Chapter 139: Order of Operations (1)

A-Class Gates would begin appearing in large numbers starting in 2045. Until then, such Gates had only appeared sporadically, prompting the entire world to unite in clearing each one.

"It must have appeared."

Kim Ki-Rok was sitting in front of the computer, staring intently at the monitor.

[

Dwarven Mine

]

Difficulty: Levels 82–95

Reward: Unknown

The objective of the Dwarven Mine Gate was to rescue dwarves being forced into labor by the Black Wizards.

"Hmm..."

Although Kim Ki-Rok had cleared this Gate in past lifetimes, he had only managed to save a handful of dwarves. The monsters inside had been far stronger than their level range suggested, and the Black Wizards themselves guarded the captives. To make matters worse, reinforcements would arrive for the Black Wizards after some time, making it even harder to protect the dwarves.

Even if one managed to defeat the Black Wizards and monsters and successfully rescue the dwarves, another challenge remained: the dwarves would reach out to the Continental Alliance, which would then dispatch reinforcements.

The problem was surviving until help arrived. Escape on foot was out of the question. Enraged by the attack, the Black Wizards would lead waves of monsters in a relentless assault. It was nearly impossible to defend the exhausted dwarves—whose stamina and willpower had hit rock bottom—while retreating and fending off attacks from all sides.

"Well, things will be a bit different this time."

Despite the grim history, Kim Ki-Rok remained confident as he looked at the monitor. This time, he was prepared to drastically lower the difficulty. He could notify the permanent Gate in advance and arrange for reinforcements. He could also borrow weapons imbued with sacred power to prepare for the siege, and he could carefully select who would participate in the Gate raid.

In previous Attempts, whenever an A-Class Gate emerged, the Association and the government had assembled all Hunters above Level 70. Hunters from other countries also joined, recognizing the immense threat posed by such Gates. Once all the Hunters were assembled, the Association and the government briefed them on the Gate's specifics—namely, that the objective was to rescue dwarves. Understanding that this was a valuable opportunity to build ties with the dwarves, every Hunter who attended the briefing took part in the Gate raid.

Dwarves could sometimes be found in other Gates, but this one was different. Here, they wouldn't just encounter dwarves; they would be rescuing them. In return, the dwarves would owe them a favor. A successful clear offered not only the usual rewards from the Gate but also a separate reward from the dwarves.

The issue, however, was the Gate's extreme difficulty. It was located in one of the Black Wizards' key bases. The base was already crawling with high-level Black Monsters, and the Black Wizards fought fiercely to protect it. As a result, one-third of the participating Hunters had died during previous Attempts.

Kim Ki-Rok stretched, lost in thought. "Ugh! What to do..."

Reducing the casualty rate was critical this time around.

The Association and the government would undoubtedly summon the DG Guild. Although they had fewer than ten Hunters above Level 80, the DG Guild had become a force that couldn't be measured solely by level. Their ace Hunters who had surpassed Level 80 were even stronger than their level suggested, and their technical Hunters wielded particularly unique abilities.

"I should prepare a few things too. Let's see... Skill, Cooking."

[

Cooking (B)

]

Description: Adds a time-limited effect to completed dishes

"This skill is leveling up nicely."

Though his Swordsmanship was still at C-Class, his Cooking had already reached a higher level. And his dishes always turned out a grade higher than the Skill itself. The effects granted by Cooking were incredibly helpful, especially since they didn't overlap with the effects of other skills or magic. On top of that, the DG Guild had another distinctive trait.

Suddenly, a door creaked open. Kim Ji-Hee, wearing cute pajamas with a rabbit printed on them, rubbed her eyes and walked over.

"Looks like Ji-Hee's going to be the main character."

"Mist..." Kim Ji-Hee tilted her head at Kim Ki-Rok's mention of a "main character." "

Humm?

"

"Ji-Hee."

"Yeeess."

"Do you want to go eat some

delicious

sausages with me?"

***

"A dwarven mine..."

Just from the name, it was obvious this Gate would involve dwarves, not just a couple.

"The problem is the difficulty..."

Association President Kang Man-Ki stood in quiet contemplation as the elevator ascended. The Yuashiel Dimension was under siege, threatened by the Black Wizards and their demonic summons.

"The Dwarven Mines must lie within Black Kingdom territory."

What awaited inside the Gate remained uncertain. That answer would come once the A-Class Hunter with stealth specialization returned from reconnaissance.

As the elevator doors opened, Association President Kang Man-Ki made way to the conference room with his aides and asked, "What about the foreign A-Class Hunters?"

"Many are currently using the Permanent Gate. There's a high likelihood they'll join the Gate clear."

"Right."

South Korea, especially Seoul, had become so filled with foreigners it resembled an international expo.

"This Gate has an extremely high difficulty. First, confirm the Gate's clear conditions with Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."

"Yes, we've already reached out to him."

Satisfied with the response, Kang Man-Ki stopped in front of the conference room door. He stared at the doorknob, momentarily lost in thought, before turning to his aides again.

"Should we involve the DG Guild in this Gate clear?"

Reports confirmed that DG Guild had fewer than ten Hunters above Level 80. But this was the DG Guild, renowned for its stockpile of B-Class or higher magical equipment and numerous Hunters with rare abilities.

