Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Singing Treasure Hunter (1)
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Even in dungeons filled with fierce battles and splattering blood, there are peaceful professions.
Namely, the dungeon material delivery workers—commonly known as deliverymen—among the Awakeners.
They don't hunt monsters for byproducts; instead, they gather various materials found in D-grade and lower dungeons and deliver them.
But beyond deliverymen, there was another job: hunters who targeted only treasures or relics within dungeons, known as 'grave robbers.'
Three kilometers southwest of the Safe Dungeon zone lay the D-grade dungeon, 'Converging Cave.'
Unlike places lined with dilapidated buildings, this dungeon was hidden deep in a lush forest, tucked inside behind a small waterfall—hence its name.
"Ah, nothing today."
Inside the Converging Cave dungeon.
Min Hyun-gi, a grave robber diligently scanning the interior in his black Nano Suit, let his shoulders slump.
"Skill's not cooperating today. How is there nothing at all?"
An 8th Grade Awakener and grave robber, Min Hyun-gi's skill was Airflow Detection, a detection-type ability.
He had wanted to be a combat Awakener, but with low physical awakening stats and no combat skills, grave robbing was his inevitable choice.
He craved the freedom to explore dungeons unbound, and becoming a porter or deliveryman—like a salaried drone—was worse than death.
"This is weird. There used to be so many Heavenly Peaches here."
The cave-like interior of Converging Cave was vast, featuring spots blooming with pretty flowers and even a small pond teeming with fish.
But no matter how thoroughly he searched, the valuable relic he sought—Heavenly Peach—was nowhere to be found.
"Should I just grab some Beetle Stones?"
Beetle Stones were round stones scattered throughout Converging Cave. Processed, they made flooring more luxurious than marble, with better foot comfort.
"Not much dignity for a Treasure Hunter."
But pride doesn't pay the bills. Groaning, Min Hyun-gi stuffed the scattered Beetle Stones into his bag.
The downside? Despite their appearance, Beetle Stones weighed more than metal. After a few, his back already ached.
"Damn. Wonder if this'll even cover labor costs."
An adult fist-sized Beetle Stone fetched 30,000 won; a head-sized one, 100,000. Even packing his bag full, it might total 700,000 won.
"After taxes and fees, it's all for nothing."
Despite the name, Min Hyun-gi wasn't an illegal relic thief or trafficker; he was a fully registered grave robber.
Relics and materials from dungeons counted as unearned income, slapped with nearly 39% tax. So today, he'd pocket just over 400,000 won.
"Thieves, all of them. Even lottery taxes aren't this bad."
Grumbling as he picked up more Beetle Stones, a strange sensation prickled Min Hyun-gi's spine.
His skill, Airflow Detection, had activated.
'Something's coming.'
Holding his breath, Min Hyun-gi relaxed his body and activated the stealth button on his Nano Suit's wristband.
He'd poured his savings into a secondhand stealth Nano Suit, enabling solo dungeon runs. Useless against high-threat monsters, though.
'What the hell?'
The shadow emerging opposite his hiding cave wasn't a monster—it was a hulking man.
In a gray dobok with exposed forearms and a small nanobot slung over his shoulder, the man crouched, diligently gathering the Beetle Stones Min Hyun-gi had been picking.
'Deliveryman?'
In a D-grade dungeon like this, sneaking in to haul heavy Beetle Stones meant either illegal grave robbers or deliverymen.
"I thought you were a monster—gave me a scare."
Sighing, Min Hyun-gi stepped out from the cave. But the man kept wandering silently, picking only Beetle Stones.
"Hey. Didn't you hear me?"
At Min Hyun-gi's shout, the man slowly turned.
Min Hyun-gi felt his heart stop.
"W-What... that mask..."
It was a terrifying mask, like a demon that devoured all the monsters of hell had ascended to the surface.
As Min Hyun-gi recoiled, the man crouched again, resuming his Beetle Stone hunt.
'What is that guy? Some lucky newbie who scored a legendary relic.'
