Chapter 89
The state of Gujarat, located in western India.
Thanks to its stunning natural beauty, it was often called the “Jewel of Western India.” The scenery was truly unique.
“Sunny, look over there.”
In more than twenty years of life, I’d never once thought of visiting this country. To get here, I’d had to endure a ten-hour flight.
And now—
I was standing on a beach where the waves crashed and the grains of sand glittered like gold and silver treasures.
Sunny was in awe.
“What a beautiful sea. The vast openness of it feels so refreshing—it’s quite different from the ones back in your homeland, my lord.”
Whenever I faced new landscapes like this, I always summoned Sunny.
It was my way of giving him sight and showing him the world anew. It was a promise I’d made when I first tamed him in the ancient desert. (T/N: Awwwwww.)
“Yeah. This sea’s part of the Indian Ocean, called the Arabian Sea. It’s my first time seeing it in person too.”
“I’ll remember this sight deeply.”
I followed the directions White Boar had given me and arranged a boat.
My final destination: the mysterious island of Mora.
As I paid for the ride and we cut through the waves, I recalled what the Rankers had told me.
— Little brother, make sure you come back alive. I can’t explain the details, but once you return, the information restrictions will be lifted. We’ll drink and talk all night then.
That was Berserker, who truly wanted me to become a Ranker.
— You didn’t forget, right? When you become a Ranker, I’ll collect that favor properly. Hmm, let’s see… now that I look closely, you’ve got a decent face. Maybe I’ll use you as White Boar’s exclusive model. How about it, deal?
White Boar, who was half-certain I’d become a Ranker.
Of course, as the president of Dmir Workshop, there was no way I’d model for a rival workshop, but still…
— King, Delilah’s trials aren’t fixed in form. If you can’t find an answer, try using everything around you. I’ll be cheering you on.
Black Sword, who couldn’t reveal the trial details but kept emphasizing the right mindset.
And lastly—
— I’ll protect things here. Please, make it back safely.
Shadow Empress had given me a polite bow.
“……”
What kind of place was it, really?
What kind of place could make A-rank Hunters automatically become Rankers just by surviving?
‘A Ranker…’
If I thought about it, it made no sense.
Rankers were supposed to be the best among even S-rank Hunters.
And I had only just reached A-rank. How could I possibly jump straight to Ranker level?
‘What kind of madness goes on in there…?’
A sense of tension ran through me.
What was the nature of this trial that even those mighty Rankers called a taboo and kept secret?
Surely it wasn’t something like that old man’s training—calling you over, beating you to a pulp, and telling you to endure it?
Actually, if it was, that would make sense.
‘That’s how I became strong, after all.’
I was living proof of it.
It had only taken me about half a year to rise from E-rank to A-rank.
That’s why I could say with confidence:
In this world—
If you have luck, and the persistence to seize that luck, you’ll find endless chances to become stronger overnight.
‘And this.’
This “Dungeon Maker” was one of those chances.
‘I have to do this.’
Even if it ended in death—
it would still be far more meaningful than rotting away as an E-rank shut-in.
Splash, splash!
After some time, I arrived at the mysterious island of Mora.
Apparently, the island was well-known—it had a small city built on it.
However, the locals were all native Indians, likely due to its isolation.
I did spot a few foreign Hunters here and there.
‘They must be participants too.’
Each wore badges marked A-rank or S-rank—they were, without doubt, Delilah’s guests like me.
‘Now, where do I go?’
Thud!
As I stepped off the boat, setting foot on the island for the first time—
Flinch.
A strange sensation swept through me.
It was as if every nerve and cell in my body suddenly awoke.
[Ding!]
[“The Eye of the Dungeon Maker” is observing you!]
“Dungeon Maker?”
I raised my head abruptly, glancing around.
The Eye? Watching me? What did that mean?
[Confirming identity.]
[Reading recommendations…]
[Your recommenders are—]
……
[Rank 20: Berserker Jang Daewoong]
[Rank 58: Marksman Ki Parang]
[Rank 379: Shadow Empress Ki Soyul]
[Rank 509: Black Sword Lee Seonah]
[Rank 828: White Boar Yoo Sangdon]
……
[Qualified!]
[You are a registered candidate with five Ranker recommendations.]
“This is…”
A message appeared before my eyes.
And instinctively, I knew.
It was starting.
[You have been invited to ‘Delilah’s Trial.’]
[Reach the pillar of light before the time expires.]
[Time remaining – 01:15:30]
[First come, first served – 50 participants]
Fwoosh!
Along with the message, a beam of light shot upward from the distant horizon.
‘So that’s where I need to go.’
Delilah’s set time was 3 p.m. international time.
Thanks to White Boar’s generous schedule, I still had plenty of time.
