At that moment.
The atmosphere in the meeting room where the American officials gathered was equally tense.
If Chairman Nam Woo-jong felt uneasy because of his unfounded suspicion about “dark mage,” those gathered here expressed anxiety about Ramus’s prophecy.
“The Gate of Abyss has opened, ushering in the Dark Ages. When Hunter Dok Jong-sik killed it, I saw the future. No, let me rephrase. What I saw was the present. In other words, the disaster has already begun.”
Originally, there was one reason why the American officials, or rather, American Chairman Thomas, came to Korea. It was to interrogate Matthew.
The reason for the interrogation began with a call received this morning.
A call from Alex, who should have been in the midst of an operation. Thomas felt uneasy about the untimely call.
Sure enough, Alex delivered shocking news that was like a bolt from the blue.
“Entering under the command of the Korean team? Not to mention the missing hunters and the newly discovered monsters there. What in the world!”
Upon hearing this, the American Hunter Association Chairman Thomas immediately decided to go to Korea. And while he was questioning Matthew and Ramus, who had just completed the dungeon capture, he heard such nonsense.
On the other hand, Ramus understood Jong-sik’s instructions well. He was the speaker representing Jong-sik’s intentions and a living avatar.
“The guys we encountered today are just the beginning. Within a week, Gates inhabited by the undead will pour out here. They are literally undead beings. To defeat them, we need the power of Hunter Dok Jong-sik.”
“Hunter Dok Jong-sik? Are you referring to the man who defeated the boss monster?”
Thomas asked.
“Yes. He has the power to defeat the undead. That’s why he was able to face the boss monster alone. So I prophesied that we should follow him, but they still don’t believe me and act like this.”
With a cold gaze, Ramus glared at Alex. Caught in that gaze, Alex, who was sitting in the corner, bowed his head deeply.
He reported directly to Thomas in an attempt to avoid the punishment Matthew had warned him about…
Somehow, things got strangely twisted. Alex kept making excuses, chewing on his lips.
“That, that was for the sake of the country. Why did we come to Korea in the first place? It was for the loot. Chairman, you also ordered us to secure the loot at all costs. So, so…”
“For the country? Shut up, Alex! If you say one more word, I might really kill you.”
With that, Matthew, sitting across from him, gritted his teeth, grinding them fiercely. His whole body was covered in wounds left by the comrades he found inside the dungeon. And those comrades were no longer by his side.
The feeling of hell rising again choked him up. Matthew closed his eyes and unleashed a silent rage.
“Enough!”
At that moment, Thomas spoke up. Seeing the situation unfold, the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. But there was something more important now.
“In the next week, dungeons will emerge one after another, and the only one who can stop them is Dok Jong-sik. So, we have to capture him somehow.”
No, that’s not what the master meant. Ramus quickly interjected with unfinished words.
“If it weren’t for that, Dok Jong-sik would have been the only answer, but not anymore.”
“That?”
It was information about the ashen rune. Dok Jong-sik knew early on that the ashen rune contained ‘divine power.’ The energy contained in the rune was exactly like that.
“The rune that Dok Jong-sik Hunter obtained by killing the boss monster, using that skill, he can kill the undead. So, we must obtain it.”
Thomas’s head was spinning at Ramus’s words. He soon found the answer and spoke up.
“Ramus. What you just said, have you told it to anyone else other than us? Like Dok Jong-sik Hunter or Chairman Nam Woo-jong?”
“No.”
“Sigh, okay. It’s unfortunate, but fortunate in a way. Anyway, according to your prophecy, a dungeon inhabited by the undead will appear within a week, right? And that’s here in Korea.”
“Yes.”
“The only hope we have now is that prophecy. Listen carefully, everyone. In the upcoming meeting…”
Eventually, Thomas laid out his thoughts. And it was the picture that Jong-sik had hoped for.
Upon hearing this, Ramus inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. But he didn’t stop there and added a few more prophecies. Of course, everything was according to Jong-sik’s will.
