SS-Rank Dungeon Looms
Kim Eun-bi, who had been scrolling through her phone during dinner, suddenly let out an exclamation of awe.
I couldn't help but wonder how Wi-Fi was reaching this house, tucked deep in the mountains and shielded by Kang A-jin's thick barriers. Setting aside her future potential, this was clear proof that her understanding of sorcery and her ability to apply it far surpassed mine. I need to work harder.
"Why?"
Kim Seol-bi asked, noticing Kim Eun-bi's surprised expression.
"A new S-rank dungeon might be forming!"
"Huh?"
Everyone at the table turned to her in shock at her words.
There were currently only three S-rank dungeons in South Korea, maintained by raiding them once every six months. Raiding them faster didn't yield much more inside—they reset after being cleared—and delaying too long raised the mana levels, risking a dungeon break. In any case, S-rank dungeons were a major pillar supporting the nation.
When you got down to it, S-rank hunters lorded over the rest and were treated as national treasures because they could clear those dungeons.
"They say it might be the biggest one yet?"
"Let me see."
Valentina took Kim Eun-bi's phone. She scrutinized the screen, swiping through the article quickly before speaking.
"It's real. Might even be SS-rank."
"What?"
"Really?"
SS-rank was the largest scale dungeon in the world right now. There were only five across the globe. While S-rank dungeons varied wildly in size, SS-ranks were on another level entirely, which was why they got their own designation.
"Impressive. The timing is just..."
I couldn't grasp what Valentina meant by "timing." To me, it felt like unfortunate coincidence instead.
Until now, Jo Dong-geun had led the raids on S-rank dungeons. We'd relied heavily on his abilities. With him gone, a new SS-rank dungeon's emergence could stir public anxiety. We might even have to request hunters from abroad.
And if that happened, we'd suffer major losses. It was common knowledge that failing to clear an S-rank and calling in foreign S-rank hunters came with hidden clauses that could dictate national hierarchies and even subservience.
"Darling, this is your chance to finally step out into the world."
"My chance?"
I wasn't the only one surprised. Whether it was pitting me against Jo Dong-geun one-on-one or this, why was this woman so eager to throw me into the fire? Though, from the perspective of new experiences, the anal last time hadn't been bad.
Anyway.
"Sung-gi hasn't even entered an S-rank dungeon once. It's too dangerous," Kim Seol-bi raised the obvious objection.
"True enough. And an SS-rank at that. So Sung-gi needs to put on a show."
"What kind of show?"
Valentina grinned at my question.
"It's time to leave this house and start some outside activity. You need that license first, right? Can't raid S-rank dungeons without it. Seol-bi."
"Yes?"
"When's the next S-rank raid?"
"The Hongcheon S-rank dungeon should have about 2-3 weeks left."
"Perfect!"
From the discussion, the new dungeon forming—one that might become SS-rank—would take about two more months to fully stabilize. It was still growing, but already larger than existing S-ranks, hence the prediction.
"Great, just great."
Valentina nodded to herself, satisfied with her solo decision.
"With the Jo Dong-geun issue unresolved, is it okay to go out?"
Valentina shrugged at Jo A-young's question.
"Does staying cooped up here change anything? Being totally off the grid as a group just breeds more speculation, doesn't it?"
She spouted nonsense sometimes, but she had sharp insights like this. No wonder she'd been called a saintess in Brazil for so long.
The emergence of a new S-rank dungeon and Valentina's piercing words finally convinced us to end our communal living.
The women naturally wondered about my plans.
"Wouldn't it be best to stay at my place since it's where you lived before?" Kim Seol-bi asked.
"Seol-bi unnie's house isn't repaired yet, so how about staying with me? I'm looking for a new place too. We could house-hunt together..." That was Jo A-young.
"Darling, just stay here. Your sorcery lessons aren't done yet, right? Why rush to leave?"
Even Valentina, who'd pushed for outside activity, contradicted herself.
"No, I'm thinking of heading back to my one-room."
"What?!"
"Why?"
"Why go back to such an uncomfortable place..."
The women reacted with one voice in surprise. It wasn't the one-room itself; they just didn't want to let me go.
I felt the need to step away from the current vibe, in my own way. We couldn't live like this forever. Sure, bonding with these women had fueled my rapid growth, but I hadn't accomplished much on my own.
With my life changed by becoming S-rank, I needed to adapt to it myself. Sticking with these successful women forever might drown me in this lifestyle.
"Don't you need someone to cook for you?" Lisa asked last, her tone flat.
It seemed casual, but a hint of desperation flickered in her expression.
"Nah, I've lived alone for years~ I can cook for myself."
The women looked collectively crestfallen.
"Aah~~ I shouldn't have said anything unnecessary!"
Valentina belatedly regretted her words. Truth be told, I'd already been thinking of leaving. The timing was just off.
If I kept waiting for the perfect moment, I might never leave. Both they and I seemed to be settling into this life.
This place lacked nothing. Security was tight, space and food plentiful. Being so close to me and the women brought mutual satisfaction.
Time to put some distance and clear my head.
If not now, I might never escape.
"Since I've decided, I'll head out tomorrow. Let's make a group chat for staying in touch."
My firm resolve left them unable to protest further.
"Phew..."
Back in my familiar one-room, I let out a sigh. It felt surreal that I'd spent so long alone in this cramped space.
It hadn't been uncomfortable or lacking, of course. But they say you feel the difference more keenly when things worsen after improving. A hollow ache settled in my chest.
Naturally, it was from separating from the women I'd grown so attached to.
The group chat kept buzzing, but I'd only messaged that I'd arrived safely and to contact me if anything came up. No more replies.
Clinging to my phone would defeat the purpose of leaving Kang A-jin's house.
As I unpacked in the mostly unchanged room—only the door and balcony fixed—I thought.
First, renew that license...
My license was probably still C-rank.
Or was it B? Even that was fuzzy. My growth had been too fast.
I visited the Hunter Management Office after a long time. I deliberately avoided the branch I'd gone to with Kim Seol-bi last time. No need for unnecessary scenes.
"I'm here for a rank measurement."
"Sure~"
The staffer typing at her keyboard and staring at the monitor responded routinely.
"Huh? Didn't you just get measured recently?"
"Yes, I'm aware."
"Ah..."
She said no more. Back when I was a regular awakener, even showing up for measurement sparked pointless arguments. But as a hunter, that was a thing of the past.
"Got it. I'll let you know when it's ready. Wait in the lounge. Call a staffer if you need drinks or snacks."
Even as a public office, this place felt surprisingly courteous. Probably because I was a hunter.
No matter the rank, treatment differed between civilians, regular awakeners, and hunters.
It was early, so the empty lounge sofa was mine. I scrolled my phone.
I hadn't told the women—I didn't want excess attention from saying I was getting measured.
Searching news, nothing major on Jo Dong-geun. But the country was abuzz about the new forming dungeon.
Soon, a staffer came to inform me.
"Measurement's ready. I'll show you the way."