Yoonjeong’s morning starts early.
When it hits 6 AM, she opens and closes her eyes repeatedly, trying to shake off her groggy mind.
After about five minutes of this, she drags her heavy body, like a wet cotton blanket, to take a shower. Afterward, she checks her smart watch for reminders of her mounting debts.
[Park Yoonjeong’s current debt amount is 3,121,242,300 KRW.]
“…..Looks like it’s increased again.”
After finishing her shower, Yoonjeong puts on a black pendant that was lying on the table.
“Ah, it’s so cold….”
Even though it’s spring, the morning is quite chilly.
As an Awakened One, she shouldn’t easily catch a cold, but she still despises the cold itself, so Yoonjeong bundles up tightly.
It has been four months since Yoonjeong last saw her parents, who are both addicted to gambling and alcohol.
She thought they were only at Kangwon Land, but it turns out they are traveling across the country looking for illegal gambling dens, and now it is beyond her control.
As a human, it’s only natural to despise the biological parents who brought her into this world, no matter how much they resemble her.
As she drunkenly told Shia, damn them.
However, foolishly… stupidly, Yoonjeong cannot completely sever ties with them.
Her parents borrowed money under Yoonjeong’s name and got entangled in a complex web of debts, but the deeper reason is that Yoonjeong feels pity for them in her heart.
She couldn’t argue if someone called her a sucker.
Her parents were broken long before giving birth to Yoonjeong and were utterly lacking in every possible way.
The biological parents who gave birth to her cannot be considered good parents, so she had to fend for herself in cleaning, cooking, and even managing her meals since the age of three when she could barely stand.
Running away from her drunk parents and wandering around while recalling the memories isn’t exactly pleasant.
Sure, life is tough, but this reborn world has become even harsher for the weak.
Fortunately, after realizing she was an Awakened One, Yoonjeong left school and began walking the path of a Hunter, earning money more easily than the average person.
If she had gone to the Hunter Academy, she might have honed her skills better and received systematic training for a higher rank, but what academy could there be with tuition fees already squandered by her parents’ gambling?
Nevertheless, Yoonjeong became a Hunter from the ground up, even without attending the academy.
The Sanwool Guild has many issues, but if it weren’t for them, Yoonjeong wouldn’t have been able to become a Hunter at all.
Of course, even after becoming a Hunter, life didn’t significantly improve.
She didn’t have an overwhelmingly incredible awakening ability like Yeonseo from the textbooks. Without expensive gear, she had to clear suitable places with her low-grade Hunter party and gather scraps like a scavenger to earn her income.
Some Hunters drink expensive elixirs and mana potions that permanently enhance abilities, but that was just a fantasy for Yoonjeong.
Still, she pressed on.
She always had.
“Hang in there.
Don’t stop.
Even if the world is harsh, it won’t wait for you.”
“Hey guys, here’s the list of dungeons we’ll be touring today~”
“Oh dear.”
“Good job.”
Yoonjeong, who went to the Association early in the morning, collected all the dungeon requests that her party could enter in the Capital Region.
Basically, various requests or missions distributed to Hunters and Guilds through the Association are sent every morning at 9 AM to the guild’s official mail or individual smartwatches.
The problem is that Yoonjeong and her party are a low-grade Hunter party ranging from F to C grade.
With over 10,000 B-grade Hunters in Korea, the number of low-grade Hunters below that is just overwhelming.
And all these low-grade Hunters desperately compete to snatch requests for their income and livelihoods, meaning by the time Yoonjeong’s party sets off for the dungeon after the request notification arrives, they’ll be beaten to the punch by other parties who already secured the request.
So Yoonjeong deliberately wakes up early to check the tasks and dungeons tailored to their rank before returning to the guild.
“Ah, what would we have done without you, Yoonjeong?”
“If you know that, then give me a raise.”
“That’s the least we can do. Of course, after our dungeon tour…”
“You’re such a hard worker, little one.”
“Today, at least we only need to tour the Capital Region.”
“The car’s here. Get in, everyone!”
“Oh, you bought a new car?”
“It’s not even autonomous, what do you mean new?”
“Hey, mister, can you go inside? There’s no room!”
Fortunately, this time they only need to visit the gate dungeons in Seoul and the Capital Region a few times.
They’ll hunt corn beetle swarms without attack powers, collect seaweed and medicinal herbs from the Lake of Acids, and wreck a few goblin villages to control their population.
What was once difficult has become easy, and she can now swing the basic Hunter gear provided by the guild to fend off goblins.
