Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Old Neighbor
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Chapter 126
Chapter 126
'Let's see... Phew.'
Jeonghyeon let out a sigh as he sat in the head seat for a moment and reviewed the guild member roster.
No matter how thin their forces were or how much they focused on crafting, the group gathered for a Mission Gate was too meager.
'Level 5 is barely a B-Rank healer at best. The rest are Level 4?'
Looking at it this way, he could really feel how luxurious the party he'd entered with from Jeongjin Guild and Sea Guild had been.
They'd been at least B-Rank Level 5s, veterans brimming with experience in Mission Gates.
But Vice Guild's members were B-Rank and C-Rank Level 4s, excluding the healer.
And hardly any had experience in Mission Gates.
Flip-
Jeonghyeon's brow furrowed slightly as he turned to the last page.
'Level 3?'
The name that caught his eye was Kim Won-ho.
He had an A-Rank strength enhancement trait, but his level was too low.
It looked like he'd only reached Level 3 a month ago, so he probably wasn't fully accustomed to his power yet.
Unlike the others, his page was separated, so he must have been an additional recruit.
Jeonghyeon looked up, searching for a face matching the ID photo.
"Kim Won-ho?"
"Yes."
'He looks pretty intimidating.'
The response came in a gravelly, low voice.
Even a civilian clueless about hunters could probably guess his trait just from his appearance.
His shoulders were broad enough for a child to lie across sideways, and his massive build announced he was born with a sturdy frame, even if he hadn't awakened as a hunter.
'If he'd grown just a bit more, he'd be fine.'
Meanwhile, Kim Won-ho seemed to have some inkling why Jeonghyeon had called him out.
His expression was hardened more than the others, who already didn't look pleased.
"You just hit Level 3, so even with an A-Rank trait, it might be tough. Still okay with that?"
Jeonghyeon asked straightforwardly.
A-Rank?
Impressive grade, of course.
But only in gates matching one's ability.
In a standard Level 5 gate, he'd manage his share somehow.
But charging into a Mission Gate was risky.
If something went wrong, that trait would be such a waste.
But Won-ho nodded with his characteristic gravelly voice.
"No problem. If you say go in, I go in."
Jeonghyeon tilted his head at the resolute answer without hesitation.
He didn't seem particularly loyal to the guild, so why agree so readily?
But that wasn't all that piqued his curiosity.
'That voice sounds so familiar.'
Definitely someone he'd never seen before.
He'd never visited Vice Guild, and they'd never crossed paths during hunts.
Someone with such a striking appearance wasn't easy to forget.
Then, Jeonghyeon's eyes caught Won-ho's awakening and joining date.
'Five months ago? That was when...'
Back when Jeonghyeon was still roaming Level 3 gates.
He'd even been living in that rundown studio apartment neighborhood then, so he hadn't known many people.
At that moment, a figure flashed through Jeonghyeon's mind.
"By any chance, Aurora Villa...?"
"......?"
The room fell silent at Jeonghyeon's out-of-left-field remark.
"Room 302...?"
"......!"
Only then did Kim Won-ho's face twist in shocked realization.
Now certain who Won-ho was, Jeonghyeon burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! What a coincidence, really?"
"Han Jeonghyeon, the hunter? What's up?"
"No, just didn't expect to see you here, Hunter Kim Won-ho... We'll catch up later."
Who could've imagined?
Running into the neighbor who'd suddenly awakened one day and left behind just a pack of beef.
'The world really is small.'
He'd heard he'd joined some decent guild with a decent grade—turns out it was a jackpot.
Jeonghyeon grinned widely.
"Now we've got one more reason this raid can't fail. Alright, shall we start the real meeting?"
***
The meeting was mostly time in Vice Guild's testing room to gauge each member's abilities.
Even if Jeonghyeon was the main force, knowing what each could do would make the raid safer.
He meticulously noted their performances against summoned monsters suited to their positions and levels.
'They're all so-so.'
That was Jeonghyeon's assessment after a rough evaluation.
From B-Rank healer Lee Deok-jin to fellow B-Rank wind mage Kim Jeong-geun, C-Rank main tanker Choo U-yeong, and C-Rank archer Lee Yeon-su.
All showed average skills for their ranks and levels.
The silver lining, true to Vice Guild's philosophy of stable hunting, was their well-rounded competence without rough edges.
In other words, balanced, if unremarkable, hexagonal hunters.
"Well, this should do."
"How is it? Think we can pull it off?"
Geunhwa, who'd watched the tests with Jeonghyeon, asked with a worried look.
