Guild Master's Office
“Hello.”
“You've arrived. Have a seat there.”
At Yang Taesik's invitation, Taejeong sat down on the sofa.
“How's guild life treating you? Settling in alright?”
“Thanks to all your care, I'm getting by comfortably.”
“Good to hear. Truth be told, I called you here separately while you're still adjusting because I have one thing I wanted to ask. I won't take up too much of your time, so I'll get straight to it. Did you participate in this survival event?”
It was the question Taejeong had anticipated all the way here by car. There wasn't much else he'd be summoned for.
“Yes.”
“Then you're the one who took first place in the rankings.”
“Embarrassing as it is, yes.”
“I knew it, I knew it. I had my suspicions.”
“I just got lucky.”
“Haha. Lucky? You're far too modest. This isn't something luck alone could achieve. I've been a hunter for nearly twenty years, and I've never seen anything like it. The media isn't hyping it up for nothing. You did something truly remarkable.”
“You're too kind.”
“Nonsense. But how on earth did you pull it off? No one's ever cleared past stage 30 before. What trick did you use to climb that high?”
Taejeong had no particular desire to hide it from Yang Taesik. There was no point in dodging anyway, and now that he was settled in the guild, there was no need to stand out alone.
“I broke through the walls.”
“Broke through the walls?”
“Yes. Behind them was another room—just like the main one.”
“So you used two rooms?”
“Not exactly two. Depending on how things went, sometimes it was six, sometimes seven.”
“Huh.”
Yang Taesik looked incredulous as he listened to Taejeong's explanation. And understandably so. Breaking through walls didn't make sense to begin with. Hunters in the 300-400 range didn't have skills powerful enough for that. Moreover, the survival event lasted days, not hours—surely among all those countless hunters over that long period, someone would have thought to try it. In other words, plenty must have attempted it by accident.
The second part was even more unrealistic. Even if the survival difficulty was low, clearing seven or eight rooms shattered all notions of time and speed. Yang Taesik doubted he could do it himself. The ten-minute limit was far tighter than it seemed.
A monster like this has joined our guild. No wonder the club let him go.
He'd known Taejeong was Hidden, but this exceeded expectations. Yang Taesik marveled as he spoke again.
“Well, you've made a huge contribution to the guild, so I'd like to give you something as a reward. Anything you want, just name it.”
“I'm already more than satisfied.”
“No, this isn't something to brush off. With results like that, your skills are more than proven. I think it's time to assign you a suitable position in the combat division. What do you say?”
He meant an official title. But Taejeong had little interest in that. In fact, it felt inconvenient right now. A position meant more responsibilities.
“I've only been here a few days. It'd be too much pressure. I don't know much yet, and I wouldn't be much help to the guild.”
“Hm. I didn't expect you'd turn it down. Then what would you prefer...?”
As Yang Taesik pondered seriously, Taejeong glanced at him and ventured carefully.
“Um... not sure if I should mention this, but...”
“What is it? Speak freely.”
“Could I get some potions?”
“Potions? You can already pick them up by rank.”
“I use a lot.”
Taejeong was already at Exclub rank, getting 100 top-grade potions free daily. Other potions came with a 50% discount, so he was saving plenty of money. The issue was his mechs consumed far more mana than expected. A single multiple rocket launcher barrage drained thousands. The free potions weren't nearly enough for stress-free hunting. And with his funds nearly depleted, he couldn't buy more. Potions were his top priority—essential for hunting and earning cash.
“A hundred top-grade potions should last a week at your level. Hidden classes really are something else. Let me see... The market has fixed quantities, so I can't pull extras easily... Ah, right. I have a set of Rare-grade potions in storage. That should do. Wait a moment.”
Yang Taesik headed to a hidden compartment behind the bookshelves. He soon returned, holding an ornate silver-inlaid box in both hands.
“Take a look.”
Taejeong opened it at his urging. Inside were ten small vials, each a quarter the size of standard potions.
“These look different from the ones I've seen.”
