Chapter 224
Suho only sought permission to enter North Korea for one reason—to level up.
Currently, North Korea was the most lucrative place in the world for gaining experience points. Because it was a field-type dungeon, no guild could claim a monopoly over it. If Suho could gain access, he’d be free from the usual complications and could focus solely on leveling, his shadow army faithfully trailing behind him.
But North Korea was still North Korea. It wasn’t a place one could simply decide to visit on a whim.
Despite the current state of the world, the two Koreas remained in a state of cease-fire, the prior war technically unresolved. On top of that, North Korea presented an even bigger challenge due to its peculiar situation, which was nearly identical to that of the Loktak Field that Suho had recently visited.
The Loktak Field was formed when multiple simultaneous dungeon breaks could not be stopped, allowing the field to expand across national borders. Hunters entering the field would sometimes encounter others from neighboring countries as they hunted magic beasts. It was almost guaranteed that such encounters would result in quarrels over hunting rights, often leading to outright battles. While guild rivalries were intense even within the same country, conflicts at the international level could escalate into full-blown wars.
“The situation in North Korea is far more complicated than in Loktak,” Sehwan said gravely. “You know that, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
Suho nodded, letting Sehwan continue.
The director proceeded to summarize the circumstances to the best of his ability.
First, the entirety of North Korea had turned into a monster field immediately following the Great Cataclysm. Second, the field had expanded steadily over time, stretching both northward and southward. Third, South Korean hunters had managed to stop its advance in the south, but the field had already spread into China to the north.
Up to this point, the situation mirrored Loktak’s. However, North Korea had an additional problem: Another monster field originating in China had crossed into North Korean territory.
“China has many more monster fields than North Korea, simply because of its size. Larger nations like China, India, and Russia face far more frequent dungeon breaks,” Sehwan explained.
In truth, there were currently few countries that were safer than South Korea. Its smaller size made it easier for hunters to respond swiftly to dungeon threats.
In bigger countries, however, this was not so simple. With the sheer distance between gates, hunters in such countries might fail to arrive in time to stop a dungeon break, even if they moved as fast as they could.
This led to the final and most pressing issue: The monster fields that originated in North Korea and China had fused after meeting.
“Given the situation, China now has grounds to argue that North Korean territory belongs to them, since their monster field crosses over into it.”
With no functioning government, North Korea had effectively become unclaimed land, free for the taking by anyone who was able to clear the field. Both China and South Korea were gunning for it.
“If you go, you’ll inevitably face Chinese hunters,” Sehwan warned. “And fighting them isn’t just a possibility, it’s a certainty. China is determined to claim North Korea. Not that we’re any different, of course.”
He sipped his instant coffee, his expression darkening. “And recently, the problem has grown even more severe.”
“You’re talking about Russia,” Suho said.
Sehwan crumpled his paper cup. “Yes. So you’ve been keeping up with the news.”
North Korea bordered both China and Russia to the north. While the combined monster field hadn’t spread into Russia initially, recent reports indicated it had now reached Russian territory, creating a three-way power struggle.
“Hunters from China, Russia, and South Korea are fighting bitterly over control of this massive field. Jinchul’s been trying to hold the line for South Korea there, but it hasn’t been easy,” Sehwan said.
Compared to China and Russia, North Korea was a tiny piece of land. The real conflict was happening between the two massive countries. If South Korea relaxed even a little, either China or Russia would plant their flag on North Korean soil before anyone knew what was going on.
“The initial goal of Chairman Woo was to stay out of the conflict between the two larger countries and protect North Korea. That seems to be proving difficult, since he hasn’t returned for months.”
Suho began to understand why Jinchul was having such a hard time.
A void gate.
In such a large field formed by multiple overlapping dungeons, a dimensional rift was sure to appear. There was a very high probability that the followers of the Itarim had emerged from that rift and were attempting an invasion of Earth.
“Young Monarch, I believe you must go to North Korea, and not just to level up,” Beru whispered, realizing the gravity of the situation.
A field of this magnitude, capable of connecting North Korea, China, and Russia, was rare even on a global scale. With that much overlap, it wouldn’t be strange if followers of the Itarim were already roaming there.
