Chapter 20
The Abyss, front yard of Arcana Medical Center.
Once a land of death where monster corpses piled up like mountains and toxic fumes hung thick like fog.
But now, it had transformed beyond recognition—on the level of a complete makeover.
"Hey, Ma Dongtak! That red carpet over there is crooked! You trying to mess up the angle?"
"Ah, hyungnim, what can I do about the bumpy ground? And this isn't red carpet—it's Red Dragon hide! It's heavy as hell!"
Korea’s Rank 2 hunter, the "Destroyer King" Ma Dongtak, was grunting as he laid out the crimson carpet.
Beside him, Rank 4's "Ice Emperor" Seo Jihu swung his staff, carving an ice sculpture.
"There, crank up the water pressure on that ice fountain. So we can serve welcome drinks the moment guests arrive."
"Director... I trained for ten years in Antarctica to master this magic... and now I'm just making a drinking fountain?"
"Drinking fountain? This is an Abyss bedrock water purifier. We're charging five million won per glass."
Jinhyeok nodded in satisfaction, overseeing the site like a foreman.
The hospital grounds were no longer a wasteland.
The east's Illusion King had sent blooming Illusion Flowers, creating a mystical garden. The north's Plague King—a germaphobe patient—had dispatched a disinfection squad for round-the-clock sanitizing, making the air cleaner than Gangnam's. The south's Gluttony King had shipped mountains of premium ingredients.
This was no longer hell. It was the universe's most dangerous—and most luxurious—medical resort.
"Everything ready?"
Yoo Isu called down from the terrace.
Embedded in her chest was the Artificial Abyss Core infused with the power of the four great demon kings, letting her control the Abyss environment like her own living room.
"Perfect. Just need to open the doors."
Jinhyeok checked his watch. Earth time: 9:59:50 AM. Ten seconds to server launch.
"Lee Shinwoo, connect the gate."
"Understood. Coordinates locked... dimensional sync... opening!"
Lee Shinwoo infused mana into the massive arch structure.
Woooong—!
Space shuddered as a purple vortex swirled to life.
The official passage linking Earth and the Abyss—the Arcana Gate—had opened.
At the same moment, in Seoul, Korea. Zeus Medical Tower, first-floor lobby.
Hundreds of reporters and hunters crowded in front of the giant screen.
All because of the emergency notice sent out days ago by Director Kang Jinhyeok.
NOTICE: Arcana Hospital 'Abyss Main Branch' Grand Opening
• Date/Time: Today, 10:00 AM sharp
• Location: Abyss Sector-0
• Package: 1-night, 2-day house call & healing (first-come, first-served, 10 spots)
• Cost: 100 billion won per person (no insurance, liability waiver required)
• Perks: S-rank monster escort, tour of four great demon kings' territories, all-curing hot spring soak included.
The notice had sent Korea into an uproar.
"100 billion? Are they insane? There's a limit to ripping people off!"
"Who calls people to the Abyss? Even S-ranks can't last five minutes in that hellhole!"
"Kang Jinhyeok's gone money-mad. Playing with lives now?"
Online communities overflowed with curses.
Who in their right mind would pay 100 billion to vacation in hell?
Media outlets blasted "Death Package Tour" and "Modern-day Bong-i Kim Seon-dal" critiques.
"Alright, it's 10:00! Any takers?"
The reporter smirked at the camera.
The screen countdown hit zero. The reserve button switched to [ACTIVATED].
And 0.1 seconds later...
[Waiting List: 3,452]
"......Huh?"
The reporter's mic slipped from his hand.
Everyone in the lobby rubbed their eyes and stared at the screen.
No glitch.
The bold red SOLD OUT.
"W-what? Who booked it?"
"100 billion! Everyone's lost their minds?"
Then, the VIP elevator doors slid open.
Flanked by black-suited guards, an elderly man in a wheelchair rolled out.
Korea's No. 2 conglomerate head, Haesung Group's Chairman Song.
"Outta my way! I'm No. 1!"
Chairman Song bellowed through his oxygen mask.
Terminal cancer plus mana reflux—he was living on borrowed time.
