Chapter 8
2:00 PM. Simultaneous notification sounds rang out from three places called the pinnacle of the South Korean Hunter world.
[Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Zeus Guild Master’s Office]
‘Dragon Emperor’ Lee Shin-woo was in the middle of reviewing a mountain of pending documents. S-rank gate settlements, guild member welfare expansion, negotiations with the government… His head was throbbing, and just as he pressed his fingers to his temples, his phone vibrated briefly.
[Sender: Director Kang Jin-hyuk]
[Content: Urgent Job Posting (First Come, First Served)]
Lee Shin-woo’s eyes changed in an instant. The documents were no longer a concern. He sprang to his feet and grabbed his coat.
“Chief of Staff! Cancel all of today’s schedule!”
“Excuse me? But you have a luncheon at the Blue House this afternoon…”
“Tell the President. Someone more important has summoned me.”
[Seocho-gu, Ares Guild Training Ground]
“Harder! Hit it with everything you’ve got!”
‘Destruction King’ Ma Dong-tak was sweating as he destroyed a massive sandbag with his bare hands. Just then, the smartphone he had tossed on the bench lit up. He wiped his sweat with a towel and casually checked the screen, his eyes going wide.
[Compensation: Lifetime Free Treatment Pass (VIP Gold Tier)]
“Holy shit… Lifetime free?”
A three-headed Cerberus flickered before Ma Dong-tak’s eyes. The cost of that bastard’s food, medical bills, and the expenses for correcting its bastardly temper would run into billions per year. And now, lifetime free?
“Hey! Get the car ready! No, the car will be too slow. Hail a helicopter! Right now!”
[Seongsu-dong, Genji Guild Korea Branch (Ice Emperor Seo Ji-hoo)]
“Branch Manager Seo Ji-hoo, this quarter’s mana stone supply rate…”
Ice Emperor Seo Ji-hoo, who had been in a meeting, raised his hand to cut off his subordinate. His gaze was fixed on his smartphone. The penguin, ‘Pengsoo,’ had recently started molting and was sensitive. Jin-hyuk’s care was urgently needed.
“Replace the meeting with written reports.”
“Branch Manager? Where are you going?”
“To an interview.”
“Excuse me? The 4th-ranked Hunter, going to an interview…?”
The three strongest individuals in South Korea shot out from their respective bases. All heading to one destination: Gangnam, Zeus Medical Tower.
30 minutes later. In the hallway in front of the Director’s Office at Zeus Medical Tower.
The three titans faced each other. A tense atmosphere filled the hallway. Their auras clashed, the air crackling with electricity.
“Heh, well, well. Guild Master Lee Shin-woo, what brings you here? A busy man with national affairs to attend to.”
Seo Ji-hoo sneered, icy aura emanating from him.
“And you. Shouldn’t you be busy grooming a penguin’s feathers?”
Lee Shin-woo countered leisurely.
“Ah, get out of the way, don’t block the path! I got here first!”
Ma Dong-tak wedged his massive frame between the two.
“First, my ass. My helicopter landed first.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I pressed the elevator button first.”
The 1st, 2nd, and 4th-ranked Hunters were fighting like elementary school children over the order of the elevator. Passing nurses gasped in shock and pressed themselves against the walls.
Bam. Just then, the office door swung open and Chief Park Cheol-woo stepped out.
“All three of you, please keep it down. The Director woke up from his nap.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Ahem.”
The mighty S-rank Hunters cowered at a single word from the ‘Head Nurse.’ Park Cheol-woo clicked his tongue in disdain and held the door open for them.
“Come in. The interview will begin.”
The scene inside the Director’s Office was bizarre.
Kang Jin-hyuk sat with his legs propped on the desk, slurping broth from a cup of instant noodles, while the three men who moved South Korea sat politely on the sofa, knees together.
“Slurp. Ah, as expected, tempura udon is the best for ramyun.”
Jin-hyuk put down his chopsticks and scanned the three men.
“You saw the notice, right? I’m hiring a part-time assistant for nighttime house calls. Compensation is a VIP lifetime free treatment pass.”
“I’ll do it!”
“Me! Definitely me!”
“I’m the most qualified!”
The three raised their hands simultaneously. Jin-hyuk picked at his ear nonchalantly.
“The competition is fierce. Three to one. All of you have impressive resumes.”
“Director, it’s not about the resume.”
Lee Shin-woo placed a heavy bag on the table. As the bag opened, a red slab of meat with the finest marbling was revealed.
“Premium 1++ grade wagyu airlifted from Argentina. I heard Mr. Balakas has been losing his appetite lately, so I specially prepared this.”
