Chapter 262 – Maximum Level

After defeating Red Dragon Karmygas, countless messages appeared.

150 million experience points – an enormous amount, S-rank magic stones, cores of magic power, and S-rank equipment with the highest grade options.

But among them, there was a message that particularly caught his attention.

[You have achieved maximum level!]

‘Maximum level?’

That wasn’t the only surprising thing.

[You have been promoted to EX-rank!]

[Three skill slots have been added.]

‘EX-rank?!’

Min Do-jun hurriedly checked his status window.

-Name: Min Do-jun (Born 2000)

-Level: 9,999 (Max)

-Rank: EX

-Combat Power: 50,623,921

-Domestic Ranking: 1st

-World Ranking: 1st

-Strength: 128,853 Health: 123,301

-Agility: 136,580 Magic Power: 97,742

-Unallocated Stats: 1

-Traits: Revenge(S), Hunter Slayer(EX), Magic Swordsman(S), Indomitable Will(B), Rapid Growth(S), Weakness Detection(S), Strong Stamina(D), Weapon Refinement(D), Fire Resistance(D), Sturdy Equipment(C), First Strike(B), Weapon Mastery(S), Energy Recovery(S), Strong Mind(A), Avatar of the Battlefield(S), Reflection(S), Low-grade Resistance(F), Presence Detection(C), Intermediate Stealth(C), Intermediate Resistance(C), Iron Will(A), Agility Enhancement(B), Slightly Rapid Growth(B), Parasite(S), Quick Step(C), Regeneration(C), Durability Enhancement(C), Killing Intent Detection(C), Archmage(S), Pet Master(S), Intuition(S), Courage(D), Cat’s Step(C), Authority of Healing(S), Hunting Dog(A), Advanced Stealth(A), Dynamic Vision(S), Weapon Enhancement(S), Detoxification(B), Critical Strike(A), First Twin’s Blessing(S), Second Twin’s Blessing(S), Low-grade Swordsmanship(E), Berserker(S), Dragon Strength(S), Strength Enhancement(S), Hardened Body(S), One-Hit Kill(S), Mind’s Eye(S), Mind Control(EX) and 80 others.

-Skills: Elemental Sword(S), Aura Blade(S), Ghost Wolf Summon(S), Invisibility(S), Gust Blade(S), Magnum Burst(S), Soul Exploitation(S), Blood Song(S), Hellfire(S)

‘I really did reach max level and EX-rank!’

Seeing “Max” written next to his level, it seemed he had truly achieved the maximum level.

Then another unexpected message appeared.

[Congratulations on achieving the first EX-rank!]

[Since the first EX-rank has appeared, the system settings will be changed.]

[The maximum level for other awakened individuals has been adjusted to 7,000.]

[According to the settings, there can only be one EX-rank awakened individual.]

What was this supposed to mean?

The level limit for other hunters was being reduced to 7,000?

‘This means only I can reach level 9,999! And I’m the only one with EX-rank too.’

It seemed the system was set to change when someone first reached EX-rank.

‘This means my level will never be surpassed, right?’

Since other hunters could only reach level 7,000 at most, Min Do-jun would never fall from the number 1 ranking.

[Achievement unlocked!]

[Achievement – First EX-rank!]

-Condition: Be the first to reach level 9,999 and achieve EX-rank

-Reward: All damage, defense, and stats increased by 20%

‘Not only did I get 3 more skill slots, but this kind of privilege too…’

Thanks to this, his magic power approached 120,000 and his other stats exceeded 150,000.

‘These are ridiculous numbers.’

While Min Do-jun was amazed looking at the system, the guild members couldn’t notice his changes.

However, they could sense that something had happened.

“Guild Master, is something wrong?”

“Everyone, I’ve reached max level.”

“What? Max level?”

“I’ve reached the maximum level.”

“Really?”

The surprised guild members each checked the ranking system.

“It says 9,999 is the maximum level?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? But the rank is…”

“EX-rank?”

“What kind of rank is this?”

While Min Do-jun knew about the existence of EX-rank due to his Hunter Slayer trait, it was unfamiliar to others.

“It’s a rank above S-rank.”

“What! Really?”

