Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The Warm Sun
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After her conversation with Lee Ha-na, Cha Ye-ji immediately apologized to Choi Yeon-ah, Han So-yul, and the other guild members.
Everyone, including Choi Yeon-ah—who had been pretending otherwise but inwardly sharpening her criticism—was utterly taken aback by Cha Ye-ji's completely unexpected demeanor.
Many wondered just what kind of magic Lee Ha-na had worked in that short time, but she merely smiled enigmatically, offering no answers.
Yeon Sung-hun had overheard the two women's conversation, which was a blessing; otherwise, he would have been quite flustered himself.
And not without reason—he had even considered expelling her from the guild.
Though the contract would require a hefty penalty fee, harmony among the existing guild members was far more important than that.
"I look forward to working with you."
"...Yeah. Let's make this work."
After apologizing to everyone alongside Lee Ha-na, Cha Ye-ji went straight to Choi Yeon-ah and volunteered for training.
There was still a hint of awkwardness lingering somewhere in the middle of her face, but the transformation in that brief moment was so complete that it left him stunned.
"...What did Oppa say? He came by just a bit ago."
"No, I didn't do anything. If anyone did, it was Ha-na."
"...To change like that in no time at all... Unnie Ha-na... I never realized she was such a scary person! She might even be scarier than Unnie Yeon-ah!"
Yeon Sung-hun let out a chuckle at Han So-yul's quietly astonished expression and turned his gaze toward Lee Ha-na.
She was watching Cha Ye-ji train under Choi Yeon-ah with a pleased look on her face, as if she were the girl's own parent.
'Maybe Ha-na was the right answer from the start.'
Come to think of it, both he and Choi Yeon-ah might have relied too much on the stick.
Sometimes, offering a carrot like Lee Ha-na had done first would have been the better approach.
Seeming to sense his gaze, Lee Ha-na glanced over and met Yeon Sung-hun's eyes.
He quietly raised his thumb toward her as she tilted her head in curiosity.
She burst into a soft laugh and raised her own thumb in response.
"Hm. That kid over there?"
Jeon Hae-ryong, who had come to the Golden Guild headquarters for his usual treatment, spotted Cha Ye-ji training under Choi Yeon-ah's guidance and asked.
"Yes. Hunter Cha Ye-ji."
"...She's not what I heard. They said she was a real bitch."
"She's changed a lot since joining us."
"Oh? Another win for our Choi Yeon-ah? On a hot streak, huh?"
"It wasn't Yeon-ah."
"Huh? Not Yeon-ah?"
"Surprisingly, no."
Jeon Hae-ryong's face twisted in momentary bewilderment before he pressed on.
"If not Yeon-ah, then who...? I heard she was no pushover. How'd you do it?"
"It wasn't the storm that stripped the traveler of his cloak—it was the warm sun."
Jeon Hae-ryong blinked in confusion at the cryptic remark, but Yeon Sung-hun offered no further explanation.
"Anyway, how's your body feeling? Any discomfort?"
"Nothing like that. Just the occasional twitch when I instinctively try to use mana."
"You really need to hold back on using mana. We're only just stabilizing the framework—if you mess up now..."
"I know, I know. Geez, you're not even a doctor, but you nag worse than one."
Jeon Hae-ryong waved off Yeon Sung-hun's nagging and gently stroked Ure, with whom he had grown quite close.
Ure was still no bigger than a baby bear, showing no growth compared to its past self.
"Aigoo, you're so cute today too, you little poop pup."
"It's not a dog—it's a bear. Or more accurately, a monster."
"How is this a monster bear? It's a perfect little puppy. I heard your little sister even takes it for walks?"
Yeon Sung-hun clamped his mouth shut at Jeon Hae-ryong's question, falling silent.
In truth, his sister Yeon Hae-eun had recently been taking Ure out for walks now and then.
Of course, even as a cub, Ure was no ordinary bear but the offspring of an A-rank monster, so they stuck to wandering near the guild headquarters where there weren't many people.
Beyond that, there had been plenty of times he'd treated Ure more like a pet than a monster, so Yeon Sung-hun couldn't find the words.
Jeon Hae-ryong clicked his tongue briefly at the sight.
"See? Got nothing to say, right? Just think of it as a dog and it'll be easier."
"Kruuung-!"
Yeon Sung-hun quietly pressed a hand to his forehead as Ure clung to his leg, whining for food as always.
How could anyone see this creature as the lord of the mountains, the demon known as the Titan Urs?
Yeon Sung-hun had taken it into a few rifts himself in an effort to raise it properly, but it had made little difference.
Whenever they went, guild members like Choi Yeon-ah and Han So-yul spoiled it rotten, so that was inevitable...
Still, there were limits.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a quiet sigh at the sight of Ure, who was becoming the epitome of a loyal pet rather than showing any feral monster instincts.
'...I need to set aside a day soon and train it one-on-one.'
Naturally, this would have to be done in secret from the guild members.
Especially the women like Choi Yeon-ah and Han So-yul.
Of course, he could just use his guild master authority to force it, but...
'No, even then, I'm not sure they'd listen properly.'
His guild members were usually so obedient, but when it came to Ure, they weren't trustworthy at all.
