Even Nam Gyuil Was Startled
Nam Gyuil flinched in surprise as well. 'Han Ducheol?! The master of Kangcheol Guild and father of Han Kangsu and his sister??' He hadn't expected one of Korea's top five hunters to show up here.
Han Suyeong raised her voice slightly. "How did Father get here?! And in disguise, no less…."
"I got curious about the man our Kangsu praised so highly, so I came to see for myself."
"Did you come because you were worried I wouldn't be able to scout him?"
"Heh heh, nothing like that."
Han Ducheol fixed Nam Gyuil with a steady gaze. Thud, thud. His shoes clicked against the floor as he approached.
"So, you're Nam Gyuil?"
"Yes, that's right."
"We offered up to 500 million won in salary, so why won't you join our guild?"
"Because I have things I need to do."
"Things you need to do?"
"Yes."
Han Ducheol stared straight into Nam Gyuil's eyes. The young man met his gaze without flinching—Han Ducheol liked that gutsiness.
"I don't know what you're planning, but your eyes are alive with fire."
"Thank you."
"Alright then, what about 1 billion won?"
Han Ducheol casually doubled the offer. Han Suyeong jumped in shock.
"Father! What on earth…."
"Quiet. Can't you see your father is in the middle of negotiations?"
His sharp glare silenced his daughter. Han Suyeong bowed her head, clutching the hem of her skirt in frustration.
Han Ducheol shook his head slowly, displeased. 'Tch. If she's carrying my blood, she should act with some spirit. Can't even speak her mind properly?'
Han Ducheol favored his children based on ability. His son Han Kangsu had monopolized his affection thanks to his talent, but his daughter Han Suyeong was different. She hadn't even awakened yet. He'd put her in charge of guild operations since she didn't seem cut out to be an awakener, but she had no notable achievements either.
'To think the eldest in the family lacks such ability—!!' Han Ducheol wasn't pleased with his daughter. He turned back to Nam Gyuil and resumed their conversation.
"So, does 1 billion won appeal to you?"
"It's not about the money. I have my own goals, so I can't join Kangcheol Guild."
Nam Gyuil didn't budge. That resolve only endeared him more to Han Ducheol.
'Good. A real man stands firm on his principles. I like him.'
But at this rate, he wouldn't recruit him. Han Ducheol glanced at the Poison Knife on the table.
'If money won't move him, I need to find another way.'
Han Ducheol's lips curved up. He tossed out an unexpected proposal as if it were nothing.
"Do you like bets, young man?"
"A bet?"
"Yes. If you win, I'll give you that item for free."
Han Ducheol pointed at the Poison Knife. Nam Gyuil showed interest. He'd wanted it anyway, so he couldn't help but pay attention now that it was the prize.
Nam Gyuil asked Han Ducheol, "And if I lose?"
"Then you join our guild. What do you say?"
"What's the bet?"
"A spar."
"That would be too advantageous for you, Guild Master Han Ducheol. I'm not idiot enough to take a rigged fight."
Nam Gyuil narrowed his eyes. Han Ducheol was someone tempered by proper training methods over many years. No matter how strong he was exactly, he had to be at least stronger than Nam Gyuil.
Han Ducheol burst into laughter. "Of course, I won't be the one fighting. That would be too obvious—I'd win, and the bet wouldn't stand."
"Then who will I spar with?"
When Nam Gyuil asked, Han Ducheol called out to the man in the opposite chair. "Hey, Manager Kim."
"Yes, sir."
A man in sunglasses rose from his seat. Han Ducheol grinned.
"Fight Kangcheol Guild's deputy chief."
"Deputy chief?"
Nam Gyuil eyed the man called Manager Kim. Someone who'd risen to deputy chief in a major guild wouldn't be a pushover.
If he used the Arnia-style mana body strengthening method, he'd win for sure, but if Han Ducheol saw it, he'd try to recruit him by any means—or worse, retaliate if he realized someone outside their circle knew the proper training.
'No thanks to that headache.'
If Manager Kim wasn't trained properly, he could hide his skills and fight. But there was no way to know right now.
Then Han Ducheol added, "You'd need to be about as strong as our Kangsu to beat Manager Kim."
Nam Gyuil's lips twitched upward slyly. 'So Manager Kim isn't trained with the proper methods. He's just that level.'
In that case, the outcome was decided.
'That Han Kangsu kid kept the spar secret from even his family. And the proper training too. Good boy.'
If Han Ducheol knew, he never would have suggested this bet. Nam Gyuil accepted.
"Very well."
"You'd better brace yourself. Our Manager Kim is strong. As you know, he was honorably discharged from the Hunter Agency in one piece."
"It's fine."
"Puhahaha, such confidence!"
Han Ducheol laughed heartily. They headed to Kangcheol Guild. Fighting in public view wouldn't do.
Vroom. The car carrying them sped down the road.
Screech. Nam Gyuil and Han Ducheol's group arrived at Kangcheol Guild. They headed straight down to the underground sparring arena.
Han Ducheol and Han Suyeong took seats in the viewing stands to watch the match. Nam Gyuil stepped into the arena.
