The headquarters managers closed in on Vice President Ko Tae-hyun, their eyes gleaming with opportunity.
Bae Seong-min, head of the Monster Safety Management Headquarters, smirked.
"...I admit his talent. But Seong-jun is far too greedy, daring to attempt this conquest alone."
The other directors agreed, thinly veiled greed dripping from their voices.
"This is our chance. If he fails, we decide the next move."
"Yes, the order of conquest must be restructured."
For once, Ko Tae-hyun did not flare in anger. Instead, he let out a quiet laugh.
"Do you really believe Hunter Lee Seong-jun will fail?"
The room grew tense. The directors exchanged looks before one scoffed.
"If this were a raid gate, perhaps. But inside a treasure gate? No martial artist can withstand a wave of monsters. His odds are slim at best."
Ko Tae-hyun's smile only widened.
"Then, shall we make a bet?"
The words froze the air.
"If Hunter Lee Seong-jun fails to conquer the Treasure Gate, I will resign from my position as Vice President. But if he succeeds…" Tae-hyun's gaze swept across the room like a blade. "Every one of you will step down."
The directors stiffened.
"Are you serious?"
"Have I ever spoken in jest?"
They faltered. A treasure gate was not like a raid gate. It birthed endless hordes—goblins, trolls, demons—swarms vast enough to drown any hunter. Martial artists excelled in duels, not in wars against legions.
To them, Seong-jun's defeat was inevitable. And so, one by one, the greedy managers nodded.
"…I accept."
"As do I."
Ko Tae-hyun held back his laughter. To them, it looked like arrogance. In truth, it was calculation.
'You fools. You've already dug your own graves.'
For three months, Tae-hyun had seen Lee Seong-jun with his own eyes. He remembered the impossible victories—the operation against Jo Se-hyeok that should never have succeeded, yet did. This was no reckless man blinded by greed. This was someone who moved only with certainty.
'This is my chance to purge the rot from the Association.'
"Then let's sign the contract," Ko Tae-hyun said. The directors, already dreaming of his seat, rushed forward to agree.
Behind them, Tae-hyun allowed the grin he had been holding back to spread.
Meanwhile, inside the Treasure Gate—
A barren plain stretched endlessly, empty and silent. Lee Seong-jun stood in the center, scanning the horizon.
'So this is the Treasure Gate… Quiet. Too quiet.'
The silence shattered.
KUGUGUGU—!
The ground trembled. A storm of sand rose at the edges of the horizon, and with it came the thunder of countless footsteps. Orcs. Goblins. Trolls. Demons. An endless army of monsters surged forward like a black tide.
'A monster wave…'
He had studied this, prepared for it. And now, facing it with calm eyes, he whispered:
"The conditions couldn't be better."
A vast, open plain. No obstacles. No distractions. Just him, and the legion.
DING!
[Activating Star's Favor, Earth's Blessing, and Wind's Protection.]
[Strength, Stamina, and Agility enhanced.]
[Amplification effect boosts all buffs by 50%.]
Power surged through his body, his muscles hardening, his skin toughening to the level of steel.
Seong-jun's lips curved.
"It's been a while since I could fight without restraint."
He launched forward. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
POT—!
The horde screamed. The earth shook under their charge. Yet Seong-jun accelerated, fearless.
'My body… indestructible. Below the level of a true master, nothing can pierce it.'
Ten meters left. The first monsters swung weapons and claws.
"Too slow."
Their blades clashed against his body with a useless screech.
BUCK! BUCK!
Seong-jun clenched his fist.
'Vajra Steel Body—Second Form: Dragon Strike.'
KWAAAANG—!
His punch detonated like thunder. Dozens of monsters vanished, their bodies shattered in an instant.
And then—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each step, each strike, each motion crushed dozens more. His power was overwhelming, unstoppable, a crimson storm tearing through the tide.
But the horde did not break. Mindless, endless, they surged. Corpses piled high, blocking his path.
'If I fight like this, it will never end.'
His eyes narrowed. He drew in a deep breath.
Blood surged through his body, igniting with Asura's power. A crimson light erupted, spreading across the battlefield like a tide of slaughter.
The true nature of the Blood Demon revealed itself once more.
Seong-jun grinned.
"Good. Let's see how far you can last."