Chapter 954
Chapter 954
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 954
Chapter Title: Rainbow Fruit
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I followed Kang O-jeok into the tent marked as the temporary waiting room. Seven other hunters were already seated inside besides me. Among them, one caught my eye.
"Long time no see."
He was a man wearing a black coat even though summer was almost here. With sharp features, he was the youngest among the eight hunters.
Kang Seok-su.
The young genius mage famous throughout Korea.
We'd met about two years ago in a dungeon survival and competed against each other.
I don't usually remember men's names or faces well. Even if I do, I forget them unless they're particularly memorable. I remembered Kang Seok-su because he was always popping up on TV and the internet, and because his girlfriend had been delicious.
No, wait. She wasn't his girlfriend back then. Childhood friends, though. Her name was Yoo Jung-mi. I remember clearly. She's not here.
I sat down next to Kang Seok-su. It was the only seat left.
"Yeah, long time. What've you been up to?"
"What does a hunter do? Obviously, taking on Association requests and clearing dungeons. You..."
"Same here."
"That's not what I meant. I tried contacting you from time to time, but you completely ignored me. Even blocked my number. Why? I don't think I did anything wrong to you."
Kang Seok-su's voice was icy. His gaze wasn't friendly either. I considered decking him but held back.
"You were annoying me. I have a habit of blocking guys who keep calling. Sorry if you feel bad—I'll unblock you."
I could just block him again later.
"Hah."
Kang Seok-su let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
Kang O-jeok reentered the waiting room. He began the briefing on the B-rank dungeon.
"We have zero information on this B-rank closed dungeon. It's not that we couldn't scout it—we simply didn't. I assume you all know why."
Clear it without any info.
Start from scratch, with nothing at all. It was for building experience, so I let it slide.
"Of course, if you judge it too dangerous, feel free to escape immediately. No one will blame you for failing. Your lives are the top priority."
He handed out balls of red thread to us.
An item that allows emergency escape from closed dungeons.
"What I'll brief you on isn't the dungeon—it's you all. You need to cooperate, but you don't know each other."
He explained info on me and the other hunters. I barely endured the boring briefing. There were two women among the hunters, but neither was stunning enough to catch my interest.
"That's the end of the briefing. If no issues, we'll start the dungeon raid in one hour."
The hunters started chattering, deciding positions based on abilities and tactics. Kang Seok-su was at the center.
The meeting wrapped up smoothly in 20 minutes. I fiddled with my smartphone during the remaining time.
Han Ha-rin... no reply. She must've already entered an A-rank dungeon.
Kang Seok-su approached me. He set a canned coffee in front of me.
"Did you think about what I said before?"
"What you said before?"
I furrowed my brow, racking my brain. Nothing came up. Kang Seok-su sighed.
"The guild. I proposed we start one together."
"Oh, right. Haven't made it yet?"
"I'm not A-rank yet. But my achievements are almost there. Probably next month or the one after for the promotion exam."
"Congrats. You'll be A-rank before me."
Not surprising. Kang Seok-su had been hailed as a genius since he was young, and he was two years older than me.
"The offer still stands."
"Me, specifically?"
"Your value in Korea right now is higher than you think. It went up even more when you turned down Seical Guild's recruitment."
"How'd you know that? Background check?"
Kang Seok-su smirked.
"Background check? Korea's small. Info rolls in even if you sit still."
Not entirely true unless you had an info network.
"You think I'll join your guild after rejecting Seical? You can't support me like they can. You don't even have a guild yet. Honestly, it sounds like a multi-level scheme."
Even with my harsh words, Kang Seok-su remained calm.
"I get it. Compared to the big guilds, we're nothing. I know guild founding isn't just about ambition."
He showed me his smartphone. It had guild info.
"What is this."
"I'll found the guild right after promotion to A-rank. Been preparing for it. Planned it two years ago—almost ready now."
"Seventy-er?"
"The guild name. Thought long and hard. Cool, right?"
"Nah, doesn't ring a bell."
I ignored his pride and checked the info.
It was unusual.
Seventier Guild would be run by seven guild masters. Multiple masters weren't rare—plenty had two.
But seven was excessive.
"Seven guild masters? Is that even allowed? Too many cooks spoil the broth."
"One representative. Elected every two years by masters via meeting and vote. Wasn't my original plan... Check the master info."
Five masters were set. Kang Seok-su, naturally.
