Seong-jun cast Deep Analysis to understand Choi Kang-hyuk’s intentions, immediately confirming his psychological state.
[Analysis Results]
Choi Kang-hyuk: [S-Class Lightning Knight]
Average Stats: [S]
Combat Style: [Assaults enemies with high speed and powerful damage using lightning energy.]
Core Skills: [Rapid Movement / Lightning Imbuement]
Reliability: 36
Psychological State: [There are only three days left for the First Entry Benefit of the A-Class dungeon discovered a few days ago, but the raid progress is sluggish. Having heard from the Vice Guild Master that clearing the A-Class dungeon might be possible with Kim Seong-jun, he wants to personally verify if those words are true.]
After confirming the psychological state, Seong-jun finally understood why the man had come all this way.
‘Ho, so they need to clear an A-Class dungeon, but it isn’t going well? And they need my help?’
To be precise, he came to gauge whether an A-Class dungeon clear was actually possible with Seong-jun alone, but in the end, it meant he needed Seong-jun’s assistance.
In short, Seong-jun was currently in the position of power.
Having grasped Choi Kang-hyuk’s intentions, Seong-jun finally felt at ease.
“So. May this uninvited guest join you for lunch?”
When Choi Kang-hyuk asked again, Seong-jun looked at his uncle and asked, “What do you and Aunt think? Would it be okay?”
To Seong-jun, no matter how high a rank an S-Class was, they were not more important than his uncle and aunt.
Therefore, if either of them felt uncomfortable, he intended to refuse the man’s company.
“U-Us? It’s an honor for us! My goodness! When else in my life would I get to see an S-Class hunter in person?”
“We’re fine as long as you’re okay with it, Seong-jun. Do whatever is comfortable for you.”
Since his uncle and aunt said it was fine, Seong-jun turned to Yoo Se-hyun.
“They say it’s fine. As long as Guild Master Yoo Se-hyun is okay with it, I don’t mind eating together.”
When Seong-jun agreed to let Choi Kang-hyuk join, Yoo Se-hyun let out a sigh and spoke.
“Sigh, if Seong-jun is okay with it… I suppose it can’t be helped. Let’s do that.”
Even though they were both guild masters, the opponent was one of only two S-Class hunters in the country.
If it were another A-Class, he would have expressed his refusal openly, but because of who the man was, Yoo Se-hyun could not help but feel pressured.
“Haha, I’m glad you accepted an uninvited guest’s request so readily.”
And so, an unexpected guest was added to their lunch.
***
After arriving at the restaurant, Yoo Se-hyun and Kang Shin-woo continued their conversation with Seong-jun while remaining conscious of Choi Kang-hyuk.
Of course, they also paid plenty of attention to the uncle and aunt, attempting to further strengthen their relationship with Seong-jun through them.
As for Choi Kang-hyuk, he simply enjoyed the meal without saying much.
As the meal was nearing its end, Seong-jun looked at Choi Kang-hyuk and asked, “By the way, Guild Master Choi Kang-hyuk. I don’t think you came all this way just to have a simple meal. Do you perhaps have something specific to say to me?”
At Seong-jun’s question, Choi Kang-hyuk put down his chopsticks and looked at him.
*Clack!*
Choi Kang-hyuk stared at Seong-jun in silence for a moment.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth.
“I heard from my Vice Guild Master, Jang Chae-seong. He said that with you, clearing an A-Class dungeon might be possible.”
Since Choi Kang-hyuk disliked beating around the bush, he brought up the main point directly.
Regarding Jang Chae-seong’s words, Seong-jun answered cautiously.
“Hmm, well. It is true that my buffs are different from typical ones, but I’m not sure if they are enough to clear an A-Class dungeon. I haven’t experienced an A-Class dungeon yet.”
He couldn’t blindly guarantee something he wasn’t sure of.
Seong-jun maintained a cautious attitude for now.
Looking at Seong-jun, Choi Kang-hyuk spoke as if it were no big deal.
“Is that so? Then this is a good chance for you to experience one. What do you think? Do you want to try clearing an A-Class dungeon with our Changcheon Guild?”
It wasn’t like they were going to tackle the boss right away; they had to clear the regular monsters and elites first.
Therefore, they could try it out, and if it seemed impossible, it wouldn’t be too late to give up then.
“What is the current clear rate of the A-Class dungeon?”
“28%. We’re still essentially in the early stages of the raid. As for the First Entry Benefit, there are three days left. Since today is almost over, that means only two days remain, so we have to hurry.”
