“Ah! Of course I know that you refused once.” 

 

Feeling a sense of crisis, Kwak Byeonggi corrected his glasses that had slipped down and spoke urgently.

 

“So, we were also temporarily giving up on scouting you, Hunter-nim.”

 

“But?”

 

“Seeing that you haven’t joined any guild yet, I contacted you just in case you might be interested.”

 

He explained in a clear voice and looked carefully.

 

“The last proposal was so spontaneous that you may not have been satisfied with the conditions.”

 

“…”

 

“We highly appreciate Hunter’s potential value. So, we brought this modified contract for you to review!”

 

However, Kiryeo looked at the contract that had been pushed into him as if it were a piece of waste paper. 

 

Certainly, there was an amount written that seemed excessive for F-Class. However, the payment is not so great that it breaks the resolution made at the time of reincarnation. 

 

‘There are really some things in the world that can’t be exchanged for money. For example, documents that have already been signed.’

 

He was an alien who fully understood the weight of the concept of ‘contract.’ In addition, he was fully aware of the dangers of recklessly belonging to the Earth organization in a situation where there was a huge gap in memory.

 

Therefore, after some consideration, Kiryeo made up his mind again. He chose freedom. Anyway, in order to spend time on research to regain strength, he had to remain unaffiliated for the time being, even if he didn’t like it. 

 

‘I went through reincarnation because I hated working, and now you’re telling me to live like a hamster wheel again?’

 

Of course, putting aside all rational reasons, he turned down corporate life simply because of the pain he experienced at work in his previous life.

 

“That’s enough.” 

 

What followed was an attitude that seemed like it was not worth discussing. Kwak Byeonggi felt like he had been hit on the head.

 

‘Other hunters are anxious because they can’t join our guild, so why have we become so obsessed with F-Class?’ 

 

Could it be that Esther sending someone at a team leader level wasn’t without reason? Looking at that attitude, it seems like if a regular employee had come, he wouldn’t have been able to even talk to him. 

 

“Uhm, Hunter-nim. Then, is there any offer you are waiting for?”

 

He was getting impatient. Kwak Byeonggi asked a cautious question. He was wondering if the opponent was so cold because he had already decided on a guild.

 

“That’s not it. I just have no intention of joining any guild.”

 

However, what came out of Kiryeo’s mouth was an unexpected answer. It’s not the conditions that are the problem. It’s that he has been completely refusing all of the guild’s recommendations.

 

“I, I see.” 

 

It’s incomprehensible behavior. Even after that, Team Leader Kwak Byeonggi repeatedly emphasized the guild’s usefulness, but Kiryeo’s response remained consistent. He, with snake-like eyes that gleamed, maintained a cold silence.

 

‘There’s no way something like this is an F-Class.’

 

Having spent time close to Esther, he thought he had become somewhat accustomed to the pressure from higher-ranked hunters. This awakened person even managed to diminish the value of the accumulated experiences. Because he had such a different vibe, as if he didn’t even see him as the same species. 

 

Kwak Byeonggi swallowed dry saliva.

 

“It seems we might have misunderstood a bit. Haha, even if we give Hunter-nim a blank check, it doesn’t seem like something you would accept!” 

 

However, these words didn’t reach Kim Ki-ryeo. 

 

‘Go to work… I hate going to work…’

 

In fact, he was quite shocked when he found the word ‘working hours’ in the contract he had been pushed into earlier… 

 

Kiryeo was currently in a slightly mentally and physically weak state. However, when Kwak Byeonggi saw that he didn’t respond, the misunderstanding deepened. 

 

‘Wow, I never thought you would be so upset about the blank check story. Are you saying I shouldn’t even think about the idea of money?’

 

If someone lives with the idea that everything can be solved with money, they will have no way of dealing with it when they meet someone who is not swayed by money. Team leader Kwak Byeonggi eventually gave up on recruiting Kim Kiryeo.

 

‘Let’s change the direction.’

 

Still, it’s okay. In preparation for such cases, Magic Tower’s CEO had given instructions in advance. 

 

“It seems like a formal contract is burdensome. Then let’s pretend this matter never happened.”

 

As the HR team leader made a statement that seemed like he’s going to step back, Kiryeo also belatedly regained his composure. It was at that moment. 

 

“Then what I’m talking about now is a separate proposal.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“For example, if it’s not a formal contract but a temporary request for a single job, would you be willing to accept it?”

 

Korea Magic Tower made an unexpected recommendation. 

 

“Request?” 

 

“It’s related to appraisal.”

