Chapter 14. Recruitment
Sip. Puffff—.
Acrid cigarette smoke billowed thickly into the air. Clack clack clack. The dice cup rattled. The two dice that tumbled out onto the tray added up to 10. She lost the bet. But her expression didn't change a bit. The players sitting on either side of her came and went constantly. Yet she held her seat for a long time. Win or lose, she didn't seem to care. Her bets were always exactly one gold coin. Every time. She casually flicked the ashes from her spent cigarette onto the floor. The staff would sweep them up with a broom. Her eyes were vacant. Like she'd lost everything in the world.
Then someone plopped down in the seat next to her. She didn't even glance his way. Her gaze stayed locked on the tray where the dice would land. Only when her cigarette burned down and it was time to pack in a fresh one did she briefly look away. The man bet exactly one gold coin, just like her. Unlike the rowdy chaos at the other tables, this corner was quiet. Only the clatter of the dice rolling filled the air. The two of them went on like that for a while, betting just one coin each. Her stack of gold dwindled fast. His, meanwhile, grew bit by bit. When she was on the verge of losing it all, he snapped off half his pile and filled up her stack.
She glanced at the coins for a moment, then smacked them away viciously with the back of her hand. Gold coins spilled everywhere in a clatter. The gamblers' eyes spun as they scrambled to snatch them up.
"Don't pull that shit, you fucking bastard."
She spat the thick profanity in a disarmingly sweet tone. The man just laughed it off.
"If you don't wanna take it, just say no. Why waste all that money?"
"Shove it up your ass."
She turned back to the tray and clamped the cigarette holder between her teeth. That's when the man spoke up again.
"Grace Mendeva. Age 24. Talented healer, now retired. Anything wrong, correct me."
Grace's head turned slowly once more. Her eyes blazed fiercely.
"…Get lost. While I'm asking nicely."
"Why the cold shoulder, miss? …I'm here for something good. Just wanna talk."
"Nothing to say."
"There is."
"I said there isn't."
In the end, she shoved back from the table and stood. She wanted out of this filthy pit as fast as possible. But then she heard his words and froze mid-step.
"Raig the Hero. …Died two years ago, right?"
-_-!!
"Lovers, weren't you?"
She started trembling. Then she whipped around and lunged at him.
"You fucking bastard—!!!!"
But a human woman's strength as a healer was nothing to write home about. Her wrists were caught easily in his grip. She screamed right in his face, howling like a beast. That's when the casino guards rushed in and grabbed her. She shrieked that she'd kill him.
"Hey, bring her to my room."
"Yes, Hero."
Only then did she realize the man before her was a Hero. Not that it did a damn thing to calm her temper.
"You bastard, I'll kill you! Do you know who I am? Do youuuu—!!"
Grace kept howling and snarling. They soon entered a sealed private room. The Hero told the guards to leave. They abandoned her and filed out.
"Sit."
The Hero pointed at a chair with his hand, inviting her to take a seat. She was still fuming. Of course, she didn't sit—instead, she crossed her arms and glared daggers at him.
"Don't wanna sit? Fine, stand and listen."
The Hero crossed his legs.
"Name's Kang Ji-hyuk. As you heard, I'm a Hero."
"Fucking asshole."
"Looks can be deceiving—you're prim and proper, but that mouth's filthy."
"You're a fucking asshole, so I call you one."
"Fair enough. Then how about this fucking asshole makes you a proposal?"
Hmph. She snorted, as if to say not a chance. Go on, spit it out.
"You remember the incident two years ago, right?"
"…Don't you dare say his name. I warned you."
Grace ground her teeth, glaring at Ji-hyuk. Her eyes were feral, like she'd devour him on the spot.
"Tragic accident. My deepest condolences to the Hero."
Ji-hyuk said it sincerely. Even Grace couldn't hurl double curses at someone offering condolences. Not when it was about the man she loved. She sank into sudden gloom. She still hadn't forgotten her dead lover.
…No, she never would.
"That all you wanted to say? …I'm leaving."
She turned on her heel. She wanted out of this stuffy room fast. But he spoke clearly, word by word.
"Don't you want revenge? On that demon."
-_-!!
Grace turned slowly.
"That bastard's still alive and kicking. You gonna just let him be?"
"…What's your point?"
"I'll help you get your revenge."
"Don't try sweet-talking me."
"Sweet-talk? I'm dead serious. …Let's be straight with each other."
Ji-hyuk didn't beat around the bush. That would backfire with her right now. Better to hit her head-on.
"I need your power. But you're not gonna just accept any old offer. I get it. After trauma like that."
Grace said nothing, just kept glaring.
"Figured you wanted revenge. So I offered it as the price for your power. …Reason enough?"
It was more than enough. If she could really get revenge, she'd sell her soul.
…The problem was, it was damn near impossible.
"…How do I know you'll deliver?"
"Walk away if I don't. You know better than anyone a healer's not something you force."
