Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 91

Two hours and forty minutes after entering the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon for a regen clear.

After moving for about thirty minutes towards the multi I had first discovered,

“1,500m ahead! Multi found!”

“Multi found! 1 o’clock direction! Distance 1.5km.”

As the shouts of the Guild members came from the shuttle ahead, I slowly reduced the shuttle’s speed and changed the formation to horizontal.

“Mages, magic manifestation!”

“Rage of the Goddess Idea! Wall of Fire! … Ready!”

“Tears of the Goddess Idea! Wall of Ice! … Ready!”

“Lament of the Goddess Idea! Dew of Sorrow! … Ready!”

“Goddess Idea’s… Ready!”

Reports of completed magic incantations came from all directions, and the Warriors drew their greatswords.

“Zulats, Drakans, Slug Tanks, Lightning Shamans, and Torkans, full summon!”

[Ding! Summons 443 Zulats (Defense+Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summons 320 Drakans (Defense+Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summons 12 Slug Tanks.]

[Ding! Summons 24 Lightning Shamans…]

I gave the order, watching hundreds of units summoned onto the dungeon floor with a white light.

“Wipe them out!”

As I gave the order, Hongchan Hyung continued.

“Mages, magic attack! Warriors, stand by!”

“Rage of the Goddess Idea! Wall of Fire!”

“Lament of the Goddess Idea! Dew of Sorrow!”

‘Kwaaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kuaaang… Kuwaaaang.’

‘Kuwoooo.’

‘Kieek, Kieek.’

Just like last time.

Hundreds of Zerglings, Hydras, Rockers, and Ultras in the multi swarmed at my summoned units, but they were helpless against the magic attacks of the Mages attacking from the shuttle. Moreover, there was a difference in the number of enhanced Zulats and Drakans.

The Lightning Shamans’ lightning attacks with eyes blinding blue light, the Slug Tanks’ large shells, the hundreds of Drakans firing cannon fire, and the Mages pouring magic attacks from the shuttle.

Dozens of dungeon units ran around and fled elsewhere, and hundreds of units dropped their bodies on the dungeon floor.

When the last remaining Rank 3 mature tower was destroyed by the Slug Tank’s shell, I landed the shuttle.

A few Zerglings rushed in, but their bodies were torn apart by the Warriors’ greatswords, and those who had done nothing until now began to mine minerals on their own.

I stared at the Guild members for a moment, then moved behind the mature tower and began to mine gas.

[Ding! Gas Refinery has been created. Total amount 535,964L]

I summoned 100 more Probes and was busy mining gas when,

“L, Lord! Please, show me mercy too!”

Psy was being a pain.

“If you make a gas refinery with only one Dran, what are you going to do after that?”

“My stats are 37.”

Oh ho. He raised it that much in the meantime? Gilsoo must have given him a good ride.

“First, I’ll absorb it to the maximum, and then you can build a refinery and absorb it.”

“Infinite glory, my Lord.”

After absorbing the gas fragments brought by 100 Probes to the maximum, I left Psy behind. He needs to think for himself.

Most of the Guild members were engrossed in mining minerals, and some were storing relatively intact unit corpses in their inventories.

One of the Guild members approached the Ultra corpse emitting acrid smoke and was about to reach out… Ultra? Ultra!

“Hold on, wait a minute! Hongchan Hyung! Let’s eat first!”

At my shout, all the Guild members looked at me.

Why? Diamond Mountain is after the meal!

The Warriors swarmed and carved up the giant Ultra corpse. They cut off the head and large horns and separated the bones and flesh from each part. Some clung to the corpse and handled the Ultra, while others poured water into a large pot, lit a fire, and mixed potions in a certain ratio.

Whether to boil, roast, or eat raw, the toxicity of the corpse must first be removed to enjoy it by type.

Because dozens of Warriors were attached, the three Ultra corpses quickly became a hearty dinner menu, and a feast followed.

