Chapter 38
TL: Uncle Choi
Editor: Bait
There were two main reasons why players would buy dungeons from brokers.
The first reason was that a player may get shot if they tried to enter a broker-owned dungeon without permission. The second reason was that it was extremely important to clean up the evidence after the dungeon was cleared.
Of course, what most dungeon brokers cared about was the first reason.
There were plenty of brokers who laid landmines to protect their dungeons. However, there were only few brokers who actually cared about cleaning up afterwards.
However, Oh Se-chan was different.
He was especially diligent cleaning up afterwards.
This was evident when looking at the scene of an abandoned field unfolded before Kim Woo-jin. He came out of the gate after 6 days.
‘Clean.’
The field looked like normal..
There were no sign of man or monster to be seen.
It was to the point that nobody would be able to prove that there used to be a dungeon gate here if Kim Woo-jin left with the shopping bag on the floor.
Kim Woo-jin grabbed the last piece of evidence, which was his shopping bag.
Inside were Kim Woo-jin’s personal belongings, a radio, and 500ml of bottled water.
‘It’s really reusable.’
The radio was the same one used by Kim Woo-jin at the hospital.
Kim Woo-jin turned on the radio right away.
Momentarily, he heard a voice.
- Clearing it in a week… I suppose it’s good enough to back up your bragging.’
It was Oh Se-chan’s voice.
- So how was the dungeon?
Kim Woo-jin answered the question with a calm voice.
“There were no issues.”
That was a lie, of course.
He learned the truth that turned the noble sacrifice of his comrades into a dog’s death. Naturally, he wouldn’t feel good.
However, Kim Woo-jin chose not to disclose such information and advertise it around with murderous intent.
“Did anything special happen while I was away?”
He continued the conversation in a calm voice.
- Other than the picture of Great One Guild and Frontier Guild’s masters shaking hands being released, Dragon Hunter killing a golden dragon on a 5 floor dungeon, and the Chinese government’s intent on making the Kunlun Guild their national guild, there was nothing special.
All of them were front page news.
The cooperation of the Great One Guild who rose to 5th place in the world after being supported by the U.S Government and the Frontier Guild was a huge incident. The golden dragon that Dragon Hunter hunted was also a monster that Kim Woo-jin wanted to learn more about. The Balmung that stabbed his heart and the Chinese Government’s decision to solely support the Kunlun Guild was also very impactful.
‘Now the movements that were occurring underwater are beginning to surface.’
It was a sign that the movements that were hidden so far were now coming out into the open.
However, the political world was not the only area where special events occurred.
“Other than stories about the guilds, did anything special happened to the economy?”
The economy was also full of significant incidents.
In fact, the economy was the area undergoing with the biggest changes due to the advent of dungeons. The advent of dungeons and monsters was like an inexplicable rise of risk to all companies in the world. In the process, countless companies went bankrupt or were sold away.
On the other hand, there were cases where companies used new resources from dungeons and monsters to quickly build up their power and influence.
It’s about the time when Pandora Technology’s stock price will go up like an explosion.’
Pandora Technologies was a prime example.
‘A monster that used the vast amount of virtual money to eat up businesses.’
Pandora Technology was a company that earned immense amount of money by investing in virtual currency during the virtual currency boom.
After acquiring companies that failed to adapt to the world that has turned into a game based on their technological prowess and infrastructure, the company started marking items based on resources from dungeons, and became one of the leading companies in the field.
Of course, if it were just that, Kim Woo-jin never would have remembered the existence of Pandora Technology.
‘And then they sided with Johann Georg’s.’
The fact that at some point, they sided with the King of Undead.
‘I think the president’s name was Gorbachev?’
That was why the company’s name and chairman were remembered by Kim Woo-jin.
‘I don’t care much about that part.’
Oh Se-chan responded to Kim Woo-jin’s question with a transparent reaction.
- If you want to talk about the economy, you’d better talk about balance. Don’t you think? Well, let’s follow the contract. What’s 25 percent of the income you got from the dungeon?
Like a broker, he started to talk about the commission.
“Before that, let me ask you a question.”
- I don’t like being asked questions when I’m talking about this. But go ahead.
“Can you trust me?”
The contract requires an additional 25 percent of the dungeon revenue.
However, the income could be hidden as long as Kim Woo-jin wanted to hide it.
From the broker’s perspective, it was a pain in the neck.
- There’s no reason why I wouldn’t believe you.
However, Oh Se-chan’s reaction was surprisingly calm.
- But I hope you think about our poor employees and at least show them your sincerity. Do you know how much I spent on gas to take you there? You even ate at the rest stop? And it wasn’t some cheap basic udon, but you ate beef short rib soup and drank carbonated water as dessert afterward as well, didn’t you? I remember everything.
