Chapter 236 – The Absentees

‘Did I really get picked as a member for the Castle of Absolute Darkness raid?’

Min Do-jun was bewildered by the unexpected message.

He didn’t know under what criteria the Association had selected him.

‘Is it just because of my high level?’

There was no way to know just by thinking about it.

‘They said to call if I have questions, so I should try.’

He immediately called the contact number provided.

-Yes, this is the Korea Hunter Association.

“Hello, this is Hunter Min Do-jun.”

-Ah, y-yes, hello!

He could hear the staff’s flustered voice.

It wasn’t every day you got to speak with the number one ranked hunter.

-What can I do for you, Hunter?

“I just received a text saying I was selected as a member for the Castle of Absolute Darkness raid, and I have some questions.”

-Ah, I see. May I first confirm your identity? For security, we can only answer to the person themselves.

“Go ahead.”

-Could you please read the 12-digit number on your Hunter Registration Card?

Without even looking at the card, Min Do-jun recited the number from memory.

-Thank you. Confirmed, Hunter Min Do-jun. What would you like to know? If it’s about the gathering date, we’ll send a follow-up message once it’s set…

“That’s not it. I’m curious about why I was selected.”

-Ah, the reason for selection?

The answer came immediately, as if from a manual.

-The Association President personally selected from among the hunters who have not yet achieved a first-clear record.

‘The Association President picked them himself?’

-Looking at the dungeon records, you also haven’t achieved a first-clear on any S-rank dungeon, correct?

“That’s right.”

If you’re the first to clear a newly spawned S-rank dungeon, you get a special achievement reward.

Min Do-jun hadn’t yet been the first to clear any S-rank dungeon.

‘There must be plenty of others like me.’

Getting a first-clear on an S-rank dungeon was as hard as getting a front-row seat at a concert.

‘But the President handpicked from among them?’

So, it was basically up to the President’s whim.

‘Something smells fishy.’

He wondered if someone else was pulling the strings from behind.

-Everyone wants to be the first in, so the President did it this way to avoid confusion. Does that answer your question?

“Yes.”

-If you wish to decline, please let us know now.

“I have no intention of declining.”

-Any other questions?

“No.”

-Understood. Then we’ll end the call here. Have a great day.

The call ended, but Min Do-jun still looked unsatisfied.

‘Was this really the President’s idea? Or was it Justin Walker’s doing?’

There was only one way to find out.

‘I’ll have to ask directly.’

Min Do-jun rode the ghost wolf somewhere.

* * *

The Association President was finishing up paperwork at his desk when his phone vibrated.

It was an international call.

From the US, no less.

‘No way…’

Who else in America would call him?

Just one person.

“H-hello?”

-It’s me, President.

The familiar English accent made the President tense up.

“J-Justin Walker?”

-Why so nervous? I’m not going to eat you.

“N-no, sorry.”

Just a phone call, but sweat beaded on his forehead.

That’s how intimidating Justin Walker was to him.

Being world rank 1 was part of it, but more than anything, he owed Justin Walker a huge debt for the legendary sword.

So he never thought Justin would call just for fun.

“What do you want me to do this time…?”

-Hey, do I only call when I want something? Tsk.

“S-sorry. Then what’s this about…?”

-Just wanted to check in on progress.

“Ah, I took care of what you asked last time.”

-What I asked last time? What was that?

“Pardon? Don’t you remember? You told me to gather the hunters who missed the last assembly under the pretext of a dungeon raid.”

-Well, you should’ve said so. How am I supposed to know if it was the first thing I asked or something recent?

“Ah… Sorry, I didn’t think of that.”

-Anyway, you picked from the absentees, right?

“Yes.”

-What’s next?

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

-Didn’t I tell you?

“No, you didn’t…”

-Alright. No need for you to know more.

With that, the call ended.

“…Huh.”

He hung up after saying his piece, but as the subordinate, the President could only swallow his frustration.

He was just a debtor to Justin Walker.

“I really don’t get it. Why does he make me do these things…?”

He was curious about Justin Walker’s intentions but could only obey.

He could only hope the debt would be forgiven soon.

But the President didn’t know.

That the person he’d just spoken to wasn’t Justin Walker, but Min Do-jun.

* * *

‘So that’s how it is.’

Having traveled all the way to the US and made the international call to impersonate Justin Walker, Min Do-jun nodded.

‘As expected, it was Justin Walker’s doing.’

Being selected for the Castle of Absolute Darkness raid wasn’t just luck.

‘It was just a pretext to gather the absentees from the last assembly.’

The story about picking from those who hadn’t gotten a first-clear was just a cover.

It was all a scheme by Justin Walker and the Association President to handpick the members they wanted.

‘But why does he want to gather the absentees again?’

He’d already gathered all the S-rank hunters in Korea once. Now he was gathering those who missed it, using the raid as an excuse.

‘When Justin Walker first made his demand, he said not to leave out a single person.’

Now that there were absentees, he was gathering them with this opportunity.

‘But why? Is he planning something with the gathered hunters?’

