Chapter 610

Levin sat on top of a tower, looking down at the mana stone mine.

Originally, this place had been nothing but a barren wasteland. But after an open-pit mana stone mine was discovered, it had been turned into a fortress.

High walls were erected, and powerful weapons such as mana particle cannons were installed. In addition, awakened from City Hall and each district were dispatched to guard the fortress.

It had truly become an impregnable stronghold.

The mana stone mine was divided into several zones.

The most important area was, of course, the open-pit mine.

Numerous workers and equipment were deployed to extract mana stones.

Thanks to the stones mined here, Neo Seoul and the Steel Fortress could maintain a stable power supply.

To mine the stones, many workers were mobilized from Neo Seoul and the slums.

With so many people living here, lodging and commercial facilities naturally sprang up. Eventually, even red-light districts formed, creating a complete ecosystem.

After the portals were installed and travel to Neo Seoul became easier, the mine grew even more lively.

At this point, it was hard to tell whether this place was a mine or just another district of Neo Seoul, with people constantly moving about.

The place where Levin sat was a defense tower built to protect the mine.

Mana particle cannons were installed on it, and awakened were stationed there—yet none of them noticed Levin sitting above their heads.

Levin’s gaze shifted to the Monster-hunting teams preparing to head out.

Just like the original mine, this newly developed open-pit mine also housed Monster-hunting teams and dungeon raid groups.

For the past few days, Levin had been obsessively observing the hunting teams.

Dozens of teams rotated their hunts here.

Each team had different preferred prey.

Some favored large Monsters, while others hunted smaller ones.

Their preferences varied depending on their composition and equipment.

From his high vantage point where no one could see him, Levin had been observing what kinds of Monsters each team brought back.

‘Those bastards are the most suspicious.’

Levin’s eyes settled on a team returning to the mine.

One transport vehicle, four buggy cars, and fewer than twenty awakened—a small raid group.

Judging by their gear and size, they didn’t seem capable of going far or hunting often. Yet they went out constantly.

By Levin’s calculation, they went out almost every two days.

It didn’t make sense to him.

Monster-hunting teams risked their lives. Many died and became food for the Monsters.

It was an extremely stressful job.

So after a hunt, awakened usually relieved stress with alcohol, gambling, or women.

Naturally, their hunting cycles were longer.

But the team Levin was watching was different.

Their cycle was only two days.

Even after returning, they didn’t indulge in any entertainment.

They just stayed holed up in their lodgings.

They looked more like soldiers than hunters.

Most importantly, the Monsters they hunted never appeared on the market.

They went out every two days, yet no one even knew what they brought back.

It was only natural Levin was suspicious.

At that moment, he noticed a woman approaching the base of the tower.

It was Brielle.

Levin immediately turned into a ghost and descended.

“Brielle! Did you find anything useful?”

“Of course.”

She answered confidently.

While Levin monitored the hunting teams, Brielle had been gathering information at the market.

“They’re contracted with Slaughterhouse No. 13. It’s the one at the outermost edge of the mine.”

There were many slaughterhouses in the mine.

Monsters with tough scales and hides couldn’t be processed by normal means.

So specialized slaughterhouses existed.

Especially here, many had been built during the fortification phase.

Raid groups and hunting teams signed contracts to supply Monsters regularly.

So it wasn’t strange that this team worked with Slaughterhouse No. 13.

“And?”

“They’re constantly supplying Monsters, but there are no byproducts coming out.”

“None?”

“Yeah. The incinerator keeps running, so it looks like they burn everything except what they need.”

“That makes it even more suspicious.”

“Exactly.”

Brielle nodded.

Monster byproducts were valuable resources.

No one would normally burn them.

“Want to hear something more surprising?”

“What?”

“Do you know who owns Slaughterhouse No. 13? The East District.”

“Seriously? Don’t tell me the whole East District is involved in this drug business.”

“That part we don’t know yet.”

“Then we’ll have to see it ourselves.”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Good work.”

“You’re going in, right?”

“Of course. I’ll go in alone and come out quietly. You wait outside.”

“Got it.”

She nodded.

She wanted to go with him, but she knew she’d only get in the way.

Levin’s abilities were perfect for infiltration.

He could enter and leave like a ghost.

Brielle took out a small bottle from her subspace and handed it to him.