Oh Se-chan added some unnecessary words at the end, but he didn’t seem to doubt Kim Woo-jin’s words at least.
‘It’s time for a shootout.’
At Oh Se-chan’s response, Kim Woo-jin threw what he had prepared.
“Can I ask you another question?”
- No, why are you asking so many questions? Did you hit big? Huh? Is that why you’re talking so much? Huh? Is it?
Oh Se-chan’s voice began to grow louder.
“Why did you tell me to watch out for the Skull Guild?”
However, Oh Se-chan’s voice grew silent when Kim Woo-jin asked his question.
- Would you believe me if I told you?
“There’s no reason why I wouldn’t believe you.”
There was a pause in the answer, and Oh Se-chan slowly spoke.
- The funds of the Skull Guild are within the three fingers of the Korean guild. The amount of money they spend on ordinary auctions and black markets are enough to slap the Phoenix Guild or the Messiah Guild in the face. But there is only one large company in Korea that sponsors the Skull Guild. So where does all that money come from?
At the explanation that began, Kim Woo-jin answered.
“It’s probably Japan.”
Kim Woo-jin calmly accepted Oh Se-chan’s challenge.
‘He knows my behavioral pattern to a certain extent.’
Oh Se-chan knew Kim Woo-jin was a very unique individual, and he indirectly told Kim Woo-jin that he had such information.
- Japan was once a country rich enough to buy America as a whole. They are still one of the wealthiest countries. The problem is that the Japanese are after the Korean Peninsula.
“How dangerous are they?”
- If there was a possibility that the players who are interested in money could be bought, do you understand how dangerous this situation is?
At the remark, Kim Woo-jin held back his chuckle.
“Everyone is dangerous.”
- Of course, Park Yong-wan is dangerous too.
“Thank you for your advice.”
- Enough with that. What did you get from the dungeon? You won’t say nothing came out without any conscience, right? When I even prepared water for you to drink after you came out of the dungeon.
At Oh Se-chan’s remark, Kim Woo-jin took out a 500ml water bottle from the shopping back.
“For presentation?”
Then there was a sign indicating that it was for presentation only.
- Keuheum!
He heard sound of Oh Se-chan clearing his throat.
- Then send me a report after you have sorted out how much you made in the dungeon. We’ll settle the account for you. Now, shall end the conversation here? Do you have anything else to say?
“I’ll call you back if you have one.”
- Thanks, monster.
Chig!
Soon the radio went out.
Momentarily, the radio turned on again.
- Oh, wait. Don’t throw away the radio. Just leave it. We have to reuse it.
Kim Woo-jin kept his mouth shut while smiling at such a ridiculous instruction. He put the radio back in the shopping bag and left with only his stuff.
Then he took out his smartphone and turned it on.
He saw a single text.
A smile turned over Kim Woo-jin’s lips when he checked the text.
‘They are running at me on their own.’
Soon after, Kim Woo-jin called the number he received the text from.
It took some time for the person to pick up.
Kim Woo-jin made use of the intermission and yelled.
“Catalogue.”
He opened up the catalogue he earned from clearing the dungeon.
Immediately, a catalogue appeared in his hands.
‘Rare?’
A catalogue beamed with silver light as soon as he opened it.
Kim Woo-jin’s hand stopped at one page.
[Bone Sword]
- Acquisition Requirement: Emissary of Underworld
- Acquisition Level: Must be level 20 or above
- Skill Effect: You can create a bone sword by sacrificing a monster’s bones
“Hello, I’m Kim Woo-jin. What did you want with me?”
He talked to him while he checked the skill.
- Are you ready to give a blow to the Skull Guild like as we discussed before?
Park Yong-wan was on the other end of the call.
Park Yong-wan’s mansion in Hannam-dong.
The luxurious interior was filled with expensive objects that made the mansion seem even more ridiculously luxurious.
In addition to works of art worth billions, there were also an unusual number of grand objects. However, Kim Woo-jin who visited there, did not have eyes that could appreciate fine art and priceless objects.
Instead, he slowly read the document he received.
Soon after reading the document to the last page, Kim Woo-jin put down the document on the table and spoke.
“To summarize, you want me to go into this 2 floor dungeon with the Skull Guild and kill the people they sent after me?”
Park Yong-wan nodded at Kim Woo-jin’s words.
“To make it even shorter, we are just fishing.”
“What do we get from that?”
“You shouldn’t try to catch a big fish from the beginning. Slowly throw some rice cake, take some time, and wait for big ones to bite. Moreover, you’re not trying to make the Skull Guild a target of social criticism right? Hmm? It’s about giving them a blow, isn’t it?”
