The saying “there’s no order in going” is widely used in the hunter world as well.
Regardless of their rank, hunters are always close to death.
Therefore, the contract fees for hunters were generally quite low compared to their annual salary.
In fact, for A-rank hunters, the contract fee was fixed at 20 billion.
Even if their years of service differed, the contract fee was usually the same. It’s practically collusion.
However, no one expressed any dissatisfaction.
Considering the astronomical salaries they received.
Moreover, it was a gesture of consideration towards guilds that might not even break even and could lose their contract fees.
Of course, there were occasional exceptions.
“There’s a hunter who received a contract fee of 50 billion. Of course, they’re also A-rank like me.”
The protagonist of the just mentioned 50 billion contract fee was undoubtedly Cheolwon Guild’s rightful successor, Park Won.
There was undoubtedly a clear reason why he received a contract fee of 50 billion. And among those gathered here, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know why. Well, except for one.
“Hyung, that person’s case is a bit different. The guild representative who paid the contract fee is that person’s father. You understand the situation, right? And usually, the contract fee for A-rank hunters is 20 billion….”
Jong-pal explained the reason to his brother, who didn’t seem to understand the world’s affairs. He also added some information about the contract fee for A-rank hunters.
“Oh? Well, I was trying to get twice that amount. But I guess there’s no helping it.”
Upon hearing this, Jong-sik showed a hint of regret.
On the other hand, the officials nodded reassuringly and began to strategize.
‘Let’s negotiate around 25 billion, considering dungeon profits.’
’28 billion is the maximum. Since there seems to be a special family bond, let’s target that.’
‘He likes money, so he’ll definitely come to our side. We’ll need to consider the prize money….’
As everyone was thinking along these lines,
Jong-sik spoke up again unexpectedly.
“Well then, I’ll just take around 40 billion.”
An unexpected response.
Surely, didn’t he just say it couldn’t be helped? And now he’s asking for 40 billion!
They couldn’t help but furrow their brows.
“…”
“Hehe. This is quite something.”
“Isn’t 40 billion a bit too much? How about we discuss the dungeon profit structure instead?”
Someone tried to intervene with a shotgun in hand, but it was futile. Yoon Song-ah from Daehan Guild had already ignited the flames of the contract fee competition.
“Thank you for setting the starting price. Daehan Guild will take 40 billion and welcome you with 41 billion. How will you respond?”
“It’s a shame. Well, if there’s no other choice, we’ll head over there.”
Yoon Song-ah smiled and presented the contract fee, while Jong-sik shrugged his shoulders.
The situation unfolded where they could hardly get a word in edgewise and might end up being swindled.
Eventually, they all jumped into an absurd contract fee competition.
Of course, some left their seats. They were small to medium-sized guild officials with insufficient funds. Still, there were far more people holding their ground.
“42 billion.”
A burly man with a bear-like appearance extended his index and middle fingers and shook them. Yoon Song-ah fiercely responded without batting an eye.
“43 billion!”
“Oh, pushing it, aren’t we?”
“My, isn’t this a bit much? We haven’t even started yet.”
The bear and the fox began a fierce showdown.
Then, a new figure appeared.
It was the man who had proposed the negotiation with the dungeon profit structure earlier.
“Runner Guild offers 43 billion 1,000.”
“Daedae Guild also participates. 43 billion 2,000.”
“44 billion!”
“45 billion and 6.”
And so, an unexpected melee broke out over Jong-sik.
The contract fee, which started at 40 billion, had now reached close to 50 billion.
At that moment, a burly man, resembling a bear, smirked and delivered a decisive blow.
“Let’s end the game here. 50 billion.”
Upon hearing this, the Runner Guild seemed to concede as they rose from their seats, and Yoon Song-ah glared at the bear-like man, biting her lip as she shouted,
“Wait, wait a moment!”
“Challenges are always welcome. Our guild not only avoids the approaching fights but also enjoys them. Haha. Oh, if you’re going to call the higher-ups, it’s better to do it on speakerphone. We won’t stop, so you’ll need to continue processing payments, won’t you?”
Yoon Song-ah’s face turned as red as an apple. That was when it happened.
“Woonghon Guild? Hyung! That’s absolutely not allowed!”
An unexpected situation unfolded. Jong-pal, who had been silently observing, urgently intervened to stop Jong-sik.
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“That’s a famous martial arts guild. No matter how much money you offer, you absolutely can’t go there! I’m begging you…!”
Even if he offered millions, or even billions, he didn’t want his brother to join a martial arts guild. Frankly, he was already anxious about his brother being a hunter, let alone a martial arts hunter. Just the thought of it was unbearable.
“What’s with the begging? Did I bring you here to say such things?”
Jong-sik smirked as he looked at the bear. The man’s face noticeably darkened. He must have realized that the situation had changed.
“Haha. It seems your brother has misunderstood something. In fact, martial arts are a healthy sport… ”
“But what about this? I’m not mentally strong enough to hit people or fight together. I’m sorry. Let’s start again from 46 billion.”
“Hmm.”
Jong-sik’s firm refusal made the man swallow his pride. On the other hand, Yoon Song-ah hesitated. With a brief pause, the overheated atmosphere suddenly cooled down. Everyone seemed to give up. With that, she greeted Jong-sik with a relieved smile.
“….”
“It seems there’s nothing more to do. Mr. Dok jong-sik, please contract with our Daehan. I knew this might happen, so I brought all the contracts with me.”
However, that smile didn’t last even a second.
