Chapter 13 - Contract
Contract
"Han Hye-nim, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Park Seo-woong, the Association President's direct secretary. This person is from the Association..."
To be honest, Han Hye was surprised to hear that the other party was the Association President's direct secretary. Usually, he would only meet with employees from the Association's Awakened recruitment department.
Of course, a negotiator was also present.
"I'll be frank. The Korean Hunter Association is putting all its efforts into a contract with Han Hye-nim."
The fact that the Association President's direct secretary had come was enough to tell him that.
"We've prepared a contract with a signing bonus of 20 billion won, 30 billion won for 4 years, and an additional option of 150 billion won. A total of 200 billion won."
"Excuse me?"
Han Hye was momentarily speechless.
Excluding the additional options, the guaranteed amount for 4 years was 50 billion won. he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Usually, promising talents with top-tier A-grade skills sign contracts with a guaranteed amount of around 15 billion won.
Promising talents with S-grade skills get around 25 billion won?
'If they're not top-tier, they get contracted for less.'
But the guaranteed amount alone was 50 billion won. That meant the Korean Hunter Association valued him quite highly.
Of course, it wasn't a lot of money compared to high-level Awakened. That was because they were 'promising talents'.
For subjugating urgent Gates or defending against 'discharge-type' Gates that threatened civilians, a B-grade high-level Awakened was better than an S-grade promising talent.
"As you can see in this section, the option amount will be paid differentially as your level and grade increase."
That's why Hunter contracts usually include a lot of 'options', like those of athletes.
Because there are many cases where an Awakened dies or becomes permanently disabled after receiving a large sum of money upfront.
Even considering that, the total amount of 200 billion won was unbelievable. It was similar to the amount received by seasoned high-level Hunters.
And that was the amount they received when renewing their contracts. Han Hye was being offered that amount for his first contract.
Of course, the 150 billion won was an option. He might not receive it. The majority of Hunters don't receive the option amount.
This was because the Awakened themselves didn't grow as much as the Association had expected, and they failed to meet the contract conditions.
'But that's not me.'
Han Hye was confident that he could level up quickly through this Gate subjugation. All he had to do was enter a survival-type Gate alone.
And to be honest, survival-type Gates were much easier for him than other Gates.
The fact that they were unpopular and easy to enter was also an advantage. Of course, he couldn't only enter survival-type Gates.
"In addition, we plan to provide you with either one B-grade Elixir or two C-grade Elixirs of your choice."
"Oh, um..."
Han Hye scratched the back of his head. In many ways, it was a contract that exceeded his expectations.
He had performed well at the workshop and cleared the Labyrinth's Dead End alone, but he really didn't expect to receive an offer of this magnitude.
Lee Hong-ju, the 'Dragon Knight', received 90 billion won including options for his first contract. Even considering that was several years ago...
Since he wasn't a combat-type, he thought it would be fortunate if he received a similar amount or a little more.
A total of 200 billion won.
Considering the value of one B-grade Elixir or two C-grade Elixirs, the amount would increase even further.
-Hey? If you're unsure when signing the contract, don't just nod your head. Try to haggle for more.
Uncle Cheolgi's words suddenly popped into his head, but he decided to forget about them.
This wasn't something she could haggle for more.
"I can guarantee that there are no unfair clauses in the contract. As you can see here, it is written that Han Hye-nim, as the '甲', can terminate the contract without penalty if there are any unfair clauses."
It was true. Such clauses were usually not written down.
"If you're uneasy, you can hire a lawyer of your choice right now. The Association will pay the costs."
Honestly, it seemed like the Association had prepared generously to proceed without protracted negotiations.
If he tried to get a little more here and they suddenly said, 'Let's just forget about it,' he would be at a loss.
"Okay."
Han Hye simply nodded. To be honest, there was no need to listen to offers from foreign countries.
There was a 0% chance that they would offer him more than Korea.
So...
It was too much money to refuse.
"Ah, and congratulations on becoming an E-grade Hunter in the shortest amount of time. It's only been 3 days since you completed the workshop."
Come to think of it, there was that too?
"Since you've already signed the contract, I'll ask you this: we believe that Han Hye-nim has an S+ grade skill. Is that correct?"
They were inferring it, so that's why they had prepared such a large amount.
Since he was planning to reveal it during the contract process and raise the amount, he had no intention of hiding it.
"That's right. It's an S+ grade skill."
Han Hye didn't forget to continue.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Please, speak freely."
"Could I receive the guaranteed amount of 50 billion won in Elixirs as much as possible? Fire-related Elixirs."
.
.
.
As soon as he finished the contract, a phone call came. It was an unknown number.
"Hello?"
