Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 124

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (124)

 

Come Along Now

 

At that moment.

 

In front of the Nari Basin Gate, at the security outpost.

 

An Association staff member who had been waiting there spoke up.

 

“When do you think Lee Si-hyeok will come out?”

 

His tone was drawn out as if he was extremely bored. In front of the monitors for the numerous surveillance cameras installed to control the surrounding area, empty cup noodles with dried broth were piled up high.

 

Another employee answered while keeping his gaze fixed on the monitor.

 

“That’s what I’m saying. Isn’t he taking quite a bit longer than expected?”

 

“Didn’t he originally say he’d come out around today?”

 

“That’s right. Lee Si-hyeok himself said so directly.”

 

“Hmm, but why isn’t he coming out?”

 

The employee who had been slumped in his chair grumbling turned his body around again. He carelessly brought the soggy cup noodles to his mouth while switching the surveillance camera feed.

 

“At least it’s fortunate that we don’t see anyone trying to sneak in.”

 

He had been worried that illegal intruders might appear due to the period being longer than expected. For example, private research institute staff.

 

However, since no signs of movement were being detected in the forest, it seemed there was no indication of that happening.

 

The other employee shrugged his shoulders.

 

“The Association already sent warnings in all directions, so that’s probably why. And they also saw what happened to Chronos when they messed with Lee Si-hyeok.”

 

“…True. Even I would be scared of that.”

 

“So they’re being as cautious as possible. Anyway, given the rarity of the Gate, it should be sufficient to start research after Lee Si-hyeok comes out, right?”

 

He had heard that competition to secure the second exploration rights was already in full swing.

 

What was it, some auction worth tens of billions? Not only that, but there were also rumors that overseas parties were secretly lobbying.

 

“Of course, that would only be possible if Lee Si-hyeok leaves something behind.”

 

“Come on, no way. Even if it’s him, would he really clean out everything?”

 

“Still, you never know.”

 

“Forget it, just forget it. Don’t worry about it. Just the byproducts discovered there number in the dozens, so how could he take all of that?”

 

Unless he had a bag with unlimited space or something.

 

The employee who had snapped back checked his smartphone. A text message had arrived while they were having their conversation.

 

When he checked, it was a message urging for updates on Lee Si-hyeok’s return situation.

 

The employee let out a deep sigh.

 

“I don’t know eitherrrr…”

 

Time flows differently inside the Gate. From what he heard, this time it flows more slowly inside, so unlike here, not much time would have passed.

 

Even knowing this, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

 

Lee Si-hyeok is a VIP. He’s a national treasure, and like a hero who saved the nation several times when the country was in danger.

 

But such a person isn’t showing up at the promised time.

 

Unlike the recent kidnapping incident, even though this was a pre-announced matter, they couldn’t help but worry in the same context. This was true even though they had sent the trustworthy S-rank Hunter, Guardian of Light, along with him.

 

“Ah, that’s right.”

 

Then the employee suddenly remembered something.

 

“The search team we sent in at dawn. What happened to them?”

 

They had dispatched a search team to find Lee Si-hyeok and the Guardian in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

 

The other employee still kept his gaze on the monitor and answered indifferently.

 

“Still no contact. Don’t ask why. I don’t know either.”

 

“But still. Then we can’t even confirm if they’re alive or dead? What if they’re dead?”

 

“Come on. There’s no way they’re dead. We already confirmed the gate was completely cleared. And they were all A-rank or higher, don’t you remember?”

 

“…Tsk.”

 

That was true. In the end, it meant there was no news at all.

 

The employee clicked his tongue and turned around.

 

It was just as he was about to take a sip of his cup noodle broth.

 

―Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep beep!

 

Suddenly, alarm sounds began blaring throughout the entire outpost.

 

The warning lights on the ceiling dyed the container, which had only natural light coming in, bright red.

 

Besides the two employees who had been talking, the others also panicked and hurriedly looked around.

 

“What, what’s happening all of a sudden?”

 

“Check the situation, quickly!”

 

“It was so peaceful, what is this…”

 

The employee immediately put down the cup noodles he was about to drink.

 

Then he quickly operated the monitor to bring up a different screen.

 

Though he had been grumbling constantly, he was an elite among elites who consistently produced results.

 

With excellent judgment, he realized that the current situation was ‘due to the gate’s mana rapidly rising.’

 

He immediately checked those numbers.

 

And…

 

But….

“Wh-what is this? Why did the numbers suddenly…”

“Wh-what is this? Why are the numbers suddenly….”

The employee who had approached late exclaimed as if terrified.

An employee who arrived late exclaimed in shock.

On the other hand, the elite employee managed to pull himself together immediately.

On the other hand, the elite employee managed to quickly regain his composure.

“Damn it. Hey! Quickly call headquarters!”

 

“What, what did you say?”

 

“Send the report up! At this rate we’re all going to be screwed!”

 

An unprecedented situation that had never been seen before.

 

Just as he was urgently trying to send a direct contact.

 

Ding!

 

Suddenly a notification sound rang out and a message appeared before their eyes.

 

Since all the employees were awakened, everyone at the outpost could check that message.