“Yes. But I heard it’s a rank given to only one person.”

Min Do-jun shared the information he knew with the guild members.

“Other hunters have a level limit of only 7,000?”

“So even if they work hard their whole lives, they can’t reach level 9,999 like you, Guild Master?”

“Unfortunately, that’s correct.”

“Wow…”

“Then I’m eternally second place…”

Shin Kyung-min and the other hunters let out sighs.

To think the first and last EX-rank hunter was right before their eyes.

“Then you won’t gain experience anymore?”

“I’m curious about that too. Shall I test it?”

Min Do-jun looked around searching for a monster.

Kirrrrr-

A baby dragon that appeared just then fearlessly flew toward Min Do-jun.

Whoooosh-!

After the baby dragon was incinerated by a single Hellfire, Min Do-jun checked his system window.

“I really don’t gain experience anymore.”

The experience message that always appeared was nowhere to be seen.

“But you’ll still get items, right?”

“I think so…”

Getting items wouldn’t be of much use anyway.

He had already accumulated enough wealth for three generations to live comfortably.

‘No more experience, and I don’t need items anymore… This means there’s no reason to hunt anymore?’

After becoming the strongest in the world, a strange emptiness washed over him.

‘No, I need to remember my original purpose. Whether experience comes or not, monster hunting must continue.’

As long as monsters threatened humanity, he couldn’t stop hunting.

“We’ve rested enough, shall we continue?”

Under Min Do-jun’s leadership, hunting resumed.

* * *

After the long 3 days, Min Do-jun’s party emerged from the dungeon.

“Everyone worked hard.”

“You worked hard too, Guild Master!”

“Thanks to you, we hunted comfortably. Thank you, Guild Master.”

The guild members expressed their gratitude while rubbing their stomachs.

Having eaten nothing for 3 days, hunger was setting in.

“Shall we all go eat together?”

“You’re coming too, Guild Master?”

“No, I’ll go home and eat.”

“Ah, right. Manager Cha is waiting.”

“Nothing beats home cooking.”

“I’m envious. Having someone waiting for you…”

Hwang Da-yeon, who once had feelings for Min Do-jun, trailed off.

“Then I’ll head home first.”

Min Do-jun used invisibility.

Then he secretly rode the Ghost Wolf and disappeared.

He wanted to see Cha Ye-rin as soon as possible.

* * *

“Oppa, you’re home?”

Cha Ye-rin greeted Min Do-jun with a bright smile.

He had already known she was home.

Since he had placed Parasite on her… That’s why he hadn’t worried even while trapped in the dungeon.

He checked on Cha Ye-rin’s safety whenever he had time.

‘But it’s been 3 days since I’ve seen her face.’

Parasite showed a first-person view, making it hard to see Cha Ye-rin’s face.

Unless she happened to look in a mirror when he activated Parasite.

That’s why seeing her face after 3 days felt so welcome.

“Come in quickly and wash up. I prepared food to match when you’d arrive.”

“Only Ye-rin is the best.”

Giving a thumbs up, Min Do-jun entered the house.

He felt incomparable peace knowing someone was there to welcome him home.

‘When I have time, I should look into engagement rings.’

With a joyful heart, he finished showering and chatted warmly with Ye-rin at the dinner table.

When he told her about reaching max level and becoming the only EX-rank, Cha Ye-rin was surprised but happy.

“Then you don’t have to go hunting anymore?”

“No. You know how much oppa hates monsters.”

At his firm words, Cha Ye-rin looked disappointed but nodded in understanding.

“You always have to be careful, oppa. You’re not alone anymore.”

“Don’t worry. There will never be any danger.”

This was Min Do-jun who had instantly defeated even a named boss.

Certainly, there were no enemies left who could threaten Min Do-jun.

* * *

Peaceful days continued.

Even though the scheduled day for the coup had long passed, no particular incidents occurred.

As usual, he woke up with his beloved, ate meals, and slept when night came.

He still continued his hobby of using mind control and contributed to a safe society by conquering dungeons on the verge of dungeon breaks.

“You’ve arrived, Guild Master?”

Today, with no particular schedule, he went to work at the guild.

“Have you been well, Manager Park?”