Money? He'd give his fortune, not just 100 billion, to live.
A straw of hope: if Earth's healers couldn't cure him, maybe Kang Jinhyeok could.
Behind him came more unbelievable figures.
Domestic Rank 7 guild master (arm rotting from a curse).
European tycoon (desperate for hair regrowth).
Retired legendary hunter (to save his partner beast).
All "filthy rich but clinging to life."
The broke masses were the ones cursing.
The real rich had lined up.
"Please! Just a waiting ticket! I'll pay 200 billion!"
"No cutting! I got here first!"
The lobby turned into pandemonium.
The 10 successful bookers cheered like lotto winners; the rest wailed on the floor.
"Booked guests, please proceed to B5 gate."
Manager Park Cheolwoo guided them with a pleased smile.
10 guests at 100 billion each.
Today's revenue: 1 trillion won.
Zeus Tower B5 - Dimensional Gate Room
The 10 chosen ones stood before the gate.
They looked like astronauts: top-tier hazmat suits, oxygen tanks, defense artifacts galore.
Minimum prep to survive the Abyss poison.
"Chairman, are you sure? It's dangerous."
His secretary teared up, pleading.
"Shut it. Die here or there—same difference. Only trust Kang now."
Chairman Song grimly hit his wheelchair button.
"Proceeding. Please submit liability waivers."
The attendant collected papers.
The hospital assumes no liability for death, disappearance, or beastification occurring during this trip.
A brutal clause.
The participants gulped and stepped into the purple swirl.
Vision flashed white.
Woooong—.
Dimensional vertigo faded; sight returned.
They opened tense eyes.
Expecting rot stench, red skies, monster shrieks.
"Uh...?"
Instead, fragrant flowers greeted them.
Endless fields of purple blooms: Abyss lavender mingled with Illusion roses.
A red moon hung overhead, but glowed romantically soft.
Air was crisp—thanks to Plague King Ner-gal's 24/7 full-power air purifier barrier.
"This... the Abyss?"
"Am I in heaven?"
Chairman Song doffed his helmet.
Inhaling deeply, pure mana filled his lungs.
He, who needed oxygen to breathe, was breathing freely.
"Ch-Chairman! You okay?"
"Breathing... easy. Chest doesn't hurt."
Then.
Dozens of red eyes gleamed from distant shadows.
"Grrr..."
Beast growl.
Faces paled.
"M-monsters!"
"It was a trap after all!"
From the dark sprang infamous S-rank beasts: packs of Hell Hyenas.
Drooling, charging at breakneck speed.
Hunters fumbled for weapons, hands shaking.
Done for.
Eaten on arrival.
But.
Tadak! Hyenas skidded to a halt at their feet.
And dropped what they carried: not bones or weapons, but fluffy furry slippers.
"Wang! (Come on in!)"
"Kiiing! (Change into these!)"
Hyenas wagged tails, nudging slippers forward.
One even prepped to push Chairman Song's wheelchair.
"What... the...?"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
These Earth-devouring ferocity machines?
Then, a man strolled out along the red carpet between flowers.
Spotless white suit, bowtie.
Welcome drink in hand: Kang Jinhyeok.
"Welcome. To Arcana Resort."
Jinhyeok bowed—politely, but arrogantly.
Behind him: Luna in maid outfit(?), Balakas in tuxedo (couldn't polymorph human, so just bowtie)—lined up.
"D-Director Kang! What's all this? Why the monsters...?"
Chairman Song stammered.
"Ah, our staff. Gave 'em some training."
Jinhyeok petted a hyena's head. It rolled over happily.
"Ditch the suits. Hot in those. Air here's better than Gangnam—zero fine dust."
Enchanted, they shed suits. The air was different.
"Now, your itinerary. Unpack first, cleanse in the mana hot springs, then enjoy Gluttony King's Michelin dinner. Treatments start tomorrow morning, one by one."
"C-came for treatment... dinner first?"
"Gotta eat and sleep well to heal. And this food? Impossible on Earth. Call it a year of lifespan per meal."
Lifespan boost. Tycoons' eyes flipped.
"Lead on! Now!"