Kim Woo-jin did not answer.
Instead, he looked at the report while looking very stern.
“What’s that look for?”
“It’s because I’m not happy about having my first 2 floor dungeon be so dangerous.”
Kim Woo-jin spoke while looking at the first page of the report once again.
[Lizard Warrior Hunt]
- Dungeon Floor: 2 Floor
- Dungeon Difficulty: D+
- Dungeon Capacity: 10 People
- Entry Condition: Must be below level 29
- Clear Condition: Kill the lizard warrior!
While looking at the report, Kim Woo-jin’s expression grew more and more solemn.
“You have never fought against a lizardman before?”
“Yes, never since I was born. However, I know that they are extremely annoying to hunt. Furthermore, it’s from a 2 floor dungeon, isn’t it? To be completely honest, I’m afraid to even enter a 2 floor dungeon.”
“I sense great fear in you.”
Although he said so, Park Yong-wan’s face was calm.
Kim Woo-jin was right.
Even if his talent and ability were extraordinary, one needed an unusual amount of resolve and determination to enter a 2 floor dungeon without prior experience.
In fact, didn’t countless promising players fail to get over the wall that was the 2 floor dungeons and perish?
“Asking me to put a monster I’ve never hunted before in the front while having players who wants to kill me behind is…”
Moreover, Kim Woo-jin wasn’t just going in the dungeon to clear it.
Park Yong-wan would not have used him as bait to lure the Skull Guild if he was insistent on entering the 2 floor dungeon.
In other words, Park Yong-wan had expected such a reaction from Kim Woo-jin.
“So, you’re saying that if I plant you with the confidence to kill a lizardman, you would accept my proposal?
Of course, he had prepared countermeasures against Kim Woo-jin’s reaction.
“Possibly?”
Kim Woo-jin looked surprised.
Park Yong-wan told Kim Woo-jin.
“If you name the items you need, I will provide it to you.”
“When you said items I need…”
“Any item that’s in my storage, you can even take a full set if you need it.”
It was a mind-blowing offer.
“Storage?”
Park Yong-wan’s storage, who was one of the best players in Korea, was like a treasure trove.
“Frankly, at this point, I’ve earned enough money already so instead of selling, I keep all of my items. I’ll give you anything you want from them. A set of level 20 unique items will be prepared. Even the accessories will be included.”
He can get anything from there?
An offer he could not object to.
“Now there wouldn’t be any problem when clearing a mere 2 floor dungeon, would there?”
Kim Woo-jin’s expression changed after hearing the proposal.
He also raised a question with a determined expression on his face.
“… So what’s the plan?”
Park Yong-wan smiled and said.
“It’s similar to last time. I’m going to spill the news that you’re going into this dungeon. Instead, the only difference this time is that we’re going to put you in with some bodyguards.
“What will be the number of bodyguards?”
“Five people.”
“Since it’s a ten man dungeon, it will be four to six including me. What will our chance of winning be?”
“They are going to put pros on their side as well.”
“Pros?”
“Yeah, the pros that hunt players. Namely the PK experts.”
With that statement, Park Yong-wan tossed a document like a boomerang to Kim Woo-jin.
It contained the profiles of Kim Woo-jin’s bodyguards.
It was filled with people who had a respectable amount of experience and skills.
However, Kim Woo-jin did not have to read the document carefully.
‘I know them.’
All the faces in the profiles were those that Kim Woo-jin had seen at least once.
‘It looks like the Skull Guild really wants to kill me.’
From none other than Park Yi-yeon’s memory, that is.
Kim Woo-jin had to fight alone against everything in the dungeon.
‘Good.’
It was not too difficult.
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“All right.”
Jjag! Jjag!!
Park Yong-wan lightly clapped.
Then Kim Woo-jin asked.
“So, how much will I get paid?”
The question stopped Park Yong-wan’s applause.
“Pay?”
“Reward for being the bait and risking my life. Don’t tell me you’re not going to have me play as bait for nothing?”
Park Yong-wan looked at Kim Woo-jin for a moment with a blank expression on his face.
It was the first time for Park Yong-wan to be asked for money in a such an open manner.
“What an interesting friend. Really interesting.”
Then he said with a wry smile.
“Okay, I’ll give you a billion won if you return alive from this job. I will give it to you in cash on the spot as well.”
Kim Woo-jin bowed after getting up from his seat.
“I’ll try my best to survive.”
Park Yong-wan had a wryer smile on his face than before.
“Then let’s move on to the storage.”
With that blow, Park Yong-wan no longer smiled.