Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Enchantress Joins
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Even though Jeong-hyeon was disappointed that it was Jeongjin Guild's HR team, in truth, Soo-yeon wasn't really suited to join Sunhyeong's party if you thought about it.
No matter that her Magic Enchantment trait was treated as support, a C-Rank level 3 powerhouse entering a level 3 gate?
'When was the last time I stepped into a level 3 gate...?'
For Soo-yeon, who usually cleared level 4 gates, it had been back when she was level 2.
She had to dig back years in her memory.
She had visited the 'Distorted Forest of the Lowest Spirits' a few times long ago because her Magic Enchantment trait got noble treatment in spirit gates.
So how on earth did Soo-yeon end up sandwiched between Jeong-hyeon and Sunhyeong's party?
"Soo-yeon, you know Hunter Han Sang-su's party is heading out hunting tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, Team Leader. The Spirit Forest, wasn't it?"
"Go help them out with the hunt."
"Pardon?"
"Go help them out."
That was it.
Of course, he mentioned keeping an eye on one of them and pitching sales if the chance arose, but no detailed explanation.
Not only deploying high-end talent like her to a level 3 gate, but doing it so curtly.
She shot a pleading look at Seo Jin-uk next to her, but he was no different from Jun-won.
"You should hunt with Jeong-hyeon sometime. Pass on my regards too."
That was how it went, so naturally, Soo-yeon wasn't thrilled to be dragged to this unwanted gate.
At the meeting spot, just as expected: one archer, one tank, one healer.
And one man wielding a mace, flagged as the person of interest.
'Is that Han Jeong-hyeon? Unregistered, level 3... what's there to see?'
Jun-won and Jin-uk thought the same, but HR dealt with the most hunters regardless.
She knew from experience that unregistered hunters held little promise.
'Hmm, but if Team Leader and the junior staff praised him that much, there must be something... his gear looks decent enough.'
As she approached Jeong-hyeon, Soo-yeon's eyes quickly scanned him top to bottom.
The leather armor was from some workshop she didn't recognize, but the quality was solid.
Plus, the dagger at his waist and the long mace on his back were Marium-made.
For an unregistered hunter dipping into level 3 gates, it was top-tier gear, practically.
Of course, judging a hunter by gear price alone was foolish.
Anyone with money could deck out an F-Rank like an S-Rank.
Still, with Jun-won and Jin-uk's recommendations, Soo-yeon greeted him casually.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. Han Jeong-hyeon."
"The junior staff sang your praises. Let's have a good hunt today."
"Looking forward to it."
Jeong-hyeon, receiving her greeting, observed her right back.
This was his second straight hunt with a C-Rank.
Having witnessed Jin-uk's astonishing prowess, he couldn't help feeling expectant.
Sure, enchantment types didn't join combat directly, but still, something different maybe.
'That said, two C-Rank level 3s on the same team? What kind of lineup is this?'
Word was the team leader Jun-won was a B-Rank level 5 powerhouse.
Even for a top guild, wasn't this overkill?
As Soo-yeon and Jeong-hyeon sized each other up tensely, oblivious Sang-su chimed in with mismatched cheer.
"When we told Team Leader Cha Jun-won we were taking Brother Jeong-hyeon into the Spirit Forest, he immediately sent Hunter Soo-yeon as support. Everyone, a round of applause for the two of them!"
Sure, Jun-won had sent support casually, but it was a favor no mere pleasantry could repay.
Sending an overleveled hunter to hunt with regular members—or even non-members—was unthinkable.
And so, the uneasy pair and the gleeful trio headed into the gate.
***
"Wow, this place is really something."
"First time in a spirit gate for everyone?"
"Yeah. Never been to a good spot like this because of someone."
"Ahem..."
Jeong-a and Soo-yeon's chat, plus Sunhyeong's awkward cough, continued.
Even without them, the first-timers gawked at the gate.
Jeong-hyeon had heard descriptions but seeing the spirit realm was new.
"Are all spirit gates like this?"
"Hmm, I've only been up to level 4 Spirit Lake, but yeah, similar."
Soo-yeon nodded, and Jeong-hyeon marveled at the surroundings.
'Forest' in the name, but nothing like a normal forest.
