Chapter 220 - The king trapped in the tower (1)

It felt like after a strong storm.

There wasn't a single person unscathed. Even those with flying abilities were in the same situation. Luckily, the broadcasting teams were properly protected against the water; otherwise, the transmission would have almost been interrupted.

"Did you see how I won convincingly, Ahjussi?"

Yerim flew towards us as she spoke.

"Yes, it was really impressive! Did you intentionally hold back some skills?"

I said the last words quietly. Yerim immediately understood and nodded.

"If I used that, it would be too easy. Besides, it would be a shame to use it against an S-rank hunter on the beach."

Yerim also spoke quietly. After all, there aren't many opportunities to practice skills against an S-rank hunter. And much less in a scenario like this. Although there are aquatic environments in dungeons, lately the dungeons are a bit... unstable. After all the mana and stamina expenditure, there could be errors and high-level monsters coming out.

"Congratulations on your victory, Water Master!"

Moon Hyuna teased slightly, and Yerim smiled broadly. She, of course, and Sung Hyunjae and the others were completely soaked. At least it was a hot day, thank God. If it were later in the fall, I would have caught a cold...

Only I would have caught a cold. Everyone else is so healthy.

"Shishio-nim!"

At that moment, Kakuto's cry was heard from the other side. I looked over there wondering what was happening, and Kakuto was kneeling in front of the Lion Lord.

The Lion Lord was also soaked. It seems they were swept away by the water.

"Iwahata Kakuto, the sin of betraying the Shishio-nim's trust! I will pay with my life!"

What is he saying? Is he saying he will kill a valuable S-rank hunter for this nonsense? Even if he's a foreigner, an S-rank hunter is valuable.

"Iwahata Kakuto."

The Lion Lord spoke solemnly. It seemed like a performance.

"Winning and losing are part of the game. Wasn't it said that even losing a companion and using a return gate, one can conquer the dungeon if they survive? There are always opportunities for redemption if you stay alive. So instead of lamenting the defeat, sharpen your skills."

"Thank you! Shishio-nim!"

Kakuto shouted as he bowed his head to the ground. What he says isn't wrong. The important thing is to recover. Frankly, it's much better than the Japanese government.

Seeing the members of the Amaterasu guild with moved expressions, I felt the need to quietly withdraw. Or should I applaud?

"...Let's go back and shower."

Sea water is uncomfortable. Since I arrived in Japan, I've been feeling like I'm submerged in water half the day.

I returned to the hotel, showered, and went out to see the atmosphere of the broadcast in both countries. Korea was still in celebration mode. They showed scenes of the battle and people's reactions.

[Yes, that's the scene! The way the stadium is swept with a gesture from Park Yerim Hunter! It really fits the title of Water Master!]

[Oh yes, no matter how many times you see it, you can only admire it! It's so refreshing!]

"Yerim is going to be busy for a while."

She should be receiving all kinds of requests. Haeyeon's promotion team is probably going crazy right now.

It's annoying, but making a little effort at times like this will pay off in the long run.

On the other hand, the Japanese broadcast was analyzing the defeat. The seaside location was unfavorable, and the Black Bull Forest dungeon didn't hold much value without the ability to breed monsters, so it wasn't a big loss, they emphasized several times.

[The first international confrontation between S-class hunters, led by Japan and held on Japanese soil, is a significant outcome.]

[Yes, yes. I think it firmly demonstrated the influence and ability of the Amaterasu guild.]

Ah, yes. I'd like to stay for a while and watch. Once the stamina recovery potion is released, it will be a hit. I'm curious to know what I'll say to keep steady.

"Han Yoohyun Hunter-nim, and Director Han Yoojin-nim."

I was sitting in the living room with Peace eating cake when members of the Amaterasu guild came to fetch me.

"The Shishio-nim wants to talk about the Black Bull Forest dungeon."

Probably they won't come to offer us the dungeon now that it's not a big deal. Is it because of the items? The dungeon isn't as important as the Thunderbird attire.

I was about to enter my room to change clothes, but the guild leader said it would be fine if I came whenever I wanted.

Yoohyun and I followed the members of the Amaterasu guild. The indicated place was a separate building, like a pavilion set apart on one side.

