Chapter 23
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Shibuya S-Rank Dungeon, 'Lord Hachi's Four Seasons'
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I'm facing one of the biggest hurdles in my 21 years of life right now.
The day I visited Mi-rae-ssi's lab, I got the call about the dispatch schedule to the Shibuya S-Rank Dungeon. Since it was my first S-Rank dispatch, I'd been so busy preparing everything that my head was spinning.
'To think my first overseas trip would be an S-Rank Dungeon dispatch.'
I did consider turning it down since it was so sudden, but there was no way I could avoid going. During the Yeouido S-Rank Gate explosion incident, Japan's S-Rank Hunters had poured all their effort into helping with the cleanup, and that had led to a mutual dispatch treaty.
In response to the Japanese Hunter Association's SOS, the Chairman had immediately assembled a dispatch team from skilled Hunters who were also frequently in the public eye.
'They might have picked them to stir up more buzz on purpose.'
In any case, the Hunters coming with me were famous ones I'd seen on TV a few times. One of them was even Min Ji-ho Hunter, who had made my life hell back when I worked at the clothing store with his collab products. He was friendly and fun enough that I could totally see why he was so popular.
"Call me unnie!"
"I-Is that okay?"
Before I knew it, we'd dropped the formalities and exchanged numbers. I hardly ever got called unnie, so it felt strangely embarrassing every time.
Skilled Hunters and a friendly atmosphere... It might sound like no big deal, but there was one glaring flaw in this dispatch team.
"Don't just stand there spacing out. Let's get going."
"Ah, yes."
The one other S-Rank Hunter on the dispatch happened to be Cha Do-yun Hunter. Things had been a bit awkward since the training room incident, but fortunately—or unfortunately—his smug attitude was still intact.
"Please fasten your seatbelts."
I buckled up and just closed my eyes.
It'd only take an hour, so might as well sleep.
'Even the Association building feels so Japanese.'
A five-story building with a blue roof stood out among the high-rises—that was the Japanese Hunter Association headquarters. The surrounding area was landscaped into a public garden, complete with a large artificial lake inside.
The limo carrying us glided smoothly along the road by the lake and soon pulled up in front of the lobby.
"Oh, right. Put these on!"
At that moment, Lee Sang-wook Hunter handed something over.
Wireless earbuds. They looked a bit bulky.
I stared blankly at Lee Sang-wook Hunter, and he quickly explained.
"They're automatic translators."
"Whoa~ It's been ages since I've seen one of these. Once you pop them in, every foreign language just sounds like Korean flowing out."
"Really?"
Ji-ho unnie popped hers in excitedly, and I followed suit.
These must be made from some advanced byproduct material, huh?
It really hit home just how much Mi-rae-ssi had contributed to modern science.
"We're truly grateful you came, Hunters from Korea!"
'Whoa, it really sounds like Korean.'
As we entered the lobby, a hearty male voice rang out. A friendly-looking middle-aged man with a scar on his lip greeted us politely, and we bowed our heads in return.
"Ah! H-Hunter Shin Ji-ui!"
"Hello."
"I've seen you on the WHDB and always wanted to meet you someday, but for you to come help us... Thank you so much. I'll never forget this favor."
His eyes widened for a moment before he grinned sheepishly.
"Look at me, getting ahead of myself. I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Tanaka Geito, Chairman of the Japanese Hunter Association. I'm sorry I can't offer a proper welcome, but the situation is urgent, so let's head to the briefing room first."
Cha Do-yun responded quite politely to the Chairman. The Chairman treated us with utmost respect and led the way with a man who looked like his secretary.
An animated promo video for the Japanese Hunter Association played on a wall-mounted screen, interspersed with interviews from actual Hunters.
"Oh, it's Sen."
"That person on now?"
"Yeah. Before you showed up, Ji-ui, she was the only light-attribute S-Rank Hunter."
On screen, a white-haired woman in a kimono was giving a calm interview. She looked about the Chairman's age, but her silhouette under the clothes spoke of a body honed over many years.
—I hope Hunters can freely realize their potential while contributing to society. Becoming a Hunter means bearing the mission to protect not just Japan, but the safety of the entire world.
Her voice, clear and deliberate as she stared straight at the camera, stuck in my ears.
"That's our inaugural Chairman, Sen."
Having overheard me and Ji-ho unnie, Tanaka Chairman glanced back and added.
"She's like a guardian deity for Japan. Though age has slowed her active duties, she always steps up whenever the country is in danger."
Tanaka's eyes shone with respect and reverence as he spoke of Sen.
We passed down a long corridor into the conference room and took our seats, where warm green tea was served.
"The reason I made this emergency request to the Korean Hunter Association is that most of our Japanese S-Rank Hunters are currently hospitalized."
"Was there a Gate explosion?"
"No, nothing like that. They all sustained major injuries while conquering a French S-Rank Dungeon."
