Chapter 41: The Unorthodox Legion

[You have Awakened.]

Park Sang-hyun.

He had changed jobs.

In today’s world, that wasn’t anything special.

With an Awakening rate of about 1 in 10, he’d seen friends Awaken too.

What mattered was the ability.

A mediocre ability meant no Hunter career, often relegating one to administrative roles in a guild.

Park Sang-hyun’s ability was—

[Status Window]

• Name: Park Sang-hyun
  
• Level: 1
  
• Job: Fighter
  
• Ability: Werewolf (S)
  
• Strength: 10
  
• Agility: 10
  
• Health: 10
  
• Intelligence: 10
  
• Wisdom: 10
  

“S-grade!”

At first, he was thrilled.

An S-grade ability, Werewolf.

It granted beastly strength, and as an S-grade ability, it was exceptionally powerful.

He thought it’d easily get him into a major guild.

But reality was different.

• Sorry, Park Sang-hyun-nim. Your job doesn’t fit our guild…
  
• Congratulations on Awakening an S-grade ability, Park Sang-hyun-nim. However, we…
  

Major guilds rejected him.

S-grade ability, Werewolf.

It unleashed beastly strength but limited usable equipment.

Only “claw” weapons, rarely crafted by blacksmiths and with abysmal Gate drop rates, could be used.

Plus, armor had to be fur-lined light armor, adding strict equipment conditions.

Smaller guilds offered spots, but he’d have to source his own gear.

“Should I start my own guild?”

If he couldn’t be a dragon’s tail, why not a snake’s head?

But that had issues too.

Even with an S-grade ability, growth was tough without proper equipment.

“Damn it…”

He’d been so excited about his S-grade ability.

Who knew it’d come to this?

Sighing heavily, Park Sang-hyun opened the system to browse the community.

There, a new guild’s name was trending.

[Anyone seen Vulcanus Guild?]

Their benefits are insane. ㄷㄷ

• What benefits?
  
• Unlimited use of Vulcanus-provided equipment. lol
  
• Wait, Vulcanus Guild is from that Vulcanus Forge?
  
• A forge guild. lol Of course they’d make gear. What’s so great about that? lol
  
• What if the shared gear is SS-grade?
  
• Where do I apply?
  

“Vulcanus Guild?”

Park Sang-hyun had heard of Vulcanus.

The forge was a hot topic in the Hunter world lately.

And they’d started a guild.

[Vulcanus Guild’s founding benefits are wild]

They’re only taking newbies now, but the support is unreal. Full Level 1 gear sets, and they’ll craft exclusive items if none fit.

They provide level-appropriate gear as you level up.

The kicker? All shared gear is S~SS-grade.

• S-grade?
  
• Is that even possible?
  
• It’s Vulcanus, so yeah. lol
  
• Wow! I thought Vulcanus was just a name, but they’re churning out S~SSS-grade gear like a factory.
  
• Is this real?
  
• It’s real, that’s why it’s happening. lol
  

The praise was overwhelming.

How good could the gear be for a brand-new guild to get such hype?

Curious, Park Sang-hyun visited the Vulcanus Guild page.

The gear he saw—

“Double S-grade?!”

It was really SS-grade.

Unbelievable defense for Level 1 armor.

It felt like he could stand in an S-grade dungeon and not get scratched.

The all-stat boost suited his Magic Swordsman class, which used every stat, perfectly.

Plus, experience and speed boosts.

Even the renowned Royal Guild couldn’t offer such gear.

“The salary’s solid too.”

Having researched major guild contracts and salaries after his S-grade Awakening, he knew instantly.

Vulcanus Guild’s contracts were better than most major guilds.

And with a blacksmith as guild master—

“Could they make my gear?”

The community and guild page mentioned it.

If no shared gear was usable, they’d craft exclusive equipment.

Exclusive gear made by Vulcanus himself.

That sealed it for Park Sang-hyun.

“I’m joining!”

He decided to join Vulcanus Guild.

Days later.

I checked the Vulcanus Guild page while talking to Nam Bora via system call.

• We have thousands of applicants.
  
