Chapter 103: Snake Oil Salesman Kim Ki-Rok? (1)

Due to his status, the president couldn't accompany his guest to the main gate. If possible, he would have preferred discussing the matter all day. The issue Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok had brought was that significant.

However, doing so would inevitably attract unwanted attention from those trying to eavesdrop. Even now, the situation felt precarious.

The president gazed out the window and addressed his aide, "Explain to me the World Tree's abilities again."

"It grants increased experience gain, improves overall stats, and weakens monsters—especially those drawing on mana from the demon realm. It also boosts elemental resistance, and for those with the potential to become an Elementalist, it will trigger their Emergence."

He sighed deeply. It was difficult to believe in the existence of a legendary entity like the World Tree, previously only mentioned in games or novels. Yet, he had witnessed the High Elf's spirit firsthand, and considering Kim Ki-Rok's track record, skepticism felt misplaced.

"Are these effects limited to the World Tree's territory?" the president asked.

"No. Kim Ki-Rok mentioned that the buffs were in the form of a blessing. The increase in experience gain, stats, and Increased resistance will continue until it eventually wears off."

"And the weakening effect on monsters?"

"It applies to monsters within the territory, presumably those invading Earth via Breaks." The aide displayed information on a tablet via the IPTV on one of the office walls.

[Cursed Mithril Longsword]

Description: A longsword forged from mithril infused with demon mana

Effect: Currently forcibly sealed

The aide continued. "According to Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok, it weakens anything imbued with mana from the demon realm, including objects."

"So it weakens the mana of the demon realm contained in objects as well."

The aide nodded. "That's right."

The president was very pleased to hear this. If Korea secured the World Tree, Hunters worldwide would flock to the country, possibly even apply for citizenship. The World Tree's blessings were both numerous and potent.

"Lastly, the fifth ability," the aide said,

"The Emergence of talents?"

"Yes. It would seem that Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok omitted a crucial detail, intentionally or otherwise."

"What is it?"

"Well, he mentioned the Emergence of those who had the potential to become Elementalists..."

"Indeed... he did say that."

"But sir, he said

Emergence

."

President Kim Tae-Hoo's eyes widened with realization. "Could it be..."

The aide nodded. "Precisely. Those ordinary people who have potential but have yet to awaken—"

The president cut in. "The tree forcibly awakens their talents to bloom forth."

Emergence was often compared to the act of bringing forth a closed bud to full bloom.

"Yes. And while it's not certain, there are likely those who have already undergone Awakening who possess the potential to be Elementalists. There's a high possibility that their talents will emerge."

It was forced Awakening. The president finally understood why Kim Ki-Rok deemed the fifth blessing significant.

"That's why Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok said he couldn't ask for support from other countries," the president said. "What's the possibility of clearing the Gate with just our country's forces alone?"

"Less than 30%, sir."

The weakest monster was Level 80, and the strongest was 120.

"But with Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok's plan and the help of the Elves... Our chances to succeed would be high, although we would sustain significant damages."

The question was, would they accept the damage that would take place for the sake of future profit? Or would they take the loss to minimize damages?

The president weighed the choice silently before addressing his aides. "I heard Kim Ki-Rok excels at training talent. Is that correct?"

"Indeed."

"So, he's asking us to decide within a week and send selected Hunters to the DG Guild, intending to improve their skills to minimize casualties and maximize success."

The president deliberated only briefly, as the answer seemed clear to him.

"Restrict all information on this matter. And as Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok requested, select and dispatch only elite Hunters."

At the president's order, the aides moved swiftly.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Gate clear would be handled exclusively by South Korea.

***

Although a month and a half was a short time, it was enough time to foster significant growth.

The Guildmasters of the major guilds were now gathered in silence at the DG General Sales Office, having been summoned by Kim Ki-Rok. None of them had expected such an important matter to be thrown at them out of nowhere, and they were struggling to process it. Yet no matter how much they turned it over in their minds, they kept arriving at the same conclusion.

