CHAPTER 40: THE TREASURES OF ADANTA (2)

"Hm! And that concludes the calculations," Kim Ki-Rok said to his guild members.

"You truly mean it when you say twenty-four months installment plan with no interest?"

"Absolutely. Not twelve months but twenty-four."

"Wow!"

"If you wear this equipment, your abilities will be enhanced to rival that of a B-Class Hunter who could operate at B-Class Gates. The problem is that there aren't many B-Class Gates in South Korea, and although the equipment makes you as strong as a B-Class Hunter, you would still be considered C-Class."

The guild members all listened carefully, aside from Yoo Seh-Eun, who was still deep in thought about the logistics of the whole situation. "I guess we would have to operate at C-Class Gates."

"Yes. Although that's unfortunate, it can't be helped. However, you could still level up and grow at an incredible speed. That said, sudden growth tends to make people suspicious. That's why we are going to adjust our growth rate."

"How so?"

"By alternating between different Gates purchased from the Hunters Association in addition to training in our underground facilities. Also..."

Also?

Now at the center of everyone's attention, Kim Ki-Rok smiled. "You could use the weapons you purchased as secondary weapons, meaning you should only use them in very dangerous situations. By the way, I strongly recommend this method."

While other members seemed puzzled, Jessica, the only B-Class Hunter in the guild, understood what he had meant. "Because we would be getting the additional stats?"

"That's right. Your levelling-up speed would naturally increase when monster hunting becomes very easy with the help of your equipment. However, you won't gain additional stats if hunting monsters is too easy and risk-free. So, we will continue to operate without relying on equipment as we do now," Kim Ki-Rok answered.

"And use the equipment we purchased only when we're in grave danger?"

"That's correct. The choice is yours. Whether you become a B-Class Hunter with higher stats than others despite the time it takes, or..."

The other option was to become dependent on equipment in exchange for rapid growth.

"I don't necessarily plan to get involved in your Gate activities. The only way I'll interfere is by checking additional Gate rewards through Discernment and making suggestions. But getting back to the main point." Kim Ki-Rok turned his head to look at one of the members. "Mr. Woo-Hyuk."

"Yes, Guildmaster."

"If I'm not mistaken, you won't be able to upgrade A-Class and B-Class equipment with your skill just yet."

"Yes, that's correct. I used Reinforcement on the equipment I received, but I didn't see any shining parts."

"So please focus on improving your skills like you are now."

"Without using the dwarf tools?" Kang Woo-Hyuk asked.

"No. You may use the tools right away. The dwarven tools only help to increase efficiency and allow for stable work, after all."

Unlike combat Hunters, production Hunters like Kang Woo-Hyuk had to focus on improving their skill class rather than increasing their stats. In other words, there was no problem with him using higher-grade artifacts.

"He, hehehehe..." After the meeting, Kang Woo-Hyuk let out a dark, creepy laugh. He seemed to be planning to use the tools right away.

Kim Ki-Rok then looked over at Jessica. "Ms. Sica."

"Guildmaster... My name is Jessica, last name Yu."

At her request, Kim Ki-Rok nodded his head. "Ms. Yu, then."

She paused for a moment.

"Just call me Sica, please."

"Right, Ms. Sica. Did you receive any contact from Shina and Gavin while I was away?"

"They said they could return within the next month."

"Good. Then, once we have five more of them, we can debut F. Flower."

"Are you really thinking of debuting them?"

"Of course not. We are just going to release an album and a music video on the guild channel. All their other events would be livestreamed through our livestreams."

"Isn't that what a debut is?"

Because they would be releasing an album, shooting a music video, and even livestreaming on the internet, they would be considered to be debuting as an idol group. The only thing they would be missing out on was appearing on national livestream channels.

"The Elementals want it, don't they?"

If this is what the Elementals wished for, they couldn't stop them. The best course of action now was to fulfill their desires within moderation.

Jessica immediately understood.

"Hmm, anyway, please continue to work hard on Gate activities like you are doing now."

"Yes!" the guild members answered in unison.

"I will use my Discernment skill to find and bring in other high-potential Awakened individuals." After he finished discussing the future direction of the guild, Kim Ki-Rok adjourned the meeting.

Clap!

"Now, you are all dismissed! Did our Ji-Hee have dinner?"

"Yeeess!"

