Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: 14. The F-Rank Arrow Sponge Instructor (1)
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Interim instructor.
It was a line of reasoning grounded in solid evidence.
Jeong Chan-woo had explained that his growth so far stemmed from the post-raid debriefs and Kang San's advice after training sessions. That meant the teamwork that Jeong Hye-mi had watched and admired came from Kang San. It was exactly what Project B Team needed right now.
And with the connection as an interim instructor, it could secure an opportunity to recruit Kang San.
One stone, two birds.
For Jeong Chan-woo, it was a decision beyond his judgment, so he'd contacted Kang San to arrange a meeting with Jeong Hye-mi.
"You want to use me as an interim instructor?"
"Yes. And it doesn't mean we'll demand much of your time. Once a month, periodically teaching Project B Team about 'teamwork' would be enough. I was genuinely impressed watching the test footage this time. I want the team I'm raising to have that kind of teamwork."
"Do you think those people will want to learn from me? I have no reputation or experience in this area."
"I'll handle making sure that's not an issue."
"......Hmm."
It wasn't a bad offer.
Even if it was just a part-time gig, Jeong Hye-mi had said she'd pay five hundred thousand per session.
No matter how little he cared about money.
Earning five hundred thousand in a single lecture was something else entirely.
If he were settling ratios with Yoo Jung-young, there'd be no reason to invest the time, but the guy deep in secluded training had messaged that meaningful results would take a bit longer. It was worth accepting. Still, he wasn't jumping at it because he knew the ulterior motive behind the deal.
'To recruit me.'
It was a mental burden.
If she built goodwill and favor, it wouldn't be easy to refuse when she pushed for recruitment.
That was when it happened.
"And I'll let you into Heavenly Firmament's treasury. Of course, just once, and there will be grade restrictions, but I think this is the best condition possible."
Jeong Hye-mi's words.
They swayed his decision heavily.
Kang San wasn't the type to let emotions dictate his choices.
What he received was one thing; deciding his path was another.
Kang San said,
"I'll take that offer."
Heavenly Firmament's treasury.
Rumors abounded about it.
People said Heavenly Firmament had amassed incredible treasures there, but the truth leaned more toward it being a warehouse storing supplies needed to run the management agency. Still, the rumors weren't entirely wrong. Heavenly Firmament had hunters of all grades, each requiring skills and items suited to their level. At the bottom for F-Rank, but at the top of the treasury were things worthy of being called treasures.
When needed.
To the one in need.
Supplying pre-secured skills and items to boost that hunter's abilities—that was Heavenly Firmament's way.
That was how their reputation was built.
Perfect support.
Drawn by that fame and skill, people flocked, earning them the title of Korea's top management agency.
"One as an advance payment for now, and another after the sixth session."
It was Jeong Hye-mi's proposal.
Keeping the five hundred thousand per session, with an extra payout at the end. There was no refusing it. Kang San signed the contract and followed Jeong Hye-mi straight to the 'treasury' in Heavenly Firmament's headquarters.
Security was tight.
Passing through double and triple checkpoints, Kang San entered the designated area alone.
"......So this is why people rate Heavenly Firmament so highly."
Inside the treasury.
Countless items filled the space.
The section he'd entered was D-Grade, holding items D-Grade and below, plus two-star skills and under. Kang San barely glanced at the items. He could reinforce his own, and skill stones held more value than gear anyway.
It was superior to Iron Body.
He liked it, but passed.
There were definitely a ton of skills.
Every position, mainstream or niche, fully stocked.
No wonder Heavenly Firmament poured effort into Project B Team—Jeong Hye-mi must have been shocked at their 55-minute result. Investments demand returns. With significant input but dismal output, it was clear why she'd proposed the lectures.
He browsed for a long while.
Finally selecting one.
'They have this?'
No need to hesitate.
Thorn Armor was a passive, but essential for any tanker among two-star skills. It fetched prices above average. Hard to buy even with money, yet Heavenly Firmament's treasury had several stones.
He could already picture it.
Dozens, hundreds of monsters.
Surrounded, reflecting 5% physical damage would make a real difference.
Monsters that wouldn't die might drop.
Reason enough.
Kang San picked Thorn Armor and stepped out.
"......As expected, a wise choice."
Jeong Hye-mi smiled faintly, bittersweet, like she'd anticipated it.
