Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Blocked from Guerrilla Gates
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As I mentioned before, guerrilla gate raids are something that established guilds avoid like the plague.
That's why the association's list automatically assigns them to any guild that signs up.
But suddenly, the Justice Guild was rejected from registering as a guerrilla raid guild.
"What's the reason?"
Kang Han, unable to hold back any longer, asked angrily from beside me.
"......Insufficient experience."
"What kind of bullshit is that?"
For newly formed guilds or small ones like ours, guerrilla gate raids are the gateway and the proving ground.
We build experience by clearing them, then move on to the next step: official dungeon raids.
"Even guilds formed just yesterday can register for the guerrilla list, but you're saying we can't because of lack of experience?"
It's like applying for an internship to gain experience, only to be told you don't have enough experience.
They're recruiting experienced interns.
"It's the association's new policy."
The staff member kept repeating the same robotic response, as if under orders from above.
There are so many ways to drive people up the wall.
"If it's a new policy, when did it start?"
Because I'd never heard a whisper about it.
If such a rule had been introduced, Hunter Community forums would have exploded long ago.
"......Today."
The whole place reeks of the association president's sweat.
"Haa."
What do we do now?
I hadn't expected the association president to play this dirty—and this fast.
From someone without that much brains.
Something felt off.
As pissed as I was, with the president using his position to block us like this, the still-powerless Justice Guild had no way to fight back properly.
"Any ideas?"
Kang Han and I stepped back to rack our brains.
At the same time, in the association president's office.
Sama Young watched the Justice Guild members bickering with the staff on the CCTV screen.
White steam rose gently from the coffee his secretary had brought, but he didn't touch the cup.
He just sat there, legs crossed, staring at the screen.
"Jun-kyeong."
When Sama Young called, Woo Jun-kyeong, who had been standing statue-still with a smile behind him, snapped to attention and approached.
"You called, my lord?"
A few of Sama Young's close aides called him "my lord."
It had sparked controversy at first, but now it was seen as a privilege.
Sama Young didn't allow the title for just anyone.
"That female healer—what's her name again?"
"Nayeo-ju, 23 years old. According to records, she showed no signs of awakening in any prior wave tests, but after collapsing and hitting her head, she awakened as an A-rank healer."
"So the secret to awakening really is in the brain, huh."
Sama Young stroked his chin and tilted his head slightly before adding shortly,
"I want to crack open that head and take a look."
"Shall I bring her in?"
Woo Jun-kyeong's hand drifted to the folding fan at his waist—the weapon he always carried—his smile thickening like a flower laced with deadly poison.
"Nah, it's been fun watching for once. Let's keep observing. Bring her when it gets boring."
"Understood, my lord."
Morality and common sense meant nothing to him.
To Woo Jun-kyeong, one of Sama Young's top lieutenants, his lord's words were law and divine revelation.
"I wonder why that woman Nayeo-ju dragged her entire Mega Lotto winnings to join the Justice Guild."
It wasn't a question.
Sama Young muttered to himself while gazing at her pretty face as she roughly swept back her bangs.
"And she had no prior connection to the Justice Guild."
A smile-like curve touched his red lips.
"This is interesting. Isn't it, Jun-kyeong?"
"Yes, it is."
Woo Jun-kyeong's eyes, dark and venomous like his poison, followed Sama Young's gaze to Nayeo-ju.
He had personally gone out after the Awakener Center notified them of a new A-rank healer registration, under orders to recruit her at any cost.
Yet Woo Jun-kyeong had failed to carry out the command.
It was the first mission that had disappointed the Sama Young he had served since childhood.
"What did that woman say to you again?"
"'How high did you go?'"
"What an amusing woman, Nayeo-ju."
The two men—one in perfect blank expression, the other in a bewitching smile—seemed to converse through masks.
Even in his own office, the association president stood in the corner, holding his breath, goosebumps crawling over his back as cold sweat dripped.
