Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: How the Rank 1 Hero Protects the World
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What the fuck.
I spat out a curse.
The message in front of me was flashing like it was mocking me.
A quest, now of all things?
"What the hell is this bullshit? If you're gonna kill me, just do it!"
I bellowed, but the floating message didn't change. I took a moment to catch my breath, my anger boiling over.
Seriously, unless I dragged whatever was behind this system out and beat it to death, this rage wasn't going away.
Worst of all, no matter how much I vented, I knew I'd have to accept this situation, and that pissed me off even more.
"What's this quest bullshit?"
- The quest requires the complete elimination of the current 'Fixed-Type Dungeon Break' event.
"...Fuck."
It's something I had to do anyway.
I clicked my tongue.
"Why not tell me the reward?"
- Rewards will vary based on the player's contribution to completing the quest.
"Completely arbitrary."
Basically, rack up as many achievement points as possible.
My teeth ground together, but I shook my head to clear away the swirling emotions.
I'd thought there were no leads, just swinging at air... but an unwanted jackpot had hit. Or was it a bomb?
Either way, I'd wanted contact with the system, so this was better than leaving empty-handed.
The problem was that every time the system responded to me, it created these bizarre situations, and it felt like a pattern...
Right then, the phone in my pocket vibrated hard.
Startled by the unexpected buzz, I flinched as screams erupted from various spots in the park.
"Disaster alert! Dungeon break incoming!"
"What the hell? Can't they manage saturation levels? This make any sense?"
"Is that the issue right now? Just get away from the lake!"
Sure enough, my phone showed a disaster alert from the government, informing people of the situation.
"The shelter's near the police station! We gotta hurry!"
"At least it's not far. What a mess!"
"We've got time, don't run!"
Fortunately, the panic wasn't as bad as I'd feared.
Fixed-type dungeon breaks happened frequently on a relatively small scale, so people might have adapted somewhat. The government's response seemed systematic too.
Plus, the park paths were wide with few people, so no risk of injuries during evacuation.
For now, I enhanced my vision and scanned the artificial island in the lake. The hunters already gathered there appeared to be holding an impromptu meeting.
Guess I should join them. More hunters, the better.
Oh, right.
I suddenly remembered a hunter I'd met earlier.
Yeah, Baek Sa-hyeon was here. I didn't know his class exactly, but he was high in the rankings, so he'd definitely help.
Was he still at the main plaza? With filming underway, he might not move until the crew evacuated.
My assumption was proven wrong immediately after.
"Don't worry."
A massive voice boomed across the park.
Clearly amplified by an item, it gradually halted the chaotic footsteps of the crowd.
Murmurs rose.
...What? Was he taking charge to guide people to the shelter?
To assess, I used Nymph's Wind to climb a nearby tree and perched on a thick branch, looking toward the voice.
In the sunlit main plaza, Baek Sa-hyeon had drawn his bastard sword from his back and dramatically aimed it at the artificial island.
Water jets shot up from the fountain on cue.
Against the backdrop of the winter afternoon sunlight turning the sprays into shards of glass, Baek Sa-hyeon smiled at the camera.
"I'm Baek Sa-hyeon."
The moment I heard those words, I gripped my sword hilt tight.
It was blatant showmanship.
Just like Lee Woo-yeon dramatically unfurling wings before panicked crowds during a dungeon break.
And knowing cameras were rolling made it even more disgusting.
Should I just go over and deck him?
...No, calm down first.
I couldn't chalk it up to celebrity syndrome alone.
Sure, he looked like a total attention whore right now, but Baek Sa-hyeon was still a top-tier hunter.
Like how I'd thought Lee Woo-yeon was crazy at first but turned out decent, maybe Baek Sa-hyeon was just reassuring people.
I took a breath, thinking that.
Goblins themselves aren't much of a threat. The issue is they swarm, but a mage with AoE firepower handles them easily.
So, Baek Sa-hyeon claiming that probably meant he was a mage or had AoE skills.
...But didn't he have a bastard sword on his back earlier?
Nah, probably a magic swordsman. Like Lee Woo-yeon.
