Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Reporter's Intrusion
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Somewhere in a mountain range near Seoul.
Yeon Sung-hun and the guild members had gathered here.
In addition to them, there were more people than usual, including Gye Cheong-san.
Some were new hires who'd been scouted by Gye Cheong-san, while others had been dispatched from the Hunter Association.
After all, starting from B-rank rifts, these were confirmed high-rank rifts with strict entry requirements, so things couldn't be exactly the same as before.
While major guilds or corporations with solid track records might handle it differently, the Association had sent personnel specifically because the Golden Guild was challenging a B-rank rift for the first time today.
That "personnel" amounted to little more than double-checking entry conditions.
As Gye Cheong-san was deep in discussion with the Association staff, Yeon Sung-hun, who had been quietly reviewing the report, suddenly turned his gaze.
There had been someone lurking around the perimeter for a while now.
'Association staff?'
He'd met all the guild's new hires at least once before, so it wasn't a mix-up.
That left Association staff as the obvious choice, but it didn't quite fit.
The Association people had been huddled together around Gye Cheong-san since earlier.
A suspicious figure wandering alone amid everyone's busyness.
Yeon Sung-hun set the report aside and stared silently. Choi Yeon-ah sidled up to him.
"Guild Master?"
"Yeon-ah, that guy's acting suspicious."
Following Yeon Sung-hun's pointed finger, Choi Yeon-ah spotted the loitering man as well.
She didn't ask for details.
He looked shady to her too.
Above all, if Yeon Sung-hun said so, it was worth checking out.
Choi Yeon-ah quietly called over Seo Jin-su and Yoon Ga-ram.
She whispered instructions and gave a subtle nod.
The two nodded back in understanding and sprang into action.
With their history against Our Chemical and the high demand for Yeon Sung-hun's potions, they had to move decisively on anything remotely off.
The pair approached stealthily and subdued the man with ease.
"Doesn't seem like a hunter. Looks like a regular civilian."
"...Yeah, he does."
The man, dragged over by Seo Jin-su and Yoon Ga-ram, looked a bit startled but not particularly scared.
He seemed utterly convinced that Yeon Sung-hun and the guild wouldn't harm him.
What gave him that confidence?
Yeon Sung-hun asked calmly.
"You've been poking around since earlier. Who are you? This is a restricted B-rank rift exploration zone. Civilians aren't allowed."
"Ah, I know. That's actually why I'm here."
The man replied with remarkable nonchalance.
Even as guild members, drawn by the commotion, surrounded him, he showed no unease.
If anything, he scanned the guild members with evident pleasure.
'What the hell is this guy?'
As Yeon Sung-hun frowned slightly, the man spoke up.
"I'm Lee Kwang-hoon, a reporter for Hunter Magazine. I'm here to cover you all today. I was wondering how to approach when you came right to me. It's a bit different from what I expected, though."
"A reporter?"
"Yes. Uh, hold on a sec."
After getting a nod from Yoon Ga-ram, who was holding him, Lee Kwang-hoon pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it over.
It clearly read "Hunter Magazine."
Yeon Sung-hun couldn't fully trust just a card, but it explained the man's attitude.
Reporters had that fearless streak, charging in regardless.
And Hunter Magazine was a reputable outfit, at least.
Even Yeon Sung-hun, who paid little attention, knew the name—it was a major player.
More like a magazine than a news outlet, it covered hunter world gossip, incidents, and useful info alike.
He'd seen guild members passing issues around before, so he nodded slowly.
'A reporter. From an influential place like Hunter Magazine.'
This wasn't the first time Yeon Sung-hun and Golden Guild had drawn media eyes.
Technically, it had been interest in Choi Yeon-ah back when she rejoined, with reporters swarming then.
Gye Cheong-san had blocked them all—no time for interviews—and the buzz died down like most fads.
He'd thought the interest had fully faded by now...
"Here for Yeon-ah?"
Meeting Yeon Sung-hun's steady gaze, Lee Kwang-hoon grinned cheekily.
"Interviewing Hunter Choi Yeon-ah would be great, but I'm interested in Golden Guild itself."
"Our guild?"
