Chapter 20: Hunter Training Business

Usually, when you look at social media or something, people who have awakened their powers don’t receive any training.

They just learn everything through actual combat.

Well, that might be possible. But if someone faces real battles without being prepared, nine times out of ten, they’ll die.

Of course, there is basic Hunter training in reality.

However, at best, it’s no more than the kind of training given in the military.

That’s not enough.

A mere rite of passage-level training won’t guarantee your life.

Recently, my income has been good.

I received a 3.3 billion won advance payment from signing an exclusive contract with Hanul Guild, and I earned an additional 450 million won from selling items gained during Hunter activities.

Currently, my capital stands at 3.75 billion won. Since letting money sit idle is a waste, I decided to pursue a business I’ve wanted to try for a long time.

Instead of just running a Training Room like before, I planned a curriculum to strengthen the body through military-style training.

Anyone who completes this curriculum will likely be able to perform greatly.

I discussed this business idea with my former workplace superior.

The Star Center’s gay—or rather, the director—was very satisfied as well.

For now, I decided to run a trial operation. If it goes well, I’ll officially launch the training business and expand its scope.

“Hello. I heard you conduct Hunter enhancement training here—is that correct?”

A customer arrived.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

The visitors were familiar faces.

They were the Mage and Assassin I had met before at the Anyang Amusement Park Dungeon.

“You two came together?”

“Yes, actually…”

The male Assassin scratched the back of his head awkwardly with an embarrassed smile.

The female Mage shyly smiled, looking bashful.

Huh, the atmosphere feels a bit strange.

“After what happened back then, we kept meeting often, and somehow we ended up dating.”

“Oh, I see.”

Back then, I had told the Assassin to protect the Mage.

I had asked the Mage to hold off the orcs, and as the Assassin fought while protecting her, he got seriously injured, almost to the point of death.

I guess that incident made them grow close.

“Ah, congratulations. Are you both here to train?”

“Yes.”

I remembered that the Assassin had quite decent skills.

Even in dungeons with only newbies, he had a relatively high level and good stats.

But the Mage was quite the opposite.

She struggled even to properly use the basic attack magic, Magic Missile.

“To maintain stable Hunter work, you should join a guild, but I wasn’t sure if the curriculum would be helpful. I’ve been in this field for a long time, so I’m fine, but Ara is a newcomer…”

Ara. That must be the Mage’s name.

She nodded vigorously. Her somewhat shy demeanor hadn’t changed since before.

I wondered if she could really handle the Hunter life like that.

“Ara is good at supporting magic and has great sense. I think with proper guild support, she’ll grow steadily.”

“I see. Ara, what magic skills can you currently use?”

“Ah, one moment.”

Park Ahn began listing her skills one by one from her skill list.

“Open Door, Sleep, Magic Detection, Restraint, Wall of Fire.”

“Can you use Reverse Calculation Magic as well?”

“Yes, I can!”

Five supporting magics. Wall of Fire is offensive, but being able to use these is a decent level.

“Can I get your status screens?”

“Yes.”

No matter how much a former comrade, you can’t just be accepted into the guild without screening.

This is no different from before.

The Assassin, Shin Woojin, was C-rank. He showed potential to rise to B-rank soon.

The Mage was E-rank, far behind.

“I heard, Hyunbin, that you’re running a team at Hanul?”

“Yes, I’m currently managing Team 3.”

“Then is it possible for us to join your team?”

“It’s possible. But you have to pass the basic curriculum first.”

Hearing this, Shin Woojin’s face brightened.

Just as expected.

He wanted to join a guild with Park Ahn.

Although Hanul’s guild ranking was low, its capital was solid, so it was always one to watch.

There were even rumors that the new chairman might cause the guild to rise quickly.

I was planning to completely revamp Team 3. To do that, I needed talent.

Shin Woojin was definitely promising. But Park Ahn was somewhat ambiguous.

I wouldn’t just put someone on the team just because I knew them.

Professionalism is professionalism, personal relationships are personal.

Of course, it’s not because I’m jealous since I’m solo.

Really, it’s not.

“If a couple joins a guild and then breaks up—well, just hypothetically, don’t take it the wrong way—wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to be in the same guild after breaking up?”

“We won’t break up!”

The woman, who had been quiet until now, answered loudly as if screaming.

“You might see it negatively, but there are quite a few couples who are active guild members. Besides, I’m here because I wanted to find a guild where I could work with Ara.”

It was dripping with sweetness.

The two were shooting pink beams of love at each other.

“Alright, then. Let’s register for the curriculum first.”

We would see how they did in training, and if all went well, joining the team would be no problem.

The Mage nodded as if saying she could do it.

In the end, the two decided to undergo training to become stronger, and ultimately to join my team.

