Chapter 35

Dungeon Maker

Who is the strongest country in the hunter world?

If you ask, everyone shouts.

“Undoubtedly, it’s the United States!”

“Of course, the United States is the undisputed number one.”

They possess more Rankers than any other country on Earth.

A country that pours enormous resources at the national level.

The budget the United States uses for the hunter industry is about 30% of the world’s budget, so that says it all.

Among those American Rankers.

Who is the most difficult hunter?

And also the most mysterious hunter?

Everyone comes to one conclusion.

That is.

Rank 5.

Dungeon Maker, Delilah.

“Dungeon Maker?”

“What’s that? Does she make Dungeons? The title is a bit unfamiliar?”

Her ability is simple.

As the title suggests, she makes Dungeons.

However, the application of that ability was not simple.

Rather, it was limitless.

“Did you hear? Delilah released a Dungeon Artifact!”

“Dungeon Artifact? What’s that?”

“It seems you can put a Dungeon in an accessory and decorate your own Dungeon?”

“……?”

“Hey, it’s amazing! You get your own shelter, home, and subspace! The utility is incredible!”

“Oh, really? So, how much does it cost?”

“I don’t know.”

“……?”

“I heard that even if a conglomerate offered over 100 billion, she wouldn’t sell it. It takes a lot of mental energy to make one? There’s only a rumor that she gives them as gifts to people she recognizes.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Well… a hunter like Delilah wouldn’t be moved by money.”

Delilah is a Ranker among Rankers, ranking in the top digits in the world.

She is known to have a lot of money.

“Then wouldn’t thieves constantly swarm around her?”

“Yeah, just stealing one artifact would be a life-changer.”

Naturally, there were many hunters who targeted her.

Even Rankers, not just ordinary hunters.

But.

Would she be Rank 5 for no reason?

Delilah was elusive.

Even when she occasionally appeared, it was an illusion.

The store she resides in is so dangerous that there’s a saying it’s an ‘S-class Dungeon.’

Above all.

Official record, 0 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws.

Delilah was not someone you could fight just because you wanted to.

“…….”

Skills, titles, abilities, etc., everything about her is like a hazy mirage.

What she is doing.

What she looks like.

She has never been revealed to the media even once.

A being surrounded by rumors.

That is.

Nickname: Mirage.

Dungeon Maker.

“That’s it for.”

Gi So-yul, who had been explaining diligently, cleared her throat for a moment.

“Ahem, that’s the ‘Dungeon Maker’ that ordinary people know.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of her.”

There was no way I wouldn’t know.

She’s listed as number 5 on the world ranking board.

Delilah is a figure who is still frequently covered on TV.

“But from now on, I’m going to tell you something only Rankers know.”

Gi So-yul, with her arms crossed, raised her right hand and stroked her neck.

“In fact, the Dungeon Maker opens a Trial Dungeon every half year.”

“Trial Dungeon?”

“Yes, no one knows why she makes such Dungeons, why she opens them secretly. The most valid guess at the moment is that she grows by creating such things and having many people participate. But that’s not certain either.”

“……I see.”

Gulp.

I swallowed.

My head buzzed with the new information.

“So, what kind of Dungeon is the Trial Dungeon?”

“We don’t know the contents of the Dungeon either. I heard it changes every time. The only thing that’s certain is… if you pass all the trials given in that Dungeon, you can at least settle within the top three digits of the rankings.”

Ah, so that’s why.

Is that why she’s called the Ranker who makes Rankers?

However, this is unknown.

Is it because they passed the trial that they become Rankers?

Or is it because they had the skills to become Rankers that they passed the trial?

It’s the same as not knowing whether the chicken or the egg came first.

“Three years ago, we, who are now called the Seoul Five Stars, also passed the trial and entered the rankings. With three-digit rankings. Of course, time has passed and our rankings have risen.”

“……I see.”

Then isn’t that really amazing?

The Berserker is 20th.

The Archery Master is 58th.

To have their rankings rise so much in three years.

What the hell have they been doing?

‘Well.’

Looking at my growth rate these days.

It’s not impossible if there are only lucky chances.

“Anyway, there are two conditions for participating in the Trial Dungeon. First, you must be at least an A-class hunter.”

“……Yes?”

I’m still D-class…

I don’t even know how to get to C-class, what A-class are you talking about!

“Don’t worry too much. The Trial Dungeon opens every half year. You can go there when you’re ready. I think Dong-hoon will achieve it soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, second, you must bring recommendation letters from five Rankers.”

“Huh?”

“I think it’s Delilah’s will to only accept guaranteed people. The recommendation letters come in the form of notes when you’re in the rankings. A note that only we can see from the System.”

“Wow.”

I was impressed.

Does that mean Delilah is connected to the System?

‘Or.’

It could just be a skill.

For example, [Sends a message to those listed on the world ranking board]?

‘By the way.’

Recommendations from five Rankers?

That’s easier said than done.

It’s harder to see a Ranker than a celebrity.

Does that mean you need connections to become a Ranker now?

What a dirty world!

Gi So-yul chuckled as she watched me mutter to myself.

There are precautions in the note. If you divulge information to the public, the recommendation authority will be revoked. And there’s a restriction that you can’t participate in any content that the Dungeon Maker is running in the future. However, there is an exception for recommendation candidates. So, if Dong-hoon divulges it anywhere, you’ll be penalized.”

As soon as she finished speaking.

[Ding!]

[You have heard information about the Dungeon Maker.]

[Warning! Warning! Warning!]

[If you divulge information to someone who is not a Ranker, you will not be able to participate in the ‘Dungeon Maker’s’ content in the future!]

