Chapter 57
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: A Sudden Shift in Tone (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After a brief chat,
Kang Sa-hu received the report that Kim Ho-myeong and Lee Yu-rim had brought and began the meeting.
The report contained a staggering amount of information.
From plans on how to exercise their right to claim gates first, to strategies for utilizing the resources within the gates secured by the Afterlife Guild.
It covered domestic guilds, overseas guilds, and even discreet overtures from foreign governments eager to make contact.
And finally, the number of hunters applying to join the Afterlife Guild had surpassed ten thousand.
Though the report was densely packed with data, every single item was critically important—nothing could be skimmed. Kang Sa-hu carefully reviewed it all before nodding.
"First off, since Bae Deok-ho isn't here, let's outline the most urgent and critical matters.
Once we dive deep, even deciding on a single issue could take days, given how vital these problems are."
Rather than tackling everything at once, Kang Sa-hu decided to prioritize the key issues.
"For starters, now that we hold gate resource ownership rights, prioritize claiming gates rich in resources."
"Understood. We'll proceed that way."
"As for guild recruitment... let me address what I consider most important first. Follow the decisions from this meeting, but consult with Bae Deok-ho afterward for the details."
To grow the guild substantially, they had no choice but to accept new hunters.
But taking in just anyone could invite trouble, so a screening process was essential.
"In my view, screen out anyone with a history of violent crimes first. Then, start accepting based on ability. What do you think?"
"Yes, we'll handle it that way."
With awakeners already abusing their powers on civilians for violent crimes outside of hunting, a hunter's character was paramount.
If a hunter they recruited committed such a crime with their powers?
The fallout wouldn't end with that individual—it would damage the entire Afterlife Guild, built by all its members.
That's why Kang Sa-hu emphasized character over ability, and everyone agreed, so there were no objections.
"One personal thought: for administrative roles, hire civilians, not hunters."
"Huh? Why? As a hunter guild, wouldn't it be better for admin staff to be hunters too?"
Kang Ji-ye asked, puzzled, and Kang Sa-hu shook his head.
"From what I've seen, discrimination between awakeners and non-awakeners is emerging, leaving non-awakeners with no place. Admin work doesn't involve combat anyway, so hiring them helps a bit."
"As expected of our Guild Master."
Lee Yu-rim, who had been listening quietly, nodded vigorously with shining eyes, deeply impressed.
It was just a straightforward answer, but her enthusiastic praise made Kang Sa-hu glance at her awkwardly. Then he noticed her unusual necklace and tilted his head.
"By the way, Lee Yu-rim. That necklace...?"
Caught off guard that he'd spotted it, she hurriedly tucked it into her clothes, blushing.
"Oh, it's nothing."
"...?"
Kang Sa-hu cocked his head at her dismissal, recalling the glimpse he'd caught.
It was a skull with blue and green glows rising like horns from its eye sockets—unfamiliar at first, but it resembled the form his own eyes took when glowing.
But.
It must be overthinking. Probably just a similar design.
He never imagined she'd had it custom-made based on him, so he shook it off with a firm nod.
"We'll flesh out the rest with Bae Deok-ho later. You're far more experienced in this than I am, Kim Ho-myeong."
Kang Sa-hu spoke with trust, and Kim Ho-myeong straightened up.
"Yes. I'll draw on my Gold Tiger Group experience and prepare thoroughly—though it's an honor."
"I trust you."
Finishing up, Kang Sa-hu met each person's eyes in turn.
Kim Ho-myeong's face held his usual tension and caution.
Lee Yu-rim's eyes sparkled with a hint of something dangerously fervent.
And Kang Ji-ye gazed back with her typical playfulness, laced with genuine sincerity.
At first, everything had felt awkward and uncertain, full of friction and clumsiness. But now, each one was reliable, bound by solid trust—his guildmates.
Recalling how they'd risked their lives, believed in him, and led the charge to create this current momentum.
Having looked at them all, Kang Sa-hu smiled faintly.
"Alright then. I trust you—carry on."
"Yes, Guild Master!"
"We'll prepare flawlessly as discussed."
"Bring back some Melona on your way!"
The Afterlife Guild members responded in their own energetic ways.
"Nngh..."
A vast, pristine white space.
The girl who awoke there wore a dazed expression for a moment before shaking her head to clear it.
"Awake now?"
"Ah! Verdi unnie!"
