Chapter 9 – First Party

The basics of dungeon conquest is party hunting.

Unless the personnel limit is 1, there’s no need to take risks by going solo.

‘Going in alone is foolish.’

Nevertheless, Min Do-jun had been moving alone until now because of the solo conqueror’s necklace.

A necklace that increases experience by 1.5 times when soloing.

‘If it weren’t for that, I would have conquered with a party too.’

Giving up such an overwhelming merit, Min Do-jun set out to find a party this time.

‘I have no choice if I want to meet Shim Jin-seop.’

17,629th – Shim Jin-seop (born 1999) – Level 153 (D-rank)

While Min Do-jun reached level 120, Shim Jin-seop had already risen to D-rank.

Min Do-jun knew two things about the guy.

First, his characteristic was an S-rank characteristic needed by magic swordsmen.

Second, he was a b*st*rd living in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do.

He didn’t know any other information.

Because he wasn’t very close to Shim Jin-seop.

‘Still, with just this, I can know where he’ll appear.’

Living in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, and having just become D-rank.

‘Werewolf Dungeon. It can’t be anywhere else.’

He could pinpoint the dungeon the guy would be running.

‘It’s the closest D-rank dungeon to his home.’

There were about 1,500 D-rank dungeons nationwide.

Among them, 150 were Werewolf Dungeons, with 50 in the metropolitan area alone.

If you narrow it down to the jurisdiction of the Gwangju Hunter Management Center?

‘I can narrow it down to five places.’

In other words, Shim Jin-seop was likely to appear in one of these five places.

‘If I do well, I might meet him.’

Min Do-jun’s plan to meet Shim Jin-seop, whose home address he didn’t know, was simple.

Continuously matching parties for dungeons where he was likely to appear.

If they became party members, he planned to secretly kill him in the dungeon.

‘There’s no cleaner place to kill someone than a dungeon.’

The dungeon was a kind of table.

A table made for hunting monsters.

Perhaps that’s why when the conquest ends, the dungeon resets the field.

Just like cleaning the table after a guest leaves.

‘That’s why if you die in a dungeon, you can’t even recover the body.’

This environment was perfect for killing Shim Jin-seop and destroying evidence.

Instead, there was the condition of meeting by chance in a party.

‘Using a detective agency would be convenient, but that’s only a last resort. This method is the cleanest to avoid any aftermath.’

With not just one or two targets for revenge, he couldn’t mess up from the first step.

There was no better way to meet naturally than this.

“We’ve arrived.”

Park Dong-yun, unaware of Min Do-jun’s thoughts, parked the car in front of the dungeon.

Several people were waiting for them.

They were hunters and managers gathered from nearby areas.

“Hello. We’re from the Ilsan branch. Were we a bit late?”

“No, you arrived on time.”

“Is everyone here now?”

“Yes. Hunters, please greet each other.”

At the introduction of the manager from another branch, Min Do-jun approached where the party members were.

“I’m Min Do-jun.”

“Park Tae-min.”

“Kim Do-kyung.”

“Kang Han-guk.”

After briefly exchanging names, Min Do-jun looked over the party members and couldn’t hide his disappointment.

‘Shim Jin-seop isn’t here.’

Although he had narrowed down the places where the guy might appear to five, it wasn’t easy to meet by chance.

They could miss each other’s locations, or it might not be the time when the guy was active.

‘I’ll have to conquer as quickly as possible and keep matching.’

He wanted to change to another dungeon, but he couldn’t do that after coming this far.

“Everyone, please come this way.”

The managers, who had finished talking with the soldiers controlling the dungeon, guided the hunters to the entrance.

Then a hologram appeared.

[Baekseok Station Werewolf Dungeon]

-Difficulty: D

-Personnel Limit: 4

-Entry Restriction: Level 120 or higher

-Conquest Goal: Exterminate 80 Werewolves

-Failure Penalty: Random stat decrease by 1

-Time Limit: 4 hours

-Time remaining until dungeon break: 63 hours 21 minutes 42 seconds

“Now, everyone check the dungeon information and decide your positions.”

