Job Change Quest 2

Unable to find a solution even after talking with Bang Taegeuk, Choi Taesu, and Kang Tae-hoon, I reached out to Lee Musin.

"I'm sorry. But the result is the same."

There was no way in this world to make a hunter strong in an instant. In the end, with no other options, I met Jeonghun again and told him the truth.

"Suho hyung, thanks so much for worrying about me. But I already knew. That there's no way to get strong overnight."

His unexpectedly calm reaction surprised me a little, but before I could respond, Jeonghun continued.

"Actually, Taegeuk hyung told me. That you were really worried about me. That day, I got too emotional and probably burdened you too much, but now I'm totally fine. So don't worry too much. And it's just a temporary leave from the raid team, not forever. Why would I quit? I'll definitely come back. And I'll catch up on my skills as fast as possible and rejoin the raid team for sure. I won't let you down, so don't worry. More than that, give me that quest! I want to head into the dungeon right now."

Hot determination burned in Jeonghun's eyes, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he was back to the Jeonghun I knew. I lightly patted his shoulder.

"Yeah. That's the resolve my little bro should have. There's still time before we push into the SSS-rank dungeon, so you can definitely do it. In return, hyung will give you some awesome quests, packed full."

My mindset was different from when assigning regular quests, but I never imagined a notification like this would pop up.

What the hell is this?

The sudden notification as I tried to assign the quest threw me into confusion. Even though I was an NPC referring to hunters as players, a Job Change Quest? Still, up to that point, it was a welcome shock. Completing it would surely bring massive growth in one go, the perfect blessing for Jeonghun's current situation.

The problem started with the next notifications. The Job Change Quest was a one-time thing with no reassignments, and failure meant Jeonghun could never get another quest from me. On top of that, it didn't even reveal the contents. At this point, I realized this wasn't just a simple blessing.

He can get plenty strong with regular quests. No need to risk it.

It might take longer, but safe was better. No reason to gamble on an unknown Job Change Quest. Especially since failure without knowing the details would be a total disaster.

So I boldly selected No.

But the NPC system didn't accept my refusal.

"Shit."

Damn NPC system. It had been a long time since I'd cursed sincerely, not since awakening as an NPC and learning I couldn't enter dungeons. A forced Job Change Quest? It felt like a massive backstab.

Now Jeonghun had no choice but to take it. And ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right then, startled by my sudden curse, Jeonghun asked,

"Hyung? What's up all of a sudden? Something wrong?"

I realized I had to tell him. No point hiding it. With a deep sigh, I explained the situation to Jeonghun.

"Well, you see..." I looked at him with worried eyes. But Jeonghun responded with a fiercer gaze than ever, like it held a desperate resolve.

"I'll do it. Whatever that quest is, I'll complete it. So don't worry—just assign it."

I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them and assigned the quest to Jeonghun.

"This... this is insane. No way."

The curse slipped out the moment I saw the quest. Solo clear an S-rank dungeon? It was absurd. And with a time limit, no delaying it either. A total dead end.

Damn it. This is too much, even for a quest.

I felt guilty even looking Jeonghun in the face. Even for a Job Change Quest, it should have been something doable, but this was way beyond that.

Still, it was my doing, so I mustered courage to face him and open my mouth—but I was shocked by his expression. Jeonghun looked like he'd entered combat mode, completely fired up. Madness gleamed in his eyes, his aura surging so intensely that his mana stung my skin.

"Hyung, I'll do it. I'll definitely challenge it. But I won't be reckless. So help me."

Jeonghun wasn't blindly hyped. He burned with challenge for the quest but assessed the situation coolly. He knew he couldn't solo an S-rank with his current power. That's why he was asking for my help.

Of course I'd help. It was my fault, and with him stepping up first, I couldn't pour cold water on it. More than that, I trusted the NPC system. I'd resented it moments ago, but understandably so. It had never screwed me over before. Sure, this quest seemed extreme, but I hoped it wasn't impossible.

"Of course I'll help. But one condition: If it seems impossible, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll stop you no matter what."

"Yeah. Got it."

I contacted Kang Tae-hoon first.

"Actually, I have a personal request for the guild master."

After light greetings, I got to the point.

"Hunter Kang Jeonghun? Um... please don't take this the wrong way. I know his talent well. But with his current stats, an S-rank dungeon is impossible."

Kang Tae-hoon spoke carefully to avoid offending me, but his words were firm, and he immediately voiced doubts about the S-rank solo challenge as expected.

