Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Lightning Flash (1)
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Hero Guild.
The headquarters chief handed a report to Baek Jincheon and spoke up.
"This is Team 8 Leader Gil Jiho's preliminary evaluation of Kim Gunja."
"The initiation rite?"
"Yes."
Baek Jincheon didn't meddle much in matters between guild members, but he made sure the reporting system was airtight.
Go ahead and cause trouble if you want.
But don't hide it.
If you can't handle the aftermath.
That was Baek Jincheon's way.
"How long?"
"Nearly six hours, they say."
"Unusual. And contrasting."
The former referred to how initiation rites typically never exceeded an hour.
The latter, to how Kang Inhyeok had crushed all of Team 8 in under ten minutes.
Baek Jincheon took the report and skimmed its contents lightly.
Then, upon reaching the final section, the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
"Looks like he was quite impressed."
Setting the report down, Baek Jincheon voiced his thoughts.
At the end of the laid-aside report was the overall assessment of Kim Gunja.
A 'hunter' with promising potential ahead.
That meant recognizing Kim Gunja not as a mere rookie, but as a full-fledged hunter.
It was a far more generous evaluation compared to calling Kang Inhyeok an 'overwhelming piece of trash.'
"Yes, it seems their personalities meshed well, which played a part."
It was well-known in Hero Guild that Gil Jiho favored persistent types.
"Personalities, huh."
Couldn't deny that.
But was that all?
"Even so, the previous evaluation was glowing too, right?"
He was referring to B-rank hunter Jang Mangil.
Back from the seabed gate, he'd heaped nothing but praise on Kim Gunja.
The best partner.
Any hunt with him was always welcome.
"Indeed... Yes, he said exactly that."
Baek Jincheon let out a pleased chuckle.
Gazing absently at the report, he recalled the scene from the hunter exam.
— Mr. Kim Gunja, are you alright?!
Diamond Han Juyeong.
The stone-faced guy's heart had turned in such a short time. An unusual sight.
Kim Gunja definitely had something that captivated those around him.
Baek Jincheon wanted talent like that.
Someone to lead Hero Guild to the world stage in his stead, since he had no intention of leaving Korea.
Kang Inhyeok could be a fine sword, but never a leader.
Tap tap tap—
Drumming his fingers on the desk, Baek Jincheon asked,
"What do you think?"
"......"
...About what, exactly?
The headquarters chief was human too.
It was impossible to always keep up with Baek Jincheon's habit of skipping steps in conversation.
Seeing the chief momentarily at a loss, Baek Jincheon clicked his tongue and clarified.
"Is he calculating and maneuvering to win favor?"
Only then did the chief grasp the intent of the question.
He was asking whether Kim Gunja was deliberately scheming to earn admiration, or if it was just his natural demeanor.
After a brief ponder, the chief gave a clear answer.
"Either way, it's a terrifying strength."
Manipulating hearts through meticulous calculation?
Who else could be more fearsome?
The opposite held true too.
Gaining affection through genuine actions from the heart?
That was an allure impossible to ignore.
Thus, the chief had no choice but to respond that way.
Either way, an undeniable strength.
"Fair enough. About a year, then."
As anticipation flickered in Baek Jincheon's eyes,
the chief added another report.
"And... about the new recruit Sin Yeji."
At Baek Jincheon's nod, the chief presented the relevant report and continued.
"Her background check shows regular visits to a mental hospital. Diagnosed with mild dependency and obsession issues stemming from PTSD."
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
A stress disorder from exposure to traumatic events.
"Sounds like a rough life. Lost her parents on Bloody Day 1, lived with her only brother, then lost him too on Bloody Day 2, which triggered minor mental issues."
At the mention of a Bloody Day survivor, Baek Jincheon's demeanor chilled.
Steadying his breath under that pressure, the chief pressed on.
"After that, she relied on her uncle, Park Chunduk. She's quite sensitive to matters of life and death, but given her unique trait is Demon Eye, and it could even be an asset for hunting, the analysis deems it no major issue."
