Chapter 8
2 PM. Alarms rang out simultaneously from Korea's three pinnacle powers in the hunter world.
Gangnam-gu, Cheongdam-dong — Zeus Guild Master's Office
The 'Dragon Emperor' Lee Shinwoo was reviewing a mountain of approval documents. S-rank gate settlements, guild member welfare expansions, negotiations with the government... His head throbbed, and he pressed his temples when his phone buzzed briefly.
Lee Shinwoo's eyes sharpened in an instant. The documents were irrelevant now. He shot to his feet and grabbed his coat.
"Chief of Staff! Cancel all my schedule for today!"
"Pardon? But there's a luncheon at the Blue House this afternoon..."
"Tell the president a more important person has summoned me."
Seocho-gu — Ares Guild Training Grounds
"Harder! Hit it with everything you've got!"
The 'Destroyer King' Ma Dongtak was sweating buckets as he punched a massive sandbag to shreds with his bare fists. Then, his smartphone on the bench lit up. He wiped his sweat with a towel and glanced at the screen casually—only for his eyes to bulge.
Lifetime Free Treatment Pass
(VIP Gold Tier)
"Holy shit... lifetime free?"
A three-headed Cerberus flickered in Ma Dongtak's mind. The beast's food, medical bills, and that fucked-up personality correction? It cost tens of billions a year. And lifetime free?
"Hey! Get the car ready! Nah, traffic's a bitch—spin up the chopper! Now!"
Seongsu-dong — Genji Guild Korean Branch (Ice Emperor Seo Jihu)
"Branch Chief Seo Jihu, this quarter's magic stone supply rate is..."
In the middle of a meeting, the Ice Emperor Seo Jihu raised a hand to silence his subordinate. His eyes were glued to his smartphone. His penguin Pengsoo had started molting recently and was extra sensitive. He desperately needed Jinhyeok's care.
"Replace the meeting with written reports."
"Branch Chief? Where are you going?"
"To an interview."
"Pardon? The rank 4 hunter going for an interview?"
Korea's top three powerhouses bolted from their bases. Destination: one. Gangnam—Zeus Medical Tower.
30 minutes later. Zeus Medical Tower, director's office hallway.
The three titans collided. Tension crackled in the corridor. Their auras clashed, making the air buzz with static.
"Well, well. What brings Guild Master Lee Shinwoo here? Aren't you swamped with national affairs?"
Seo Jihu sneered, exuding chill.
"And you? Too busy brushing your penguin's feathers?"
Lee Shinwoo shot back leisurely.
"Ah, move aside, you're blocking the way! I got here first!"
Ma Dongtak shoved between them with his massive bulk.
"First my ass. My chopper landed first."
"Don't make me laugh. I hit the elevator button first."
Ranks 1, 2, and 4 bickered like kids over elevator order. Passing nurses plastered themselves against the walls in horror.
The director's office door flew open. Park Cheolwoo, the chief manager, stepped out.
"All three of you, quiet down. The director woke up from his nap."
"Ah, yes sir."
"Ahem."
The mighty S-rank hunters wilted at the 'nurse manager's' word. Park Cheolwoo tsked in disdain and held the door.
"He's letting you in. Interview starts now."
The office was surreal.
Kang Jinhyeok lounged with his feet on the desk, slurping cup ramen broth, while Korea's three movers and shakers sat primly on the sofa, knees together.
"Slurp. Ahh, fried udon ramen hits different."
Jinhyeok set down his chopsticks and scanned them.
"You saw the notice, right? Night rounds assistant part-time gig. Pay: VIP lifetime free pass."
"I'll do it!"
"Me! Definitely me!"
"I'm the perfect candidate!"
All three shot up their hands. Jinhyeok picked his ear nonchalantly.
"Fierce competition. 3-to-1 odds. Impressive specs all around."
"Director, specs aren't the issue."
Lee Shinwoo hefted a heavy bag onto the table. It opened to reveal prime, marbled red meat.
"Argentinian A5 Wagyu, airlifted fresh. Balakas seems off his feed lately, so I prepared it specially."
Jinhyeok's brow twitched.
"Ho, looking out for our security chief's meals too?"
Seo Jihu whipped out an icebox without missing a beat.
"Hmph, meat's basic. Director, this is 'millennial glacier shaved ice' harvested from 3,000 meters under Antarctic ice. Perfect tonic for heat-stressed penguins. Great for you too, of course."
"Outta the way, all!"
Ma Dongtak unpacked a massive bundle. Inside gleamed a golden dog chew... no, a [Golden Bone (A-rank Artifact)].
"My Cerberus is goin' nuts missin' ya, Doc! Brought this for him to gnaw on while thinkin' of you!"
Bribery barrage. S-rank hunters fawning over a vet with meat, shaved ice, and dog toys. Jinhyeok propped his chin, smirking.
"Appreciate the effort, but this job site's a bit rough."
Jinhyeok unrolled a map. A red-marked danger zone.
"Destination's here. Boss room."
Their faces hardened. Giants' Gorge. One of Korea's three deadliest dungeons. Regular mobs: 5-meter ogres. Boss: a Cyclops all but immune to physical attacks.
"Not hunting. Gathering."
"Gathering what?"
"Dimension Stones. Need those."
"Dimension Stones..."
Lee Shinwoo groaned. Rare minerals that warped space and opened portals. The Cyclops treasured them like its own eyeball—impossible to get without killing it.
"What for?"
Jinhyeok's gaze deepened. He glanced at the photo frame on his desk. A picture of his wife, missing for three years.
