Chapter 18 : Is this a robber or a hunter?

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a hunter snatching equipment from a boss mob.

Is this really happening in reality?

And why is the newbie talking about it like it’s so obvious, fck.

Is the world playing a prank on me?

[ㄴ PaperLover*) It’s definitely unusual, but… if the newbie gets stronger, it’s good for us too, right?]

[ㄴ Original Poster) That’s true. Yeah;]

[ㄴ But it’s… something else….]

[ㄴ What is it, teacher?]

[ㄴ It really is… something, something, something else….]

[ㄴ Fck, what is it?]

[ㄴ Ah, just type “lol” and be done with it.]

Title: Having your equipment NTR’d…

• No matter how sh*tty and unfair our situation is,

• Having something you’ve owned for hundreds of years snatched away…

• It really does feel like… some kind of perversion?

• I’m not the only one who feels this, right….?

[ㄴ What the hell are you feeling perverted about?]

[ㄴ You’re definitely a learned person, hahaha.]

[ㄴ Seriously, it’s unprecedented, so it’s shocking.]

[ㄴ ShortEaredElf*) Hmmm~ Newbie-kun is indeed interesting~ I want to study him thoroughly~]

[ㄴ Uh oh, he’s getting sucked dry.]

[ㄴ The old hag’s targeting, shivers.]

[ㄴ ShortEaredElf*) Oh my, age isn’t everything, dear~ What’s important is value that doesn’t change over time~]

[ㄴ This has been the defense of a centuries-old elf.]

[ㄴ Uh oh, why did that bstard disappear?]

[ㄴ RipenedWine) Hoee…! Don’t you dare lay a hand on another tower’s hunter-desu…!]

Title: Anyway, I just hope he doesn’t catch the eye of other hunter b*stards.

• With their personalities, do you think they’d leave a newbie with such a tasty skill alone?

• They’ll either try to reel him into their side or eliminate him, one of the two.

• I’d rather the newbie slowly expand his influence, even if he’s weak…

[ㄴ Seriously, if a hunter gets involved, the newbie will be corrupted.]

[ㄴ My only source of healing, the newbie, becoming a b*stard blinded by results… I absolutely cannot allow it.]

[ㄴ But we really do need to be careful…]

Title: So

-(Picture of a three-legged shark monster wearing shoes)

If the newbie and this b*stard fight, who wins?

[ㄴ Obviously, the hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-newbie wins;;]

[ㄴ That’s nine “hu”s, be careful.]

[ㄴ It looks fcking ugly, hahahaha.]

[ㄴ That’s rude to fck;;]

[ㄴ There are all sorts of monsters in the world, really.]

[ㄴ So what the fck is that?]

[ㄴ The moment you try to understand, you’ve already lost.]

“…What are these guys talking about now.”

Dooyoon, who had been engrossed in his real life, suddenly felt dizzy looking at the gallery.

He had been spending quite a busy time recently dealing with the aftermath of conquering the tower.

First, regarding the achievement of the Hidden Piece and its reward.

Even though it was an initial section, what Dooyoon had obtained was an S-rank weapon from a boss mob.

Research plans were underway to draw out its hidden potential and performance.

It didn’t end there.

‘Magic Stone.’

As he had heard, when the topic of magic stones came up, the Association once again became boisterous.

‘Why are they calling so much?’

Calling him to research labs he didn’t even know properly, or making him have interviews with men in suits.

There was only one thing Dooyoon could say to that.

“Magic stones, can you continue to obtain them?”

The researcher’s eyes, tinged with an undisguised eagerness.

Dooyoon, momentarily reminded of GreenUgly, shook his head with a grimace.

“I don’t know the exact principle either. There seems to be a condition related to my skill, but I still lack experience and data.”

“….Is that so.”

From their perspective, it must feel like they’ve found a goose that lays golden eggs.

No matter how ignorant Dooyoon was about various things, he now knew that magic stones were a valuable resource.

And that even that resource was scarce in South Korea.

“The Hidden Piece…. Did you also find that by knowing about it beforehand through a skill?”

“Rather than beforehand, that too was a fact I learned on-site through a skill.”

