[Hacking successful.]
[You can hack the tablet for 30 minutes.]
I used the hack to examine the tablet, wondering if there might be hidden information I wasn't aware of.
'The tablet itself is ordinary. There's nothing hidden.'
It was what I expected, so I wasn't disappointed.
'The real treasure is the network accessible through this tablet.'
[You can hack the Dungeon Survival Reposed Network for 20 minutes.]
I smirked.
Even without the tablet, information about the network appeared before my eyes—details invisible to others.
'The tablet has a tracker. That means I can locate all tablets in the dungeon through hacking.'
Each team is given one tablet. It's likely held by the leader, and since teammates usually stick together, their location can be pinpointed.
'I can also get information on Kang Seok-soo's team and their whereabouts.'
Kang Seok-soo's team. Officially named "Aqua Stone," an easy-to-remember team name.
Kang Seok-soo's team is currently heading to the nearest food distribution point.
'This… I can know in advance where food will be delivered.'
During Dungeon Survival, all food distribution points in the dungeon are predetermined. Originally, this information is disclosed 30 minutes prior, but now I can access it whenever I want.
'And that's not all. I can see the locations of monsters, hidden treasures, and even upcoming events.'
The sheer volume of information is staggering.
'I can even check the studio's situation.'
Through cameras installed in the studio, I could see celebrities and a few professional hunters discussing while watching the screens. The low energy suggested they had been filming for quite a while.
'I can also see the cameras installed inside the dungeon.'
A smile formed on my lips. This was a far greater advantage than I had anticipated.
I could also see which team currently held the most survival points.
First place: Aqua Stone. Kang Seok-soo's team.
With a total of 521 survival points, they led the second-place team by 200 points.
A quick check revealed that a teammate named Choi Sa-hyun had actively used his "Detection" ability to locate and hunt monsters in the dungeon.
'I can't let anyone find out I've hacked this. I need to use this information as naturally as possible.'
I couldn't be obvious. If I were, they'd grow suspicious.
'Alright, time to act.'
I woke Han Ha-rin, who was fast asleep on the bed.
"Senior. Kang Seok-soo's team has left. Wake up. We need to move too."
"...."
Han Ha-rin silently opened her eyes and sat up. Her slightly dazed face showed unmistakable exhaustion. It was only natural—she hadn't slept at all, spending the entire night having sex.
"…Did you find a way?"
"There's only one way for us to win. We have to eliminate everyone else."
"Do you really think that's possible?"
Logically, it's a difficult task.
This dungeon is vast, filled with traps and monsters. If someone is determined to run, catching them is tough. But with my hacking, I can see everything in the dungeon as clearly as the palm of my hand. Finding someone in hiding is trivial.
"It's only the first day. There are plenty of opportunities left."
We left the rest area before 6 a.m.
The current survival points of the Gukcheon Hunter team: -962.
An overwhelming last place.
***
"Today marks the second day of Dungeon Survival Reposed. On the first day, two teams and one individual were eliminated, leaving 143 survivors. I think the number of dropouts is surprisingly low. What are your thoughts, Mr. Hong Su-won?"
The MC, Jo Seok-hoo, asked Hong Su-won. Though slightly biased as a commentator, Hong Su-won's experience and analytical skills as a hunter were undeniable.
"It's natural. Dungeon Survival has only just begun. On the first day, hunters tend to act cautiously. As time passes, the competition will intensify. By the third or fourth day, we'll likely see a mass exodus of dropouts."
The real appeal of Dungeon Survival lies in the battles between hunters. Monster hunting? A quick internet search floods you with monster-hunting videos.
What viewers truly crave is real combat between hunters.
"After our shift change yesterday, something interesting happened. The Aqua Stone team and the Gukcheon Hunter team crossed paths in the rest area. We don't know what was said, but the Aqua Stone team set up camp outside, waiting for the Gukcheon team to come out."
This wasn't surprising—it was exactly what the producers intended.
"It's a basic strategy. Aqua Stone has three members; Gukcheon has two. Numerical superiority guarantees victory. Moreover, Hunter Kang Seok-soo laid magical traps around. If a fight broke out, victory was certain. Even if they didn't fight, the Gukcheon team would suffer penalties. And indeed, they chose penalties over combat. Result? The Gukcheon team is as good as eliminated. With -962 survival points, it's practically over."
Someone countered Hong Su-won's words—Baek Ji-eun.
"I disagree. Despite the negative points, the Gukcheon team isn't to be underestimated. Even with one dropout, the remaining two wield lightning and gravity—powerful natural-type abilities—and can even use mana. They're too formidable to write off."
"Hah… What can two people possibly do?"
"Plenty. We'll have to see what choices the Gukcheon team makes."
Before their argument escalated, Jo Seok-hoo shifted the topic.
"It's almost 11 a.m. Starting today, we've prepared special events. Today's event will occur at 12 p.m., one hour from now."
