Chapter 169

Thud, thud…!

Peach Blossom Land’s vast expanse.

Standing on the high ground, I watched the countless skeletons below.

Thwack! Splat! Thwack!

The single-bodied skeletons were using various tools to level the ground.

Swish! Swish, swish!

Skeletons with pointy ear bones were riding leaves, clearing the forest.

About 2,000 skeletons were mobilized at Dmir’s request.

To be exact, 1,110 under Dmir and 1,110 under Eldrin.

‘Spectacular.’

Even if they’re just skeletons, so many of them are working for me.

Besides, the energy required to summon that many is only 20.

Indeed.

No matter how I think about it, Necromancer is a cheat.

[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]

Especially mine.

‘This…’

Isn’t this actually a blessing instead of a curse?

“Lord.”

Dmir, the general supervisor, spoke beside me.

For reference, Dmir was on my left, and Kim Jina was on my right.

“Yeah?”

“Are you watching? We’ve taken the first step to build a city. Basically, to create a beautiful city, we need to level the site first.”

“Is that so?”

I don’t know much about architecture.

More than me, Dmir—who rose to the position of an Absolute being in one world by creating things—would know much better.

As I nodded and watched, Dmir smiled.

“Hehe, Lord. Do you remember Titan?”

“Titan?”

I raised my head.

That Titan from the past Special Dungeon, ‘Forest and Rock.’

A city of minerals and rocks.

“I remember.”

It was amazing.

Beautiful rocky scenery like a city in a movie.

And the bizarrely placed mysterious buildings in between.

How could I forget that?

Back then, Sunny—who was the absolute ruler of a desert empire—said it was an impressive sight, so that says it all.

“Actually, do you know that I planned and built that city?”

“……Really?”

“But I regretted it a little back then. I couldn’t concentrate properly because of the Great Demon Dragon’s tyranny, and I was still young, so I wasn’t confident in my skills yet……”

Dmir looked down at the vast expanse with regretful eyes.

“So, since the Lord gave the order this time, I want to make it properly. A forest for Eldrin, a workshop for the Dwarves of Stone, and a city for the Lord’s guild…… Anyway, the materials here are abundant, and there are many available subordinates, so it will be finished sooner than you think.”

He clenched his fist tightly.

I smiled bitterly.

“Well, I’d be grateful if you did that.”

“Ah, and Lord.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t worry about the mass-produced items supplied to Dmir’s Workshop. I can continue doing that while building the city.”

Dmir doesn’t gain anything from making something.

Even though it’s only for me, is he actively participating because he’s my subordinate?

Or is it because he’s really grateful to me for sealing the Great Demon Dragon?

“You can do it slowly and comfortably.”

Even if he’s my subordinate, I didn’t want him to feel pressured.

“Wow, wow, great!”

Clap, clap, clap!

Kim Jina, who was watching the scene, clapped her hands.

“Then, for now…… let’s just sell the mass-produced items properly? After all, we completely stopped VIP production after the Berserker. The orders are piling up like crazy, though.”

“Ah, didn’t you make any S-rank weapons?”

Can’t Dmir make them alone yet?

“Dmir said he could make them if he tried, but it’s just a waste of time. We’ve already announced that VIP weapons can only be made with the President’s permission. What should we do? Will you make more?”

“Dmir’s Workshop’s S-rank weapons……”

Only two have been made so far.

The Shadow Empress and the Berserker each have one.

“Hmm.”

I want to make more and sell them.

But it seemed like city construction should come first.

For now, Dmir is focused on this.

“No, let’s suspend it for now. And from now on, Dmir will be in charge of VIP production without my permission. Whenever he has time.”

Dmir is now a Skeleton Lord.

If he’s recovered even half of his original abilities, he’ll be fine without my help.

“Yes, I understand, President!”

Swish! Swish, swish!

Kim Jina took out a notebook from her pocket and wrote down my words, then looked up at me again.

“Ah, and President.”

“Yes?”

“There’s another problem.”

“What is it?”

“The portal is a little…… no, it’s a big problem. A very big one.”

“The portal?”

I tilted my head.

“Is it because of the 24-hour thing?”

“That’s right! It’s okay if the President makes it every 24 hours……? But the problem is…… the President always disappears somewhere without saying anything and comes back after a long time.”

There was a bone in her words.

But again.

She was right.

“That’s also true.”

This is a bit complicated.

The 24-hour limit is a troublesome feature in some ways.

But it’s also a necessary feature.

If it’s maintained forever, the inside becomes dangerous if a terrorist learns the location of that portal.

“Hmm.”

I closed my eyes and pondered.

What should I do with this?

Actually, I was planning to sort this out and go back to the Dungeon.

I had to check Bone Eight’s abilities through combat, and I had to train in Ten Thousand Arts with the Elder again.

Also, I had to prepare to clear the next Special Dungeon.

As I was silent, Kim Jina carefully asked again.

“How about handing it over to Dmir? If anyone who owns the necklace can use it……”

“Huh?”

Give the necklace to Dmir?

[Name: Dmir]

[Energy: 700/700]

[Unique Ability: Skeleton Lord]

[Class: Blacksmith]

[Rank: S]

Since his energy reached 700 due to the item and the Skeleton Lord effect, there would be no problem using the portal.

“Lord, how about this?”

Creak!

Dmir tilted his head.

“First, check if you can open a portal in the Dungeon. If you only check that, can’t you come and open it in times of crisis—or when 24 hours have passed—using Eldrin’s spell ritual?”

“Hoo.”

Spell ritual.

