Chapter 8: Solo S-Class Summoner

Chapter 2: Guild Master Yoo Joon-tae

When Yoo Joon-tae declared that Jin Do-yun was indeed his acquaintance, the situation was quickly resolved. Yoo Joon-tae canceled all his scheduled appointments and welcomed Jin Do-yun.

"......"

Inside the Guild Master's office.

The two of them silently stared at each other. Yoo Joon-tae had not been able to hide his shock since he first saw Jin Do-yun.

It was understandable.

After the Labyrinth disappeared, how much had the media talked about it? The return of the heroes was still the hope and dream of the public.

In a world filled with dungeons and monsters.

Among countless summoners, they were the ones who truly deserved to be called the best.

"...... Why didn't you at least contact me when you returned?"

Finally, Yoo Joon-tae, who had composed himself, spoke first. His tone was a mix of relief and disappointment.

"Hey, that's why I came to see you now, right?"

"Is that what you call a reason?"

"There were circumstances. I forgot how to communicate with the old man while trying to survive in the Labyrinth."

"You haven't changed a bit, even after all these years."

Yoo Joon-tae clicked his tongue.

"What? Oh, you mean the informal speech?"

"Yeah, that Western style or something."

"Why, it feels closer and is better, doesn't it?"

Jin Do-yun answered without hesitation.

"Sure, you brat!"

In the end, Yoo Joon-tae was the first to laugh.

Though he spoke like that, Yoo Joon-tae always had a deep sense of gratitude towards Jin Do-yun.

Five years ago.

If Jin Do-yun was a summoner, Yoo Joon-tae was his manager.

He learned and mastered many things by playing with the Summoner Master.

He knew that his long tenure as Guild Master was thanks to those experiences.

'Even though he's a lone wolf and a bit of a tyrant...'

He was a guy with unparalleled skills.

Still, thanks to Jin Do-yun's tone, the awkward atmosphere was instantly dispelled.

"Did you have a hard time?"

"What's the point of saying it? I thought I was going to die."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for involving you."

In fact, Yoo Joon-tae had a sense of guilt.

He had asked Jin Do-yun to clear the final Labyrinth.

At the time, he believed Jin Do-yun could do it.

But when he didn't return after one year, two years, three years...

'I thought I was going to go crazy.'

He had even shed tears while drinking alone.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. It was a choice made by me and my comrades."

"Still..."

"Actually, after returning to this world, I just wanted to rest."

"Hmm?"

"I was tired. I felt I had done enough. The old man doesn't know, but I fought without rest for 100 years."

"......?"

Yoo Joon-tae's pupils widened as he listened to Jin Do-yun.

It was an unreal number.

"100 years? What do you mean?"

"Phew, it's a long story."

Jin Do-yun sighed.

The truth about the final Labyrinth, the identity of the S-Class summoner.

He had no intention of telling anyone.

He didn't plan to be a Summoner Master anymore.

But he could tell Yoo Joon-tae.

He had kept his word.

Even after he disappeared, he never revealed the Summoner Master's real name.

So, Yoo Joon-tae was one of the few people Jin Do-yun trusted.

"Take your time."

And so, their conversation began.

From the moment he entered the Labyrinth to the final battle.

They talked non-stop.

Even through lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks, they didn't stop.

Though the Guild was busy, Yoo Joon-tae didn't mind.

Nothing was more important to him than this.

"So... it was a dungeon with time distortion, and you were there for 100 years?"

Their conversation ended when the sun rose again.

Even with a summary, it took that long.

"That's right. So, from now on, the old man is my little brother."

"Are you kidding?"

"Have you ever seen me joke about dungeons?"

"Well, no."

"The only reason I went to such lengths to find the old man is one."

"...... Your comrades, right?"

Yoo Joon-tae easily understood the reason.

Every time Jin Do-yun talked about his comrades, his affection was evident.

"You're right. The old man needs to help."

"They are still looking for them."

"They're not looking properly. They need to find ice statues and stone statues, not people."

The sealing technique of Demolition, as explained by Jeffrey.

It was so intense that it couldn't have been broken yet.

In other words, they needed to find statue-like figures, not people.

"Is there a way to break the seal?"

"That's my homework."

"Are you planning to raise Demolition?"

"Yeah. Most sealing techniques can be broken by the caster."

"You'll be visiting dungeons a lot, then."

Yoo Joon-tae thought it was fortunate.

If the Summoner Master swept through the dungeons, the world would be safer.

"Ah, right. But I heard the Guild is limiting dungeon access these days?"

"That's true. Actually, it's causing a lot of talk these days."

"Why?"

"There are more criminal groups."

"Criminal groups?"

They were groups formed by unregistered summoners.

Some of them turned to lawlessness with the power of their summons.

If they monopolized the dungeons, society could collapse.

This was to prevent that.

