Chapter 34
No, it had already passed.
The reason I hadn't even mentioned it...
'Nothing special happened.'
My level had gone up, and only the base stats had been adjusted—no real anomalies or surprises.
Why was that?
I agonized over it right up until I fell asleep, using Hemo as my water pillow.
And the conclusion I reached was...
Even though I'd put in my own effort, almost all of it was EXP donated by Han Biyeol. In this cutthroat world, nothing came free!
"Never mind."
I'd been thinking wrong.
Most of my levels came from allocated EXP. So why hadn't I realized the 'anomaly' would stem from that?
〔...You're the thief who levels up on my EXP and still wants anomalies?〕
I'd ignore Hemo's sharp jab on that.
Got it, got it. Let's hit Majeongdong Meat House for Hanwoo beef tonight!
The spot run by my buddy where ordering pork somehow triggers Hanwoo sides—enough to make Gwang-san Corp weep!
'I'm way too excited.'
Good thing I had the Surprise Texture Mask on.
Hunters couldn't afford to be seen as lunatics, after all.
Taking a deep breath, I sank back into thought.
'Is this considered leaving a good mark?'
If so, maybe that's why the status window had popped up asking for a rating?
〔...! ...〕
I was skeptical of that take myself just moments ago.
'Doesn't seem like it's just asking for a positive review.'
That's when Hemo poked my side with a fin that had been munching an almond.
Then, with its cute, octopus-leg-like fingertip, it pointed toward the elevator.
Clank, clank.
The low metallic grind of armor plates meshing spread through the air.
It was Han Biyeol.
His sunken, fatigued eyes—hollow from exhaustion—wandered the lobby. He flopped into a chair by the water cooler.
Pounding his thigh with his fist's heel, he vented his frustration with his whole body. Passersby kept their expressions neutral.
No one wanted trouble with a prickly asshole like Han Biyeol.
"Damn it... damn it..."
Anyone would think he'd just been dumped.
'He's the one chasing me to brew trouble.'
For me, this was deadly hide-and-seek!
In the Eternal Blessing, I was Han Biyeol's superior.
But in reality, the gap in our combat power was massive.
'Hitting level 20 really drives it home.'
Han Biyeol was undeniably strong.
He still couldn't quite match Seo Boseok.
But his true depth lay in that misguided diligence. Like a shonen protagonist gone rogue.
Even after grinding the Jinjongil Chaos Gate, he'd dragged himself to an Abyss for EXP at night.
〔...! ...!!〕
Oh, right. Forgot to send Han Biyeol that one-on-one message today. Too much going on lately.
'Hanwoo really hits different.'
I patted Hemo, then stared at the status window again.
Han Biyeol's dejected figure overlapped the translucent window. A bizarre sight.
'Doesn't make him one bit pitiable.'
Hemo must've read my thoughts.
"Give him one star out of courtesy?"
That's what I'd suggested—rock bottom.
I shook my head.
"Personal grudges in a review could backfire."
Just like delivery apps.
Needed a fair assessment. Baseless hate just invites backlash.
After coolly deliberating, I reached for the status window.
"That should do it."
Right then.
The bond distance between master (A) and subordinate (B) has grown significantly longer than before.
A satisfied smile crept across my lips.
"Damn it."
These days, Han Biyeol's mind and body were in ruins.
Bouncing between the 64 Building and Abyss Gates without sleep had worn him down completely.
Where had it all gone wrong?
'Seo Wonseok...'
Obviously that guy's fault, but the root cause predated him.
'That's why...! The guild master dumped Seo Boseok on me for no reason!'
He'd chosen it himself.
But anyone would've in that spot.
The scales of gain and loss had tipped heavily his way.
'A golden chance to become Korea's number one.'
Even without that.
Seo Boseok was doomed anyway.
R&Y and the other guilds ganging up?
Nah.
He'd have scoffed and bailed.
A backroom deal among a few guilds wasn't tempting enough.
'It was the higher-ups who wanted Seo Boseok gone.'
They'd intervened indirectly.
Handed him the knife, singled him out.
No way he could've refused.
'But.'
Things changed.
That guy flipped it all.
'I have to build a friendly tie with the bastard playing balloon games with people's heads.'
Right now, clashing with Seo Wonseok scared him more than 'their' pressure.
He could resist factions.
'But Instant Death right there.'
Pop.
A chill ran down his spine!
At this point, he had to ask.
Conditional instant death or not, the guy could off him anytime he wanted.
Thud, thud.
Han Biyeol smacked the innocent wall with the back of his head. His skull rattled.
Maybe that's why.
Hallucinations started creeping in.
Hallucinations...
"Huh?"
Han Biyeol jerked upright.
■■'s ■ is watching you.
■■'s ■ praises your efforts so far.
But expresses slight regret.
Strive harder to win ■■'s ■ favor.
If you head toward the lush blue beyond, greater fortune awaits...