"......"
I fell silent briefly, then pulled an item from my inventory and equipped it. Touching the blue earring brought up a system message.
- You have used the Blue Bond Earring!
- Confirming the target's intent...
- The target's intent is confirmed!
― What's going on?
Luckily, Lee Woo-yeon picked up right away. No time to waste, I cut straight to it.
"Hey, Lee Woo-yeon. Know a hunter named Baek Sa-hyeon?"
He'd mentioned during the Gangnam sudden dungeon break that he knew most top Korean hunters, and that held true.
The reply came fast.
― Why the hell is that bastard's name coming out of your mouth?
More aggressive than expected. Calling him "that bastard" without hesitation said it all.
I clicked my tongue.
The situation didn't look good.
"It's urgent, so just answer. Does Baek Sa-hyeon have AoE skills? Is he a mage?"
― Depends on what AoE you need, but asking if he's a mage means offensive AoE, right? No.
Lee Woo-yeon's quick wit was handy in moments like this. Even curious, he stuck to essentials.
"So he's just a swordsman swinging a bastard sword like it looks?"
― Yeah, probably swordsman class too.
"Your tone lacks conviction."
― Sharp. Yeah. He claims swordsman, uses a bastard sword, but his swordsmanship isn't that great.
"What?"
That was unexpected. Swordsman class with mediocre sword skills?
"Isn't he high in the rankings? How'd he rack up achievements then?"
― His rank comes from... being specialized for certain dungeons.
"Specialized?"
― His skill. AoE taunt.
Huh?
Mid-conversation with Lee Woo-yeon, the gauge bar I'd sidelined in my vision finally filled.
- Warning! Saturation level has reached its limit.
- Dungeon break occurring.
Monsters poured out from the diamond-shaped pattern over the artificial island.
Kieeeek!
Green-skinned freaks screeched as they burst through the rift between dungeon and reality.
About knee-high on an average person, the grotesque fairies bared teeth at the hunters.
As I prepared to leap across the lake.
"Barrier around the island first! Don't let them out!"
A hazy mana barrier formed around the island.
I halted, caught off guard.
"These bastards swim well—can't let any slip!"
"Don't panic! Take them down one by one, calmly!"
The island's hunters steadily blocked the goblins.
"Oho."
Their response was admirably swift, even I was impressed. Despite the sudden saturation spike.
Mages formed barriers to prevent goblins from jumping into the lake, while swordsmen methodically cut them down.
Compared to the Gangnam sudden dungeon break, this was leagues calmer.
But there was a slight issue. Frowning at the island.
'Way more coming out than expected.'
The goblins' exodus showed no sign of slowing. At this rate, twenty people couldn't hold them off forever.
Even perfect handling would just buy time.
So, first things first.
I quickly checked dungeon entry status.
- Would you like to view the current status of this dungeon?
- The dungeon is currently being cleared. Entry is limited to those tackling it.
- Available slots (6/6)
Not looking good.
Slots filled the moment they appeared.
To resolve this, the root fix—eliminate the dungeon break—was priority. Without clearing to lower saturation, it wouldn't stop.
Once maxed, one clear wouldn't drop it. Dozens needed.
I couldn't enter solo and speed-clear repeatedly.
"This is bad..."
From atop the tree, I glanced at the main plaza.
"Wow, amazing!"
"We believe in you, Baek Sa-hyeon Hunter!"
Cheers rang out as Baek Sa-hyeon stood stoically. Or so it seemed.
Cameras still filmed him, and the MC beside him excitedly yapped into one.
"........."
Every angle screamed camera awareness.
Hunters fought desperately across the lake, yet here he was. No casualties yet, but dangerous.
― So what happened? Should I come?
Lee Woo-yeon's message popped up, forgotten amid the chaos.
Only then did I realize we were still connected.
"Oh, right. Still talking to you."
― Too much! I'm really mad?
Should I call Lee Woo-yeon?
The thought flashed, but I shook it off.
Government knew about the break here. Choi Min-hyuk would contact Lee Seon or Kim Suk-ja.
Above all, I was on a quest.
