Conquering the Ruins
Right after slaying the Kraken, he emerged from the dungeon to find the escort team lined up on both sides under the faint moonlight.
"You guys are still waiting?"
"There you are, Section Chief. You were so late, we were worried something had happened. If you'd been even a little later, I was about to report to headquarters... Glad you're safe."
"I tend to take my time hunting anyway. Anyway, let's head back. You all need some rest too."
"Yes, sir. Preparing the portal now."
Back at the office, Taemin dismissed the escort team and soon headed to his lodging. As he punched in the passcode at the door, a familiar pair of shoes caught his eye. And there was a woman coming out to greet him—Yoon Ji-young.
"You're back?"
"Huh? Didn't you say you were heading out for the wave today?"
"It got canceled midway. There was a fight. Hungry?"
"Starving. Couldn't eat a thing underwater."
"Wait a sec, I'll whip something up quick."
"Cool, I'll shower first."
While Yoon Ji-young set the table, Taemin showered and came out. Having barely eaten all day, her home-cooked meal tasted like honey.
"Eat slowly. You haven't been eating properly lately, have you?"
"Been busy. Still adjusting to the job, it's been a whirlwind."
"Still, make sure to eat. Tough getting used to it?"
"Hmm. Not tough exactly, just... still not settled into the new environment, I guess."
"You'll get used to it soon. The unfamiliarity will fade. More?"
"Yeah, one more bowl. This is good."
Taemin polished off two bowls and half, rubbing his full belly as he set down his spoon. Standing up, he said,
"Coffee?"
"I'll make it. Sit."
"After a meal like this? Nah, my turn."
"It's nothing. Just sit."
A moment later, Yoon Ji-young brought the coffee. Watching her, Taemin asked,
"By the way, work not too hard? I could pull you off it."
"Huh?"
"I've got the authority."
"Really?"
"Of course. Management Section Chief and all."
"True. Appreciate it, but I'm good."
"Why?"
"Someone else has to fill the spot if I bail. Not that desperate. It's not that bad anyway. Plus, it'd be abusing power."
Caught off guard by her point, Taemin mumbled,
"Just saying. I know how to keep work and personal separate."
After coffee and digestion, Taemin led her to the bed. They slipped under the covers and made love.
The next day, after breakfast with Yoon Ji-young, he headed to the office.
"Section Chief's here."
As he entered, people stood from here and there, greeting him.
"Morning."
Taemin replied with a bright smile and entered his private office. As he hung up his jacket and sat, a knock came with a woman's voice.
Knock knock!
"Section Chief, it's Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-jin."
"Come in."
Kim Yoon-jin entered, clutching a stack of files.
"Documents and reports for approval today."
"Hand them over."
Taemin skimmed them, then held up a yellow file.
"Let's see. Huh? This from yesterday?"
"Yes. You were late, so others got proxy approval, but the status board and budget need your direct sign-off. Rest went up yesterday."
"Got it. Back to work."
She bowed politely to leave, then paused and turned back.
"Oh, Section Chief. Department's hunt today—you know?"
"Ah, today's the day? Prep it. I'll head out right after the exec meeting."
"Where to?"
"The ruins, obviously... Wait, levels of the folks going?"
"Newbies, average around level 50?"
"Fifty... Then ruins it is."
She blinked in surprise.
"Ruins?"
"Too low?"
"No, we've never done ruins... Not sure if we can handle it."
"That's nothing. Don't worry, I'll handle it. Just prep."
Taemin sent her out and started signing off on the documents. Finishing review as the meeting neared, he straightened his clothes and headed to the exec conference room.
Post-morning meeting, Taemin exited with the escort team.
Outside, Kim Yoon-jin and about a dozen hunters stood geared up in formation.
"One, two... twelve? All here?"
Kim Yoon-jin from the front row answered,
"Yes, sir. But really possible? None of us have done ruins."
"I'll handle it all. You just follow."
His confident face contrasted their uneasy ones. Rumors swirled about the new chief, but no one had seen his skills.
This overkill?
Feels like a hidden camera prank.
Are the rumors real?
Reading their doubts, Taemin chuckled inwardly. A level 60s hunter as chief? Unbelievable to them.
Time to etch my abilities in stone.
Looking at their wary eyes, he said,
"Let's move out."
After portal procedures, they entered the ruins dungeon, tense and scanning nonstop.
"This the ruins..."
"Stay sharp. This place is no joke."
For folks used to factories or plains, this was alien territory—never visited even under former chief Choi Jin-cheol.
