Guild Hunters Assemble at the Gate
The guild hunters gathered at the gate were buzzing with chatter.
"How much's the bonus this time?"
"Tch, doesn't seem like it'll be that much."
They showed no sign of tension. It was as if orcs were something they could wipe out in no time.
Lee Chanu couldn't wrap his head around it. Are these guys idiots? Do they have no idea how dangerous orcs are?
Hong Shinu tilted her head in confusion as well. Meanwhile, Han Kangsu quietly observed the large guild hunters.
They're all executives.
He already knew just how formidable they were. And there was even the Kangcheol Guild in the mix.
Did Dad approve of this operation? He was completely at odds with the Hunter Association.
Han Ducheol had indeed agreed to join this operation. He still despised the Hunter Association and found Sim Jeongun revolting. But with the need to protect citizens from the orcs, he'd reluctantly joined hands with them.
Nam Gyuil scanned the surroundings, checking out the people from the various guilds, when he realized the presidents of the large guilds were nowhere in sight.
They think they can handle orcs without their presidents?
The executives dispatched from the large guilds numbered around thirty-five. Nam Gyuil sidled up to Han Kangsu and asked casually,
"How many executives do the large guilds usually have? Is this a big turnout?"
"Yes. You could say this is most of their executives. Pretty much their full elite force."
"I see."
That meant everyone here could wield a mana sword. Thirty-five of them...
He hadn't realized there were this many mana sword users in Korea. Nam Gyuil clicked his tongue.
With so many who can use mana swords, no one stepped up to hunt orcs until now?
What a shitty situation. Soldiers had died because of the orcs, civilian property damage had piled up, and even more people had nearly lost their lives. The national economy was tanking, with talks of a second IMF crisis, and now they finally showed up.
Right after I took down an orc.
They must have moved because they realized they wouldn't get massive government subsidies otherwise.
Really pisses me off.
Moreover, whoever had created this gate somewhere was probably watching everything unfold.
They wouldn't want the gate they opened at the cost of their power to close.
The silver lining was that the chances of that person intervening were slim to none. Having lost their power, they'd likely just sit back and watch. Unless it was an organization rather than an individual, but that was another story.
"You're Nam Gyuil, right?"
One of the guild executives approached him.
"Saw on the news you took down an orc as a national hunter. That true?"
"Yes, sir."
"That technique where your blade glows blue—you learn that from someone?"
The guy cut straight to the chase, asking how he wielded a mana sword. The reason for his behavior was obvious: to clamp down and prevent training methods from spreading.
Nam Gyuil's lip twitched. The sleazy intent was plain as day, making it hard to keep a straight face.
Stay cool, stay cool.
He calmed his inner rage. Thanks to mana swords and magic, he had formidable power, but his forces were still too thin.
I can show my strength, but it's not time to make enemies yet.
Nam Gyuil flashed an uncharacteristically bright smile and saluted the executive.
"Sir! It's an honor to meet a respected Hunter Agency senior!"
"What?"
"I want to become a great hunter like you seniors."
The executive looked puzzled. He couldn't figure out why Nam Gyuil was suddenly sucking up.
Is he a bit dim? No, maybe he's dodging the question!
The executive glared at him sharply.
"Answer the question."
"I found an elixir by chance in a gate, and when I ate it, I suddenly got stronger."
"Wh-what?"
The executive stammered in shock. Nam Gyuil kept up his good-guy smile and humble posture.
"I got really lucky. I was about to die to a monster, but thanks to that random elixir, I survived and powered up."
"Is that for real?"
"Yep. Why would I lie to esteemed Hunter Agency seniors like you? Just a few months ago, I was so weak I spent ages in the hospital after a monster injury."
The executive crossed his arms, looking skeptical.
"You do any special training or something?"
"No, sir. But what do you mean by special training, if I may ask?"
"No, nothing like that."
Realizing his slip, the executive cleared his throat awkwardly. Nam Gyuil rubbed his hands together and bowed his head.
"Um, sir?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm thinking of starting a guild to make some big money. If you have time after the op, could I treat you to a meal?"
The executive let out a hollow laugh. It was basically asking for guild management tips. Ridiculous.
But he dropped the questions about training methods. No way a simpleton like this is lying. Plus, if I play nice, I could recruit him to our guild.
Mana sword users were rare even in large guilds. No one dared challenge Geumryong Guild, led by the top dog Sim Jeongun. The other large guilds were on par, quietly competing behind the scenes. So they always eyed talent.
Gates still held many unknowns, so Nam Gyuil's story could be true. Fully dropping his suspicions, the executive smiled.
"Sure, sure. Let's grab a bite. Been a while since I met such an eager young guy."
He buttered Nam Gyuil up, hoping to lure him to his guild. Big mistake.
Nam Gyuil swallowed a bursting laugh. Hook, line, and sinker.
Now he'd hidden the fact that he knew proper training methods. And avoided making enemies with the guilds.
