In the late afternoon, the place where the team members who had finished their personal maintenance went to Incheon Bupyeong.
In front of the entrance to Underground Cave No. 1 in Incheon Bupyeong.
Initially built with the concept of an air-raid shelter, it later became densely populated with various commercial shops such as clothing stores.
Although it was a place with a complex structure and dozens of exits, it had long since become a thing of the past.
Now, it was just a habitat for ants.
In front of such a habitat, numerous people had gathered. They were hunters gathered under the guise of providing livelihood support organized by the Hunter Association.
“Wow. There are really a lot of people here.”
Seo sunhwa looked around with surprised eyes. Contrary to her words, quite a few people had gathered in front of the entrance to the underground cave.
Including the Healing Guild, there were a total of ten teams, totaling over fifty people. If you included laborers like porters, the number would easily exceed a hundred.
Then, Baek Hodam cast a spell.
“Ah, this is nothing. Back in my day, when a pest control operation was called, over a hundred teams would gather. It was really fun back then. Trying to pick up artifacts spat out by Red Ants from all over the country….”
But before he could finish speaking, a representative from the association drew attention with a loud voice.
“Hello. I’m Park Seung-ha, in charge of this ant extermination operation. Hmm. There are some familiar faces and many new ones here. Now, let’s briefly brief and start the operation. Please distribute the papers and cards.”
The association’s assistants moved briskly in accordance with the representative’s words. Jong-sik quickly scanned the paper he received. It was labeled as Zone G, Exit 5.
“Did everyone receive the paper?”
“Yes!”
“If you look at it, it indicates the areas allocated to each guild. You just need to exterminate the creatures inhabiting the designated areas. I would like to emphasize two points here. First, please conduct pest control in the assigned areas without getting involved in disputes. And secondly, please be aware that the belongings of the creatures you exterminate belong entirely to our association. Just keep these two things in mind. Any questions?”
A man standing not far from where the representative finished speaking raised his hand.
“This is the Sejong Guild. I’m curious about which exit Red Ants are inhabiting.”
“Red Ants are difficult for us to pinpoint accurately as well. So far, they have shown themselves most often at Exit 13, but since they are constantly moving creatures, you can think that they can come out from any area.”
“Hmm… Seems like a game of chance.”
The man clicked his tongue, expressing his disappointment.
Meanwhile, Jong-sik looked at Pyeong-ari and asked, “If it belongs to the association…. Does that mean we can’t take the spoils even if we catch the ants?”
“Yes. Unfortunately. The bodily fluids and antennae of ants play a crucial role in making gate detection machines. That’s why they are being kept and bred like that.”
Jong-sik wore a troubled expression. It was because finely crushed ant exoskeletons were perfect for use as fertilizer.
“Hmm.”
Pyong-ari quickly interpreted that expression differently and continued, “Instead, all other resources belong to us. As you know, there are quite useful things in their habitats. They even cultivate crops themselves. Plus, you might get lucky and obtain an artifact.”
Indeed, those creatures are quite adept at farming. Didn’t we witness it firsthand on the Eldar Continent? They even used trained creatures as laborers on large farms. Jong-sik silently recalled old memories.
“It’s their breeding season. If we don’t carry out pest control now, their numbers will increase exponentially, and eventually, ordinary residential areas may suffer. Please do your best, considering that in the worst-case scenario, your families and neighbors may be at risk. Now, assuming there are no further questions, please move to your respective positions.”
In the meantime, the association staff member finished the briefing. As his words ended, one by one, people showed busy movements as they moved to their assigned zones.
The Healing Guild, to which Jong-sik belonged, was no exception.
“Team Leader Dok. Where is our zone?”
Seo sunhwa glanced at the paper in Jong-sik’s hand and asked, to which Jong-sik promptly replied, “It’s labeled as Zone G, Exit 5. The way to get there is…”
Jong-sik squinted as he looked at the paper. It showed a not very helpful map. Seeing this, Baek Hodam volunteered to guide them.
“If it’s Exit 5, it’s not too far. Can I guide you?”
“Of course.”
His experience from several pest control operations came to light. Baek Hodam took the lead and guided the team members. That’s when someone stopped the moving group led by Jong-sik.
“Wow, Baek Hodam, I can see everything from here. Or should I start calling you Team Leader Baek Hodam now?”
***
“Tanker, Baek Hodam turned his head. It was a very familiar voice. Sure enough, it was a face he knew well.
“Hey guys, what’s going on? You should greet the team leader first.”
Bae Sin-ho, a former guild employee and his direct subordinate until recently. Upon his words, the others standing behind him awkwardly pretended to acknowledge.
“Hello, Team Leader Baek.”
“Team Leader Baek? Who’s calling me that? Who appointed these guys as team leaders?”
The man narrowed his eyes and squinted. Baek Hodam opened his mouth to respond.
“Why are you picking a fight unnecessarily when we meet casually? Why stir up trouble?”
