6kv Chapter 59: No Place to Return?
Chapter 59: No Place to Return?
Chapter 59: No Place to Return?
Ju Se-ah's eyebrows twitched. It was a look of displeasure.
"The term 'Hunters with flaws' is a bit off," she said.
"Of course, it's an informal comment. After working for a long time as the Strategy and Tactics team leader to quantify and categorize the Hunters' abilities, they begin to look like merchandise to me. It's a term often used in the community. Guild Master should be aware of this too."
Ju Se-ah almost reflexively asked, "Did you see them that way too?" It would have been a rude question, but thankfully she didn't voice it. Of course, she didn't think Kang Mu-hyuk would be hurt or angered by such a question.
She redirected her thoughts and asked, "So what's this 'merchandise'... I mean, what's the problem?"
"It varies. Hunters struggling with incompatible hunting styles, ever-promising talents that never bloom, discord with fellow members, severe financial problems due to overspending or gambling, conflicts with other guilds, addiction to medicine, and so on. Most are problematic resources that are hard to manage within the guilds. Thankfully, it was relatively easy to recruit them if the conditions matched."
"Wait a minute. Did I hear you right? Addiction to medicine? That wasn't in the data."
"It's nothing serious. Not drugs, but, well, it's a bit tricky to explain. Simply put, it's a potion addiction."
"That doesn't sound like a minor issue. It means the combat effectiveness is not coming out as per the stats."
When Ju Se-ah pressed further, Kang Mu-hyuk dodged the question.
"There are a few more cases, but... I'll have to tell you about those later."
"Wait a minute. That's even stranger. Why can't you tell me? You keep doing this."
"That's why I didn't mention it in the materials. Personal matters only create unnecessary prejudice."
Ju Se-ah crossed her arms and let out a sarcastic laugh.
Despite being given full authority, the situation was already making her sweat. She was afraid of what else might be lurking behind.
"Huh? I'm glad I really didn't listen. It's not prejudice; I might have downright suspected you."
"Suspected?"
"That you're a spy trying to ruin the guild."
"As I've said before, my pretending to be close to the Chairman and your brothers was to deceive them..."
"I know, I know. That's not what I'm talking about. I was joking... Ah, forget it. I can't even joke around."
After his mana addiction had manifested, Kang Mu-hyuk became insensitive to personal emotions and social interactions. On the flip side, he became adept at reading people's intentions through their actions and expressions.
He immediately realized Ju Se-ah's concern.
"I can't say there's no problem, but you don't need to worry. They are valuable resources that can provide significant synergy when used appropriately."
"That's expected. They're Hunters you brought in, after all. But as a Guild Master, I can't help but worry. There's no such thing as a hundred percent guarantee. Even if the potential is set aside, if these Hunters were dismissed from other guilds with all limbs intact, there must be a reason. This recruitment policy is risky."
"That's a good attitude. Even though I hold all the power in the guild, you, as the Guild Master, should always doubt and prepare. But I have high expectations. I believe we can create the guild we previously envisioned."
"What kind of guild is it?"
"It's too early to say since we've only just begun."
"Then, give me a hint."
Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
"The Hunters gathered there seem to do as they please, but they have one thing in common."
"What's that?"
"Yes. They are clearly motivated."
"What's motivating them?"
Just as Kang Mu-hyuk was about to answer, the sound of metal hitting the floor rang out. A lively rhythm accompanied the clattering footsteps.
Looking in the direction of the sound, a familiar face appeared.
Ju Se-ah greeted the person, saying, "Welcome, Hunter Lee Jin-joo. The way here must not have been easy?"
"It wasn't so bad, seeing a mob running in the meadow on my way to work."
Kang Mu-hyuk's eyes were drawn to her hairstyle.
From long black hair to dark blue bob.
It was a drastic change from their previous meeting.
Feeling his gaze, Lee Jin-joo smiled awkwardly and said, "Ah? This? I felt like I needed to pay attention to my image now. I have to start branding myself so I won't be ignored later."Updated from
Kang Mu-hyuk nodded at Lee Jin-joo's words.
The change in her style was not simply an image transformation.
The branding she spoke of was about the 'nicknames' people called her.