There was that, wasn’t there?

“Good. Not bad.”

Let’s check later whether it opens in the Dungeon.

I continued to talk with Dmir.

The design and construction plan of the city to be built in the future.

And if you look over the materials and designs, you can’t help but fall for it.

– “Heo, amazing.”

To the point where the Elder, who is crazy about training, was speechless.

– “Architecture is also a ‘skill’ after all, and its depth is extraordinary. I’ve come to regret being obsessed with combat skills.”

Even after Kim Jina went out to work.

Even after the Elder was forcibly dismissed for exceeding the time limit.

“Lord, how should we design the conference room or the guild leader’s office?”

“You want to create a training ground for each skeleton—that is, for us? A total of ten areas?”

“1,000, no, in the future, each of us may summon more than 10,000, so it must be huge. Ah, don’t worry, Lord. This place is endlessly vast.”

I couldn’t help but look forward to it.

The land is left over, and I can use it however I want.

In Seoul, land and real estate are expensive.

Here, I could build whatever I pleased.

At that moment, when I was completely immersed in it—

“President! President!”

Kim Jina came back in.

“Yes?”

“You have to come out for a moment……”

“What’s wrong?”

What is it?

I was having so much fun. Why?

“A guest is looking for the President.”

“A guest?”

I tilted my head.

—

When I went outside, a very dignified, veteran-looking elder was standing in a polite posture, with a woman who appeared to be his personal secretary.

“Who is this……?”

My eyes widened.

Why wouldn’t I know?

The S-rank veteran Hunter who led the Korea Hunter Association for ten years.

Although he’s not a Ranker, his influence is known to surpass Rankers.

“Nice to meet you. Ranker, Joo Donghoon.”

“……You’re the Chairman.”

Unexpected.

The famous Chairman.

Choi Taeseung himself came on his own two feet.

“Now, as one of Korea’s VIPs, I thought I should come and greet you in person.”

He politely bowed his head.

I also bowed my head in a daze.

It was amazing.

The person I only saw on TV was now in front of me.

A person I couldn’t even speak to when I was an E-rank Hunter was now bowing to me.

The treatment had changed.

“Hahaha, don’t just stand here! I’ll get some coffee, so let’s move to the conference room!”

As Kim Jina eased the awkward atmosphere, the Chairman smiled gently.

“Coffee. That sounds good.”

The Chairman’s secretary, who moved to the conference room, placed a luxurious box on the table.

Thud!

“What is this?”

The design is clean, and it felt like something quite expensive was inside……

“It’s an S-rank nameplate and an S-rank Hunter-exclusive card.”

Thump!

Choi Taeseung opened the box.

“Those who are ranked in the world rankings are automatically renewed according to the Hunter Act. Also, Joo Donghoon can now receive direct support from the Association.”

“Hoo.”

In the end, they’re going to treat me well for being a Ranker.

The Chairman continued to explain.

Various treatments, tax exemption benefits, and cost support through taxes.

‘But.’

The treatment was unusual.

“From now on, Joo Donghoon will have free business and first-class seats on all Korean flights, and will receive state guest treatment from each association no matter which allied country he goes to. Of course, the best five-star hotel suite is provided wherever he goes, and the card can be swiped anytime, anywhere with a limit of 1 billion won per year. In addition, high-end restaurants affiliated with the Association are also supported……”

Blah blah blah.

He listed various benefits I had never even heard of.

It was impossible not to feel dizzy.

‘Wow.’

This is really a different world.

It feels like it was just yesterday that I was doing Dungeon labor without earning even an allowance because I was training.

With this level of treatment, I could live without worrying about money.

Suddenly, I was worried.

“……Is it okay to treat me so well with the people’s taxes?”

“Of course. It’s a treatment only for Rankers, and Rankers deserve it.”

“……Ranker.”

“It’s a joke, but if we don’t, you might naturalize to another country, right? Haha.”

As the conversation eased a little, Choi Taeseung smiled.

I also smiled back.

“Yeah, naturalization.”

Actually, it was a bit of a stretch, but it wasn’t wrong.

People are fickle.

There’s no guarantee they won’t leave for a country that offers better treatment.

“From the country’s point of view, it’s protecting national power in exchange for that much treatment, so you don’t have to worry too much. As you know, the abilities of domestic Hunters are excellent, so tax collection is good, and it’s enough to cover it even if the government officials take a little less.”

“Is that so? I like that you’re so cool.”

Of course, I have nothing to lose.

There’s no reason to refuse when they give it to me.

“However. Hmm…….”

It was then that Choi Taeseung made a slightly hesitant expression.

“However?”

As I tilted my head, he continued.

“Well, that’s… Actually, to become an S-rank Hunter according to the Hunter Act, you must have a history of clearing an S-rank Dungeon.”

S-rank Dungeon history?

Do I not have that?

“Of course, if you’re a world Ranker, I can do it with my authority, but the procedure is complicated……. Anyway, you said you’re going to focus on Dungeons in the upcoming announcement……”

“Ah.”

I nodded.

So, this is it.

They can just do it, but if I’m going to clear an S-rank Dungeon anyway, why not help them with something?

“Looks like there’s a troublesome problem?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Hmm.”

They list good rewards first.

Then they explain the difficulties…….

Well, I was going to go to the Dungeon anyway.

It wouldn’t be bad to maintain a good relationship with the Association.

I smiled.

“I don’t know what it is, but.”

There’s one thing for sure.

The choice is mine, and I’m the boss in this relationship.

“Let’s hear it out first.”