Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Securing Yoo Jin-rok
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“That’s……”
Hunter Yoo Jin-rok’s gaze deepened.
He seemed to have already guessed to some extent that the Justice Guild wanted to contract with him after he’d passed along Im Cheong-su’s potion last time.
“I’m sorry for bringing up a contract in a situation like this.”
I’d anticipated as much, so I pulled out the response I’d prepared.
“We’re not trying to force you into joining by holding your daughter’s treatment hostage, so I hope there’s no misunderstanding. Of course, running into Ga-young today was pure coincidence too.”
Anyone would be sensitive about their child.
Hunter Yoo Jin-rok shook his head at my cautious words and replied.
“I don’t think Hunter Nayeo-ju approached my daughter on purpose. And I’m truly grateful for the help with her treatment just now.”
“That’s a relief, then. Honestly, I’ve wanted to recruit you ever since we first met at Taesan. But I held off because I wanted to have a proper talk after the alliance raid ended, and it’s turned into this. If you don’t mind me asking, did the Sama Guild say anything specific about taking over your employment?”
Hunter Yoo Jin-rok paused at my direct question, then shook his head once more.
That meant he was essentially unemployed already.
It was unfortunate for Yoo Jin-rok, who had a sick daughter to support, but it was an opportunity for me.
“Then we can skip the formalities. Let me propose it again: contract with the Justice Guild.”
“I’d be happy to work anywhere I can, but why does the Justice Guild want to contract with me? If it’s out of some guilt over Su-ho and that’s why you’re offering……”
“No.”
I cut off Hunter Yoo Jin-rok’s words firmly.
“We’re grateful for all the help you gave our guild member Su-ho when he was in a tough spot. But we don’t feel indebted. I want to make that clear.”
“Then why……”
“I heard you were famous for your spear techniques back in your active days.”
“That was ages ago.”
Bringing up his active days made Hunter Yoo Jin-rok cough awkwardly in embarrassment.
Then, as if he understood, he spoke up.
“Guild Master Kang Han has started using a spear as his new weapon, hasn’t he.”
“Yes. We’d like you to be our guild master’s spear teacher. Of course, you’d teach the other guild members too.”
The average age of Justice Guild members was so young it was practically childish.
Awakened beings aged slowly physically, so larger guilds—and especially older ones—tended to have hunters of all ages active.
Some guilds even deliberately paired young hunters with veterans.
That way, the experience and knowledge of the elders naturally passed down to the younger generation.
But the Justice Guild had completely collapsed once before.
There was no upper generation at all.
In that sense, Hunter Yoo Jin-rok was perfect as a new member for the Justice Guild.
He had experience conquering numerous dungeons and the knowledge from once leading and managing the Taesan Guild.
Not just for Kang Han and the other members, but he could even advise me on guild operations.
“So I’d be taking on an advisory role like I did at Taesan?”
“Hmm, no. Have you ever thought about returning to active duty?”
“Active duty?”
He clearly hadn’t expected this offer at all—Hunter Yoo Jin-rok’s eyes widened round.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve entered a dungeon.”
“I know. We don’t need someone charging the front lines to attack. I’m looking for someone to protect me by my side.”
I’d realized it painfully while conquering that regular dungeon.
I was too weak.
I could save up money in the future—or rely on Jeong Je-hwa’s favors—to arm myself with various items, but that approach had its limits.
In a dungeon where anything could happen, I needed someone focused solely on my safety.
“Haha, advisor, teacher, and bodyguard all in one. Sounds like I’ll be busy.”
“A bit, yeah? But we’ll compensate you generously for the busyness. And……”
I glanced once at Yoo Ga-young, now sleeping soundly with gentle breaths, her face relaxed. Then I continued.
“In exchange—well, not exactly—I’ll treat Ga-young regularly.”
“Ga-young……”
“To be honest, I can’t completely cure Ga-young’s illness. It’d be more accurate to say I can manage it so it doesn’t flare up anymore.”
“Really? She won’t go berserk anymore?”
“Yes. If we manage it steadily and regularly.”
I said nothing more.
Instead, I watched as hope slowly returned to Hunter Yoo Jin-rok’s eyes while facing him.
As expected, it didn’t take long for his answer.
“I’ll do it. Looking forward to working with you, Hunter Nayeo-ju.”
He bowed in greeting.
“Me too. Looking forward to it.”
Rather than bowing back, I extended my right hand.
Hunter Yoo Jin-rok looked at it in slight surprise, then smiled and shook it firmly.
“Sorting out your Taesan contract will take a few days, right?”
“Yes, probably. Taesan’s a mess right now with the merger. But they’ll be thrilled to have one less headache once I submit my resignation myself.”
“Then the Sama Guild has no eye for talent. Good for us.”
I meant it sincerely.
Hunter Yoo Jin-rok would bring stability to the Justice Guild.
“I’ll head back to my room now. Contact me once the Taesan contract’s settled. Oh, and……”
There was one thing I’d almost forgotten to emphasize.
“Absolutely do not mention transferring to the Justice Guild.”
Who knew what clever scheme Sama Young might pull next.
After drilling it into Hunter Yoo Jin-rok, I carefully slipped out of the room so as not to wake Yoo Ga-young.
“It’s done. It’s done.”
Just imagining how strong Kang Han would become learning spear arts from a proper teacher made me thrilled.
“Protagonists have to be strong to be any fun.”
I nodded in satisfaction and returned to my room.
The next day.
I was finally free.
“I’m back!”
I flung open the training ground door and shouted. Familiar faces came running out one by one.
“Nayeo-ju! You’re discharged?”
“Welcome back, Nayeo-ju-ya.”
Jang Su-ho and Han Ji-seong greeted me warmly as they emerged from the gym.
“Unnie! You’re all better now?”
Tap, tap.
The source of the light footsteps was Seong Yo-na.
The high school trio would be at school, so I’d see them later.
But Na Baek-ho, who I expected to come running first to greet me, was nowhere in sight.
“Where’s Na Baek-ho?”
“Ah, unnie, well……”
Seong Yo-na, who’d been asked, hemmed and hawed, unable to answer easily.
Then Kang Han, who’d come in late carrying my discharge bag, spoke up.
“Probably in his room.”
“At this hour? Gong-gi’s over there, too.”
I pointed at Gong-gi, fast asleep sunk deep into the training ground sofa, and asked again.
“Actually, unnie……”
Seong Yo-na explained carefully.
“After you got hurt in the dungeon, Baek-ho’s been kind of…… depressed.”
“Na Baek-ho? Depressed?”
Na Baek-ho, who was like a living antidepressant?
“Seems like the shock hit him hard. He hasn’t come out of his room much since. Won’t even eat snacks.”
“He’s in his room right now, right?”
I headed straight for it.
Even as I climbed the stairs, I couldn’t picture what a depressed Na Baek-ho would look like.
“Na Baek-ho, sis is here.”
I opened the door and went in, but the room was silent.
It felt like I’d walked into an empty one.
“Hey, Na Baek-ho. Where are you?”
It wasn’t even that big a room.
No sign of him on the magic cushion or the bed.
“Is he really in here?”
I even checked the bathroom, but as I stood there baffled by his absence—
A fluffy white tail poked out from under the blanket dangling off the bed.