‘But the problem is…’
[First come, first served – 50 participants]
There was a limit.
‘What?’
So if I was too slow, I might not even qualify?
The realization hit me like ice water.
The beautiful scenery no longer mattered.
My palms were slick with sweat.
If I failed to make it in time—what kind of look would those Rankers give me?
Run.
I had to run.
Judging by the distance, taking transport would be pointless.
Running would be faster.
Thud!
I kicked off the ground hard.
Forcing down my nerves, I sprinted with everything I had.
The route wasn’t hard to find.
Following the main street led straight into a dense forest, and a wide path there clearly pointed toward the beam of light.
After about ten minutes—
“Is this it?”
I’d reached the destination.
A clearing roughly the size of a school field.
Hunters were already scattered about, waiting.
They must’ve all received five Ranker recommendations like me.
I could feel some eyes on me, but that was it.
No one spoke.
[Ding!]
[Confirmed!]
[You are the 36th to arrive.]
‘Wow, 36th already…’
I was amazed.
Were people really this punctual?
Even arriving a full hour early, I’d barely made it.
Did White Boar know it would be like this?
I found a quiet corner and sat down.
It wasn’t far, but I was breathing a little hard from the tension.
“Whew.”
I took a careful breath and looked around.
Most Hunters looked anxious, scratching the ground or whispering.
Nearby, a group of two men and one woman were chatting together.
From the sound of it, they hadn’t known each other before—just struck up conversation after arriving early.
“More people keep showing up, huh?”
“Still, quite a turnout for such strict conditions.”
“Seriously. Getting five Ranker recommendations isn’t easy. If there are 36 of us already, that’s at least 180 Rankers backing us.”
“They said it’s capped at 50, right? Then there’ll be over 250 Rankers involved total.”
“Man, Delilah’s something else. To think she’s got that kind of pull among Rankers.”
“She’s Rank 5 in the world, remember? Rumor says Rank 10 and above are practically gods.”
What was fascinating was—even though they were speaking in different languages, I could understand them perfectly.
Must’ve been the effect of the light pillar’s field.
“Still, isn’t it kinda unfair?”
The hooded woman among them spoke up.
“The condition to become a Ranker is getting five Ranker recommendations? Sounds like a Ranker cartel to me.”
“True.”
“Yeah. We were lucky, but what about people with no connections?”
The two men nodded.
Everyone seemed to agree with the sentiment.
I kind of did too.
In a way, just getting here felt harder than actually becoming a Ranker.
What were the odds that an ordinary Hunter could impress five Rankers enough to get their recommendations?
Might as well buy a lottery ticket.
“By the way, hey.”
The hooded woman turned toward me.
“You there—don’t just sit listening. Come over here. Might as well get acquainted, huh?”
“Ah.”
I lifted my head and met her eyes.
She was leaning against a wall, hands in her pockets.
Blonde hair poked out from under her hood—she looked Western.
‘So she’s the type.’
A nosy one.
Probably the reason that group had even started talking in the first place.
“You look Eastern. Not Japanese, right… Chinese? Korean?”
“Korean.”
I smiled as I answered.
It couldn’t hurt to get along.
After all, the Five Stars of Seoul had met the same way here.
And no one knew what kind of trials Delilah might throw at us.
“Wow, Korea? Isn’t that where Hase Ra’s from?”
“…That’s right, yeah.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Olena, from Ukraine. These two are… introduce yourselves.”
“James, from the U.S.”
“I’m Capu, from Brazil. Nice to meet you.”
“Joo Donghoon.”
“Oh~ Hoon!”
James gave me an exaggerated Western gesture.
I smiled awkwardly and returned it.
The four of us passed the remaining time chatting idly.
As expected, talking made the time pass faster.
[Ding!]
[You are the 50th to arrive.]
With the last arrival, Delilah’s first unofficial trial—the entry mission—had closed.
‘What’s scary is…’
There were still twenty minutes left before the appointed 3 p.m.
‘This place really has no mercy.’
Even those who arrived on time were turned away.
That was Delilah’s trial.
And then, the problem began.
“Huff, huff…! What the hell! It’s closed?”
The 51st arrival.
“What? What kind of nonsense is that! You should’ve told us beforehand! Dragging us out to some remote island only to pull a first-come-first-served stunt? What kind of rule is that?!”
And then—
The 52nd.
The 53rd. The 54th…
Participants kept arriving one after another.
Wow.
I was honestly amazed.
So many Rankers—or their candidates—were this eager to participate?
Truly.
There was a whole world out there that non-Rankers knew nothing about.
For a moment, I felt the weight of it all—and even some gratitude toward Ki Soyul.
“Come out, Delilah, you damn witch!”
Boom!
Someone slammed his fist into the ground and roared.
The 51st to arrive—the cry of the most wronged man in the world.