After the long silence from the dungeons, two finally appeared in Korea two days after Liu Zhigang's departure. And they were no normal dungeons.
Both dungeons were S-rank.
Hunters Guild HQ...
Guild master Choi Jong-In's office.
"What are you doing here Dongsoo?" Choi asked with narrowed eyes.
Across the table sat Hwang Dongsoo, with his smug grin and sunglasses. "Is it a crime to come check your guild?"
"That is not what I was talking about. I mean the country. What are you doing here in Korea?" Choi Jong-In clarified.
"You want to chase me out of my own country again?" Dongsoo laughed but Choi's expression didn't waver.
"What do you want?"
Dongsoo paused the laughter and tilted head, "Ah, you catch on fast, don't you? I have one question. Who is the Breaker? Which of the new S-ranks is it?"
"Hwang Dongsoo you're trying to mess with fire here, and the mark that burn will leave may be permanent. If the fire doesn't consume you that is." Choi replied.
"Ha?" Dongsoo raised an eyebrow, irritated. "Who're you using parables for? Stop beating around the bush and tell me who it is."
Choi leaned forward, his brows furrowed. "Do you even know anything about them? Were you there during the evaluation? Did you not hear the news about the multiple attacks where both of them singlehandedly cleared an A-rank dungeon each?"
Dongsoo yawned. "You see, that's the problem with all of you. You think everyone is stuck in your league when you can't do anything, tch." He stood up. "You know what? Forget I ever asked. I'll just have to find out myself."
"What are you going to do?" Choi's eyes narrowed.
"Show you why I'm not as weak as the shitty S-ranks this country harbors." Dongsoo grinned as he went for the door.
Choi gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. "I pray the next time we meet will not be at your burial."
Dongsoo glanced over his shoulder. "What did you say?"
"Have a safe trip." Choi leaned back on his chair.
… …
Korean Hunters Association HQ...
Chairman Go Gun-Hee's Office.
"So both dungeons are S-ranks?" Chairman Go muttered.
"Yes sir," Jinchul nodded, a crack behind his usual composure.
"We need to plan carefully," Chairman Go sighed. The situation was not one he had to rush, but he shouldn't be wasting time either.
"Do you think they'll sit back? They don't seem like the types to," said Jinchul.
"Hm?" Go Gun-Hee arched an eyebrow. "Hunter Sung and Hunter Minho? Well, honestly I don't know. It's not like they're directly under the Association, so we can't quite tell what they would be doing. But we need to get them to calm down and wait, I suppose."
Jinchul gave a curt nod.
… …
Minho stood in front of one of the dungeons with a deadpan expression.
A number of personnels from the Hunters Association blocked it, making readings and making frequent calls.
He sighed and walked over.
The supposed leader of the group - Park Yoon, an A-rank hunter - turned to see Minho walking towards them with his hands tucked in his pockets.
"What is he doing here?" Yoon muttered, feeling a little annoyed. The fact that Minho and Jinwoo made a name in just a few weeks - making the other hunters feel like shadows - was really disturbing for him and it was somewhat… annoying?
He rushed over to Minho, blocking his path. "Sorry, this area is restricted."
Minho lifted a brow. "I have authority from the Association."
Yoon gritted his teeth. "It doesn't matter. We were specifically told to not allow any—"
"Do I look like I care about what you're trying to explain?" Minho lowered his head, eyes glowing.
[Aura Of A Monarch Activated!]
Park Yoon felt an immense weight being put on his very being, something telling him to kneel instantly.
The reaction from others around was no different. They were feeling the strong force that instantly came up.
Yoon gritted harder, his heart thumping fastly and for some reason he felt like he couldn't breathe properly. Being closer made things so much more worse for him and he could feel his legs shaking, getting wobbly like they were about to give out any moment now.
Until Minho's phone came to their rescue.
The phone rang and Minho finally took his half-lided eyes off Yoon, taking out his phone.
Everything stopped and Yoon let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, chest heaving. 'What was that just now? I haven't felt this much helpless my whole life. I wonder what it feels as a monster, realizing this is who you're up against,' he thought, watching Minho as he stepped aside to pick the call.
"Hello?" Minho put the phone to his ear. "Ah, good day Chairman Go,"
Go Gun-Hee's firm voice came through the speaker. "Good day. Uh, Hunter Minho, Where are you at the moment?"
"Hm? I'm checking out the new dungeon that appeared." Minho's reply felt like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Chairman Go's eyes widened a fraction before going back to normal. It was just as he expected. This man couldn't see a dungeon with both eyes and let it be. "Hunter Minho, I understand you want to do this but it's an S-rank dungeon."
"So...?" Minho blinked.
Chairman Go paused, taking the phone away from his ear and giving it a quick glance before returning it. "Sorry?"
"So what? A dungeon's a dungeon. And all dungeons must be cleared for the safety of the people. Did I get any part wrong?" Minho replied.
"This is an S-rank dungeon, Hunter Minho," Chairman Go sighed. "We don't know what threats loom there. We need to make proper preparations. Even with your strength and… summons. You'll still need two or three units incase of any injuries at least."
"Nope," Minho replied flatly.
"Huh?" Chairman Go's eyes widened once more in disbelief. "What if victory isn't guaranteed? We can't afford to lose an asset like you in the country, Hunter Minho."
Minho smirked. "Nah, I'd win."
There was a stretched silence from the other end, before Minho spoke again.
"I remember our deal stating that this was an alliance," he said. "Basically saying I can operate on my own terms with the Association just being like a coworker. If one doesn't do it, the other will."
"But it also stated that both parties have to come to an agreement," Chairman Go replied.
"So, are you telling me 'No,' Chairman?" Minho said calmly.
Go Gun-Hee remained quiet for a while before exhaling. "Come out alive, Hunter Minho." Then he cut the call, leaning back on his seat. But strangely, a smile perked up his lips. "Ah, stubborn. Reminds me of my youth."
He sat up and steepled his fingers. "I guess I should just prepare the other S-ranks, the support and defense parties to prepare for the raid on the second dungeon."
… …
Minho put his phone back in his pocket and walked back to Yoon. "Kindly step out of the way."
Yoon couldn't help but reluctantly move aside.
"Call the Chairman. He's aware," Minho stated as he walked past Yoon, eventually stepping through the gate.
Yoon gritted his teeth and turned, but then panic plastered over his face, mirrored by everyone else. He fumbled with his phone in his pocket, dialing the Chairman's line.
Go Gun-Hee picked up. "I'm aware of Hunter Minho's entry. I approved of—"
"No, not that." Yoon said, the panic laced in his voice.
"Huh?"
"The S-rank dungeon… it's a red gate!"
… …
Minho sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Have I been cursed with entering red gate dungeons or what?" he muttered, as he stood in a vast snow coated forest.
From the trees, monstrous snow golems started to emerge.
Minho remained still, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lided and a small razor thin smile playing on his lips. "Ah, I think I've kept you down for quite some time now," he muttered. "Come out,"
A huge flame erupted from behind Minho but he didn't budge.
The golems watched as the shadow of something bigger came across them.
A deep growl came in.
Minho lifted his head, staring at the snow golems. "Have some fun… Kamish."