Ch.176. Glass Office (2)

“Who are you?”

I was so flustered that I unconsciously responded in Slavic.

And “who are you,” really? I felt ridiculous even as I said it. This was Flame Guild’s headquarters. There weren’t many people who would visit the Guild Leader’s office without prior notice.

Sure enough, it was someone who would.

“It is I.”

The door opened, revealing a familiar face. The Raid Team leader. Team Leader Yeon So-so.

‘No! If So-so sees this.’

Yuri hurriedly flipped over the materials she had been looking at. Of all people, So-so was the last person who should see this dating guidebook.

Yuri had known So-so for a long time.

And they had worked together through thick and thin for the past two years to raise Flame Guild to S-rank. She knew all too well about So-so’s feelings for Minsu.

“Ahem. What brings you here?”

So-so, with her hands in her flight jacket pockets, glanced at the open window and said,

“Are you trying to turn your office into a freezer? Or is this some Slavic skincare method? And why is your face so red?”

Just moments ago, Yuri had been despairing over acting contrary to the guidebook’s advice. That’s why her face was burning.

“Ah. Is it cold? I’ll close the window. I can turn on the heater too if you need…”

“That won’t be necessary.”

And at that moment, Yuri felt the mana flow around So-so change dramatically.

Cheonma Singong.

A martial art technique considered the highest-grade mana acceleration method among Awakened ones. As the successor of the Cheonma Sect, So-so used that mana acceleration technique effortlessly.

The mana boiling throughout So-so’s body was perceptible even to Yuri. This level of cold would be no problem for her.

‘If So-so hadn’t had that limit line issue, she would have easily received an S-rank Hunter license.’

Yuri said,

“I asked something unnecessary. Anyway, what’s up?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s up’? I am the supervisor in charge of guiding the interns. Therefore, I have a duty to report to you the results of the interns’ field assignment.”

In fact, Yuri had already received that report from Information Team Leader Seo Du-ho. Yuri herself had been very curious about the results of that intern assignment.

‘It was surprising. That evaluation result.’

At a time when the guild desperately needed evaluation points, the interns had performed admirably. Yuri was secretly pleased.

‘Above all… it was Minsu’s first mission since returning.’

Of course, the reason she had already received the report from Team Leader Seo was because So-so was terribly clumsy at creating documents.

“So, So-so, will you share your assessment?”

But field experience is different. No matter how detailed Team Leader Seo’s records and evaluation scores were, hearing the field supervisor’s perspective was important.

‘And So-so’s intuition about combat is truly exceptional.’

The conquest of the AA-rank dungeon, Uiryeong Manticore, would have been impossible without the main dealer So-so’s performance. During their time at Eins, she was overshadowed by Minsu and Siwoo.

But after graduation, Yeon So-so had grown frighteningly powerful. Worthy of the “Cheonma” title she always carried.

“Hmm. In my opinion… I’m sorry to Executive Maria, but Minsu’s operating ability is superior.”

“I agree with that. Maria readily admitted it too.”

In truth, Yuri had unconsciously placed high expectations on Minsu.

The Minsu she remembered and knew. Even now, unable to use his Crimson Flame spell, she felt he would accomplish something, just like during his practical interview.

“If you’ve received the report from Team Leader Seo, you already know the details. He achieved perfect results with just a tank and a healer. Above all, there was not a hint of hesitation in his tactical instructions. If you’re in the field, if you’re a raid party member who’s physically in that dungeon, you don’t want to listen to an operator who lacks confidence. Minsu was different.”

So-so was right. In the hunter world, and even among many hunter guilds, opinions about operators were divided.

Most hunters were little better than thugs. There was no way they would readily follow the instructions of non-combat personnel.

‘Maybe it’s because they’re mana-awakened, but they tend to rely heavily on intuition.’

Especially So-so, as a main dealer among such hunters. She was particularly intuition-driven.

If even So-so acknowledged his insight, it meant that Yuri’s choice to hire Minsu as an employee—not out of personal feelings but as a guild leader—wasn’t wrong.

‘He really is amazing. Always has been.’