“Here, take this.”

“What is it?”

“A potion made from the tears of the World Tree.”

“What?”

Levin’s eyes widened.

He knew how extraordinary the World Tree was.

Once fully grown, it could support an entire world.

It possessed power comparable to a world itself.

And its tears?

He couldn’t even imagine the value.

Seeing his expression, Brielle chuckled.

“You’re overreacting.”

“How can I not? It’s the World Tree’s tears.”

“It’s not that grand. It’s just liquid that forms on its largest leaves.”

The World Tree had countless leaves.

Among them were a few especially large ones that had grown since its sapling days.

At dawn, these leaves collected dew, and special substances from within the leaves mixed into it.

The High Elves called this the tears of the World Tree.

They believed it was the tree’s compassion made manifest.

They collected it every morning—but only a tiny amount formed, barely enough to cover the bottom of a small vial.

Using such a rare substance, Brielle had made this potion.

“It should instantly cure most poisons and curses. If things get dangerous, don’t hesitate to use it.”

“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”

“Be careful.”

“Yeah. I’ll be back.”

Levin turned into a ghost and flew into the sky, following the hunting team to Slaughterhouse No. 13.

Just as Brielle said, it was located at the outermost edge.

It was surrounded by high walls, making it impossible to see inside.

Awakened stood guard at the entrance, but that was no obstacle for Levin.

He slipped inside with the hunting team.

As soon as they entered, the team dismounted.

“Unload the Monsters.”

“Yes, sir!”

They opened the transport and brought down the carcass.

It was a large Monster with a horn like a unicorn—a Spike Mole.

From inside, a burly middle-aged man came out and inspected it.

He was the manager of the slaughterhouse.

“All in good condition again.”

“That’s thanks to the farm managing them systematically.”

The team leader shrugged.

The man grumbled,

“Some of us bust our asses slaughtering, while others just pick them up from a farm. Isn’t that unfair?”

“Complaining to me won’t help. Thank the talented Tamer.”

“Tsk. Clever bastard. Who would’ve thought of making a Spike Mole farm?”

“Well, it makes our job easier.”

“Damn lucky bastards.”

“Then join the hunting team if you’re jealous.”

“Are you crazy? I prefer cutting flesh and stripping bones here.”

“Freak.”

The leader shook his head.

The man gestured inside.

“Want to take a look?”

“No thanks. I’ll stay here. Just clean it up properly.”

“Don’t worry. We just take the scent sac and burn the rest. Who’s going to know?”

“Still, be careful.”

“Got it.”

The man waved and went inside.

The leader turned to his team.

“Stay alert.”

“Don’t worry, sir! With walls this high and detection devices everywhere, who’s getting in?”

“You never know. Stay sharp.”

“Yes, sir!”

“I’ll be resting on the truck. Wake me if anything happens.”

“Understood.”

The leader climbed onto the truck roof.

It was flat—perfect for a nap.

As he lay down, he saw something pale flicker.

He blinked—and it was gone.

“What the… am I already losing my eyesight?”

---

‘That was close.’

Levin exhaled.

Even in ghost form, the man’s instincts had nearly caught him.

Fortunately, he moved quickly and avoided detection.

Levin entered the slaughterhouse.

Even at the entrance, the stench of blood was overwhelming.

It was so thick it made his head ache.

He couldn’t even imagine how many Monsters had been slaughtered here.

He followed the middle-aged man carefully.

The man headed into a large sealed room.

Inside was a massive worktable with the Spike Mole’s body on it.

Numerous technicians in masks waited.

The man put on a mask and apron.

“Let’s begin.”

“Yes, sir!”

Under his command, they moved in perfect coordination.

Using special tools, they skinned it, then separated flesh and bone with knives.

The scent sac was located deep inside.

If damaged, the key drug component would leak out—so they worked with extreme care.

Levin hovered, watching everything.

‘So this is the main supplier of raw materials. How many people are involved in this?’

To capture creatures living hundreds of meters underground and farm them—this required immense backing.

At that moment—

Slice!

One worker slipped and nicked the scent sac.

“Fuck! Everyone get back!"

The supervisor shouted.

Fine powder leaked out, filling the room.

‘Kuek!’

Levin’s eyes widened.

Unlike the masked workers, he inhaled it directly.

His head spun.