Tanaka Chairman smiled bitterly. As he took a sip of his green tea, Ji-ho unnie whispered to me.
"The Europeans keep info to themselves."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. They make foreign Hunters sign super strict NDAs when they join clears. And they charge absurd entry fees."
I'd heard European Dungeons had great rewards, but power-tripping with Dungeons now too?
"That has made managing our domestic S-Rank Dungeons difficult. The others are fine, but it's been quite a while since Shibuya was cleared."
"I see."
"If we don't enter within a week and reduce the monster population, we expect the Gate explosion timeline to accelerate or major changes within the Dungeon."
The Chairman nodded to his secretary, who projected a map-like image on the screen at the front. It even had helpful Korean annotations.
Let's see...
Shibuya S-Rank Story Dungeon, Lord Hachi's Four Seasons
Like our fairy tale or myth Dungeons?
"Do you know the tale of Hachi? It's so famous, you might have heard it before..."
"The story about the dog 'Hachi' who loyally waited for his deceased owner?"
"Exactly."
Ji-ho unnie answered brightly and took a sip of her green tea.
Guess I'll try the green tea too.
The bitter, fragrant tea leaves filled my mouth delightfully.
"This S-Rank Dungeon is based on exactly that story of 'Hachi.' The Japanese Hunter Association humbly requests that you Korean Hunters clear it for us."
Tanaka Chairman reiterated his plea. His wide eyes looked ready to burst into flames.
"How long does a normal clear take?"
"Usually 7-8 days, but with the攻略 method, it shouldn't be too hard. My secretary will brief you on the Dungeon details."
The Chairman bowed slightly to us and took his seat. The young male secretary, who had been standing in the corner, stepped forward cautiously.
"I'm Ikeda Sho, in charge of the Dungeon briefing. I'll now begin the briefing on the Shibuya S-Rank Story Dungeon, 'Lord Hachi's Four Seasons.'"
"Whoa~"
Ji-ho unnie clapped and beamed.
From the trip here, I'd realized this unnie was seriously laid-back...
"Until you reach the Gate, you must protect Hachi and his owner. There are regular field monsters called black shadows—nothing special about them."
"What's the difficulty level?"
"An S-Rank Hunter can handle the attacks comfortably."
Illustrations of the old man and Hachi appeared on the map. They walked along together before Hachi headed to the Gate and the old man split off elsewhere.
"Hachi and his owner part ways midway, so the Hunters must split into two teams to protect them. The owner naturally dissipates within an hour after parting from Hachi. Return to the Gate side quickly after."
"Got it. I'll have to remember the path well."
The old man illustration vanished, and the screen switched to Hachi at the Gate. Around him appeared character illustrations of us—somehow made in advance.
"They drew us super cute!"
Ji-ho unnie loved it immediately and smacked my arm next to her.
"Once everyone gathers at the Gate, Hachi's Four Seasons begins in earnest. Each season from spring to winter has different mid-bosses. Not just monsters—the Dungeon environment changes with the seasons too, so manage your stamina carefully. After defeating the winter boss, the final boss 'Hachi' appears."
'It turns into the boss in a flash.'
The secretary cleared his throat and added.
"It has very high defense and an invincibility skill, so time your attacks for when the skill wears off."
"Thank you for the detailed explanation. Can we head out right away?"
Cha Do-yun turned to us and asked. We nodded vaguely, and the Chairman stood with a bright smile.
"Thank you so much! We'll take you to the Gate immediately."
The limo glided smoothly between towering skyscrapers. Seeing the Shibuya Scramble crossing in person, not just on TV... It was way more chaotic than I expected, and I stared blankly at the crowds crossing.
"That torii gate you see is the Dungeon entrance."
A red torii gate, like from a shrine, stood where the driver pointed. Behind it loomed a wooden Gate.
"Isn't it dangerous just sitting there so exposed?"
"Hunters from other countries say the exact same thing."
The driver smiled faintly and continued.
"Thanks to earthquakes, all our citizens memorize disaster manuals. Even kindergarten kids learn them before hiragana."
"Whoa..."
"It's easier to monitor and manage the Gate directly... And Sen decided it to instill constant safety awareness in the public."
In our country, Gates were seen as ticking time bombs that'd vanish in an explosion someday, so covering them with containers was standard.
Country differences are kinda interesting.
The limo stopped at the Gate, and waiting staff opened the doors. Still not used to this treatment, I smiled awkwardly and got out slowly.
"You can take Items, but no byproducts. No time for scans, so we'll skip them."
"Alright, let's go~!"
The moment the staffer finished, Ji-ho unnie yanked open the Gate door with gusto.
This S-Rank Dungeon would take about a week to clear, with monsters on a whole other level from A-Ranks.
A mountain I'd have to climb someday, but first times always make you nervous. I wiped the sweat from my hands on my pants and gripped Ego tightly.
Creeeak.
With that, the S-Rank Gate door opened.