Chapter 43

043. Dungeon Strategy (2)

I stepped out of the one-room apartment, entered the Hunter Association's official website on my smartphone, and applied for a party.

“The party... this should be enough.”

On the Hunter Association's official website, I applied for a duo party.

“Looking for D-class or higher hunters to run a duo at the emergency gate in Ilsan Jikdong Park.”

A duo party is generally composed of skilled individuals.

This is because the profit is split 50-50, so skill is required.

While the risk is higher and a mismatch can lead to disaster, it's still better than the fourth-floor trials.

“At that time, I had to drag my teammates through the trials by the collar.”

If I can't even run a duo in this dungeon now, that would be a problem.

“If I can't even clear a D-class dungeon, there must be something wrong with my level.”

For this reason, I applied for a duo party, and it was soon accepted.

A C-class hunter registered on the Hunter Association's website immediately gave the okay.

- Hunter Han Seungyun, I would appreciate it if you could come to the emergency gate as soon as possible.

- I have secured entry permission for one of the three gates in the park, so all you need to do is come.

- The profit split is 50-50, and I will yield any special rewards to Hunter Han Seungyun depending on the situation.

He even said he would yield any special rewards to me depending on the situation.

It seems he wants to secure some loot by running a duo.

‘Since his rank is quite high, it should be convenient.’

The treatment changed because the rank was higher than what I originally sought.

I smiled and turned off my smartphone, then hailed a taxi on the street.

Since I needed to get to the emergency gate as soon as possible, there was no hesitation.

“Please take me to near Jikdong Park.”

I was worried about what would happen if any usable items appeared in the dungeon...

‘But there’s no need to worry.’

I will act in a way that I have to consume any items, so I have a good feeling that I will gain a lot from the emergency gate.

***

Lee Cheolwon, sitting on a bench inside Jikdong Park, frowned.

“Wow, I’m going crazy. Why are there so many people?”

It had only been an hour since the emergency gate announcement was sent out.

Yet, more than ten people had already gathered at the gate.

Seeing the non-ordinary hunters by their equipment, Lee Cheolwon sighed deeply.

‘Damn, how many hunters are there in the vicinity...’

Originally, only nearby hunters were mobilized for emergency gates.

I thought at most two or three teams would gather, but more people came.

Even though there were only three gates, I didn’t expect so many hunters to gather.

‘It must be because of the Tower of Trials or something, damn it.’

Recently, people who visited the Tower of Trials have released a lot of low-tier items, making it difficult for lower-tier hunters to earn money.

Since the items don’t fetch their proper value, the income doesn’t match the effort put in...

Lower-tier hunters are flocking to the emergency gate for quick profits.

“The world is truly in decline, in decline.”

However, Lee Cheolwon had no intention of backing down.

For a D-class hunter like Lee Cheolwon, an emergency gate is like hitting the jackpot.

As a freelancer who usually only runs public dungeons, it’s hard to make big money.

Moreover, the market has worsened due to the items released from places like the Tower of Trials.

‘Since I might be forcibly summoned to the Tower of Trials... I need to make a lot of money quickly.’

The world is undergoing another upheaval.

Even a lower-tier hunter like him can feel the chaos.

With rumors that even civilians can enter the Tower of Trials or that hunters lose all their strength when summoned, the situation is uncertain.

The world is definitely changing, like in the times of great upheaval.

If the rumor about losing strength and being summoned to the tower is true, I need to do something.

‘At least the C-class hunter who joined the party is a relief.’

Well, from what I checked, it seems he hasn’t been active yet...

But I believe a higher-ranked hunter will do well in any situation.

‘At least his combat ability should be solid.’

A new hunter without experience is better than a lower-tier hunter with mediocre experience.

Lower-tier hunters lack basic combat skills, and their half-baked experience can cause resistance, which is a hassle in a duo party.

It’s better to form a party with a new hunter of the same or higher rank.

Even experienced hunters don’t always get the same treatment.

At that moment, a calm voice reached Lee Cheolwon’s ears.

“Are you Hunter Lee Cheolwon, who recruited for a duo party?”