Han Biyeol let out a strangled gasp.
Passersby side-eyed him, but he didn't care.
'Th-this...!'
A precursor. He'd been chosen by something unknowable!
'No way.'
A sign of blessing manifestation?
Little was known about blessings.
Worldwide, holders numbered on one hand.
When one emerged in an Eastern nation, the world lost its mind.
Seo Boseok, the hunter.
'...Me too...?'
Yeah.
Why not him?
No one hustled harder at the hunter life. He might've unknowingly crossed the threshold.
His lips twitched upward.
This was a blessing precursor.
A message from some transcendent watcher.
'Head to the lush blue for fortune.'
Lush blue...
Lush blue...
As his brow furrowed deeper.
Ding!
He irritably checked the message.
It was that guy.
Always dropping a few words then ghosting, torturing Han Biyeol.
If it was pure bullshit, he'd block and ghost back—but their paths overlapped weirdly with Seo Wonseok's.
Too credible to ignore.
Greenbelt. Greenbelt.
...!
An electric spark raced up his spine.
'The lush blue beyond.'
Greenbelt was the instant association.
Han Biyeol prayed inwardly and stood.
Might be hasty.
But after sleepless nights of anxiety, he had no room for second thoughts.
'Guide me.'
Above all, chosen-one syndrome had swept his mind clean.
As Han Biyeol shrank to a dot in the distance, I dusted off and stood too.
His creepy grin lingered unpleasantly.
Shaking it off, I headed to the lobby info desk.
Yuneobyeon, the team leader, stood with a staffer. Catching a breather amid the chaos.
He looked beat too.
This was the guy who'd requested Han Biyeol's help.
"Excuse me."
He turned at my approach.
"...Ah, yes, Hunter. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to buy an Eternal Pact Contract. Got any for sale?"
"Sorry, we can't sell for personal use."
Expected that. Had a workaround ready.
"Heading to Greenbelt Gate soon—need to renegotiate my guild contract for rewards. Any way around it?"
"Ah! You're joining Greenbelt Gate? In that case!"
Greenbelt Gate was struggling for recruits despite the severity.
Neglect it, and Gate Break loomed.
Guilds balked at joining.
Blame usually flew to the Association.
National agencies as scapegoats? Par for the course.
'Don't worry, Team Leader.'
One major guild will commit by tonight.
Adding that silently, I bought one Eternal Pact Contract.
'Pricey.'
My remaining Credits from the potion ring were nearly tapped.
'Owe big bro too much.'
"Thanks for your hard work."
"We always appreciate hunters like you!"
As I turned, the crumpled paper in my pocket twitched.
Nanjung Flag effect triggered. Acquired items +25%!
"...Whoa."
Chungmugong blesses our nation.
Same day, evening.
North Ocean Guild's stock showed no signs of rebounding. After this plunge, you'd expect a bounce—but it kept tanking.
HTN kept dredging up their past misdeeds.
Bam!
The man slammed his fist; the conference room fell silent. Namgung Hyunil, North Ocean Guild master.
"Why the hell is HTN suddenly raking us over the coals?!"
"W-well... probably no financial ties with us..."
"Who doesn't know that?! I'm asking why now, you idiots!!"
"...That's..."
The monitor showed a graph like sheer cliffs.
"You know if this continues, we'll drop to mid-tier—or worse?"
"...Yes..."
"Five minutes. Spit out rebound ideas, one by one."
The execs fidgeted.
Namgung Hyunil's temper was vile—defy him, and blood spilled.
Had to say something.
"Borrow Credits from overseas banks to defend the stock—"
"Would you lend to us?!"
"Sorry."
"No Credit-for-Credit bullshit! Think creative, you morons!"
Shadows fell over their faces.
One raised a tentative hand.
"G-Guild master."
"Out with it."
Gulp.
"A hunter guild's strength isn't Credits—it's our hunters. To fix our image..."
"Show the public North Ocean Guild hunters are competent?"
"Fastest realistic rebound path..."
"Hm."
Namgung Hyunil grunted.
Basic stuff, clashing with their style.
But flipping script now? Could shift public eyes.
No other options. Mid-tier loomed.
"How'd we hit top five before."
Couldn't stomach that humiliation again.
Scorn from top guilds? Whatever.
Below five? Unbearable.
"Quickest Abyss Gate with max impact?"
"Tomorrow's the Greenbelt Gate raid team departure."
He scowled.
"Paju's?"
"Yes. High risk—guilds hesitant."
Execs awaited anxiously.
Namgung Hyunil's narrowed eyes snapped open.
"That's it."
"B-but! Too dangerous!"
Bam!
"One foot's already over the cliff. No retreat!"
He'd decided.
"North Ocean Guild rebounds off Greenbelt Gate."
And he'd punish HTN for the dunk, plus KBC for the backstab.
"I'm joining the raid team tomorrow."