To the nervous group, Taemin said casually,
"No need to stress. Just stay here at the entrance."
Kim Yoon-jin asked worriedly,
"You're soloing for real?"
"Plenty."
"Still... anything we can help with?"
"Just watch."
Leading, Taemin moved ahead; they followed, half-excited, half-anxious.
Passing the entrance maze to the first room, they faced seven majestic stone golems—rivals to ice cave ice golems.
Awesome presence crushed their spirits.
"Stay here."
Taemin dashed forward lightly. Some muttered concerns.
"He'll be okay? Seven, not one."
"Gonna show off, acting that confident."
"Minimum 20-man party spot."
Unlike their worry, Taemin moved fluidly.
These are barely warm-ups now.
Closing in, he unleashed Hydeger, hammering the stone golems.
Sweat beaded on the hunters' palms; ready to jump in if needed. Solo hunts? Unheard of.
But needless—the first golem shattered in one hit, pupils dilating; the next crumbled to dust, faces twisting in shock.
"Holy..."
As the last of seven fell, unprecedented EXP flooded them.
You have acquired 121,000 experience points.
You have acquired 119,000 experience points.
You have acquired 121,000 experience points.
You have acquired 119,000 experience points.
You have acquired 119,000 experience points.
"EXP's insane."
"For real?"
"Over 100k per."
As they gawked, Taemin said curtly,
"Next room."
The hunt flew by. To clear in a day despite late start, no slacking.
Deep in the ruins, watching Taemin slice monsters, awe filled them.
"Rumors true."
"How's he that fast?"
"Levels don't matter—real ranks exist."
No more unease; faces lit with assurance.
Unlike other departments, management growth stalled—endless desk work meant HQ time over hunts. Gaps with peers bred deprivation.
Good pay kept them; without, they'd have quit.
Post-resignation to growth, Taemin reignited hope. Halfway in, nearly two levels up. At this rate, promotions in two months.
Amazing. How solo?
Worth the grind. He's a light.
Our savior.
Awe and gratitude mixed. Under Choi Jin-cheol, max plains hunts—he supervised, they fought; he hated field time.
New chief? No expectations—elites think alike.
Now, Taemin was hope, their redeemer.
"Section Chief! Keep it up!"
"You got this!"
"Thank you!"
Mobilizing experience for efficiency, Taemin reached the stone knight room—boss chamber unexpected for newbies.
Eyes sparkling, they admired the giant stone knight.
Expectant gazes on Taemin, he laid a trap, binding it, then Ambush—one-shot annihilation.
True to hype.
Clearing all late night, slow team pace unavoidable.
Dismissing them last, Taemin emerged to cheers and thanks.
"Great job, Section Chief!"
"Precious experience today."
"Coolest exec I've seen."
Flustered by the warmth, Taemin glanced around.
"You all too. Late—head home."
Gyeonggi Gimpo Port. Closed post-surge, abandoned decades—site of secret Korea-China meet.
"Pleasure. Jang Geo-ik."
"Long trip, welcome. Ham Ik-hyeon."
Greetings done, interpreters on, talks began.
"Coup date set?"
"Not final, but next month. Will notify. How many troops can you commit?"
"Three brigades ready—3,000."
"3,000... capabilities?"
"Special forces combat unit, all B-rank+."
Lee Young-guk boasted, but Ham Ik-hyeon frowned.
"Way short. Korea has near 100k hunters. Half ours? Still, untracked independents, locals—tens of thousands foes. 6,000 minimum needed."
Jang Geo-ik set down tea.
"We know. Stated immediate forces. First wave 6,000, phased support. Ceiling 30k. No worry."
"Phased?"
"Post-Seoul full capture. Risky for us too—failure costly."
"Seoul's ours guaranteed. Post-that needs aid. Total 30k then?"
"Yes. And... post-success, honor our deal. Nothing big—keep word."
"Naturally."
"Next meet then. Seoul, not here."
Post-meet, Ham Ik-hyeon left peace zone for Seoul with aides. Secretary beside ventured,
"Keep promise post-end?"
Ham scoffed.
"Ridiculous. Cede Gyeonggi, Gangwon? What's left?"
"They won't sit idle."
"Handled. 30k's their all-in. 300k army tied in five-nation war—can't pull. Japan deal done; post-internal, their turn."
"But Japan might backstab..."
"You worry too much. I got plans. No idle thoughts—set Busan base for their landing. If not, scout elsewhere. China, Japan won't survive this war. Only us. Got it?"
"Yes, Captain."