Chapter 115

Not long after, Yerin, who had been experiencing the ‘Ahraman Heroic Chronicles’ Theater, returned to the Theater’s Recollection Room amidst a mysterious light.

“…Did you have a good trip?”

“Ugh, yes. By any chance, how much time has passed?”

“About two hours? I’m not exactly sure.”

It had been a short time for Taewoon, but Yerin said she had spent nearly a month inside the Theater.

“Then you essentially challenged the Theater’s clear on your own?”

“No. It felt a bit different from the usual Theater. Should I say I was just following a predetermined story on my own two feet…?”

Regardless, the original purpose was to learn how to use the Artifact Bahagandira.

And it seemed she had achieved sufficient results in that regard.

“Since I saw it firsthand several times, I don’t think there will be any problem utilizing it properly. Ah, though Holy Moon Descent is still a complete mystery.”

That is generally how abilities imposed as conditional requirements work.

In fact, Taewoon himself had not yet managed to activate the effect of Extreme Soul Eight Annihilations attached to the Cinema Skill: Soul Chasing Path Destruction.

‘Just like the effect of the Miracle of the Red Wax Mask, the day will come when I naturally realize how to use it.’

At any rate, it seemed safe to assume that everything he wanted to verify in the Theater for now had been settled.

The remaining tasks were deciding on another companion for entry and the timing for using the Epic-grade Ticket currently in his possession.

And those two issues were, in fact, virtually the same problem, closely linked to one another.

After seeing off Yerin, who wished to return to reality and get some proper rest, Taewoon gathered his things and headed outside for the first time in a while.

First, he intended to meticulously examine if there was anyone noteworthy in the Baran Guild.

“A talented rookie? Uh… there are some, but I’m not sure if they’ll meet your standards, hyung.”

“Just introduce me for now.”

Taewoon first sought out Harim and Minjun, and through their introductions, he familiarized himself with the faces of the rookies who had entered Baran, verifying their skills and repeatedly contemplating their Traits.

[This one won’t do. Isn’t it obvious that he’s been training half-heartedly all this time? He is not a talent befitting the young master.]

• In addition to the completion of the physical body, the responsiveness to magical power is also significantly lacking. I judge that growth beyond a first-rate Martial Artist will be difficult.

“…….”

Although Taewoon was the one who asked, the standards of the two examiners were pricklier and colder than expected.

Then again, Reje was a Magic Spirit who had observed countless first-rate Magicians, and Aquila was an Artificial Intelligence so exceptional that she had once ruled the Central Plains with her own hands.

From their perspective, low-level Hunters who had not yet reached the stage of an expert might be nothing more than fallen leaves on the roadside.

‘Approaching it this way will be endless…’

Taewoon let out a short sigh, realizing that digging further into the guild was a waste of time, and headed toward the office where Hongyeon was, following a call he had received moments ago.

Inside, he encountered Hongyeon, who looked somewhat exhausted.

“I heard about the Dungeon Break. You handled things quite decisively.”

“I was lucky.”

“I wonder… if it were something that could be solved with a single phrase like that, everyone wouldn’t have made such a fuss.”

While glancing through a few documents, Hongyeon shifted her gaze and met Taewoon’s eyes.

“So, your impressions?”

“Everyone’s skills were impressive. I could feel that the Guild Master put a lot of effort into it.”

“I didn’t ask because I wanted a compliment… well, it doesn’t feel bad, though.”

Hongyeon gave a small smirk, then met Taewoon’s eyes again and brought up the main point with a serious face.

“It’s nothing else, I was just asking for your thoughts. How was the Level 4-rank Dungeon?”

“…….”

“Fine, fine. I can tell just by looking at your face. It was lacking, wasn’t it?”

Only then did Taewoon feel he understood what Hongyeon wanted to verify.

Indeed, Taewoon had been harboring similar thoughts.

“…It wasn’t exactly ‘easy,’ but honestly, it’s also true that I didn’t find it difficult.”

And that was a quite important part of a Hunter’s growth.

If one does not feel hardship within the given situation, the stimulus for growth inevitably fades.

“I thought so. You fought a battle nearly on equal footing with that Kalliedu… a mere Level 4-rank Dungeon wouldn’t satisfy you.”

“…….”

“As you know, Baran’s first squad lacks the capacity to raid a Level 5-rank Dungeon. It would be a different story if I joined, but that would be putting the cart before the horse.”

In other words, with the current strength of the Baran Guild, they could not secure the raiding rights for a Level 5-rank Dungeon.

Hongyeon was essentially saying that it wouldn’t be helpful for Taewoon’s growth.

“Of course. Naturally, it’s not that there’s no way. You just have to stop obsessing over Baran.”

“What does that mean?”

“Actually, excluding the proper large-scale guilds, there aren’t many places that can raid high-level Dungeons on their own. Do you think those guilds would let their flagship Hunters just sit around and eat? Of course not, right?”