"Should we have a late-night snack?"

"Yeeess!"

"Pork trotters?"

"Yeeess."

"Chicken?"

"Yeeesss!"

"Half seasoned, half fried? Boneless?"

"WEEEEE!"

***

On the third day after his return, Kim Ki-Rok was getting ready to go out and street cast any Awakened individuals with lots of potential. As he was about to leave, the office phone rang.

Click.

"Yes, this is Kim Ki-Rok from the DG Guild."

—Ah, Guildmaster. This is Yoo Min from the front desk.

"Ah, yes. Ms. Yoo Min. Do I have guests?"

—Th-the thing is...

"What is this, déjà vu?"

—It-it might feel like real déjà vu.

"Right, continue Ms. Yoo Min."

—Two exclusive managers from F. Flower members, and...

"Two?!"

—Pfff. Yes. Two exclusive managers, and...

"Yes. And?"

—A Hunter named Bae Hee-Na has also arrived.

"Hmm?"

Bae Hee-Na was a Hunter who would later be known as the Spear Genius after awakening an additional ability in the distant future. Since she did not have exceptional awakened abilities nor did the conditions to unseal her abilities seem extraordinarily difficult, she had been pushed down in terms of recruitment priority.

However, in previous Attempts, she eventually became so famous that guilds other than the DG Guild tried to poach her with multiple recruitment offers.

"Please escort all of them to the Guildmaster's office."

—Yes. Understood.

Click.

Kim Ki-Rok put down the phone and looked at Kim Ji-Hee. "We have to wait a bit for the guests, Ji-Hee."

"Guest...?"

"Yes, guests. Would you like to wait in the lounge?"

When Kim Ji-Hee shook her head in response, Kim Ki-Rok lifted her up to sit her on his lap as they waited for the guests to arrive.

Knock knock knock!

"Excuse me."

"Yes, come in."

The door opened slowly, and in walked two men and one woman.

"H-hello! We've come here because of F. Flower!" One of the two men said.

fre(e)webnove.l.c.om

"Are you already a member of a guild?"

The two men nodded in response. "Yes!"

Kim Ki-Rok felt a bit disappointed, though it wasn't apparently from his outward appearance. He had thought this was going to be a great opportunity to recruit another Elementalist.

Turning his gaze to the woman behind them, he said, "Hunter Bae Hee-Na?"

"Hello. I'm Bae Hee-Na, a C-Class Hunter. I came to join the DG Guild!"

"Welcome. I had given up on trying to recruit you because I heard a few famous guilds were trying to woo you. But I guess today is my lucky day." Kim Ki-Rok stood up with Kim Ji-Hee in one arm and shook hands lightly with Bae Hee-Na before guiding her and the two Elementalists to the sofa. "Let's see, what do we have here."

"See, see... Let's see?" Kim Ji-Hee parroted him out of habit.

"Yes. Let's see, let's see. What do we have here?" Kim Ki-Rok patted Kim Ji-Hee on the head while organizing his thoughts. It seemed that they both developed habits of their own.

"Hmm...this is difficult since our goals are not really aligned..." he said.

"Different!" Kim Ji-Hee sang.

"First, Ms. Bae Hee-Na."

"Hee-Na unni!" Kim Ji-Hee copied happily.

Bae Hee-Na had slightly relaxed at Kim Ji-Hee's bright smile and her title as unni, but soon became nervous as she realized that the interview was about to begin. "Yes. Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."

"Congratulations. You're hired."

"Yes, I'm prepared to work hard for... Excuse me?"

"After filling out the contract on the third floor, ask one of the members in the first floor basement to give you a tour of the building. Then, please return to the Guildmaster's room in thirty minutes."

"Uh, are you sure?"

"Very sure."

"Is this the end of our interview?"

"Yes, would there be a problem with that?"

Bae Hee-Na, blinking her big eyes at Kim Ki-Rok, stood up from her seat, and bowed. "I will become a Hunter who will not disgrace the guild."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

"So it's the third floor, then to the training ground on the first floor?"

"Yes, and come back here in 30 minutes." After seeing off the bewildered Bae Hee-Na, Kim Ki-Rok looked at the two remaining Elementalists. "Your affiliations?"

"I'm D-Class Hunter, Na Tae-Hyun, from Incheon's Protection Guild."

