CHAPTER 61
Solidifying the Foundation (3)
Hwangnyeong Mountain
With a peak height of 427 meters, it wasn't particularly tall, but finding the dungeon hidden somewhere within the mountain was no easy task.
While there were well-maintained trails, the majority of the terrain lacked any paths. These uncharted areas were rugged and steep, making exploration even more challenging.
That's why Seo Yejin was brought in.
"I found it!"
With hundreds of mice assisting in the search, it took less than an hour to yield results.
"Guide Lee Junhyeok's party to the location."
"Understood!"
As expected, the dungeon was located in a remote, untamed section of the mountain.
Wooong—
The entrance of the dungeon emitted a faint blue glow from beneath the shade of a tree.
[D-Rank Dungeon]
Lizardman Swamp (0/10)
The information seen through the Eye of the Absolute contained a number.
'What does this mean?'
At first, it seemed like a capacity limit, but that wasn't the case.
"We're entering."
One by one, all twenty-four members successfully entered the dungeon, proving that there was no entry restriction.
[Lee Junhyeok's party is the first to enter the dungeon.]
[Experience points and rewards will be doubled.]
The interior of the dungeon was filled with water and trees.
It looked as though water had taken the place of where solid ground should have been.
Even where they stood, the water reached up to their hips.
Shin Ahyoung frowned.
"Junhyeok oppa, this isn't going to be easy to navigate."
As she pointed out, even basic movement was a challenge.
With no idea how deep the water went, stepping forward carelessly could be dangerous.
"We might need to get a boat or something before we can properly explore."
Leaving the dungeon wasn't an issue.
The entrance remained intact, meaning they could exit whenever they wanted.
At that moment, Lee Junhyeok spoke firmly.
"That won't be necessary."
Without further explanation, he demonstrated instead.
Raising both hands forward, he spread them apart.
Swoooosh—
The swamp split in half.
Previously, his Control Water ability could only manipulate water he had summoned himself. However, after advancing to the Noble Rank, that restriction had disappeared.
As the water parted, a muddy path emerged from below.
In a calm voice, Lee Junhyeok said,
"Let's go."
Though bewildered, the group followed behind him.
The towering walls of water, over two meters high on either side, created a surreal spectacle.
***
"This feels like an aquarium."
"I was thinking the same thing! Like one of those underwater tunnels."
Before long, Lee Hyunchan spoke up.
"Enemies spotted at eleven o'clock! Three of them, approaching us!"
Lee Hyunchan's awakened ability was Mini-map—it allowed him to scan the terrain within a 100-meter radius. Additionally, thanks to a bonded servant ability, he could distinguish between allies and enemies.
With his power active, ambushes were impossible.
Swooosh—
At Lee Junhyeok's command, the water parted in the indicated direction, revealing three Lizardmen.
"Open fire."
Everyone in Lee Junhyeok's party had already been equipped with firearms.
Tududududu—
The Lizardmen, caught off guard, were instantly eliminated.
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 22).]
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]
Normally, the Lizardmen would have had the environmental advantage.
Navigating a swamp with over two meters of water depth was no easy task.
For the Lizardmen, who moved freely underwater, this dungeon was meant to be their domain—turning them into near-invincible reapers.
Even if Ha Donggeon's party had been sent in, it would have been a difficult battle.
However, Lee Junhyeok's presence alone nullified the Lizardmen's strengths.
"Four more at three o'clock!"
Because he could forcibly drag them out of the water.
Swooosh—
Tududududu—
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 22).]
[You have slain a Lizardman Warrior (Lv. 23).]
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]
[You have slain a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]
Lee Junhyeok's ability was completely turning the tide of battle.
"We'll rest here."
Whenever they reached suitable terrain, they paused to rest before continuing forward, steadily eliminating dozens of Lizardmen.
'I don't even need to provide support!'
To be honest, it didn't seem like Lee Junhyeok's entire party was even necessary.
Lee Jun-hyuk and Lee Hyun-chan. With just a few more people providing fire support, it seemed more than enough to take on the challenge.
At that moment—
"Jun-hyuk!"
"What?"
"Something… something is approaching! It's coming toward us at high speed!"
Before Lee Hyun-chan could even finish speaking—
Kwaaang!
With a loud splash, the dungeon boss appeared.
Standing on the water, it stared intently at Lee Jun-hyuk's party.
[Lizardman Chieftain (Lv. 30)]
It was a creature taller than ordinary Lizardmen, with a massive physique covered in hardened muscles.
"Fire!"
Tududududu—
At Lee Jun-hyuk's command, bullets rained down on the creature.
But—
Swoooosh—
A sudden pillar of water surged up, blocking all the bullets.
The same water pillars then turned and rushed toward Lee Jun-hyuk's party.
However, the moment Lee Jun-hyuk extended his hand forward, the incoming water stopped in its tracks.
Staring at the Lizardman Chieftain, he muttered to himself.
"So, it can be used like that too."
Right after, Lee Jun-hyuk dashed forward toward the creature.
"Jun-hyuk oppa!"
"Jun-hyuk!"
Lee Jun-hyuk began running across the water.
At first, his feet sank deep into the water, but with each step, he gained more control, his weight fully supported.
By the time he reached the Lizardman Chieftain, he was running perfectly on the water's surface.
-!?
The Lizardman Chieftain recoiled in surprise.
Lee Jun-hyuk locked eyes with the creature and whispered.
"Water Bomb."
Water suddenly formed around the Lizardman Chieftain's head—
BOOOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted.
