But revealing that soone is an Ultra Alien is a whole different matter……
‘Hmm.’
At this point, a little extra explanation. It wasn’t that I refused the dungeon’s gimmick out of re whim. If even a single thing were generated based on my true mories, this gate would imdiately spiral into a tempest of confusion.
‘Let’s try imagining it briefly from the perspective of Earthlings. Yeah, as expected, to their eyes, the Alphaurin appear as a 100% pure monster.’
Therefore, appropriate preventive asures are essential. Yet, without the need for a grand introduction, the current anomaly was actually created for a very simple reason.
‘Why do you think I haven’t fallen victim to Seo Esther’s curse all this ti?’
The archmage’s soul naturally repels ntal interference calibrated for Earth-level minds. So, to be precise, it’s not that they weren’t affected by the dungeon—it’s closer to saying they simply couldn’t be affected.
‘Is this defense too strong for the current Earth-level standards?’
Thinking it over carefully, I can’t help but feel that way a little.
‘Still, better than having less.’
It was all within expectations. It’s fine.
Gismche are basically insects. Feeding, craving, imitation. Beyond that, these cosmic creatures don’t really engage in complex, high-level thinking, so they struggle to account for irregular values. Especially in the early stages of planetary conquest, they often fell into even the most average of traps, being too preoccupied with eating.
‘Even this ‘Happiness’ dungeon could get by with just piling up dollars or other trivial rewards that humans generally like.’
But openly flaunting my status as the Archmage? Sohow, it fell off inside the dungeon. So, ever since my second awakening, I’ve been restraining myself from using overly advanced magic.
‘Hmm.’
Anyway, the fact that one illusion was missing…I can say with certainty that it posed no problem at all.
Then that settles this concern—now it’s ti to get to the main point. The truth is, what I really needed to focus on lay elsewhere.
‘Co to think of it, this is the first EX-rank I’ve stepped into since regaining my mana.’
Anyway, it wasn’t sothing I could really share with others, so I usually kept my mouth shut. But this EX-rank gate—the otherworld—had its own peculiar traits…
Ssshk.
I tilted my neck in a human-like manner and examined the ceiling. The impression given by my sambaegan eyes grew even harsher. Yet, ignoring it, I continued my observation, and the sixth sense awakened after my second awakening whispered in my mind. More precisely, it was the result of focusing like a living microscope on the microscopic details.
‘As expected, there’s no ‘vision.’
A specialized term that Earthlings couldn’t understand briefly ca to mind.
‘Could it be that this is a table set by a Gismche with unusual tastes, so it’s not exactly ordinary?’
But at that mont, so mammal beside started to interrupt my thoughts.
“Hunter Kim Giryeo.”
Jung Haseong. Despite being a fire-attributed superpower, his face was as pale as soone who had just co out of water.
“Now, I’m starting to get a sense of it.”
For reference, if that young man is showing an unusual reaction, there’s an 80-90% chance he’s fallen into that state.
“Have you, Hunter Kim, never truly been happy in your life? There’s nothing that really sparks desire—money or other wise. So, if it’s impossible for you to feel happiness, what happens if only your own illusion never appeared in this dungeon?”
Illusion…
“No—”
The mont I heard the words of the national hero, a word embedded in the Korean body sprang out.
“The police dog even generated sothing it liked, so there’s no way a human like would have done the sa.”
With a head circumference of barely 57 cm, what kind of creativity could even be expected? The Earthling’s guess just now was completely off from the start. There was no real need to continue the conversation, yet I subtly lowered my gaze back to the ground while giving a suitable reaction to their words.
‘Since this is inside an EX-rank dungeon, there’s no benefit in acting recklessly.’
It’s a sha, but the observation ends here. The completely wrong misunderstandings stop right here. I naturally took a step to leave the dining table of a monster that had crossed over from the far side of the galaxy. And in the process, I added a few explanations.
“The reason the illusion didn’t appear was probably just because I’m strong.”
A reason that was, quite literally, impeccably simple.
“Besides, even if Seo Esther had co, the outco would have been more or less the sa, right?”
“You’re saying that again. Even in your previous interview after defeating [Siren], you ntioned the similarities between yourself and Representative Seo.”
“Uh…”
“Then, if you don’t mind asking, what is the relationship between water and curses in their attributes?”
“Ah, you rember that interview. I was about to start explaining, assuming you wouldn’t know anything about it.”
By now, a cold sweat was starting to form, but let’s skip over that. After all, what words could possibly be off-limits among workers who’ve finally finished their tasks?
“Anyway, what I have in common with people who use curses is….”
A human trap that brings happiness. We escaped from this paradoxical snare and spent a while exchanging light, trivia conversation.
“What we have in common is ntal resilience. I’m just inherently tough, whereas Seo Esther’s ability is literally ntal interference.
“—”
“Oh, but has this been made known to the public?
“Yes. The fact that the curse is a separate effect called Hyper Nocebo has now been made public. It was revealed in a French paper about three months ago.
“It just ans “among the general public” or “to civilians.” In other words, the information is no longer restricted to experts or authorities—it’s widely known outside specialized circles.
“Uh… that…
“It’s okay, so explain it more comfortably.
“I’m sorry for bringing this up late, but I was wondering if you were with the National Intelligence Service…
“?
Honestly, there were a lot of hiccups here and there, but all things considered, this was a successful overseas mission.