Soon, Manager Kim appeared from the opposite side. A scar ran from his forehead down across his nose bridge, catching the eye. It looked like a wound from fighting monsters.
Manager Kim sneered faintly at Nam Gyuil. "A fresh-faced national hunter with some guts. Not even trembling against a Hunter Agency veteran."
"I'll do my best."
"Yeah, go ahead and give it your all. You'll learn just how big the gap is between national hunters and guild hunters."
Manager Kim brimmed with confidence. He had reason to— he figured a national hunter like Nam Gyuil couldn't beat someone like him who'd discharged intact.
Thud. Manager Kim kicked off the ground and charged at Nam Gyuil. His movements were clean, without waste.
Nam Gyuil gauged his combat prowess the moment he saw the motion.
'As expected, not trained with proper methods.'
His hunch was right. Han Ducheol had likely only shared the Arnia-style mana cultivation method with executives and family.
In that case, he could hold back and still win.
Nam Gyuil leaned back, dodging the flying kick aimed at him. Manager Kim pursed his lips.
'Oh, he dodged that? Not bad! No wonder the Guild Master has his eye on him. But dodging by arching his back like that ruined his stance. He can't counter from there.'
This wasn't just Manager Kim's thought. Han Ducheol watching from the stands agreed. Han Suyeong figured it would end in Manager Kim's victory. Even she, who knew little of fighting, could see who had the edge.
But as Nam Gyuil inhaled and clenched his fist, the atmosphere shifted.
Thwack.
A heavy punch. The sound of bursting air pressure filled the arena.
"Gah!!"
Manager Kim screamed. Nam Gyuil's fist had landed squarely on his jaw.
His vision spun. His head went blank, thoughts scattering. Darkness closed in, his legs gave out, and he collapsed.
Han Ducheol's eyes widened. 'Swinging a punch from that unbalanced stance is impressive enough, but hitting the jaw to cause a concussion?'
It was hard to believe. Nam Gyuil's posture had crumbled dodging the kick—normal punches from there wouldn't carry full power. Yet his blow was devastating, felling Manager Kim in one hit.
'Did innate core muscles in his waist and thighs let him shift his center of gravity freely? That would mean tremendous talent—able to counterattack from any position.'
Han Ducheol now understood why Han Kangsu called him talented.
The reason Nam Gyuil could pull off such an attack was the Arnia Knights' swordsmanship from the Akashic Records. Endless repetition of identical forms had solidified his basics, allowing him to regain balance and counter from any situation.
The match ended in Nam Gyuil's clean victory. No one could complain—it was textbook.
He could have won more overwhelmingly, but to hide his proper training, he stopped at this level.
Han Ducheol didn't notice.
Nam Gyuil smirked inwardly. 'I won the bet, so time to claim the Poison Knife as promised.'
At that moment!!
Nam Gyuil felt crushing pressure like his heart might stop. A choking sensation around his throat. His body stiffened under the intense force.
Nam Gyuil slowly turned toward the source. There stood Han Ducheol.
His blood boiling from the fight, he'd released mana infused with battle lust. It alone put Nam Gyuil on high alert.
Han Ducheol wanted to fight.
'Huhu, my blood's pumping.'
His lips curved into a sharp arc.
From the bottom rung to major guild master, Han Ducheol's fierce competitive spirit was fully ignited.
But "Ugh!"
Nearby Han Suyeong groaned. Han Ducheol realized his mistake. His unawakened daughter couldn't handle this aura.
'Got too excited and slipped up.'
Han Ducheol withdrew his mana and changed his fierce expression to a hearty laugh.
"Impressive. Taking down Manager Kim like that. One punch, no less—didn't see that coming."
Nam Gyuil chuckled. "Manager Kim was strong, but I was a bit stronger."
"This guy's got jokes too? You look like the straight-laced type who wouldn't get humor."
Han Ducheol stood and handed Nam Gyuil the Poison Knife. "Here, take it."
"Thank you."
Nam Gyuil pocketed the Poison Knife. Han Ducheol hated to part like this. He wanted to recruit him to the guild—and spar if possible. So he suggested dinner.
"It's about dinnertime. Care to join me for a meal?"
"Sorry, but I have things to do…."
"Too bad. Everyone scrambles for a meal with me. Won't get another chance."
"My apologies."
"Kuhahaha, what a fun guy. Alright, off you go."
Nam Gyuil left Kangcheol Guild. Han Ducheol watched his retreating back.
'Nam Gyuil. What a guy.'
Manager Kim was respected for his skills even in Kangcheol Guild.
'Yet taken down in one hit. He's the strongest among those who haven't learned the Taesan Heart Method.'
The Taesan Heart Method was the secret training method created by Korea's first awakeners. It was very similar to the Arnia-style mana body strengthening method.
To them, Taesan Heart Method meant proper training.
Han Ducheol crossed his arms. From Nam Gyuil's actions, potential, and will, he instantly grasped the man's nature.
'He's not the type to serve under anyone. He's destined to lead a massive organization. Too big a vessel for anyone to contain.'
And faintly, he sensed.
'He might become a rival in the future.'