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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Hunter Association, Returnee Management Headquarters.
Kim Dong-jun, who was sitting idly at his desk playing online Go-Stop as usual, suddenly contorted his face after seeing a work messenger notification pop up.
“What?”
Understanding the content itself wasn’t difficult.
It simply stated to fully support Team Leader Jo Kang-hyun without question, per Vice President Go Tae-hyun’s instructions.
‘What does “without question” mean? Does it mean I have to proceed even if I don’t agree?’
Why were these instructions given?
When he considered the reason, the answer was simple.
‘It’s because of Returnee Lee Seong-jun’s outstanding performance in the bet between me and that Jo Kang-hyun bastard! Damn it, it’s like I did all the work for nothing!’
Initially, he had stirred up trouble not to help Lee Seong-jun, but to hinder Jo Kang-hyun, but such thoughts were no longer present in Kim Dong-jun’s mind.
‘If I hadn’t suggested defeating the boss monster, Returnee Lee Seong-jun wouldn’t have had a chance to make a name for himself! This is my achievement. So why? Why are there instructions to fully support Jo Kang-hyun?’
Just as anger began to boil within the selfish and petty Kim Dong-jun,
“Director. I’ll be leaving for a field assignment.”
Jo Kang-hyun, returning to the headquarters with quick steps, packed his belongings lightly, approached Kim Dong-jun, bowed his head, and spoke.
Kim Dong-jun asked with reddened eyes,
“Field assignment? You were just away from your desk, and where are you going again?”
“It’s Vice President’s orders.”
“…”
A request for full support from the Vice President.
Recalling the message from the work messenger, Kim Dong-jun clenched his fists and asked,
“Where are you going?”
“I can’t disclose that.”
“…What?”
“I’ll tell you after the objective is achieved. I apologize.”
It was obvious.
He was going to recruit Returnee Lee Seong-jun.
Kim Dong-jun spoke with certainty.
“I’ll go with you. If it’s an important task, I might be needed as the director.”
“I apologize. Accompanying me is also impossible.”
Kim Dong-jun’s eyes narrowed, his plan to naturally join Jo Kang-hyun and share the credit thwarted.
“It’s Vice President’s orders.”
“Ugh…!”
Annoyed by the repeated excuse of the Vice President’s orders, Kim Dong-jun momentarily let out a frustrated sound, but in the end, he could only turn his head and wave his hand dismissively.
“Get out.”
“I’ll be back.”
Jo Kang-hyun, maintaining a gentlemanly attitude until the end, left the headquarters.
Dissatisfaction and anger naturally welled up in Kim Dong-jun’s heart as he watched his retreating figure,
But he didn’t have the courage to directly confront Vice President Go Tae-hyun, an SS-rank Hunter.
What if he told his father, Chairman Kim Seok-hoon of Myung Ye Group, who could be considered his backer?
‘He’ll just scold me for whining like a child.’
Impulsively informing the Returnee Alliance or guilds about Lee Seong-jun’s existence wouldn’t yield a different result either.
‘I might die.’
His father, Kim Seok-hoon, was even more frightening than Vice President Go Tae-hyun.
Kim Dong-jun, shuddering briefly, directed his anger at Jo Kang-hyun, who was showing a rebellious attitude, and at Lee Seong-jun, who had caused this situation.
‘Come to think of it, it’s suspicious. How could a guy who received an F-rank upon returning hunt a Super Gorilla alone after just a few days?’
Perhaps Lee Seong-jun had cheated!
He must have had help, and it was clear that Jo Kang-hyun had assisted him.
A sinister glint appeared in Kim Dong-jun’s eyes as he indulged in his own imagination.
‘Yes, that’s the only explanation. Why didn’t I think of this from the beginning! I just need to find out what they’re hiding. Then I can screw Jo Kang-hyun over, and I can catch that cheating Lee Seong-jun and lock him up. Let’s put a tail on them.’
Kim Dong-jun hurriedly picked up his phone and started sending messages somewhere.
A sly smile spread across his face.
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After finishing the test and hunt, Lee Seong-jun first stopped by the Hunter Association headquarters.
Unlike the previous F-rank Gate, this E-rank Gate was practically deserted, so there was no association-operated exchange at the entrance.
‘This is going to take longer than I thought.’
The number displayed on the counter was 162, and the waiting number ticket in Lee Seong-jun’s hand was 189.
There were 27 people waiting. Although there were quite a few counters, it had taken an average of over 10 minutes per person, so it would take at least 30 minutes, or possibly over an hour.
‘Considering the travel time, dinner with my family might be difficult today.’
It was already 5:30 PM, and dinner time with his family, the only one they had each day, was approaching.
Not being able to attend this most precious time was quite disheartening for Lee Seong-jun.
‘Next time I go hunting, I should go to a place with an exchange at the entrance if possible…’
He couldn’t easily finalize the thought that came to mind.
More people meant fewer monsters for him to hunt.
This meant that not only his income from hunting but also his leveling speed would lag somewhat.
‘Or should I decide where to belong as soon as possible?’
