CH: 193 The Grind Never Stops

[You have acquired the Right Eye of Light.]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

"So she did have them, the eyes of the world."

Jin smirked as what just happened dawned on Jin's face.

That aside, there was no way in hell the main boss of Angel's Layer got massacred just like that.

"It seems that she didn't possess all the creation powers, and considering the challenging nature of boss fights in the game, there's reason to doubt the accuracy of all the lore. It appears she might not be the true Creator as initially believed. So she is just a two star for a reason." Jin shrugged shamelessly, pulling up a can of cola he had in his supplies.

While he was drinking Cola he was looking at the pure white marvel that was floating in his left hand.

{Right Eye of Light(Fake)}

Rarity: A-Rank

Type: Equipment

Attack +25%

An unsuccessful attempt to replicate the Right Eye of Light.

{Increases the damage of Light attacks by 25%}

"My anticipation was in vain; it seems I won't be obtaining something capable of controlling all light by defeating a half-hearted replica of a powerful being." Jin thought while placing the eye into his inventory.

"Now let's see what is inside the huge chest that just appeared and let's get out of here." Jin said as he walked towards the giant chest that had appeared after the death of the dungeon boss.

The battle concluded abruptly, as it always did. This wasn't a true battle but rather a one-sided massacre, and Jinwoo didn't even need to participate.

With numerous soldiers in his army experiencing the joy of rank promotions, the strength of his forces grew, turning upcoming battles into even more of a one-sided massacre. This continuous strengthening fueled a perpetual cycle of violence and power, further enhancing his dominance and power.

[You have discovered 'Item: 1259 Feather of the Greatest Fallen, Will you take it?]

[You have discovered 'Item: Iron Ingot'. Will you take it?]

[You have discovered 'Item:....

Because Jubileus was the boss of a rank S- dungeon, it sure coughed up a lot of loot. This proverbial pile of treasure was a sight for sore eyes, but most of them were known items and he had gone through all of them with a glance.

Indeed, now his priority lay with getting out of here and continuing the grind until he reached LV : 150.

"Status"

[Name: Sung Jin-Woo]

[Level: 139]

[Class: Monarch of Shadows]

[Subclass: Locked]

[Title: Bane Of Holy, Limit Breaker, Demon Slayer, Lord of Death, Exterminator (37 more)]

[HP: 50,735/50,735 R: 24.3% (2971.39) per Minute]

[MP: 88,874/88,874 R: 45.87% (18,241.26) per Minute]

[???: 1037 R: 5% (35) per Minute]

[Tiredness: 0]

[Stats]

Strength: 364

Endurance: 348

Agility: 329

Intelligence: 484

Perception: 330

(Available stat points: 68)

Jin-Woo simply dumped all the items acquired from the corpse of the fake Creator and the whole corpse in his trusty Inventory. While analysing his stat sheet. And then, while lightly dusting his hands, took a look around him.

'I find myself facing a pressing matter—just eleven more levels to grind before I can achieve my goal and finally unlock the golden ticket to dimension jump. Despite the monotony that has settled in, these final 11 levels pose a far greater challenge than anything I've encountered before. Now, the steep requirement of millions of experience points for a single level-up adds to the complexity. Especially at times when I'm struggling to find suitable targets to amass these crucial experience points, but…'

….But, he shouldn't miss out on other things because of that, no?

Wasn't there an old saying about 'the more of a hurry you are in, you should take the longer of the routes available' or some shit?

Jin-Woo looked behind him, and found his Shadow Soldiers standing at attention in rows, having massacred a boss ten times stronger than them. Behind his boys and girls, land was scorched bloody land strewn about everywhere.

"Great effort, everyone. Just a little more, and we'll be done for the time being."

With those words, Jin-Woo stored all of his Shadow Soldiers back into his shadow. It was almost time to make his exit from the Anegl's Lair. There was nothing for him to do here.

"It's time to leave"

"….Shadow Exchange."

As soon as Jin-Woo opened his mouth…

As if gravity was powerfully pulling him down, he was rapidly sucked into his own shadow.

Just before Jin-Woo was completely swallowed up by his shadow, he heard another message issued by the System.

[The dungeon would be completely eradicated with the demise of…]

The sensation of him falling didn't last long. Suddenly, the gravity's direction reversed, and he was now being lifted back up at the same speed as he was being sucked in.

His darkened vision reverted back to the original state in no time at all.

Jin-Woo took a quick look around. Just check if anybody saw it.

Tick, tick….

A street light that continued to flicker as if it was broken; a hand-pulled wooden cart leaning precariously against a wall; an electrical pole with a half-torn flyer still stuck to it. As a staunch odour was everywhere.