Thwack, thwack!
[K-Squeak!]
[Bam!]
“Cleansing complete! Don’t chase the ones that run away!”
“Oof, Yoonjeong’s skills are improving.”
“Used to struggle catching even one goblin, and now she can clear goblin caves all on her own.”
“Even if you say that, there’s nothing left to pick up.”
Once the grind dubbed dungeon touring ends, it’s time to settle up.
Today, fortunately, the annoying Guild Master has been summoned somewhere, so there’s no need to return to the guild for regular reporting.
And as Shia said, the Guild Master doesn’t ‘remember at all’ what happened last time, which is fortunate for Yoonjeong.
“By the way, we’re done early today. Shall we have a group meal?”
“Ah, mister! Are you planning on going for a meal when you won’t even give me any alcohol?”
“Oh dear, brother. Yoonjeong despises group meals.”
“It’s not that I despise them, but when I go, I’m the only one not getting any snacks!”
“Come on, what’s a kid doing drinking?”
“My birthday is coming up!”
Ding ding!
“Hello, I’ve got the call….. Yes? Alright! Understood……..”
“What’s going on?”
“The Guild Master called for me?”
“What? Why that jerk again?”
Given that public sentiment about the Guild Master is low… or rather, no one likes the jerk who embodies poor attitudes, including Yoonjeong and her fellow Hunters, they all wore sour expressions.
“Well… It’s a full summon.”
“Eh? Isn’t that just calling the party leader? Isn’t he just gonna start his drivel again?”
“No, it’s a summon for all guild members.”
“Damn it, what’s going on again? Can’t Yoonjeong be sent home?”
“Well… it seems we cannot. They say they’ve even summoned civilian staff and accounting clerks; something must be up. They said they won’t tolerate even one missing party member.”
“Damn that jerk….”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s go take a look.”
Despite the complaints on her face, the Guild Master’s summons were absolute.
Especially since it wasn’t just a regular gathering of leaders or key members; calling the entire guild meant something special was up.
In the end, Yoonjeong and her party members gathered at the guild building where the Sanwool Guild members were assembling.
Basically, Sanwool Guild isn’t one of Korea’s top ten guilds, but it operates as a branch of the huge Chinese San Guild, supported by massive funds from the San Guild, allowing them to rent or build larger structures.
Fundamentally, Sanwool Guild advocates welfare for low-grade Hunters.
Although they have tangled low-grade Hunters in debts and complex and malicious schemes, they remain the only sanctuary and job-providing guild for Hunters without a path.
“Is our guild usually this crowded?”
“Only the party leaders usually gather.”
“Where’s that Guild Master? Called us here and hasn’t even shown up.”
“But hey, who are those people in red?”
At Yoonjeong’s question, she noticed individuals in red clothing scattered throughout the guild building.
“…Don’t look. They’re probably Hunters from the San Guild.”
“Are they dangerous?”
“It’s not good to catch the eyes of the Chinese.”
Yoonjeong agreed.
After all, the Guild Master had made several suspicious ‘offers’ to send her to China in the past.
There’s no such thing as free. No gold or silver comes without a price. Yoonjeong has been rejecting the Guild Master’s proposals so far.
Soon after, a lineup of people in red clothing appeared atop a high platform where guild members gathered, and then the Guild Master of Sanwool Guild made his appearance.
“Is everyone here? Ahem, I understand this sudden gathering surprised you all.”
The Guild Master, who typically presents himself as relaxed and tyrannical, displaying an ill-natured disposition, looked unusually tense and rigid today.
What’s going on? Did he eat something wrong?
“Our Sanwool Guild is a Korean branch of the world’s largest guild, located in Shanxi Province, China, known as the ‘San Guild’. Most of you know that San Guild operates a system for exchange Hunters and support Hunters every year. Thanks to that, a few members from Sanwool Guild get integrated into San Guild annually, receiving massive support and ability training.”
Most Hunters in this place aspired to travel to China after being selected as exchange Hunters from the San Guild.
“I was the same. Once a mere D-grade, but thanks to the gracious support from San Guild, I became an A-grade Hunter and now the owner of Sanwool Guild.”
On the surface, the support policy and exchange Hunter system from San Guild sounded really sweet.
The amounts of financial support were tremendous, and paths to become stronger opened up. They even heard it can wipe clean all debts accumulated in Korea.
“Of course, while I can’t guarantee that being selected by the San Guild can make you strong like me, for you lot who lived picking up scraps like a scavenger and killing weak goblins only to feel accomplished, being selected by the San Guild presents an enormous opportunity. It can totally turn your bottom-tier life around.”
