The recent attack incident involving the top-ranker.

Yes, we rechecked with the latest examination equipment, and there was nothing unusual. That person is classified as F-Class.

Jung Haseong recalled the suspect in the incident. Surely, it seemed most likely that it was Kang Changho who would do such a thing. However, the dry gaze of Kim Kiryeo, who coldly looked at him as he fell, was also a situation not easily forgotten.

Was the test wrong?

Jung Haseong was surprised and asked for related documents. However, now that he thought about it, the one in charge of the re-examination was none other than Seonwoo Yeon.

If this is the case, it doesnt seem likely that they would take bribes and manipulate the results

As long as a famous, principled person from the institution was present, the inspection wouldnt have been lax.

Hmm.

Although he felt uneasy, Jung Haseong eventually decided to bury this matter in his heart. Well, its better to explore one more dungeon at a time like this. How long is he going to keep focusing on this?

The list of gates approaching the dungeon breaks. Please prepare it for me.

After arriving in Seoul, Jung Haseong made his next schedule without any time to rest. Todays destination was a nearby, unpopular gate.

Meanwhile, at the unpopular gate Jung Haseong is heading towards, coincidentally, this person is also on a business trip.

There are so many crazy people on this planet that I get scared every time I go out now.

The reason he came to this gate was simple.

But I cant help it for the sake of research.

Kim Kiryeo currently needs the corpse of a monster to use in his magic. Earths common animals, such as mice or birds, have been proven to be controllable. Now it was time to experiment with the next step.

If I can control the corpse of a monster, it will be amazing.

However, it is customary for hunters to quickly dismantle monsters, searching for valuable parts like skin or organs to sell. In fact, obtaining a clean sample was quite a challenging task.

Hohoho

So Kiryeo used petty tricks. If it were a monster with no magic stone and little value in its bones and flesh, everyone would likely discard the corpse and leave.

Therefore, he deliberately sought out a location known for its trash dungeons.

The size of the monsters here is small, so its perfect for stealing!

Huh?

He found himself faced with emptiness ahead once he entered the gate.

Ugh.

This is the Blue Gate, where there are no bosses. Its a Type II dungeon.

Due to the nature of regular monsters constantly reappearing, he thought there would be remnants of what the previous team hunted.

Isnt there anything I can pick up?

There is not even a trace of battle, let alone a corpse!

Something is different from what I thought

They say the gate will explode if left unattended. Its been a while since this appeared, so shouldnt someone come check it out?

Kiryeo crouched in a corner of the gate, avoiding the monsters gaze. However, even after waiting for a while, there was no sign of anyone coming.

Huh, no wonder theres no staff guarding the gate. Its not as popular as I thought.

Would it have been better if he had brought Ahn Yoonseung? Kiryeo pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

Thats not possible.

The technique of corpse manipulation is a crucial spell closely connected to resurrection magic. Moreover, after a quick search, it seems that there are no awakened people on Earth who know how to control monsters. It would have been a big deal if Ahn Yoonseung had any doubts about his actions one day.

Its not good to rely too much on Earthlings.

Kiryeo gradually felt the need to reduce his dependence on Ahn Yoonseung. He thought he should do things on his own. Besides, he had just added to his collection of magic tools to keep himself safe on his last shopping trip.

I guess I have no choice. Ill give up on the B-Class samples and lower my standards to C-Class.

He got up from his seat. He decided that he had nothing to gain by just hanging out here.

Hmm?

But at that moment,.

As Jung Haseong entered the dungeon, Kim Kiryeo, who was about to leave, crossed paths with him, both facing each other head-on with one gate between them.

Uh so

Black hair with a mix of gray for a young age and a neat appearance reminiscent of a TV anchor. Kiryeo eventually recalled the young mans name.

Hunter Jung Haseong?

Then Haseong frowns.

You

A look of disgust appeared on his face. Even leaving aside the fact that Kim Kiryeo entered the gate without permission, wasnt this place really B-Class?

What were you doing here?

The suspicions he had been trying to suppress flared up. Haseong thought that perhaps the other person was secretly trying to hunt B-Class monsters right now.

Ah, thats.

No, seriously, how did the Association handle this? With an awakener who so blatantly manipulates rankings wandering around like this.

As Jung Haseong muttered nervously, Kiryeo quickly said.

I, its a mistake. I didnt do anything inside, and I was just about to leave.

Youre saying you just came in by mistake?

Yes.

But I was preparing outside the gate for 10 minutes before coming in?

Soon, Kim Kiryeos mouth closed.

Damn it.

No matter how much he tries to justify it, the fact remains that he entered the gate illegally.

That, I apologize. Actually, I was just curious and wanted to take a look inside.

In situations like this, honesty is often less harmful than unnecessary lies.

Did you come here to hunt? Then, Ill just leave right away so I wont disturb you

Where are you going now?

Oh, should I stop? Okay, I got it. Then, could you please put down your sword for now?

Kiryeo, swallowing nervously, tried to calm down the S-Class Hunter. However, the problem didnt stop here. It was because one more new person was added to this unpopular gate.

Anyway, these crazy pseudo-b*stards. Theyre willing to kill over something like this.

This is the intervention of Pyo Nagil, the boss of a criminal organization. Why did this unregistered person come to this secluded gate? This was because of a request from before.

Then another S-Class is fine, so lets solve it quickly

Because Pyo Nagil received a large amount of advance payment in return for some kind of religious belief. However, he actually gave up on Esthers assassination due to the appearance of a variable named Kim Kiryeo. Not only did he spit out the advance payment he had swallowed, but he also found himself in a situation where future transactions would be cut off.

Damn it.

The conflict with the cooperating organization at the Rakshasa Temple posed a greater threat to Pyo Nagil than he had imagined.

