91. Butterfly Effect
In modern times, the undead known to us number in the dozens, with their existence clearly confirmed.
While skeletons and ghouls are most commonly known, delving deeper reveals skeleton warriors, archers, mages, and further classifications based on their classes and attributes.
Even the lowest-grade undead like skeletons exhibit such diversity, indicating a considerable variety among higher-grade undead.
Liches. Death Knights. Dullahans.
All of them are beings of a higher compatibility level of Skeletons, well known even to ordinary people.
Even among skeletons of the same lineage, differences naturally arise in the reasons for their birth, whether through curses or natural occurrences, leading to inevitable distinctions among them.
However, despite some differences, they share a commonality.
That is, their class and strength are categorized based on their nature and power during their lifetime.
As a result, the diversity among them is immeasurable.
Nevertheless, a monster’s origin undeniably influences its strength universally.
For example, Goblins are generally weak, while Orcs are stronger than them.
That sort of thing.
“But.”
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Han let out a sigh.
“I never thought Duharan would be such a powerful being…”
He merely thought it was a mere 3rd floor.
But it was far from that.
Now, Han’s evaluation of Duharan within himself had skyrocketed to the extent that it turned out to be a boss monster that couldn’t possibly come out of just the 3rd floor.
Han was browsing the Union’s community site.
The accuracy of this site, serving as an information hub, was incomparably superior to where ordinary people roamed.
For hunters, knowing or not knowing a single line of information could be the difference between life and death, so the information here was reasonably trustworthy.
Naturally, this site also contained information about undead monsters, including Duharan.
Duharan
– Grade: Sub-2nd class monster.
– Lineage Classification: Mid-level Undead. Grand Swordsman. Weak anti-magic. Command-level individual.
– When encountering this entity, if one does not possess adequate firepower, it is advisable to avoid engagement. Even a party composed of 10 or more 3rd class hunters carries a risk.
– While primarily focusing on commanding multiple undead, it also possesses considerable combat prowess. It demands at least two 2nd class warriors to be placed at the forefront.
– As a requirement for a victory without any casualties, it necessitates at least 20 3rd class hunters─
That’s how it goes.
The Union recorded a plethora of information for hunters, including detailed strategies and specific strengths.
In reality, while in many web novels hunters often die in accidents as if it were a daily occurrence, such incidents were rare in actuality.
Hunters were each country’s assets, and without them, the country’s stability would be jeopardized.
One could view them as a kind of private soldier or mercenary.
Of course, in the past, there seemed to be genuinely dangerous times for hunters, but in recent years, with such information readily available, such cases were rare.
Moreover, the more well-known the monsters were, the more readily available the information was.
“Of course, during the Elf’s Tower raid, things were so urgent that there wasn’t even time to read up on it…”
[We recommend acquiring a large amount of information on 2nd and 3rd class monsters for the time being.]
“That’s necessary, right?”
Certainly, there’s no harm in being prepared.
Even if one couldn’t communicate directly with the Elves, knowing or not knowing such information might be a factor that could potentially save their lives.
As Han continued to gaze at the screen, he sighed once more.
“Now, I have to study as well. Sigh…”
But it was a necessary process.
One couldn’t rely on luck forever.
Moreover, this tendency will only increase in the future.
As the World Tree grows larger, stronger monsters will inevitably appear, and consequently, the need to climb the tower will also grow.
“By the way, how do we handle the next floor?”
Han was lost in thought.
The next floor will probably be even more challenging than it is now.
“…Hmm. It might be more dangerous than we think.”
***
“Delivery~.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Today, I ordered delivery food after a long time.
The menu was hamburgers.
It was my first fast food in a month.
I began eating while watching TV.
Coincidentally, the news was broadcasting about the only elf on Earth, Ingrid.
[Recently, as Ingrid officially began her activities, the media around the world are paying attention. The otherworldly magic emanating from her has caught the eye of many wizards around the world─]
“Ingrid.”
Come to think of it, quite some time had passed since she appeared in the world.
She had shown up around the time Han was just awakening, so at least several months seemed to have gone by.
[Currently, the elf Ingrid is attracting the public’s attention. Whether in East Asia, America, or Europe, all are equally captivated. In fact, not only in Korea but also in Japan and China, the viewership of the live broadcast is quite significant.]
