Chapter 221 – The Absolute

[Mumbai Red Wasteland Dungeon]

– Difficulty: S

– Player Limit: 5

– Entry Restriction: Level 3,000 or higher

– Objective: Survive within the time limit

– Failure Penalty: None

– Time Limit: 72 hours

– Time until dungeon break: 402 hours 11 minutes 32 seconds

As soon as he entered the dungeon, the scorching sun and the red wasteland greeted Min Do-jun.

‘It’s been a while.’

For Min Do-jun, who had conquered most S-rank dungeons before his regression, the Red Wasteland was not a particularly difficult dungeon.

‘It’s just a 4,000-level dungeon.’

While it might be the highest difficulty for others, Min Do-jun, who had approached level 5,000, had experienced even tougher dungeons.

‘The Dragon’s Nest in the US was the toughest dungeon I had ever experienced. Ah, maybe it doesn’t exist now since no one has reached level 5,000 yet?’

The Dragon’s Nest was the dungeon that would appear when Justin Walker reached level 5,000.

‘Compared to that, this place isn’t even that hard.’

Therefore, Min Do-jun was not surprised even when he saw the red armored ants in front of him.

Swish-!

He simply split them in two lightly with Excalibur.

‘Whether it’s ghouls or ants, dying in one hit isn’t much different.’

He had easily conquered the City of the Dead, which was level 3,800, so a 4,000-level dungeon couldn’t be difficult.

‘A 200-level difference only feels significant when you’re low level. Once you’re S-rank, it’s all the same.’

After becoming S-rank, level didn’t mean much.

Once you pass level 3,000, you can equip all items and enter any dungeon without restrictions.

‘A 200-level difference is just a difference of 200 stats, nothing more or less.’

You can easily make up for 200 stats with expensive items.

After becoming S-rank, equipment has a bigger impact than level.

‘Even I can tell. I became much stronger as soon as I got S-rank because of equipment.’

If it weren’t for the legendary items he currently wore, he wouldn’t have become this strong.

That’s why hunters are so obsessed with legendary items.

Equipping a single good item is far more efficient than painstakingly leveling up.

‘The problem is that they’re hard to obtain.’

Legendary items are so rare that you might need to kill S-rank bosses dozens of times just to get one.

In the 20-year history of hunters, the number of such items could be counted on one hand, showing just how difficult they are to acquire.

‘And yet, I have three of them.’

Two of those had already been enhanced with Magic Cores.

Magic Cores are even harder to obtain than legendary items.

‘Magic Cores drop at an extremely low rate from S-rank bosses…’

But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to increase the odds.

‘It’s by killing named bosses.’

Just like how he obtained one after defeating the Blood Witch Bathory, named bosses were the most reliable way to get Magic Cores.

‘Well, I can’t say it’s guaranteed. At best, there’s a 50% chance of a drop.’

First of all, encountering a named boss itself was impossible without luck.

For that reason, Min Do-jun cleared his mind of distractions and focused on hunting.

Swish-!

After nearly half a day of slaying ants while advancing, Min Do-jun discovered a massive cave.

It was the sub-dungeon, the Ant Nest.

[You have entered the sub-dungeon ‘Ant Nest.’]

‘Shall we start some mob hunting now?’

The Ant Nest, with an overwhelmingly larger number of enemies than the open field, was the perfect place for mob hunting.

‘Awoo, let’s begin.’

[Howl!]

After giving the command to the Ghost Wolf, Min Do-jun leisurely waited for the ants to come.

Rustle-rustle-rustle-

Human-sized ants swarmed in droves.

For an ordinary hunter, this would be a situation to panic.

But.

‘From 1 to 10. Soul Explosion.’

Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!

Min Do-jun calmly obliterated the swarming ants in one go with black beams.

And for the remaining ants outside the range, he dealt with them using Magnum Burst.

Kaboom!

[Experience +210,000]

[Experience +210,000]

[Experience +210,000]

……

…

[Your level has increased!]

Leveling up was easy.

Each round of mob hunting resulted in a level increase.

‘If I hunt like this for the full three days…’

He was excited to see what level he would reach by the time he left the dungeon.

‘My combat power is steadily increasing too.’

Combat power is a value calculated based on the speed and damage dealt when killing monsters.