[You have hunted the Lizardman Chieftain (Lv. 30).]
[You have gained experience points.]
[1,200,238,911 won has been deposited into the Absolute Monarch's Wallet.]
At the same time—
[Citizen Lee Jun-hyuk has defeated the boss of the 'Lizardman Swamp.']
[You have received 10 Crystals as a reward.]
[You have successfully cleared the dungeon for the first time.]
[You have received 100 Crystals as a reward.]
The battle ended far too easily.
When Lee Jun-hyuk's party emerged from the dungeon, they noticed a slight change in its description.
["D-Rank Dungeon"]
Lizardman Swamp (1/10)
That number indicated the dungeon's clearance limit.
"So, nine more times?"
Since defeating the boss granted 10 Crystals, clearing it 9 more times would bring the total to exactly 300.
That meant he could acquire another divine artifact like the Ring of Communication.
[Mr. Jun-hyuk, how's your condition?]
"I'm fine, just a little tired."
It made sense—just moving through the swamp consumed a lot of mental energy.
[Would it be possible to clear the dungeon once per day?]
"It's possible."
[Then, I'll leave it to you.]
Kim Min-ho stroked his beloved Sorento, which he had reunited with after a long time.
Thanks to being parked in a corner, the vehicle had remained mostly unscathed despite the goblins using the area as their lair. Normally, at least one or two windows would be shattered, but Kim Min-ho's car was completely intact.
As a result, after a battery recharge, it was ready to drive again.
"Oh wow, nice car," Moon Hae-ri said playfully.
"Get in."
Kim Min-ho's team now had two new members, bringing the total to five.
The original members, Nam Ji-ho and Moon Hae-ri, were joined by the newcomers, Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun, as they all got into the vehicle.
Vroooom—
With the engine roaring to life, the car took off.
By now, the roads surrounding the apartment complex were completely empty, and despite the giant's footprints once having wrecked the streets, they had been somewhat restored.
Since the Seomyeon Station area was too devastated by the Cyclops, they headed toward Beomnaegol Station instead.
As they moved further from the apartment complex, abandoned vehicles and debris increasingly blocked the roads.
Kim Min-ho skillfully navigated through them.
"Our Min-ho is a great driver," someone remarked.
"Thank you," Kang Sung-chul exclaimed in admiration.
"It's so quick when you come by car."
As Kim Jae-hyun's territory expanded, they had to walk quite a long distance to hunt monsters.
However, coming by car saved both time and stamina.
It was only after they reached an area significantly far from the apartment complex that monsters began to appear.
Kim Min-ho parked haphazardly at the edge of the territory and got out.
"Everyone, get your equipment ready."
"Yes!"
Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun quickly grabbed their rifles.
Interestingly, only three people—Kang Sung-chul, Ha Seo-jun, and Nam Ji-ho—were armed with rifles.
Kim Min-ho was unarmed, while Moon Hae-ri still carried a bow and arrows.
Kim Min-ho gave instructions to Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun.
"You guys focus on hunting the blue marlins as usual."
"Got it!"
Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun had acquired the hunter class.
Since the prey they hunted remained intact, they were tasked with hunting blue marlins, which had delicious meat.
"Let's move out."
Kim Min-ho wasn't carrying a rifle because he had received a new ability from Kim Jae-hyun.
As soon as they stepped outside the territory, the monsters reacted.
Sky blue marlins lunged at Kim Min-ho.
Just before the sharp snouts of the blue marlins touched him—
'Harden.'
As he activated his skill, his skin transformed into solid rock. The marlins' snouts failed to pierce his skin and bounced off.
Tudududu―!
Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun fired their rifles toward Kim Min-ho without hesitation.
An outsider might think it was dangerous, but for them, it was routine.
Even if Kim Min-ho were accidentally hit, it wouldn't be a problem.
His hardened skin was impervious to bullets.
At that moment, a land shark appeared from one side and charged at Kim Min-ho.
Then—
Swish!
An arrow fired by Moon Hae-ri struck the land shark's head directly.
And then—
Crackle—
Starting from the wound, the land shark rapidly froze solid.
[You have hunted a Land Shark (Lv. 24).]
[You have gained experience points.]
[2,700,612 KRW has been deposited into citizen Moon Hae-ri's wallet.]
Kim Min-ho wasn't the only one granted power by Kim Jae-hyun.
This was the reason Moon Hae-ri wielded a bow instead of a rifle.
She smiled brightly.
"As expected, hunting goblins doesn't pay nearly as well."
Even though she only received 100% of the base pay due to her retainer status, it was still a satisfying amount.
As monster levels increased, the amount of money they earned grew exponentially.
"Team leader! Watch out!"
Just then, a massive monster clad in chitin armor emerged from an alleyway.
Tududududu―
Kang Sung-chul and Ha Seo-jun fired relentlessly, but their bullets couldn't penetrate the Giant Crab's tough armor.
At that moment, Kim Min-ho charged into the Giant Crab's embrace and swung his fist with all his might.
"Hup!"
Crack!
A fine crack formed in the Giant Crab's chitin armor.
A few more hits, and he might be able to break it completely.
However—
"Urgh."
As a consequence of the strike, Kim Min-ho's wrist was completely shattered.
Just then—
Whoosh!
A massive pillar of fire erupted beneath the Giant Crab.
[You have hunted a Giant Crab (Lv. 35).]
[You have gained experience points.]
[151,232,110 KRW has been deposited into citizen Nam Ji-ho's wallet.]
"Nice one, Ji-ho hyung!"
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