After Ten Millennia in Hell

"Huh? You too, Hwa-Yeon?" Cha Yeon-Joo asked.

Hwa-Yeon nodded. "Well… I was the one who let outsiders use the sparring room, so I also have a bit of responsibility. If possible, I want to shoulder the repair fees with you two."

"Hwa-Yeon…" Moved, Yeon-Joo grabbed Hwa-Yeon's hands. "I knew you were different from that scumbag!"

"I can hear you, you know," Oh Kang-Woo remarked.

"You're kind, understanding, responsible… Yeah, this is how a human should be."

"Excuse me?" Kang-Woo asked.

"Thanks. I think we really have a shot now that we have you with us."

Kang-Woo remained silent. He thought that the situation was unfair.

'I thought we had a mutual understanding.'

If Yeon-Joo heard his thoughts, she would have a fit of rage.

Kang-Woo turned and looked at Hwa-Yeon, who had a sword that was almost two meters long.

'A melee class, huh…?'

It was the Player class known to be the most useless for hunting El Cuero. It was a natural assessment unless the Player had the ability to move freely underwater.

'But…'

Kang-Woo's eyes shone. To use the strategy he was thinking of, they needed a powerful melee class Player.

Hwa-Yeon would be of great help.

'I guess this is what people call a blessing in disguise.'

He had unintentionally destroyed the sparring room that would cost billions to repair, but thanks to that, he convinced Yeon-Joo and Hwa-Yeon to accompany him to hunt El Cuero.

He didn't care about money in the first place. What he needed were things that money couldn't buy.

Even if one had billions to spend, one wouldn't be able to buy Legendary-grade equipment or higher. None were for sale, so there was no way the equipment could be bought.

The same went for the leveling cap.

One couldn't break the cap with money.

'You can't buy power with money.'

It wasn't like a mobile game where one could pay to win—there was a limit in terms of what one could do with money.

He needed other things besides money to recover his old strength and become even stronger than before.

"Including Hwa-Yeon, that's four," Kang-Woo said.

"Four? Who's the other one?"

"Echidna. You've seen her before."

"Oh, right. You have a summoned beast," Yeon-Joo said as if she was sick of being surprised.

Kang-Woo nodded. He was sure that Echidna would be able to play a crucial role in the El Cuero hunt.

Yeon-Joo asked, "Then is it just gonna be us four?"

"Hmm…"

Kang-Woo thought about it for a while.

He wanted to let Kim Si-Hun's party participate, but the risk was too big.

'It's far too early for them.'

It was true that they were talented players… especially Si-Hun. If Kang-Woo hadn't existed, he likely would have become a heroic Player who broke all sorts of existing records. But for the moment, their party's average level was too low.

Kang-Woo couldn't bring them to hunt an S-rank boss monster.

'If there are too many people, it could hinder us rather than help.'

According to the plan he was thinking of, having too many people would only make things more difficult. While hunting a boss monster, it was important to keep its attention focused, and having many people only made things inefficient.

"Two—no, we could bring one more person."

"What class? A ranged damage dealer? Or a healer?"

"A melee class, if possible."

"A melee class? To hunt El Cuero? Why?"

Yeon-Joo looked at him, confused.

It was common knowledge that melee classes were the most useless Players against El Cuero.

If they were forced to choose, a tank who could protect ranged damage dealers as they attacked was most useful.

"I have a plan. It'll only work if we have multiple melee class Players."

Yeon-Joo fell into thought.

The Red Rose Guild members were all exceptional, and among them, a few were close to becoming Rankers. But the opponent wasn't an average monster…

It was El Cuero.

Yeon-Joo couldn't think of any guild member who would be of help in killing an S-rank boss monster.

"How about Captain Goo Hyun-Mo?"

"Oh, the captain of Hwarang's 2nd Squadron?"

Goo Hyun-Mo had short blond hair and always wore sunglasses. Although he looked like a third-rate gangster, he definitely had the skill.

"Mmm."

Kang-Woo nodded at Hwa-Yeon's suggestion.

Considering Hyun-Mo's performance in the battle against Oriax, he wouldn't be bad at all.

'Although it's too bad that his main stat isn't strength.'

Hyun-Mo was a dexterity-specialized warrior who dual-wielded short swords.

He had different specs than what Kang-Woo wanted, but since he was a melee class and was strong enough to be the captain of Hwarang's 2nd Squadron, his strength stat would be nothing to scoff at either.

"I am fairly acquainted with him, so I don't think there will be issues in recruiting him," Hwa-Yeon stated.

"It would be great if you could."

"Okay. Just a second."

Hwa-Yeon took out her smartphone and made a call.

[Ahem. H-How can I help you, Hwa-Yeon?]

One could hear Hyun-Mo's flustered voice through the phone. It seemed he wasn't expecting Hwa-Yeon to call him.

"There is a favor that I would like to request of you."

[Hahaha! As long as it's a favor from you, I'll do anything!!!]

'It doesn't seem to be just that.'