At the manager’s words, the hunters naturally gathered.

Having formed hundreds of parties before, they knew what to do.

“Before deciding positions, let’s call out our levels first? I’m 155.”

At the words of the man called Kang Han-guk, the hunters spoke in turn.

“I’m 151.”

“I’m 150.”

They were all D-rank, over 150.

It was natural.

D-rank dungeons were suitable for D-rank challengers.

But the level restriction for the Werewolf Dungeon started from 120.

“I’m 120.”

So when Min Do-jun revealed his level, the party members couldn’t complain.

He had the qualifications to enter.

They just all had expressions like they had eaten something bad.

“Ha, 120… Well, anyway, since I have the highest level, I’ll give some orders. You agree, right?”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead.”

“Alright. Then let’s each state our job and position.”

Kang Han-guk didn’t even listen to Min Do-jun’s answer.

As if the opinion of a level 120 wasn’t needed.

“I’m an axe warrior and a melee dealer.”

“Dual sword warrior, melee dealer.”

“Two warriors. We don’t have a tank, but it should be fine. I’m a mage, and of course, a ranged dealer. What about you?”

Kang Han-guk looked at Min Do-jun and asked.

“Mage and ranged dealer.”

“Ah…”

A sigh escaped Kang Han-guk’s lips.

“Our jobs overlap. We only need one mage…”

As if implying that a level 120 mage wasn’t needed.

It was understandable.

Lower levels meant lower damage, and with lower damage, a melee dealer who could at least draw attention at the front was more helpful than a ranged dealer.

“What skills have you learned?”

“Ice Spear, Lightning Spear, Energy Shield.”

“Ah… All attack and defense skills.”

Hoping there might be some support skills, disappointment was evident on Kang Han-guk’s face.

“It might be a bit tough, but let’s try. I’ve run the Werewolf Dungeon a few times, so don’t worry. Just follow me.”

“Oh, really?”

“Then we’ll trust you, Mr. Kang Han-guk.”

The party members seemed somewhat relieved, having been inwardly worried.

On the other hand, Min Do-jun, the source of concern, showed no emotion.

‘I’ll just conquer as quickly as possible.’

That was all.

“If you’re ready, please equip your gear.”

At the manager’s words, the hunters’ appearances flickered with holograms.

Tsssss-

In an instant, they were equipped with gear, and no trace of ordinary people could be found in them.

“Huh?”

At that moment, Kang Han-guk noticed Min Do-jun’s staff and looked surprised.

“Dead Tree Staff?”

“Oh, it really is.”

“Wow.”

The party members’ eyes widened at the weapon worth as much as a car.

‘Come to think of it, all the equipment he’s wearing is expensive.’

‘Did he go all-in on equipment because his level is low?’

Although they all had higher levels than Min Do-jun, they had no money to invest in weapons due to spending on entertainment or gambling.

Even the staff Kang Han-guk held was the most expensive, but it was only worth ten million won at best.

“Alright, if you’ve all equipped your gear, let’s go in.”

Kang Han-guk, trying to hide his envy, led the party members into the dungeon.

“Come back safely! Hunters!”

“We’ll be waiting!”

The managers cheering from behind only turned away after confirming that the dungeon entrance had closed.

“Phew, now it’ll be 4 hours before they come out.”

“What should we do now with no schedule?”

“Shall we go bowling in the meantime?”

“That sounds good.”

The chatting managers looked at Park Dong-yun.

“You said you were Deputy Park Dong-yun, right? Want to join us if you have time?”

“No, I’ll wait in the car.”

“Why? We still have 4 hours left…”

“I have a feeling they’ll come out soon.”

At those words, the managers chuckled.

The dungeon’s time limit was set to 4 hours because that was the appropriate difficulty.

Even if conquered quickly, it would take around 3 hours, and it’s hard to reduce it further.

Moreover, with a party that included a level 120, even more so.

But Park Dong-yun knew.

That the seemingly insignificant level 120 hunter was the real expert.

* * *

In the middle of a dense forest.

Min Do-jun and his party members were standing there.

“Before we hunt, I’ll tell you some precautions.”

