I arrived at the office at 2 PM.
“Let's go in.”
“Alright. My love, my friend, Taeyang.”
“Agh. That's gross, Director Do.”
“Ehehe. What's the matter, President? I just like you so much.”
I gently pushed away the clinging Hyunsoo and opened the office door. Assistant Manager Kim Miyoung's eyes widened.
“Oh? You're back already?”
She sniffed the air and then burst out laughing.
“Aigoo! The smell of alcohol! Looks like you wrapped up work quickly and had a drink this afternoon, huh?”
“She's a ghost, a real ghost.”
Hyunsoo laughed heartily and plopped down on the sofa. His face was flushed, just tipsy enough to be in a good mood.
“Assistant Manager Kim, is there anything left on the schedule today? Can I rest for a bit?”
“One moment.”
Without even opening her planner, Assistant Manager Kim Miyoung stared into space and began to recite the schedule.
“The materials delivery scheduled for 3 PM was moved up to this morning and has been completed. The 4 PM meeting with our partner company has been postponed until tomorrow. I cleared the schedule in advance since today was an E-Rank Dungeon work day.”
“Oh!”
“The conclusion? Your schedule for today is clear! If any urgent calls come in, I'll handle them all, so you don't need to worry.”
Hyunsoo's jaw dropped. It's true what they say, the position makes the person. She used to be a rookie accountant who would tremble just processing a single receipt, but now she was on par with any top-tier secretary.
“She's a real smart cookie.”
Hyunsoo glanced at me, trying to read my expression.
“Taeyang, in that case, can I...”
“Go, go on. Go play with Minji.”
“Oh yeah! Sir, yes, sir! I'll call a taxi right away. Thank you, President!”
Hyunsoo practically danced as he picked up his smartphone. Looks like he was calling a taxi. Seeing him so happy made me feel pleased as well.
Ssk—
I took the corporate card out of my wallet and handed it to Assistant Manager Kim.
“Assistant Manager Kim Miyoung, you've worked hard too. Use this to order some tasty snacks. Something expensive.”
“Wow! Really? Can I order a macaron set?”
“You can order something even more expensive. We have plenty of money, after all.”
“Kyaa! You're the best, President!”
Excited, Assistant Manager Kim Miyoung opened a delivery app. A peaceful afternoon. But for me, the real business was just beginning.
“I'm going to step out for a bit, too.”
“Yes! See you later!”
I went out through the back door of the office. Just ten steps away. A 420-square-foot modular house. My new home was situated there.
Tiririk—
I locked the front door as soon as I entered. I also drew the living room curtains meticulously. A perfect, sealed room.
“Hoo.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, caught my breath, and opened my inventory.
Woooong—! Woooong—!
The space itself vibrated. These things were showing off their presence even before I took them out.
[Nameless Star Fragment x 2]
The spoils I obtained from clearing the 11th and 12th floors back-to-back.
“They're really making a fuss.”
Ssk—
As I took out the fragments, the room filled with a dazzling silver light. Just then.
Paat—!
Kiddo, who had been circling my shoulder, materialized and popped out.
Wheeing! Wheeeing!
The moment it saw the fragments, it couldn't hide its excitement. Like a puppy waiting for a treat. It knew instinctively. That by consuming this, not only would I, the star, evolve, but so would it, the satellite.
“Are you excited?”
Woooong!
Kiddo bobbed up and down. Cute little thing.
“But right now, is my body ready?”
As if it had read my mind.
Tiring—
[Your body is ready to accept the Nebula Energy.]
[Absorption of the Nameless Star Fragment is possible.]
A message appeared.
‘Good.’
I gripped the fragment tightly. I could feel an energy that was stronger and vaster than before. At the same time.
“Absorb.”
Swaaap—
The energy of the Star Fragment flowed in through my palm.
Kwaaaaang—
An explosion like the Big Bang occurred in my inner universe.
Tiring—
[Mental Power increases significantly!]
[Mental Power +4,000 (Fragment Resonance Bonus)]
[Current Mental Power: 116,000]
Before, I gained about 1,000 per fragment. This time, it was double! 4,000 from absorbing two. My mind felt so clear it was almost transparent. A thrilling sense of euphoria enveloped my entire body.
“Hoo.”
Now, it was time to choose. Two new SP.
‘Where should I invest these?’
I thought for a moment. But what I needed right now was a decisive finishing blow. Overwhelming firepower that could reliably obliterate any enemy, no matter how wide the map.
