Dungeon Predator (WN)

Altein's intercity transfer gate.

"Hoo."

Once he saw Altein's bustling street, he took a deep breath. However, Kang Oh had returned in his demon form, so he drew a ton of attention.

"W-Who's that?"

"Huh?"

Kang Oh quickly deactivated Devil Trigger.

"Is that..."

"It's Kang Oh!"

"Where?"

"Over there!"

The people nearby immediately recognized him. It was Predator Kang Oh, who not too long ago lugged the Red Moon's executives to the Security Bureau!

"Please give me an autograph!"

"Please add me as a friend!"

Players came rushing at him.

Kang Oh quickly stashed his demon swords, and then equipped a featureless cloak and an ordinary mask. Then, he disappeared into the crowd.

"Where did he go?"

"Do you know this guy?"

"Is it that guy?"

That was a relief. As expected of Arth's largest city, Altein!

Altein was bustling with people and everyone wore different clothes, so once he changed into simple clothing and pushed into the crowd, no one could find him.

Kang Oh retreated to a secluded alleyway and then examined the medal that Kargagon had dropped.

[Tuslam's Token]

A token carried by the warriors of the legendary Tuslam Tribe. It is a symbol of strength.

Rank: AA.

'This is the item Sephiro wanted.'

Kang Oh opened a message window.

- Mr. Sephiro.

- Yes?

- Where are you right now?

- I'm watching over Waryong at the Tamer Guild.

- Is Waryong alright?

- Yes. Its ripped wing has been treated.

- Let's meet. I have what you asked for.

- What I asked for?

- The Tuslam's Token.

- Where are you right now!?

- Let's meet at Eder's house.

- Understood.

Kang Oh headed for Eder's house, which was currently vacant. In order to improve his necromancy, Eder had gone on a journey to Deathnely, which was known as the Necromancers' Cradle and the Grave City.

'I suppose no news is good news.'

He didn't have time to worry about Eder. Kang Oh had way too much on his plate as it is!

Anyhow, before he left, Eder told him he could use his house. Thus, Kang Oh confidently walked towards the vacant house.

A short while later...

"I'm here."

Kang Oh arrived at the house first, and Sephiro arrived soon after.

"Do you have it?" Sephiro said excitedly.

"I have it right here." Kang Oh pulled out the Tuslam's Token.

"Ooh!" Sephiro stretched out his hands, trying to snatch the token.

"Oho!" Kang Oh hid the token behind him. "There's nothing free in this world."

"Ahem, what do you want?" Sephiro asked with an expression that seemed to say, 'As expected. I knew it wouldn't be that easy.'.

"I'll trade it for an Acasus's Book," Kang Oh said.

Sephiro was the owner of the soul dungeon, Rocking Stone Cave. One of its dungeon rewards was Acasus's Book.

Acasus was a legendary tamer. This book, which contained his name, significantly increased the growth of a pet. It could also be used to learn a Tamer skill.

"Mm, Acasus's Book, huh. I need that for Waryong..." Sephiro hesitated.

"Waryong's pretty much fully grown now."

"Ahem. But what will you use the book for? You don't have a pet."

"I have a kid now too."

He had Rudy now, a baby phoenix that resembled a chick! Kang Oh and Asu were the bright yellow bird's parents.

"I'm sorry?"

'What are you talking about?'

Kang Oh hadn't told him about Rudy.

"I'd rather not explain. Please decide quickly whether you'll trade the token for the book or not."

"I will." Sephiro pulled Acacus's Book from his inventory. He'd been saving it to use on Waryong when the time was right.

They traded the items immediately. Sephiro obtained the Tuslam's Token, while Kang Oh obtained Acasus's Book.

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

"Take care."

The two parted ways. Then, Kang Oh headed for the Tower. He wanted to see Grano.

* * *

"It's been a while."

He took a seat in the Tower's 2nd floor cafe, and a middle-aged man showed up, wearing a white lab coat and a radiant smile.

"Have you been well?" Kang Oh asked.

"Yes."

"You look so happy. It must have something to do with you becoming a professor."

Kang Oh had asked a certain mage to ask Grano to come down, as he worked in the Water Mage Laboratory. However, that mage had called Grano 'Professor'.

"Please don't say that. Having such a high position weighs heavily on me." Grano truly was a humble person.

"If I'd known that you had become a professor, then I would've brought you a present... I'll bring you something next time."

A professor wielded significant influence within the Tower. The Tower had great power, and as one of its leaders, Grano could exert its power if he wished.

Countless mages would come running at his call.

"I won't refuse one." Grano grinned.

'I should reserve a few materials for him when Akite gives me my next reward.'

Dragon materials. They would be the perfect gift for a professor.

"Look forward to it. And I came here to buy something today."

"What is it?"

"Do you have any scrolls that can create a transfer magic circle?" Kang Oh asked.

The huge ruins, Talastrum, was a perfect training ground for him. The problem? The road there was too far and dangerous.

If Eder were here, then he would've set up a transfer magic circle a long time ago. However, Eder wasn't here and he needed the magic circle, so he'd come to Grano instead.

"A magic scroll that can set up a transfer magic circle doesn't exist," Grano said.

"Is that so?" Kang Oh looked disappointed.

"Creating a transfer magic circle is both complex and difficult. Creating one requires a mage to weave several spells together, so it cannot be set up by using a magic scroll."

"Hmm, I saw Eder doing it so easily, so I figured it wasn't that hard," Kang Oh said.

"Mr. Eder is extremely talented. So much so that I'd like to offer him a place at the Tower."

Grano thought highly of Eder. It was only natural. After all, it was already hard enough to rise to a level of excellence in a single field, but Eder was both a talented healer and mage.