After a while, Jong-sik left the room. He was heading to a meeting attended by influential figures from both sides.
“Huh?”
Seeing him, Seo Sunhwa hurriedly approached him. She had just finished bathing and was about to go to the training room. But she didn’t expect to run into Jong-sik like this.
“Team Leader, no, Commander! Where are you going? Everyone is going to the after-party. Are you going there too, Commander?”
“No. I’m going to attend the meeting. Seo Sunhwa, aren’t you the one going to the after-party?”
“No. I came out to exercise a bit.”
“You’ve exercised enough today. You’re really diligent. Oh, I’m not mocking you. I mean it in a positive way.”
“Hehe. Shouldn’t it be just you, Commander? You just met with the Chairman straight away earlier, didn’t take a break, and now you’re attending a meeting… You must be really tired.”
Jong-sik felt tired at Seo Sunhwa’s words. No, it would be more accurate to say he was tired.
From planning the dungeon conquest to confirming the acquired Koolara’s skill and giving instructions to Ramus based on it, all of this happened within a single day. So how could he not be tired?
But a moment ago, when he received a text from Yeona, strangely, the fatigue seemed to wash away as if by magic. Not only that, his passion was now overflowing.
“Well, there’s no need to be tired. We’re just doing what we have to do.”
“As expected, Commander, you’re really amazing. But as your teammate, I’m not helpful at all… Ugh. I’m only saying this now, but I’m really sorry.”
At Seo Sunhwa’s unexpected apology, Jong-sik chuckled.
‘She seemed somewhat disheartened. Because she always showed a cheerful demeanor, this sight felt somewhat unfamiliar.’
“Hmm. Why are you suddenly saying this? What’s there to apologize for?”
“I feel like I haven’t done anything. I couldn’t even stop the hunters rushing towards you, and I couldn’t help in the dungeon either. No, I couldn’t even join your team. Oh, as I’m talking, I realize I’m really useless.”
22-year-old B-grade healer. She grew up hearing that she has a promising talent. She had a good reputation within the academy, her grades were good, and thanks to that, she even received a scout proposal from a major guild right after graduation.
Until then, her self-esteem had soared. But that self-esteem shattered into pieces after entering this place, the Hunter Talent Development Institute.
“I didn’t help at all. I probably made the Commander look down on other team members because of me.”
With such thoughts, Seo Sunhwa bowed her head. Then, Jong-sik subtly emitted a vibe as if asking what nonsense she was talking about.
“Come on, what are you saying? You seem subtly timid, Ms. Seo Sunhwa. You’re not useless. Um. Don’t you know it yourself? At your age, with your skills, you don’t have to be discouraged.”
“….”
“Or do you really not know? You used to boast about carrying the team. Where did that confidence go?”
“Uh, um… Are you serious?”
“Of course I am. Why would I lie about something like this?”
Seo Sunhwa suddenly stopped walking. Eventually, her cheeks flushed red. Jong-sik’s acknowledgment, which she endlessly respected, made her happy.
It also served as a catalyst for planting some purpose within her. Seo Sunhwa, who made a determination, stood by Jong-sik’s side again with quick steps. And she spoke up.
“Um, I’ll work hard to become a team member that you won’t be ashamed of, Commander! So, um, Commander….”
“…?”
“I heard you’ll take a break after this operation.”
“Probably. We’ve canceled all the dungeon raids, haven’t we?”
“So, um, if it’s only possible for you, Commander, could I ask separately? The sparring you did a few days ago… could you do it occasionally?”
So now, Seo Sunhwa was seeking training from Jong-sik. In response, Jong-sik nodded without hesitation.
“Every day is difficult, but very occasionally, calling and coming to me is fine.”
The more usable hunters there are, the more comfortable it is for Jong-sik. Moreover, it was said that it wouldn’t take up much of his time.
