Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 27

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

Episode 27

My first S-rank Dungeon.
Arthur and Robin keep telling me not to worry—it’ll be easy.
But how am I supposed to be calm about that?

“Just in case, take this ring too. And grab some potions.”
“Boss? What is this?”

What is it?

[Advanced Recovery Ring]
– Grants healing to the target of your choice.
– Can heal wounds up to critical severity in a single use.
– Usable once every six months.

That’s what it is.
Heals in a single go, like I said.
Use it if you or Robin get hurt.

“Whoa, really? Is this expensive?”
“Yeah, I know it is.”

It’s famous stuff.
Ridiculously expensive, actually.

“But I won’t need it anyway. Just take it with you—if you’re in danger, use it without hesitation.”

Especially you.
Robin’s top tier, but you’re advanced tier.
And you fight in close range too.
Between the two of you, you’d be the one in real danger.

“But you have to come back safe and return it to me. It’s mine.”
“Got it…. Boss’s ring. I’ll definitely bring it back.”

What’s with him?
I was just joking around, but he sounds so solemn about it.
Never mind.
You can take it, so just try not to get hurt.

“Here, Robin—grab some potions too.”
“……Okay.”

I handed over the Recovery Ring.
Then I carefully packed assorted potions into their packs, making sure they had everything.
I’d done all I could do.
I’d even asked if I should send some of the Orcs along with them.
But Robin said no—that would be a real problem.
It would actually get in their way.
Either way, the preparations were finally complete.

“All right, let’s go.”

An S-rank Dungeon near Beijing in China.
You have to cut through nearly thirty kilometers of monsters just to reach the entrance.
That’s why it’s called a living hell.

[Worker Dispatch]
– Dungeon

[Cursed Fortress – S-rank Dungeon. Do you wish to enter?]

Yun Ha-jun pushed the door open with a soft click.
Arthur and Robin stepped inside.

[Workers have entered the dungeon.]
[Auto-hunting initiated.]

All right, let’s begin the conquest.
Come on, let’s go.

* * *

[Auto-hunting in progress]
[00:00:32]

Auto-hunting: on.
The die has been cast.
All that’s left is to trust and wait.
Though I should still cheer them on.

[Monitoring]

I tapped the button.
A faint whirring sound.
The interior of the dungeon came into view….
Something felt different from before.

“Are they nervous?”

Those two had been relaxed even in A-rank dungeons.
Now they were noticeably cautious.
Step by careful step, their eyes darting about in every direction.

“You’ve got this! Arthur and Robin, you can do it! Finish up quick and come back to play with Rani like you promised!”
“Indeed. Since these two workers said they could manage, there’s no need for concern, sir.”

That’s true enough.
Last time I saw them, they spoke up when things got rough.
The S-rank dungeon?
They said it was fine.
Then I have to trust them.
Yeah….

“Ugh…, that place is scary too!”
“The atmosphere is rather eerie. Shall we watch together, sir?”

Yes, let’s watch this together.

[S-rank Dungeon: Cursed Fortress]

True to its ominous name, the fortress’s interior opened beneath a thick, suffocating fog.
Where were the enemies?

A piercing shriek tore through the air.

Found them.
Front, and both flanks.
Armored knights?
But their movements are… something’s off.

“Those are Undead, sir. High-grade ones.”

Really?
Now that you mention it…
The way they shuffle forward — yeah, there’s definitely something wrong with them.

“Robin, you know your stuff!”
“Well, information is the lifeblood of trade, after all.”
“Smart! Long live Robin!”
“Ugh…”

Rani’s really taken a shine to that nickname.
Though honestly, I don’t blame her.
Todd seems to be enjoying it too.

“Pardon, director?”

Never mind.
First things first…

“You said they were Undead?”
“Yes, sir. Most of the monsters appear to be Undead. And they seem to use poison as well.”

Poison?
Really?
No wonder the weapons had that purplish tint to them.

“If that’s the case, it makes sense high-level hunters struggled here. Undead of that caliber don’t stay dead unless you incinerate them completely, and adding poison to the mix…”
“Yeah, sounds pretty brutal just hearing about it.”
“A dungeon like that would be rough even for a top-tier Worker.”

That’s what I was thinking.
But wait a second…
Undead and poison.
Then that means…

“Arthur, flame away! Robin — move in!”
“Got it.”

Arthur’s sword — Hwal-hwal.
What’s its strength?
It burns everything to ash.
Robin’s bow — Slick?
Immune to poisons below a certain threshold.
Look at that.
They’ve already shifted their formation.
Robin — who’s immune to most poisons — takes the front.
Arthur falls back.
Wait, now?
He’s even attaching flames to the arrows now?

