# Maxed-Out Talent Player Episode 50

It was the notification I had anticipated.

[Hidden Piece. A title that can be linked with ‘Seoul Station Dungeon 30 Clears’ exists.]

[The linkable title is ‘The First Pioneer’.]

That’s why I deliberately told Ma Sang-hyeon and Shin Yeon-seo to only clear it up to 25 times in advance.

Sharing the Hidden Piece is fine, but I must claim the ‘first’ for myself.

[Do you wish to proceed with the scenario by linking the Hidden Piece ‘Seoul Station Dungeon 30 Clears’ and ‘The First Pioneer’?]

I was curious about what this would entail, so I decided to take a look.

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[The First Pioneer] If a player with the title discovers [The First Hidden Piece], a linked scenario related to it can be initiated. The number of times this linked scenario can be executed is 3.

* Linked Scenario Progress: [1/3]

* Linked Hidden Piece: [Seoul Station Dungeon 30 Clears]

* Scenario in Progress: Significant increase in difficulty and rewards for the hidden field inside Seoul Station Dungeon.

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I was faced with a difficult decision.

‘If the rewards are significantly increased…’

I would have used this title effect if there were only two uses left. The rewards from the hidden field known as ‘Seoul Station’s Hidden Field’ were absolutely necessary for me. If those rewards were to increase significantly, they would undoubtedly be of great help to me.

‘But the difficulty increases too.’

What should I do? It was time to make a choice.

‘Party members: me and Seon-hwa, Ma Sang-hyeon, and Shin Yeon-seo.’

With these four, I judged that we could manage a clear. Meaning, all of us could survive and clear it. In other words, it won’t be an easy clear.

‘Any more would be greed.’

I boldly gave up on ‘continuing the link.’

‘It’s a hidden field that would normally appear much later.’

It’s a hidden field that would appear only when the average player level reaches 30, not for rankers. Considering that the current average player levels were in the high teens, the timing was incredibly early. Our rank as rankers was in the mid to late twenties.

‘Based on standards from 10 years ago. Rankers were around mid-level 30 when they first conquered the hidden field.’

Initially, it was incredibly difficult. The clear rate shot up only after the strategy was unveiled.

‘For our current level… this is just right.’

Overambition can lead to disaster. Seon-hwa asked me.

“Oppa, so we’re going in again?”

“No, we need to rest a bit.”

Seon-hwa’s face brightened up at the mention of a rest. She must have been feeling physically drained. While potions allow for physical recovery, mental fatigue still weighs heavy.

‘Just looking at a cellphone or computer screen for too long can lead to sore and strained eyes.’

The level of tension one must maintain in a dungeon puts an entirely different strain on a person. Over time, that’s the right way to describe it: draining.

“You know Shin Yeon-seo and Ma Sang-hyeon will soon clear it for the 30th time, right? Seon-hwa, you heard the Hidden Piece notification too?”

“Yeah, so that’s why you told Uncle Sang-hyeon and Sister Yeon-seo to clear up to 25 times.”

“Right.”

Considering Shin Yeon-seo’s personality, if I told her to do it 25 times, she would likely push to around 28. And my prediction was correct. Shin Yeon-seo currently cleared it 29 times, while Ma Sang-hyeon was in the middle of the 28th clear.

Another day passed. Shin Yeon-seo and Ma Sang-hyeon had both satisfied the Hidden Piece requirement. We gathered again in front of Seoul Station Dungeon.

A four-member combination. I believe it’s entirely possible.

[Would you like to enter Seoul Station Dungeon?]

[Special condition ‘Seoul Station Dungeon 30 Clears’ has been fulfilled.]

[A hidden scenario unfolds. ‘Seoul Station Dungeon Basement Floor 2’ is now accessible.]

[Do you wish to enter ‘Seoul Station Dungeon Basement Floor 2’?]

I spoke.

“Everyone, head to basement floor 2. There might not be any safe zones, so stay alert.”

There might not be any safe zones was actually an understatement; they were non-existent. And there was a very high likelihood that the attacks would commence as soon as we entered.

“Don’t forget what I told you, Seon-hwa.”

“Yes, I got it.”

I made one final check. If we stay vigilant, we probably won’t suffer any major injuries.

[Entering ‘Seoul Station Dungeon Basement Floor 2’.]