• Filtering for S-grade and above, about two hundred.
  
• Over ten are S-grade.
  

“That many?”

• Our benefits are just that good.
  
• Salaries are set above major guilds, and unlimited SS-grade gear is a huge draw.
  

The number of applicants exceeded expectations.

Especially rare-ability S-grade Awakened.

“A Fighter with… Werewolf (S)?”

• It’s Werewolf, but they only inherited its traits, no claws, so they need claw weapons.
  
• Claws aren’t common, so they’ve been struggling.
  
• These types are called stragglers.
  
• They’re costly to invest in, and their unique combat style doesn’t fit guild hunts.
  
• They say they’ll pledge loyalty if you craft their gear.
  

“I’ll try making shared claws. Oh, let’s do it now. If they like it, sign them immediately.”

• Got it. Their gear needs are tough, but with the right conditions, they’ll outshine other S-grades.

Claws.

Hook-shaped weapons mimicking beast claws.

Also called twin daggers or gauntlets, they’re uncommon with scarce market supply.

[Please specify the details of the claw’s shape.]

I referenced claw designs online.

For newbie gear, I kept it simple.

Blending Vulcanus’ signature black and red, I stamped our seal.

[Please choose the material for the claws.]

As newbie gear, I used moderate materials.

[Crafting begins.]

I started crafting.

Having made dozens of Level 1 gear, it was easy.

I could hammer mindlessly and finish quickly.

First time making claws, but Level 1 gear was simple, yielding SS-grade results.

[Crafting is complete.]

[‘Vulcanus’ Claws for New Members’ has been obtained.]

[Vulcanus’ Claws for New Members]

Type: Claws

Grade: SS

Restriction: Level 1 or higher, Vulcanus Guild member

Description: Claws crafted by Hephaestus’ descendant for their soldiers.

Attack: 100

Abilities:

1. Newcomer – All stats increase by 5.
   
2. Growth – Experience gain speed increases by 20%.
   
3. Volcano – Slightly increases attack; all stats increase the longer the battle lasts.
   
4. Member of Vulcanus – Stats of abilities increase with each equipped item bearing the ‘Vulcanus’ name.
   

Nothing special, just standard claws.

I could’ve made them better, but they’re not even official members yet, right?

Like other gear, basic options would suffice for a showcase.

I sent the gear to Nam Bora, and her reply came quickly.

• They want to join immediately.

“S-grade Awakened aren’t that rare?”

• They’re super rare.
  
• Normally, S-grade Awakened can join major guilds easily.
  
• But these are exceptions.
  
• S-grade, but their abilities are tough for major guilds to nurture.
  

She was right.

Some S-grade Awakened seemed ordinary, but most had unique jobs or abilities.

• If we can support them, they’ll be major assets.
  
• They’re perfect for our Vulcanus Guild.
  
• With this momentum, we can build teams around S-grade Awakened, supported by others.
  

“Hmm, the next candidate is a Warrior with Cleanup Batter? Needs a baseball bat?”

• Their ability looks promising.

“Suddenly, Werewolf feels normal.”

The abilities were wild.

An Earth Mage with Gaia’s Worker, requiring a shovel as a weapon.

A Thief with Severance, needing scissors.

“Scissors? That’s easy.”

An Awakened wielding a Saber Whip, multiple blades connected by wires, used like a whip.

Another limited to using a knife.

Unheard-of Awakened flooded in.

Even—

• Another S-grade application. Ability is… Muse of Tragedy.

“Muse? Like a bard?”

• Yes. They’re asking if you can make a harp.

Unique Awakened, inspired by existing members, started applying.

Where had these abilities been hiding?

Each one was more bizarre than the last.

As we accepted members—

“This is turning into a freakshow guild, isn’t it?”

• I didn’t expect this.

We’d recruited many high-grade Awakened.

But their abilities were chaotic.

Forming teams with these would be a challenge.

Still—

• We’ve already got over ten S-grade Awakened. If nurtured well, we could rival major guilds’ combat power soon.

The guild’s average grade already matched major guilds.

The chaotic, freakshow vibe was concerning, but it was undeniably a dazzling start.