A greeting from the President of Turkey. The joyous 5 billion won reward for an elderly couple who dramatically reconciled with their 5-rank hunter son. Along with the wholehearted attempts to clear up misunderstandings—especially those involving the National Intelligence Service—during the plane ride, and so on.
‘Finally, I can return to Korea. To my second holand.’
Afterwards, I took care of a few follow-up tasks and set off for ho. With my wallet running low, I quickly gave up on any sightseeing.
***
I bravely ventured into the nest of happiness that had devoured hunters and even managed to safely rescue a single police dog inside the dungeon. In doing so, I once again set a remarkable record.
[UJI Renewal] HunterNet]
[qwe**: 5 billion? Who on earth gets sothing like that??]
For reference, back when a certain Turkish couple published an article in the newspaper, netizens from every country showed overwhelmingly negative reactions…
[l3**: Wow~ The ransom for S-ranks is so high, and now they’re trying to save soone with such pocket change— So frugal ㅋㅋㅋ. I get the urgency, but… ㅋㅋㅋ, honestly, nobody could attempt a rescue with that.
They should talk to the governnt and sohow add more to it. Who’s going to risk their life for that—]
[000*: Wait, what’s with the comnts above? 5 billion won is generally a fortune that might take three generations to earn. And yet they’re calling it pocket change = =;]
[l3***: Sure, everyone knows that, but for S-ranks, it really is just pocket change.]
[l3***: If you analyze the situation coldly, honestly, there’s really no hero who’d step up for that.]
Amid the chaotic period when everyone’s worries were piling up, an alien with 40 billion in unpaid taxes finally appeared.
[l3***: Huh??]
Since I was in a position where I had to gather money as quickly as possible, I accepted the current mission without hesitation. On top of that, it was the perfect opportunity to deal with the bluffing I had pulled on Jung Haseong in the past. Just before leaving the country, I smoothed everything over by declaring that I “roughly knew the strategy for the Happiness gate.”
But even with all the information, seeing such a valuable S-rank Hunter move for just 5 billion… the public couldn’t help but be surprised.
[YTV News Live]
[Real-ti Chat =>]
In modern social hubs where people mainly share their opinions, many were busy praising Kim Giryeo as practically an angelic for that. Moreover, true to the saying “birds of a feather flock together,” older generations added that this explained why Jeong Ha-seong and I got along even in private. Thanks to the flawless image maintained by the top-ranked figure, even the outsider——saw a boost in favorability.
[Birds of a feather, huh… guys, then what about that Hunter going on an overseas raid with Kang Changho?]
[The article said they sent him into the dungeon for guidance, but I guess people don’t really change—now, Kim Giryeo’s side cut ties with him, yep. No team-ups lately.]
[Aha~]
And anyway, even the opinions that were out of sync quickly found their place.
Before I knew it, winter had arrived. Despite the season of biting winds, I found myself surrounded by an unusually favorable public opinion. By now, I had beco a well-known figure with such a positive image that even people picky about physiognomy were giving complints.
“It doesn’t feel bad to be praised, does it?”
Moreover, like a ship with its sails full in a favorable wind, opportunities to elevate my status kept arising tirelessly.
[Incoming call: Hwang Mansu, Chief Secretary of Seoul City……]
“Hmm?”
Now I rember. Co to think of it, there’s still a part of the reward I haven’t received yet.
“Ah, that’s right.”
I had received a reward for shutting down the city’s lights, but the comndation ceremony itself hadn’t actually been held yet.
“Well, in a way, it was only natural that soone representing the city would be busy. I thought to myself for a mont as I looked at the ssage on my phone.
To be honest, from the standpoint of soone who ca from another planet, that little ceremony of handing over a yellow piece of paper hardly seed important.
“Yes, this is Kim Giryeo speaking. I’ve answered the call.”
The person known as the Mayor of Seoul had said that once this ceremony was over, he would treat to a al.
‘A restaurant recomnded by a politician? I’m definitely curious.’
So, knowing I had nothing better to do, I lightly accepted the invitation.
“Oh! You’re here!”
“Hmm?”
“Hunter. Would you mind taking a seat here for a mont?”
“You’re wearing that brand of suit again today! We actually prepared a few just in case, but honestly, what you usually wear suits you better…”
Thus, that’s how I ca to face this backdrop before my eyes.
A mont later. At an event hall in Seoul, people were delighted to see arrive right on ti.
“What’s all this?”
Co to think of it, I wondered why they had called in so early when the photo session was scheduled for four o’clock. But once I arrived inside the venue, I discovered so unfamiliar Earthlings. From what I gathered, they seed to be staff from a beauty salon often frequented by politicians.
“Excuse . We’ll just do a light touch-up on the parts with a bit of static~”
And because these professionals suddenly put their skills to work, I, an alien from a binary star system, soon ended up looking decent enough to be shown on broadcast.
“What exactly changed?”
A face polished and refined by soone else’s hands feels strangely unfamiliar. But since there’s no ti to analyze the changed hairstyle, I simply followed a guide and soon entered the auditorium.
—Click.
Strangely enough, such a huge crowd had gathered just to see soone receive a re piece of paper.
“They’re here, they’re here!”
“Roll the cara!”
“Have you finished checking the microphone?”
Click, click, click.
As I stepped into the room, a wall of reporters ca into view straight ahead. If it were just a barrage of cara flashes, it would’ve been fine—but with the cold weather layered on top of it, mories of past incidents suddenly resurfaced.
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