Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Dungeon Survival
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On top of that, there are roughly 7,000 A-rank Hunters in South Korea right now.
Compared to its small landmass, the country boasts a whopping 7,000 A-rank Hunters.
'After hunting the Red Dragon, an SS-rank monster, the number of A-rank Hunters surged. There are rumors that less than half of them are even proper A-rankers...'
Still, that's a lot.
Among them, the top ten guilds each hold dozens of these A-rank Hunters.
'The Korean Hunter Association claims there are over 2,000 A-rank Hunters.'
For reference, the neighboring country with a population over 100 million has about 9,000 A-rank Hunters. Considering that, Korea has an unusually high number of A-rankers.
'They joke that Korea is blessed by the Hunter God. With so many A-rank Hunters relative to its land size, it's the safest country from monsters.'
There are few high-rank dungeons for B-rank and above, but a filthy amount of A-rank Hunters. Competition for dungeons is inevitable.
That's why Korean A-rank Hunters often go on overseas assignments. Other countries have vast lands with proportionally more dungeons, so no need to compete over rights like in Korea.
Plus, in developing countries, the lack of Hunter facilities and gear means fewer high-rank Hunters.
'If you really want to make serious money, working abroad pays better. Most mid-to-small guilds do overseas trips on the side.'
In the US, the land is so vast that even with over 30,000 A-rank Hunters, they're still short on manpower.
Russia's territory is too expansive to handle the dungeons, and now 15% of its land is monster territory.
"So, you're gonna change the Korean Hunter world or something?"
I asked indifferently. The issues in the Korean Hunter scene aren't something a person can fix.
"No, that's not it. I want to start a guild. I'm not planning to slave away in one of the top ten guilds like a dog."
"Then why enter Dungeon Survival? Not to show off to the top ten guilds?"
"Not for the top ten guilds—for the young Hunters and the public. If I become an A-rank Hunter, I'll start my guild right away."
That's when I caught on. Kang Seok-su didn't come to me just because of Yoo Jung-mi.
"What you're trying to say is..."
"Yeah. Wanna start a guild together?"
Ambition gleamed in Kang Seok-su's eyes. I looked at him and shook my head.
"No thanks."
"Straight rejection, huh."
"Starting a guild with you would be a headache. And you're not even A-rank yet."
The requirement to form a guild is being at least A-rank.
Kang Seok-su grabbed the waiting room door.
"Five years. I'll become an A-rank Hunter in five years. If you're still independent then, I'll ask again."
"Eh, my answer probably won't change by then."
"Viewers! I'm sorry for pretending to know her!"
Hong Su-won knelt and bowed toward the camera. I watched with delight.
Hong Su-won then stood in front of Baek Ji-eun, who was grinning ear to ear.
"......"
"Oh? Scary face. You're not gonna hit me, right?"
Thud!
Hong Su-won's knee hit the floor hard. It was a loud smack, but no one worried about him. He's an A-rank Hunter; the studio floor was the one at risk.
"Baek Ji-eun-ssi...! I have no eye for talent. I'm sorry!"
"...I didn't expect you'd actually kneel. I'm fine, so get up."
Baek Ji-eun feigned distress and panic. I knew it was an act. She was probably thrilled inside, just like me.
"Hong Su-won-ssi. I'll donate too. Good deeds are better together, right?"
The bet was 500 million won. Not a huge sum for A-rank Hunters like them.
Baek Ji-eun was donating to avoid making Hong Su-won the only good guy. Simple image management. Publicly, she's the straightforward, kind girl.
After wrapping filming, we had an after-party dinner.
Once it ended, everyone split. Han Ha-rin and Eun Sang-min went home, and Jo Seok-hu left for work.
"Sung Yu-jin-ssi. Get home safe. My wife's waiting, so I'll head out..."
Hong Su-won left.
I tilted my head. He's also a Bluebird scout. I figured he'd cling to me since he knows my value.
'...What's this? Am I not Bluebird material? I expected the top ten guilds to kiss my ass to recruit me...'
With their intel, rumors about me must be out. Yet aside from Kang Seok-su, no guild reps approached.
I learned later why.
The top ten guilds gave up recruiting me early because of Youngcheon Sword Hall behind me.
Hall master Jin Woo-seong is an executive at Jaun Guild—one of the top ten—and treated like an S-rank despite being top-tier A-rank. Apparently, he threatened them not to touch his disciple.
The top ten guilds backed off from the infamous "Poison Beast" Jin Woo-seong's threat. I had no idea he wielded that much influence.
"Oh? Sung Yu-jin-ssi. Heading out?"
I ran into Baek Ji-eun on the stairs to the parking lot. She smiled brightly at me. I glanced around—no one else. No CCTV on the stairs either.
"Ji-eun-ah. If you talk like that... Mmph."
Her index finger pressed my lips. I had to shut up.
"Someone might come. Our relationship's a secret, right? Gotta be careful."
Baek Ji-eun's expression shifted. The prim, elegant woman licked her lower lip like a seductress.
"......I'm pretty tired today, and after drinking, I was gonna crash at a nearby hotel. Got any schedules, Ji-eun-ssi?"