The fact that his combat power was still rising meant his damage output was continuously being updated.

‘In other words, my current combat power isn’t my limit.’

During his hunting so far, Min Do-jun’s combat power had reached 3.5 million.

Since it was still increasing, it was hard to estimate its upper limit.

‘I don’t even know the maximum extent of my own strength.’

Everything either died in one hit or was defeated within 30 seconds, so even he couldn’t gauge how strong he truly was.

‘Would I need to enter something like the Dragon’s Nest to use my full power?’

Anyway, all of this was possible because of the legendary items.

‘I’m lucky.’

Min Do-jun suddenly smiled.

Not because of the legendary items.

‘To think there’d be a named boss here.’

He realized it while watching the ants move in an organized manner.

There was a named boss behind them.

Sure enough.

As he followed the scent after defeating the ants, a house-sized ant came into view.

[Ruler of the Ants, Kuwin]

‘Found it.’

A smile spread across Min Do-jun’s lips.

It was a great opportunity to obtain a Magic Core.

* * *

Only after using up the full 72-hour time limit did Min Do-jun emerge from the dungeon.

At the same time, Raman, the control officer, came running to greet him.

“You’re out, Hunter-nim!”

Min Do-jun tilted his head at the officer who approached as if he had been waiting.

“How did you know I’d come out now?”

“I measured the time. Since it’s a survival-type dungeon, wouldn’t you come out exactly after three days?”

“I see.”

To be honest, Min Do-jun had thought this Indian officer wouldn’t care about him at all.

‘Entering a 4,000-level dungeon solo is practically a death wish.’

He probably didn’t expect Min Do-jun to return alive.

Sure enough, Raman revealed his honest thoughts.

“To be frank, when I heard you were level 3,400, I thought you wouldn’t last long. But even after a day or two, the portal’s color didn’t change. If something had happened to your life, it would have turned blue. And yet, here you are, returning in perfect condition…”

Though his body was smeared with monster fluids, there wasn’t a single injury.

Raman still looked at him with awe.

“In all the time I’ve guarded this place, you’re the first to come out after entering solo. And in such an unscathed state, no less.”

“I got lucky.”

Min Do-jun’s words weren’t wrong.

He truly was lucky.

He encountered a named boss and, as a result, obtained what he wanted.

* * *

Before heading home, Min Do-jun stopped by the guild office.

“You’re back, Guild Master. I’m glad you’re safe.”

Park Dong-yun didn’t ask if he succeeded in the conquest.

The fact that Min Do-jun returned alive was proof enough of success.

“Wow… I just noticed, but your level has risen tremendously?”

“It’s just so-so…”

In three days, Min Do-jun had gained a whopping 200 levels.

It was the result of unrestrained soloing without holding back.

“You’re already at level 3,600… Wait, your rank is… 2nd?”

Min Do-jun, who had been 7th, had jumped to 2nd place in one go.

“You’re only 7 levels behind 1st place!”

“Is that so?”

Though he was on the verge of becoming domestic rank 1, Min Do-jun’s expression remained indifferent.

Having already achieved domestic rank 1 before, it didn’t evoke much emotion.

‘If I’m going to aim for something, it should at least be world rank 1.’

At his current pace, surpassing Justin Walker was entirely possible.

‘It’s just a matter of time.’

Perhaps realizing this, Park Dong-yun still couldn’t close his mouth in astonishment.

“Th-this… Could you end up as world rank 1? No, at this rate, it looks like you will!”

“World rank 1 is a title I’d like to claim at least once.”

Park Dong-yun was dumbfounded by Min Do-jun’s casual tone, as if world rank 1 were akin to winning a local sports competition.

“Speaking of which, Team Leader Park, keep looking for dungeons suitable for soloing like this one. Preferably above level 4,200.”

“U-understood.”

Park Dong-yun felt dazed by Min Do-jun’s unimaginable scale.

‘I knew from the start he’d achieve great things, but I didn’t expect it to be on a global scale…’

He thought Min Do-jun had wings on his back, but it turned out they were rockets.

“By the way, gaining 200 levels in one dungeon run… The internet is going to be buzzing for a while, isn’t it?”

“Probably.”

That wasn’t the only news that would cause a stir, but Min Do-jun kept quiet.

