Absolute Dweller - Chapter 61: Building the Foundation (3)

[Episode 13] Building the Foundation (3)

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain.

Although the height to the summit was only 427 meters, finding a dungeon somewhere in the mountains was not an easy task.

There were well-maintained paths like hiking trails, but there were far more areas without paths. These pathless areas were difficult to explore because of the rugged terrain and steep slopes.

So, Seo Ye-jin was deployed.

“Found it!”

With hundreds of mice searching, results came in less than an hour.

“Please guide Lee Joon-hyuk’s party.”

“Yes!”

As expected, the dungeon was located in a rough, unmaintained area of the mountain.

Woooong.

The entrance emitted a faint blue light under the shade of the trees.

「D-rank Dungeon」

-Lizardman’s Swamp (0/10)

The information I saw through the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes included numbers.

‘What does this mean?’

At first, I thought it might be a limit on the number of people allowed, but it wasn’t.

“Let’s enter.”

Starting with Lee Joon-hyuk, all twenty-four members successfully entered the dungeon one by one.

[Lee Joon-hyuk’s party has entered the dungeon for the first time.]

[Experience and settlement money obtained will be doubled.]

The interior of the dungeon was filled with water and trees.

It was as if water had taken the place of where the ground should be.

Even the spot where they were standing was filled with water up to their hips.

Shin Ah-young frowned and said, “Joon-hyuk oppa. It won’t be easy to attack like this.”

As she said, it was not an easy situation to move around in.

They couldn’t tell how deep it was, so it was dangerous to take hasty steps forward.

“We might need to find something like a boat to continue the exploration.”

There was no need to worry about getting out of the dungeon.

Since the dungeon entrance was still there, they could leave anytime they wanted, so it was a structure that allowed them to exit whenever they wished.

At that moment, Lee Joon-hyuk said firmly, “No need for that.”

He showed it through action rather than long explanations.

Raising both hands in front of him and spreading them apart.

Then…

Shwaaaah—

The swamp split in half.

Water Control, which originally could only be applied to water he created, had its limitations removed as Lee Joon-hyuk leveled up. Muddy ground appeared between the two halves.

Lee Joon-hyuk calmly said, “Let’s go.”

The group followed after Lee Joon-hyuk, awed by the sight of walls of water over 2 meters high surrounding them, an almost surreal scene.

***

“It feels like we’re at the aquarium.”

“I thought so too. It’s like a tunnel.”

Not long after, Lee Hyun-chan shouted, “Enemy sighted at 11 o’clock! Three of them! Approaching this way!”

Lee Hyun-chan’s awakening ability was ‘Mini-map’, which allowed him to perceive the terrain within a radius of 100m. Through party registration, he also gained the ability to distinguish between allies and enemies.

As long as his ability was active, surprise attacks were impossible.

Shwaaah—

The water split in the 11 o’clock direction according to Lee Joon-hyuk’s will, revealing three Lizardmen.

“Fire!”

Lee Joon-hyuk’s party had already been equipped with rifles.

Dududududu—

The three Lizardmen that emerged from the water were instantly killed.

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 22).]

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]

Normally, the Lizardmen would have the environmental advantage.

Especially in a swamp over 2 meters deep that would limit movements.

The Lizardmen that could move freely in the water would have been like grim reapers.

Even if it was Ha Dong-geon’s party, the environment would have been challenging.

However, with Lee Joon-hyuk, the Lizardmen’s advantage was neutralized.

“Four at 3 o’clock!”

Lee Joon-hyuk could force the Lizardmen out of the water.

Shwaaaah.

Dududududu—

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 22).]

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 23).]

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]

[You have hunted a Lizardman (Lv. 21).]

Lee Joon-hyuk’s ability was a complete game-changer.

“We’ll rest here.”

Whenever they came across suitable terrain, they would take a short break and then move, catching dozens of Lizardmen.

‘There’s nothing I need to support them with!’

Honestly, it didn’t seem necessary to deploy Lee Joon-hyuk’s entire party.

Lee Joon-hyuk, Lee Hyun-chan, and a few others providing firepower seemed enough to conquer the dungeon.

It was then.

“Joon-hyuk!”

“What?”

“Something, something is approaching! It’s coming towards us at high speed!”

Before Lee Hyun-chan could finish his sentence, with a loud noise, the leader of the dungeon appeared.

Standing on the water, the creature stared down at Lee Joon-hyuk’s party.

[Lizardman Chieftain (Lv. 30)]

One head bigger than the average Lizardmen and its whole body covered in hard muscles.

“Fire!”

Dududududu—

As bullets poured towards the monster following Lee Joon-hyuk’s command.

Shwaaaah—

Suddenly, a surging column of water blocked all the bullets.

Soon, the water columns that had blocked all the bullets began to attack Lee Joon-hyuk’s party.

However, as soon as Lee Joon-hyuk stretched out his hand, the water currents attacking his party stopped.

Staring at the Lizardman Chieftain, Lee Joon-hyuk muttered to himself, “So you can use it like that.”

Immediately after, Lee Joon-hyuk darted towards the monster.

“Joon-hyuk oppa!”

“Joon-hyuk!”

Lee Joon-hyuk started running on the water. At first, his feet sank into the water, but it slowly began to support his weight.

By the time he arrived in front of the Lizardman Chieftain, he had mastered the art.

-?!

Lee Joon-hyuk muttered, looking directly at the retreating Lizardman Chieftain.

“Water Bomb.”

As water enveloped its head.

BANGGG!

