Run Module
Having realized the truth about this world and understood what she needed to do, Seoya began sorting out the rough situation in her mind.
First off, what people called S-rank monsters were none other than Mutants. The reason A-rank or B-rank monsters affected people's mental strength was probably because they were a sort of low-grade Mutants.
She could guess how they'd produced Mutants in this world. Magic Stones were crystals born from the energy of Mutants and Pioneers' mana, so separating them out the other way around should be possible too.
'So the monsters in this world are made of Mutant energy, and the Hunters use mana to wield skills.'
The people of this world could never be stronger than Seoya. They could only possess as much mana as Ibin supplied them with, and Seoya was stronger than Ibin. And recalling how the people of this world reacted to Mutants...
'I'm the only one who can eliminate Mutants in this world.'
Earth's Hunters didn't have enough mana to kill Mutants. If the S-rank dungeons themselves were prepared entirely for Seoya, then she'd be the one clearing all five other S-rank dungeons open in South Korea right now. And the same would go for any future S-rank dungeons that appeared.
And as payment, Seoya would obtain Magic Stones.
What Seoya needed to return to Toda came down to two things. First, complex mathematical calculations. They were extremely intricate, but not impossible. Ibin had taught her before. Just because Seoya lived without much thinking didn't mean she was stupid. Given enough time, she could manage it.
Second, the Magic Amplifier. Seoya didn't know how to build the device.
'First, I need to gather the materials.'
For now, she'd collect enough Magic Stones to match the size of that device.
'Gather Magic Stones, build the Magic Amplifier, do the calculations.'
Ibin had given her the means to acquire Magic Stones, so surely she'd also reveal how to make the device?
'I trust you, unnie.'
"Um, excuse me..."
"Huh?"
A few people passing through the parking lot approached Seoya hesitantly. They looked like Neverending Guild Hunters she'd seen entering the dungeon earlier.
"Th-the guild master said she'll be here soon, so wait in the car..."
"Ah."
Seoya returned to the car and closed the door. Their coming here meant the reporters would swarm again soon. When they arrived, she'd ask them to drop her off at another dungeon.
Only Seoya could close S-rank dungeons, and she'd get Magic Stones from them. Maybe she'd even pick up hints about the Magic Amplifier along the way...
Drrrk—
"Argh, I said I hate interviews! I hate cameras!!!"
With the sound of the car door opening, Ji Sein scrambled in, her face scrunched up in distress as she dodged the reporters. Seoya scooted to the back seat to make room for the others.
"Won't you tell us who the person inside is?"
"Isn't an unregistered Hunter illegal?"
"Is that really the world rank 0th who went in midway?!"
"Why hide their identity?"
Click, click—
At the barrage of flashing lights, Seoya pulled her cloak deeper over her head. Finally, Baek Yena slammed the car door shut with a bang.
"Captain, go! Drive now!"
As the car peeled out, the reporters clinging to the doors gradually fell behind. Seoya watched them fade, then turned to the people up front.
These were the ones who'd protected her during her time in this world. Now, it was time to explain.
"Seoya, why the hell did you go into that dungeon?"
Lee Gayeon, gripping the wheel, asked as she sped along—her voice quickening with the pace.
"Unnie, you saw me taking down monsters."
Not sure how to explain, Seoya dragged out her words to buy time.
"I'm the only one in this world who can hunt those monsters."
Normally, they'd argue against letting her do something so dangerous, but today they'd all felt the monsters' terror and witnessed Seoya's power firsthand. No one replied.
"How'd you even know the location? How'd you get here?"
"Saw it online and took a taxi?"
"Oh nooo! The internet's still too dangerous for our princess! Bad for emotional development!"
Ji Sein suddenly wailed. Baek Yena quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and gestured for Seoya to continue.
Utterly unfazed by her guardians' overprotectiveness now, Seoya asked,
"What's the closest dungeon from here?"
"Gangdong-gu, but... Seoya, you're not thinking of going in there too, are you?"
"Gotta. I'm the only one who can take down those monsters."
"Even so..."
Park Haejun glanced at her with worried eyes but couldn't muster a rebuttal. To them, it was clear: if Seoya didn't close the dungeon, South Korea was doomed.
"Nothing in this world can threaten me."
It's that kind of system.
Swallowing the latter half, Seoya declared calmly.
The car fell silent for a long stretch before Baek Yena spoke up.
"If you wanna do it, then do it. I'm not against it."
"Pardon? Baek Yena Hunter, are you... not thinking straight right now?"
Park Haejun eyed her like she'd taken mental damage from the dungeon.
Baek Yena continued in a flat tone, unlike her usual prickly self.
"If baby wants to, she should. What can we do? If she doesn't help, the other Hunters are screwed anyway, but that's not my problem."
"Phew, good. You're the Baek Yena I know."
As Park Haejun relaxed at her gruff words, Baek Yena recalled Seoya from earlier—slaying Mutants with the sun at her back, descending like a savior from on high to rescue the mortals below, radiant and blinding.
"And Seoya's the strongest in this world. We can't deny that. No real grounds to stop her besides our worries."
"Yena's right."
Ji Sein, who'd been listening quietly, leaned back into her seat with a tired slump, backing her up.
"The System says world rank 0th, after all."
No matter how much they babied her, they all knew Seoya was the strongest here.
"Then, hiding Seoya's identity..."
"We'll have to negotiate with the government on that."
"Is hiding my identity that important?"
"...Humans fight over power. Who knows what could happen."
"Yeah, we can't budge on that."
"Agreed. Seoya won't get hurt in dangerous dungeons, but getting tangled in human power struggles—that's what could really endanger her."
For a moment, Seoya thought of the Pioneer Headquarters folks who'd exiled her. Nothing like that would happen here. The power-holders on Earth were Hunters, and the top one was Seoya herself.
"Take me to the Gangdong-gu dungeon."
"Aren't you scared?"
Lee Gayeon, who'd been silent, finally spoke. Seoya met her eyes in the rearview mirror.
"Why be scared? They're all weaker than me."
"You don't want to go?"
"Why go if I don't wanna?"
"I'm saying, aren't you being forced into it even if you don't want to? Pushed by the world?"
Seoya pondered her reasons for entering the dungeons. First was obvious: gather Magic Stones and return to Toda. Second: save the people trapped inside.
And helping people was just natural to Seoya. She was human, raised to know it was right.
So she answered without hesitation.
"Unnie, I wanna live doing the right thing. That's what I was taught."
"...If that's really what you want, then fine."
The navigation chimed as a new destination was entered. Seoya slowly relaxed, leaning into the car seat.