-Hello. Are you Hunter Han Hye? I heard that you finished your meeting with the Korean side, so I'm calling you.
As it turned out, it was a Korean specialist negotiator from the United States.
Originally, negotiations with one's own country took precedence, but they had contacted him as soon as it was over.
"The American side has prepared a contract with a signing bonus of 20 billion won, 20 billion won for 4 years, a guaranteed amount of 40 billion won, and an option of 100 billion won, for a total of 140 billion won."
"Ah..."
As expected. 140 billion won was also a huge offer, but it couldn't compare to the Korean side. From the guaranteed amount to the total amount.
She said that she had already signed a contract and hung up the phone, but another phone call came.
-Hunter Han Hye-nim, I'm from the Chinese side...
This time it was the Chinese side, but it also fell short of the Korean side's amount. It was even less than the American side.
'...At this point, isn't Korea putting in everything they have?'
It seemed that way, judging by the fact that they had asked him not to disclose the total contract amount outside.
Well.
He was grateful that they were taking such good care of him.
Suddenly, a sense of patriotism surged within him.
* * *
[(Breaking News) Korea Completes Contract with its First 'S+ Grade' Spatialist 'Han Hye']
-Guaranteed amount of 50 billion won for 4 years alone. Options are secret.
-Shortest record of becoming an E-grade Hunter in 3 days after completing the workshop.
-Level 6 and subjugated 'Labyrinth's Dead End' in solo play / Current level 9
-Wow, 50 billion won? Isn't that more than double the amount for a decent S-grade?
┗He's an S+ grade. He's the first in our country. Shin Chang is just an S-grade.
-E-grade in 3 days? Isn't this ignoring the regulations? What's with the preferential treatment?
┗You're an F-grade, aren't you?
┗lol for real Even if it's the 'Labyrinth's Dead End' for levels 6-10, if he can conquer it alone, he could be given a D-grade, to be honest?
-If you're a Hunter Net user who was dumbfounded by the 4-year amount of 50 billion won and the E-grade in 3 days, but understood after seeing the last line, give this a thumbs up haha
┗It's okay
┗It's okay haha
As the news of Han Hye's contract completion spread, Hunter Net was ablaze with the story.
Everyone was surprised and dumbfounded by the amount, but they were in a mood to agree after seeing the last line.
-Warrior2001: I thought it was ridiculous that a non-combat class broke the record at the workshop, but it was an S+ grade skill;;
-Hasn't this person only Awakened recently? Why is he already level 9?
┗Warrior2001: He Awakened in a Mutated Gate and started at level 6. It seems like he leveled up 3 times with this Gate?
-S+ grade skill, Subspace, and his combat skills seem decent too. He'll be getting a lot of guild recruitment offers, right? I'm so jealous.
┗There's a rumor that he's attending some kind of training center.
"It's quite a commotion."
"What's the commotion about?"
As Choi Cheol-gi spoke while looking at his phone, his son Choi Min-seok asked with an innocent face.
The 10-year-old child was full of curiosity.
Han Hye was eating beef with Choi Cheol-gi's family at his house to celebrate his contract.
"You heard that Han Hye hyung Awakened a very good ability, right? He got a lot of money while signing a contract with Korea."
"Really?"
At his mother's words, Choi Min-seok stood up and clapped his hands.
Han Hye couldn't pass by without giving him something after receiving such a reaction. Han Hye looked around a bit and opened his Subspace.
"Of course. I even brought a gift for our Min-seok."
"Wow!"
What Han Hye took out of her Subspace was a Magic stone. Choi Min-seok had liked shiny things since he was young.
Like jewels.
He rummaged through his mother's jewelry box and played with the jewels. His dream was to become the owner of a jewelry store.
'The kid doesn't know anything, but I should give him something good if possible.'
Han Hye handed over the Magic stone that came from an Awakened being and smiled contentedly at Choi Min-seok's happy appearance. The price of Magic stones was naturally expensive.
But he wanted to give him something good since he was giving him something anyway. To her, Choi Min-seok was like a nephew.
"Magic stone! It's been a while since I touched one!"
"Hehe. You liked the one hyung gave you last time too."
"That one was a fake, so it was a bit disappointing!"
How did he know it was fake? Han Hye was slightly taken aback.
The one he had given him as a gift before was a model that was identical to a Magic stone. It was very difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
"What? You liked it back then."
"I learned at school that sometimes white lies are necessary."
"Oh, Min-seok. You should say thank you!"
"Thank you, hehe."
Choi Min-seok bowed 90 degrees and rejoiced. In any case, Han Hye was satisfied.
He seemed to like it much more now than when he gave him the fake one last time.
