♪
[chuckles softly]
[CHA] What exactly do you think you're you doing?
I asked you a question.
It shouldn't be that difficult to answer.
♪
[Jinwoo sighs]
[JINWOO] That was careless.
I should have seen this coming.
I was trying to find my way back
but, uh, I think I got lost.
[CHA] You're lost?
Hmm, you're with the mining team.
Look, beyond there is the boss room.
You should stay clear.
[JINWOO] Hae-in Cha.
The rumors about her were true.
I didn't notice her presence until she spoke.
[gasps]
[CHA] I swear I saw it.
Wasn't he holding a weapon a moment ago?
Sorry about that.
[CHA] You need to leave this place now.
If you accidentally agitate the boss,
the entire mining team could be wiped out.
[JINWOO] Yes, ma'am.
[footsteps approaching]
Uh.
Wait, hold on!
Yes?
[footsteps approaching]
[gasps]
[sniffs]
[CHA] For some reason, he doesn't stink.
[JINWOO] Is everything okay?
I'm sorry, but are you really a hunter?
[JINWOO] Um, yeah?
[CHA] Jinwoo Sung,
an E-rank.
[clears throat]
Never mind, sorry.
You should be careful on your way back.
This dungeon is pretty big.
Ah, sure thing.
[footsteps receding]
[CHA] Is it because his rank is so low?
He didn't smell bad.
If anything,
he smelled nice.
[YOONSEOK] I still can't believe
you ran into Hunter Cha.
You sure are lucky.
Even getting the chance to just talk to her
is a pipe dream for people like us.
[chuckles]
You laugh, but...
she's no joke.
Patrolling nonstop in case the dungeon boss
goes on a rampage.
She's something else, that one.
[JINWOO] So that's what she was doing.
[JINSOO] You know what I heard?
Apparently, she doesn't like the way other hunters smell.
[JINWOO] The way they smell?
Huh.
Guess that sense is stronger for her?
You ever noticed how she's always
covering her nose?
[JINWOO] Oh, yeah.
But the way she reacted, maybe...
I don't have the scent of a typical hunter?
Wait, typical hunter?
That red gate boss said something similar.
Is it because I'm the Player?
[sighs]
Having the system's assistance does set me apart.
But...
what even is the "Player?"
[YOONSEOK] You did a good job today.
[JINWOO] Thank you, sir.
We'd still be at it if not for you.
I can't believe we wrapped up
before the collection team finished.
It's like you were born to be on the mining team!
Unless, maybe you had an excavator
hidden away somewhere.
[JINWOO] Oh, man, if only.
I've been doing this work for a while now,
and I've never seen anybody
with a knack for it like you've got.
[JINWOO] Oh!
[clears throat]
That's why...
I'd like to offer you a permanent spot.
You'll be paid handsomely!
Thank you, but...
I'm afraid I can't accept.
I'm only here because I had some free time.
Hmm.
I understand.
Well, that's a real shame.
But ya know, what do you say
to coming in for just one more day, then?
- You need more help? - [YOONSEOK] Yeah.
We've got a double-header scheduled for tomorrow,
one A-rank and one C-rank.
[JINWOO] My reassessment is in a couple of days.
I was able to earn the money I needed today, so...
Wait, did he say...
There are gonna be two Hunters Guild raids tomorrow?
C-rank and an A, right?
[YOONSEOK] Yes. Although,
it'll be our secondary strike team running the show.
You got another strike team?
Sure do! That's one of our greatest strengths.
There aren't many domestic guilds
that can dedicate two teams to taking down A-rank gates.
[JINWOO] Okay, where am I meeting you then?
Huh. I figured you'd turn me down, for sure!
Right! I'll make sure you get paid double the usual wage!
[JINWOO] Wh... No, no, I can't take that.
[YOONSEOK] Just take it! You work so fast,
it's the least I can do!
[CHA] Yes, I'm looking for a file, please.
One of the hunters working with the mining team today
named Jinwoo Sung.
