Kwon Jihan handed Riceball to Yoon Seo. Riceball sparkled as if it could turn back into a dagger at any moment.
Nearby, the hunters had already recognized Kwon Jihan and were glancing over, waiting for him to make a move. As Kwon Jihan stepped forward, brandishing his newly purchased sword, the hunters naturally made way for him, just like the Red Sea parting.
"Humanity is a blemish on Gaia and a speck of dust in the universe. The Gaia system, skills, dungeons, monsters—all have appeared to cleanse humanity! The cosmic deity that failed to annihilate humanity ten years ago is now preparing to clean up once more, and we will sacrifice ourselves for the universe!"
The fanatics likely noticed Kwon Jihan, but they did not cease their protection of the boss monster or their speech. Though their beliefs were twisted, one could not help but commend their resolve. However, faith, will, and noble sacrifice meant nothing in the face of an incomprehensible, colossal power.
['Kwon Jihan' has activated the
"Hah!"
"Gah…!"
The figures in black robes collapsed to the ground, trembling, and lay flat. Not only them, but the hunters from the black market also shivered and knelt.
A sense of overwhelming fear was approaching.
These apocalyptic believers certainly did not fear death; they stood ready to commit suicide. Yet, the power of
The being at the very top of the food chain.
Above faith, will, and resolve; above all instincts.
It was something that even erased the desire to resist.
That was the power of
Kwon Jihan passed by the fanatics who lay flat, approaching the boss monster that trembled like a human in fear. The 'Sword of the Cold Wind' swung towards the boss monster, which had no will to resist, and soon the dungeon clear message appeared.
Only then did the effect of the
Piyu.
Even the Existing Spirit trembled in fear, shivering in Yoon Seo's arms, finally peeking out.
'What an amazing skill. I wonder if it will work on me if it levels up to an S-rank skill?'
Yoon Seo hoped not. He never wanted to show his fear in front of Kwon Jihan.
***
The two emerged from the black market and returned to Korea via the portal stone. The events from the black market had not yet been reported, but breaking news would start coming soon. They contemplated waking Yoo Juncheol to inform him but decided to wait until he arrived at work to tell him.
"Wait a moment, hyung. Take this."
Before parting ways, Kwon Jihan turned Yoon Seo around and handed him something. Yoon Seo took it absentmindedly.
It was an ointment, about the size of his pinky finger.
An ointment made solely with human technology, unrelated to the Gaia system.
"I squeezed too hard earlier. I'm sorry. Apply this and get better quickly."
When on earth did he buy this?
Yoon Seo let out a long sigh.
"I don't need it. I've already healed—"
Yoon Seo extended his wrist but quickly pulled it back in shock. The bluish bruise hadn't faded; if anything, it had become more visible.
It was embarrassing. Was it because of his age?
"Look at this. I'm really upset. Why do I keep hurting you? I'll be more careful from now on."
Kwon Jihan suddenly grabbed Yoon Seo's wrist. Not only that, he even rubbed the bruise with his fingers. Yoon Seo could easily shake Kwon Jihan off if he wanted to, but he didn't. He didn't want to. He didn't want to appear weak in front of this guy, but being cared for felt oddly nice.
***
The next day, three people gathered in Seokyoung, the guild master's office, much earlier than the average start time.
Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan informed the others about the incident at the black market, and due to this unexpected event, some of their upcoming schedules had to be adjusted.
"The cult called Galaxaia will continue to commit acts of terrorism to kill members of the Great Dungeon exploration team and will do anything to disrupt the expedition. Each guild should prepare potions and cooldown items for skills in anticipation of the Great Dungeon, so please contact them and advise caution."
"Yes."
"There are likely more cultists among the new Revenger candidates. It will become a headache if these lunatics enter the Great Dungeon, so we need to filter them out in advance. The list hasn't been finalized yet, right?"
"The deadline was the day before yesterday, and we are currently working on calculations, so there are only a few confirmed names. I think we should derive about 500 people and then go through a verification process for them."
They had planned to finalize the list by this week, but the added process of filtering out the cultists pushed everything back by a week. This couldn't just be handled by running a computer; each individual would need to be interrogated using the interrogation skill, so it was bound to take a lot of time.
"Also, look into the recent transaction history of S-rank self-destruct items. It would be troublesome if everyone decided to blow themselves up in the Great Dungeon. I know there are numerous doomsday cults besides the Galaxaia sect, so it would be wise to keep tabs on them in advance."
"Yes, there's a lot to do."
Interfering with religious matters or conducting ideological screenings. If such events happened abroad, the media would pounce on the Hunter community. However, in Korea, Seokyoung had a strong grip on things, making the environment more favorable to Hunters compared to other countries. Thus, this matter had to be managed by Seokyoung.
