D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 110

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 110
“For some reason, I feel like I’ve done something terrible to Hunter Kim Gyuwun.”
Ha Gyuhyuk muttered, his face flickering with the exhausted expression the Guild Master had worn while seeing us off just a day ago.
Worried to the point of obsession, he’d even brought a thick manual on succession and personally taught me the Guild’s operations.
Yet despite appearances, he was essentially a machine—the sole pillar supporting Guild Taemyeon’s administrative machinery.
“It’s fine. Honestly, when it comes to Guild work, he might actually know more than you do.”
“…”
The one struck by truth had nothing to say.
I let him sink into melancholic self-reflection while my own thoughts deepened.
I’d made my introduction and left, but where should I go first to earn a reputation for doing things right?
“There should be at least one or two Dungeons completely devastated so I can get there immediately.”
In this age of great Hunters, Dungeons were beyond counting.
Most were contained before catastrophe struck, but some couldn’t be.
“Even if it’s not Landquake level, there are many Dungeons that’ve had strong ripple effects on their surroundings.”
“Landquake didn’t have ripple effects on its surroundings.”
The predicted damage was simply severe.
Because I got caught up in it and played some grand role, Landquake became a Dungeon that started and ended—that’s all.
Ha Gyuhyuk nodded without any hint of embarrassment.
It seemed he’d finally escaped the shock of his own work efficiency.
“Most places where large Dungeons opened are so devastated people can’t live there, but there are rare cases where residential areas have formed.”
“Ah, right. I saw the materials you sent.”
Ha Gyuhyuk had sent multiple documents, saying that to save people, one must look not just inside the Dungeon but outside as well.
While examining them one or two at a time in the Constellation System, away from Tasha’s eyes, I’d narrowed down my candidates.
“What circumstances drive these people to live in such places?”
I muttered, though the reason was obvious enough.
Residential areas born from Dungeons, rent so unbelievably cheap.
Because sporadic Dungeons erupt periodically there, one could easily die from the aftermath.
Yet those who had no choice but to choose such places.
“Such areas frequently have vacant homes. The non-Awakened living there die often.”
“The reason vacant homes appear is somewhat sorrowful.”
“If I ever had to sell my original home, I thought I might live there too. Surprisingly, many D-rank Hunters and below live there.”
Rather, it was a region densely packed with ambiguous Hunters more than non-Awakened.
If a Dungeon erupted and they happened to get one they could clear with luck, they could make their living for that day.
Otherwise, they had to stake their lives.
“The Hunter Association doesn’t protect those areas?”
“Personnel shortage. It’s difficult to… At least, that’s what I’ve heard so far.”
“I see.”
The Association Chairman probably just deployed and scattered people where he wanted, and that’s how it became this way.
There was too much that needed fixing.
“Occasionally Association staff come to inspect, but they can’t establish fundamental countermeasures.”
“Does it require a lot of money?”
“We can’t stop Dungeons from appearing here through human effort alone. We need funds to establish a security system safe enough for people to live in.”
And once such a system is built, property values skyrocket.
Those who barely found a place to lay their heads here get displaced all over again.
A complete vicious cycle.
“I think I can do something about the Dungeons appearing.”
“Isn’t Se-um already pushing yourself too hard?”
“Se-um is always struggling because of you anyway, so a little more hardship doesn’t make much difference.”
“I’m sorry.”
“If you’re sorry, do better going forward.”
Their lives were predictable without even needing to examine them closely.
Why else would Ha Gyuhyuk, who had been D-rank, have set his sights on that place as his new home?
It was essentially no different from a slum where such people gathered.
Either they couldn’t afford anywhere else despite knowing their lives were in danger, or…
Perhaps they chose to remain in that place if someone they’d buried in their hearts had vanished in that Dungeon.
I couldn’t bring the dead back to life, but I could make things less dangerous for the living.
“I’ll set up a barrier. But you’re paying for the system setup.”
“M-me?”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s expression grew serious before he clenched his fist as if steeling his resolve.
His voice carried determination as he said he’d work hard, and I let out a low chuckle.
Yes, let’s see how much money he brings back to surprise me.
“We probably don’t need to go there ourselves. What would we do? Ask if it’s difficult, right?”
Ha Gyuhyuk shook his head.
He clearly had no intention of going there directly either.
“So I was thinking of creating a private support fund under Touch One’s name. Or perhaps under Ulrim’s name…”
“Decide the selection criteria carefully with the Vice Guild Master. If you set vague standards, the people who really need help won’t receive it.”
How many times do people who truly need assistance fail to receive aid for utterly absurd reasons?
At least Ha Gyuhyuk clearly didn’t want to create such a situation.
“Then the only thing we can do immediately is rescue kids who’ve gone into Dungeons that are too large out of greed.”
“Yes, probably… It doesn’t have to be Koreans either.”
“Right, let’s rescue whoever we can, regardless of race or species. Just wait.”
I recalled numerous windows.
Even now, multiple Dungeons were being conquered across the world every moment.
“But if you suddenly enter a Dungeon like that, you might experience some serious backlash. Are you okay with that?”
“Backlash? What kind?”
“Usually it’s just nausea, but in severe cases, you might leave behind one of your limbs when entering.”
“…Then where can I retrieve the severed limb from?”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s expression turned serious.
He seemed to be devising a contingency plan for where to retrieve one of his limbs if it were to be left behind.
[ Tasha: Don’t tease the kid. ]
Caught.
I laughed playfully and shrugged my shoulders.
“Just kidding. Even if you do forget something, it’s more likely to be an object than your body. Besides, what’s the problem with going in together with me?”
“Oh, I thought you were serious.”
“Even if I were serious, would I let your body get separated? You keep forgetting who’s standing in front of you.”
I’m a Constellation. A Constellation.
I tapped my chest firmly as if to say believe me, then extended my hand.
“Take it. If there are people you want to save right now.”
“Yes.”
He grasped my hand with an excited expression.
We’re heading off to fight, yet he looks this happy about it.
Honestly, I don’t understand this guy. I let out a brief laugh and teleported us away.
* * *
“Here we go.”
The warp completed with a flat-toned voice.
In less than a second, we arrived in front of a shimmering Gate.
We didn’t even take a plane or go through immigration—wouldn’t this get us caught?
The thought came to me belatedly, so I quickly cast a concealment spell on both of us.
“To enter a Dungeon mid-clearance, one would need….”
“There’s been no precedent for that. Even during Major Dungeon conquests, mana can become tangled inside, so entry is restricted.”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
[ Purchasing ‘Genre-Specific Grammar Exemption (Hunter Edition)’. ]
[ Karma is being consumed. ]
[ An applicable discount coupon is available. (Connection Error Compensation Karma 5% Discount) ]
[ Apply it? ]
Yes.
Ah, I was so annoyed about who to stick this on that I bought it without thinking.
I never imagined I’d need to use it right away.
Sungdo, I’m sorry.
I take back what I said about being unlucky.
[ Applying ‘Genre-Specific Grammar Exemption (Hunter Edition)’ to the client. ]
“From now on, you’re the only one in this land who can enter any Dungeon mid-clearance.”
Ha Gyuhyuk stared at me with an expression of disbelief.
Genre-Specific Grammar Exemption. An item that allows you to completely ignore one unwritten rule considered absolute in that world.
Naturally, it’s expensive.
But Ha Gyuhyuk will need to move between multiple Dungeons in the future, so this is an investment for the future.
Besides, our guy is going to earn a lot.
Looking at him, I grinned.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“How did you manage that?”
“Hmm?”
I stretched my shoulders with an air of supreme confidence.
“Is there anything I can’t do?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————