Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Tomboy Childhood Friend Introduces [First Sex Partner]
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The atmosphere was tense at first, but Seong-yeon and I weren't the type to let something like this turn our faces red for long, so it cleared up quickly.
Vice Guild Master Ceres clearly had a lot to say about the whole thing, but with Seong-yeon right there, she held back. We changed into fresh clothes and headed to the lounge.
A bunch of Chomok Guild members I'd seen yesterday were there, along with documentary crew and some broadcasters who'd shown up for Seong-yeon's interview.
『For that reason, meet our newest member, the Scavenger. Get along with everyone, and don't forget to call the Guild Master if any problems come up~!』
Seong-yeon introduced me and hyped up the mood a bit, and the guild members clapped along awkwardly.
It was awkward as hell, all that forced "whoa, clap clap clap"—felt just like an elementary school talent show.
"I'm Hong Chang-gi, the Scavenger you just heard about. I'm just a D-rank tagalong, but I'll work hard. Please take good care of me!"
To lighten things up, I bowed deeply.
I was the cause of yesterday's chaos, after all. Hell, I was the guy who whisked away the star of the festival—the Guild Master herself. Here, I had to play nice and compliant.
"If the Guild Master brought him in, then... whatever."
"She's calling him her benefactor, right? That makes him ours too."
"We've got opinions, but this isn't the place to air them..."
"Don't wanna get chewed out by the Vice Guild Master again."
"We messed up big yesterday anyway, so no whining, everyone."
"Yeah. Rumors are just rumors. Otherwise, why would the Guild Master recruit him?"
"Her benefactor, she says. Isn't the reason obvious?"
"Hey, watch your mouth."
"...Tch."
They were all still grumpy, but the tension eased.
A few still showed some resentment, but time would sort that out.
More importantly...
These guys were the problem.
The doc crew was one thing, but the interviewers were grilling Seong-yeon rudely.
She'd introduced me right in front of the reporters on purpose, so I had to trust she had a plan.
"Seong-yeon."
"I'll handle it."
She stepped forward.
"Ahem. As I explained, he's my benefactor, a friend, and a skilled hunter."
"Yes, he does pick up bodies. But that's all part of his volunteer work for the bereaved families."
"Out of all the hunters processed as dead in the towers, how many do you think make it back to their families intact? You're not experts, so you probably don't know. That's why I got stats from the Hunter Association today. Out of 100% fatalities, only 5% reach their families—and that's excluding minors and twenty-somethings."
"Rumors are just rumors. Chang-gi here is nothing like the bad press—he's incredibly diligent. Over the past year, he's returned over 200 bodies to families through the Association, and over 500 if you count just ashes. One guy accounting for part of that 5%? The Association's even planning to give him an award soon. I trust his skills and character completely."
"We've barely seen each other in 19 years. I didn't even recognize him at first. But I checked his record for recruitment, and as I said, the evidence was overwhelming. Sure, the rep's rough, but he's D-rank with a title. Clear up the misunderstandings, and he'll contribute big to the guild."
A ton of them were already tapping away on their pads, writing articles.
A few harsh comments flew by that were hard to ignore, but Seong-yeon's hand stayed lightly on my arm the whole time, like she was holding me back.
'On purpose?'
'Yeah.'
'Fuckin' clever bitch.'
With the mood like this, even the guild members started warming up. People get swept up in the vibe, especially in a spot like this where heartwarming tales make everyone nod along. Once the idea hits that "not agreeing makes you the bad guy," only a few hold out.
"That's all for questions. Reporters, you didn't have appointments today—disperse. Filming crew, back to your jobs."
"The top floors are restricted. Everywhere else is fair game."
At Seong-yeon and Vice Guild Master Ceres's orders, the reporters scattered, leaving just the camera teams to head inside.
I figured they'd cling harder, but these were high-rank hunters. Knowing she could wipe them physically kept them meek as lambs inside the tower.
"Hey..."
A few approached me.
Faces from yesterday's lounge.
"What's up?"
"Wanted to apologize. Sorry about yesterday."
"That guy's not a total asshole. We were hammered, and... we lost someone we cared about, so..."
"He was in our party."
"Ah."
That explained the buddy-buddy vibe while they held him back instead of me.
I pondered for a sec but nah, I'm no edgelord. After chewing him out and kicking his ass yesterday, I was over it.
Speaking up now would just look like I was hiding behind Seong-yeon's clout...
Plus, these folks kept backing him: "You crossed the line." They call out their own when they're wrong—instead of doubling down.
