Hell in the Neighboring Black Tower
What was the neighboring Black Tower? And what were the dungeons inside it?
Some saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change their lives—a walking lump of gold wrapped in flesh. Awaken, and you could live luxuriously forever.
Others viewed it as hell on earth. A place drenched in blood, where if you didn't kill, you'd be killed. It might've been tolerable if you only faced slightly larger wolves or trolls, but the dungeons held far more horrific horrors.
Veteran porter Lee Seok-hoon had witnessed plenty of gruesome sights inside the dungeons. Even without trying to recall them, nightmares revived every night. Mostly, it was comrades dying. Sometimes, hunters became the sacrificial lambs. Seeing things you thought were one-of-a-kind under the heavens get crushed under massive clubs was thrilling yet spine-chillingly terrifying.
Ten years of eating dungeon scraps had made him think he was numb to most deaths. But occasionally, scenes beyond his limits popped up, turning his stomach.
Like these, suddenly turned into bloody pulp.
Knock knock.
"Chairman, it's your chief secretary."
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal a spacious office. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched a panoramic view of Seoul—a privilege few could claim. And indeed, the room's master wielded more power than any corporate titan or politician.
Hunter Association Chairman Kim Taehwan. Unrivaled in influence, wealth, and raw strength in Korea.
For a young man idly fiddling with a Rubik's Cube with his feet propped on the desk, it was an impressive spec sheet.
"What is it?"
"Regarding D-rank hunter Gu Cheonhwan and his subordinate F-rank hunters."
"Gu Cheonhwan? Who's that again?"
"The hunter handling the mana barrier ring production business this time."
"Ah, right, that brute. What about Mr. Gu Cheonhwan? Did he cause trouble?"
"He's dead. Along with both his subordinate hunters."
Kim Taehwan furrowed his brow, glaring at the chief secretary. Even without mana, the pressure was palpable. The secretary let out a heavy sigh and handed over the report.
"Compiled based on the testimony of the accompanying porter."
"Just the conclusion."
"They say as soon as they left the safe zone on the 39th floor, they exploded without warning. All three dead the same way."
Kim Taehwan tapped his foot idly as he skimmed the report. Pages of gruesome scene photos flipped by.
"Was there a magic beast on the 39th floor that could burst hunters like that?"
"Unless there was a sudden dungeon mutation... no."
"Chance the porters are lying?"
"Their testimonies are consistent. No mental issues, financial motives, or grudges."
"I see. Got it."
Kim Taehwan slid the report back toward the secretary.
"But why report this to me? Do I need to care about some penny-ante D-rank kicking the bucket? Sounds like tabloid conspiracy fodder."
"There are some suspicious points."
"Suspicious?"
"A porter testified that before the climb, Gu Cheonhwan voiced resentment toward the Association. Something about already paying huge fees on the ring business—why risk his life handing over more mana stones... Sorry, that's the gist."
"Enough. Petty gripes like that happen. Even paupers curse the king from afar."
"Speculation is he tried to dodge mana stone tribute by fleeing—"
"Can they just flee? They know better than anyone. If caught, we'll handle it nicely. No repeats."
Kim Taehwan waved him off dismissively. He'd once eyed custom artifacts, but 'A barrier neutralized by a mere C-rank hunter's hand.' Its middling performance no longer held his interest.
"Anything else? You have your own work, Chief Secretary Min."
"The blacksmith went missing too."
"Blacksmith?"
"The woman making rings under Gu Cheonhwan. Seems she was half-imprisoned for labor. Vanished the day his gang entered the tower."
"Tch, those brutes. Treat people like that, and they all run."
"...Ahem. Can't rule out the blacksmith assassinating Gu Cheonhwan."
His tapping foot stopped.
"Assassination? How?"
"Check the report materials. Estimated blast points all cluster around the left hand."
"Rings modded into assassination tools?"
"Very possible."
"How possible?"
"Circumstantially, assassination weighs heavier than flight—"
"How much?"
"About 90% chance it's assassination..."
Chairman Kim Taehwan rubbed his temple. He'd thought she'd lucked into a toy. Turns out it was a dagger aimed at hunters' throats. Mercy for cowards hiding behind shields, but a lunatic wielding a blade? No mercy there.
"You catch that woman?"
"Tracking her now."
"Chief Secretary Min, you should've reported after capturing her."
"Apologies. Delays because CCTV along her escape routes were disabled."
"Media know?"
The secretary flipped pages to the relevant section. Articles detailed Gu Cheonhwan's gang imprisoning a minor awakener for artifact production.
"Public opinion's sour. Articles are too detailed—someone leaked specifics."
"Wrap it as Gu Cheonhwan's personal deviance. Send folks to cozy up to the press. Monitor Mercenary Agency trends just in case."
"Yes, sir."
"Deal with that blacksmith bitch for sure. Quiet and clean, before the government scoops her. Got it?"
"Understood."
"Good, go."
Chief Secretary Min Sung-kyun bowed deeply and exited. His back was soaked in sweat. Even for a top A-rank, solo time with the chairman was no joke.
Three days after rescuing Ji Suyeon. Finally back home in Gyeongju.
Shaking pursuers meant hopping fake safehouses for laundering trails—took time. Me, Suyeon, and helpers Lee Minyoung and Pyo Yeojeong all sported weary faces. Amid it, Suyeon fidgeted nervously but couldn't hide her excitement.
"Thank you all...!"
"Save it. Hey, Haiseon! Touch her, and you die by my hand."
"Why would I..."
"Aaaah, so jealous! Can I move in too?"
"We're not living together."
Next door, technically. Ditched the studio for a decent apartment; snagged the unit right next to it for Suyeon. Fifteen pyeong—plenty for one. No real outings for a while, so it'd feel stuffy, but unavoidable. Hide out max till things stabilized. Forge commutes for fresh air would have to suffice.
"Study hard for the GED after work. Gonna live as a middle school dropout?"
"Studying eugh, rather go back... No, no! I'll study hard!"
Education via GED. Social skills a concern, but orphanage crash-course in real life should cover it.
"Rest up. We're heading out."
"Take care, Suyeonnie! Scared? Call me right awayyy!"
"Ah, y-yes."
"Other uncles are watching nearby, so relax!"
"Yes... P-please go in!"
After the rowdy housewarming, we piled into my place next door. Lee Minyoung, who'd just been all aegyo-fuss, hardened her face.
"Hunters aren't backing off."
"Didn't we shake them?"
"Deployed high-rank trackers with scouting skills. Fresh pursuit team."
"How soon till they find us?"
"Five days earliest, week latest."
Lee Minyoung stood. Pyo Yeojeong readied to leave too.
"Gotta hustle. Buy time however."
"I'll go too. Me hanging around just draws eyes."
"I'll do whatever I can here."
Saw them off, then straight home. Hunters' pursuit was tenacious, obsessive. How to solve this? If they're committed elites, top-shelf talent. B-rank or higher, probably. Even all domestic mercs and agents couldn't match. Tower-armed riot police? Same story. Unsure if they'd even help.
'Handle it myself...?'
I'm their secret weapon. So secret even I can't gauge my combat power. Smart tactics plus legendary dagger might hold them off. Or maybe not a scratch.
'Ask the artisans?'
Veterans might know better. Fired up the gallery after ages.
No clear answers from the artisans, disappointingly. Can't close gaps with gear alone, nor skyrocket combat skills short-term. Inevitable. Then the Black Magic Girl chimed in.
One dagger and an enhancement. Legendary cooldowns had ticked down anyway. No telling how it'd be used. But now wasn't the time for nitpicking.