- Hanul Guild’s Massive Layoffs! Is Disbandment Inevitable?
- Hanul Guild Scouts Former Trainer and Porter Awakened Hunter Lee Hyunbin (30) as Third Raid Team Leader.
- The First Domestic Porter to Earn a 6 Billion Won Annual Salary.
“This is ridiculous.”
“No kidding.”
The man folded the newspaper as if crumpling trash, openly expressing his dissatisfaction.
The person sitting opposite him was no different.
Both belonged to the Hanul Guild’s Team 3, which was currently a hot topic of discussion.
“A porter making 6 billion?”
“Yeah, and they say he’s coming in as the raid team leader.”
“He’s going to join our team.”
Hanul Guild currently has three raid teams.
Team 1, led by Yang Cheonsu, who was aligned with the former Union Chief.
Team 2, home to Kim Changyeon, a notorious troublemaker in the Hunter world known for causing trouble while drunk.
And Team 3, which still exists but had been leaderless due to the previous team leader’s contract expiring, leaving a vacancy.
“Honestly, shouldn’t Kimon hyung be the one stepping up as team leader this time?”
“Eh, I’m not exactly leader material.”
The man, quietly listening to his team members, waved his hands with a gentle smile.
“No, if it weren’t for Kimon hyung, Team 3—or rather, Hanul Guild—would’ve disbanded long ago. While Teams 1 and 2 were busy getting into all sorts of accidents, who was quietly contributing to local dungeon clearances?”
Kim Kimon.
Once overshadowed by the power struggle between Teams 1 and 2, Team 3 was constantly shuffled through various leaders due to a lack of stability.
If not for Kim Kimon, a longtime fixture in Hanul Guild, Team 3 might not have lasted this long.
And suddenly, some porter with no Hunter ranking is going to become team leader?
After all the endurance in this garbage guild, this is all the thanks Team 3 gets?
It was nothing short of an insult to Team 3.
“This damn guild is full of parachute drops. No wonder it’s a mess.”
“It’s disgusting. We should just quit the guild. Now some nobody’s trying to take the lead.”
Originally, the Union Chief position was supposed to be held by experienced Hunters.
But every Union Chief in Hanul Guild so far had been an executive from Hanul Group.
As a result, despite being run by the Group, the guild never even made it to the top 10.
“Hey seniors, apparently the new Team 3 leader has arrived, and they want everyone gathered.”
“A meeting right after he shows up?”
The two men, Chahyunsoo and Johanseon, frowned at the message from the team’s youngest member.
“Alright, everyone move. The guild must have its reasons. It’s good if a new leader brings fresh strength.”
“A porter as raid leader? Other guilds will be laughing their heads off.”
“Just thinking about the other teams mocking us makes me sick.”
Despite the grumbling, Kim Kimon, the de facto leader of Team 3, chuckled and led his comrades.
From behind, someone whispered, “Our Kimon hyung’s just too nice a person.”
Soon, Team 3 gathered in the office to meet the newly assigned Union Chief.
The Group Chairman’s son—the epitome of a parachute drop.
Beside him stood a young man who looked barely in his early twenties.
Unlike the others, Kim Kimon smiled quietly to himself.
“Looks easy to handle.”
Inexperienced youngsters were easy to manipulate with just a few words.
In other words, the newly appointed team leader was a pushover.
Kim Kimon mentally sized up his new prey.
“Hello, I’m Lee Hyunbin, the new member joining Team 3. I lack experience here, so I hope you’ll all support me.”
“Welcome.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Hanul Guild has three teams in total, and I have just become the raid leader of the third.
“I heard you’re thirty, but you look so young.”
“Thank you.”
“You must’ve grown up well. We look worn out from scraping our lives away.”
The man, who looked like he was in his late thirties, spoke.
‘Grown up well,’ he said. Hearing that made me smirk.
I’m an orphan. I carry filthy memories no student should have to endure.
On top of that, I was dropped into another world.
Not some manga story where you build a harem and succeed at everything, but ten years spent in fierce life-or-death survival competition.
Never once would anyone say I ‘grew up well.’
“Hey, don’t use your old face as an excuse for your experience.”
“Hey, before I became a Hunter, people used to say I had porcelain skin.”
“Enough with the nonsense. Our new team leader looks like he’s got something to say, so let’s focus.”
The speaker wasn’t someone who looked older than their years, but a man who appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties.
