Episode 7: Emergency Mission (1)

“Suho hyung, congratulations.”

Jung Hyunsu approached and said.

“Thanks.”

“Park Dongsik, that guy, that item was no joke. He was just toying with you.”

“I was lucky.”

“If you ask me, it was one hundred percent skill, haha. Park Dongsik was the lucky one. He got off easy, that’s all.”

He even used a skill, but you completely wrecked him.

Jung Hyunsu added with a laugh.

“If you got seriously hurt, I’d be in trouble too.”

“Ah! So that’s why you broke his sword and made him puke everywhere. Good job. That really made my day.”

I just hit him hard enough not to kill him, and it turned out that way by chance.

“But why did his sword break? Was my old sword really that weak?”

It looked expensive. Too bad for him.

“Hunter Lee Giho, Hunter Jung Hyunsu.”

Just then, the Instructor called out.

“Oh, it’s my turn, hyung. I’ll be back.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

Jung Hyunsu ran off.

Someone quietly approached the now empty seat.

“Ah, Instructor.”

It was Instructor Kim Jintae.

“That was an excellent fight. It’s the best I’ve seen from a trainee since I became Instructor.”

“Thank you.”

“Even Kang Minje, the Ranker Hunter, did his training under me. Not that it matters now, but even back then, he was something else. Powerful firepower, quick reflexes. Truly overwhelming. But you know…”

Kim Jintae continued with a meaningful look in his eyes.

“I think you were even better. You moved perfectly, using only the necessary strength. I was impressed.”

“That’s high praise, it’s a bit overwhelming.”

“We’ll see. Time will tell if it’s just praise or not.”

Kim Jintae said as if to keep an eye on things.

“Haha.”

Suho tried to laugh it off coolly.

“Here, take this. It’s my business card.”

Kim Jintae handed over a business card.

He wanted to make a connection with a talented junior.

“Ah, thank you.”

“If you ever need my help, contact me. And a word of advice—would you like to hear it?”

“Yes, I’m all ears.”

“Training records and videos are unofficially provided to each Guild. The Association can’t take full responsibility for Hunter education, so it’s a practical solution. Because of that, Scouts are always waiting as soon as training ends. This time, you’ll probably get a lot of attention.”

“Just a word of caution—think carefully before signing any contract. If you’re unsure, you can contact me. There are some who try to exploit Hunters with bad contracts.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Oh, and if you’re meeting with Scouts, go to the meeting room in the building downstairs. That’s what the building was made for.”

With those words, Kim Jintae left.

A little later, the mock combat training ended.

With the issuance of the official Hunter License, the training schedule came to a close.

***

Suho was in the meeting room that Kim Jintae had mentioned.

“I didn’t expect this much of a crowd.”

All the top Guilds’ Scouts were there.

The top three Guilds in Korea—Osung, Baekho, and Icarus—were all present, as well as Scouts from mid-sized Guilds bustling about.

“Hunter Won Suho, I’m Lee Jungwook from Osung. We’ll meet any conditions you want, at the highest level for rookies. Whatever you need, we’ll take care of it. Please, join Osung.”

The Scout from Osung started things off.

Osung Guild, backed by the conglomerate of the same name.

Their financial power was overwhelming.

“Baekho is famous for its systematic training of new Hunters. You’ve heard of us, right?”

He had heard.

Baekho was well-known for nurturing rookies.

“Icarus has Hunter Kang Minje .”

Next was the Scout from Icarus.

Icarus was a Guild rapidly rising in power recently.

And at its center was Kang Minje, and the Scout spoke with pride.

“Five years! That’s how long it took for Kang Minje-nim to become the best in Korea. I heard you broke Kang Minje-nim’s record during training. Hunter Won Suho, the path you should take is with Icarus.”

If Suho were an ordinary Hunter, he might have been swayed.

“If I didn’t have to reveal my abilities, Icarus wouldn’t be a bad choice… but I doubt they’d allow that.”

In the end, he’d have to use the plan he’d thought up beforehand.

After organizing his thoughts, Suho spoke.

“I have some conditions. I’ll sign with whichever side can meet them.”

The Scouts waited for Suho’s words.

“First, provide me with Dungeons. At least twice a month. From One-Star to Three-Star, gradually, according to my growth.”

Even for large Guilds, providing Four-Star Dungeons was difficult.

“And, handle all the secondary tasks that arise during Dungeon activities.”

He meant things like selling byproducts and forming parties.

Most Scouts nodded.

It was standard procedure, after all.

Only the Scout from Icarus frowned.

“And do not interfere with any of my activities. All Hunter activities will be decided at my own discretion. Other than that… just procure any items I request. I’ll pay market price. But only after the three-year contract ends.”

The room stirred.

The Scout from Icarus spoke up.

“Hunter Won Suho, are you…?”

Suho cut him off and continued.

