60. No Place to Go Back To?
Joo Se-ah's eyebrow twitched. It was a clear sign of her displeasure.
"Calling them 'defective' feels a bit off."
"Of course, that's just informal jargon. When you've spent years in strategic roles quantifying and categorizing hunters' abilities like the strategy team leader does, they start looking like products. It's a term that gets tossed around in their private circles. Guild master, you should be aware of these things too."
Joo Se-ah nearly blurted out a reflexive question. Were you one of them? It would have been rude, but thankfully, she held it back. Kang Moo-hyuk probably wouldn't have taken offense anyway.
She pulled her wandering thoughts back on track and asked,
"So, what are these... defects, then?"
"They vary. Hunters whose styles don't mesh well in hunts, perennial prospects who never quite break through, those with rocky relationships in their parties, problem children obsessed with money or tangled in gambling debts, hotheads who pick fights with other guilds at the drop of a hat, addicts hooked on drugs—the list goes on. They're the headaches every guild wants to offload. Made it easy to recruit them as long as the terms were right."
"Hold on. Did I hear that right? Drug addiction? That's not in the files."
"It's nothing major. Not narcotics or anything. Bit hard to explain simply, but basically, it's potion addiction."
"That doesn't sound like 'nothing.' It means their combat output doesn't match their stats."
As Joo Se-ah pressed, Kang Moo-hyuk sidestepped without further explanation.
"There are a few other cases... but I'll fill you in later."
"Wait, that's even weirder. Why can't you tell me now? You're doing this on purpose."
"That's why I left it out of the files. Personal issues just breed preconceptions."
Joo Se-ah planted her hands on her hips, let out a hollow laugh, and shook her head.
Even with full authority delegated, sweat was already beading on her forehead from the get-go. She dreaded whatever else lurked behind this.
"Ha? Good thing I didn't push. Might've started suspecting something worse than preconceptions."
"Suspecting?"
"Like spies sent to tank the guild."
"As I mentioned before, pretending to be attached to the chairman and his sons was just to—"
"I know, I know. Not that. I was joking... Sigh. Never mind. Can't even joke around."
Ever since his mana addiction manifested, Kang Moo-hyuk had grown numb to personal emotions and human connections. In compensation, he'd honed his ability to read intentions from subtle cues in behavior and expressions.
He instantly grasped Joo Se-ah's concern.
"They're not without risks, but no need to worry. Used right, they'll generate massive synergy."
"Obviously. They're the hunters you scouted. Still, as guild master, I can't help but worry. Nothing's ever 100%. Potential aside, if every guild washed their hands of them, there must be reasons. This recruitment strategy screams high failure rate."
"That's the right mindset. Even with full authority, you must always stay vigilant and prepared. But I'm quite optimistic. I think we can build the guild I envisioned."
"What kind?"
"Too early to say. We've barely buttoned the first one."
"Then give me a hint."
Kang Moo-hyuk pondered briefly before speaking.
"These hunters may seem wildcards, but they share one key trait."
"What's that?"
"Clear motivation."
"What kind?"
"That's—"
As Kang Moo-hyuk opened his mouth to answer, the metallic clack of heels striking the floor echoed. The crisp rhythm matched the approaching footsteps.
Turning toward the sound, they spotted the familiar face waiting.
Joo Se-ah greeted her warmly.
"Welcome, Hunter Lee Jin-joo. Rough trip getting here?"
"Not bad. Spotting mobs frolicking in the fields on the commute was a nice change."
Kang Moo-hyuk's gaze lingered on her hairstyle.
Long, straight black hair had become a sharp dark blue bob.
A stark change from their last meeting.
Noticing his look, Lee Jin-joo smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, this? Figured it's time to work on my image. Gotta brand myself now if I don't want to get dismissed later."
Kang Moo-hyuk nodded at her words.
Lee Jin-joo's makeover wasn't just cosmetic.
Her "branding" referred to the nicknames others gave hunters.
Take Joo Se-ah: "Indomitable Witch," "Magic Killer."
A hunter's epithet stemmed from skills and combat style, but looks played a big role too.
A striking appearance could make you a joke—or, backed by skill, a powerful marketing tool.
"Smart move. An expedition leader needs a memorable moniker to stand out. Is that hair color tied to your skill? The Azure Flame?"
"Don't you remember? This branding style—you planned it for me back then."
"Me?"
Kang Moo-hyuk racked his brain.
If he'd advised her, it must've been during his hunting coordinator days.
Analyzing hunt types, skills, stats to craft optimal styles and training regimens.
If I made a plan, it was then. Why can't I recall?
Puzzled by the gap in his exceptional memory, Lee Jin-joo clarified.
"You said it half-jokingly in passing, of course."
Brushing off Kang Moo-hyuk's blank look, she turned to Joo Se-ah.
"Guild master, mind if I handle intros for the newbies?"
"You'll be forming the next expedition team from them anyway. Go ahead. Coming fully geared like that, looks like you're set to snag talent right away."
Lee Jin-joo grinned bashfully. As Joo Se-ah noted, she was raid-ready: boots reinforced with metal soles and heels, armor from tanned monster hide, a cloak etched with elemental resistance runes.
Especially eye-catching was the longsword at her waist, studded with gems.
Expedition vets always have top-tier custom gear. Budget's gonna take a hit outfitting everyone properly.
As Kang Moo-hyuk fretted over guild finances for the expedition launch,
"Aigoo. Wonder why I'm putting up with this."
Park, a livestock farmer in Nampocheon, dragged his aching body out at dawn.
After Pocheon split in two, his entire fortune was tied up in the barns, trapping him despite wanting to flee.
Had they been in North Pocheon, the special activity zone, he'd have left without regret. But with the barns in the south, he stayed, clinging to his livelihood.
In the pre-dawn gloom, Park checked the barns, stretched his back, and exhaled into the chill air.
Kuhuu! Kuhuk!
"Huh? What's that noise?"
Suddenly, hot breath grazed his back. Assuming it was a cow, he turned—
Kuhu~ Kuhu~ Kuhuu!
Staring down at him was a massive bulk. He nearly pissed himself.
Dark purplish skin, over two meters tall, flat nose, mouth agape with saw-like molars.
Park didn't know this was an orc.
Not even in his final moment.
Unable to close his eyes, his bisected corpse torn by orc teeth, the monster cackled grotesquely in glee.
Beside it, another chased crying cattle, cleaving them with an enormous axe.
Starved orcs feasting like it was a party.
A dark cloud had settled over Nampocheon, unseen before.