“If you’re just here because of Director Cha Yerin’s recommendation, it’s probably because you got Director Cha’s interest. Honestly, if it had been a recommendation from someone else, even if it was an unregistered hunter, Jongwoo might not have treated you that badly.”
Following Sua, Yunghoon also had a tone full of hostility towards Jongwoo.
They are in the same support and affiliation, but it might seem odd if they didn’t behave like that.
When Jeonghyun showed interest as if asking what Jongwoo was saying, Yunghoon became excited and started talking.
“Jongwoo feels extremely inferior to Director Cha but he also likes her appearance. He always says he’s slow to join but gets promoted quickly. Does that make sense? He is just a C-rank but he is acting like he was better than A-rank. And it’s not like he climbed up fairly. After all, he’s the son of the Association’s President.”
It’s quite a shocking revelation.
At this level, isn’t it not just inferiority complex but rather a level where one should suspect mental illness?
It cannot be denied that Yerin’s appearance is beautiful.
But there’s a skill that can’t be compared with that.
Jeonghyun hadn’t seen it directly, but even the achievements that were revealed externally could serve as evidence.
Since the Association has a conservative atmosphere, she is only staying as a Director there. If she had entered a guild that prioritizes skills, she would have already been given a significant position.
“And on top of that, the president’s son? There must have been a reason why everyone was just watching.”
Jeonghyun realized the atmosphere where Jongwoo was leaving unchallenged and no one was trying to stop it.
Life doesn’t always go the way you want, no matter how careful you are.
How can you prevent crazy people from having seizures when they see normal people?
It’s like being struck by lightning on a clear day.
Especially if it’s being dragged behind, it could truly be a natural disaster.
Anyway, Jeonghyun understood the public situation well enough.
Moreover, none of the party members seemed to particularly like Jongwoo.
Even Kim Yunghoon , who belonged to a different team, kept nodding continuously, indicating it wasn’t just an internal matter of support.
“Cha Yerin… No wonder she readily agreed to help. She’s pushing me into this place?”
And his anger towards Yerin grew even stronger.
But those who couldn’t read Jeonghyun’s inner thoughts casually changed the subject.
“Were you guys having a good conversation? Well, it might have felt awkward with Jeonghyun around. Anyway, let’s go in now.”
At that moment, whether he had finished smoking or not, Jongwoo opened the door and entered.
People naturally returned to their positions as if it were true that they were told to ignore Jeonghyun.
‘But every time I see him, does his title drop by one level?’
Meanwhile, Jongwoo was calling Jeonghyun by name without any honorifics.
In Jeonghyun’s eyes looking at Jongwoo, sparks ignited.
Even though he could have overlooked it as a playful gesture last time, this time, Jongwoo had crossed a line.
When their eyes met by chance, Jongwoo took a step back in surprise.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“Why are you like this, Manager?”
As others looked at them in confusion, Jeonghyun immediately locked eyes with him.
Ultimately, Jongwoo seemed to be the only one surprised by his firm stance.
‘You want me to play around? Okay, let’s see how long you can play.’
Jeonghyun was determined to play along with Jongwoo’s words this time.
***
“The Ruined Campsite of the Tandan Orcs” was set against the backdrop of a ruined campsite, just as the name suggests.
Even though the tents erected by the orcs were pitiful, to say the least.
Seeing even those tents broken and burning in places made it feel like watching the final scene of a war movie.
“Wow…”
And Yunghoon, a hunter with little experience, exclaimed in admiration at the sight.
It’s said that novice hunters usually feel like they’re in a movie when they see the scenery beyond the gate.
‘Come to think of it, I was like that too.’
The first gate Jeonghyun entered was “Gathering of Withered Souls”.
The dark corridors of stone structures amidst thunder were reminiscent of a movie set.
Although the genre was a bit different from now.
“How many dungeon did you enter?”
As Jeonghyun asked, Yunghoon smiled proudly and replied.
“Ah, this is actually my third time. Jeonghyun must have a lot of experience, right?”
“Well… It’s similar for me.”
“Ah, if it’s thanks to Director Cha Yerin’s recommendation, you must be a veteran. Isn’t Director Cha amazing?”
“Not really.”
It was an opinion that Jeonghyun, as himself, could not agree with under any circumstances.
Even though he showed a firm boundary, Yunghoon smiled faintly.
Perhaps because they were really close, he thought he could say such things.
It was an attitude that couldn’t even dream of Jeonghyun’s sincerity.
‘Anyway, I’m making real progress in leveling up.’
Even though he had just reached Level 3, after all, Level 3 was Level 3.
In comparison, wasn’t this only Jeonghyun’s sixth hunt?
The higher the grade of attributes, the faster the skill level increases, but even considering that, it was too fast.
‘Is the ‘EX’ rank much higher than I thought?’
If there were statistics for S-rank hunters, it might be easier to predict, but all the relevant information is classified.
Not only the speed of leveling up, but even what attributes exist have not been properly revealed.
It wasn’t strange to think about it, considering that Yerin, who is A-rank, also has her information heavily controlled as she holds a public position.
Of course, it wasn’t surprising that Jeonghyun’s thoughts overflowed with resentment, considering the hardships he had endured so far.
