Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Vice Guild's Urgent Call
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- Don't dismiss it out of hand. Hear me out.
"There has to be a proper reason for this."
Geunhwa bristled at Suyeong's attempt to dissuade him.
She wouldn't call at this hour just to tease him, especially after all the courtesy they'd shown each other up to now. It felt like there was something to it.
In truth, Geunhwa's sharp reaction stemmed from something close to an inferiority complex.
- Sea Guild cleared a mission gate, and he participated in Jeongjin Guild's clear of the 'King's Playground.'
"What?"
Geunhwa asked in surprise.
'King's Playground.'
Even Geunhwa had heard rumors about that gate a few times.
Jeongjin Guild had attempted it but failed several times, leading to major news coverage that made it famous.
Just as talks of calling it quits were surfacing, it got cleared—another guild's success, but he'd felt relieved anyway.
No matter how massive Jeongjin Guild was, failing a mission gate wasn't something to brush off lightly.
Unlike before, though, Jeongjin only announced the clear without details on who entered or what the mission was, sparking some talk.
'I thought they were just keeping quiet to avoid tarnishing their guild's reputation...'
Guilds typically keep internal records of mission gates they struggle with, even if cleared, rather than fully disclosing to the public.
For a guild like Jeongjin, it wasn't great PR anyway, and publicizing it would disrespect the fallen hunters.
But an outsider had joined them?
That erased any lingering doubts.
Especially if it was an unregistered hunter.
"An unregistered hunter has already cleared two mission gates? Is he a veteran?"
- Don't be shocked. He's only been registered for about half a year.
"What!"
It was shock after shock.
He could accept it if the hunter had been active since gates first appeared.
Back then, many high-rank hunters operated unregistered, and one might still be around.
But a hunter registered just half a year ago clearing mission gates?
"No, more than that—level 5 in half a year? Unbelievable."
- Of course, the Sea Guild and Jeongjin clears were a few months ago, so he's even stronger now.
"Huh..."
Geunhwa had no words left.
He himself was a level 5 B-Rank hunter.
Awakened at a not-so-young age, he'd shifted to a leadership role in the rear lines once the gate system stabilized, but his experience and knowledge remained.
Level 5 gates in 3 or 4 months.
Had there been another hunter who'd grown that fast?
'Of course there were.'
The S-Ranks, now hidden away per national policy.
But was Han Jeonghyeon an S-Rank?
'No way to know... but no more room to retreat here.'
In the end, Geunhwa asked Suyeong.
"What's the name of that office?"
- HJH Gate Office. They're launching a homepage soon.
"Got it. I'll look into it."
But then Suyeong dropped an unexpected bombshell.
- Expect a flood of requests from major guilds.
"Why? Is an unregistered hunter worth that much attention?"
He got Jeonghyeon's skill now.
Not mere rumors—straight from Sea Guild's sales team lead, so it had to be true.
But other guilds clamoring on opening day?
Was he really that valuable?
- Yes. He's hot in sales and HR circles right now. Even guilds without urgent mission gates will request just to build ties. We did the same.
"Fine, I get it. I'll ask around and handle it."
Geunhwa clicked his tongue as he hung up.
Even amid guild staffing shortages, this was extreme.
Offering mission gates—their precious assets—just to recruit.
Even Sea Guild, second to none in Korea.
Geunhwa picked up the extension and called the HR team lead.
The whole staff was on emergency overtime, so the lead looked exhausted but arrived promptly.
"You called?"
"Do you know a hunter named Han Jeonghyeon?"
"Yes? Ah... I know of him."
The lead hesitated, confirming Suyeong wasn't exaggerating, then nodded.
Geunhwa asked, puzzled.
"Then why wasn't he in the recruitment report?"
The explanation was straightforward.
Lightning-fast leveling, now amplified by his unregistered status, drawing guild interest.
His feats matched what Suyeong said, with a bit more detail.
"But as you know, our guild prioritizes stable recruits over high-risk types like him. We're not competitive there, so I skipped him."
"Hmm..."
Geunhwa nodded.
Stable policy meant inadequate support in practice.
Why join a crafting guild like Vice when top combat guilds offered better for standout high-rankers?
Vice recruited strength-enhanced miners or combat types to protect them.
No need for flashy newbies like Jeonghyeon.
"Why ask about him now?"
"He's opening a gate office homepage tonight."
"......?"
The lead looked even more confused.
Asking about an unrelated hunter amid chaos.
And now he's starting a gate office?
But Geunhwa's next words cleared it up.
"They specialize in mission gates. What do you think?"
"Ah!"
Even if Vice lagged behind top guilds, team leads had to be sharp.
He grasped Geunhwa's intent instantly.
"I'll check the homepage right away and report back."
"Good. It's HJH Office—judge wisely."
Soon after, a report came.
The homepage was live.
Curious, Geunhwa logged in, but it was plain.
'Well, new office—flashy would be suspicious.'
No office track record, naturally.
Instead, President Han Jeonghyeon's gate history was listed briefly.
"Huh... He really grew this fast?"
Shocking from Suyeong alone, but laid out, it was staggering.
High-rankers enter above-level gates routinely, but only after mastering their tier.
This pace skipped basic combat adaptation.
No innate monster fear, or pre-awakening combat training.
'Re-awakener, maybe...'
Veteran Geunhwa considered possibilities.
But he shook his head, avoiding rash guesses, and scanned the rest.
Judging unseen hunters was impossible.
Otherwise, no client pitches or business vision.
Just: leave an inquiry, we'll review and reply. Strict confidentiality, 100% payment after success.
"Overconfident or truly nothing to offer?"
Still half-doubting.
Pondering, Geunhwa picked up the phone.
"Proceed anyway. If this fails, it's over. Other guilds are interested—offer our best terms."
- Understood, Vice Guild Leader.
Vice Guild was that desperate, and 100% post-payment sealed it.
For a cliff-edge guild, failure cost nothing extra.
Arrogant confidence, but fair for a newbie office.
Once track record built, advance payments would flow.
Even after ordering contact, Geunhwa's unease lingered.
'Even if accepted, temper expectations.'
Something was there, sure.
But savior-level for Vice Guild?
Hard to believe.
Past consultancies used his veteran networks.
If they failed, expecting a rookie rising star was irresponsible.
'Last shot... then contact Association and resign.'
Biting his lip at the grim scenario.
Accepting wouldn't save them—just oxygen for the dying.
'Merrillium Mine's Gems' was his stubborn acquisition; leaving Vice wouldn't end it.
He pulled an all-nighter, and morning brought word.
"Vice Guild Leader. HJH Office replied. They want a meeting ASAP."
"Yeah?"
Grasping at straws?
The lead, despite the night, looked brighter than yesterday.
Geunhwa's face stayed worried.
'How did I end up cornered like this?'
Feeling his plight keenly, he gave a wry smile.
"If today works, set it. I'll go myself."
***
"Really? The vice guild leader wants to meet personally?"
- Yes, President. They seem extremely urgent.
'Worse off than I thought...'
He'd sensed it from the request, but Vice differed from others.
While Sea Guild built ties with promo work, Vice wanted real problem-solving.
Still, a vice leader proposing the meet was unexpected.
Hidden circumstances, likely.
"Got it. Tell them I'll come once ready."
- Yes, sir!
Hanging up, Jeonghyeon rose from his desk to prepare.
'Can wrap up the big catch sooner than expected.'
Confident HJH's humble homepage would soon dazzle.