At Suho’s proposal, Bae Donghyuk swallowed hard and asked back.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am. Since the contract period has ended much sooner than expected, this much is the least I can do.”

“……”

Bae Donghyuk paused, taking a moment to collect himself before responding.

Indeed, the contract had been shortened unexpectedly, leaving him with a sense of disappointment—no, to be honest, he was very upset about it.

If they left Nexus in just a month or two, it would look as though they had been used. 

While they had already made some appearances with the Association at previous meetings, it’s always better to have everything firmly in place, as people’s attitudes can change unexpectedly.

In that sense, Suho’s offer to tackle an S-rank gate and turn over all the loot from it was a reasonable gesture to soothe the feelings of those involved.

‘Profit aside, if he’s going this far, there’s really nothing more to complain about.’

Then, what kind of gate did Nexus possess?

It was a gate with substantial potential for profit—something that had been secured with great effort.

But Suho knew.

A gate with high potential profits always came with a high level of difficulty.

‘That’s just how S-rank gates are.’

An unclaimed S-rank gate is a double-edged sword.

No matter how much a guild owns the rights to it, if casualties accumulate, the state would step in to reclaim control for safety management.

Because of this, Bae Donghyuk had refrained from attempting a full-scale conquest of the gate.

He had tried several times but had failed each time.

And that was when Suho had made his proposal.

Bae Donghyuk spoke.

“I appreciate the offer, but… Hunter, are you aware of the nature of the gate we hold?”

“I know. It’s the Miners’ Lair, isn’t it? A mine with an immense deposit of magic stones, but there are so many Earth Keepers inside that you can’t even gather the stones, let alone advance.”

“…You’re well informed. So, you must understand that we can’t just send you in alone because of the mining?”

“Yes, I understand. That’s why I suggested it. I’ll handle all the Earth Keepers inside myself. I’ll form the team, and all you need to do is send in a mining crew with us. There’s no rush—take your time. In the meantime, I’ll reinforce my team’s strength.”

Straightforward and efficient work.

Bae Donghyuk couldn’t help but laugh.

“Understood. And thank you. You could have kept the special recruitment a secret, but I appreciate you mentioning it first and being considerate.”

“It’s nothing. We’re in this together, after all, so this much is only natural. I’m the one who’s sorry for joining the Association sooner than expected.”

“Hunter, you’re really something…”

Bae Donghyuk was genuinely moved.

And with those words of gratitude exchanged, the call ended.

After the call ended, Suho stretched and muttered.

“Finally, I’ll get to see that guy.”

Suho was looking forward to tomorrow.

**Nexus Academy**, located in Paju.

Inside the personal training room reserved exclusively for S-rank guild members.

Suho appeared there, accompanied by **Seo Giwon**, whom he had recruited for his team.

“Wow…”

Seo Giwon marveled at the vast scale of Nexus Academy.

It was worth being amazed.

Nexus Academy boasted the largest scale in the country.

Especially the S-rank training center, which offered facilities of the highest caliber in Korea.

Pointing at the banshees who were already training under **Infinity**, Suho spoke.

“See those people who got here first?”

“Yes.”

“They’re my team members. And they’re also the people you’ll be working with from now on.”

“Oh… so they’re with the Nexus Guild, too?”

“No, not yet.”

“Huh?”

“Guilds have strict standards for skills. They won’t take in people whose abilities haven’t been verified yet.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

“Alright, let’s go ahead and wake them up and make introductions, like we talked about…”

Suho was about to explain the day’s schedule to Seo Giwon.

But then he heard someone approaching from outside and turned his gaze.

There stood a familiar face peeking in from outside.

It was none other than **Kang Dae-han**.

‘Oh?’

So he really did come after being told to meet him here if he wanted to.

The timing was perfect.

Suho had thought he would need to meet **Kang Dae-han** eventually.

Suho quickly moved toward the door and greeted **Kang Dae-han**.

“Hello?”

“Oh! Hello, Hunter Ahn Suho!”

Kang Dae-han greeted him in his typical bright, cheerful tone.

It was so like him.

Suho smiled and replied.

“I didn’t expect you to really come. It’s been a while, Hunter Kang Dae-han.”

“Haha, of course, I should adjust my schedule for you, shouldn’t I? Thanks to you, I passed my test.”

“Even if it wasn’t because of me, you would have passed the test someday, Mr. Dae-han. Please, come in.”

Suho naturally let him in and guided him to the lounge area in a corner of the training hall.

Seo Giwon was with them as well.

Introducing **Kang Dae-han** to **Seo Giwon**, Suho spoke.

“This is Hunter Kang Dae-han, who took the test in the same cohort as I did. He placed second and is currently affiliated with the Nexus Guild.”

“My name is Seo Giwon.”

“I’m Kang Dae-han.”

The two greeted each other, followed by Suho’s question.

“So, what have you been up to lately, Mr. Dae-han? Have you been assigned to a team yet?”

“Haha, I’m still in training, so rather than team assignments, I’m gaining field experience by rotating through various gates.”

Field experience.

It was exactly that.

Usually, when joining a guild, members were assigned to teams based on their skill level, and teams would tackle gates together.

However, a team wasn’t assigned immediately upon joining; basic field training was required first.

This was to increase survival rates.

Suho asked with a smile.

“That’s good to hear. Would you be interested in gaining some practical experience with me sometime soon?”

“W-What, with you, Hunter?”

