The Guilds' Hidden Secret
Nam Gyuil watched Han Kangsu charging straight at him.
Fast.
The momentum was impressive. His movements were lightning-quick, and the trajectory of his wooden sword was razor-sharp.
He's definitely got real skill.
Nam Gyuil twisted his body, letting the attack slide past harmlessly.
Han Kangsu wasn't weak.
He's actually on the strong side. You can tell just from this assault.
Whoosh!!
Han Kangsu's motion flowed seamlessly from a downward strike into a horizontal slash. Nam Gyuil retreated two steps to evade it.
His talent is undeniably exceptional.
But there was something even more special in Nam Gyuil's eyes.
This guy's been forged through proper training. You can see the marks of refined mana cultivation!
How was that possible?
Earth lacked enough mana for proper cultivation techniques.
Hold on—could it be?
Nam Gyuil recalled knowledge from the Akashic Records.
Atmospheric mana isn't evenly distributed everywhere. Depending on various causes and influences, it can concentrate in certain spots.
So, perhaps Han Kangsu had cultivated mana in one of those places?
It all fit together perfectly if that was the case.
Even if mana gathers in one area, Earth's levels aren't sufficient. Compared to me, who's been taking elixirs alongside cultivation, his training effects look inferior.
Nam Gyuil narrowed his eyes.
Guild hunters were seen as stronger than national hunters—that was the common perception.
And it was true.
Those who survived their service in the Hunter Agency often joined guilds.
So people assumed:
—They had special know-how for defeating monsters.
—They possessed unique talents.
'That's why they beat monsters so easily.'
Sure, there might be some truth to that.
But sparring with Han Kangsu today revealed the real story.
All those rumors were bullshit. In reality, they got strong by monopolizing proper training methods and mana-concentrated locations.
And they'd passed it down secretly only to blood relatives or guild members.
Nam Gyuil remembered wuxia novels he'd read as a kid.
The setup was simple.
The heirs of famous clans learned secret martial arts from their parents, grew powerful, and monopolized strength to amass wealth and power.
A bitter smile crossed his lips.
It was exactly the same.
The large guilds had piled up immense wealth like those clans, entangled with politics, and seized power.
All thanks to monopolizing proper training methods and mana hotspots.
That was how they'd inflated their own value.
But how did they even learn the proper training methods?
Not from the Akashic Records—no chance.
He'd never seen any beings there besides the angel librarian.
Plus, accessing it required the librarian's selection. Not just anyone could enter.
So, did they stumble upon it by pure chance?
Somehow they discovered the right methods, monopolized them, and expanded their influence.
Whether by luck or some special event, he didn't know.
But one thing was certain: the Han Kangsu standing before him had enjoyed that privilege since childhood.
Yeah, that's the source of his confidence...
Monopoly on proper training.
Nam Gyuil saw through the entire situation at a glance.
Whoosh.
Han Kangsu kept swinging his wooden sword relentlessly.
Nam Gyuil dodged with ease.
As the fight dragged on like this, impatience crept into Han Kangsu.
How is he dodging every single attack?
He'd grown strong through his father's secret special training.
Everyone called him a genius.
So why...?
Why can't I land even one hit?!
Han Kangsu had indeed grown strong through proper training—just like Nam Gyuil.
But there was one key difference.
Nam Gyuil had used Akashic Records knowledge to craft and consume elixirs.
That made all the difference.
Nam Gyuil, who'd only been evading, finally went on the counterattack.
Whoosh—!!
His wooden sword sliced through the air with lethal precision.
Han Kangsu's eyes widened.
He barely blocked, but a beat too slow— the blade struck his side.
"Kuh!"
His head spun, guts twisting in agony.
He hurriedly created distance, clutching his throbbing side and glaring at Nam Gyuil.
What now?
The heavy blow made free movement impossible.
Then, Nam Gyuil assumed his stance.
A perfect charging posture: right foot forward, waist low, knees bent.
Wooden sword thrust straight ahead, aimed at his foe.
The aura was overwhelming.
Han Kangsu flinched and stepped back.
Nam Gyuil gripped his sword so tightly that blue veins bulged on his hand.
He'd planned to go easy at first.
But now that I know the large guilds' secrets, I can't hold back.
Full power it was.
Han Kangsu's trained properly too—no room for complacency.
Nam Gyuil's eyes blazed.
Tat-tat—!!
He charged.
Arm extended, a piercing thrust exploded forward.
The speed was blinding—Han Kangsu couldn't react in time and took it full-on.
His body launched into the air, flying backward.
"Gahk!!"
A scream tore from his lips.
Needle-like pain. Dizzying agony that short-circuited his brain—no chance for retaliation.
Thud—!!
His flying body slammed into the wall before stopping.
"Hah, hah, ugh!"
Han Kangsu crumpled to the floor.
Groaning amid ragged breaths, he barely clutched his right shoulder.
S-strong.
Incredible skill.
He'd never been so utterly dominated in a spar.
Just one thrust had made the skill gap crystal clear.
That guy's stronger than me!
Nam Gyuil was far superior.
But he couldn't comprehend it.
How did he get this strong? Trained by someone from a large guild?
Using his wooden sword as a crutch, Han Kangsu stood.
He had no answers to his questions.
But one thing he knew for sure, more than anyone:
This guy's no ordinary man.
The fire to win through fighting faded away.
He realized his skills couldn't overcome him.
