Chapter 38: A Spark in the Hall of Giants

The Night of Transcendents.

This event was truly filled with famous guild masters.

People so renowned that even someone like me, who knew next to nothing about the hunter world, had heard of them.

They were the true “big shots” of the hunter world.

It really felt like a banquet for the aristocracy of hunters.

Yet what shocked me even more was that all these incredible people were flocking to Shin Daeho.

“Haha, Guild Master Shin Daeho. It’s been a while.”

“Guild Master of Myth, it’s been too long. You look even more radiant. Has something good happened lately?”

“Guild Master Shin Daeho, I owe you greatly from the last joint raid. The might of Myth Guild’s Diamond raid team was truly impressive.”

“Guild Master Shin Daeho, have you been well? I’m sorry I haven’t visited sooner…”

Guild masters who could shake the entire country.

These giants of the hunter world who wielded power so great they could make birds fall from the sky.

Yet they approached Shin Daeho with friendly smiles and bowed their heads.

Wow… so the leader of Korea’s number one guild really is on another level.

I stared at Shin Daeho receiving greetings from these giants and inwardly marveled.

To make even the heads of major guilds, who were treated like kings wherever they went, bow their heads.

Truly, the leader of the number one ranked guild was in a different dimension.

While Shin Daeho was exchanging pleasantries with the major guild masters.

One of them looked at me and spoke.

“Hm? Guild Master Shin, pardon me, but who is this hunter? I don’t recognize the face.”

At his words, the eyes of all the major guild masters turned toward me.

“Oh, you’re right. A new face. Could he be a recent addition to the Diamond raid team?”

“Hmm, I don’t think I’ve seen him even among the Gold raid members.”

“Ah, Guild Master Shin. Is he perhaps a hunter recruited from overseas? He certainly looks like he’s been drinking American water.”

“Wow, an overseas recruit. As expected, Myth Guild’s reputation is known worldwide.”

The major guild masters each made a remark while looking at me.

Uh… that’s not it.

Unintentionally misunderstood, I didn’t know what to do.

That was when Shin Daeho spoke.

“Heh heh, it seems everyone has finally noticed. This is our Hunter Seo Juwon.”

“Oh, Hunter Seo Juwon. A cool name. But why haven’t we heard of him until now? If he’s a Diamond raid member of Myth Guild, his face and name should have been known long ago.”

All the major guild masters nodded at that.

Faces full of curiosity.

Shin Daeho answered them.

“Heh heh, there’s a reason for that. Our Hunter Seo Juwon is a Silver raid member.”

“…Pardon?”

Cracks appeared on the faces of the major guild masters.

They exchanged puzzled glances before looking back at Shin Daeho.

“Haha, Guild Master Shin. You’re joking, right?”

“Oh my, our Guild Master Shin Daeho must have developed quite the sense of humor while we weren’t looking.”

“Hahaha, indeed. To have both overwhelming strength and a sense of humor… there’s no competing with that.”

The major guild masters laughed as they spoke.

Shin Daeho also smiled gently and replied.

“My friends, this is no joke. Our Hunter Seo Juwon is a Silver raid member. And he was promoted only recently.”

“Really? He’s actually a Silver raid member?”

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“N-no, of course there is! Bringing a Silver raid member as your companion to the Night of Transcendents? Does that make any sense…?”

The other major guild masters voiced similar sentiments.

I had somewhat expected this kind of reaction.

But hearing it directly still made things incredibly awkward.

Looking at the level of the hunters they brought, it’s no wonder.

I glanced at the hunters standing beside the major guild masters.

Like bodyguard knights, they stuck close to their guild masters.

The companions they had brought were overwhelmingly strong.

They exuded an aura that made them seem less like humans and more like wild beasts.

The Night of Transcendents is a place to subtly show off one’s power.

The reason their eyes shot lasers was simple.

Though it was outwardly a gathering for camaraderie, in reality, the Night of Transcendents was a place where guilds subtly displayed their strength.

That must be why the major guild masters are so shocked.

In that context, I could understand why they were so astonished.

Not some mid-tier guild, but Myth Guild.

The number one ranked guild in Korea.

A guild overflowing with monstrous talents.

Yet they had brought a mere Silver raid member as their companion.

That was why they were so stunned.

Then Shin Daeho spoke.

“Yes, of course you wouldn’t understand. In truth, there are countless people in our Myth Guild stronger than Hunter Seo Juwon right now.”

“Th-that’s true…”

“But I brought him because I saw his future.”

“His future?”

“Exactly.”

Shin Daeho continued, speaking to the gathered major guild masters and their companions.

“Everyone, take a good look at this face. Our Hunter Seo Juwon is the one who will lead the future of the Korean hunter world.”

At his words spoken in front of everyone, the major guild masters looked flustered.

Of course, I was just as flustered.

I was grateful that Shin Daeho thought highly of me, but announcing it in front of these hunter giants was another matter entirely.

Nevertheless, Shin Daeho continued.

“Of course you won’t understand. Even our own Myth Guild members didn’t understand. Even the vice guild master didn’t.”