In a spacious reception hall, Shishio and a man I had never seen before were sitting on the sofa.

"I introduce myself, I am Sato Kiyoshi," he said, introducing himself as the advisor to the leader of the Amaterasu guild. He seemed quite young to be an advisor.

Around forty years old? Although most of the guild's hunters preferred to be young, as it was important to be well-informed about dungeons and it was better to have experience in strategies.

"First, I congratulate Hunter Park Yerim's victory. We lost cleanly. Park Yerim's ability is truly outstanding," said Shishio, raising his hands.

"We also handed over the dungeon without problems. The problem is the Thunderbird Master."

"Originally, we planned to announce that, after Hwahata Kakuto Hunter's victory, we would receive the Slime dungeon and express our condolences to the Haeyeon guild, but now it seems like we are giving away too much," said Kiyoshi.

"We would have made a big fuss with the Slime dungeon and would have used it to press for the Flame Horn dungeon, and even though they have already won the Slime dungeon cleanly and we had given them SS-grade equipment, they should return the favor with a Flame Horn cub."

"But they won. Anyway, they have already received the ornament and the underlying agreement has ended, so we could just withdraw. But it would be a bit embarrassing if they used the ornament so openly. It's annoying if people start asking about the connection with Japan, as many people know that the Amaterasu guild has the Thunder ornament."

"It's better to just clarify that the Amaterasu guild gave it away," I thought.

We gave away the dungeon and also the SS-rank equipment. We are really becoming too generous.

"Anyway, why don't we consider it as a celebration gift? After all, we are the best guild in Japan. We should show this to the world. It will be the first official broadcast of an S-rank hunter fight, so all countries will be paying attention. When they return to Korea, the Haeyeon guild leader will appear with the Thunder ornament, and we will also announce that the Amaterasu guild leader gave away SS-rank equipment. It will be a great feat! Instead of just S-rank, we are giving away SS-rank with such generosity."

That's a lot.

"Wow!" Shishio looked amazed. Yes, he loves to boast.

"It's so generous! You really are the king of lions! Your courage in giving gifts even after losing the fight and handing over the dungeon feels like the figure of an ancient hero, doesn't it? Instead of feeling sad about losing and having to hand over a dungeon, we actually get more gifts. It's really something everyone should admire."

Although I said anything, the Lion King was smiling pleased. It's simple, and I like it.

"Of course, I have great generosity and insight. I didn't arrange this just because the SS-grade equipment was too good!"

"Of course. That's what we thought you would say."

"But we can't just give away SS-grade equipment for free..."

Kiyoshi intervened bluntly. He did his job, but both Shishio and I were quite disheartened. Still, Kiyoshi continued bravely.

"At the very least, even if it's in private, we should receive something in return, don't you think?"

The poor man also had his troubles. It would be annoying if we took everything from him at once, even if he likes to boast so much.

You've also worked hard. If we push too hard here, even the Lion King, who likes to boast, might feel uncomfortable.

"Well, we would also feel uncomfortable if we received everything for free, right, Haeyeon guild leader?"

I said, looking at Yoohyun, who was next to me.

"How about offering preferential rights to get a new Fire Lion cub in response to the kindness of the Amaterasu guild in the future?"

"Preferential rights, huh?"

Yoohyun replied, looking at my reaction using formal language awkwardly. I might have spoken with more confidence.

"Yes. More precisely, it's the right to negotiate preferentially. There will be many guilds worldwide wishing for S-rank monster offspring, and the competition will be fierce. Moreover, the Amaterasu Guild Leader doesn't even possess fire skills, so he lacks legitimacy and is likely to be overshadowed by direct competition. Therefore, a preferential right would be an appropriate reward."

Yoohyun nodded, still feeling uncomfortable with my words.

"Mr. Lion is right."

I could have spoken more casually like Mr. Lion, but anyway, it seems that the Haeyeon Guild Leader also agrees, so I turned my head forward again.

"Also, we will take priority care in the zoo. Did you see how foreign guilds are lining up? Since the Amaterasu Guild is leading the way, I want to do some things too. The human mind is interesting."

We are being very generous. Of course, we will accept all rewards, but in reality, we are only showing a bit of courtesy. We don't know when a Fire Lion cub will appear, or if it will appear at all.

