Chapter 496. Dungeon Liberation Movement

Translator: Boko

Dungeon Liberation Movement.

Jae Woo edited the video and then uploaded it.

Although he had a ton of subscribers, there was no way people would respond to the video right away.

"Hum-hum."

His job done, Jae Woo picked up his phone and called Soo Ah. He would talk to her for a bit before going to sleep.

* * *

The Dungeon Liberation Movement drew a lot of attention.

Why, you ask?

It was due to Jae Woo, or rather, Kang Oh's fame. The Numbers were more famous than even most athletes. That's just how popular Arth was worldwide.

However, his recent rise in the ranks, from rank 4 to rank 2, had an even greater effect.

Players also couldn't help but watch Kang Oh's video, as it had been such a long time since his last upload. They were drawn in, thinking, 'Will this show us how he rose from rank 4 to rank 2?'.

Then there was the curious title. Dungeon Liberation Movement?

It was a title formulated by one of the Numbers, so there had to be some deeper meaning to it.

The video began with an explanation of what the Dungeon Liberation Movement was. It explained that Kang Oh sought to 'liberate' soul dungeons from large guilds, which restricted access to players, and let anyone explore them.

Kang Oh also challenged players to try and take the soul dungeon from him if they had the skill. Through legitimate means, of course.

He also asked people to stay tuned, since he may or may not sell these soul dungeons for a suitable price. However, the players who bought them were not allowed to restrict access to normal players. They obviously weren't allowed to take an entrance fee either.

After that, the viewers saw Predator Kang Oh take a soul dungeon from a large guild.

The video depicted Kang Oh completely overpowering the 12th ranked guild, Lash, and taking the Alaka Cave from them. The highlight of the video was Kang Oh buying the soul dungeon from Lash's guildmaster, Ogura, for 1 gold.

It was such a refreshing feeling for players oppressed by these large guilds to see them get their just desserts.

Kya!

At the same time, people were astonished by Kang Oh's overwhelming strength.

They were also fascinated with the Dungeon Liberation Movement itself. That's how the world worked; the messages of the strong were always the loudest.

The video ended with an advertisement. It stated, 'Please come to the liberated Alaka Cave!'.

It had only been six hours since he'd uploaded the video, but it spread like wildfire. The video filled message boards everywhere.

- Let's Not: Hey wait, he's just promoting his new soul dungeon. I can't believe we have people selling soul dungeons now.

- Kumquat: You're missing the point. Kang Oh's stance against the large guilds is showing us our path forward. The Dungeon Liberation Movement! Let's go, everyone.

- Anonymous: It doesn't matter whether it's the large guilds or Kang Oh. They just suck weak players dry. The Dungeon Liberation Movement is nothing more than a ploy to take more from us. In a way, Kang Oh is worse than the large guilds. After all, he stole what belonged to someone else for his benefit.

- It's Salty: Oho, don't be silly. Are you part of a large guild? Or a part-timer? Let's be real here. If the Dungeon Liberation Movement really gets going, who'll be hit the hardest?

- Tamatama: The large guilds. They won't be able to keep the soul dungeons all to themselves.

- It's Salty: Then let's support Kang Oh. Honestly, there are a ton of dungeons I want to explore, but the large guilds force me to either pay an entrance fee or prevent me from entering altogether.

- Tamatama: Agreed. To think that there's a solo player that could bring a large guild to its knees. I want to call him 'bro'.

- Maria: I want to call him 'oppa'.

- Dick: Hello, my name is Adventurer Dick. I was the original owner of the Alaka Cave, but the Lash Guild took it away from me. They forced me to give it up for 1 gold. However, I felt so refreshed when I watched Mr. Kang Oh do the same thing to Ogura. Thank you, Mr. Kang Oh! And I visited the Alaka Cave too. I could enter without anyone stopping me, and there was no entrance fee either. It was organized much better than when I owned it too. As expected of you, Mr. Kang Oh. I have faith in you!

