Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Recontract Negotiation
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Im Hyeji sat down across from Han Semi.
Five lawyers from the guild were seated beside her.
"Are you sure you want to handle this alone, Hyeji?"
"Yes, Guild Master."
"I'm telling you upfront: I have no intention of using the guild's name or our personal friendship to lowball you. Feel free to ask for whatever you want, as much as you want."
Im Hyeji's recontract.
With her upgrade to SS-rank hunter, there was still about a month left on her current deal, but other guilds might come knocking, so Han Semi had strongly suggested they hash out the terms early.
"These are the conditions we're proposing from Semi Guild."
The contract was packed with jaw-dropping terms.
Not only a massive signing bonus, but also a hefty share of the proceeds from byproducts cleared in dungeons she joined.
Special deployments and backup calls were compensated at dozens of times the S-rank rate.
Even to Im Hyeji's eyes, the clauses were staggering.
Beyond that, there were all sorts of special perks to make hunter life easier. If she wanted, she could do nothing for two years straight, just show up for the agreed dungeon runs, and live like royalty.
"If there's anything else you want, just say the word. We'd love a two-year contract. I wish you could stay with us even longer, but..."
"This is more than enough."
Im Hyeji skimmed the main terms and double-checked for any poison pills or traps.
She wasn't a lawyer, so reading it wouldn't make her an expert, but hunters didn't need to sweat contract fine print anyway.
Especially not SS-rank and above.
Even for personal contracts, guilds had to submit them to the Hunter Association post-signing. The Association reviewed them meticulously, and if they spotted anything even slightly unfavorable to the hunter, they could void the whole thing under the Hunter Special Act.
"For the signing bonus, could I take it in mana stones?"
"Mana stones? Why? Got something in mind?"
"Well, I don't really spend cash anyway, and mana stone investments are all the rage these days..."
"Ah, got it. Yeah, mana stone prices have been climbing non-stop since dungeons appeared, like Bitcoin on steroids. No problem at all. How about this? We'll tweak the proposed 20 billion won bonus to three A-rank mana stones plus 2 billion in cash."
"...Wouldn't that be even more expensive?"
"Nah, we have stones in storage already. This way, we can actually give you a better deal."
The negotiations went smoothly.
They notarized it, and the deal was done. Han Semi ran the guild like a pro—no signs of taking advantage of their friendship or her youth.
Im Hyeji might have missed something, but to her, it felt like a solid contract. The bonus alone, plus the other clauses, would change her life.
The only downside? She only scored three mana stones.
"Oppa said three or four... I wanted five. What a shame."
A-rank mana stones started at 7 billion won minimum.
Even that was for lower-grade ones in rough shape; top sizes could hit 10 billion or more.
As an SS-rank hunter, she figured she could push for five—or at least four—with the two-year bonus. But money wasn't that easy to squeeze.
Han Semi might have budged if she'd pushed harder.
But Im Hyeji had learned the ways of the world young.
Nothing was free.
Han Semi might play big sis all smiles, but she was a battle-hardened vet running one of the top ten guilds without a single major incident for years.
No matter that Im Hyeji was SS-rank—charity wasn't in the guild business. More perks meant more trade-offs; that was just how it worked.
So she settled for three.
That should get her to level 5 before Mars, no sweat.
"Oppa... doesn't seem the caring type, but he's so thoughtful..."
Thinking of Kang Jik made her smile.
From their first meeting to now, he seemed the furthest thing from caring.
Yet here he was, stopping her from wasting money, worrying for her, even suggesting alternatives. It was surprisingly sweet.
Kang Jik just saw it as his own cash, but Im Hyeji had no clue. She was touched.
"Oh, Hyeji."
"Yes?"
As the contract wrapped and they sipped coffee alone, Han Semi spoke up casually.
"You don't have an agency, right?"
"No."
"If you're open to it, could the guild handle that temporarily?"
"...Pardon?"
"We run an agency too. Not talking exclusive deals—just that companies are blowing up our phones wanting you for ads."
"...Ah!"
Im Hyeji had never cared about that stuff.
As an S-rank healer with looks to match, she'd gotten offers for SNS promos and commercials, but turned them all down.
They weren't big gigs, and no major corps had come calling.
But the companies Han Semi named? Im Hyeji knew them well.
"Of course, you'd approve everything, only the brands you like. Just shoot the ads, or if you want, dip into entertainment. No offense, but honestly? You could make more skipping dungeons altogether."
Most top celebs these days were popular hunters.
Dungeons were humanity's frontline threat, so hunters got mad respect, like soldiers guarding the gates.
A standout hunter? Instant ad gold—even if not the prettiest or handsomest.
Im Hyeji was no exception.
Name a hot hunter today, and most folks thought of the miracle worker Im Hyeji.
Articles hyping her as the next-gen saint were still popping up weeks later. And the Mars reclamation buzz had fans hyped.
No wonder big cosmetics firms were after her.
"I still prefer running dungeons, Guild Master."
"Sure. If you say no, we reject 'em all. But you might want to try someday. We could manage it for you."
"Then... could I think it over after Mars?"
"Of course. I'll have our team prep a contract. Oh, and the cash bonus hits today. Stones are at the bank, so tomorrow for those."
"Got it."
Han Semi looked thrilled.
Im Hyeji smiled back.
Either way, Han Semi had helped her big time.
An S-rank healer could eat anywhere, sure—but a few years back?
In the chaotic hunter world full of scammers preying on rookies, Han Semi had fought for hunters' rights, kept her guild safe and square.
"Oh! Hyeji, that personal porter of yours. Mind bringing him by?"
"Huh? Why?"
As Im Hyeji turned to leave post-contract, Han Semi grabbed her.
The sudden Kang Jik mention startled her into blurting a reply.
"You've been dragging him everywhere lately, even without needing a porter before. He's going to Mars too, right? We've prepped an eight-man full-option barracks at guild expense. Upgraded personal bags, porter tents—all included."
"...That's okay..."
"Can't have an SS-rank hunter crashing in that tiny four-man tent you use. Plenty of room inside for you and your porter."
"...Uh..."
"Don't hold back—order him around inside."
Han Semi winked.
"N-No, sis, it's not like that..."
"Huh? I didn't say anything?"
"..."
"So bring him once. Or send him solo. He's your SS-rank personal porter; we need safety waivers and such on our end."
"...Fiiiine."
"Saw him once—pretty handsome."
"...Liar."
"Why? I liked that you didn't bring some pretty boy. He's got character. Makes me curious what his charm is."
Han Semi looked early thirties, but at 42, her grown-up teasing hit spicy in front of a 23-year-old.
Face burning, Im Hyeji bowed quick and bolted.
It's not like that... But her body and heart said otherwise? And they'd crossed so many lines, denial felt impossible.
Worse, relief washed over her biggest.
"Then... we can stay together inside."
She'd been stressing how to sneak Kang Jik in for doses on Mars.
If they could share quarters guilt-free, with space to dodge suspicion?
Opportunities would multiply.
She headed home light-footed.
Tomorrow, mana stones in hand—she'd brag to Kang Jik big time.
The thought heated her lower belly.
A-rank mana for skill level-ups.
How good would it feel?
Her face burned hotter.