Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Cerberus Hunter
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"So, most of the sorting out is done."
"I see. Thank you, Hunter Seong A-reum."
"No need to thank me between us. Your team leader handled things so well that I actually got more help from him."
The negotiations over profit-sharing rights with the guild coalition were nearly wrapped up.
Gye Cheong-san had handled most of it, but Yeon Sung-hun had stepped in personally for a few matters.
Specifically, the remaining personnel from the three guilds.
They weren't strong enough to join expeditions right now, but there were promising prospects with growth potential and office staff.
As the three guilds moved toward dissolution, Yeon Sung-hun had coordinated with Seong A-reum to scoop up the worthwhile ones.
"So, do you have any talents you're interested in?"
"Hmm. Well. Hard to say just from the files. Got any recommendations?"
"Hmm. I haven't met them personally, so take this with a grain of salt."
"That's more than enough."
"Alright, then..."
Seong A-reum's calm explanation went on for quite a while.
Office staff aside, she knew her stuff about the prospects and leftover hunters—must've done her homework for recruitment.
Once she finished, four or five stood out.
The real standout was a hunter named Cha Ye-ji.
Her current rank was just D, but her talent was already shining, drawing interest from guilds like Seong A-reum's Dawn.
Her only flaw? A seriously quirky personality.
Quirky was putting it nicely—they said she was a total bitch on wheels.
Even Seong A-reum said she'd pass despite the talent, all because of that attitude.
No proper guild would take her, and if one did, drama was guaranteed.
Yeon Sung-hun rested his chin on his hand, listening quietly.
"That quirky, huh?"
"You know the Three Great Bitches... er, Devil Dogs? She's like all three smashed together, so they call her 'Cerberus.'"
"Ha... Sounds impressive in all the wrong ways."
"Right? Most guilds hush up rumors like that, but hers spread wide open. If you weren't the guild master, I'd be tempted to foist her off like a hot potato."
"I see."
Seong A-reum frowned slightly as Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly.
"You're not thinking of taking her, are you? Seriously, don't."
"I figured I'd meet her first."
"Hunter Yoo Jun-young managed her directly, and she didn't change a bit. At that point, just cut your losses..."
"Choi Yeon-ah might make a difference."
"Ah..."
Seong A-reum let out a soft exclamation and nodded.
"Yeah, unnie might pull it off."
"Right?"
"Still, won't be easy. She's mellowed out lately, but..."
"What can I say? The talent's too good not to try."
He hadn't told Seong A-reum, but Yeon Sung-hun had a way to turbocharge her growth on top of her natural gifts.
His latest project: a hunter-specific growth accelerator.
'Imperial guerrilla drills with Yeon-ah? A little bitchiness is nothing.'
Fierce Cerberus, huh?
Yeon Sung-hun was confident he could turn her into an obedient pup.
"Anyway, Cha Ye-ji aside, no interest in the others?"
"No real standouts. You said the crafters are all going to corporations?"
"Yeah. No matter how hard we try, can't snag those. Your guild might be different, but..."
"Maybe later, but not right now."
"Can I have the rest, then?"
"Sure. We're not set up to nurture multiple prospects yet—just grabbing more office staff."
"Nice... Hey, we've got time. Dinner together?"
"Sorry, prior engagement."
"Oh. With Yeon-ah unnie...?"
"No idea why you keep shipping me with Yeon-ah, but no. Meeting Hunter Joo Ji-won."
"Hmm. With Joo?"
Yeon Sung-hun tilted his head at Seong A-reum's subtle frown.
"Something wrong with Hunter Joo Ji-won?"
"No issues, really. She's just... pretty cold."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded with an 'Aah...' as Seong A-reum trailed off.
Joo Ji-won did have that icy vibe.
But after a few meetings, Yeon Sung-hun knew she wasn't really like that.
'Easy to misunderstand, but she's just a shy, ordinary person inside.'
Her cool looks amplified it, but she wasn't cold at heart.
As he pondered how to clear it up, Seong A-reum spoke.
"Hard to read what she's thinking. You'll handle it fine as guild master, but no harm in being careful."
"Mm. Thanks for the advice. But..."
"If anything goes wrong, call me right away. Got it?"
Yeon Sung-hun reluctantly nodded at her firm warning.
Seong A-reum's misconception about Joo Ji-won wasn't clearing up anytime soon.
The holiday passed, and rift explorations resumed.
As always, B-rank rift.
With multiple clears under their belt, everyone looked relaxed.
Yeon Sung-hun reviewed Yoon Ji-su's team's report as usual.
"Hmm. Giant labyrinth..."
"We only scouted the entrance—too risky to go deeper."
"Good call. Pushing in could've been trouble."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded calmly, stroking his chin.