If Lee Woo-yeon came, max contributor? Forget it— it'd end before I acted.
"No need. I can handle it solo."
― Really? Sounds fake.
"No time for chit-chat anyway. Thanks for the info. Talk later."
― Wait, hold on...!
He tried replying, but I unequipped and stored the item.
"Alright then."
Time to pull that Baek Sa-hyeon out of the picture.
I clenched my fist.
Cameras still rolling, crowd watching—no direct approach.
Hide my face first...
"But wait! Shouldn't we help over there first?"
Chaos stirred in the plaza then. Someone shouted at Baek Sa-hyeon.
I turned toward it.
"We're not filming when a dungeon break's happening..."
Bold and smart delivery.
Impressed, I eyed the speaker. Quite the surprise.
'Guess he learned from last time.'
It was Woo Seong-yeon.
Baek Sa-hyeon, posing with his sword for cameras, smirked at Woo Seong-yeon's words like they were laughable.
"Of course. I was just guarding your evacuation."
"Ooh!"
"Awesome!"
"You got this!"
Cliché, but what people wanted. Good footage.
Of course, ignoring that he'd delayed evacuation for shots.
"Then, evacuate safely, everyone."
With crisp words and a grin sword in hand, Baek Sa-hyeon urged them on.
Crew, angles secured, prepped quick withdrawal.
Evacuation alert out, bit late, but barrier held. Calculated timing? Clever bastard.
"Follow the crew!"
"Top pay's wired already~ No worries!"
Cheers for Baek Sa-hyeon as people filed out under crew guidance. Heartwarming scene captured.
'National hero' image forged.
"G-good luck!"
Woo Seong-yeon, pale after his bold words, bowed deeply last.
Baek Sa-hyeon watched solemnly until they left, then relaxed.
A lingering manager-type handed him a cold drink.
"Sa-hyeon! Drink this. You were awesome today. Total star!"
"Spare the bootlicking. Where's the car? Let's go. Tired."
"Huh? Leaving now?"
"What else is there for me?"
He stowed even the bastard sword, stretching freely. Zero motivation.
Manager, stunned, pointed at the island.
"B-but you said you'd help clear."
"Shows? Just for clips! You think I'm doing unpaid work?"
"Uh, uh... still."
Manager paled, mumbling. Dungeon break worrying him.
Visible even to civilians—figures fighting beyond translucent barrier.
Manager cautiously spoke as Baek Sa-hyeon chugged.
"I thought you'd stay, so..."
Baek Sa-hyeon scowled.
"...You left it to me? Stop pressuring me."
"N-not pressuring... sorry, not what I meant."
"Makes me uncomfortable, watch it. No hero act off-camera.
...He seriously leaving?
Can't have that.
I equipped my bow from inventory, aiming near his feet.
Mana-replaced arrow sliced air, shattering cement.
Baek Sa-hyeon, caught off-guard, summoned a dagger—not the bastard sword.
Manager, already tense, yelped at the surprise attack.
"Argh!"
"Damn, ambush?"
Dagger drawn, Baek Sa-hyeon scanned wildly but couldn't pinpoint mana origin.
Totally off.
Lee Woo-yeon said sword skills meh, but this? Hunters sense presences keenly...
Hmm, maybe.
Curiosity and necessity piqued, I nocked another mana arrow at Baek Sa-hyeon.
His face, enhanced vision sharp, unnaturally pale.
Worth testing again.
- Nameless Bow channels your will.
- Your mana substitutes for the arrow.
Pew!
Mana arrow whistled off.
It grazed his cheek amid debris; manager freaked. Plaza floor wrecked from direct hits.
"Gyaaa! Help!"
"Ah, Oppa! Crazy? Where you going? Hey!"
Baek Sa-hyeon yelled, but manager bolted, ignoring him amid attacks.
"What bastard..."
Finally, Baek Sa-hyeon wiped cheek blood, turning my way.
Even he noticed the second.
Eyes narrowing on me.
As his gaze reflected my form, I leaped from tree to plaza.
Baek Sa-hyeon asked.
"Who are you?"