Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

[Alert! Alert! Alert!]

[A dungeon ruler has emerged!]

Thud, thud!

An immense gelatinous mass, looming as tall as three adult men stacked together, bounded forward with menacing force.

“It is my first time witnessing one with my own eyes. A Giant Slime.”

This was the exact creature he had massacred countless times until he grew completely weary of it during his elite Tuesday dungeon runs.

However, because this particular zone was of a lesser grade, the creature appeared almost absurdly non-threatening by comparison.

“Furry.”

— ROOOAAAR!

The five minutes spent accumulating swiftness benefits had stacked beautifully upon Fur Gorilla.

True, these were not the prime enhancements provided by Ramba at her peak, but handling a basic adversary of this caliber should require minimal effort.

“Strike.”

Following Baek Jinwoo’s directive, Furry pounded his torso aggressively and charged ahead.

Detecting the oncoming threat, the slime launched itself into the air, aiming to crush the summon with its full body mass.

BOOOOOM!

Yet, matching the pace of Furry’s immensely accelerated movements was an impossible task for the beast.

Furry’s punches descended like streaks of blinding lightning, tearing the gelatinous monster apart without an ounce of pity under the relentless onslaught.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Trembling remnants of the creature’s body sprayed across the chamber, and Furry, swept up in a frenzy of adrenaline, tore through the core of the slime.

The ruler of the dungeon was annihilated in a mere flash.

And it was accomplished by nothing more than a common F-rank Fur Gorilla.

Such was the completely unbalanced capability of Ramba’s unique trait.

If a basic minion like Furry could achieve this level of destruction, what would happen once he deployed a superior close-quarters summon later on?

They would become utterly invincible.

[Dungeon ruler destroyed!]

[Labyrinth cleared!]

[Completion Time — 00:05:32]

Five minutes and thirty-two seconds.

Sloppy.

When taking into account that JinuGod’s historical record for clearing this zone was a mere five seconds, this performance was undeniably sluggish.

Granted, that historical feat had been achieved by unleashing the devastating breath of the Armageddon Dragon for a specialized speed run.

Yet even without relying on such measures, his typical runs wrapped up in under sixty seconds. The other top-tier players likely maintained a similar standard…

[Salutations!]

[You have established a novel domestic record for South Korea!]

[A unique feat has been unlocked!]

Pardon?

Baek Jinwoo’s gaze widened in sheer disbelief.

A national milestone for South Korea?

Good grief.

Unbelievable.

Just how pathetic was the competitive standard of this country if a five-minute mark secured the top national spot?

He truly had not anticipated this.

“……”

He was entirely speechless.

[Rewards for the initial milestone have arrived.]

[Superior Summoning Parchment x 3.]

[Incentives have arrived.]

[Lesser Refinement Powder x 2.]

Vrrrrm!

The acquired items materialized directly into his status interface.

[The pocket dimension will now dissolve.]

Flash!

His surroundings inverted instantly.

Both Day Dungeons and large-scale raids featured a competitive mechanic known as the speed trial.

Participants received individual rankings, and specialized prizes were allocated according to those positions.

These milestones were logged on two separate leaderboards: a domestic one for the nation, and a comprehensive global tracker.

As expected, every available milestone had long since been locked down by the premier rankers of each territory.

Their sole motivation was to claim the unique initial milestone rewards.

Regarding South Korea’s specific situation?

From the lowest tiers to the intermediate, advanced, and supreme classifications…

Every single top spot was held firmly by the nation’s undisputed number-one player, Kang Geonho.

“Wait, what?”

Just outside the entrance of the Day Dungeon facility.

A clerk responsible for monitoring the digital leaderboard abruptly bolted upright.

“What on earth is going on?”

“What happened?”

“The milestone… it just updated!”

“Are you serious? Which category?!”

“The Tuesday dungeon, lowest tier! Five minutes and thirty-two seconds!”

“The beginner tier? No elite players have even entered a low-rank instance today. Let me examine the logs.”

A higher-ranking supervisor stepped forward to inspect the display.

“……Baek Jinwoo?”

The syllables were printed explicitly for all to see.

“It isn’t Kang Geonho?”

“No. Who in the world is Baek Jinwoo anyway?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never come across this user before. He isn’t registered as an elite player, is he?”

“Negative, he doesn’t appear to be… But how does an unrecognized individual shatter a milestone? And the top spot, no less?”

Naturally, the standard pace on the international leaderboard hovered around the three-minute threshold.

[Tuesday Dungeon — Beginner Tier]

[Global Milestone #1 — Rachel]

[Completion Time — 00:02:25]

Only Rachel, representing England, maintained a record below the three-minute mark.

The administrative staff were not the only individuals left in utter shock.

“What in the world?!”

The proctors tasked with logging the official evaluations were similarly wide-eyed with amazement.

Particularly Park Changseok, who had been tracking the entire trial through a live feed—

His hands were visibly shaking.