“……”
Despite his insulting remarks, the Hunters gathered there could not raise a voice against him.
The Guild Master’s words may have been unpleasant and annoying, but they were not incorrect.
“And every year, I’ve been selecting Hunters eligible for the exchange Hunter system set by the San Guild based on certain criteria… but this year, someone from the San Guild came directly.”
At that moment, two shadows emerged behind the Guild Master.
No one, including Yoonjeong, noticed when they appeared.
Was it due to their speed, or had they used a teleportation skill like Yeonseo?
They just appeared behind the Guild Master at some point.
“I’d like to introduce you. This is Baek Wisin Hunter, an executive from the San Guild and leader of the Vanguard Division, Baek Wisin!”
“Nice to meet you.”
Baek Wisin Hunter was of tremendous size.
Standing at 2 meters… or possibly 3 meters, his colossal height made it confusing whether he was a human or a humanoid monster, and though his beard was long, his muscular physique was exceedingly impressive.
“Whoa…. if that hand catches me, I’d be toast, right?”
“If he’s from the San Guild, he’s probably an S-grade, right?”
“Don’t know, but he looks tougher than our Guild Master.”
“Shhh, quiet down.”
Usually, the Guild Master would hurl insults and kick at the legs, but today he was uncharacteristically muted.
As the guild members quieted down, the Guild Master then introduced a woman with braided white hair standing to his left.
“Ahem, and this is Wang Soyoung. Like Hunter Baek Wisin, she’s an executive from the San Guild, and the leader of Black Plum Blossom.”
“Hello, everyone from Korea~”
Wang Soyoung, speaking fluently in Korean, smiled while unfolding a fan.
[Ah, you couldn’t speak Korean, right?]
[We could just use the drones.]
[You’re so stupid, it’ll take until tomorrow for the drone to get a Korean language patch, what do you plan to do? I told you to have it done beforehand. Ugh, that’s what happens with muscle-bound idiots….. I’ll just speak alone, right?]
[Yeah, go ahead….]
“Ahem! As my colleague, Hunter Baek Wisin mentioned, we are dispatched from the San Guild, the overlord of Shanxi Province. We came as representatives of the San Guild because an S-grade promotion ceremony is being held in Korea, but we might have arrived a bit too early?”
She looked quite pretty and young but carried an ominous air, reminiscent of a snake-like woman.
“So, the promotion ceremony hasn’t started yet, but we wanted to check out some new talent from the Sanwool Guild.”
“Talent?”
“Are you announcing another selection?”
“Didn’t you just pick someone in December?”
“Oh….”
“Will this time be any different?”
“Yeah, right. What can you possibly…”
“Alright, everyone, focus. The criteria for selection isn’t merely strength. The San Guild aims to select candidates suitable for the support Hunter system based on special standards. Unfortunately, we can’t share the selection criteria with you, but understand this is a rare opportunity. If any of you wish to participate in the support Hunter system, please head to those dressed in red and give them your name and ID number…”
At that moment, Yoonjeong’s eyes met Wang Soyoung’s.
Was it a misunderstanding? Just as she began to think so, Wang Soyoung’s eyes widened.
“…You can tell me. I realize this sudden call must have been inconvenient; thank you for coming.” As you leave, behind you, we’ve also prepared some mementos and meal vouchers brought by the San Guild to take with you.”
“Oh, it’s finally over.”
“Are you going to apply, old man?”
“If applying could be a jackpot, why not? At the very least, I won’t lose much.”
“Then let’s all apply.”
“At least they’re giving us meal vouchers; that’s a relief…”
…What the heck?
Yoonjeong sensed an uneasy energy from Wang Soyoung’s eyes where they had just met.
It can’t be anything serious.
What interest could an S-grade Hunter from China possibly have in a lowly High School Hunter?
“Excuse me! Hey!”
“…Yes…?”
At that moment, someone grabbed Yoonjeong’s shoulder, causing her to turn her head.
Turning around, she was confronted by Wang Soyoung and Baek Wisin, along with the two accompanying members in red clothing.
Surprised by Baek Wisin and Wang Soyoung’s sudden approach, Yoonjeong and her party members froze as well.
Wait, wait! Weren’t they trying to leave?
Why are they suddenly coming up to me?
[Suitable candidate.]
[Candidate? Really? A kid like this?]
[I’m sure. The flower reacted.]
