Chapter 58
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Who's That Kid?
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“Hey, you’re early?”
Park Byung-su had come to guild headquarters for the Black Bears’ Q4 executive meeting.
Over a dozen people were already there. They were the branch managers in charge of their respective regions.
“You’re the last one. Getting on in years and all you’ve got to show for it is a beer gut? What took you so damn long?”
The branch manager from Hongcheon-gun, near Yeongwol, picked a fight. Park Byung-su bristled at the gut comment and glared.
“Unlike you, I’ve got shit to do. You think training the newbies is easy? I just found a promising talent recently and lost track of time coaching him.”
“Hmph! Bet it’s some punk-ass thug again.”
“Thug? Screw you! You’re one to talk—chasing skirts at your age! Got no shame?”
“What’s it to you if I date whoever? You think everyone wants to end up a lonely old fart like you?”
“Lonely old fart? You done talking shit?”
Tensions were rising when a chilling voice cut in.
“Enough, both of you.”
The two branch managers clamped their mouths shut as a woman with an icy, striking beauty stepped forward.
She was Han Se-young, branch manager of the Odaesan branch—the highest-level executive in the guild, or so the rumors went.
Odaesan National Park had been one of the first hunting grounds to leave a gate untouched since the early gate incidents, so running it meant she was the guild master’s right-hand woman.
“Mr. Kim, is now the time for romance? And switching girls every day—is that even dating? It’s just whoring around.”
The Hongcheon branch manager shrank back, rubbing his neck.
“Mr. Park, same goes for you. I told you to focus on finding the masked man. If you love instructing so much, why not switch to the academy full-time?”
“I-It’s not like that. I really found a good one this time…”
Han Se-young’s gaze sharpened as his excuses dragged on. Park Byung-su had no choice but to bow his head.
“Sorry.”
“I’ll keep it in check too.”
Their polite tones felt natural. She looked the youngest, but she was actually the oldest among them.
And she still looked like she was in her twenties because she was one of the hundred 4-star hunters in the country.
“Get your heads in the game. You haven’t forgotten our top priority, have you?”
“Frankly, I don’t like bringing in outsiders. The labyrinth is plenty for us to—”
That was when the Hongcheon branch manager, Kim, cautiously voiced his opinion. The door burst open, and a burly man in his mid-twenties strode in.
“G-Guild Master!”
Kim snapped his mouth shut in surprise.
It was Ban Seong-un, owner of the Black Bears and one of the country’s five 5-star hunters.
“You don’t like outsiders?”
“N-No, sir. I just meant we can conquer the labyrinth with our own strength.”
Kim waved his hands frantically at Ban Seong-un’s question.
“It’s good to trust our power, but overconfidence leads to ruin. You all remember what happened to Santa Maria, right?”
Everyone tensed at the name Santa Maria. The fall of the top guild had been a massive shock to them all.
“The labyrinth isn’t something to take lightly. Our old ways won’t cut it. We need every top hunter we can get. We have to bring in the masked man.”
“But tracking him is tough. We don’t even know his name or face. The only lead is Santa Maria’s guild master, but she won’t say a word no matter how much we ask.”
Han Se-young frowned in frustration. Her usual stoic expression cracking like that meant it was no easy task.
“So you’re saying I have to step in personally.”
“You don’t need to go yourself, Master. I can—”
“No, I’ll go. It’s been a while since I caught up with an old colleague. Not a bad idea.”
Ban Seong-un gave a wry smile. He could guess Song Hye-rin’s reaction.
“Of course, whether she sees me as a colleague is another story.”
He’d been one of the few executives to survive the Santa Maria incident five years ago.
* * *
“Long time no see, Song Hye-rin. Five years? No, six now.”
Ban Seong-un plopped his massive rear onto the dainty cafe chair. Song Hye-rin, across from him, greeted him while secretly hoping the legs would snap.
“Yeah. Good to see you, Seong-moon.”
“…It’s Seong-un.”
“Whatever.”
Ban Seong-un and Song Hye-rin spoke casually, like old acquaintances. But their light banter belied the heavy atmosphere.
“Reviving Santa Maria now? Isn’t it a bit late?”
“The moment you think it’s late is usually…”
“When it really is.”
“…That’s why I’m starting before it gets any later. Lucky for us, there are still folks who miss Santa Maria.”
“They’ve probably all settled down. They agree to come?”
“Yeah. Unlike some, they’ve got loyalty.”
Ban Seong-un let out a dry chuckle in disbelief.
“Bunch of idiots. Santa Maria’s done.”
“It’s not. I’m taking over for my brother.”
“Why not all join my guild? Easier than starting from scratch under me.”
“Quit being captain of a sinking ship to become a bear’s tail?”
Song Hye-rin’s eyebrows furrowed in an inverted eight.
“Better than captaining a wreck. And…”
Ban Seong-un reached out, twirling a lock of her hair with a grin.
“With your skills, you could sit right beside the bear. If you ditch that idiotic obsession, that is.”
“Throwing arts aren’t idiotic!”
