Chapter 21
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Choi Yeon-ah's Return to the Field
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Three days later, everyone gathered at the foot of a mountain in a remote part of Gangwon Province.
Na Seong-sil, whom they hadn't seen in a while, was there too.
In truth, there was no need for an Association official to show up since Gye Cheong-san was already handling things on behalf of the guild. Even so, Na Seong-sil had made the trip all the way out here.
Unofficially, of course—but he was still a member of Golden Guild, after all.
"I'm Na Seong-sil. Nice to meet you."
"I've heard the story. Word is you're about to get canned for insider trading?"
"Planning to quit before they catch on and throw my resignation in their faces first."
Choi Yeon-ah and Na Seong-sil exchanged greetings with light-hearted banter.
"Alright, is everyone ready? Let's start the rift exploration."
Yeon Sung-hun spoke up after confirming the preliminary survey report, just like always.
This was Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na's second C-Rank rift exploration, and Choi Yeon-ah's first real combat in over a year.
Yeon Sung-hun led the raid members—each with their own determined expressions—into the rift.
The rift they were exploring today opened into a vast plain.
Though its size was about average for a C-Rank rift, the open expanse without any major obstacles meant they expected a quick clear.
After scanning the surroundings for threats, Yeon Sung-hun distributed potions to the group as usual.
The standard body enhancement potions and recovery potions, plus antidotes just in case.
Choi Yeon-ah's eyes sparkled as she received all three types.
"So these are the legendary potions everyone's raving about? I can't wait."
Instead of humility, Yeon Sung-hun flashed a confident smile.
He had no intention of downplaying his potions.
Seeing his self-assured expression, Choi Yeon-ah downed one right away.
And quietly reeled in shock.
She could feel the changes in her body even without checking her status window.
When she did open it, her jaw dropped.
"...My stats went up this much? From just one potion?"
Her hands trembled as she stared blankly at the empty vial.
Her current stats were now on par with—no, even surpassing—her prime.
And her physical condition was astonishingly good.
There was no difference between the enhanced physical abilities she'd once powered with mana and what she felt now.
With just a single potion, she'd returned to her peak physically.
Of course, without mana, she still couldn't use skills properly—but this alone was more than enough.
Choi Yeon-ah looked at Yeon Sung-hun with eyes like she was seeing some otherworldly being.
"How is it? Satisfied?"
"...Satisfied? You're teasing me now... If you're asking, it's perfect. I feel like charging into battle right this second."
Unable to hide her excitement, she fixed him with a gaze full of fervent longing.
If he could make potions like this, fixing her body someday wouldn't be a pipe dream.
It was the moment a tiny spark of hope blazed into something immense.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly at her eager eyes, then straightened his expression.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, who'd been beaming with pride like it was their own achievement at her reaction, now focused on him.
"This rift is wide open, so we won't have the chaos from last time. That said, the monsters here are tougher, so stay extra vigilant. Formation..."
After briefing the raid members on precautions and instructions, Yeon Sung-hun began the exploration in earnest.
The monsters were stronger than last time, but with Choi Yeon-ah's addition and no massive swarms, the exploration went incredibly smoothly.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su followed Yeon Sung-hun's orders perfectly as always. The real issue was Choi Yeon-ah.
It wasn't rust from her long hiatus.
She performed at an unbelievable level for someone who'd retired for a year.
True to her S-Rank status, with her physical abilities now exceeding her prime, she straight-up massacred the monsters.
The sight was so impressive that even Lee Ha-na, Kim Jun-su, and Yeon Sung-hun watching her were in awe.
Especially for Yeon Sung-hun—his admiration was on another level.
Even without mana, her pure skill surpassed the aura masters from his past life.
Is this what an S-Rank hunter is? And this strong without even using mana.
How unstoppable must she have been at her peak, with skills on top of that?
Yeon Sung-hun's view of S-Rank hunters—whom he'd underestimated—flipped completely.
Judging by what she showed now, S-Ranks were at least master-class.
Separate from his quiet admiration, though, Yeon Sung-hun spotted a problem.
Choi Yeon-ah was rampaging so wildly that the others had nothing to do.
He understood the reason, but it was disrupting the raid's balance badly.
After soloing a group of Slinger Horses—horse-like monsters—Choi Yeon-ah turned with a refreshed grin.
Yeon Sung-hun spoke to her in a low voice.
"I get the excitement, but no more solo acts."
His tone was ice-cold, unlike his usual demeanor. Choi Yeon-ah flinched.
He wasn't channeling mana, but his presence carried real weight.
Intense charisma, you could call it.
She'd known he was no ordinary guy, but this surprised even her.
She bowed her head quietly.
She knew she'd messed up.
Lost in the thrill of battle after so long, she'd ignored team coordination and gone berserk alone.
An unforgivable mistake for her past self.
A rookie blunder she couldn't even look up from.
"Sorry."
"You know better than anyone how crucial team coordination is. It's different in emergencies, but be careful from now on. What I value in you isn't just your combat power—it's your experience."
"...I have no excuse. Sorry."
Yeon Sung-hun didn't press further as she bowed again.
He immediately ordered her to help clean up the monster corpses.
"...You okay, noona?"
Kim Jun-su, who knew how scary Yeon Sung-hun got when angry, approached cautiously.
Lee Ha-na sidled up too, worried she'd offended her.