He found himself in the deserted part of Seoul.

Feeling a sense of urgency, Jin-Woo quickly retrieved his Hunter-issue mobile phone from his inventory. As soon as he did, the smartphone began buzzing incessantly.

Thousands of notifications flooded in without a moment's pause.

'It's already this late….?'

Jin-Woo's forehead creased up big time.

The touchscreen display showed 11 in the evening. Although the visitation hours had long passed now, Jin-Woo didn't hesitate once as he summoned the shadow of the Sky Dragon.

"Kaisel."

Kiiieeehhk-!

Answering the call of his monarch, Kaisel yelled out in joy and pushed his head out of the ground. And soon, a huge lizard-like creature the size of a truck with no arms but huge wings revealed itself.

When Kaisel spread open its vast wings, the already-narrow place seemed to get filled to the brim in an instant. It was a small mercy that there were no other people nearby, otherwise…..

Jin-Woo walked closer, and Kaisel lowered his body to allow ease of mounting. Jin-Woo duly did so.

He felt a sense of familiarity as if he had been riding on Kaisel for a long time. He figured that flying in the air wouldn't pose any problems since he felt this way.

'It doesn't matter if someone tries to stop me.'

He wasn't thinking about cops or even the military trying to block him, he knew he had the power to break past them. And, at least for this moment, he didn't want anyone to obstruct his path.

"Fly fast, buddy. It's time to see what North Korea looks like."

'

Jin-Woo formed a serious expression and issued a command. Kaisel began beating his huge wings.

Kiieeehhhkk!!

Kaisel rose up in the air right away and quickly flew in the direction Jin-Woo pointed at.

***

A meeting was still taking place within the walls of the Hunters Association, even though the hours were getting late.

The Korea-Japan cooperative raid was already around the proverbial corner, and the Association was doing everything in their power to ensure the successful subjugation of Jeju Island's ant monsters.

"Here is the data sent by the Japanese."

The agent of the Association pressed a button on the remote. Soon, the giant screen was filled with the footage of the ant monsters, captured by the magic-power sensing camera attached to a Japanese satellite.

These were the records taken during the first, second and the third subjugation attempts. Goh Gun-Hui's eyes narrowed to a slit.

'Indeed, excluding the ant queen and its guards, every single ant did leave the ant tunnel.'

The ant monsters moved just as the Japanese said they would.

Although the existence of the guardian ants was a worrisome variable in the equation, it was also normal to find a few guardian-type monsters protecting their bosses within higher ranked dungeons, as well.

Still, it was hard to claim that there was no risk. The top man in the Korean side of the operation, Goh Gun-Hui, quickly thought of one of the worst case situations.

"What are the odds of the ants turning around quicker than anticipated after realising their queen is in danger?"

The Japanese had already thought about that too, however.

"They have said they would use 'interference radio wave' signal."

"Radio wave signal?"

"According to their research, they discovered that the ant monsters use specific radio waves to communicate among themselves."

Indeed, if one wanted to order an army of several thousands as one unit, then a method to send out commands should exist. Goh Gun-Hui nodded his head.

"And they can interrupt the communication of ants with radio waves?"

"That's what they said, sir."

"So, they want us to fully concentrate on killing the ant queen, is it…."

The subjugation plan itself was quite simple.

Even though it was simple, there was a higher chance of succeeding when compared to other plans, as well.

Yet, why did Goh Gun-Hui feel so anxious like this?

He rested his chin on his hands.

'Could it be that I'm worried about…'

It was then.

Goh Gun-Hui spun his head towards the outside of the window, his brows shooting up high. Everyone inside the meeting room flinched at the sudden movement of the Association President.

Section Chief Woo Jin-Cheol, here to guard his boss from the side, rapidly walked in closer.

"Did something happen, sir?"

"Just now….."

Goh Gun-Hui shifted his gaze over to Woo Jin-Cheol. The latter's expression remained the same as usual.

"Haven't you felt that?"

"Sir? I don't understand what you mean…."

"…."

Just now, an astonishing wave of magic power flooded in from a faraway place beyond the windows.

Although it only lasted for a brief moment and quickly disappeared from Goh Gun-Hui's perception, he still had felt the full brunt of that.

'.....'

As their Association President continued to stare into the distance outside the window, the agents had to stop the meeting and cautiously ask their boss.

"Sir….?"

Only then did Goh Gun-Hui shift his gaze away, his head still tilting side to side.

He wondered about the possible origin of that powerful burst of magic energy, but for the time being, he had to concentrate on the current meeting. Goh Gun-Hui fell into deep thought, before throwing a question at one of the agents in charge.

