The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

Dozens of gazes fixated on him.
From his concealed vantage point in the air, Swallow let out a whistle of admiration.

"Wow… what a reaction. You’ve become quite the celebrity, Master."
“Yeah, I expected some attention, but not this much. I guess… it’s because of my looks?”
Kang Hyunsoo glanced around out of the corner of his eye and was momentarily taken aback.

While it wasn’t unusual for someone declaring they’d solo-clear an S-rank dungeon to attract attention, this level of reaction far exceeded his expectations.
In his previous life, he’d experienced similar situations. Though not at Yeouido Hunting Grounds, there had been a time when he solo-cleared an S-rank dungeon after falling behind in growth due to Seo Jieun and Choi Taehun’s exploitation.
Back then…

"You can go ahead."
"What the hell? Is he seriously trying to solo-clear an S-rank dungeon?"
"Wow, how strong must he be?"

"Ah… just look at his face. That explains it. Guy looks insanely tough. He’s definitely clearing it."
"Hah! Hell, with a face like that, he could probably clear an SS-rank dungeon solo too."
Although his level had been slightly higher then, the dungeon sentries had only given him a cursory glance before letting him through, and the other hunters had merely chuckled or sneered briefly without much fanfare.

Now, however, things were different.
Not only were there dozens of people staring at him, but…
"Captain, look over there. It seems someone’s trying to solo-clear an S-rank dungeon."

"I heard he even has a recommendation from the Hunter Bureau Chief. He must be incredibly skilled."
"Vice Guild Master, should we approach him?"
Even prominent guilds like Ilsum and Muyoung were watching Hyunsoo closely.

Meanwhile…
"Shouldn’t we stop him? The twin dungeons are considered easier among S-rank ones, but soloing them is still nearly impossible."
"Yeah, what’s a perfectly normal-looking guy like him thinking?"
Among the spectators, murmurs of concern started to ripple through the crowd.

This was a stark contrast to his previous life.
The dungeon sentries, having finished their call with the Hunter Bureau, exchanged worried glances before addressing him again.
"It really is a recommendation from the Bureau Chief… You’re free to enter, Hunter Kang Hyunsoo. But… are you sure you want to do this solo? It’s dangerous."

Everywhere he turned, he was met with worried stares.
Yet Hyunsoo remained resolute.
"Yes, I’ll enter alone."

With that, he confidently strode toward the twin gates, ignoring the concerns of everyone at Yeouido Park.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the portal leading to the Tomb Dungeon.
FWOOOOOSH!

The gate emitted a brilliant light, swallowing Hyunsoo’s figure.
Sighs erupted from the onlookers as the light faded.
"Ah… he really went in."

"There goes another young hunter. He’s clearly skilled enough to know better, so why take such a reckless risk…?"
Though Hyunsoo’s entry had been bold, the general consensus was that he wouldn’t make it out. He wasn’t a famous hunter, and his equipment looked unremarkable—most assumed he’d fail.
Meanwhile, the hunters from Muyoung and Ilsum guilds approached the dungeon sentries to investigate further.

The vice guild master of Muyoung, Gwak Dowon, approached the sentry guarding the Tomb Dungeon portal and casually inquired, "What’s that hunter’s rank and name?"
"I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose personal information…."
"Oh, what’s this? Did someone drop trash here?" Gwak Dowon bent down, pretending to pick up something from the ground. From his inventory, he discreetly produced a high-grade ring, leaving it on the ground.

While it was merely a raid reward—a trivial item to him—it was akin to a winning lottery ticket for the sentry, who was just a civilian. The small ring was subtle enough to avoid attracting attention from the crowd.
"Ah, let me clean this up for you," Gwak Dowon offered, handing over the ring.
The sentry hesitated for a moment, then quickly pocketed the item, feigning nonchalance.

"A mid-tier hunter named Kang Hyunsoo… doesn’t seem familiar. He’s unaffiliated with any guild and appears to be a first-timer."
Though the sentry mumbled to himself, Gwak Dowon caught every word.
"Mid-tier…?" His brows furrowed in disappointment.

His subordinates approached as Gwak Dowon’s expression remained sour.
"Vice Guild Master, what’s the situation?"
"Disappointing. He’s mid-tier. Even at best, his level wouldn’t exceed 500."

"Mid-tier? Then why attempt a solo raid…?"
"Probably trying to hog all the experience for faster leveling. Tch. And he’s never cleared the Tomb Dungeon before. The outcome is obvious—he’s monster chow."
Gwak Dowon dismissed Hyunsoo as a lost cause.

The same conclusion was reached by Ilsum Guild.
After obtaining the same information from the sentry through a similar method, they quickly lost interest.
"Guild Master, his name is Kang Hyunsoo. A mid-tier hunter, unaffiliated, and a first-timer."

"Hmph. Nothing noteworthy."
Disappointed, they returned to their original positions.
Despite this, some within the larger guilds considered contingency plans.

"Vice Guild Master, should we have a scouting team on standby just in case?"
"Scouting team? For what?"
"You never know. What if he actually clears the dungeon solo?"

“Hah! If a mid-tier hunter does something even upper-tier hunters like me can’t, I’ll get on my knees and beg him to join us! No scouting team necessary!” Gwak Dowon laughed, clutching his stomach.
He was convinced it was impossible. The monsters in the Tomb Dungeon weren’t just individually strong—they often moved in groups.
And the dungeon’s boss monster? Even Gwak Dowon, a top hunter, found it challenging.