“Uh, really! You’re okay with it? Thank you!”
As if excited, Seo Sunhwa raised both hands in a fighting pose. At that moment, there were others who intervened in the conversation between Seo Sunhwa and Jong-sik.
“Oh? Commander Dok!”
“Commander, hello!”
It was the strategic team members, including Gong Se-hee. Seeing Jong-sik from across the way, they hurriedly approached.
Seeing this, Seo Sunhwa stuck closely to Jong-sik, afraid of losing her seat.
“Oh… Seo Sunhwa, you’re here too.”
“Yes. Hello.”
After a brief greeting, Gong Se-hee turned her gaze away from Seo Sunhwa and asked Jong-sik, “Commander, do you have a moment?”
“I have a meeting to attend, so I might not have time. What is it?”
“Oh, right. The meeting! That’s too bad. We were planning to grab a drink together on the way back. We were hoping you could join us if possible.”
“Ah… That’s unfortunate.”
At Jong-sik’s lifeless words, Gong Sehui let out a forced laugh. She wanted to hear about the boss monster hunt…
Anyway, the group surrounding Jong-sik began to walk down the corridor. As time passed, they started to gather around.
“Commander Dok, could we exchange phone numbers by any chance?”
“Oh, who is that? I was just about to ask, Commander. Let’s meet up occasionally for hunting together.”
“That’s a great idea, right? Commander Dok, what’s the plan for this month? Oh, no, is that too business-like? Shall we just grab a meal together?”
“Ah-! And Commander, I saw it myself earlier. That American hunter, Alex. He was being dragged away with mana handcuffs. He was waiting alone and even called the Association Chairman, but it seems the operation didn’t go well.”
Before he knew it, countless hunters had gathered behind Jong-sik. Didn’t they all say they were going for a celebration? Jong-sik felt fatigue creeping in again with the repeated questions.
Finally, Jong-sik spoke up.
“Seo Sunhwa said she’s going to exercise, and the rest of you were all supposed to go for the celebration, weren’t you?”
“Was that the plan?”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Then Jong-sik pointed to the conference room door. There were no training rooms on the 4th floor for exercising, nor were there suitable spaces for a celebration.
“But this is in front of the conference room, isn’t it?”
Only then did they seem to realize they had followed here. They all chuckled awkwardly.
“Ahaha. Somehow ended up here. Well, let’s call it a farewell then!”
“Anyway, Commander, if the meeting ends early, please do come for the celebration. We’ll be waiting!”
“Me too. I really want to hear about the boss monster hunt. And I have some unfinished business to discuss.”
“That’s right. Commander, since we might not see each other again for a while, we should definitely share a drink together.”
“I can’t promise, but if I have the time, I’ll drop by. Anyway, enjoy your meal, everyone.”
With that, Jong-sik received farewells from many people and opened the door to the conference room.
Three hours later.
After a marathon meeting, South Korea and the United States were able to form an alliance.
Jong-sik played a key role in achieving this outcome.
“I must admit, I’m surprised. Commander Dok. I never expected you to make such a choice… Aren’t you afraid you will regret it?”
“What’s there to regret? It’s fortunate that many people can live because of it. And especially in times like these, it’s right to band together and survive.”
“Thank you. They were deeply impressed by Commander Dok’s concession over there, too.”
He boldly gave up ownership of the Ashen Rune. And he brought the relinquished Ashen Rune to the negotiation table.
The American hunters attempted negotiations with the prophecy of Ramus, and eventually, Korea was able to acquire information by giving them one Ashen Rune.
But it didn’t stop there.
The American hunters decided to stay in Korea temporarily to assist with dungeon clearing. Of course, their services weren’t free.
They agreed to work together to conquer the gates, and in the process, agreed to split the loot obtained at an 8:2 ratio.
‘Phew, at least the disaster is known now. Now, we just need to strengthen the Raiding team.’
With this thought, Jong-sik could leave the meeting room with a light heart.