Jin-hyuk’s eyebrow twitched.
“Oh? You’re even looking after our Security Team Leader’s meals?”
Seo Ji-hoo, not wanting to be outdone, pulled out an icebox.
“Hmph, meat is nothing. Director, this is ‘perennial snow shaved ice’ harvested from 3,000 meters beneath the Antarctic glacier. It’s the ultimate health food for penguins that suffer from the heat. Of course, it’s perfect for you as well.”
“Everyone, move aside!”
Ma Dong-tak unwrapped a huge bundle. Inside was a golden, glowing dog chew… no, a [Golden Bone (A-rank Artifact)].
“Our Cerberus is going crazy wanting to see you, Director! I brought this so he can chew on it and think of you!”
A bribery offensive. S-rank Hunters were groveling before a veterinarian with meat, shaved ice, and dog chews. Jin-hyuk propped his chin on his hand and chuckled.
“Your dedication is commendable, but the place I’m going this time is a bit rough.”
Jin-hyuk spread out a map. A dangerous area marked in red.
[S-rank Dungeon: The Canyon of Giants]
“Our destination is here. The boss room.”
The expressions of the three stiffened. The Canyon of Giants. One of the three most difficult dungeons in South Korea. The regular monsters are 5-meter-tall ogres, and the boss is a Cyclops that is nearly immune to physical attacks.
“We’re not going to hunt. We’re going to gather.”
“Gather what?”
“[Dimensional Stones]. I need them.”
“Dimensional Stones…”
Lee Shin-woo groaned. A rare mineral that distorts space and opens dimensional gates. It’s a treasure that Cyclopes cherish like their own eyeballs, and absolutely cannot be obtained without killing them.
“What are you going to use them for?”
Jin-hyuk’s gaze deepened. He looked briefly at the photo frame on his desk. A picture of his wife, who had disappeared three years ago.
“I need to go get my wife.”
“…Pardon?”
“My wife, she’s still alive. She’s been waiting for dinner in that hellish place for three years now. As her husband, I can’t be any later, can I?”
The three men fell silent.
If it’s Kang Jin-hyuk’s wife… it must be ‘Sword Empress’ Yoo Yi-su.
The hero who was said to have perished three years ago, saving humanity. She’s alive?
And this man intends to break through an S-rank dungeon, even the ‘Abyss,’ to save her?
Lee Shin-woo was the first to speak. The playfulness disappeared from his eyes, replaced by sincere respect.
“You’re a romantic. I misjudged you.”
“I’m just a henpecked husband.”
“Alright. I’ll go. I stake the honor of the Zeus Guild on ensuring your safe return, Director.”
Then Ma Dong-tak spoke.
“Bullshit! Ares can’t be left out when it comes to brawn! How can I not pave the way when we’re going to save our sister-in-law?”
Seo Ji-hoo also chimed in, unwilling to lose.
“Making paths of ice is my specialty. Let me join you.”
The atmosphere had changed. A moment ago, it was flattery for a ‘free treatment pass,’ but now, ‘male loyalty’ had kicked in. A man willing to jump into hell for the woman he loves. If they didn’t have his back, they wouldn’t be men.
Jin-hyuk read their eyes. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
“Alright. Then I’ll hire all three of you.”
“All three of us?”
“Yes. Those giants are tough, so we need a tank, a dealer, and a supporter. However, there’s no profit sharing. I take the Dimensional Stones, you guys keep the byproducts. Deal?”
“Deal!”
“Excellent!”
“Alright, let’s move out. If we’re late, my wife will get angry.”
Jin-hyuk threw off his white coat and put on a black tactical coat. Balakas, who had shrunk to a miniature size, hopped onto his shoulder.
It was the formation of South Korea’s ultimate dream team, the so-called ‘Jin-hyuk Avengers.’
Zeus Medical Tower, 1st Floor Lobby. A massive crowd and reporters had set up camp. The news that the 1st, 2nd, and 4th-ranked Hunters had gathered in one place had practically paralyzed the Gangnam area.
“They’re coming out! Director Kang Jin-hyuk and the Guild Masters are coming out!”
The automatic doors opened, and four men walked out. Kang Jin-hyuk in the center. Lee Shin-woo, Ma Dong-tak, and Seo Ji-hoo flanking him like bodyguards.
The composition was like a painting, and camera flashes went off like machine guns.
“Director! What is the purpose of this meeting?”
“Are the three guilds forming an alliance to plan a new raid?”
“Please state your position on the conflict with Apollo Hospital…!”
A barrage of questions poured in. Jin-hyuk stopped and adjusted his sunglasses.
“This isn’t a raid. It’s a house call.”
