Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Scavenger's Lure
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Shin Gangnam Hunter Management Office.
In the end, after shelling out an extra 13,000 won for the taxi, I finally arrived at the Shin Gangnam Hunter Management Office.
I might not be strapped for cash anymore, but it still pissed me off for some reason.
Anyway, when I got there, the place was packed with way more people than usual for a typical visit.
‘Probably because the upper levels are blocked off, right? Though I don’t see many from the big guilds.’
The major guilds were likely too busy forming teams to rescue the civilians captured by that SS-rank Demon, the human breeder Yi Moksa.
Whatever. I started scanning the unusually crowded party recruitment board for a group to join.
Back in the day, it was like a chaotic labor market with everyone shouting to recruit, but now with the app and reception desk, things were quiet and orderly.
‘Sigh~ Looks like I’ll have to dungeon with strangers after all. Which party should I pick?’
For reference, this was my official Hunter status.
[Lv. 43 Yoo Seongwon]
E-rank: Exclusive Staff
[Status]
Str: 37 (E+) Dex: 35 (E+) Vit: 39 (E+) Mag: 20 (E)
Compared to my real stats, these numbers were a drop in the bucket, but officially, I was E-rank. A little more leveling, and I could hit D-rank, so the plan was to join a D-rank dungeon party.
‘Hmm, I’ve got the perfect excuse for a D-rank dungeon… but will anyone take me with these stats?’
[Party Recruitment: D-rank Dungeon - Seeking D+ rank Hunter Healer for Mountain Fortress Outpost Raid.]
[Party Recruitment: D-rank Dungeon - Need D+ rank Hunter Tank for Plunder Cave Dungeon. High cut offered.]
[Party Recruitment: D-rank Dungeon - All Positions Open for Beast Bandit Den Clear (No E-rank Hunters, Don’t Apply).]
…….
…….
…….
I scrolled through diligently, but as expected, no legit party wanted an E-rank for a D-rank dungeon.
Honestly, even I wouldn’t see the appeal.
Hmm. So I’d have to manufacture some merit and squeeze my way in.
I was affiliated with the mid-tier Baekya Guild and had a D-rank clear on record, so if I tweaked my E-rank stats just enough to pass as low D-rank, I could probably tag along.
‘Or maybe aim for a shady party? The kind anyone can see is out to scam or nab people.’
Not every party up on the board was there to hunt monsters.
Just like in those Hunter novels or dramas, there were still scum who lured healthy folks into dungeons to enslave them or rob their gear.
‘Yeah~ So if I join one of those, take them out, clear the dungeon, and come back, problem solved. Even if they jump me on the way, I handle it, clear, and bounce. No loss either way.’
That spark of an idea hit me, and I decided to play bait for those exact types.
***
Inside the chaotic Hunter Management Office, a team of two men and one woman prowled with sharp eyes, sizing up Hunters for easy prey.
They were a Scavenger crew posing as a three-man party, roping in one or two extras to process or kidnap inside a dungeon for profit.
“Sister Dohee, what about that guy? Haven’t seen him around lately.”
“Let’s see.”
The woman giving Yoo Seongwon a quick appraisal was Jin Dohee, leader of this small Scavenger group.
She wore a bold black-and-white priestess robe with open sides, wielding a staff topped with a cross—straight out of a fantasy game as a Bishop or Priest.
The familiar, saintly outfit gave a trustworthy vibe, and paired with her long black hair neatly trimmed for an innocent look, it was her weapon to lure prey into their party, strip them of gear, or sell them off as slaves without mercy.
“Hmm~ Fresh face around here. Info check?”
“No dice. Probably blocking with an item or skill.”
“Hm, not a total newbie then. Background?”
“Snuck peeks at his phone a few times amid the crowd—looks like he’s eyeing D-rank dungeons, but hesitating, so I’d peg him as E+ or low D-rank Hunter.”
The heavy traffic today made slipping through for glances easier.
With trained eyes, vision buffs, and Eagle Eye skills, pulling public info on Yoo Seongwon was simple.
“Perfect fit, but his age might make him wary. Could use another mark to pair him with…….”
“Yeah. Third parties lower mutual suspicion.”
Bundling three of them with two loners made each newbie think, “Hey, others are joining—must be legit,” fooling them.
Plus, in a five-man party, three calling the shots on two felt less overwhelming—psychologically, they’d think they could resist if things went south.