- Han Byul: Yeah. Honestly, seeing Kang Oh annihilate the Lash Guild's elites was both exciting and refreshing to watch. Keep showing us stuff like that.

- Spider: The video was subtitled with the phrase, 'Dungeons belong to everyone'.

- Strawberry: He's right. I'm 100% for the Dungeon Liberation Movement. Get out of the way, large guilds!

- Kumquat: Let's do this. The Dungeon Liberation Movement!

- It's Salty: I've compiled a list of soul dungeons that the large guilds have taken on Arthtory's information board. Alaka Cave is first on the list, and I've marked it as 'liberated'. Ah, by the way, if there's any dungeons I've missed, feel free to post it on the message board. I'll make sure to add it immediately.

"Why are they making such a fuss over this?"

Jae Woo was absolutely speechless.

'Dungeon Liberation Movement' was just a catchy title. He just thought it fit, and there was no deeper meaning to it.

His original intention was to wrap it up with part 2 and part 3 with footage of him stealing dungeons from the large guilds.

From the start, he'd never had a grand plan like challenging the authority of the large guilds and their tyranny.

Of course, he didn't like large guilds. But at the same time, he couldn't fight all of the large guilds by himself. It would be a different story if he was on the same level as Valan though.

However, things had taken a strange turn. He had somehow become a freedom fighter that fought against the tyranny and injustice of the large guilds. It was as if he were one of the men fighting for Korean independence during Japanese colonial rule.

'How do I stop this?' Deep creases formed on his forehead.

If he were to say that his title had no meaning behind it, then what would happen? That anger and criticism that had been directed at the large guilds would be directed at him. The players would call him a liar, a cheat, and a fraud!

He couldn't let that happen!

Jae Woo changed his approach.

It was too late to change the message. It had lit a fire under the playerbase. If he wasn't cautious, then he'd get burned.

'If that's the case, then... I need to make it work in my favor,' he thought. 'The Dungeon Liberation Movement. I guess I should really go for it.'

Jae Woo's eyes gleamed.

He had originally only intended on stealing a couple more dungeons from the large guilds. After all, if he was too greedy, then the large guilds could form an alliance and take him out.

But what if he were to steal all of their dungeons with the support of countless players?

'The large guilds will have to be careful. They won't be able to take me out easily. After all, I have justification. Wow, if I play my cards right, then I may be able to take dozens of soul dungeons for my own.' Jae Woo grinned.

However, he quickly wiped that grin off his face.

'No, I need to take my time. If I act too hastily, then it'll all blow up in my face. I have to form a plan, and then take it step by step.'

Plus, Jae Woo had to finish his task of killing the remaining Mayanes. This mission was more important than the Dungeon Liberation Movement. After all, the quest reward would give him the chance to become a Grandmaster.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Jae Woo tapped his index finger on his chair's armrest, and his eyes stilled.

* * *

Kang Oh met with Bart and Helena.

"What is it?" Helena asked in a businesslike tone. She was as blunt as always.

"Hey, Freedom Fighter." Bart sported a mischievous smile and tapped Kang Oh's shoulder.

Kang Oh grinned. "Please sit down."

The three sat around a circular table.

"You made a huge mess," Bart stared at Kang Oh and said.

"A mess?" Kang Oh replied.

"The Dungeon Liberation Movement. It's like declaring all out war on the large guilds."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Well, I guess there's nothing wrong with it." Bart grinned.

Bart had similar feelings towards the large guilds; he too wasn't fond of their actions.

"Why did you call us?" Helena drank some tea and said. He could see the boredom in her eyes.

"I'd like your help." Kang Oh grinned. 'Let's leave a good impression!'

"No thank you," Bart immediately said.

"You didn't even hear me out."

"I know exactly what you want. No thank you," Bart said firmly.

He had seen right through Kang Oh. Kang Oh had come to ask them to help him with the Dungeon Liberation Movement.

"It sounds troublesome, so I will pass as well." Helena likewise knew what he wanted.

"Don't you owe me?" Kang Oh decided to convince her first.

"I paid my debt by helping you fight the Evil God Worshippers."

