CHAPTER 188: THE TOWER

FOOD, huh?

Come to think of it, Korea was saved from starving to death when Guildmaster Hamin discovered that monster meat was safe for human consumption.

[Hamin-ssi was the Hunter who led the second generation of Awakened People.]

But...

"Hamin-ssi is the face of Korean Culinary Hunters," Wonhee said carefully. "But I don’t think the Culinary Hunters in our country are thinking about making food that could give the same effect of Guiding on the Hunters. If they did, I would know because my brother-in-law is connected to SC Foods— the conglomerate behind the Fall Guild."

And the Fall Guild, led by Guildmaster Hamin, was in charge of all the Culinary Hunters in Korea.

"But I did hear that Hamin-ssi and the other Culinary Hunters all over the world tried farming and raising monsters so that they wouldn’t have to raid dungeons to maintain the food supply," Wonhee continued when Bitna remained silent. "They failed, though. The seeds they brought out of the dungeons don’t grow in normal soil. Raising monsters also failed since the Researchers couldn’t figure out what to feed the baby monsters. Because even newly born monsters craved human flesh. Many Researchers have died because of that project. When the Civilians protested, they stopped trying to raise baby monsters."

Legally, at least.

[I’m sure many ’Underground Hunters’ are still trying to tame baby monsters.]

"Don’t worry, Wonhee-ya," Bitna said confidently. "All those problems will be solved once I get out of here."

"When are you getting out, though?"

"Soon— I just need to clear a few more tasks."

"You can’t leave until you cleared the tasks the System gave you?" Wonhee asked, frowning. "The System is so mean for that."

"The System takes care of me and gives me missions to help me level up, but it isn’t the sole reason I’m stuck here."

"Then who’s responsible for that?"

"The Tower."

Wonhee tilted her head to one side. "Is it similar to a dungeon?"

"Same, but it’s completely different from the System that reins over this world," Bitna said, smiling as if she was about to tell Wonhee a secret that only the two of them should know about. "Wonhee-ya, the universe is too big for only this world to exist."

"Are you saying there are other worlds out there?"

"You already know that, don’t you?"

"Ah," Wonhee said, nodding. "The world that Yool came from doesn’t have dungeons. According to him, it was a peaceful Korea. Even the descendants of the Korean Royal Family there had a different bloodline than the ones we have here."

In this world, her older brother’s bloodline— the Yeons— carried the royal bloodline.

[Oppa is Korea’s Crown Prince.]

"Yes, peaceful worlds like that exist," Bitna said, nodding. "But there are also other worlds infested with dungeons and monsters."

"You talk as if you’ve been to one, Bitna-ya."

"Oh, I have."

"Really? What kind of world is that?"

"A world with Hunters and dungeons— but one without Guides," Bitna said, standing up. And then she extended her hand to her. "Wonhee-ya, I’ll show you something."

Wonhee immediately grabbed Bitna’s hand. "Alright."

***

"THIS IS MY SWORD— does it look different to you?"

Soobin knitted his eyebrows.

He had fixed Kunwoo’s Holy Sword many times already. Hence, just one touch and he could already tell that it wasn’t the bastard’s sword.

However, gut feeling didn’t count as evidence.

[Moreover, it doesn’t affect me whether this is the real Holy Sword or not.]

"I’ll get it fixed in a week," Soobin said, changing the topic. "Come back by then."

Kunwoo smiled and nodded. "As expected of the Blacksmith God, you’re really quick."

"If you have nothing else to say, then you may leave now."

"Aww. You’re so mean."

"See you next week, Hunter Kunwoo."

But, instead of leaving, the thick-faced Kunwoo leaned against the edge of Soobin’s desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "Soobin-ah, I’m talking informally because I’m talking to you as a friend and not as a client now."

Haaah.

Soobin leaned down against his seat. "What is it now?"

"Is Chu Wonhee dating Hwang Yejun?"

"Why are you suddenly bringing up my baby sister? Her private life is none of your business."

"I’m just saying that it would be better for your baby sister to end up with Lee Seodam."

"Are you out of your mind? It was Lee Seodam who dumped and hurt my baby sister. Why would I want our Hee-ya to marry that bastard?"

"Why not? Soobin-ah, Lee Seodam will take my place soon. He’ll be the government’s main weapon. And I have a feeling that he’s the hero the entire world is waiting for to appear and end the dungeons."

Soobin smirked while shaking his head. "Lee Seodam is weak enough to be taken over by the Virus. If I had to choose between Lee Seodam and Hwang Yejun, I’d rather marry my sister off to Hwang Yejun— Korea’s #1 Hunter and one of the strongest in the world."

