* * *
While hunters were engaged in battle with monsters, a sudden intrusion occurred, and the intruders made off with byproducts from the dungeon.
The more Beom Sinje heard, the more puzzled he became, his brow furrowing in frustration.
“And what kind of organization is that?”
-It’s a nonprofit group that recently began operations in the country. We’ve had a run-in with them before. Don’t you remember, Guild Leader?
“We’ve encountered them before?”
Beom Sinje racked his brain, but no clear memory of such an encounter surfaced.
-During the strategy operation at the Haengbok-ri Dungeon. They asked to be let inside and were refused. They caused a scene but were eventually chased out.
Only after hearing this explanation did Beom Sinje vaguely recall the incident.
At the time, they were causing a commotion at the government-installed command center while Chief Park was handling something.
It hadn’t seemed significant then, so he didn’t pay much attention.
“They’ve now stolen the byproducts without authorization? How did they even get into the dungeon?”
The stream of calls from the government was likely related to this very incident.
“I’ll head straight to the guild. Prepare a detailed report for me upon arrival.”
-Understood, Guild Leader.
Ending the call, Beom Sinje quickly prepared a meal that could be eaten immediately when Doyoung woke up.
He also summoned Park Chanoh to stand guard at the officetel.
After checking on the room where Doyoung was sleeping one last time, he finally left the house.
It took less than 20 minutes to reach the guild.
As he stepped out of the elevator into the hallway, guild members, who had been anxiously awaiting his arrival, rushed toward him.
Yeo Giwon, among them, spoke up on behalf of the group.
“The government keeps calling us. I don’t know why they’re pestering us about something that happened with a small guild.”
“I’ve heard the basics over the phone. Let’s go over the report first.”
Beom Sinje brushed past the group and entered the Guild Leader’s office, with Yeo Giwon following closely behind.
He shut the door, signaling that no one else should enter.
“Why were you unreachable for so long?”
Left alone, Yeo Giwon immediately questioned him.
Hunters weren’t on-call 24/7, but a Guild Leader being out of contact for this long was unusual and problematic.
“My phone was on silent, and I didn’t notice the calls. Anyway, explain what happened in detail.”
“You sound like you’re making excuses.”
Yeo Giwon squinted suspiciously at Beom Sinje, scrutinizing his face for any signs of deceit.
As always, Beom Sinje’s stoic expression gave nothing away.
“Wasn’t it because you were with Doyoung hyung?”
Yeo Giwon had suspected that Beom Sinje’s recent change in demeanor was related to Doyoung, but his current attitude didn’t quite match that theory.
Reluctantly, he began his report.
“The DF Guild filed a report at 4 a.m., followed by continuous updates every 10 minutes. At one point, they even clashed with the intruders.”
Yeo Giwon’s casual tone grew more formal as he continued.
“Who are these people, exactly?”
“We’re still investigating, but on the surface, they appear to be a group studying dungeon ecosystems. Their headquarters is in Belgium, with research centers established in various regions worldwide.”
“And no one in the government knew about their activities, even after incidents overseas?”
“Apparently not. The DF Guild kept calling after the incident, but no one from the government answered.”
“Wasn’t there an emergency duty officer?”
Dungeons didn’t adhere to schedules, and the government had hunters on standby 24/7 for emergencies.
For no one to respond was incomprehensible.
“Maybe they were slacking off or ignored the calls. Regardless, now they’re pressuring us, but we can’t act without the Guild Leader’s orders.”
After initially criticizing the government, Yeo Giwon slyly shifted the blame to Beom Sinje, glancing at his expression to gauge his reaction.
But as always, Beom Sinje’s impassive face betrayed nothing.
“This could’ve been handled by Team Leader Yeo. Dispatch the necessary personnel immediately and request all related documentation on the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute.”
Ignoring Yeo Giwon’s complaints, Beom Sinje issued his orders and returned to reviewing the written reports.
“The Dungeon Ecology Research Institute. They’ve apparently caused trouble before in South America and Africa.”
Looking up at that, Beom Sinje signaled for Yeo Giwon to elaborate.
“They appeared five years ago, targeting mid- to small-sized dungeons vulnerable to external intrusions, focusing on looting and disrupting operations. It seems that overseas guilds were aware of their activities.”
“Then why wasn’t this known here?”
“Probably because their actions didn’t warrant intervention. Large guilds ignored them since the smaller guilds were the ones suffering.”
“But major guilds in those regions were aware of their existence, right?”
“Yes, but they didn’t see it as their problem. It looks like the group shifted its focus to Asia last year, targeting our region.”
“So Korea was the next logical target. With recent tensions and the instability of newly established private guilds, they must’ve seen an opportunity.”
Returning his attention to the report, Beom Sinje skimmed through the detailed records of the institute’s activities.
“Other parts of Asia were affected too?”
“Yes. Similar incidents were reported in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China.”
“And their responses?”
“Small guilds are lying low, forming alliances, and fortifying dungeon entrances. Results vary.”
Just then, Yeo Giwon glanced at his phone as a new message appeared.
“Wait, what’s this?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Let me confirm something first.”
Beom Sinje’s curiosity was piqued as Yeo Giwon hastily typed on his phone.
After a moment, Yeo Giwon looked up, his expression unreadable.
“Guild Leader, this Dungeon Ecology Research Institute…”
“What about it?”
“Could it be connected to Antithesis?”
Beom Sinje’s eyes gleamed sharply, an icy chill radiating from him that sent shivers down Yeo Giwon’s spine.
“Absolutely not.”
“Huh?”
“Antithesis isn’t like that.”
“What’s with the confidence, Beom Sinje? Why are you so sure?”
Yeo Giwon tilted his head in confusion as he watched him speak so firmly.
It felt odd to see the very hero who had been at the forefront of dismantling the Antithesis now defending them.
“So, you’re saying they’re not just some shady organization with that kind of purpose?”
“Yes, Guildmaster. But honestly, I don’t care much about that part…”
“Was that comment directed at the DF Guild just now?”
“What? Oh… well, seeing as how they entered the dungeon without permission and openly interfered with us, wouldn’t it make sense to assume they’re remnants of the Antithesis? Those guys operated globally too, didn’t they?”
“Absolutely not.”
Why was he so adamant about this? He repeated himself with such certainty, even looking slightly agitated.
As Yeo Giwon pondered this strange reaction, Beom Sinje suddenly dropped a verbal bomb.
“That’s it. I’ll post a rebuttal notice.”
“What?”
What was he planning to post?
While Yeo Giwon stood there, dumbfounded by the nonsensical statement, Beom Sinje acted swiftly.
The guild didn’t have a dedicated team to manage its website. Instead, a hunter with relatively decent computer skills handled the task.
Beom Sinje immediately contacted that person via messenger and instructed them to post the notice.
“Hey, Beom Sinje! Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what kind of backlash you’ll stir up with a statement like that?”
Yeo Giwon, alarmed, dropped the title of “Guildmaster” and directly called him by name, trying to dissuade him.
But it was too late.
‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?’
Yeo Giwon couldn’t understand what was driving Beom Sinje, but it was clear that stopping him at this point was impossible.
The only thing left was to figure out how to clean up the mess.
* * *