This guild was founded with the goal of protecting Incheon and eventually became its official Protection Guild.

"Wow. Incheon, huh?" Kim Ki-Rok spoke with a hint of interest.

"Yes! Incheon!"

"Anglerfish?"

"Yes! Anglerfish!"

"Anglerfish are delicious."

"Quite so!"

"Anglerfish bulgogi."

"Ah, with a glass of soju on the side?"

"Kkkhhh."

After exchanging random comments with Na Tae-Hyun, the Elementalist with a buzz cut, Kim Ki-Rok turned to the other Elementalist who was in a hoodie. "What's your affiliation?"

"I'm D-Class Hunter, Kang Tae-San, affiliated with the Sky Bridge Guild currently active in Seoul."

"Oooh, Sky Bridge, the C-Class guild that's active in Nowon District."

Kang Tae-San sighed with relief when the conversation continued like it had with Na Tae-Hyun, just as he had expected.

"Yes sir. We are currently active in that region."

"Your Guildmaster's name is Ji Han-Eul."

"Yes sir!"

"He's thirty-six years old."

"Oh? Do you know him personally?"

Kim Ki-Rok didn't respond but continued on, "They made quite a profit working with an Awakened criminal organization, selling potions, spell books, and equipment to Awakening criminals for the last two years and three months."

Kang Tae-San's expression hardened. "Pardon?"

"The Hunters Association and the police had already gathered evidence and were waiting to apprehend not just Ji Han-Eul but also the Awakened criminals. The decision was made after the effects of the Break at the Black Mountain Range subsided, and signs emerged of the Awakened moving to secure those goods your Guildmaster was selling. Let's see here." Kim Ki-Rok took out his smartphone and called the Hunters Association in speaker mode.

—Oh, it's been a while since you called Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok.

"Sky Bridge Guild."

—Sorry?

"Are you in the middle of an operation?"

—How did you know that?

Kim Ki-Rok raised his head and looked at Kang Tae-San, whose face turned pale upon hearing the Hunters Association's response. He realized that his Guildmaster was indeed involved in trading with Awakening criminals.

"A Hunter from the Sky Bridge Guild named Kang Tae-San came to me asking for help." Kim Ki-Rok covered for him.

Kang Tae-San remained silent and observed the situation.

—Why did Hunter Kang Tae-San go to DG Guild?

"You know... F. Flower."

—Ah, right! Indeed, if that's the case, I could see why he would have a private conversation with you, Guildmaster. And you say he requested help...

Just like that, a convincing story had been created.

"Yes. So, are you working on the operation right now?"

—Yes. It looks like we'll be finished within an hour.

"What about the Hunters affiliated with Sky Bridge Guild?"

—After investigation and surveillance, it was confirmed that Ji Han-Eul and his close associates were the only ones trading with Awakening criminals. Everyone else will probably just undergo light investigation.

"I see. Thank you."

—No worries. Oh, by the way...

"Yes, Team Leader Han?"

Team Leader Han Geom-Cheol was in charge of Hunter Team Eight that was affiliated with the Hunters Association and specialized in the pursuit of Awakened criminals.

Since the Ma Ak-Soo incident, Kim Ki-Rok had been occasionally exchanging information with Han Geom-Cheol, leading to a small friendship.

—Are you really releasing an album?

"Well, it doesn't cost that much to release an album. My contracted Elemental wants it, so we're going to make it happen."

—If that's the case, can you send me a signed copy of an album once you release it?

"Are you serious?"

—Yes.

"Uh, um. Alright."

—Okay. Thank you. Have a good day.

"You as well, Team Leader Han."

Click.

Beep, beep, beep.

Kim Ki-Rok looked at Kang Tae-San as he retrieved the smartphone placed on the table.

"Hunter Kang Tae-San."

"Yes, yes! Guildmaster!"

"What do you think of the DG Guild?"

"Pardon?"

"I'm recruiting you."

Kang Tae-San had been staring blankly at Kim Ki-Rok, but he quickly sensed that this was his chance and jumped up like Bae Hee-Na had, bowing his waist. "I will become a Hunter who will not disgrace the Guild!"

"Right. After going to the third floor and down to the first floor basement to greet the guild members, you should head back up here as well."

"Sounds good! I understand!"

With that, another successful Elementalist had been recruited.