“Potions come in various grades. Market ones are usually Common—mass-produced from mana stones, like factory goods. They only have one effect: recovery. But potions with additional effects exist, and these are Rare-grade, only obtainable from specific dungeons. They're called Breath of the Earth.”
“So they do more than just recover?”
“They have a duration.”
“Duration?”
“These are sustained potions with an eight-hour consumption time. During that period, your mana is supplied almost infinitely.”
“Ah.”
Taejeong gazed at the small vials again. Eight hours of infinite mana. If true, one vial outvalued a hundred top-grade potions. Perfect for his mana-guzzling style.
“I had no idea these existed. But are you sure it's okay to give something this valuable to me?”
“I can acquire more anytime, though it takes effort. Don't worry—just take them.”
“Thank you. I'll put them to good use.”
“Oh, and do you know someone named Do Min-ah, who got second place under you? She overkilled too.”
“Not at all. I don't even know the guild members well yet.”
“I see. Alright then. You're dismissed.”
Taejeong bowed politely and left headquarters, where Kim Hyung-sik waited, as if he'd known the exact timing.
“How'd you know I'd be here?”
“What kind of chauffeur wouldn't know his boss's route? Ms. Park Se-ah informed me. Hop in. I'll take you back to the dorms.”
Back at the dorms, Taejeong headed for the elevator and spotted a familiar face.
“Ju-ah?”
It was Seo Ju-ah, from next door.
“Hi, Taejeong. Heading back from somewhere?”
“Yeah, had some business at HQ.”
“I was just about to look for you. Got a minute?”
“Sure, I'm always free. What's up...?”
“The Crescent Plains we talked about.”
“Ah, right. Everyone set?”
“Shifting schedules is fine, but it's fully booked this month.”
“Booked? What's that?”
“We report to dungeons before hunting to avoid overlaps. This month's all taken by other teams.”
“Oh, I didn't know about that. Next month have openings?”
“Earliest is the 8th.”
“The 8th... That's too far off...”
“So, if you're okay with it, how about this?”
“What?”
“There's a team leaving tomorrow. I have connections—they can squeeze in five or six. They're heading to the Count's Castle too. What do you think?”
“Hold on.”
Taejeong paused, caught off guard. He'd wanted to hunt with her for two reasons: to repay some debt, and to avoid drawing attention. He wasn't ready for the spotlight. But waiting that long was impractical. Word would spread eventually—the difference was just timing.
“Let's do that.”
“Really?”
“Waiting eight days is a waste. Plus, coordinating everyone's schedules then might not even work.”
“Got it. I'll let them know. There's probably a briefing tonight—I'll text you details.”
“Okay.”
Back in his room, Taejeong gathered dungeon intel via Park Se-ah. Not worried, but better safe. After reviewing repeatedly, he stretched and closed the files.
“This should be enough. Ugh, already evening?”
Checking the clock, he stepped into the living room and watched Park Se-ah set the table.
Since hearing her backstory from Lee Tae-ho, he'd felt sorry for her. Not mere pity—her struggles mirrored his and his sister's past.
Come to think of it, she doesn't even have a sibling to lean on.
She noticed him.
“When did you come out, sir?”
“Just now.”
“Please sit. Dinner's ready.”
Today’s spread was lavish again.
“You made too much—we can't finish it.”
“It's no trouble. Dig in.”
“Tone it down next time. Just need to fill the stomach.”
During the meal, Taejeong stole glances. Curiosity about her, but he wondered if it was prying. They weren't that close.
Do I really need to ask? Just treat her better.
He devoured the feast until stuffed, then got Seo Ju-ah's call that night.
“Got it?”
Park Se-ah pulled out a notepad.
“All set?”
“Yes. Meet in the morning.”
“What time?”
“8:30 group meet, chat a bit, probably leave around 9.”
“8:30. Community. Depart 9.”
“You're so thorough.”
“It's my job. You'll need to wake early—want water? Wash up and rest.”
“I can handle that. Go rest. Oh, good work today, Ms. Park Se-ah.”