Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Dungeon Maker: Who's the World's Strongest Hunter Nation?
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Dungeon Maker.
Which country is the strongest in the hunter world?
Ask anyone, and they'll all shout the same answer.
"The one and only United States!"
"No doubt about it—America's the undisputed number one."
It boasts more rankers than any other nation on Earth.
Even on a national level, it pours massive resources into the industry.
They say the U.S. budget for hunters accounts for about 30% of the world's total. That says it all.
Among America's rankers,
who's the trickiest hunter?
And the most mysterious?
Everyone points to one name.
Ranking 5th worldwide.
Dungeon Maker, Delilah.
"'Dungeon Maker'?"
"What's that? Does it mean she makes dungeons? Kinda weird epithet."
Her ability is straightforward.
Just like the name—creating dungeons.
But its applications? Far from simple.
Endless possibilities.
"You hear? Delilah released dungeon artifacts!"
"Dungeon artifacts? What's that?"
"You put a dungeon inside jewelry, so you can customize your own personal one!"
"……?"
"Dude, it's huge! It's like your own shelter, house, and pocket dimension all in one! The utility is insane!"
"Oh, really? So how much?"
"No clue."
"……?"
"Even when a chaebol offered over 100 billion, she turned it down. Making one drains a ton of mental energy, apparently. Word is she only gifts them to people she personally approves of."
"Damn, that's impressive. Makes sense, though... A hunter like Delilah wouldn't budge for money."
Delilah is a top-ten global ranker, one of the elite.
She's known to be loaded.
"So doesn't that mean thieves are swarming her nonstop?"
"Yeah, just snagging one artifact would change your life forever."
Naturally, plenty of hunters target her.
Not just regulars—rankers too.
But...
Is she ranking 5th for nothing?
Delilah is elusive, vanishing like a ghost.
Even rare sightings turn out to be illusions.
Rumors swirl that the shop she lives in is an "S-rank dungeon" itself.
Above all...
Official record: 0 battles, 0 wins, 0 losses.
You can't just pick a fight with Delilah.
"……."
Her skills, epithet, abilities—all shrouded in mirage-like haze.
No one knows what she does.
Or what she even looks like.
She's never once appeared in the media.
Just endless rumors.
That's her.
The nickname: Mirage.
Dungeon Maker.
* * *
"That's the gist."
Gi So-yul cleared her throat after her enthusiastic rundown.
"Ahem. That's the 'Dungeon Maker' as known to the general public."
"Yeah, I've heard of her."
Who wouldn't have?
She's plastered on the world ranking board at number 5.
Turn on the TV even now, and she's a frequent topic.
"But from here on, this is ranker-only info."
Gi So-yul crossed her arms and rubbed her neck with her right hand.
"Truth is, Dungeon Maker opens a trial dungeon every six months."
"A trial dungeon?"
"Yeah. No one knows why she makes them or keeps it secret. The leading theory is that she grows by getting lots of people to join. But even that's not confirmed."
"......I see."
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
My brain buzzed with the new intel.
"So, what kind of dungeon is the trial one?"
"No clue on the contents—they change every time. One thing's for sure, though... Clear all the trials, and you'll land inside the three-digit rankings at minimum."
Ah, so that's why they call her the ranker-maker.
But it's all speculation.
Do you become a ranker by clearing the trials?
Or do you clear them because you're ranker material?
Like the chicken-or-egg dilemma.
"Three years ago, what folks now call Seoul's Five Stars—we cleared it and entered the rankings. Three-digit spots. Sure, time's passed and we've climbed higher since."
"......Wow."
That's seriously impressive, right?
Berserker's at 20.
Divine Archer at 58.
Climbing that far in three years?
What the hell have they been up to?
'Well...'
Considering my recent growth spurt...
With the right opportunities, it's not impossible.
"Anyway, two entry requirements for the trial dungeon. First: minimum A-rank hunter."
"......Pardon?"
I'm still D-rank...
I don't even know how to hit C yet, let alone A!
"Don't sweat it. It opens every six months, so prep and go when ready. Someone like you, Dong-hoon? You'll hit it soon enough."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Second: recommendation letters from five rankers."
"Huh?"
"It's Delilah's way of only accepting vetted people. If you're in the rankings, the notes come via system message—just for your eyes."
"Whoa."
I was floored.
Does that mean Delilah's tied into the system?
'Or maybe...'
Could just be a skill.
Like, [Send notes to those on the world ranking board]?
'Anyway...'
Five ranker recommendations?
That's a pipe dream.
Rankers are rarer than celebrities.
Now we need ranker connections too?
What a shitty world!
Gi So-yul smirked at me muttering to myself.
"The notes come with warnings. Spill to outsiders, and you lose recommendation rights. Plus, banned from all future Dungeon Maker content. Exceptions for recommendation candidates, though. So if you blab, Dong-hoon, you'll eat the penalty."