"Well, I guess it makes sense. Eder was once a legendary healer." Kang Oh nodded his head.

Eder was a Master Healer. Which meant that he was on the same level as figures like Burkan or Mahakan.

'But to me, Eder is Eder.'

"Couldn't you just pay a skilled mage to set one up for you?" Grano asked. 'Why do you want a scroll instead?'

"It's a dangerous place. It's not the type of place I'm comfortable bringing people to."

"Where is it?"

"The Great Forest's central region."

"Mm."

"There are ruins there, where the descendents of the Tuslam Tribe reside. The Tuslam are extremely powerful. Even I can barely beat them."

"I understand. Most mages wouldn't be willing to follow you to such a dangerous location unless you were willing to pay an arm and a leg."

"Right."

Thus, he wanted a magic scroll instead. If it had existed, he would've been able to avoid all the trouble.

"Now that I know a magic scroll for it doesn't exist, I have to go out and find a mage," Kang Oh said.

"Shall I introduce you to one?"

"No. There's someone that comes to mind." Kang Oh grinned.

"I see."

"Well, I'll have to get going now. I'll bring you an amazing present for you next time." Kang Oh stood up.

"Yes. See you next time."

The two softly shook hands, and then Kang Oh left the Tower. After that, he opened a message window.

- Hey, Karin.

The Desert Fairy, Karin!

She was a first-rate mage that specialized in sand magic.

- Oppa. It's been a while.

- Yeah, it has. Have you been well?

- Of course.

- Have you been busy lately?

- No, not really. What's wrong?

- Do you know how to set up a transfer magic circle?

- No. I've never done it before.

"Tch." Kang Oh clicked his tongue. 'Damn!' However, her following message brought a smile to his face.

- Soren knows how to, though.

The Gravity Witch, Soren!

She was Karin's twin, and was a mage that wielded the mysterious gravity element.

- Ah, really? I need to set it up in a dangerous place, so could you help me out with that? I promise to keep you safe.

- One second please. I'll ask Soren for you.

- Sure, thanks.

A short while later...

- Oppa.

- Yeah?

- Soren said she'd help you. But where do we need to go?

- The Great Forest's central region.

- Wow, really!? That sounds like fun!

- It's a dangerous place. Anyhow, I'll let you know the precise time and date soon.

- Ok!

Kang Oh closed the message window and began walking away.

* * *

Light illuminated a giant room shrouded in darkness. It was the light of a transfer magic circle.

Tap, tap.

Kang Oh walked over.

"Akite."

Kang Oh's call awakened Saul Graveyard's manager, the Bone Dragon, Akite. His empty eye sockets blazed with fire, and his giant bones rattled as he moved.

"Light." With but one word, Akite completely illuminated the room.

"Have you been well?"

"Of course."

"Has anyone gotten here yet?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Give me the soul stone."

"Understood."

After claiming the soul stone, Kang Oh yelled, "Dungeon Management."

The Dungeon Management tab popped up, and Kang Oh examined the Dungeon Log and its accumulated repel points.

Unexpectedly, there was actually something written in the Dungeon Log. Most of it was Kang Oh killing the Saul Graveyard's undead.

'Nothing worthwhile.'

Kang Oh looked up at Akite. "Give me my dungeon rewards."

"It's already been 1 month?"

"Yeah."

"Take it."

Kang Oh opened the bundle of presents, which was surrounded by light. It was filled with all sorts of dragon materials!

He placed every single one into his inventory and then waved his hand.

"I'll see you later."

Surprisingly, Akite kept him from leaving. "Master."

"Yeah?"

"Has anything happened lately?"

"What do you mean?"

"For example, did you kill another one of the Mayanes?"

"No. Two of the Mayanes escaped, and we haven't found them yet."

Cyndia and Gainus were looking for Jigon and Orga. However, they hadn't had much luck thus far.

Kang Oh believed this to be fortuitous. He was already busy with Valan's ridiculous quest and the Guardian of the Continent missions.

He really wouldn't want to add the goddess's quest to that.

"Hurry up and find them, and then kill them," Akite said angrily.

"Yeah. If we find them, I'll be sure to kill them," Kang Oh said absentmindedly.

"If you kill one of them, you have to come here and tell me the story."

"For free? If I tell you, will you let me see your treasure house?" Kang Oh asked.

"...Take care." Akite immediately turned his head.

'You greedy bone lizard.'

It seemed like he didn't even want Kang Oh to step foot into his treasure house.

"Alright. See you later." Kang Oh went atop the transfer magic circle again.

"Furon's Heart!"

Kang Oh was engulfed in light.

* * *

As soon as he arrived, his nose was soothed by the scent of various flowers. He felt great, as if he'd just smelled the fresh scent of grass atop a mountain.

"Master, you're here!" The dungeon's guardian, Uru (a green 'alien') toddled over with its arms outstretched like a baby.

"How've you been?"

"The flowers and plants have grown well, so I'm happy. Look over there." Uru pointed at a part of the garden.

"Oho."

Grand, which was supposed to only grow on Grand Lotus, was growing rapidly there.

"Over here too! Over here!"

Every flower or plant Uru pointed at was extremely rare. Plenty of them were expensive too.

'I want to sell them.' However, it was clear that Uru wouldn't allow it.

"Ahem. Could you give me the soul stone?" Kang Oh stifled his greed, and extended his hand.

"Sure."

Kang Oh grabbed the soul stone and opened the Dungeon Management tab. Plenty of players came to the Furon Underground Cave, seeking the soul dungeon. Because of that, the guardians had accrued quite a bit of repel points.

'Nice.' Kang Oh clicked on 'Dungeon Expansion' with his thumb.

Rumble!

The dungeon's ceiling and walls shook as if an earthquake was occurring.