“S, Seriously! What a taste!”

Psy’s shout burst out as he hesitated and ate the Ultra corpse for the first time.

“L, Lord! My, my stats have increased!”

His Rank 10 stats increased slightly.

“Eat a lot.”

“Y, Your glory! My Lord! Keueuk.”

Four hours and thirty minutes after entering the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon for a regen clear.

After finishing dinner, I started mining multi minerals again.

While munching on the Ultra corpse, some of the Guild members said that their level weighting had increased slightly, and Hanteuk was included in that. Touching his bulging belly, he said that he would be able to level up soon, so it seems that he will enter the early stages of Awakener Rank 5.

I watched the Warriors mine minerals, focusing on the Warrior-type Guild members, and checked my status. This is to produce the maximum number of consumed units.

“Status window!”

[Ding! Checking your status.]

[Artifact/Warrior: Han Jiwon (Lv-30)

Nationality/Affiliation: Republic of Korea/Jiwon Party,

Age: 40, Height/Weight: 180cm/77kg,

Agility: 43, Stamina: 36, Strength: 37,

Health: 38, Intelligence: 36, Luck: 34,

Enchant: 34, Inventory: 9/10

(Zulats (Defense+Attack 200%, 317),

Drakans (Defense+Attack 200%, 257),

Dark Assassins (4), Slug Tanks (5),

Lightning Shamans (18), Torkans (16),

Corrupted Warriors (1), Drans (101)

Evolved Zerglings (Attack 100%, 388))

Buildings: 11

(Force, Battery, Gateway, Drakan Core,

Gas Refinery, Evolve Core, Land Core, Stargate,

Black Core, Light Core, Land Spore Core),

Crystal: 12/300, Personal Stats: 0,

Summon Target Stats: 1,601 (Probe),

Possessed Artifacts:

Minerals (Absorption): 1020,

Gas (Absorption): 1020,

Idea Pocket (Absorption): 1,

Idea Awl (Absorption): 2]

Hmm, I lost quite a few Zulats and Drakans while destroying the multi. I can produce Zulats as long as I have minerals, so it doesn’t matter, but I have to consume gas for the rest. Which unit would be good?

Due to the nature of Bio Dungeon units, Drakans seem slow and weak against Evolved Zerglings, and although Zulats have been upgraded, I don’t trust them. Slug Tanks are also slow, so they’re not good.

Then, should I go with Lightning Shamans and Torkans? If hundreds of Zulats rush in after the Lightning Shamans’ wide-area lightning attack, it will be quite effective.

Anyway, Psy doesn’t seem to have absorbed all the multi gas, so I should invest all the remaining gas in producing high-end units.

After a moment of contemplation, I summoned a Probe and took my hand to its antennae.

Five hours and forty minutes after entering the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon for a regen clear.

Somehow, it takes more time to mine minerals and move in the dungeon than to destroy the multi. That means the Rank 3 dungeon is that wide, and the clear reward minerals are that many.

Leaving behind my bulging inventory, I boarded the shuttle and started moving again.

Seven hours and fifty minutes after entering the Seoul City Hall Rank 3 Bio Dungeon for a regen clear.

I moved for more than 2 hours and looked for a multi, but it was in vain.

I only encountered a few Mungtongguris [a type of dungeon creature] and Wyverns in the middle. Oh, of course, Zerglings and Hydras running around on the ground are separate.

I would have caught them if they were Ultras, but it’s a pity.

“The dungeon is getting darker, shouldn’t we find a place to camp?”

“Yeah.”

I looked around at Hongchan Hyung’s opinion.

If there are giant trees, there will be a shallow stream.

Fortunately, there are some mounds and giant trees over 50m away not far away.

I recognized the shuttle and moved towards it.

Shortly after.

“A3 situation!”

“Awakeners found ahead! There are about 40 of them!”

“Huh? Awakeners? Ah!”

The shouts of the Guild members are heard from the leading scout shuttle.

