Chapter 5: Myth Dungeon (1)

The soldiers are closing in from all sides.

Since there was still time, I focused on erasing any traces.

Although the monsters' intelligence is low now and they don't track Awakeners, they will become more intelligent over time.

That's why people from the future were specialized in erasing traces and hiding their presence.

On a nearby tree.

I made an anonymous tip with caller ID blocked.

If there's a journalist who can take the call at this hour, they'll get a scoop. Fortunately, there was a journalist working late.

-Yes, this is KBC reporter Kang So-ra.

"I have a tip I'd like to give."

-A tip? What kind of tip is it?

"I'm an herbalist... I saw a deserting soldier while collecting herbs near Baegmagoji. He had a gun and a sword."

-A deserting soldier... Is that what you're saying? And he was armed?

"Yes, the military always tries to cover up desertions. That's why I'm giving this tip."

-Thank you. Where exactly is this place?

"So, this place is..."

I finished the tip before the soldiers arrived.

The reason I'm doing this.

It's because there's a risk that the Korean military will cover up or manipulate the incident.

The Korean military wasn't incompetent, but they were specialized in burying major incidents.

If you've served in the military, you know it's related to the promotions of high-ranking officials. That's why I'm bringing this issue to the surface.

To ensure that the future Sword Saint receives a fair trial.

And to completely neuter his abilities.

This is the right thing to do.

If such a malicious person gains power, countless victims will be created.

"Team leader! We've found the deserting soldier!"

"Arrest him!"

It was very successful.

The MPs arrested the deserting soldier, and the Sword Saint will face a military trial.

With a well-polished sword, he'll likely get at least three years. If the case gains attention?

He might have to rot in prison for more than five years as an example.

The soldiers left, and I set out to search with a clear mind.

"I found it."

This is the cliff the Sword Saint mentioned.

But it's not as steep as he described.

It's more like a gentle ridge, but it's quite high, and if you fall, you could break a bone.

I can also smell some ginseng from somewhere.

"Sword Saint, you're full of it."

He definitely said he fell from the cliff.

But when I came here, it wasn't even a cliff.

I took out a rope and tied it tightly to a large tree.

I could probably go down carefully, but given my current condition, I'd likely fall.

By the time the sun had completely set.

I reached the entrance of a cave emitting a strange aura.

"Here it is."

Despite appearances, I've been exploring dungeons for 20 years.

I can tell a dungeon entrance at a glance.

A dungeon formed before the game even started.

I suppressed the urge to enter immediately.

I had used up too much energy getting here.

I decided to sleep in front of the cave and enter the dungeon early in the morning.

The morning air is quite refreshing.

Maybe it's because I obtained mana.

Despite the hardships of yesterday, my body feels light.

A sensation I've never felt in the past 20 years.

I hear rustling sounds, and the phytoncides from the forest penetrate deep into my lungs.

My senses have become more acute, and this will help me develop.

I review yesterday's memories.

As the saying goes, "Even a rotten fish has its day." I easily subdued Baek Seung-ho, who was once a famous Sword Saint in the future.

The immense synergy that occurs when a non-mana Awakener obtains mana.

If I sweep through all the fortuitous events here, or even just the ones the Sword Saint obtained, becoming a top-tier player isn't impossible.

I will gain the power to prepare for the future.

I look at the dark dungeon entrance and shake off my thoughts.

"Shall I go in?"

The cave looked unremarkable, but as soon as I stepped in, an invisible barrier covered the entrance, and a system message echoed.

"Huh."

I expected this to be a Myth Dungeon.

But 100,000 Kaltz is a huge amount.

Kaltz is the currency in the Hunter world.

Mana Awakeners acquire a game-like system, and they have access to a shop.

Kaltz can be obtained by refining mana stones, which are not only a new energy source in modern society but can also be used to craft items and for various purposes.

The exchange rate is 1:1 with dollars.

100,000 Kaltz is equivalent to 120 million won.

Since this is a Myth Dungeon, just discovering and entering it for the first time grants this much Kaltz.

I was satisfied, but quickly regained my composure.

A dungeon level of 30 means the monsters here are at least level 30.

If I get distracted, I might get killed.

Creak, creak.

The sound of something rattling on the floor, and a monster rises.

The information floating above its head.

A bony skeleton slowly raises its sword.

An undead monster I've faced countless times over the past 20 years.

Back then, I could defeat them with pure physical training, and now I have mana.

