Ch.246246. Dungeon (2)

“According to the investigation results, I can now set up a dungeon in South Ulsan that I can manipulate as I wish.”

When Bahamut returned to Seorabeol, he summoned the Three Wise Men and Yu-na to the temple and began sharing the results of this discovery.

The Three Wise Men had varying reactions to Bahamut’s words.

“I’m a bit concerned.”

The first to respond to Bahamut was Hwang Geun-chul, who took a conservative stance on this matter.

“Even now, our internal balance is distorted due to foreign invasions. If a variable like a dungeon is introduced, no one can predict whether the Seorabeol cabinet will be able to handle it.”

Hwang Geun-chul prioritized the stability of Seorabeol as a nation over potential chaos, which is why he wasn’t particularly favorable toward the variable that dungeons would introduce.

Of course, it wasn’t that Hwang Geun-chul was completely ignorant about the concept of dungeons.

“But I’m not unaware of the intangible benefits that can be gained from dungeons. I’m simply expressing concern because I believe that internal stability of Seorabeol is more beneficial than pursuing those benefits.”

He had already researched foreign cases, so he was well aware of what dungeons were, and it was clear that a dungeon that Bahamut could freely adjust would certainly bring great benefits.

However, considering how recent actions by the Dragon God had caused tremendous variables and changes in flow that neither the Seorabeol cabinet nor civilians could handle, resulting in confusion, he couldn’t help but seriously contemplate whether the variable of this dungeon appearing in South Ulsan would be at a level that the cabinet and civilians could manage.

While future business opportunities for sustenance were certainly important, the present must exist for there to be a future, and in this apocalypse, stability must be pursued to pursue the future.

However, upon hearing those words, Park Cheol-gon began to strongly refute.

“But can’t we gain much despite enduring that? I think we all know that there are many forces opposing our policies even now. To stand against those who are hostile to our Seorabeol, we need overwhelming military power. The fact that internal politics might be shaken is no reason to prevent the creation of a dungeon. We need to take one more step forward and make efforts not to fall behind.”

‘That’s also a valid point. It’s not wrong.’

From Park Cheol-gon’s progressive perspective, this was a necessary step.

Yes, it was understandable to pursue internal stability because of the apocalypse, but conversely, because it was the apocalypse, there was also a sufficient threat of Seorabeol falling behind in the survival competition while pursuing stability.

To avoid that decline and to win in the survival competition, they had to accept the risk of national division and embrace the variable of dungeons, using the power of those dungeons to fight against forces hostile to Seorabeol.

Hwang Geun-chul made no rebuttal to Park Cheol-gon’s opinion and simply nodded quietly with his eyes closed.

“But this is still just at the planning stage, isn’t it? Let’s first hear Bahamut’s vision.”

Jeong Dong-geon, who had been watching the scene, mediated by suggesting they listen to what Bahamut intended to accomplish with this dungeon before giving their opinions.

Seeing them already clashing before anything had even begun, Hwang Geun-chul and Park Cheol-gon stepped back with embarrassed expressions. Once the atmosphere allowed Bahamut to speak, he opened his mouth without hesitation.

“First of all, I’ve heard that the growth of Seorabeol’s Awakened has stalled recently.”

“Yes. It’s self-inflicted, you could say. Because the cabinet failed to manage properly, all the monsters within Seorabeol have been depleted.”

“That’s right. As the apocalypse continues, Awakened in other regions will continue to grow. Conversely, Seorabeol’s Awakened, who have no prey to hunt for leveling up, will gradually fall behind. To prevent that, I plan to create a training ground to train the Awakened.”

The Three Wise Men nodded gravely at those words.

True, for now they had the strongest Awakened on the Korean Peninsula like Jeong Dong-geon and Jin A-yeon, so the cabinet hadn’t said much, treating it as a non-issue. But conversely, there was a sufficient possibility that no powerful Awakened representing Seorabeol would emerge besides these two.

Even now, guild masters of the three major guilds, known as “eternal prospects,” were going on expeditions outside Seorabeol due to the lack of prey within, and there was much concern about the experience point problem for growing Awakened. Even the Yamato Alliance had conducted diplomatic operations against Seorabeol using this experience issue, so it was indeed time for Seorabeol to establish social legal frameworks and support to ensure that their Awakened wouldn’t fall behind due to level issues and could pull their weight.

“It’s a good idea. I support it, but is it possible?”

“It would mean remodeling the entire South Ulsan region as I wish, but it is possible.”

“I see.”

The issue was whether it was possible, but since Bahamut spoke so confidently, the Three Wise Men had no choice but to believe and follow him.