"The difficulty would be very high, but..."

"We'd hit the jackpot if we succeeded."

Shine Guild's Lee Yeon-Hwa and Golden Lion Guild's Baek Min-Hyuk were in full agreement.

Although the stakes were very high, Korea would be the only country in the world to have received the blessings of the World Tree if they succeed.

With his arms crossed and deep in thought, Jang Baek-San, Guildmaster of Baekdusan Guild, tilted his head and asked, "Uh, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok? Would it be possible to plant the World Tree here in Korea first?"

At that, both Lee Yeon-Hwa and Baek Min-Hyuk's eyes lit up. It was a loophole, a potential shortcut. If it worked, it could significantly boost their chances. A 5% stat buff for someone around Level 50 was basically like gaining two or three levels.

However, Kim Ki-Rok shook his head without a moment's hesitation. "It's impossible."

It wasn't difficult, but impossible.

Seeing their disappointment, Kim Ki-Rok elaborated. "The World Tree's seed needs a High Elf's help to sprout. And right now, in Korea, or anywhere on Earth, really, there are no High Elves."

"Then doesn't that mean we won't be able to sprout the seed even if we clear the Gate?" someone asked.

Ji Cheol-Hyun, Team Leader of the Hunters Association's Gate Hunter Team, raised his hand. "According to Miss Ayl, the seed requires pure mana from a High Elf to sprout. And Miss Ayl is not the only High Elf in existence."

"Ah!"

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "That's right. After we clear the Gate, we need to contact another High Elf and use a mana stone infused with that High Elf's mana to plant the World Tree. By the way, although Miss Ayl is a High Elf, she is a spirit. The mana she uses now is Ji-Hee's mana."

The meeting attendees seemed convinced. Although they were disappointed that their shortcut would not work, they had no choice but to give up. There was simply no way to sprout the World Tree before clearing the Gate.

"Let's move on," Kim Ki-Rok continued. "We will face monsters ranging from Level 80 to 120. Even with buff potions, buff skills, artifacts, and greater magic weapons, Hunters participating in the clear must be at least Level 70."

Level 120.

The others either sighed deeply or swallowed hard at the mention of such a high level. Kim Ki-Rok spoke again. "However, thanks to Miss Ayl, we will have reinforcements. They are presumed to be quite skilled, so we can leave the more troublesome monsters to them. Of course, we still need to support them with buff potions, cooking, and rear support skills. The busiest people inside the Gate will likely be the rear support Hunters. By the way, they have no level limit, but they can only participate if their skills are B-Class or higher."

That seemed fair. They would need to rely on supporter Hunters the most.

With a flash of light, a projector displayed the participation requirements on the screen.

Combat Hunters: Level 70 and above

Production and Manufacturing Hunters: B-Class skills and above

Buffers: B-Class skills and above (fixed), Level 70 and above (percentage-based)

One of the participants, who had been quietly reading the conditions, raised his hand. "Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."

"Yes?"

"You said that even if the Hunters exceed Level 70, they would still need to be armed with Greater weapons and artifacts. But even among those Hunters, many do not own Greater weapons or artifacts."

"The DG Guild will be renting out Greater weapons and artifacts."

The Hunter who had asked the question, along with those around him, stood in stunned silence.

They had the means to do that? They had that many Greater weapons and artifacts?

"There is no need to worry. Both the Association and the government have approved this. Also, please send those who are talented and can keep a secret to the DG Guild. I will personally raise them to Level 70. Even if they cannot reach Level 70 within the time limit, I can definitely bring them to the early 60s. Of course, you would need to consider the issue of forfeiting the chance to earn additional ability points."

As one's level increased, so did their physical abilities, but the time required to gain additional ability points also grew longer.

Lee Yeon-Hwa, who had been quietly thinking, raised her hand. "What if they are under Level 70, but all their stats exceed 70?"

