Jungle Run and the MK4
The next morning.
“Sorry about that. I must’ve dozed off...”
Park Se-ah, sitting across from him at the breakfast table with an embarrassed look, bowed her head as she spoke.
“It happens. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, could you look into Hose’s jungle zone for me after eating? Ideally somewhere I can rent out solo.”
“You want the whole thing to yourself?”
“The jungle part doesn’t matter much, but I’ll probably need the temple.”
“Got it. I’ll check it out.”
Late morning. She returned from making the reservation with good news.
One of the guild-managed dungeons happened to be vacant. And since they were renting it out by rank, it was perfect conditions for questing.
“You stay put this time. I’ll handle it solo.”
“Perfect timing—my sister’s academy stuff came up this afternoon anyway. I meant to mention it yesterday, but things got too hectic...”
“Oh yeah? What’s she studying?”
“Korean literature.”
“Korean lit, huh. Wasn’t that her original major? Why the sudden switch?”
“She says she wants to be a writer.”
“Hmm. Writing’s not for just anyone. Anyway, got it. Take good care of her.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leaving his sister’s matters to her, Taejeong grabbed a lunchbox and headed out.
Kim Hyung-sik, waiting ahead of time, pulled up and greeted him.
“Welcome aboard.”
“Morning! Nice weather, huh?”
“Yes, sir. Beautiful day.”
“Fall’s finally here. It’s been scorching for months. Oh, right—did you get the destination?”
“Yes, from Ms. Park Se-ah. Let’s head out.”
The gate was in a village in Chungbuk Jecheon.
A controlled zone now devoid of people. Seeing the rubble of shattered buildings everywhere brought back memories of when he’d first become a hunter.
The sudden raid, stumbling into what might as well have been a tiger’s den—a village full of abandoned buildings. Deep down, he’d known he wouldn’t make it out alive.
How could he hold out hope against monsters that tore people apart like paper?
Who’d have guessed there’d be an Awakening Stone in that building, of all places—tucked in the bathroom ceiling.
Looking back, it was sheer unbelievable luck. From the dire situation to awakening as a Hidden class.
Honestly, if he’d awakened as a regular class, no one could’ve guaranteed survival.
And thank god it came with ranged guns—melee or buffer classes with zero combat power? The thought alone was nightmare fuel.
Lost in nostalgic reminiscence, Taejeong snapped back as the car pulled up to the gate.
“All clear on duty! Good day, sir! C-3 Squad, Kim Tae-ho reporting. Honored to meet you!”
“Thanks for your work.”
“No, sir! Just doing our job!”
“Keep it up.”
Feeling awkward from the overzealous salute, Taejeong flashed an uneasy smile and entered the gate.
In an instant, the scenery shifted to a dense jungle.
“Whew. Check out this heat. Can’t even breathe.”
Oppressively high humidity and scorching temperatures defying measurement. He’d known what to expect, but this was next level.
Sweat already pouring, and they said it’d be like this until the temple. He planned to taste the place then bail.
“Suit up first.”
Taejeong activated his Exoskeleton Robot Summon skill. His body—face excluded—became encased in steel robotics.
He summoned his boosters and drew the M60.
“Let’s roll light.”
Throttling the booster accel, he shot forward at high speed.
No real worries here, so no need for scouting. Straight charge.
The first blocker: a quadrupedal lizard with an iron ball on its tail.
Official name: Keurus. Common jungle trash mob, nothing famous.
Taejeong opened fire without pause.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Thumb-sized energy rounds poured out in a crude roar.
They hammered the beast, which thrashed in agony, screeching.
But it didn’t drop. It tanked the barrage and charged.
Surprised, Taejeong focused on its head.
Direct hit. It collapsed, cracks spiderwebbing—then boom! Head exploded.
You have defeated a Keuros.
You have acquired 239,503 EXP.
Tough bastard. Level gap, maybe. Yeah, this gun’s getting old.
The dated weapon felt a bit heavy. His honor buff and invincibility perks kept it manageable—what if he lacked those? Could he even hunt?
Debating a mech summon, he opted to hunt more. No need to go full throttle in a side dungeon.
One down, he accelerated onward.
You have defeated a Keuros.
You have acquired 239,503 EXP.
You have defeated a Mist.
You have acquired 240,000 EXP.
Concentrated fire, picking them off one by one—Taejeong realized the EXP was solid.
Regular mobs, yet 200k per. Crescent Plain variants were just a quarter—that’s why C-rankers called this holy ground.
25-man parties back then vs. solo now, but factoring variant difficulty? Insane gains.
Thank the fire-affinity boost; variants were supposedly stronger.
Temple first, but he cleared everything in sight.
Long run later, a nagging regret hit.
Too few mobs for the distance.
Too fast—aggro not pulling?
Straight-line speed left sparse encounters. Detours? Too far.
Blaster time.
Deactivated boosters, summoned Blaster. Wings sprouted; he took to the air.
Fixed altitude at 20m for gun range. Vision exploded—ground-level missed packs galore.
That’s more like it.
Grinning, his barrel lit up.
Rat-tat-tat. Rat-tat-tat. Boom! Kaboom!
You have defeated a Keuros.
You have acquired 239,503 EXP.
You have defeated a Mist.
You have acquired Atlius's Tailbone.
You have acquired a Mist Pouch.
Carpet-bombing energy rounds mowed monsters like autumn leaves.
Guns worked okay, but shoulder straight/curve cannons? Missile-tier devastation.
Survivors glared skyward, helpless. They could only eat lead.
Mass farming netted dungeon specialties: pouches, essential tailbones for item forging, stacks of mats.
Soon—
You have acquired the new weapon MK4 Multi-Functional Composite Machine Gun.
Please check your inventory.
“Oh, new weapon.”
First issue gear since M60. Thought skills were it—forgotten, and boom.
Perfect timing after gun regrets. Oasis in the desert.
Inventory open, check gear.
◈ Main Ammo: 9.62mm Large-Caliber Energy Rounds
◈ Range: 40m
◈ Main Ammo Damage: 1,050
◈ Secondary Grenade: 40mm Special Reinforced Energy HE
◈ Secondary Damage: 2,900
◈ Grenade Radius: 30m
◈ Max Fire Rate: 10/min | Mana Cost: 15/1,000
“What? This is insane.”
Stats blew his mind. Main rounds: 1,050 damage—triple M60’s.
Secondary grenades: 2,900. Rocket launcher tier, outgunning straight/curve cannons.
Slimmer than M60 too.
Drew it—way cooler in hand.
“Damn, looks slick. Not as gangly as M60. Magnesium alloy vibe? And less mana drain?”
Amazed, he tested live. Grounded Keuros snarling up at him.
MK4 barked.
Bang! Splat!
You have defeated a Keuros.
“What the—?”
One shot—one pull to test power—and the head vaporized clean off.
He’d anticipated a gap, but this? Hundreds of M60 rounds per kill before—now gone in a blink.
Head legit erased. Attack power leaped.
“Man... another hundred levels easy with this.”
Grinning satisfied, he resumed flight.