Chapter 18 – Reward of the Maze Dungeon

[Experience +10,000]

[Level up!]

[Obtained D-grade Magic Stone.]

[Obtained D-grade Magic Stone.]

[Obtained Magic Control Gauntlet.]

[Achievement unlocked!]

Notifications popped up as the chest opened.

‘10,000 experience without even defeating a boss…’

He only received 3,000 for defeating the Red-Eyed Werewolf.

10,000 experience was quite a lot at his current level.

‘As expected, the rewards from hidden dungeons are no joke.’

Plus, he got two D-grade magic stones.

He instantly earned 30 million won.

But the best part was…

‘A Magic Control Gauntlet…’

It was equipment from the chest.

[Magic Control Gauntlet]

– Category: Gloves

– Grade: B

– Effect: Magic Control

– Durability: 5,100/5,100

– Usage Restriction: Level 350 or higher (Bound)

– Description: A gauntlet that allows free control of magic with just thoughts. Requires some level of proficiency.

For Min Do-jun, currently D-grade, getting an item two grades higher was encouraging, but…

‘More importantly, it’s the item’s effect.’

The magic control function itself showed how amazing this item was.

‘Being able to control magic at will is an incredible ability.’

Usually, magic is created at the weapon’s tip when the skill name is spoken, and fired when aimed and swung.

In other words, once fired, the skill leaves one’s hand.

But with the Magic Control Gauntlet, you can control the fired skill at will.

‘It’s like gaining a magic control characteristic.’

That’s why this item received a B-grade.

‘It’s a shame there are no stat options, but…’

Regardless of options, the gauntlet itself was an enormous gain.

Min Do-jun, who decided to wear it when he reached level 350, checked the achievements next.

[Achievement – First Hidden Dungeon!]

– Condition: Clear a hidden dungeon for the first time

– Reward: Experience +5,000

[Achievement (Hidden) – I’m an EX-rankGuide!]

– Condition: First to clear the maze dungeon within 30 minutes

– Reward: Lucky Charm

Two achievements were completed.

Clearing the first hidden dungeon was an expected achievement, but the next one was unexpected even for Min Do-jun.

‘A hidden achievement?’

By finding the path as quickly as possible, he earned an unexpected hidden achievement.

‘The reward is a Lucky Charm? What’s this?’

It was an item Min Do-jun had never heard of before.

He immediately received the reward and checked its information.

[Lucky Charm]

– Category: Possession

– Grade: A

– Effect: Slight increase in luck

– Durability: 777/777

– Usage Restriction: Level 1 or higher (Bound)

– Description: A charm that shows effect in situations requiring luck. Brings luck just by possessing it.

‘This is…’

An item that increases luck?

Min Do-jun thought it was absurd.

‘This is incredibly good?’

The very idea of manipulating luck was unthinkable.

He had never heard of such an item existing.

‘Looks like it’s given only to the first person.’

That means Min Do-jun was the only one in the world.

‘No wonder I didn’t know about it.’

It also meant that unless the owner spread the word, no one would know.

‘Just possessing it brings luck…’

Although it only said “slight increase,” so the exact figure was unknown, it was still an item that couldn’t be unhelpful.

Moreover, he liked that it didn’t take up an equipment slot.

‘I’m lucky.’

Min Do-jun, who unexpectedly gained an additional item, was able to leave the dungeon with a pleased expression.

* * *

‘They said there was a hidden dungeon here?’

Park Han-sik was a well-known hunter in the Gongju branch.

He reached level 150, which usually takes 8 months, in just 5 months.

He was not only diligent in hunting but also a greedy hunter.

‘Hehehe. To think I’d get the location of a hidden dungeon for just 8 million won.’

He bought the location of a hidden dungeon, said to be seen once in a lifetime, for just 8 million won.

‘In a way, it’s cheap. How many rewards drop when you clear a hidden dungeon?’

He didn’t know exactly what rewards would be given, but he heard it was a dungeon no different from a treasure chest.

‘Huh, I hear you get stat rewards as an achievement bonus just for entering, so 8 million won is more than worth it.’

With expectant eyes, he searched the forest and found the location Im Hyeong-chan had told him about.

“Huh?”

But the entrance that should basically be there for a dungeon was nowhere to be seen.

“This is the right place, isn’t it?”

Park Han-sik compared it with the photo he received.

It was a photo showing a shimmering portal inside a small hole like a fox den.

“It’s right…”

The location matched perfectly, but there was no shimmering portal.

“Ha… This b*st*rd…”

Thinking he had been scammed, Park Han-sik immediately made a video call to Im Hyeong-chan.

-Yes, Hunter! Did you find the dungeon?

“Hey! Where’s the dungeon you’re talking about? There’s nothing here!”

-What? That can’t be. Are you sure you found the right place? I even sent you a photo.

“Are you saying my eyes are crooked? Look! This is the right place! The place you told me!”

When he showed the fox den through the video call, a bewildered voice came from the phone.

-Uh…? Where did the portal go…? B-but it was definitely there!

“Look at this b*st*rd pretending not to know?”

-It’s true! There’s even a photo. The entrance was definitely there when I took it!

“But it’s not here now.”

-T-that’s true… Why did it disappear?