"Starving! Food first!"
Jinhyeok smirked.
Hooked.
These were his hogs... er, VIPs now.
Resort Lobby (Former Hospital 1F)
Inside was more shocking.
Skull pillars gleamed like art under chandeliers; floor carpeted in premium dragon hide.
Reception: Rank 4 Seo Jihu in bellboy uniform.
"I'll take your luggage. No tips needed."
Ice Emperor hefted suitcases.
"This way, please."
Luna guided sweetly.
Her assigned room: renovated 2F hospital suite.
Window view: panoramic Abyss under red moon.
Overwhelming, dreamlike—unseen on Earth.
"My god... so beautiful."
A female hunter gasped.
Expected hell, wrote her will—turns out, ultra-luxury hotel.
100 billion a night kind.
"Welcome drinks."
Jinhyeok passed purple-liquid glasses.
Juice of Abyss grapes and mandragora sap.
"Safe... to drink?"
Chairman Song eyed suspiciously.
"One sip, you'll ditch the cane and walk. Don't believe me? Don't drink. I'll have it."
As Jinhyeok reached, Song snatched and downed it.
"Kuhhh...!"
Throat burned electric.
Then heat surged from his gut.
Dying cells screamed awake.
Song's pallid face flushed instantly.
"Hah! Haa!"
Song shot up from his chair. Wobbly, but on his own feet.
First time in a year.
"Chairman stood!"
Secretary sobbed.
Other hunters gawked, chugged their juices.
"M-my mana circuits cleared!"
"Skin... wrinkles gone!"
Instant effects.
100 billion? Bargain. Too cheap.
1 trillion wouldn't cut it.
"Satisfied?"
Jinhyeok asked leisurely.
"Director Kang! No, Healer Kang! Take my fortune—let me live here!"
"Me too! Not going home!"
Jinhyeok waved them off.
"Nah, can't. Reservation only. And tomorrow's packed: morning Illusion King's therapy session, afternoon Beelzebub's diet camp."
Demon kings as course menu. Terror turned to eager shivers.
That night. Resort rear, mana outdoor bath.
Lee Shinwoo sliced earth for the pool; Balakas heated underground spring water.
Emerald waters steamed with mana mist.
Male guests, including Chairman Song, soaked.
"Ooh... bliss..."
"This is paradise..."
Then, a massive shadow loomed. 3-meter giant with towel turban: north ruler, Plague King Ner-gal.
"Pardon. Mind if I join?"
Ner-gal entered. Post-scrub from Jinhyeok, now a bath fanatic.
"Eek! D-Demon king?!"
Guests fled to corners.
"Don't freak. I'm clean. Fully disinfected."
Ner-gal spritzed hand sanitizer. Sat by Song, offered his back.
"Hey, human elder. Scrub my back? Can't reach."
"......Pardon?"
Song dazedly took the scrub cloth.
Korea's No. 2 tycoon scrubbing a demon king's back. Absurd, unreal.
But Song chuckled.
Better than deathbed—alive.
"Feel good?"
"Ahh, nice. Good technique."
Red moon shone; steam rose.
Earth-Abyss, human-demon boundaries crumbled that night.
2F terrace. Jinhyeok sipped wine, overlooking.
Yoo Isu beside him.
"Seriously... incredible, you."
She shook her head.
"Turned hell into heaven."
"Long way to go. This is just the start."
Jinhyeok tapped his calculator.
Day's take: 1 trillion.
Extras (souvenirs): projected 500 billion.
At this rate, buy land? A whole country.
"Next week, round two. Raise to 150 billion."
"Hey, too much?"
"Demand outstrips supply—prices rise. Market economy. Hate it? Book early."
Jinhyeok grinned like a greedy landlord.
But he didn't know. In this peaceful resort lurked an uninvited guest.
One of the 10: disguised as ordinary hunter, but sharp-eyed man.
S-rank assassin from Apollo's Director Choi Myungseok, codename 'Viper'. Fingering a mini mana bomb in his pocket.
'Kang Jinhyeok... today's your funeral.'
The spy slipped into shadows toward the boiler room—hospital power core—unaware what awaited.