Chapter 392

'So gate names can change midway, huh.'

And since the word used in the new name came from the "Seven Deadly Sins", if the sins referenced by the dungeon were indeed the same as those described in humanity's scriptures, a rather pessimistic prediction soon formed in my mind: at least five more similar nests could appear in the future.

'Anger and jealousy...'

Come to think of it, these are things practically essential for survival... yet they're treated as the root of all evil?

'It probably just means they're condemned when taken to an extreme, anyway.'

Earthlings seemed fairly accustomed to this concept, but to an alien, those seven ideas simply felt awkward. More than anything, the words didn't seem to fit together as a coherent set in my mind.

'Should I look up the other five in advance?'

Still, just because something is unfamiliar doesn't mean you can go your whole life without learning about it. I picked up my phone and searched for some additional information.

'Let's see... the ones that haven't appeared yet are Greed and Sloth. And the rest?'

Hoarding the family's wealth excessively, and being lazy in the face of labor and duty—commit these cardinal sins, and it's a one-way ticket to hell. Apparently, these were typical vices defined by mammalian religions.

'If I follow what's written here to the letter, I'm 100% headed straight into the flames. Good thing I didn't die normally and used reincarnation magic.'

Sshe, ashk.

I rubbed my thumb across the screen and scrolled through a few more lines. I hadn't paid much attention to it until now, but... Anyway, judging from what I was seeing, it was obvious that the "feeding boxes" had been created based on Earth's literature. And this was actually a fairly common method.

'As expected, the way things are done on Earth isn't all that different...'

If you base a monster's nest on mythology and scripture, it's only natural that someone unfamiliar with cosmic bugs would misunderstand.

[Real-time Trends]

[1.6 Sin Classification]

[2- New Gate, Location 2]

[3.17 Earth Doomsday Theory]

The internet was already in an uproar.

[This really is divine punishment this time = =]

[[YTtube Shaman TV, Master Jang Channel Subscription] Everyone, what did I tell you? I clearly warned you that something big would happen in this world soon.]

[[Seonhan Daily Exclusive] Protest by 'Suspicious Meditation Group' Supporting Doomsday Theory... With the Issue Resurfacing, Police Plan to Strengthen Crackdown on Illegal Gatherings for the Time Being]

Everyone, without exception, was voicing their opinion about this dungeon.

'Since it's inspired by the religion most Earthlings follow, of course there's going to be a huge uproar...'

But the problem was that this was by no means a good trend.

'Most people are misinterpreting the actions of the feeding boxes.'

In a sense, this was a concept that had existed only among Earthlings, and now it had appeared inside a dungeon.

On top of that, the tombstones inside the dungeon had even adopted a pompous tone, bearing inscriptions such as [Do not live a life of sin]. No wonder that, at first glance, people could easily mistake all this for the work of some higher being.

But in reality, it was merely a patchwork species displaying its usual lack of originality. The Gisimche had simply adopted a form that worked to their advantage.

Yet mammals, unaware of that fact, interpreted the shock caused by the dungeon as though it carried some grand, deliberate meaning.

'Back in my hometown, magical studies had already advanced pretty far, so when we encountered feeding boxes, no one reacted like this.'

Of course, the more I thought about it, the more I wondered whether that had really been any better.

'Anyway, those space travelers sure enjoy being worshipped for no reason. Is all of this just groundwork for a [Descent] or something~'

That was as far as my thoughts went. Even after gathering all that information, my attitude hadn't changed in the slightest.

'In any case, I'm not going to recklessly involve myself in this.'

The gate that had appeared was only A-rank, so a new strategy would likely be discovered before long. My conclusion was that, for the time being, observation was the best course of action. Even putting aside all the other reasons I'd mentioned, the biggest problem right now was that my ongoing research wasn't finished yet.

'Even if I rushed in today, I wouldn't be able to change much. If I'm going to intervene one last time, I might as well go all out and clean things up properly.'

So I reluctantly set aside my beloved hobby of web surfing and headed back down to the basement.

.

.

.

It happened an hour later.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry for dropping by so suddenly."

