Chapter 143: Dwarven Mine (1)
With a loud clap and what seemed like a wicked smile, Kim Ki-Rok drew the attention of everyone gathered at the entrance to the Raging Volcanic Island Gate.
"I've contacted the Association and confirmed that South Vermillion Bird and Miss Ji-Yeon, the leader of our DG Guild's Three Beauties, will be assisting them for the next two days."
He referred to Nam Dong-Wook as South Vermillion Bird, and addressed Lee Ji-Yeon by her guild nickname. The phrasing sounded outdated, maybe even a little biased, but no one dared correct him.
"So! You've come to me for help—the Guildmaster of DG Guild, a sadist to my own people and a madman to everyone else, apparently."
The Hunters standing before him stiffened, nerves clearly showing.
"And you did this knowing full well what that would mean."
Each of them swallowed dryly.
Kim Ki-Rok only recommended Gates his guild members could, at least in his eyes, handle on their own. The process was always punishing and victory never came easy, but it was always possible.
Failing to clear one of his recommended Gates simply meant the Hunter hadn't pushed themselves far enough. And to match that failure, Kim Ki-Rok would grant a second "opportunity for growth." It was a new Gate slightly easier on paper, but far harder in practice.
At first, a few members had asked for help without thinking much of it. But they soon learned. If the first Gate had been a spicy chicken noodle, the second-chance Gate was a nuclear spicy chicken noodle topped with capsaicin-drenched green chili peppers.
The first time this happened, they could plead ignorance. But after getting burned, no one ever asked half-heartedly again. Even so, the guild members had chosen to force open those sealed Gates.
"I'm sure you all agree," Kim Ki-Rok said calmly.
The Hunters ground their teeth in frustration, but Kim Ki-Rok simply looked up at the sky, his expression distant as if he hadn't noticed a thing.
"I see. You need to level up so you can join the A-Class Gate, the Dwarven Mine. So even without the essentials for a proper clear, such as our South Vermillion Bird and the lovely Miss Ji-Yeon, you still called me, hoping for a quick run and an easy level boost. I'm touched. Truly. All this, just to protect your precious Guildmaster who's so graciously participating in the operation."
"Hold on a second."
"What is it, Ms. Seh-Eun?"
"One thing. We have absolutely no intention of protecting you, Guildmaster."
"Oh? You're not worried about me?" Kim Ki-Rok asked with a genuinely puzzled look.
"Yes."
The guild members nodded in unison and gave their own retorts.
"Who's worried about whom now?"
"You'd survive even if you were dropped straight into hell."
"Right. He'd probably dance with the devil and still have time to spare."
"He seems like the type who'd build a hut and enjoy a cozy camping life even if he were stranded alone in an A-Class Gate."
Their assumptions weren't exactly far off. When the Hell Gate appeared, even though he lacked the proper skills, Kim Ki-Rok had stubbornly survived and even met the King of Hell.
There had also been times when he'd been trapped alone inside a Gate. During one such instance, he explored the surroundings, found a spot free of monsters, built a small hut, and lived out a laid-back, naturalist lifestyle.
"Hahaha! I see my dignity as Guildmaster has completely collapsed," he said, stroking his imaginary beard while grinning.
"Dwarven Mine is an A-Class Gate, with a difficulty range between Levels 82 and 95. With how quickly Hunters are leveling under the Permanent Gate system, though, that range will probably shift within six months," he prefaced before quickly moving on. "Anyway, the minimum level to enter is 75, but given how dangerous the Gate is, the Association will likely raise it to 80."
The guild members quietly stared at Kim Ki-Rok. This Gate wouldn't only have Undead monsters but also Black Wizards. Given that, the Association's caution was warranted.
"Well, that'd be a different story if the first clear team gets wiped out. Hahaha!"
He seemed far too cheerful discussing the possibility, while the guild members looked pained as he spoke about such serious matters.
"For your information, that will never happen. How could it, when our Ji-Hee is part of the Gate clear?"
"Uh, but Guildmaster?"
"Yes, Miss Ji-Ah."
Kim Ki-Rok paused mid-explanation to turn toward the fourth of the Mapogu Siblings.
"Is Ji-Hee's participation necessary, like how yours is?"
"Yes, it is. Well..."
What on earth is he about to say this time? the guild members wondered.
"I haven't received permission yet, though. Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!" Kim Ji-Hee joined in his laughter a beat later.
She had been quiet until now, still working on the oversized candy given to her by the grandmother from Our Grandfather's Soup Rice. It was unclear if she had finished the candy or just let it dissolve enough to speak.
"Oho? Hahaha!" Kim Ki-Rok responded with random noises of his own.
"Hehehe, hahaha!"
"Euhaha!"
"Euhaha!"
The two were driving the Hunters crazy, their faces flushed red.
Though this was a DG Guild-exclusive Gate, a few Association staff stood nearby, managing the Gate's entrance. And because it had appeared near a subway station, there were quite a few passersby, some of whom had started recording with their phones.
Why are we the ones suffering the embarrassment?
the guild members collectively lamented.Ignoring the stares, Kim Ki-Rok pressed on, unfazed. "Leveling up becomes disgustingly difficult after level 80. Even with the blessing of the World Tree, we'll likely struggle plenty. But the real difficulty only begins at level 80. Since the Dwarven Mine Gate has a cutoff at 80, if you all prepare hard—very, very hard—you'll be able to join."
With that, he turned toward the Gate entrance. "Then, shall we?"
As they watched him walk away at a leisurely pace, the guild members let out a long sigh.
"Like the passing by wind...[1]" one of them murmured.
