Korea's Strongest: Kang Sung-gi (19)
"I knew there were rumors like that, but to think they were actually true..."
Kim Seol-bi was furious about the fact that Baek Seonghun and his gang had been pushing dungeon privatization even while postponing their S-rank dungeon raid.
"All that struggling to keep the guild afloat feels so pointless now," Kim Se-in sighed.
While A-rank and lower hunters focused on their daily lives, a larger conspiracy had been unfolding on a grander scale above them. It was only natural to feel a sense of futility upon hearing about it.
"Se-in, you're an S-rank hunter now too. If something doesn't sit right with you, we can change it ourselves."
"Yes... you're right, Sung-gi."
After a brief exchange, the discussion wrapped up. The conclusion was to start the dungeon raid as early as tomorrow. Now that Baek Seonghun and his crew's plot had been exposed, there was no reason to delay any longer. Dragging things out would only give them time to prepare countermeasures against us.
S-rank dungeon raids were major events that typically happened once every few months. If we cleared it first, whatever schemes they had would be thwarted.
"Who do we need to notify?"
I had no idea about the procedures since it was my first S-rank raid.
"The standard is to inform the minister. They handle preparations to ensure the raid goes smoothly. It's more of a heads-up than asking for permission," Park Hye-na explained.
"Got it. Should I do it now? Do you have his number?"
"Yes."
As it turned out, both Kim Seol-bi and Park Hye-na had the Hunter Bureau minister's contact info. I got the number and sent a text to Han Cheol-gwan, the minister himself. The message said that I and several other S-rank hunters would head to Hongcheon tomorrow for the raid.
I figured a busy minister like him would prefer a text, but my phone rang almost immediately.
"Hunter!"
"Ah, yes."
"Hello. I'm sorry for not reaching out first to greet you properly—I've been too late."
"No need for formalities. You got the text, right?"
"Yes, I just read it. But this is such a serious matter that a text wouldn't suffice..."
"Pardon? I thought S-rank raids don't require permission—just notifying the date we decide."
"Of course... you're absolutely right, Hunter. But circumstances are different this time. With Jo Dong-geun's disappearance and so many new awakenings..."
"I don't get it. Wouldn't it be better to raid sooner rather than later?"
"Could we meet in person to discuss? I'll come right away."
"No, we'll save that for later. I've informed you, so we'll head to Hongcheon tomorrow. You're busy, so let's end the call here."
"Hunter! Hunter!"
I hung up. I couldn't trust him, no matter his position as minister. Not after learning the dungeon privatization plot involved hunters and the administration colluding.
This raid was different from previous ones. He mentioned Jo Dong-geun's absence as an issue, but it probably made their schemes easier without him dominating everything.
The minister kept calling. I ignored them and sent another text.
And it wasn't a lie—I had plenty to prepare for my first S-rank dungeon.
I replied curtly.
I turned off my phone and said to the women, "Shall we start the tactics meeting?"
Kang A-jin's hunter license came through more smoothly than expected. No need to visit the Hunter Management Office—a staffer delivered it right to our meeting spot.
She seemed to have backing even higher than the minister, but I didn't need to know who.
I contacted Choi Yunmi to order some items and gear, especially new equipment for Kang A-jin and Kim Se-in. She came to meet us in person.
"I brought everything you requested. I also added a few things I thought might be useful based on my judgment."
She drove herself, but space for gear wasn't an issue. As an S-rank hunter now—her emotion trait fitting her perfectly—she had a vast inventory, even more expansive than most.
I suggested she stay at Kang A-jin's house while we were in Hongcheon. It was partly her idea too, since we didn't know what Baek Seonghun's gang might do. No guarantees they wouldn't target her if they knew how close she was to us. With limited combat experience, Valentina and Luiza would look after her.
"Who could've guessed our darling's pick would be this stunning~~" Valentina gushed the moment she saw Choi Yunmi's beauty.
Choi Yunmi's looks had exploded even more since getting close to me. She'd downplayed them before with age-up makeup and clothes to avoid hassle at work. Now, free of that and buffed by S-rank awakening, her beauty was on another level.
"Take good care of her. And no funny business."
"Eeei~ As if we'd ever~~"
Valentina's words didn't inspire confidence, but from experience, she and Luiza were lustful yet never crossed lines. No worries there.
"Be careful."
"We will. First S-rank dungeon and all."
"Not the dungeon—Baek Seonghun and his crew. The raid itself? No sweat. You handled Jo Dong-geun with ease."
Choi Yunmi seemed convinced I was a cut above him. Dealing with S-ranks for years and now with emotion abilities, her combat assessment skills were sharper than most.
Is that so? I was honestly a bit worried. I'd soloed an A-rank easily once, but S-rank was a whole different beast—just like the gap between A- and S-rank hunters.
But seeing Choi Yunmi's confidence, Kim Seol-bi's and Park Hye-na's nonchalant faces, the dungeon didn't seem like a real concern. As she said, the real threat might be Baek Seonghun's side.
"I'll keep tabs on things my way too."
Obviously on his gang.
"Thanks."
Choi Yunmi hugged my neck. "Come back safe."
With Jo Dong-geun around, S-rank raids usually took about a week. The dungeon's scale meant return points scattered throughout, letting raids resume from checkpoints.
The goal: Kill at least 50% of the dangerous monsters inside, and definitely the boss embodying the dungeon. Then it goes dormant for months, monsters respawning until the next raid.
Word must've spread, because a welcoming crowd awaited in Hongcheon—30 to 40 locals, including the mayor who'd lived there forever.
"They always come out like this for raids," Kim Seol-bi said. I nodded.
"Residents are still hanging on."
S-rank dungeon areas were inherently risky—one escapee monster spells disaster. No incidents in years, but understandable caution.
"This is their home. It's not about money."
Most were elderly, over half white-haired seniors.
A relatively young-looking man—the mayor—approached as we stepped out.
"Welcome. We'll escort you to the hotel."
No surprise there; each S-rank site had one for raiders' convenience during ops. Officials handled byproduct trades on-site.
But at the hotel, I couldn't help frowning. Uninvited guests were waiting.