Chapter 16: The Kangcheol Guild Scout
01 Team emerged from the gate. Having safely defeated the zombies, they panted heavily as they looked at one another.
"We made it out safe again—!!"
Lee Chanu bellowed as he yanked off his helmet. Hong Shinu flexed her fingers, counting off the accident-free days, then shouted to everyone with sparkling eyes.
"Accident-free for nine days straight!!"
Hwang Ilsu burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, at this rate, we might all make it through our service without a scratch."
The whole team buzzed with excitement. Closing gates without a single incident had boosted their confidence. They all turned to Nam Gyuil. It was his performance that had sealed the gate once more.
Nam Gyuil smirked as waves of admiring gazes washed over him.
"Alright, alright, you all did great today. As promised, dinner's on me—so get excited."
"Yay!"
"Looking forward to it."
They were heading to a restaurant when someone suddenly called out to Nam Gyuil.
"Nam Gyuil?"
He turned toward the voice. A woman stood there. Her dark hair cascaded to her waist, framing sharp eyes that left a strong impression. Her skin was flawlessly smooth.
Nam Gyuil stared intently at her face. He'd never seen her before. And this was no ordinary spot—it was where the gate had just been, cordoned off by the military and police. No civilian could just stroll in here. You needed authority higher than theirs.
Nam Gyuil asked cautiously,
"Who are you?"
"I'm Han Suyeong, scout for Kangcheol Guild."
"Kangcheol Guild?!"
Nam Gyuil blinked in surprise. Kangcheol Guild was the major guild run by Han Ducheol, Han Kangsu's father. A scout from there coming for him?
A national hunter with just a short time left in service isn't an unusual target for scouting...but this sudden?
Han Suyeong, who had introduced herself as the scout, picked up the conversation.
"I came to scout you, Nam Gyuil. I've heard a lot of rumors about how capable you are."
She glanced subtly at Han Kangsu. This scouting offer had been planned after Han Kangsu told his father about an outstanding national hunter. Few who safely completed their Hunter Agency service joined guilds, so they made early contact with promising talent.
Nam Gyuil looked at Han Kangsu.
"Why didn't you mention your guild was sending a scout?"
"I was going to."
"What?"
"Do you remember when I transferred into 01 Team?"
"Yeah. I still remember the report about you flipping 05 Team upside down."
"Do you remember I was about to say something after that?"
"After that?"
Nam Gyuil racked his brain. He'd gotten so annoyed about the 05 Team mess that he'd cut him off.
That's right—Han Kangsu had said something about his sister at the end. But what does that have to do with this? Doesn't seem related.
Han Kangsu finally said what he'd held back then.
"I was going to ask if you'd consider joining Kangcheol Guild after discharge, since my sister would be coming to scout you. But you suddenly ended the conversation, Sergeant Nam Gyuil, so I couldn't."
"Your sister? The scout is your sister?"
"Yes."
"You were trying to tell me your sister was coming to scout, but I cut you off?"
"Yes. I planned to bring it up again depending on the situation, but I didn't expect her this soon. I thought the formal offer would come tomorrow."
Han Kangsu was flustered too. Nam Gyuil gave Han Suyeong an awkward smile.
"You're Han Kangsu's sister?"
"Yes. You must be having a hard time with my immature little brother."
"No, he'll do great going forward."
Nam Gyuil couldn't bring himself to say it hadn't been hard. Han Suyeong chuckled softly.
"I know what kind of guy my brother is. Please take good care of him."
"Ah, sure."
"Now, back to business. This might take a while—shall we move somewhere else?"
Nam Gyuil glanced at his team. He pulled a debit card from his wallet—not his savings or paycheck card, but one with pocket money—and handed it to Lee Chanu.
"Here, use this to get whatever you guys want."
"For real?!"
"Yeah. But nothing too pricey."
"Don't worry. We'll just go for Chef Kim Baek's course menu!"
"You little—!!"
Nam Gyuil flicked Lee Chanu's forehead and whispered in his ear.
"I'll treat you to that separately later, so keep it cheap this time. Chef Kim Baek's fine dining for this many would run at least 4.5 million won. This card only has 300,000 anyway."
"Urk, boss! Doesn't feeding your little bros sting that much?!"
"Yeah, it does. Pretty pricey."
Nam Gyuil stated firmly. He gave his team a final wave and left with Han Suyeong. Lee Chanu pocketed the card. No splurging, so he picked something everyone would like.
"Guys, artificial meat chicken it is!! Chimaek is calling us!"
Hwang Ilsu reacted with surprise.
"Oh! I figured you'd go for something fancy since it's not your money, but you're picking something reasonable?"
"Ilsu hyung, ever gotten a forehead flick from Gyuil hyung?"
"No."
"It brings tears to your eyes."
Lee Chanu led the group to the chicken joint. On the way, he slung an arm around Han Kangsu's shoulder, acting buddy-buddy.
