Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Han Ye-rim (8)
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Four years ago, upon awakening, Han Ye-rim had wavered between becoming a hunter or a manager.
In the end, risking her life in dungeons felt too burdensome, so she pivoted toward management.
It was a good choice. Han Ye-rim was now a manager at Ace Guild.
Being a manager at Ace Guild—a group treated as a major guild even in the United States—put her far above most hunters.
So her sudden announcement about forming a guild felt completely out of left field.
"What about your old job?"
"I quit."
"Why would you quit that! I feel bad for you."
"Office life just wasn't for me."
Quitting a job she'd held for four years over something like that?
"I was only planning to stick it out temporarily anyway. I endured it to build connections and assemble my own team before starting a guild."
I'd known from the start that Han Ye-rim had her sights set on creating a guild.
Unlike me, who was diving headfirst into uncharted territory, she was an elite who'd followed the proper path.
"But out of nowhere, you're starting one here in Korea?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"What's it to you?"
Han Ye-rim flashed a wide grin and turned to Lee Ji-ah with a sweet, coaxing greeting.
"Hello, Hunter Lee Ji-ah. Long time no see. A month, right? Nice to see you again."
"……."
No response.
I glanced back and saw Lee Ji-ah pulling a sour face.
"Ji-ah?"
"Y-yes? Oh!"
Lee Ji-ah forced an awkward smile and brushed her hair back.
"I never imagined you'd come all the way to my house, Ye-rim. I'm glad to see you again."
"Your expression looked so grim, I thought something serious had happened."
Han Ye-rim teased lightly. She struggled to hoist her suitcase and said to me,
"Hey, you don't seem that happy to see me? It's getting dark out—how long are you gonna leave me standing here?"
"Oh, right! Ji-ah, is it okay if we chat inside for a bit?"
"……Sure. Come on in."
I led Han Ye-rim to the living room. As she sat down, I asked,
"Coffee? Tea?"
"You worked part-time at a cafe, right? Coffee it is!"
"Taste hasn't changed? Americano?"
"Yeah."
"And you, Ji-ah?"
"Same for me."
They say what you learn young sticks with you—my cafe experience had honed my coffee-making skills to pro level.
While brewing in the kitchen, humming a tune, Han Yoo-jung hovered nearby with a weary look.
"What's up?"
"I was gaming in the living room... but the vibe killed it."
"Too noisy? Go to your room then."
Han Yoo-jung checked the time on her phone.
"Nah, I'll have to come back out anyway. I'll just hang by you, Uncle."
"Okay? Want some coffee?"
"It'll keep me up. I'm good."
Tsss!
As she watched the machine curiously, Han Yoo-jung suddenly asked,
"Uncle. About that game before."
"Yeah?"
"You were super good at it. What's your rank?"
I puffed up proudly at her question.
"Diamond."
"For real?"
She let out a soft gasp of admiration. My ego swelled a millimeter... then deflated.
Bragging about gaming skills to a 17-year-old suddenly felt pathetic.
What the hell am I doing? To an S-rank Awakener, no less.
"Then..."
"What? Spit it out already."
"Can you teach me the game?"
"The game?"
"Yeah."
"Sure... when I have time."
It wasn't a big ask, so I agreed easily. Han Yoo-jung smiled, satisfied.
I carried the coffee to the living room.
Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah sat facing each other.
Both had their arms crossed, staring blankly at their phones with indifferent expressions.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
In the heavy silence, only messenger notifications rang out loudly.
Han Yoo-jung rubbed her arms behind me, shuddering.
"...This is creepy as hell."
Lee Ji-ah snapped her head up at the noise.
"Need a hand?"
"Yoo-jung helped. Stay seated."
I stopped her from standing and set the coffees down.
Han Ye-rim cut straight to the chase.
"I heard. You're looking for a guild, Ji-ah."
"Yes."
"Perfect timing. I'm planning to start one. What do you think?"
Lee Ji-ah crossed her legs and tapped her foot.
She leaned on the table, chin propped up, wearing the most relaxed smile in the world.
She knew exactly who held the power here.
"Hmm... How long did you say you'd been a manager, Ye-rim?"
"Four years."
"Four years..."
Lee Ji-ah did some mental math and smirked.
"I've been in this industry for over ten years..."
"Managers and hunters are totally different fields. You're counting from your promising rookie days, while I climbed from the bottom in a major guild."
"Still, isn't four years too short? Won't people look down on a young guild master?"
"Please. Experience from Ace Guild isn't comparable to a decade at some domestic mid-tier guild."