“Okay, here’s the training contract.”

I handed the printed document to them.

“There’s nothing unusual in the terms. Since you haven’t negotiated your salary yet, don’t fill that in. Just write your name neatly below and sign next to it.”

They signed.

“Training? It’s just about a week. Of course, food and lodging are provided. It’s just an enhanced version of the basic training you do when you first become a Hunter. Ara, since you’re a Mage, your stamina might be lacking a bit. Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a good training program.”

After signing, they seemed to suddenly get nervous.

“Why go underground for training? That’s because the training facility is in the basement. It needs to be underground so it can’t be disturbed… No, I’m trying to renovate a bit wider, but the only space available is underground. The ventilation system is good, so it’ll be fine.”

We descended to the basement.

“The door? Why lock it?”

I answered with a clear smile.

“For security. Oh, you want to go buy cigarettes? Nope, you can’t… No smoking during training.”

This time the woman asked.

“Can I just call home and come back?”

Come on, the sooner you start training, the sooner you can enter the dungeon and earn lots of money.

That’s the best way to show filial piety, right?

Actually, someone arrived a day earlier.

They wanted to go through special training and join my team.

That person was also in the underground training room.

Since they already knew each other, they’d get along quickly.

“Yes, that’s right. The guy who helped us fight the orcs back then. Oh, you say that guy told us to run away? Nah. He wasn’t telling you to run, just greeting you. He looks tired now, but he’s actually really happy to see you.”

I said this while having them change into training clothes and handed over the training equipment.

“Make sure to hold the mouthpiece well. Don’t spit it out. If you get hit without it, it’s like corn getting harvested. Mage, you don’t have to wear it? No way. Mages get hurt too if they get hit.”

I grabbed the man who tried to run away like a fit and sat him back down.

That guy tends to overdo it, and the newcomers might misunderstand him.

“Alright, let’s start training. First curriculum.”

A week passed.

“Now, shall we try sparring?”

The Assassin and Mage flinched.

On the first and second days, they had both made every effort to escape the basement.

But no chance.

The underground training center was built so securely that even if Papillon came, escape was impossible.

After giving up, they earnestly participated in the training. And as a result—

“Today, you two will spar.”

Those words brought them some relief.

During training, Assassin Shin Woojin had shed his body fat and his face had become leaner.

His training results were good enough that he had nearly attained B-rank combat ability.

He nervously stepped onto the ring. On the opposite side, Mage Park Ahn wore gloves.

“Hoo, hoo.”

With every breath, her powerful muscles seemed alive and moving. Her arms were no longer as fragile as branches.

The solid muscles, reminiscent of a horse’s hind legs, twitched with every clenched fist.

“Start!”

The Assassin moved swiftly with agile movements.

“Magic!”

Shiiik!

The accelerated fist struck the Assassin’s abdomen.

“Missile!”

“Ugh!”

Shin Woojin took a body blow from Park Ahn and bounced off the ring ropes.

Park Ahn’s support magic use was quite good. But her offensive magic had a seriously low hit rate.

So I recommended using magic at close range.

“Magic Missile!”

I turned my back to return to the office, mistaking the straight counterpunch–like Magic Missile for a normal punch.

Training for both of them ended today. This was enough.

“Have a lovely love life.”

I heard the Assassin getting pounded behind me, while the Mage, now all muscle, let out a victorious roar.

“Strangely, I’m starting to enjoy getting hit. Am I becoming weird? Hyunbin, you’re perfectly normal, right? You’re a Tank, right? A Tank. The coach who protects the team by sacrificing himself, right?”

“You can’t help but enjoy it when you lose.”

“Is that so?”

Mr. Go Ju-yong, who looked like he had magic painted on his chin, had developed into a proper Tank.

The iconic belly was gone. That alone should make his wife happy. Wait, did he say he wasn’t married yet?

“Hoo, hoo.”

“Our Hunter Park Ahn increased the barbell weight again?”

“Hoo, hoo!”

“Hey, take breaks.”

“Thro…at hurts.”

At first hesitant to join the guild, Park Ahn had now become a recognized powerful Mage.

I liked that.

The weapon she used to carry looked like something an elder would wield. But now? Look at that massive bat.

“Give me back my girlfriend…”

Everything was fine. But the one with the greatest potential—Shin Woojin, who was now grabbing my collar—had a surprisingly fragile mentality.

“You ruined everything…!”

Seeing him sob resentfully filled me with a wave of regret.

Isn’t it better to have a girlfriend you can lean on rather than one who’s fragile and might break?

“Let’s break up! I said let’s break up!”

Thunk!

Seeing the loving couple made a smile form on my lips.

They wouldn’t break up.

The three joined Hanul Guild, but didn’t come into my team.

Bastards.