Clank, clank.
Fifteen people, including me, Han Ha-rin, and Eun Sang-min, were seated inside the armored vehicle. The ceiling had lights, but the outside was completely invisible. Only the sound of the engine and the clanking could be heard.
Occasionally, when the vehicle stopped, the door would open, and association staff would escort hunters out.
"F-11 Zone. We've arrived. Team Blue Star, please exit."
Three hunters got up from their seats and went outside. From a quick glance, it was a place with no trees, just grass.
'So the F Zone is a grassland area.'
We had already been briefed beforehand. The dungeon where the "Dungeon Survival Reprised" event takes place is a D-rank open-type dungeon called "Pellon's World." It's a peculiar dungeon where even slight movement can completely change the environment. Currently, this dungeon is under the complete management of the association.
Shortly after the hunters exited, the vehicle started moving again.
"We've arrived at K-4 Zone. Team Gukcheon University Hunters, please exit."
It was our turn.
As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle, I scanned the surroundings. Our starting point was a rocky area. The ground was hard, dry loess, and dark brown rocks were scattered everywhere.
We checked each other's gear. The hunter equipment we were wearing now was provided by the association. Eun Sang-min had a longsword and shield, Han Ha-rin had a shortsword, and I had a sword that looked similar to Hwaryeonbido but without a guard.
An association staff member spoke to us sternly, as if issuing a warning.
"Inside the dungeon, you must never remove your Energy Protect. Removing the Energy Protect and acting without it will result in immediate disqualification. However, you may remove it in designated rest areas."
I glanced at my left shoulder. A blue orb was hanging there. This was the Energy Protect. It consumes energy to absorb damage on my behalf. If it turns red, it means the energy is completely depleted, and elimination is certain.
"Team leader, Seong Eugene?"
"Yes. I'm Seong Eugene."
"Here's your tablet. We won't reissue it, so be careful not to lose it. You can use the tablet to check the map and other information. You can also contact us in emergencies."
"Yes. I heard about it during the briefing."
"In 25 minutes, at exactly 3 PM, the event will begin. Please wait here until then without moving. Do you see the cameras installed over there? The tablet has a tracker, and drone cameras are also patrolling, so no cheating. Good luck."
The association staff immediately walked to the driver's seat of the armored vehicle. The vehicle began to move away.
"Ugh… We have to spend a whole week here… Ha."
Eun Sang-min plopped down on the ground right away. Until you actually experience it, it might seem like no big deal, but surviving in a dungeon for a week without the conveniences of civilization is tough. There's a lot to do in many ways.
But if you refuse and quit right away, it'll be broadcast nationwide, and you'll definitely become the subject of ridicule.
"...."
Han Ha-rin crossed her arms and quietly looked around. She had changed after awakening her mana. Before, she used to wear clothes with almost no exposure and hid her H-cup breasts under compression. But now, she no longer bothered to hide her figure.
'Let's see… As expected, the tablet's functions are limited. The most useful feature is probably the map.'
I fiddled with the tablet. Since this tablet plays a crucial role, I needed to get familiar with its functions quickly.
"Eugene, what's the plan? Should we go hunt monsters first?"
Eun Sang-min asked me.
Dungeon Survival ranks participants based on survival points. After a week, the team with the most survival points wins.
One way to earn survival points is by hunting monsters. As hunters, we need to hunt monsters consistently.
"We'll run into monsters as we move around. What's important here is food, water, and a place to sleep. Even if we can't maintain peak condition, we need at least above-average condition to keep going."
Even though hunters are superhumans, they're still human. Food and water are essential.
"So we start with exploration… Where should we begin?"
"There's an R Zone nearby, so let's start there. The R Zone is a forest, so there should be streams or something."
The tablet's map only shows the boundaries of the zones. To know exactly what's there, we'd have to explore.
"Finding a rest area is also important. On the first day, it's better to focus on exploration rather than hunting monsters."
Eun Sang-min nodded. He didn't seem to have any objections to my instructions.
My gaze met Han Ha-rin's in mid-air. I smirked at her in a way only she could see, and she slightly furrowed her brows before looking away.
The fact that we were sex friends was a secret between us.
'That prim and proper face moans beneath me… Hehe…'
I shook my head. Thinking about Han Ha-rin's naked body made me react slightly down there.
'I need to hold back.'
I had to hold back here. Cameras were installed everywhere, and drone cameras patrolled the skies like hawks. On top of that, some association staff roamed the dungeon with cameras. If I messed up, it wouldn't just end in embarrassment.
The tablet in my hand vibrated slightly. I looked at it. There was a notification.
> In 3 minutes, at exactly 3 PM, Dungeon Survival Reprised will begin!
'Sigh… Since I'm participating, I might as well aim for victory.'
Our entire team could use mana. The conditions for winning were in place. If we didn't win with this team, it'd actually be embarrassing.
'Wait. Even if we can't have sex, we can still sneak in some touches, right?'
I glanced at Han Ha-rin's lewd body.
***
Somewhere in the dungeon, a large group of people had gathered.
Dozens of small screens were set up there, with one large screen at the center. About ten people were seated in front of the screens.
Dungeon Survival runs non-stop for a week. Not just the participants, but also the hosts and guests reacting to the footage are in the same boat.
2 PM.
The studio cameras started rolling.
"Hello! I'm Jo Seok-hoo, the main MC of Dungeon Survival Reprised! This time, since we'll be commenting on the situation in real-time for a week, three MCs will take turns hosting. With the viewers' understanding, let me introduce the supporting MCs and guests who'll be assisting me!"
