Chapter 62
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Taming the Cerberus
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, it was time to wrap up their rest and head back into rift exploration, but Golden Guild didn't set out for the next one.
The issue was with Choi Yeon-ah's prosthetic arm—one of their top assets.
According to her, they'd already made a reservation, and in a few days, the artisans would visit in person for some measurements.
They had data from previous measurements, so they'd bring a temporary prosthetic along. And for that price, the service was top-notch.
Choi Yeon-ah figured they could just remake it to her old size without remeasuring, but Yeon Sung-hun advised against it.
Her body had definitely changed since then, so this was a good chance to get a fresh measurement and make a perfect custom fit.
There were other reasons too, but she nodded without needing more explanation.
She seemed ready to go along with whatever Yeon Sung-hun said.
And so, even on a rift exploration day, the guild members gathered at the training grounds.
It wasn't necessary for everyone to join, but Choi Yeon-ah's not-quite-a-request had half-forced them all there.
Yeon Sung-hun watched them train in their scattered groups, thoroughly satisfied.
Forced or not, seeing them train even on a day off was heartwarming.
'Is this what it feels like to be the guild master?'
He hoped for more days like this, glancing aside as he thought it.
There, with Choi Yeon-ah, was a new face among the veterans.
"One, two. One, two. Come on, Ye-ji. Just a little more."
She was Cha Ye-ji, a promising talent from the now-defunct Cheoncheon Guild, whom Yeon Sung-hun had scouted.
True to her "Cerberus" nickname, Cha Ye-ji lived up to the rumors with her ferocious personality.
She kept basic manners like honorifics—barely—but that was it.
Her attitude was downright savage... no, bitchy as hell.
She only used polite speech with Yeon Sung-hun; the rest of the guild got none of it.
Beyond rudeness, she picked fights constantly.
Thankfully, she showed some respect to office staff like Gye Cheong-san. Or maybe she was just indifferent.
Yeon Sung-hun had started out thinking it couldn't be that bad, but now he understood why Seong A-reum had warned him so strongly.
Cerberus earned its name for a reason.
Left with no choice, he'd handed her management over to Choi Yeon-ah.
If anyone could tame that hellhound, it was the infamous old her.
And Choi Yeon-ah didn't disappoint.
Was it her prowess... or Cha Ye-ji's?
She'd started sweet and soothing, as usual, but soon unleashed her past self.
Yeon Sung-hun hadn't seen the full show—other members like Seo Jin-su dragged him out—but he caught enough to get why her old reputation was legendary.
Seong A-reum and Lee Ye-rang face-planting into thick mud? Yeah, it checked out.
True to "an eye for an eye," the demon facing the hellhound was educating her smoothly.
Paired with imperial guerrilla exercises Yeon Sung-hun knew, Cha Ye-ji was turning from snarling beast to meek lamb.
Well, less "reformed" and more "too exhausted to snap," but the immediate results pleased him.
'Give it time, and that attitude will mellow out.'
Her talent was real, so his expectations for her were high.
As he mulled this optimistically, trouble brewed.
During Choi Yeon-ah's usual drills, Cha Ye-ji lost it and snapped.
"Fuck this! I can't do it!"
"Hey now, Ye-ji. Pretty words, remember...?"
"Cut the bullshit! You one-armed cripple bitch!"
Her shrill voice echoed through the training grounds.
Everyone—even Yeon Sung-hun—froze mid-motion.
Even Ur, usually begging him for food, flinched.
The air turned ice-cold in an instant.
"You crazy bitch!"
While others stood stunned, Han So-yul moved first—not Choi Yeon-ah.
Before anyone could stop her, she charged at Cha Ye-ji.
No potions or gear from Yeon Sung-hun, but still top-tier A-Rank.
No promising D-Rank could handle that, no matter how talented.
Cha Ye-ji held her own surprisingly well, though—blocking vital spots amid the barrage.
Or rather, Han So-yul was pulling punches, avoiding knockouts to prolong the beating.
'Seeing So-yul like that, I get why she's Yeon-ah's blood sister.'