[MALE ASSOCIATE 17A] The E-rank hunter?
[CHA] You already know of him?
[MALE ASSOCIATE 17A] Oh, well, it's just that Guildmaster Choi
asked me to get his file, too.
[CHA] Do you know why?
[MALE ASSOCIATE 17A] Sorry, ma'am, I don't.
But Hunter Sung's details are unavailable.
[gasps]
It's strange, the Association has a lock on his file
as if he's a top-level hunter.
[CHA] I see, thank you.
[CHA] The way he was acting in the dungeon,
the fact that the guild master's
looking into him.
The Association's involvement.
Something's going on here.
Out of all of the hunters I've ever come across.
Jinwoo Sung is the first one...
who ever smelled nice to me.
[YOONSEOK] Oh! There you are!
Mister Sung!
[JINSOO] It's good to see you again!
Oh.
[SANGSHIK] Hey, kid.
Have you eaten yet?
[CHIYUL] Jinwoo! Good to see you.
[JOOHEE] Try not to get hurt today, okay, Jinwoo?
[footsteps approaching]
[indistinct chatter]
[JINWOO] This feeling.
I'd forgotten what it was like.
[JINSOO] When it's time for lunch,
you should join us!
[YOONSEOK] Uh-huh! We'd love to have you!
- [JINWOO] Sure. I can do that. - [YOONSEOK] Great.
[YOONSEOK] All right, first up is the C-rank dungeon!
The strike team should be coming out soon, so get ready!
[digging]
[JINSOO] Impressive as ever, Mister Sung!
[chuckles softly]
The work just gets done faster with you around.
It'll be nice having a chance to rest
before hitting the A-rank dungeon.
[YOONSEOK] The collection team couldn't believe it either.
Are you sure you don't want to come work with us?
Five times the pay!
[sighs] I can't, I can't.
- [KIHOON] Excuse me. - Huh?
[YOONSEOK] Captain Kihoon Son.
[KIHOON] I was wondering if you could lend us
someone from the mining team.
The guy who was supposed be our carrier never showed.
But from the miners?
Wouldn't someone from the collection team
be better suited?
Apparently, they're already short staffed as it is.
[YOONSEOK] Hmm.
If you choose to accept the job offer,
I'll make sure you're given hazard pay for your trouble!
[indistinct chatter]
Carrying equipment in an A-rank dungeon
is too dangerous. Respectfully, sir.
We can't spend the money if we're dead.
[KIHOON] So, no one here's willing to help us?
[JINWOO] I'll do it.
- [gasps] - No way!
[YOONSEOK] Wait! Mister Sung!
Do you wanna die?
You know how strong the magic beasts are in there?
Even with the hazard pay, it's not worth the risk!
[JINWOO] Eh, I'll be fine.
I'm a lot braver than I look.
[YOONSEOK] I don't doubt that,
but this isn't a question of courage, kid!
Sir, he only just started yesterday,
he doesn't understand what he's agreeing to!
- What's his rank? - [JINSOO] He's E-rank.
Please, you should find someone else.
It's fine. I'd like for him to do it.
[both gasp]
My name's Kihoon Son.
I'll be taking point with the strike team
on today's raid.
And I'm Jinwoo Sung.
The gate's bigger than yesterday's.
[KIHOON] That may be true,
but it's emitting much less magic power.
I wouldn't worry too much.
If there was anything really dangerous in there,
the primary team would be sent to handle it.
[JINWOO] Six A-ranks. And three B-ranks.
No one here is an S but,
in any other guild
these hunters wouldn't be relegated to a secondary team.
[KIHOON] All right, let's get going!
[JINWOO] Their guild's even stronger than I realized
if they can field two teams of this level.
Hm.
There really is less magic power in the air
compared to yesterday.
But...
something's off.
I have that same bad feeling
I did when I entered the red gate.
Am I imagining it?
- No need to be nervous, okay? - Hm?
Kihoon... [gasps]
I mean the captain and everyone else
are superb hunters.
