Hunter Center Trouble 03: Yeonwoo's Stealthy, Greedy Prowl Begins

Yeonwoo's stealthy and avaricious creeping began. The base was an iron sword. Keeping it pressed against her body for cover, she slinked along the display racks. Next came the iron mace, with the trait Low-Grade Destructive Power that amplified impacts. Then the iron greatsword with Low-Grade Heaviness, which added substantial weight. The iron dagger with Low-Grade Sharpness. The iron bow with Low-Grade Acceleration. And finally, the iron staff. Unlike the others, its trait was Mana Lv.1.

But mana was a realm even the old Yeonwoo had never truly felt.

'You need a fitting Stigma for ordinary gear.'

For example, hunters with fire-related Stigmas saw their gear's output change based on its mana level. Naturally, it was beyond reach for Yeonwoo, whose Stigma was Weapon Expert.

Of course, variables existed. Rare magic sword gear sometimes had both physical and mana traits. Or weapons infused with magic like lightning or fire allowed mana use.

'Now I can go all in.'

If she gathered and fused those weapons, she could wield mana too.

"Nice."

Yeonwoo gripped the iron sword in satisfaction. She'd fused every iron weapon the program offered, so no need to hide anymore.

Thanks to that, a terrifying iron sword was born. Her body itched to swing it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right away.

'Should I?'

Jeong Eunhye's gaze nagged at her, but she wasn't planning to hide forever.

'Not with this face anyway.'

She still jumped every time she glanced in the mirror. No hiding an appearance like this. And as a hunter, she couldn't afford the hassle.

Yeonwoo approached the practice dummy, sword in hand. Step. Step. No hesitation in her stride.

"Oh, Yeonwoo-ssi. When striking dummies, rather than just brute force, calmly..."

Jeong Eunhye, watching, tried to guide her. Or at least, she tried.

Slash—

But her words cut off short. Yeonwoo's sword sliced the dummy—and her sentence.

"Huh."

Jeong Eunhye let out a deflated sound. Something was off. Of course, it was simple: step forward, swing. But was that easy?

"Yeonwoo-ssi...?"

This was a weapon. A tool for cleaving and killing gate monsters. The simple act of gripping and swinging it for the first time—precisely downward at a target dummy, not even empty air—shouldn't be easy.

Yet the motion flowed like water, fluid and without a hint of hesitation. Jeong Eunhye swore she'd never seen anything like it. Not from any newbie in the support program.

"So this is the feel."

Meanwhile, Yeonwoo was lost in her own world, ignoring Jeong Eunhye. Finally moving her body confirmed it.

'Definitely stronger. Fits perfectly in my hand.'

Of course, it lacked the power of her veteran days. But this body's strength was flexibility. Soft enough for her tongue to touch her elbow, nimble and agile.

This time, she swung consciously maximizing that advantage.

Slash—

One cut. Using the recoil, she twisted her waist and yanked hard.

Slash!

Even greater force smashed the training dummy.

'Good.'

Perfect upgrade. Embarrassingly superior to her past self just starting out. The sensation in her body proved it.

'And any shortcomings? I can fill them anytime.'

Low-grade traits already boosted the weapon's power. More weapons, more options—she could grow endlessly.

Hunters were defined by two absolutes: weapons and Stigmas. Higher-grade weapons had inherently superior performance—not low or high-grade, but unique, unparalleled abilities. Make them hers, and strength would stack without end.

"Whew."

With her conclusion drawn, the forgotten scenery returned. Jeong Eunhye stared wide-eyed, fists clenched tight.

"Y-Yeonwoo-ssi. Um... what is your Stigma...?"

"Ah, my Stigma."

Stigma. Right—one of the essentials for license registration.

"You don't have to reveal it fully! Just prove the type briefly. It's only needed for national disaster emergency drafts."

The reason spilled from Jeong Eunhye's lips. She worried blunt, honest Yeonwoo might just show her status outright. Naturally, Yeonwoo had no intention of spilling everything.

'What to pick.'

She racked her brain. Ideally, something low-profile. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But it had to allow a perfect lie.

'...Oh.'

Then her eyes caught a wooden practice sword piled in the corner.

"Can I take this one?"

"Pardon? Oh, sure. Take as many as you want."

Yeonwoo examined the wooden sword. For deceiving her Stigma.

But an unexpected option appeared. A special option, no less.

Beginner's Resolve

[Growth speed doubles until becoming proficient.]

Unlike simple power boosts, special options were more definitive and potent. Hence, they often had restrictions: high fatigue, mana drain, usage limits.

This practice sword had no grade—meaning unusable against monsters. Purely for training. Double EXP, but no way to earn it.

But.

'I can make it work. I will!'

Yeonwoo picked up the wooden sword. Pretending to store it near her earring, she fused it into her weapon.

Smooth—

The wooden sword melted into her weapon. Power surged within her. In hunter slang, her EXP bar was full, on the verge of leveling.

