Berserker, Park Kang-chul.
He was known to the world as a “lone wolf.”
A lone wolf who acted according to his own will, who wouldn’t rest until he did whatever he wanted no matter what.
In fact, among all the Rankers, he was the only Hunter who acted without caring about the world’s judgment.
If there was a Gate he wanted to clear, he would do it without getting permission from the Hunter Association.
He turned arrogant Hunters—those who thought they couldn’t touch him because he was a Ranker—into critical patients.
He even succeeded in soloing an Rank 8 Gate, despite everyone telling him it was too dangerous. Â
The first in Korea.
But he…  Â
Recently, for the first time, he felt a period of stagnation.
His level-up speed slowed, his proficiency had reached its limit, and there was no longer a path for growth.
No matter how much money he threw in, no item worthy of him appeared.
Even the items forged by Forgemaster Kang Ho-duk no longer satisfied him.
In such a situation…
“Vulcanus.”
Park Kang-chul thought of Vulcanus once again.
The SSS-Rank Cloak, Crimson Berserker’s Veil, that he wore.
But Vulcanus’s level was low.
He had thought Vulcanus could only make accessories for now and that he would have to wait a long time before Vulcanus could craft his weapons and armor.
[Vulcanus succeeds in Rank 8 Gate clear!]Â Â
He had already grown that much.
When he checked the forge, Vulcanus had developed enough to make his gear too.
The moment he thought this, Park Kang-chul headed straight for the Vulcanus Guild.
He had submitted a request, but he wasn’t going to wait passively for a reply.
Though many were desperate to get Vulcanus’s crafted goods, what was the difficulty?
The Vulcanus he remembered was nothing more than a timid Awakener.
And since he had brought a fair price, there was no way Vulcanus could refuse.
Or so he thought.
“How about it? I think this price is fair.”
Despite the Berserker’s proposal, Vulcanus said nothing.
He simply sat calmly, as if contemplating something deeply.
It wasn’t a matter of whether to accept the S-grade materials or not. Â
He looked like he was aiming for something higher.
Something deeper.
And then.
What Vulcanus said was far beyond what the Berserker expected.
“Will you join the Vulcanus Guild?” Â
“What?”
Join the Vulcanus Guild?
Was he really offering him a spot in the guild?
Park Kang-chul had rejected the offer from Changcheon Guild founded by Cheon Seung-heon.
He had ignored the Royal Guild’s offer to pay whatever he wanted.
He had even retaliated against the Noblesse Guild’s threats to the Hunter Association that made Gate clears difficult.
His expression twisted fiercely, but Vulcanus continued without a care.
“I don’t think it’s a bad proposal.”
“Not a bad proposal? I’m supposed to serve a weak blacksmith who’s not even stronger than me? What’s so good about that?”
It was absurd.
No one had ever been able to put a leash on Park Kang-chul.
Not even the Sword Saint who defeated him in a duel had broken his will.
He had no intention of serving under anyone.
“If I gave you the full set equipment now with the ‘Molar of the Colossal Ogre,’ what then?”
“What do you mean ‘then’?”
“You won’t stop leveling up, right? You’ll keep growing, so can you keep calculating my rising price each time?”
“Price…”
“Do you think threats with your fists work? As you know, this isn’t my real body. Fists don’t scare me.”
Usually, most people would bow their heads and tremble when standing before Park Kang-chul.
But Vulcanus was completely different.
He treated Park Kang-chul with utter confidence.
“On the other hand, if you join my guild, I can make all the equipment you need without such a price, and upgrade your gear to match your level every time you level up.”
“You’re saying you could even forge a greatsword with the ‘Molar of the Colossal Ogre’ I’m offering as payment?”
Park Kang-chul looked at the Colossal Ogre’s molar lying before him.
It was the material he considered a proper price.
He desperately wanted to use it to make his own gear.
But right now, he had no ‘price’ higher than this.
Even if he looked elsewhere, the number of blacksmiths capable of processing the molar was few enough to count on one hand worldwide.
“That’s not all. If you’ve heard the recent news about Vulcanus Guild, you know about the existence of the ‘Parts,’ right?”
“I know. They use those parts to change attributes according to the Gate.”
“If you join my guild, I can craft parts for every attribute. You can fight without ever worrying about your equipment for the rest of your life.”
Park Kang-chul’s ears perked up.
Equipment.
The shackle that had blocked Park Kang-chul’s path—unstoppable by money, Hunter Association pressure, or anything—was equipment.
For a man who sought strength alone in solitude, the ways to obtain good gear were limited.
Even now, despite having SSS-grade equipment, he remained stuck at rank 4. Â
He thought it was ultimately because of his gear.
Though he wore Vulcanus’s crafted accessories like other Rankers, his other equipment couldn’t match theirs.
To be able to wear such gear freely?
He couldn’t help but hesitate.
If he accepted this offer, equipment would no longer be a shackle but wings for Park Kang-chul.
But was it really okay?
Could he, who had always acted alone, enter a group?
Could he endure a leash?
“What are the terms of the contract?”