As long as you don't run off,
the magic beasts won't have an opening to attack you.
Hm. Good to know, thanks.
[KIHOON] Once this raid is over,
I'll officially make leader of the secondary team.
I might not be the strongest in the guild,
but I am one of best A-rank hunters around.
I can handle this!
Uh!
[JINWOO] No orders needed,
just instinct.
♪
Here they come!
♪
[growling]
Dungeon jackals!
[grunts]
♪
[slicing]
My turn.
[growling]
Duck!
[grunts]
[groans]
[growls]
♪
[KIHOON] Why are jackals in an A-rank dungeon?
Is it that unusual to find them in here?
Dungeon jackals are C-rank magic beasts.
An A-rank food chain should've wiped them out.
[JINWOO] Collars?
Captain.
Maybe these aren't just wild jackals.
[KIHOON] Is it possible they were kept as hunting dogs?
Hmm?
[rumbling]
Hmm?
[JINWOO] There's the reason behind that bad feeling.
[stomps]
[growls]
[GEONGUK] High orcs?
[MYUNG-CHUL] Why are they here?
[roaring]
[grunts]
[thuds]
[crashes]
[KIHOON] They aren't playing around!
[yells]
[grunts]
[GEONGUK] My taunt skill didn't work!
It's targeting the back line!
Look out!
[fire roaring] [groans]
You'll have to try a little harder!
[groans]
[growls]
[SEOKJIN] No effect.
How high is their magic resistance?
♪
[straining]
[strains]
It's a powerful one!
I can only hold it for a few seconds!
That may be all we need!
You who I now awaken.
Collect the head of my foe!
[growls]
[grunting]
[SEOKJIN] My secret weapon costs a ton of mana,
but it's worth it!
[grunts]
[slides]
[growls]
[thuds]
[groans]
[grunts]
[GINA] Healer!
- We need help! - I hear you!
One second!
We're outnumbered!
And it'll just get worse if they surrounded us!
Spread out into groups of three!
Go!
[KIHOON] Even one high orc is a match for an A-rank.
So what hope do the B-ranks have?
Against this many?
[swords clanks]
[growls]
[screaming]
[KIHOON] Come on. Stay with me, you guys!
[growls]
[Bora grunts]
[grunts]
[groans]
All right! Who's next?
I've got you!
Try to stay still.
♪
[stomping]
[growling]
Uh...
[exhales]
[orc groans]
[gasps]
[groaning]
[choking]
[squelching]
[thuds]
[blood dripping]
[thuds]
[SEMI] Di-did that just happen?
[grunts]
Uh!
[yells]
[pants]
What changed?
Why are they suddenly moving slower?
[grunts]
- [GEONGUK] Push 'em back! - [Gina yells]
All the way back!
[JINWOO] Hate to butt in as an outsider, but...
I can't just let them die.
[swings]
[yells]
[slicing]
[JINWOO] No one would mind if I weaken them a bit.
[stabs]
Hold still for a sec, would ya?
[grunts]
[yells]
[explodes]
[chuckles]
[thuds]
[grunts]
[blood dripping]
[Kihoon yells]
[screams]
[thuds]
[screams]
[screaming]
[slices]
[orc groans]
[shudders]
[breathes deeply]
[gasps]
[thuds]
[panting]
[KIHOON] Any mortal wounds?
[MYUNG-CHUL] No. Nothing our healer couldn't handle.
[GEONGUK] Which is an absolute miracle.
Hey. Did you notice anything weird
toward the end of the fight?
Yeah, the orc I was fighting got sluggish all of a sudden.
That was all your doing, right, Gina?
No, don't look at me.
I've just got attack magic and telekinesis.
None of the spells I know can slow things down.
And all of the other mages here are fire-focused.
Yes, that's some kind of stealth skill.
No one on our squad has that ability.
[BORA] But, who cares how we won?
The point is we did.
Yeah, you're right.
Let's chalk it up to good luck.