The roles of guilds and alliances were largely twofold: supporting and providing convenience to their affiliated Hunters.
Support literally meant providing human and material resources necessary for monster hunting.
It wasn’t particularly necessary for Lee Seong-jun at the moment, but the second role, providing convenience, had considerable merit.
This was because the guild or alliance staff would wait for the Hunters to finish clearing the Gate, check the loot they brought out, and immediately deposit the cash.
He wouldn’t have to waste time like this.
‘But the losses would be significant as well.’
There would inevitably be restrictions on his actions, as he would have to operate according to the schedule of the organization he belonged to.
From Lee Seong-jun’s perspective, who valued his family life and work-life balance, this was a rather undesirable aspect.
In the end, Lee Seong-jun could only shake his head.
‘Until I can secure the contract conditions I want, I have no choice but to be a little more diligent.’
Just as Lee Seong-jun, having neatly organized his thoughts, sat quietly waiting for his turn,
“Greetings, Returnee Lee Seong-jun.”
It was a familiar face, the man he had met just yesterday, Team Leader Jo Kang-hyun of the Returnee Management Team.
“We meet again.”
Although it was an unexpected encounter, Lee Seong-jun’s expression showed no surprise.
Instead, a faint smile played on his lips.
He had passed the test.
Moreover, he had shown overwhelming results.
The association would undoubtedly be interested.
“I’d like to talk with you, Returnee Lee Seong-jun. Would you mind sparing me some time if you’re available?”
Since Jo Kang-hyun’s attitude had become considerably more polite than before, there wouldn’t be any problem starting the conversation right away.
However, to raise his value, he couldn’t be led around by the other party’s wishes.
He would clearly establish who held the upper hand and lead the negotiation.
“For free?”
Jo Kang-hyun’s eyes darted around before settling on the waiting number ticket in Lee Seong-jun’s hand.
“If it’s about processing your loot, I can handle it immediately within my authority.”
As he had felt when they first met, Jo Kang-hyun was quite perceptive.
Lee Seong-jun, with a satisfied smile, spoke again.
“Would it be alright if we talked on the way to my house?”
Although it was a somewhat absurd proposal, it was an important point for Lee Seong-jun.
If he headed straight home now, he could have dinner with his family.
‘It doesn’t matter even if he refuses.’
To be precise, he made the offer knowing that Jo Kang-hyun couldn’t refuse.
Since the association was now under pressure due to today’s test, they would accept any proposal he made.
Indeed, Jo Kang-hyun readily nodded.
“By all means. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’ll drive you home.”
“Sounds good.”
“Thank you for allowing me.”
Lee Seong-jun chuckled and, guided by Jo Kang-hyun, boarded the elevator heading to the underground parking lot.
Beep!
As Jo Kang-hyun pressed the button, the lights of his parked car turned on, and the doors unlocked.
“Please get in. I’ll ensure a comfortable and safe ride to your destination.”
As Lee Seong-jun stepped through the open door and into the car, Jo Kang-hyun spoke again.
“Then, let’s depart.”
Jo Kang-hyun finished speaking and stepped on the accelerator.
Vroom-
The black sedan smoothly glided onto the road.
“Would you like some snacks?”
“I’m fine. I’d rather have a proper conversation.”
At Lee Seong-jun’s words, Jo Kang-hyun, his expression hardening slightly, began to speak.
“As you wish, I’ll get straight to the point. We’d like to scout you, Returnee Lee Seong-jun, to our Hunter Association.”
As a government agency, the Hunter Association was known for its time-consuming procedures.
Yet, Jo Kang-hyun was confidently making a scout offer even before a day had passed.
“You’re working faster than I expected.”
“As you’ve probably heard, the association isn’t normally this fast. But things are moving quickly because it concerns Returnee Lee Seong-jun, and I can promise you it will be like this from now on as well.”
Lee Seong-jun smiled silently at Jo Kang-hyun’s confident words.
While it was a commendable attitude, he wasn’t going to skip over the most important part.
“I’d like to hear the detailed conditions.”
“First, we’re offering a signing bonus of 5 billion won and an annual salary of 500 million won. I know this is far less than what you’re worth, Returnee Lee Seong-jun…”
As a government agency, the Hunter Association inevitably lacked the financial resources of guilds or returnee alliances, which were classified as private companies.
In fact, the association had lost numerous talented individuals to guilds and alliances due to this funding issue.
“So, I’ve put a lot of thought into preparing this. First, our Hunter Association promises Returnee Lee Seong-jun maximum freedom.”
After speaking, Jo Kang-hyun checked Lee Seong-jun’s expression through the rearview mirror.
His expression was utterly stiff, showing no interest whatsoever.
But Jo Kang-hyun wasn’t disappointed.
On the contrary, his eyes shone brighter than ever.
‘This was the expected reaction.’
To be honest, he didn’t know much about Lee Seong-jun.
What he had heard from his subordinate, what he read in the report, and their brief encounter a few minutes ago were all he had.
Therefore, he had delved into and thought about Returnee Lee Seong-jun even more frantically.
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