As he scanned the report while listening, Baek Jincheon's gaze drifted to the window, toward Bukaksan Mountain.
"A survivor, huh."
A moment passed.
Then his lips parted slowly.
"Provide her with every convenience."
"Yes."
With that, Baek Jincheon continued staring toward Bukaksan.
Mindful not to disturb him, the chief quietly exited the room.
He knew better than anyone what that day meant to Baek Jincheon.
A beach in Sokcho.
A slender blonde beauty sat on the sand, staring blankly at the sea.
Three young men passing by glanced her way.
"Hey, check her out. Model?"
"Whoa, killer vibe. Photoshoot?"
"No crew around, so probably not."
"Wanna say hi?"
Just as the trio approached,
a man in a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and tanned skin appeared, munching on two tornado potatoes.
Monjiro.
Blocking their path, he peered over his lowered sunglasses with a glare.
"What business with my friend?"
His vibe was intimidating; the men waved it off frantically.
"Oh... uh, your friend?"
"Haha... Thought she was a famous model, wanted a pic..."
"Looks busy anyway. Have a good one!"
With a sigh at the fleeing men, Monjiro approached the blonde, Chris.
"Boss. Here."
"Thanks."
Pentagram's guild master, Chris, took the tornado potato and bit into it while gazing vacantly at the horizon.
Crunch. Crunch.
"Tasty."
"Right? Korea's got endless eats."
"When's the newbie coming?"
Monjiro's temple vein pulsed at Chris's question about Kim Gunja.
"How many times is this now?"
"Dunno. When?"
Ugh, Monjiro sighed and answered.
"He's in Hero Guild's mid-sized gate right now, so earliest tomorrow."
"I'm busy."
"...Then why'd you come so early? I could've scheduled if you'd given notice."
"Didn't wanna wait."
"This is waiting."
"...True. Guess I'll go get him then."
As Chris stood, a startled Monjiro grabbed her arm.
"Crazy?! What if you run into White Flame?!"
"White Flame..."
Chris's expression saddened slightly as she murmured.
"I feel bad about him."
"Doesn't matter what you think! White Flame'll try to kill you on sight!"
Chris's blue eyes fixed intently on Monjiro.
Then her lips parted slowly.
World Rank 2, the Freezer Chris.
"I'll win."
That's not the point!
You stubborn boss!
Monjiro clutched his neck in frustration.
"Ah, my blood pressure..."
"Who's Blood Pressure?"
Shaking his head, Monjiro pleaded with Chris.
"Please just wait here. You're not here to fight White Flame. You're here to check if he's got a Master Ring, right?"
At Monjiro's words, Chris glanced at the ring on her finger.
She stroked it gently and nodded.
"Yeah. Gotta find him. So nothing like that happens again."
"Exactly. So wait here. Just one day. Okay?"
"One day?"
"Yeah, exactly one!"
"Then the newbie, Kim Gunja, comes here?"
"Of course! If not, I'll drag him myself!"
Chris furrowed her brow thoughtfully, then nodded as if conceding.
She sat back down and held out the empty tornado potato skewer.
"One more."
"On it!"
As Monjiro dashed off to buy more, Chris turned back to the East Sea horizon.
And murmured softly.
"My choice was right."
Even if time rewound to that day, she wouldn't change a thing.
Never.
Inside the B-rank Plains Gate.
A series of hills thick with ankle-high weeds.
As Team 8's hunters and Kim Gunja advanced warily along the ridge,
"Incoming!"
With Kim Gunja's shout, something slammed into the back of B-rank defender Hwang Daeyoung, who was walking diagonally ahead.
Caught off guard, Hwang Daeyoung tumbled to the ground with Kim Gunja.
"What the—!"
And in that instant,
two sharp spears erupted from the spot Hwang Daeyoung had been about to cross.
"......!"
Team 8 reacted swiftly.
Vice-leader Choi Do-hyuk's greatsword slammed the ground.
Crimson blood sprayed up, and right beside it, a goblin burst through the dirt.
"Kieeeek&mdash!"
Slash! Thunk!
