Max Stats in the Apocalypse

A moment ago after they slew a Giant Rock monster, Mayquelle secured a secure location for them to rest. And it's what's crucial in her role as the guide. Foremost, it is significant to get away from the entrance after entering as it could cause a few difficulties in their suits. Hence, if it gets too concentrated in the rift, the chances that it will get destroyed are high.

"The plan is to find the source of that unique magical power. But I can't figure out where the hell that magical power is. The direction is too messy." Mayquelle grumbled as she finally sat down on one slightly huge rock.

"It is okay. At least we have some improvement." Ian said.

"What improvement?" Baron asked.

"This." Ian subsequently showed a monster core. It was the drop from the monster that they killed. And looking at it, Mayquelle and Baron were only confused as they didn't understand Ian's point.

"So...? That's a monster core. What about it?" Mayquelle complained.

Ian faced Mayquelle with a face of disbelief. It was as if he hadn't expected her to react like that. It was crucial that he thought Mayquelle should already know. However, it appeared that Mayquelle didn't know that either.

However, Baron was different. He had thought of it once Ian showed it to them. And as he recalled one thing, he directly pointed it out with an enthusiastic face.

"Now I know what it is, Ian. That could be used as our tracker, right? You have a sensitivity to magical power. You can search for where that monster came from." Baron excitedly said.

When Mayquelle heard it, she then had an idea of what Ian was trying to say.

"Then, we can search for where that monster emerged. It could also be the source of the unique magical power they were mentioning, as concentrated magical power can create a monster if conditions are met." Mayquelle said.

"Exactly," Ian said.

Just when the excitement had surged in Baron's system, he jumped high and then looked at the different rock formations ahead of them.

"I will be the distraction for possible monsters. Mayquelle, you have the ability to warn and prepare the spell. While you, Ian, you should be protected."

Ian's sensitivity to mana is not limited to normal mana but other magical powers as well. However, he cannot discern the difference if he is distracted. Hence, in this innovative method, they thought, he must be protected as his concentration will be solely for the searching of the track.

"Okay, let's start," Ian announced.

Mayquelle and Baron next moved in coordination. While Mayquelle prepares magic in her hands and detects presences, Baron would jump into various rock formations to keep an eye out for potential attacks.

And as they moved a few meters in an uncertain direction, a monster finally appeared. Mayquelle and Baron immediately dispatched it, then returned to Ian to check on his progress.

Ian was still concentrating on feeling the magical power from the monster core and the track they were using. And just when Mayquelle was sure that Ian wasn't disturbed, she sighed and looked at Baron. 

She then raised her thumb to him to continue their operation. And with Ian's guidance of where they should go, Baron and Mayquelle were exterminating threats that Rock monsters give.

After a few minutes, Ian suddenly stopped, which alarmed Baron and Mayquelle. With it, they asked him, as they were intrigued about his reason.

"What? Did you finally know where the source was?" Mayquelle asked.

Ian just looked at them with drowsy eyes. They had waited for a few seconds before Ian answered, "Yes."

They celebrated, pulling their elbows into their embrace. However, Ian immediately hushed them.

"But, we can't celebrate too soon as I finally discerned what kind of magical power this is." Mayquelle and Baron took a breather.

"Can you elaborate?" Baron asked as he went down from a huge rock he was standing on.

Ian sighed and then explained it.

"This magical power isn't normal, and it will never be. Why? Because I can detect a priest's attribute, a mage's attribute, and also a warrior's attribute." Ian said.

Mayquelle raised her eyebrow in confusion. She was too perplexed by that explanation, but Baron begged to differ. He already understood what Ian was trying to say. He could only sigh and then face Mayquelle with the bad news.

"Let's contact the outside world. They should prepare full-scale diving." Mayquelle was irritated when Ian said that.

"Hey! Tell me! What are you talking about?! I can't understand."

Baron sighed and looked at Mayquelle, who was clearly upset.

"Listen, Mayquelle, this is a problematic unique magical power since it has three attributes. Meaning, if a higher-ranked monster is produced from this source, it would merely signify one thing: it could use three different abilities. A warriors' body, mages' magic, and also priests' healing ability. It could be difficult to handle."