“How did you get to know Director Cha?”
“Uh… well, naturally through work?”
It was quite a tricky question to answer.
He couldn’t possibly say he was the one who caught ‘The Mask.’
No wonderYunghoon seemed like a friendly person but also quite talkative.
“I don’t like unnecessary trouble.”
However, he seemed to admire it in his own way.
“As expected… Was there a reason you didn’t register?”
“…Excuse me?”
“It’s okay. I’m the type who really keeps secrets thoroughly. Anyway, it’s really cool.”
Hey, you. What exactly are you thinking?
Jeonghyun desperately wanted to ask this, but he decided to endure it.
Judging by his expression, Jeonghyun seemed to think he was some kind of secret agent.
Well, sometimes mistakes happen, right?
“I also want to get close to Director Cha. She’s so pretty, and…”
Yunghoon had been muttering to himself since earlier.
As Jeonghyun stared at his expression, he was momentarily shocked by a thought that crossed his mind.
“Oh, by any chance, do you like Director Cha Yerin?”
“Oh my, how could you say that? She’s such an amazing person.”
As he said this, Yunghoon’s face blushed slightly.
This had to be stopped!
It was a senior’s duty to rescue the life of a young man who seemed to be on the verge of ruining his life.
Even though it seemed like a devilish grip of Cha Yerin, he couldn’t let this innocent young man fall prey to it.
“No, Yunghoon, about Director Cha, I think-”
However, before Jeonghyun could finish his solemn warning, Jongwoo’s voice intruded without any regard.
“Why do you keep muttering in front of me? Everyone, keep your positions! Yunghoon, what did I say?”
“Uh… I’m sorry, Manager.”
Despite probably being instructed to keep their distance, it seemed he didn’t want them to converse. Yunghoon obediently went back to his position at Jongwoo’s command.
‘Cha Yerin, you just ruined that young man’s life!’
Jeonghyun’s gaze became incredibly stern, unlike before.
“Hey, why do you keep staring at me like that? Hurry up and come back here!”
Even though Jongwoo had done something terrible, it wasn’t something that could be fought among hunters.
With a resentful expression, Jeonghyun retreated to where Jongwoo was.
Jongwoo seemed quite surprised by Jeonghyun’s sudden change, which had been obedient until now.
And then,
“Three orcs approaching from the 3 o’clock direction.”
Sensing their approach, Jeonghyun’s instincts were alerted.
It was obvious what they were approaching from the gate where only orcs appeared.
Moreover, their aggressive demeanor erased any doubt from Jeonghyun’s mind.
“So soon? It’s a bit early.”
Jongwoo chuckled.
Regardless of what his subordinates thought, he was the leader of this party.
In such a situation, it was natural to issue combat instructions already, but he showed no signs of tension.
However, it seemed nothing out of the ordinary to him, as the party members began preparing for battle on their own.
The first thing to do was to change the formation that had been set up based on the 12 o’clock direction.
As the vanguard quickly moved to the 3 o’clock position, passing by,
“Your instincts are really better than I thought.”
Sua said with a slightly surprised expression.
Her attribute was ‘Physical Enhancement’ at D-rank.
It was one level higher than what Jeonghyun had, Physical Ability Slight Enhancement.
With just that, she could perform the role of a vanguard in a party of similar rank.
It was no wonder she was surprised since she noticed the orcs’ approach before Jeonghyun, despite him having several agility-related attributes in addition to his physical abilities.
Anyway, the preparation for battle proceeded smoothly.
Jeonghyun and Sua found their positions as if they had practiced several times, and even Yunghoon sensibly found his position.
And then there was Jongwoo…
“Does this guy really want to hunt orcs?”
He was just watching with a indifferent expression.
When Jeonghyun tried to draw his dagger,
“Hey, didn’t I just tell you to be a porter? Here, take this.”
Was he preventing Jeonghyun from drawing his dagger by throwing his bag instead?
It was a powerful provocation that made Jeonghyun momentarily confused about where he should throw the dagger.
Jeonghyun had no intention of participating in the battle so passionately.
He was more of a passenger who enjoyed riding the bus.
But when people were fighting with orcs in front of him, he should at least make some appropriate motions.
Even the expression of Healer Daeyoon, who had been watching beside Jeonghyun, deteriorated at the sight.
“Ugh, I’m holding back from looking at other people’s faces, seriously.”
“Booyah!”
Finally, the peculiar sounds of Orcs began to echo for everyone.
Three Orcs came charging over the hill.
“So, we’ve got some Berserker concepts here, huh?”
The Tadan Orcs appearing here, fitting for the destroyed campsite, could be considered an upgraded version of the typical Tadan Orcs.
Their movements were somewhat sluggish, likely due to fatigue, and many bore visible wounds.
However, when compared to your average Level 5 gate monster stronger than Tadan Orcs, it was a different story.
Despite being upgraded, they possessed enough threatening destructive power and aggression.
Especially considering the anger towards the destroyed campsite, their aggression was said to be almost equal or even higher, so there was certainly no room for complacency.
Meanwhile, Jeonghyun found himself unable to participate in the battle for now.
“So, shall we see what both sides are capable of?”