Despite being a member of the planned Great Dungeon exploration team, Yoo Juncheol didn't even have time to dream of personal training.
"Jihan, we need to handle the public relations first. You should briefly post about the incident at the black market on your social media."
"Got it. I should write it as if Galaxaia is undoubtedly the embodiment of evil, right?"
"Just don't be too blatant about it."
Kwon Jihan picked up his phone as if he understood. Without a moment's hesitation, he typed away at the screen.
Yoon Seo's phone chimed with an alert. It was a notification for Kwon Jihan's social media update.
JIHAN_S
There was a terrorist incident involving a group called Galaxaia in the dungeon today. Galaxaia is a cult that claims the world must be destroyed, and what they are doing is a blatant crime, not a religious activity. One of them even applied to be a new Revenger, so I request the Hunter Federation to conduct a thorough review of the applicant list.
It was quite a strongly worded message.
"Well, it looks like we're mostly done now. I'll head off to train."
"Ah, wait a moment."
As the two were about to get up, Yoo Juncheol quickly stopped them. Although their main discussion had ended, his was still ongoing.
"Actually, while you two were in the black market, an S-class explosive-type Red Dungeon was appeared in Jeonnam, which has a time limit until September 30th. For now, Perfect is scheduled to enter on the 15th."
Yoon Seo's expression hardened.
"If it's an S-class Red Dungeon, Perfect alone won't be enough…"
"Yes, that's right. Yoon Seo, you have to attend the prophecy of Guildmaster Grace this weekend… Kwon Jihan, will you be going in?"
Kwon Jihan made a sulky face.
"Of course I have to go… I don't have a choice."
His response was reluctant and sullen, making it clear he didn't want to go.
Yoo Juncheol was a bit surprised since he had never seen Kwon Jihan so openly reluctant to enter a dungeon.
At that moment, Yoon Seo spoke up.
"I'll go in as well."
"I understand your feelings, but Guildmaster Grace's skill doesn't perfectly apply cooldown potions, so there won't be another opportunity before we enter the Great Dungeon this weekend."
For the upcoming revelation, which was about to ask the entry conditions for the black dungeon, one 'chosen one' had to attend.
"The revelation time will be Sunday night according to Korean standards. Since we're entering on Wednesday… that's enough time."
"…What?"
"Since the world will be in chaos with Galaxaia, this actually works out well."
"What on earth do you mean…? Hey, why are you smiling like that?"
Yoo Juncheol tilted his head in confusion, not understanding, and then made a bizarre expression upon seeing Kwon Jihan's face. Kwon Jihan was smiling brightly as if he had never been sulky at all.
There hadn't been any positive points in their conversation so far, so why was he so cheerful? Has he finally gone crazy?
It seemed Yoon Seo was thinking the same, as he frowned.
"Hunter Kwon Jihan, were you actually part of Galaxaia? Why are you grinning so much?"
"Ah…"
Kwon Jihan seemed to have just realized how his expression looked, as he fiddled with his mouth using his fingers. However, he didn't erase his smile.
"This isn't really the time to be laughing. Sorry. It's just that seeing Yoon Seo hyung being so proactive makes me feel good."
"...."
"It seems like you're trying to actively tackle this situation, which feels kind of… well."
Kwon Jihan rolled his eyes, as if searching for the right words.
"It's like you're trying to maintain peace in this world or something."
"...."
"It feels like you have a will to move forward?"
"...."
"It feels like you're walking towards the future?"
"...."
"What am I even saying right now?"
"What do you expect us to do with that question?"
Yoo Juncheol clicked his tongue. Kwon Jihan crossed his arms and tilted his head in confusion. Yoon Seo wasn't entirely sure what Kwon Jihan was getting at, but he stayed silent at the mention of "will to move forward."
"Once you figure out what you mean, tell Yoon Seo directly. Yoon Seo, are you really going to enter?"
"Yes, I'll go in, and I'll also attend the prophecy. If it's just about breaking the record for the shortest time in an S-class Red Dungeon, a cult won't even get any attention."
"...If someone else said that, I'd take it as a joke, but because it's you, Yoon Seo… I can't stop you. I really think it's possible."
Yoo Juncheol had a complicated expression. Ultimately, it seemed he chose to believe rather than doubt, as he informed the Perfect manager about Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo's participation.
"Oh, I've prepared some status effect relief potions. Let's stop by the item crafting department."
"Understood."
Even until the moment they left Seokyoung's office, Kwon Jihan was grinning from ear to ear. He looked so happy that Yoon Seo thought he must have misunderstood something; he hesitated to explain that it was just that if the world ended, it would be difficult to hear their last wills, so he didn't want it to end.