"Have you succeeded in getting in contact with hunter Mrs. Esdeath?"

***

Baek Yun-Ho asked, his head still looking over his shoulder.

"Did you sense that?"

Min Byung-Gu replied testily.

"I may be retired now, but my rank hasn't dropped, you know."

These two men had been sharing a bottle of cheap liquor for the first time in a long while inside a certain 'pojangmacha' until then, but now, only the heavy silence flowed between them.

Baek Yun-Ho eventually shifted his gaze back to his front.

"What was that just now?"

"Perhaps Choi Jong-In and Cha Hae-In are involved, and have started fighting over the shares of the Hunters Guild. or it could be that the new S-Rank, the Ice Empress, Who knows?."

Min Byung-Gu had been frozen on the spot with a shot glass in his hand, but suddenly broke out in a fit of giggles before emptying the soju down his throat. Baek Yun-Ho formed a dumbfounded expression.

"Don't tell me you were trying to make me laugh with that."

"But, wasn't it funny, hyung?"

"….Never mind. Forget it."

But, then again – including his sense of humour, Min Byung-Gu could be considered a bit strange in the head. No doubt about that.

'I mean, he's supposed to be the first rank S Hunter in the world to retire when he's still all healthy and the like, isn't he?'

Not only the first in the world, but he was also the only one so far, too.

Just how many people out there would willingly give up on the ridiculous amount of wealth a rank S Hunter could earn, simply because he wasn't interested anymore?

Min Byung-Gu wasn't even from a wealthy stock, to begin with.

Sensing Baek Yun-Ho's questioning gaze, Min Byung-Gu asked back.

"Hyung. Are you really going to participate?"

"….Yeah."

"But, you saw how Eun-Seok Hyung died."

"That's why I must go back."

Min Byung-Gu looked at his drinking partner with a bit of confusion on his face. Baek Yun-Ho emptied his shot glass and continued on.

"If we leave the ants alone, the entirety of South Korea would end up like that place."

"Since when did you become this patriotic….?"

"Well, we're supposed to do it sooner rather than later, so might as well come up with a nice-sounding excuse while I'm at it. Don't you agree?"

The Guilds could not decline the Association's summons. The Association would accommodate the needs of the various Guilds, and the Guilds themselves simply had to answer the Association's call in return.

If one didn't want to, then there was the option of emigrating to somewhere else. How unfortunate, then, that there was no sane-minded nation willing to accept a Hunter running away from a high-difficulty raid.

Even if a country did accept such a person, could anyone actually be sure of that said Hunter not pulling the exact same stunt again in the future?

'I don't want to run away, anyways.'

Baek Yun-Ho smirked to himself. Meanwhile, Min Byung-Gu bluntly replied.

"I won't be participating. I will never go back there. If you asked to see me, hoping to change my mind, you might as well give….."

"That's not it."

Baek Yun-Ho put the cash down for the alcohol and stood up. The bottle was empty by then.

"I came to say goodbye, just in case. I don't know if we'll get to sit down for a drink again, after all."

"Hyung….."

Min Byung-Gu gave up on changing Baek Yun-Ho's mind, as he watched the latter wave his hand while walking away.

Baek Yun-Ho already knew full well the dangers of the subjugation plan, perhaps better than anyone else.

'Even then, he's still going…..'

Baek Yun-Ho's expression wasn't of someone being dragged away despite feeling deeply scared. No, rather, he carried the face of someone getting ready to step on and kill as many ants as he could with this opportunity, instead. Indeed, he seemed to be eagerly waiting for the day of the subjugation.

Min Byung-Gu could only chew on the snacks with a helpless expression on his face, only for his chopsticks to stop moving shortly thereafter.

'Wait a minute….. I can't think of that many Hunters who don't like fighting against monsters, now can I?'

There were a few like that among the Healers, but on the flip side, those folks simply loved to heal others, instead.

Min Byung-Gu dazedly stared at the bowl of oden soup, before roughly scratching the side of his head.

'Could it be that only those who like fighting become Awakened?'

Eii, there was no way that could be true.

Min Byung-Gu found something to be rather funny, and laughed all by himself while finishing the oden.

***

Jin-Woo traversed his path towards the shadowed corners of Korea, quite literally, as the grounds of North Korea below were lacking much-needed sources of light.

While flying on the back of Kaisel, Jinwoo watched the news to observe how the plot was unfolding. In doing so, he came across a report about an Ant monster rampaging through a city in Japan near the coastline, causing numerous casualties and brutally taking the lives of many low-rank hunters.

