Chapter 161
Chapter 161
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Dungeon Survival
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Hacking successful.]
I used Hacking to check out the tablet. Just in case there was something hidden that I didn't know about.
'The tablet itself is pretty ordinary. Nothing hidden.'
It was what I'd expected, so I wasn't disappointed.
'The real prize is the network I can access through this tablet.'
I grinned.
Even without the tablet, info about the network was floating right in front of my eyes. Information invisible to everyone else.
'The tablet has a GPS tracker. Meaning I can use Hacking to pinpoint the locations of all tablets inside the dungeon.'
One tablet per team. It's probably with the leader, and teams don't usually split up, so locations are easy to narrow down.
'I can get info on Kang Seok-su's team and their position too.'
Kang Seok-su's team. Official name: Aqua Stone. Easy enough to remember.
Aqua Stone was currently heading to the nearest food distribution point.
'This means... I can know in advance where the food drops will be.'
During Dungeon Survival, all food distribution spots in the dungeon are predetermined. Info normally announced 30 minutes ahead—I could get it anytime.
'And that's not all. Monster locations in the dungeon, hidden treasures, even upcoming events. I can see it all.'
An astonishing amount of data.
'I can even check the studio situation.'
Through the cameras installed in the studio. Celebrities and a few pro Hunters were watching the screens and chatting. Their low energy suggested a long shoot.
'Dungeon cameras too.'
A smile crept across my face. This was a bigger advantage than I'd imagined.
And I could see which team had the most survival points right now.
1st place: Aqua Stone. Kang Seok-su's team.
521 total survival points—200 more than 2nd place. Looking at their record, they'd used team member Choi Sa-hyun's 'Detection' ability to hunt down monsters in the dungeon.
'I can't let them find out I can hack. Gotta use this info as naturally as possible.'
Can't make it obvious, or they'll suspect me.
'Alright, time to move.'
I woke Han Ha-rin, who was sleeping soundly on the bed.
"Sunbae. Kang Seok-su's team left. Wake up. We need to get moving too."
"......"
Han Ha-rin quietly opened her eyes and sat up. Her slightly dazed face showed unmistakable fatigue she couldn't hide. She'd barely slept, just had sex all night—totally expected.
"...Did you find some kind of method?"
"Only one way for us to win. Knock out all the other teams."
"You think that's possible?"
Logically, it's tough.
The dungeon's huge, full of traps and monsters. If they really try to run, they're hard to catch. But with Hacking, I can see the entire dungeon like the back of my hand. Hiding? Piece of cake to find them.
"It's only the end of day one. Plenty of opportunities."
We left the rest area before 6 a.m.
Gukcheon University Hunter team's current survival points: -962.
Overwhelming last place.
???
"Today is day two of Dungeon Survival Reforged. Yesterday, two teams and one individual were eliminated, leaving 143 survivors. Fewer eliminations than I expected. What do you think, Hong Su-won?"
MC Jo Seok-hu asked Hong Su-won. She was a bit biased as a commentator, but her Hunter experience and analysis skills were the real deal.
"Only natural. Dungeon Survival is just getting started. Day one, everyone played it safe. It'll get fiercer over time. Expect a wave of eliminations around day three or four."
Dungeon Survival's real draw is Hunter vs. Hunter combat. Monster hunting? Search online—tons of videos.
Viewers want raw Hunter battles.
"After our shift change yesterday, something interesting happened. Aqua Stone ran into Gukcheon University Hunter team at the rest area. We don't know what was said inside, but
Aqua Stone set up camp outside, waiting for Gukcheon University Hunter to come out."
Not that surprising. Probably producer bait too.
"Standard strategy. Aqua Stone has three members, Gukcheon two. Numerical advantage guarantees victory. Plus Kang Seok-su set magic traps around. They'd win for sure. Even without fighting, Gukcheon gets penalized. They chose penalty over fight. Result: -962 points. Might as well be eliminated."
Someone countered Hong Su-won: Baek Ji-eun.
"Eh, negative points or not, Gukcheon isn't pushovers. One eliminated, but two left—both with powerful natural abilities: lightning and gravity, plus mana use. Too much firepower to call it over."
"Pfft... What can two do?"
"Plenty. We'll see what choices they make."
Jo Seok-hu switched topics before the bickering escalated.