Are they the gold spoon party [referring to people born into wealthy families] who came in to clear it? But why are only 40 of them separated?

As the shuttle approached, they seemed to have noticed us too. They put down the greatswords and axes they were holding… Huh? They were cutting down trees? Why? It’s not like they’re going to light a campfire, why are they cutting down these giant trees?

After approaching about 30m and slowly landing the shuttle, those with poor appearances approach.

“Are you the Jiwon Guild? Can I see the Guild Leader?”

“Does he know me?”

As I pushed through the wary Warriors and stepped forward, Hongchan Hyung and Gilsoo followed.

“Yes. I am Kim Munsu, Rank 5 Warrior of LC Guild Team 3. I know you because you saved us when we were surrounded at point H1B4 when we first tried to clear this place.”

“H1B4? What is that?”

“Yes? It’s a rough dungeon location, but?”

“Really? I don’t know that. I don’t need to know because I fly. Anyway, why were you cutting down trees here?”

“Ah~ Yes. I stopped cutting down trees now, but no. To tell you from the beginning, it’s a plan set up by Saseong who came to clear with us. Originally…”

Kim Munsu, a Rank 5 Warrior of the LC Guild who came out as their representative, continued to explain the situation like a good student to my question.

Shortly after.

“Huh… Is that possible?”

“I tested it with a small tree at the dungeon entrance and it worked. So I started looking for giant trees in the vicinity. Anyway, I also have to scout for multis. At first, the main force was slowly moving and operating the scouting team, but after a day, the scouting team doubled, and thanks to that, I was able to find one multi, but there were no big trees around, so the scouting team I belonged to came here…”

“You mean the multi that is 2 hours away from here, no. We flew here, so, um… roughly 10 hours, no, ah, I don’t know. Anyway, are you talking about the multi that is about half a day away over there?”

“Yes? Yes. That’s right.”

“We destroyed that? I couldn’t even see the Awakeners. What are you talking about?”

“Yes? There weren’t any? There should have been about 500 people…”

“500? Why 500? Didn’t more than 1,000 people come in?”

“Ah, because I couldn’t find a multi, I divided the main force into two…”

“They’re full of shit. Why divide the main force in the dungeon? You stupid bastards.”

“Um… but, I’m sorry, do you have anything to eat? We ran out of food the day before yesterday…”

“Han Deuk.”

“Yes. Guild Leader.”

“Release some emergency food.”

“I understand.”

Summarizing what Kim Munsu, a Rank 5 Warrior of the LC Guild, said about the clearing progress was as follows.

First, they recruited a large number of mental-type Awakeners, especially telekinetic Awakeners, and put Mages on a raft-like thing made of wood. And the plan was to float it in the air and destroy the multi.

Maybe they imitated me riding the shuttle or destroying the multi, but it’s a stupid thing to do. Will it be that easy?

Even if the mental-type Awakeners are all Rank 4, it’s impossible, even though they tested it at the dungeon entrance.

I don’t know how much the raft weighs and how many people can ride on it, but can they handle the weight of the Mages? Moreover, not for a short time, but for a long time? Even if they receive healing and blessings from Healers and Priests, dozens of people are not enough for magic attacks to destroy the multi.

Second, they divided the main force for smooth scouting, which is also crazy.

Bio Dungeons are swarming with dungeon units, including Zerglings. Dozens to hundreds of Zerglings and Hydras move together, and you divide the Awakeners?

Judging by the situation, it seems they entered focusing on mental-type Awakeners and Mages. If there’s a severe lack of Warrior-type Awakeners, it’s a perfect recipe for annihilation.

Maybe they’ve only used Warriors for the scouting party, like now.

Even if the Mages’ magic attacks are powerful and flashy, Warriors with superior physical traits are essential. To break the most crucial dungeon-clearing rule itself is absurd!

A passing dog would call them ‘hyung’ [a Korean term for ‘older brother’ or ‘older male friend,’ used to express camaraderie or mockery in this context].