“That’s Arthur playing support, basically a walking lighter.”
“Ha! The arrows burn with Hwal-hwal too!”

Right?
There’s something satisfying about watching that.
This might actually….
be doable without breaking a sweat?

* * *

“Director. The Personnel Management Office has accepted a commission from us.”
“That so? Hm….”

About time.
Right.
I handed over the Robin Hood’s Bow Fragment and even that Potential Increase Elixir.
This commission had better pan out.

“An unknown street thug is our last hope…. Can you believe it?”

Even with the commission sent, how am I supposed to trust that?
I reached out again to the United States and Germany both.
But their replies came back saying….

[Sorry, our Ralph’s on medical leave.]
[You didn’t see the news? Lucas got hospitalized in a traffic accident.]

Whatever excuse they dressed it up in, that’s the real story.
Does that even make sense?
I’m no fool myself….
That bastard Ralph.
What? I heard he had no problem at all even after failing the 67th floor!
Lucas is the same.
A traffic accident? Please.

“Hm….”

My only hope is the Personnel Management Office director.
Even if he’s some punk thug trying to loot our entire stockpile….
Well, fine.
Long as he clears it.
But I need to make sure we get what’s owed.

“From now on, watch him closely.”
“Sir? How exactly should we….”
“Damn fool. Track everything—his route to the dungeon, wherever he goes, the whole thing. We need to know who this Personnel Management Office director really is!”
“Yes, sir!”

Tsk. Dumb as a rock.
When someone hands you something, you take it and ask questions later.
At the very least, there’s a weapon in it for Chen Wei.

“The Personnel Management Office director, huh….”

To clear a dungeon, you have to enter it.
No matter how skilled you are, that stays the same.
Let’s see if you can break through.

“Lock down the perimeter tight. If he tries to slip through anywhere, report it to me immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”

The Personnel Management Office director.
Let me see just how good you really are.

* * *

The United States was equally interested in the Personnel Management Office director.
So they made their move.

“Just got commissioned.”
“You’re taking that on? Ralph wouldn’t even dare attempt it. Brave or stupid, hard to say.”
“Well, probably because he hasn’t tasted defeat yet. That’s how most talented Awakeners are, isn’t it?”

The American intelligence division.
They saw through even internal Chinese operations.
Knew in real time the moment someone received a commission.
The question was whether he’d accept it.
But the work had to be done regardless.

“Starting now, track every flight and ship leaving South Korea for China. Monitor anyone heading to an S-rank Dungeon.”

They’d place a separate commission later.
Ask him to forge some weapons for Ralph.
But.
They needed to know who he was beforehand.
His ability—they had to consider how it might be abused down the line.

“And inform all our affiliated Hunters. If anyone spots someone suspected to be the Personnel Management Office director, follow cautiously and assist if things get dangerous.”

A Hunter who didn’t yet know how dangerous the world was could afford to be brave.
If it turned dangerous, they’d pull him out.
In exchange, they’d extract their due.

* * *

The S-rank Dungeon, the Cursed Fortress.
My personal assessment:

“It’s horrifying.”

How could monsters keep pouring out endlessly like this?
What kind of wave is this?
These creatures are leaking outside—how?
Something about a thirty-kilometer range expanding….

Shrieeek!
And their appearances are grotesque.
At first there were at least knights.
Now it’s blood-red zombies and enormous serpents.

“Ugh….”

Even through the screen, my skin crawls.
If it were real?
Mm….
I’d pass out on the spot.
Then what about Arthur and Robin?

“Hah-ha! It’s burning so well! So hot!”
“What kind of S-rank Dungeon….”

The S-rank Dungeon, the Cursed Fortress.
No.
I should call it the Burning Fortress now.
Everything around is a sea of flames….

“Why do they have such good rhythm?”
“Right? Perfect coordination.”
“Hwal-hwal! Whoosh!”

Yeah.
Hwal-hwal, and Whoosh. That’s right.

Creak.
Robin draws his bow first—whoosh.
Fire ignites at the arrow’s tip.
And when he releases it?
The monster walking toward us from afar goes whoosh.

Whoosh!
Every single shot hits.
And impossibly fast at that….
Well, he’s a top tier worker, after all.

Screeeee—!
If any monster manages to break through that arrow barrage and get close?
Arthur darts in quick and sharp.