 

There is a quick request to make to Kim Kiryeo, who is an appraiser.

 

“Actually, we obtained a piece of equipment in the recent gate raid, but the performance analysis is not going well.”

 

Kwak Byeonggi adjusted his glasses. 

 

“Because we couldn’t clarify the usage conditions, we were slowly looking for an outside contractor.”

 

“….”

 

“But there happens to be someone here who cleared our maze.”

 

It was an attractive condition. Based on common sense, it wouldn’t take much time to look at one item.

 

‘I won’t have to worry about being overworked by work.’

 

However, this company has never formally requested an item appraisal. What should he do?

 

“And this is the commission fee set by the Magic Tower. Well, it may not mean much to Hunter, but it is still a procedural matter.”

 

The thing that drove a wedge into his shaky heart was none other than that white piece of paper. An eight-digit number was clearly written in the amount section of the appraisal request form that Kwak Byeonggi took out.

 

[15,084,600]

 

Kim Kiryeo, seeing this, speaks without even taking a breath.

 

“What time can I leave work?”

 

Who would have imagined it? 

 

This man, who seemed pessimistic, was actually a more materialistic person who coveted money than anyone else.

 

‘You seem to have a surprisingly weak heart.’

 

Kwak Byeonggi didn’t know the truth in the end. He just thought that the mysterious awakened person felt bad for continuing to refuse like this, so he had no choice but to agree to the job. 

 

***

 

Following that, it was Monday two days later.

 

‘Is this unexpectedly becoming the Door-in-the-face technique?’

 

Kwak Byeonggi, who went to work at Korea Magic Tower, thought. 

 

‘I feel bad about failing at scouting, but it’s not a bad idea to start with small requests and work through them carefully.’

 

In fact, Esther didn’t order Kim Kiryeo to be recruited unconditionally. She said that it’s enough if she can establish a friendly relationship with each other.

 

So, Kwak Byeonggi first lured Kim Kiryeo in using a trivial request as bait.

 

‘If he experiences Korea Magic Tower’s facilities and industry-leading treatment firsthand, his thoughts will change, right?’ 

 

His goal is to create a good image for the other person. Of course, he had enough confidence. What kind of guild is this?

 

“I have stored the appraisal equipment here. Please feel free to proceed with the assessment.”

 

Kwak Byeonggi spoke softly to the young man standing behind him. Kim Kiryeo nods his head and quietly goes inside. 

 

The room with the nameplate “Second Analysis Room” had an overall neat, laboratory-like interior. Soon, a magic tool appeared.

 

“Sword?”

 

A black sword lies neatly in a transparent square box.

 

From the sword, a dark aura slowly emanated. Even at a glance, it’s an extraordinary item… 

 

As he looked at it, an appraiser from the Magic Tower appeared nearby and explained. 

 

“This is an item acquired from the A-Class gate. The temporary name was ‘Cursed Sword.’”

 

“Curse?”

 

“There is a reason for that.”

 

The grades designated by the Hunter Association for items consist of a total of 5 levels.

 

【 Normal < Rare < Unique < Epic < Legendary 】

 

Usually, the grade is given by comprehensively evaluating factors such as the strength and abilities of the equipment.

 

This item obtained from the A-Class gate was a rare weapon that would have been ranked unique with just its overflowing basic magic power. 

 

But there is a small problem with this magic sword.

 

‘Whoo, even though a unique item is in our hands, we can’t actually handle it.’ 

 

Kwak Byeonggi recalled the reason why this item was tentatively called the cursed sword. 

 

-It’s out! Since it came from an A-Class boss, it must be at least unique!

 

-Team leader, congratulations! Finally, a main weapon has been obtained!

 

The day he acquired the black sword. 

 

Didn’t the Korean Magic Tower Guild’s strategy team experience an unexpected major accident?

 

After defeating a vicious A-Class monster, he wondered if he could get the dream weapon that all hunters covet as a reward…

 

-Ugh!

 

-Team leader!

 

An A-Class hunter who touched the sword suddenly screamed and fainted. The victim didn’t stop at just one person. In the process of moving the black sword, there is another A-Class person and two non-Awakened people. 

 

In the process of appraising this, there was one C-Class.

 

Even with analysis skills, they don’t know how to use them accurately. Unable to accurately determine the usage even with analysis skills, three people, two B-Class and one A-Class, attempted to subdue the equipment with force.

 

The number of people who have fallen victim to the cursed sword has already reached ten.

 

“First of all, it was discovered that it absorbs magical energy. But the amount of absorption is abnormal.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“I expect there to be some hidden condition.” 