"Yes," one of the aides replied without hesitation. "Of course, we'll need to enforce some restrictions on combat Hunters to ensure safety and fairness with other guilds. But the technical Hunters are a different matter."

Among the ranks of DG Guild were Potion Brewer Lim Yun-Ju, who could craft a wide variety of potions, and Scroll Maker Cha Min-Ji, who could create scrolls infused with magic or skills. There was also Reinforcement Artisan Kang Woo-Hyuk, who specialized in enhancing equipment.

The guild had many other technical Hunters, but there was one person whose participation in this Gate clear was absolutely essential.

"We must get Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok to participate."

Kim Ki-Rok possessed a B-Class Cooking Skill, yet the meals he prepared were of A-Class quality. In addition, he had the Discernment Skill, which allowed him to identify the Gate's clear conditions as well as the abilities of others.

Though classified as an administrator-type Hunter, his combat capabilities were exceptional enough to hold his own in short-term battles against a demon.

"Above all, his intelligence will be of great help."

"It's another dimension. Will Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok's intel be relevant?"

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok maintains a strong relationship with the High Elves. He's also built rapport with the regent of an empire. The same goes for the Temple Alliance. Even if we don't have all the details yet, knowing him, he will have already gathered significant information."

Reports indicated that Kim Ki-Rok visited the Permanent Gate nearly every other day. While most Hunters explored beyond the fortress walls, Kim Ki-Rok consistently headed to the castle, suggesting he wasn't there to hunt monsters.

"I see. What did Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok say?"

"He said he'll join once he confirms the Gate's clear conditions."

His capable aides had already handled the matter. Association President Kang Man-Ki nodded in satisfaction and pushed open the conference room door.

The sharp gazes of the gathered Guildmasters fixed on him as he entered and took the head seat without delay.

"Thank you all for coming to the Association on such short notice. As you know, the reason I've gathered you is the emergence of an A-Class Gate within our borders. Without further ado, let's begin."

***

Although he already knew the Gate's clear conditions by heart, Kim Ki-Rok still used Discernment because the Association employee standing beside him was watching with eager, twinkling eyes.

[

Dwarven Mine

]

Difficulty: Levels 82–95

Reward: Unknown

Clear Condition: Rescue the dwarf

※Special Reward Condition 1: Survival of dwarves

※Special Reward Condition 2: Annihilation of Black Wizards and monsters

※Special Reward 1: The more survivors, the higher the reward

※Special Reward 2: All stats +2

The clear condition was quite straightforward.

The problem is that even after the rescue, we have to hold out until reinforcements arrive...

Kim Ki-Rok stared at the hologram for a moment before waving it away. "Would you like me to explain the conditions here, or should I go over them once we arrive at the Association's conference room?"

The Association staff pulled out their phone, ready to send a text. "Please explain it in the conference room. Ah, but could I know the clear condition first?"

"The clear condition is to rescue the dwarves."

"I see. That's pretty simple."

"There is a special reward condition to annihilate the Black Wizards and monsters, though."

"So you mean the objective is to defeat the Black Wizards and monsters occupying the mine and rescue the dwarves?"

"Well, a Gate is similar to dungeons in games in some ways, but different in others. Just a guess, but I think the word 'rescue' encompasses a lot more than it seems... At least, that's what I think."

"Encompasses a lot of meanings..."

The seemingly competent Association staff mulled over Kim Ki-Rok's explanation several times before typing away on their phone. Not long after sending the message, their smartphone buzzed.

"The Association President is asking if you could come to the Association conference room immediately. Would that be possible?"

"Of course. As I mentioned earlier, I was also invited to attend the meeting."

The Association employee let out a sigh of relief, but only for a moment. He then lowered his head slightly to glance at Kim Ji-Hee, who was holding Kim Ki-Rok's hand.

"Um... Will Ji-Hee also be attending?"

"Yes."

The employee hesitated briefly before speaking again. "You're not thinking of taking her inside the Gate, are you?"

"I am. Of course, given the Gate's difficulty, she'll remain near the entrance. But yes, I'm planning to bring Ji-Hee along for this Gate clear."

"Wouldn't that be difficult considering the level limit?"

Kim Ki-Rok burst into exaggerated laughter and smirked at the Association employee.

***

Guildmasters from every major B-Class and above guild in Korea had gathered at the Association's main conference room, their faces serious and postures stiff.

"

Hahaha!

Looks like all the B-Class and above guilds in Korea have gathered here. Oh, it's been a while, Brother Baek-San."

Association President Kang Man-Ki chuckled as he watched Kim Ki-Rok casually greet people the moment he stepped inside. The heavy atmosphere in the meeting room instantly lightened.

Kim Ki-Rok rushed over as if he were a kiss-ass employee, rubbing his palms together and bowing at the waist as he greeted, "Ah, Association President."

"It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. And you?"

Despite his overt brown-nosing, no one laughed. He was, after all, the Guildmaster of DG Guild.

"I think it would be good to proceed with the meeting right away, as I'm sure all the Guildmasters here are busy managing their guilds or clearing Gates... How about it, Association President? Shall I proceed with the explanation?"

"Please do."

Kim Ki-Rok immediately walked up to the podium, a large screen behind him displaying a structured diagram compiling information about the Gate from various sources.

"Well then, let's get started."