Good seniors.
"No worries. I lost my cool and mouthed off too. It was a mix-up, so please don't beat yourselves up."
"Thanks..."
"See? Not a bad guy—we fucked up big time."
"Yeah, really."
Selling favors feels great.
Me, a good guy? Hilarious.
"You all hear that!? Any of you assholes spouting crap earlier, front and center! Think the Guild Master's blind, letting a creep like that run loose!?"
"He's a legit good dude!!"
The favor paid off quick. One senior bellowed, others jumped on the bandwagon, and suddenly hunters were bowing left and right.
"Sorry, my bad."
"Me too."
"If the Guild Master picked him, can't be scum."
"Right... No way she'd drag in some crony. We're not idiots."
They apologized one by one; I bowed back earnestly, building bonds. Air was thick enough to choke on—wanted to bolt, but this is social life. Solo hunted forever, but now I'd team up sometimes.
Riding the wave, another fox hopped aboard.
"You two done talking?"
"Yeah."
"Yep."
"Very well. Allow me to apologize as well. I sincerely regret attacking you amid such misunderstandings."
She bowed neatly.
Butler Ceres was pro through and through, even if her face screamed she wasn't fully convinced.
Hmm.
Was that really her bra? Or just Seong-yeon's cross-dressing prop?
If the former, bowing like this must suck. To her, I'm a pervert swinging her bra around. Yet here she was, swallowing tears under guild authority to apologize to said perv. How pitiful...
'Didn't expect the Vice Guild Master to peg me from day one. Why's my social life always this cursed?'
I lamented inwardly but bowed politely to match the mood.
'Hope that softens her up a bit.'
"Chang-gi ya, what's next?"
"Huh?"
"Your place. We provide housing for members. Stay here or keep your old spot—your call."
'Right, guild has its own cafeteria too.'
Big corp vibes. Insane perks. I marveled and pondered.
Benefits here were top-tier. Room huge, worlds from my dump.
Food'd be killer too—nutritionists balancing meals? Instant move-in made sense.
Hmm...
"Why hesitate? Just come. Body's all you need."
"Heading to Golden Tower soon, right? Guild housing moves too?"
"Yep."
"Two moves? Nah. Unsure about living with everyone yet. Thinking separate till the hunting grounds shift..."
"Do that, then. Use it anytime—no pressure."
I nodded.
So... joined, explained—done?
Now what? Climb the tower? Bond with seniors?
"Wanna grab a drink with us?"
"Booze?"
"You whisked the Guild Master yesterday, so celebration round two tonight. You're in, right?"
"Ah~!"
No reason to say no to seniors inviting me.
Figured I'd mingle here tonight—stepped to go, but a husky laugh stopped me.
"Right~! Chang-gi ya, check your phone if you got time?"
"Why? The clothes text from earlier?"
"Not that. Sent another. Check privately—no peeking eyes."
"...Huh?"
Random, but seniors weren't pushing anyway, so I said bathroom break and dipped.
Better see this ASAP. Especially from Seong-yeon.
"What needs sneaky eyes?"
Just in case, sat on the john, double-checked for cams, then pulled out my phone.
Text light blinking [1+].
Seong-yeon's number.
[Today's Incoming Calls]
♡Song Seong-yeon♡
[10:10 AM] [Sex Partner Reservation: 1] Time: Tonight, 11:30 PM Location: Come alone to the marked area on the map below Hey Chang-gi ya. Booked what we talked about yesterday right away. Heard the details, got some requests—she wants me to note them down. Watch your back—no tails. No jerking off today. No condoms. Kissing OK. Other stuff, but she wants it direct from her. She'll contact you on arrival—handle from there. First time'll be awkward. Good luck.
"Already!?"
5252! For real!?
How long since we agreed, and sex partner lined up? Am I that hot?
Whoa, getting nervous!!
"Shit, accepted without thinking—what if she's ugly?"
High-rank hunters get god-tier looks as their rank climbs.
I'm D-rank—decent enough.
But if she's borderline troll...?
...Fuck!
"Jumped the gun. Drunk or not, should've thought longer."
Too late for regrets.
Odds of ugly... slim. Higher rank, hotter looks.
But not zero—and that's the hook.
No normal chick wants a speckled mutt like me for fuckbuddies!!
"Hah, what is this, gacha? Turned full gigolo, fuck."
Sex with a stranger—no clue who.
Half excited, half worried, I joined the drinks, paced myself to stay sober, and waited out the pounding heart till night.