***
From a video uploaded by a civilian under the title "Kim Ki-Rok Spotted," a voice was narrating.
—However, considering the dangers of the Gate, the Association is very likely to set the minimum level requirement at 80.
Association President Kang Man-Ki stared at the screen, then turned to his aide. "Has there... been a leak?"
"No, sir."
"Huh..."
It was just as Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok had said. Normally, for a Gate with a difficulty rating of 70 to 75, the Association allowed Hunters five levels below the mark to participate, taking into account the power of their equipment and skill grades. In other words, even Hunters at Level 65 would typically be permitted entry.
However, Dwarven Mine was a different case. The way the level requirement had been calculated this time was entirely new.
"Then... How on earth did he know?"
Inside the Dwarven Mine Gate, Hunters would be facing Undead monsters and Black Wizards, all wielding dwarven-made weapons. Because of the danger posed by this combination, the Association had decided on a stricter requirement. This information had not yet been released to the public, nor had it been shared with the Guildmasters who had attended the briefing.
"We suspect he deduced it based on recent trends. He likely anticipated the change given the average level inflation caused by the emergence of the Permanent Gate, and he's clearly aware of how dangerous this Gate is."
"Wow..." The president let slip his awe.
In the past, before the advent of the Permanent Gate, level thresholds were set more leniently to maximize participation. But now, with the top-tier Hunters rapidly progressing again, the Association no longer needed to cut corners. They could afford to be selective.
"And Ji-Hee is participating as well?"
"Probably. They'll most likely cite her role as a Spiritualist. There's no need to impose a level restriction on her."
Kang Man-Ki nodded in agreement. "That's true. If we can send the spirits on recon, we'll significantly reduce the risk of early detection."
"Just identifying the number and position of the dwarves will greatly increase the operation's success rate."
Reconnaissance was essential for any rescue operation. It allowed them to assess the terrain and locate the dwarves, increasing their chances of success. But if the enemy spotted the recon team, the operation could fail before it even began. That was why having Kim Ji-Hee on the team made perfect sense. She was a Spiritualist capable of undetected reconnaissance, a rare and valuable asset.
"Besides, she's accompanied by Mandong, who specializes in healing magic," the aide added. "We're also expecting Mr. Kan Cho-Woo, the magician, to be a great help."
A healer was a vital member of any operation and always welcomed.
"You're right," agreed the president.
"Even if his actual combat experience as a former elder of the Tower of Wizards isn't useful in this context, his knowledge alone is a valuable asset."
Kan Cho-Woo was known as the "Back in My Day Wizard." He had held the lowest rank among the Tower's elders, but that title still meant something. At the very least, it meant he was proficient in dark magic.
"Moreover, if the Black Wizards use Spiritualism, we could seize an even greater opportunity."
Given that Kim Ji-Hee was beloved by the spirits, if the Black Wizards summoned spectral monsters, it could end up reinforcing the Hunters instead.
"We have to secure her participation, even if we need to persuade her ourselves."
Not involving her would be a grave mistake.
***
On the day of the Gate clear, a large crowd gathered at the entrance to Dwarven Mine, the A-Class Gate. Among them were not only top-tier domestic Hunters, but also elite Hunters from abroad.
"What a sight."
It truly was a gathering of some of the strongest Hunters on Earth.
"But..." Association President Kang Man-Ki looked around, puzzled. "Where's the DG Guild?"
"They said they left thirty minutes ago."
"Thirty minutes ago?"
"Yes, sir. Apparently, they were still clearing Gates until dawn today..."
Just how hard did Kim Ki-Rok push his guild members? And how sweet must the rewards be, that they endured all of it without quitting?
Association President Kang Man-Ki shook his head and glanced toward the cluster of foreign Hunters.
He noticed something curious and tilted his head. "Huh?"
"What is it, sir?"
"No, I was just thinking... there seem to be a lot of rabbits. Are rabbits in fashion these days?"
"Ah..."
An older Hunter with white hair wore a ring engraved with a rabbit on his right hand. Beside him, an A-Class long-range specialist wore a pendant adorned with a rabbit. Both of them were well-known Hunters—easily recognizable.
His aide quickly explained, "Those are the Hunters who've received help from the Information Merchant."
"Ah! The Information Merchant."
President Kang immediately understood. The Information Merchant, also known as "Daddy Long Legs," was a mysterious figure who aided various Awakened individuals without ever revealing their identity.
Though better known overseas, the name had also become familiar within the Korean Association for good reason. A significant number of Korean Hunters had experienced dramatic growth thanks to the Merchant's support.
"There are more of them than I expected."
"I agree."
"So many rabbits..."
The President couldn't help but feel the Hunter world had grown a little brighter recently.
"Mr. President, the DG Guild has just arrived."
"Hmm..." Kang Man-Ki, still slightly distracted by the rabbit-themed accessories, turned toward the Association's main gate. With a mechanical whir, the automatic doors slid open and a group entered the building.
"Hm. He hasn't changed one bit."
Leading the group was Kim Ki-Rok, smiling cheerfully with Kim Ji-Hee in his arms. Behind him followed the DG Guild members, exuding a chilling, battle-worn aura.
"Oh dear..."
The issue was that all that killing intent was directed squarely at their Guildmaster.
"Oh! Mr. Association Presideeeent."
Unfazed by the fact that his own guild looked ready to murder him, Kim Ki-Rok acted as if nothing was amiss.
Wearing a practiced business smile, President Kang leaned slightly toward his aide and whispered through clenched teeth, "You don't think he'll actually get assassinated if this keeps up... right?"
1. Lyrics of famous Korean song, 야인 (Wild Man) ☜