“Is there a reason for that? It’s not like different species are particularly rare, right? There are dwarves and kobolds, for instance.”
It may sound like a cliché, but different species are not that uncommon in the world.
No, to be precise, they are rare but not so uncommon as to go unnoticed.
Walking through the city, entering crowded stores, some among them were different species.
Like humans, they lead ordinary lives.
They stay at home, go to work, celebrate weekends with drinks on Fridays, just like people.
Actually, for instance, the one who just delivered food to Han was one of the Ein.
Due to the clothes, I couldn’t confirm properly, but judging by the unusually short stature and a beard as long as a woman’s hair, it was clear.
I didn’t see it up close, but I assume it was a dwarf.
All of this was due to the existence of dungeons.
The residents who originally lived beyond them were gradually leaking into this world.
[Elves have always been one of the most talked-about beings in Earth’s mythology. However, since this previously non-existent being has now appeared for the first time, it’s natural that public interest is substantial. Of course, her exceptional beauty plays a significant role in this.]
“Hmm….”
Listening to the explanation of the system with one ear, Ingrit’s gaze was fixed on the screen.
[Uh, hello… So, um, my name is, um, Ingrit.]
Although a bit hesitant, her English was clear.
It seemed that over the long period of time, she had learned the language of this place in her own way.
Just the use of that brief language made the gathered people cheer loudly.
It must have been quite a shock.
[Under the systematic leadership of current US government officials, she is continuing her rapid learning and smoothly adapting to the culture. However, for some reason, it is known that she is also aware of the existence of Korea. It has been reported that she has shown interest in the language of that place, so perhaps once she finishes her rough grasp of English, she might consider learning Korean─]
“…Korea?”
At that sound, In blinked.
Why suddenly Korean?
No, more importantly, how does Ingrit, who lived in the US, know about Korea?
No one would have told her in the first place.
Who among the hunters who brought her here even mentioned being Korean?
That was when it happened.
[Beee!]
A sudden cry echoed from the kitchen.
It sounded like a child whining.
“Oh no, not at this time.”
Han quickly stuffed the remaining hamburger into his mouth and got up from his seat.
He had to take care of the larvae.
The queen bee had started serious reproduction, and now, thanks to her laying multiple larvae, Han was going to be busy again.
***
Clang!
King Lee Hong, the ruler of the kingdom.
He cursed while overturning the desk with a distorted expression.
“These idiots! How did they let things escalate to this point?!”
With his anger, the people standing around bowed deeply.
Unable to hold back his rage any longer, he shouted.
“Now even the Supreme Being is aware! What are we going to do about this?! How many times did I tell you to find it! After wasting years, not only did you not finish the job, but you couldn’t even make progress?!”
“…….”
Among those seated at the long round table, not a single one dared to speak.
It was only natural.
He was the ruler of the country.
Who would dare to lift their head in front of the highest authority of present-day China?
In this situation, if anyone dared to speak out of turn, that day could be their last on this earth.
Everyone present here were individuals who never backed down from any challenge in this country, but the opponent was different.
In the end, King Lee Hong’s gaze fell on one of the individuals who were present.
“Head of Diplomacy!”
“Yes, yes!”
“Say something! Haven’t you been responsible for most of the issues on the Korean side!”
“Th-that’s…”
Foreign Minister Chen Li’s mouth kept opening and closing repeatedly.
His eyes were trembling as if in a spasm, desperately trying to come up with a solution.
Finally, the words came out of his mouth.
“Locate the individual secretly for the Master…”
“Locate? And then what?”
“How about eliminating the individual right now…”
“Ha!”
At those words, President Wang Li-hong of the nation chuckled dryly.
As if in disbelief, he laughed aloud for a while, then suddenly changed his expression and slammed the table.
“Do you think that makes any sense! Sitting there and coming up with such nonsense as an opinion?!”
“W-well, but if we continue like this, the only way is…”
“What?”
At that sound, sparks flew in President Wang Li-hong’s eyes.
Thwack!
He hurled an inkwell that was in front of him at Chen Li.
“Ack!”
With a scream, Chen Li tumbled over.
Standing before him, the President opened his mouth in a chilling voice.
“The Master is already aware of your existence. And in the midst of this, going to find and assassinate you? That’s insane. It’s absurd!”