Chapter 16: The General’s Hidden Vault

While Se-hyeon and the porters were heading toward the hidden space, Kim Seong-ho and Choi Hyeon-seong were in a meeting with the Association President, presenting the negotiated compensation list.

“So, he wants us to focus more on the tax reduction?”

“Yes. To establish a rough guideline, we drafted an initial list—the first page is our original offer. The following page contains the revisions made after consulting with Hunter Jang Se-hyeon.”

The President reviewed the original and revised terms, nodding slowly. “Hmm, the tax reduction period has been extended to one year?”

Choi Hyeon-seong spoke up cautiously. “Hunter Jang Se-hyeon specifically requested an extension. I informed him that one year would likely be the maximum, subject to your approval. He even mentioned he’d be willing to forgo the cash support if it meant better tax benefits.”

Before Choi could finish, Kim Seong-ho added, “In light of that, if extending the duration beyond a year is difficult, perhaps we could increase the percentage of the reduction instead?”

The President pondered for a moment. “Hmm…”

Seeing the hesitation, Kim Seong-ho quickly followed up. “Hunter Jang Se-hyeon has personally promised to accept ‘Special Management’ by our department, provided he is satisfied with this compensation.”

In reality, Kim had already secured the agreement, but he framed it as a pending promise to gain leverage. The mention of “Special Management” piqued the President’s interest, as it essentially guaranteed the hunter would not defect to another country during the contract.

“Oh? He agreed to Special Management? For how long?”

“The standard contract is renewed annually, but since he is highly likely to be an Irregular, I suggested an initial two-year term, with annual renewals thereafter. I’ve informed him of all the standard and modified conditions.”

“An initial term of two years?”

“Yes. While we need to see his Phase 2 growth to be certain, based on the power he’s already displayed, I am confident he will never be ‘just another Mage.'”

The President recalled the video. A D-rank clearing an F-rank Boss solo was unheard of. Even C-ranks would struggle to match that efficiency. The probability of him being an Irregular was near certain.

“Indeed. We’ll know for sure after his next growth phase, but he shows every sign of being an Irregular. Two years… fine! Excellent work. Let’s do this: increase the tax reduction to 60%, and extend the duration to one year and six months. That is the absolute best I can offer without causing an equity issue with other hunters. Surely he’ll be satisfied with that?”

Both Kim and Choi widened their eyes in surprise.

“Eighteen months? Haha, he’ll be more than satisfied. So, shall we drop the cash support and focus on these increased tax benefits?”

Kim had only hoped for a 60% reduction over one year; getting 18 months was a massive victory.

“Tsk, if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right,” the President clicked his tongue. “Keep the cash support and equipment loans exactly as they were. Add the increased tax benefits on top of it. We need him to feel just how much the Association values him.”

“Y-you mean keep the other rewards too? That’s… that’s an incredible package.”

“It’s not just about keeping him. It’s about optics,” the President explained. “We are showing the world that when the Association makes a mistake, we admit it fully and compensate the victim thoroughly.”

“As expected of you, sir. We were only thinking about securing the hunter, but you’re looking at the bigger picture. Should we announce the finalized contract on the website immediately?”

“Yes. And make sure to mention that this was handled under my ‘special directive.'”

The President wanted to highlight that Se-hyeon’s talent was “discovered” thanks to his own foresight following the Japanese incident.

“Of course, sir. Without your directive, we might have lost an S-rank potential to the U.S. or another country. Your foresight is unmatched.”

“You’ve both worked hard. Once he’s officially under Special Management, the Management Department will receive full support—increased budget, better field equipment, and more staff. Keep a sharp eye out for any other cases like this.”

With the promise of full departmental support, Kim and Choi left the office with wide grins to draft the new contract.

Meanwhile, Se-hyeon, Park Sang-soo, and the porters were descending a newly discovered staircase into the hidden space.

“This goes down pretty deep.” “Tell me about it. I wonder what’s down here? Haha.”