"Hey, Kangsu."
"What?"
Han Kangsu recoiled at the sudden contact. Lee Chanu grinned.
"You know I look out for you a lot, right?"
"No."
Han Kangsu was brutally honest. But Lee Chanu ignored it and plowed on.
"Hahaha, do your big bro a favor."
"What is it?"
"Set me up with your sister. She's hot."
"...?!"
Han Kangsu furrowed his brow. He couldn't fathom Lee Chanu calling his sister pretty.
That walking mackerel head is pretty? Is he nuts? Should I tell him it's all makeup?
Han Kangsu sank into deep thought.
Nam Gyuil entered a café with Han Suyeong. He'd changed out of his armor since chatting in it would've been awkward. They sat across from each other. He ordered a sweet vanilla latte; she went for an Americano.
Nam Gyuil spoke first.
"What did Kangsu say about me? Anything specific?"
"Just that there's someone talented. Nothing else."
"I see."
Nam Gyuil sighed inwardly in relief. No mention of their sparring loss or the proper training methods, apparently. Han Kangsu had a surprisingly tight lip.
Han Suyeong smiled warmly and steered back to scouting.
"Since you're so talented, we'll give you a special gift if you join Kangcheol Guild."
Nam Gyuil wondered what they'd prepared.
"What kind of gift?"
He asked directly. Han Suyeong sipped her coffee leisurely and eyed him slyly.
"An item."
"An item?"
"Yes. This one."
Han Suyeong placed a green dagger on the table. Nam Gyuil's mouth fell slightly open. His eyes locked onto the green dagger.
Poison Knife?!
He recognized it. He'd seen records of it in the Akashic Records.
Han Suyeong smiled.
"One of the new items our guild got from a recent gate. A very special one that generates poison from the blade itself."
Nam Gyuil picked up the Poison Knife and examined it. The iridescent jade-green blade. A mere graze would fell someone with poison. He wanted it, honestly.
But he couldn't join Kangcheol Guild.
Stronger monsters are coming. I need my own force to survive. Joining a guild would only hold me back.
Nam Gyuil set the Poison Knife back down.
"Sorry. I can't join Kangcheol Guild, no matter what."
"?!"
Han Suyeong's eyes widened in shock. Her smile faded briefly, her true feelings showing before she masked them again.
"Not a fan of the gift? This is huge—we're probably the first guild to offer an item just for scouting."
"No, I like the gift. But I can't join Kangcheol Guild."
"Mind sharing why?"
"Personal reasons."
Nam Gyuil stood to leave. Then Han Suyeong called out.
"Nam Gyuil, opportunities to join Kangcheol Guild don't come often."
"Yes, I know."
"Is the reason you won't join... maybe bad rumors?"
"Pardon?"
Nam Gyuil blinked. Him avoiding Kangcheol Guild over rumors?
Han Suyeong sipped her coffee calmly.
"It's understandable."
"What do you mean...?"
"You're in Hunter Agency's 01 Team with Kangsu."
"Yes."
"People might spread nonsense like you sucked up to him to get in. Is that what you're worried about?"
Nam Gyuil hadn't even considered it, since he had no intention of joining anyway. But thinking it over, yeah, rumors like that could fly if he did.
Han Suyeong fixed him with a gaze.
"No need to worry about baseless rumors. Kangcheol Guild values skill alone."
"I see."
"So, will you join?"
"No. Like I said, I can't join a guild."
Nam Gyuil declined again. Han Suyeong's expression hardened, her easy smile vanishing. She wanted him badly. Her family prized talent above all, so once identified, they pursued relentlessly.
If even my arrogant brother calls him impressive, his skills must be real.
She couldn't let him slip away.
If he joins another guild, it'll be a headache—we'd just be strengthening the competition.
Han Suyeong took a deep breath. Her mind raced.
Why refuse Kangcheol Guild? He likes the gift, so what's the issue?
Suddenly, she smirked as if she'd figured it out.
Ah, got it. He's playing hard to get.
He's holding out to negotiate better terms.
Han Suyeong crossed her arms, legs too, and scowled.
Kangcheol Guild came scouting, so he thinks he's the top dog now?
Infuriating, but she had to persuade him.
"Nam Gyuil, we'll offer 300 million won annual salary."
"Still no."
Nam Gyuil headed for the exit. Han Suyeong grew desperate.
She held up five fingers.
"500 million won."
He didn't even look back. Han Suyeong bit her lower lip, brow furrowing. 500 million—2.5 times the average hunter salary.
And it's not enough?
Anything higher needed her father's approval. As she agonized—
"Kuhaha, this is amusing!!"
A middle-aged man in the café stood, chuckling. He wore a fedora and sunglasses to hide his identity. But his solidly built frame peeked through his clothes, and his broad shoulders drew the eye.
Han Suyeong's eyes widened at the man.
"Dad?!"
He was Kangcheol Guild's master, Han Ducheol.