The Dungeon's Harvest - Skill Perfected
It was the early hours of Sunday morning. The sky had only just begun to lighten when I arrived at Chuncheon E-05—the same stretch where I had failed to locate a core on my last run.
The moment I crossed the gate, dampness and biting cold pressed against my skin. The floor was slick with moisture, and the passageway lay in absolute silence.
A few steps deeper and three Little Orcs appeared.
“New spawns already… Perfect. Let’s see what I can do.”
The one on the left charged first. I drove the flat of my sword under its chin, shattering its balance, then drove the dagger straight into its throat. The second came tumbling forward like a rolling boulder. I hurled my dagger, altering its trajectory, and buried the blade precisely through its eye. Its body arched backward and slammed lifelessly to the ground.
The third leaped from behind. I yanked several scattered metal fragments off the floor to blind it, then seized my sword again and rammed it deep into the center of its chest. The creature was hurled backward and toppled over.
With the dagger still in hand, I practiced prying open flesh and extracting mana stones using telekinesis, then collected the stones and stowed them in my bag. I swept the bloodstains aside and stared down the passage once more.
“Still more waiting.”
Deeper in, four Little Orcs hurled stones at me simultaneously. I raised my left arm and focused. The incoming rocks froze mid-air, then reversed direction. The returning projectiles carried their full momentum and exploded two of the creatures’ heads.
Another Little Orc charged from the rear with a spear. I gathered mana at my fingertips to seize its movements, then delicately adjusted my telekinesis to shove the spear shaft sideways. The instant it lost balance, I swung my sword and severed its neck cleanly.
The final one turned to flee. My hand moved before my mind could catch up. Five daggers scattered across the floor rose at once, streaking forward in a perfect line and punching through its abdomen and flanks in rapid succession. The creature staggered a few steps before collapsing without a sound.
“This is it… I’ve finally nailed it.”
My breathing came hard, but my hands remained perfectly steady. I quickly cleaned up the corpses, gathered three more mana stones, and slipped them into my backpack.
Further ahead, seven Little Orcs packed the passage shoulder to shoulder, surging toward me. The front three leaped almost in unison. I lifted the small stones and metal shards at my feet and drove them forward with concentrated force. The three bodies snapped backward and smashed into the wall. Dull thuds echoed as flesh split and breathing ceased.
Two more thrust spears from behind. I raised my sword to deflect both shafts sideways, then slipped into the opening and carved a deep diagonal slash. A neck flew free and blood spattered across the back of my hand.
The last one retreated and hurled its spear. My fingertips reacted first, pushing a short pulse of force through the air. The incoming spear veered and buried itself in the creature’s own flank. Its body slammed into the wall and slid down limply.
I exhaled sharply. The heat lingering in my palms still refused to fade.
“Now I’m finally getting the feel for it.”
Using telekinesis, I plucked the mana stones free and added them to my pack.
“I’m getting used to harvesting without even touching them.”
Closer to the center, overlapping footsteps and heavy breathing filled the air. The dull, unmistakable presence of an orc pack pressed against my senses. An Orc Chieftain twice the normal size stood with a greatsword in its grip, ten ordinary orcs fanned out around it.
“Huk… Why the hell is a chieftain and its whole pack here? There was nothing like this when my team cleared the place last week…”
“Damn it. Fucking hell.”
I faltered for a split second, then steadied myself.
No. I’m not F-rank anymore. My official rank may only be D, but this power is already far beyond that. I can handle this.
I pulled out a mana stone bomb and hurled it with everything I had into the heart of the pack.
“Eat this, you orc bastards!”
The bomb detonated. A massive pressure wave rippled outward, launching three orcs through the air. The instant a gap opened, I unleashed my telekinesis. One creature’s limbs twisted violently and slammed into the ground.
Before the blast’s aftermath could settle, the rest of the pack surged forward.
“Come on, you orc bastards.”
I held my sword vertical and met the first head-on, twisting my waist just enough to dodge before driving the blade into its abdomen. Blood sprayed as its upper body flew into the wall. Using the recoil, I slid sideways. A spear tip whistled past my ear. The moment I twisted my wrist to catch the shaft, I felt metal catch. I pressed down with my left hand; the spear shaft snapped and the orc’s arm twisted with it.
Following the presence brushing my back, I spun and raised my sword. The tip struck first. Rotating force turned the motion into a clean slash. Its flank opened deeply and blood pattered to the floor.
I immediately poured telekinesis through my fingertips and pushed. Three bodies lifted at once. I twisted the force and slammed them straight into the ground.
“Good… Whew, this is brutal. The rest of you, come.”
I threw my sword. Mana wrapped around the blade as it shot forward in a straight line, skewering the lead orc and pinning the one behind it to the wall.
“It’s an ugly sound, but damn if it doesn’t feel satisfying.”
The final orc charged with its spear raised. I snatched up a fallen orc’s spear from the ground. I knocked its thrust aside, then drove my own spear into its chest the instant its balance broke. There wasn’t even a whisper of wind. The tip sank deep into its heart. The creature was hurled backward by the force of the thrust and collapsed.
“Hoo… Now it’s really just the chieftain left.”
Rough breaths tore out of me. My legs gave out and I sank to the floor, muttering.
“Ha… Just let me rest a minute. I might actually die.”
That was when the fallen chieftain slowly rose again, as if nothing had happened.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I frowned and backed away.
“Can’t you take a break too?”
I grabbed the spear shaft that had rolled aside and thrust it forward. The tip bounced off the chieftain’s chest with a dull clang. Its greatsword immediately came crashing down. I rolled clear; the blade gouged the floor and sent up a shower of sparks.
