Chapter 220 – Red Wasteland

Aside from dungeon conquests, the place where Min Do-jun spent most of his time was the guild office.

As the guild master, he didn’t have much to do, but there wasn’t anything particular to do at home either.

‘With staff around, it looks better if I’m present.’

Occasionally, he would listen to the staff’s suggestions or catch up on events that happened while he was away.

“Guild Master, while you were out conquering a dungeon last time, some hunters came by.”

“Were they here wanting to become Magic Swordsmen again?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lately, the number of hunters visiting the guild hoping to become Magic Swordsmen had increased significantly. They came seeking advice from Min Do-jun, the foremost expert on Magic Swordsmen in South Korea.

“As per your instructions, I sent them away saying that becoming a Magic Swordsman requires a specific trait, but new people keep showing up. At this rate, we might need to put up a sign saying ‘Magic Swordsman is not for everyone.’”

“Hmm…”

Min Do-jun seriously considered whether to release an article to prevent people from making wasted trips.

“You haven’t declined that interview request from last time, right?”

“Yes. Are you planning to accept it?”

“Yes. I need to mention that only the chosen can become Magic Swordsmen. We can’t keep handling this haphazardly forever, can we?”

“Understood. Oh, and I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

At Park Dong-yun’s words, Min Do-jun made his choice without hesitation.

“The good news.”

“The good news is that I’ve found the S-rank dungeon you requested.”

“Oh, really? Where is it, and what dungeon is it?”

“It’s the [Red Wasteland] in India.”

“Oh, a dungeon with a recommended level of 4,000.”

“Yes. There are no applicants yet, so soloing is possible.”

“That’s great. So, what’s the bad news?”

Park Dong-yun hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“The bad news is that India insists only their nationals can use it.”

“Even though no one is currently conquering it?”

“They’re not completely inactive. It’s scheduled to be conquered by India’s S-rank hunters in a week. The problem is that even though no one is conquering it right now, they won’t allow access.”

If no one is using it, they could permit entry, but it seemed the Indian side was excluding foreigners, claiming it as their dungeon.

“Other countries would accept support if they lacked S-rank hunters, but it seems India doesn’t.”

“Yes. They have plenty of S-rank hunters, so they don’t feel the need to accept help.”

As the second most populous country after China, India likely had close to 100 S-rank hunters.

‘Among them, at least five or more must be over level 4,000.’

That’s the perfect number to enter the Red Wasteland dungeon, which allows up to five people.

‘The issue is that even though the dungeon is empty due to scheduling conflicts, they won’t give others a chance to conquer it.’

They had found a dungeon suitable for soloing, but due to stubbornness, they weren’t granting access.

“Have you contacted the Indian side?”

“Yes. I even emphasized that you’re the hunter who recently took first place in the Tower of Infinity, but they still said they absolutely cannot allow entry to non-nationals.”

“Hmm…”

It was frustrating that they were being so rigid when conquering the dungeon doesn’t reduce the number of monsters.

“What should we do? Should I look for another dungeon?”

“Team Leader.”

“Yes?”

“Which country is India allied with?”

Russia’s Prime Minister, Boris Kudrin, clapped his hands upon reading an article stating that the number one spot in the Tower of Infinity had been claimed by a Korean hunter named Min Do-jun.

“Of course! If it’s not Hunter Min Do-jun, who solo-killed a named boss, then who else could take first place!”

Min Do-jun had become an overnight star in Russia as well.

Not only for the feat of solo-killing a named boss, but also for lifting Russia’s curse, earning him widespread favor.

Gaining the favor of Prime Minister Kudrin was an added bonus.

“Prime Minister, I’m not very familiar with this, but is being number one in the Tower of Infinity really that significant?”

At his subordinate’s question, Kudrin clicked his tongue.

“Do you know who the strongest hunter in the world is?”

“Of course, isn’t it Justin Walker from the United States?”

“That formidable Justin Walker has now been pushed to second place in the Tower of Infinity. By a hunter from a small country like Korea.”

