Chapter 225: Chapter 224

From the beginning, Sung Suho wanted the right to conquer North Korea for one reason: leveling up.

At the current point in time, North Korea was the hunting ground where he could gain the most experience points. Moreover, it was a field-type dungeon that no guild could monopolize. In other words, if Suho could go there, he could focus solely on leveling up with his shadow army without worrying about any complications. But North Korea was North Korea...

'...It's not a place just anyone can go to.'

Even though the world had become like this, South and North Korea were still in a state of ceasefire; the war hadn't ended yet. Furthermore, due to its special circumstances, North Korea was a region that was even more difficult to access. What were those special circumstances? You could say it was the same situation as with the Loktak Field that Suho had just visited.

The Loktak Field was a super-large field type dungeon created because they couldn't stop the simultaneous dungeon breaks in time, and its area gradually expanded until it eventually crossed the border into a neighboring country. That's where the problem arose...

Since a single monster field was located in the territory of two countries, Hunters entering it often encountered their counterparts from other nations while pursuing magical beasts. Such cases, almost 100 percent of the time, ended in armed conflict due to opposing interests.

Even within the same country, competition between guilds was fierce, so no wonder it was even worse between Hunters of different nationalities. And they were walking weapons of war. Armed conflict between Hunter guilds of different countries on the border was the beginning of a war in the truest sense of the word.

"...But North Korea is in an even more complicated situation than the Loktak Field. You know that, right?"

"Yes, I know." Suho nodded silently, listening to Chief Director Lee Se-hwan's detailed explanation.

To summarize:

1) Immediately after the Cataclysm, the whole North Korea became a field dungeon.

2) The area gradually expanded upwards and downwards over time.

3) Hunters from South Korea blocked the lower part, but the upper expansion eventually crossed the Chinese border.

...Up to this point, it was exactly the same situation as the Loktak Field, but there was one more problem involved.

4) At the same time, the field dungeon originating from China also crossed the North Korean border.

"Actually, China has far more field type dungeons than North Korea. As was the case with India too, large countries are prone to that."

In fact, there weren't many countries in the world as safe as Korea. The fact that the country's area itself wasn't large meant that if a dungeon break occurred, it was easy for Hunters to get there in time and take care of it. But for countries with enormous landmasses it wasn't that simple. No matter how many Hunters there were, due to the large population. The physical distance between gates in countries like China, India, and Russia was vast. No matter how hard the Hunters in such countries worked to get to the gate on time, they often missed the deadline of dungeon breaks...

5) So in the end, inevitably the monster field from North Korea and the one originating from China merged...

"Because of this situation, China can now claim that the North Korean territory connected to their monster field is their land."

The North Korean government had disappeared, and the country was now a territory without an owner. It was truly a no man's land. Therefore, from both China's and South Korea's perspective, the moment they conquered the North Korean field dungeon, they could claim it as their own land just by planting their flag.

"The moment you enter North Korean territory, you have to keep in mind the possibility of clashing with Chinese Hunters. No, you should assume you will definitely clash. China is eager to swallow up North Korean land. Well... Our country is in the same position."

Sip.

Chief Director Lee Se-hwan took a sip of his instant coffee and continued with a bitter expression.

"But the problem with North Korea has recently gotten even worse."

"You mean Russia."

Lee Se-hwan crumpled his paper cup and said, "Yes. I see you've been watching the news."

North Korea bordered not only China but also Russia. Until now, the monster field hadn't reached their border, but it recently crossed into Russian territory. The result was this, a three-way battle.

"These days, South Korea, China, and Russia are engaged in a fierce territorial dispute over a single super-large field dungeon that spans their borders."

This was the reason why Association President Woo Jinchul went to North Korea in the first place. Compared to China and Russia, South Korea was a very small country. The real dispute was between China and Russia. But if Korea let its guard down even for a moment, either the Chinese or Russian flag would be planted on North Korean soil.

"Association President Woo Jinchul's goal was to stay out of the conflict between the two countries and only protect North Korea. But it seems it's not that easy, as he hasn't been able to return for months."

"..." Suho seemed to understand why Woo Jinchul was struggling.

'Void Gate.' The gate leading to the dimensional gap that inevitably occurred in places where several dungeons overlapped. It was highly likely that Itarim's apostles were attempting to invade Earth through such holes all over the world.

[My liege, it seems you must go to North Korea, even if it's not just for leveling up.] Beru, sensing the seriousness of the situation, whispered to Suho.