Third, operating the scouting party separately was a terrible idea. They should have moved with the main force, even if it took longer!

To acquire and process information from the scouting Warriors, they have to wait for their return, which will delay the main force’s movement. Besides, who thought a scouting party composed only of Warriors would return unscathed?!

I feel like cracking their heads open to see what’s inside.

Well, I could point out more problems, but I have no reason to think about it now.

Whether they live or die is none of my business. They have to take care of their own lives; who else will?

Maybe, if they’re dying in front of me, begging for help, I might be willing to help a little. But that’s a future matter. For now:

“We’ll set up camp here today. Proceed.”

“Each shuttle team sets up tents. Teams 1 through 10, to the lower side; teams 11 onwards, this way!”

“Warriors, set up the tents; Mages, start the fire!”

“Healers and Priests, fetch water from the stream!”

Following my orders, the team leaders relay detailed instructions to the guild members.

“Ji-won, just a moment.”

Hong-chan hyung seemed to have something to say to me, so he moved away towards the stream.

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand. Do you?”

“It’s crazy. There are many ways to commit suicide.”

“What that LC Guild Awakener said earlier… didn’t it seem a bit strange? About 500 people near the multi [likely referring to a ‘multi-level dungeon’ or a specific structure within the dungeon]?”

“Yeah. That was odd. If there were 500 people, there should be some trace left. Even passing by, there was nothing like that.”

“Did we miss something? Or did they move somewhere else? Leaving the scouting party behind? Or was it an attack by dungeon units?”

“Moving is unlikely. Why would they abandon 40-odd Warriors on purpose? That’s not it. But if it was a large-scale dungeon unit attack, there should be some signs of battle, but there’s nothing like that either. Did we miss something? Ha, what a joke.”

“Don’t trust them 100% for now.”

“Even if they asked me to trust them, I couldn’t. I don’t even believe it.”

“Yeah. I just wanted to remind you, but you already know. Anyway, if we find the main force of the Awakeners who entered first, what will you do? Take them out with us?”

“I can’t make any more shuttles, and I don’t plan to. After being screwed over like last time, why would I save them again?”

“Still…”

“I’ll judge based on the situation. The gold spoons [a Korean idiom referring to people born into wealth and privilege] are the problem, not the Awakeners beneath them.”

“Right. Good thinking. It’s not the Awakeners’ fault. It’s the leader who’s the problem.”

“I’m a leader too.”

“Leading! You’re just doing everything yourself.”

“Heh heh. I am a bit exceptional. You admit it too, hyung?”

“Whatever~.”

Hong-chan hyung said and walked towards the campsite.

I looked at his back and muttered inwardly.

‘Thanks, Hong-chan hyung. As expected of someone from a large corporation, his work is reliable.’

I had dozens of defense towers built around the campsite and hundreds of Zealots [likely a reference to a unit type from the StarCraft video game series, implying powerful, melee-focused warriors] summoned to patrol the perimeter.

After assigning shifts for each shuttle team, I laid down my tired body, but after tossing and turning on the cot for about an hour, I came outside. I couldn’t fall asleep.

A cool breeze and a pitch-black dungeon. Only the campfire reminded us that we were here.

The guild members on watch cautiously tried to approach, but I waved them off to continue their duties.

Sitting in front of the crackling campfire, I pondered deeply.

Could I really ignore people dying before my eyes?

If the gold spoons bowed their heads and asked for help, could I refuse?

Could I really turn away from them crying tears of blood?

Was I just a selfish person who only knew myself? Or did I have to become a saint?

I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Frustrated, I shook my head, and someone approached from behind.

“Can’t you sleep?”

“Oppa, what are you doing?”

It was Mi-hye and Ji-hye.

“Why are you two out here without sleeping? Aren’t you tired?”

“A little. But not as much as you, oppa. But what are you thinking about, striking such a pose?”

