Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Molu Guild's Experience Event
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"How about a decent hunting ground?"
After returning home, Jeong-hyeon began rummaging through HunterNet.
Logically, he knew that just one coin would suffice, so anywhere would do. But as the saying goes, a frog can't fathom a tadpole's world—now even the average gates no longer satisfied him.
Most popular gates were already claimed by well-organized fixed parties or guilds, leaving even fewer spots for freelancers like Jeong-hyeon.
That was the same reason he'd shifted from scouting level 5 gates to level 4 ones on the HunterNet boards.
Still, there were far more recruitment posts for level 4 gates than level 5.
The fact that Jeong-hyeon had steadily climbed gate levels one by one so far was thanks to cleverly exploiting niche markets with unpopular gates.
'Otherwise, I'd have had to deal with all sorts of jerks.'
Just then, Jeong-hyeon's gaze stopped on one post.
"Huh?"
- [Level 4] Molu Guild Experience Event. Recruiting 1 spot for Valen Taurro Plains!
Valen Taurro.
A monster resembling a bison but three times the size, with forward-curving horns and six legs.
It was fairly tough to hunt, but that didn't apply to Jeong-hyeon, who'd handled his role flawlessly even in level 5 gates.
However, there was one reason this monster caught his eye—and also one reason he hesitated to apply.
The reason he couldn't apply rashly was the prefix "Molu Guild Experience Event" on the post.
'Hmm. Of all guilds, Molu Guild gives me pause.'
Molu Guild was what people commonly called a foreign guild.
Headquartered in Japan's guild of the same name, foreign guilds weren't viewed favorably.
In an era where a nation's hunter count equated to its power and defense, there was no reason to look kindly on foreign guilds.
Of course, diplomatic relations and their operations in Korea prevented outright bans, but they subtly scouted promising hunters back home, earning inevitable resentment.
'That's why they're running a level 4 gate as an event.'
Guild experience events were purely promotional, releasing guild-reserved spots.
It was classic marketing: "Join us—we have such strong, reliable comrades!"
Yet few wanted to join a foreign guild like Molu with its poor reputation.
So they'd offered a slightly higher level 4 gate than usual for the event.
'Should I... or shouldn't I...'
Jeong-hyeon fiddled with the scroll on the post, pondering.
He'd just heard from the Association that he was drawing guild attention.
Participating in a guild event—especially Molu Guild's—now?
It nagged at him.
But the Valen Taurro's appeal was undeniable.
Sure, it was a monster, but roughly speaking, it was a giant cow. Jeong-hyeon smacked his lips at the thought.
"Smack. Can't pass up Valen Taurro."
Participating didn't force him to join Molu Guild anyway.
Even if selected, it was no sure thing.
Plus, these events usually offered millions in participation rewards.
If he got in, great; if not, no loss.
Jeong-hyeon ultimately submitted the application form.
***
Molu Guild's PR department.
Quitting time had long passed, but office life was never easy.
The level 4 gate event for promotion had piled on extra work.
"Our guild's this swamped—wonder how bad it is for others."
Hundreds of applications had poured in.
PR staffer Park Na-yoon tapped the final keys and stretched luxuriously.
Finally free from that hellish workload bomb.
"Aaah, off to clock out... Ah."
But as if to sabotage her sweet escape, a new application arrived.
Her body screamed to ignore it till tomorrow, but that'd be unfair to tomorrow's her.
Na-yoon grimaced and opened it.
"First, cross-check the applicant."
Priority one: blacklist check.
Molu Guild posts always drew trolls.
- Yeah, another Japanese guild.
- Koreans, join Sea Guild please.
- Jeongjin best! Jeongjin best! Jeongjin best! Jeongjin best!
The funny part? Some trolls applied anyway.
They badmouthed publicly but sneaked in applications.
Those got weeded out post-check.
"Not on the blacklist. Huh?"
But this application caught Na-yoon's eye for another reason.
- Name: Han Jeong-hyeon, Rank: Unregistered
The applicant was unregistered.
"An unregistered... for level 4?"