After murmuring amongst themselves in Chinese, Wang Soyoung smiled as harmlessly as possible and asked Yoonjeong.
“What’s your name?”
“…Park Yoonjeong.”
While they were unexpected visitors, at least these people were higher-ups than the Guild Master of the Sanwool Guild.
There’s no need to raise any suspicions, so Yoonjeong gave her name without hesitation.
“Uh, Wang Soyoung Hunter? What do you need? If there’s anything you need from me…”
In the meantime, the suddenly acting Wang Soyoung and Baek Wisin left the Guild Master, who seemed flustered, bowing his head to them, as if to say he didn’t expect Wang Soyoung to take an interest in Yoonjeong.
However, Wang Soyoung seemed unconcerned with the Guild Master, ignoring him and focusing solely on Yoonjeong.
“I need to take you with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, I see how that could be misleading. May I have a moment of your time, Yoonjeong?”
●●●●
Following the two, Yoonjeong entered a cafe-like building near the Sanwool Guild.
The cafe appeared to have been remodeled as a temporary office, and there were far more individuals dressed in red now than when they were at the Sanwool Guild.
“Just a moment; let me explain~”
“….Okay.”
Wang Soyoung and Baek Wisin then left, and in their place, several genteel individuals dressed in suits, potentially lawyers, greeted Yoonjeong.
They were remarkably courteous towards her, speaking in a very low and polite manner.
“Nice to meet you. I am Ryang Hwachun, an administrative officer from the San Guild Law Firm. You can simply call me Officer Hwachun.”
While some in suits glanced at Yoonjeong with a nuisance look, the officer addressed her in fluent Korean in a kind tone.
“Excuse me, but we looked into your personal information, Yoonjeong.”
“And?”
“You’ve got quite a debt, don’t you?”
“And?”
“Loans, third financial sector… the interest is astronomical. Looks like your life is pretty much mortgaged!”
“This would make it easy to pull you over.”
“Hey, you shouldn’t say that in front of the party!”
“I apologize, Yoonjeong.”
“Hello?”
“Yes, please speak up.”
“I still don’t know why I’m even here. But if you keep talking about my debts, you’re not giving me any reason to listen to you.”
“My apologies, we’re being impolite. I apologize, Yoonjeong. There, isn’t that correct, everyone? You should all apologize too.”
“Uh, sorry.”
“Apologies.”
Their response was almost like beggars, and Yoonjeong started feeling quite put off already.
“That’s not it at all. I’m glad to tell you that Yoonjeong is a candidate optimally suited for our San Guild’s exchange Hunter program.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly??
I’ve been stuck in the Sanwool Guild for over three years, and out of nowhere, they’re saying I’m an ideal candidate?
The Guild Master just told me I lacked talent and to stick to grinding in dungeons last year and the year prior; what’s going on now?
“It may feel sudden, but it’s true. I can’t disclose the criteria yet, but if Yoonjeong signs here and agrees to transfer to the San Guild, we promise full support.”
“…Why?”
“Because Yoonjeong is the kind of candidate we need.”
“What is the criteria? I’m just a low-grade Hunter barely even in adulthood.”
“I can’t provide specific details. However, if Yoonjeong signs here, all current debts will be covered by the San Guild, and in addition, they will fully support the awakening ability curriculum for Yoonjeong and, if you wish, provide a dedicated weapon and even housing in Shanxi Province.”
It’s sweet.
So sweet.
Upon inspection, only the benefits stood out.
“I’ll decline.”
“Excuse me?”
“Wait, what?”
“Eh?”
The officials and suit-wearing individuals reacted with utter shock at her unexpected response.
“I’m not interested.”
“Hey, we’re saying this for your own good…”
“Why though, Yoonjeong? Did we not meet your criteria? Isn’t that an overwhelming offer for a low-grade Hunter?”
“I know, but I just don’t want to.”
Yoonjeong couldn’t quite figure out how to articulate this feeling.
Even though it was an incredibly luxurious offer, she felt uneasy since walking into this building.
“Come on, there must be a reason!”
“A reason? I have none. I just don’t want to.”
“Huh…”
“It’s going to be problematic if you keep this up, Yoonjeong. You think we enjoy being in this position? If you remain uncooperative, we won’t have a choice…”
“Of course! Why would you want to take the hard road when there’s a simple one? The San Guild will relieve all your debts, you know? You could start a new life in Shanxi Province!”
“Just close your eyes and sign once. The moment you leave here, it’ll be far better than it is now…”
Thud!
“What was that?”
