Accelerated Growth
Kang Hyunsoo was certain that his growth had significantly accelerated.
Compared to the same point in his previous life, his level was already over 100 levels ahead.
That wasn’t all.
He had acquired the Charm Talent, learned various skills, monopolized hidden pieces, and gained massive bonus experience through title effects.
As a result:
In less than a week, he had gained over 50 levels.
And even that wasn’t the end of it.
[Absolute Charm Quest 8]
Hyunsoo had some idea of what the swordsmanship quest rewards would be, thanks to his memories of his past life. However, neither he nor Swallow had any clue about the rewards for the charm quests.
With both tangible and mysterious rewards, every completed quest propelled him in two directions at once.
Of course, as his level rose, gaining experience points would become harder. Once he passed level 500, the required experience would skyrocket, making his current pace unsustainable.
But for now, his growth was unprecedented.
What more could he achieve? What rewards awaited him next?
Anticipation filled Hyunsoo as he approached the upcoming B-rank Open Dungeon raid.
However, when he arrived at the portal, the scene exceeded all expectations—and not in a good way.
“...Who are all these people, Sungbin?”
At the B-rank Open Dungeon portal near Paju Stadium Plaza, Hyunsoo found himself facing a rather unexpected gathering.
He had come to the agreed-upon meeting spot expecting Han Sungbin, but—
“Welcome, Hyung!”
“Oh! It’s been a while, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo!”
“So, you’re the famous Kang Hyunsoo.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Hunter Na Youngjin.”
Not only was Han Sungbin there, but so were Samcheon Guild’s deputy guild leader Jin Gijun and two of his trusted aides, Bang Ilhyung and Na Youngjin.
These two were so prominent that even Hyunsoo, with his memories from a past life, recognized them.
‘What are they doing here?’
Hyunsoo tilted his head in confusion.
“Ah, hello, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo! You’ve gotten even more dashing since we last met!”
“Oppa!”
The presence of Jin Seoyun and Yoo Hana was easier to understand.
The night before, Han Sungbin had mentioned recruiting teammates for the dungeon raid.
[Samcheon Guild Jin Seoyun: Hello, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo! How have you been? I’ll be joining the B-rank Open Dungeon raid with you this time!]
It seemed Jin Seoyun had been included in the team Sungbin had assembled.
Min Dongchan and Ha Jaeseong couldn’t participate due to their lower levels, but both Jin Seoyun and Han Sungbin had already surpassed level 200 and steadily leveled up, making them eligible.
Yoo Hana, on the other hand, was personally invited by Hyunsoo.
She had recently quit her part-time job to focus on dungeon runs, raising her level considerably. Hyunsoo believed it would be good experience for her, given her potential to become °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° a world-class hunter.
So, seeing Jin Seoyun and Yoo Hana wasn’t surprising.
But the dozens of other people gathered around the plaza?
That was a bit overwhelming.
“Is that Hunter Kang Hyunsoo? Truly, a savior of the Samcheon Guild.”
“He even won the Rookie Hunter Selection Tournament... Looks even more impressive in person.”
“And already taking on a B-rank Open Dungeon? He must’ve leveled up quickly.”
Dozens of hunters were standing around the dungeon portal, all staring at Hyunsoo.
Sensing his unease, Han Sungbin approached with a wide grin and explained.
“Ah, don’t worry too much, Hyung! Not everyone here is going into the dungeon. Most of them are here for security.”
“Security?”
“Exactly!”
Before Sungbin could elaborate, Jin Gijun stepped forward, his massive battle axe slung over his shoulder.
“It’s been a while, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo.”
Hyunsoo bowed slightly to greet the deputy guild leader.
“It’s good to see you again, Deputy Guild Leader Jin.”
“I heard from Seoyun that you’ve slimmed down, but I didn’t expect you to be this unrecognizable. Ha! Don’t worry about these folks. They’re here to prevent any intruders from causing trouble.”
Perhaps because Hyunsoo had saved Jin Seoyun from masked hunters before, Jin Gijun greeted him warmly and laughed heartily.
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And it wasn’t just an act of friendliness.
Given the presence of his aides and so many guild members, it was clear the Samcheon Guild had invested significant resources into this raid.
Even Swallow, watching from above, couldn’t help but comment.
–Looks like the Samcheon Guild is going all out for this, Master.
‘Yeah, it’s starting to feel a bit overblown.’
Hyunsoo wasn’t sure about the exact skill level of the gathered hunters, but the fact that so many members of the Samcheon Guild were involved said enough.
This many people could easily earn billions in a regular raid.
And yet, they were all here.
“So... who’s actually entering the B-rank Open Dungeon raid?”
“I’ll take the lead with my team! You just need to follow along. Today, I’ll make sure to carry you properly!”
“Really?”
“Of course! It’s the least I can do to repay you for saving Seoyun last time!”
Jin Gijun personally declared that he would be leading the raid.
An S-rank hunter capable of soloing even the toughest dungeons was about to spearhead a B-rank Open Dungeon raid.
