Chapter 47: Swirl Leviathan (1)

Chapter 47: Swirl Leviathan (1)

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“Did you get promoted to a C-grade Holder then?” Kim Chae-eun asked me while eating grape-flavored pudding with both hands.

After showcasing my cooking skills, we were enjoying a relaxing dessert time.

“Yeah. I went on a one-day hunting spree, and it happened.”

“Wow... That’s fast. I’ve never heard of anyone achieving results that quickly.”

“I stumbled upon an undiscovered dungeon on the way. That significantly shortened the evaluation period.”

The dungeon called ‘Goblin Lair’ was a haven for monsters. It was teeming with C-grade monsters, Goblins, scattered all around, seemingly endless to hunt.

Once I successfully cleared the Goblin Lair, I managed to accomplish all the goals set by the Association within two days. It was the result of being completely devoted to hunting day and night.

Lee Ji-hye, who was the examiner, looked at me as if I were a monster myself. Even I find it hard to believe how fast I was hunting.

Anyway, I completed my promotion. I am now a true C-grade Holder.

“That dungeon... the Goblin Lair, right? Is it really yours now?” Kim Chae-eun asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Usually, clans own most dungeons. Exploration, conquest, and management require the collective strength of a group. However, this undiscovered dungeon, the Goblin Lair, was solely mine. Since I managed all the processes usually carried out by a clan by myself, I had no problem passing the ownership assessment.

“Yes. I made a contract with the Association at a 7:3 profit-sharing ratio.”

“30%? Why did they take such a big cut?”

“Because the Association handles the management. They handle the entrance fees and check the dungeon’s yields. From my perspective, I get to sit back and earn money, that’s all.”

“Do dungeons really make that much money?”

“Yes. Holders prefer dungeons over fields because they are filled with monsters.”

Unlike the scarce appearances of monsters outside the boundary in fields, dungeons are overflowing with monsters and regenerate on a weekly basis. So, naturally, Holders prefer dungeons over fields. As a result, owning a dungeon brings significant revenue.

First, Holders have to pay an entrance fee to enter a dungeon, and they also have to pay a fee based on the results of their hunting inside. The income from magic stones incurs a 50% fee, while other products incur a 20% fee. The Association then splits this revenue with Holders at a 7:3 ratio.

The income from entrance fees alone is substantial, but the revenue from magic stones and other products is beyond imagination. Literally sitting and making money, it’s no wonder why clans vie to own dungeons.

“Heh... fascinating.”

“If you ever want to hunt alone, you can go there. Except for the boss, all the monsters are C-grade, so it’s easier to hunt.”

“For free?”

“Of course.”

Kim Chae-eun, and even other friends if they wish to enter, will be able to do so for free.

The Academy’s Underground Dungeon that we tried with a five-member party would have been much harder if not for them. I probably wouldn’t have made this much progress in such a short time, and I might not have been able to save Kim Chae-eun during the evaluation last semester.

Being a [Rune Hunter] or [Effort of the Seeker] is great, but having a party or companions was the real key to a Holder’s growth.

“I’ll pass. It seems too challenging for me.”

However, Kim Chae-eun didn’t hesitate much. She immediately declined.

“Why?”

“Ugh... How can a mage-type handle solo play? I’ll get hurt for sure since I can’t tank.”

“But you’ve been learning swordsmanship lately.”

“That’s for self-defense.”

Why does a Holder learn self-defense martial arts? It’s pointless from the start.

“But still, aren’t there people who do it occasionally? Like... Kang Juyeon?”

After thinking for a moment, I tilted my head and said.

“... Kang Juyeon?”

“Do you want to die?”

“Sorry.”

Oops, I touched a sensitive spot again. For some reason, Kim Chae-eun seems to feel a sense of rivalry with Kang Juyeon. They are of the same age and class, but Kang Juyeon is a higher-grade B-grade Holder and the successor of one of Korea’s three major clans. Moreover, she had witnessed Kang Juyeon’s powerful performance firsthand during a party, making it quite natural for her to aspire to catch up to her.

Hmm, the desire for improvement is always the driving force behind growth. It must be due to that, right?

Facing the East Sea where Swirl Leviathan appeared, many Holders had already gathered near Guryongpo, Pohang. I came as quickly as possible, but it seemed I was slightly late.

I quickly approached the Holder Association staff at the safe line and said, “I’m Do Jae-hyun, a C-grade Holder assigned to the temporary disaster monster hunting attack force. Can I receive instructions?”

After quickly checking the list, the staff nodded. “Nice to meet you. Holder Do Jae-hyun, you can head to the southeast direction where this magic stone points. Join the Warrior Team 5. The situation is urgent, so hurry.”

“Yes, understood. Thank you.”

“What about the person next to you?”

“Oh, she’s a companion. Not a member of the attack force.”

“Companions can wait over here. Under no circumstances should they cross into the safe line.”

After hearing the staff’s instructions, I turned to look at Kim Chae-eun. She nodded as if to reassure me, saying, “Be careful and come back safely. Don’t push yourself like last time and get injured!”

“I got it. I’ll eat pudding if I’m bored.”

“Tsk. You ate too much and felt bloated.”

Making a silly joke, I turned and faced forward.

“Huuup...!!”

Thankfully, I had the [Sprint] rune, which allowed me to move at a much faster speed than others. Even though I was slightly late, I managed to reach my assigned squad without any problem.

However, as soon as I arrived at the scene...

“Freaking...!”

I felt expletives involuntarily.

The coast of Pohang was devastated. There was no sign of the beauty it once had. Everything was in chaos. Houses that looked like residential areas were all destroyed, and nearby ships, cars, and roads were all in ruins.

The only fortunate thing might be that there were no casualties? But even that could be obscured, as there might have been evacuations already.

Nothing was properly intact...

The term widespread destruction perfectly described the scene.

It was the aftermath of an S-grade monster’s appearance.

Surrounding the area, numerous Holders had gathered to hunt the monster.

“Oh, it’s coming! Be careful!”

“Damn it! Everyone, get out of the way!”

And as soon as I arrived...

An immense vibration shook the ground.

Instantly, all the 18 Holders in front of me hurriedly fled.

Have they never experienced this before?

Their movements were swift and precise.

The perpetrator of the vibration quickly revealed itself.

Goo Goo Goo-

With a thunderous sound...

A colossal sea monster emerged from the water.

-Kaaarrr...!! Aaaaah-!!

The monster stood between the land and the sea, at a certain height. It took less than a second to narrow that space. Countless breakwaters turned to dust, and the concrete on the ground melted like ice cream.

The creature that single-handedly destroyed everything around it.

Insane...

“It’s a wyrm, a dragon...!”

A monster with overwhelming destructive power and an imposing presence just by its appearance.

An S-grade monster that I had only read about in text, but was now facing with my own eyes.

It was the appearance of Swirl Leviathan.