“Damn… Cheap piece of junk after all.”
The chieftain charged again. I extended my fingertips. Its arm twisted as though caught in an invisible vise and froze.
“Let’s start by tying up those arms.”
I drew my dagger and closed in. I carved the first wound along its neckline, then circled behind and drove the blade deep into the back of its neck. The chieftain staggered, knees buckling as it sank to the floor.
“Huk… Huk…”
I stepped back, chest heaving.
“…Is it dead?”
I wasn’t convinced. So I raised my fingertips once more.
“Confirming.”
I lifted the corpse with telekinesis and flipped it over, then drove the dagger straight down. The faint, leaking breaths cut off completely. Only then did the body go utterly limp.
“Ha… A D-rank boss is still a bit much for me.”
I leaned against the wall and forced my breathing to slow.
“Still, if I absorb a few more cores I should be able to push through. Next time will be much easier.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, then stood.
“Gotta collect what I can.”
I searched the orcs one by one, emptying their pockets. Six D-rank mana stones. One was large enough to fill my palm—top grade. Beside it, a metal bottle with a lingering blue glow rolled out. A D-rank enhancer. The exterior was slightly scorched, but the contents were intact.
“Just made back a million won.”
I pulled the mana sword from the wall and noticed the chieftain’s greatsword lying nearby.
“I’ll take these out with me. They should sell for a decent price.”
My gaze drifted across the debris and settled on the wall.
“The core… was right around here.”
I walked to the spot I had marked last time and punched the wall.
Thud.
The wall split open. Blue light spilled through the crack, revealing a palm-sized Dungeon Core.
I stepped closer and touched it with my fingertips. The instant contact was made, mana surged into me without resistance. My chest tightened, my heart thundered once, and power flooded every muscle before releasing in a brief convulsion.
The mana raced through my arms, shoulders, and chest. My body trembled internally for a moment, then began to find equilibrium. After holding on a little longer, the flow inside me settled into a clear, even rhythm. My fingertips still trembled faintly, but control came far more easily than before. My breathing deepened. My pulse steadied rapidly.
When the core’s light finally faded, only a gentle warmth remained against my fingers. The tension in my muscles melted away and my body settled back into balance. My arms felt lighter. My vision sharpened. The mana inside me felt perfectly ordered.
“This should be stable enough to convert into a D-rank stabilized dungeon. The E-rank unstable zone carries too much risk for the reward. A stabilized D-rank is definitely better.”
I checked my gear. The scabbard was cracked and the edges of my gloves were lightly scorched. Half of today’s earnings would disappear into repairs, but it was still a profitable run.
“Not a bad day at all.”
Fatigue crept in quietly. I slung my sword over my shoulder and turned toward the gate. The dungeon’s temperature dropped rapidly as the air from the exit grew closer.
When I stepped outside, the lights at the rental return station were still on.
“Mountain road again today?”
“Yeah. Got a little dusty.”
“Exterior looks fine. I’ll only charge you fifty thousand won for the wash.”
“Thanks.”
“Hunters love this model. I’ll keep it reserved for you next time.”
“As long as the hunter insurance rate stays the same.”
The Hunter Department Store was still brightly lit despite the late hour. The appraiser behind the counter looked up.
“I’ll appraise the mana stones and weapons for you.”
Ten E-rank mana stones, five D-rank mana stones, one top-grade D-rank mana stone, one D-rank enhancer, and the Orc Chieftain’s greatsword.
I placed each item on the terminal one by one. The appraisal device hummed softly.
“E-rank at ninety thousand, D-rank at two hundred thousand, top-grade at six hundred thousand, enhancer at one million. Mana stones total three and a half million won. After fifteen percent commission that’s 2,975,000 won. The Orc Breaker sells for 5.5 million won. Grand total 5.5 million after three percent commission comes to 5,335,000 won. How would you like to settle?”
“Process the Orc Breaker as a sale.”
“Understood. I’ll deposit everything immediately.”
Deposit: 8,310,000 won from Hunter Department Store Appraisal Center
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
I folded the receipt in half and slipped it into my bag. Paper always felt more satisfying when it was creased.
The lights at the main headquarters equipment shop were still burning. I stepped inside.
“Two mana stone bombs, please.”
The payment chime sounded briefly.
1,300,000 won deducted
I pushed open the door to the maintenance wing. The combined smell of oil and metal washed over me. The mechanic lifted my sword and ran a finger along the edge.
“Blade maintenance, mana pattern recalibration, gloves need repair. Come back tomorrow evening.”
The estimate sheet landed on the desk.
“Sword four hundred thousand, gloves two hundred fifty thousand. Total six hundred fifty thousand won.”
“Got it.”
When I stepped back outside the night air felt sharply cold. One by one the lights inside the maintenance building went dark.
Today’s gross was 8.31 million won. Expenses—bombs, parts, fuel, and repairs—came to roughly three million. Net profit sat at about 5.3 million won.
“Yeah… Now it’s finally starting to feel like running dungeons is worth it.”
“As expected, money really starts flowing from D-rank onward.”
I adjusted the strap of my bag and walked slowly. Another bank alert chimed on my phone, and behind me the automatic doors slid shut with a soft hiss.
Solo runs were still grueling, but I had covered my equipment costs. My telekinesis control was growing instinctive. If I could reduce the damage rate on my gear even further, the profit margin would improve dramatically.
The decision to focus my next routes on D-rank dungeons came naturally. I would upgrade my equipment in stages and increase training time. The calculations were finished. All that remained was execution.