The Heavenly Demon's New Weapon
It had been three months since the S-rank gate incident.
The hunter world's political landscape had undergone a dramatic shift over the past year, bringing numerous changes to South Korea.
The Jeokpung Guild's power had diminished after losing its master. The responsibility for Seoul's defense and public safety maintenance had naturally transferred to the Shingyo Guild.
The Hansung Guild had collapsed and been absorbed by the Bukhae Guild.
The Kim siblings—Kim Na-yeon and Kim Do-yoon—had been busy as well.
Interviewing a flood of new guild members, processing the fallout from the S-rank gate, establishing the treasure-hunting system, and maintaining active communication with the regional guild leaders in charge—all of it had piled up like mountains of work.
They had begun communicating more actively with the major guilds that governed various regions.
Fundamentally, cooperation was the stance on national-level disasters, yet competition became the reality when it came to interests. The major guilds operating in each region could be viewed that way.
At the moment, the four major guilds in South Korea were as follows.
The Shingyo Guild in Seoul.
The Suryong Guild in Daejeon.
The Hana Guild in Gwangju.
The Bukhae Guild in Daegu.
The outline of South Korea's new four major guild structure was beginning to take shape.
"Haa. Handling the master duties of a hole-in-the-wall guild, then suddenly being entrusted with a heavy responsibility... My head is spinning."
"I heard the master of the Jowon Guild is providing assistance as well."
"Noona has helped a lot, but still..."
The Shingyo Guild's master, Kim Do-yoon and Kim Na-yeon, were far too young.
In front of them now floated a hologram of a young man who looked far younger than his actual age of over sixty, yet his mature aura could not be compared to the one before them.
Even during the video conference, Kim Do-yoon kept flipping through documents with one hand, looking troubled.
"How on earth is the Jeokpung Guild handling all this work...? I wish I could borrow the talents who have been managing Seoul from Jeokpung all along."
Upon closer inspection, the Jeokpung Guild's organizational structure had indeed undergone a major upheaval. Its internal cohesion remained solid, and guild member turnover was not severe, but...
"Yes. In the absence of Lee Myeong-won, Jo Yong-hyeop is now the guild master."
"Even without Lee Myeong-won, the Jeokpung Guild is something we need to watch?"
At Kim Na-yeon's question, Kim Do-yoon stroked his chin.
"Well... Even if the greatest threat has disappeared, the Jeokpung Guild's power hasn't shrunk to the point of being ignorable. We don't know what Jo Yong-hyeop's external policy will be."
It would be good to arrange a meeting with the Shingyo side soon for discussion. We have gained a new target to keep an eye on as well.
"A new target to keep an eye on...?"
"Information is still unclear, so I'll inform you later. We don't even know exactly what he wants."
Kim Jin-seong also looked troubled by various matters. After all, the safety of the entire nation depended entirely on the top-tier hunters present here.
In the uncomfortable silence that had naturally formed from a series of heavy thoughts, Kim Jin-seong's hologram suddenly smiled.
"So, how are our Heavenly Demon-nim and the rest doing?"
Kim Jin-seong's words in this meeting, which had been stacked with heavy topics, provided a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Kim Na-yeon wore a pouty expression.
"Our Heavenly Demon-nim? What kind of words are you using, as if you were speaking to one of Mr. Kim Jin-seong's children?"
"I can't say I raised you, but I believe I've been acting in a guardian capacity, supporting you two siblings."
"Hmm, Yeon-ya's been a handful lately, hasn't she?"
Kim Do-yoon wore a mischievous smile, but Kim Na-yeon looked even more exasperated.
"Haa, of course he's doing fine. Too well, actually."
His head is beyond comprehension. He even asked questions about financial operations while learning, and now he's starting to meddle in the guild's major affairs.
Moreover, you could say he's become incredibly cunning. Or that he's begun to properly utilize the weapon he possesses.
There's this feeling that we're all being pulled into Yeon-ya's antics... Now even Na-yeon can't control him anymore?
Kim Do-yoon's nonchalant remark caused Kim Jin-seong's face to turn serious.
"Is that true...? The Constellation that grants power to awakened individuals has revealed the danger of those existences in the case of Lee Myeong-won. Wiji Yeon-ssi also possesses sides that we have yet to fully understand, so it may not be safe to say she is completely secure."
"Hm... Hmm? That's a bit different."
"Then...?"
At that moment, Kim Jin-seong's face clouded with confusion.
Bam!
The office door burst open, and two girls with white and black hair stepped in.
Todorok, poak.
Naturally, Lee Da-yeon ran over and buried herself in Kim Na-yeon's arms.
"Unnie."
"~Whoa, you two are here."
Unlike the gentle Lee Da-yeon, who had been embraced by Kim Na-yeon, Wiji Yeon stood with arms crossed, tapping his feet while clutching a document.
"Our guild is seeing an increase in support rate, but the training hall expansion is still pending, right? I heard the budget is sufficient."
"Uh, um... We're starting to look into suppliers, but..."
The Left Guardian managed the magic stone auction this time, didn't he? Energy-producing companies are desperately in need of magic stones. The guild should be in the dominant position, so couldn't we get more than that?"
"Um... I suppose so. Next time, I'll do better, unnie."
"Hmph, even with my hand this heavily involved..."
The small black-haired child chattered incessantly, scolding the guild master and vice master. The expression on his cute face mirrored that of a stern teacher.