Watching this scene, Yu-na calmly revealed herself and questioned the Three Wise Men.

“The question is, can the cabinet control the dungeon created by Lord Bahamut?”

“That’s…”

“It will probably be impossible. The three major guilds and various other guilds already exert influence on politics. Using this influence, many will either enter the dungeon through official channels or sneak in secretly.”

At Yu-na’s words, Hwang Geun-chul fell into contemplation, but Park Cheol-gon unhesitatingly reported the situation in the cabinet, effectively answering that it would be difficult for the cabinet to control.

“There will even be reactions from overseas.”

After Park Cheol-gon took the initiative, Hwang Geun-chul also added that not only internal forces but also foreign entities would react. Seemingly satisfied with the answers from the two wise men, Yu-na nodded and proposed her solution.

“Then we need to establish a Dungeon Management Office to manage the dungeon. Permits will be issued through this office, and the Hwarang will be in charge of managing the institution. Once it’s somewhat stabilized, we’ll discuss with the cabinet about making it independent.”

“We have no objections.”

If the cabinet couldn’t handle it, then the Dragon Priestess would manage it directly.

She declared that the Hwarang, the Dragon’s personal guard, would manage the Dungeon Management Office, but added the condition that it could become independent from the Hwarang after consulting with the cabinet.

She explained that the use of the personal guard was only due to the urgency of the situation, and once stabilized, it would become independent. The Three Wise Men agreed to Yu-na’s words without any concerns, and with the most urgent matter quickly resolved, the remaining issues could be swiftly addressed.

“Please prepare legislation from the cabinet. It seems the dungeon will be opened before long.”

“How much grace period do we have?”

“I can give about a two-week grace period. Since manipulating the dungeon itself is very easy, once the framework is completed, it can be quickly converted into a training ground.”

The given time was only two weeks, but from an apocalyptic perspective, the Three Wise Men thought it was relatively generous.

After all, they had been dealing with countless variables and social problems every day, and now they were given two weeks! Wasn’t this all due to the Dragon God’s mercy?

It was a schedule that would make even black companies weep, but the Three Wise Men, whose brains had been pickled by the apocalypse, were simply happy that they had been given what they considered ample time.

“Two weeks. Then, we need to think about dungeon permits, party composition standards, and new legislation like insurance systems.”

“Don’t forget to designate South Ulsan as a special management zone under the Dragon Priestess.”

“Ah, that too. I almost forgot.”

They began exchanging opinions and revising laws as if it were all too familiar, and Yu-na clapped her hands and declared to the Three Wise Men with a bright smile.

“Well then, now that we’ve determined the direction for Seorabeol, let’s move forward.”

“As you command.”

When the Dragon Priestess spoke thus, the Seorabeol cabinet, led by the Three Wise Men, began attempting legal revisions. They started preparing comprehensively, mobilizing the military, the Hwarang, and even the police special forces including Jin A-yeon to be in charge of defending the dungeon that Bahamut would prepare.

And with those movements…

“The Three Wise Men are on the move.”

“What scheme are they plotting now?”

“Keep an eye on them.”

The sudden movements of the Three Wise Men allowed civilians to detect something suspicious, and the three major guilds, representing civilian Awakened, also caught wind of these movements and began their own preparations.

If necessary, they would exert influence on the political world to understand the legislation that Seorabeol would announce or to grasp internal government affairs, focusing all their efforts on this.

“A dungeon?”

“Was there a dungeon on the Korean Peninsula?”

Before long, information about a dungeon began to spread among civilians.

Yes, a dungeon—the original cause of the monster apocalypse overseas and now known as a place of opportunity—had been discovered in Seorabeol.

Along with the information that this dungeon would be open to civilians, news that there was something special about it also spread, and the three major guilds began to have expectations.

“If there are hunters, there must be dungeons for hunters to hunt in! Now is our time!”

“This ends our long humiliation! Level up and solve all problems with physical force!”

“We must go all out for the open run!”

They wanted to use all their information networks to somehow find out the opening time, but it seemed that even in political circles, only a very few knew about this, as the three major guilds couldn’t discover anything about where it would open despite their best efforts.

However, doubts gradually turned into certainty, and after two weeks, rumors circulating among civilians suggested that Seorabeol had finally prepared something special to quench the thirst of civilians.

And on the day the legislation was announced…

“This is a place of opportunity bestowed by the Dragon God and a trial to help humanity grow.”

None other than Dragon Priestess Choi Yu-na personally announced the legislation and declared to the public that a dungeon created by Bahamut had been born in South Ulsan.

At this news, all eyes in Seorabeol turned to Ulsan.

“Buy Ulsan land immediately!”