Suddenly, someone burst through the door of the room Yoonjeong was in with a loud crash. The intruder was… not someone Yoonjeong or the officials expected.
“Hey.”
“…Shia… sis?”
What the heck is she doing here?!
“You shouldn’t be here! Get out now!”
“Get her out!”
Then more members dressed in red from the San Guild rushed in following Shia.
Of course, this place was private property of the San Guild.
While Yoonjeong might have been invited, Shia was an intruder without invitation.
However, despite the incoming personnel, Shia didn’t even glance at them.
She merely extended her hand towards Yoonjeong.
As if indicating to grab hold of it.
“…Let’s eat.”
“………..”
“If I eat alone… it gets lonely.”
“……….”
Well… it is lonely…
As Yoonjeong instinctively reached out to take Shia’s hand, suddenly,
[What’s going on now?]
Then the imposing figure of Baek Wisin emerged.
With a stature of over 3 meters, Baek Wisin looming over leaned into the already cramped room, intensifying the density even further.
[Baek Wisin Hunter! ]
[It’s nothing serious. Just a minor scuffle. I’ll handle it shortly…]
[It seems a bit loud for a minor scuffle…. huh?]
At that moment, Baek Wisin’s gaze met Shia’s.
Shia possessed penetrating golden eyes, radiating fury and killer intent, yet simultaneously controlled and restrained.
‘Oh? Look at this?’
The moment he locked eyes with her, Baek Wisin stared back in disbelief.
The eyes were very much alive.
No, more than alive.
As the commander of the San Guild’s Vanguard Division, Baek Wisin had faced many formidable opponents, and at that moment, an electric nerve gripped him, starting from his spine, feeling awake and alert.
Ah, I haven’t felt this sensation in a long time.
This sensation was akin to facing an S-grade raid dungeon monster.
If a regular person encounters a tiger, they can experience a primal bodily freeze, feeling paralyzed from the sheer fear of the sight, and the same happened when Hunters face monsters powerful enough for their lives to be in danger.
It was a sensation Baek Wisin had rarely encountered in his life.
Once, back when he was a mere B-grade Hunter, he inadvertently came across an S-grade raid boss. The other time was when he first met Cheon Danaa, the head of the San Guild.
And today, he felt that tingling sense once again.
[Right, I remember. I’ve seen someone like you in the data. I didn’t expect to see you here… so, you must be Isia?]
“…You know me?”
[I’ve heard you’re on air, right? With just a bit of searching, I can find out that you’re participating in the S-grade promotion ceremony.]
Looks like she’s become a celebrity now.
Indeed, the S-grade promotion ceremony had surpassed being merely a small-scale event in Korea.
“……..”
[Do you want to take that girl?]
At that, Shia looked up at Baek Wisin.
[Let’s have a match.]
“…What?”
At the sudden suggestion, Shia tilted her head, and not just Yoonjeong, but even the red-clad translators stared in shock.
[It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone like you. I don’t know why, but my heart and muscles are tingling. You’re participating in S-grade promotion; you must be strong, right?]
“………”
[Do you want to take her? If you beat me, you can take her right away.]
“Sure, sounds good.”
[Good! That’s how you should…! ]
Thump!
[Huh?]
Boom!!
In an instant, Shia grabbed Baek Wisin by the collar and slammed him to the ground.
The series of actions happened in a snail’s pace, fast enough to leave everyone, including other people close by and even Baek Wisin, the S-grade Hunter of the San Guild, unable to react.
“…………?”
“…….Huh?”
However, that alone could never defeat an S-grade Hunter like Baek Wisin.
Even as he felt an astonishingly warm sensation dripping down from where his head had been slammed to the ground, he desperately tried to rise.
“What is this?”
[Miracle – Burst]
Swoosh!!!
In less than a second, Shia had not only smashed Baek Wisin into the ground but had also set off a powerful shock wave atop his head.
Since she adjusted the power appropriately, his life wouldn’t be at risk.
“…Wha, huh?!?!”
“Captain!!!”
“Kyaah?! ”
“Get him out!”
“Call Wang Soyoung!”
“Hey, restrain her!”
“Is he unconscious?!”
Amidst the chaos, members clad in red began to panic.
While they were still preoccupied, Shia calmly again extended her hand to Yoonjeong.
“………Let’s go, Yoonjeong.”
“Wha, what’s going on…..”
“C’mon. Let’s go.”
“Heck, is this for real…..”
And no one stopped Shia as she took Yoonjeong’s hand and walked out.