Leader Gil Jiho's blade decapitated the leaping goblin, while Team 8's weapons tore the rest apart.
Blood and flesh splattered onto Hwang Daeyoung's face as he lay on the ground.
"......!"
No fool could fail to imagine what would've happened without Kim Gunja.
Hwang Daeyoung skewered like a kebab on those ambush spears.
Face pale, Hwang Daeyoung heard Kim Gunja ask,
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah... uh..."
Kim Gunja stood and naturally offered a hand.
Hwang Daeyoung took it and rose.
Regaining his wits, he thanked Kim Gunja.
"...Thanks. You saved my life."
Leader Gil Jiho approached the pair.
"How'd you know?"
A valid question.
No one there had sensed the goblins lying in wait underground.
Not even the lead defender.
Kim Gunja shrugged it off casually.
"The soil color was off."
"What...?"
Kim Gunja pointed at the hole where the goblin had emerged.
Unlike the parched white surrounding dirt, the inside was dark brown.
Amazement spread across Gil Jiho's face.
Weeds everywhere.
Everyone focused on scanning the surroundings, no one checking the ground color.
'He noticed that...'
Gil Jiho couldn't hold back his admiration for such observation skills.
"Sharp eyes."
"Just luck."
In truth, it was part of an ability from Customizing, but no need to mention that.
[Yak Tribe Survival Instinct] keenly detected movements within a 2-meter radius.
The moment the goblin twitched underground to leap, Kim Gunja felt a shiver down his spine.
That's why he could react so swiftly once he pinpointed the direction.
"No need for humility. You saved a teammate."
Gil Jiho patted Kim Gunja's shoulder and murmured low.
"Well done."
As Gil Jiho moved ahead, Team 8's hunters thanked Kim Gunja one by one.
"Thanks, rookie! If Hwang Daeyoung bit it, I'd be bummed. He's my only drinking buddy."
"You bastard, that's all you got to say...!"
"Me too. Still owe me money—who said you could die?"
Ugh, to think these are my comrades...
In their way, they brushed off death's weight lightly, and Hwang Daeyoung formally apologized to Kim Gunja.
"Uh... even if it was tradition, sorry about yesterday. Really."
Starting with him, apologies poured in, and Kim Gunja grinned in response.
"No worries. It was great training for someone like me lacking multi-opponent experience. Thank you."
His attitude—thanking them as if it were nothing—made Team 8 exchange looks.
What a guy.
Impossible to hate.
They'd mistaken such a guy for an arrogant punk...
Feeling guilty and embarrassed at their narrow-mindedness,
"Thanks, rookie."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Anything you need, just say."
The heavy mood lightened thanks to Kim Gunja.
Just as they reached the hill's end,
Gil Jiho signaled to lower stances.
And spat a quiet curse.
"Damn it all... No wonder the ambushes."
Beyond the hill lay a wooden fortress.
Teeming with goblins inside,
one stood out—taller, horned helmet.
Choi Do-hyuk groaned.
"Goblin Commander...? Then don't tell me..."
His eyes scanned the fort quickly, spotting staff-wielding figures nearby.
"God no, shamans too..."
The toughest of mid-sized B-rank gates: a full army facing Hero Guild's Team 8.
In the worst form for a 10-man gate: a siege battle.
As Team 8 reeled, Kim Gunja was stunned for a different reason.
A special quest had popped up.
[Lightning Flash East and West!]
Difficulty: B
Description: The Shadow Monarch is dissatisfied with the master's movements! Show the true might of shadow sorcery!
Conditions: Eliminate 4 shamans simultaneously within 4 seconds
Success: Unlock additional Shadow Monarch ability
Failure: Master's two kidneys will twitch uncontrollably
Seeing the quest's B-rank difficulty, a deep furrow formed on Kim Gunja's brow.
No solution came to mind.
Then, watching Team 8 plan their hunt, an idea struck.
If he couldn't do it alone, why not get help?
Shifting perspective, a solution surfaced easily.
'Might be simpler than I thought...'
A small smile curved Kim Gunja's lips as he eyed his seniors devising the plan.