Dungeon Predator (WN)

Jae Woo met with the three producers (GBS's Park Jin Cheol, TGN's Shin Hye Rim, and VG's Lee Han Cheol) at a nearby cafe.

"Mm."

"Ahem."

The three looked uncomfortable around each other.

"I know you're uncomfortable being around each other, but I didn't want to explain this more than once. Please understand," Jae Woo said.

Inviting each producer into a meeting where he explained what happened would be a pain in the ass.

"Understood," Jin Cheol said.

"First off, the reason why the continent suddenly changed was because I completed the goddess's quest."

Jae Woo pulled out a tablet he'd prepared beforehand. It was something he'd bought a short while ago, and it was extremely cost-effective.

He used the tablet to show them the God of Creation, a figure with three pairs of beautiful wings.

"This is the God of Creation, Maya. He is..."

The tablet played a clip while Kang Oh explained the Primordial Gods, the Mayanes and Maya, as well as the goddess's quest.

Jin Cheol, Hye Rim, and Han Cheol's eyes gleamed, and they listened carefully. They kept their mouths completely shut.

"...In the end, the God of Creation was resurrected, and he was responsible for the change that affected the continent."

That was the end of Kang Oh's explanation.

"Ooh."

There was no need to think on this any further. Kang Oh had footage of all the Primordial Gods, his battles against the Mayanes, and the God of Creation's resurrection!

They had definitely struck gold. It wouldn't get any better!

Jin Cheol, Hye Rim, and Han Cheol vowed to get the rights to use his footage, and became wary of the others beside them.

They began calculating in their heads. How much would they have to spend to procure his footage?

Jae Woo fiddled with the tablet again, and then said, "I've emailed you the full video. Please take a look at it, and if you're interested in buying it, then please send me a message. Of course, you need to let me know how much you're willing to buy it for too."

It was basically an auction. However, there was no reason to sell it to just one person.

"I don't have to sell it to just one person. You can also negotiate with the other producers if you want."

He didn't care if one network bought his footage for 100 or all three of them bought his footage for a total of 100. Either way, he'd make the same amount.

In the past, he would've tried to get the three to compete to extract the maximum sum from one of them. However, that wasn't really necessary. Jae Woo knew exactly how much his product was worth, after all.

It didn't matter how things went. He was confident that he'd get a good offer.

The three producers stared at each other.

They quickly exchanged looks. It was as if sparks were popping out of their eyes.

None of them intended to give up on monopolizing Kang Oh's footage.

In other words...!

'They'll compete in earnest.'

That wasn't bad either.

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

Jae Woo left the cafe.

"Ahem."

"Hmm."

"Hmph."

Jin Cheol, Hye Rim, and Han Cheol parted ways immediately.

* * *

The largest city in Arth, Altein.

A river now flowed through the eastern part of the city, while a mountain had surged through the western part, causing a ton of damage via flooding or collapsing buildings.

People were moving busily to repair the damage. They were especially focused on constructing a bridge over the newly formed river.

"Over here!"

"No, no. That goes over here!"

Kang Oh watched them work as he crossed the river with a crude raft.

"Hehe, thank you. Please come again." The newbie beamed after Kang Oh paid his boat fare. It seemed like he had quite the business acumen.

As soon as a river appeared in the capital, the player built a raft and began ferrying people through for a price.

Kang Oh began walking through the city.

Fortunately, the Holiseum, which was located in the southern part of the city, hadn't taken much damage.

Kang Oh went underground and immediately headed for Valan's room.

Knock, knock.

Once he knocked on the door, he heard a familiar voice from the other side.

"Come in," Valan said.

Creak.

He opened the door, and was greeted by the sight of Valan, Burkan, and Darion.

"Oh, you came, Little Brother?" Burkan said.

"How have you been?"

"The city's in chaos. It's been crazy. We're in the middle of a short break."

"Ah, I have something to say about that."

"What about?"

Kang Oh explained his involvement in reviving the God of Creation.

"So you're the reason for all this?" Burkan furrowed his brow.

"No. Maya's to blame for all of this."

"You're the one who revived him in the first place."

"No, the Goddess of Death did that."

Kang Oh only killed the Mayanes and gathered the God of Creation's sources.

"To think that the God of Creation was resurrected... I didn't even know that he was dead."

"Similar events may happen in the future."

'It also may not happen. It's up to the God of Creation.'

"Mm. Then I should speak with the president and prepare just in case. You don't have business with me, do you?"

"No." Kang Oh glanced at Valan.

As always, Valan was missing one of his arms, and there was a huge scar on his chest.

"Follow me, Darion. Let's go see the president."

"Yes, sir."

Once Burkan and Darion left, Kang Oh was left alone with Valan.

"Have you broken your limits?" Valan asked.

He truly was a monster.

"That's right. How did you know?" Kang Oh asked in shock.

"You need a god's help in order to break your limitations. However, you have to do something worthy of that reward. After all, there's nothing free in this world. From what I hear, that mission of yours was big enough to warrant such a reward."

As expected of Valan. He hit the nail on the head.

Kang Oh was suddenly curious.

"Did a god help you too?"

"The great Rakan helped me."

"What did you do?"

"Something hard."

"So what exactly did you do?"

"You don't need to know," Valan said decisively.

"Bleh, you can't tell me anything?"

