The Way of Life for a Terminal S-Class Hunter - C73
$73
“Yes. Just give us the conquest rights. We can write a contract, and we’ll clearly specify penalties if we breach the contract on our side.”
Kang Seo-heon, having recently succeeded in conquering a similar dungeon, was a significant asset. He was a trustworthy figure in that aspect. However, the fact that a guild not eager for fame would do such a profitless act seemed to increase the Georgian side’s suspicion.
“And you said that only you and Halo will go without our support, which is a condition difficult for us to accept. It’s also hard to guarantee your safety.”
This was the point the Georgian side found most strange. When they heard that only the guild leader was coming from Ihwa Guild, not as a team, they let it pass with regret. But when told that only two would enter, it was a different story. This was a conquest that almost assumed failure.
“If by any chance we fail the conquest, we’ll organize and provide you with the information we obtained. The period for conquering an S-rank dungeon is generally about 3 weeks. Even the record of failure will be of great help. If you need a written pledge that we won’t report false information, I’ll provide that too.”
Seo-heon persuaded the other party while skillfully hiding his fatigue. With him saying this much, the Georgian side had no grounds to stop him.
“I’ll be honest. We don’t understand why Guild Leader Kang Seo-heon is doing something so beneficial only for our side. We knew that you usually go through very strict procedures for overseas dispatches, so we think there must be a reason you’re proceeding so urgently.”
Making them say this much meant they had almost come around. Seo-heon, knowing this best, decided to make a bold move.
“Defeating the dragon inside is our purpose itself. We need the skill that can be obtained by dealing the final blow to the dragon.”
If he didn’t show at least one card until the end, they might cancel their promise to let them enter the dungeon. The Georgian side’s reaction was, ‘As expected, they were hiding something.’
‘They wouldn’t give up great dungeon items just to protect a skill that may or may not be obtainable.’
Everyone knew that being too greedy could lead to losing everything. Most of those in the meeting seemed to accept this.
Seo-heon actually found this whole process annoying and frustrating. Thinking of Woo-hyun lying in the hospital room, he didn’t have time to wrestle with this. He was forcibly patient only because he might waste more time if he acted recklessly, given that this wasn’t Korea.
Even now, thinking about the fact that Woo-hyun’s lifespan was decreasing made his mouth dry up. It felt like standing in front of an hourglass that didn’t know how to stop.
“Then is it okay to proceed with entering the dungeon tomorrow afternoon?”
The representative asked before the final signing. The other party was planning to invite them for a meal while wrapping up, so this question was asked with that in mind. From this country’s perspective, Seo-heon and Halo were guests, so they thought they should treat them to at least one meal.
“No. We’ll go right now.”
However, Seo-heon’s attitude was firm. The Georgian side, not expecting him to be in such a hurry, looked surprised but had no intention of holding them back further.
Seo-heon gave Halo a look asking what he would do. If Halo said they should rest a bit due to travel fatigue before conquering, Seo-heon was planning to insist on going alone. He had no room for leisure.
“Do as you wish, Kang Seo-heon.”
Halo didn’t try to dissuade him.
***
Many reporters were gathered in front of the dungeon. Reporters from various countries were present, having heard the information from somewhere. They were Asian and nearby country reporters.
‘There are also reporters deployed by the Georgian side.’
Their will to immediately report any misconduct by Seo-heon was palpable. Honestly, Seo-heon felt like he couldn’t care less about that.
He consumed a potion to overcome fatigue and entered. The interior was almost identical to what had occurred in Korea. The difference was that water flowed instead of lava.
“Can this dungeon also change at any time according to the dragon’s will?”
“We were lucky to find it early. Fortunately, it hasn’t given enough cores to the Hetchling yet. The dragon will prioritize the Hetchling’s growth over immediate intruders.”
It meant there wouldn’t be an incident of the party being torn apart like last time. Seo-heon couldn’t grasp what Halo was thinking, but he was certain that at least he wouldn’t interfere with him.
[Using S-rank skill, Cold Breath. Freezes everything the breath touches.]