The report showed a massive B-rank rift, befitting the rank.
Even the entrance her team checked was vast.
Average monsters weren't high-rank, but Minotaurs—estimated C to B-rank—were spotted.
The labyrinth layout limited space, promising a tough delve.
But it cut both ways: enclosed areas would amplify his thrown potions.
'No need for extras.'
He checked his item bag and nodded.
"Let's take it slow. Anything else to watch for?"
"Plenty of traps."
"Mm. Hunter Yoon Ga-ram!"
Yoon Ga-ram hustled over from chatting with guildmates.
Stagnant as a hunter in K.G., he'd exploded thanks to Yeon Sung-hun's accelerator.
A-rank soon at this rate.
No wonder loyalty overflowed from him and the guild.
"You called, Guild Master?"
"Can your detection skill find hidden traps?"
"Not magic-veiled ones, but regular hidden traps? Easy."
"Good. Anything else?"
"Nope."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Yoon Ji-su's casual headshake.
"Alright. Let's start the delve."
As he stood, guild members gathered from around.
After briefing them, Yeon Sung-hun led into the rift.
A massive labyrinth rift, like a giant maze.
First time for Yeon Sung-hun.
Choi Yeon-ah aside, everyone was new to it—rare type.
Usually A-rank or higher.
This B-rank was an exception; mana density wasn't A-level.
Everyone cautious, they proceeded carefully.
Maxing Yoon Ga-ram's detection, Yeon Sung-hun scouted too.
"You spot traps too, Sung-hun?"
"Not like Yoon Ga-ram, but basics yeah."
Lee Ha-na exclaimed softly at his shrug.
"Thought I knew you after all this time, but still surprises."
"Mm. Not hiding it on purpose. Just happened."
"It's fine. Wasn't complaining. But... no more shocking secrets, right?"
Lee Ha-na smiled angelically as always.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled awkwardly despite himself.
She chuckled softly.
"Plenty more, huh."
"Not intentional."
"Fine. Fun discovering bit by bit."
She smiled quietly and walked off to join Lee Da-hye.
Yeon Sung-hun watched her back briefly.
"Guild Master."
"Ah, Yeon-ah."
Choi Yeon-ah approached quietly, glancing where he'd looked.
"What'd you talk about with Ha-na?"
"Mm. Nothing much."
"Really?"
She tilted her head, then nodded.
"This rift's weird, though."
"Hmm. Seen many labyrinths, Yeon-ah?"
"Not tons, but enough."
"What's different?"
"Usually, traps are deadlier than monsters. Not here. Low rank?"
Yeon Sung-hun pondered.
As Choi Yeon-ah opened her mouth, Han So-yul yelled from the front.
"Oppa! Monsters ahead in the three-way split!"
"C-rank! Probably Minotaur! Left and right paths have multiples too! Numbers..."
Yoon Ga-ram was explaining when Choi Yeon-ah already leaped ahead.
Everyone else combat-ready.
Yeon Sung-hun pulled a potion, issuing orders.
"Minotaur to Han So-yul and Choi Yeon-ah! Left with me and Lee Ha-na! Rest take right, then join left! Yoon Ga-ram, back us up!"
Moving steadily, he joined Lee Ha-na already engaging.
Imps.
Not high-rank, but some used magic—tricky foes.
"Fall back!"
"Got it!"
Lee Ha-na shook off her imp and retreated at his shout.
Yeon Sung-hun hurled a potion.
Crash!—it shattered easily, white powder billowing like smoke.
He threw the next.
A spark flew from the breaking vial.
It ignited the powder into raging flames.
Half the wide passage became a fire pit instantly.
Roar!
Took out a bunch, but survivors and more behind persisted.
As flames died, Lee Ha-na charged the rest.
Yeon Sung-hun followed into the passage.
Just past the fork, Yoon Ga-ram shouted.
"Danger, Guild Master!"
Yeon Sung-hun had sensed it too.
Odd mana on walls, strange mechanisms.
Too well-hidden.
He clicked his tongue late.
Rumble—groooan!
A massive wall dropped, sealing the paths.
Yeon Sung-hun had noticed early, but Lee Ha-na deep in couldn't escape.
He frowned briefly, thinking.
Then.
"Catch!"
He tossed an item bag to the team.
"Guild Master?!"
"Hyung?!"
"Oppa!"
"Sung-hun!"
Panicked voices from beyond the descending wall.
"Don't worry about us—finish the monsters! Choi Yeon-ah takes command till we regroup!"
"Sung-hun!"
"Got it!"
Thud!
The heavy wall sealed shut.
Yeon Sung-hun stared a moment, then turned.
Monsters first.
Lee Ha-na struggled against imps, rattled.
Yeon Sung-hun dashed to help.