“Yes, I need to clear a gate soon, and I thought it’d be a good opportunity if you joined me, Mr. Dae-han.”

Kang Dae-han’s eyes grew as wide as plates at those words.

“Are… are you serious?!”

“Yes, absolutely.”

As Suho nodded, Kang Dae-han’s cheeks twitched as if his smile could hardly be contained.

It was a completely natural reaction.

How many people would not react like this when someone as famous as Suho in the country expressed interest in them?

Undoubtedly, unless they were sworn enemies, there would be no one.

Suho continued.

“I’ll take care of the details, so if you’re interested, feel free to contact me…”

“Oh! Of course, I’m interested! Just call me anytime!”

“Then let’s start right now.”

“Pardon?”

“The gate I’m heading to is quite challenging. Besides, I have an obligation to help you gain field experience, and the purpose of gaining field experience is to increase survival rates in gates, isn’t it?”

“That’s right?”

“So, let’s start together now. All the members who will be joining this gate are here already.”

“Ah, yes! Understood!”

Why put it off?

If he was going to handle it, starting now was best.

Afterward, Suho brought the two of them into **Infinity**.

***

“This time, go to the side!”

“Okay!!”

**Kunlun.**

The training ground Suho set up for the Banshees through the **Infinity** program.

They had been coming here every single day for several days now to spar with Suho’s avatar.

Progress was evident.

Previously, they would die within three seconds of starting the fight, but now they could at least hold out for over ten seconds.

However.

Slash!

Approximately ten seconds.

That was it.

Suho’s avatar decapitated the Banshees, and as soon as their heads were severed, they respawned in the air, landing on the ground with a thud.

“Ugh…”

**Gu Yeonhwa** bit her lip in frustration.

At that moment.

“You’re lasting a bit longer now, huh?”

At Suho’s words, **Gu Yeonhwa** and the rest of the team turned their heads sharply.

And it made sense because Suho’s avatar had been programmed to never praise them.

When the real Suho appeared instead of the avatar, **Gu Yeonhwa’s** eyes grew wide as saucers.

“Uh…!”

“What do you mean ‘uh’? Do I look like a fish to you? Why ‘uh’?”

“When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

As Suho arrived, the four people who had been sitting down quickly stood up and lined up, and Suho nodded in satisfaction at their disciplined demeanor.

“It seems like the atmosphere has changed a bit in the past few days?”

“…Of course. It’s not just once or twice; every time we come here, we die at least hundreds of times. How could the atmosphere not change?”

“That’s a good sign. Judging by your intense gazes, you all seem to have become a bit detached from death, and you look even more tenacious. On that note

, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Seo Giwon, and this is Mr. Kang Dae-han.”

At Suho’s words, the four people gave a slight bow, and Suho then introduced the Banshees to **Seo Giwon** and **Kang Dae-han**.

“These are the people who joined before you two. In order, this is **Gu Yeonhwa**, **Kim Hyunmin**, **Seo Gyowon**, and **Gwak Duho**.”

“Ah, nice to meet you. My name is Seo Giwon.”

“I’m Kang Dae-han.”

Once introductions were finished, Suho spoke to the Banshees.

“Thanks for all the hard work you’ve been putting in during training. You must be getting tired of this place by now, right?”

“…No, not tired at all.”

“Huh? You’re not tired?”

“Yes.”

With that, **Gu Yeonhwa** and the Banshees looked toward Suho’s avatar standing in the background and said,

“I don’t think we’ll ever get tired until we finally take that thing’s head off.”

They were serious.

Given how many times they had been killed, how could they possibly feel boredom?

Even if it took more time, the Banshees were determined to eventually defeat Suho’s avatar.

Satisfied by their intense resolve, Suho nodded approvingly and spoke to **Seo Giwon** and **Kang Dae-han**.

“See? Both of you need to build up that level of tenacity as well.”

“T-That much?”

“That’s how you survive in a gate. With that in mind, from now on, both of you will report here and train alongside them. Oh, by the way, training starts today. **Yeonhwa**.”

“Yes.”

“That person there is a mage, and that one is a tanker, right? Since they don’t need swordsmanship, organize your team accordingly and try challenging it again.”

“Got it. But… a gate, you say?”

“Ah, I was so focused on introductions, I forgot to mention the gate. You can’t just train endlessly, right? Soon, you’ll be heading into the field with me, so be prepared.”

“A gate? Which gate?”

“There’s one. But anyway, it’s time to sort out titles, don’t you think? We can’t just keep calling each other ‘you’.”

At that, **Gu Yeonhwa** paused briefly before nodding.

“What should we call you, then?”

“What do you want to call me?”

“Well… not sure?”

Given her personality, **Gu Yeonhwa** didn’t really feel like calling him “Oppa.”

Knowing that, Suho thought for a moment before replying.

“From now on, just call me ‘Team Leader.’ We’re a team now.”

“Understood, Team Leader.”

“So, everyone’s been attending regularly? What about school and work?”

At that, **Gu Yeonhwa** glared at Suho and replied.

“Didn’t you say that if we’re talking about our everyday lives, it means we’re not desperate enough?”

“Right. You get it. But don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of whatever you’re concerned about. Now, keep up the good work, and contact me when you’re done later.”

With that, Suho left **Kunlun** first.

Then, Suho’s avatar, who had been quietly standing in the background, lifted its sword and spoke again.

“What are you looking at, you trash? If you’ve got time to stare, hurry up and come at me.”