Too old to be actively working in the field these days.
But it was clear to me—this man was the true boss of Team 3.
“Yes, I was told to manage schedules from above. By the way, may I know your name?”
“Oh, I’m Kim Kimon. I’ve been here the longest, so if you don’t know something, just ask me.”
He had the friendly vibe of the neighbor down the street and a warm smile, as if ‘nice personality’ was glued to his face.
“I’ll remember your name quickly.”
After all, Team 3 has only six members. Should be easy to remember.
“I need some time to adjust and get to know everyone, but like Kimon said, the higher-ups want the schedules handled immediately.”
“Kimon?”
When I said this, one team member furrowed his brow deeply. Others looked the same.
Look at these guys.
“Oh, sorry. I forgot you’re the deputy leader.”
“No, that’s just an honorary title given because I’m the oldest and longest here. Just call me whatever you want.”
Kim Kimon waved his hands with a smile.
But his loyal followers glared at me like they wanted to tear me apart.
I skimmed the papers I had been given.
The two men glaring at me were Chahyunsoo and Johanseon.
They were practically the ‘twin towers’ of Team 3’s damage dealers.
Currently rated at C+ grade.
I flipped a sheet. It contained Kim Kimon’s profile data.
He was known for his mild personality and big-brother image, which helped him build a broad network inside and outside Hanul Guild.
His current Hunter grade was D.
Not outstanding.
“We’ve received raid requests.”
“How many?”
“Three.”
“Never had three come in at once before.”
“Gates have been appearing more frequently lately, so requests have increased.”
The reaction wasn’t positive.
They sounded annoyed about having to take on more work.
There were many reasons to enter a dungeon: gaining experience and growing stronger, or obtaining rewards.
Our current requests involved two Lowest Grade Dungeons and one Lower Grade Dungeon.
The bosses were Normal grade.
Bosses or dungeons with decent grades come with good rewards—ones capable of turning your life around in one shot.
“We’re not some grunts for manual labor. The Lowest Grade dungeons are cleared by supporters alone, or even armed soldiers. Why should it always be us?”
“Well, it’s community service?”
When a Gate appears, it threatens the public.
It’s basically a disaster.
If not dealt with quickly, monsters swarm and dungeons spawn.
So local guilds have to clean their area as a matter of course.
“Ridiculous.”
Johanseon sneered at my remark. Why is this guy so hostile?
“I don’t know much about the new leader, but we’ve been dying nonstop from all the dungeon runs.”
“Dying nonstop?”
“Dungeon runs. We should have more.”
Huh?
That’s strange.
The report says Team 3’s last dungeon run was two weeks ago. Sounds like they’ve had a good rest.
“And no support either.”
“Support?”
“Look at the other teams. They always have brand-new equipment, but we’re stuck with outdated gear.”
Johanseon grumbled as he shook his Aether Blade, then carelessly dropped it on the floor.
“Well, if we produce results and build skill, I guess better equipment will come naturally.”
“But how can you get results without equipment? I’m not asking for a personal weapon, but at least give us proper support.”
A personal weapon is crafted solely for its owner.
Only A-grade Hunters or above carry such weapons.
There are no A-grade Hunters in my team. Just a bunch of mediocre guys.
“I understand what you’re saying. If improvements are needed, I’ll look into it and pass it up. But it doesn’t seem like you can’t kill Goblins with your current gear.”
Saying that, I tossed the weapon back to Johanseon.
Throw away your weapon?
Soldiers treat guns like lovers; knights treat swords like their lives.
I don’t like that he frowned after catching it.
Am I someone he doesn’t have to bother managing his expression around?
Or maybe I’m used to a world where expression management isn’t necessary?
“Our new team leader doesn’t know yet. Goblins are seriously scary.”
What am I supposed to do with this?
The team laughed.
I laughed too.
I have no idea how they interpreted my laughter.
One thing’s clear—this is about asserting dominance.
“So Johanseon Hunter can’t do anything until proper support comes?”
“Going in without weapons is way too dangerous.”
Everyone around chuckled.
Clearly, they were trying to joke around, but it wasn’t cheerful or fun.
“What about the others?”
“Well, yeah. I guess so?”
“What do you mean by that?”
They mumbled without a proper answer.
I’m not sure if this is an elementary school class meeting.
“Team leader.”
Only then did Kim Kimon speak. His face was still kind and gentle as he chuckled softly.