“But facts are facts. This Hunter Seo Juwon here will take the number one spot in the Korean hunter rankings after me. No, he might even conquer the entire world.”

At Shin Daeho’s words, shock spread across the faces of everyone gathered.

Even murderous anger flickered in the eyes of some companions.

It was inevitable.

To hear that a mere Silver raid member would take Korea’s number one spot and possibly dominate the world—it hurt their pride.

“Oh? Is that so?”

At that moment.

While I stood frozen, unsure where to put myself in the awkward situation, a woman’s voice came from behind.

“Then how about we verify that power?”

At her follow-up words, Shin Daeho, I, and everyone else turned around.

Standing there was a beautiful woman with pure white hair.

Huh? That person…

A woman with white hair.

Her name was Baek Inha.

Korea’s number two ranked hunter and the guild master of Baekho Guild, the second largest after Myth Guild.

“Oh, Guild Master Baek Inha. It’s been a while.”

Shin Daeho said, looking at Baek Inha.

The meeting between number one and number two caused a stir among the onlookers.

But Baek Inha paid it no mind and continued.

“Yes, it has been a while. Anyway, what do you think about verifying his strength?”

“Verify his strength? What do you mean?”

“You said the hunter you brought will devour not just Korea but the entire world, right? Let’s see if he really has that potential.”

“Hmm, how do you propose we do that?”

“Just a simple spar between the companions. How about it?”

Baek Inha said while gently stroking the shoulder of the man standing beside her.

The man who appeared to be her companion had the impression of a wolf.

Tall and handsome like a model, yet exuding a wild aura.

He truly looked like a wolf turned human.

“And speaking of sparring, who is that fellow?”

“Ah, he’s a member of our Baekho Guild. Same conditions as the hunter Guild Master Shin brought. Just like you, I brought not a current powerhouse but someone who will carry Baekho Guild’s future. Right, Dokgo Yeong?”

“Yes, Guild Master.”

Dokgo Yeong.

The man who looked like a ferocious wolf nodded obediently to his master.

Baek Inha smiled brightly and looked back at us.

“I’m not talking about a bloody fight. Just light sparring.”

“Sparring, you say.”

“Yes. A light spar wouldn’t just prove that man’s skill, it would liven up the atmosphere of the event. Don’t you all agree?”

Baek Inha asked, looking around.

The listening major guild masters and companions shouted with bright faces.

“Hahaha, exactly!”

“We’d love to see that kind of show!”

“As expected of Guild Master Baek Inha! Not only beauty but showmanship too!”

“Indeed, Baekho’s guild master knows how to run a festival.”

“Guild Master Shin Daeho! You wouldn’t disappoint us, would you?”

“You said he’ll conquer the world! Then showing a spar shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“It was Seo Juwon, wasn’t it? Why don’t you show us your skills? Huh?”

The major guild masters cheered at Baek Inha’s words.

Some even threw provocative remarks at Shin Daeho and me.

It seemed they were irritated by the claim that a Silver raid member like me would become Korea’s number one and possibly the world’s strongest.

As everyone at the Night of Transcendents focused on us, Shin Daeho quietly asked me.

“Hmm, Hunter Seo Juwon. What will you do? Will you accept the spar?”

“Of course you can refuse. If you don’t want to, I’ll silence not only the guild masters but even Baekho’s guild master. What will you do?”

Shin Daeho asked me.

He repeatedly added that it was truly okay to refuse.

I swallowed dryly.

I looked at Shin Daeho, then at Baek Inha and Dokgo Yeong.

And at the major guild masters shouting for me to show my skills.

If I back down here, these people will look down on me.

Baek Inha smirking.

Dokgo Yeong glaring at me coldly.

And the major guild masters daring me to try.

Under their gazes, I realized I could not back down.

And it would bring shame to Myth Guild.

Yes.

It would be fine if only I were labeled a coward.

I could endure a bit of humiliation.

But I could not retreat as the companion of Myth Guild’s master.

That would tarnish Myth Guild’s honor.

“I’ll do it, Guild Master.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Yes.”

“You really don’t have to if you don’t want to. There’s no need to force yourself.”

“No, sir. I will do it.”

I lightly grasped the golden badge on my lapel and said.

“I came here as a representative of Myth Guild, after all.”

At my words, Shin Daeho fell silent for a moment.

His eyes showed a hint of worry.

Still, I met his gaze without looking away, conveying my resolve to fight.

Never forget the weight of that badge. From the moment you wear it, you are a representative of Myth Guild.

I recalled what Shin Daeho had told me.

The dazzling badge of Myth Guild.

He had said it was beautiful and proud, but that I must bear its weight—I chewed over those words again and again.

So I could not run from this challenge.

I had come here as Myth Guild’s “representative.”

I could not do anything shameful while representing the guild and its members.

“Very well, Hunter Seo Juwon. I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you, Guild Master.”

I bowed deeply to Shin Daeho.

Then Shin Daeho glared at Baek Inha and declared.

“Fine, Guild Master Baekho. We will have the spar.”

At Shin Daeho’s words, the corners of Baek Inha’s mouth curled upward.

And thus, the spar between me and Dokgo Yeong began.