“I will not join the Guild. I’ll sign a contract with the Guild as an equal partner. The value of the Guild’s investment in me will be paid back at double after three years. And then, I’ll lend my strength to the Guild for two Dungeons of their choice.”

Bang!

The Icarus Scout slammed the table and stood up.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Suho understood why he was so angry.

Even if he didn’t really get it.

‘He must be mad because I copied Kang Minje.’

Suho’s conditions.

They were identical to what Kang Minje had demanded as a rookie.

A method Suho had come up with after much deliberation.

‘Imitating Kang Minje.’

Back then, Osung had entered the Hunter industry late and, willing to take a gamble, recruited Kang Minje.

And it paid off big time.

The reason Osung became one of the top three Guilds was largely thanks to Kang Minje’s ‘two times’ assistance.

“Hunter Won Suho sure has guts. You’re making the same demands as the great Hunter Kang Minje .”

The Osung Scout said.

“I heard my results are even better than Hunter Kang Minje’s. Shouldn’t I at least be treated as his equal?”

Suho replied shamelessly.

He had nothing to lose.

‘If they agree to these terms, it’s like winning the lottery for me.’

Money and help to pay back later?

By then, he’d be able to handle it easily.

‘If nobody bites, I’ll just go solo.’

Better than getting the Dwarves discovered.

As Suho was thinking that—

Creak, the sound of a chair sliding.

“We at Icarus will withdraw. Hunter Won Suho, you need to learn some humility.”

The Icarus Scout left the meeting room.

“Hmm, what if you join the Guild under the same terms? We’ll guarantee you as much freedom as possible.”

Osung, who had profited from Kang Minje, asked slyly.

Trying to tie him to the Guild, one way or another.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of changing my terms.”

The Baekho Guild Scout spoke up.

“Haa, seriously… Just when I thought a great rookie had appeared. Look, Hunter Won Suho . Five years ago, maybe, but these days no Guild will accept those conditions.”

Suho’s expression didn’t waver.

The Baekho Guild Scout stood up as well.

“If we can’t communicate, there’s nothing we can do. Baekho will withdraw as well.”

He turned and headed for the door.

“Sign with me. On those terms.”

A voice came from behind.

“What? Someone’s taking that?”

“Which Guild is it?”

“Who is it? He looks young?”

The Scouts exclaimed in surprise.

The one who spoke stepped forward.

“Suho hyung, I’ll take those terms. Sign with me.”

“Hyunsu?”

This time, Suho was surprised.

The owner of the voice was Jung Hyunsu.

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said? This isn’t a place for jokes.”

The Osung Scout asked coldly.

Jung Hyunsu answered confidently.

“I can take responsibility.”

“How?”

“My father’s name is Jung, and he uses the ‘Sangwang’ character for his name. Is that enough of an answer?”

“…So you’re the son of the Sangwangryeon leader. Understood. Osung will withdraw as well.”

With that, the Osung Scout stood up.

Before leaving, he handed his business card to Suho.

“If things don’t work out with Sangwangryeon, please contact us. If you join Osung, we’ll meet all the conditions you mentioned.”

***

The meeting room, now empty of all Scouts.

Suho spoke up.

“Sangwangryeon—isn’t that the Guild formed by non-combat specialty awakeners?”

Sangwangryeon’s main force.

It was made up of Hunters who had skills in equipment making, repairs, potion brewing, and so on.

They’d formed Sangwangryeon to protect their own rights.

At first, it was more like an [artisan] group, but now they have a big influence in the item distribution industry.

“Yes, my father is the leader of Sangwangryeon. Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier, hyung.”

“You don’t need to apologize. But are you really thinking of signing a contract on the terms I just mentioned?”

Honestly, it was a ridiculous proposal.

Kang Minje’s case had been different.

Kang Minje’s overwhelming firepower was obvious even from video.

And Osung was just entering the Hunter industry at that time.

For Kang Minje, all those factors came together to make the contract possible.

Even so, Jung Hyunsu answered without hesitation.

“Yes, I really want to sign with you, hyung.”

Sangwangryeon was much weaker in combat compared to other groups.

Because of that, they were always swayed by outside forces.

Jung Hyunsu had seen that ever since he was a child.

‘Sangwangryeon needs power to protect itself.’

To make Sangwangryeon strong enough to stand alone.

That was Jung Hyunsu’s dream.

So he was looking for talent.

At the Hunter Training Academy, and even at the Training Academy.

That’s when he discovered Suho.

Of all the Hunters he’d seen, Suho was by far the most talented.

‘I have to get Suho hyung on my side, no matter what.’

Even if he couldn’t make him his own, at least they could be close.

As Jung Hyunsu was making up his mind, Suho’s voice interrupted.

“That’s a very one-sided contract, you know. So, do you actually have the authority to make contracts?”

Jung Hyunsu flinched.

A young man with big dreams, Jung Hyunsu.