In the end, to receive the First Entry Benefit, they had to clear the entire dungeon and finish the boss raid within two days.
If he accepted Choi Kang-hyuk’s proposal, it was going to be a very grueling schedule.
“Do you have any plans to collaborate with other guilds?”
At the question of whether he had considered linking up with other guilds, Choi Kang-hyuk shook his head.
“I wouldn’t have come looking for you if I intended to do that. I plan to clear it on our own, at least while the First Entry Benefit is active. However, once that benefit disappears, I’ll have to consider collaborating with other guilds.”
The reason Choi Kang-hyuk didn’t collaborate with others was that he didn’t want to share the First Entry Benefit.
But after a week, once the benefit vanished?
He intended to keep collaboration in mind then.
“They say that when clearing a specific dungeon, hunters one rank higher should usually be deployed as the main force. That means an S-Class hunter should be the core for an A-Class dungeon. No matter how great my buffs are, I cannot make an A-Class hunter equivalent to an S-Class.”
When Seong-jun spoke theoretically, Choi Kang-hyuk nodded and said, “I know that much. However, I heard from Jang Chae-seong that with your buff alone, the basic stats of C-Class and B-Class hunters rose to the level of an A-Class. If we lack S-Classes, we can just push through with numbers.”
This was exactly what Choi Kang-hyuk wanted.
He judged that if S-Classes were lacking, they could deploy a large number of hunters equivalent to A-Class and overwhelm the dungeon with human-wave tactics.
And to realize this, Seong-jun’s buffs were essential.
“Certainly, the All-in-One buff inflates basic stats to 40,000. That is a level that exceeds the A-Class average. Furthermore, it increases attack power, defense, and even attack speed, making one appear to have abilities comparable to an A-Class. However, what I realized through this incident is that no matter how much you inflate stats, they cannot reach a proper rank.”
Recalling the case where a B-Class tanker without buffs showed more stable tanking than the C-Class tankers who had A-Class stats from his buffs, Seong-jun realized it wasn’t easy to overcome the limitations of rank through stats alone.
Of course, the gap could be narrowed significantly, though.
“Ho! It raises basic stats to 40,000? That’s incredible. That’s definitely a stat value that exceeds the A-Class average. That’s enough. Our Changcheon B-Class hunters should be more than capable of handling A-Class monsters with that much.”
Even if they were the same rank and had similar stats, the gap in skill widened significantly depending on combat sense.
And the super-giant guilds, like the top ten guilds in the country, were teeming with talented individuals with excellent combat sense.
What if those people gained stats equivalent to an A-Class?
It could create a completely different picture than when ordinary people gained such stats.
“Well, fine. It wouldn’t be bad to experience an A-Class dungeon this time. But I have one condition. Please allow Brother Gwang-taek and Yu-seon here to participate in the raid as well. Of course, you must also ensure they get a proper share of the rewards.”
Since Choi Kang-hyuk and Changcheon were there, it was unlikely to be particularly dangerous, but it was still an A-Class dungeon.
He wanted to have reliable allies he could trust by his side to feel at ease.
At the same time, he also wanted to give Gwang-taek and Yu-seon the experience of an A-Class dungeon.
When Seong-jun set the condition for Gwang-taek and Yu-seon to join, Choi Kang-hyuk looked at the two of them.
“I saw their performance through the videos as well. They are certainly above average. That tanker possesses the Light Chains, which no one else in the country has, and that archer uses abilities that are on a different level from ordinary archers. Did you say you were both B-Class?”
At Choi Kang-hyuk’s question, Gwang-taek and Yu-seon answered hurriedly.
“Yes! I-I am the B-Class tanker, the Paladin of the Iron Wall!”
“I am a B-Class hidden class, the Spirit Archer of the Wind!”
As Gwang-taek and Yu-seon introduced themselves with stiff, disciplined postures, Seong-jun spoke with a smile.
“They will be a help, not a hindrance. And even if I enter the dungeon, I only intend to party with them. If this condition isn’t accepted, then it’s a shame, but I will decline the offer.”
Seong-jun didn’t back down even in front of an S-Class.
This was because he knew better than anyone that Choi Kang-hyuk was the one who needed something in this situation.
And as expected, Choi Kang-hyuk accepted Seong-jun’s condition.
“From what I can see, it doesn’t look like they’ll be a hindrance. I accept your condition.”
