Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Heaven Class Gossip
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Academia, Heaven Class classroom.
The Second Shin-Gangnam Incident, which seemed to have wrapped up not long ago, brought massive changes to South Korea.
First came the news of the Seoul Guild abandoning the Shin-Gangnam barrier. They couldn't contain the damage inside, leading to heavy losses, and their patrons ultimately splintered apart.
"Hey, student council president—they say he's stepping down voluntarily!"
"Wow, that guy who clung on so pathetically finally backed off."
"If the Big Three guilds ditch you, it's time to know your place."
*The rise and fall all happen in an instant...*
Shin Ayoung watched the ruthless events unfolding from the sidelines, realizing just how terrifying human lives and societal shifts could be.
Back when the Blue Dragon Guild's heir died, the Seoul Guild had skyrocketed. But after bungling the Shin-Gangnam crisis twice, they were now getting thrashed by the heirs of mid- and small-tier guilds they'd once lorded over. Those smaller guilds were openly poaching personnel who'd signed contracts with Seoul.
"Seoul Guild are total idiots. How do you fail to defend your own turf? Sure, the golden Demon knight was SS-rank, but everything after was pure moronic bullshit."
"I knew it when they hunkered down protecting just Seoul, ignoring real combat. They grinded easy dungeons for cash, skipped mobilization calls for subjugations, and raked in the loot—kekeke."
"Hey, Woosung, you still gonna wipe asses for those Shin-Gangnam punks?"
"You nuts? We canceled the contract, obviously. They threw a fit about penalties, so I told 'em we'd see it in court. Places begging for us with proper pay are everywhere—why join that insane dump? If they cough up compensation again, we request association mediation. Worst case, head provincial and scavenger hunt."
Even though they'd faced discrimination from the pure-blood Shin-Gangnam elite, the Seoul Guild's brand power and patron backing had kept their influence afloat. Now, with the brand tanking and patrons—who'd weathered the first incident—scattering after abandoning the barrier in the second, it all crumbled.
In the end, talents contracted through Academia, plus mid- and low-level Seoul Guild members who'd held it together, vanished en masse. The Seoul Guild plummeted into an endless abyss.
"So what happens to Oh Kyung-hoon?"
"What happens? He's S-rank, so some guild'll take him. But with that sky-high ego, who'll stomach him? Blue Dragon? He'd get 'bullied.' Olympus? Like a small-company manager jumping to a conglomerate."
"You got a knack for analogies. Sound like some old uncle."
"Hanging with uncles rubs off."
These kids looked like high schoolers or older, but they bantered like jaded adults. They'd learned the hunter ropes through guild work, picking up habits from active hunters.
"Speaking of, what'd Ayoung do to jump from B-rank meat shield to A+ stats? No level-ups either?"
"She scored a legendary skill book, properly. So damn jealous. Legendary skill book... Ha! Hundreds of billions—where'd she snag that?"
"No clue. But one thing's sure: she's quasi-S-rank now. Eleventh S-rank candidate—everyone's freaking."
She'd normally hide it, but unlike Yoo Seongwon—a staffer treated like roadside gravel—she was a Heaven Class student.
Routine checkups, plus constant surveillance from mid-tier guilds for rivalry, made concealment pointless.
"Ayoung, what do you think of my earlier proposal?"
"I've told you a dozen times: I'm staying in Korea with Mom."
"Think it over. A future S-rank like you belongs in bigger waters, not this pond..."
"That 'pond' has two SS-rank Demons. Have Olympus take down one, and I'll join."
The Blue Dragon Guild saw bad luck after their heir's death-by-harassment. Seoul was too busy patching internal rot. Only Olympus recruited her.
But they clung desperately, craving an S-rank that badly.
"Sigh~ Emails from overseas now. Geez, I haven't even taken the promotion exam—what's this? Kinda get that uncle's feelings now."
"Uncle? Who's that?"
"Huh? Oh! Uh, just some guild uncle! Our guild's new C-rank tank uncle~"
Shin Ayoung scrambled to deflect the Heaven Class student's question after her mutter.
Any rumor she was thinking of a staffer could become a lead, so she swiftly changed topics.
She just wanted class to end so she could see Yoo Seongwon.
***
Hunter Association President's office.