‘Focus on one thing.’
I chose the red giant spinning in the deepest part of my heart.
“Jupiter, enhance.”
Woooooong—!!!
It felt like the Great Red Spot in my heart was expanding like crazy. That storm, said to be larger than three Earths combined, began to evolve beyond its limits.
Tiring—
[Consuming 2 SP to extremely enhance your main authority.]
[Eye of Jupiter: The Great Red Spot has grown to Lv. 5.]
[Details
Transcendent Efficiency: Mental Power consumed to maintain and activate the skill is reduced by 50%.
Output Expansion: Maximum output is significantly increased from 1.0% -> 5.0%.
Enlargement: The storm's maximum diameter is expanded from 4m -> 8m.
Thermosphere Evolution: Internal temperature increases from 650℃ -> 800℃.
Miniaturization Available: Can be summoned in its smallest unit.]
“Wow!”
My jaw hung open. A 50% discount on Mental Power consumption. This was revolutionary. This meant I could now leisurely clear maps without having to worry about a 30-second time attack. And 5% output? Even at 1%, it devastated a 100-meter radius. But if it was 5% and the size had grown to 8m? This was no different from a small nuclear bomb.
“If I use this carelessly, the entire map might get blown away, huh?”
It was a happy problem to have. And my growth didn't end here.
“You're next.”
I looked at the satellite orbiting my shoulder. Simultaneously, the residual energy from the fragments that had been circling my body flowed into Kiddo.
Woooong— Kang!
With a clear metallic sound, its appearance changed.
“Oho!”
The bumpy surface of the gray rock was now covered in smooth, hard steel. Most importantly! The small pebbles orbiting it had changed into sharp steel balls and metal fragments.
[First Satellite Growth (Lv. 2 -> Lv. 3)
Change: The satellite's material has been reinforced with high-density metal.
Additional Effect: Iron Curtain
The satellite rotates at high speed to intercept incoming projectiles or close-range attacks. (Defense significantly increased)]
“Woah!”
A gasp of admiration escaped me. This was no longer on the level of throwing pebbles. Like a Goalkeeper (CIWS) system protecting an aircraft carrier, it looked ready to intercept any threat coming my way with steel bullets.
“How reassuring.”
The overwhelming destructive power of Jupiter. The ironclad interception of the steel satellite. And the maintenance cost cut in half. It was a perfect trinity.
I clenched my fist. The Nebula Energy overflowing inside my body was thrilling.
‘The 13th floor? No, even higher will be no problem.’
The evolved Jupiter. And now a satellite armed with steel. I was genuinely looking forward to the next floor.
Yeouido, Seoul. Blue Dragon Guild Headquarters. One of the two pillars of Korea's mid-tier guilds, and the one boasting the most solid financial power among them. The door to the Guild Master's office burst open.
“Oppa!”
Cynthia entered with a cheerful voice. A man in his 30s, Shin Cheongryong, who was sitting on the sofa looking over documents for approval, looked up and chuckled.
“Aigoo, has our youngest come?”
“What do you mean, youngest? Mom and Dad only have the two of us, you and me. That's mean, you know?”
Cynthia plopped down on the opposite sofa with a pout. An eight-year age gap. Because the age difference was so large, in her older brother's eyes, his SS-Rank Hunter sister still seemed like a cute baby of the family.
“You are the late-born one. That's why my name is the rustic Cheongryong, and your name is the sophisticated 'Cia'. Our parents' naming sense evolved in those eight years, I tell you.”
“Sophisticated? Pfft.”
Cynthia snickered.
“By the way, I heard people are calling you 'Dragon Shin'. You're not going to stop them?”
“Why? It sounds cool. I like things with some weight to them.”
Shin Cheongryong stroked his chin with a mock-serious expression. He had the dignity of an S-Rank Hunter and the leader of a major guild, but in front of his sister, he was nothing but a goofy older brother.
“Have some tea. I had them prepare Earl Grey, your favorite.”
“Thank you.”
Clinking her teacup, Cynthia casually brought up the main topic.
“But Oppa. I heard things are crazy over at Valkyrie? They're applying for a Grand Tier listing this time?”
Grand Tier. Also known as the major corporation promotion review. It was because of the Special Act on Hunter Corporations. Just as regular companies are listed on the KOSPI or KOSDAQ, Hunter Guilds are listed on a special market called the H-Market. Among them, reaching the highest grade, the Grand Tier, came with enormous benefits.