Right on cue...
[Ding!]
[Learned info on Dungeon Maker.]
[Warning! Warning! Warning!]
[Spilling to non-rankers bars you from future 'Dungeon Maker' content!]
[Candidates are exempt.]
[If a candidate spills, penalty hits the recommender!]
[Tip: Shout 'recommendation registration' to set candidates.]
"Holy shit."
Now I got why Baek Don was so paranoid about leaks.
"Wild, right? Makes you wonder what Delilah really is. Oh, and I've already registered you as a candidate, Dong-hoon."
"No way—it's like tweaking my status screen. She's gotta be a god. Or the puppet master of this world?"
"No one knows."
Gi So-yul shrugged.
"But no one's leaked it yet."
"Means no ranker wants to piss off Delilah."
"Spot on."
Ingenious.
If she's really just a hunter...
That's next-level.
A hunter who climbed to the top with dungeon-making powers.
And savvy enough to keep all rankers in line.
'Oh yeah...'
It hit me.
Dark Lord entered the rankings via trial dungeon too, huh?
Always yapping about dungeons... So that's what he meant?
'Whatever.'
Not important.
What matters: my dream's way more feasible than I thought.
"So... that's why you five gathered. And why Am-Je wanted to introduce me—to the trial dungeon."
"Hahaha."
Jang Dae-woong, who'd been listening quietly, stepped forward.
"Right on the money. A group to easily recommend folks. That's the true nature of Seoul's Five Stars."
His broad shoulders made him look cool somehow.
"Anyway."
He fixed me with a steady gaze.
"One thing matters."
"......Yes."
"Do you have what it takes to earn our recommendation?"
I got the point.
The A-rank condition she mentioned.
"......When's the next trial?"
"Next one? About five months out."
"Five months..."
Felt impossibly short.
Took me three years to go E to D.
"Haha, that's not the point. With the will, we can always hold a spot. We've recommended one per cycle, and you're the first Gi So-yul's personally vouched for."
"I see."
I turned to Gi So-yul.
She slyly looked away.
What gives?
'Anyway.'
Five months? Doable.
Eleven? Fine, but no thanks.
'Aim high.'
Things are different now.
Great mentor.
Great catalyst.
My growth last month dwarfs three years prior.
Plus...
Why hesitate?
They're handing me a shot on a platter.
"Screw it."
I nodded firmly.
"Sure. Let's do it. Five rankers offering a chance? Only an idiot says no."
"Krahaha! That's my bro—full of fire!"
Jang Dae-woong boomed with laughter.
"But don't take it lightly. We've recommended five total, and only Kim Hyeok-seon passed. Not just that—fewer than 50 rankers have ever emerged from trials. Most failures? Crippled or missing."
"......"
Why drop that bombshell now?
'Sure.'
I never thought ranker path was a cakewalk.
"I'm in. Eyes wide open."
I clenched my fist.
Baek Don sidled up.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"FYI, we collect the recommendation fee once you're a ranker. Fair trade's the rule."
Classic merchant vibe.
Investing in my future?
"Naturally. With interest—I'll pay up."
Give back what I get.
That's my code.
'Especially Gi So-yul.'
I glanced at her leaning against the lamppost.
No idea why she's helping, but...
Biggest debt's hers.
* * *
"......"
Mrrrng.
After the chaos settled,
back in my room, I stared blankly at the ceiling.
"......"
Still couldn't believe it.
Trial dungeon.
Content from the mirage herself, Delilah.
Scoured the hunter boards just in case.
Nada.
'Time to hustle.'
I fiddled with the catalyst from my pocket.
[Item: Root of Racial Conflict]
[Grade: A]
[Type: Catalyst]
[Description: A root that unravels secrets of hidden ruins.]
[Effect 1: Unlocks dungeon 'Forest and Rock.']
[Effect 2: Bound to hunter Joo Dong-hoon.]
[Effect 3: Activates at C-rank hunter or higher.]
'Forest and Rock.'
Instinct told me: clear it, and I'll shed another layer.
'To do that...'
First, hit C-rank.
[Hunter: Joo Dong-hoon]
[Epithet: None]
[Vitality: 120/120]
[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]
[Grade: D]
Pitiful compared to today's hunters.
No epithet, low grade.
'C-rank, huh.'
When lost, one path.
'Effort.'
Tomorrow on:
Triple-block my time.
Up early for old man's training, review till noon.
Then straight to dungeons.
I'm solo-ready now.
'Don't waste this.'
Past opportunities.
Today's meet with Seoul's Five Stars.
Priceless to me.
'Can't wait for what's next.'
Excitement bubbled.
For my adventures ahead.
In the dim night,
I shut my eyes, resolve firm.