Just looking at it exuded near-'Intimidation' pressure. Definitely a mask made from some ultra-rare relic. Maybe a greenhorn rich kid with short career.
"Hey. You can't just cram them in like that—they're worth money, but too heavy to carry."
Ignoring Min Hyun-gi's advice, the man kept stuffing his sack on the ground.
And that sack—what material? It expanded with each Beetle Stone added.
"Don't worry. This is a sack specially made by the shopkeeper."
The low, somewhat annoyed voice emanated from the devil mask—a man's.
'Shopkeeper? That sack's a relic too...'
Anyway, hustling low-value Beetle Stones screamed rookie deliveryman with good gear.
"How do you plan to carry that if you keep adding?"
Before Min Hyun-gi finished, the man casually hoisted the packed sack.
"W-What... Strength Enhancement skill?"
Not unheard of.
Some with physical skills avoided combat, opting for safer gigs like delivery.
"Got a nanobot too—must pay well. Hired by some firm?"
Then, the nanobot on the man's shoulder peered down at Min Hyun-gi with a playful tone.
[Hmm, judging by your outfit, you're an illegal grave robber?]
"Illegal grave robber? What kind of talk is that!"
[Oh, then a deliveryman. Makes sense... No illegal relic thief would bother mining heavy Beetle Stones.]
Seeing the nanobot's sensor light curve like a half-moon, Min Hyun-gi seethed.
"Don't make me laugh. I was just curious about this junk from a lame dungeon. I'm a Treasure Hunter!"
Treasure Hunter.
At a glance, similar to grave robbers in seeking hidden dungeon relics—but worlds apart in status and treatment.
Treasure Hunters could accurately appraise relic value. Most circulating relics' worth was set by them.
They could collect and sell personally too. Honorable grave robbers—that was the Treasure Hunter.
[Apologies. A Treasure Hunter! With your case stuffed with Beetle Stones even deliverymen shun, I assumed grave robber.]
Face flushing at the Nameless bot's sarcasm, Min Hyun-gi snapped his open bag shut irritably.
"I-It was just novelty from this crap dungeon. I usually hit B- or A-grades."
Nameless covered its nonexistent mouth at the bluff.
[Of course. I was rude to a renowned Treasure Hunter.]
"W-What?"
That tone—no ordinary bot. High-end language pack, the 100-million-won kind.
"Cyber Life's 'Become Human' installed?"
As the bot was about to reply, the man stood and said,
"Nameless. Mind your own business. Mark the exit path."
[Understood.]
The bot fired a path guide line. The man trudged off blankly.
Min Hyun-gi sneered at the sight.
"Tch. Spoiled rich punk. Or relic sugar daddy."
Few deliverymen sported pricey nanobots. Either mega-successful or trust-fund kid.
"Even that delivery punk looks down on me..."
F- and D-grade dungeons yielded scraps after big relics vanished. Just penny-ante materials left.
Valuables started at C-grade up—but so did the risks.
Solo Treasure Hunters without fast travel or proper stealth? Rich forever out of reach.
"Can't keep this up forever."
Eyes blazing, Min Hyun-gi clenched his fist.
* * *
Kicking off the ground in a body technique, the Heavenly Demon addressed Nameless.
"Even this world has grave robbers."
[Official terms are Treasure Hunter or treasure scavenger, but early Awakeners called them grave robbers. Dungeons were 'Awakener graves' too.]
"Aren't material collectors separate? Why grave robbers?"
[Truth is, grave robbing requires stealth or high-speed skills—only for those evading combat, inevitably solos hogging relics.]
Recalling Min Hyun-gi in stealth Nano Suit with cheap case, Nameless sighed.
[But lately, young Awakeners chase jackpots without proper skills. Hate fighting monsters or portering/delivery, so they turn grave robber.]
The Heavenly Demon nodded, picturing Min Hyun-gi's humiliated Beetle Stone toss.
"Pathetic lot."
Days later, at Double Double Interiors.
Jang Chaewon, phone for Divine Requests in hand, beamed.
"Yes, got it. Thank you."