“Haha, yes. I think it’s been almost ten days since we last met.”

“What would I do at the guild besides fill a seat?”

Since Park Dong-yun handled all operations, there was nothing for Min Do-jun, the guild master, to do.

“Was there any trouble while I was away?”

“There was trouble.”

At the unexpected words, Min Do-jun’s eyes widened.

“What happened?”

“First, take a look at this.”

Park Dong-yun showed him articles on a tablet.

[World Rank 1, Min Do-jun. Becomes the Only EX-rank.]

[There was an EX-rank above S-rank? The New Realm Achieved by Hunter Min Do-jun.]

[With Max Level Reduced to 7,000, Min Do-jun’s Rank 1 Position Confirmed for Life.]

Articles from a week ago.

Especially the 7,000 level limit was something Min Do-jun had revealed directly through an interview.

“What about this?”

“Since you became the only EX-rank, Guild Master, we’re being flooded with requests for advertisements, broadcasts, and appearances. The phones are practically paralyzed.”

“What’s the big deal… Reject them all. Pull out the phone lines if you have to.”

“Not only that, but hunters wanting to join the guild are visiting dozens per day. There’s no place to sit and we’re short-staffed.”

“That is a problem. We should move to a larger location. And hire more staff.”

“Understood. That solves it! Haha!”

Park Dong-yun was flipping through tablet articles and about to close it when.

“Oh? Guild Master, look at this.”

He discovered an article.

It was a hot-off-the-press article that had just been posted.

[Breaking News! EX-rank Dungeon Appears in Pyeongtaek!]

‘EX-rank dungeon?’

Min Do-jun looked with surprised eyes as he skimmed the content.

Park Dong-yun, who was reading along, muttered with a dazed expression.

“The rank is EX and the entry level is 9,999…?”

Park Dong-yun glanced at Min Do-jun.

“If it’s 9,999, there’s no one who can enter except you, Guild Master.”

“…”

Looking at the article, it even said only 1 person could enter.

‘This is completely a dungeon made just for me!’

Not only was an EX-rank dungeon appearing surprising, but only one person could enter.

‘Pyeongtaek is where the fifth S-rank dungeon was scheduled to appear.’

An unexpected variable called an EX-rank dungeon had appeared in such a place.

It was probably a change that occurred from reaching max level.

‘Entry level 9,999. Just how strong must it be…’

For the first time in 8 years, a dungeon beyond Dragon’s Nest had appeared.

For Min Do-jun, who had been dissatisfied with the lack of level-appropriate dungeons, this was a welcome situation.

At the same time, it was also concerning since it was a dungeon he hadn’t seen even in his previous life.

‘What should I do? Should I enter?’

Min Do-jun sat at his desk all day pondering.

Should he enter an EX-rank dungeon when he had finally found peace?

The contemplation continued until he went home.

“Oppa.”

Cha Ye-rin came out to greet him with a serious expression.

“I heard the news. An EX-rank dungeon appeared.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a solo dungeon. And only you can enter.”

“That’s right.”

“What will you do? Will you enter?”

After a moment of silence, Min Do-jun nodded.

“I have to.”

“Isn’t it dangerous? Can’t you not enter?”

“I looked into it, and like other places, it shows a dungeon break timer.”

“Th-then…”

Min Do-jun spoke with serious eyes.

“If I don’t enter, it means a dungeon break will occur.”

“Ah…”

“I have to enter. I have no choice but to enter.”

“…When will you go?”

“Now.”

Cha Ye-rin’s pupils dilated.

“Th-that quickly?”

“I should go while I’m at it. I want to handle it quickly too.”

Having said that, Min Do-jun kissed Cha Ye-rin’s lips.

“I’ll be back. That’s why I stopped by.”

As Min Do-jun turned around, Cha Ye-rin called out.

“Oppa…”

“Yeah?”

“You have to come back safely. I have something to tell you…”

“Something to tell me? What?”

“I’ll tell you when you return safely.”

Min Do-jun chuckled.

“I told you not to worry. Did you forget who I am?”

With a confident smile that reassured Cha Ye-rin, Min Do-jun immediately headed to Pyeongtaek.

With an inexplicable sense of anticipation.