"Yes. I first noticed because of her, sure. Thought, 'What's a newbie guild got someone like her for?' Did some digging, and now I'm hooked on Golden Guild proper."
Lee Kwang-hoon glanced around at the guild members.
"Founding members like Hunters Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na—their growth rates are insane. Hunter Choi Yeon-ah's a legend, no question. The new trio were with K.G., known to anyone in the know. Oh, Hunter Seo Jin-su knows our editor-in-chief pretty well too, right?"
He continued playfully.
"And Hunter Han So-yul's here today. Hmm, thinking of switching guilds?"
"Oppa, this guy's annoying..."
"Haha! Joke, joke! Just kidding!"
Maybe the glare from an A-rank was intimidating after all?
Lee Kwang-hoon wiped a bead of sweat and turned back to Yeon Sung-hun.
"Anyway, with a lineup like this, how could I not be interested? Plus..."
He trailed off with a sly smile at Yeon Sung-hun.
"Your potions are top-notch, huh?"
"Heh."
Yeon Sung-hun let out a dry chuckle.
He hadn't expected even a mere reporter from a major outlet to know.
What next—stray cats recognizing him?
No more "mysterious alchemist" talk, it seemed.
Blame Our Chemical's Oh Young-gyu and Jin Sung-jun.
Yeon Sung-hun sighed softly and shook his head.
"So, what's the reason for your visit today, reporter?"
"Haha, why else would a lowly reporter show up? Obviously for an interview..."
"You seem to know a lot about us, but we don't do interviews."
"Well, about that, could we just..."
"Team Leader Gye. If you're done, take him away, please."
Gye Cheong-san, having finished with the Association staff, approached with his subordinates.
Two burly men matching his sturdy build flanked Lee Kwang-hoon.
"W-Wait, Guild Master! Just a quick word...!"
"Rift exploration's starting soon, so we won't go far. Be careful."
"H-Hey, wait!"
Lee Kwang-hoon was led away by the staff.
Choi Yeon-ah watched him go, then spoke quietly.
"You okay with that? Pissing off a reporter could bite us..."
"If we're on their bad side, we have been since we first refused. One more grudge now? Whatever."
"You don't like reporters, Guild Master?"
"Not dislike. Just wary."
"Wary?"
"They can sway public opinion—a real weapon."
In this SNS era, their power had limits, but watching Mephisto wield it in his past life had taught him plenty.
"More importantly, we'll see. Real journalist or hack."
If a bad article came out, ignore like the rest. If not...
'Might be worth keeping a line open.'
His info network was legit; endless uses.
Yeon Sung-hun gathered the guild after watching Lee Kwang-hoon vanish.
A slight delay from the intruder, but no big deal.
He stood and addressed them.
"B-rank rift exploration begins."
The rift Yeon Sung-hun and the guild were raiding was a vast forested mountain type.
Several towering peaks formed a small range, immense as befitting B-rank.
Yeon Sung-hun and Gye Cheong-san estimated at least five days to clear.
They might even camp inside rather than retreat.
Fortunately, aside from Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, all were seasoned veterans.
"Hunter Seo Jin-su, carefully harvest that at your feet—rare material. Ah, Hunter Lee Da-hye, that one..."
At the range's entrance, with no immediate threats, Yeon Sung-hun started gathering with the raid team.
Processing teams would handle later, but they got a head start.
Having shared his pre-made field guide, they followed his leads smoothly.
Unusual for hunters—more processor work—but no complaints.
Free potions from Yeon Sung-hun made this trivial.
Dig a few weeds for potions? Bargain.
His were still in short supply everywhere.
For him, they'd do far worse than gather herbs.
Plus, the novelty felt refreshing.
After constant blood-and-guts, fresh herb scents were healing.
Seo Jin-su and Han So-yul even hummed tunes.
As everyone focused on weeds-versus-herbs, Yoon Ga-ram—mid-debate with Lee Da-hye over a mushroom—looked up sharply.
"Monsters from the left."
"Numbers?"
Yeon Sung-hun pocketed a white flower carefully and asked.
"Too far for exact count—around twenty."
"In this rift, packs over twenty... "
"Likely Silent Wolves or High Orcs."