“You two snag one more. I’ll work this one. E+ to D-rank confirmed?”
“Of course, sis. No match for us. Heh heh.”
Officially D-rank Hunters, they hadn’t updated—passed the exam, and they’d all qualify as C-rank.
They kept ratings low to drop guards and make hunting easier.
“As expected of sis! Smart as always.”
“We’ve done this a time or two.”
Add up the lives she’d ruined this way, and it’d top a thousand.
Even those who knew the tricks couldn’t resist—it hit human instincts dead-on, bypassed suspicions with preconceptions. No one clocked her until she swung a weapon or stabbed.
‘Hm~ Time for a wardrobe change first.’
Target was mid-thirties at least; any Hunter experience, and her current revealing fit might backfire, raising alarms.
For horny late teens or early-mid twenties, a cutesy “The constellation made me wear it~!” pout would slide, but thirties? Suspicion city.
‘Hm~ Swap to the apprentice priestess robe I’ve got, association staff for the staff. Redo makeup. Annoying, but details matter~’
Hunting demanded full effort.
Five years as a Scavenger—she’d seen tiny slips tank jobs—so she wiped her makeup, reapplied fresh, transforming her look.
The plain, lived-in apprentice priestess robe, clunky sneakers, light makeup, and a shift to naive acting screamed “newly awakened girl priest clueless about the world.”
‘Watch every step~’
Her bold stride softened to dainty steps, shoulders in, staff clutched two-handed, eyes darting nervously as she approached Yoo Seongwon slow.
Unless you knew her real face, she screamed rookie Hunter girl.
“Um…….”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“Looking for a dungeon party by chance? We’re recruiting too… short a few.”
Yoo Seongwon scratched his head at Jin Dohee’s shy approach, then answered right away.
“Oh, yeah, hunting for a D-rank party.”
“Really? We were aiming for D-rank too. We’re three right now, hoping for two more—what’s your class?”
“Oh, Knight class.”
“Perfect—we need frontline! I’m a priestess, so buffs and heals, though I’m light on damage. My buddies are a sniper marksman and tracker… Wanna join? If solo tank’s too much, we can grab one more, but my crew’s already scouting.”
“Oh, works out great.”
Once the convo flowed, it was smooth sailing.
She knew his wants, tailored the pitch easy.
To build trust, she flashed status and license, verified, then led him to her group.
“These are my teammates. Look rough like bandits, but they’re good-hearted uncles.”
“Bandits? Dohee, that’s harsh.”
“Phew~ Finally off to a dungeon. Crowded or not, tough luck stays tough. Gotta level more, boost stats. Ha ha.”
Light banter with her potentially thuggish-looking crew hammered home the friendliness, crumbling doubts further.
Plus, she’d snagged another Hunter besides Yoo Seongwon—zero red flags.
“Alright, formal intros. I’m leader Bang Jun-sik. Lv. 44, Sniper Marksman class, D+ Hunter rank. Armed with Keltica Corp’s (Rare) Rune Rifle, mana stone ammo.”
“Ooh… Cool rifle.”
“Yeah. Loud’s the downside, but drops most mid-size monsters in one shot. Ha ha.”
Scavenger crew sweating every detail.
Most used crossbows or bows for stealth—rifle as main? Zero suspicion.
“This is Dohee, chosen priestess of a constellation. This guy’s longtime partner Choi Seok-pil, Tracker class, same level as me but quiet type. Your turn, gents. Verified already, so let’s greet proper.”
“I’m Bae Young-hoon. D-rank Hunter, Lv. 38, Soldier class! Main’s this axe spear. Nice to meet ya!”
The fresh party member—no, prey—besides Yoo Seongwon was a fresh-faced guy just out of his teens.
His eager, polite bow had Jin Dohee and crew barely stifling laughs.
“Yoo Seongwon. Lv. 43, E+ Hunter, Knight class. Spear and shield… Sorry if I’m dragging you down…….”
“No, no! No bother. Frontliners like tanks are gold dust. Right?”
“Reminds me of that goober.”
“Alright, IDs check out, all good. Pick a dungeon together. Group vote. Ha ha.”
Under Bang Jun-sik’s lead, they chose a dungeon, geared up, and headed out.
But hilariously, four of the five cared little for the dungeon or monsters.
The thrilled Scavenger trio with prime catch in hand, and Yoo Seongwon—who’d already sniffed out their game.