The Divine Guild, renowned as the best in the Republic of Korea.
As befitting the most prominent guild, both its interior and exterior exuded a special aura of prestige and dignity.
The building, constructed with exquisitely designed luxurious marble and transparent glass, offered a modern yet mystical ambiance.
The lobby showcased works by famous artists alongside the guild’s glorious achievements. A sculpture, a modern reinterpretation of the guild’s logo, adorned the center of the lobby, drawing attention.
Passing through the lobby, one would find the guild’s training facilities.
Living up to its reputation as the nation’s top guild, the training facilities were equipped with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology optimized for the individual skill improvement of hunters.
Today, within the Divine Guild, its affiliated hunters were diligently training for peak performance.
However, in stark contrast to the passionate atmosphere, the guild master’s office, located at the highest level of the Divine Guild, exuded a chilling atmosphere.
This was the workplace of Kim Tae-hwan, the guild master, the central figure and supreme commander of the Divine Guild.
Naturally, security was stringent, with top hunters guarding the vicinity of the guild master’s office.
Upon opening the door, a space with a high ceiling, snow-white marble walls, and luxurious wooden furniture bathed in strong light appeared, but the guild master’s office was currently quite dim.
All the windows were covered, and the interior lighting was almost entirely blocked.
In one corner of the dark guild master’s office, a simple meeting area was arranged, with guild master Kim Tae-hwan seated in the seat of honor, presiding over a meeting.
“Recently, the difficulty of dungeons has been continuously increasing. While we have succeeded in subjugating dungeons, the losses among our guild members are also accumulating.”
The guild master’s executives, including the vice guild master, who were in charge of the Divine Guild, were also in attendance.
The meeting proceeded in a format where the executives reported directly to the guild master.
“Guild Master, the government is reportedly attempting to strengthen taxes on monster subjugation profits.”
“Oh dear, instead of lowering taxes, they’re raising them! Guild Master, this requires a guild-level response! We sacrifice our resources to protect safety, and yet the government imposes more taxes! It makes no sense!”
The discussion continued, intensifying the tension.
The meeting addressed not only guild-related issues but also domestic incidents and accidents.
“Though it’s sensitive, communication channels related to the Heukil Guild have recently disappeared. It’s as if someone is targeting the Heukil Guild.”
“We apprehended one of their organization members during our investigation, but they were in such a state of mental derangement that we couldn’t obtain accurate information. They kept muttering something about a diet? Just spouting strange words.”
The meeting extended to cover topics not only domestic but also international. Guild master Kim Tae-hwan responded swiftly to the various points raised during the meeting.
In the process, guild policies and regulations were revised according to his commands, and the guild’s objectives were continuously adjusted.
After broad discussions, Kim Tae-hwan’s questions followed.
“So, what about Suho lately?”
Guild master Kim Tae-hwan inquired about his son Kim Suho’s recent activities.
If a third party had witnessed this moment, it might have appeared as mere paternal concern.
However, all those present were well aware of the guild master’s true intentions.
In response to Kim Tae-hwan’s question, the vice guild master replied in a blunt tone.
“Indeed, since the last incident, Kim Suho has been changing. He avoids meeting anyone and is solely focused on training.”
Kim Tae-hwan nodded at the vice guild master’s report.
The “last incident” the vice guild master mentioned referred to the Monster Wave.
The worst Monster Wave incident since the Great Upheaval.
Fortunately, it did not lead to major casualties.
Instead, it marked a positive turning point for Kim Tae-hwan.
“My good-for-nothing son, it’s a relief if he’s finally come to his senses.”
His voice carried a tone of displeasure.
“Yes, if he works hard, it’s only natural that we support him.”
Still, the voice wasn’t entirely unhappy.
He considered it fortunate that his eldest son was finally pulling himself together.
For him, at least, the Monster Wave had been a boon.
Despite his son’s past reckless behavior, none of that mattered.
In this world, power was paramount, and Kim Tae-hwan wished for Kim Suho to pursue great strength.
“And bring me a list of Suho’s close friends first.”
