Chapter 15. Application Received.
6 months later.
Taeseong Guild Master's office.
"So? This a resignation letter?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"I thought you'd have some backbone since you studied abroad. Color me disappointed, Mr. Jeong."
"I've lasted four months here—that's more than enough, Master Joo. I heard the last guy didn't even make it a month."
"I'm not gonna hold you back. You know the way out."
"I've learned a lot during my time here."
"Good to hear. If fate brings us together again, we'll cross paths."
"Doubt we'll meet again. I'm heading back to the States."
"That's a shame. Regardless of anything else, your hunting skills were solid. Just having you in Korea would've been a huge help."
"With someone like you as guild master here, what could I possibly contribute?"
"The more skilled hunters, the better."
"Anyway. Before I go, mind if I ask something? Why stick around in a trash guild like this? It's done for. Hell, with your skills, you could make it big in the US too. Can't wrap my head around why you'd cling to a small country like this."
"First time I've gotten a question like that. Hm!"
Joo Se-ah paused in thought before answering.
"Too many ties holding me here?"
"Pardon?"
"That's all you're getting. Consider it courtesy for the hell you went through as vice guild master in this garbage guild for four months. Normally, I'd smash your head in for asking something so pointless."
Jeong Do-il shrank back, shrinking his neck.
Had he touched one of Joo Se-ah's sore spots?
They'd only worked together for a mere four months, but he'd seen plenty of her temperament. If she said she'd smash your head, she meant it.
The memory of her causing a scene in the lobby of Slayer Guild headquarters—one of the top guilds in Northeast Asia—was still fresh. Most people would have to brace for assassination after picking a fight with a guild that size, but this guild master seemed utterly oblivious to danger.
He'd been inspired enough by her to stick it out for four months, but the guild was rotten from the core, leaving Jeong Do-il with no room to maneuver.
His question had slipped out from pity for a top-tier hunter like Joo Se-ah being stuck in a place like this, but as a faint killing intent seeped in, he swallowed the rest of what he'd planned to say.
'I was gonna offer to introduce her to a top US guild...'
After Jeong Do-il left, Joo Se-ah stared holes into her computer monitor.
It was the PC version of the Guild App.
The bold "Vice Guild Master Wanted" post sat plainly in the hunter hiring tab.
The board was originally for freelancers forming parties or seeking guild or government quests.
But Joo Se-ah, fed up with failing to find a vice guild master, had drunkenly posted a hiring notice for one. It was the first time anyone had ever recruited for such a high position that way, sparking a media frenzy and buzz on hunter forums.
No resumes had come in anyway, so she'd ignored it for a while. But after her second vice guild master quit, her eyes had drifted back to it.
'If only someone applied, even like this.'
Of course, it was a pipe dream. Hunters initially thought it was a joke, but once they realized it was from Joo Se-ah, they deliberately avoided it due to her bad blood with Slayer Guild.
No serious hunter would apply via a public board like that anyway.
"Won't even delete, just makes me feel worse. Damn that booze. Who posts 'Vice Guild Master Wanted' like it's help wanted for a part-time gig?"
"Exactly why'd you post it without consulting anyone?"
Jang Deok-gu walked in, shaking his head as he entered the office after seeing Jeong Do-il out.
"Association says they can't delete the post? At least edit it."
"You know they don't delete posts on principle. Could be abused for crimes if they let people post and delete freely."
"I know, but my identity's verified."
"Once they make an exception, the rule crumbles. No way, they said."
"Damn that old fart association chairman. Can't he cut a friend some slack? Korea runs on regional ties, school ties, blood ties."
"None of those connect you to the chairman, guild master."
"Fair point."
With one avenue closed, Joo Se-ah immediately suggested another.
"Maybe 'cause we didn't bribe him? Should we donate to the Association? Grease the wheels, see if that stiffens up the old man?"
"Guild has no money."
"Son of a bitch! Who cut our funds again?"
"Hunts are just you and me. Who're we gonna stick the bill to? We survived off that Seogang University blue gate auction. Even that's scraped clean now. Can't self-sustain without group support."
"Why block a nothing guild like ours so hard? Enemies everywhere. We need a breakthrough."
"Speaking of breakthroughs—the chairman invited you to dinner tonight. Head to the main house, borrow some cash. Easy, quick fix."
Joo Se-ah's gaze turned icy.
"I'd sooner sell my Hannam-dong mansion."
"You already did."
"Right. Then my beloved rides...?"
"Sold those too. Want the list?"
"No. Sounds like nothing left—too depressing."
"Just sayin', miss the loan payment next month, we're out on the street."
"What time?"
"Excellent decision."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Seongsu-dong had been razed in the Great War and reborn as a luxury enclave for Korea's top 1%.
24-hour security at the gates, national hunter agents and an A-rank guild patrolling against monsters.
Second only to the Blue House in security.
A beat-up domestic sedan—out of place amid supercars and mansions—pulled up.
One headlight shattered, hood hammered in like a dented can.