"_"

"Wow. By the way, Hunter, I heard you recently moved, and it looks like you're living somewhere really nice. I'm a local, so I know this area pretty well, and if the delivery address in the Association's records is correct, isn't it that place? It's built up high, with an unobstructed view of the sea right in front—"

To explain how this happened, I had briefly stepped outside to buy some supplies for my research. Wrapped snugly in the scarves Esther had recently bought for me, I walked briskly to a nearby item shop. But while I was busy choosing what I needed, several officials suddenly arrived in a black car looking for me.

"Ah, did I... talk too much? Hahaha."

The male official who had summoned me to the Association building hurriedly began bowing over and over.

"If I've wasted your time or caused you any inconvenience, I apologize. However, there is a great deal of information concerning this matter that, according to regulations, cannot be conveyed over the phone."

"Then please get to the point."

"Yes. Yes!"

The introduction had been rather long, but the question itself was simple.

"The first thing I'd like to ask is whether you intend to participate in the [Sin Classification] incident."

"Yes."

"Just as you have in the past, if you wish to handle this matter overseas, our Association will first begin intergovernmental consultations and make the necessary preliminary arrangements. That includes flights, so if you already have a departure time in mind, we would like to know."

Until now, things had always gone that way because I was the one who stepped forward first whenever a global crisis occurred.

'Did they bring this up because they expect me to act the same way again?'

But this [Sin Classification] incident was a little different. Besides, ever since I'd obtained a unique-grade resource during my business trip to India, my financial worries had eased considerably.

"I won't go."

"Yes?"

"So..."

"Ah, I see. So that means you won't be traveling to the UK or Finland this time, correct?"

By the way, had the second [Sin Classification] appeared in Finland? I was trying to dredge up my memories when I noticed that, upon hearing an S-rank Hunter wouldn't be intervening, the sweating official showed a variety of reactions I hadn't seen from him before.

'He doesn't actually seem disappointed. If anything, his reaction is strangely ambiguous.'

So when I asked why he kept darting his eyes around so nervously, the man answered.

"Actually, both countries where the new gates appeared sent us proposals first."

"Proposals?"

"They said that if you, Kim Gi-ryeo, were dispatched, they would not only offer substantial hunting rewards, but also provide diplomatic benefits to South Korea... Something along those lines."

"Hmm."

"Still, you don't need to worry, Hunter."

For reference, if the man in front of me had told me to sacrifice myself for national prestige, I would have performed the acquisition ritual on the spot.

'Fortunately, it seems I'll be able to spare both water and human lives.'

Listening quietly to the explanation, it seemed that Korea's higher-ups had mixed feelings about the proposals sent by foreign dignitaries. At the very least, there was certainly an upside to Korea's fourth S-rank Hunter going abroad on a business trip, since some benefits would inevitably trickle down to the country.

'But at the same time, they're uneasy about sending away one of their full-strength assets during a special incident like [Sin Classification].'

Anyway, that was the situation. Honestly, since the dungeons were appearing only in faraway regions across the sea, the chances of Asia becoming directly involved in this incident seemed low. At that moment, I finally understood the Association employee's ambiguous attitude.

But the real problem lay elsewhere.

'A dungeon in England that provokes anger, and another one in Finland that incites envy?'

If I interpreted what he'd just said a little differently, didn't that mean other countries were beginning to expect my help?

'That's not good.'

Here's some information I'll reveal at this point.

In fact, the name Kim Gi-ryeo became widely known largely because of two particular incidents,

the handling of [Imoogi] and [Siren]. Of course, I'd accumulated plenty of other achievements since then, but the incidents that carried enough symbolic weight to make foreigners recognize my name were ultimately those two peculiar monsters.

'According to what I read online, after I gained recognition through the Imoogi incident, defeating the Siren not long afterward was what really cemented my reputation.'

And the fact that I had dealt with the Siren, a brainwashing-type monster, proved that I possessed strong mental resistance.

'No wonder they figured out so quickly who was suited for this mission.'