‘If they find out I solo-killed another named boss, it’ll be even louder.’

Leveling up massively and defeating a named boss-it was a thoroughly satisfying solo run.

* * *

Upon returning home, Min Do-jun took a shower and sat on his bed with a reverent mindset.

He had endured and waited for this very moment.

‘I can’t just combine legendary items anywhere.’

Having defeated the named boss Kuwin, Min Do-jun was fortunate enough to obtain a Magic Core.

And now, he intended to enhance the last remaining legendary armor.

[Legendary Armor] + [Magic Core]

‘I hope it’s something better than the Frenzy function.’

Tired of wearing the Tiger Leather Armor, Min Do-jun pressed the button.

[Attempting combination.]

[Awakening the power of the Legendary Armor using the Magic Core.]

[Analyzing the user’s traits to convert to a suitable power.]

[Due to the user having too many traits, analysis will take some time.]

[Analysis complete. A suitable option for the user has been found.]

[Combination successful!]

[The true power of the Legendary Armor has been awakened.]

[The name of the Legendary Armor has been changed to ‘Derkious’s Obsidian Armor.’]

‘What kind of armor is this?’

Seeing an armor he had never encountered before, Min Do-jun quickly checked the information window.

[Derkious’s Obsidian Armor]

– Classification: Armor

– Grade: EX

– Defense: 30,000

– Effect: 30% damage reduction, Rampage

– Durability: Infinite

– Usage Restriction: Level 3,000 or higher (Bound)

– Description: An armor born from enhancing a legendary armor. A special armor crafted by the death god Derkious, it allows the use of ‘Rampage.’ When Rampage is activated, all stats increase by 50% for 5 minutes. It has a 10-minute cooldown.

‘Rampage?’

Min Do-jun focused on the Rampage function among the armor’s options.

‘50% increase to all stats for 5 minutes… Isn’t that similar to Frenzy?’

The difference was that while Frenzy only boosted strength and agility, Rampage enhanced all stats.

Additionally, the advantage was that it could be used without needing to build stacks.

It was essentially an upgraded version of Frenzy.

‘This is the best, isn’t it?’

With a short 10-minute cooldown, it was also easy to use without burden.

‘Especially the fact that it boosts all stats is overpowered.’

If magic power increased, thanks to the Magic Swordsman trait, other stats would also get an additional boost.

‘If I increase stats by 50% with Avatar of the Battlefield and another 50% with Rampage, how much would my stats grow? I can’t even imagine.’

Stopping his imagination, Min Do-jun equipped the Obsidian Armor.

The sleek curves and gleaming black sheen made him feel as if he had upgraded from a compact car to a luxury sedan.

‘It’s incomparably better than the Tiger Leather Armor.’

Adding the dark red gleam of Excalibur to the mix, he exuded the aura of a dark knight.

‘If Tarnhelm weren’t invisible, I’d look exactly like a black knight.’

While he was at it, Min Do-jun equipped all his items and was suddenly startled by a message that popped up.

[Set effect activated.]

[Applied Items]

– Excalibur

– Tarnhelm

– Derkious’s Obsidian Armor

Since he was wearing three enhanced legendary items, an unexpected set effect was triggered.

[Set Effect – The Absolute]

– All Stats +300

– All Damage +30%

– Equipment Defense +30%

– All Attribute Resistance +30%

– Ability to view opponent’s combat power

‘Wait, what is this?’

Min Do-jun’s gaze stopped at the last line of the set effect.

‘I can see the opponent’s combat power?’

Even Min Do-jun, who had regressed, was seeing this ability for the first time.

He hadn’t even known that collecting three enhanced legendary items would activate a set effect.

‘I’d have to have collected three legendary items in my past life to know.’

Even if there were hunters who enjoyed set effects before his regression, it would certainly be a very small number.

‘Even excluding the ability to see combat power, the effects are incredible, aren’t they?’

At that moment.

Bzzz-

A text message arrived on Heo Ji-pyeong’s phone.

It was from Justin Walker.

Min Do-jun’s eyes widened as he immediately checked the message.

‘He wants to meet tomorrow?’

At the same time, he felt anticipation.

‘This is a chance to check his combat power.’

He would also find out who the strongest in this world truly was.