“…I meant ditch the otherworld fixation.”
“Argh, whatever! I’m not giving up on throwing arts or otherworld expeditions, so if you’re just gonna yap, get lost.”
“Truth is, I don’t even need you. What I really want is that guy’s whereabouts.”
“That guy?”
“The hunter who took down a 4-star monster.”
Song Hye-rin’s eyes lit up. Here it comes. But she played dumb at first.
“Why ask me about him?”
“He’s in your guild, right? But he’s not on the roster.”
Santa Maria currently had five 2-star hunters and one 1-star—all registered. Most of the 2-stars were non-combat artisans, to boot.
No one capable of beating a 4-star in sight. That’s why Ban Seong-un came himself. Worst case, he’d absorb the whole guild.
‘Santa Maria’s name still carries weight, and those artisans are the real deal.’
Plus, he might score some otherworld intel.
Under normal circumstances, he’d scoff at otherworld talk as fantasy. But with the labyrinth on the table now, he needed every scrap of info.
“Why do you need him?”
“Because I do. And he’ll need us.”
“What kinda nonsense is that?”
“Your guild doesn’t even have a 1-star gate, right? No—gates in Yangyang have dried up completely?”
“…So?”
“A 4-star hunter, and you can’t even provide a decent gate? If you’ve got a conscience, let him go.”
“So you’re poaching again? Like six years ago?”
Ban Seong-un averted his eyes at the mention of the incident. A 5-star hunter dodging like that meant guilt.
“I’ll make it right this time. With interest from back then.”
“Don’t need it. Get out. I’m holding back the cursing for your dignity’s sake.”
“Urgh.”
Ban Seong-un groaned, sensing the deep grudge. Fair enough.
‘I did yank out the pillar holding up a crumbling Santa Maria. No wonder.’
Six years back, at just 27, Ban Seong-un hit 3-star status and became the guild’s rising star.
Guild master Song Seung-woo thought the expedition too risky for the young talent and left him behind.
Ban Seong-un survived by luck, deemed Santa Maria hopeless, and poached most members to found a new guild.
‘Black Bears.’
To Song Hye-rin, he was a traitor. Not just leaving—he took everyone with him.
He’d yanked the oxygen tube from a barely breathing guild. The main culprit in its downfall.
And now he was back for more, so her restraint was impressive.
“I’ll throw in five 1-star gates for free.”
“That all? For a 4-star?”
“Nah, this is just atonement for the past.”
“Hmm? Still short. Not sorry enough, are you, Mr. Atonement?”
“…Ban Seong-un. Fine. Introduce me to the masked guy, and I’ll give you a 2-star gate. If he joins us, five more 1-stars and another 2-star.”
Two 2-stars and ten 1-stars. Over 50 billion won by rough math. Worth it for a 4-star.
“Tempted yet?”
“Nope. Too many gates for us to manage properly anyway.”
“You’re no fun playing hard to get.”
“No fun? Then leave. Staring at your face is torture.”
“Really?”
“Fine, hand over the gates quick and go.”
“You said no?”
“I hate your face, not the gates. Gotta accept the apology gift. Even if it’s lacking.”
“You’ve changed. Tough as nails now.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Urgh!”
Even a 5-star couldn’t match her sharp tongue. Ban Seong-un gave up and stood.
“Got it. I’m out.”
“Bye. Won’t see you off.”
“You don’t let up till the end. Oh, joint guild hunt training soon. Invited Santa Maria.”
“What’s your angle?”
“Just bring your members to observe. I’ll let ’em into a 2-star gate. Take your time sightseeing. Bring that guy, and the 2-star’s yours as promised. Think it over.”
Ban Seong-un tossed that last bait and left.
Song Hye-rin mulled it over with a uneasy frown. Five 1-stars for free? Bait for a bigger catch.
‘A 2-star just for an intro? He’s got a real ace to lure In-hyeok with?’
No worries, though. Cha In-hyeok wasn’t the type to fall for that.
In-hyeok looked flighty but was deep and carried hidden pains and secrets.
‘Come to think of it, it’s been two weeks since I last saw In-hyeok. Guild stuff’s been crazy. Maybe drop by and catch up?’
Perfect—it was the weekend. No training, so grab a bite and discuss today.
‘Could introduce him, but he wouldn’t bite anyway…’
Glancing out the cafe window on a whim. She spotted someone.
Thick horn-rimmed glasses, blue checkered shirt over a loud T-shirt printed with a cute anime girl.
Unmistakably familiar style. And face.
‘That’s… In-hyeok?’
Shockingly, Cha In-hyeok walked side-by-side with a cute young girl.
‘…What?’
Cha In-hyeok beamed with the world’s happiest smile.
He looked weaker to temptation than anyone.
‘A date!?’
Song Hye-rin quickly sized up the girl.
Baby fat still on her cheeks under awkward makeup, dressed in cute student-style clothes.
Not a mature woman, but she radiated that fresh, vibrant charm only her age could pull off.
Something Song Hye-rin couldn’t muster even in her dreams right now.
‘Who’s that kid?’