Chapter 195

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 195

Chapter Title: SS-grade Hell Dungeon

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"Where are you from?"

"Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden, Team Leader Kim? Why haven't you gotten back to us about the equipment artifacts for my team?"

"... ? Is that you, Kang Jik?"

"Yeah, why... Ah!"

I'd called over Team Leader Kim Gap-su, and his sudden weird reaction made me think he was dodging my question about the equipment artifacts since he still hadn't given me an answer. But then I realized I'd forgotten that my appearance had changed dramatically.

It was early dawn, and I'd come with Lee Su-a, so I hadn't seen Kang Hana or ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Im Hyeji's reactions yet. Naturally, I hadn't anticipated this situation because I'd been picturing my old face.

The charm boost had happened before, after all.

But jumping two stages at once was a first, so unless someone saw me often, I could probably pass for a completely different person.

Especially since my height shot up by about 4cm right off the bat.

Then again, why hadn't Hong Si-jun or Gyu Yeon-su said anything about it?

"...It is you, Kang Jik. You've lost so much weight I didn't recognize you. And you look a bit taller too..."

"I shelled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out some cash."

It'd be awkward to say I'd awakened or something over this, so I just brushed it off as plastic surgery.

Plus, there were too many things about Hana that I couldn't explain one by one without losing credibility. Picking at every detail would only put me at a disadvantage.

More importantly, that wasn't what mattered right now.

"That's why I was asking—why no reply on the equipment artifacts? We've got to raid an SS-grade dungeon today. My team's going in without gear."

I knew it.

I was being a total asshole customer right now.

But there was no helping it.

Requesting to rent-lease equipment artifacts was asshole behavior to begin with. Now that I'd already done it, acting polite at this point would just be ridiculous.

Since I'd decided to go full shameless, I might as well stick to it—and better yet, give Kim Gap-su what he wanted in return for a win-win.

Kim Gap-su led me to a quiet corner away from the crowd and apologized with a sorry look on his face.

"From the top... It's tricky to explain fully since it involves internal politics, but after Kang Hana Hunter's big performance this time, it seems something got tangled up in the works. There's heavy opposition pressuring us against loaning out equipment artifacts to keep you in check, so it'll take some time."

"...Don't say it so seriously. Now I feel bad."

No, was it connected to something that huge?

I'd figured equipment artifacts wouldn't be easy given their value.

But I'd thought Kim Gap-su was just dragging his feet because he didn't want to. Hearing about upper-level resistance, ties to China, and all that serious stuff made the tension I'd built up drain away.

"So, I can't offer much, but I've brought one piece of equipment each that might help you Hunters, using my personal authority."

"...For real?"

"We'll loan them out your way, deduct the costs from your requests, and transfer ownership upon full payment."

"Didn't you just say that wasn't possible?"

"The system's what's blocked. This much I could fudge with my own pull."

"..."

Is that even allowed?

Seeing him look all proud like he was fishing for praise made for a weird feeling, like staring at a smug bear.

Still, I didn't turn it down.

He pulled out two equipment artifacts.

Kim Gap-su was an ace for a reason.

Anyone could see it was made for Im Hyeji.

And...

Lee Su-a's artifact to boot.

"Whoa, aren't these expensive?"

"...I'll send the bill later. These prices aren't official, so keep it under wraps."

"Of course. But why only two?"

"That's what took a bit. Sorry I couldn't match the numbers."

"Ah."

His expression soured a little since there wasn't one for Kang Hana.

He seemed like the type who wanted to wrap things up neatly once he'd committed.

But it was fine.

"Well... can't be helped. You went out of your way for these."

Kang Hana had the Spring of Abundance anyway.

But saying it was totally fine would kill any future favors, so I took the artifacts with a suitably satisfied look.

They weren't free—more like a loan—but wasn't the fun of life using them now and paying later?

Plus, I could take credit for scoring them.

I hurried back to my wives before heading into the dungeon.