"It left some unpleasant memories." Valan's expression became bitter. However, he quickly changed the topic. "Anyway, the fact that you're here means you want something from me."

"I wanted some advice on how to become a Grandmaster. If you have anything to teach me, that'd be even better."

Hehe. Kang Oh rubbed his hands together and bowed his head.

"There's no right answer. All I can tell you is that you need to follow your own path to become a Grandmaster."

"How did you become a Grandmaster?"

He was really curious. If he could follow his method, then he'd do so.

"I went looking for people stronger than me. And I would fight them until I beat them. After I beat them, I would keep searching for and fighting others that were stronger than me. I overcame death thousands of times." Valan grinned.

"How long did it take for you to become a Grandmaster?"

"It doesn't matter how long you take. 'Enlightenment' is what matters. If you're enlightened enough, then you'll become a Grandmaster."

"Then if I were enlightened enough, I could become a Grandmaster right now?"

"Your understanding will build and build, causing an even greater understanding. You're still not ready," Valan said.

It appeared that no single Enlightenment would increase his proficiency enough.

"Hmm." Kang Oh was locked in thought.

'What should I do from now on? How can I become a Grandmaster faster than anyone else?'

"Trials make people stronger. That's the truth. Becoming a Grandmaster follows the same logic. The harder the trial, the stronger you'll become."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Ultimately, if he had a choice between an easy and a hard road, then he should take the hard road.

Plus, there was no shortcut to becoming a Grandmaster.

"But... How is your body doing?" Kang Oh asked.

They were discussing 'trials', but there was no trial harder than overcoming Valan's immense strength. Well, that only applied if Valan were at full strength.

"Not bad."

Honestly, Valan did look a lot better than before.

"You have to recover quickly."

"You know, this is kind of fun."

"Excuse me?"

"Trying to cut through the Evil God's energy stuck in my chest."

"Good luck." Kang Oh clenched his fist.

"Yeah, you do your best too." Valan gave him an uncharacteristic smile.

After they vanquished the Evil God's followers, Valan had become a lot more relaxed.

'Seems like Sword Duke Sven's influence. It looks like people who're high level enough can get through to him.'

Sven was an old grandfatherly figure who was as warm as the sun. However, Valan 'smelled' like Sven right now.

"I'll come back."

"Bring a gift next time."

"Yes."

Kang Oh left the Holiseum.

* * *

Icerin was a small, quiet city that was close to the north, even though it lay in the central region.

Is that why?

It was completely unaffected by the Great Change.

This is where Kang Oh had reappeared.

He'd come here a few times before, so he was used to it.

Kang Oh headed for the Witch's Forest, and saw a golden-haired woman leaning on a wooden fence. The cold breeze kept messing with her hair, so she kept patting it down.

He connected his thumb and index finger together, forming a 'camera' of sorts that he used to look at Asu.

'Man, she's picture perfect!'

Asu turned her head around and stared at Kang Oh. Then, she beamed.

"You're here?"

"Yeah."

Chirp!

The Phoenix Chick, Rudy, came out of her buxom. It resembled a slightly larger than normal chick. A red feather lay on its head.

"Good boy. You've been doing good?" Kang Oh petted Rudy, and pulled out a Fire Stone he'd prepared beforehand.

Then, Rudy flapped its adorable wings and opened its beak.

Roar.

Flames surged from the stone, which were sucked into Rudy's small mouth.

Burp.

Rudy enjoyed the flames and burped. Then, black smoke came out of its mouth.

"Was it good?" Asu petted its head. Rudy fiercely nodded its head.

Kang Oh's heart ached.

'Ugh! This is too precious!'

Chirp.

Rudy disappeared inside her buxom once more.

"Oppa, let's go."

"Yeah."

Kang Oh and Asu held hands and headed for the intercity transfer gate.

They had decided to look at the changes brought by the Great Change.

"Where should we go first?"

"Just follow me." Kang Oh grinned.

* * *

They started with Palmar.

Palmar was a large city. However, the Great Change had cracked the floor, causing countless trees to rise from the cracks. Thus, half of the city had transformed into a forest.

Upon arrival, the two looked around.

"Something smells sweet." Asu sniffed.

"That's because they're all fruit trees."

All of Palmar's new trees were fruit trees. They were filled with various fruits, such as pears, apples, melons, etc.

Kang Oh pulled off two purple fruits from a nearby tree that resembled apples and gave one to Asu.

"What kind of fruit is it?"

"It's a Purple Fruit. You can only eat it in Arth. Give it a try. It's good."

Asu took a huge bite. Her face crinkled like a wrinkled newspaper.

"It's sour!"

"Haha." Kang Oh smiled impishly.

Purple Fruit was five times more sour than lemons, even though it appeared like an apple.

One person had said it was quite a 'shocking taste' on the internet.

Even so, Asu took another bite of the fruit.

"Huh?" Kang Oh looked shocked. 'Hey, what are you doing?'

"Ugh, it's so sour!"

It was bitter enough to make you shake. However, Asu had eaten the entire fruit.

"Wow, you ate the whole thing."

"Hoo, hoo." Asu gave him a V for victory. Then, she said, "Now it's your turn. Eat it."

"No, wait. That's..."

"It's edible." Asu smiled like a demon.

In the end...

"Uaahk!"

It was so sour that it felt like his tongue had gone numb.

Kang Oh was KO'd by just one bite of the Purple Fruit.

He couldn't eat any more of it!