"Hye-ya. I'm so grateful, I don't know what to do. I heard you're even investing in Elixirs worth tens of billions of won because of my husband..."
Choi Cheol-gi's wife also spoke from the side as if she was sorry.
Han Hye smiled brightly.
"How much have I received from Uncle and Auntie? I have to repay you for feeding me and letting me sleep when I was on the verge of starving to death."
"Still..."
"Don't say that. Next time I get money, I'll bring Auntie a gift too!"
"You don't have to..."
Choi Min-seok's wife said that, but she was smiling.
Soon, Choi Min-seok took the Magic stone and excitedly went into his room, and Han Hye joked.
"That's right. I would have been in big trouble if I had listened to Uncle."
"What are you talking about?"
"You told me to haggle to get more."
"Did I say that?"
At his wife's question, Choi Cheol-gi hurriedly shook his head.
"That's only when the amount is ambiguous!"
Choi Cheol-gi, who had spoken, was startled.
"Don't tell me you really said that? With 200 billion won?"
"Of course not. It was too much money to say that."
Choi Cheol-gi let out a sigh of relief when Han Hye smiled.
"Yeah. If it's 200 billion won including options, you should just sign the contract. It's the highest first contract amount for an Awakened ever. This means there's a high probability that it will be the highest amount for the second contract too."
That was true. The scale of the first contract was the amount that seasoned high-level Hunters received.
This meant that the Association was going to invest properly in Han Hye.
"Oh, I asked them to give me the guaranteed amount in fire-related Elixirs. And the Elixirs they're giving me additionally too."
"Then how much did you receive?"
"They said they would find fire-related Elixirs and contact me."
Originally, the money would be deposited at the same time as the contract, but it was delayed because of Han Hye's request.
"Still, you'll get more than 10 billion won, right?"
It was almost impossible to find A-grade Elixirs. They hadn't appeared even 10 times so far, and the price was whatever you wanted to pay.
B-grade Elixirs were around 35 billion won. In other words, even if they brought a B-grade Elixir, he would still get 10 billion won.
"That's right."
"I should move to a new house. And change my car to a good one."
"I'll have to think about it when the money comes in. Hatching the egg comes first."
Wouldn't the Dragon be more important than a good house and an expensive car?
"You have to think about it in advance. You know that house prices in safe areas have skyrocketed these days because of the Gates, right? Investment! Yes, investment. You have to study to be good at financial management..."
"Didn't all of Uncle's investments fail?"
"......"
Choi Cheol-gi quickly glanced at his wife at Han Hye's unintentional words. She already had a cold look in her eyes.
He had scraped together money in his poor circumstances and invested two or three times, but they had all failed. Han Hye hurriedly waved his hands.
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"Study so you don't end up like me, you punk."
"Okay."
I should give Auntie an expensive gift. Han Hye made that resolution and quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, Uncle, you should prepare too. You should sell that pork belly restaurant if possible."
"The restaurant?"
"I'm going to receive two or three fire Elixirs. Wouldn't it hatch if you invest in that? You should return. Are you going to keep running the restaurant?"
One B-grade Elixir and two C-grade Elixirs.
He had asked for fire-related Elixirs, so he asked them to give him whichever ones they could find.
He judged that this would be enough for hatching.
This meant that the day when Choi Cheol-gi would truly become a 'Dragon Knight' was not far off.
"Hmm. Still, it's hard to sell it because I've grown attached to it."
Even so, Choi Cheol-gi hesitated slightly.
"In a way, I'm going to meet you and get a Dragon because of Dragon Dragon Pork Belly, so it feels like there's some kind of connection."
"Then why don't you hire a manager? If you really become a Dragon Knight, you'll get a lot of money and the restaurant will become famous."
"Should I?"
Choi Cheol-gi was tempted by Han Hye's suggestion.
It wasn't a bad idea. He could maintain Dragon Dragon Pork Belly and work as a Hunter.
"By the way, I wonder if it's okay to reveal this even if it really hatches."
This was the part that the two were worried about. Even if a Dragon really hatched, shouldn't they hide that information?
"It'll be okay now."
But the situation was different from what they had worried about back then. The Korean Hunter Association was taking great care of Han Hye.
Even if he revealed the items in her Subspace instead of the Dragon's egg, he didn't think it would be taken away. There was no need to reveal it, though.
"We've finished eating, so should we go train since we're talking about it?"
Han Hye got up from his seat.
"I learned a new skill while leveling up my skill, so I need to test it out."
He was planning to practice martial arts and combat, of course, but there was something else that Han Hye was looking forward to right now.
The portalization of Subspace.
He wanted to try attacking the enemy from behind while standing still and reflecting the opponent's attacks.