“Hm…”

Park Jin-su had a rather complex and subtle expression after parting ways with Chae Soo-hyun.

‘Chae Soo-hyun, suddenly transferring...? To the Blue Guild? Hm.’

His expression was one of deep contemplation. And it couldn’t be helped.

This was because he had bet that the wealthy Baekho Guild would eventually come out on top. Just a month ago, there had been almost no difference between Baekho Guild and Blue Guild.

They were neck and neck, constantly one-upping each other. That’s why, in the absence of any major differences, he thought that Baekho Guild would ultimately win.

So, while he was preparing his future by spying on Blue Guild...

Out of nowhere, Blue Guild surged ahead like a rocket. Not just doing well, but overwhelmingly so.

Out of the total 15 S-rank hunters, 10 were now part of Blue Guild.

‘Ha... what the hell is this...?’

It was impossible not to be concerned.

‘Baek Ji-hoon... he’s way too suspicious... Everything changed after he joined. At an unbelievable pace. And on top of that...’

The face of Chae Soo-hyun flashed in his mind. He certainly wasn’t thrilled about being asked to relay a message to Baek Ji-hoon.

‘What is the relationship between those two? Is it just because Baek Ji-hoon is successful...? Well, I suppose that makes sense. There hasn’t been anyone this remarkable.’

Not only Park Jin-su but everyone in Blue Guild thought the same about Baek Ji-hoon. Everything happening was because of Baek Ji-hoon. There was no other explanation.

The S-rank hunters hadn’t openly declared that they joined because of him. But there was certainly that kind of vibe.

“Alright, let’s see how this goes.”

Park Jin-su found himself standing at a crossroads between Baekho Guild and Blue Guild.

Blue Guild had developed so rapidly that he hadn’t had time to think it over properly. But if even Chae Soo-hyun were to transfer to Blue Guild, the scales would tip even more.

‘At this rate, it’s clearly better to stick with Blue Guild...’

He bit his lip slightly. And then, he decided to stay with Blue Guild, pretending nothing had happened.

 

“Huu...”

Chae Soo-hyun let out a quiet sigh as she returned to the office.

‘The die has been cast...’

And it was just as she said. Relaying the message to Park Jin-su and declaring her intention to transfer meant that rumors would soon spread throughout the hunter industry.

It was risky, but she had no choice. She had to show that even a worm will turn if you step on it.

Of course, she didn’t consider herself a mere worm.

‘Hmph. Lee Jin-hyuk. I really thought he’d be more open-minded because he’s a chaebol, but what the hell is this? Acting like a petty miser. Ugh. Whining like a little girl for a whole month, begging me to clear dungeons. So annoying.’

Chae Soo-hyun’s expression brightened considerably.

She had been utterly sick of Lee Jin-hyuk pestering her for the past month. No one had ever treated her like that in her entire life.

But, having wanted to marry into a chaebol family, Chae Soo-hyun had no choice but to kneel for the first time.

‘Me, I’m going to live my life the way I want. I’ll get back together with Ji-hoon oppa and become filthy rich. Ugh. All I need is to snag some S-rank items. Then I’ll be a chaebol in no time.’

She thought back to the recent incident involving the Shard of the Vengeful Spirit.

She knew very well how much Lee Jin-hyuk was obsessed with dungeon items.

‘He spent a hundred billion won on that damn shard. Ugh.’

Her face wore a look of pure disdain.

‘If I reunite with Ji-hoon oppa and start grabbing S-rank dungeon items...?’

A very amusing thought popped into her head.

‘That’s right! If I just put the items up for auction, wouldn’t Jin-hyuk oppa have no choice but to buy them? Ugh, why didn’t I think of this sooner?’

Chae Soo-hyun’s expression brightened.

Her plan was simple.

Reunite with Baek Ji-hoon, regain her status as an S-rank hunter, then acquire S-rank dungeon items. If she sold those items to Lee Jin-hyuk, his wealth would be transferred to her.

She thought it was a flawless plan.

‘Wow. I’m such an idiot. I had this easy solution all along, and I was clinging to Lee Jin-hyuk like a fool. Ugh.’

Chae Soo-hyun lightly tapped her own head in frustration. Of course, until just a month ago, she hadn’t considered S-rank items to be something anyone could easily obtain.

Naturally, A-rank items, which were one tier below, were highly sought after by large domestic guilds, and with foreign guilds in the mix, there was a surplus.

Even if she sold them for a high price, they would only fetch a few hundred million won. It wasn’t enough for her taste.

‘Hehe, it’s fine. Hehe. I’m going to be a chaebol on my own now. Hehe.’