When Han Sungbin had casually asked Hyunsoo about how the experience points would be divided, Hyunsoo had said it didn’t matter much. But for the deputy guild leader himself to step up as the party leader was beyond anything Hyunsoo had anticipated.
It almost felt like a joke, but Jin Gijun was entirely serious.
“Well then, now that everyone’s gathered, let’s get started with the raid! All selected team members, follow me!”
“Yes, Deputy Guild Leader!”
“Let’s go, Hyung!”
“Stay close to me, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo!”
Once Hyunsoo arrived, the group began making their way to the dungeon portal.
Thus, the B-rank Open Dungeon raid commenced with seven participants:
Jin Gijun, Bang Ilhyung, and Na Youngjin took the lead, while Han Sungbin, Jin Seoyun, Yoo Hana, and Kang Hyunsoo followed behind.
“Wow... Oppa, what’s going on here? Are we really raiding with the deputy guild leader of the Samcheon Guild?”
“It seems so. Think of it as a pleasant surprise and let’s focus on the raid.”
Yoo Hana appeared just as stunned as Hyunsoo, but he decided to follow Jin Gijun’s lead for now.
Given that Open Dungeons were unpredictable and often disappeared after completion, it made sense to bring the strongest people available.
Moreover, the Absolute Charm Quest required him to clear the dungeon without taking a single hit. Having others fight in his stead couldn’t be more ideal.
As they entered the dungeon portal, a surge of light enveloped them.
[You have entered a B-rank Open Dungeon.]
[Defeat the boss monster to clear the dungeon (0/1).]
Hyunsoo’s body shifted to another dimension.
This particular B-rank Open Dungeon was—
“A plain? Fortunately, there’s no attack right from the start!”
“There’s a fortress in the distance, Deputy Guild Leader!”
“And soldiers gathered near the castle gate as well.”
A siege scenario.
Ahead of them stretched an expansive plain, ending in a towering fortress.
Black smoke billowed from within the fortress walls, as though it were under attack. At the gates:
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier]
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier]
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier]
Dozens of soldiers clad in pitch-black armor and armed with spears stood in formation.
From a glance, there were over 300 of them.
Their level was 330—slightly lower than the guardians of the Golden Lake. However, it was hard to tell if they were any easier to deal with.
In Open Dungeons, monsters were often stronger than those of similar levels in standard dungeons. Thus, careful deliberation was necessary before engaging.
But Jin Gijun seemed utterly unconcerned.
“Hmph. Judging by the situation, it looks like we need to defeat these demon troops attacking the castle. A baron-level battalion? They’re nothing but cannon fodder! Everyone, just watch me!”
Jin Gijun wasted no time.
After surveying the battlefield and getting a rough grasp of the scenario, he charged straight at the demon soldiers without a second thought.
There was no need for discussion—no one dared question him.
The moment Jin Gijun leaped forward and swung his massive axe:
Boom! Boom! Boom! BOOM!
“Gah...!”
“Arghhh!!”
A hurricane erupted, cutting down dozens of soldiers in an instant.
Whether cleaved apart by the axe, hurled into the air by the shockwave, or crushed as their limbs twisted unnaturally, the battlefield was left in chaos.
Before the demon soldiers could even react, they had already been decimated.
Despite his burly frame, Jin Gijun’s attacks were both swift and devastating.
As his nickname, The Giant of Tempests, suggested, he tore through enemies with the force of a storm.
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier has been defeated.]
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier has been defeated.]
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier has been defeated.]
“Hmm? Is that all? Is there no one left?”
The 300-soldier battalion was wiped out in a matter of moments.
“Wow... He’s incredible. Is this what the power of a top-tier hunter looks like?”
“This is my first time seeing the deputy guild leader fight in person... I’m speechless!”
“Well done, Gijun Oppa. You’re really on fire today.”
Even Yoo Hana, Han Sungbin, and Jin Seoyun clapped in amazement.
Swallow, adjusting his sunglasses mid-air, added his own quip.
–Impressive. Though his looks scream mountain bandit, his skills are undeniable.
For Hyunsoo, it couldn’t have gone any better.
[Lv 330. Demon Baron’s Battalion Soldier has been defeated.]
[You have gained experience points.]
[Your level has increased!]
[Reward: +3 Health, +2 Mana.]
Even though he hadn’t lifted a finger, the party system ensured he received his share of experience points.
And since the Absolute Charm Quest prioritized avoiding damage over contributing to combat, this setup was perfect.
When preparing for the Open Dungeon raid, Hyunsoo had been worried about how to dodge attacks from unknown enemies.
But now, it felt like a lifeline had been thrown his way.
“For us, level 300 monsters are no problem.”
“You don’t even need to fight. Just enjoy the show.”
As Bang Ilhyung and Na Youngjin reassured him, Hyunsoo couldn’t help but smile.
Clearing a dungeon without lifting a finger?
“...This is too good to be true.”
It was paradise for Kang Hyunsoo.