Scraaape.
Han Yoo-jung cautiously slid off her chair. I asked as she backed away stealthily.
"Where you going?"
She pressed a finger to her lips—shh!—and glanced at Lee Ji-ah and Han Ye-rim before whispering,
"I'll watch some TV for a bit."
"Okay."
I focused on Han Ye-rim and Lee Ji-ah's conversation. Sparks were flying.
"Frankly, a brand-new guild trying to recruit an S-rank... feels kinda rude. You're not banking on Hyun-woo's connections, are you?"
"I wouldn't even try with a normal S-rank. But an S-rank who's been shaky in dungeon raids? That's different."
The tension was rising.
Just as I braced for an explosion, Lee Ji-ah twirled her hair and declared,
"The terms don't line up. Your guild isn't ready to take on me and Hyun-woo."
She set her coffee cup down with a clink, rejecting outright.
I wiped my face.
Han Ye-rim didn't lose her composure despite the refusal.
From my perspective, knowing Lee Ji-ah's situation, it was expected.
"I heard the rumors. Mid-tier guilds all turned you down."
Lee Ji-ah's smirking cheek twitched rigidly.
"I've been keeping tabs. You're the hottest commodity on the recruitment market right now. Word spreads fast—how could I not know?"
Han Ye-rim thrust her phone forward. A quick scan showed guild managers sharing info—the messages from earlier?
"S-rank hunter news spreads like wildfire."
Lee Ji-ah was an S-rank. Even with her mental issues capping her value, she deserved a baseline signing bonus.
Only mid-tier guilds or higher could afford her.
But no mid-tier or above wanted someone with her baggage.
She was trapped.
"So how do you plan to match Ji-ah's signing bonus?"
Hurt flashed in Han Ye-rim's wide eyes.
Regardless, I was here as Lee Ji-ah's manager, not her friend.
"...Truth is, I have enough saved to cover two years of her bonus."
"What? How'd a manager scrape that much?"
"Working as an S-rank hunter manager at a major guild... there are ways to pocket extras."
"……."
"People dying to network with S-ranks pay for introductions..."
"……."
"What? That's modest for someone like me."
"Fine, whatever. And?"
Han Ye-rim cleared her throat and continued.
"But that money has to go into guild funds. Can't run a guild broke."
"So what does Ji-ah get?"
"Guild equity."
Han Ye-rim crossed her arms. She looked reluctant, but it was her only concession.
"All I have to offer is me and the guild shares."
Her network and expertise from a U.S. major guild.
Trading future value, not present cash.
"……."
A long silence followed. The choice was Lee Ji-ah's. After agonizing, she answered with a reluctant face.
"...Fine. I'll sign."
Han Ye-rim shot up from her seat. She grinned down at Lee Ji-ah.
"This chat was fun, Ji-ah."
Tick-tock-tick-tock.
Lee Ji-ah glanced at the clock. The hands neared 12. Her lips curved slightly.
"Ye-rim, it's getting late. Got a place to stay?"
"Hotel. Why?"
"Stay here instead. It's midnight—too late for a taxi. I'll give you a room. Rest up and head out tomorrow."
Han Ye-rim looked stunned.
"...Guess I won't say no then. Just for tonight."
Ding-dong!
The clock struck 12.
Suddenly, a heavy weight pressed on my back.
What the—?
It was Han Yoo-jung, clinging on.
"Uncle, you done talking? I'm sleepy."
Confused, it hit me—tomorrow was Sunday.
Which meant now was technically Sunday.
Day 7 of Han Yoo-jung's Heavenly Killing Star ramp-up.
"Oh, your Heavenly Killi—"
"Shh! Hyun-woo!"
Lee Ji-ah clamped my mouth shut. She glanced at Han Ye-rim and whispered,
"Not yet."
"But Ye-rim's joining us now..."
"No contract stamp yet."
Stamp—fair point.
I swallowed and looked at Han Ye-rim.
Damn, bad idea. Her glare was murderous.
As I scratched my chilling neck, Lee Ji-ah yanked my arm.
"We're heading to bed. Ye-rim, use my old room. Oh, it's right next to ours."
She dragged me off. A cold voice rang from behind.
"Hey."
"Y-yeah?"
"Don't tell me you're sleeping with Lee Ji-ah and Han Yoo-jung?"
No honorifics now.
I nodded stiffly. Lee Ji-ah pulled harder.
Too scared to look at Han Ye-rim's face, I fled to the room with Lee Ji-ah.