man began stepping forward. Judging by his movements, he seemed trained in martial arts; his agility was impressive. Hong Seyoung silently curled the corners of her lips in a subtle, almost imperceptible smirk. Only someone exceptionally observant would notice, but one thing was clear: she was mocking him.
“Ha!”
The man swung his sword. Hyunseok did not dodge.
“Uh… huh?”
The man froze, surprised. He expected a reaction but got none. Suspecting some trick, he paused, and Hyunseok lightly pushed him with his pinky. Though Hyunseok carefully adjusted his strength, the man lost over 20% of his H/P.
Hyunseok shrugged.
“Ah… if I put intent into it, the damage is too strong. Sorry.”
All the men froze in shock. Even the healer seemed startled enough to forget healing. Hyunseok noticed.
“Go ahead and heal. I don’t want to accidentally kill anyone by misjudging my strength.”
“Ah, ah, ah… yes, yes!”
The presumed healer snapped to attention and cast a heal, but on Hyunseok, not the intended target. Kang Pyeonghwa, another healer, then healed the man Hyunseok had struck. One heal fully restored the target’s H/P. While Pyeonghwa’s healing power was significant, the target’s low total H/P also contributed.
“Did a single heal fully restore 20% of Kang Gyu’s H/P?”
Apparently, this Slayer’s total H/P was high, at least relative to that guild.
“Is… that Advanced Heal?”
“I… I think so… but only about 20% of healers can use Advanced Heal, right?”
Hyunseok sighed silently.
“They’re trying to slay? A Normal Mode dungeon? Ridiculous.”
Whatever the guild’s name, they should not have entered. They had neither assessed their skills nor realized they were challenging something beyond their capabilities.
Hyunseok recalled his earlier agreement: Inha Guild would clear the dungeon themselves.
[Enter the dungeon? Y/N]
Unlike Easy Mode, this was no “Apprentice Dungeon.”
[First entry into a dungeon in Normal Mode.]
[Recognized as an easy achievement for first entry. Bonus Stats +3 awarded.]
[Penalty of 50% applied due to stats exceeding Normal Mode thresholds.]
It was officially recognized as the first entry into a dungeon in Normal Mode.
[Difficulty increased due to stats exceeding Normal Mode thresholds.]
[Safe zones and recovery zones withdrawn.]
[Monster levels increased.]
[Monsters become aggressive.]
A new notification sounded. Unlike Easy Mode, where penalties due to Hyunseok included withdrawing safe and recovery zones, now monster levels increased and monsters became aggressive. Notifications were precise, even if monsters were never truly docile.
But that wasn’t all. A new system was activated.
[First entry into a dungeon in Normal Mode confirmed.]
[Party system activated.]
The party system had been enabled. The explanation was simple, just like an online game. Party members would share experience.
Since rewards were shared in the same battle field anyway, the reason for the party system became clear quickly.
“Reckless, or just foolish?”
This dungeon had no limit on participants. Having observed Hyunseok’s abilities, the other guild likely wanted to claim credit and entered, breaking their promise. They probably assumed they could clear the dungeon alongside Inha Guild.
The man said:
“Rewards will be the same, but we’ll take only 10% of items. Let’s cooperate.”
Hyunseok laughed incredulously. The man misread the laugh as agreement and smiled widely. He underestimated Hyunseok, who was neither exceptionally kind nor malicious, just ordinary. Of course, this irritated Hyunseok. Even so, they intended to take only 10% of the loot. In Easy Mode, 10% still equaled a fortune, but Hyunseok’s annoyance remained.
The man added:
“Besides, there was a notification about the party system being activated…”
Hyunseok ignored him.
“Hmm? I didn’t get that notification.”
He asked his guildmates:
“Anyone hear such a notification?”
Jongwon shook his head first. They had a rough idea.
“Nope, we didn’t get one.”
The system did not apply uniformly. Some were Easy Mode, some Normal Mode. The man seemed to accept this. Up to now, “party” had never been activated; instead, the term “cooperation” was used. Nothing had really changed.
Hyunseok said:
“Then, let’s go in.”
(End of Chapter 36)
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— Translated by Prime Works —