Solo Factory Clear and an Unexpected Reunion

He stepped out of the building and drove straight to the district where the dungeon was located. Upon arriving at the portal, the guard hunters approached him.

"Who are you?"

"I'm from the guild."

Taemin confidently flashed his access pass. The hunter who took it, glanced at it, and handed it back with a curious look.

"You're going in alone?"

"Yeah. It's approved."

"It's not that, but this place is a bit tough for your level. Just be careful."

The hunters parted ways, and without a hint of hesitation, he stepped into the portal.

The first thing Taemin saw upon entering the dungeon was a warehouse the size of a playground. Made of some unidentified metal, it had the vibe of something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

"Gotta go in that way?"

Taemin headed toward what looked like a square entrance on the opposite side.

The second room wasn't much different from the first. But while the first had nothing, this one had monsters in view. Beasts made of colorful metallic materials reminded him of the villains from robot cartoons he'd watched as a kid. From bipedal walking robots to disc-shaped ones like UFOs, and even eagle-like ones hovering with outstretched wings—their forms were wildly varied.

Taemin decided to check their stats first.

'Their average defense is high.'

Each monster's defense surpassed that of a Sphinx, the raid boss from a lower dungeon. Especially the one called 'Kay A2'—its defense rivaled a Giant Ogre.

But that was it. Back when he'd first taken down an ogre at level 30, Taemin had handled it without much trouble. Now, with higher levels and better weapons, struggling against these guys was out of the question.

'Hydeger active bumps total attack to 745. No need for other skills.'

Decision made on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠how to smash them, Taemin activated Arrainba and Hydeger together and charged forward.

There were quite a few monsters, but a crowd like this no longer intimidated him.

Shwak!

His shortsword, gleaming with blinding light, sliced through the air.

Tang!

Sparks flew from the friction, and the monsters' bodies, unable to withstand the damage, tore apart in shreds.

As expected, they weren't his match. In a flash, he wrecked over thirty robots, gathered materials from the wreckage, and moved to the next room.

The next room was the same—one swing of his sword sufficed to dismantle the monsters. His attack power far exceeded their defense, making it possible. Plus, their average speed hovered around 100—exaggerating a bit, he could dodge with his eyes closed.

Slicing through them like fallen leaves in autumn, he soon reached the final room.

A massive beast dominated the center of the spacious chamber. With no others in sight, it had to be the dungeon boss.

Its form was bizarre. Six enormous metal legs supported a blocky, hulking torso. Antenna-like protrusions towered toward the sky, and its massive head sported multiple holes that looked like gun barrels.

Taemin immediately used Heart's Eye.

'Hmm. Ranged attacks... Better end it quick.'

With the boss's stats confirmed, Taemin chained his skills.

With skills firing off in sequence, he swiftly flanked Mars and triggered Ambush.

Papow!

Boom!

A single explosion shattered the boss into pieces.

A chime rang out as light enveloped Taemin's body. He'd leveled up. Unfortunately, no Mars's Heart dropped as hoped.

Taemin opened his status window to check EXP and allocate points.

'Hmm. Getting tougher. I thought it'd be smooth to 50... but from 40 onward, it'll ramp up more.'

Even after bumping to a higher dungeon, the EXP was lower than expected—Taemin's expression darkened. He had a feeling growth would stall from level 40.

"Head back for now. It's already night..."

Glancing at his watch, Taemin invested points into Agility, closed the window, and exited the dungeon.

The portal guards had rotated—different faces from before.

"Whoa, you're out now?"

"Yeah."

"We were worried. The day shift said you went in alone. You were taking so long..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A total stranger worrying about him warmed Taemin's heart unexpectedly.

'This is what a guild feels like.'

Back at headquarters, he stopped by portal management to return his pass and log his return.

It was past 9 PM, but the place buzzed with activity. Plenty were heading out to hunt even now.

Leaving them behind, he returned to his dorm and washed off the dirt and sweat in a hot shower.

"Ah, another day gone."

Feeling refreshed, hunger hit. "No delivery this late—maybe hit the mart downstairs."

He headed to the first-floor mart for food. At this hour, it was nearly empty, letting him shop leisurely.

"Gonna cook, so need a pot first."

Having moved without clearing out his old place, he needed everything from scratch. He tossed some utensils and a small pot into the cart, then hit the food aisle.

As he browsed, a familiar yet distant voice called from behind.

"Um, excuse me... Taemin-ssi?"

He turned to see a very welcome face.

"Huh? Ji-young-ssi."

Taemin recognized her instantly. How could he forget? She was Yoon Ji-young, who'd helped him big time when he first became a hunter.

"Right? Taemin-ssi?"

He grinned sheepishly at her double-check.

"Yeah. But how'd you end up here? Oh, wait—this the guild you mentioned back then?"

"Yep. Looks like you joined too."

"Kinda happened that way. Been two days? Haha."

"Wow, it feels like no time since Myeongdong, and you've grown this much already?"

"Growth? Nah. Anyway, never thought I'd run into you here. I was gonna reach out—wanted to repay that favor properly."

"Pfft, it was just a day. Don't sweat it. Grocery shopping?"

"Yeah. Dorm's empty, so grabbing basics."

They chatted standing there, catching up.

"So that's how it went. Makes sense—I was puzzled by your class back then... Oh, where you hunting these days?"

"Mountain range till recently, switched to factory today. EXP's about the same."

"Factory at 37? How many in your party? Six? Eight?"

"Nah, solo..."

"Pardon? Alone?!"

Yoon Ji-young's eyes widened, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thinking she'd misheard. And understandably—a factory dungeon needed at least four level 40+ hunters minimum. Six for smooth clears. A level 37 soloing it? Shocking.

"Not bragging, but my gear's solid."

"You handle everything solo? No healer? Healing aside, getting hurt's dangerous. Recovery's essential."

"Mana and HP via potions. Injuries? Just don't get hit. Haha."

Taemin laughed awkwardly at his own words. But it was true—he rarely took hits while hunting.

Staring at him, she seemed thoughtful, then made an offer.

"Taemin-ssi, you ever thought about... joining a raid?"