The women, who'd been chatting with Hong Si-jun and Gyu Yeon-su—who were about to leave—spotted me and came rushing over in surprise.

Lee Su-a just nodded like she got it.

"No way, Oppa. What happened? You're even more handsome now!! And taller... Did your stamina go up again?"

"...Now you're actually kinda decent-looking."

I didn't need to hide it from my wives, but explaining was a hassle, so I'd vaguely said before that boosted stamina also boosted charm.

These women already knew the weird rule that getting pregnant from my semen gave them skills, so they didn't balk or fail to understand.

They were just shocked and amazed.

I put my hands on Im Hyeji and Kang Hana's shoulders and pulled them close—there was plenty of height difference now.

Was this what it was like being over 180cm?

Kang Hana was about 168cm, so we'd been eye-level before, but now I could rest my arms comfortably on her shoulders with room to spare.

"Kang Jik's abilities really are amazing. Hehe."

Gyu Yeon-su chimed in with a laugh and thumbs-up.

Maybe comparing me to Hong Si-jun made me seem ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scrawny, so no big reaction there.

Or her SS-grade magic power made her face flush a bit, but since she treated me the same as always, even I hadn't noticed the changes until meeting Kim Gap-su.

Anyway, after devouring that SSS-grade magic stone, the biggest thrill from hitting Charm S-grade was seeing everyone's reactions.

I was looking forward to their reactions after tasting my semen too.

"Huh? Jik? What happened?"

Of course, only for the first couple times.

Dealing with the same surprised reactions from everyone around was exhausting for someone like me.

But oh well.

Still beat rotting alone in my room, staring at the mirror like, "Ooh, dick's bigger. More shake when I jerk it. Face got handsome, maybe go hunting..." mumbling to myself without even knowing I'd changed or feeling it.

"Entry briefing! Everyone gather up!"

Han Semi's eyes turned sly as she greeted me simply.

Im Hyeji clung tight, gripping my raised arm.

And Kang Hana, face beet red, didn't push away the arm on her shoulder even in the crowd—though she'd glare if she caught me sneaking a chest grope when no one was looking, she didn't resist much.

"You're sneakily hot now, huh? Shoulda leveled up sooner."

"...What? Oppa, you're still not... quite there?"

"Yeah?"

Her delayed response had me chin-lifting her for eye contact up close.

Grinning at such proximity, her trembling pupils made me get why alpha males strutted around with obvious flirting that'd disgust anyone else.

These reactions were fun.

"Ha. Sex being too easy would just kill the fun."

Kang Hana pinched my side at the arrogant line.

Seemed like everyone who mattered had their shock out of the way.

"This SS-grade dungeon is a Hell-type, estimated as a large map. Plan for about two weeks, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as always, let's all aim for zero casualties. To that end, we have three SSS-grade Hunters from Kang Jik Guild supporting us—give them a round of applause as we enter."

With Han Semi's upbeat voice, we stepped into the dungeon.

An SS-grade dungeon.

Hanlim Guild had been raiding one, and I'd gone in once, but it was already partly cleared then, and I'd focused solely on Resurrection with no time to look around. Today was our first true SS-grade from the start.

I was thrilled.

Trembling at the what-ifs where I might actually contribute, at the endless resources an SS-grade dungeon promised.

And excited for all the various sex in this SS-grade Hell dungeon to come.

Who wouldn't want to try it?

Sex in Hell.

If I framed the shots right to hide faces, it'd be prime Hunter Gallery material, I thought immaturely as I declared to my wives.

"All three of you, pop out a birthday kid each from this SS-grade dungeon. Matches the SS-grade vibe perfectly. We've done the vow, so let's make a memory on the way out."

"Save that for when we're alone inside, seriously?"

With ambition, the scenery shifted.

Under the crimson sky amid the darkness, the onslaught greeting us dreamers full of hope showed exactly why this was Hell.