Chapter 164
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: How to Reverse a Dungeon (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Gap-su wore an extremely serious expression as he explained the current situation at the Hunter Association.
"Ever since the incident with the Chinese SSS-rank hunter in Hwaseong, the number of illegal hunter entries from China has spiked dramatically. We're estimating dozens of unregistered A-rank and above hunters, and we're currently tracking five SS-rank ones that we know of. They've been confirmed entering mostly A-rank and higher dungeons, focusing on uncleared ones, which makes it hard to pursue them."
This was off the record, too.
An issue not yet announced to the Hunter Gallery or any media outlet.
Chinese hunters entering the country had been causing all sorts of problems, with plenty of damage reports circulating, but this level of detail was new to me.
"They must've slathered honey all over Korean dungeons, huh?"
"Illegal entries by Chinese hunters are a major global issue right now. The US is cracking down hard, too. Since it's easier and closer for them to sneak into our country or Southeast Asia, the damage here has been especially severe."
"...Why's that happening?"
"We're still investigating, but... based on the info we've gathered, including from Li Heyan whom you all captured in Hwaseong..."
Kim Gap-su looked frustrated as he cautiously voiced his speculation.
"...It seems they're experimenting with ways to forcibly induce dungeon overflows."
"...Pardon?"
"Gasp..."
Kang Hana, listening beside me, clapped a hand over her mouth in shock.
Forcibly inducing overflows?
This sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel—utterly ridiculous.
"What do they even gain from overflowing dungeons?"
Dungeon overflows were catastrophes.
The moment monsters trapped inside poured out, anyone living nearby might as well be considered dead.
How many people could escape a disaster that struck at unpredictable times?
In densely populated cities, you might have a slim chance if you ran for your life while the monsters devoured those next to you.
But the instant you entered a monster's range—with physical abilities far beyond human limits—you were done for.
Just look at Hwaseong.
Low-rank dungeon overflows could be contained these days thanks to leveled-up hunters and national response protocols, often with minimal damage. But A-rank or S-rank ones caused massive casualties, sometimes forcing entire areas to be abandoned, like in Hwaseong.
So what benefit came from triggering these unpredictable overflows?
Li Heyan's schemes at least made sense—you could rationalize them as boosting monster grades inside dungeons for higher-grade magistones and better gear.
It was guaranteed rewards, so their "screw everyone else" attitude wasn't inexplicable.
But intentionally overflowing foreign dungeons and killing people?
Why?
If it were a wartime enemy, sure—it'd sow chaos for a more effective strike.
"We haven't pinned down their exact goal yet, but in the Philippines, three presumed Chinese hunters forced an A-rank dungeon to overflow and escaped. Worse, the overflowing monsters emerged at roughly one grade higher, effectively turning it into an S-rank break."
"...Wasn't that Li Heyan's doing?"
"That was after he died."
"Weird."
It really was.
Such a thing was possible?
Was I some frog in a well?
Here I was, amusing myself by impregnating women to create hunters, handing out SSS-rank abilities, strutting around like a god.
And turns out there were people manipulating the world's dungeon system itself—upgrading them and forcing overflows.
I couldn't guess how that benefited them, but damn, they could stir up one hell of a mess.
"They probably demand magistones as payment for 'resolving' the overflows afterward. They claim to dispatch SSS-rank specialist teams for cleanup, but..."
Then charge exorbitant fees for the fix.
That actually made sense.
"We'll know more after further investigation, but we need Kang Jik Guild's help for this."
"Hmm."
In the end, they knew nothing concrete.
How Li Heyan boosted monster grades without human sacrifices for his ritual—wait, no, he did use live offerings for his spells.
This was different.
And how the hell did they trigger overflows at will?
Did they have a direct method?
Or some trigger mechanism?
Either way, without figuring it out, we'd be sitting ducks.
"Please. Compensation will be provided, of course."
Kim Gap-su pleaded with resolute eyes.
"Is this a national disaster?"
"...Not yet. Even if it escalates, we won't skimp on your pay."
"How much?"
"B-rank magistone per Chinese hunter captured with your help. A-rank magistone for each SS-rank or higher. Sound good? Once the case closes officially, we'll add one S-rank magistone as a final bonus."
"Ho ho."
Kim Gap-su made what he thought was a killer offer.
SSS-rank hunters didn't come cheap.
Even for a single dungeon, there were fixed costs upfront, plus 20% of post-clear spoils on average.
This op's timeline was unknown.
They couldn't even count the infiltrators precisely, and more would keep coming. Tying up SSS-ranks indefinitely would just burn cash while we twiddled thumbs.
Hence the performance-based pay: one B-rank stone per catch.
B-ranks felt like chump change next to my subspace full of A- and S-ranks.
Still, market price was over 700 million won each—pushing 750 million lately.
"Deal. But we'll join when we have free time outside urgent schedules. Priority requests mean extra pay—up to you."
"...Understood."
Kim Gap-su extended his hand.
Like it or not, in Korea, hunters and the Association were inseparable.
We'd navigated SSS-rank scrutiny and secured decent treatment, but burning bridges would just exhaust everyone.
"Contract's prepared. Finalize it at the Association office."
"Got it. Oh!"
While contracting, I smoothly brought up something I'd meant to ask anyway, since Kim Gap-su was here.
"...?"
"Got any B-rank magistones at the Association?"
"...Why?"
His eyes turned wary at my words, instinctively backing off.
Trauma from that one SS-rank stone I'd wrung out of him, probably.
I flashed my best friendly smile.
I'm not trying to rob you blind or anything.
Just don't wanna deal with the hassle.
"It's essential for completing this top-secret national project."
I matched his serious face.
For such a critical mission—exterminating those cocky Chinese bastards overrunning our turf.
Of course I'd unleash my limits and wipe them out.
"...Not to that extent yet.... Anyway, how many?"
"About 1,000? That should do for now."
"...One thousand?"
What the hell is this guy? His eyes screamed it without a word.
If I weren't Kang Jik Guild Master, he'd have cursed me out already.
"1,000? That's 750 billion won! Can't you just buy an SS-rank with that, Team Leader?"
Kang Hana sounded dumbfounded listening in.
I brazened it out.
"Not asking for freebies. But I'm central to this secret op, and these are for that role. A discount would be nice, that's all. No biggie if not... Though if we can't proceed as planned, catching those dangerous Chinese infiltrators—er, bastards... might be iffy."
"...1,000 is impossible. We don't even have that many. What do you even need them for? If it's for that 'viewing' ability you mentioned last time, we could front some from compensation..."
"Nah, separate issue. No discount? Forget I asked. Oh, and no need to share our schedule—check the app. Pretty sure it's booked solid through next month... Kids need breaks, so maybe in a couple months..."
".....We'll arrange purchase at 10% off."
"25% off, exactly 300. Pay in S-rank stones, no fees deducted. Then I'll head over after tomorrow's Semi Guild run."
Might seem excessive.
But the world rewards what you demand.
Not hunting monsters but battling hunters in high-risk ops? No proper pay is pure sucker behavior.
Plus, performance-based.
"Understood."
A mutually satisfying deal was struck.