Clicking down the receiver, she sighed like a weary grandma.
"Hmm."
Rubbing her throbbing forehead, she addressed the Heavenly Demon reading at the reception table.
"Lately, can't tell if we're an Awakener shop or interior store."
"What do you mean?"
"What else? Your fault."
She jabbed at the trumpet-shaped Divine Request phone, frowning.
"Requests flood in for bulk dungeon materials. Word spread through the Divine Realm after you dumped those Beetle Stones on the Dungeon Management Team."
She'd only told him Converging Cave's location and to fetch Beetle Stones.
But he'd swept them clean and hauled back.
Too heavy—teams drove in to transport. Rumor hit the whole Facilities Division.
"Good thing, no? More Divine Requests."
"Are we an Awakener shop? Hawking dungeon scraps? This is interiors—I'm an expert."
"But the money rolls in."
"True, but my pride as an interior expert..."
In this slump, no gigs, his deliveries propped up sales big-time.
"Won't do. Better hire dungeon material staff, go legit."
Money isn't everything.
But nothing beats money for living.
Self-respect as interior expert? Already ditched. Jang Chaewon declared firmly,
"Turning away backlog? Bad form."
Eyes bulging with hope, she met the Heavenly Demon's gaze as he set down his book.
He approached her desk slowly.
"What? Why."
She glared sidelong; he replied flatly,
"Why not join me in dungeons, shopkeeper?"
"Why me? No."
"Stuck in shop all day? Just help your lord a bit."
Truth: he wanted no extra staff. Coughing awkwardly, he added,
"Safe Dungeon central rest area has unique eats. Tried Donovan skewers once—pretty good."
Jang Chaewon loved dining out, tasty food.
Tempt with dungeon rest stop cuisine? No new hires.
"Donovan? Ew, sewer dungeon croc monster? You into weird stuff?"
"Thought so at first. But tastes satisfying."
"Shape's off-putting, for one."
Watching her grumble, he felt the plight of waiters explaining dishes.
"Name's misleading—clear water, not sewage. Strip the blue-white tendons, meat's ordinary."
"Thanks. Now blacklisted for life."
Sighing weakly,
"And I avoid dungeons usually."
"Why?"
"Just. Hate monsters, hate dungeons..."
Eyes hinting at backstory.
"Understood."
He nodded; she grinned.
"No biggie. Hire staff instead. Thanks to you, Heavenly Demon."
"What do you mean?"
"Using you built my confidence. Used to insist on Spirit Trees; now yokai, monsters—anything goes."
Her innocent smile silenced him, lips pursed.
* * *
Dungeon: Castella.
Two kilometers southeast of Safe Dungeon.
Bright yellow exterior, brown roof—thus the name.
Looks harmless, but packed with bizarre traps.
Only monster: central-top boss, Metal K. Few visitors; perpetual emptiness.
[Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless on his shoulder, eyeing the entrance.
[Many traps here. Please follow my advice.]
"Traps? Ignore."
[Also a 'Promise Dungeon'—follow rules to clear. Deviate, no core access.]
"Told you already."
Despite his irritation, Nameless pressed,
[But if you barge in wildly, relics before...]
"Hmm."
Recalling Jang Chaewon, he entered Castella glumly. Nameless alone annoyed him; no new underlings (staff) wanted.
Shara-lala.
Inside: fairy-tale wonderland of vibrant plants and trees.
Ceiling lights sparkled, illuminating.
[Heavenly Demon. First rule: walk the forest, leaves turn blades.]
Nameless pointed overhead.
[First, climb that tree.]
Broad platforms at four-five meters up.
Diamond Body Heavenly Demon? Unaffected. But dodging Nameless's nagging, he hopped up wordlessly.
[Opposite tree: both feet. Next: one foot. Repeat to cross.]
"Alternating feet? Child's game."
[That's the rule.]
Grimacing, he leaped accordingly—both feet, one foot.
Forest cleared; distant sheer cliff with three ropes dangling.
A man with large case climbed one: the prior Treasure Hunter, Min Hyun-gi.