Dungeon Predator (WN)

Kang Oh dealt with Pantheon and his party instantly. If they had fought to the death, then they might've put up more of a fight, but cutting them down when their backs were turned was a piece of cake.

"Thanks, Master," Teynos said.

"Are there a lot of people who make it this far?" Kang Oh asked.

"Yes." Teynos nodded its head.

"Thanks for all your hard work." Kang Oh stretched out his hand and patted Teyno's head.

"It's my duty," Teynos said maturely.

'Teynos is such a good kid compared to that money grubbing dragon and that lazy lion.'

Kang Oh's favorite guardian was Teynos.

"But it's getting harder and harder to repel them," Teynos said somewhat tiredly.

"Mm. First off, hand me the soul stone."

"Understood, Master." Teyno's thick shell split, and a tentacle popped out with the soul stone. Its shell was essentially a top-tier safe.

Kang Oh took the soul stone and immediately opened the Dungeon Management window. The Dungeon Log was filled with encounters, and the contents were updated in real-time. Even now, several players were hunting within Moss Cave.

'If there are this many people, then...'

He must've accumulated a ton of repel points. Kang Oh's heart pounded as he checked his repel points.

[Repel Points: 3,684]

[Next Dungeon Expansion: 1,000 repel points]

[Maintenance Fee: 100 repel points]

"Oho!"

It didn't disappoint him. He'd accumulated 3,684 repel points! There was nothing to think about; he immediately expanded the dungeon.

Rumble!

The ceiling and floor shook, as if there had been an earthquake, and the water leading to Teyno's Nest rippled.

[You have used 1,000 repel points to expand the dungeon!]

[The maintenance fee has increased to 1,000 repel points.]

[The dungeon's interior has become larger and more complex. Dungeon rewards have increased significantly.]

[The dungeon's monsters have become stronger. Applicable Monsters: Gnus, Stone Eater, Milok.]

[Giant Blowfish will now spawn in the lake. Giant Blowfish are covered in spines, which secrete a fatal poison.]

[You may now collect a large quantity of southern sea salt. In order to collect this salt, the people from the Great Forest will periodically visit this dungeon.]

[A large quantity of seaweed now grows at the bottom of the lake. A small area, the coral zone, has been created.]

[It is an excellent place for fish to live in. Precious fish will often appear in this area.]

Expanding the dungeon didn't simply increase its size. It also improved the inherent features of the dungeon.

'Let's see here.' Kang Oh examined his dungeon rewards.

[Dungeon Rewards (Monthly Payment)]

3,000 gold.

300 Gnus Skin.

30 Stone Eater's Core.

15 Milok's Whiskers.

5 Giant Blowfish's Poisonous Spine. (New)

3 Potion of Explosive Growth.

Kang Oh's lips curled upwards.

3,000 gold! 1 gold was equal to 3,000 won ($3 USD), so the Moss Cave would give him 9 million won ($9,000 USD) every month. There was a reason dungeon masters were considered landlords in Arth.

Moreover, the Potion of Explosive Growth went up from two to three.

'I'll give one to Asu, place one in the treasure chest, and I'll sell the last one.'

"Teynos, give me my rewards," Kang Oh said.

"Of course."

Then, Teynos provided him with his rewards. Kang Oh left a single Potion of Explosive Growth behind, and placed the rest inside his inventory.

"Place this inside the wrecked ship's treasure chest." Kang Oh passed him the potion, and Teynos nodded his head.

"Understood."

While Teynos was busy dealing with the potion, Kang Oh thought about how he'd spend the rest of his repel points.

[Repel Points: 2,684]

[Next Dungeon Expansion: 5,000 repel points]

He didn't have enough repel points to expand the dungeon again.

'Then first...' Kang Oh clicked on the Dungeon Management window.

[You have used 200 repel points.]

[For 1 month, the dungeon's monsters yield 10% more experience and proficiency.]

[You have used 200 repel points.]

[For 1 month, more monsters will spawn in the dungeon, and there is a 10% increased chance that the monsters drop higher ranked items.]

[You have used 200 repel points.]