In Choi Kang-hyuk’s eyes, Gwang-taek and Yu-seon possessed enough skill to join Changcheon.
Therefore, he didn’t hesitate for a moment to accept Seong-jun’s terms.
“Since I have to visit the Association as soon as I get back to Seoul today, it will be difficult to participate in the raid today. Let’s say we participate for two days, tomorrow and the day after. Oh! And since you said time is tight, you should consider not leaving the dungeon at all for those two days. It should be manageable to survive on hunter-style combat rations for two days.”
They were people who had stayed holed up in a dungeon for three days while surviving on hunter-style combat rations.
Two days wouldn’t be that difficult for them.
“Not leaving the dungeon at all for two days? Hmm, that’s a good idea. I’ll discuss it. Then come to Changcheon by 10:00 AM tomorrow. I’ll speak to the guild separately.”
With this, the Seong-jun party’s participation in the A-Class dungeon clear was confirmed.
Following the B-Class dungeon break, they would now move on to an A-Class dungeon clear.
Seong-jun intended to use this opportunity to speed up his progress toward Level 5 as much as possible.
Of course, it would still take a significant amount of time.
***
After finishing the meal, Choi Kang-hyuk, having finished his business, went up to Seoul first.
Yoo Se-hyun’s group and Seong-jun’s group talked for a bit longer before parting ways.
Having finished his schedule in Taean, Seong-jun returned to Seoul.
As soon as he arrived, he dropped off his uncle and aunt at their home and headed straight to the Association.
Yu-seon also visited the Association with him to take her re-awakening test alongside him.
“Welcome. I am Park Se-jin, Director of the Awakened Management Bureau. Your performance in yesterday’s dungeon break was very impressive.”
The Director of the Awakened Management Bureau personally came out to greet Seong-jun.
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Seong-jun. And this is my party member, Choi Yu-seon, who will be taking the re-awakening test with me today.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Yu-seon.”
Even if Seong-jun’s performance was simply on another level, it was true that Yu-seon had also performed remarkably.
Above all, wasn’t she Seong-jun’s party member?
Since the negotiation with Seong-jun was vital for the Association, they did not neglect Yu-seon, his party member.
“Haha, yes. Hunter Choi Yu-seon’s performance was also as great as Hunter Kim Seong-jun’s. Those formidable attacks using spirits were very impressive. I heard it was a hidden class; is that true?”
At Park Se-jin’s question, Yu-seon shrugged and said, “Haha, yes. It’s the B-Class hidden class, Spirit Archer of the Wind.”
“Hah! B-Class? I thought you were A-Class. You showed a much more powerful appearance than other A-Classes. They don’t call it a hidden class for nothing.”
While it was largely thanks to the Holy Weapon Enchantment Seong-jun had cast on her, Yu-seon’s performance was indeed enough to rival most A-Classes on its own.
“They say hidden classes show performance similar to a rank higher than their own. I think it’s because Seong-jun’s buff was added to that.”
“Even if that’s the case, it’s still amazing. It is thanks to the constant emergence of such outstanding individuals through re-awakening, like Hunter Kim Seong-jun and Hunter Choi Yu-seon, that the Korean hunter world firmly maintains its third-place ranking in Asia. The Korean Awakened Association cannot express how grateful we are.”
Currently, Korea was a country with the third most powerful hunter force in Asia, following China and Japan.
However, they couldn’t rest easy because India, boasting an overwhelming population, had been steadily producing high-rank hunters recently and was chasing close behind.
While India still held fourth place, trailing Korea in the number of S-Class and A-Class hunters, they already possessed several times the number of B-Class and lower hunters.
In such a situation, the appearance of awakened individuals like Seong-jun and Yu-seon, who performed beyond their rank, was naturally something the Korean Awakened Association had no choice but to welcome.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, why did the President of the Association want to see me?”
At Seong-jun’s question, Park Se-jin smiled and said, “I heard he has something urgent to discuss with Hunter Kim Seong-jun regarding this dungeon break. It would be best to hear the details directly from the President.”
Although he was avoiding a direct answer, it seemed he knew something.
‘So you’re going to avoid answering? Well, then I can just check for myself. Deep Analysis!’
It was something he would find out once he met the President, but there was a clear difference between knowing in advance and knowing when the time came.
Specifically, it was the difference of whether he could prepare for it or not.
Therefore, Seong-jun immediately cast Deep Analysis to check Park Se-jin’s psychological state.