Well, if surging flames or skyward lightning from the ground looked like trees, maybe.
What was weird was how these spirit phenomena differed from normal nature.
Fire didn't burn hot, touching lightning didn't shock.
Water was more slime-like than real water.
Soo-yeon explained the spirit realm's physics defied real-world logic.
'Guess why everyone raves about spirit realms.'
Jeong-hyeon's honest take.
Eerie, yes, but with its own beauty.
Auspicious aura from books everywhere.
Yet it hid deadly poison too.
"Scenery’s nice, but don't let your guard down. Spirits can pop out anywhere."
Just like Soo-yeon's warning—zone out and get hurt.
Spirit realm oddities matched local spirits.
Phenomena arose from spirits.
So what seemed scenery could turn attacker anytime.
Finally, the party tensed up.
Hunter Net had tales of early wipeouts from the beauty; they'd read plenty.
Soo-yeon added,
"As briefed, lowest tier only has fire, water, lightning, wind. Damage is manageable, so aim for steady, mistake-free hunting."
"Got it!"
She smirked at their eager replies.
Gawking like kids, her like a daycare teacher.
Jeong-hyeon, secretly watching, looked the same—another chuckle.
'Not panicking like a level 3 newbie, huh? Real rookie after all.'
Jeong-hyeon's calm in gates came from workshop monsters.
Spirits weren't workshop fare, plus alien scenery—rookie as any here.
'Whoa, snag some for interior decor? Jackpot.'
His moneymaking schemes mid-gawk were unique, though.
Under Soo-yeon's lead, they explored briefly.
"Uh... huh?"
Flames by Sunhyeong flared fiercely—a fireball leaped out.
Roar—
No roar like monsters, but crackling was threat enough.
Fire spirit fired another at startled Sunhyeong.
"Sunhyeong, enchant incoming!"
Before the fast fireball hit his shield, bluish energy cloaked him.
Soo-yeon's timely water enchant.
Weak lowest spirit attack plus counter attribute? Hot pack to tank Sunhyeong.
"Jeong-hyeon, Jeong-a!"
Soo-yeon enchanted their ready dagger and arrow with water too.
'Damn, fast.'
Jeong-hyeon had drawn long ago.
Even so, her speed was pro.
Second enchant synced with Jeong-a's prep.
Meanwhile, fire spirit, attack foiled, darted wildly.
Reason spirit forest hunters collapsed exhausted, not dead.
Hitting erratic spirit cores? Tough.
'I couldn't nail that.'
Even Jeong-hyeon, traits boosting Throwing Skill sky-high, pegged odds at 30%.
Crackle—
Sang-su's lightning magic hit direct—spirit slowed visibly.
That was enough.
'Doable!'
Whoosh—thwack—
Dagger and arrow flew.
"Ugh, miss!"
Soo-yeon nodded knowingly.
Even slowed, spirit speed was brutal.
As predicted, Jeong-a's arrow whiffed wide.
'No way he'd hit even with praise.'
Five tries minimum to kill.
But,
'Huh?'
Thud—
Jeong-hyeon's dagger smashed half the core.
Over limit damage—core shattered, spirit faded.
Party cheered.
"Wheee! Brother's dagger skills are the best!"
"Not fair—agility type out-hitting this archer at range?"
"Better than last time?"
Mere trick-shot to them, used to his throws—just extra impressive.
Soo-yeon, watching wide-eyed:
'What the hell?'
Unregistered?
Awakened a month?
Impossible.
What unregistered hits flying spirit core dead-on with dagger?
Shattered it first try.
Accuracy and power blew past her estimates.
She even thought,
'Team Leader and junior pranking me with hidden cam sans me?'
Jeong-hyeon, clueless to her shock, grinned retrieving his dagger.
[Acquired 1 coin.]
First kill dropped coin—milestone.
'One-shot risky, but coin out—good enough.'
Soo-yeon would've smacked his head: 'Full yet?'
"Aw, Spirit Stone dropped."
Whatever—stone beside dagger widened his smile.
"Oh, really?"
"That's over a million won each! Jackpot!"
First stones for them—they crowded Jeong-hyeon's fire stone, chattering.
Soo-yeon stared from back, dumbfounded.
'Fine, but you all buy he's unregistered?'