[For 1 month, monsters respawn at double the speed. The chance that named monsters spawn has increased slightly.]

In order to attract more customers, he needed to make the dungeon more attractive.

'Next up is...'

Kang Oh created five new guardians using the newly added Giant Blowfish as a base.

[You have used 200 repel points.]

[The Giant Blowfish has been added as a guardian.]

[The Giant Blowfish has evolved into the Poison Spine Bogota.]

...

[Remaining Repel Points: 1,084]

Finally, Kang Oh used the rest of his repel points to strengthen Teynos.

[You have used 1,000 repel points to strengthen Teynos.]

[Teynos has learned Vengeful Tsunami.]

[Vengeful Tsunami's power and range is proportional to the damage that the user takes.]

"Oooh!" Teynos raised its head and wailed. Its body had gained blue stripes. "Master, I've gotten stronger."

Teyno's voice was filled with joy. It was only natural. Before, it had essentially been a punching bag, but now, it had gained a way of fighting back. Plus, it was an AoE attack at that.

"You should be ok for now," Kang Oh said.

'I'm busy enough as it is, so I don't want to be called here.'

If Teynos lost to a challenger, then he'd be forced to fight in a Sacred Duel. Although he was confident that he wouldn't lose to anyone, he didn't have the time to spare.

"I'll see you next time." Kang Oh waved his hand.

"Master, you're leaving already?" Teynos looked disappointed.

"I'll stay longer next time. I'm kind of busy right now."

"Understood."

Kang Oh walked over to the transfer magic circle.

'I'm done managing my dungeons. I'll finish off the rest of my work and then return to hunting.'

* * *

- Mr. Man Bok.

Kang Oh sent Man Bok a message.

- Yes?

- Have you procured the Sun Seed and Sea's Tears?

The Sun Seed and the Sea's Tears were two items required to make the Elixium.

- Of course.

- Do you have an alchemist skilled enough to make the Elixium?

- I have them ready.

- Thank you.

- Do you have the Gold Bean?

- Yes. I'll head to Gold Dragon right now.

- Understood.

Kang Oh closed the message window and passed people by. He had just popped out of Altein's intercity transfer gate. Of course, he was wearing ordinary clothes and a mask so that people wouldn't recognize him.

'It was this way, I think.'

Kang Oh entered a secluded alley. At this point, he had a perfect map of Altein in his head, so he knew a shortcut to Man Bok's shop.

A short while later...

Kang Oh easily navigated through Altein's crisscrossed alleys, which made it more akin to a maze than a city, and found himself in front of an expensive 5-story building.

The shop's sign was that of a golden dragon biting a black hammer. This was Gold Dragon. As always, the store was bustling with people.

"Welcome." As soon as he entered, Kang Oh was greeted by a female worker.

"I'd like to meet the president."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes."

"What shall I tell him?"

"Tell him that his partner is here to see him."

"Understood." The female worker used her communication earring to contact Man Bok.

"Sir, your partner is looking for you. He said he already has an appointment."

- Please take him to my room.

Then, the female worker smiled and led Kang Oh to Man Bok's room.

"This way."

Man Bok's office was on the 5th floor.

"Welcome," Man Bok said.

He always felt this way about him, but Man Bok gave off such a good vibe. His taut cheeks and his plump stomach were endearing.

"How is business going?" Kang Oh asked.

"We don't have enough in stock."

"Good to hear."

Kang and Man Bok smiled at each other. It won't be long before they settle their accounts!

"I know why you're here, so how shall I help you?" Man Bok asked, and Kang Oh pulled out the Gold Bean, a vial filled with Dragon's Blood, and a Potion of Explosive Growth.

"This is a Gold Bean, and this is Dragon's Blood. Please give these, as well as the Sun Seed and the Sea's Tears to the Alchemist you told me about, and ask them to make Elixium." Kang Oh passed him those items first.

"Understood."

"Ah, and may I ask who the alchemist is?"

"Ms. Strawberry Milk."

"Good."

Strawberry Milk was one of the three most skilled Alchemists in Arth. Plus, she often gave out free potions to new players, and sold high quality potions at a reasonable price. Thus, she had a good reputation and was quite famous.