Sehwan, having completed his explanation, looked sincerely worried for Suho as he asked, “Knowing all of these things, do you still want to go? The magic beasts are only part of the problem. You will be forced to fight hunters from China and Russia as well.”
Suho didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” he declared.
Sehwan blinked in surprise. “Why in the world do you want to go, anyway? If you’ve been lucky enough to reawaken as an S-class hunter, you could just stay in the country and rake in the money and fame. There are plenty of dungeons to clear here.”
He truly wanted Suho to reconsider. He was the son of a man Sehwan respected, of course. But the director also wanted to protect such a talented young man from being sent to North Korea, where he could be thrust into a dangerous and complicated situation.
Suho had no intention of taking back his decision, however. Instead of answering, he stared at Sehwan and asked, “You said you worked with my father, right?”
“Yes.”
“That reminded me of something. When I was little, I asked my father why he became a police officer.”
Sehwan froze. Suho’s words stirred a memory—the memory of the first conversation he’d shared with Sung Jinwoo years ago.
“Why did you choose to join the police?”
“Oh, well... I...”
“Do you know what he said to me then?” Suho asked.
“That he wanted to catch bad guys, right?”
“No.”
“W-wait, he didn’t? What did he tell you, then?”
“He said it was a hobby.”
Sehwan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What...?”
The director was taken aback, but Suho just grinned at him. He had completely forgotten about that conversation with his father, and it struck him as odd that he hadn’t remembered it sooner.
“Being in the police was a hobby,” Suho repeated, shaking his head.
At the time, he had thought his father was joking, unable to understand the real meaning behind his words.
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“And his talent... was hunting.”
Suho had only come to understand what his father meant after learning the truth about his real job. He grinned again.
“So that’s what I’m going there to do.”
“That’s what I’m leaving to do.”
For some reason, Jinwoo’s words—and the unusual smile he had given along with them—floated back into Sehwan’s mind, overlapping with the smile Suho was giving him now.
***
If one wished to hunt in North Korea, there were two steps required to receive government approval.
The first step was to get approval from five or more S-rank hunters from within the country. This was largely due to the constant privilege struggles between the guilds. It was also to ensure that anyone applying was capable of handling the dangerous conditions, having proved their worth to the S-rank hunters.
Once that hurdle was cleared, the second step was to win public approval.
In truth, the first stage was the difficult one. Once it was passed, the second stage was almost always a given.
Today, the S-rank hunters who had been called in to assess Suho began showing up at the Hunters Association. They were curious about the new S-rank hunter and wanted to see if he was truly fit to head into North Korea.
Among them was the head of the Black Tortoise Guild, Hyun Mukang, a man whose path Suho’s more than once.
“So you’re Sung Suho?” he said, his voice sharp.
Suho blinked.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Hyun Mukang, an S-rank hunter,” the guild master said with a sly grin. He was the first to arrive, and he extended his hand to Suho for a handshake.
His eyes scanned the young man who had done considerable damage to his guild in various ways. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to get back at him. Too bad. If he’s an S-rank, it’s far more advantageous to have him on our side.
Mukang’s smile widened as he gripped Suho’s hand forcefully and shook it. “Haha! So you’re an S-rank hunter now, just like me. I think we can let the past go, don’t you? How much do you want?”
“What do you mean?” Suho asked, confused.
Mukang’s eyes gleamed even brighter with intent. “We’ve been scouting talent left and right, you know. Forget about North Korea. Why don’t you join our guild? You can ask for anything you want as a signing bonus. How about a skill rune that will grant you two additional summons?”
Suho was silent.
“I can tell you’re surprised,” Mukang continued, a smug look on his face. “Of course. Any summoner would want a rune like that. But maybe you didn’t know those kinds of things existed, since you’ve only recently become an S-rank hunter.”
The guild master had just returned from clearing an S-rank dungeon. He didn’t have much information about Suho to go on, which made him even more confident.
No S-rank summoner would turn down my offer, he thought. Such runes are nearly impossible to find, even for those who have the money to buy them.
He had no doubt that another S-rank hunter would be joining his guild soon.