FVN Chapter 57
Chapter 57
“Is this really the place?”
The system has found traces of the ‘Soul Core.’
However, I stared at the map that the system had brought up with a puzzled expression.
“This is... a place with a dungeon?”
What the system had displayed was a dungeon located on Yeongjong Island in Incheon.
This dungeon is what’s known as a "fixed-type" dungeon.
A fixed-type dungeon is one that remains after the system's clearing conditions are met, requiring regular attempts to clear it even though it doesn’t disappear like other dungeons. Non-fixed dungeons, like the one I encountered previously, vanish once cleared.
And the dungeon in Incheon is a fixed-type dungeon...
“That place is also famous for being a trash dump.”
It’s known for being the place where various trash from the metropolitan area is disposed of.
I had just seen an article about it, so it felt oddly coincidental.
“Are you sure about this?”
The system has successfully found the Soul Core’s traces.The system is requesting help from the user, ‘Jeong Da-on.’
The system seemed quite confident about its search results.
I paused to think for a moment.
Magic, like any science, requires a process of development.
However, the ‘Soul Core’ technology is far beyond anything this world has, especially when considering that the necessary conditions for the appearance of the "Destroyer of Worlds" haven’t even been met yet.
Thus, the system didn’t even recognize the existence of such items until I had brought up the concept of the Soul Core.
But now that it had been recognized, searching for the Soul Core had become possible.
I had anticipated that the system would look for it, but...
‘Why did it have to be in a trash dump dungeon?’
I could guess why Imanbok from the True Light Church was trying to teach him how to create Soul Cores.
Since he knows my unique magic-undoing method, I, too, have learned what I can about the enemy.
‘Teaching a group capable of human experiments how to create Soul Cores...’
They probably want to advance their research further.
Even though I’m a great mage, I too face roadblocks in my research when working alone.
At times like that, it helps to share ideas with others, and seeing what others are researching can spark inspiration.
And if the group is one that can perform extreme experiments, that would be ideal for me.
But if the Soul Core material was found in a trash dump dungeon...
‘Something doesn’t add up.’
I opened the government-operated ‘Dungeon 24’ app to check.
Dungeon 24 archives basic information about fixed-type dungeons.
It doesn’t share detailed guides on how to clear each dungeon, but it does periodically update news about dungeons near residential areas to reassure the public.
This app also lists the names of guilds that are mainly responsible for clearing each dungeon.
In South Korea, dungeons are typically auctioned off as "clearance rights," and guilds bid to secure them.
If a dungeon offers good rewards or valuable items, guilds often end up competing to take the rights.
“A lot of failed bids.”
Then again, seeing it still being used as a trash dump, it doesn’t seem like there’s much to gain from this dungeon.
The guild registered on the government app is a small guild I’ve never heard of.
“Yeongjong Island Lightshine... Hmm.”
It has a strangely cult-like name, and no results show up when I search for it. It lists as a small guild with just 15 members, so it doesn’t seem like much.
‘But it’s a C-rank dungeon.’
It seems like it’s a guild with only the bare minimum of people working there.
Since it’s being used as a trash dump, they must be getting government subsidies—are they running it for that purpose?
I asked the system again.
“Are you sure this is the right place? Are there no other traces of the Soul Core?”
Other traces of the Soul Core are currently being searched for.The only trace of the Soul Core in the current search area is at this location.The system is requesting help from the user, ‘Jeong Da-on.’
With the system’s persistent requests, I sighed briefly.
‘It might be worth checking out, even if it turns out to be a bust.’
There’s a reward for it after all.
The system is offering a ‘Level 5 Increase’ as a reward.
Considering my level had risen to 23 in the last dungeon, a 5-level increase is quite motivating.
What’s even better is...
“Don’t forget the stat redistribution rights.”
The system agrees to the stat redistribution.
It’s been a week since the new year began.
The system had been patient with me, but it seems the effort was worth it.
Typically, when a regular hunter’s level increases, they can freely redistribute their stats.
‘He seems close to Yoo Han-ul, but I can’t let my guard down.’
This is the biggest issue.
Outwardly, it’s hard to tell whether their relationship is good or bad, but since Yoo Han-ul was the first to contact Han Jae-young during the True Light Church incident, it looks like the hero trusts him.
From my perspective, I don’t intend to cooperate with Yoo Han-ul, but I can’t afford to have him backstabbed either.
As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my ally, and the hero is one of the cards I might need to use to defeat ‘humanity’s enemy.’
Especially now that I’m bound by the system.
But what if someone close to Yoo Han-ul is involved with the enemy, and the hero dies unnecessarily?
Of course, I would still kill that person on my own, but losing the strongest ally is something I can’t afford.
So, I need to verify Han Jae-young.
I wonder if the hero knows I’m working behind the scenes for them.
They should give me some recognition.
‘If we go search for the Soul Core together, everything will be clearer.’
And if Han Jae-young turns out to be an enemy, I’ve already made plans to deal with him.
The system allows synchronization of ‘Jeong Da-on’s’ abilities with the ‘Destroyer of Worlds’ if a great threat to humanity’s survival is detected.
This can only be used once.
The system really does treasure the hero, huh?
Now, all that’s left is to entice Han Jae-young.
“That’s something I want to ask you.”
And that’s my area of expertise.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Why do you think I’d hand over such interesting information to other mages?”
“Interesting information?”
“Yeah. You’ve heard about the miracles Imanbok performed at the True Light Church, right?”
“Oh, the various magic tricks he showed? That’s just typical fraud...”
“If it’s not fraud, what will you do?”
I placed the bracelet on the table.
The one I took from Imanbok, the bracelet that looks like a snake is wrapped around it.
The moment Han Jae-young saw the item, his eyes lit up.
“What... what is this?”
There’s no way a mage like Han Jae-young wouldn’t recognize the value of this item.
The magical symbols inscribed on it were as dazzling as they were intricate.
It was a masterpiece infused with the essence of a great mage.
“No, this doesn’t require the wearer’s mana. How... how did you... this is pulling surrounding mana to power itself, but how did you shrink such a powerful attack magic circle like this? Even without the user controlling it?”
Han Jae-young’s eyes shone brightly as he gazed at the item.
His fingers trembled slightly as he caressed the snake-like bracelet.
I could tell from his reaction.
“Now, imagine this being created in the True Light Church’s laboratory.”
Han Jae-young’s head snapped up.
His eyes were filled with a longing that no mage could overlook.
“Who are you giving this information to?”
“...Haah.”
Han Jae-young sighed deeply.
“I completely understand. If there’s another item like this, it would be a waste to hand it over to the government.”
“Right?”
“But why tell me? I might just take all this information for myself and leave Jeong Da-on Hunter behind.”
“If that happens, you’ll be killed by Yoo Han-ul.”
Yoo Han-ul is the hero that the system values more than any human.
If I were to die right now, this information would be passed on to him.
And Yoo Han-ul wouldn’t tolerate such injustice.
For a moment, Han Jae-young seemed surprised, then he smiled.
“Last time, it seemed like you were avoiding him, but you really trust Han-ul, huh? Are you a different type than you seem?”
“Avoiding him and trusting him are different things.”
As a demon who was killed by a hero in a past life, I do want to avoid them...
“But I trust Yoo Han-ul with my life.”