“Pfft… hahahaha……”

Astonishing.

An undocumented participant completely demolishes the supreme national milestone on his absolute first foray into a Day Dungeon?

This was a monumental development.

There was zero room for skepticism now.

Baek Jinwoo had authenticated his capabilities through three separate instances.

First, during the altercation with the local syndicate.

Second, via his performance on the theoretical test.

And now, by conquering the speed trial.

He was a phenomenal prodigy. The precise category of competitor that global superpowers classified as an irreplaceable national asset…!

This implied…

They were obligated to bind him to their side by whatever means necessary.

It was not even mandatory for him to enlist directly in the central command.

Their primary objective was simply to ensure he could operate with maximum ease within the borders of South Korea.

At a bare minimum, they needed to guarantee he would not seek citizenship elsewhere.

If he were to relocate and pledge allegiance to another country?

It would be a catastrophic setback.

Their nation would remain permanently pinned to the bottom of the standings, utterly unable to rise.

“Very well.”

The veteran proctor Park Changseok offered a decisive nod.

“We shall authorize Baek Jinwoo’s official registration this very instant.”

“Without subjecting him to the combat trial?”

“The man just overturned Kang Geonho’s historic record. What could a standard combat trial possibly validate at this point? I firmly believe that extraordinary individuals warrant exceptional exceptions.”

South Korea was in no position to hide behind rigid protocols and bureaucratic red tape.

They were a laughingstock in the summoning community.

The domestic authorities could barely suppress the criminal activity bleeding into the public sphere, making the acquisition of a national-grade powerhouse a matter of extreme urgency.

“Concurred.”

“I am in agreement as well.”

Park Changseok’s influence within the administrative hierarchy was incredibly secure.

Whenever he exerted his will, not a single evaluator dared to counter him.

STAMP!

The official emblem of authorization was pressed down.

Baek Jinwoo.

User Registration.

Finalized!

Meanwhile.

“Ugh.”

Baek Jinwoo furrowed his brow, releasing a faint, frustrated sigh.

This was an oversight.

A glaring, indisputable miscalculation.

I should have reviewed the existing leaderboards before stepping inside.

Never could he have envisioned that a five-minute duration would constitute a top national milestone in South Korea.

Now I am bound to draw immense scrutiny.

“Player Baek Jinwoo!”

Right on schedule.

Park Changseok came rushing toward him from a distance, visibly winded and gasping for air.

“That was nothing short of miraculous! To secure a national milestone on your very first trial?! Furthermore, the layout of the Tuesday labyrinth is famously intricate…”

“Haha, yes, I am aware.”

Baek Jinwoo rubbed the back of his neck lightly.

The situation felt akin to this:

An advanced scholar receiving profound adulation for performing elementary arithmetic.

That was precisely how uncomplicated and effortless the task had been for someone of his background.

“You must have been an extraordinary player in the past! Please, accept this item.”

“What is this?”

“Your official credentials. From this exact second, Player Baek Jinwoo, you are legally authorized to function as a recognized user.”

“Ah.”

Just like that?

Quite convenient.

“Much obliged.”

“Aside from that matter, would it be troublesome if I inquired about the method you utilized to shatter the milestone?”

Park Changseok posed the question with great care.

He was acutely aware that veterans of the old era possessed specific methodologies regarding the 「Battle of Summoners」.

However, such knowledge was treated as strictly confidential.

Competitors from various territories universally declined to share their strategic approaches with outsiders.

They kept those secrets strictly among their own circles.

As would be elaborated on down the line, this insular behavior stemmed from a structured tournament framework divided by territory.

Privileges were distributed based on competitive standings.

A global tournament ecosystem.

Hmph.

Baek Jinwoo pressed his lips together, pondering the scenario.

How should I proceed?

Even during the period when he operated under the moniker Ilcheon, he had never haphazardly distributed his operational data.

Particularly when it involved high-value insights like speed trial methodologies.

To be perfectly candid…

If he were to disclose every ounce of technical expertise he possessed, he could exponentially elevate the baseline performance of South Korea’s top players.

He might even position them to challenge the international leaderboards.

And if he put that capability on display?

It would lead to two potential paths.

Either the authorities would confine him against his will to drain every bit of wisdom from his mind.

Or the state would offer him absolute backing, granting him immense prestige and wealth concurrently.

Should he place his faith in the state?

Or rely strictly on his own capabilities?

“The inquiry you just made.”

Following a prolonged period of silence, Baek Jinwoo finally broke his quiet.

“Yes?”

“You are aware that such a question is highly inappropriate, correct?”

“I offer my deepest regrets. But I implore you to understand. The current state of South Korea is profoundly critical.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

He could empathize with the pressure weighing on Park Changseok.

If anything, the administrator’s desperation was fueled by genuine civic devotion.

He was not an inherently malicious individual either.