Best part? I set up a dinner with a high-level executive.
He didn't know the Hunter Association's inner workings in detail yet.
Han Kangsu probably doesn't either.
Han Ducheol had spoken of his son with pride, but not like he was handing over operations. So he needed info from someone else.
And an executive? Perfect.
A few ego strokes at dinner, and he'd pry out details. The guy wasn't dumb—he'd hide the big stuff. But reactions and scraps could piece together the picture.
I'll milk this opportunity.
Nam Gyuil smiled warmly at the executive, inwardly resolved.
Then someone shouted,
"We're entering the gate! Everyone prepare!"
Prep time was over. The executive clapped Nam Gyuil on the shoulder.
"Gotta head back to my guild. See you later."
"Yes, sir!"
Nam Gyuil saluted as the guy rejoined his group. Lee Chanu, who'd watched it all, piped up.
"That for real?"
"What?"
"The bit about getting strong from eating something in a gate."
"I'll tell you when the time's right."
Nam Gyuil brushed it off and grabbed his weapon. As they geared up to enter the gate, Park Heeryeong approached.
"Gyuil."
"Sir! What can I do for you?"
"This gate's volunteers only."
"Understood, sir."
Nam Gyuil got the message: too dangerous, stay out. With large guilds stepping up, no need for national hunters to risk it—that was command's call. Fair enough.
Most national hunters couldn't even fight orcs anyway.
The large guilds could close the gate no problem. But Nam Gyuil wanted in. He needed to see it.
A chance to witness the elites of the large guilds with my own eyes.
He conveyed his intent to Park Heeryeong.
"I'll volunteer for this op."
"......"
Park Heeryeong looked displeased. He asked quietly,
"Gyuil, your discharge is right around the corner. You sure? It'll be risky."
"Yes, sir. Volunteering."
"Fine. You're the Hunter Agency's one pride and joy."
Despite being a lieutenant colonel, Park Heeryeong acknowledged Nam Gyuil was far superior.
Lee Chanu came over.
"Hyung, take this."
"This a Memorial Jewel?"
The Memorial Jewel was a rare gate item that functioned like a camera. It looked like a ring. Useless in combat, but cost a fortune at 100 million won.
"How'd you get this?"
"Bought it."
"Why?"
Lee Chanu shuffled his feet awkwardly.
"National hunters get condolence money to families if they die fighting monsters, right? Saw on the news some don't. Just in case our parents don't get it... thought I'd leave evidence."
Nam Gyuil chuckled in disbelief.
"You bought this pricey thing thinking you might die in a gate? Not just a regular camera?"
"Yeah."
Lee Chanu nodded, glancing at Park Heeryeong nearby. Then Hwang Ilsu chimed in.
"Hyung, take the Memorial Jewel. The large guilds' moves look suspicious."
Nam Gyuil caught the subtext.
"Meaning the guilds might mess with me since the president's rewarding top merit?"
"Yes."
Hwang Ilsu nodded. Nam Gyuil had half-expected it. High chance, really. Large guild folks were selfish types who'd only chased profits amid the orc chaos.
Team 01 hated the idea of Nam Gyuil teaming with them. Hence, take the Memorial Jewel for proof if shit hit the fan.
Nam Gyuil smiled faintly. Couldn't bluntly refuse when they worried about him. They were tight-knit by loyalty.
Hong Shinu grabbed his hand.
"Sergeant Nam Gyuil. You have to come back safe."
"Yeah, thanks."
Han Kangsu offered advice.
"If it gets dicey, ask the Kangcheol Guild for help. They're different from the others."
"Got it."
Nam Gyuil donned the Memorial Jewel. Everything from now on would be recorded.
Record everything, huh...
Might be a chance to show his team the need for a proper guild. Nam Gyuil grabbed his weapon and headed to the gate with the large guilds.
Inside the gate with the large guilds, Nam Gyuil stayed vigilant.
"Woooragh—!!"
Orc roars echoed the moment they entered. Thud thud thud. The brutes charged with heavy footsteps.
The large guild executives yelled,
"Sword aura—activate!"
They called mana swords "sword aura" as they unleashed them. Slash—!! Orcs were diced into meat chunks in an instant.
Nam Gyuil joined the fray. The first skirmish ended anticlimactically. The power gap was that vast.
Orc corpses littered the ground haphazardly. Hard to believe these were the monsters that had pushed Korea to the brink.
Then one executive raised a question to the group.
"President's rewarding the top merit with a commendation, right? At this rate, who gets first place?"
The others agreed. An absurd proposal followed.
"How about we split up? Each guild sticks together."
All the executives nodded in approval. Nam Gyuil frowned.
This screwed him over most—he was solo. Keeping me in check, huh?
He saw through their game. If things stayed like this, he'd snag top merit, so they'd sabotage him.
The real competition's on.
Nam Gyuil gripped his sword tight, steeling himself.