Her face showed the brightest smile she’d had in a long time.

 

“Knock knock knock.” “Yes.”

Creeeeak.

The door opened, and Hunter Park Jin-su entered.

“What brings you here?”

We had exchanged a few words before when he tried to befriend me in advance. Of course, since there hadn’t been much overlap between us, the conversations didn’t go further.

“I have something to tell you, privately.” “Alright, go ahead.”

I dismissed Hyung-seok and started a conversation with Park Jin-su.

“I’ve... prepared quite an amazing project.” “What is it?”

Park Jin-su was grinning widely as he looked at me. I could tell he was expecting a big reward.

“I think I can recruit an S-rank hunter.” “An S-rank hunter?”

Hearing the words “S-rank hunter,” I couldn’t help but flinch.

‘Another S-rank hunter?’

Blue Guild was already packed with S-rank hunters, including me. There were 10 of us. I thought it was getting too crowded, and tensions were rising because we were all competing for resources.

‘Of course, if they’re all out collecting S-rank items, that makes sense...’

Sending them out to S-rank dungeons would require a considerable investment. I could easily resolve any status ailments myself. But right now, I didn’t see the need for that.

If I monopolized everything, I could make an overwhelming amount of money. I would be the only one in the world obtaining S-rank items. Naturally, each item’s price would exceed tens of billions.

Why would I release more S-rank hunters and lower the price? Besides, after all that effort, most of the money would just go to taxes and guild fees.

“I’m sorry, but I think we already have too many S-rank hunters.”

I said it bluntly.

“W-what...?”

Park Jin-su’s expression showed clear confusion. He must have been expecting something entirely different, and my response had caught him off guard.

“As you know, we already have 10 S-rank hunters. I think that’s too many. And with all of them vying to be on Team A...”

It was almost comical, but all 6 of the newly transferred S-rank hunters had applied to join Team A. I couldn’t help but be suspicious.

That’s why Team A was overflowing with S-rank hunters. It wasn’t a normal situation.

“Well... uh... so... do you... not need any more S-rank hunters...?”

Park Jin-su stammered, clearly flustered. It was like his ultimate move had been cut down in one stroke, leaving him shocked.

“Yes. At least, that’s the situation for Team A. I don’t think adding more S-rank hunters would benefit the team.”

From the perspective of other guilds, this situation must seem ridiculous. An S-rank hunter was trying to transfer, and I was rejecting them.

It was enough to make anyone wonder if I had lost my mind.

“Well then, what about Team B or Team C instead?”

I suggested casually.

“Ha... well... The person interested in transferring specifically wants to join Team A.” “What?”

“They specifically asked me to relay the message to Baek Ji-hoon Hunter-nim. You’re really popular.”

“Me...?”

There wasn’t a single S-rank hunter I knew personally. This was definitely strange.

“Who is it? I don’t know any S-rank hunters personally...”

Of course, the 6 that had transferred recently didn’t know me either. But the fact that they were singling me out was odd.

“Uh... it’s Chae Soo-hyun, the hunter who briefly held the top S-rank position.”

Park Jin-su smiled widely, as if expecting praise. He clearly thought he had brought in a huge catch and wanted recognition for it.

‘What the fuck!!!!’

As soon as I heard the name, I couldn’t help but curse internally, completely dumbfounded. My expression twisted immediately.

“Uh...”

Realizing something was wrong, Park Jin-su became even more flustered.

“Uh... are you and Chae Soo-hyun Hunter not on good terms...?”

He looked quite panicked and tried to calm me down.

“Ha... I’m sorry, but... Chae Soo-hyun...?” “Yes...” “Hunter Park Jin-su, was Chae Soo-hyun the one you were trying to recruit?” “N-no!!! No way!!! It wasn’t me. Chae Soo-hyun Hunter was the one who applied to transfer first.”

He waved his hands frantically, as if to prove his innocence.

‘Ha... What is Chae Soo-hyun up to? Is she crazy? Why is she applying to our guild? Is she trying to get herself beaten up?’

I was utterly at a loss.

“I’m sorry, but no way. Go back and tell Chae Soo-hyun. It’s never going to happen.”

“G-got it. O-okay. I’ll tell her.”

Sensing the atmosphere turning hostile, Park Jin-su wisely backed off and left in a hurry.

“A transfer? Ha. Right.”

I could feel it clearly. Chae Soo-hyun was desperately trying to cling to me.

‘How dare she?’

I was going to widen the gap between us. Overwhelmingly. To the point where she’d be utterly devastated.