Chapter 325
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Alliance Headquarters
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Jeong Hoon, along with Siron and Dregar, returned to the Alliance Headquarters.
The leader, having witnessed the entire process of Dregar getting crushed, stared at him with a bewildered expression.
He had stepped up boastfully to deliver a thorough lesson, only to be defeated in less than three minutes.
Dregar, drawing all eyes upon him, flushed bright red and scurried back to his seat like he was fleeing.
This should prove our qualifications sufficiently Does anyone have any objections?
Siron asked, looking at the leaders.
The hall fell silent.
No one could bring themselves to speak.
When even ten seconds passed without the silence breaking, Siron smiled brightly and added,
Yes. Then Ill take that as unanimous approval.
An exclamation mark blinked above Sirons head.
It was proof that he had demonstrated his qualifications and completed the quest.
You have completed the quest.
You have gained 20,000,000 experience points.
You can now undertake the next quest.
The first step had been secured perfectly.
A question mark blinked above Sirons head once more.
Episode Quest: Alliance Headquarters (1)
-Restriction: Complete Qualification Proof Quest
-Reward: ??
-Description: Join the Alliance Headquarters and lend them your strength.
He could now join the Alliance Headquarters.
Jeong Hoon accepted the quest, and a new message appeared before him.
Would you like to join the Alliance Headquarters?
You can select an affiliation.
Affiliation.
In other words, which leader he wanted to serve under.
Will the quests change based on the choice?
James Marcus was the only one in this headquarters who had earned recognition and progressed the quest.
He had chosen the Fairy Queen Niaive and received relatively easy quests, allowing him to successfully complete the episode.
Thats why he had insisted on always choosing Niaive when selecting an affiliation in the Alliance Headquarters.
With time running short, Jeong Hoon planned to select Niaive.
You have met the qualifications to access the Secret Episode.
A new affiliation has been unlocked.
But then, a message appeared before Jeong Hoon stating that a new affiliation had opened, accompanied by a rainbow-colored slot.
Hero (Grand Master) Siron
Hero Siron.
You can join under Siron?
Jeong Hoon tilted his head.
James Marcus had said that when he chose, he could select from the leaders excluding Siron.
So, joining his affiliation meant he could undertake the Secret Episode.
Did winning the duel against Dregar unlock this?
That made sense.
The problem was the difficulty of the Secret Episode.
Could he complete it within a week and reach 99?
No need to gamble right now.
Protecting Earth took priority over doing the Secret Episode.
With that thought, he tried to choose Niaive.
You have met the qualifications, so the Secret Episode will begin automatically.
However, before Jeong Hoon could choose, the Secret Episode started forcibly.
You are now affiliated with Hero (Grand Master) Siron.
You have successfully joined the Alliance.
As Jeong Hoon let out an incredulous chuckle, Siron approached and extended his hand for a shake.
If the first handshake had been a welcome, this one carried the meaning of lets work well together.
I look forward to working with you.
Sure.
Jeong Hoon gripped the hand and nodded.
The choice was already made anyway.
Instead of harboring doubts, he needed to complete the episode as quickly as possible to prevent Earths damage from rising further.
You have completed the quest.
You have gained 20,000,000 experience points.
You can now undertake the next quest.
Joining the Alliance Headquarters had completed the quest.
The next one followed.
Secret Episode Quest: Alliance Headquarters (2)
-Restriction: Complete Alliance Headquarters (1) Quest
-Reward: ??
-Description: Act under Sirons command. The quest will complete when the criteria are met.
The next quest was to follow Sirons lead.
You might not know this, but the world is already on the brink of destruction. Weve gathered here to stop it.
Yes. So what do I need to do?
The original Alliance Headquarters episode mostly involved support roles.
There were no quests like dungeon clears or facing Transcendents, so it could be finished quickly.
In fact, markers could even be obtained through NPCs during support.
But having entered the Secret Episode, it was obvious things would proceed differently from what James Marcus described.
Please help me clear an Abnormal Dungeon.
Clear it?
Definitely different.
Yes. Abnormal Dungeons are spawning everywhere.
Abnormal Dungeon.
After realization on Earth, Abnormal Dungeons had appeared there toodungeons that imposed penalties, in simple terms.
Jeong Hoon had successfully cleared several in advance, removing penalties from Earth multiple times.
Whats the current damage level?
If they were spawning indiscriminately, it was proof the damage was high.
71.
71.
As expected, a high figure.
I see.
Ive already confirmed your strength. So please lend your power to our Alliance.
He had been convinced after seeing the Giant Tribes leader Dregar subdued in an instant.
This outsider would be a great asset to Siron himself.
Understood. Then tell me the dungeon we need to clear first.
Yes. Follow me, then.
Siron nodded and guided Jeong Hoon.
Siron and the outsider exited the headquarters through a portal.
Only then did the Fairy Queen Niaive toss a word at Dregar.
Dregar I didnt think youd go down without even landing a hit.
.