“What pose? I’m naturally a man of atmosphere. Didn’t you know?”

“I knew. Hehe. But oppa.”

“What?”

Ji-hye, unusually acting cute, said one thing.

“If you have worries, don’t worry alone; you can talk to us. It hasn’t been a long time, but we’ve still had each other’s backs while clearing dungeons. No one will know if you worry alone, oppa. If we’re on the same team, I think it’s right to worry together.”

“Yes. We don’t know if we’ll be helpful or not, but if the guild leader trusts us, don’t suffer alone; let’s do it together.”

“…….”

The red light flickered, alternately hiding and revealing Ji-hye and Mi-hye’s faces.

Something heavy entered my chest and settled down. My nose tingled for no reason.

“… Okay. I understand. From now on, let’s do things together that I can’t decide on alone.”

“Yes~.”

“Hehe. Oppa, you look extra cool today for some reason. Hehe.”

At the entrance of that tent, Hong-chan hyung, Han-deuk, and Gil-soo’s heads were tangled together before they quickly disappeared inside.

Really, they are grateful people.

Seoul City Hall, 3-Star Bio Dungeon Regen Clear, 22 hours and 30 minutes after entry.

After eating a rough breakfast and dismantling the tents, Kim Moon-soo from the LC Guild and a few others came to find me.

“Guild Leader. Please take us with you.”

There’s no reason not to take them. There are about 3 spare shuttles, and with about 40 people, we’d only need to add 2 people per shuttle. But once you start helping, they’ll think you should always do it. I don’t like that.

“Why don’t you just go to the dungeon entrance? I’ve built defense towers there, so you can just move with food and water, right?”

“Gu, Guild Leader. If we try to go from here to the dungeon entrance by ourselves, we’ll all be annihilated. Don’t you know that!”

I know. I know very well. There are hundreds of Zerglings and Hydras [both are enemy units from the StarCraft game], and sometimes Ultralisks and Wyverns too. And even hidden Lurkers will pounce on you to eat you.

40 Warriors without Mages, Healers, or Priest-type Awakeners wandering around a 3-Star dungeon for half a day, no, more than a day, without casualties? That’s like hearing an Ultralisk graze.

“We’re full, no space. It’s too much of a burden to clear while taking care of other guild members. What’s wrong? You’re acting like amateurs.”

“We’ll pay a price.”

“A price? What price? Your lives?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, really? Recite it.”

“If we can complete the dungeon clear or safely exit the dungeon, we’ll pay 200 million won per person.”

“7 billion [approximately $5.3 million USD].”

“Heeh~?”

“You’re a 5-Star, right? You don’t even have 7 billion? At the last Bio Unit carcass auction, Ultralisk carcasses sold for 6.5 billion won each. If your life is cheaper than an Ultralisk carcass, what’s the point? 500 million [approximately $375,000 USD] is for food and shuttle usage. This is quite cheap.”

“Yo, you’re joking, right?”

“Do I look like I’m joking right now? If so, too bad. Han-deuk.”

“Yes, Guild Leader.”

“Get them ready to depart.”

“Yes sir~.”

At my words, Han-deuk left the tent and shouted loudly.

“Departing in 5 minutes. Pack your bags and wait in front of your assigned shuttle!”

“Departing in 5 minutes! Wait in front of the shuttle!”

“5 minutes until departure!”

The guild members’ acknowledgments echoed one after another, and the Awakeners belonging to the LC Guild hurriedly left the tent, saying to wait a moment. They were probably going to discuss it with the others.

7 billion per person, 7 billion… hmm, maybe other Awakeners too.

Seoul City Hall, 3-Star Bio Dungeon Regen Clear, 23 hours and 10 minutes after entry.

Some agreed, some begged to lower the price, and some shook their heads.

Those without money were 7-Star Awakeners. Those who asked to lower the price were 6-Star, and those who signed with a stiff expression were 5-Star.