“Our guys are still recovering from the last dungeon’s aftereffects. They need some rest.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I know you want quick results, but how about building rapport and understanding the work slowly at first?”
“Oh, really?”
I tapped the chair leg with my finger.
Typical parachute team leader.
A rookie Awakened who’s barely been around. No wonder they don’t like him being above them.
But it’s a little unfair—I have over eleven years of System experience.
So it’s like I’m a veteran newcomer.
If it’s urgent, can’t they just go alone? It’s just Lowest Grade, after all. Oh, right, he’s a porter, so no DPS.
“Is he coming?”
“Johanseon Hunter must’ve gotten the Agarifighter Skill during his Awakening.”
Johanseon’s mouth, previously turned down, slowly returned to its usual expression.
“What did you say?”
Johanseon looked like he was checking if he’d misheard. I, being very kind, confirmed he hadn’t.
“What kind of Hunter measures his strength before even drawing a sword? Before blaming equipment, maybe think about your own lack of effort.”
“Effort? This guy’s got some nerve talking smack on the first meeting.”
“I looked at the data. You Awakened six years ago. But your overall stats haven’t changed much since then.”
I threw Johanseon’s analysis report onto the table.
It detailed his recent potential, or rather, a downward trend indicating no reason for high expectations.
Johanseon glanced at his report, furrowing his brow heavily. Chahyunsoo chuckled beside him.
“Well, Chahyunsoo Hunter has nothing to laugh about either.”
I threw his analysis report on the table too.
“He used to use a spear, now a bow. Why? Is he protecting himself more as he gets older? Scared to take the frontline?”
“What?”
The two supposed top damage dealers of the team, Johanseon and Chahyunsoo, would be poorly treated elsewhere.
They only got respect here because the guild and the team were such a mess.
“And.”
I put Kim Kimon’s report on the table as well.
“If you’re not hunting and just politicking behind the scenes, why not just retire?”
“Hmm, who made this?”
Kim Kimon murmured while scanning his report.
It meticulously recorded all activity and dungeon clears since his Awakening.
This stat table plainly showed his current value.
“I made it.”
“I heard you only finished middle school, but you know how to make documents like this?”
Being able to crush someone isn’t about brute force alone.
You have to change their diet, lifestyle, and optimize their routines so they can endure.
That’s my specialty.
And all six Hunters here? None are needed in my team.
“Team leader, don’t misunderstand. We’re on the same team, so we should get along. The higher-ups gave orders, and if we can’t follow them, we get blamed. No one wants to see their team leader fall apart.”
Beneath that friendly, fake smile hid a sly agenda.
It wasn’t just simple territoriality—it felt like something more.
“That’s fine. Hunters who fight with politics. Hunters who can’t fight without gear. Hunters too scared to step forward, throwing arrows from a safe distance. No use for those types.”
“Team leader…”
Kim Kimon looked awkward. The others twisted their lips in amusement.
“I’ll clear the dungeons alone. If you all want rest, take it. The recontract season’s soon, so you need to save yourselves, right?”
Kim Kimon’s face stiffened slightly at my words. But then he forced a faint smile like nothing happened.
“Awaken, become team leader, and think the world will change. But things aren’t that easy, team leader.”
“Yes, I know.”
I smiled back.
I hoped there would be at least one useful guy here, but no luck.
“Wow, a total lunatic has joined.”
“I’ll clear the dungeon alone. Look at them mocking me—crazy. If I’m crawling around in the dungeon, I’ll be crying for help to clear it with me.”
Johanseon and Chahyunsoo sneered, and the others joined in with sarcastic remarks.
Kim Kimon glanced at his analysis report and smirked.
“Told you, wearing the team leader badge at a young age makes you think you’re something special.”
- The Link Between Kim Kimon and Winners Guild.
Kim Kimon tore his analysis report in half, then tore that half again.
“Our team leader needs to come back soon. Looks like he’s misunderstood us.”
Kim Kimon smiled kindly, and the others chuckled at the poor parachute team leader.
Soon, the clueless leader would lower his head and beg for help.
But the next day, what they heard was:
“Hmm. What did you say just now?”
“Uh… I don’t really understand it either.”
“No, it’s fine. Say it again.”
Kim Kimon’s gentle tone made a junior on the team repeat hesitantly.
“The two Lowest Grade dungeon raids assigned to us yesterday… have been cleared.”
The rookie team leader did it alone. Without anyone’s help.