Under her contempt-filled gaze, Dregar couldnt utter a word.
His pride was wounded to the max, but losers had no say.
Hah, if youve got a mouth, say something.
Annoying bitch.
He wanted to rip that thoughtlessly babbling mouth apart right then.
Given the occasion, he planned to hold back somehow, but one more word, and hed lead the Giant Tribe to wipe out her and all the Fairy Tribe.
Enough. Niaive, what do you gain by provoking Dregar like that?
But the Dragon Tribes leader Kanteon intervened, preventing Dregars explosion.
Tch.
Niaive clicked her tongue and withdrew her gaze from Dregar.
But its surprising. I didnt expect Siron to step up personally.
The Beastkin Tribes leader.
Yuranus gazed at the portal where Siron had vanished, intrigued.
He proved he has the strength to overwhelm Dregar sufficiently.
Dregar was hot-tempered but a powerhouse among the leaders.
His position, claimed by force, was proof.
A powerhouse who subdued such a Dregar in one go.
Siron had ample justification to step in personally.
Even so, entrusting him with a dungeon clear seems excessive.
Eresion muttered, barely hiding his unease.
The outsiders strength was verified.
But that was it.
Was it right to entrust a critical mission tied to the worlds fate to someone unverified in every other way?
Were not in a position to be picky right now.
Palud fully understood Sirons actions.
A powerhouse who could subdue Dregar.
And wielder of legendary divine gear akin to what the ancient Titan race handled.
With him joining, they could at least delay the rising damage.
Exactly. Someone who can pin Dregar with a single fingerwe need to work him hard for that, right?
Boom!
At Niaives words, Dregar slammed his fist on the table and bellowed.
Shut up! It wasnt just one finger!
Yes. Losers should shut up.
XX! Shut your trap before I rip off every one of your wings!
Oh my, is that so?
At Niaives continued mockery, Dregar finally exploded.
You winged pest, Ill kill you with my own hands! Before the world ends, Ill wipe out your tribe first!
Whirr
At that moment, a hologram projected in the center of the table.
All members, assemble.
The hologram broadcast Sirons face large as a house door, issuing an assembly order to the leaders.
Dregar had no choice but to stop again.
The place Siron guided him to was a small portal.
Barely big enough for one person to squeeze through.
It was even camouflaged in the bushes, making it hard to spot.
This is it. The oldest among the Abnormal Dungeons.
Oldest.
A truly grating word.
Oldest? Then why havent you cleared it?
At Jeong Hoons question, Siron fell silent for a moment.
Narrowing his brow, he stared at the portal and slowly spoke.
Because going in means total party wipe.
The mana leaking out certainly suggested a wipe wouldnt be surprising.
Lv. 2,500
The dungeons level was a whopping 2,500.
Far too high for them to clear with their powerpractically impossible.
But wasnt the Alliance formed to delay destruction by clearing Abnormal Dungeons?
If they hesitated to clear just because it was scary, why form the Alliance at all?
Jeong Hoon couldnt comprehend it.
So you formed the Alliance and just watched the world head toward ruin?
No. The situation has changed now.
Changed?
Yes. Preparations are complete, so well start closing them from this dungeon.
Preparations?
Siron nodded.
Yes. To be frank: Can you defeat me?
At his serious expression, Jeong Hoon replied seriously.
Yes.
Thats exactly it. Your joining gives us a chance at victory.
Siron reacted calmly, as if he had already anticipated it.
Well, I get the gist. Lets start, then.
With time short, he decided to drop the questioning.
It was an episode anyway.
A world already destroyed, so no matter how hard Jeong Hoon tried, changing the outcome was impossible.
Just focus on completing the quest.
Thank you. Ill call everyone, then.
Siron smiled brightly and contacted the leaders.
Soon after, all the leaders gathered before the portal.
Dregar didnt hide his discomfort, but the others ignored him and continued talking.
Clear this one right away?
This is the one we kept putting off because the difficulty is insane.
A dungeon even the leaders avoided.
You know we cant delay anymore.
At Sirons words, everyone clamped their mouths shut.
I agree. So you mean charge in with all our tribes right now?
Kanteon was ready to summon the entire Dragon Tribe immediately.
But Siron shook his head.
No. Well clear it with just us.
What? You call that sane?
Kanteons face twisted uglily.
Attempt a high-difficulty dungeon clear with fewer than ten people?
Kanteon, you know this dungeon cant be cleared by sheer numbers.
Normal Abnormal Dungeons were overseen by Transcendents.
Since they werent brute-force dungeons, clearing with a small elite group minimized losses.
With mountains of dungeons left to clear, wasting forces here would doom the rest.
Thats true, but.
Kanteon trailed off, staring at the portal.
At this rate, itll take all day just to get inside.
Jeong Hoon sighed and walked toward the portal.
Siron and the others widened their eyes in shock.
W-Wait a moment, please!
Siron hurriedly tried to stop Jeong Hoon, but he had already slipped into the portal.