Cheonmang Guild's Lee Sehyuk 2
Two days passed like that, and I threw myself into herb processing without sleeping a wink. In those two days, I succeeded in understanding a whopping nine herbs, with the tenth now right before my eyes. Meanwhile, the mana recovery speed potion's understanding had climbed to 86%, but the Advanced Healing Potion remained stubbornly stuck.
This was the last herb Taeju had prepared. Once this batch wrapped up, I planned to switch back to leatherworking until the next herbs arrived.
'If only this one finishes off nicely.'
It'd be a lie to say impatience wasn't gnawing at me, but my burning curiosity about the Advanced Healing Potion overshadowed it.
'Focus on the work right to the end.'
I shoved stray thoughts aside and dove fully into processing. It wasn't long before I slipped into the flow state.
And when the alert popped up again, I clenched my fists tight and let out a triumphant yell.
[NPC Class effect activated.]
[You have understood the herb 'Bidens'.]
[Understanding of potions using Bidens as an ingredient has increased.]
[Bidens herb added to ingredients. Reward granted.]
[Intelligence increased by 3.]
[Mana increased by 5.]
[Advanced Healing Potion understanding reached 100%. Purchase now available.]
Finally, the Advanced Healing Potion was purchasable. It should've been done ages ago, but somehow it dragged on till now—and because it was late, the joy hit even harder.
I was dying to buy one right then and test its performance.
But then Geonmin burst in, and the hot rush of emotion cooled in an instant.
"Guild master, a hunter named Lee Sehyuk from the Cheonmang Guild—one of the Five Great Guilds—says he's here to see you."
"Pardon? Who'd you say?"
The name rang a faint bell, but it wouldn't click, so I turned to ask.
"Lee Sehyuk from Cheonmang Guild."
Hearing it again snapped a half-forgotten memory to the surface. It was the name Lee Musin had mentioned after the Justice Guild incident—a name burned sharp in my mind back then, but buried under the avalanche of crises since.
And now, why was that name popping up?
'Can't be about that.'
It was ancient history by now, and if it were, he wouldn't show up so boldly.
'Then it has to be the armor.'
If he was here for armor, I'd just sell it to him. The intel I'd gathered on Lee Sehyuk before left a bad taste, but no need to stir up trouble over it. I wasn't some apostle of justice, vetting every buyer. And picking a fight with one of the Five Great Guilds? Pointless.
'Yeah. He wants to buy? Sell it, done.'
I brushed off worries about Lee Sehyuk and headed out to treat him like any other customer.
But midway to the workshop, voices made my steps quicken.
"Damn it! Cheonmang Guild thinks they're hot shit? Who the hell are they to block the workshop entrance?"
"Watch your mouth. What if they hear?"
By the time I reached the workshop door, five hunters were blocking the entrance. My brow furrowed, irritation flaring.
So they were one of the Five Great Guilds—fine, but why block someone else's shop and control access?
'Do I really have to sell to these guys?'
The unease from hearing Lee Sehyuk's name had turned real. I wanted to yell what the hell they thought they were doing, refuse the sale, and tell them to scram—but I knew better.
This wasn't just any guild; it was one of the top five. I couldn't make enemies over a bad mood. Not with my other guildmates in mind.
So I worded it carefully.
"Blocking the entrance while here to buy armor harms Cheonmang Guild's reputation, doesn't it? How about stepping aside?"
I'd aimed it at the blockers, but the reply came from inside.
"Apologies. I personally instructed them to clear space—I have words for Kim Suho."
I looked up to where the voice came from and saw the man from the photo Lee Musin had shown: Lee Sehyuk.
'Arrogant.'
That was my first impression. His tone seemed polite at a glance, but his eyes looked down on me like I was beneath him.
I pushed past the blockers and entered the workshop.
"What did you want to say?"
I had zero desire to linger even a second longer than needed, so I cut straight to it.
"Right to business? You're more straightforward than you look. Fine, then. Join Cheonmang Guild."
I'd half-expected it, and here it was. From the moment he chased off other hunters and claimed he had "words," I'd figured armor wasn't the goal. I'd anticipated recruitment since announcing the auction.
But not from him, and not like this.
"You've taken in strays out of pity, leaving even S-rank monsters short on support—I know that. Join us, and we'll supply not just S-rank but SS-rank hides too. We'll back you fully to claim Korea's first SS-rank leatherworker title. Support Guild..."
"Sorry. No interest in switching guilds."