"Please sell this one," Kang Oh passed him the potion and said.

"Is this the same potion that comes from the Moss Cave's treasure chest?" Man Bok softly shook the bottle and the liquid sloshed around inside.

"It's a reward from my soul dungeon."

"Aha, then you were the one who placed the potion inside the treasure chest?"

"To be more specific, I asked my guardian to do that. If I want people to come to my dungeon, then I need the right bait."

"Indeed. I'll display this in the store."

Gold Dragon also displayed items that rankers left them, whether it be valuable equipment or materials, for free.

"I'd appreciate that."

"Yes. Then that's how we'll deal with the potion... I'll let you know when the Elixium is finished."

"Yes. Then, if you'll excuse me. Please sell as much as you can. I'm rooting for you!" Kang Oh clenched his fist.

"Good luck to you too." Man Bok replied with a smile.

As he exited from Man Bok's room, Kang Oh took a quick peek at the items on display. It felt like the shining equipment kept him from leaving.

'I should ask Hoffman to make me some armor too.'

An armor set that a Master Blacksmith put their heart and soul into! Although the Draka set was a top-tier armor set, it couldn't compare to armor created using dragon materials.

Kang Oh immediately headed to the Black Hammer Dwarves' Hideout. He needed to go there anyway, as he needed to pass on the dragon materials, so he might as well kill two birds with one stone.

* * *

Kang Oh entered Hoffman's office; his cheeks flushed from the heat.

Clang.

Hoffman forcefully swung his hammer.

"What are you here for?" Hoffman asked indifferently.

"I brought the dragon materials."

"Please put them down and go." Hoffman looked away and began pounding on the metal once more.

Clang! Clang!

"I have a favor to ask you." Kang Oh emphasized the word 'favor'.

"A favor?" Hoffman stopped and stared at Kang Oh.

"You created the ultimate weapon for me already. I'd like you to create the ultimate armor for me this time; one that can withstand a dragon's attack."

"Mm, I can't refuse."

Hoffman's lifelong goal was Inarius's death. The weapon he'd prepared was Kang Oh. It was only natural that he'd help Kang Oh however he could.

"Thank you." Kang Oh grinned.

Master Blacksmith, Hoffman! The craftsman who'd created Demon Sword Akanhoff! If he put his heart and soul into it, then the resulting dragon armor set would be tremendous!

"What kind of armor do you want?" Hoffman asked.

"I'd like leather armor. It's easier to move in, after all."

Thus far, Kang Oh had used two armor sets. The metal Baramut set, and the leather Draka set. He much preferred the leather armor set.

"I want the whole thing. A top, a bottom, shoes, gloves, and a helmet. Rather than high defense, I'd prefer it if it allowed me to maximize my evasion. Plus, it'd be nice if it increased my attack power or allowed me to unleash a powerful attack." Kang Oh explained everything he wanted.

"I have a feel for what you want. However, there's a problem."

Hoffman's face was almost always as stiff as a rock. His face remained the same, even as he voiced his concerns.

"A problem? I'll try and procure any material you might need."

"No, that's not the issue here. I'm a blacksmith, not a tailor. Thus, I'm not skilled in handling leather. Honestly, I have no confidence in making leather armor."

"What then?"

"You have two choices. Give up on leather armor and wear metal armor instead."

"And the second option?"

"Bring a Master Tailor here. With their help, I should be able to create the armor you want."

"Mm."

There were no production workers that'd reached Master tier yet. It was rumored that God Hand, Arthand, would become a Master in the near future, but rumors were rumors.

'Then I'll have to find an NPC Master Tailor.' Kang Oh stroked his chin.

"What will you do?" Hoffman asked.

"I'll try looking for a tailor first. And if I can't find one, then I'll go with your specialty, alloy armor."

"Alright."

"I'll be back soon."

Kang Oh left after dropping off the dragon materials and Violf's Platinum. Then, he immediately sent a message to various players, including Asu, Man Bok, Sephiro, Helena, Bart, etc.

- I'm looking for a Master Tailor!