“Huh, wow. You’re quite sensitive. When did I pick a fight? And did I say something wrong? Oh, why do you always have to be like that? If you don’t like it, I can just call you ‘Team Leader Baek.'”
The reason Bae Sin-ho picked a fight with Baek Hodam was simple. It was due to his inferiority complex towards Baek Hodam. And Baek Hodam, who was well aware of it, couldn’t care less about squabbling with such a guy.
“If you wanted to be called a team leader, then act accordingly. Don’t mess around in front of the others for no reason.”
With that, Baek Hodam turned away. Then, addressing his team members who were watching the situation unfold, he said:
“Sorry for the delay because of me meeting an acquaintance unexpectedly.”
Although he referred to the person as an acquaintance, he was far from being welcomed. However, the team members remained indifferent to the situation.
At least until the words were heard.
“Act accordingly? You’re demonstrating it well by bowing down. We treated you as a team leader on our side, what’s so special about going somewhere else? You guys better watch yourselves too. It’s not easy once you leave home.”
Once again, a mocking voice came from behind. Jong-sik turned his head with an indifferent expression. At the same time, Seo Sunhwa raised her voice.
“What’s with that annoying looking guy? That’s our Tanker’s uncle, right?”
“Miss Seo Sunhwa, I hear you.”
“I told you to listen!”
“…Keep your voice down. If you need help, you’ll ask for it.”
“Like Seo Sang-ho said, Baek Hodam is not a child. Baek Hodam gestured at Seo Sunhwa, indicating that he would handle it himself.
“I’m sorry, I’ll resolve it quickly and be back.”
Baek Hodam, after seeking understanding from his team members, approached Bae Sin-ho directly.
“Sin-ho, do you think you’ll gain any respect just by targeting me? Building a team leader’s reputation isn’t done like that. I came back to tell you that. Even though you were under my command, I still think it’s necessary to remind you.”
“What are you saying? Mr. Baek Hodam, excuse me. Don’t pretend to be in front of me. I’ve heard about your contract work. Ha-ha.”
“Huh, even a frog in a well would be better than you… There’s probably a news article out by now. A team that made a profit of 10 billion won from a C-rank dungeon. Sin-ho, do you think you’ll ever be on such a team in your life?”
It was truly a case of being emboldened by others’ power. Baek Hodam borrowed Jong-sik’s authority.
“Ten billion won profit from a C-rank dungeon? You must be joking. You should’ve done more research before talking. If you’re so slow to catch up, do you think you can hold onto your team leader position, gained through betrayal? Once you leave home, it’s nothing but trouble, so you better stick around. Got it?”
Baek Hodam tapped the man’s shoulder. It’s a give-and-take situation. Bae Sin-ho’s face turned red and blue. Why wouldn’t it? He had become someone who couldn’t wield the power he thought he could.
Moreover, judging by his confident demeanor, it was probably not a lie. If that team is so great…
Suddenly, he met eyes with a woman staring at him. Is that what it means to curse with your eyes? Bae Sin-ho chewed his lip and averted his gaze.
“Let’s not pretend to know each other even if we coincidentally meet in the future. Let’s not hold each other back when we’re busy.”
With that, Baek Hodam returned to his team members.
“So, what did you say to Tanker Uncle? What did you say to make him look like that?”
Seo Sunhwa bombarded Baek Hodam with questions upon his return.
Baek Hodam scratched his chin and replied, “Ha-ha. It’s embarrassing, but I acted like a fox.”
“Huh? Acting like a fox? What does that mean?”
“Well done.”
Seo Sunhwa exclaimed with wide eyes, and Jong-sik responded as if he understood what she meant. Baek Hodam responded with a wry smile to Jong-sik’s answer.
“Let’s get back on track then.”
“Yes.”
Their conversation continued as they made their way to their destination.
“…So that’s why it happened.”
“Huh, so Tanker Uncle felt bad because he couldn’t become a team leader?”
“Being older and a tanker, I probably hurt his pride as a dealer by becoming a team leader with just one experience. I didn’t expect it to be that bad though…”
“He’s a prime example of being pathetic. But why did Tanker Uncle move to our side after being a team leader?”
“Ha-ha-ha. There’s no specific reason.”
“Lie. Who quits a regular position without any reason? What’s the reason?”
“If you’re curious, it’ll cost you five hundred won.”
“Wow.”
Jong-sik listened silently, while Seo Sunhwa kept talking incessantly. In reality, it was a conversation between Seo Sunhwa and Baek Hodam. How long did it take? Eventually, they arrived at Exit 5.
“Now it’s really time to work. Seo sunhwa, make sure you carry us today too.”
Baek Hodam, finally finishing the small talk, opened his mouth and looked at Jong-sik.
“Team Leader Dok, this is Exit 5, right? Did you receive the card?”
Jong-sik nodded.
“This one?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Now, all that’s left is to go in. Just open the window below. Should I take the lead?”
“No, we’re all here now. Well, from here, I’ll take the lead.”
Underneath the half-destroyed entrance stairs, a huge barred gate was visible. Jong-sik stepped forward without hesitation.