[However, recommendation candidates are an exception.]

[Also, if the recommendation candidate divulges, the penalty will be returned to the recommender!]

[Tip/Say ‘Register Recommendation’ to set a recommendation candidate.]

“Oh my god.”

I finally understood now.

Why Baekdon was so sensitive to divulging information.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? I wonder what Delilah’s identity is. By the way, I’ve already registered Dong-hoon as a candidate.”

“Really, it’s like adjusting the status window. Isn’t this like a god? Or the mastermind of this world?”

“No one knows.”

Gi So-yul spat out.

“However, judging from the fact that no one has divulged it yet.”

“That means there’s no Ranker who wants to be on bad terms with Delilah.”

“Exactly.”

It was innovative.

If Delilah is really a hunter.

Isn’t that amazing?

A hunter who went to the top with the special ability to create Dungeons.

Moreover.

A businesswoman who can hold all the Rankers tight.

‘By the way.’

I suddenly remembered.

In the end, the Dark Emperor also entered the rankings through the Trial Dungeon, right?

He kept shouting Dungeon, Dungeon… was that the Trial Dungeon?

‘Well.’

That wasn’t important.

What was important was that the possibility of my dream coming true had become higher than I had imagined.

“So… that’s why the five of you gathered. The Dark Emperor was going to introduce me to the Trial Dungeon.”

“Hahaha.”

It was then that Jang Dae-ung, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.

“Yes, that’s right. A group gathered to easily recommend someone. That’s the essence of our Seoul Five Stars.”

His shoulders were broad, and he looked somehow cool.

“So.”

He stared at me intently.

“The important thing is one thing.”

“……Yes.”

“Are you confident that you can receive our recommendation?”

I grasped the point of the question.

The condition presented earlier.

He’s asking if I can become an A-class hunter.

“……When is the next Trial Dungeon?”

“Next trial? Hmm, it’s in exactly 5 months.”

“5 months…….”

It felt infinitely short.

It took me 3 years to go from E-class to D-class.

“Haha, that’s not important. If you have the will to do it, we can always leave a spot open. We’ve been recommending one person every half year, and you’re the first person Gi So-yul has directly recommended.”

“I see.”

I turned my head and looked at Gi So-yul.

She subtly avoids my gaze.

What is it?

‘Anyway.’

5 months is worth a try.

Even 11 months would be fine, but I didn’t want to.

‘Aim high.’

It’s different now than it was then.

I have a good teacher.

I have a good medium.

The growth rate of ‘me’ over the past month is much greater than the growth rate of ‘me’ over the past three years.

Besides.

What’s there to worry about?

I should be begging for it.

They’re going to spoon-feed me.

“What the heck.”

I nodded confidently.

“Okay. Let’s do it. Five Rankers are giving me a chance, what idiot would refuse?”

“Kuhahaha, as expected, my brother. You’re so cool?”

Jang Dae-ung laughed heartily.

“But it’s best not to think too easily. We’ve recommended only five people so far, and the only hunter who has passed is Kim Hyuk-sun. Not only that, but there are less than 50 Rankers who have come out of the Trial Dungeon so far. Most of those who failed have become disabled or gone missing.”

“…….”

No, why are you telling me such scary facts now?

‘Of course.’

I didn’t think the path to becoming a Ranker would be easy.

“I’ll be prepared.”

As I clenched my fist.

Baekdon walked over to me.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“For the record, I’m going to get a hefty recommendation fee after you become a Ranker. Trading should be fair.”

Indeed, the temperament of a ‘merchant.’

Is he going to invest for the future?

“Of course. I’ll definitely pay you back with interest.”

I’ll return as much as I receive.

That’s my standard anyway.

‘Especially, Gi So-yul.’

I still looked at her leaning against the streetlight.

I don’t know why she’s helping me so much.

After all, the biggest debt was to her.

“…….”

Blank.

After a series of incidents.

I returned to my room and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“…….”

I still couldn’t believe it.

A Trial Dungeon.

Content from Delilah, a figure known as a mirage.

Just in case, I searched the ‘Hunter Bulletin Board’ thoroughly.

I couldn’t find any related content.

‘I need to move busily from now on.’

I fiddled with the medium I took out of my pocket.

[Item: Root of Racial Conflict]

[Grade: A]

[Type: Medium]

[Description: A root that can uncover the secrets of a hidden ruin.]

[Effect 1: Can open the Dungeon, ‘Forest and Rock’.]

[Effect 2: Item attributed to Hunter, ‘Ju Dong-hoon’.]

[Effect 3: This item can be activated from Hunter grade C or higher.]

‘Forest and Rock.’

I could instinctively tell.

That I could grow one step further by clearing this.

‘To do that.’

First, I need to raise my grade to C-class.

[Hunter: Ju Dong-hoon]

[Title: X]

[Stamina: 120/120]

[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]

[Grade: D]

State information that is shabby compared to the hunters I met today.

No title, low grade.

‘C-class.’

When I don’t know the method, there’s only one thing I can choose.

‘Effort.’

From tomorrow.

I’ll divide my time into three.

Wake up early in the morning and train with the Old Man, review until the morning.

After that, I’m going to the Dungeon unconditionally.

Now I have the skills to go to the Dungeon alone.

‘Don’t miss the opportunity.’

The lucky chances I’ve had so far.

Today’s meeting with the Seoul Five Stars.

They were worth a thousand gold to me.

‘I’m looking forward to the future.’

I was excited.

What my future adventures will be like.

Dark night.

I closed my eyes, firmly determined in my heart.