It was worthless drivel not worth hearing. I should've cut him off sooner, but shock left me stunned a beat too long, letting it spill on. When "Support Guild" came up again, I shut it down fast.
Lee Sehyuk's expression shifted, a slimy smirk curling as he spoke again.
"Kim Suho. That hot-blooded streak isn't always a virtue. It blinds you to real opportunities sometimes. It feels sudden now, I get it—I'll come back tomorrow. Think it over. Chances like this don't come twice."
He stood, heading for the door, tossing one last line.
"Cling to fake friendships and misplaced loyalty for comfort now, but remember: lost opportunities never return."
And with that, Lee Sehyuk was gone.
Geonmin, who'd heard it all from the door, stormed in fuming.
"Whoa! Guild master, what the hell's that guy's problem? Who does he think he is, calling us strays and shit? That fucking..."
Curse after curse flew from Geonmin's mouth as she tore into Lee Sehyuk. For a moment, listening, I thought, 'Damn, she really goes in hard.' Haha.
That evening, the full guild gathered, and I recounted Lee Sehyuk's visit.
"Whoa! There's assholes that rude? You just let him walk? Should've dumped a bucket of salt on him. Calling us strays?"
Taeju's face flushed red with rage right off the bat. Taehee snapped at him.
"Shut it, you idiot. What're you gonna do, start beef with one of the Five Greats over salt?"
Then to me:
"You held back well, guild master. No need to sour ties with the Five Greats over nothing. Cheonmang's not the only one watching you—the others are too. They won't dare act rashly. And yeah, they all want your leather armor, obviously."
Kang Jeonghun chimed in next.
"Exactly, guild master. Smart to hold back. You avoid shit 'cause it's filthy, not scary. This is all 'cause you're killing it. Stars always catch flak for no reason."
As the guildmates' reassurances rolled on, I felt glad I'd stayed cool. Clashes wouldn't faze me, but I didn't want them caught in the crossfire—like shrimp crushed in a whale fight.
'...Wait, am I the whale and they're the shrimp?'
The stray thought flickered and vanished. I shifted to important news.
"Anyway, enough of that. I've got something for you all."
My sudden seriousness drew every eye.
"First off, as mentioned, the S-rank leather armor from S-rank monster corpses is done. Short on hides, so only three sets—but I was thinking Bang Taegeuk, Jeonghun, and Yeji first. Thoughts? Others get theirs on next orders."
The 30 hides from the auction plus 120 from recent corpses totaled 150. Unlike A-rank's 30 hides per set, S-rank took 40 each, so just three. I'd decided on Bang Taegeuk, Jeonghun, and Yeji first.
No one's feelings would be hurt, but to avoid any favoritism vibes, I announced it openly.
But they didn't seem to care who got first dibs.
"Whoa! Finally done?"
Jeonghun whooped.
"Guild master, you worked hard. Truly grateful."
Bang Taegeuk bowed thanks.
They'd known it was coming since the orders rolled in, counting days eagerly. Now receiving it, joy burst free.
"No time to test yet due to deadlines. Bang Taegeuk, if you would?"
They'd anticipated the S-rank armor, so joy mixed with the expected.
But my second bombshell flattened them all.
"One more thing. I've unlocked the Advanced Healing Potion, so we need to test that too."
Reactions differed sharply from the armor hype—none had heard of it before.
"A-Advanced Healing Potion? Suho, for real? Better than the Miracle Potion?"
Taeju blurted, honorifics forgotten in shock. Taehee, usually quick to chide him, was too stunned, half out of it.
No one was unscathed—varying degrees, but all stammering.
"Whoa, guild master, you even human? How? Leather armor world's best, potions insane, now better? Raising the dead next?"
Geonmin said, dazed. Others nodded subtly.
"I'm human, just special."
"Special? This is god-tier. Touch anything, it's world-best. You'll monopolize crafting soon."
Geonmin's offhand quip hit too close; I flinched and pivoted.
"Don't know its performance yet—like mana addiction risk. That's why the test."
Taehee, zoned out till now, suddenly shouted.
"I'll do it. With you."
She shot her hand up, still dazed into casual speech—but no one noticed, all reeling.
"Sure. Taehee and I will handle it."
The meeting wrapped. Everyone headed underground.
Bang Taegeuk, Jeonghun, Yeji, and Geonmin to basement 3 for S-rank armor tests.
Taehee, Taeju, and I to basement 1 for Advanced Healing Potion tests.
Next chapter continues...
< The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC >