Chapter 25: Why Are You Fighting With Your Mouth?

“What? Are you kidding me?”

The Awakener, transitioning into a Hunter.

Jo Hanseon threw his contract onto the table. The other team members reacted the same way.

“You could transfer to another Guild right now and get a much higher salary than before, but you’re trying to slash our pay now?”

“No, it’s not about slashing pay.”

They didn’t seem to understand, so I figured I needed to explain it kindly.

“I gave you the analysis report last time. I compared your salaries with Hunters of the same rank in other Guilds.”

It became clear just how poorly Hanul Guild was being managed.

When compared…

“The achievements you’ve made so far, your individual skills, and your team management—they’re all pathetic.”

“That’s ridiculous. Who the hell do you think you are?”

I gave Jo Hanseon a faint smile at his words.

“I’m the Team Leader of Team 3. If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to join another team.”

“Are you joking? Do you realize this is abuse of power? Some parachute nonsense!”

“Team Leader Lee, I understand what you mean. But if you cut our salaries drastically like this, wouldn’t not only we but other Hanul Guild members also feel uneasy?”

Following Jo Hanseon’s aggressive tone, Deputy Leader Kim Kimon spoke with a softer, more persuasive voice.

“Especially when rumors are already flying around that Hanul Guild is going bankrupt or disappearing.”

His voice carried the maturity and consideration of an elder. But I knew better.

There were dozens of snakes slithering inside him. And the real rotten one was Kim Kimon.

“Don’t worry. A Guild isn’t a charity.”

It’s better to think of this as the stubbornness of a newly appointed Team Leader.

“KPI. It’s a charity that would keep people who fall drastically short of the organization’s Key Performance Indicators. Your performance during the contract period has been poor. Is there really a need to renew your contracts?”

The Owner, Im Jaejoon, was on my side. And the Guild’s executive board was being replaced entirely by his people.

In other words, it was time to replace the rotten elements.

“Are you saying you want to run the team without us?”

“I’ve been running it alone until now.”

“And you’ll keep relying on such luck going forward?”

Kim Kimon asked in a flustered tone.

“Yes, it seems I don’t need you for the team I want to build.”

When I said it outright, the faces of Kim Kimon’s cronies darkened. I preferred this to their fake smiles.

“But I want to give you a chance. Show me your worth, and I’ll acknowledge it. Actually, I promise better treatment than before.”

“What is that?”

As if waiting for the question, I answered.

“We’re launching a new training curriculum. It’ll be piloted only with Team 3. Follow that curriculum, and if you achieve good results, I’ll reconsider.”

“Training?”

“Heard that? Ridiculous. Hey! Parachute, are you crazy? What are we, rookies? Do you think this Guild and team are all there is?”

Jo Hanseon couldn’t hold back, stood up, and shouted. Other team members added curses.

I laughed.

For the first time since I came, this team became united. Though it was to criticize me, it was bittersweet.

These people are useless.

They aren’t mine.

There’s no need for losers who just gather to lick each other’s wounds.

“Fine. Performance? Sure. But do you have any? Aside from running a few Lower Grade Dungeons recently, we veterans with three, six years of grinding rate 3,000 to 4,000. And you’re a mere porter making 6 billion?”

“Because I have the ability, that’s why it’s 6 billion.”

Jo Hanseon laughed incredulously at my words.

“You confident?”

“Yes, I am.”

His expression stiffened. Good. The atmosphere I wanted was here.

I crossed my legs and stared at Jo Hanseon.

If you want to throw down, do it quickly.

“Wow, you’re crazy. Can you really show me?”

“How do you want me to show you?”

“Follow me to the training ground. Why are you scared?”

Ideally, a verbal quarrel should escalate into a fistfight.

“I didn’t know you were this passionate about training.”

Many believe in the power and skills gained through Awakening as Hunters.

“Let’s go.”

New wine into new wineskins.

I was going to craft new wine.

“What? The Team Leader of Team 3 and Jo Hanseon are going to spar?”

“The parachute Team Leader cut all the team members’ salaries and got pissed off, so he challenged them to a fight.”

“Crazy. Isn’t that typical parachute porter behavior?”

“Even though he’s a porter, he owns the country’s largest Inventory. Plus, it can hold living beings.”

“Unique, but so what? How does carrying a lot of stuff relate to being a Team Leader?”

No one advertised it, but the training ground was packed with spectators. Watching fights or disasters is always entertaining.

“Quite a crowd.”

“If you’re scared, step off the ring now.”

Jo Hanseon sneered confidently.

Hyunsu responded with a soft smile.

I disliked that cocky face.

Jo Hanseon prided himself on his skills in this field.

Sure, he was often lazy and negligent. But he always fought on the frontlines, risking his life. The rewards he received were minimal.

The bear bears the burden, and the owner reaps the benefits.

So Jo Hanseon always took it easy and played around.

Today, however, he intended to give his all.

“This guy has plenty of combat experience too. If I underestimate him, I’ll get crushed.”

Currently, he was the strongest in Team 3 for one-on-one fights. From behind, I heard my teammates cheering to crush him.

“Don’t be too harsh.”

Kim Kimon, the eldest and backbone of Team 3, said kindly, and Jo Hanseon slightly curled his lips.

Brother Kimon was too gentle and kind for a Hunter, which was his weakness.

He had a modern scholar’s image. But he cared deeply for his people.

He once lent me a huge sum without any due date when I was drowning in debt. Even when I tried to repay, he refused outright.

“Consider it a gift; don’t worry about it.”