Choi Yeon-ah smiled at their tentative glances.
"I'm fine. The guild master—no, raid leader—is right. I got too carried away, uncharacteristically. You guys suffered because of me. Sorry."
"No way! We're good! We were just amazed watching you! Incredible!"
"Yeah! Unnie, you were awesome!"
She smiled softly at their effusive praise.
Just as she'd told them, she wasn't upset at all.
If anything, she was kicking herself for the amateur mistake.
No real feelings about Yeon Sung-hun, though.
If anything, this was a good chance to gauge his leadership.
His alchemy was top-notch, but his raid leading was unproven—until now.
This exploration proved he excelled there too.
Meeting him was sheer luck.
She glanced at Yeon Sung-hun silently sorting monster corpses.
He lagged behind her now in many ways, but what about the future?
She couldn't pinpoint when, but she felt his big breakout was imminent.
Or maybe he's already soaring.
With a small smile, Choi Yeon-ah sidled up to him.
He spoke flatly at her approach.
"No need for a separate apology."
"Yeah, it was just what had to be done. If you apologized, I'd feel worse."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slightly at her straightforward tone.
"As you know, the other two are still growing. They'll need your help a lot."
"Got it. I'll share all my know-how. That's what you want from me, right?"
"Not just that, but..."
Choi Yeon-ah chuckled as he trailed off slyly.
"Don't worry. I get it without you saying."
"That's what scares me—misunderstandings from not saying it."
"What kind?"
"Oh, this and that."
She giggled at his casual shrug.
Not bad.
Really not bad.
Even the phantom pain in her left arm, which had throbbed occasionally, was gone now.
Choosing this place felt right all over again.
"By the way, noona, your gear seems kinda basic?"
As the half-day exploration wrapped up toward the end, Kim Jun-su asked Choi Yeon-ah.
Her equipment was indeed pretty ordinary.
For a former S-Rank, you'd expect top-tier pieces.
"Sold everything valuable for treatment costs."
"Ah... Um... Sorry."
She'd already told them about her condition since they'd be together going forward.
Kim Jun-su apologized quickly, knowing her story.
Choi Yeon-ah shrugged nonchalantly.
"Still got a few left. Too good to use until I regain my feel, but..."
She trailed off and pulled a sword from her item bag.
A sleek blade without ornamentation revealed its elegant form.
Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na gaped in admiration.
Even they could tell it was something special.
Yeon Sung-hun, watching from nearby, let out a quiet whistle.
It made the magic sword from the Black Market look insulting by comparison.
That's what deserves the name "true magic sword."
A masterwork sword rare even in his empire days.
He approached quietly.
"Impressive blade. Enhanced cutting power, body reinforcement, and a few more enchantments, looks like."
"Oh? You can tell? Didn't know you had an eye for swords too."
"Like I said before, alchemists are knowledgeable in all fields."
She didn't dismiss it as a joke this time, unlike before.
Given what he'd shown, it couldn't be.
"Her name's 'Daeha.' My precious partner who's always been with me."
She smiled softly, stroking the blade tenderly.
Her cherished sword from way back.
The one thing she couldn't bear to sell, even after offloading everything else.
Her touch was full of affection.
As if understanding her feelings, the sword let out a low hum.
"...Rage Buffalo herd approaching from the rear! Five of them!"
The raid members jumped into combat against the sudden monster intrusion.
Choi Yeon-ah still didn't use her sword.
No intention to until she fully regained her senses.
The exploration continued.
Soon enough, Golden Raid Team cleared the rift.
A clean clear, unlike last time.
And right into the next rift.
The veterans were used to the schedule by now, and even Choi Yeon-ah kept up effortlessly.
More energized than expected, thanks to Yeon Sung-hun's potions.
Her condition was fully active-duty worthy.
"Good work, everyone."
"Good work!"
The schedule ended at midnight.
As the raid members began cleanup familiarly, Yeon Sung-hun sought out Gye Cheong-san.
"You wanted me?"
"Something about the next schedule."
"Right. Based on today, more C-Rank rifts?"
"No. Turns out chaining C-Rank clears is too much."
Gye Cheong-san tilted his head at Yeon Sung-hun's casual shake.
"Then...?"
"One C-Rank for now is fine. But unlike before, size doesn't matter."
They'd picked shorter C-Rank rifts so far for back-to-back clears.
Ditching that meant no size limits.
Gye Cheong-san nodded.
"That's the plan for a bit. Also, find a decent training ground."
"Buying one?"
"Nah, just regular access is fine. Won't need it once the guild HQ has its own."
"Got it. Anything else?"
Yeon Sung-hun pondered briefly.
"Acquire some solid gear too. For guild distribution. Long-term, maybe contract a good workshop."
"Understood."
Gye Cheong-san bowed and hurried off to handle it.
Yeon Sung-hun watched his enthusiastic back for a moment, then turned away.
The raid members were chatting amiably.
Sword training, gear handouts. Lots to do.
He'd just finished a basic material compendium for gathering too.
Not exhaustive, but core ingredients covered.
Share it with the team, drill them on it.
Black Market for supply now, but couldn't rely forever.
Needed their own routes eventually.
"Gonna get busy."
He'd never not been busy, but it was ramping up.
Especially for the raid members learning from him.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue shortly, eyeing them laughing and chatting, oblivious to their futures.