Chapter 160
Chapter 160
[Dungeon Clear Reward Settlement Complete.]
Wow. I opened my eyes wide.
Judging by the expressions on the other three hunters’ faces, they must have seen the same thing.
Once you hit S-rank, base stats are in the tens or hundreds of millions, so a 25% stat boost was enormous.
Probably enough to shake up the global rankings if we went out like this.
But wait? Me? I’m B-rank?
[Dungeon Rank Difference Bonus ‘B→SS (3 Rank Gap)’ Reward Settlement in Progress…]
Oh? Taking care of me separately?
[Settlement Complete.]
[Additional Stat Bonus +50% Granted.]
[Rank Rises to ‘A’!]
[All Stats Readjusted with A-Rank Bonus.]
“Oh.”
I let out an involuntary exclamation. A? A!!!
The gap between higher ranks widens dramatically, but the jump from B to A was on another level entirely.
Starting at A-rank, your body fundamentally adapts to handle mana and strength effortlessly, and your stats explode.
It was such a shift that you even got a “Change Adaptation Period” buff.
It was a buff that popped up a system alert if you accidentally used more power than your everyday strength—but honestly, it was useless.
You usually smashed everything first and checked the system window after.
But I didn’t need any adaptation period.
This felt more natural, actually.
I was born S-rank, after all.
Whoa, look at that magic power shining! An extra zero! Now it finally looks decent.
Getting closer to the stats saved on the Galaxy Server.
[‘Madam’s Satisfaction (L)’ Buff Additional Reward Granted.]
Before I could even feel moved, another system window popped up.
It had definitely disappeared from the buff window earlier…
Did she sneak it in at the end as a reward? Didn’t peg Madam for the grateful type, but she’s paying it back like this?
As I was getting emotional, a flash of light swept through my inventory.
[‘PE Teacher’s Wooden Sword (SS)’ Granted ‘Treasure Bonus.’]
[Does Not Consume Personal Treasure Slot (Remaining: 3).]
“Huh?”
“?”
From their reactions, it looked like the items we’d “gifted” each other as presents were getting treasure bonuses too.
Everyone was staring at their inventories in shock.
Wait, but didn’t Shin Jae-heon already have the Plated Necklace (C) as his treasure?
[Treasure Bonus Setting in Progress…]
[Treasure Bonus Set.]
PE Teacher’s Wooden Sword (SS) – ‘Hunter Shin Yuri (S)’ Treasure Bonus: All Stats +30% on Use, ‘Attack’ and ‘Support’ Skills +1 Rank (No Rank Cap)
All stats 30%?
Attack skills +1 rank???
Does that mean my Afterimage goes from SS+ to L+?
This was beyond broken.
It was common knowledge that treasures gave great bonuses on high-rank items, but since the bonus was random and you only got three in a lifetime, no one slapped them on carelessly.
…Except Shin Jae-heon.
Anyway, getting a treasure bonus on a cherished item without using a slot was insanely good.
“This treasure bonus is insane, for real.”
All that suffering paid off!
Suddenly, I was thinking maybe I could take the dignity test again.
Meanwhile, Hunter So Yeri, eyes wide, handed something to Shin Jae-heon.
“Here, take this.”
It was his Plated Necklace.
“…Ah.”
Shin Jae-heon let out a short gasp. He clearly hadn’t expected her to bring back his necklace too.
“Thank you.”
He paused again as he took it.
Whatever it was, it had an equally OP treasure bonus.
[You May Exit Dungeon ‘Guest of the Mansion (SS)’.]
Only after dumping all the rewards did the exit gate open.
“Oh…!”
Hunter So Yeri’s eyes sparkled especially—she must love her rewards.
Wonder what she got.
[Exiting Dungeon ‘Guest of the Mansion (SS)’.]
But I didn’t get a chance to ask.
The dungeon spat us out without warning.
No, Madam! Let us walk out properly!
But looking back, I could see why we’d been kicked out.
—Rumble…
The mansion was transforming from one side.
Sunlight seeped in from the once gloomy sky, and the barren garden—nothing but trees and grass—now had a pavilion.
A statue of a knight on horseback stood in it.
And in front, an open clearing perfect for kids to play.
“Ah…”
I parted my lips slightly.
Through the wide-open gates, in the mansion lobby, a painting hung.
It had to be Ripen’s work.
The background was crudely empty, the lines on the figures wobbly, but Ripen and Madam were smiling in it.
“Thank you.”
The moment I thought I heard that voice, everything went white.
We were being pushed out of the dungeon.
And then, a bright blue system window appeared.
[Personal Quest (MAIN): Guardian]
📍 Description: You’ve realized the true reason you must grow strong. Gain the power to protect everyone.
⏰ Clear Condition: Clear ‘I Possessed a Fragile Terminally Ill Young Lady (L)’ with stats 50%+ higher than Galaxy Server ‘Hunter Shin Yuri (S)’
What the—?!
Meanwhile, outside the dungeon where the four from the Western Empire and four from the Eastern Empire had entered.
“Hmmm.”
“Ahem.”
The awkward coexistence of the Eastern and Western Empire forces was underway outside.
But their thoughts were aligned.
What if these guys don’t come out?
That worry started when they realized the gate was pitch black.
Black gates spawned insanely strong monsters, they said.
But this wasn’t just black. Staring into it felt like plunging into utter void.
“What if the ones who went in first can’t clear it…?”
One of the Western Empire’s mages muttered.