The porters were already indulging in fantasies of treasure. Se-hyeon, however, remained vigilant at the front.

“If there’s a Hidden Piece, there’s bound to be a corresponding danger. Don’t let your guard down. If things get ugly, move to the safest spot immediately.”

Se-hyeon’s warning sobered them up. They were all F-ranks who couldn’t handle a single F-rank monster, let alone whatever might be lurking in an E-rank hidden zone.

“You heard him,” Park Sang-soo whispered. “Stay sharp. We don’t know if there’s treasure or a swarm of monsters down there. One mistake and we’re all dead.”

As they reached the bottom, a vast hall revealed itself.

Rumble! Thud!

Suddenly, the entrance they had just used slammed shut. Simultaneously, a system notification rang in everyone’s ears.

[Hidden Location: You have discovered Goblin General Jeltona’s Secret Treasury.] [5 participants have entered. Goblin General Jeltona will be summoned in 1 minute.] [The Treasury is now sealed. The seal will remain until either the Awakened or Goblin General Jeltona are annihilated.]

“Everyone, hide in the corner!” Se-hyeon commanded. “I’ll handle this, but be ready for anything.”

The porters scrambled behind a massive stone pillar. They had no choice but to put their lives in Se-hyeon’s hands.

“Kuooooooh!”

With a roar, Goblin General Jeltona—a monster surpassing elite status and nearing Boss-level—materialized.

‘I’m ending this fast! Shadow Orb!’

Se-hyeon didn’t hold back. He manifested 30 Shadow Orbs instantly and launched them at the newly summoned General.

Ssssssh— Boom! Kaboom! Roar!

A massive explosion engulfed Jeltona before he could even take a step.

“Kieeeeeeh!”

However, as a near-Boss of an E-rank dungeon, he survived the opening volley, though visibly charred.

‘Boots of Wind!’

Activating his mobility skill, Se-hyeon transitioned into Magic Combat. He kept three orbs circling him and began to strafe the room at high speeds.

Zip! Zap! Bang! Boom!

As Se-hyeon circled, pelting him with magic, Jeltona finally retaliated.

“Krawwwwww!”

With a burst of speed, Jeltona closed the distance. Despite Se-hyeon’s enhanced mobility, the monster was fast enough to catch up in an instant.

‘He’s fast!’

Se-hyeon executed a sharp pivot, the Boots of Wind screaming as he narrowly avoided a massive greatsword that shattered the floor where he had stood a millisecond before. He countered with another barrage.

‘He’s definitely tougher than the Kobold General. Higher defense, more HP. But I can do this.’

Thanks to his title, his mana consumption was halved, and his new gloves boosted his orb’s power. He still had plenty of mana left.

“Kuoooooh!”

Frustrated by Se-hyeon’s kiting, Jeltona unleashed a new attack. He swung his sword in a wide arc, sending a crescent-shaped wave of energy tearing through the air toward Se-hyeon.

“Whoa! Holy—!”

It was an Area of Effect (AoE) attack. The wave was aimed right at Se-hyeon’s waist.

“Urgh!”

Se-hyeon performed a desperate “Matrix” dodge, leaning back until his torso was nearly parallel to the floor. Because the Boots of Wind kept him hovering slightly, he didn’t lose his momentum and continued to slide backward.

Ssssh— Boom!

The energy wave whistled past his chest, missing him by an inch and slamming into the far wall.

‘That’s dangerous!’

Without any defensive spells, a direct hit from that would be fatal.

‘I need to disrupt his stance.’

Just as he had done with the Kobold General, Se-hyeon shifted his targeting. Instead of aiming for the head or chest, he began focusing his Shadow Orbs on Jeltona’s shoulders, knees, and the arm holding the sword.

Bang! Crack! Thud!

Jeltona tried to ready another wave attack, but the constant impact on his joints and limbs kept him off-balance. Se-hyeon didn’t let up, systematically dismantling the General’s posture while dealing continuous damage.