Im Hyeong-chan couldn’t understand why the dungeon had disappeared.

It wasn’t midnight yet, and it was unlikely that someone had discovered the dungeon in the meantime.

After all, it had only been an hour since Im Hyeong-chan took the photo.

-Could someone have found and cleared it in just an hour…?

“F**k, are you kidding me?”

No more polite words came out of Park Han-sik’s mouth.

Not only was he talking nonsense, but he had also wasted his precious time because of this guy.

“Give it back.”

-What?

“Spit out my 8 million won. And add 4 million won for wasting my precious time coming here for nothing, so transfer a total of 12 million won.”

-T-that’s…

“Can’t do it? Then you’ll have to get beaten up. You said it yourself. If I go and there’s no dungeon, I can beat you as much as I want.”

-…

Since it was his own words, Im Hyeong-chan had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

If he got hit by a hunter, he would suffer at least serious injuries.

-I-I’ll transfer it…

Im Hyeong-chan shed thick tears as two months of his salary disappeared in an instant.

* * *

Min Do-jun, who returned home after clearing the maze dungeon, contacted Do Kyung-won as soon as the day broke.

-Yes. This is Hunter Do Kyung-won from the Gongju branch.

“Hello. This is Min Do-jun, who received your business card yesterday. I’m calling about the reward…”

-Ah, Hunter Min Do-jun! I’ve been waiting for you!

Do Kyung-won’s voice was filled with pleasure.

He had no reason to dislike Min Do-jun.

After all, he had prevented a dungeon break on his behalf.

-Thank you again for yesterday. If it weren’t for you, I probably couldn’t have avoided being held accountable.

“It’s nothing. I just did what a hunter should do.”

-Haha, reporters came by earlier, I should have told them that statement too.

“Reporters?”

-Yes. After all, a dungeon break is a global issue, so we can’t hide it. We didn’t reveal your name, but we did mention your level. Is that okay?

“Ah, that’s fine.”

Min Do-jun had also expected that preventing a dungeon break would become an issue.

-An article will be posted on portal sites soon. If you want your name to be revealed, please let me know now.

“No, it’s fine.”

Eventually, becoming famous is part of a hunter’s life as they grow.

In his previous life, he had lived with treatment better than celebrities while maintaining the number one ranking.

‘Of course, it all turned to bubbles due to the hunters’ coup.’

Anyway, his name would become known someday, whether he wanted it or not.

‘But I don’t want to become famous early.’

From the position of having to take revenge secretly, there was nothing good about gaining fame.

But as a hunter, being in the spotlight was unavoidable.

Perhaps his name was already spreading among the Hunter Management Center officials.

From their perspective of recording ranking trends, they couldn’t possibly miss Min Do-jun’s overwhelming growth rate.

-About the reward, is it difficult for you to visit our branch?

“Yes. My home is too far to go to Gongju. Do I have to visit?”

-No, that’s not necessary. These days, everything can be done via mobile.

The reward payment procedure was simple.

After briefly explaining the situation over the phone, all that was left was a mobile signature.

-The rest of the procedure can be omitted since I witnessed it directly and we have a video. The reward will be 25 million won per monster, so a total of 2 billion won will be paid. Taxes are exempted. It would be theft to take taxes when you’ve worked hard for the country.

“That’s right.”

-Is the account registered in the hunter database okay for the deposit?

“Yes.”

-Alright. The payment will be completed within this month at the latest.

“Thank you.”

-Haha, I should be thanking you. Well then, take care of yourself and fighting, Hunter!

After ending the call, the next person Min Do-jun contacted was Park Dong-yun.

-Hunter! Did you rest well yesterday?

“Yes. Did you rest well too, Manager?”

-Of course. Thanks to you, I had a good sleep for the first time in a while. Haha!

“I have something to tell you.”

Min Do-jun told Park Dong-yun about what happened yesterday.

It was better to speak first than to hide it and have it revealed later.

Of course, he left out the part about the hidden dungeon.

-What? A dungeon break occurred?

“Yes. It happened by chance on my way to meet a friend.”

-Are you okay? Are you alright?

“Yes. It was fortunate that it was just a Werewolf. If it had been something stronger, I might have had trouble too.”

Park Dong-yun was delighted as if it were his own achievement when he heard that Min Do-jun had prevented a dungeon break.

-You’ve done an amazing thing! Preventing a dungeon break!

It was natural for Park Dong-yun to be happy, as the Ilsan branch supporting Min Do-jun would also benefit if he became famous.

“By the way, I’m planning to enter the next dungeon soon.”

-Yes! Tell me anywhere! I’ll match you right away!

“Then please arrange the Mantis Dungeon.”

-Yes, I underst… Huh?

Park Dong-yun’s voice was full of surprise, as it was an unexpected location.

-That place might be a bit dangerous for you… Are you going with a party?

“No. I’m going alone this time too.”

-…What if I tell you not to go?

“I’ll still go.”

-…

Min Do-jun had to go to the Mantis Dungeon.

He needed the bound ring given by the boss of the Mantis Dungeon to receive the set effect.

-I understand… I’ll guide you.

Although worry was evident in Park Dong-yun’s voice, he decided to trust him again.

After all, it was none other than Min Do-jun.