Still, Shishio had a very satisfied expression. Meanwhile, Kiyoshi's face next to him looked gloomy and thoughtful.

"Alright! Let's do it! I'll announce it right away!"

It would be even better.

"I want to go to the Black Bull Forest dungeon to check it out tomorrow, would that be possible?"

Shishio said he would be happy to arrange it but pointed out that it might not have been enough time since the reset for the strategy to work correctly.

Sometimes, after the dungeon reset, monster bosses wouldn't appear, making it impossible to complete the strategy. Although an escape door appeared after eliminating all the normal monsters, strategy was still not possible. That's why, to avoid futile effort, we started planning the strategy a week after the reset of the A-rank dungeon.

We finished discussing the details and went outside. As we walked back to our rooms, I told Yoohyun quietly:

"Go to the dungeon and do what you want. There's nothing stopping you, as we'll announce the ornament gift right away."

"But isn't it like we're fighting after receiving a gift? Is it okay?"

"If Mr. Lion accepts it easily, then it's fine. We can keep it private too. Aren't there many uninhabited islands around here? We could use one. Instead of giving preference to the Fire Lion cub, we could make it definitive. We regret only receiving the ornament, so let's make a light deal as compensation."

"Yes."

Yoohyun replied with a smile. He seemed eager to know what he might get this time. Are there no S-rank weapons? Or perhaps an S-rank coat suitable for Yerim?

"Take care and come back safely."

Myungwoo said as he carried Chirpie and Velare. Except for Myungwoo, all the others in the group were going to enter the Black Bull Forest dungeon, which was A-class. Originally, Myungwoo was also going to stay at the hotel with one or two more at first, but he declined because it might be troublesome in case of an emergency.

He has nothing against it and can escape to the workshop anytime, so he feels more at ease alone. Plus, splitting into two teams would mean there would be fewer people in our group than the Japanese S-rank hunters, so it was better to travel all together.

"Take care of Velare. I leave it to you."

"Don't worry. I have poison resistance equipment and antidotes, so there's no problem."

He said he could ask Ismuar for help if needed because poison was weak against fire. While showing Velare, who was coiled on his wrist, Chirpie chirped and flapped its wings too.

The Black Bull Forest dungeon was about three hours away by helicopter from Tokyo. Following the guidance of the Amaterasu guild members, we entered the dungeon building.

"Please be careful in the separate forest. Neither you, Yuhyeon, nor Mr. Sung Hyunjae should use abilities. You could burn everything in an instant."

"Understood."

"Remember that."

The dungeon strategy itself would end quickly. How many S-rank hunters are there? It seems that not even a single mosquito would come near me, but still, after using the grace at an A-rank level, I entered through the door.

The thick fragrance of the forest dissipated, and the landscape changed as if everything around me melted in an instant.

The space distorted. Before I had time to react, the world around me melted and turned dark.

"What the hell!"

I groped around, panicked, and then my vision cleared. Instead of a dense forest, I saw a spacious, empty space, like a room.

There, everyone except me, even Pace, lay unconscious. My heart sank instantly. The Fear Resistance message passed before my eyes.

My heart suddenly sank at the sudden change of scenery.

A Fear Resistance message appeared clearly before my eyes.

"Yoohyun!"

I ran to him, who was lying as if he were unconscious. Fortunately, he was breathing. My heart was beating fast.

"Yoohyun, are you okay? Wake up!"

There didn't seem to be anything wrong with his body. It seemed like he was just asleep, but there were no signs of him waking up. After checking his condition again for sure, I looked at the other people. Yerim, Noah, Moon Hyuna, and even Peace, all seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep. Their complexion remained the same, and they were breathing normally.

And Sung Hyunjae too...

"...It's strange to see him like this."

It was strange to see him lying as if he were asleep.

"Hey, Guild Leader Seseong."

I gently slapped his cheek, but he didn't wake up. I grabbed his cheeks and pulled, but he didn't even budge.

"Hey, Hyunjae, Hyunjae, Hyunjae, Hyunjae."

Is he really unconscious? What should I do now? Should I try using a potion or just wait for him to wake up? As I pondered over it...

"Darling!"

A strange, youthful voice echoed.