Therefore, high-level Hunters belonging to small and medium guilds would either join as temporary strength upon receiving commissions from large guilds or cooperate among themselves to raid Dungeons suited to their level.

And it seemed Hongyeon intended to connect Taewoon with them.

“Most have a guild they belong to, but there are oddballs who act as freelancers or insist only on short-term contracts. What do you think? Doesn’t that seem like it would suit you quite well?”

“…….”

It certainly wasn’t a bad proposal.

No, considering Taewoon’s current situation, it could be seen as a very timely suggestion.

‘Hunters who are strong and talented, but have no affiliation.’

If he interacted with them and continued his selection process, it wouldn’t be impossible to find a suitable subject to accept as a viewer of the Theater.

“Then, could I ask for an introduction?”

“Of course. But you have to tell me properly who you’re going with and where, okay?”

“Yes. I’ll let you know once the schedule is set.”

Thus, Taewoon accepted the invitation, which took the form of an introduction, and received the entry code for the corresponding Archive Group.

The total number of members in the group was 147.

Taewoon’s goal was to find a target to become his companion among them.

“So, are you really okay without a Tank?”

“Well, since everyone says they’re fine, won’t it be okay? Just looking at them, it seems like only people who are quite capable have gathered here.”

The woman with sharp features who spoke this turned her head slightly and began to examine the faces of those gathered.

‘…….’

As the woman said, there was not a single person here with skills below the standard.

Without exception, everyone’s presence was refined, and one could feel through the skin that they were true powerhouses just by seeing how they stood.

‘Most of them are unfamiliar… were there this many experts I didn’t know about?’

Of course, they likely weren’t at a level to surpass Kalliedu, but even so, the fact was surprising.

Feeling one of his industry common-sense notions shatter, Taewoon began to stare at one woman among the seven gathered Hunters who had her face hidden under a hood.

‘Is it just a delusion? No matter how I look at it, it’s a familiar feeling…’

However, if she wore a hood imbued with such high-level magic to hide her identity, she must be someone with a valid reason for doing so.

Since trying to uncover that would be bad manners, Taewoon consciously shifted his gaze and decided not to worry about the woman’s identity.

“I-I can fill the Healer role by myself, but… a-anyway, please be careful. Even if you blame me later, I-I won’t take responsibility.”

“Well, if we die, it’s my own fault, so what’s there to complain about? Let’s just handle it ourselves. Okay?”

One woman with a gloomy impression who exuded a somewhat timid aura, and one slender man who joked around with a beaming expression.

In any case, these seven gathered Hunters were the party members who would together raid this Michuhol Level 5-rank Dungeon.

“If there are people to cooperate with, you may form groups… otherwise, just eliminate the enemies in front of you at your own discretion.”

“Yes. Sounds good.”

“The fee will be distributed equally, but if anyone slacks off, a warning will be issued at the group level. I assume you all know that much?”

The middle-aged giant who had recruited party members by posting in the group gave brief instructions, and the raid party immediately entered the Dungeon through the portal.

It was a very haphazard process compared to a regular raid party, but the party members seemed accustomed to such a method, and without a single complaint, they followed the giant with familiar steps.

“Oh. Is there only one entrance? No need to bother splitting up then.”

“Tsk. It’s good that time is saved, but we’ll need to focus on identifying friend from foe. Refrain from loud attacks as much as possible.”

Since there was only one path, there was no need to divide the personnel, so the members of the raid party each took a comfortable line, forming a loose formation as they continued to advance.

And soon, they encountered the first group of Monsters.

“What is this? Just one?”

“It’s a Type 6 Mutant Gigantic Golem. It’s on the stronger side for Level 5-rank, so don’t let your guard down.”

VI-29 Gigantic Golem.

A simply powerful type of Monster possessing immense vitality and defensive power.

However, for a raid party of this level, it was not an opponent to be feared, so three Hunters, including the party leader Daecheol, stepped forward and began to raise their respective magical power.

“Bearded mister, since we’re at it, shall we bet on who destroys the core?”

“Didn’t I tell you not to call me that? I wouldn’t refuse a bet for dinner, though.”

“Huh? What? Then if I break it, are you buying me beef?”

The three stepped forward with an attitude that seemed far from tense, but the ominous magical power emanating from them created a completely different atmosphere.

Just as the three Hunters, having taken their stances, were about to charge at the Golem, the Golem suddenly raised both hands high and slammed its massive hands down hard on the ground.

“Wha-what?”

“Damn… the ground! Everyone, be careful!”

“Whoa, I’m falling!”

As if prepared, the ground split open all at once, and the Hunters began to fall into the giant hole.

Even in that urgent moment, Taewoon calmly heightened his Qi Sense to grasp the surrounding space and softly spoke the identity of the Dungeon.

‘…A Separation-type Dungeon?’