Permission to Hunt Alone

The next day, Taemin headed to the management office to get permission for the hunting grounds, where he was in the middle of a small argument with the staff member.

"Come on, why not? I went there just two days ago."

"We can't issue a solo entry permit."

"I'm not even going into the caves—just circling the field and coming back out. Still no?"

"A C-rank hunter going to the highlands alone? Our guild might be the only one that allows it, but even then, it's only because of approval from above. Normally, it's not permitted anywhere in the country."

"Hmm. Then let me call Proxy Sin Dong-hyun..."

"The highlands fall under the section chief's jurisdiction, so even he might not be able to help."

Taemin turned away without lingering, facing her curt refusal. No point wasting time here; it was clear he wouldn't get the permit.

He left the management office and headed to HR.

"I'm here to see Proxy Sin Dong-hyun."

"Please have a seat over there for a moment."

He sat at the table in the corner, and soon Sin Dong-hyun appeared.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Ah, Taemin. You were looking for me?"

"Yeah. I've got something to discuss about hunting."

"Sure, go ahead."

"I get the guild's systems, but when I signed the contract, you said there'd be no restrictions on my hunting, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. Is there a problem?"

"I just went to get an entry permit, and they wouldn't issue one."

"Where were you trying to go?"

"Crystal Highlands."

"Ah... you're going alone?"

"Yeah. I did a raid there a few days ago—the field's plenty doable. Could you approve it if possible?"

"Hmm. You sure you'll be okay? Even with your special class, a C-rank soloing the highlands is..."

"Don't worry. You know how fast I am. If it gets dangerous, I'll bail right away."

"Got it. Give me a moment."

Sin Dong-hyun made a call somewhere.

"Yes, Section Chief. This is HR Proxy Sin Dong-hyun. Yes, yes. It's about Park Taemin—you know him, right? The one the chief of staff mentioned last time... Yes. I'd like to lift the mid-level dungeon restrictions for him. It's in the contract, and we were told to accommodate him as much as possible. Yes. Oh, that part's fine—no need to worry. Yes, yes. Understood."

After hanging up, he looked at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Taemin.

"They'll handle it right away, so you should be good to go now."

"Ah, thanks."

He left HR and returned to the management office. As if she'd gotten the word, the woman issued the permit without a fuss.

With the entry permit in hand, Taemin drove to the dungeon.

He flashed it at the portal entrance and entered immediately.

A bone-chilling cold hit him, but he'd stopped by the shop beforehand for heating gear, so no issues.

Slicing through the field monsters, he entered the gorge and activated his skills, focusing on the hunt.

His Blade Storm proved less effective than expected. The monsters' defenses were too high—it only left scratches.

'Gotta get new weapons custom-made. For real combat use, at least +300 attack power to make it worthwhile.'

A week flew by like that. His level hit 47 from the constant hunting. He'd made 3 billion won selling materials alone.

"Been a while—time to check out the gear center?"

Taemin left his dorm and headed to the gear center. He hadn't been since buying his elemental gear, and new items had stocked up in the meantime.

He went straight to the weapons corner.

His current weapons weren't bad, but to climb higher, new ones were essential.

As he entered the display area, a pretty clerk greeted him warmly.

"Welcome!"

"Yeah."

"Looking for something specific?"

"I'll browse."

Ignoring her friendly service, Taemin dove into checking the weapons.

Scanning the various blades, his eyes locked on one item.

The jaw-dropping options drew an involuntary exclamation.

"Whoa, this thing's insane. Options stacked, attack power nuts..."

Taemin's hand reached for it unconsciously.

"Ngh. Hnn."

He tried lifting it, but it wouldn't budge. Clearly a hefty greatsword for warriors, rough and bulky.

"Too heavy after all? Yeah, no money anyway, and I don't need a big sword like this."

To wield greatswords or nodachi, raw strength was key. Taemin had barely invested in it, so these were off-limits. Plus, longer blades didn't suit his hunting style—even if he could lift it, not appealing.

He pulled his hand back and scanned for weapons that fit him.

After carefully checking each one, he spotted two perfect matches in the corner.

They looked just like his current scimitars.

Taemin tested lifting a few swords. Heavier than his scimitars, but not enough to hinder hunting.

'These were made for me.'

Not short like scimitars but proper dagger forms—he loved it. Options were stellar too. Dual-wielding them would boost all skill levels by +1 each—perfect for him.

The issue? Price.

"144 billion for both... Plus elemental gear. Hmm. Bookmark for now."

No funds yet, so he left the center with regret.

Back at his dorm, Taemin sipped coffee, lost in thought.

At his current EXP rate, leveling past 50 on the field would be tough. Time to switch grounds or solo waves.

Either way, new gear was essential.

Weapons: 144 billion. The three major elemental pieces (excluding earth): 25-30 billion each. Total at least 200 billion.

He earned about 400 million daily—tight two months grinding, comfortably three.

Seemed short, but felt eternally far.

"Three months is too long... Any way to speed it up?"

His phone rang as he pondered.

"What's he calling for? Hello?"

-Yes, Taemin. HR Proxy Sin Dong-hyun here.

"Yeah. What's up?"

-Calling about a guild event. Got time to meet now?

"Sure... Head to HR?"

-Yes. Coming now?

"Yeah, on my way."

He hung up, tilting his head.

"Event? What for?"

He left the dorm and went straight to HR. As the elevator doors opened, Sin Dong-hyun greeted him at the entrance.

"Ah, Taemin. Let's talk over there."

Seated on a hallway bench, Taemin asked curiously,

"Event? What kind?"

"Ah, we do it monthly—top hunters per rank get a group hunt opportunity. Like an event. Not everyone qualifies; it's for those with the most growth that month. Some dropped due to personal reasons, so you're in the rankings now. Next Monday. Can you join? It's just once, won't help much, but good for observing and learning."

Intrigued, Taemin asked,

"Got time, but details? Where and how?"

"Varies by party. C-ranks usually hit ruins—lucky ones might get upper dungeons. Details after final spots filled."

"I'll go. Anything to prep?"

"Nah. It's encouragement, so just follow the party in the dungeon. We'll proceed assuming you're in."

"Okay."

After parting with Sin Dong-hyun, he returned to his dorm.

"Chance to try a new dungeon."

Stuck without gear for uppers, but opportunity knocked. Just a day, but watching higher-rank ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hunters hunt would be valuable.

'Nice. Time to see how great the hunters above me really are.'

Two days later, another call from Sin Dong-hyun.

-Yes, Taemin. Hunting spot's ruins. No meeting—Monday 7 AM at main building front. Permits handled; just show up.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Taemin's face after the call.

He'd hoped for an upper dungeon, but shook it off.

"Ruins aren't bad. Gotta hit them soon anyway."

Free chance—no nitpicking. Plus, practical info made ruins ideal for him.

"Three days left? Grind hard, should hit one level."

Hunting continued as always. EXP slowed, but his goal was money over levels now.

Levels mattered, but gear enabled easier ones. Party viable now, but after one raid, he saw no need.

'Save up, buy weapons first. Might enable solo waves. Got six blades for a full party.'