Lee Seodam was indeed a talented individual.

But even that kind of person would pale in comparison with Hwang Yejun.

"Soobin-ah, you don’t have an eye for talent, do you?"

"Excuse me?"

Kunwoo clicked his tongue while shaking his head before he stood up and faced Soobin properly. "Soobin-ah, you’re a national treasure so I want to protect you. Choosing Lee Seodam as your future brother-in-law would be more beneficial to you than choosing a lunatic like Hwang Yejun."

"Why does my baby sister only have Lee Seodam and Hwang Yejun as her choices?" Soobin asked, annoyed. "Hee-ya can marry anyone she wants to marry— and she can also stay single for the rest of her life if she wants to."

***

"EOMMA!"

Semi was surprised when Eunseok called her when she just got home.

She came home as soon as she was done chasing Song Moonho away. And she left all the paperwork to Graham because she was worried about Wonhee.

"What’s wrong, son?" Semi asked worriedly. "Why are you yelling?"

"Hee-ya Noona— no, Aunt Hee-ya!" Eunseok said in a panic. "She’s not in her room but I didn’t see her leaving the house. I checked all the CCTVs and I’m sure she didn’t leave her room. And yet I can’t see her anywhere!"

Okay, that made her nervous.

She was about to ask the System to connect her to Hwang Yejun when her Status Window suddenly popped up.

[Calm down, Hunter Jang Semi— Guide Chu Wonhee is currently inside a dungeon—]

"Our Hee-ya is inside a dungeon?!" Semi asked in disbelief. "How do you expect me to calm down then?!"

***

A VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Wonhee felt happy while looking at the vast vegetable garden in front of her.

There was one thing that she noticed, though.

"The vegetables here are quite big," Wonhee said nervously while looking at the size of the carrot Bitna had just finished washing with clean water. It was thrice as huge and long as a normal carrot. "Is that even a carrot?"

"Yeah," Bitna said, taking a bite of the side of the carrot. "Tastes like one, too."

"Can I take a bite?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You’ve eaten monster dishes, but the vegetables I grow here may upset your stomach," Bitna explained. "I planted these vegetables with Hunters in mind. Since you’re a Guide, these vegetables might be too much for you."

Wonhee knitted her eyebrows. "These vegetables are catered to be beneficial to Hunters?"

"That’s right," Bitna said proudly while nodding. "These vegetables, if my experiment was a success, would replenish the Mana of exhausted Hunters. Do you know why Hunters lose their minds?"

"Because of the Static?"

"And what causes the Static to ring in their minds?"

"Mana depletion?"

"Correct," Bitna said while nodding. "Hunters use Mana to fight monsters and use their abilities. Hence, when their Mana drops, they become sensitive and their minds turn vulnerable. No one knows where the Static came from. All we know is the Static appears whenever a Hunter is on the verge of Mana depletion."

Oh.

Wonhee started to nod when she realized when the conversation was headed to. "Guides increase the Hunters’ Mana, so the Static stops during Guiding. If we can help Hunters by feeding them with food that contains Mana, then Guides won’t need to provide Hunters with physical intimacy or sexual pleasure."

"Well, this method won’t help all the Hunters."

"What do you mean by that?"

"There’s a very small group of Hunters and Guides that won’t benefit from this method."

"The minority?" Wonhee asked, confused. And then she gasped when she realized what Bitna was trying to say. "Bitna-ya, are you talking about Hunters and Guides like me and Yejun with high matching rates?"

"That’s right," Bitna said, sighing. "Soulmates will still need to perform the Advanced Treatment."

’Soulmates?’

***

ARGH.

Lee Seodam woke up with a splitting headache.

He got up while clutching his head with one hand.

"Y-You’re awake?"

Seodam opened his eyes and stared at the person standing in front of him.

It was Park Ruda who looked wary for some reason.

But he didn’t have the chance to ask Ruda what was wrong as the memories of their mission with Hunter Kunwoo flooded his mind.

Blergh.

Seodam almost threw up when he remembered how cruel Hunter Kunwoo was towards Hunter Song Sunho. "Ruda, what happened to Hunter Song Sunho?"

Ruda looked confused by his question. "Lee Seodam, you don’t remember?"

He just shook his head, and then he stood up.

Fortunately, he could still move his heavy body.

He walked towards Ruda and was about to touch his hand because he felt like he needed Guiding at the moment.

But, much to Seodam’s shock, Ruda swatted his hand away.

Moreover...

Seodam knitted his eyebrows. "Park Ruda, why do you look afraid of me?"

***

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