Humanity's judgment was reasonable. However, the fact that they had accurately identified which Hunter was best suited to [Sin Classification] was not exactly good news from my perspective.

If humanity started requesting overseas assignments from me as casually as though they were entrusting their valuables to someone for safekeeping, wouldn't that become a serious problem later on?

'Of course, I'm an alien, so it's not really my problem. The Earthlings who'll end up dealing with the flood of requests are the ones who'll suffer.'

So I decided to nip the problem in the bud before it even began. Sitting on the sofa in an arrogant posture I never could have dreamed of adopting back when I was F-rank, I addressed the employee in front of me.

'Come to think of it, I've probably been far too reckless about interfering in other countries' affairs all this time.'

"Yes?"

"So, on the one hand, I can understand why they'd expect a Korean to step in again. But let me make one thing clear—whether I do so is entirely up to me."

"Aah."

"If people from other regions start shamelessly complaining, saying things like, 'Why aren't you helping us?' or 'It's wrong to only step in whenever it's convenient for you,' I'll just get annoyed and refuse to do anything. Make sure the Association handles the communication properly."

"Ah, yes!"

"Even if the situation becomes urgent, everyone, please refrain from doing anything that would irritate your fellow Earth neighbors..."

"Ah, of course! I'll take responsibility and make sure everything proceeds exactly as you wish, Hunter."

No matter how well suited my abilities might be, as long as I wasn't using them to harm anyone, it was ultimately my choice how I used them.

'Thinking about it from an Alphauri perspective, I can basically understand why Kang Changho keeps to himself.'

It was a moment filled with all sorts of thoughts. Then, in one corner of my mind, the familiar faces of a few mammals suddenly surfaced.

Jung Haseong, Esther.

As I'd realized before, I was selfish by nature, which only made those two stand out to me all the more.

'Esther, as a representative of the Awakened, worried about public safety because she believed she couldn't tarnish the image of physics, while Jung Haseong simply seemed to hate seeing people from his own neighborhood get hurt.'

Self-sacrifice for such trivial reasons. Was that why they'd continued living at a loss even to this day?

'No matter what kind of incident happens, if I don't feel like getting involved, I'll just ditch it.'

For a moment, I genuinely wondered how such timid genes had managed to survive on Earth for this long. But since it felt awkward to stand in front of someone while getting lost in my own thoughts, I quickly wrapped up my reflections and prepared to leave.

"Then I will clearly report that Hunter Kim Giryeo will not be intervening in this matter."

Oh, of course, there was one thing I needed to clarify.

"Wait a minute. Oh, that... isn't confirmed."

"Yees?"

I adjusted the [Midnight Gloves], which by now had become little more than a fashion accessory, and continued.

"My words may have sounded a little negative, but honestly, I still don't know whether I'll go or not."

"Aah."

The Gisimche had been crossing the line more and more lately, so sooner or later I would have to give them a warning. It was a secret I hadn't told anyone yet, but this Archmage had recently come up with a good method. The problem was that the research wasn't finished yet.

"Give me some time to think. After all, [Sin Classification] is only an A-rank gate, so those countries shouldn't have any trouble maintaining it for the time being."

"Then, if you don't mind me asking, when might we expect your answer regarding this matter?"

"I can't even promise you that. I've been rather busy with various things this week."

No dungeon entry records for the past few days, and yet he claims to be busy? The human in front of me was probably thinking exactly that.

'I don't even need magic. Your emotions are written all over your face, buddy.'

But what I'd just said wasn't a lie. Do you know why this body had no choice but to remain busy for an entire week?

[Tiring.]

Just as that thought crossed my mind and I stepped toward the hallway door, a message arrived at the perfect moment.

[National Tax Service]

[Overseas Hunting Income Reporting Guide]

Hello, this is the National Tax Service.

Every February is the month to report overseas hunting income tax...]

"_"

While the Association official remained inside the room to sort out some paperwork, I slipped into the hallway, rubbing my eyes as I stared at my phone. For reference, this was around the time the great upheaval had mostly subsided. In other words, February—the month when taxes officially came due—was approaching.