Kim Tae-hwan wanted to manage his son more meticulously.
As the successor who would eventually lead the Divine Guild after him, he wanted to monitor him with utmost care.
However, he had no intention of letting the meeting drag on solely about his son’s affairs.
He quickly moved on to the next agenda item.
“Are there any further details regarding the Wave?”
Everyone remained silent at Kim Tae-hwan’s subsequent question.
The cause and purpose of the Monster Wave remained unknown.
No one knew why it happened or what objective the monsters had when they appeared.
It was an event that left many with unanswered questions, leaving even the government and the Divine Guild, the nation’s top guild, in the dark.
Furthermore, the dungeon where the Monster Wave occurred had vanished without a trace.
“The government investigated the Fire Bird Guild, which managed that dungeon, but it seems they found no substantial information.”
All eyes turned to the Fire Bird Guild, but there was no significant outcome.
Consequently, the case became even more mired in mystery.
“Hmm.”
However, Kim Tae-hwan remained unfazed.
Whether it was the Fire Bird Guild that managed the dungeon or the Monster Wave, it was none of his concern.
His interests lay elsewhere.
“More importantly, there’s the existence of the Black Mask. What’s the progress on tracking the Black Mask?”
It was the existence of the Black Mask.
The primary concern of Kim Tae-hwan was the Black Mask.
In fact, everyone was interested in the Black Mask.
Governments and top-tier guilds, as well as various guilds overseas, were all interested in the Monster Wave incident and were pursuing the Black Mask’s whereabouts.
However, the results were all for naught.
The Divine Guild was no different in this regard.
The fact that they still couldn’t provide an answer to the guild master’s question was proof of this.
“We are expanding our information network as much as possible, but the government is also intensely focused on this matter—”
“The entity that concluded the Monster Wave situation. We must absolutely not let the government or other guilds find them first.”
However, his resolve was firm.
“This time, I will assign the hunting dogs. They will find it no matter what.”
“Understood, Guild Master.”
The vice guild master bowed his head.
With the guild master mentioning his direct subordinate hunting dogs, no one had the courage to say that it would be difficult.
Kim Tae-hwan gave the order and fell into thought.
‘The Black Mask…’
The sudden appearance of that entity ended the Monster Wave.
He had single-handedly defeated the A-rank monsters, Death Knight and Arch Lich, in an instant.
Even an A-rank hunter couldn’t easily defeat an A-rank monster.
Even after awakening, the physical differences between a hunter and a monster were fundamentally significant.
Yet, the Black Mask had defeated two A-rank monsters alone.
‘At least S-rank.’
He couldn’t be certain.
But the possibility was high.
The world twenty-five years after the Great Upheaval.
Dungeons and monsters were becoming increasingly powerful.
In a way, the recent Monster Wave might be a signal flare marking its beginning.
The higher the stakes, the higher the Black Mask’s value would become.
‘I will make it mine.’
Kim Tae-hwan licked his lips.
***
While Azmo and Betta were establishing a merchant guild on Earth, Celia was also working diligently in various aspects.
First, she utilized the Underworld Merchant Guild goods brought by her Master to enhance the dungeon.
Basic equipment was distributed to the sub-bosses.
The equipment obtained from the Underworld Merchant Guild was of quite good quality, and the first to receive it was the Death Knight, made with the fangs of a wyvern cub.
Even though it was made with a cub’s teeth, the original was a wyvern.
Its cutting power was extraordinary.
Since the Death Knight’s primary weapon was a sword, and considering he had suffered the most recently, it was Celia’s consideration.
Next, the armor made from salamander hide was given to the Goblin Lord.
Being made from salamander hide, it provided some resistance to fire attacks when worn. It also blocked cold, making it highly versatile.
It was suitable armor for the Goblin Lord, whose defense was weak, so Celia gave it to him.
Other minor equipment went to the subordinates under the sub-bosses.
“Hmm. This is a problem, isn’t it?”
However, Celia had one item that was troublesome to deal with.
It was an air freshener.