Kim Jin-seong chuckled while clutching his stomach.
"Cough, heh heh. Ah, so that's what you meant."
The scolding was relentless. You have no idea how tough it really is.
"Oh, it's Kim Jin-seong? It's been a while seeing your hologram."
The black-haired girl's hand rose to the desk and began to mess with the hologram. Because of the glitch, a bizarre smile appeared on Kim Jin-seong's face.
"Cheonma-nim is doing well as well?"
"Hm, don't laugh like that while you're like this. Your face looks scary."
The adults burst into laughter at the black-haired girl's hand-waving and rejection.
***
Kim Na-yeon's hand reached over, lifting me into her arms, and I was gently placed on her knee.
I wore a displeased expression.
"You guys try to hold an important meeting without including Bonjwa."
"It's just a routine report."
"Hmph, I understand how you all think of me. You treat me as a child and ignore me?"
"That's not it at all, Yeon-ya helps us so much."
Kim Na-yeon stroked my hair while soothing me like a petulant child.
I secretly smiled in satisfaction.
The current moment of sharp scolding and appropriate complaint was the perfect opportunity to get what I wanted.
I spoke in a passing tone.
"Oh, by the way, about the guild uniforms."
"Design, right? Wouldn't following the global standard hunter outfit style work?"
"Um~ I don't like looking the same as others. Don't you think the martial robe is perfect?"
I looked at Lee Da-yeon, who had stuck to Kim Na-yeon like a barnacle.
Lee Da-yeon was also wearing a martial robe in the same style as me. When I ordered a new one for myself after the S-rank gate incident, hers came along too.
It suited her small frame, looked stylish, and was functional. The only difference was my black versus her white.
A scene flashed in my mind: the hunters lined up for the launch of the campaign to conquer the Central Plains.
At the top of the stage in the front, I, Wiji Yeon, wearing a flowing cape, the Young Cult Leader, and the Left and Right Guardians stood.
I nodded while recalling the sight.
"Um, it would be a truly magnificent sight."
"No."
"Why not!"
"Even though your bodies are small, if the robe tails flutter during combat among the hunters, wouldn't it be inconvenient?"
"Uh, ugh... That's exactly why the designer should make it functional while keeping the martial robe appearance!"
I explained the functionality of the martial robe with all my might.
I had heard that the martial halls in this world also wore similar robes to the Central Plains style. The outer robe over the top could be put on or removed, so there was no issue.
Kim Do-yoon, who had been smiling while watching us, asked Kim Jin-seong.
"What do you think?"
"From a functionality standpoint, I don't see it as a problem."
"Exactly. Kim Jin-seong isn't saying otherwise either."
"Is it really okay?"
Kim Na-yeon still hesitated to make a decision.
I decided to use my ultimate move.
After all, I had to live with this small body for the rest of my life, so I would make the most of what I had.
Spat, I clung to Kim Na-yeon's upper body, slouched my shoulders, and looked up at her with a sulky expression.
"Unnie, really no?"
"...Cough."
Kim Na-yeon's eyes wavered.
"As long as unnie agrees, it's fine. Bonjwa will be happy if the guild members wear cool martial robes."
Kim Na-yeon's wavering eyes turned toward Kim Do-yoon. Kim Do-yoon shrugged.
Eventually, Kim Na-yeon barely nodded.
"Y-yes. Let's do that."
"Wow! Noona is the best!"
I grinned and clung to Kim Na-yeon's neck.
"Ehehe."
Kim Na-yeon let out a silly laugh and wore a happy expression.
Kim Do-yoon and Kim Jin-seong laughed too.
"Look at that. Na-yeon can't control it properly either? Now she's using it as a weapon."
"In a sense, that's a rather big deal."
The video conference ended, and it was time to wrap up today's work.
"Where did this come from?"
"Here, like this. It fits perfectly underneath, doesn't it?"
"Oh, the Young Cult Leader is indeed clever."
From the table in front of the sofa in the office, I heard Kim Do-yeon and Kim Na-yeon's conversation while enjoying a puzzle game with Lee Da-yeon.
"...Support request from the Hunter Academy?"
"Yes. It's almost the experience learning season, right? But it seems there's a shortage of instructors."
"That's a problem. These days, all the hunters want to join a guild."
I perked up my ears.
Interesting words had just been mentioned.
I set the puzzle aside and rushed over to sit on Kim Na-yeon's knee.
Kim Na-yeon smiled and hugged me.
"Eh? Yeon-ya, why again?"
"Experience learning? Hunter Academy?"
"Ah, um..."
Instead of Kim Na-yeon, Kim Do-yoon explained.
"They decided on an experience learning trip from the elementary Hunter Academy, but it seems there's a shortage of instructors."
"The F-rank gates used for experience learning are all verified stable gates. The monsters that appear are all horn rabbits and small slimes that even young awakened can catch... The danger level is zero, but as they're still gates, who knows what might happen."
Ah, so they're asking to support a guild.
"Is it okay to listen?"
"But our guild is really busy right now, isn't it? Experience learning at the gate site requires at least an A-rank hunter accompanying, but all A-rank and above executives are dispatched to treasure hunts and are busy."
"Yes. So I'm debating whether to reject it."
Tsk.
I slid off Kim Na-yeon's knee.
It would be fun to directly go to an institution that nurtures future generations, wouldn't it?
"Bonjwa will go myself. Then there won't be a problem, right?"
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