It was the arrival of the new hunter he had been waiting for.

***

As soon as I arrived at the emergency gate, I approached the man sitting on the bench.

‘Is this the hunter who was recruiting for a duo party?’

Since he said he would wait at a specific location, it must be him.

And my guess was correct.

“Yes, I’m Lee Cheolwon, but you are...”

“I’m Han Seungyun.”

“Oh, nice to meet you. You seem quite promising, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“Not really. It seems you have quite a lot of experience, so I hope we can work well together.”

After exchanging formal greetings, I subtly observed Lee Cheolwon.

His equipment was a set of armor with a lion’s face engraved, emitting a faint cold aura.

The items were well-maintained, and I could tell they were quite good.

‘The item level is better than I expected.’

I didn’t recruit a duo out of baseless confidence; his equipment was indeed excellent.

Most of the items looked to be at least E-class, giving me a sense of trust.

‘I don’t know the exact effects of the items, but...’

I could easily tell that we had the means to enter a D-class dungeon as a duo.

Feeling somewhat satisfied, Lee Cheolwon spoke.

“I assume you know, but there are three gates in this park. We will enter the second one created, and I have already secured entry permission. Most likely, no other teams will enter besides us.”

“Hmm... That’s good. Do you know why there are no other teams?”

“It’s riskier and the space is narrower, so teams of four or five can’t even consider entering.”

Most of the hunters gathered here are part of fully staffed parties.

In other words, it means we will monopolize the loot as a duo.

‘That means I will get more items.’

After listening to the explanation, I remained silent, and Lee Cheolwon continued.

“Yes, even though I’m D-class and you’re C-class, it should be doable.”

His tone suggested that if I wanted to back out, I should consider the compensation...

“I see. It does seem doable.”

I never intended to back out since I came here to get the rewards.

‘This is a good opportunity to prepare for the eighth-floor trial.’

I came here to grow using the new abilities I obtained, so it’s natural.

“Since time is limited, let’s enter the gate. The profit split will be 50-50, and if you wish, we can agree on specific items to claim.”

I nodded slightly in response.

There was nothing to doubt since everything was standard.

“Then, let’s form the party. I hope we can work well together, Hunter Han Seungyun.”

Lee Cheolwon smiled and extended his empty left hand.

“Yes, I hope we can work well together.”

I shook his hand and smiled lightly.

It was time to start my first dungeon run as a hunter.

***

Woooom...!

The moment we entered the gate in the center of the park, the scenery changed.

Of course, this phenomenon wasn’t particularly surprising.

It was one of the phenomena I experienced in the Tower of Trials.

Moreover, I knew that the inside of the gate is a new space disconnected from reality.

It’s often described as a grassland, wilderness, or cave...

This time, it happened to be a cave.

“A cave-type dungeon is not very favorable for melee fighters... This is unfortunate.”

Lee Cheolwon frowned as he looked around the narrow cave.

It’s not just that the weapon’s reach makes it hard to fight in a cave...

It seems he was disappointed for other reasons.

“Indeed, it’s quite narrow for two people to fight together.”

I agreed with Lee Cheolwon and began to assess the surroundings.

The narrow and damp cave is wide enough for two people to walk side by side, but not to fight together.

I have a short melee sword, and Lee Cheolwon has a spear specialized for thrusting...

‘It’s a narrow space for both of us to use weapons.’

Of course, we haven’t been inside the gate for long, so we don’t know what’s ahead.

Dungeons usually change as you go deeper, so the space will likely be larger at the center.

However, just because the space might get wider, we can’t be complacent.

‘Even at the entrance, there can be monsters.’

It’s often said that there are few monsters at the entrance...

But in the Tower of Trials or dungeons, nothing is absolute.

A threatening monster might appear even at the entrance.

“Let’s proceed carefully.”

I slowly raised my sword and suggested to Lee Cheolwon to move forward.

While the environment is awkward for combat, not moving won’t accomplish anything.

Lee Cheolwon seemed to snap out of it and nodded hesitantly.

“Yeah, let’s proceed. Please follow me and be cautious of anything around us.”