Even though it's a small amount of mana, I can easily handle it with my experience.

I know exactly where its weak point is.

Near the skull.

Crack!

-Critical!

...

"Ha."

The level increases too easily.

I'm not sure if it's normal for a level 1 beginner Hunter to defeat a level 30 monster, but it's this easy.

And there's a nice reward.

I can now understand why Hunters are obsessed with hunting.

The experience points and items they accumulate lead to level-ups, which grant skill points and stat points.

The status window, which was previously useless for non-mana Awakeners, now has meaning.

Non-mana Awakeners didn't gain levels from killing monsters.

They only lived by training their bodies, so the status window was irrelevant.

But now it's different.

Status Window [Mana Awakener]

Kang Hyeong-seong LV. 5

Job: Monster Dissector (D)

HP 50 / MP 30

Physical Attack: 9

Magic Attack: 0

Physical Defense: 0

Magic Defense: 0

Skills

Monster Dissection (D)

Special Abilities

None

Items

Rusty Dagger (Magic)

Strength +2

Attack +3

Titles

Beta Tester [Luck +10]

None

Gaining levels from killing monsters.

I don't know if it's because the mana pill from the [Source of Greed] or because I was a beta tester, but either way.

I'm experiencing something fresh and new.

I picked up the rusty dagger.

It's a decent item, so my stats increased slightly.

I focused on increasing my strength.

I've been interested in the Hunter world for 20 years and have reached a level of analysis.

Many Hunters believe that focusing on one stat in the early stages makes growth easier.

So, I'll follow their experience and focus on one stat in the early stages.

Since I was naturally strong and had a sturdy build, I'll start by increasing my strength.

After allocating the stats, I felt a surge of power throughout my body.

The reinforced skeletons slowly advancing towards me now looked like money and experience points.

Creak.

Rattle, rattle.

"Come on!"

The slaughter began.

Crack!

-Critical!

The last reinforced skeleton collapsed pointlessly.

My actions are now more daring than before.

In the past, I only fought monsters when there was no other choice.

I chose to fight as a last resort when I couldn't escape.

Now it's different.

I can gain experience points and money, and even obtain items, so I'm determined to kill as many monsters as possible.

The last one I killed was the final one. I spent a few hours clearing all the monsters in the dungeon.

It was all money and experience points.

Now I'm facing the boss room.

"Feels a bit anticlimactic."

I'm feeling an intense thirst.

Like finding an oasis after walking in the desert for three days without water.

I know this emotion can be toxic, so I calm myself and prepare for the boss battle.

First, I allocated all the bonus stats.

My level is now 16, and I have 15 bonus stats.

I allocated 10 to strength and 5 to health.

No matter which stat you focus on, you need to allocate some to health.

Health is HP, and you might die unexpectedly, so you need to manage it consistently.

I slung a large sword over my shoulder.

Moonlight Greatsword

Grade: Magic

Physical Damage: 10

Additional Damage: 1

Additional Options

Strength +5

Stealth LV. 1

A greatsword polished by moonlight.

It's a decent Magic item for the early stages.

For armor, I wore a bone armor I picked up randomly.

Wearing this is better than having no items at all.

Now, the boss room.

A menacing warning message appears.

I clicked Y without hesitation.

Upon entering the boss room, a dark graveyard appeared.

A scene that seemed disconnected from the world.

In a space of about 50 pyeong (165 square meters), tombstones were densely lined up, and a giant Grim Reaper with a scythe glared at the area with burning eyes.

At first glance, its presence is overwhelming.

Generally, a boss monster is about 5 levels higher than the dungeon level.

The Grim Reaper's level is 35, but it could be considered level 40.

Considering this is a Myth-level dungeon, adding 5 levels, the Grim Reaper's level is close to 45.

I couldn't understand how the Sword Saint planned to clear this dungeon.

An ordinary person can't defeat the Grim Reaper.

After observing the Grim Reaper for a moment, I noticed a weakness.

It doesn't move unless you enter a certain area.

It looks powerful but has the disadvantage of a narrow field of view.

'Did he ignore the Grim Reaper and first obtain the authority to access the cash shop, then train before coming back?'

The picture fits.

Should I do the same?

No. The Sword Saint only did that because he had no way to face the Grim Reaper and resorted to a trick.

"Do I really need to do that? I don't even know where the cash shop authority is. I can defeat this without mana or system help, let alone with my current awakened state."

A frontal assault.