She had a point. Footsteps echoed from outside. Big building, popular spot—lots of people.
"No schedule... but I have a date."
"I see..."
My eyes widened.
Baek Ji-eun grabbed the hem of her flowing beige skirt and lifted it teasingly for me.
The pure white panties covering her intimate spot were soaked through at the center. With her other hand, she slipped them aside.
Her hairless, vivid pink pussy was drenched in clear, sticky fluids.
She spread her thighs slightly, bent her knees a bit, and parted her folds with index and middle fingers for a clear view.
Squelch.
Just spreading it made a wet sound.
'Can't just watch.'
I unzipped my pants and pulled out my erect cock.
"Important date, huh?"
"Meeting a friend. Been too busy to hang out lately."
Her gaping hole twitched invitingly. I gripped my cock and approached slowly.
"Yeah? You'll have fun catching up then."
"Yep. Planning to play all night."
Squish.
My glans touched her pussy. One thrust forward, and I'd be inside.
But she stepped back slightly, dropped her skirt, and pulled up her panties.
Right then, a woman appeared from below.
"Ji-eun-ah! Everything okay? Hurry up!"
Baek Ji-eun's manager, Ji Hee-young. Short bob, rimless glasses. She'd be a stunner without them.
"Coming soon, unnie. Just chatting with Sung Yu-jin-ssi. Go wait in the car."
I leaned sideways, nodding slightly to Ji Hee-young. Luckily, Baek Ji-eun's body blocked my cock from view.
"Got it. Hurry."
Ji Hee-young nodded back and left.
I tucked myself away, disappointed. I could've ordered Baek Ji-eun and fucked here, but I didn't want to embarrass her.
Plus, I wanted to hold back on commands. Overusing them might dull the thrill. Her current state was perfect.
"Gonna head out."
"Yeah. Get home safe, Ji-eun-ssi."
She approached, kissing me. After about five seconds, she left.
Knock knock.
I jolted up from the suite sofa at the knock, rushing to fling open the door.
Bang!
"......Who are you?"
Not who I expected. Early-20s guy in jeans and a hoodie.
"What the hell? Move, lemme in."
"No way. Who the fuck are you to— Urk."
He shoved me. Immense strength. High-rank Hunter for sure. I tensed, channeling mana, glaring.
'This guy's no joke... Run? Or ambush now?'
He entered, shut the door. Click. Locked it.
'Assassin? Wait, what?'
His body blurred and distorted into Baek Ji-eun—exactly as she was on the stairs an hour ago.
"Huh? What?"
"Transformation magic."
She showed off her necklace.
Antique piece with a blue gem pulsing mana.
"A transformation magic tool...? That's illegal."
Transformation spells and tools are banned. Too easy to abuse for crime. Special permission required otherwise.
"Forgot where I work?"
"...Right."
Baek Ji-eun's with the Association. Executive track. She might swing a transformation tool.
"No, even Association staff can't just use them, right?"
"It's fine. Got permission years ago."
Still using it means she's trusted and favored.
Her becoming an exec seems set in stone.
"Anyway, bed. Now. You won Dungeon Survival... Big sis'll show you real heaven."
She walked ahead, stripping. Top off with each step, skirt down.
"Heaven? That's what you'll get, not me."
I enjoyed her striptease visually while undressing.
Splat.
Her soaked panties hit the floor. I swallowed hard.
Heading to the bedroom, her firm ass swayed, revealing that clean pink pussy underneath. She was teasing me on purpose.
As I reached for her ass, we arrived.
Baek Ji-eun sat on the plush bed, crossing her legs naturally. Fully nude now—even the necklace tossed on a chair.
Her massive F-cup breasts ended in pale pink nipples, long and pointy.
"Come here."
She beckoned with a finger. I approached.
"Whoa, rock hard. You were waiting eagerly?"
Her slender finger traced my cock.
"Obviously. Been like this ten minutes before you arrived."
"Hmm."
She poked my balls with her finger.
"What're you doing?"
"Just... noticing anew."
First time she'd examined my cock this closely. She'd sucked it before, but full sex was new. (Hypnotized, she thought we'd done it multiple times.)
"Weren't you gonna suck it?"
She cupped both balls in one hand, rolling them playfully.
"Be honest. You fucked Han Ha-rin in the break room, right?"
"...How'd you know?"
Was there a camera in the Dungeon Survival break room?
"Gut feeling. You two had a weird vibe at dinner. How many times? Not every day, right?"
"Every day."
Excused it as maintaining peak condition—fucked Han Ha-rin daily in the break room.
"Tch."
She clicked her tongue, squeezing my balls. Not enough to burst, thankfully.
"Ow! What the hell?!"
"Know how anxious I was watching you? I'm pent up, and you're having fun... Maybe I should fuck another guy."
"Don't."
I said seriously. My woman with another man? Past was unavoidable, but not now or future.
It doubled as a command. She took it seriously—no other men.
"I won't. Just testing."
Her grip loosened. Mood improved a bit.
She rubbed the precum on my glans with her finger, asking,
"Shove it in? Or suck first?"