Just as I expected, the attack began immediately.

* * *

Song Ki-young, the first chairman of the Korean Players Association and the chairman of the leading conglomerate Sungshin, received a report.

“So you’re telling me someone cleared Seoul Station Dungeon nearly 30 times.”

“Yes, that is correct. Since it’s after the police records began… It might even be more than 30 times.”

“Over 30 clears.”

Chairman Song Ki-young’s eyes dimmed.

“How does it compare to the clear speed of other players?”

“It’s incomparably fast. They must have some special strategy.”

“Indeed.”

The name Kim Hyuk-jin. Age 20. A young man who left a special impression on Song Ki-young for his poise and dominance that did not shrink in the face of his own ‘charisma’ and ‘overpowering’ presence.

“The party includes Ma Sang-hyeon, the ‘Tutorial Terminator’, and a girl named Shin Yeon-seo. There is also a young child, Kim Seon-hwa.”

“I remember her.”

He had personally helped with her adoption.

“The world has changed rapidly. We must adapt to the changes.”

If you don’t keep up with changes, you get left behind. Several leading countries, including the USA and Japan, have already authorized players to carry personal firearms. There, player combat involving guns is possible. Naturally, their leveling speed surpasses ours.

‘The average level in America has already reached the twenties.’

Despite Korea being first to start, there’s a considerable gap in average level. This gap is only going to widen in the future.

‘Japan is at a similar level.’

Even China is catching up. Feeling a slight sense of crisis, Song Ki-young thought. Players. A new culture. No one knows how these will change the world in the future. But one thing was sure: you can’t be left behind.

“Reach out to Kim Hyuk-jin.”

Sungshin could offer extensive support at a group level.

“Are you suggesting we scout him?”

He was referring to the guild that Sungshin Group was planning and preparing. It was an offer to join ‘Taeguk Shield,’ their guild.

“What rank are you suggesting we offer him?”

He pondered the chairman’s intention for a moment. Player Kim Hyuk-jin. Certainly not ordinary. There was something about him. The fact that he was associated with Ma Sang-hyeon was enough indication. Plus, he had already made a hefty profit by selling the ‘novelty product’ the hair growth restorative to the chairman.

‘At the very least, he would have to be offered a mid-management position.’

It was likely Ma Sang-hyeon would take on the role of subordinate guild leader. They would scout some prominent players.

The guild leader would probably be his first grandson, ‘Song Jin-seok.’

“Propose the position of guild leader.”

“Excuse me? But…”

It was a strong, group-supported guild. Naturally, Song Jin-seok seemed the right choice to be its guild leader. The salary alone would surely be in the hundreds of millions. He didn’t believe the value of the novelty product or Kim Hyuk-jin justified it.

“Do you think that offering the position of guild leader is too much?”

“To be honest, yes.”

Song Ki-young shook his head.

“No.”

Not too much. He was certain. New cultures will lead the future. And Kim Hyuk-jin could be at its core, becoming the representative player for Korea.

“Not too much at all. In fact, there might not even be a chance after some time passes.”

He trusted his own judgement. The ability to distinguish a gem from a pebble. Song Ki-young believed in that ability. In his estimation, Kim Hyuk-jin was a gem among gems, just yet to shine.

“Make sure to convey my will properly.”

“Yes. It will be a great honor for Kim Hyuk-jin as well.”

“Now go.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Left alone in the chairman’s office, Song Ki-young sat back and charted the future.

‘If I can manage to harness Kim Hyuk-jin…’

If the future he envisaged was correct,

‘If we can truly cultivate Taeguk Shield…’

Then Sungshin could take a significant leap forward. No, not just one step, but ten steps ahead.

‘Kim Hyuk-jin.’

The young man’s gaze haunted him. He would be forged into a fine blade.

‘Work for Sungshin.’

Forging a weapon is up to him. He was confident. To bring Kim Hyuk-jin under his control and to nurture him into a loyal servant for Sungshin. This was his experience thus far, and it would be possible in the future.

‘Accept to become my hunting dog.’

* * *

[Entering ‘Seoul Station Dungeon Basement Floor 2’.]