For example, in Ju Se-ah's case, nicknames like "Indomitable Witch," and "Mage Killer."
A Hunter's nickname was influenced by skills or combat style, but appearance played its part as well.
If only the appearance was impressive, it would be a laughingstock, but if supported by ability, it could have a powerful promotional effect.
"That's a good idea. As an Expedition leader of a guild, having a memorable nickname helps with appeal. Is that hair color because of Hunter Lee Jin-joo's skill, the 'Blue Flame'?"
"Don't you remember? This branding style. It's a plan Guild Leader Kang devised before."
Her faith in the Guild Leader was firm.
Crash!
"Maybe I was wrong this time..."
Seeing the Hunters beginning to fight in earnest, breaking a table in half, Oh Jeong-yeon felt despair.
"Since it's the first day, I'll overlook this--!"
"You damned piece of--!"
Just before fists flew, the wrists of two Hunters were caught by someone's grip, and they collapsed to the ground. Faces twisted in pain turned toward an unexpected guest.
Though they were moderately muscular, slender arms compared to other Hunters were pinning them down.
"!!"
The hall became quiet in an instant.
A fully-armed female Hunter, Lee Jin-Joo, silenced them with her presence alone, not even giving them a glance.
The Hunters, as if by agreement, closed their mouths and focused on her.
The sound of someone swallowing dryly was the only thing that represented the Hunters' feelings.
'She is so heavily armed, yet I barely sensed her approach.'
'Even with a high rank, physical abilities have clear limits. It's an unusual strength, not fitting her size. Could it be a trait or skill type?'
Although they were all problematic, they were skilled Hunters. They realized in an instant that the newly-appeared female Hunter was far above them.
"You all look wonderful, boiling with energy. I can expect something from this expedition team."
At the word "expedition team," the mood changed.
Expectation rather than tension.
Through Lee Jin-Joo's impact and words, it was clear that she had the authority to select expedition members.
The expedition team was the guild's elite force.
Their treatment was assured.
Although the Iron Will Guild was small in scale, from the rider wolves monster farm to the existence of Ju Se-ah, known as a future S-rank, it was a very promising guild.
Being selected for the expedition team at the beginning was no different from securing one's future.
"Still, considering it's the first day and you're all joining together, how about showing some courtesy to each other?"
She suddenly changed her loose stance, starting to rein in the Hunters.
"You all, I heard most of you had conflicts with your previous guilds."
Lee Jin-Joo released the two Hunters she had been gripping in her hand, but no one was able to stand up.
She slowly raised her head and straightened her posture. Meeting the eyes of each Hunter, a smile formed at the corner of her mouth.
"Then, you have nowhere to go back to, do you?"
In an instant, eyes filled with anticipation turned to cries of despair.
...
"Oh dear! Why am I going through all this trouble as if I'm enjoying a movie?"
Mr. Park, engaged in livestock farming in South Pocheon, dragged his aching, worn-out body along the dawn road.
After the division of Pocheon, he was unable to leave due to the barn that contained all his assets.
Had the barn been in North Pocheon, designated as a Special Activities Zone, he could have left without regret. However, since the barn was in South Pocheon, he had no choice but to stay and continue his livelihood.
In the darkness before dawn had even broken, Mr. Park tended to his barn and straightened his back. He exhaled into the somewhat chilly air.
Koohoo! Kookhuk!
"Eh? What's this sound now?"
Suddenly, Mr. Park felt hot steam behind him. He turned around, thinking it was the breath of a cow, but...
"Koohoo~ Koohoo~ Koohoo!"
He found himself looking up at a massive figure and promptly wet himself.
Its skin was dark and wrinkled, and it was well over 2 meters tall. Its nose was flat, and its open mouth revealed teeth like saw blades.
Mr. Park did not know that this monster was called an orc.
He didn't know even at the moment of his death.
Without even closing his eyes, his lifeless body was torn apart by the orc's mouth. The orc laughed grotesquely, seemingly enjoying itself.
Next to it, other orcs wildly chased after the crying, fleeing cows, hacking them apart with enormous axes.
They seemed to be starving, feasting like it was a party.
A cloud of unprecedented darkness loomed over South Pocheon.",