"I think you still owe me."

"I don't think so," Helena said decisively.

"Then let's do this."

"What?"

"Let's ask the Witch's Forest for a vote. Ask them whether you still owe me or not."

"...You're a bad man."

Both Helena and Kang Oh knew what the outcome would be.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The Witch's Forest was made up of good, friendly girls, so they would never forget who saved them. There would be no point in calling for a vote.

"Please pay off the rest of your debt by helping me."

"Hoo, understood." Helena nodded her head.

"I'll also introduce you to the Divine Dragon, Gainus."

Give and take. He had essentially forced her into this, so he had to pay her back appropriately.

"Really?"

There was only one thing that drew her attention: magic. And the Divine Dragon had reached the pinnacle of magic.

"Yes."

"Then that changes things. Alright. I'll do my best." Helena looked excited again.

Magic is Better than Food. If she wrote an autobiography, then that's probably what the title would be.

"Thank you." Kang Oh bowed his head, and then stared at Bart.

"Now then, Mr. Bart."

"Yes?"

"Are you afraid of the large guilds?"

"You're not going to convince me with a cheap trick like that."

"It's no trick. It just seems weird to me. I thought you'd appreciate my offer. Instead, you quickly rejected it."

"Why's that?"

"This is your chance to give them their just desserts."

"I'm worried about the aftermath."

"So you are afraid of them."

"I'm not."

"It seems that way to me."

Bart silently stared at Kang Oh.

Kang Oh clapped, clearing up the atmosphere.

'I can't keep provoking him. If that won't work, then... I have to say something shocking and unbalance him. Then, I have to wait for my opportunity.'

"Ah, that's right. Mr. Bart."

"What is it?"

"I became a Master."

"What?" Bart looked shocked.

Helena reacted similarly. Her eyes shook.

"Really?" Bart asked, his face in complete disbelief.

"How do you think I rose to rank 2? I became a Master, that's how."

"Ah, I thought I'd be the second Master after Dukeram. Damn it." Bart looked disappointed.

"How high is your proficiency?"

"...98%."

"You're pretty far."

"I just need to raise it another 2%."

"The final 1% will be the hardest. There's a wall there, after all."

"A wall?"

"You didn't know? Your proficiency won't rise beyond 99%. So long as you don't break the wall, that is."

Bart bit his lip. It seemed like he really hadn't known.

"Normally, a teacher would tell you this."

Just as Valan and Burkan did for him.

"My class doesn't really have a teacher."

Bart was truly a genius. After all, he had gotten this far by himself.

"Want to know how to break the wall?"

This was his opportunity.

"It's not free, I imagine?"

"Give and take."

"If it's nothing big, or a lie, then..."

"Then you can refuse my request."

"Mm, ok."

Ultimately, he managed to draw Bart in too.

Kang Oh smiled in satisfaction, and pulled out two pieces of paper from his inventory.

"Please take this. These are the dungeons you must liberate."

Helena's paper had information on the Aldebarun Tomb, which was currently owned by the 9th ranked Corruption Guild.

On the other hand, Bart was responsible for Demian Palace, which was owned by the 10th ranked Bleach Guild.

"How long do we have?" Bart asked.

"Three days should be enough, right?"

"More than enough."

"Not a problem."

Bart and Helena replied.

"Then let's do our best," Kang Oh said strongly.

"Yes."

"Ok."

Bart and Helena left.

Kang Oh sent Bart a message, detailing how one would go about breaking the wall separating a normal human from a Master. He explained that he needed to accomplish a great feat.

- What? That's so simple. You cheated me. I'm not doing it!

Bart messaged back. Kang Oh had expected this reaction from him.

- It's not as easy as you think. So I'll help you accomplish that great feat. How does that sound?

- Understood.

- Good luck.

There was no message back.

Kang Oh grinned. He could just imagine how much Bart was complaining and pouting right now.

"I guess I should get going too." Kang Oh stood up.

The Dungeon Liberation Movement.

'Let's do this!'