The promptness with which he had provided the financial compensation without any pushback.

The speed with which he had finalized the registration the moment he recognized his capability.

He was an incredibly sharp individual.

Under those parameters…

Instead of constantly stressing over the possibility of the authorities taking advantage of him, what if he turned the situation around and utilized the authorities for his own ends?

If the state apparatus itself proved to be accommodating, could he not accelerate his personal advancement far more effectively than if he worked completely alone?

Baek Jinwoo’s thoughts shifted rapidly.

And then.

“Administrator Park.”

“Yes?”

“I believe it would be beneficial to conduct a more confidential dialogue. Shall we relocate to a different setting?”

“Y-yes, absolutely!”

Park Changseok replied, a spark of enthusiasm visible in his expression.

They repaired to a quiet café located in the immediate vicinity.

“I shall be completely candid.”

Park Changseok appeared to have organized his talking points during their short walk, as he initiated the dialogue without delay.

“Central command is in desperate need of your expertise, Mr. Baek. I beg of you to assist us.”

He bowed his head deeply while remaining seated.

Park Changseok recognized the reality.

Perhaps…

The strategic understanding locked inside Baek Jinwoo’s mind might outweigh the collective wisdom of every single elite player currently residing in South Korea.

It was pure intuition.

The individual sitting across from him conducted himself in a manner entirely distinct from standard users.

“You mentioned previously that you were confined to a medical bed for a duration of three years?”

“……You conducted an unannounced investigation into my history?”

A ripple of annoyance manifested on Baek Jinwoo’s features.

“I apologize sincerely. As I stated previously, high-caliber unregistered individuals frequently maintain illicit connections to organized crime syndicates.”

Very well.

That logic was acceptable.

“Now that my registration is officially finalized, I assume such background investigations will cease?”

“Y-yes. Naturally.”

“I would highly prefer it if you kept that commitment in mind.”

A cold sweat broke out across Park Changseok’s brow.

Simultaneously, his mental evaluation of Baek Jinwoo underwent a significant transformation.

This individual is no amateur.

A typical person would have become entirely compliant when confronted by the immense authority of the state.

But Baek Jinwoo?

He maintained total composure.

The demeanor of an individual who understood his personal leverage better than anyone else in the room.

“Very well. I also spent some time weighing our options on the path over here,” Baek Jinwoo stated.

“What exact advantages do I secure by collaborating with the authorities?”

Excellent!

Park Changseok’s gaze gleamed with obvious satisfaction.

The simplest individuals to negotiate with were those who viewed transactions through a pragmatic lens of mutual advantage.

Present someone of that nature with the correct incentives, and you could guarantee their loyalty.

“My personal backing.”

“Your personal backing?”

“It might sound difficult to credit, but I occupy an exceptionally elevated status within central command. I am within the top ten ranking officials.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. Why do you assume the committee members of central command are referred to as councilors? It is because they are positioned via public election. Demonstrate impactful outcomes, secure additional support, and ascend the hierarchy.”

“Understood.”

Essentially operating like a civil politician?

Baek Jinwoo clicked his tongue softly.

“Using the full extent of my institutional leverage, I can grant Mr. Baek every single category of resource we have at our disposal.”

Hmm.

What is the optimal path here?

Baek Jinwoo immersed himself in calculation.

To begin with.

The proposition lacked concrete details.

As an official representative of the state, Park Changseok could not simply distribute public capital entirely at his own whim.

It would be far more prudent to determine exactly how useful this man could be before binding himself to any formal agreement.

“Let us arrange it this way then.”

“Please, propose your terms.”

Park Changseok’s demeanor grew significantly more optimistic.

“A period of one month.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“My registration was finalized just moments ago, correct? Allow me a precise duration of one month. I will focus on my personal progression during this window and assess the utility of your institutional backing.”

“And following the conclusion of that period?”

“If the arrangement proves satisfactory, we shall forge a long-term partnership. If it falls short of my expectations, I will either forfeit every piece of utility I received or distribute an equivalent valuation of strategic expertise as full restitution.”

“……?!”

The optimism immediately receded from Park Changseok’s face, replaced by a far more complicated expression.

So the reality of the proposition was…

The young man intended to utilize a top-ranking state official as his personal facilitator for an entire month?

Incredibly bold, yet…

The underlying truth was that Park Changseok possessed no real leverage to decline.

Baek Jinwoo maintained total control over the negotiation.

Had he not already resolved to support the young man’s advancement with the full power of his office regardless?

If only to prevent him from taking his talents to a rival nation.

Furthermore, simply observing the prodigy’s operational advancement from a close distance would undoubtedly yield critical strategic revelations in its own right.

“Ha. Very well.”

Park Changseok’s face relaxed into a genuinely warm grin.

Seeing a burly, middle-aged administrator project such uncharacteristic warmth was simultaneously a bit jarring and strangely charming.

“We shall proceed on those terms.”