“Is it true that you conversed with the monster in that boss room?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, the researcher’s expression became subtle.

Various strong curiosities arose, but he seemed to be suppressing them.

Dooyoon felt like he knew the source of that emotion.

Talking to monsters that wouldn’t be strange even if they came out and killed people right now.

‘It’s complicated.’

However, Dooyoon, who knew the reality through the gallery and resonance, couldn’t simply despise the boss monsters.

‘Keruk! You’re a good guy!’

Just clearing the 2nd floor alone, hadn’t he received help from GreenUgly?

‘Graduation.’

As soon as he came out of the tower, Dooyoon searched for GreenUgly in the gallery first.

Title: Hoee, GreenUgly-jang has completely vanished-desu…!

• The presence I felt in the tower is gone-desu…!

• This truly means graduation-desu…!

• Hoee, hoeeeee…! Goodbye, GreenUgly-jang, goodbye… ㅠㅠㅠ

• Newbie-jang, you worked hard too-desu…!

[ㄴ No, he really graduated?]

[ㄴ I’m seriously fcking envious;;;]

[ㄴ These b*stards pretended they didn’t care, haha.]

[ㄴ Is there any boss mob that dislikes graduation~]

As Dooyoon was thinking about graduation, the researcher, having finished his own assessment, spoke.

“…For now, I understand. Thank you for your cooperation, Hunter Kim Dooyoon-nim.”

“Yes.”

Afterward, when he went there at Supervisor Choi Geonwoo’s call, he heard very welcome news.

“The amount will be… around this much.”

“Wow, a little more and I could buy a building.”

“St, still, you must continue your activities as a hunter-“

“I have to do that.”

Isn’t it illegal if I don’t do it anyway?

He didn’t want to think about it uncomfortably.

Hunters are semi-owned by South Korea.

Meaning they must follow their control, semi-coercively.

‘Good is good.’

However, since his situation was much better than the military life he experienced in his early 20s, he was engaging in activities with a

positive mindset.

“Hmm, I want to go to the tower.”

“…I’ve really never seen a guy like you before.”

Han Jihyuk, who had become more familiar than before, looked at Dooyoon with a fed-up expression.

“I haven’t even properly used what I’ve gained yet, so my body is itching, you know?”

The Goblin’s Curved Sword, and an S-rank one at that.

Wouldn’t he have to get used to his weapon as quickly as possible to accelerate his clearing speed?

In fact, he also had a strong desire to wield the curved sword he had snatched from GreenUgly.

It looked quite powerful even when it blocked attacks with a shield, so how good would it feel in his hand when he swung it?

“Dooyoon oppa!”

Far away, Jung Ahyeon spotted Han Jihyuk and Dooyoon and came running over.

“Good morning.”

Matching the rush hour, familiar faces began to appear.

Jung Ahyeon, and next to her, Cha Yoonha and Jo Harin were seen walking in order.

“Aah… Ads, seriously.”

Cha Yoonha, wearily brushing back her wavy hair, touched the corners of her eyes.

“Do you do ads too?”

“Hunters are the face of the nation.”

Is that so?

Since he was still in a position where he had to first acquire the qualifications of a hunter, he hadn’t received any particular requests.

“Touching Dooyoon-ssi now would be a crime, right?”

“…A crime?”

“Where is it okay to touch a hunter who hasn’t even fully grown yet? We’re covering for him well, so Dooyoon-ssi, don’t worry.”

Jo Harin spoke reassuringly, still with her chic expression.

‘They were protecting me.’

He had no idea what kind of nerve war they were waging with the higher-ups, but Dooyoon also felt relieved.

Because he really didn’t want to stand in front of celebrities or on TV.

“Did the payment for the magic stones come in?”

“Ah, yes. It was truly enormous.”

“If by any chance it’s delayed or anything, tell me or the other hunters right away.”

“Uh… Does it get delayed sometimes?”

“It really rarely happens, but sometimes people lose their minds and do crazy things.”

“…Harin-ah, isn’t that going too far?”

“Hunters should take care of hunter business among themselves. Jihyuk ahjussi, don’t let your guard down carelessly either.”

“…Alright.”