"11 a.m. soon. From day two, we have events prepared. Today's at noon, one hour from now."
???
11:30 a.m.
A notification popped up on the tablet.
30 minutes until noon: Treasure Skeleton spawn.
📍 10 Treasure Skeletons will roam the dungeon for 1 hour. Hunt the fleeing Treasure Skeletons!
🎁 Defeat one for survival points, food, and info.
🗺️ Locations shown live on map.
Producer-planned event.
Treasure Skeleton. Sounds grand, but it's a beggar skeleton. 100 survival points, one team's meal, hints on hidden dungeon stuff.
'100 points mean nothing to us. No need for info with Hacking. Food's the only useful bit.'
Stomach was rumbling. Forest mushrooms? Tasteless and skimpy.
"...This is bait to spark Hunter fights."
Han Ha-rin saw through the producers' intent instantly.
"Dungeon Survival's charm is real Hunter combat."
"F-rank monster skeletons. Spot first, easy kill."
"No. Not normal skeletons. Tough."
I knew the details on these Treasure Skeletons.
Summoned by a B-rank Necromancer Hunter. Way stronger than regulars—think D-rank or higher.
Han Ha-rin stared at me.
"Planning to use the Treasure Skeleton as bait, right?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"You said it at dawn. Eliminate all rivals."
"More realistic than farming points."
"You know this plan has flaws?"
Flaw.
Can't predict who'll chase the skeleton. Could be Kang Seok-su's powerhouse team or ten-plus Hunters.
Works for confident elites like Aqua Stone. We're strong, but just two.
"It's fine, sunbae."
Hacking tells me nearby Hunters. Aqua Stone's far off. No one nearby can stop us.
Can't tell her that, though.
"I'm pretty lucky."
Noon!
Treasure Skeleton event begins!
10 Treasure Skeletons roaming dungeon! Grab the treasure first!
I checked the tablet.
Ten red dots on the map, moving. Treasure Skeletons for sure.
Blue dot: us.
"Sunbae. Treasure Skeleton right nearby. See? I'm lucky."
"Proceed as planned?"
"Yes, sunbae."
I scanned around. Association staffer filming us from a distance. One guy.
'Five on Aqua Stone. Us? Just one.'
Producers had us pegged for elimination.
'Survival's for the last one standing.'
We headed toward the Treasure Skeleton.
Spotted it soon.
A clumsily shambling skeleton with a sack on its shoulder. Info and food inside.
"......"
"......"
Han Ha-rin and I exchanged glances, held our breath, and tailed it.
Three Hunters appeared. Two with sword and shield, one with gauntlets.
"Found it! We got first dibs. Lucky break!"
"Less talk, more killing. Starving here."
"No chit-chat. Others incoming soon. Frontal assault's suicide. Outlast and ambush."
The three went silent, stealthily closing in.
Skeleton hadn't noticed. Not a real monster—Hunter puppet. Kinda dumb.
I timed it, raised my hand. Han Ha-rin nodded.
"Urk?!"
"Wh-what the hell!"
"Body's suddenly...!"
Her gravity field crushed them. Heavy, couldn't move easy.
Skeleton turned, freaked, bolted.
'Skeleton won't get far anyway. Focus these guys.'
From the tree, I gripped my sword and leaped at the gauntlet guy, lightning-charged slash.
Pzzt-zzt-zzzt!
"Gaaah! Enemy! Help!"
Blade didn't pierce. Energy Protect shielded him. No electrocution either.
'Still takes lightning damage, though.'
I amped the lightning. Blue bolts coursed over him.
"You bastard!"
"Who the hell you think we are?!"
His two buddies swung at me. Gravity slowed them.
'I'm in the field too, but mana lightens me.'
Mana flowed—body felt light.
Yeoncheon Style advanced: Cold Thunder.
Sword swing—lightning exploded everywhere.
Originally releases sword aura and lightning. Can't do aura yet, so just bolts.
"Arrrgh! Shit! Bullshit ability!"
"T-tingly...!"
Three Hunters hit the dirt. Their shoulder Energy Protects went blue to red.
Watching them vanish with the staffer, I thought:
'Those guys seem off.'
Grinning even after elimination. Probably not serious contestants from the start.
'Eh... whatever. Types like that exist.'