The Director Arrives
Mana stones. They were the new elemental metals that appeared in the world when the gates opened. Materials like Toridon, Glycon, and Orichalcum—elements completely different from anything found on Earth. Mana stones could only be discovered inside dungeons. After humanity first discovered them, they immediately began research, but existing Earth technology couldn't handle them. That was when hunters with the Artisan trait appeared. These hunters possessed skills to process dungeon byproducts, including mana stones, which allowed for the creation of equipment specifically for hunters.
“…A mana mine?”
However, mana stones were an incredibly rare resource. Most dungeons didn't have any mana ore at all. Even if they did, a massive quantity was required to craft a single weapon. Because of this, hunters who possessed equipment containing processed mana stones were rare. They were so expensive that only S-class hunters could typically afford them.
“Yes. I’ve never seen this much mana ore in my life. And that’s just from what we’ve inspected so far. Given the scale of this rank-10 dungeon, there’s likely even more buried behind the walls and beneath the ground. It’s truly a scale that deserves to be called a ‘mine.’”
“What kind of nonsense…”
Dungeons where mana ore was discovered weren't cleared immediately. First, the monster population was periodically culled to prevent a Dungeon Break caused by an overflow of monsters or mana. Of course, the standard procedure was to clear the dungeon and close it. But in dungeons where mana ore was found, time was bought to mine the resources. Even then, the quantity was usually so small that the operation finished within a month or two. It meant there was no such thing as a dungeon you could leave open to mine indefinitely like a real-world mine.
“At this rate, it would take years to mine it all… Considering the scale and the level of the monsters, if we use this as a mine, it will generate value far beyond that…!” Lee Yuseung said, looking as if he were moved to tears. To hunters, mana stones were the ore of dreams. Everyone seemed to be expecting something. To put it in terms a civilian would understand, it was like discovering that your backyard had enough oil reserves to last for decades! But did that even make sense?
“So that’s why you ordered us to search the entire dungeon, Jiwoo! To think you recognized an Unbound awakener… I’m sorry for ignoring your insight without knowing better!”
“Ah, no, I didn’t really…”
“Honestly, before entering the dungeon, I was furious. You forced us to search a dungeon that could have been cleared immediately, for no reason. It was such a massive dungeon, and at first, I thought I’d just give it a cursory glance and be done with it. But after discovering mana ore in a place we hadn't visited during the last clear, I was truly shocked…! I’m sorry for doubting you, Jiwoo!”
Lee Yuseung ran up to me and shouted as if he were genuinely sorry. What is this, it’s scary. Stop getting your face so close to mine! I didn't even think about mana mines or whatever! I just told you to do it to screw you over!
“No. It’s not like that. I really didn’t know.”
“You’re as humble as they say.”
“Is that what it was, Dungeon Management staff? To think I spent the whole weekend just fuming without knowing that… My thinking was too short-sighted.”
“I apologize for cursing you and ignoring you. Honestly, I was annoyed because a young guy came in and started ordering us around… but to think you had that kind of foresight. I still have much to learn. I’m ashamed that I held prejudices against the Dungeon Management staff.”
“So that’s why you told us not to withdraw the equipment and to maintain it…! It’s no wonder you’re the staff member who identified an Unbound awakener.”
“I’m ashamed that I just wanted to get off work early… I had a mine like this right in front of me and didn't even realize it.”
“I yelled at that kid, flaunting my experience. And yet, he steadfastly managed the site. How can a person be this magnificent…! If all the Dungeon Management staff were like you!”
No, no, it’s not like that! Even the eyes of the field staff began to change in an instant. It seemed everyone had completely misunderstood the situation. I shook my head desperately, but no one would listen to me.
“I reported it to the higher-ups immediately, and we got a response from Seoul Headquarters!”
No, you already reported it! We just came out, so when did you report it, you quick-witted ace employee! And why report it to the headquarters instead of the branch? Ah, was it originally required to handle mana stone-related matters at the headquarters level? But what followed was even more absurd.
“Since this is the first time a mana mine of this scale has been discovered, they’re coming directly from Seoul Headquarters!”
“Excuse me?”
The fact that they were coming directly from Seoul Headquarters meant the report had gone all the way to the top. There was the branch, the regional headquarters, and at the very top, the Korea Hunter Association Headquarters. Seoul Headquarters was right below the Association Headquarters. If they were coming directly from Seoul, I, as the Dungeon Management staff, would have to convey the situation.
“A-and!”
As if that wasn't enough to give me a headache, the employee looked incredibly tense, as if there was still more.
“The Director is coming personally to inspect it!”
“…What did you say?!!”
“The Director is on the way!”
The people on-site were moving urgently. The Seoul Headquarters Director was coming in person. In military terms, it was like a division commander visiting a battalion-level training ground.
“Are the exploration results out yet?”