Kang Han-guk, taking on the role of leader, spoke with a serious expression.

“Never scatter. Werewolves are monsters skilled at picking off individuals, so if we scatter, we’re done for. Always act together and take them down one by one steadily, and we can clear this easily. Understood?”

The party members nodded with solemn faces.

On the other hand, Min Do-jun was expressionless.

It wasn’t a monster difficult enough to require such resolve.

But to others, that appearance seemed like he was tense.

“Mr. Min Do-jun? Don’t be too nervous. Nothing will happen with me here.”

“…”

“Now, I’ll explain our battle strategy. The two warriors will take the lead, and we’ll follow behind. We’ll take them down one by one, so don’t be too scared. When an enemy is spotted, I’ll initiate with magic. Just focus on taking down that one. Everyone understand?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s move out.”

The party members advanced cautiously with their weapons at the ready.

Their faces were clearly tense, and it couldn’t be helped.

This wasn’t a game.

It was reality where a mistake could mean death.

Unlike the tense atmosphere, Min Do-jun had a slight complaint.

‘I understand being cautious, but…’

It was too slow, even for being careful.

They would flinch and look around at the slightest rustling sound.

‘At this rate, when will we find and kill 80 of them…’

Min Do-jun couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

“Stop! One spotted ahead!”

Just then, one of the warriors who spotted a werewolf shouted.

‘Stupid…’

But there was no way the keen-eared werewolf wouldn’t hear that.

Awoooooo-!

The giant wolf that was howling suddenly charged, kicking off the ground.

Perhaps due to its size, the distance that seemed far quickly closed.

“A-attack!”

Kang Han-guk gave the attack order while inwardly chanting a skill name.

‘Fire Spear!’

A spear of fire generated from the tip of his staff flew towards the werewolf.

Whoosh-!

But perhaps used too hastily, it passed over its head.

‘Damn it’

He had to use a lower skill as a fallback.

‘Fire Bolt!’

Bang bang- Bang!

Fortunately, the flames hit the werewolf’s body accurately.

“Got it!”

But it wasn’t significant damage.

“Ugh!”

It couldn’t stop the werewolf from pushing away one of the axe warriors.

“Die!”

At that moment, the remaining warrior swung his dual swords, but.

Swish- Swish-!

Perhaps too shallow, he couldn’t inflict deep wounds.

Grrrr-

Rather, the enraged werewolf was about to bite the dual sword warrior when.

Shwack-

An ice spear appeared from somewhere and pierced the werewolf’s eye.

Kyaeng!

And before the ice spear could disappear, a lightning spear appeared and pierced the same spot.

Crackle-

Kyaeng- Kyaeng-!

As the current flowed through the disappearing ice spear, the damage was amplified.

The werewolf, trembling and convulsing, collapsed lifelessly.

Thud-

[Experience +168] (84% contribution)

‘Not bad.’

Min Do-jun smiled faintly at the decent experience.

The werewolf gave 200 experience.

84% of that went to Min Do-jun.

The experience was divided based on how much each contributed to killing the monster.

‘If there wasn’t a contribution system, it would have been unfair.’

While Min Do-jun was satisfied with the experience distribution system, the party members were currently in a state of shock.

‘How could a werewolf die so easily.’

Among them, Kang Han-guk was the most shocked.

‘H-how?’

To kill a werewolf with just two spells.

Of course, he had dealt some damage too, but that was only 12% contribution.

Considering the dual sword warrior’s contribution was even lower, it was practically Min Do-jun killing it alone.

‘How can his damage be so high? Even with a lower level than me?’

Not knowing it was due to targeting a weak point and elemental and characteristic effects, Kang Han-guk couldn’t understand.

“Ugh, what happened?”

At that moment, the axe warrior who had been knocked away by the body slam returned and looked for the werewolf.

But it had already died and turned to smoke, so he couldn’t find it.

“Where did the werewolf go?”

“It’s dead.”

“Really? As expected, Mr. Kang Han-guk is amazing…”

“It wasn’t me.”

“What?”

Kang Han-guk looked at Min Do-jun.

“He killed it.”