Minsu had a masculine personality befitting a flame mage. He never backed down from confrontation. But beneath that was thoroughly rational judgment.

Sure enough, So-so also talked about the confrontation that Team Leader Seo had reported.

“But there was a brief altercation with an intern from another guild at the office.”

“Could you tell me more details?”

So-so reported the incident to Yuri.

***

After hearing everything So-so had to say, Yuri thought,

‘He’s so shrewd. He must have known everything and acted accordingly.’

Altercations among hunters are common. But such disputes aren’t just harmless happenings.

The hunter world is small. Rumors about a guild that loses face spread quickly and negatively.

Even though it was just a dispute between interns, if Flame had backed down to Mansong first, that image of defeat would have been deeply ingrained.

‘Hunters are simple-minded. They place great importance on such images.’

Hunters are essentially rogues. So even if it seemed childish, they absolutely couldn’t lose such confrontations.

Especially for a guild like Flame that was just beginning to grow.

‘That image is also important when hiring mercenaries later.’

But even so, the fact that he, an operator who couldn’t properly use mana, didn’t show any intimidation to Mansong’s dealer is certainly not common.

Even if that hunter wasn’t scary, Mansong’s background as the industry leader certainly was.

‘But he must have calculated. After all, the dealer who provoked Minsu was just an intern.’

However, it wasn’t a confrontation between elite raid teams but between interns. If Mansong sought revenge for such a trivial matter, it would only damage their image.

If it had just been a simple verbal altercation, it probably wouldn’t have even been reported properly.

“Well, in the end, our Flame’s spirit prevailed, so that’s good. But I’m very worried about Minsu getting hurt… Ah, I’m not giving him special treatment… He’s just a valuable operator for Flame…”

So-so suddenly became flustered and started rambling, but Yuri was lost in thought and didn’t pay much attention.

And contrary to So-so’s words, Minsu wouldn’t have been in danger. He must have known that too.

No matter how much he provoked Mansong’s dealer, due to their position as Mansong interns, they absolutely couldn’t touch Minsu.

‘He really is amazing.’

Suddenly, an incident from Eins came to mind. Second year. When she lost to Minsu in a duel for the first time. Yuri’s followers, who had been waiting for an opportunity, picked a fight with Minsu.

Unlike the typical hunter confrontations that end with posturing, these were students at an age where they acted without thinking. They reportedly ganged up on Minsu to properly beat him up.

But when Yuri, who heard about it later, went to stop them, it was actually her followers who were lying on the ground.

Minsu, an E-rank Awakened, had thoroughly defeated students who were considered skilled at Eins.

‘And in the end, only those guys were expelled.’

He had already collected evidence that they had been bullying him before. And since the followers had attempted group violence first, there was no way around it.

For Minsu, it was a perfect elimination of those who messed with him. It was always amazing, like that incident. While his personality could be fiery, he also knew how to be incredibly cold and calculating.

That’s why he was the talent Flame needed most right now. Especially when Yuri and So-so’s opinions about raid approaches were most at odds.

Sure enough, So-so began to bring up the real reason she had come all the way here.

“That should be enough for the report. Now… let me say it again. I want to participate in raids again.”

“Raids?”

Hearing those words, Yuri pondered.

So-so, the swordswoman who led with intuition and instinct. In contrast, Yuri was the ice mage who prioritized rational thinking.

When both were in good condition, Maria maintained the raid party well between them. But after So-so’s limit line dropped dramatically, the raid success rate fell considerably.

‘Our positions are different, so it couldn’t be helped.’

So-so always pushed herself to the limit. Even in dangerous dungeons and missions.

But Yuri, before being a ranged dealer, was the head of a guild. So she couldn’t make choices that might risk losing party members by pushing too hard.

Maria also understood and followed her intentions.

Even knowing that her current attitude might seem lukewarm to So-so, who was obsessed with missions due to guilt about Minsu and the tragedy at Eins, there was nothing she could do.

‘But the fact that So-so’s limit line rose from 35 to 50…’

It’s certainly good news for Flame. And clearly, Minsu was the catalyst.

‘That makes sense. If it’s So-so… she must still like Minsu.’