“Y-yes. The exploration hunters should be coming out soon.”
I also had to be busy. Since I had to provide the on-site report, I needed to prepare the briefing materials in advance. The ore exploration hunters who had arrived in a hurry earlier had entered the dungeon. I could only complete the report once they brought back the estimated reserves of mana ore.
“The exploration hunters are coming out!”
A moment later, the hunters emerged with the results. They were ore exploration hunters, a type of specialist. Their expressions were filled with shock. Since they weren't saying anything, I checked the results first.
“Wh-what…? Is this for real?”
After checking the results, I couldn't believe it and shouted at the hunters.
“Y-yes. But that’s just the preliminary investigation result. We need to clear the monsters to investigate the rest, but my estimate is that it will be at least double the reserves written there.”
“You’re saying it’s more than double this!!”
The results stated a total estimated reserve of 7 million tons. This was enough to secure combat power equivalent to an entire nation by crafting equipment. And to think it was at least double that. Of course, the exact amount of mana stones could only be determined by checking the purity. But regardless of how low the purity was, a mana mine of this scale had never been discovered before.
“Ha…”
“We will begin the second exploration as soon as the monsters are cleared.”
“We’ll get to maintaining the equipment quickly!”
“Connection with headquarters is stable! They say the Director will arrive soon!”
“Jiwoo. Then we’ll start clearing the dungeon immediately. Since we need to proceed with mining as quickly as possible, it would be better to speed up the exploration schedule, right?”
Just a few days ago, they were desperate to get off work. Now, they were performing their tasks perfectly without anyone even asking. Lee Yuseung and his party even said they would start clearing monsters without taking a break. That was the only way the exploration hunters could begin the second investigation of the reserves.
Ore exploration hunters were specialists who required certification. As expected of specialists, their work speed was incredibly fast. Thanks to them, I was stuck having to report a reserve of 7 million tons.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-
Then, a vibration began to shake the air. Along with a tremendous wind descending from the sky, dirt and dust began to fly in all directions.
“The Director has arrived—”
I looked up at the sky, and there was a helicopter hovering above. A moment later, the helicopter door burst open, and a woman jumped out.
“W-waaaaaaah!”
And the woman began to plummet directly toward my head. I threw my body out of the way at the last second, and she landed on the ground with a tremendous sound.
Kwang-!
The asphalt floor cracked, but the woman’s body was completely unscathed. Boasting a stunning figure that couldn't be hidden, she walked toward me with the clacking of her heels.
“Employee Shin Jiwoo?”
The Director of the Korea Hunter Association Seoul Headquarters, Thunder God, Lena Park. She called my name. I jumped up and bowed my head.
“I am Shin Jiwoo, an employee of the Seocho Branch Dungeon Management Team 3!”
Facing her, a former S-class hunter, I felt the hair on my entire body stand on end.
“Raise your head. I came here to see you, after all.”
“Y-yes? Oh…”
I raised my head awkwardly. But as luck would have it, my head ended up right at the level of Lena’s chest, and I was shocked by its overwhelming presence. Wearing a tight white knit top, its destructive power was even greater.
“Not long ago, you discovered an Unbound awakener, right? And this time, you discovered a mana mine in a rank-10 dungeon.”
I told you, that wasn't me! I wanted to shout about my innocence, but for some reason, my voice wouldn't come out. My non-awakened body was overwhelmed by the energy flowing from her transparent blue eyes.
“You’re taller than I thought.”
Lena stepped closer to me and looked up. H-hey, Director, you’re too close. Whether she knew it or not, her massive chest was slightly touching my own. The sweet scent wafting off her made it hard to keep my composure.
“C-cough. I will provide the on-site report. The exploration team’s preliminary results have just come in.”
Feeling like things were about to get dangerous, I hurriedly pulled out my file. For some reason, she was looking at me with an incredibly intrigued expression. For my part, I wanted to escape this situation as quickly as possible.
“Good. But wait a moment. There’s one more person.”
“…Excuse me?”
At that moment, another woman jumped out of the helicopter.
Kwang-!
A landing with an impact similar to Lena’s. By now, the ground was practically pulverized. But more than that, I was so shocked by the woman’s identity that I couldn't close my mouth.
“You two know each other, right? Since you happened to be together, we came together.”
The woman walked slowly toward me. And everyone’s gaze focused on her. She had a figure as stunning as Lena’s, clad in tight jeans. Any man would be unable to take his eyes off her leather boots that reached her calves and the wide thighs and hips above them. Unlike Lena, she wasn't wearing an outer coat, revealing her well-maintained body through a thin, tight black top. She was also a very famous hunter. Even if she weren't, I knew her very well.
“Because it’s good for a mother to hear about her son’s achievements.”
S-class hunter Red Bullet, Kim Yeo-won. She was my stepmother.