The mage, whom any hunter would rate A-rank, looked anxious.
The remaining forces from both empires were elite picks.
If the first group failed, they’d have to dive in immediately.
“…No way, right?”
The Westerners exchanged uneasy glances.
The Easterners did the same.
“Ahem!”
“Hmph!”
Despite sharing the thought, they pretended nonchalance whenever eyes met.
But they didn’t drop their guard.
If those inside cleared this pitch-black gate, they’d be undisputed top elites.
Once they returned home, it’d boost their empire’s morale.
What if the enemy struck while those heroes emerged exhausted?
So they stayed tense.
How many days passed like that?
—Woooong!
The gate rippled.
“Wha-wha-what?!”
An Eastern knight spotted it first and yelled.
The Westerners, on alert, widened their eyes.
“Wha-wha-what!”
They too shrieked in a mix of scream and awe, crowding the gate.
The Easterners joined, forming a standoff before the gate.
Humans coming out? Or…
—Gulp.
An Eastern mage swallowed dryly.
Failed clear meant monsters emerging.
Please! Humans!
Otherwise we have to go in!
As everyone screamed inwardly, someone popped out.
Jet-black gloves and armor. Striding confidently was…
“?”
The Easterners gaped. The Westerners too.
First out: Western Emperor Ivan Elethia von Karman.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
Why was His Majesty emerging from here?
Before they could process, Tower Master Clona Eisen followed.
“Tower Master?”
Western mages’ eyes bulged. Next, Pope Ariensa Sian Demar.
“???”
The Western priests’ eyes nearly popped witnessing the miracle.
Then, Guardian Knight Captain Senia de Edelweiss.
“Oh, whoa…?”
The Westerners looked dazed.
There were supposed to be four of their own—how…?
“Looks like you were all waiting anxiously.”
Clona Eisen’s affable voice erased the doubt.
These four had gone in from the start.
The Tower Master had disguised herself, the Pope, and the Emperor with magic!
She foresaw the black gate and changed appearances preemptively!
Moving Pope, Emperor, and Tower Master together? The Easterners wouldn’t sit idle, so it was a ploy!
Reaching that conclusion, Western mages cheered in unison.
“Wooooaaah!”
Knights and priests, grasping reality, roared too.
“How did it go?!”
“Are you safe?!”
Forgetting swords and spells, they hugged and rushed forward.
“We should keep some distance.”
Shin Jae-heon pushed them away with a sour face.
Can you not act like the airport mob welcoming a soccer team that beat Japan?
Think about it, it’s a similar situation.
Considering the bad blood between the empires, yeah, similar.
Shin Jae-heon gently shoved the emotional mob away.
I’ll take autographs later~
Right?
Seeing them go wild in their battered states gave me a headache.
Meanwhile, the Easterners stared at the gate.
Expecting others to emerge.
Yeah, those two survived—where are they?
We were too busy being thrilled about So Yeri’s survival to notice.
I glanced back. The gate was quiet after spitting us four out.
Then…
—Woooong…
It shrank and vanished.
“Wooooaaah!”
“They cleared the gate!”
“Long live the Western Empire!”
As the Westerners celebrated around us, the Eastern mood plummeted.
“Wh-where are the Valtan people?”
An Easterner finally asked us.
Shin Jae-heon answered simply.
“Dead.”
Dead??? The three of us were stunned.
The long-silent group chat exploded.
No way they survive an L-rank boss.
True, but…
Then what were those things moving in the paintings? Did I see wrong? Even with B-rank eyes?
More importantly, weren’t they fighting in the study before us?
Wiped out that quick?
But I decided not to dwell.
Even if alive, not like I’d be thrilled?
It’s time, everyone.
Afterparty
Huh?
As Joo Yian tensed, smiling So Yeri typed solemnly.
Afterparty 풀 이 타 임
The solemn hidden-route-style message flipped the chat.
Let’s go!
We must afterparty this time or it’s fraud ㅇㅇ
We survived death—can’t skip afterparty!
As we spammed, calm Joo Yian interjected.
Rest first, then…
Rest with booze
Treatment first.
Okay okay
You should have my special soup too.
Our faces paled instantly, me and Shin Jae-heon.
People around—don’t say scary shit!
How much of that special measure did you bring anyway?
Didn’t it almost kill us when it dropped?
Plenty left. If it’s too much, we can do side dish style.
No
Don’t blaspheme
Crossing the line
I’m the Pope—why am I getting blasphemy called on me…?
We accused the Pope of blasphemy while rejecting special measure as side dish, turning chat into a marketplace riot.
The chat was pure chaos.
Having chat is the best.
“Ah.”
Come to think, even with chat restrictions ahead, we’d be fine.
[Token of Friendship]
Ripen… made us suffer a ton… but gave insane rewards.
[Token of Friendship: Activates ‘Proof of Friendship (L)’ Buff if within 1m of Owner Outside Inventory.]
[Proof of Friendship (L): Nullifies up to 3 L-rank or Lower Dungeon Debuffs that Force Actions.]
This blocks chat restrictions from now on!
Mmm, perfect!
“No way!”
While the Easterners despaired, we returned to the Western Empire.
Their morale hit rock bottom from our return, of course.
And ahead lay a glorious afterparty.
Hours later, we headed to a Western royal mansion.
Why it was next to my territory? I didn’t know, Joo Yian didn’t, So Yeri didn’t—only Shin Jae-heon did.
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