Applying fairness, we gave 7-Stars a lifetime, 6-Stars 3 years, and 5-Stars 1 year of grace, that is, an installment period, and everyone agreed. We wrote contracts, signed them, and divided them.

Of course, this contract may not be valid after the dungeon clear is over.

Some will really deposit the money, and some will pretend not to know. But it doesn’t matter.

If you’re not going to be active as an Awakener in Korea, it’s okay. Let’s see who wins.

Seoul City Hall, 3-Star Bio Dungeon Regen Clear, 1 day, 2 hours, and 40 minutes after entry.

We added LC Guild Warriors to 3 spare shuttles, one per team, and moved for over 2 hours.

The 3-Star dungeon is really wide. If we combine the distance we moved yesterday and today, we should have found the main force by now.

I was staring blankly at the LC Guild members sitting and touching here and there, still amazed by the fast-flying shuttle, when shouts erupted from the guild members in front.

“Forward 2 o’clock, A1 situation!”

“Hundreds of Awakeners found! Combat situation! Distance 2km!”

Looking closely in the direction the guild members pointed, 3-400 Awakeners were surrounded on a hill, being attacked by evolved Zerglings, Hydras, and Ultralisks. Idiots.

They must be the Awakeners who entered first, right? Why are they always the same? Even after being screwed over like that, they were in the same situation again.

Slowing down the shuttle’s speed slightly, I slowly approached and pondered.

Since there’s a lack of Warriors who entered to tank, they can’t tank, and since they can’t tank, Mages can’t attack easily, and if magic doesn’t work, what can Healers or Priests do? It’s a waste of mana, a waste of power.

Interestingly, a few Mages were flying in the air, throwing fireballs, but there’s no match for numbers. Those flying Mages are supported by mental-type Awakeners… huh? Three Awakeners just fell to the ground.

They made something like a raft or boat to float dozens of Mages, so they just floated the Mages? Seriously, that’s not even funny.

“What should we do?”

Hong-chan hyung cautiously asked from the side.

“If a child falls into the water while walking, it’s human nature to save them first. Let’s support them for now. Mages, mana manifestation!”

“Mages, mana manifestation!”

“Mages, prepare magic attacks after mana manifestation!”

“Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Lament! Dew of Sorrow! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s… Ready!”

I had the Mages prepare magic attacks and approached within 200m.

They must have found us too, as they maintained their formation without rushing. But it’s just a rotten rope that’s about to break.

“Wait! Summon all Zealots!”

[Ding! Summoning 500 Zealots (Defense + Attack 200%).]

After stopping the shuttle in the sky, I summoned all the Zealots.

500 upgraded Zealots appeared with white light. Recognizing the Zealots, I gave a strange order.

“Just hold onto the Ultralisks. Go!”

As the 500 Zealots began to run non-stop towards the hill, I moved the shuttle forward, matching the Zealots’ speed.

“Attack only the Ultralisks. Magic attack!”

“Target, Ultralisks! Ultralisks! Magic attack!”

“Focus fire! Focus fire only on the Ultralisks held by the Zealots!”

‘Kwaaang… Kwaang.’

‘Kuaaang… Puh-uhng.’

‘Umeo. Umeo~.’

Dozens of fireballs and ice chunks flew from 20 shuttles at once, hitting the Ultralisks and exploding. After that, it was free-for-all. Magic attacks poured from the sky onto the dungeon floor towards the Ultralisks held by the Zealots.

The Zerglings and Hydras around the Ultralisks were also swept away by the fire or ice magic that flew towards the Ultralisks, and their corpses exploded.

The Awakeners who entered with the gold spoons also seemed to gain strength from the sight and responded together.

After pouring magic attacks for about 5 minutes? As expected, a stationary target is easy as pie… or not. You can choke on pie while lying down.

Anyway, after dealing with the dozen or so most difficult Ultralisks, the guild members waited for the next order.

“B1 Clear!”