Thanks to Jo Seok-hoo's seasoned skills—one of Korea's top five most famous MCs—the filming proceeded smoothly.
"Mr. Hong Suwon, what are your thoughts on this Dungeon Survival Reprised?"
Hong Suwon was a man in his late 30s.
He was an executive of 'Bluebird,' one of Korea's top ten guilds, serving as a scout and strategist. Most of the guests invited here were executives from major guilds.
"I believe it will succeed. The first Dungeon Survival held in the past lacked sufficient information and preparation regarding hunters. But this time, the Hunter Association is actively cooperating, and the rules have been established.
The young hunters who will lead the next generation of Korea's hunter community will showcase their skills and entertain the viewers."
"The skills of young hunters protecting Korea's peace—I'm very much looking forward to it too. Ms. Baek Ji-eun, a member of the association who's also busy with modeling and broadcasting these days, what are your thoughts?"
"I feel the same. Hehe. I know the participants' information and skills to some extent. When you see their abilities with your own eyes, you'll be shocked."
Baek Ji-eun smiled brightly as she spoke. It was a fake smile for the broadcast.
She glanced at one of the countless screens.
The screen showed Team Gukcheon University Hunters—Seong Eugene's team.
'Will he do well?'
Her longtime friend, whom she hadn't met recently due to Dungeon Survival preparations, was on her mind.
'…Ah. I need to meet him and suck him off…'
Soon, it was exactly 3 PM. Association staff monitoring the dungeon began manipulating something.
Baek Ji-eun easily realized they were releasing the monsters they had been suppressing. As one of the project managers for Dungeon Survival, she knew most of the details.
Main MC Jo Seok-hoo didn't miss the moment and loudly announced:
"Dungeon Survival Reprised—it finally begins!!"
***
> Dungeon Survival Reprised begins!
After checking the tablet's notification, we immediately started moving east toward the R Zone without hesitation.
Our entire team could use mana. With such a strong team, there was no need to act timidly. If other hunters challenged us, we'd just fight and eliminate them.
"Oh. A monster."
A monster hiding behind a large rock revealed itself.
Giant Scorpion. True to its name, it was a massive scorpion about 2 meters long. Hard exoskeleton, pincers capable of crushing rocks, and a venomous stinger on its tail.
'A D-rank monster. As long as we're careful of the tail stinger's venom, it's nothing.'
We weren't particularly tense. A D-rank monster could easily be hunted by just one of us.
"What should we do? Just ignore it and move on?"
Eun Sang-min asked me.
I glanced back subtly. An association staff member was filming us with a camera from a distance. It was a bit annoying, but there was nothing we could do. This was a broadcast, after all.
"Let's hunt it and move on. We can't just leave it after encountering it."
"Can we use this as food?"
"Only if we can remove the venom."
Giant Scorpions have venom in their flesh, so they can't be eaten unless the venom is removed. And even if we could remove it, who has the time for that?
"Should I kill it?"
"I'll do it."
Han Ha-rin stepped forward. I didn't stop her.
The giant scorpion charging fiercely toward us suddenly stopped. Not only that, it couldn't even stand properly and collapsed to the ground. An invisible gravitational force was crushing its body.
Han Ha-rin began increasing the intensity of the gravity even more.
Crunch! Crunch!
The scorpion's body was gruesomely crushed.
"It's done."
"...."
Han Ha-rin spoke calmly to Eun Sang-min. Eun Sang-min made an awkward face. Now that Han Ha-rin could use mana, she was stronger than Eun Sang-min.
Gravity manipulation was one of the top-tier abilities.
'If I let my guard down, I could lose to Han Ha-rin too. These days, my win rate in sparring is about 80%.'
Gravity fields are tricky because they're invisible. Even if I use mana to resist, it's quite hard to break free once she activates her ability.
"We don't have time to linger. Let's move."
"Wait. What about the magic stone? Don't we need to collect it?"
Eun Sang-min asked me. It was clear he hadn't fully grasped the rules of Dungeon Survival.
"The association staff will collect it."
I glanced at the tablet and confirmed that we'd earned 5 survival points for killing the Giant Scorpion.
***
One of the rules of Dungeon Survival Reprised:
At 6 AM and 6 PM, supply boxes containing food are distributed. Obtaining a food box grants an additional 100 survival points.
This rule isn't for the hunters. It's for the show's entertainment.
The food boxes are meant to incite battles between hunters. From the viewers' perspective, hunter battles are more exciting than monster hunts.
> In 30 minutes, at 6 PM, food will be distributed. Locations are as follows.
Red dots appeared in several places on the map. There were ten dots in total. The nearest distribution point was about 20 minutes away from our location. The food is airdropped from the sky to the ground.
"The only food we've found in this forest is mushrooms. We need to get the food supply."
Finding food was harder than expected. We'd found a few unidentified mushrooms, but they didn't look nutritious. They wouldn't be enough.
"Plus, 100 survival points isn't a small amount. Anyone disagree?"
"You're right. We need the food."
"How are we supposed to survive on just mushrooms? Of course we're going."
Han Ha-rin and Eun Sang-min agreed.
Avoiding the food supply out of fear of battles between strong hunters would be foolish.
"After getting the food box, we need to find a place to sleep. It'll be dark soon."
***
With 10 minutes left until 6 PM, we arrived at the food drop location.
"Gyaaaaah!"
Blue flames suddenly engulfed Eun Sang-min's body as he confidently led the way.
***
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