“What in the—. Those weapons….”
“Rani made them! Hwal-hwal and Whoosh!”
“Those… names….”
“Aren’t they pretty!”
“Uh….”

Bewildering, right?
You still have to adjust to it.
Because of them, we’re breezing through an S-rank Dungeon.

“The more I see it, the more I’m convinced Rani’s a bundle of blessings.”
“Bundle of blessings!”
“Ha ha….”

But….
Honestly, I never expected them to clear it this easily.
If it goes like this, all that posturing and handing over the Advanced Recovery Ring feels pointless….
Still, well.
It’s good as long as nobody gets hurt.

“Exactly so. The Recovery Ring is the sort of thing that becomes useful when saved for the right moment.”
“Right!”

Like that, for a good while.
Arrows fly, and fly again.
By the time the entire fortress was engulfed in flames.

Slither—slither—!

The boss emerged: a colossal serpent.
And from its enormous fangs, venom dripped freely.

“At that size, Robin’s poison won’t have any effect…!”

Whoosh.
Shriek!

“Huh?”

It worked?

Screeeee!
Definitely an S-rank Dungeon boss monster.
It had enough health that it didn’t drop dead on the spot.
But the poison spreading from where the arrow lodged….

“It’s spreading?”
“Yeah.”
“Ha! Robin’s getting stronger!”

SCREEEEE!
Angry that the poison was spreading.
The colossal serpent came charging—
Thwip.
Another arrow, then another.
By the time its head was looking almost like a porcupine.
Finally, he arrived.
So what was I waiting for.

“Arthur!”

Right.
Arthur drew his sword down, and with that—whoosh.

“Wait, what the….”

The newcomer worker, Todd.
Still stammering his words.
Yeah.
You don’t believe it?
That’s Rani’s weapon.
People don’t keep submitting commissions for it to be made for nothing.

“…….”

And so the S-rank Dungeon clear ended.
The result was perfect.

[Dungeon Clear Complete.]
[Auto-hunting Terminated.]
[Clear Time – 01:28:40]

Still….
This was the first time they’d taken over an hour.
Hmm….

* * *

Dungeon clear finished.
The workers came straight out.

“Boss! That was awesome! You really saved the Advanced Recovery Ring!”

That’s not a one-use item anyway, so there was no need to save it.
Though we didn’t end up needing it….
Arthur immediately announced his presence.
And Robin?

“…….”

As always, straight to the window.
That’s right.
They’ve earned it, so let them rest for a bit….
First, I brew Arthur and Robin each a cup of sweet coffee.

“Thump-thump-thump! That’s the stuff!”
“Drink up. We’ll celebrate properly in a moment.”

Let me check the rewards first.

“Sounds good!”
“…….”

I nod.
Okay.
Let’s open up the rewards.

[S-rank Dungeon Clear Success!]
[Clear Time – 01:28:40]
[Clear Rewards – 100 Advanced Mana Stones / Blue Dragon Crescent Blade Fragment / 30 Advanced Healing Potions / Young Bashe’s Scale / Adamantium Ingot / ……]

Wait, what?
The rewards just keep coming?
Just the mana stones alone….

“One hundred Advanced Mana Stones.”

Each one’s worth ten million won.
So that’s a billion right there.
Insane.
And the materials too….

[Blue Dragon Crescent Blade Fragment / Young Bashe’s Scale]

Scales—like that snake from before.
Young Bashe….
That’s called young?
If that’s young, how massive must it grow….
Either way, these are materials, so I’ll give them to Rani.

“Wow…. I want to craft something with these right away!”

There it is.
She’s practically bouncing with excitement.
Right.
Those things are all yours anyway.
Craft whatever you want.

“Since we’ve seen all the tasty stuff, let’s stop here with the dungeon rewards….”

Why?
Because the real main course is still waiting.
I clear out my inventory.
Now, let’s open up the commissions.
I reach to press confirm, then pause.

“Oh, right.”

A haul this size.
Be a shame to waste it.
Let me activate the Quest Point 2x Scroll too.
Right then—let’s complete the quest.

[Rewards based on contribution have been distributed.]

Whoa….
Materials poured out first—Advanced Mana Stones, then all manner of elixirs tumbling down after.

[Personal rewards have been added to your distribution.]

Robin Hood’s Bow Fragment, and even a Potential Increase Elixir.
When am I going to sift through all this?
I stood there, jaw slack.
Rani came rushing over and snatched the Robin Hood’s Bow Fragment.

“Rani! Give that back! With this and Robin, I can craft an even better bow!”

And with those words—

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