"If such a person exists, they can participate. However, it is not enough for just one of their stats to exceed 70. All of their ability points must be above 70," Kim Ki-Rok replied.

"Then... that would be difficult."

"As I said, please leave those with talent but lacking Levels in my care. Even if I cannot raise them to Level 70, I can bring them to Level 60," he spoke with confidence.

Lee Yeon-Hwa said tentatively, "Can I ask how...? Ah, I suppose not. It must be your guild's secret."

The training method was the reason for the DG Guild's rapid growth. Asking how it worked was not just impolite, it was the kind of question that might earn you a punch in the face.

Lee Yeon-Hwa immediately withdrew her question, realizing her mistake, but Kim Ki-Rok remained unbothered.

"Shall I tell you?" Kim Ki-Rok offered.

"Huh? Is that okay?"

"Of course."

It was not just Lee Yeon-Hwa. The other representatives, all thinking about talented but under-leveled members of their guilds, turned their attention to Kim Ki-Rok.

"We will be using Mr. Seh-Hyuk and Ji-Hee. They will work as a unit."

"Hunter Kang Seh-Hyuk? From the Five Siblings of Mapogu?"

"Yes. Hunter Kang Seh-Hyuk possesses a skill called Shout of the Vanguard. It is an Awakened ability that provokes enemies with a loud, mana-infused shout."

The others nodded in understanding.

Then, what about Kim Ji-Hee?

"Among the spirits assisting Ji-Hee, there is a Pegasus named Mandong. It can carry a person on its back. Mandong maintains a physical form using Ji-Hee's mana, so it will consume her mana continuously, but it can fly while carrying at least one person."

A brief silence followed Kim Ki-Rok's explanation, as though everyone was still processing what he had just said.

"You don't mean..."

"We will enter a Gate overflowing with monsters. We will place Kang Seh-Hyuk, fully buffed, on Pegasus Mandong, summoned with Ji-Hee's mana. Then, Mr. Kang Seh-Hyuk will roam the Gate, using his skills. What do you think will happen?"

All the monsters would converge to attack Kang Seh-Hyuk.

"What is required for level advancement is monster subjugation. So, to level up quickly, all you need is to increase the speed at which that happens."

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?" Baek Min-Hyuk of the Golden Lion Guild raised his hand.

"Yes. Baek Su—" Kim Ki-Rok stopped himself quickly after catching his glare. "Representative of the Golden Lion Guild, Hunter Baek Min-Hyuk, the King of a Hundred Beasts."

"Does the DG Guild also level up its members using this method?"

"No. We do not have a guild member with that large a level gap yet."

"So, this would be the first time you are using this strategy?"

The other Guildmasters clearly had no desire to take part in what they saw as DG Guild's wild experiment.

"This is not the first time it has been used. We have cleared Gates with this method before, especially when the Gate's clear condition was to eliminate all monsters inside." Kim Ki-Rok's confidence remained unshaken. "With a bit of hardship and some adversity, tremendous growth is possible."

Well,

a bit

was an overstatement.

"Tremendous growth is possible. So, if you entrust them to me, I will raise them to Level 70, or at the very least, to Level 60," Kim Ki-Rok said.

The representatives fell silent.

It was a rare chance to cultivate talent in a short period. Kim Ki-Rok knew they would send their members to him without question.

Kim Ki-Rok added, "Ah, you can also send those who are talented but troublesome. Those who underestimate the Gate and the monsters because their talent is too exceptional."

The representatives' eyes widened.

They all had those kinds of Hunters who looked down on Gates and monsters simply because they were too talented. Hunters who, while not openly disregarding ordinary people, still held them in quiet contempt for lacking the talent to awaken. These individuals had great ability, but poor character and weak work ethic.

In the field, they were often called "devil's talent." Their talents were too valuable to discard, yet they were a constant source of frustration.

And now, Kim Ki-Rok was offering to train even those sort of people?