As Jinwoo read the news, a deep frown etched itself on his face, intensifying as he looked at the brutal images of the incident.

The attack claimed the lives of 294 civilians, with 108 dispatched hunters. The mutant ant, equipped with flight capabilities and a danger-sensing ability, prompted the Japanese Hunter Association to deem the dispatched number not excessive.

Considering Japan's advanced hunter system, the significant casualties raised concerns about the potential consequences if the mutant ants were to extend their reach to South Korea.

Subsequently, a new ant monster was discovered dead near the coastline.

'The unfolding Jeju Island Arc has caught my attention, and regrettably, the ant attack transpired while I was away. The daunting grind required to complete the quest puts me in a precarious position, making active participation in the raid, which could prevent substantial loss of life, nearly impossible.

The allure of joining the raid is undeniable, but the quest remains my foremost priority, given its exceptional rewards. If only there weren't a pressing time limit, I could leisurely partake in the raid without compromising the pursuit of my goals.

This dilemma poses a tough choice between contributing to the greater good by joining the raid and pursuing personal gains through quest completion. The complexity intensifies when considering the numerous lives at stake, including Cha Hae-In's. I can't bear the thought of her facing death, even with the possibility of revival. This intricate situation adds a layer of complexity to my decision-making process.'

"Fortunately, I have someone adept enough to handle the situation effortlessly."

Jin-Woo vocalized his thoughts with a smile as he opened the message app, identifying her number from the continuous stream of messages she sent every hour. After reading through the messages, Jin smiled and composed a thoughtful reply.

After waiting for more than five minutes without receiving a reply, Jin let out a sigh and proceeded to type another message.

["Chillheart, I'm relying on you to handle the death count in the upcoming Jeju Island raid. Your skills are unmatched. Looking forward to seeing you there. Much love."]

After sending the message, Jin tossed his phone back into his inventory as they reached the location of the Gate of the Labyrinth the Juche Tower.

It wasn't much just a small tower with its Juche Tower, situated in Pyongyang, North Korea, is a 170-meter monument symbolizing the Juche ideology of self-reliance. Located in Kim Il Sung Square, the tower is surrounded by government buildings, and the square often hosts grand events and parades.

The tower itself, made of 25,550 granite blocks, features sculptures and detailing representing the principles of self-reliance. The meticulously landscaped surroundings contribute to the serene ambiance of this central symbol of North Korean ideological dictator.

Disregarding everything around him, Jin produced a seemingly ordinary black key, prompting a blue screen to materialize in front of him.

Ding~

The Key of Sazardon Labyrinth

Rarity: A- Rank

Type: Key

Key to enter the Sazardon Labyrinth, one of the six Labyrinths created by Damicalus.

Usable in The Juche Tower.

With a nod, Jin acknowledged that the key in his possession was the one acquired from the treasure found in Rivarintos Labyrinth. He had already perused the Book of the Law of Labyrinths, also procured from the same collection of treasures.

The key held a designation for inserting into the Sazardon Labyrinth. Just before landing, Jin activated his stealth skill, ensuring that he wouldn't attract any unwanted attention. The moment he used the key, a dungeon gate would manifest.

Wasting no time, Jin utilized his super speed to reach the designated spot for inserting the key. Swiftly, he inserted the key into the empty space, and with a quick spin, audible clicking sounds resonated. In the next second, he vanished from the spot.

Simultaneously, a colossal red Dungeon gate materialized in the same place, causing a commotion among the nearby guards and people who were abruptly awoken by the intense red glow, outshining every source of light around it.

***

Emerging on the other side, Jinwoo's eyes were greeted by the sight of a vast, desolate land, bathed in the glow of a colossal star dominating the sky. It was a sprawling desert that stretched as far as the eye could see, with endless dunes casting a monotonous pattern across the horizon.

"The desert," he muttered, taking in the barren landscape.

As the familiar chime of the system rang out, a detailed notification appeared before him:

{You've entered the Sazardon Dungeon.}

[[Name: Sazardon]

Type: Ruins

Difficulty: A–

Description: Crafted by the hand of Damicalus, the Sazardon Dungeon is a harsh environment hostile to all life. The very ground beneath is scorched by the relentless light of its nearest star, leaving the landscape barren and unforgiving. Here, the only signs of life come in the form of various traps and monstrous creatures that have adapted to the extreme conditions. as every step brings the challenge of survival against both the scorching environment and the lurking threats within.]

Ding!!

[**Passive Damage:** The relentless heat of the desert inflicts ongoing damage to all intruders. Those who dare step foot inside will receive 2 HP damage for every minute spent in the dungeon.]

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