If it were a regular air freshener, it would be fine, but this air freshener was made from a basilisk’s poison sac.
Although it emitted a pleasant scent, it was ultimately poison.
There was no suitable use for it.
“Hmm…”
After much deliberation, she recalled the Death Knight’s shield.
“Ah!”
The maid outfit hanging on the Death Knight’s shield.
Could she use it to imbue the maid outfit with the scent?
It wouldn’t cause significant damage to the Death Knight anyway.
Of course, she would have to tell him not to use it within the dungeon.
Having ended the distribution of items after careful consideration, her next task was setting up traps.
Among the items acquired from the auction were traps.
It was an electric mat that operated with mana, designed to roast intruders.
Celia installed the trap in [Second Layer, Sector 1] without hesitation.
[Second Layer, Sector 1]
This was a newly created area due to the recent expansion of the dungeon’s size.
The second layer was created underground, beyond the existing first layer, increasing the usable space.
Given the current level of the dungeon, it wasn’t strictly necessary to install a trap in the second layer, sector 1.
Various subordinates following her Master were already positioned in the first layer.
Even if intruders were to appear, they wouldn’t be able to reach the second layer, let alone the core of the dungeon.
However, Celia installed a trap in the second layer, sector 1.
She had a different, better plan in mind.
“We will establish an information department here.”
Why was there an electric mat trap in an information department?
The Skeleton Knight beside her tilted his head, but Celia simply smiled.
“If we place humans here, won’t they willingly reveal information?”
In an information department, information is vital.
That meant it was crucial to quickly obtain information from the other party.
Celia chose torture as her method.
“Heh heh.”
Her voice, filled with delight like a child with a new toy, betrayed her joy.
Celia was immensely happy with the current situation.
As the dungeon grew larger and a variety of monsters and items were supplied from the Underworld Merchant Guild auction, her options increased.
This meant she could formulate more plans for her Master.
“Now then, let’s select suitable individuals for the information department. Mr. Necros?”
Celia called out to Necros beside her.
He was an Arch Lich who had recently been appointed to manage the first layer, thanks to her Master’s favor.
Upon becoming the guardian of the first layer, he had regained the name Necros.
“Mr. Necros, please select and submit those suitable for the information department.”
“Yes!”
Necros saluted at Celia’s words and went out.
“This should be sufficient.”
With the item distribution, trap installation, and the outline for the information department set, there were still remaining tasks.
Celia immediately moved on to the next task.
It was related to the Sail Kingdom.
Celia read the documents handed over by a shadow that appeared from behind.
They contained a report on recent events in the Sail Kingdom.
“Indeed. The Church’s misconduct is worsening by the day.”
It had been quite some time since the White Church’s official envoy arrived in the Sail Kingdom.
The Church had dispatched an envoy to investigate after priests and paladins heading to the Sail Kingdom had gone missing one after another.
However, that information was thoroughly concealed.
Given that the events occurred within the dungeon, no one could possibly know.
Celia had also ordered Princess Irena of the kingdom to take no action.
As a result, the Church’s misconduct had escalated.
They had to find some information, but with no progress, the Church must have been in dire straits.
Moreover, they couldn’t accuse royalty or nobles based solely on suspicion.
Consequently, the innocent populace had likely borne the brunt of their actions.
Thanks to this, public sentiment in the Sail Kingdom was turning away from the Church.
“This should be enough.”
Of course, this was also part of Celia’s plan.
She intended to absorb the Sail Kingdom in the future.
However, in that process, there was no need to leave the seeds of the Church within the kingdom.
The humans she observed had a strong tendency to immerse themselves in religion to forget their fear.
This was evident even from the adventurers who had entered dungeons so far.
Therefore, her intention was to distance the kingdom’s populace from the Church’s influence.
The result was successful.
“Let’s move on to the next plan. Convey this to Princess Irena: prepare to weed out the rats.”
At her command, the shadow bowed and disappeared.
“Now, let us construct a nation that will devote its loyalty to Master.”
It was time for Celia’s pawns to make their move.