 

But so far, the analysis of unique weapons has never been wrong. Will this unheard of appraiser produce better results than the elites of the Magic Tower?

 

Kwak Byeonggi hid his doubts and spoke kindly.

 

“For your information, there is no penalty if you fail the analysis, so don’t worry…” 

 

But he couldn’t finish his sentence.

 

“Oh, this is lighter than it looks?”

 

Srrrng.

 

Right after that. Because Kim Kiryeo lifted the cursed sword without hesitation.

 

“Heuk!”

 

“Ugh! Wait a minute, Hunter! W, wait!”

 

There were clear signs that it was dangerous, but he just grabbed it like that? Is he a beginner appraiser?

 

Kwak Byeonggi was so shocked that he couldn’t speak properly. 

 

‘You must not touch…!’

 

But then. Something was strange. Come to think of it, four or five seconds would have passed in a funny way while this side didn’t know what to do. 

 

“Why?”

 

“No, that’s.”

 

“Are you trying to tell me not to touch it?”

 

The F-Class hunter calmly scanned the body of the magic sword. The appearance even seemed relaxed, as if appreciating a work of art.

 

“I’m sorry. I have to touch it in person to feel it more accurately. Should I put it down now?”

 

“Oh, ah, no.” 

 

He calmly lifts up a magic sword that causes an A-Class to faint and scream within seconds. Until now, even the most powerful hunters were unable to withstand the special abilities of that equipment and fell one after another. 

 

‘To handle such enormous magical power consumption?’

 

The snake-shaped man with his hair dyed yellow was just studying the sword intently at this moment. He fearlessly swept the black-edged magic sword with his hand and muttered softly. 

 

“Is the absorption rate of this high?”

 

It’s as if he doesn’t feel anything at all. Kwak Byeonggi’s hair stood on end. 

 

If one can handle the magic-devouring black sword like a starving beast nonchalantly… It’s natural that he doesn’t understand the circumstances of other awakened people. Because the level difference is too significant. 

 

‘What kind of people are you trying to attract to the guild, CEO?’

 

After finishing the appraisal, Kiryeo put the sword back in its place. Everyone held their breath. The sound of the sword hitting the bottom of the case resonated clearly in the air.

 

“….”

 

The atmosphere froze when a mysterious awakened person who withstood the curse of the sword appeared. Kiryeo looked at this and thought quietly.

 

‘Huh? Did everyone look serious because I left a fingerprint?’ 

 

This calm reaction is sufficient to deduce the situation. In fact, his magic wasn’t really being absorbed from the beginning.

 

‘Anyway, it was a very simple magic tool.’

 

As everyone knows, this is a type of equipment that demands a certain price, like a vampire. However, a wizard whose body’s magic has completely disappeared usually dies. 

 

What a tool that kills its owner!

 

Who would buy a sword like that? 

 

So this sword had a basic safety device set up. That is, when mana reaches the minimum required for survival, absorption stops.

 

‘Probably, it would automatically stop if only the magical power level reached F-Class for any hunter.’

 

Until now, the hunters had collapsed screaming. This was because intense pain occurred when A-Class magical power suddenly dropped to the bottom. 

 

Then why is Kiryeo so fine? 

 

It was simple.

 

His magical power is already at its lowest point…

 

‘What? Why am I suddenly crying?’

 

While others fell from high positions like the 10th or 9th floors, Kim Gireyo was just standing still on the 1st floor, so is there a possibility of impact from the fall? The F-Class was relatively free from the curse of the sword. However, the Korean Magic Tower couldn’t know this fact. 

 

“Hunter, are your hands okay?”

 

“Hands? Of course.”

 

When a non-awakened person touches the sword, a tragic incident occurs where the sword’s magical power flows backward, causing the palm to melt away. (t/n : I think there’s two type of non-awakened, 비각성 and 미각성. 비각성 is to indicate a non-awakened state and “미각성” using “미” to denote a state of not having awakened yet. In this part I will be using a non-awakened state.)

 

‘Even F-Class are slightly absorbed, but it’s another thing if a person with no magic power picks up a sword.’

 

F-Class may experience minimal absorption, but when someone without any magical power holds a sword, that’s a different matter. 

 

Due to Magic Tower’s distinctive elite-centric approach, there are no guild members below C-Class. Therefore, the use of items by the lowest level hunters was not verified. In addition, there are cases where ordinary transporters were injured while handling swords. 

 

When considering this information as a whole, will the conclusion be that insufficient awakening level prevents wielding the sword?