Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 127

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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 (127)

 

Suspicion Becomes Certainty

 

Lee Si-hyeok stared straight ahead with wide-open eyes.

 

Messages filling his entire field of vision.

 

He had sensed something unusual from the moment they started appearing one after another, but he never expected such phrases to appear.

 

‘Dragon Heart.’

 

He could understand its meaning without having to think about it.

 

The crumbling body of [Lumibra] beyond the blue spear would be disappearing because of this heart.

 

He could no longer sense any life force from the dragon before his eyes. All he could feel was a faint breath, and even that was almost fading away.

 

Contemplation settled in Lee Si-hyeok’s eyes.

 

Then, he finally nodded slowly.

 

“I will accept the ownership.”

 

Then…

 

[[Lumibra]’s 【Dragon Heart】 is being transferred to you.]

 

[This precious artifact’s value will change depending on how you use it. It could become the strongest material that cannot be found anywhere else, or it could become a mythical weapon in itself.]

 

[All General Skills’ ranks increase by one level.]

 

[[Lumibra]’s spirit is bound to the 【Dragon Heart】.]

 

Finally, Lumibra’s body completely disappeared.

 

In this dragon’s nest, only Lee Si-hyeok and the golem remained standing blankly.

 

Lee Si-hyeok carefully picked up the Dragon Heart that had fallen into the water pool.

 

Thump, thump, thump… Each time the heart in his hand beat once, colorful blood created quiet ripples on the shallow water surface.

 

For a long time.

 

He stood like that for a long time.

 

When the watching golem thought this couldn’t go on and was about to approach first.

 

“Go inside.”

 

Lee Si-hyeok’s lips opened. His eyes were still quietly gazing at the heart in his hand.

 

“Master?”

 

“Hunters will come soon. They probably know I’m here, but not you. So hide yourself before you get caught.”

 

“But… where should I go inside?”

 

Suddenly, mana rippled once near the golem.

 

As it stepped back in confusion, a rift immediately split open in the air.

 

[『Anytime, Anywhere』 is activated.]

 

[You can enter 『Subspace』.]

 

“Hmm.”

 

The golem groaned. Although it was currently serving Lee Si-hyeok as its master, it was reminded once again that it didn’t know much about him yet.

 

To think he had such an ability.

 

“Wait inside there. When you go in, there will be one person there, and they’ll be surprised to see you… but they’ll take good care of you. Listen well and behave. Understood?”

 

“Understood. Master. If there’s any danger, make sure to call me.”

 

“I’ll see how things go.”

 

Just as the golem was about to step into the rift at his indifferent response.

 

Whoosh! Suddenly Lee Si-hyeok threw the Dragon Heart. The golem reflexively caught it and looked back at him.

 

“Well then, see you later.”

 

However, the only response that came back was one indifferent remark.

 

Just as the golem was about to ask back, the rift closed, leaving Lee Si-hyeok alone in the 〈Nest of Life〉.

 

Lee Si-hyeok thrust his hand deep into his pouch and waited for the other hunters.

 

They’ll be here soon. As he thought this while sensing the mana rapidly approaching through the passage, with a splash! people came bursting through the water pool.

 

* * *

 

A few hours earlier.

 

In front of the Ulleungdo Nari Basin Gate.

 

Numerous personnel had gathered at that security outpost.

 

“Has everyone arrived?”

 

The person in charge of this operation, Association Team Leader Choi In-hwan, spoke in a low voice.

 

The noisy interior instantly became quiet. As everyone’s attention focused on him at once, he inwardly swallowed his nervousness.

 

The hunters gathered here totaled twenty-five.

 

Compared to a Gate Break, especially an unprecedented situation involving the appearance of a ‘Hidden Boss’, it could be considered a small number, but looking closer, that wasn’t necessarily the case.

 

Each and every one was a hunter of a different caliber.

 

First, that hunter sitting directly across from Choi In-hwan, glaring at him as if ready to kill.

 

The man called ‘Green Night Beast’ uses the shocking tactic of summoning monsters to sweep away all enemies.

