Privileges Granted to the S-Class
Support for S-class hunters and talented Awakened had ceased the moment the previous Gaju—Jeong-Hoon’s uncle—grew critically ill, long before his death.
“You’re saying that lasted a full six months?”
Even granting that his uncle had been on the brink of death, the thought of leaving everything unattended for half a year filled Jeong-Hoon with a sharp sense of crisis. He shook his head.
“Still, I suppose they calculated that nothing would go wrong?”
“On the contrary. That period was spent deliberately creating problems so they could be solved.”
No one could know what kind of person the future Gaju would turn out to be; therefore the family could not simply hand him its full power. Having reached that conclusion, the previous Gaju spent the remainder of his life dispersing the family’s strength and setting up trials. Those six months were preparation—so that if Jeong-Hoon proved unworthy, the vassals themselves could still steer the family. Naturally, all outward activity of the household ground to a halt.
“So that’s why the paperwork is piled this high?”
“The issues were simply too large for Myeongil to handle on its own. We set them aside for the time being.”
Jeong-Hoon scanned the list of hunters the family had investigated over the past half-year—those with genuine talent and the handful who had Awakened as S-class. He shook his head again. Even meeting one person a day would take months.
“Looking at these numbers, it almost seems like humanity is getting stronger faster than the monsters.”
In six months the number of Awakened who had reached S-class or higher had outstripped the number of S-class or higher monsters that had appeared.
“That is entirely thanks to you, Gaju.”
The seal Jeong-Hoon maintained loosened humanity’s restraints more quickly than those of the monsters. Reassured, he tried to focus on the documents—only to find that the sheer abundance of time brought on a severe case of decision paralysis.
“If you are uncertain where to begin, why not start with someone familiar?”
While Jeong-Hoon debated whom to teach martial arts or magic first, the Chief Butler slid a single file across the desk. It was the dossier of Han Si-Eun, the girl who had only recently become his friend.
Han Si-Eun was already being called the youngest S-class hunter, yet she had only held the rank for three months. Consequently she had never received the services Lumen offered to S-class hunters.
“…To be honest, I thought that was why you called me last time.”
The moment Jeong-Hoon’s message arrived she had come straight to Lumen. When she heard that Lumen would now support her, she nodded in understanding. As an S-class she had already heard the rumors.
“I understand the Chairman is protecting the world from the shadows, but why does Lumen treat hunters this generously?”
“Because Lumen alone isn’t enough to protect the world.”
Jeong-Hoon answered lightly and flicked a glance at the Chief Butler, happily dumping the detailed explanation onto him. Even after several days of hearing about the family, Jeong-Hoon still had not grasped every fine point.
“As the Chairman says, Lumen’s hands are simply too few to safeguard the world. Moreover, Lumen’s goal is guardianship, not dominion. Therefore we have no choice but to pursue the elevation of humanity’s overall combat strength.”
“And the method is preferential treatment for high-ranking hunters of S-class and above?”
“One purpose is to inspire ambition—‘If I reach S-class, Lumen will support me.’ The greater reason, however, is that hunters of S-class and above form the true backbone of the world’s defense.”
“What? There are only about a thousand S-class hunters worldwide. Isn’t the real backbone the B-class hunters?”
Si-Eun’s doubt was not wrong, so Jeong-Hoon nodded. Even among the Ten Great Guilds the core forces were B-class.
“That is a misunderstanding. It only appears that way because there are so many B-class hunters. Suppose an S-class monster suddenly appears in Seoul. Would you deploy a thousand B-class hunters, or two S-class hunters?”
Both Si-Eun and Jeong-Hoon immediately pictured two S-class hunters. Against an S-class monster a thousand B-class hunters would leave a third dead or critically wounded. Two S-class hunters, barring unforeseen variables, would clear the monster without excessive difficulty.
“As the example shows, numbers are not what matter. Practical combat value is what matters.”
In short, they were treated well because they were worth treating well. Si-Eun nodded. The old her might not have understood, but after witnessing the seal and watching Jeong-Hoon repair the barrier, she could accept it.
“Any further questions?”
The Chief Butler’s eyes sparkled; this was a chance to educate Jeong-Hoon as well. Si-Eun, overwhelmed by that intensity, merely shook her head.
“Then I shall explain the services provided to S-class hunters. You may use any Lumen suite anywhere in the world at any time. Should the branch you visit have no vacant suite, we will upgrade you to a Royal Suite free of charge.”
The luxury hotel chain Lumen offered only four room grades: the basic Lumen room, Suite, Royal Suite, and MVP Room. The scarcity of grades was no slight—the entry-level Lumen room already matched the suites of most five-star hotels. Offering free membership to Lumen’s suites was an extraordinary privilege.
“In addition, you are automatically enrolled in the Lumen Club. Henceforth every Lumen facility is free of charge for you and one companion.”
Having enjoyed Lumen’s amenities while staying with So-Hyeon, Si-Eun recalled the prices and her expression turned dazed. Even an S-class hunter’s income would have struggled to cover them.
“Furthermore, a monthly living allowance of one billion won is provided.”
