The Next Day
Early the next morning, Taemin returned to headquarters and, after wrapping up the morning meeting, ran into Seo Ji-hoon on his way down.
“Oh, hyung. Uh, no—Section Chief!”
“Hey, what section chief? Just call me comfortably.”
“I can’t do that, Section Chief Park. How could a mere commoner like me call you ‘hyung’?”
“Dude, you Hong Gil-dong or something? Don’t overdo it. What brings you here? Heading out to hunt?”
“No. I heard the duty roster changes next week, so I came to check on it. But why the sudden change? B-ranks used to guard up to the upper dungeons, and now our shifts are almost doubled because of it. What’s going on?”
“Oh, that? It’s just for next week. With the Second Headquarters inauguration on Jeju, a ton of people will be out that week. Probably all the A-rank hunters with affiliations will attend. No choice with so many gaps.”
“Does the inauguration really need that many people? Can’t the executives just go?”
“I don’t know the details either, but it came up with the Second HQ absorbing the Jeju Alliance. They say it’s to make a strong impression, but who knows. Plus, with the captain personally involved and all the top brass moving, we can’t go looking shabby. Lots of eyes on us.”
“I see. But you’re not going, hyung?”
“Me? What good would I do there? Waste of time. Better to run a field hunt instead. And who’d manage the admin department if I left? This is the most critical section—everything grinds to a halt without it. Anyway, have you leveled up lately? What’s your level now?”
“Two levels since you carried me back then. I’ve been grinding non-stop outside duties, but it’s not going up easy. No raid teams these days, just scraping by with small parties. Makes me jealous of your staff—they hunt with you every week…”
“That bad on teams? Want me to help out?”
“Really? Nah, it’s fine. You’ve been swamped lately. Call me when you have time later.”
“Sure? Then…”
Taemin almost absentmindedly replied that he knew, but shook his head.
“No. Let’s go now. Who knows if there’ll even be time later. Get ready and wait outside. I’ll be down quick.”
Caught off guard by the sudden offer, Seo Ji-hoon soon grinned ear-to-ear and bounded down the stairs. Leaving him behind, Taemin immediately called Yoon Ji-young. He’d been feeling guilty for neglecting her lately—this was a chance to score some points.
“Hey. Come out for a hunt. Wait, no—just. No duties today? Yeah. Meet at that spot we saw before.”
After hanging up, he grabbed his escort team and headed out. As he emerged into the open lot, Yoon Ji-young appeared from the opposite building’s entrance.
“What’s this sudden?”
“Just felt like I’ve been neglecting people around me lately. Gonna get busier next week anyway, so figured I’d help out before that. We’ll talk on the way. Min-ah, open a portal.”
At Taemin’s words, Kim Min-ah, the portal specialist, opened the gate, and the group began vanishing one by one.
♦ Hwarang Guild Headquarters, Main Conference Room.
Seated around the head table with Captain Ham Ik-hyun were the high-ranking officials from each division, deep in discussion.
The strategy chief spoke first about the operation he’d brought.
“Next Tuesday at noon sharp. The captain, along with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd captains, will lead the assault to seize the Hunter Agency. Meanwhile, the remaining combat units split into two forces to occupy Wolfsrein and Blue Moon headquarters. Once those two guilds fall, we’ll systematically subjugate the 122 guilds in the capital with Chinese reinforcements. That concludes the primary operation from our Strategy Support Division.”
As the strategy chief finished, several raised hands from those doubtful of the plan.
One gained the floor and voiced his concern.
“I heard you out. But even without doubting the captain or captains’ abilities, can we take the Hunter Agency with these numbers? It’s still the largest single force, even if it’s not what it was.”
“No need to worry there. A significant number of insiders have already turned to our side. Internal enemies are always scarier than external ones. Plus, Blue Flag’s sending major reinforcements—no surprises expected.”
“I see. Fair enough on the Agency, but hitting Wolfsrein and Blue Moon without their main forces? They’re top-seven guilds. One maybe, but two’s a stretch.”
“Normally, yes, it’d be tough. But Wolfsrein’s mains are out that day too—for their Second HQ inauguration on Jeju. Divert most combat power to Blue Moon, send the rest to Wolfsrein. Chinese support will handle the 200-plus portal guards, so no reinforcements from the field hunters either.”
“And when they return from the inauguration? If they ally with regional guilds and counterattack, it could spark a full war.”
“War’s inevitable once it starts. Some losses are expected. But no need to worry—they won’t return.”