"It was a necessary choice."

"Looks like all sorts of scoundrels are popping up."

"You need to be careful. Some of them are not ordinary. Even if you're a Summoner Master, your summons are gone, right?"

"Hmm... That's true."

It's true.

Even if Demolition is S-Class, it won't be that strong unless properly raised.

"Anyway, can you make me some kind of dungeon access pass or registration card? I may be a bit of a brute, but I don't want to break the law."

Jin Do-yun, who had already secretly destroyed a D-Class dungeon, said this nonchalantly.

"Already? Why don't you rest a bit? 100 years would drive anyone crazy. I'm worried you'll overdo it and get sick."

"You know. I want to rest, but I can't. Yuria is still suffering, and Jeffrey is trembling in the ice."

"......"

Yoo Joon-tae pondered.

He could make it.

But he could clearly see that Jin Do-yun was pushing himself too hard.

"Why?"

"Hmm, let me think."

After a moment's thought, Yoo Joon-tae continued.

"How about this?"

"What is it?"

"There's a summoner selection program in a week. Why don't you participate?"

Summoner selection program.

As summoners became more established and the Guild grew, becoming a registered summoner became more difficult.

It meant that only those with character, talent, and skill could become officially recognized summoners.

It was a necessary decision for the Guild.

Since being a summoner was a highly sought-after profession, it had to be this way.

Even in a crisis, various professions were needed to keep society running.

The number of summoners had to be controlled.

"Summoner selection program?"

"Yeah. The exam takes too long, so the quickest way is this."

"Are you telling me to go to a place where hopefuls go?"

"Brat, the world isn't the same as before. Only those certified by the state can enter dungeons. Do you know how many kids are preparing for the exam to become summoners?"

"...... Crazy, to that extent?"

"Because of the attention. If I start making registration cards behind the scenes and get caught, it'll be a big deal. I don't want to see 'Jin Do-yun Gate' or something on the news, do you?"

"...... Tsk."

He could guess the old man's intentions.

It was probably a way to tell him to rest after all the hard work.

Well, if he put it that way, he couldn't refuse.

It wasn't a difficult request.

"Also, take a look at how the juniors are learning."

"Sure, you old fox, you had a plan, didn't you?"

Jin Do-yun chuckled.

"It's a three-day training program. Go and cause a little trouble."

"...... What, the great Jin Do-yun going to a place where kids play?"

"Please."

Yoo Joon-tae pleaded, and Jin Do-yun finally nodded.

"If the Guild Master says so, I have to, right?"

Jin Do-yun said as he stood up.

He wasn't tired, but Yoo Joon-tae looked exhausted.

The old man must have been up all night and was probably tired.

Given his position, he must have been busy too.

"A week from now, right?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm, got it. I'll do it properly for the registration, so the old man..."

"Don't worry. I'll do my best to find your comrades."

"Thanks, that's enough."

Jin Do-yun nodded, satisfied.

* * *

Inside the Wind Cloud Guild building.

Jin Do-yun was doing a handstand using only two fingers.

'Exercise needs to be consistent.'

After the Labyrinth disappeared, it had been half a year.

During that time, he had been unconscious, so he must have lost a truckload of muscle.

'Can't stand muscle loss, no matter what.'

Jin Do-yun and his comrades.

For 100 years, they had consistently exercised.

Thanks to Jin Do-yun's belief that physical fitness and mental strength were the basics of a summoner.

It allowed him to clear three dungeons when others cleared one.

It allowed him to fight for 21 hours when others slept for 7.

Jin Do-yun didn't become the world's best just because of talent.

It was possible because of his hard work and willpower.

And the foundation of that hellish effort was exercise.

'Reflecting on it, my sensitivity increased dramatically after exercising.'

Because it had been a while since he exercised, his muscles were screaming.

His body was drenched in sweat.

"Huff......"

After finishing his cool-down exercises, Jin Do-yun slowly stretched.

Even if the summoner does the fighting, self-management is essential.

He despised summoners who were just blobs of fat, giving orders to their summons.

Especially in intense battles, the summoner needs to move around.

'By the way, is it already tomorrow?'

It had been six days since he met Yoo Joon-tae.

Tomorrow was the day of the summoner selection program.

During this time, Jin Do-yun had prepared various things.

He searched for information online and increased his intimacy with Demolition.

"Keeow!"

It was still rolling around beside him.

Maintaining a summon's summoning is very strenuous for a summoner.

Yet, Jin Do-yun didn't reverse-summon Demolition.

He experimented and mastered the control.

'I'm looking forward to it.'

Summoner selection program.

What kind of skilled people will be there?

What level are the applicants?

Will there be any promising talent to surprise me after 100 years in the Labyrinth?

Now, the preparations are complete.

Jin Do-yun smiled deeply, looking forward to tomorrow.