“Th-that’s…!”

“Now do you understand? How incredible Hunter Min Do-jun is? He’s going to become a global giant following Justin Walker. Hasn’t he already left a tremendous legacy in our country?”

After Min Do-jun defeated the named boss, there had been no more casualties in Russia’s Vampire’s Night dungeon.

This not only washed away the stigma of Russia’s curse but also increased the rate of dungeon support from S-rank hunters worldwide.

“Thanks to that, the image of our country as a dangerous place disappeared in an instant. We owe a debt to Hunter Min Do-jun.”

“Shouldn’t we at least award Hunter Min Do-jun a commendation or something?”

“I was thinking of doing just that, but I wonder if he’d appreciate a mere piece of paper…”

Kudrin wanted to offer Min Do-jun a tangible reward.

Ideally, something he desired.

‘What could Hunter Min Do-jun want?’

While pondering this, a call came from a staff member.

“Prime Minister, a Korean hunter has contacted us saying they need help.”

“Help? Who is it?”

“It’s Hunter Min Do-jun.”

The Prime Minister’s eyes lit up.

“Connect me immediately.”

As soon as the call with Min Do-jun was connected, Kudrin greeted him warmly.

“Hello, Hunter Min Do-jun!”

-Who is this?

“Oh, my apologies. I’m Boris Kudrin, the Prime Minister of Russia.”

Perhaps not expecting to be connected to the Prime Minister, there was a long silence on the other end.

-Prime Minister, I see. I’m Hunter Min Do-jun.

“Haha, I know. Aren’t you the one who made a significant contribution to our country’s image?”

-Contribution? That’s an overstatement.

“No need to be modest. You must acknowledge your contribution to some extent, which is why you’ve reached out for help, right? Thinking we’d assist you.”

Another silence followed at the unexpected bluntness.

-To be honest, I can’t deny it. Yes, I contacted you because I thought you might help.

“Then you did the right thing. I was just racking my brain over how to repay you, Hunter.”

-Is that so?

“If there’s anything you want, feel free to say it. I’ll do everything within my power to assist.”

Feeling more at ease with Russia’s straightforward attitude of dropping formalities and asking for what he wanted, Min Do-jun spoke up.

-I want to enter a dungeon in India, but they’re saying only nationals are allowed. Could Russia help with this?

“India is one of our closest allies. Don’t worry. As soon as this call ends, I’ll speak with them.”

-Thank you.

“Hmm? Don’t you have any other requests?”

-No. If I can enter the dungeon, that’s enough.

“We feel it’s insufficient, though.”

-I’m already grateful that you didn’t refuse my request.

“Oh, wait a moment, Hunter.”

-…?

“By any chance, do you need a commendation plaque?”

Shortly after ending the call with the Russian government, Min Do-jun received good news.

“What? Ah… they’ve agreed?”

Approval had been granted.

“Understood. Thank you.”

After hanging up, Park Dong-yun looked at Min Do-jun with astonished eyes.

“Guild Master, India just contacted us saying you can use the dungeon immediately. However, it’s only for you.”

“Really? That’s great.”

“You went out to make a call earlier, and now they’ve completely changed their stance. What kind of magic did you use?”

“I just asked Russia for help, that’s all.”

“Russia?”

“By the way, they said I can conquer it immediately, right?”

“Yes. Should I book the earliest flight ticket?”

Min Do-jun nodded.

“Yes. The sooner the conquest, the better.”

In Mumbai, India, there is a dungeon.

It’s the S-rank dungeon known as the Red Wasteland.

With a recommended level of 4,000 or higher, it was the most dangerous dungeon in India.

However, none of India’s citizens worried about a dungeon break.

This was because the top 5 ranked hunters in India, all above level 4,000, periodically conquered it.

Even so, the fact that it was the most dangerous zone in India remained unchanged, so access was strictly controlled.

Occasionally, reckless S-rank hunters would show up.

The control officer, Raman, was once again persuading an overconfident S-rank hunter.