Unregistered people who hide their identities had a limit to the amount of money they could make, no matter how much illegal activity they did. Recently, the existence of the organization has been put in jeopardy as the police have stepped on its tail. Now, even the business that was insufficient has been withdrawn.

Of course, the income earned by his organization over the years was by no means small in the eyes of ordinary people, but human greed is endless.

I cant help it.

Pyo Nagil couldnt give up the wealth provided by the Rakshasa Temple. His greed led him to decide to protect his money, even if it meant continuing with the dangerous request.

Anyway, all I have to do is close my eyes and make a successful surprise attack. It wont be difficult.

However, despite saying so, in reality, sweat has been slowly forming due to the tension since earlier.

Todays target is Jung Haseong. He came to assassinate another S-Class as demanded by the sponsoring organization. Do you know why hes been handling such a big task of assassinating top-tier hunters alone all this time? Its because in front of the S-Class, half-measures like hesitation are of no use at all.

Even considering his weakness for frequent individual actions, Jung Haseong is a monster worth fearing. With just one gesture, he could easily turn even any middle-level awakened person into ashes.

Its okay. They said it would be okay since the invisibility wasnt noticed by that bastard during the rehearsal

In case of an emergency, he will go into hiding mode.

Next, Pyo Nagil made up his mind and carefully entered the gate.

Huh?

But what is this? Contrary to what he had just thought, he ended up running away from there in just two seconds.

Whats going on! Im sure I saw him going in alone?

Because, at the moment, Jung Haseong was in conversation with another hunter. And unless he had seen something wrong, the blonde awakened person inside the gate was definitely

Kim Kiryeo!

In an instant, cold sweat breaks out on his temple.

No way; could he have read my actions? No, thats impossible But how is he sticking so close to the hunters were targeting, one after another!

As long as that F-Class person is by his side, assassinating Jung Haseong is impossible. Because invisibility wont work at all.

Im doomed!

Pyo Nagil bit his lip from beyond the gate. In truth, the safest option in this situation would be to step back for now and wait for the next opportunity.

Its unpleasant.

Pyo Nagil couldnt shake off the feeling about Hunter Kim Kiryeo. The memory of fleeing in disgrace after underestimating an F-Class was still vivid in his mind, haunting him constantly.

Yeah. Come to think of it, among the items those pseudo-b*stards gave me

Pyo Nagil took something out of his bag.

[Collapsing Particle-]

[Description: When attached, this tool destroys one type of corresponding tool.]

This item was a small bomb that could literally remove troublesome objects. It is typically used to destroy competitors equipment.

He said to use this when encountering an S-Class inside the gate.

However, one day, the members of the Rakshasa Temple discovered a new way to use this item.

Ive never used it before because I felt suspicious about what those punks gave us

Whoosh.

Pyo Nagil hesitantly threw the item towards the gate. As he did, the red bead floated and mingled with the waves of the gate, spreading out small roots.

Huh?

The surprise was only for a short time. A few seconds after that

-Boom!

The passage that had been emitting blue light was instantly destroyed and disappeared.

What is it, Dungeon Break?

A phenomenon distinctly different from the normal gate closure. In some ways, it resembled what he had described as a dungeon break.

Wasnt this item only possible to destroy equipment? I, it affected the gate too?

This is the discovery of terrorists disguised as a religious organization. The dungeon passage can be artificially removed. Furthermore, its effect didnt end with the disappearance of the entrance alone.

-Boom!

Hmm?

Huh?

At the same time, inside the dungeon. The two people who were wrestling turned their heads in unison at the unfamiliar sound.

The exit?

The first to speak was Jung Haseong, but it didnt take long for Kiryeo to say something.

Ah, damn it.

Expletives flowed freely. Again, where they were was a Blue Gate. More specifically, it was a Type II hunting ground without a boss, with only minions respawning. However, attempting to forcibly remove the entrance of this Type II hunting ground led to a strange phenomenon.

Why did the gate suddenly close? Did you do this?

Would I have done that? Haseong-ssi was grabbing my collar.

When the boss is defeated, the gate disappears. This is the basic premise of Type I dungeons.

However, the sudden loss of passage in a Type II dungeon, which is based on this premise, causes serious errors.

-The gate has been destroyed.

-For the gate to be destroyed, the number of monsters must exceed a certain amount, or the boss must be killed.

-Does the current number of objects exceed the allowable range?

-NO

-The gates destruction is attributed to the bosss defeat.

-But there is no boss here?

It was a domino of error.

-To resolve the inconsistency, a new boss will be designated.

Kiryeo couldnt see through the entire system, but at least he could tell that something significant had happened.

Jung Haseong-ssi, if you leave this gate, you can report me anytime. No, Ill just turn myself in for illegal entry.

Woooooo

The blond man chases after the crying sound coming from beyond the dense marshes.

So, can you please keep me alive until then?

What is this shameless rank impostor saying now? Jung Haseong couldnt understand what the other person was saying for a moment. However, soon after, reality unfolded before them.

Grrrrrrr

Muuu~~

What happened?

Originally, this gate was a humble nest where small, white avian-type monsters appeared. However, now towering horns loomed in every direction. The S-Class hunter pointed his watch towards the red, gigantic bulls that had begun to rampage through the dungeon.

Beep.

[Minotaur]

Its a monster Ive seen before somewhere.

Boss of the Labyrinthos Dungeon, the Minotaur has appeared. And its not just one or two of them appearing.

Haseong-ssi, I havent heard your answer yet.

An incident occurred where all ordinary monsters in this gate were replaced by random boss-level monsters.

Ill tell you in advance, but I really cant fight.

Kim Kiryeo slowly stepped back. Meanwhile, the Minotaurs presence was drawing closer to them with each passing moment.