Rattling like it might stall any second, the guard halted it.
"State your business."
The guard leaned toward the driver's seat as the window slowly rolled down. He recoiled in shock upon seeing the face.
"Ah, Hunter Joo Se-ah! Open the gate! Let her through."
Joo Se-ah drove deep into the estate, past the entrance, to a grand mansion.
More guards at the mansion entrance checked her coolly, waving her in without fuss.
She parked haphazardly and stepped out to violin melodies wafting over. Turning, she spotted a massive garden—big enough for an elementary school field—hosting an outdoor party.
"What's this? Birthday?"
Noting her disheveled state, she shrugged it off—hunters gonna hunter—and headed in.
"You actually showed?"
A sharp voice pierced her ear.
Joo Se-ah turned.
A face eerily like hers—stubborn eyes, mocking smirk.
"If unnie's here, why can't I be?"
"Ha? Who's your unnie, you mutt? Tae family never had trash like you."
"Why's our precious Su-young so pissed?"
"Hey!"
"Not sisters? Then not my unnie."
"You little...!"
"Whoa, gonna hit me?"
"Think I won't?"
"Go ahead. Taste a B-rank hunter's fist. Handle the fallout?"
As Joo Se-ah stepped forward, Tae Su-young retreated two paces.
Sister or not, she was a hunter rivaling S-rank.
Tae Su-young knew her terror better as a fellow hunter. Her face paled under the pressure—
"Enough fighting. What is this on Father's birthday?"
"Oppa? But she—"
"Hey! How long you gonna act like a kid, Su-young? I said behave today."
Tae family eldest son Tae Su-cheol—civilian, but crushed hunter Tae Su-young with sheer presence.
The industry called him fitting son of "Tiger" Tae Jin-seong.
Even at 50+, with 70+ Tae Jin-seong still at the helm, his spotlight delayed.
Yet Tae Su-cheol served contentedly, low-key.
'That's what makes him scarier. Even hunter Su-young can't move.'
Under her much-older brother's gaze, Joo Se-ah scratched her head.
"Didn't know it was Father's birthday. Would've dressed up."
"You look a mess. Just hunted a monster?"
"Transport truck flipped on the way. Escaped monster, so I beat it down."
"Go easy on the venting? Monsters look pitiful next to you."
Called out, Joo Se-ah bristled sharper.
Not a welcoming home. Her "siblings" itched to devour her.
Tae Su-cheol—gentleman facade—had pinned her in Taeseong Guild, tying her hands.
Seeing that loathsome face, impulses surged past brotherly ties.
"Whoops, can't tease Korea's strongest hunter more or my head rolls. Change and greet Father?"
"Nah. Don't wanna linger. This'll do."
Green monster fluids splattered on her suit, matching soaked heels, she entered the garden—drawing all eyes.
Famed for skill and looks, Joo Se-ah shifted the dull party's vibe.
Spotlight hers—even eclipsing Tae Jin-seong momentarily.
"You're here? Grab a bite."
The old man's clear voice commanded the hall.
Joo Se-ah approached Tae Jin-seong, bowing.
"Happy birthday, Father."
"Mm."
"No gift."
"Don't want any."
"Fund the guild, please."
"Always guild talk? Handle it with your brother."
"Talks forever, no funds."
"Your skill's lacking. Persuasion's a skill too."
"Only convince with fists."
Raising her fist, Tae Jin-seong groaned, clutching his forehead.
"How'll you marry like that? Tsk! Fine. Change your surname, get support."
"Wasn't that settled?"
"How long cling to your dead mom's name? Enough tantrums. Join the family register."
"Guessing no support. Enjoy dinner."
As she turned to leave, Tae Jin-seong's angry voice halted her.
"Vice guild master quit?"
"You heard?"
Turning back, the crowd held breath at her bluntness to the tiger chairman—even his kids. Only Joo Se-ah faced him head-high.
Music stopped; the hall silent as father-daughter dueled.
"Can't control one trash guild yet boast? Monsters you slay fine, but organizations need more than brute force."
"Without my stellar siblings' sabotage, wouldn't be this tight."
"Lack skill? Bow head, accept. Stiff necks snap easy."
"Sorry, I'm tough. Man or monster, can't break me."
"That backtalk. Learned only bad from Jang Deok-gu."
"Taught more than Father. Grateful always."
Tae Jin-seong's face hardened—cold, emotionless. Joo Se-ah knew it well; mirrored her own when furious.
Unable to bend her stubbornness, he warned.
"Six months. Normalize the guild by then. Or disband it."
"Sudden notice like—"
"Year almost up. Gave plenty time. Quit hunter play, join HQ."
"Quit hunting?"
"Tae daughter swinging swords forever? Can't snag a proper vice guild master? Won't pour into a leaky jar forever."
"......"
Joo Se-ah scrambled for a retort. But spot-on words left none.
Then—
One resume received.
'Huh? Resume?'
The first in half a year on the silent hiring post.