“No, why can’t I enter?”

“This place has a recommended level of over 4,000. It’s not a place for a hunter who just reached level 3,000.”

“But I meet the entry level requirement, don’t I?”

“It’s too dangerous. Even five hunters at level 4,000 barely manage to conquer it. You want to go in alone? Absolutely not.”

“I can hunt carefully. And for a level 3,000, I’m pretty strong. My guild even considers me a promising talent.”

“Then get permission from your guild and come back officially. Don’t just show up like this.”

“If my guild had permitted it, would I have come alone?”

“It seems your guild doesn’t want to lose a promising talent. So, go back.”

“Man, you’re so strict!”

After a long argument, the S-rank hunter spat on the ground and turned away.

Only after the supercar drove off did Raman let out the sigh he had been holding back.

“Phew, that idiot.”

Occasionally, S-rank hunters intoxicated by their own power would show up recklessly like this.

“Even filling a team of five is questionable for entry, and he comes alone? Is he determined to die?”

It’s not for nothing that the recommended level is 4,000. Raman couldn’t help but find these hunters pathetic every time they came to test their strength.

“Being S-rank means nothing if your head’s made of stone.”

Raman relieved his stress by badmouthing the hunters behind their backs.

He couldn’t curse them to their faces, not knowing what kind of trouble that might bring.

At that moment, Raman’s phone rang.

“Yes, this is Raman, the control officer for Mumbai’s Red Wasteland. Ah, hello! Prime Minister!”

Startled by the call from India’s Prime Minister, Raman tensed up.

Even when dealing with S-rank hunters, he hadn’t shown such an expression.

“Uh, what brings you to call… Yes? What do you mean… Ah, understood. I’ll do as instructed.”

After ending the call, Raman wore a dumbfounded expression.

He had just received an absurd order to allow a Korean hunter, who would soon arrive, to enter the dungeon.

‘A hunter named Min Do-jun? Is he famous?’

Since Min Do-jun’s fame hadn’t yet reached India, the name felt unfamiliar to Raman.

‘More importantly, isn’t it government policy not to allow foreigners?’

This was a first.

It was unprecedented for the government to grant special permission for a foreigner, and a solo one at that, to enter.

‘But can this really be called a privilege?’

In all the time he had guarded the dungeon entrance, no hunter had ever entered solo.

‘There were hunters who entered solo before the control post was established…’

But they all died.

Every single one who entered alone failed to come out alive.

That’s why the control post was created.

‘And yet, the government allowed it?’

What were they thinking, permitting a solo entry where death was almost certain?

Moreover, since he’s a foreigner, couldn’t this cause diplomatic issues?

‘I can’t understand it.’

Well, whatever.

His job was simply to open the gate as instructed.

At that moment, a taxi stopped in front of the control post.

‘Must be him.’

Recognizing Min Do-jun wasn’t difficult.

No other Asian would come to such a remote place by taxi.

“Are you Hunter Min Do-jun?”

When asked in English, the Asian man nodded.

“I’ve been expecting you. Are you planning to enter the dungeon solo?”

“Yes. Can I go in right now?”

Slightly surprised by the other’s fluent English, Raman soon nodded.

“Of course. I’ll open it for you right away.”

As he opened the iron gate, Raman thought to himself.

‘His English is fluent, so is he a hunter from some wealthy family?’

In India, where the poor often couldn’t learn English, it was natural to assume he was privileged.

Moreover, receiving special treatment from the government only reinforced that misunderstanding.

Creak-

While opening the gate, Raman nodded and looked at Min Do-jun entering, becoming certain.

‘Definitely someone educated.’

Perhaps that’s why.

Even knowing it was rude, he couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“Excuse me, Hunter. May I ask what your level is?”

“Why? Are you going to stop me if my level isn’t high enough?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious…”

“It’s 3,400.”

“…”

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Even as Min Do-jun equipped his gear and entered the portal alone, Raman couldn’t erase the dumbfounded expression from his face.