Hyun-Mo's voice was trembling a bit in excitement. Kang-Woo smirked at his obvious reaction.

[Captain! You did it!!]

[Will you finally escape from being forever single?!]

[Shut up!]

The voices of Hyun-Mo and his squadron members could be heard over the phone. It was hard to believe that their conversation was transpiring between a captain and his squadron members.

Hyun-Mo coughed and then continued to talk to Hwa-Yeon.

[S-So, wh-what is the favor? If it's for dinner, I know an incredible—]

"No, it's not for dinner."

[Oh… Yes, of course it isn't.]

He sounded disappointed.

Hwa-Yeon explained the situation and told him that she wanted his help in hunting El Cuero.

[El Cuero, huh…?]

"If you feel it's too much, I can ask someone el—"

[N-No! Since it's a favor for you, I'll help you in any way I can. Hahaha! I've wanted to hunt El Cuero at least once!]

"That's good to hear."

[I'll take a helicopter and make my way there right now!]

"No. There's no need for—"

[Hahaha! Maybe we can have dinner while looking around Seoul if I arrive too early!]

"I have to draw up a report regarding the destroyed sparring room, so I don't think I will have the time."

[Oh… Yes. I see. O-Of course. You must be busy…]

"I would appreciate it if you could give me a call when you set out. A member of the 3rd Squadron will come pick you up."

[…Okay. I will make sure to call.]

The call ended.

"Hmm… Captain Goo's spirits suddenly dampened. I wonder what happened?"

Hwa-Yeon tilted her head in confusion, unable to understand Hyun-Mo's reaction.

Kang-Woo and Yeon-Joo looked at her silently. It was as if they were asking if she seriously didn't know why.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Uhmm…"

"Hmm. That aside, I wasn't expecting him to be so excited about hunting El Cuero. I'm glad I didn't cause trouble for him."

"She's for real."

"Yeah, she really doesn't know."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Hwa-Yeon asked while looking at both of them, who were looking back at her in disbelief.

Kang-Woo and Yeon-Joo exchanged glances with each other.

"Let's just leave it be."

"Yeah. I don't want to go through the trouble."

An alliance of silence was formed.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing at all," Kang-Woo replied.

"More importantly, when are we going?" Yeon-Joo changed the topic.

"As soon as possible."

"I need to let my guild members know, and I have some stuff to organize, so… it will probably take about three days.

Hwa-Yeon said, "It will also take me a few days to write and submit the report. Regarding the destruction of the sparring room, I will come up with a different reason that doesn't negatively affect you two."

"Then let's go in three days. I will send you the details of the strategy after I conduct some more research."

After nodding, Kang-Woo turned around. He had three days, and he also had something to do besides planning a strategy.

'First, I'll reach Level 59.'

He was currently at Level 54 and hadn't reached the Limit of Effort. To know if hunting El Cuero would let him break through the limit or not, he had to reach Level 59 first.

"In that case, let's meet at 2 PM in three days in front of the gate," Hwa-Yeon said.

Kang-Woo and Yeon-Joo nodded at Hwa-Yeon's words.

* * *

[You have successfully killed the S-rank common monster Giant Ogre.]

[Your level has risen.]

[You have reached Level 59. Your level has been restricted. All experience gained from now on will be accumulated and applied all at once after the restriction is lifted.]

"Hmm. I guess the restriction also applies to me."

Kang-Woo clicked his tongue while reading the blue message window.

Talented players had a higher chance of overcoming the restriction. In that sense, Kang-Woo's talent was beyond other people's, so he thought that maybe his level wouldn't be restricted.

However, not everything went as one wanted in life.

Kang-Woo closed the message window and turned around.

"Kang-Woo, it's time."

"Perfect timing. Let's go back out into the entrance."

"Are we going to kill the monster you talked about today?"

"Yeah."

"I'll do my best to be of help to you."

Echidna, who had been helping him hunt for the past three days, clenched her fists.

Kang-Woo smirked and patted her head.

Echidna grabbed his hand and rubbed her cheek against it.

"I trust you," Kang-Woo said.

"Can you give me a reward this time too if I do well?"

Echidna looked up at him expectantly.

Kang-Woo nodded.

"Of course."

"Hm! Hm! I'll do my best," Echidna said while snorting.

Accompanied by the energetic Echidna, Kang-Woo walked out of the Gate.

Yeon-Joo, Hwa-Yeon, and Hyun-Mo were already waiting in front of the Gate.

"Huh? You were already inside?" Yeon-Joo asked.

"Yeah. I've been hunting a bit," Kang-Woo replied.

"… You didn't needlessly waste energy before facing the boss monster, did you?"

"Don't worry. I hunted in moderation."

After greeting Yeon-Joo, Kang-Woo greeted Hyun-Mo and Hwa-Yeon.

He then said, "Alright, I will explain the strategy."

While hunting for the past three days, Kang-Woo had refined his strategy for hunting El Cuero.

"The core of this strategy is…"