[Analysis Results]
Park Se-jin: [Ordinary Person]
Reliability: 38
Psychological State: [He desperately hopes the Association President can persuade Seong-jun to allow the Association to get a foot in the door regarding this dungeon break incident. Only then can they quiet down the negative public opinion regarding the Association, at least a little bit.]
Having confirmed the psychological state, Seong-jun smiled inwardly.
‘So they want to persuade me so the Association can get some credit for this dungeon break incident? Well, the Association didn’t do much in this situation other than contacting each guild. Of course, that in itself can be seen as a sufficient role, but considering the recent bad public opinion, that alone is insufficient. Anyway, it means I’m the one in control here too?’
After confirming the psychological state and identifying the reason the President wanted to see him, Seong-jun recognized that he held the upper hand, at least in today’s negotiations.
Seong-jun was someone who treated others thoroughly as a subordinate when he was in a lower position.
That was his own way of surviving in the dog-eat-dog world of the awakened society.
But when he ascended to a position of power?
He knew how to exercise his rights as the one in control.
Being aware of his current position and situation, and taking the appropriate stance and actions—while not being too subservient nor too authoritarian, maintaining a proper balance—was precisely Seong-jun’s strength.
A moment later, in the President’s office.
*Beeeep—*
“President. Director Park Se-jin from the Awakened Management Bureau has arrived with Hunter Kim Seong-jun and Hunter Choi Yu-seon.”
At the secretary’s words, President Jung Tae-hoon spoke hurriedly.
“Ah! Is that so? Please bring them in and get us some drinks.”
“Yes.”
After the brief call ended.
*Click!*
The door to the President’s office opened, and Seong-jun and Yu-seon entered with Park Se-jin.
“President. I have brought Hunter Kim Seong-jun and Hunter Choi Yu-seon.”
“Oh! Yes. Good work. You may go back to your duties.”
When the dismissal was given, Park Se-jin bowed slightly to the President and walked out.
“Yes, then.”
*Click!*
The door closed again, leaving only the three of them in the President’s office: the President, Seong-jun, and Yu-seon.
“Haha, please! Have a seat over here.”
Following the President’s invitation, Seong-jun slowly walked to the sofa and sat down.
Once Yu-seon sat beside him, the President finally took his seat.
“I was planning to take the re-awakening test anyway, and then I heard you wanted to see me. Yu-seon also needs to take the re-awakening test, so she came along. I hope it’s okay for her to join us?”
At Seong-jun’s words, the President spoke as if it were obvious.
“Along with Hunter Kim Seong-jun, Hunter Choi Yu-seon is also a protagonist of the dungeon break incident. Of course, she should be here. Although I wasn’t at the scene, I was checking the situation in real-time through the video. Hunter Kim Seong-jun and Hunter Choi Yu-seon here, as well as the tanker, Hunter Park Gwang-taek… You all performed truly amazingly.”
Seong-jun went without saying, but Yu-seon, who swept away monsters with powerful attacks, and Gwang-taek, who tanked more monsters than anyone else using various aggro skills including the Light Chains—their performance was impressive enough to make anyone marvel.
That was why various media outlets were currently focusing on their exploits.
“It wasn’t because we were particularly outstanding; it was possible because other hunters also played their parts. That aside, I’m curious as to why you wanted to see me.”
Seong-jun wanted to wrap up the useless small talk and get straight to the point.
At that, the President also nodded and moved to the main topic.
“Ahem, it’s a bit awkward to say this, but the public’s view of the Association isn’t exactly favorable. This is true for both ordinary people and the awakened. Their claim is that the Association is failing to function properly.”
At the President’s words, Seong-jun leaned his upper body forward and spoke in a quiet tone.
“I see. In such a situation, a primary incident like a B-Class dungeon break occurred, and since it was successfully stopped with unprecedented perfection, you want to appeal to the fact that the Association also held a significant share in the process to dilute the negative public opinion. Is that what you’re saying? And for that, you need our help.”
The President wore a look of shock at Seong-jun’s words.
“Hah! How did you…?”
Since he had ordered silence beforehand, Park Se-jin of the Awakened Management Bureau couldn’t have mentioned this fact, which meant Seong-jun had deduced all of it from just a few short words.
Looking at the flustered President, Seong-jun let out a faint smile.
“Then, shall we hear what kind of bargaining chip the Association has prepared?”
The President’s eyes were trembling violently as he looked at the smiling Seong-jun.