Two Months as Management Chief

Two months had already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠passed since Park Taemin took over as the head of the management department. In that time, with his full backing, the department had transformed beyond recognition. Every staff member had reached level 70 or higher, and even the escort team protecting him was closing in on level 80.

The management department, once dismissed as irrelevant, had seen a massive surge in combat power in such a short span. This spurred the other guild departments—stung by pride—to focus on growth and compete fiercely. After all, these were the people they'd always looked down on, now surging ahead. The result? A delightful overall boost in combat strength across every ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild division.

In just two months, Taemin's influence had solidified not only in management but throughout the entire Wolfsrein Guild. Naturally, followers and admirers cropped up, and a wave of inter-department transfers—unheard of before—swept through. Hunters from non-combat divisions were especially eager to join. Even regular guild members lined up, creating the unprecedented spectacle of record-breaking applicant numbers since the department's founding.

Consequently, the entry bar—once as low as level 50 for anyone—shot up dramatically. Now, only level 80 or above qualified, meaning A-rank and higher hunters only. The management department was shedding its old skin, rising as every hunter's dream posting.

A rare day off. Taemin stood atop the Chaos Tower.

Carrying his staff while juggling hunts and tower climbs, he'd soared past level 80, now eyeing 85.

'Just take down this guy, and today's hunt is done.'

Taemin gazed at the Death Reaper floating ahead behind its shield and launched his assault. He'd slain it countless times—his body knew the drill better than his mind.

Closing in, he deployed a trap and triggered Defensive Critical. Sparks flew from his blade, shredding the shield mercilessly. Ambush hammered home next, pulverizing its torso.

A satisfying chime followed.

'Finally, an attack skill.'

Taemin opened his skill window immediately.

"This is it."

Joy spilled from Taemin's lips. The skill he'd longed for was finally here.

Like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ambush, it was a burst nuke. The difference? Massively boosted attack power. The long cooldown was a minor drawback, but perfect for alternating with Ambush.

No need to browse—he dumped points in, maxing it out.

"Hah. With these numbers, bosses are just punching bags now. Hmm. New attack skill acquired—maybe hit the shops tomorrow?"

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The next day. Taemin attended the morning meeting, then headed to the Hunter Market from headquarters. No need to sell tower drops, so he went straight to the gear center.

He was there for level-appropriate weapons and armor.

"Excuse me."

Taemin called the nearest staffer.

"Haven't been here in a while. Do you have a section for Unique gear or sets?"

"One moment. Please wait here, sir."

The staffer vanished, then returned to guide him.

"This way."

It was a VIP lounge tucked inside the gear center. Taemin sat, sipping the offered coffee. Soon, a male staffer arrived with a catalog.

"Our full list of Unique items for sale. Take your time."

Taemin dove in. About ten Unique items and one set. Eye-poppers, every one.

After weighing individuals against the set, he chose the latter.

"I'll take the Shaia set."

"Excellent choice. Need a weapon?"

"Nah, nothing here fits. Just this."

With nearly 60 billion saved from salary and more, he paid cash and left with his gear.

Back at HQ, he skipped the office for his quarters. He pulled out the new gear but didn't equip yet—instead, drew a sword from his inventory's back corner.

"Jackpot getting this."

Taemin cherished the thrill of dropping this from the 8th-floor Crystal Monster a week ago. Already +3 enhanced, it gleamed blindingly white.

A divine artifact just to behold.

"Time for full gear."

With everything slotted, he checked his status.

"Whoa, insane. How much did this boost?"

The skyrocketing stats lifted his spirits. This setup could handle the next dungeon no sweat.

Grinning at his status, his eyes drifted to the old gear scattered on the floor.

"What to do with these? Not worth selling... Ji-young and Ji-hoon just got new stuff. Pass to staff? Eh, stash for now."

After laundering them, he headed to the office.

"Everything good?"

"Yes. But chief, you look radiant. Good news?"

"Yeah, something like that. Lots of approvals pending?"

"No, none yet today."

"Cool. Good work, everyone."

Enjoying a leisurely workday for once, he met Yoon Ji-young after clocking out for dinner outside the city.

"Feels good to get out."

Ji-young gazed at the reservoir by the restaurant. Taemin squeezed her hand.

"Sorry I haven't taken you out more. Work, hunts—been slammed."

"It's fine. These dates are enough for me."

"Really okay?"

"Yeah, for real. But aren't you exhausted?"

"From what?"

"Hunting nonstop. No days off, all-nighters galore."

"I'm young. Stamina's what I've got."

"Still worries me. Not casual spots—always the dangerous ones. Can't you ease up? Lower ranks?"

Taemin stroked her hair at her concerned gaze.

"Don't fret too much. I've got this. I'm climbing higher."

"Huh? You hated those spots before."

"True. At first, chief felt like a burden. Me, a restaurant grunt, running a big guild department? Absurd. But doing it... I adapted. Got ambitious. Why not aim for deputy or guild master?"

"Guild master, huh?"

"Hard work pays off."

"Tch. Then you'll ignore me."

"Nonsense. Wherever I go, you're by my side. That's eternal."

"Really?"

"Obviously. Speaking of—wanna see how solid my love is?"

"How?"

"Spotted a motel on the way. Waterbed. Tried one?"

"Ugh, seriously..."

"C'mon, it'll be fun."

His grin won her over with a reluctant nod.

Thus passed another blissful day in their routine. SSS-Class Assassin Player