 

[‘Lee Si-hyeok’ who passed 〈Extreme Blood Battle〉 is heading to the final trial, skipping all stages.]

 

[At the end, a Hidden Boss will reveal itself. If the trial is not passed within the set time, the Gate will be destroyed and the Boss will escape to the outside.]

 

[The space of ‘Nari Basin Gate’ will change.]

 

[Seawater will rise where land previously existed, and the 〈City of Hunters〉 that was thought to be only in the deep sea will return to land.]

 

Final trial. Hidden Boss. Hidden Stage.

 

Though it was full of incomprehensible terms, there was one sentence that struck the employees’ eyes precisely.

 

―If the trial is not passed within the set time, the Gate will be destroyed and the Boss will escape to the outside.

 

Upon confirming that, the words the Elite Employee had spat out in the confused situation just moments ago echoed in their ears.

 

“…We’re screwed.”

 

That was all they could understand.

 

* * *

 

The small entrance that opened after passing 〈Extreme Blood Battle〉.

 

Lee Si-hyeok, who had entered that passage leading directly to the final trial, stopped walking when he reached about halfway. Water droplets dripped down from the passage filled with colorful vegetation.

 

Without noticing the droplets settling on the crown of his head, Lee Si-hyeok looked at the messages that had appeared.

 

“…”

 

It was the exact same message the employees outside the Gate had seen just moments ago.

 

And Lee Si-hyeok too, upon facing that message, couldn’t help but be quite flustered.

 

“If I don’t pass the trial… the Boss will escape?”

 

In other words, it was a Gate Break.

 

Just like when Lee Si-hyeok had faced the Predator Ants that burst out of the Gate right after his awakening, the exact same situation would unfold.

 

For a moment, he felt his shoulders grow heavy.

 

‘No, but why.’

 

Usually Gate Breaks happen due to mana distortion phenomena, but this case was completely different.

 

A Break with ‘conditions’.

 

He had never heard of such a thing anywhere. He thought that this really wasn’t an easy Gate, but it felt like carrying a heavy burden.

 

He swallowed his saliva and glanced at the Golem.

 

The Golem was following close by his side. Fortunately, the passage was wide enough for the creature, which was about three times his size, to pass through comfortably.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Did it sense his gaze? The Golem, which had been observing a cluster of white flowers growing on the cave wall, tilted its head.

 

The sight of him examining the flowers with such a serious expression, so mismatched with his massive build, was quite amusing, but Lee Si-hyeok couldn’t bring himself to laugh.

 

“You.”

 

Lee Si-hyeok said.

 

“Are you confident you can beat the final boss?”

 

The Golem turned around completely and looked at Lee Si-hyeok.

 

“Why do you ask that, Master? Don’t you trust me?”

 

“I trust you, of course. But I can still ask, can’t I?”

 

“Of course I’ll win. Thanks to you, Master, I’ve become incomparably stronger than before. And you know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

 

“That’s true…”

 

In fact, Lee Si-hyeok couldn’t help but know.

 

It was something he had directly experienced through repeated design and modifications.

 

At least within this Gate, no matter what Monster appeared, the Golem would easily handle it. This was because it had perfectly synchronized with the mana inside the Gate.

 

But seeing such a message made feeling tense unavoidable.

 

After a moment, Lee Si-hyeok shook his head along with his thoughts and began walking again.

 

“Let’s just hurry up and go. It seems like we’re almost there.”

 

“Understood. Go ahead first. I’ll just pick this flower and catch up right away.”

 

Behind him, the Golem carefully harvested the flower bud with his house-sized hand. Lee Si-hyeok deliberately ignored it and continued forward.

 

Just as fatigue was beginning to creep into his legs.

 

He felt the light that had been seeping from the entrance grow a bit stronger.

 

It was light mixed with dozens of different colors. Green, blue, white, purple… Though it was chaotic like mixed paint, it didn’t feel confusing.

 

To describe it precisely, it felt dreamlike.

 

Mysterious yet hazy. If there was a Hidden Boss, the atmosphere should have been more sinister, but for some reason, the impression of mystique was stronger.

 

‘Are we almost there?’

 

The moment he felt that, an exit appeared.

 

He had finally escaped the cave that seemed like it would never end.

 

Lee Si-hyeok deployed his protective artifact and barrier as he stepped outside. This time, the Golem took the lead.

 

The moment he took a step into the shallow water pool.

 

As his ankles became slightly submerged.

 

[You have entered the final stage, 〈Nest of Life〉.]

 

[Hidden Boss, 〔Lumibra〕 reveals itself!]

 

[The level is too high to measure! Prepare for danger.]

 

From the opposite side of the mossy cavern, the Hidden Boss appeared.

 

The main body of Necrosis. Just as Lee Si-hyeok was about to observe its true identity, a thin voice quietly reached his ears. It was a pleasant, clear voice.

 

“You’re quite late, little one.”

 

Yes, what came from the opponent was not a powerful attack, nor a cruel order to leave, nor merciless death.

 

More than anything else, it felt ordinary and warm…

 

“Come here, little one. I’ve been waiting for you.”

 

It was human language.

 

“…What?”

 

Lee Si-hyeok couldn’t help but ask back reflexively.

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