“Go to Ulsan!”

“Ulsan will bring a new wind to Seorabeol!”

Civilian capital in Seorabeol began flowing to Ulsan in an instant.

Ulsan land, which couldn’t be sold even at dirt-cheap prices, suddenly began to skyrocket, and now it couldn’t be sold because there wasn’t enough of it. The number of Awakened heading to or migrating to Ulsan also began to increase rapidly.

From the perspective of Ulsan citizens who had already migrated and settled there, they were dumbfounded as their land values suddenly inflated dozens of times, making them doubt if this situation was a dream. Former Ulsan citizens who hadn’t settled in Ulsan greatly regretted it, but they filed civil complaints with the Seorabeol government to return to Ulsan even now, creating a very chaotic situation.

“Well, the Yamato Alliance can’t miss such a party. As allies, we would like to use the training ground that has appeared in Seorabeol. Of course, if usage fees are required, we will pay in rice.”

“Hoho. As an allied nation, we would like to train our Awakened at the training ground created by the Dragon God.”

While Seorabeol civilians were in a state of confusion over the appearance of the new dungeon, the situation outside was a bit different.

The training ground, said to have been created directly by Bahamut, attracted the interest of allied nations, and the Yamato Alliance and the United States began organizing delegations to Ulsan where the training ground had appeared.

This could be seen as news that Bahamut’s aim for Ulsan’s revival was successfully beginning, but conversely, it was also the beginning of a hellish Ulsan where disaster and opportunity coexisted as human greed began to gather.

To put it positively, Seorabeol had become a more attractive market, but…

“The Dragon God Bahamut created a dungeon?”

“Dispatch agents immediately!”

The problem was that foreign powers were showing much more interest than expected.

Unlike what Bahamut had anticipated, not only domestic forces but all overseas allied nations began to show interest in the training ground said to have been created by Bahamut. A fierce struggle had already begun for not only Ulsan land but also for bidding on dungeon entry permits.

All of this was due to the overwhelming name value of Dragon God Bahamut, and at the news that the Dragon God had created a training ground for Awakened, all Awakened around the world heard this news and went into a frenzy.

“You can level up easily? You can train as an Awakened? Take my money right now!”

“We can’t let Seorabeol monopolize this! We request the right for other countries to use the Dragon God’s training ground as well!”

After all, it had only been a year and a few months since Awakened began to appear, and haphazard growth methods were more prevalent than systematic ones.

In this situation, as rumors spread that Dragon God Bahamut would teach systematic growth methods, all Awakened in countries around the world began clamoring to visit Seorabeol to gain powerful strength, and this wasn’t just limited to ordinary Awakened.

“If we’re not careful, we could fall behind!”

Villains also began to feel a sense of crisis.

From the perspective of villains, where the logic of power had the strongest influence, the appearance of the training ground gave them a sense of crisis that the Dragon God was blatantly trying to make villains obsolete.

In their arbitrary thinking, they entered a paranoid state, believing that because villains were secretly infiltrating Seorabeol and causing various incidents, Seorabeol had embarked on a vicious and evil operation to make villains obsolete so that Seorabeol couldn’t resist. However, Bahamut had no such intention at all.

He had simply thought one-dimensionally: “Ah, military power is more important than the economy, so I should create a dungeon to help Awakened level up.” There was no hidden meaning; he was just a pure, foolish dragon.

“Aaaaargh! Dragon God Bahamut has done something strange again!”

“Get a grip! Focus and predict the Dragon God’s next move!”

But that was just from Bahamut’s perspective. To other forces watching Bahamut’s actions, he was just a vicious ecosystem-destroying god shouting, “If you don’t grow, I will simply make you extinct on this planet!”

“What’s that? That’s scary, you know.”

No one could deny that this would bring great economic revival and profits to the tourism industry.

To use the training ground, accommodation businesses established in North Ulsan began to thrive, and industries that allowed Ulsan citizens to make a living on their own began to revive. Through this trickle-down effect, the entire Seorabeol economy could also benefit.

Seorabeol civilians began to praise all of this as being due to Dragon God Bahamut’s deep schemes, but as mentioned several times, Bahamut had never aimed for economic effects at all.

He had gone all-in on military power enhancement, but somehow ended up seeing economic effects first.

“As expected of Lord Bahamut. To think there would be such effects! I believed in you!”

“…………”

You’ve made a ton of money, haven’t you?

Instead, you’ll have to work tirelessly again due to the problem of Awakened flowing in from overseas.

‘I hate humans!’

For Bahamut, who actually wanted to reduce his workload and increase his personal time, it ended in the worst possible outcome.