With one gesture from Seo-heon, all the rushing monsters froze. And before they could come to their senses, he destroyed them. Having no room to control his power, he used wide-range attacks liberally.
“Aren’t you overdoing it from the start?”
Seo-heon didn’t react to Halo’s playful words. He glanced slightly and warned quietly.
“Dodge on your own.”
“Don’t worry, I’m confident in protecting myself.”
Three hours passed since they entered the dungeon like that. Seo-heon was dumbfounded by the fact that Halo was really only moving ‘just enough to protect himself’.
[Using S-rank skill, Ice Path. Freezes all enemies touching the ground.]
While Seo-heon was unleashing the magic power he had been suppressing until now, Halo, standing far away, just watched with his hands in his pockets. Occasionally whistling, he looked irritating to anyone watching.
“If you’re going to be like this, why did you come along?”
Although Seo-heon had planned to fight alone, he didn’t expect Halo to be this indifferent. It was natural to be angry, especially since Halo wasn’t even using his specialty, precognition. It contrasted with Seo-heon, who was in a hurry.
‘Was there ever someone else this hard to understand or predict?’
Seo-heon immediately understood why he disliked Halo. He was already furious just seeing him approach Woo-hyun, but now that Halo wouldn’t fit into his range of predictions, irritation at the slight deviation from his plans surged along with it.
“It’s all necessary. No need to look at me with such scary eyes.”
Moreover, with his attitude of seeming to see through everything, Seo-heon disliked Halo even more. The fact that he was the one who told him how to save Woo-hyun was the only thing suppressing his anger.
“A door has appeared.”
Despite being quite far away, Halo shouted loudly, apparently having good eyesight.
“Yes. Stay here, I’ll go alone.”
Seo-heon said, judging it would be better and less distracting to be alone. However, Halo, who had been hands-off in the battle until just now, persistently followed Seo-heon.
“Let’s go in together here.”
Not knowing what had gotten into him, Seo-heon didn’t have the energy or time to argue about liking it or not. He said to do as he pleased and opened the door.
“Fog…”
The room was entirely covered in fog. The peculiar point was that it was green, not white. Seo-heon quickly summoned and put on a gas mask. Even if he had resistance to poison, it was better to block what entered the respiratory system.
Rendering that effort futile, something stretched out from the fog and pounced on Seo-heon. Seo-heon quickly assumed a defensive posture.
[Using B-rank skill, Acceleration. Avoiding the enemy’s attack.]
[Using S-rank skill, Cold Breath. Freezes everything the breath touches.]
Although he reacted with thoroughly calculated offense and defense balance, there was no impact. Rather, it dispersed into smoke and pounced on Seo-heon again.
“Ugh…”
Seo-heon groaned and grabbed the wall. My head is dizzy. He tried to overcome this dizziness by digging his nails into his palm, but it failed. Seo-heon’s vision turned black.
[Where did such a sweet human come from?]
The seductive voice of a noble succubus rang in Seo-heon’s head.
Bang.
Halo didn’t bother to support the falling Seo-heon. He wasn’t someone who would get hurt by such a thing, and Halo had no loyalty to him either.
Instead, he sat in front of him and took out a cigarette.
“I have to protect him from dying at this point.”
White cigarette smoke mixed with the green smoke. Monsters lingered around the two.
“It would be better not to approach.”
Halo warned quietly.
‘Shit, making such a childish mistake. Well done.’
Seo-heon cursed inwardly, something he didn’t usually do. He gritted his teeth, angry at himself. The excuse that he wasn’t prepared due to his weakened mental state didn’t hold up.
‘Seems I’ve been dragged into the mental world, is it that damn noble succubus again?’
He didn’t know what agreement the dragon had made with the succubus, but he was sick of it now. Thanks to the succubus’s poison, he had been able to embrace Woo-hyun, but their relationship had fallen apart after that.
Seo-heon’s skills weren’t turned off like Woo-hyun’s, so he wasn’t affected by the poison, but he couldn’t immediately tear through the dream and escape. Succubi might be physically weak, but no monster could match their mental attacks. Especially when they reached noble rank.