Her usual innocence was gone, replaced by ferocity.
Yeon Sung-hun tsked unconsciously and stepped between them, speaking for the silent guild.
"Enough."
"Ugh...! But oppa! That psycho...!"
"Han So-yul."
His low call of her name shut her up tight.
Her face screamed dissatisfaction, but respect for him held her back.
She glared daggers instead, met by Cha Ye-ji's defiant stare.
But her bravado hid a body at its limit from the thrashing.
"Urgh..."
She trembled, then collapsed limply. Yeon Sung-hun tsked quietly.
He scanned the guild briefly before speaking flatly.
"Ha-na, take Hunter Cha Ye-ji to the infirmary."
Lee Ha-na nodded without complaint.
Whether from conscience or exhaustion, Cha Ye-ji let her help without resistance.
Yeon Sung-hun watched their careful exit.
Once they were gone, he sighed heavily.
Things had seemed smooth—his delusion?
Never imagined she'd mouth off to Choi Yeon-ah.
Every Korean knew her prime; Cha Ye-ji was no exception.
'Did I scout wrong?'
He rarely second-guessed choices, but this one stung.
Should've listened to Seong A-reum more.
As he tsked again, Han So-yul approached—calm now, unlike before, eyeing him warily.
"Sorry, oppa..."
Apologizing for jumping in?
He said nothing to her downcast look.
As guild master, he'd intervened—not because he liked Cha Ye-ji.
"Don't do it again."
Unable to praise her publicly, he gave light warning and patted her head.
She beamed, back to her usual self with a happy "Eep!"
He ruffled her hair a few more times, then turned.
"Yeon-ah."
Choi Yeon-ah had stayed silent since the outburst.
He doubted it'd faze her, but people were unpredictable.
Worried, he checked carefully.
She seemed fine—same as always, outwardly.
After a moment, he asked.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Doesn't bother me."
"Hm. Good."
If she said so... but what about inside?
No more words came, so he nodded.
She asked him then.
"What about Hunter Cha Ye-ji going forward?"
"Hm. Thinking a one-on-one talk first."
"And then?"
"...Depends on her. Can't keep going like this. Don't worry—I'll handle her personally for now..."
"No. I want to keep managing her."
"Hm?"
He eyed her briefly.
Her face was serene as ever—no hidden motives.
Her calm unnerved him enough to ask softly.
"You sure?"
"Why not? If anything, ask her if she's okay with me."
She smiled gently and continued.
"She's got real talent. Felt it when she sparred with So-yul. Train her right, and she'll be a star."
"Unni! That's 'cause I went easy! Serious? Ten... no, five seconds tops!"
"Including that. How many D-Ranks last against you that long?"
"Ugh... True, but I still hate her! If that psycho mouths off to you again...!"
"Pretty words, So-yul."
Choi Yeon-ah's quiet correction made her pout.
"Even now, unni? Nitpick this?"
"When else?"
"You taught me that crap...!"
"Want a real refresher? With Hunter Cha Ye-ji?"
"Sorry, unni! Sudden training idea! Jin-su ajusshi! Come here!"
Han So-yul bolted, dragging innocent Seo Jin-su along.
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled at her retreat, then faced Choi Yeon-ah.
"So you want to train her?"
"Yeah. Talent-wise, she's gold."
"Even with that attitude?"
"We'll fix it gradually. I underestimated her. Should've been stricter."
"...Stricter?"
"Yep. A-reum levels from back then. She turned out fine..."
She licked her lips subtly. Yeon Sung-hun rubbed his chin.
A-reum baseline meant brutal—but endorsement of her skills?
"Not that bad... but I need some payback too, right?"
Her quiet smile drew a hollow laugh from him.
Pretending otherwise, but no letting it slide.
She already looked wrecked; more would be hell.
Cha Ye-ji's fault, sure—but pity stirred.
'Just take it quietly.'
Avoided worse that way.
He shook his head with a quiet tsk.
Whatever came next was on her.
Yeon Sung-hun headed straight to the infirmary.
