95. Extreme Class Dungeon
Dungeon.
A fissure in spacetime connecting an unknown planet with an undisclosed location.
Scholars revealed that all these fissures that opened worldwide existed somewhere in the world, occasionally appearing as one of the constellations visible in the sky.
The valuable resources and materials existing beyond another world naturally led to government regulation and management.
Coincidentally, since the emergence of dungeons in modern times, the decreasing pollution on Earth was not just a fluke.
It was all meticulously arranged based on each entity’s interests and relationships.
Now, rather than developing technology solely from Earth’s limited resources, people chose to process the unknown materials in dungeons and develop technology from them.
Of course, private companies eventually became individual entities.
The government retained the primary monopoly over resources.
Therefore, the government closely monitored these dungeons through the military, starting from the entry records of hunters to the strict supervision of everything here.
There was no exception here.
Hwarin firmly adjusted her hanbok.
“Even if someone comes and tries to provoke you, ignore them. Even if soldiers try to talk to you, do not open your mouth under any circumstances.”
“Got it.”
“Respond.”
“….”
Seeing Hwan standing with her mouth shut, Hwarin finally smiled.
Currently, Han was wearing sunglasses and a mask.
It was a recognition impairment mask that hunters often wore.
Just turning your head would quickly erase the memory of the eyes behind the mask from people’s minds.
It directly interfered with the system of the network, making proper memory or recording impossible.
Interfering with electronic devices, even people’s recognition. It was like a real-life mosaic mask.
As she scrutinized his appearance, she nodded her head.
“Good. Much better.”
Thump, thump.
Honestly, it’s nerve-wracking.
From Noble mtl dot com
At least for Han, this was the first time visiting a dungeon in person.
‘Of course, she should be used to it as she has always seen it through the eyes of the elves…’
Still, the tension was real.
She tapped Han’s shoulder.
“Don’t stand so stiffly like that. People will be suspicious. Let’s go. The checkpoint is up ahead.”
“Okay.”
“And again, don’t answer.”
“….”
Soon, they arrived at the checkpoint on Ganghwado.
Soldiers holding rifles were standing in the distance.
Han involuntarily swallowed dryly.
They were all professional soldiers who resided here permanently.
‘…Loaded rifles.’
The soldiers waiting near the dungeon always carried rifles to prepare for any situation that might arise.
Their gazes lingered on Han briefly before gathering around Hwarin.
“You must be Hunter Jin Hwarin.”
In their eyes, there was a brief moment of surprise, admiration, and a curt greeting.
But they quickly concealed it.
Instead, they spoke in a dry tone.
“It may be a bit bothersome, but please submit your hunter ID as per the procedure.”
“Here it is.”
Truly professional.
In a world like today’s, soldiers managing the access to dungeons were all professional military personnel.
“But who is this person here?”
“I will verify their identity.”
In front of him, Jin Hwarin stood in the way.
“I can vouch for their identity.”
“….”
The silence lasted only a moment.
Upon hearing his words, the soldiers glanced briefly at Hwarin and then their gaze turned cold.
“It’s procedure. Even if you’re one of the rare top hunters in this country, there are no exceptions, as you must be aware.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s due to personal circumstances.”
“Is there a reason you cannot reveal your face?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the case.”
“….”
A chilly silence lingered for a moment.
The atmosphere was uneasy.
‘Th-this situation is getting intense.’
The tension was palpable.
No one dared to speak first.
For some reason, the situation didn’t seem like they would let him in, yet Hwarin, standing by his side, showed no change in expression.
‘Is there something he’s trusting in?’
“Sigh.”
At that moment, the soldiers let out a sigh.
“We understand that, ultimately, we cannot stop Hunter Jin Hwarin by force if he intends to proceed. However, this incident will be reported to the higher-ups. Moreover, if any issues arise from this matter, the responsibility will be solely delegated to Hunter Jin Hwarin. Is that acceptable to you, Hunter?”
The warning tone was clear.
Yet, as if she had anticipated it, she nodded her head.
“Yes. There’s no problem. I will take responsibility.”
Being a top hunter did not mean she was above the soldiers.
For a hunter with power to act recklessly, it was something only possible in fantasy novels.
That’s how the country operates.
“While we will allow passage based on Hunter Jin Hwarin’s clear guarantee… all these details will be forwarded to the higher-ups. Of course, the current situation is being recorded as well.”
“Understood.”
“Please proceed inside.”
Clunk.
Finally, the door opened.
“Let’s go.”
Hwarin took the first step.
Han Eun hurriedly followed her as she walked ahead.
It took a while before they distanced themselves from the soldiers.
Finally, Han Eun exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“Sigh.”
The corridor was chilly.
Evolutionary Lin chuckled at that sight before speaking.