After much hesitation, Park Kang-chul finally had to ask.
The leash that would be tied to his neck in exchange for these wings of equipment.
No matter how magnificent the wings, if the leash blocked his flight, there was no reason to serve under Vulcanus.
“Nam Bora.”
“Yes.”
As if this wasn’t planned, Vulcanus called his proxy to communicate.
A moment later, Nam Bora stepped back, and the explanation about the ‘leash’ began in earnest.
“I heard you’ve been suffering disadvantages in Gate assignments.”
“The Noblesse bastards, right?”
Noblesse.
Because Park Kang-chul rejected their guild offer, they had used their influence in the Hunter Association to obstruct his Gate assignments.
He had once gone there and caused a scene, but it only tightened the Hunter Association’s restrictions.
But now.
“Gate assignments will be fully handled by Vulcanus Guild. You can clear whatever Gates you want without restriction.”
“How?”
“Haven’t you seen it? Not only the Chairman of the Hunter Association but also the Sword Saint are very friendly to our guild. You’re already assigned to the Gates you want.”
Vulcanus had resolved that problem from the start.
“We’ll set your annual salary at the highest level. Royal Guild had the best, right? We’ll offer you even more than their rank-based salaries.”
“Salary doesn’t matter.”
“As I said, we’ll make all the equipment you need according to your level, and if you require something special, just say the word.”
The conditions kept getting more attractive.
There was no reason to refuse.
Could contract terms really be this good?
But this was Park Kang-chul.
Having navigated the Hunter World alone, he had witnessed the evil sides of humanity countless times.
What he needed to hear wasn’t those enticing advantages but the opposite information.
Restrictions.
Leashes.
“Enough about that, what about the restrictions?”
These were things he would definitely have to follow if he joined the Vulcanus Guild.
But.
“Like other guilds, any materials obtained from Gate clears must be returned to the guild first, then given back as incentives. Usually, I collect the materials and use them to craft guild equipment.”
“Tell me the real restrictions.”
“The real restrictions? Hmm, well, since you’re joining our guild, you can’t cause incidents, right? At least, tell me beforehand if you’re about to cause trouble.”
“That much I can keep.”
“Besides that, there’s not much. The big terms are similar to other guilds. Just follow common sense and your duties.”
Impossible.
Such good terms?
This was practically no leash at all.
Not a leash, but a tailwind helping his wings beat.
Then.
“Ah, one last thing.”  Vulcanus spoke with a serious look. Â
As expected.
It was time for the real leash.
What would he say?
To obey his every word?
Or be his bodyguard?
Park Kang-chul doubted Vulcanus endlessly, but the words he expected never came.
Instead…
“I want you not to run away from me in a crisis.”
He spoke as if looking beyond Park Kang-chul, toward the real danger.
“Alright.”
And that day.   Â
Park Kang-chul became a member of the Vulcanus Guild.
He refused the position of Team Leader 1, claiming he was still more comfortable alone even though he had joined a guild with no teammates.
So he took the nominal position of Team Leader 0.
Berserker, Park Kang-chul.
The moment he joined the Vulcanus Guild—
***Â Â Â
Breaking News! Â
– Korea’s Hunter Ranking No. 4! Berserker, Park Kang-chul!
– The news that he has joined the Vulcanus Guild!
Korea erupted in chaos.
The Berserker who always acted alone.
The Hunter Association and giant guilds had tried countless times to recruit him, but never succeeded.
And he never founded a guild either, always clearing Gates solo.
And now, he had joined the Vulcanus Guild.
It was enough news to shake the Hunter World.
– I never thought Park Kang-chul would join the Vulcanus Guild instead of a major guild.
– What is the reason behind Park Kang-chul’s sudden decision to join Vulcanus Guild without any notice?
– Let’s hear the experts’ opinions.
Various speculations surfaced.
Most of the speculation was hard to believe, but this latest guess was surprisingly accurate.
– It’s obviously because of equipment.
– Equipment?
– Yes. Since Park Kang-chul operated alone, he lacked connections and struggled to get proper gear.
– Even the equipment he was using until recently was not suitable for his level.
– If he joins the Vulcanus Guild, Vulcanus Hunters will craft custom equipment that matches his level, so it’s the best guild for the Berserker.
– That makes sense!
The public had known.
Despite having the strength to clear Rank 8 Gates alone, why he had remained stuck at rank 4. Â
That his equipment and Gate assignments were disadvantageous compared to other Rankers.
They knew everything.
Once he joined Vulcanus Guild, all those restrictions would vanish, so guessing the reason wasn’t difficult.
The question was…
– But can Vulcanus Hunters really make equipment for the Berserker? Aren’t their levels…?
– They probably can. Recently, Vulcanus Hunters have even released 280-level equipment on the forge page.
– After clearing Rank 8 Gates one after another, it should be entirely possible to make equipment for the Berserker. Â
– Ah, I see! Then!
The self-proclaimed Hunter expert, an old man pushing his glasses up his nose, continued,
– There will definitely be a huge upheaval in the Hunter Rankings.