Lee Ha-na hadn't returned after escorting her—maybe trouble?
But arriving quickly, all was calm.
They were chatting softly.
"How's the wound? Any discomfort?"
"...No. None. This the famous guild master's potion?"
"Sung-hun... yeah, his potions are something else."
Lee Ha-na's proud tone mingled with Cha Ye-ji's quiet awe.
He paused at the door, eavesdropping instead of entering.
"No way? Really?"
"Yeah... Tried holding back at first... but snapped eventually."
"Must've been rough."
"Once I flipped, they backed off—thought I was crazy, I guess."
Her calm voice sounded nothing like the hellhound.
Stunned by the unexpected, Yeon Sung-hun heard Lee Ha-na's gentle reply.
"So why lash at Yeon-ah unni? Did she bully you secretly, like them?"
"...No. Nothing like that."
"Then?"
"...Dunno. It hurt so bad... wasn't real me."
"I see."
Lee Ha-na nodded empathetically, then softly.
"Gotta apologize to unni then?"
"...That's..."
"She's not like those bullies. Way different."
"...Kinda sensed that. But..."
Lee Ha-na smiled warmly at her trailing off.
"Scared? Worried she'd turn like them?"
"...Yeah. A bit... If I mess up, maybe no change later..."
"No worries. Unni's not like that."
"...What about the guild master?"
"Hm? Guild master?"
Yeon Sung-hun flinched at the mention.
Oblivious to him, they continued.
"Yeah. Heard he's amazing."
"From who?"
"Guild master... I mean, Hunter Yoo Jun-yeong talks about him. Wants to meet, but timing's off."
"Huh... I don't know much either."
"But you've been together since the start?"
"Pre-awakening, small raid days—yeah."
"Then..."
"Still don't know fully. Feel his effort, sure—but to me, just the guy from back then."
"...Really?"
Lee Ha-na grinned at her puzzled tilt.
"Not calling him amazing, but don't stress. Sung-hun... our guild master doesn't ditch people lightly. Look at me and Jun-su."
Cha Ye-ji cocked her head.
"You and Hunter Kim Jun-su? Heard you skyrocketed fast."
"Wasn't always. Talent-wise, we're below you."
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged inwardly at her bluntness.
Kim Jun-su, maybe—but Lee Ha-na's talent matched or beat Cha Ye-ji's.
Jun-su lacked flash but outworked everyone.
She saw it differently; he wasn't keeping them purely on effort.
They'd kept up—that's why.
Her misunderstanding, but he let it slide, listening quietly.
"Weird. So even if I'm talentless, it's fine? Why scout me then? Plenty nicer folks without talent."
"Talent might've sparked it, but not all. Sung-hun stresses team synergy first—skill second."
"...Got it."
Lee Ha-na pressed on as she nodded slowly.
"Don't rush. My words might not help now, but no need for instant results. Just keep at it steadily."
"...Thanks, unni."
"Apologize to Yeon-ah unni first?"
"...Um."
"Too tough? I'll go with. She's not that scary—cares for everyone."
"...More than Hunter Choi Yeon-ah, it's... uh..."
Lee Ha-na gasped realization at her fade.
"So-yul's the issue."
"...Yeah. Honestly scary. Younger, but..."
"Hm... First time seeing her that mad. Usually playful, smiley..."
"...Guess I messed up bad."
Lee Ha-na patted her slumped shoulder.
"It's fine. Makes apologizing key. So-yul's sweet—she'll forgive sincere ones."
"...I'll try."
"Rest a bit, then go together?"
"...Please, unni."
"Not just them—everyone. Tough, but we'll chip away."
"...Thanks."
Their talk continued softly awhile.
Yeon Sung-hun peeled from the wall.
"...Gotta tell team lead to beef up soundproofing."
Scratching his head lightly, he headed back to training.
Details fuzzy, but Lee Ha-na had won her over.
'Angel's an angel. Taming that hellhound?'
He tsked briefly, then chuckled.
Time would tell, but for now? Not looking bad.