Special weapons must give more EXP, it seemed.

And brazenly, Beginner's Resolve joined the weapon.

'Insane.'

Sure, conditional until proficiency. But by then, find a Proficient's Resolve or whatever.

An unimaginable harvest. Massive. Yeonwoo's mood soared.

"You like it that much? Want everything in the warehouse?"

Jeong Eunhye beamed at Yeonwoo's smile, reacting at light speed. Almost instinctual.

"Nah, one's enough. For home practice. And..."

Yeonwoo thrust out the iron sword showily.

'Having a form means I can change it.'

Smooth—

The iron sword melted away, morphing into the practice wooden sword. Only the appearance changed; performance stayed the same.

"Switch. Lets me swap without drawing."

"E-eh. Wow. Wooow."

Jeong Eunhye furrowed her brow, then forced obvious fake awe. She couldn't show disdain for a "bad" Stigma to Yeonwoo's face.

Understandable. If Switch was real, it was a garbage Stigma, barely matching Weapon Expert.

"Still! You know!"

But she didn't stop at pity. Brain spinning, she pitied Yeonwoo genuinely—nearly maddeningly. That beautiful, lethal dummy-slicing form lingered. She'd assumed the insane talent came from the Stigma.

But the Stigma was useless Switch. Complicated feelings.

Wait. This talent without a Stigma?

Unable to contain shock, she racked her brain desperately.

"Ah."

She found it. Info most helpful to Yeonwoo—a milestone to fuel her growth. As team leader, she had access to intel ordinary hunters never touched.

But couldn't state it outright.

"It's just a rumor, but..."

She broached carefully.

"Some weapons have special options that boost power instantly on swap."

"Really?"

Great news for Yeonwoo. Her Weapon Stigma included switching, after all. A big help if true.

Jeong Eunhye grinned triumphantly at Yeonwoo's perked ears, basking in the attention.

"But you might need to get stronger first. When you do, I'll track it down for you."

Code for: qualify, and I'll tell you where. She hoped Yeonwoo wouldn't quit, kept pushing. As team leader, yes—but mostly, Yeonwoo was her little hunter.

* * *

Big haul in hand, Yeonwoo followed Jeong Eunhye back to the counter happily. Just adapt her tier, and license done.

Yeonwoo, fresh start, was naturally Bronze. Hunters ranked by strength: Bronze to Silver, Gold, Platinum, then White and Black. Beyond: relative B-SSS ranks, tallied live by feats—unlike absolute colors.

Slang: colors were stickers, ranks numbers.

Just reaching the VIP counter through the hall—

"Hey, Team Leader. Super busy lately? Heard you even lectured at college?"

A slacker voice approached with a man. Sword blatant at his waist—definitely a hunter.

'Idiot.'

Normal hunters didn't carry openly. Not in a gate, anomaly, or event. Showoffs like this? Pushed rookies from big companies.

"Tch."

Jeong Eunhye clicked her tongue softly. Living proof of her hunter bias.

"But Team Leader, I hit Gold now. Can carry it openly, right...?"

The man stopped. Spotting Yeonwoo behind her.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

As if time froze. He halted, staring.

"O. Whoa. Hot damn."

Startled flinch. Then wide eyes, grin.

"Haa."

Jeong Eunhye sighed, subtly shifting to shield Yeonwoo.

"Why the cold shoulder? I'm no criminal. We're family here, bump into each other. Can't I say hi?"

"This is a fresh registrant. Ignore and be on your way."

"Aw, we'll cross paths eventually. Early intro's fine. Good vibes, right, Eunhye Team Leader?"

His flippant tone matched his attitude. Arrogant assumption they'd "get to know" each other—spectacle.

Of course, no woman could fully block, and Yeonwoo wasn't hideable.

"Who knows? Might help in all sorts of ways. Really, all kinds."

Man craned to ogle Yeonwoo.

'Hah. Fucking hell.'

Yeonwoo swallowed curses. Not for him—for manners before kind Jeong Eunhye.

But his blatant gaze, leering up and down, soured her good mood instantly.

'Nice weapon at least. Bet it's Gather Slash.'

Obvious. Sword with gear and cylinder decor: Real Combat Compression No.2.

'What a prick.'

No.2's option: Gather Slash. Power up on attack pose, swing for big damage.

Infamy from use, not performance. Users: big company backed rich kids. Method: hire mercenaries for growth. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Gate in, pose—mercs herd monsters ahead. Then whoosh, big slash.

Blatant boosting. Waist carry? Flex. "I'm hot shit" or "watch this company rookie."

Not cute. Past broke Yeonwoo envied to hatred.

'But.'

Now? Different thoughts.

'Rare grade, right.'

Skipped normal and advanced—true rare weapon.

'Steal it?'

He started the sleazy provocation. Fine justification? Make one.