In her PR experience, she'd never seen an unregistered apply for level 4.
Unregistered were invariably F-rank, and F-ranks hit walls at level 4.
Events offered rewards and easy hunts, sure—but also a chance to impress the guild.
Thus, unregistered rarely applied for level 4; level 2 or 3 at most.
"Hmm..."
Na-yoon's eyes darted.
She could easily nix this one.
But she hesitated for one reason.
'Wouldn't a review from an unregistered who breezed through level 4 help our image?'
A glowing review from an unregistered riding our bus in a level 4 gate.
It could nudge Molu's reputation up a bit.
'Sure, it's a drop in the bucket even to me.'
Far from shedding the "foreign guild" stigma, obviously.
But big-picture woes weren't her job as a mere PR staffer.
Na-yoon added Jeong-hyeon to the recommended list and shut down her PC.
The next day,
"Here's the shortlist of promising applicants from day one."
"Blacklist all cleared?"
"Triple-checked."
Na-yoon handed the list to her boss.
He scanned it, then widened his eyes.
"Why? Something wrong?"
She asked curiously, but he dialed without answering.
"Hello? Yes, Vice Guild Master. PR Department head here."
'Vice Guild Master?'
Na-yoon jolted at the sudden high-up title.
Just a routine promo event—why escalate?
The call ended abruptly, no debate.
"Na-yoon, go with this one."
"But the application window's still open."
"Say it closed early due to overwhelming responses. This guy's it."
The name boldly marked in pen: Han Jeong-hyeon.
***
- [Molu Guild] Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon, congratulations. You've won a spot in the Valen Taurro Gate Experience Event. Details...
"Got in?"
He'd checked the text curiously—Molu Guild.
But days remained when he applied.
Worried it was spam, he checked HunterNet: indeed, early closure due to applicant surge.
"Molu Guild... early closure?"
More surprising than his win.
Domestic giants like Jeongjin or Sea filled quotas in hours regardless of level, but Molu stuck to schedules, even extending sometimes.
"No way..."
A hypothesis flashed in Jeong-hyeon's mind.
Guilds were eyeing him.
Did they spot his application and rush to close?
He shook his head.
"Overthinking. Pure ego."
Even if the Association hyped him, unlikely.
Foreign guilds got flak universally in Korea.
Molu was reputable in Japan—wouldn't flip an event for one guy.
Anyway, winning was good.
Modest reward, prime hunting spot for coins, leisurely.
Especially thrilled by the Valen Taurro prey.
***
Days later, at the "Valen Taurro Plains" gate.
Jeong-hyeon greeted the waiting Molu Guild members.
"Hello. I'm Jo Hun-il, Molu Guild raid leader."
"Han Jeong-hyeon."
As they shook hands,
Jo Hun-il eyed Jeong-hyeon appraisingly.
Before the hunt, the raid chief had instructed:
- About Han Jeong-hyeon for this event—take extra good care of him.
- Huh? Oh, sure, of course.
- No, dot every i. Make him comfy. Fill his head with thoughts of joining Molu.
- ...?
Rare for the terse chief to harp like that—Hun-il was baffled.
But Jeong-hyeon's profile clarified.
'Ah, unregistered—keep him safe, got it.'
The event pitched Molu as hunter-friendly: even unregistered thrive safely in level 4.
Hun-il, pro among pros, read the intent instantly.
Bit odd for the chief to stress it, but he beamed at Jeong-hyeon.
"Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon, we'll ensure your absolute safety this hunt!"
"......?"
Clueless Jeong-hyeon just blinked.
But he nodded casually, eyes gleaming.
"Oh, heard there's a fire mage in the party. Who?"
"Me. Na Jung-hyeon."
"Pleased to meet you!"
"......?"
Jeong-hyeon bowed deeply to the fire mage Jung-hyeon.
A farce of mutual cluelessness.
Figuring whose misconception strayed furthest? Not hard.
Thud- snort- boom-
'What the hell is this?!'
Soon after, Hun-il's worldview shattered from the ground up.