“It’s here? I’ve been here all along. I just didn’t want to strain my voice by speaking too much, so I waited.”
Someone had appeared to put an end to the competition.
“Ah, and the raised price shouldn’t be lowered. Our Healing Guild will accept 50 billion plus an additional 10 billion, making it 60 billion in total. Mr. Jong-sik, would a contract fee of 60 billion be sufficient?”
Even calling out 46 billion was a stretch. But 60 billion? Yoon Song-ah had a sinking feeling that the contract was slipping away and hesitated, sinking into her seat.
Meanwhile, Jong-pal looked at his brother, Jong-sik.
While the principal was composed, it was his younger brother who seemed flustered. Jong-pal nodded subtly, prompting his brother to respond.
“It’s a good guild.”
The representative from the Healing Guild, upon hearing his words, spoke with a gentle tone.
“Thank you for saying so. Then, Jong-sik, would it be okay for us to think that you’re contracting with our Healing Guild?”
“If it’s 60 billion, we should sign the contract. Let’s do it. Contract.”
And so, Dok Jong-sik was able to receive an unprecedented contract fee of 60 billion.
***
In the kitchen, Yeona, who had put rice in the iron pot, glanced at the clock on the wall. The clock’s hands pointed to twelve.
“I said I’d arrive around 1 o’clock, so I should hurry!”
Put a slit in the chicken and blanch it in boiling water.
Cut the vegetables into attractive shapes.
Mix in plenty of soy sauce, red pepper powder, garlic, mirin, gochujang, and black pepper to make the seasoning.
★★★ The secret is to add curry powder ★★★
Stir-fry the blanched chicken with the seasoning, then simmer it for a while.
Finally, add sliced green onions, and it’s done!
It had been a long time since she tried making chicken stew, so Yeona busily moved her hands while consulting her recipe notebook.
Then, something occurred to her. She wiped her wet hands and dashed into the room. A moment later, she emerged from the room with a black pen in her hand.
“You’re particularly fond of potatoes, aren’t you?”
Thinking of Jong-sik, who energetically ate potato stir-fry, Yeona scribbled in her recipe notebook.
★ Add plenty of potatoes. Dad likes vegetables. ★
With even an underlining added to her satisfaction, Yeona grinned broadly as she raised the knife.
Soon enough, the spicy aroma mixed with the scent of freshly cooked rice began to waft through the narrow kitchen. Yeona licked her lips and checked the time.
12:40.
There were still 20 minutes left before her dads would arrive.
It was an awkward time for watching TV or cleaning.
“Hmm.”
Indeed, when things were uncertain like this, organizing the household finances was the best option.
Yeona turned down the gas and retrieved the household account book she had placed in the top cabinet of the sink.
It had been a year since she took over the household finances in place of Jong-pal, who was busy with Hunter duties.
Despite her young age, Yeona was quite meticulous in managing money.
To reduce the portion of living expenses that subtly took up a significant portion, she rented a small plot of land to grow ingredients herself.
And for rent, she volunteered to clean the building, reducing the cost.
Of course, it was only a small amount of money, barely a hundred thousand won a month, but who knows? Even specks of dust can accumulate into a fortune.
Skillfully tapping away on her phone calculator, Yeona organized the household accounts. It wasn’t long before a bright smile spread across her face.
3,000,000 won
“Wow, there’s a lot left, huh? Hehe. Maybe I can start saving from next month.”
The three million won left was all thanks to Uncle’s generosity.
She didn’t have to pay the hefty fee for the Information Guild anymore. Worried, she had been paying a monthly fee to use the Information Guild’s services, unaware that Jong-sik was in a completely different dimension.
“Oh, wait. Rather than saving, I should buy Uncle some new clothes, right?”
Just then, a familiar voice came from beyond the front door.
“Wow, the smell is killing me.”
“Yeona, I’m starving. Let’s get inside quickly.”
Yeona swiftly closed the household account book spread out on the dining table and promptly brought the chicken stew to the table.
Soon, the sound of the door opening was accompanied by,
“Ta-da!”
It was Yeona, lifting the lid of the pot to reveal its contents.
***
The weekend flew by like an arrow, and Monday arrived.
During that time, Jong-pal submitted his resignation to the guild he had been working for, and Jong-sik was able to obtain his bank account and hunter license.
And now, it was Monday.
Jong-sik, Yeona, and Jong-pal were in the bustling center of Seoul, filled with large guilds. Their destination was the headquarters of the Healing Guild, where they had made a contract three days ago.
Yeona looked around with wide eyes, impressed by the scenery so different from Incheon.
“Wow, it’s so tall. Just like I saw on TV.”
Wherever you looked, buildings were grand, and the streets were clean.
Come to think of it, the attire of the people passing by seemed quite different as well.
Just then, Jong-pal stopped in his tracks.
“Here’s the Healing Guild. It’s my first time coming in like this…”
A building made of transparent minerals.
This was the Healing Guild headquarters.
Jong-sik also stopped in front of it, scanning the outer walls of the building.
The guild’s name was engraved on the top of the building: Healing(治癒).
“Yeah, it’s written there. Healing.”
Jong-sik spoke with an indifferent expression.
“Wow, you can see that? Dad’s eyesight is amazing.”
Yeona raised her thumb. Meanwhile, Jong-pal tensed up, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the building.
‘Just go in. This isn’t a tourist attraction.’
Even the guard inside the building noticed their demeanor. He frowned slightly as he watched Jong-sik’s group.