***
11:30 a.m.
A notification popped up on the tablet.
>In 30 minutes, at 12 p.m., Treasure Skeletons will appear.
>10 Treasure Skeletons will roam the dungeon for one hour. Hunt them down before they escape!
>Defeating a Treasure Skeleton grants survival points, food, and information.
>Treasure Skeleton locations will be marked in real-time on the map.
This was an event prepared by the organizers.
Treasure Skeletons. The name sounds grand, but they're essentially beggar skeletons. Each yields 100 survival points, enough food for one meal per team, and hints about hidden items in the dungeon.
'100 survival points mean nothing to us. With my hacking, I don't need the info—only the food is useful.'
I was a little hungry. The mushrooms we found in the forest were tasteless and insufficient.
"…This is meant to provoke fights between hunters."
Han Ha-rin instantly grasped the organizers' intent behind the Treasure Skeleton event.
"The highlight of Dungeon Survival is real combat between hunters."
"Skeletons are F-rank monsters. If we find them first, they'll be easy prey."
"No. These aren't ordinary skeletons—they'll be tough."
I knew about these Treasure Skeletons.
They were skeletons summoned by a B-rank Necromancer hunter, far stronger than regular ones. Think D-rank monsters or higher.
Han Ha-rin stared at me and asked,
"Planning to use the skeletons as bait?"
"Yes. How'd you know?"
"You said it yourself last night. You'd eliminate all competitors."
"Gathering survival points is less viable than this."
"You know the flaw in this plan, right?"
The flaw.
There was no telling who might follow the Treasure Skeletons. Strong teams like Kang Seok-soo's or groups of 10+ hunters could be after them.
This plan would only work for overwhelmingly powerful teams like Kang Seok-soo's. While we're strong, there are only two of us.
"It's fine, Senior."
Thanks to hacking, I knew which hunters were nearby. Kang Seok-soo's team was far away. None of the nearby hunters could stop us.
Of course, I couldn't tell her that.
"I've always been lucky."
>12 p.m.!
>The Treasure Skeleton event begins!
>10 Treasure Skeletons are roaming the dungeon! Be the first to hunt them and claim the treasure!
I checked the tablet.
The map showed 10 red dots moving around—undoubtedly the Treasure Skeletons.
The blue dot marked our location.
"Senior. There's a Treasure Skeleton nearby. See? I'm lucky."
"So we proceed as planned?"
"Yes, Senior."
I scanned the area. One association staff member was filming us from a distance.
'Kang Seok-soo's team had five staff filming them. We only get one.'
It was clear the organizers had already written us off.
'Survival is about being the last one standing.'
We moved toward the Treasure Skeleton.
Soon, we spotted it.
A clumsily moving skeleton with a bundle slung over its shoulder—inside were food and information.
"...."
"...."
Han Ha-rin and I exchanged glances, held our breaths, and began tailing the skeleton.
Three hunters appeared—two with swords and shields, one with gauntlets.
"Found it! Looks like we're the first. Lucky us?"
"Less talking, more catching. I'm starving."
"No time to waste. Other hunters will swarm soon. We stand no chance in a direct fight. Our best shot is to survive and wait for an opportunity."
The three hunters stopped chatting and stealthily approached the skeleton.
It hadn't noticed them yet. Since it was being controlled by a hunter and not a real monster, it was a bit slow.
I gauged the timing and raised my hand. Han Ha-rin nodded at my signal.
"Ghk?!"
"W-What the hell?!"
"My body… suddenly…!"
Han Ha-rin's gravity field weighed them down, making movement difficult.
The skeleton turned, noticed the hunters, and immediately bolted.
'The skeleton won't get far. Right now, we focus on these guys.'
Hidden in the trees, I gripped my sword and leaped down, slashing at the gauntlet-wearing hunter with lightning-charged sword.
Crackle!
"Grrrr! Enemy! Help!"
The blade didn't pierce him—his energy protectors shielded him. Even the lightning's shock was nullified.
'But the lightning still deals damage.'
I intensified the current. Blue lightning coursed through his body.
"You bastard!"
"Who the hell do you think we are?!"
The other two hunters swung at me, but gravity slowed them.
'I'm in the gravity field too, but I can use mana.'
Mana lightened my body.
Yeongcheon Style Advanced Technique: Hanroe.
As I swung, lightning arced outward.
Hanroe normally releases sword energy and lightning simultaneously, but I could only manage the latter for now.
"Gah! Damn it! Broken ability!"
"S-Shocks… hurt…!"
Soon, all three hunters collapsed. Their shoulder-mounted energy protectors turned from blue to red.
Watching the association staff escort them away, I thought:
'These guys are weird.'
Even after losing, they were grinning. They never seemed serious about Dungeon Survival to begin with.
'Well… there are all kinds of people.'
***
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