It exploded loudly.

[You have hunted the Lizardman Chieftain (Lv. 30).]

[You have gained experience.]

[1,200,238,911 won has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller’s Wallet.]

At the same time.

[Citizen Lee Lee Joon-hyuk has defeated the leader of the ‘Lizardman Swamp’.]

[You have obtained 10 Crystals as a reward.]

[You have successfully conquered the dungeon for the first time.]

[You have obtained 100 Crystals as a reward.]

The conquest ended too easily.

When Lee Joon-hyuk’s party finished, the dungeon’s description changed slightly upon exiting.

「D-rank Dungeon」

-Lizardman Swamp (1/10)

The number indicated the remaining conquest attempts for the dungeon.

‘Nine more to go.’

If defeating the boss rewarded 10 Crystals, then after nine more conquests, they would have exactly 300 Crystals.

Then it would be possible to obtain another item like the Communication Ring.

[Mr. Joon-hyuk, how are you feeling?]

“I’m fine, just a bit tired.”

Conquering the swamp required a lot of mental and physical energy, so feeling tired was expected.

[Is it possible to do one conquest per day?]

“Yes, no problem.”

[Then I’ll leave it to you.]

***

Kim Minho affectionately stroked his companion, Sorento, who he hadn’t met in a while.

Perhaps because it was parked in the corner, the car didn’t seem to be affected much and was even used as a den by the goblins. Normally, at least one or two windows would have been broken, but Kim Minho’s vehicle showed no such damage.

Thanks to this, it was ready to drive immediately after recharging the battery.

“Oh wow, what a nice car.”

Moon Hae-ri exclaimed.

“Feel free to hop in.”

Kim Minho’s team now consisted of five members, with the addition of two new members.

The existing members, the married couple Nam Ji-ho and Moon Hae-ri, were joined by Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun.

Vroom.

The engine whirred as they all boarded.

Before long, the roads around the apartment complex were completely empty, and even the roads that had been destroyed by the giant’s footsteps were somewhat repaired.

Since there were too many areas near Seomyeon Station that had been destroyed by Cyclops, they headed towards Beomnaegol Station.

As they moved away from the apartment complex, abandoned vehicles and obstacles began to block their path here and there.

Kim Minho skillfully avoided them as he drove.

“You’re a good driver, Minho.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Sung-cheol exclaimed in admiration.

“It’s so much faster in a car.”

With the area expansions, it took quite a long time to walk for monster hunting.

However, driving saved time and reduced energy consumption.

When they arrived at an area quite far from the apartment complex, monsters began to appear.

Kim Minho parked the car randomly at the edge of the area and got out.

“Everyone, get your gear ready.”

“Yes!”

Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun quickly grabbed their rifles.

What was unusual was that only Kang Sung-cheol, Ha Seo-jun, and Nam Ji-ho were armed with rifles.

Kim Minho was unarmed, and Moon Hae-ri still carried her bow and arrows.

Kim Minho instructed Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun, “Focus on hunting marlins as usual.”

“Yes!”

Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun got into the hunter’s positions.

Since the prey they hunted left intact bodies, they were entrusted with hunting marlins that were known for their delicious taste.

“Let’s go.”

Kim Minho was not carrying a rifle because of the new ability he had obtained from Kim Jae-hyun.

As soon as they left the homebound area, the monsters quickly reacted.

Sky Marlins swooped down over Kim Minho.

Just before their sharp beaks reached Kim Minho.

‘Hardening.’

When he used the skill, his skin transformed into hard rock. The sharp beaks of the marlins could not penetrate Kim Minho’s skin and bounced off.

Dududududu!

Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun shot at Kim Minho without hesitation.

To an outsider, this might seem dangerous, but to them, it was a familiar routine.

Even if Kim Minho were to be hit by mistake, it wouldn’t be a problem at all.

His hardened skin couldn’t even be pierced by bullets.

Then, a Land Shark appeared from one side and rushed towards Kim Minho.

At that moment.

Swoosh!

Moon Hae-ri’s arrow accurately hit the Land Shark’s head.

And then.

Chachachak―

Starting from the head, the Land Shark rapidly froze into ice.

[You have hunted a Land Shark (Lv. 24).]

[You have gained experience.]

[2,700,612 won has been deposited into Citizen Moon Hae-ri’s wallet.]

Kim Minho wasn’t the only one who was powered up by Kim Jae-hyun.

This was the reason why Moon Hae-ri used a bow instead of a rifle.

With a broad smile, Moon Hae-ri said, “Goblins are really different when it comes to hunting.”

Although the money entering her wallet was only 100% from Basic Salary, it was still a satisfying amount.

As the level of the monsters increased, the amount of money they earned increased exponentially.

“Team leader! Be careful!”

At that moment, a giant monster in chitin armor appeared from a side alley.

Dudududu―

Kang Sung-cheol and Ha Seo-jun fired their guns diligently, but even so, they couldn’t penetrate the Giant Crab’s shell.

Then, Kim Minho dug into the Giant Crab’s body and threw out a powerful punch.

“Hueeup!”

Crack!

The shell showed a thin crack.

A few more hits might have been able to shatter it.

However.

“Keuk.”

As the price for the attack, Kim Minho’s wrist was also shattered.

At that moment.

Whoosh!

A huge pillar of fire shot up from under the Giant Crab.

[You have hunted a Giant Crab (Lv. 35).]

[You have gained experience.]

[151,232,110 won has been deposited into Citizen Nam Ji-ho’s wallet.]

“Nice one, Ji-ho!”