At Jo Harin’s sharp advice, Han Jihyuk obediently nodded his head.

‘Is it that bad?’

For Dooyoon, who had just entered the hunter industry, there was no way to know their inner workings.

“When should we go for the next clear?”

“…Are you okay, Dooyoon-ssi? Usually, during the rest period, you have to undergo a mental examination and adjust your condition-“

“The mental examination came out completely normal, and the Association also contacted me saying it doesn’t matter when I go in. In fact, it

felt like they wanted me to focus on clearing.”

At those words, the hunters’ expressions darkened.

Dooyoon was puzzled by their sudden change in attitude.

Is there any reason for such a desperate reaction to a hunter saying he’s going to clear the tower?

“Dooyoon oppa! Then are you going to prepare for the clear right away?!”

Beside him, Jung Ahyeon’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.

“If the other hunters’ schedules are okay, I’d like to go right away.”

He had been training hard again in the training ground during that time.

His body’s condition was at its peak.

He was ready to be deployed at any time.

“It’s probably better to push it to before the 5th floor, before the exchange meeting.”

“Exchange meeting?”

Han Jihyuk answered Dooyoon’s question.

“For a certain period, we’ll have a brief meeting time with hunters from various countries. The location rotates among the six towers.”

“This time, it’s the Tower of the Forgotten Banquet, so we’ll gather in South Korea.”

“Oh.”

Dooyoon was immersed in pure curiosity.

Hunters from various countries, not just South Korea; there would surely be much to learn again.

“Don’t expect too much.”

“Yes? Why?”

“They’ll probably be busy fighting for loyalty among themselves.”

Han Jihyuk didn’t bother to explain deeply.

It wouldn’t be a pleasant experience, if anything, it would foster distrust in humans.

“Since you’re okay with it, Dooyoon, let’s report to the Association first and set the schedule right away.”

“Oh, yes.”

Dooyoon readily nodded his head.

Clearing.

The thought of snatching, no, acquiring a boss mob’s skill and weapon again sent a refreshing breeze tickling Dooyoon’s heart.

Title: Since it’s Wine-jwa’s official statement

• Wine-jwa must know for sure about the monsters in that tower. Yeah;

• In conclusion, GreenUgly, this b*stard, completely graduated from the tower, isn’t that right?

• Not ejection, but graduation.

• I’m really so envious;

[ㄴ Not getting ejected is the greatest blessing there is.]

[ㄴ If you get ejected, it’s truly an existential death….]

Dooyoon, who was lying in his studio apartment browsing the gallery, paused at one sentence.

Existential death.

“It’s confusing.”

Death experienced inside the tower is routine; death by ejection is truly taken in that sense itself.

Dooyoon posted on the gallery to understand that irony.

(My post) Title: Newbie ejection question

So what I know is

Stacks accumulate due to certain conditions → Ejection → Kicked out of the tower → Go half-crazy and rampage → If you die in that state,

you can’t return to the tower and just die.

Is my understanding correct?

[ㄴ Accurate.]

[ㄴ What’s really fcked up about that is, first of all, causing a gate break isn’t even our intention, hahaha.]

[ㄴ It feels like someone is grabbing us by the hair and forcing us to cause trouble, if I have to put it that way.]

[ㄴ Seriously, hahaha.]

[ㄴ My post) But that’s the same in the boss room, isn’t it?]

[ㄴ At least there’s a chance to respawn there. If you die outside, it’s just over;]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) You don’t even know why you’re here, and you’re just used your whole life and then discarded like a tool.]

[ㄴ My post) Ah, that does sound fcked up;;]

[ㄴ My post) So that’s why you guys do somersaults at the word “graduation.”]

Title: Graduation at least guarantees minimum conditions.

Nickname: PaperLover*

• Taking GreenUgly as an example,

• You said, newbie, that he suddenly started talking and mentioned ancestors and whatnot, right?

• That’s definitely a partial regeneration of memories from the world he came from.

• Other boss mobs also said similar things right before graduation.

• Graduation isn’t usually something that happens easily in one go like when you were a newbie, but from what I heard, the situation

• itself was very similar. Yeah.