At that moment.
Project B Team was in a heavy atmosphere.
In their dedicated dorm, Min Young-gi checked the flood of articles on his tablet PC.
- A year ago, when Heavenly Firmament first announced their '育成 project,' expectations for the talents they'd produce were sky-high. But now, with Project B Team barely scraping by in a C-Grade test at 55 minutes, doubts about Heavenly Firmament's capabilities are growing. If they were the only ones to pass, there might be excuses, but the sixth team—mostly E-Rank—cleared in 40 minutes... People say true hunters can't be made. This result proves how far Heavenly Firmament's instincts have fallen, and why B-Grade and above are truly elite.
It was devastating.
Min Young-gi rubbed his face with his palm.
"......Fuck."
He was pissed.
They'd panicked at the variable but responded calmly and cleared somehow.
Fortunately, everyone else failed too, so he thought they had some excuse. But upon returning after treatment, thunderbolt news hit: the last team cleared 15 minutes faster, in 40.
"Does this make sense? A party with three E-Ranks, faster than us by that much?"
"The team leader checked the footage. It's legit, no cheating."
"That's why it's even harder to understand. How do you clear in 40?"
He replayed the memory.
The floor collapsed.
Saving the mage cost about five minutes.
They wasted time, sure, but adapted calmly after. Even if the sixth party handled the collapse perfectly, it should only be five minutes difference—why the extra ten?
Humiliating.
They'd prepared harder than anyone.
He could claim utmost effort, which only amplified the despair.
"......If I hadn't tried so hard, I wouldn't feel this way. Backed by Heavenly Firmament, grinding like that for 55 minutes. How amazing are those guys who did 15 faster?"
The mood sank.
Alcohol called.
He'd abstained for the test, but now cracked open his hidden beers.
Just then.
"Team leader's coming here?"
At his team member's words, Min Young-gi froze, beer in hand.
A bit.
No, very hard to accept.
Min Young-gi asked again.
"So, we have to learn teamwork from that Kang San guy?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that a bit much?"
Jeong Hye-mi's judgment?
He got it.
Found a team with great teamwork; absorb their know-how, and Project B improves.
The issue was Project B's feelings, Min Young-gi's included.
Articles viciously comparing them to Kang San's party; he'd suffered massive defeat.
If it were a worthy foe, he'd stomach it. Like Project A—but this was some no-name.
And just now.
She said he was an F-Rank Arrow Sponge until recently.
Passed the test, so skilled, but swallowing pride entirely was different.
Jeong Hye-mi said,
"I know. How you and all of B Team feel right now. But the undeniable fact is, the test you prepped perfectly for and took 55 minutes? Kang San's party cleared in 40. Think it's cheating? I did too. But experience it yourself—no such doubts. They've got real field experience and know how to use it best. Min Young-gi, remember? When we recruited for the project, what you said."
"......"
"Lee Soo-chan, you?"
Min Young-gi couldn't answer.
Neither could the mage called Lee Soo-chan.
Jeong Hye-mi had vetted not just potential, but their resolve when recruiting Project B.
The reason they had to grow strong.
"I chose you, and this is how we grow. Your defeat matters less than the instructor's origins. Less than your goals, right?"
No more.
They couldn't rebel.
They knew.
If Jeong Hye-mi insisted this hard, it was reality—they had to accept.
Min Young-gi swallowed his irritation.
"So, what do we do?"
In the end.
Project B Team accepted.
Their unique situation.
Humiliating, sure, but beyond pride, they had reasons to grow strong—and Project A as real rivals. If the gap widened too much, Jeong Hye-mi loses to her brother, and B Team loses promising support.
They moved.
Jeong Hye-mi deliberately skipped showing test footage.
Feel and experience it directly.
They arrived at the training ground.
Heavenly Firmament spared no expense; grander and better-equipped than government facilities.
Kang San said,
"Though interim, I'm Kang San, the one who'll be instructing you from now on."
Their first face-to-face.
An awkward meeting.
But.
"......Huh?"
B Team's mage.
Lee Soo-chan's eyes widened.
He'd been skeptical at first, but seeing Kang San's name and face jogged old memories.
"No way, that Arrow Sponge from back then?"
From his F-Rank Arrow Sponge days.
Lee Soo-chan remembered one of Kang San's many raids—he'd experienced Kang San's past firsthand.