But he hadn’t actually gotten his father’s approval for this.

He’d just jumped at the chance to recruit Suho, not wanting to miss out.

In fact, this contract went against Sangwangryeon’s usual Hunter recruitment procedures.

“…So, actually, hyung. We’ll need to negotiate.”

“Negotiate?”

“Yes. The Dungeons I can provide you with… actually, they’re the ones I was saving for when I awakened. Would it be alright if I joined you when you go into the Dungeons?”

He could get the items somehow.

But Dungeons were a different matter.

Money alone couldn’t secure an endless supply of Dungeons.

“Hmm, party member, huh…”

Hyunsu’s skills were pretty decent.

He used a bow, so he could cover the rear.

“No matter how I look at it, I have nothing to lose. I can’t handle everything alone anyway.”

Suho had never entered a Dungeon before.

He might have learned how to fight at the Academy, but real Dungeon knowledge and experience couldn’t be gained alone.

Plus, he was the son of Sangwangryeon’s leader.

A precious person—surely he wouldn’t be sent into a deadly Dungeon.

“Come to think of it, I really landed a great deal, didn’t I?”

It was even better than signing with a major Guild on the same terms.

“Alright, I can’t enter Dungeons alone anyway.”

“Thank you. Oh, but…”

“What? Is there something else?”

“For now, I’ll have to use my allowance, so… would it be alright if the signing bonus was fifty million won? In exchange, I’ll give you all the items and byproducts from the Dungeon. I’ll handle everything else, too. And if you need any other items, I’ll do my best to get them for you.”

Ah, the signing bonus!

I’d forgotten about that.

‘Fifty million won is more than enough.’

Any shortfall could be made up by keeping all the Dungeon byproducts.

Having made his decision, Suho grinned.

“Alright, let’s work well together from now on.”

***

“I’ll draw up the contract and contact you soon, hyung. Get home safe.”

“Yeah.”

Suho got into the delivery van.

He felt lighter.

“With fifty million, I can put out the immediate fire.”

The number of Dwarves kept increasing, but he wouldn’t have to worry about food for a while.

Feeling good, he thought he’d feed them something even better today.

Suho drove to the Mart.

***

In front of Suho’s Miscellaneous Store.

Suho carried the boxes from the delivery van into the shop.

“Jjara jjara jja jja jjabba guro—”

Thinking about feeding the Dwarves something new made him happy.

He started humming.

Thanks to that, he finished moving the boxes in no time.

Suho headed for the room.

“Hope everyone’s doing well in there.”

But just as he reached the fridge—

[Emergency Mission Occurred!]

[Emergency Mission Occurred!]

[Emergency Mission Occurred!]

Suddenly, messages poured in.

[You have acquired Dimensional Mission [Village Defense].]

[Hurry and check the mission details!]

Not even a second to check the mission.

Suho immediately grabbed the freezer door.

Crash—!

Even before the door was fully open, an explosion rang out.

“The east is collapsing, block it!”

“Damn! Damn Orc bastards, where did so many come from?!”

“Get the kids to the back! Hurry!”

“Argh—if only the Giant was here at a time like this!”

The Dwarves’ shouts followed.

Suho quickly assessed the situation.

“Monster raid…”

He saw monsters about the size of three finger joints.

Green skin. Muscular bodies. Protruding fangs.

Orcs.

The Dwarves were using an unfinished building as a barricade and holding out.

Individually, the Dwarves were stronger.

But the Orcs outnumbered them by several times.

Worse, there were even young Dwarves at the rear.

They must have joined during the training period, but in battle, they were just a hindrance.

“I have to help.”

At this rate, the Dwarves would lose.

“Can I use force on that world?”

The Dwarves couldn’t perceive anything except items sent through [Trade] Skill…

“Please, let this work!”

Suho stuck the Claw hammer into the freezer.

And swung it.

Thwack—!

The Orc that was hit by the Claw hammer was crushed.

“It works!”

Fortunately, the item in Suho’s hand could interact with the other world.

Suho swung his hand like lightning.

Thwack—thwack thwack thwack thwack—

Like a whack-a-mole, he moved swiftly.

The Orcs burst apart.

By then, the Dwarves had noticed their giant savior.

“It’s the Giant! The Giant has come!”

“We’re saved! The Giant is here!”

“Told you, the Giant would come help us, hehe!”

The Dwarves let out voices of relief.

“Our friend, the Giant, is here! Raise your hammers! Protect the tribe!”

Chief Tarunga shouted at the perfect moment.

“Uwaaaaa—kill them!”

“Kill the Orcs!”

“Protect the children!”

“Revenge for Ramyeon!”

The Dwarves’ morale soared.

Suho let out a sigh of relief.

“Alright. I can hold them off.”

This should prevent any major casualties.

Thinking that, Suho crushed a few more Orcs into jerky.

Whoosh—

A fireball, as big as a fingernail, came flying toward the village.