As soon as we entered, Kim Seon-hwa used her skill. She had already received a rough strategy from Kim Hyuk-jin. Hyuk-jin shared it when their intermediary manager (BJ) wasn’t present. Seon-hwa didn’t care much that Kim Hyuk-jin knew this strategy. She trusted and relied on him completely.

[Using skill: Taunt.]

True to her nature as a tank, she didn’t need a ‘!!’ warning sign to realize aggro was on her. She could tell where the attack was coming from by instinct. This was the realm of ‘genius.’

[Using skill: Platinum Shield.]

The Platinum Shield had evolved. Now it took on the proper form of a ‘shield.’ A round golden shield emitting a white aura. She used that shield to block something.

‘Ugh…!’

Kim Seon-hwa felt a severe pain in her shoulder.

Thud!

Something hit the ground.

Shin Yeon-seo, with her sword drawn, looked to see what it was.

“Is that an arrow?”

It was indeed an arrow. We were currently on Seoul Station Dungeon’s Basement Floor 2, shaped like a cave. From afar within the cave, rough breathing could be heard.

‘There’s more than just one or two.’

Kim Hyuk-jin’s skill, resembling a ‘sixth sense,’ wasn’t necessary for Shin Yeon-seo to sense the presence of life forms lurking in the corner.

Kim Hyuk-jin spoke softly.

“There’s a monster skilled in ranged attacks here.”

Kim Hyuk-jin knew. The identity of this monster.

‘Orc archer.’

It’s only from orc-level onwards that creatures are referred to as true ‘monsters,’ because orcs begin showing a strong resistance to ‘modern weapons.’ It’s difficult to face orcs with items like guns or knives. Of course, the story changes with heavy weaponry like machine guns, but in any case, orcs mark the true domain of monsters.

‘Normal people won’t stand a chance no matter what.’

While the most formidable creature in the tutorial’s normal field, the ‘lycanthropus,’ can be overcome by ordinary people with knowledge of its weaknesses and modern weapons, this isn’t the case with orcs. A typical weapon wielded by an average person is not enough to challenge an orc.

An alert sounded.

[A first emergency quest is granted.]

[Hunt the orc archers first.]

‘This is sort of a TIP.’

Though presented as a quest, it’s more of a hint. You must hunt the ‘orc archers’ first to clear this place. As it’s a tip, there probably won’t be a reward.

‘The orcs… they’re visible.’

Around 170 cm tall, with muscles rivaling Ma Sang-hyeon. Hideous, twisted faces. Prominent tusks. Abnormally large mouths dribbling with a foul-smelling drool.

“Screech-! Screeech-!”

The rough breaths approached. From the distant shadows, footsteps joined in. Ma Sang-hyeon grimaced.

“Brother, they’re really… monsters. Are we fighting them head-on right now?”

“No.”

Meanwhile, Kim Seon-hwa once again used ‘Platinum Shield’ to block an arrow. Her arm trembled from the effort. Kim Hyuk-jin noticed.

‘She can only take one or two more hits.’

She wouldn’t be able to keep blocking arrows like this.

“Screech-! Screeeeeech-!”

The footsteps closed in, and the orcs began to emerge from the darkness.

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Orc LV 27

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There weren’t just one or two. Nearly ten appeared. The stench grew overwhelming with the orcs’ approach, making it tough to breathe. Among them, two red orcs were visible.

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Orc Archer LV 28

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One of the archers was reloading its bow. A ‘!!’ signal flashed; it was targeting Seon-hwa.

‘I’ll let Seon-hwa handle one more shot.’

I can’t afford any mistakes. If I mess up, one of us could die.

“Seon-hwa, block its shot. Shin Yeon-seo, follow me. Don’t stray more than three steps away.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“No time to explain.”

I purposefully didn’t explain to Shin Yeon-seo. There was a reason for it.

‘From now on.’

Each of us must stick to our roles and work together. Otherwise, we all could die here. It’s that dangerous. But, on the other hand, one could also say:

‘Move like a real party.’

If we move organically as a solid party, we can eliminate them without taking any damage. Kim Hyuk-jin was confident. He chose to trust himself.

‘I can do this.’

Ready.

The orc archer fired its bow.

‘That’s my cue.’

Kim Hyuk-jin began to move swiftly, with Shin Yeon-seo following close behind. Amidst following, Shin Yeon-seo couldn’t hide her astonishment.

‘What, what is this!’