“hehehe. Nervous?”
“I can’t help but be. This is.”
“Don’t be like that. It’s just a simple checkpoint.”
This is a checkpoint? A checkpoint my foot?
He had clearly witnessed the soldiers’ fingers subtly resting on their gun barrels as soon as Lin finished speaking.
No matter what had happened, the atmosphere was fiercely intense, as if something solid had transpired.
“But it’s strange how easily they let us in despite the tension.”
“It’s the constraints of hierarchy. Scaring you momentarily is all the soldiers can do. Ultimately, it was inevitable considering my position is what it is.”
So, it was a statement of confidence that we could enter from the start.
Well, if it hadn’t been so, I wouldn’t have been able to grant such a request.
Perhaps I would have declined it much earlier.
“Of course, even I won’t be able to prevent monitoring every step we take as we go out.”
Before long, the soldiers entered the unseen forest path.
Soon, a figure appeared.
Boom-
It was massive, a rift.
Like a bizarre sight drawn haphazardly in the air with eerie lines.
This was the gate connected to the dungeon, the rift.
“This is the dungeon.”
A prickling sensation was felt on the skin.
No, this is… is it because of something flowing out from inside there?
In Han’s eyes, the details of the dungeon were clearly visible.
Grade 1 Dungeon Extremis
• Location: 4th planet of Dicamiel. 3rd satellite. Northeastern land.
• Classification: Flora. Be cautious upon entry due to the presence of powerful entities.
As Lin trembled unable to move due to a strange sensation, Han let out a laugh.
“Nervous?”
“It’s my first time in a dungeon, so it’s a bit unsettling.”
“Don’t stray too far, just stick close to me.”
As Han stared at Lin entering the rift first, he soon followed suit.
***
A communication was made to the upper echelons.
Shortly after, a response came back.
[Oh. Alright. Understood, that matter.]
“…Yes?”
At that sound, the soldiers momentarily paused, looking at each other’s faces.
Their demeanor was so compliant as to be passing.
It was a situation as unprecedented as it was different.
The matter must be settled. Please erase it from the network as well.
Upon hearing this, the soldiers looked at each other and asked, “Is this for real?”
[We already know who he is. We’ve been monitoring him for a while. Besides, this is not just a problem for Korea but also involves China and the United States. Destroy the footage you have. Dispose of the devices. And make sure no one leaks any information about the person and the situation that just unfolded.]
“Understood.”
It was clear to them that he was no ordinary person.
If even Jin Hwalin Hunter personally intervened, he must not be of common status.
Perhaps, the man was even more important than her.
But was there really such a figure in this country?
Even if there was, how many could there be?
Even if a high-ranking military officer came, at this checkpoint near the dungeon, the field supervisor’s orders took precedence.
At least, it had to be someone in a key position to avoid any friction later on.
The soldiers found his identity puzzling, but following orders was their priority.
***
“Sigh.”
Sergeant Kim Ju-hee let out a sigh.
She raised her head to see Han disappearing beyond the checkpoint.
Her junior beside her asked cautiously, “Are you okay?”
“Whether I’m okay or not, does it matter?”
She chuckled and shrugged casually.
“Well, what’s done is done, and there’s no changing it.”
Sergeant Kim Ju-hee muttered, looking in the direction Han had vanished.
“By the way, why did Han come here?”
It was not just out of place but extremely so.
A dungeon, and to top it off, a Grade 1 dungeon, Extremis?
Moreover, Han, a mere ordinary civilian, entered the dungeon accompanied only by Hunter Jin Hwalin.
Of course, considering her status as a top-tier hunter even in South Korea, she would be adequately protected, but still, there was a chance of an unforeseen situation.
It was risky.
Unless he was out of his mind, an ordinary person wouldn’t do such a thing.
However, looking at it from another perspective…
“…Is there a reason compelling him to act this way?”
It was fortunate that they had been tracking his location beforehand.
Otherwise, it would have undoubtedly led to embarrassment.
But within that brief period, information about Han had surfaced.
Although the time was likely short, it posed a threat of exposure.
“It’s fortunate he was wearing a facial recognition mask. Otherwise, his face would have been exposed on the internet.”
The internet is more dangerous than one can imagine for ordinary people.
Even if you delete the data afterwards, there will always be traces left on the internet.
Moreover, the fact that Korea’s security level was practically non-existent was so well-known that anyone in the world would be aware of it.
It was not a favorable development.
Perhaps someone might find the traces.
…In that case, what should be done?
“……”
She, who had been lost in thought for a while, spoke up.
“First, erase all the surveillance camera memory cards along the path Han took to get here.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and.”
“…?”
Her junior, taking out a cellphone, looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Jin Hwaryun too.”