[10-year corporate tax exemption]
[Priority bidding rights for B-Rank or higher Gates]
[Expanded immunity under the Hunter Special Act]
And so on. It literally meant becoming a power that moves the Republic of Korea. For this reason, chaebol affiliates like the Myungjin Guild had monopolized those positions, and Seo Inna's Valkyrie Guild was overreaching to aim for that spot.
“Yeah, they applied. Director Seo Inna has lost her mind.”
“Your guild isn't doing it? Blue Dragon should meet the qualifications.”
“We're not.”
Shin Cheongryong cut her off flatly.
“Grand Tier? It's great. But that place is a battlefield. You have to walk on eggshells around shareholders and get swayed by government influence. I'd rather just remain here as the king of the mid-tier guilds.”
“King?”
“Yeah. It's better to stay solid while taking care of my own people than to over-expand and burst. It's better for the Korean Hunter ecosystem, too.”
Shin Cheongryong put down his teacup and smiled bitterly.
“Because everyone’s just trying to climb to the top, the bottom—the F-Rank and E-Rank market—is rotting away. Someone like me has to support the foundation.”
“Wow!”
Cynthia clapped her hands, feigning admiration.
“What a saint. A true saint. I never knew my big brother was so profound, you know?”
“You little rascal. What do you take your brother for?”
They exchanged some light banter. Cynthia finished her tea and rose from her seat.
“I’m off. I have a class.”
“Already?”
Shin Cheongryong narrowed his eyes. He knew his sister. There was no way she would come all this way, busy as she was, just for a cup of tea.
“Cynthia.”
“Yeah?”
“You should get to the point before you go, right? You came here to ask me for a favor.”
Cynthia paused, then turned back with a grin.
“Of course. I like that my brother is so quick on the uptake.”
“What is it? Did you get into trouble?”
“No. You bought an F-Rank Dungeon that hit the jackpot on K-Dungeon On-Bid recently, right?”
Shin Cheongryong’s eyebrow twitched.
“Yeah. Bought it for 1.6 billion. A clean, regenerated dungeon.”
“What was the name of the company that sold it again?”
“The Cleaners? I thought the name was pretty tacky. But why do you ask?”
“That place...”
Cynthia said, as if tossing the words out while grabbing the doorknob.
“They’re my students.”
“Huh?”
“The president of that company is my top disciple. So, I need you to keep an eye on them for me.”
Shin Cheongryong’s eyes widened. Cynthia’s top disciple... Was she talking about the Lee Taeyang she used to praise to the high heavens back when she was a professor at the Academy? That genius was at a waste disposal company?
“Hey, wait a minute! Taeyang is there?”
“Yep. And their product is the real deal, isn't it? Give them a lot of business from now on. They’ll churn out some ridiculously good stuff.”
Cynthia shot him a wink and scurried away. Left alone, Shin Cheongryong stared blankly at the closed door before picking up the [Dungeon Successful Bid Contract] on his desk.
[Seller: The Cleaners Co., Ltd. / CEO Lee Taeyang]
“Ha!”
The corners of Shin Cheongryong’s mouth curled up. His own sister had come to personally ask for a favor. And the subject of that favor was the monster rookie who had created a regenerated S-Rank Dungeon. Luck? Or was this skill, too?
“Interesting.”
It seemed he would have to meet him.
The next morning. I came to work early as usual and turned on my work PC. A peaceful morning that began with a cup of warm coffee. But something felt empty.
‘Hyunsoo’s late?’
Usually, he’d be here before me, chattering away. As time passed with no word from him, I started to get worried. It was then!
Bzzzt— Bzzzt—
The smartphone on my desk vibrated loudly. The caller was Do Hyunsoo.
“Hey, Hyunsoo. Where are you? Did you oversleep?”
- T-Taeyang!
The voice coming through the receiver was anything but normal. A tremor filled with fear, or perhaps panic.
- I’m at the Dry Well Dungeon right now, you see?
“Why are you there? We still have another day before we can reactivate it.”
- No. I was just, you know, curious how our little guy was doing, so I came to check out the entrance and...
I could hear Hyunsoo swallow hard.
- Something’s weird.
“Weird how?”
- I can’t explain it in words. You need to get over here, quick. I think... this thing is evolving!
Evolving? Could it be? This was unexpected. But...
‘What if it’s true?’
This might just be the real jackpot.
The End
ⓒ Hwaun#13d8r
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