Another middle-aged man spoke up.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Captain’s gag order prevents details, but they’ll never set foot in Seoul again. I stake my position on it.”
Satisfied, the questioner nodded and fell silent. Staking the captain’s order and his rank as third in the guild cabinet meant confidence.
Various other issues were raised, refined repeatedly by experts, until the final plan solidified.
“That concludes the meeting. Revised materials will reach you today. Give your all at your posts.”
♦ Monday afternoon, Taemin’s private office.
After three days of Taemin’s carry, Seo Ji-hoon chatted over coffee with him.
“Thanks, hyung. Leveled like crazy thanks to you. Seven levels…”
Under Taemin’s support, Seo Ji-hoon and Yoon Ji-young achieved an unprecedented seven-level surge. Prime hunting grounds made it inevitable.
“No big deal. Wanted to do more, but inauguration tomorrow means no shift adjustments. Short-staffed as is.”
“This is more than enough, hyung. Seriously th—oh, right. My shift’s up; gotta go. I’ll hit you up later.”
“Alright. Good work.”
Alone after Seo Ji-hoon left, Taemin checked the time instead of hunting and sat back down.
“Lunchtime already. Too late for a hunt—better eat and handle work. Got some research too.”
Heading to the executive cafeteria on the first floor, he sat by the familiar Strategy Support team leader.
“Hello, Team Leader.”
“Oh, Section Chief Park. What brings you to the execs’ spot? No hunt today?”
“Yeah, buried in work.”
“Makes sense. Admin’s on high alert tomorrow for the inauguration—shift tweaks.”
“Same old. Field hunters have it rough though—shifts nearly doubled out of nowhere.”
“Can’t be helped. Can’t skip the scheduled event. All family; gotta bear it.”
“True.”
After casual chat over the meal, they grabbed coffee at the nearby lounge.
“By the way, Team Leader, ever been to the Elf Forest?”
“Elf Forest? Of course. At my level? Why, you thinking of going?”
“Yeah. Heard so much, got curious. How’s the hunting?”
“Hunting? No clue—never tried. Doubt anyone in the guild’s bagged an elf.”
“Why?”
“Obviously… hard to explain. You’ll see when you go. Then you’ll get it.”
♦♦♦ Wolfsrein Second Headquarters inauguration day.
At the morning meeting, Taemin scanned the empty seats, realizing they’d headed to Jeju.
Attendees were him, the HR chief, and mid-level admin staff. HR chief, highest rank, took temporary advisor role, centering the meeting.
“Morning meeting adjourned. HQ’s chaotic with the inauguration, but let’s make it a vibrant day as always.”
Back in his office, Taemin prepped for the new dungeon. Long curious about Elf Forest, he was excited.
Gearing up, he took his escort to the Elf Forest portal. B-rank hunters, newly assigned, stood ironclad guard.
One familiar face caught his eye.
“Huh? Taemin? No, Section Chief—what brings you here?”
“Oh, Hana. Fancy seeing you.”
She was Kim Hana, the sorceress from the wave op. In his support squad then, one of few urging him to save Yoon Ji-young.
“Ji-young told me. Congrats on section chief—late, but sincere.”
“Thanks. Didn’t expect you here—great to see you. Owe you proper thanks from back then. Let’s grab a meal sometime—you, me, Ji-young.”
“Really? Honor’s mine. Here to hunt?”
“More like sightseeing today.”
Recalling old times, she continued.
“Wave feels like yesterday… You move fast.”
“Do I? Haha…”
Chatting nostalgia, she worried as he stepped to the portal.
“Be careful, Section Chief. Safety first—always.”
“Will do. Hang in there.”
Leaving her concern behind, Taemin entered the portal.
After he vanished, the hunters whispered.
“Who’s that? High-up to come here. Girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend? That’s the admin section chief.”
“Huh? Old chief wasn’t that young.”
“Didn’t you hear? Changed.”
“Figures—no exec contact. But their chat… her eyes looked intense.”
“Come on, not like that. Shift time—gossiping? Escorts are watching.”
Kim Hana nodded at the aligned escorts. They straightened, silencing—slacking could double shifts on report.
In the Elf Forest, Taemin cautiously scanned, stepping carefully.
The Elf Forest resembled the Phladia Mountains overall. Towering trees, dense grass between, dangling unknown fruits—strikingly similar.
One difference: the air felt incredibly fresh.
“First impression’s good. Familiar yet refreshing.”