• In conclusion, newbie, you definitely have the power to restore our forgotten existence, that is, our past memories.

• And at the same time, it gives you the chance to send us back to where we came from.

[ㄴ Just imagining it makes my mouth water… ha…]

[ㄴ I’m curious about myself too.]

[ㄴ Bosses who have been around for a while seem to know a few things, but it’s generally accepted that most don’t know.]

[ㄴ I also don’t know why I have to be in this form and be hated for no reason;;]

[ㄴ Teacher, that’s just because you’re ugly.]

[ㄴ Hey, hey, hey.]

[ㄴ That’s enough.]

Title: Why the tower is really fcked up

-Suddenly kidnaps you, erases your memories, and places you as a boss mob.

You don’t even know who you are and have to face hunter bstards.

But these hunter bstards aren’t good guys either, obviously, hahaha.

Fcking malicious.

Forcing you to fight with b*stards you don’t even want to fight while losing your mind.

And if things don’t go well, you even get ejected.

You don’t know who you are, why you have to fight here, and later on, you just get discarded, hahaha.

Is there really any situation more fcked up than this?

The reason everyone pretends not to be and envies GreenUgly is

Because his graduation is officially confirmed, isn’t it?

The fact that his memories have returned to some extent and he graduated means he returned to the world he was originally in.

At least there, he can have a real life of his own. Yeah.

[ㄴ Quality post, recommend.]

[ㄴ My post) Now that you explain it like that, I understand perfectly. Thx thx.]

[ㄴ Original Poster) If you know, then treat me well, newbie. I’m lonely…]

[ㄴ RipenedWine*) Hoee…! Don’t you dare lay a hand on newbie-jang-desu…!]

[ㄴ Look at the Tower Master just doing whatever he wants, haha.]

[ㄴ Hey, the newbie belongs to everyone. Get in line.]

Title: So when’s the next schedule, newbie?

Nickname: PaperLover*

• Isn’t it about time you came back in? Yeah?

• Roughly searching the gallery, it seems like the bosses from the 3rd and 4th floors of Wine’s tower aren’t here.

• Let’s just quickly pass them and break through to the 5th floor. Yeah.

[ㄴ Talking so easily like it’s not your problem;;]

[ㄴ It’s not our problem either, hahaha.]

[ㄴ Original Poster) There isn’t just one or two floors to clear right now, so it’s better to do it quickly.]

[ㄴ The Tower Master is always right.]

[ㄴ RipenedWine*) Even if you say that…! There’s no way I’m handing over newbie-jang-desu…!]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) ;;; Calm down.]

[ㄴ Now openly claiming ownership, www]

[ㄴ My post) Teachers, what about my opinion?]

[ㄴ Once you’ve entered the tower, you have no choice….]

[ㄴ That’s how it is….]

Title: But I think my current actions are correct.

-In the first place, there isn’t just one or two towers that need to be cleared in the newbie’s world.

Even if he’s in Wine-jwa’s tower now,

The number of moderators permanently stationed in this gallery alone is six. Six.

That means at least six towers have taken root.

When would we have time to strategize while considering balance?

It’s more likely we’ll get ejected while waiting.

If everyone agrees, let’s all hit like once…

[ㄴ Squeezing my blls and liking;]

[ㄴ Teacher, why the perfectly good blls?]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) I agree with this too.]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) There aren’t just one or two bosses in the gallery, and it’s about time for stacks to accumulate too.]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) If we don’t act fast, it’s a foregone conclusion that someone will die in succession.]

[ㄴ Fck]

[ㄴ Seriously, all the b*stards opposing the newbie’s clear right now should be banned.]

Six towers.

This was also information Dooyoon knew.

The world was busy conquering towers, after all.

And from Dooyoon’s side as well, he had to prevent the tower’s boss mobs from being ejected.

‘Gate Break.’

Many more people would die again.

The hell that had taken away his childhood experiences, everything about his parents.

‘That absolutely cannot happen.’

Therefore, Dooyoon wanted to develop his abilities as quickly as possible, even by a single day.

To prevent a future where innocent victims like himself would suffer again.

Dooyoon explored the gallery for a long time after that, then fell asleep as if he had fainted.