The white-haired girl with white pupils called out to the woman smiling at her with silver eyes and flowing silver hair—known to the world as the 'Prophet,' Lee Seo-ah—and ran toward her.
Verdi watched her approach and gave a kind, gentle smile.
"Take it slow. You'll trip."
"Yes—kyaa!"
In her excitement, she bolted forward heedlessly and tumbled just as she spoke.
The floor looked empty, but the impact was real—her knee scraped and bled.
"Ow ow ow..."
"You okay?"
Verdi glided over smoothly, concern on her face, and placed a hand on the wound.
Wooong—
A cloudy energy gathered in her palm like soft mist, and in an instant, Lee Seo-ah's injury healed perfectly.
"Th-thank you."
"No need. Lucky it wasn't serious."
Verdi smiled warmly at her thanks.
Lee Seo-ah giggled back, then suddenly glanced around as if remembering something.
"Um, can you still see that weird thing from before?"
Verdi smiled at the question.
But even as she did, her silver eyes quickly scanned Lee Seo-ah.
And.
"......"
A faint, thin thread still clung to one of her ears, but Verdi shook her head.
"No, I must've been mistaken. It's gone now."
"Oh, good. I was scared it might be a ghost or something."
Lee Seo-ah sighed in relief.
With her inherently gentle and timid nature, she'd been terrified since Verdi mentioned seeing something odd.
"But why did you see that all of a sudden? The only different thing that day was meeting Hunter Kang Sa-hu."
Verdi's expression darkened slightly at the mention.
Kang Sa-hu, the hunter.
Verdi had seen him too.
Except during activations of Lee Seo-ah's sole skill usable while asleep, [Transcending Time and Space Communication], Verdi had rested dormant in a corner of her soul.
Yet that Kang Sa-hu—it wasn't certain, but it felt like he was looking right at her.
No way.
But that was impossible.
How could he see her, bodiless and mana-less, emitting no presence?
Of course, it wasn't entirely impossible.
A being capable of such absurdity came to mind, perched absurdly in her thoughts.
But that entity no longer existed in the world—nor should it. Verdi dismissed the hypothesis.
"Ah! Verdi, did you know? Hunters in our world are finally starting to get active!"
Lee Seo-ah excitedly shared news she'd seen, bringing Verdi up to speed on the world.
The successful C-rank gate clear.
Hunters gaining courage and resuming activities.
Hearing the hot news dominating headlines, Verdi smiled with relief.
"That's great. Really great."
"Hehe. All thanks to you, unnie."
Lee Seo-ah beamed at her.
"You always tell me where gates will appear and what dangers they'll bring, so I can pass it on and prepare."
Verdi gave a bittersweet smile at her pure gratitude.
"Sorry. It must be tough."
"No! Not at all! Sure, I awakened, but my only skill is this [Transcending Time and Space Communication]. I worried if I could even help."
Lee Seo-ah scratched her nose shyly.
"But people say I'm helping a ton. That I've saved countless lives thanks to it. All because of you."
"Hearing that means a lot. But remember? Keep your ability secret to the end. Say all this info comes from your power."
Verdi urged her earnestly, worried, and Lee Seo-ah nodded.
"Of course! I know you emphasize it to protect me."
Young as she was at nineteen, Lee Seo-ah understood the world well enough.
If she revealed her ability honestly?
The government would exploit it—injecting sedatives without consent, ordering direct communication attempts, endless interference.
And naturally, Lee Seo-ah wanted none of that.
Verdi already provided all needed info: gate details, monoliths' roles, everything.
She even answered Lee Seo-ah's curiosities in detail and honesty.
So Lee Seo-ah never pressured her for more or forced answers.
And above all.
"Since it's been a while, lots of info this time?"
"Yes, enough for what you need."
Her skill, [Transcending Time and Space Communication], couldn't pull infinite info.
It accumulated 'info capacity' when unused, limited to that amount for questions and answers.
Even then, info varied in consumption based on content—no room for frivolity.
"Right now, understanding gate generation is key. If there's must-know info later, I'll tell you."
"Yes! Verdi unnie!"
Verdi smiled warmly at her bright reply.
"Alright, starting with gate spawn locations."
As her explanation began, Lee Seo-ah focused intently.
Soon, gate positions, monsters, and ranks flowed from Verdi's lips as 'information.'
Lee Seo-ah diligently memorized what she'd 'prophesy.'
Zzzt...
In Lee Seo-ah's ear, as she listened hard,
the faint thread-like thing quivered ever so slightly, unnoticed by either of them.