Lee Cheolwon took the lead and said so.

‘...I wanted to take the lead.’

I wanted to try out various abilities, but I missed the timing.

However, Lee Cheolwon is an experienced hunter.

‘Even if I’m disappointed, it’s right to let Lee Cheolwon take the lead now.’

I heard that the real hunt starts at the center of the dungeon.

There’s still plenty of time to fight, so I don’t need to rush.

It’s also important to observe how an experienced hunter acts.

With that thought, I followed Lee Cheolwon into the cave.

And at that moment.

“Keeeee...”

A low growl approached from the front, and Lee Cheolwon’s eyes widened.

“Hmm, a Lizardman... This is not a favorable opponent.”

Lizardman.

A D-class monster with a human-like form resembling a reptile.

What’s unique is that, unlike goblins or orcs, they use skilled combat techniques.

‘Lizardmen are known to use combat techniques proficiently.’

They are also known to possess high-level combat skills.

“Keeeee, keeeeee.”

The Lizardman slowly approached with its spear, its slit eyes gleaming.

“Combat skills are already challenging, and a spear... This is tricky.”

“It’s better for one person to fight rather than two.”

“Yes, fortunately, my spear has a longer reach, so I will handle it.”

“...Alright.”

I briefly considered it, but the enemy is just one.

Considering the monsters we will face later, it’s right to let Lee Cheolwon handle it now.

It’s also a chance to observe his appropriate response.

With that judgment, I stepped back...

“...?”

Or rather, I tried to step back.

Until Lee Cheolwon hesitated, aiming at the Lizardman and engaging in a staring contest.

‘What the...’

I thought he would resolve it quickly, but they are having a mental battle.

He feints as if to thrust his spear, engaging in an invisible battle.

I know he is being cautious to land a decisive blow.

But I didn’t give up the lead to watch such a fight.

Spending the mere three days of real-world time like this is not good.

We need to focus on the gate, not waste time on a Lizardman at the entrance.

‘If we can’t handle a Lizardman at the entrance, the strategy will be delayed, which is problematic.’

Emergency gates are different from regular dungeons in many ways.

Hunters are gathered to prevent monsters from escaping the gate.

If time passes, the Hunter Association will either seal the gate or turn it into a public dungeon.

Perhaps the Hunter Association’s direct hunters will come to clear the gate soon.

The time limit applies not only to staying in the real world but also to using the dungeon.

Therefore...

‘We can’t waste more time.’

In the end, I had to change my approach to quickly clear the dungeon.

Instead of watching an experienced hunter, I decided to handle the enemy directly.

“I’ll help too.”

My decision was quick, and my action was swift.

Bang!

I kicked the ground nervously and lunged forward, shocking Lee Cheolwon.

“What the...! D, don’t come back-!”

Lee Cheolwon seemed quite flustered by my sudden action...

“Instant Acceleration.”

As I muttered these words...

「The skill ‘Instant Acceleration’ has been activated.」

Lee Cheolwon’s urgent cry was cut short.

Whoosh!

“...Huh?”

The explosive speed was far beyond what a mere D-class monster like the Lizardman could catch up to.

The sword strike, enhanced by high stats and a skill, was...

Thud.

“It’s over.”

It was enough to drop the Lizardman’s head to the ground in one go.

‘Dungeon monsters aren’t particularly stronger after all.’

They might even be weaker than the monsters in the Tower of Trials.

Even though they are the same D-class, they seem somewhat ambiguous, but that’s not important.

I wiped the blood off my blade and spoke.

“I helped because I’m in a hurry. I hope you understand.”

“Ah, yes... I, I understand. It can happen.”

Lee Cheolwon nodded like a dazed person.

His attitude suggested he didn’t understand the current situation...

But this is the perfect moment to persuade Lee Cheolwon.

“Also, I have a suggestion... Is it okay to say it?”

“Of course. Please speak your mind.”

I smiled and spoke about what I had been thinking.

“I want to take the lead from now on.”

We can’t spend all the remaining time on the dungeon strategy.

It’s time to speed up the progress.