"Could be Hobgoblins too. Report mentioned a few."
Choi Yeon-ah and Han So-yul hurried to Yeon Sung-hun's side.
The rest formed up behind them.
With dozens of drills under their belts, everyone moved swiftly.
"Fast. Silent Wolves."
"Good."
Less tricky than High Orcs or Hobgoblins, especially daytime.
Night might differ, but broad daylight? No issue.
Feeling the presences now, Yeon Sung-hun drew his hunter rifle instead of sword or potion.
He handled blades well but wasn't frontline thrilled.
Alchemist, not swordsman.
With ample melee allies, no need for sword even in a pinch.
Rifle was simpler—point and shoot.
His was a custom from Our Factory, five times standard performance.
Ammo pricey, but worth it.
"Eighteen? Lots left to explore—no dragging. Yeon-ah, So-yul, clean 'em quick. Rest, support."
Usually he'd ask the top two to hold back for others' growth, but not today.
B-rank rift—top tier barring secret S or peak A.
No room for handicaps.
"Guild Master. Monsters approaching from rear too."
"...Felt it. That presence screams Troll."
Solo, thankfully, but B-rank beast.
Yeon Sung-hun pondered briefly, sensing the Silent Wolves closing in.
"Troll on Han So-yul and Lee Ha-na. Rest, Wolves first, then..."
"Another pack from right! Ten strong!"
"...Not easy."
Gathering time over; presences swarmed.
Yeon Sung-hun stowed the rifle.
"Right pack to Han So-yul—Lee Da-hye backup. Rear Troll to Choi Yeon-ah and Lee Ha-na. Rest, Wolves fast. I'll take front. Others, support."
He issued orders calmly, leaping forward.
Gray wolves burst from brush.
Yeon Sung-hun hurled a potion.
The wolf couldn't brake; direct hit.
Crash!
Shattered vial, controlled flames—no wildfire risk.
"Yelp-."
Ignoring the thrashing wolf, he stabbed the next with his sword.
Thus began the first fight in the B-rank rift.
Choi Yeon-ah, Han So-yul, and Lee Ha-na charged their targets per orders.
Han So-yul engaged first.
A High Orc emerged—bulkier, uglier than standard.
C-rank minimum, some B. Over ten? Daunting even for her.
Yet she felt no strain.
Yeon Sung-hun's potions helped, but the real edge was her sword.
Stormbringer.
The wind-wielding magic blade from before.
Not officially hers yet, but she'd used it since syncing early on.
Early struggles with mana control, but practice paid off.
She swung wide; wind fused with her sword aura, shredding orcs.
She landed amid them.
Storm exploded around her, ripping foes as she cut loose.
Choi Yeon-ah and Lee Ha-na met theirs soon after.
Thud thud!
The forest shook—troll as expected.
B-rank, infamous for size, strength, tough hide, regen.
But against these two? No match.
Choi Yeon-ah, a legend at her peak; Lee Ha-na, talent even past-life Yeon Sung-hun acknowledged.
No need for her signature blade; she drew the high-grade sword from Our Factory and struck first.
"Groooar-."
Troll swung its massive club on spotting her; she dodged into its guard.
Sword flashed before it reacted.
"Grrraaah-!"
Deep gash across its chest; she withdrew.
It'd regen soon, but no worry.
Lee Ha-na was ready.
As Choi Yeon-ah pulled back, Lee Ha-na tossed her potion.
Yeon Sung-hun's tuned explosive—fire halts troll regen best.
Crash!
Hit clean; flames erupted.
Troll flailed wildly, snapping trees.
Choi Yeon-ah evaded.
'Sung-hun said troll hearts are prime materials, right?'
Vague memory from his guide.
She aimed for the throat instead.
Tough hide resisted, but she severed clean.
No mana, but physique beyond prime.
B-rank troll hide? No stopping her blade.
Thud!
Headless troll crumpled; she sidestepped.
As they felled the troll and Han So-yul massacred orcs, Yeon Sung-hun and the rest wrapped up.
Silent Wolves' terror was stealth at night; daytime, just strong orcs.
Yoon Ga-ram nailed the last with an arrow; Yeon Sung-hun flicked blood from his blade.