This spar was meant to salvage his pride, but it only crushed it further.
A shadow fell over his bowed head.
Nam Gyuil's shadow.
Han Kangsu looked up at him.
"Hey."
"Private Han Kangsu."
"You lose?"
"Yes."
He admitted his defeat cleanly.
Crack.
In that instant, the wooden sword he'd used as a crutch snapped, and he collapsed, passing out.
Han Kangsu's head felt foggy.
His vision was blurry.
But his forehead felt cool.
"Ugh!?"
Regaining consciousness, he opened his eyes to find a wet cloth on his forehead.
He flung it aside to the bedside.
What the hell happened?
Grunting, he struggled to sit up.
His shoulder blade throbbed. The pulsing pain made him flinch.
"Kuh."
He tugged at his shirt collar to check the wound.
It was bandaged. Someone had treated him.
Suddenly, Nam Gyuil's final strike flashed in his mind.
A devastating blow. Too intense to forget.
Then—
"You're awake, huh?"
A voice came from the side.
The sudden sound startled him.
He whipped his head left to see Nam Gyuil sitting nearby, chugging something down.
A sour smell hung in the air.
"What're you drinking?"
"Something good for the body."
Nam Gyuil kept gulping the brown liquid from a canteen.
It was a low-grade elixir.
Incredibly valuable, but Han Kangsu showed no interest.
Instead, he asked something else.
"Sergeant Nam Gyuil, do you have connections to famous hunters?"
"Why?"
"You seem to have undergone special training."
"Eh, a bit of a connection."
"Which hunter? There are only five large guilds... How did you learn their core members-only training secrets...?"
"You need to know that too?"
Nam Gyuil brushed it off with an annoyed tone.
There were five large guilds.
They'd built their power monopolizing proper training.
If he revealed he knew, how would they react?
They'd bribe or threaten him to keep quiet—obvious.
Nam Gyuil glanced at the ceiling.
Not revealing the proper training methods was the smart choice.
If he'd blabbed carelessly, he'd be facing their retaliation by now.
Worst case, assassinated.
The profits from their monopoly were enormous.
Another guy knowing their secret? They wouldn't sit idle.
Assassinating threats to their income was common in real cases.
They'd kill me or force me into a large guild, monitor me for life.
He didn't want to live like that forever.
So, keep the Akashic Records secret, build strength first. That's my path to survival.
Without power to withstand interference, his future wouldn't be smooth.
But he could get strong enough soon.
The guilds' monopolized knowledge was just a fraction.
The Akashic Records held infinite depths beyond their imagination.
A little patience, and he'd gain the power to act freely.
Anyway, that's for later.
Time to wrap up with Han Kangsu and head home.
Nam Gyuil pointed at him with his index finger.
"I won the spar, so equip 01 Team with top-grade gear."
"Got it."
"And don't tell anyone I won. Keep the special training stuff secret too."
"Why?"
"Eh, too much hassle to explain—just don't."
"Understood."
Han Kangsu nodded.
He didn't get why the secrecy, but he had no intention of bragging about his loss anyway.
Word that Han Ducheol's son lost to a national hunter would tank his father's guild stock.
To hide that, even the fact of Nam Gyuil's proper training had to stay buried.
Even from family.
Dad, who'd endlessly praised him, would finally be disappointed.
Nam Gyuil offered some advice to the immature Han Kangsu.
"Finally, the Hunter Agency has its own culture. I'm not saying don't voice opinions to superiors, but at least show respect."
"Yes, sir."
Defeated in the spar, Han Kangsu was surprisingly compliant.
Nam Gyuil stood.
He'd said his piece—time to leave gracefully.
Then, Han Kangsu asked:
"One more thing I'm curious about."
"What now?"
Nam Gyuil gestured for him to spit it out.
"With skills like that, why hide them?"
"My business."
"Which guild will you join after discharge?"
"Dunno."
"C'mon, give me a straight answer at least?"
"My business. I'm out."
As Nam Gyuil headed for the exit, Han Kangsu grabbed his clothes.
"Wait just a sec."
"What now?"
"Can I transfer to 01 Team?"
"What?!"
Han Kangsu's bombshell.
Nam Gyuil scowled openly, radiating rejection.
The word "no" nearly escaped, but he asked for the reason first.
"Why would you wanna?"
"Because Sergeant Nam Gyuil is strong."
"Huh?"
"If I have to follow a superior's orders, I want it to be someone capable."
Nam Gyuil was baffled.
What the hell was this?
He stared, wondering if it was a joke.
But Han Kangsu was dead serious.
He was a meritocrat.
Rank, age, gender—none of that mattered. Only skill.
It made sense, given his upbringing.
His father was the same, and he'd grown up in that atmosphere.
Hence his habit of looking down on the less skilled.
That was why he'd disrespected his seniors.
Han Kangsu stared intently at Nam Gyuil, awaiting his answer.
But the response was rejection.
"No."
"Why not?"
"What is this, some shonen manga? Teaming up right after a spar?"
"......"
"Plus, switching teams isn't smart. People might think something's wrong with 05 Team and the rookie's bailing."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"You're young—you'll learn how scary public eyes are when you get older."
With that, Nam Gyuil left the training hall.
Left alone, Han Kangsu pondered briefly, then pulled out his smartphone from his pocket.
He dialed somewhere.
Ring. Ring.
Click.
The moment it connected, Han Kangsu shouted.
"Dad, I need a favor. Can you help?"