Amid guilds realigning, the Association bustled mediating everywhere today.
With unmanageable incidents spiking lately, President Hwang Suhwan looked half-dead.
"You look beat."
"...Yes. Exhausted, Academy President. What brings you?"
"What? Here to lighten your load. About the academy—I'm quitting as head. As you know, rescuing those nabbed by Pastor Yi's crew is impossible."
"What? What's that mean? No way. Absolutely not. This industry's already short on decent humans! You're our one ray of hope! Academy Presiiiident!"
"No helping it. Rescue op against Pastor Yi's bunch is off the table now, and captives are likely mind-broken via drugs and magic. Saving 'em like that just multiplies secondary damage. Gotta take responsibility, so I'm stepping down... Probably a few lawsuits too. Court'd be fine, though."
Pastor Yi's forces descending was unpredictable—even assigning it as Academia homework, hunters assume risks, so lawsuits wouldn't pin major blame.
Still, with deaths and no rescue attempt, he was bowing out on moral grounds.
"So what'll you do after?"
"What else? Train a disciple or successor, handle guild stuff."
"Oh? Successor? Thought you said all promising talents got constellation-snatched, so no."
"Scraped one barely. Needs polishing, but beggars can't be choosers this mess. Low rank means rough road ahead. This guy's it."
Baek Gayeon handed over Yoo Seongwon's photo, casually introducing him.
She pitched him as a hidden Awakener untouched by constellations, rough personality but worth raising—enough to not die anywhere, passing the torch to the next gen.
"Him, huh? E+ is too low, no? At least C..."
"Judge the potential inside, not the stats—that's Master's teaching. Prioritizing future growth is like demanding 30 years experience from a rookie."
"Hmm~ Foundation's shaky, but... an elder's eye..."
The president was skeptical, but couldn't dismiss the last disciple of the Grandmaster.
Baek Gayeon elaborated on picking Yoo Seongwon.
"Sure, he's lacking, but what choice? I won't live 100+ years~"
"You could, Elder Baek. Anyway, Association protectee for him?"
"Yes. Can't let new sprouts get trampled."
Association protectee: Amid guild tyranny, a way to shield favorable talents and benefit guilds.
Priority dungeon intel, direct gov/military links if needed.
Info protection to curb defections—Association's desperate stand against constellations and guilds.
"Block info leaks by default... Reason: 'disciple'?"
"Yes. Pesky flies'd complicate things. I'll head out—gotta train the kid."
"Yes. Thanks for your service, Academy President."
Wrapping Association talks, Baek Gayeon bolted out and called Yoo Seongwon pronto.
To confirm measures for C+ dungeons, as pre-discussed.
(Hello? All set?)
"Yes. Association protectee, as talked. Your info's blocked regardless of changes; I adjust reports. Just hit dungeons worry-free."
(Great. Catch up later for details. Busy explaining now.)
"Got it."
Hanging up, Yoo Seongwon was mid-explanation to Shin Somi at Baekya Guild.
He detailed repaying her favor turning into entanglement, identity exposure, and agreeing to join under Baek Gayeon.
"Hmm... Elder Baek's a vet-of-vets, cleared hordes of S-rank dungeons, thick Association ties. Zero downside deal."
"Worried it'll draw eyes instead..."
"Sure, 'disciple' status spotlights you. But it backs any high skills shown. Disciple of Grandmaster's disciple, Hunter Baek Gayeon."
"Knew that, but..."
Knowing doesn't erase fear.
Under Baek Gayeon meant attention—would he get exposed?
"Minus golden armor, Pae Hwang Cheon Sword Style, Titan stake—no way to peg you as the golden Demon knight. Disguise as separate works fine. Handy outside, anyway."
"So in our private dungeon runs, no worries."
"Yes."
"Solid now. Me, Guild Master, Ayoung, granny—four-man party. Shame no healer... Ah! Interim from you, Guild Master Somi?"
"Medical gear, potions, amps stocked. Association medic cert in progress. Dumped leftover skill points into healing gear mastery and emergency treatment. Prepped since that incident."
Her foresight was prophetic. She'd filled the healer gap ahead.
Overkill for C-rank dungeons, but Yoo Seongwon could finally break level 45's wall and climb higher.