"Association President."
"Yes! Sama Young Guild Master."
"The Justice Guild must not appear on that list."
"Yes, I'll put everything into it! If needed, I'll deploy association hunters to shut down the Justice Guild..."
"Don't do that."
"P-Pardon?"
"That would ruin the fun."
The association president stared blankly at Sama Young's beautiful profile.
Don't let them get guerrilla gate assignments, but don't shut them down?
It was a thought process no ordinary person could follow.
"If they find another way besides the list... just let it be."
"But that would..."
"The Justice Guild is riddled with bombs. If one goes off, that's perfect for me."
Imagining swooping in to devour the Justice Guild amid the chaos, Sama Young smiled at Nayeo-ju on the screen.
"It'd be a sight to see that woman tear herself apart."
"No matter how I think about it, subcontracting from another guild is our only option,"
Kang Han said.
I agreed.
Large guilds that hate guerrilla raids pass the duty to small guilds for a fee.
But who would subcontract to the Justice Guild?
We've grown a bit lately and it's better than before, but we're still at the bottom of the guild food chain.
And a target everyone avoids getting tangled with.
Then someone approached and spoke up.
"Kang Han, long time no see."
"Huh? Yang Hwa-yeon Guild Master?"
It was Yang Hwa-yeon, the flame combat specialist and guild master of the rising Magma Guild.
Her short red hair framed a face that instantly screamed good personality.
Taller than me by a head, she stood next to Kang Han like models in a photoshoot.
"We haven't met before, right? I'm Yang Hwa-yeon."
"I'm Nayeo-ju. Justice Guild healer."
"Of course, of course. These days, if you don't know Nayeo-ju-ssi, you're not a Korean hunter. But."
She glanced toward the desk where we'd just argued, then continued.
"Looks like you're having trouble since they won't put you on the list."
"Ah, yes."
I had no grudge against Yang Hwa-yeon, but the recent mess made my mouth feel bitter.
Until she made an unexpected offer with a bright smile.
"Our turn's coming up soon anyway, and it's a hassle. Want to take our commission?"
Jackpot.
I instinctively looked at Kang Han.
Raid decisions belonged to the guild master.
"You mean you'll help us?"
"Well, old ties. I was briefly in the Justice Guild back in the day."
So that's the connection.
Probably way before the [Sejong Wall] era began.
"What do you think? Take it?"
It was a subcontract we should snap up without a second thought, bowing and saying thanks.
We might even have to pay them.
I figured up to 10 million won was fine and asked,
"What are the terms? How far did you plan?"
"Can't pay much. 5 million won."
This is a must-grab.
Absolutely grab it.
She's paying us 5 million—not the other way around!
"......5 million's a bit stingy. But in return, Magma doesn't lift a finger."
"Hmm. We're giving 5 million, but I have one more condition."
"What's that?"
"I join the raid."
"You specifically?"
"I'm free, but my guild members aren't."
Fair enough. I recalled the broadcast from the Awakener Center.
Magma Guild personally tackling a guerrilla gate was so rare they streamed it.
"Why?"
"Just curious."
Yang Hwa-yeon didn't seem inclined to explain further.
Whatever the reason, it was an ear-tingling offer.
If my predictions went wrong, even Kang Han might not fully handle Jang Su-ho.
Having an A-rank ride along for free? No reason to refuse.
"Haa, that's a bit much."
But negotiation basics: never show full satisfaction.
A skill honed house-hunting.
"I need our guild master's approval first, you know?"
"I don't mind."
Kang Han said that, but his face showed relief.
"Then no choice. You go way back with our guild master anyway. Got it."
No association president could block guild-to-guild contracts.
I hurried to the desk before Yang Hwa-yeon could change her mind.
"5 million's too low, but whatever. I'll go grab the commission form. If they say no form, I'll smash the printer."
Nice. A-rank safety belt acquired.