“W-wait a second! There are only about a thousand S-class hunters in the world—does that mean Lumen spends roughly one trillion won every month just on living allowances?”
The sum seemed utterly impossible for Lumen’s revenue to bear; Si-Eun was genuinely startled.
“That is correct. Is there a problem?”
“Isn’t that more than the combined income of Lumen and every company known to be closely tied to it?”
“Lumen’s foundations are not so shallow that a trifling sum like that would shake them.”
Calling an astronomical figure “a trifling sum” made Si-Eun glance involuntarily at Jeong-Hoon. The master of Lumen—who moved such money—was sitting right there.
“Haha. You heard him. Lumen has no trouble at all.”
Jeong-Hoon met her eyes and forced a composed smile, yet the faint tremor in his hands and legs made Si-Eun return an awkward smile of her own. It was not that he begrudged the money; he simply had not known the scale himself and was equally shocked.
“In addition…”
The more the Chief Butler listed the benefits granted to an S-class hunter, the stiffer Si-Eun’s face became. No wonder free-agent S-class hunters outnumbered those who joined guilds. With this kind of support there was no need to scrape through dungeons for cash.
“What does Lumen expect in return for all this?”
“Nothing. Simply keep it as a debt of the heart.”
The Chief Butler’s manner made it clear the goal was pure protection of the world. Si-Eun nodded.
“And finally, there is one more thing.”
“There’s still more?”
“This one requires a confidentiality pledge, though it is not compulsory. We offer you the power that turns an ordinary S-class into a true S-class.”
Still reeling from Lumen’s largesse, Si-Eun felt the Chief Butler’s aura shift and instinctively met Jeong-Hoon’s eyes. He, too, had straightened and was staring at her intently. In that atmosphere she understood: everything so far had been merely the appetizer.
To determine whether her talent leaned toward martial arts, magic, or psychic ability, Jeong-Hoon had come to Myeongil. Sipping a leisurely cup of coffee, he watched the heated exchange between the Chief Butler and Jeong I-Yeong.
“Leaving talent of this caliber as a mere hunter is a waste. We must propose that she become a vassal.”
“I agree, Head Maid. Yet Hunter Han Si-Eun is the Gaju’s friend. Asking a friend to serve him as master is anachronistic.”
The examination results had arrived. Before they were delivered to Si-Eun herself, Jeong I-Yeong had taken one look and caught fire; the Chief Butler was now desperately trying to cool her down. The usually invisible Head Maid was this passionate for one reason only: Han Si-Eun’s potential. Gifted in magic, martial arts, and psychic power alike, her latent ability was estimated at SSS-class or higher. Among the vassals there was simply no one who could compare.
“Chief Butler, are you saying I myself am anachronistic?”
“Not at all. You come from a vassal house that has served the Gaju for generations. Hunter Han Si-Eun does not.”
“To forbid even making the proposal is overstepping your authority. As Head Maid I have the right to select and manage the maids who serve the Gaju.”
Jeong-Hoon himself found nothing strange about coveting such talent, so he had no intention of intervening. The clash, however, was growing too heated; he raised a hand to cut it short.
“Hold on a moment. I overheard something. Head Maid, what was your relationship with my uncle? From the way the conversation is going, were you friends?”
Recalling how the Chief Butler had cited friendship as the reason Si-Eun could not become a vassal—and how Jeong I-Yeong had retorted by asking what that made her—Jeong-Hoon put the question directly. Jeong I-Yeong shook her head.
“My relationship with the previous Gaju was simply that of Gaju and vassal.”
“That explanation will not satisfy the Gaju’s curiosity. Yet it is a private matter, so the situation is delicate.”
When Jeong I-Yeong’s flat denial left the Chief Butler hesitant to elaborate, Jeong-Hoon shook his head. If the answer was uncomfortable, he would not pry.
“If I do not explain properly you may misunderstand, so I shall speak. The previous Gaju’s wife—the Lady of the House—was my friend.”
Jeong I-Yeong volunteered the truth, and Jeong-Hoon nodded. In that light the parallel made sense.
“Ah—but Head Maid, you’re thirty-six. My uncle was in his late forties, so that would mean…”
“The Lady of the House was the same age as I.”
Jeong-Hoon had expected a friendship across a wide age gap. Realizing his uncle had simply been a cradle-robber, he could only nod.
“Got it. Carry on with whatever you were doing.”
With his curiosity satisfied he waved them on, but the earlier intensity had already cooled. The two merely exchanged glances and cleared their throats.
“Looking back, I was momentarily dazzled by such absurd talent. My apologies, Chief Butler.”
“Not at all. I myself forgot that making the proposal is your prerogative. Moreover, Hunter Han Si-Eun already knows one of the Gaju’s secrets. Her qualifications are more than sufficient.”
The sudden mutual courtesy left Jeong-Hoon staring blankly. He turned to Woo Do-Il, who had been watching the entire exchange in silence.
“Looks like that’s settled. Let’s meet Hunter Han Si-Eun—she’s waiting outside.”
Woo Do-Il gave a quiet nod and pressed the call button on his desk.