She wavered. All because of that one word: revenge. She still hated that demon. The evil fucker who'd mercilessly chewed up and swallowed the man she loved. She still had nightmares. The crunching sounds, his screams—they haunted her ears. She'd wake from those dreams in seizures. No sane person could endure it. She needed revenge. She'd always thought of it. She'd kill that demon, no matter what. No matter the cost. But reality was bleak. Heroes wouldn't risk their necks for her personal vendetta. It was hers alone. Sure, plenty wanted to team up. But this was the first to mention revenge. Of course her eyes lit up. Still, Grace didn't bite the bait right away. As a noble's daughter, she knew power's ruthlessness all too well. She'd likely get used. And she knew nothing about this Hero's reputation or skills.
…She might end up abused under the guise of revenge.
Of course, Ji-hyuk clocked her worries right away. He'd expected her not to jump at the offer.
"Not asking for a decision right here. Take your time to think."
Grace didn't deny it. She needed time to check him out.
Ji-hyuk stood without lingering. No point sticking around.
"Alright, mull it over. Your choice, whatever it is."
He brushed past the stunned Grace without a backward glance. She stood alone in the room for a long while.
Raig, Raig…! Tears streaming, she silently screamed her dead lover's name over and over.
Thanks to Gid sniffing around everywhere, Ji-hyuk had unearthed quite a few hidden talents scattered across the capital. But most had some fatal flaw. Criminal records, womanizing, severe anxiety disorders. Ji-hyuk passed on anyone with flaws too deep, no matter the skill. He wanted not just talent, but mental stability too. Grace was a borderline case. Losing her lover to a demon had left her mentally fragile. If he wasn't desperate for a healer, he'd have cut her immediately. But he knew of her and needed a healer now, so he'd made the pitch. No more effort, though. Take it or leave it. Amid building the guild and recruiting, the estate manager visited his office. A guest had arrived.
"Who?"
"Grace Mendeva."
Ah—. Ji-hyuk figured the chain-smoking, potty-mouthed healer had finally caved to her thirst for revenge.
"Got it. Be right there."
The manager quietly left. Ji-hyuk paused his work and stood. He headed straight to the first-floor parlor. There sat the healer Grace, waiting for the Hero. Gone was the near-corpse from the casino chain-smoking away. In her place was a pretty noble lady in a fine dress, makeup and all.
"Grace."
The foul-mouthed smoker who'd unleashed a torrent of curses from the start now curtsied gracefully like a proper noble. Ji-hyuk wondered how people could change so fast.
"A pleasure to see you again, Hero."
"Gotta say, I'm surprised. …In all sorts of ways."
She knew exactly what "all sorts" meant. But born shameless, she acted like she had no memory of it.
Before coming, Grace had thoroughly vetted this human Hero, Kang Ji-hyuk. He was impressive. The kind that made her wonder why he'd seek her out. A perfect 100-point candidate. Promoted straight to C-rank. A human who'd set an unprecedented record. The rumors were wild. Raig had been a bottom-tier B-rank Hero, but never this hyped. Strong, sure, but just average talent among Heroes. Everyone said S-rank was only a matter of time for Ji-hyuk. Clearing a 100-point mission right out of candidacy? S-rank was a given. Even Grace bought it. And in him, she saw hope. Real hope that revenge might be possible. She didn't care about anything else. If she could rip that evil demon to shreds, she'd do whatever. Revenge was her release from the pain. Without killing it, she'd flail in agony forever.
"Have a seat."
Ji-hyuk sat right across from the chain-smoking healer. A maid soon brought tea. He slurped it down with relish. It was made from the leaves his master had given him. The aroma was heavenly. Like her.
"Dressing up and coming here means I can take that as a yes, right?"
He cut straight to it again, no dancing around.
"First, I have a few things to confirm."
"Shoot. I'll answer straight."
"The revenge thing—is it just to use me, or are you serious?"
Ji-hyuk grinned.
"Both."
"…Pardon?"
Grace was honestly shocked. He admitted it so boldly.
"Recruiting you means using you, doesn't it? You've got skills, we need you on the team. But you need revenge for that, and I've got the power to deliver. …Enough reason?"
Ji-hyuk smiled amiably. Grace found herself agreeing.
…Better than hiding shady intentions.
"…Fine, got it. So, who are the teammates?"
"All good people. You won't feel out of place. Two other women besides you."
"Can I meet them?"
Experienced as expected, checking every angle.
"They're mostly out right now. I'll invite you next time. Check 'em out then."
"…Okay."
"So, what's the verdict? Decided? …Or need more time?"
Grace lowered her eyes briefly. She thought of Raig. Two years gone. But she couldn't forget that day. Revenge had become her fate. Her duty. Her gaze lifted, meeting his squarely. No more vacant haze. Something massive burned fiercely within.
"…Yes. I'm in. On your team, Hero."
Ji-hyuk grinned wide and stuck out his hand.
"Welcome to the team, Grace. You won't regret it."
The healer Grace gripped it tightly.