“A house call? Where to…?”
“The Canyon of Giants. There’s a patient there with bad eyes, so I’m going to do a little surgery. These guys are my assistants to carry the luggage.”
“…Excuse me?”
The reporters were dumbfounded.
A house call to an S-rank dungeon?
Using the strongest in South Korea as porters?
But Lee Shin-woo and Ma Dong-tak naturally slung the luggage bags (medical equipment) over their shoulders.
“Please clear the way. We’re late for our appointment.”
Jin-hyuk leisurely got into the prepared vehicle. The three S-rank Hunters followed, boarding like bodyguards. The black sedan convoy roared to life and headed toward the dungeon.
This scene was broadcast live, and the internet communities exploded.
[- Wow, this is insane lol look at the porter class]
[- Lee Shin-woo as the luggage carrier lol Ma Dong-tak opening doors lol]
[- Is he a doctor or a mafia boss?]
[- Rest in peace, monsters of the Canyon of Giants…]
Paju, Gyeonggi-do. In front of the gate of the S-rank dungeon ‘The Canyon of Giants.’ Military units and Association personnel had set up a cordon.
“I’ll confirm your identities. Uh… Zeus, Ares, Genji… and Arcana Hospital?”
The guard at the checkpoint looked at the list and trembled. This was a national emergency-level power force. If they moved, erasing one dungeon would be a trivial matter.
“Director, is this equipment sufficient?”
Lee Shin-woo asked, looking at Jin-hyuk’s worn leather bag. Inside were only a few surgical tools and potions.
“Plenty enough. Oh, and I brought Balakas.”
Jin-hyuk patted his shoulder. Balakas let out a “Kkyu?” and squeaked. Balakas acted cute, but was secretly radiating killing intent.
“Entering.”
The party stepped into the bluish gate. The air changed. The acrid smell of earth and the stench of blood. A wasteland surrounded by massive cliffs like a folding screen unfolded before them.
“Krooooooh!”
A grand welcome greeted them from the entrance. A group of 5-meter-tall [Skeleton Ogres] leaped out from behind the rocks. The skeletal giants charged, swinging their rusted iron maces.
“Enemy spotted ahead! I’ll sweep them away!”
Ma Dong-tak put on his gauntlet, stepping forward.
“Wait.”
Jin-hyuk raised his hand to stop him.
“Who said to kill them? They’re all part of the ecosystem here.”
“But they’re attacking us!”
“Of course they’re angry. We broke into their home. Let’s handle this through conversation.”
“Conversation? With undead?”
Seo Ji-hoo looked bewildered.
Jin-hyuk grabbed Balakas from his shoulder and held him out in front, like a scene from The Lion King.
“Balakas. Bark.”
[…Ha.]
Balakas was offended but couldn’t disobey his food provider. The creature took a deep breath and opened its mouth.
[KYAAAAAAAAAAH—!!]
It wasn’t just a cry. It was a [Dragon Fear: Apex Predator’s Roar].
An S-rank pressure swept forward in a fan-like wave.
WOOOOONG—!
Space distorted. The skeletons of the charging Ogres began to rattle, shaking violently.
Though undead felt no fear, the ‘instinct toward a superior being’ engraved deep in their souls stopped them cold.
Clatter.
The Ogres dropped their iron maces and prostrated themselves on the ground, like subjects greeting a king.
“See? They’re polite friends.”
Jin-hyuk stepped on the head of a prostrate Ogre as if it were a staircase and walked past. Lee Shin-woo, Ma Dong-tak, and Seo Ji-hoo followed, their mouths hanging open.
“This… works?”
“Breaking through an S-rank dungeon without a fight?”
“Director, just who… what are you?”
Jin-hyuk looked back and grinned.
“I told you. I’m a veterinarian. Handling beasts is my specialty.”
And so, without a single battle, they walked toward the heart of the dungeon. The monsters nearby caught Balakas’s scent and scrambled to hide in terror. There was no such thing as a free pass like this.
An hour later. They finally arrived before a massive stone door. The end of the dungeon. The boss room.
From inside the door, along with the ground-shaking vibrations, came a sound of something groaning rather than a roar.
“Uooooooh…”
Jin-hyuk adjusted his bag. And with a solemn expression, he spoke.
“Get ready. We’re going to meet the patient.”
“Are we preparing for combat?”
“No. Preparing for surgery.”
Jin-hyuk pushed the door open. The massive stone door swung open with a thunderous roar, revealing the one-eyed giant writhing in pain within.
“Alright, the eye examination begins.”
This was the start of the most bizarre ‘raid’—no, ‘house call surgery’—in Hunter history.