When Mayquelle finally realized what Baron said, her knees felt weak. She touched the ground with trembling eyes as she wasn't able to believe that this kind of predicament was possible in the future.

"We can't destroy a source since a dungeon should be destroyed. There is no way we will be fit to do it." Mayquelle mumbled.

"Yes, because, as usual, to close a dungeon, we have to search for the boss room."

If a non-Awaken heard this, they would be perplexed as they heard that a monster could emerge from a source. But, if they are already in source, why can't the boss room be located there?

The reason behind this is that the boss of a D-ranked dungeon or above possesses an intellect. They are intelligent enough to know that hunters would go to the source to slay them. Therefore, as a method to survive, they would hide themselves to gather monsters that the source created.

However, what is the boss of a dungeon? Experts until now don't know the reason, but if a boss disappears, the dungeon will disappear as well, and it will be closed for good with no other way of opening it.

Crrrrk...

A resounding sound of a radio resounded in Ian's ears as he clicked on one button to contact the outside world. After a few seconds, the other side replied.

"Ian Callanes, what is it?" 

"Sir, I think we have to create full-scale dungeon diving, if possible, rated as an A-Rank dungeon."

"The reason?"

"I will send the report, Sir. Please prepare a number for an A-Rank dungeon dive, Sir."

The superior behind just let out a sigh, then answered with an affirmation. And after that, Ian put down the communication and took out a gadget that is similar to a laptop from his backpack.

"I will create the report," Ian said, then sat down on one rock and typed what they had discovered.

Meanwhile, Mayquelle and Baron remained silent, as they were still taken aback by what had happened. Even they were B Rank, the only people that could close an A-Rank dungeon are limited.

Why? Because ranking a dungeon depends on the monster that appears, if common monsters were D-ranked, the dungeon would be ranked as D. However, if the source is suspected to be more dense enough to produce a higher-ranking monster, then it will be raised to one or above rank.

There were plenty of ways to rank a dungeon, but this was the most common. And knowing it, Baron and Mayquelle were just too devastated to learn it since it was their mission. It wasn't about them being hunters, but their responsibilities as the hunters that discovered the dungeon.

"Why at all time?! Why do we have to get an A-Rank dungeon when we are just B-Rank hunters!" Mayquelle grumbled in her place.

Ian just hushed then said, "Don't be overreacting. It can change. It was only an expected ranking. It might drop." Mayquelle didn't believe it since Ian wasn't wrong in estimating a dungeon's ranking.

"That's bullshit, you know that." Mayquelle retorted.

"Hey! Mayquelle, just calm down. We can find ways to run from the responsibility after we go out. We'll search for a way, okay." Baron exclaimed.

One might ask why they are reacting in this way. Well, it is because the ownership of the dungeon would go to them, and they know that only the rich can own dungeons for some reason.

The number one reason that only the richest own a dungeon is that it has a high maintenance cost. Second, it is tiring since the responsibility is in their hands. If someone dies inside, they will be the ones who'll pay for it.

But why is it that this kind of unfair rule exists? Can't they just give it to the authorities?

They can, but still, responsibilities are what they fear most. Nothing more.

But it is only a case for Baron and Mayquelle since they weren't that responsible, unlike Ian, who never thought twice about reporting it and stating the estimated ranking and the complete investigation.

"We came from the Information Agency, so when they gave us the mission, it technically means that if we discover the reason behind the unique magical energy, a partial dungeon treasure will be ours." 

"But still, since it was D-ranked, we expected that it would only rise to C, but now it is A, let's forget about treasures. They won't go to us, only the name will be ours."

It was the harsh reality of working as an investigator for a government agency. If they discover the higher-ranking dungeon, the resources won't go to them; instead, only the name and the responsibility will.

They would get some, but not entirely, as they would be paid only as government employees.

"Such a joke. That is why I don't want to become a dungeon investigator. They will give it to you if it is nothing to their eyes, but they will snatch it if it is too valuable.. What a joke."