But on the day of the previous assembly, Justin Walker hadn’t even shown up, and neither had any suspicious figures.

‘He must want to do something, but I can’t refuse.’

Even knowing it was a trap, he had to go.

He had to see for himself what Justin Walker was up to.

‘There are four absentees, including me.’

Remembering that Jeong Hye-won was among them, Min Do-jun called her.

-Hello?

“Ms. Jeong Hye-won?”

-Who is this?

“This is Min Do-jun.”

-Oh? How did you get my number…?

“It’s a small world in this business.”

Actually, he’d learned it by peeking through Parasite on Kang Hyuk-su’s perspective.

-So, what’s up?

“I just wanted to check something.”

-Check what?

“Did you get a text about being picked for the Castle of Absolute Darkness raid?”

-Ah! Yes, I did.

So, they really had only sent the texts to the absentees.

-Why do you ask? Wait, did you…?

“Yes. I got it too. Just wanted to check if you did as well.”

Min Do-jun didn’t know that on the other end, Jeong Hye-won was smiling silently.

“Anyway, looks like we’ll be in a party together again.”

-Looks like it.

“See you at the dungeon soon.”

* * *

After the call, Jeong Hye-won let out a dumbfounded laugh.

“Was that really all he called for?”

He’d ended the call as soon as he got his answer. It might have seemed rude, but she didn’t mind.

She was actually pleased.

She’d get to party with Min Do-jun again.

‘Last time, we hunted separately, so I didn’t get to see his skills up close. This time, I’ll be with him all day.’

She already knew how overwhelmingly strong he was.

She also knew he was the monster who leveled up 100 times in a day.

‘If I get the chance, I’ll ask how he got so strong. Maybe even learn his secret.’

It was natural for a hunter to admire someone stronger.

Especially for Jeong Hye-won, who was obsessed with getting stronger, Min Do-jun was an idol.

‘I hope the day comes quickly.’

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

* * *

Four S-rank hunters received the message.

The date for the Castle of Absolute Darkness raid had been set.

[All members must gather at Cheongnyangni Station by 1 a.m. two days from now, November 25.

For security, do not share the date or time with family or friends.

If you miss the gathering or break secrecy, there will be severe penalties.]

The raid date was sooner than expected.

Two days wasn’t much time.

But it was enough to prepare mentally.

‘Let’s go.’

Even knowing it was a trap, Min Do-jun headed for the meeting point.

The pre-dawn air of early winter was cold.

‘Am I the first to arrive?’

A park near Cheongnyangni Station.

Here was the portal to the third S-rank dungeon, the Castle of Absolute Darkness.

It was a restricted area, and since the raid was secret, there was no one else around.

‘Not even a single reporter for a first-clear raid.’

Normally, a first-clear would be a huge event, but the Association was keeping it secret to avoid crowds.

‘But really, it’s probably because of Justin Walker’s scheme.’

Whatever he was planning, time would tell.

Min Do-jun waited with all his senses on alert.

‘Someone’s coming.’

He looked up and saw a familiar face.

It was Jeong Hye-won.

“Hello, Hunter Min Do-jun. You’re early.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Were you that excited? Wanting to raid as soon as possible?”

“…Yeah.”

He didn’t deny it.

He was excited to see what trick Justin Walker would pull.

“Really? I was excited too.”

Her excitement was for a different reason.

She was thrilled to be in a party with Min Do-jun.

“Are we waiting for just two more?”

“Probably. The Castle of Absolute Darkness only allows four.”

‘So it’s the four absentees.’

A little before 1 a.m., the other two arrived.

“Whoa! It’s Hunter Min Do-jun!”

“And rank 4 Hunter Jeong Hye-won!”

The two latecomers hadn’t known who the raid members were and were stunned by the lineup.

It was natural, since their levels were much lower.

“What’s your level?”

“I’m 3,150.”

“I just hit 3,100…”

“Wait, we’re raiding a level 4,000 dungeon with these levels?”

Jeong Hye-won voiced her doubts, but Min Do-jun already knew why.

‘All four of us are absentees.’

Just to be sure, he asked the two if they’d missed the last assembly.

“Yes, I had something that day.”

“Me too.”

So it was definitely a trap to gather the absentees.

‘Now, what are you going to do, Justin Walker?’

He’d gathered the absentees just as Justin Walker wanted.

But Justin Walker didn’t show up.

[Target is too far away.]

[Tracking not possible.]

He tried his tracking skill, but only got a message saying it was impossible.

Justin Walker must be in the dungeon.

‘Just like last time. He gathered everyone, but didn’t show up.’

If he wanted to do something, now would be the time-before they entered the dungeon.

The party members were chatting and getting ready to go in.

“Can we really clear this with just the four of us?”

“Don’t worry. With Hunter Min Do-jun here, he could probably solo it.”

“Is that true?”

The others looked at Min Do-jun for confirmation, but his attention was elsewhere.

“Hunter?”

Jeong Hye-won followed his gaze, but saw only trees.

But Min Do-jun could see it.

The figure of an uninvited guest, hidden with invisibility.