Yeon Sung-hun still couldn't forget the day he first met Ure.
"By the way, didn't you say they were coming today?"
Yeon Sung-hun snapped out of his thoughts at Jeon Hae-ryong's sudden voice and turned to him.
"You mean the Makers."
"Yeah. I heard they were coming to fix Yeon-ah's arm. Today, right?"
"Yes, they contacted us saying they'd arrive this afternoon."
Jeon Hae-ryong nodded slowly, then rubbed his chin with a thoughtful 'hm.'
"They said they were coming here, right?"
"It's still incomplete, but this is the only place we have to receive guests."
The Golden Guild headquarters was still under construction.
The first training ground they were using now only had some interior finishing left, and the main building at the center was about two-thirds complete.
It was lacking in many ways for hosting guests, but they were managing somehow.
"Hmmm..."
"Is something uncomfortable?"
Yeon Sung-hun tilted his head at Jeon Hae-ryong's visibly uneasy expression.
Worried that something might have gone wrong in the treatment process, he examined him closely.
Jeon Hae-ryong waved him off as Yeon Sung-hun grabbed his wrist to check.
"No, it's not my body..."
"Then why the sudden...?"
"It's about the Makers."
"...Is there a problem with them?"
Yeon Sung-hun hadn't heard any rumors about them, so he couldn't help but stiffen at Jeon Hae-ryong's attitude, which seemed to imply he knew something.
Jeon Hae-ryong hesitated before speaking carefully to Yeon Sung-hun, who was looking at him seriously.
"They're an artisan guild, right?"
"Yes. I hear they have all the world's top production-class artisans. Except for Europe's 'Olympus,' they're supposed to be the best."
"Yeah. One of the top artisan guilds."
"...And that's a problem?"
Jeon Hae-ryong struggled to continue as Yeon Sung-hun eyed him quizzically.
After a moment of silence, he sighed and went on.
"What if they try to scout you away?"
"...Pardon?"
"A so-called top artisan guild isn't going to leave the best alchemist I know—you—just sitting here. They'll pull out all the stops to take you."
"...There's a chance of that, sure. But I have no intention of leaving, so don't worry. I'm not planning to work under anyone at this point."
"...You don't know how ruthless the Americans can be."
Jeon Hae-ryong exhaled like a sigh and continued calmly.
"The ones you need to watch out for aren't the Makers—it's America itself. Their hunger for talent knows no bounds."
"...You're saying the U.S. government itself might move to recruit me, not the Makers?"
Jeon Hae-ryong nodded slowly at Yeon Sung-hun's question.
"Rumors about you—known or not—have likely crossed the ocean by now."
"Hm. Has this happened before?"
"Plenty of times. They all said they had no intention of leaving, just like you. But what happened? Most of the ones I knew ended up going to America. Even that famous 'Park Du-chil' among them."
"...Park Du-chil—you mean the U.S. S-rank hunter 'James Park'?"
"James Park, my ass...! He's Du-chil through and through."
Jeon Hae-ryong tsked irritably and pressed on.
"Like I said, the Americans are vicious when it comes to talent. If they want someone, they don't care about means or methods."
"...They resort to threats?"
Jeon Hae-ryong shook his head at Yeon Sung-hun's cautious question.
"What era do you think this is? They'd regret that later—they need you working for them long-term. Threats are a last resort."
"Then...?"
"Money, fame, power. Whatever you want, they'll give it. It depends on the person, but you? You could get a ton."
Jeon Hae-ryong glanced at Yeon Sung-hun and suddenly sighed.
"We've lost so many talents over the years. If even some of them had stayed... Korea's hunter scene would be so much further along. Not in this mess."
He muttered darkly, then looked Yeon Sung-hun straight in the eye.
"Unfortunately, our country can't offer you much. I'll be association president soon, but compared to what America dangles, it's nothing."
"......"
"I won't beg you to stay like some pathetic fool. It's your choice, your life. If you think it's right, then it is. Still..."
Jeon Hae-ryong trailed off, then continued quietly.
"Still, I'd like you to stay. For this country."
"......"
Yeon Sung-hun didn't answer right away.
Jeon Hae-ryong watched him for a moment, then roughly scratched his head and stood up.
"Aish, what a mess! Enough of this nonsense—you'll make the right choice."
"Are you leaving?"
"Treatment's done, and sticking around might ruin my mood if I run into those nose jobs. Time to go."
"Yes, then..."
"No need to see me out. It's not like this is my first or second time... Get back to work."
Jeon Hae-ryong waved dismissively and gave Yeon Sung-hun one last piece of advice before departing.
"Don't overthink what I said at the end. Like I told you, the choice is yours. I just..."
He hesitated, then spoke.
"I just hope I keep seeing your face here like this from time to time."
With a bittersweet murmur, Jeon Hae-ryong quietly left.
Yeon Sung-hun watched his retreating figure for a moment.
"America... America, huh."
He murmured softly when a call came in from Gye Cheong-san.
The artisans from the Makers had arrived to craft Choi Yeon-ah's prosthetic arm.
Yeon Sung-hun moved at once with Choi Yeon-ah to meet them.