"And I don't get it. Why insist on a solo S-rank? If it's just to get stronger, there are plenty of other ways."

"The reason..." I paused.

Only the core guild members knew about the quest. I hadn't told Choi Deokhui or the enchanters. In that situation, I couldn't be fully honest with Kang Tae-hoon. And fabricating an excuse for something so unbelievable was tough, so I'd already decided on silence.

"Later. I'll explain the reason later. Please bear with the curiosity until then."

Silence followed my answer, and I waited quietly.

"Understood. I'm curious, but I'll hold off. More importantly, regardless of the reason, I must say again: Solo S-rank is too risky for Hunter Kang Jeonghun's level. Worst case..."

He trailed off, but I knew what came next. I'd thought the same at first. But my mind had changed, and now I needed to change his.

"I know it's not easy. But I don't think it's absolutely impossible. With the Support Guild's full backing and Guild Master Kang Tae-hoon's skills, it might not be."

When he didn't budge, I pulled out my trump card.

"If it's too much, I'll ask Brain Emperor. I thought you'd be the perfect teacher for Jeonghun since you can wield greatswords as a dealer, but if you're not confident, Brain Emperor it is."

"You've come to the right place. Our names are similar—feels like a little brother. I'll make sure Hunter Kang Jeonghun can solo that S-rank."

Kang Tae-hoon shot back instantly. I smiled in victory. The key person was secured. I'd used Choi Taesu to prod him, but everything else was sincere. Kang Tae-hoon really was the best mentor for Jeonghun. As a warrior class who could tank and deal, he used greatswords as a DPS. Plus, inspired by Choi Taesu's solo S-rank clear, he'd challenged and succeeded in one himself. Perfect fit all around.

After roping in Kang Tae-hoon, I started recruiting other helpers. He couldn't stick by Jeonghun 24/7 for 100 days. I needed others for when he was away—especially a healer.

So I contacted the raid team's healers and got their buy-in beforehand. Even as guild master, I couldn't force them. But my worries were unfounded; they all jumped in eagerly, even sorting shifts themselves, easing my mind.

With that settled, I headed to the Enchanter Workshop to see Choi Deokhui for the first time in ages.

"Guild master? What brings you here?"

Choi Deokhui welcomed me warmly.

"I wanted to check if you were doing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well. Sorry I haven't visited much, using busyness as an excuse."

I had a request, but also wanted to confirm no issues at the workshop. It was my first visit since moving near the Hunter Management Bureau, amplifying my guilt. I'd lured them here enthusiastically but hadn't followed up properly. My head bowed naturally.

"No need. High-ups who don't show their faces often are more appreciated."

Choi Deokhui's witty words lightened my mood.

"Any inconveniences? Be honest, no worries."

"No, how could there be? Life's been so much better since meeting you. Best choice I ever made."

Thankfully, Choi Deokhui and the enchanters seemed genuinely content, no major issues. Maybe because conditions were so poor before.

But I didn't forget to prepare for possibilities.

"Even small things—tell me anytime if something comes up."

"Got it."

"And I have a request. I need a heal magic pattern."

That was the real purpose. Even if high-grade healing potions were fast, they had limits. In combat where seconds mattered, chugging potions leisurely was impossible. A heal magic pattern to replace healers was essential, so I asked Choi Deokhui to procure one.

"Conditions don't matter. Get me a top-grade heal magic pattern."

"Understood. I'll get it."

Sensing the gravity from my repeated emphasis, Choi Deokhui replied with a serious expression.

"Everyone doing well? Feels nostalgic gathering like this after so long. Sorry for not meeting up more, blaming busyness."

The core guild members were all together for the first time in ages. I scanned them one by one: Taehee, Taeju, Geonmin, Bang Taegeuk, Jeonghun, Yeji.

I hadn't called Choi Deokhui since this was about the quest.

"We saw each other three days ago. And everyone knows you're busy—no one's griping about that."

As Taeju said, we'd met briefly when old quests finished and new ones were assigned. But months had passed since seeing the guild like this. I hadn't even glimpsed faces while in Switzerland, and back in Korea, nothing changed. Without Jeonghun's issue, I'd have stayed oblivious forever.

"Not just you—we've all been busy. But yeah, great to reunite like this."

Geonmin followed up, and everyone nodded.

After some warm words, I got to the point.

"Actually, I have something to say about the quest."

I'd considered sharing my inner thoughts first but decided personal matters later; prioritizing Jeonghun's Job Change Quest was best.

"Jeonghun got a quest this time, and there's a problem."

To be continued in the next chapter...