 

Befitting an S-rank hunter, his accumulated achievements were tremendous, to the point where he could be compared to the currently missing Guardian of Light.

 

What about that ‘Snow Flame Empress’, Cha Yu-rim, who was sitting in that corner with a serious expression for some reason? And what about the ‘Ashen Garden’ next to her?

 

Not just them, but hunters who were each difficult to meet individually were all gathered in one place.

 

“I believe you all know the reason we’ve gathered.”

 

And the reason for all of this was precisely…

 

“It’s to rescue Mr. Lee Si-hyeok, who is currently trapped inside the Nari Basin Gate.”

 

…solely because of Lee Si-hyeok, just one single awakened individual.

 

Green Night Beast, who had been listening silently, asked.

 

“I heard the Guardian of Light Hunter entered together with him? What happened to him, and how did only Mr. Lee Si-hyeok end up isolated?”

 

“That’s… we haven’t been able to determine yet either. However, based on the message that appeared earlier, we suspect a hidden space called a ‘Hidden Stage’ was discovered. Seeing that the connection to the biosignal generator linked to the Guardian Hunter has been severed, it seems he’s already in a serious state.”

 

“Then is there any guarantee that Mr. Lee Si-hyeok is alive?”

 

“There isn’t. That’s exactly what we’re asking all of you to help us confirm from now on.”

 

“Cough, hack! Cough…”

 

At that moment, the Snow Flame Empress in the corner suddenly burst into a coughing fit.

 

Green Night Beast looked at her with puzzlement for a moment, then continued speaking.

 

“So ultimately, you’re asking us to gamble all our lives on the chance that he might be alive.”

 

His expression crumpled severely.

 

“…I’m sorry. It’s not just about Lee Si-hyeok, but if a Gate Break occurs, even the citizens will be in danger….”

 

“How much.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“How dangerous do you expect it to be?”

 

Choi In-hwan hurriedly checked his tablet. Seeing the numbers displayed on the screen, he gulped nervously.

 

“Based on the mana we can sense, we expect the entire North Gyeongsang Province area to be devastated. That’s the minimum estimate….”

 

“What’s the worst-case scenario?”

 

“Gyeongsangnam-do and Ulsan Metropolitan City, and if it goes further, even Busan could be swept up. I’m telling you this based on the mana readings we checked right after the message window appeared.”

 

“Is that because of this ‘Hidden Boss’?”

 

“Probably, yes. That’s likely the case.”

 

Green Night Beast hesitated. Originally, he had planned to act according to practical interests, but the danger was too great. However, he couldn’t just stand by when the country was on the verge of being half-destroyed.

 

As he pondered this dilemma, a voice suddenly came from behind.

 

“I will definitely enter.”

 

An unforgettable way of speaking. It was Snow Flame Empress Cha Yu-rim.

 

Green Night Beast quickly turned his head.

 

“Why?”

 

“Did you not hear as well? At this rate, the entire country might be shaken. As someone in a high position, I cannot just stand by and watch.”

 

“Hah.”

 

“And there’s someone I must save.”

 

For some reason, her last words were filled with deep affection.

 

Green Night Beast frowned once more before looking straight ahead. Team Leader Choi In-hwan was nervously watching the situation with great tension.

 

After pondering for a long while, Green Night Beast let out a sigh.

 

“Damn it, I guess there’s no choice.”

 

“…Are, are you helping us?”

 

“Yeah. I’ll participate. I can’t just let Hunter Baek Min-ji and my senior from the Radiant Guardians go like this.”

 

Green Night Beast immediately stood up and began gathering his equipment.

 

What followed was swift and decisive.

 

Two high-ranking Hunters had already declared their participation. Since adding more power would only increase the success rate, the other Hunters had nothing to hesitate about.

 

Eventually, everyone confirmed their participation, and soon the massive rift began to ripple greatly.

 

[Entering ‘Nari Basin Gate’.]

 

[The existing land has transformed into sea. Entering directly into 〈City of Hunters〉.]

 

However, the scene they witnessed along with the message was completely different from what they expected.