The super-large field dungeon that stretched through North Korea, China, and Russia was rare even on a global scale. With that much overlap, it wouldn't be strange at all if Itarim's apostles were already roaming around there.

Chief Director Lee Se-hwan, having finished all his explanations, asked Suho with a genuinely worried expression, "Do you really want to go to North Korea, knowing all this? The magical beasts are a problem, but you'll also be fighting Chinese and Russian Hunters."

"Yes. It doesn't matter." At Suho's immediate answer, Lee Se-hwan asked again with an even more bewildered expression,

"Why do you want to go? If you were lucky enough to reawaken as an S-rank, you could just stay in Korea and rake in money and popularity? There are plenty of dungeons to conquer domestically."

He sincerely wanted to dissuade Suho. It was partly because he was the son of his respected senior, but he also didn't want to send such a talented person to North Korea and get him involved in a dangerous and complicated situation. But Suho had no intention of changing his mind. Instead of answering, he stared at Lee Se-hwan and asked,

"Chief Director Lee Se-hwan, you said you were my father's colleague, right?"

"Yes."

"I forgot, but now I recall asking my father as a child why he chose to be a police officer."

"...!" Lee Se-hwan's expression stiffened as he heard those words. And the conversation he had with Sung Jinwoo came to mind reflexively.

– Why did you become a police officer?

– Ah... I...

"Do you know what my father answered?"

"...Because he wanted to catch bad guys?"

"No."

"No? Then?"

"He said it was just a hobby."

"...?!"

Ignoring Lee Se-hwan's bewildered reaction, Suho chuckled. He had completely forgotten, so why did he remember it now?

– My Hobby is Police Work.

At the time, he didn't understand his father's answer, which he dismissed as a joke...

– But my specialty is Hunting.

Only after learning what his father's real job was did Suho realize the true meaning of that answer.

Smirk.

"That's why I'm going."

"That's what we're going to do now."

"...!"

Why was it? Why did Sung Jinwoo's answer, etched in Lee Se-hwan's memory, and the unique smile he had at that time overlap with Suho's words and expression now?

* * *

In order for the government to grant permission to enter North Korea, a total of two steps are required:

The first is the approval of at least five S-rank Hunters in Korea. The reason why it's required is the conflict of interest between guilds. It also serves as proof of one's qualifications. By revealing one's strength to the S-rank Hunters, they can show that they have what it takes to go to that dangerous place.

Only after passing that could they move on to the second step, 'Public Opinion.' And actually, the first step was the difficult one. Once the first stage was passed, the second would usually work itself out.

And today all the S-rank Hunters in Korea, putting aside their busy schedules, started to gather at the Hunter Association one by one to test Sung Suho. They were curious about the new S-rank Hunter and wanted to find out whether he was qualified to go to North Korea. Among them was the representative of the Black Tortoise Guild, who was involved with Suho in various ways.

"Are you Sung Suho?"

"...?"

"Nice to meet you. I'm S-rank Hunter Hyeonmoo Gang."

Hyeonmoo Gang, who arrived at the Association first, offered a handshake to Suho. With a meaningful smile. His gaze swept over the person, who had dealt a huge blow to his guild in various ways.

'I was waiting for this, but it's a shame. If he's an S-rank, that's a different story. It's much more beneficial to have him on our side.' Hyeonmoo Gang calculated inwardly and shook Suho's hand with an even wider smile.

"Haha. Well, now that we're both S-rank Hunters, let's forget about the trivial things that happened between us. So, how much do you want?"

"What do you mean?" At Suho's puzzled expression, Hyeonmoo Gang's eyes gleamed with an even more meaningful look.

"We're currently on an aggressive recruitment drive. Forget about that North Korea nonsense, how about joining our guild? I'll give you any amount as a signing bonus. How about a Runestone that allows you to summon two more beasts?"

"..."

"Oh, your expression has frozen. It's only natural. It's something that any summoner would covet. Ah, I guess you wouldn't have known about the existence of such Runestones since you just became an S-rank Hunter?"

Hyeonmoo Gang had just finished conquering an S-rank dungeon. Acquiring information was a challenging endeavor and many hunters didn't know even the most basic facts. That's why he was so confident.

'An S-rank summoner wouldn't dare refuse my offer. This kind of Runestone is something you can't buy with money.'

Hyeonmoo Gang had no doubt that another S-rank Hunter would be added to his guild today.