[BORA] Does he think we're stupid?
Well, joke's on him, I guess.
All these mages around,
and he actually believed
no one would notice him using Stealth.
Tricks aside,
he did help us out of a tight spot.
I'm sure he has his reasons,
so I won't out him for now.
[MYUNG-CHUL] Do we press on, captain,
or is a retreat in order?
[KIHOON] Hmm.
[GEONGUK] This is too risky for our strike team.
We definitely need two more healers,
and another three mages, at least.
Look, it's a shame this is
how your first raid as captain wound up going,
but I feel like the smartest move here
is to withdraw.
[exhales]
[JINWOO] I get what a tough decision this is.
He obviously wants to clear this dungeon.
But, if he's a reasonable leader...
Right.
Let's fall back for the time being!
[BORA] Hm.
[sighs]
[GEONGUK] Oh, good. I was worried you'd wanna keep going.
I might be ambitious, but I'm no idiot.
- [gasps] A barrier? - [electricity crackling]
[BORA] A strong one.
Wasn't here before.
[EUNSOO] Yeah, it would've been kinda hard to miss.
What now?
With enough time I think I can dispel it.
[BORA] Something with incredible magic made this,
and it's still lurking.
Turning back was the right call.
The more I see,
the more I realize we can't clear this place.
[MYUNG-CHUL] This power. Where is it from?
[EUNSOO] Nowhere good.
[GEONGUK] The dungeon boss?
Hurry and give me some support!
- [GINA] You got it! [SEOKJIN] Here!
[JINWOO] A wave of magic
strong enough for B-ranks to detect.
But nobody could sense it from the outside?
[squelching]
[retches]
[groaning]
[KIHOON] A curse? No! We're trapped!
Semi, holy magic, now!
Semi? What are you...
[gasps]
[stomping]
[MYUNG-CHUL] I count at least 50 of these guys, captain.
[gasps]
- Kihoon, wait... - [KIHOON] I know.
But if we fight them, we'll end up dead, so...
[speaking in unknown language]
[ALL ORCS] [speaking in unknown language]
♪
[KARGALGAN] Greetings, humans.
I am called Kargalgan.
My vessel will lead you to come meet with me.
Kargalgan?
That barrier's your handiwork, isn't it?
[KARGALGAN] It is, indeed.
I am a proud orcish master of curses.
[KIHOON] And are you the master of this cave,
or is there someone stronger?
[Kargalgan chuckles]
[KARGALGAN] Do you truly think any exist who could surpass me?
[KARGALGAN] Now, choose.
Will you be killed by my soldiers,
or will you agree to come meet with me?
[breathes shakily]
We'll meet with you.
[footsteps receding]
Hunter Sung.
[JINWOO] Yes?
[footsteps approaching]
Since this guy's most likely the boss,
we'll attack as soon as we see him.
Even with his strength,
I doubt he can maintain his barrier
and fight with us at the same time.
That'll be your chance to escape.
Contact the main strike team.
Don't tell me you're planning to die here.
The plan's still the same,
ensuring this gate closes in time.
Whether we survive or not.
Hey, um, would you mind doing me a favor?
Hm.
[SEMI] It's not much, but...
my will is in here.
Please take it to my family.
We're hunters.
This is what we're trained to do,
but your case is a little different.
So if you can, get out alive.
[JINWOO] Death breathing down your neck.
No options but bad ones.
Just like the double dungeon where I was...
abandoned.
But these people are different.
[sighs]
I'll still hold onto it for now but,
hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
[chuckles softly]
[CHA] I don't see him.
Did he quit mining work after one day?
That you, Hunter Cha?
Uh.
What brings you by? Thought you were off.
Well, um,
I was looking for the new recruit, Jinwoo Sung.
[YOONSEOK] Ah. Yeah, he's around.
Got roped into helping out as a carrier today.
[CHA] Oh, he did?
Then he's inside of the gate right now.
♪
[KARGALGAN] I bid you welcome.
Human worms.