I could see the deputy leader’s face, chuckling as he said that. For his honor, I planned to crush the arrogant Team Leader today.

“People from Teams 1 and 2 are all here too. Ready for a massive embarrassment?”

“Are you saying you’re ready for a massive embarrassment?”

“No, I’m talking about you.”

“Looks like you’ve only awakened your mouth. Why do you want to fight only with words?”

“Get ready to get your ass kicked.”

Both put on their headgear.

“Hey, is it working well?”

“Yeah. That bastard’s done for now.”

Cha Hyunsoo fixed Jo Hanseon’s headgear and grinned maliciously.

Jo Hanseon had a reason for his confidence.

Before sparring, he took an Awakening stimulant item.

It temporarily boosts all stats by +5.

Usually, such doping is banned in official matches. But no one checked for it in these small sparrings.

The referee signaled the start of sparring.

Hyunsu was relaxed; Jo Hanseon charged in confidently.

No rules, free combat.

Jo Hanseon threw a low kick at Hyunsu, who stepped back to dodge. Not bad. But that was the plan—to evade.

Crack!

Jo Hanseon’s quick straight punch struck Hyunsu’s face.

Focusing on the low attack made Hyunsu unaware of the high strike.

Cheers from Team 3 came from behind.

Jo Hanseon felt energized all over. Hyunsu staggered.

Quickly cornering him, Jo Hanseon unleashed a flurry of punches.

Pow! Bam!

Hyunsu looked incredulous. Or rather, he was just overwhelmed by the onslaught threatening his life.

“What? Why? What the hell! A mere porter! What are you doing? Hey, are you kidding me?”

The sparring was one-sided.

Even the enthusiastic crowd around began whispering if they should stop it when they saw the blood spreading on the ring.

“You worthless piece of crap. Crying? Cry?”

Jo Hanseon felt a rush of pleasure through his body. The feeling of landing punches was satisfying.

-Get up.

I saw Hyunsu cornered, coughing up blood and collapsing.

Jo Hanseon spat toward the downed Hyunsu.

-Are you okay? Please come to your senses.

Somewhere, a strange echo kept repeating.

I was in a great mood after finally releasing my stress.

Then suddenly, the surroundings vanished as if swallowed by something. Someone kept slapping my cheek.

“Are you coming to your senses? How many counts is this?”

Someone looked down at me—a referee holding up his fingers.

Not knowing what was happening, Jo Hanseon blinked and slowly looked around.

“Did you see that?”

“Ended right after the first hit?”

Jo Hanseon wanted someone to explain the situation. But seeing his teammates’ grim faces and their Team Leader calmly removing his headgear without a scratch, he guessed.

“Damn it.”

I forced a choice.

“I hope you all find better Guilds.”

The former Team 3 members couldn’t say a word.

They were lazy.

Even from the data I checked before joining Team 3, it was clear.

Salary parasites.

The word described them perfectly.

Jo Hanseon and Cha Hyunsoo decided to leave the Guild. The other Team 3 members requested transfers to Teams 1 or 2, but whether those teams would accept them was uncertain.

That was none of my business, so I didn’t care.

The problem was this man in front of me.

“I’ll stay.”

Deputy Leader Kim Kimon said with a kindly smile.

“I don’t think you heard everything clearly earlier.”

“No, I understand. I’ll follow your curriculum.”

I thought he’d be the first to leave, but he wanted to stay.

That was unexpected.

“Why?”

“Why? Who would accept a middle-aged D-rank Hunter in any Guild?”

His words were true.

Who would take in someone with good relations but poor skills and no potential for growth?

From the way they treated me, it was clear that in the Hunter world, even managers without ability or experience were despised.

“Team Leader Lee, or rather, since it’s just the two of us, I’ll speak comfortably. You’re quite a bit younger.”

Kim Kimon smiled and asked.

“Do you know anything about me?”

“Is there something I should know?”

“So you know.”

Kim Kimon looked at me with an expression he had never shown before.

I smiled without thinking.

A genuine smile from deep inside.

Why?

Because the old demon hiding behind the mask of a good man had revealed his true colors.

“A person living off the scraps won’t start something new elsewhere. They’ll just keep doing what they’ve been doing.”

“I think the scraps you imagine and the ones I do are different.”

“Isn’t it the same scraps?”

I knew Kim Kimon was part of the former chairman’s faction. But even they didn’t know his true identity.

He was running a lucrative side business.

“Go to the Police Station yourself.”

“Police Station? Me?”

Kim Kimon smiled sinisterly, took off his glasses, and rubbed his philtrum.

“Do you have proof?”

There was none yet.

“I don’t know where I caught the scent. But do you know this?”

Kim Kimon pulled out his contract.

“What I know—and if my work gets leaked outside, Hanul will suffer the most.”

He began tearing the contract up right in front of me.

As if it was worthless.

“You shouldn’t be kicking me out, but rather protecting me. Understand your parachute line?”

“For that reason as well.”

Kim Kimon put his glasses back on, stood up, and pushed the torn contract toward me.

“The contract amount seems wrong. Team Leader Lee, please double-check.”

“You’ve made a choice you can’t undo.”

Kim Kimon smiled briefly at my words and left the room.

Left alone, I threw the contract into the trash.

Hidden true nature. Ugly desires. A mind that shows one face in front and another behind.

I’d experienced all this in another world.

A mouth that spoke of love now spewing curses. A mouth that preached justice now preaching injustice.

I licked my dry lips.

I knew my opponent.

But my opponent did not know me.