Both Muyoung and Ilsum Guilds were actively recruiting mercenaries and guild members to bolster their forces for the dungeon.
The idea of a mid-tier hunter solo-clearing it was inconceivable.
"Alright, stop wasting time on him and call in the rest of the guild members! We’re burning daylight here!" Gwak Dowon shouted, waving his subordinates off as he turned his attention away from the Tomb Dungeon.

***
Shiiiiik—!!
[You have entered an S-rank dungeon.]
[Defeat the boss monster to clear the dungeon (0/1).]

As his vision adjusted, the system message floated before Kang Hyunsoo’s eyes.
"Alright!"
He leapt from the portal, landing firmly on the ground as he scanned his surroundings.

Beneath a sky darkened by ominous storm clouds, a chill wind swept through the air. Before him stretched a seemingly endless expanse of graves—a scene eerie enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who witnessed it.
"Wow, just like I remember," Hyunsoo remarked.
"Exactly. Let’s hope the hidden piece is still here," Swallow chimed in.

Neither of them displayed a hint of tension. Despite being inside an S-rank dungeon, they casually chatted while taking in the landscape.
If anything...
"Ugh, I knew it. My Appearance Power took a hit the moment I stepped in here," Hyunsoo muttered, glancing at himself.

"You might want to change outfits, Master," Swallow suggested.
Hyunsoo was more concerned about his fashion than the dangers around him.
The moment he entered the Tomb Dungeon, a notification appeared:

[Appearance Trait: Harmony (A)]
[Your current outfit slightly clashes with the surrounding atmosphere.]
[Total score reduced by -1.]
[Overall score: 9/10.]
[Additional Appearance Power: +27.]
Frowning at the one-point deduction, Hyunsoo examined his clothes.
"Good thing I came prepared."

Instead of drawing his swords, Hyunsoo activated a skill, channeling mana throughout his body.
FWOOSH—!
A bright flash enveloped him, and the notification followed:

【Activated】
[Quick Change (S)]
[Switching to preset outfit #3.]
[Previous outfit stored automatically.]
[Outfit has been changed.]
In an instant, his casual training clothes and cap were replaced by a sleek black suit, polished shoes, and a neatly tied tie.
[Appearance Trait: Harmony (A)]
[Your attire respects the ambiance of the Abyssal Tomb.]
[Total score increased by +1.]
[Overall score: 10/10.]
[Additional Appearance Power: +30.]

With his new outfit, Hyunsoo’s score immediately hit the maximum.
Adjusting his sunglasses, Swallow chuckled from above. "Amazing. The pre-regression you wouldn’t have cared about your outfit at all."
"I don’t have a choice. Normally, I wouldn’t stress over a single point, but I’m in the middle of a quest. I don’t leave jobs half-done."

Due to the Absolute Beauty Quest 11, maintaining his Appearance Power was critical, even down to a single point.
With his attire sorted, only one task remained: finding the hidden piece. But before that, there was something he wanted to test.
"Alright, I’m ready. Time for a little experiment."

After finishing his preparations, Hyunsoo unsheathed his twin swords and stepped into the graveyard.
The moment his foot touched the ground—
RUMBLE! BOOM!

The earth beneath him exploded.
A massive cloud of dirt shot up, reaching toward the dark clouds above. Hyunsoo had already leapt aside, easily dodging the attack.
There was no question who was behind it.

From the gaping hole in the ground came a low growl.
[Lv 510. Abyssal Gravekeeper Mole]
A gigantic mole-like monster emerged, its claws razor-sharp and its eyes glowing an ominous red.

After spotting Hyunsoo, the creature burrowed back into the ground. Moments later, the earth began trembling again, as if an earthquake had struck.
RUMBLE! BOOM!
The ground where Hyunsoo had been standing erupted once more.

The attack was easily avoidable, but this time, Hyunsoo didn’t dodge. Instead, he angled his shoulder toward the oncoming claws as he leapt sideways through the dirt.
CRACK!
[The shoulder portion of Trust Armor has been damaged.]

Sparks flew as the mole’s claws struck the transparent shoulder guard surrounding Hyunsoo. The barrier shattered, the fragments dispersing into the air.
Using the monster’s forearm for leverage, Hyunsoo launched himself back to the ground. Watching from above, Swallow whistled in awe.
"As expected, S-rank monsters can damage Trust Armor."

"Yeah, I figured," Hyunsoo replied calmly.
Before entering the dungeon, Hyunsoo had decided to test his gear on a single monster. In his previous life, Trust Armor had been invincible in A-rank dungeons, but it wasn’t as reliable in S-rank environments.
And sure enough, the mole’s claws had shattered part of the armor.

It wasn’t a big deal, though. The armor would regenerate within half a day, and Hyunsoo had no intention of taking any more hits in this dungeon.
"Defense test complete. Now, let’s move on to offense."
Rotating his shoulder, Hyunsoo loosened up, preparing for the next phase.

GROOOOAR!!
The mole burrowed into the ground again, launching itself toward Hyunsoo in a new attack pattern.
This time, Hyunsoo responded with a flurry of skills.

【Activated】
[Frenzied Strike (B)]
[Black Spot Explosion (SS)]
He deflected the mole’s claws with a rapid series of strikes, closing the distance in an instant. Then, with a precise motion, he plunged the tip of his Flame Sword into the mole’s arm, creating a small, glowing orb of fire.
It wasn’t even a direct hit to a vital spot.

Yet the destruction was immense.
As the orange sphere expanded at the sword’s tip, the system notification popped up:
[Lv 510. Abyssal Gravekeeper Mole has been defeated.]
[You have gained experience.]
[Level up! All stats +1.]

BOOOOM!
The S-rank monster exploded into a shower of debris, annihilated in a single strike.