Her limit line, which had never risen, shot up with Minsu’s employment.

Working with So-so for two years, Yuri belatedly realized how much So-so had liked Minsu during their Eins days.

And compared to those feelings, how inadequate her own feelings for Minsu were.

‘Compared to So-so… do I even have the right to like Minsu again…’

At that moment, Yuri recalled another passage from the dating guidebook.

– If another woman is already circling around your ex, you must be careful about…

‘No. I’m working right now.’

Yuri shook her head.

“What’s wrong? If you’re going to exclude me from raids again…”

“No. You can participate. But since your limit line is still 50, high-rank dungeons are off-limits. And since I’ll be stepping away from raids for a while, high-rank ones are impossible anyway.”

“You’re stepping away from raids? What does that mean…”

To the puzzled So-so, Yuri said,

“My limit line is also strained right now. So I’m planning to take charge of the interns’ security dispatch mission. I need to step away from the field for a while.”

“Hmm. Well, at least I can return to the field, so that’s good… Wait. If it’s security dispatch, does that mean you’ll be working with Minsu?”

So-so’s expression became urgent. But Yuri calmly replied,

“No. It’s not like that. Not with Minsu, but with the interns. I separate work and personal matters.”

“Right. With your personality, you wouldn’t engage in personal behavior during work.”

Yuri winced at those words. After all, she had recently taken only Minsu to the Free Trade Zone.

“Yes. Anyway, So-so, since it’s been a while since you’ve raided, you should start getting your body ready.”

“Wait. Before that. If you’re also suffering from overwork, wouldn’t it be good to unwind a bit?”

In that moment, Yuri understood So-so’s meaning. Though their relationship was complicated by entangled connections, they were comrades who had been through battles together. So they understood each other’s feelings well.

“Want to drink? Shall we go for a drink after work?”

“Hmm. You really do read my mind well.”

And simultaneously, both of them said,

“Then, vodka.”

“Then, bamboo leaf liquor.”

***

Weekend.

While it was a blessing for office workers, I was quite busy.

Come to think of it, the concept of weekends had been vague for me since the possession.

‘Even when I was at Eins, I would go out to earn money or search for artifacts on weekends.’

And after graduation, after regaining consciousness, I was preoccupied with rehabilitation. It became a habit; I felt anxious if I wasn’t doing something on weekends.

‘And now I really don’t have time to relax.’

Dr. Seong Chae-rin had mentioned five years. But during the recent contaminated zone assignment, I clearly realized:

The moment I confirmed the five seals existing on Hongok in the dungeon, I knew that my lifespan would drastically decrease each time a seal was broken.

‘Roughly… should I consider it one year per seal?’

Still, I’m not afraid. No, if there’s anything most frightening, it’s the fear that I might die before completing my revenge.

I intend to break the seals by any means necessary. So by the time I get close to the truth of the Red Lake, I won’t have much life left.

But the problem is right now.

No matter if Yuri and So-so are here, facing those villains from the original story with this ordinary body would be suicidal.

‘That’s why I absolutely must break all the seals. If all five stages are unlocked, my life will end, but Hongok’s power will be fully released.’

When I caught the Doubt Demon, I pushed my mana heart to its limit, evolving Hongok to its final form.

Named hunters, meaning A-rank or above, usually have an Ancient Gear. But S-rank Ancient Gears are rare, and cases where the gear has evolved to its final form are even rarer.

‘Even Yuri’s gear, Nivis, hasn’t reached its final form yet.’

So with Hongok’s final form, I could sink the most fearsome fangs into the heart of that Red Lake.

‘Well, that’s probably too much to ask for right now. But I might be able to break the first seal by myself.’

I confirmed it in the dungeon. The sense of mana acceleration that I had practiced to death during my time at Eins was still alive.

Setting aside that thought for now, just as I was about to open the reward from the recent mission assignment,

Beep beep beep beep-

Suddenly, the sound of the front door’s keypad being pressed rang out.

‘Who could it be?’

Then the door opened. Beyond it stood a woman in a nun’s habit, her hands full of luggage.

“Wha! Senior!! Why are you home right now?”

It was Arin. She looked extremely flustered.