Frankly, even he didn't think his guildmates looked impressive.
If Jeonghyeon deemed them unfit, they'd need replacements, but guild circumstances made that tough.
But Jeonghyeon's reply eased his concerns.
"I'd say they're solid. Even mercenaries would need time to gel, and we don't have that."
"Ah, right. Vice Guild prioritizes team synergy over individual prowess."
Jeonghyeon nodded.
In his view, their strength was the heavy team breathing from standard gates, even without Mission Gate experience.
As long as they wouldn't collapse stupidly, it was fine.
"Let's wrap up then. Raid in two days after rest—sound good?"
"The sooner for us, the better."
Meeting over.
The hunters, still not thrilled, filed out, and Geunhwa exchanged final greetings with Jeonghyeon before leaving the testing room.
Only Jeonghyeon and Won-ho remained.
Won-ho hesitated briefly, confirmed everyone gone, then approached.
"You're... really from 301?"
What a dopey look on that hulking frame.
Won-ho said he'd felt a vague familiarity when they first met too.
Thanks to that sleazy confidence and a voice that rang a bell.
They'd built their love-hate through noisy walls(?), so recognizing each other wasn't shocking, even without seeing faces before.
Then Jeonghyeon teased.
"You awaken A-Rank and leave just one pack of beef? Stingy."
"After all the crap you put me through, be grateful I didn't leave a turd."
Laughter again.
But when Won-ho straightened up and asked, Jeonghyeon grew awkward.
It was a question he'd expected, but still hard to answer.
"So what rank are you that you're consulting for our guild? Wait, were you even a hunter?"
"Eh, just got lucky."
Whatever Won-ho thought of that, he didn't pry further into Jeonghyeon's rank.
The lull in talk prompted Jeonghyeon to grin and ask back.
"But Uncle, why join Vice Guild? A-Rank could've landed better offers from top guilds."
He phrased it gently to avoid offending, but his real thought was blunter.
'Honestly, no clue why he'd pick Vice Guild.'
Not a bad guild, but not one B-Ranks flocked to.
Typical for crafting guilds.
But Won-ho shrugged it off.
"It's not bad here. And I didn't want cutthroat fights."
"Hmm..."
Jeonghyeon pondered, then nodded.
If that's how he saw it, no arguing.
'Still a waste of talent.'
Freshly Level 3 or not, Won-ho stood out most in today's tests.
Not just the rank/level gap—the vibe he gave off.
Whatever he thought of himself, he was too good for mine gates.
"If you're ever up for working with me later, hit me up."
"What?"
A-Rank meant levels would climb fast.
Worst case, use Command, hunt together to level him.
Won-ho looked stunned at the sudden pitch, but to Jeonghyeon, it was logical scouting.
He wasn't planning solo Mission Gates forever.
Better to staff up, and a known face was ideal.
'He even left beef when I moved—personality checks out.'
Now it was Won-ho's call.
Jeonghyeon left the dazed man in the testing room and headed home.
***
Two days later, somewhere in Gyeonggi Province.
A clearing ringed by sheer cliffs looked deserted at a glance, but today it bustled unusually.
Naturally, Vice Guild members and Jeonghyeon.
When Jeonghyeon eyed the gate in the cliff, Geunhwa beside him nodded.
"That's the 'Merrillium Mine's Gems' gate, right?"
"Yes."
"But why's the Vice Guild Master coming personally... You're staying at HQ."
'Clients waiting outside feels pressuring.'
He feigned concern for Geunhwa, but it was really the burden.
First gig, and the client waiting outside till clear? Stressful.
But Geunhwa, oblivious or not to his true feelings, gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"I'll report the results myself."
What could he say?
Jeonghyeon got it, nodded vaguely, and headed to the gathered party.
"Alright, we're going in. All set?"
"......"
No replies, as expected.
Joining Vice Guild meant avoiding risks like Mission Gate raids.
Getting dragged into this? Tension natural.
Harsh, but they resembled livestock at the slaughterhouse.
Jeonghyeon chuckled, patting each shoulder.
"Stressing like this won't help. Loosen up before we go."
The young-looking Jeonghyeon acting most adult eased them a bit.
Hunters forced smiles now.
"And with me, nothing can go wrong. Trust and follow."
How could he say it so confidently? But Jeonghyeon had his reasons.
Post-meeting, he'd scouted the gate yesterday.
Same today.
'Better than King's Playground.'
Mission Gate aura was ominous, but lacked that overwhelming dread.
That alone gave him confidence.
'Gems or whatever, I can clear it solo.'