I was shocked by the five names. All rising stars making waves in Korea. Two women, both beauties and top hunters.
"...How'd you scout them?"
"They were unhappy with the top ten guilds. The cliques are bad here. Even so, convincing them wasn't easy."
"Sponsors too."
"Not ideal, but necessary. Capital speeds growth. They won't interfere internally."
I read it all. Solid enough to found now. If it grew right, it could topple a top ten spot.
"...No need for me then, right?"
"Seventier's goal is Korea's top guild. To change the top ten."
Top guild.
One requirement:
"...An S-rank hunter."
"Exactly. Need an S-rank to claim top spot. I predict you'll be S-rank someday. Me too, of course."
Kang Seok-su declared boldly. Not impossible, so I didn't argue.
I got it now—their master criteria. All promising geniuses tipped for S-rank.
"...You're serious."
"Always am, Sung Yu-jin. I know B-ranks get tough without a guild. Hard to solo C+ dungeons. Reliable comrades are key."
He was right.
C-rank clears had close calls. With trustable allies, they'd be nothing.
That's why I stuck to easy, safe dungeons.
"Sung Yu-jin. Join us. We can change the world. No—we will."
Kang Seok-su extended his hand. I ignored it, glancing away. Reviewed Seventier info again.
"...Give me time to think."
He smiled, withdrawing his hand. Satisfied I hadn't rejected outright.
"Can't wait forever. Two spots left in Seventier."
"Does it have to be seven?"
"Masters fixed at seven. Won't change. Eighty-er sounds weird anyway."
"Yeah, kinda does."
???
As vanguard, I entered the dungeon first.
Vision spun instantly. Then an odd sensation hit.
...Feels off. Like the dungeon itself is shaking...
I'd cleared hundreds of dungeons. No mistaking the feel. This one was weird.
Whiiiiiing.
A chill wind blew. Looking up, a gloomy sky. I blankly scanned around. Alone in a field. No one else. Party should appear within three seconds.
Scattered? Worst case. We agreed to meet west if split. Where's west?
The dungeon gave the clear condition. First time hearing of this fruit.
A hoe and straw hat appeared before me.
This is insane. What the hell.
I scratched my cheek. Closed dungeons could be bizarre, but I'd never heard of one like this.
New closed dungeon variant?
Confusing, but possible. Like 'Hero's Vortex' for training hunters.
I put on the straw hat and picked up the hoe.
Farm, huh? Bullshit.
Needed to test loopholes. Not farming wouldn't kill me.
I've got Complete Recovery and Absolute Mind. Status effects are nothing.
I looked around for west.
Sun rises east, sets west. So sunset direction is west.
If this weren't a dungeon, that'd be west. Even if not, others'll assume sunset side too. Useless.
I tossed the hoe and headed toward the sunset.
"Aigoo, you brat!!"
An old woman's voice from behind. I turned. A 60-something grandma charging at me. Mostly white hair, wrinkled face. Maybe six or seven yellowed teeth—Sung Ji-gon would lose his erection at the sight.
The old hag smacked my head with her charge's momentum. Didn't hurt. Just gross. I frowned; she got angrier.
"Hans, you punk! Ditching the field again?! When will you get your act together?!"
"Old hag. You nuts?"
"Old hag? Can't talk to your mom like that, punk!"
She swung again. First hit caught me off guard; this I dodged, tripping her leg. She face-planted in the muddy field.
"Urk!"
I planted my foot on her head. She flailed arms and legs to rise. I stomped a few times, then eased up.
"H-Hans! Why... why do this...? Help me up. Mom's exhausted..."
She whimpered.
"Old hag. I'm not Hans. And my mom's definitely not some hag."
"Wh-what are you saying... Pfbt!"
Stomped harder. Dirt in her ears, probably. Not my problem.
I lifted my foot. She quickly raised her head, dirt-caked face gasping. Trembling, she eyed me.
"H-Hans. Did your mom do something wrong...?"
"Not Hans, I said. For real."
"Eek!"
A few more stomps. Her attitude flipped fast.
"I'm not Hans."
"Y-Yes! Right! You're not Hans...!"
"Old hag. Where's the Rainbow Fruit?"
No real hope.
"Rainbow Fruit...? The legendary one?"
"Tch. Speech."
"R-Rainbow Fruit, you mean?"
"Yeah. Rainbow Fruit."