"Gotta pick up my wife."
"...Pardon?"
"She's still alive. Waiting for dinner in that hellhole after three years. Can't keep my wife starving as her husband."
The three fell silent.
Kang Jinhyeok's wife... the 'Sword Empress' Yoo Isu.
The hero said to have perished saving humanity three years ago. Alive?
And this man planned to storm an S-rank dungeon—and the Abyss—to rescue her?
Lee Shinwoo spoke first. Playfulness vanished from his eyes, replaced by earnest respect.
"A romantic, eh? My apologies for underestimating you."
"Just a whipped husband."
"Very well. I'm in. On Zeus Guild's honor, I'll see you back safe."
Ma Dongtak jumped in.
"What're you talkin'? Ares don't sit out heavy lifting! Gotta clear the path for sis-in-law!"
Seo Jihu matched them.
"I'm fastest at paving an ice road. Count me in."
The mood shifted. From fawning for free treatment to men's brotherhood. A man diving into hell for his love? Real men had his back.
Jinhyeok read their eyes. A satisfied smile curved his lips.
"Good. Hired—all three."
"All three?"
"Yeah. Giants are tanky; need tank, DPS, support. No loot split, though. Dimension Stones are mine; byproducts yours. Deal?"
"Deal!"
"Perfect!"
"Alright, let's roll. Don't wanna make the wife mad."
Jinhyeok shed his gown for a black tactical coat. Mini-sized Balakas hopped onto his shoulder.
Korea's mightiest dream team—aka 'Jinhyeok Avengers'—was formed.
Zeus Medical Tower lobby. Crowds and reporters swarmed. Word of ranks 1, 2, and 4 together had gridlocked Gangnam.
"Here they come! Director Kang Jinhyeok and the guild masters!"
The doors slid open. Four men strode out. Jinhyeok center. Lee Shinwoo, Ma Dongtak, Seo Jihu flanking like bodyguards.
Cameras flashed like machine guns at the picture-perfect formation.
"Director! What's the purpose of this meeting?"
"Are the three guilds uniting for a new raid?"
"Your stance on the Apollo Hospital conflict...!"
Questions poured. Jinhyeok paused, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Not a raid. House call."
"Pardon? House call? To where...?"
"Giants' Gorge. Got a nearsighted patient needing surgery. These guys are my assistants carrying gear."
"......Pardon?"
Reporters blanked.
House call to an S-rank dungeon?
Top hunters as porters?
But Lee Shinwoo and Ma Dongtak shouldered gear bags (medical equipment) like it was natural.
"Excuse us. Appointment's late."
Jinhyeok boarded the waiting car smoothly. The three S-ranks followed like escorts. The black sedan convoy roared toward the dungeon.
The scene aired live. Internet communities exploded.
Gyeonggi-do, Paju. Gate to S-rank dungeon Giants' Gorge. Military and association staff held the control line.
"ID check. Uh... Zeus, Ares, Genji... and Arcana Hospital?"
The sentry trembled at the roster. National emergency-level firepower. One dungeon vanishing would be trivial.
"Director, is this gear enough?"
Lee Shinwoo eyed Jinhyeok's battered leather bag. Surgical tools and a few potions inside.
"Plenty. Oh, brought Balakas too."
Jinhyeok patted his shoulder. Balakas trilled cutely—but reeked of murder.
"Entering."
The party stepped into the blue-shimmering gate. Air shifted. Acrid dirt and blood. Vast wasteland ringed by sheer cliffs.
"GRRROOOAAAR!"
Entrance greeted grandly. Skeleton ogres—5 meters of bone—burst from rocks, swinging rusted flails.
"Enemies ahead! I'll sweep 'em!"
Ma Dongtak donned gauntlets, stepping forward.
"Hold up."
Jinhyeok stopped him.
"Who said kill? They're ecosystem locals."
"But they're attacking!"
"We trespassed in their home. Normal to be pissed. Let's talk."
"Talk? With undead?"
Seo Jihu gaped.
Jinhyeok lifted shoulder-mounted Balakas forward. Lion King pose.
"Balakas. Bark."
Dragon Fear: Roar of the Apex Predator
Balakas sulked but obeyed his meal ticket. Deep breath—mouth agape.
[KYAAAAAAAAA—!!]
No mere cry.
S-rank pressure fanned forward like a gale.
Woooong—!
Space warped. Charging skeleton ogres' bones rattled violently.
Undead knew no fear—yet instinct of 'higher being' etched in their souls halted them.
Crash.
They dropped flails, flattening prone. Like vassals welcoming their king.
"See? Polite folks."
Jinhyeok stepped over ogre skulls like stairs. Lee Shinwoo, Ma Dongtak, Seo Jihu trailed, jaws dropped.
"This... works?"
"Clearing an S-rank without fighting?"
"Director, what are you?"
Jinhyeok glanced back, grinning.
"Told ya. Vet. Beast-handling's my specialty."
They marched to the dungeon heart without a single battle. Monsters caught Balakas's scent and fled in panic. VIP pass didn't even compare.
One hour later. Massive stone doors. Dungeon end. Boss room.
Earth-shaking thuds inside, with groaning—not roars—like pained grunts.
"Uuuughhh..."
Jinhyeok shouldered his bag. Grave expression.
"Get ready. Patient time."
"Battle prep?"
"Nah. Surgery prep."
Jinhyeok pushed the doors. Stone groaned open, revealing a one-eyed giant writhing in agony.
"Alright. Ophthalmology consult begins."
This marked the most outlandish 'raid'—nay, 'mobile surgery'—in hunter history.