 

Not the Pink Coral Zone that the original conquest team had broken through….</

 

The middle of a snow mountain where sunlight reflected blindingly.

 

“Huh?”

 

“What is this place?”

 

“They said we’d see coral right when we entered. What’s this?”

 

Among the confused Hunters, Green Night Beast’s eyes narrowed. Snow Flame Empress and Team Leader Choi In-hwan felt the same way.

 

Immediately after, a message appeared.

 

[You have entered the ‘Hunters’ Trial Ground’.]

 

[The first trial, 〈White Snowfield〉 begins.]

 

[…Anomaly detected….]

 

[The current master of 〈City of Hunters〉 is disappearing. Therefore, the trial is suspended. Skipping directly to the next trial!]

 

Whooooom!

 

His vision flipped as the space inverted.

 

The place they arrived at was some kind of underground labyrinth-like space.

 

But after a moment, a similar message appeared and the space changed once again.

 

“This place is… a desert?”

 

“It feels like an arena?”

 

It was a space called 〈Arena of Blood Combat〉.

 

The Green Night Beast, landing from the sky, surveyed the vast sandy area. Then, the Snow Flame Empress was the first to discover something.

 

“I can sense your mana…”

 

The Green Night Beast’s gaze turned toward her. He approached slightly and asked.

 

“What are you talking about, all of a sudden.”

 

“I can feel mana. Among the mana of monsters torn to shreds, there’s a familiar mana.”

 

“Mana?”

 

Though he asked, the Snow Flame Empress leaped up without answering.

 

She began running toward the arena outskirts at an insane speed, and the other hunters who had been momentarily stunned also chased after her.

 

And soon, everyone was left speechless by the scene that appeared.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The sandy area that seemed like it would have nothing.

 

A single old cabin standing alone on top of it.

 

And…

 

“Mo, monsters.”

 

Filling all directions densely, torn, split, ripped, clawed, pierced, broken, shattered.

 

Corpses of thousands of monsters.

 

The dry ground was so thoroughly soaked with blood that it created the illusion of stepping into a swamp.

 

“Could this be the work of that Hidden Boss…?”

 

The hunters could only speculate as such.

 

And for good reason, even if they were Guardians of Light, it would be difficult to create such carnage. A few hundred might somehow be possible, but this was thousands.

 

Moreover, Lee Si-hyeok wasn’t even a combat type, so he was naturally out of the question.

 

Fear filled their entire bodies. A small passage discovered on one side of the cabin. Thinking of the monster that would be waiting beyond there, chills ran down their spines.

 

However, that was only momentary.

 

“We’re going in.”

 

“Please hold on just a little longer.”

 

Green Night Beast and Snow Flame Empress rushed into the passage without hesitation.

 

One had sensed the mana emanating from within, while the other had discovered traces of the Guardian of Light’s blood near the cabin.

 

―Thud thud thud thud thud!

 

The sound of dozens of footsteps echoed through the long passage.

 

They ran and ran some more.

 

The moment they entered the cavity where beautiful rays of light filtered through.

 

“…?”

 

Everyone came to a halt at the sight before their eyes.

 

In the cavity, beneath those beams of light, stood only one man.

 

There were no monsters in front of him, and the terrifyingly powerful mana was gradually fading away before the man.

 

As if something massive had been lying there, a water pool was carved out right in front of where the man stood.

 

However, that presence also seemed to have already vanished.

 

‘Could it be.’

 

Such a thought suddenly arose in everyone’s minds.

 

Could it be that this man had defeated the Hidden Boss?

 

Green Night Beast’s eyes widened as if they might tear.

 

And then….

 

―Flash.

 

[Hidden Boss 〔Lumibra〕 has been annihilated.]

 

[Cause of annihilation: ‘Lee Si-hyeok’ alone]

 

[Accordingly, 〈Trial of the Hunters〉 will now end.]

 

[‘Nari Basin Gate’ has been cleared.]

 

…Those four lines that appeared before their eyes.

 

Turned their suspicion into certainty.

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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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