Ch.238238. Hunters Gathering

The news of Kellin leaving the SAINT Guild was incredibly sensational.

Understandably so, as it was truly one of the most unexpected announcements with absolutely no apparent reason.

– “Did she eat something bad for lunch?”

– “Suddenly leaving SAINT Guild for Farming Company? Is there any reason for that?”

– “Did the farmer hunter catch her in a sex tape or something?”

– “She’s not the type to be blackmailed by something like that.”

– “Must be fake news.”

This would be everyone’s identical reaction no matter who asked.

Why would Kellin do this?

Running through countless scenarios, there isn’t a single reason why Kellin would make such a choice.

Of course, there could be considerable debate about whether Farming Company is that caliber of organization.

Currently the #1 rising company in the world.

People frequently say that at this rate, in terms of pure revenue and operating profit, it will grow into the most influential company in the world by next year.

Moreover, since Farming Company deals in resources, it doesn’t seem like they’ll lose competitiveness even when future competitors emerge.

Rather, their growth has been nothing short of spectacular.

So it’s not that strange for Farming Company to be collecting various ranked hunters.

After all, the founder, Kim Soo-hyun, is a hunter who made his name known to the world with the unparalleled rank of SSS+.

With overwhelming wealth backing someone like him, it’s not at all unusual for S-class or SS-class hunters to join him in dungeon raids.

Ultimately, hunters need to enter SS-class dungeons.

To obtain rarer resources.

To level up higher.

To acquire better equipment.

Hunters naturally need to form teams to earn money or achieve personal goals, and the instinct to seek stronger teammates is only natural.

But when it comes to Kellin, the story changes.

Kellin already has teammates considered the best in the world.

If asked whether they’re all top-ranked hunters, the answer would be no, but at least until now, no one has disputed that this combination is the world’s strongest.

The record of the highest-grade dungeon they’ve conquered remains unbroken.

That’s why even an SSS+ hunter doesn’t offer much merit to Kellin.

From an outsider’s perspective.

She has money and honor.

She has power and ability.

What could possibly make her abandon everything she has to join Farming Company?

Moreover, it seems there wasn’t proper consultation with her party members, as even they can’t be reached.

How will this unfold?

Because it was such a monumental event that could reshape the hunter market, people were eagerly waiting with bated breath, but for days, Kellin’s side remained silent.

Many inquiries were made to both Kellin’s company and guild, but the only response was that she would express her opinion directly when she returned.

As this anxious time passed, people sensitive to change began to move.

– “Farming Company is the future center of the world.”

– “Should have recognized it when they first approached Kellin.”

– “Kellin must have realized that SSS+ class will be the protagonists of the future world.”

– “I heard rumors about a separate dungeon.”

– “Where do they mine all those resources? That dungeon shown on YouTube. Maybe Kellin made her decision after seeing that?”

– “I’m jealous. I want to join Farming Company too.”

– “Wake up. Seeing that only Kellin was recruited, they probably only accept SS-class hunters at minimum.”

It becomes everyone’s dream.

Until now, the thought of joining Farming Company was mere fantasy.

Because they wouldn’t accept just anyone.

But now the first hunter has joined Farming Company.

So maybe I could too?

This thought is no longer just a fantasy.

Though for most, it would become a more painful hope.

“…Soo-hyun oppa. I’m a bit disappointed.”

Seo Hyo-joo dialed the number with a slightly regretful heart.

After about 43 missed calls had piled up.

Kim Soo-hyun finally returned her call.

————

“…”

I needed more slaves for the farm and was thinking of bringing someone I knew, but somehow there were tons of missed calls waiting for me.

Seo Hyo-joo, who came running as soon as I called, glares at me with a sulky expression.

But not wanting to show it too much, she smiles and greets me.

“Long time no see, oppa.”

“Yeah… have you been well?”

It’s been so long since I’ve seen Hyo-joo that I felt like I should use formal speech, but if I did that, I’d really be in an uncomfortable position, so I greeted her cheerfully too.

I can’t remember if Hyo-joo was the one who first dropped formalities, but even after all this time, pretty Hyo-joo looked beautiful even with her prim expression.

Hyo-joo got straight to the point.

“I want to join Farming Company too.”

“…Huh? Are you sure? Actually, that’s why I wanted to meet.”

Hyo-joo had been wondering how to persuade me.

With Kellin, well, she openly showed interest in me, and since she’s a woman who has everything, I actually thought she would be an easy example to persuade.

Honestly, Kellin is someone who could quit everything now and just enjoy life without ever having to work again.

Joining Farming Company wouldn’t really cause what she has to crumble.

But Hyo-joo isn’t quite at that level.

She’s an S-class summoner with a successful YouTube channel, but considering her current position as a wealthy person and as a hunter.

How much would she really gain by giving up everything and coming to the farm?

Of course, I’m confident it would be more, which is why I was going to make the offer, but I couldn’t be certain when the farm would stabilize enough for her to return to Earth and resume activities like this.

So I was contemplating how to entice her when I came to meet her, but she spoke up first about wanting to join.

“I want to take on a new challenge too.”

“It could be a bit dangerous.”

“If anything, the current situation is more dangerous.”

The passion and desire in Hyo-joo’s eyes weren’t something I could dissuade.

And there was no reason to dissuade her either.

Why stop someone who’s volunteering to become a guard for the farm of their own accord?

“I want to explore and adventure on the farm, not just in dungeons.”

Well, that makes sense.

Hyo-joo has been to the farm during the Q&A.

After giving her a brief tour, I thought that continuing to run dungeons with that memory would be like returning to an ordinary company job after traveling the world.

If it were just a company, it would be an ordinary daily life.

For Hyo-joo, entering those small dungeons to hunt after seeing the rift dimension must feel like entering a tiny instant dungeon.

I briefly explained the conditions.

Hyo-joo was naturally delighted, and there were various expressions of gratitude and things to note, but there wasn’t even time to bask in the glory, so I spoke urgently.

“We’re leaving right away, so pack your bags within an hour. I’ll wait and then we’ll go.”

There’s no time.

A brief rest period was given after the first monster attack, but who knows how long it will last.

Just because the first monster attack ended doesn’t mean other monsters won’t come.

Even as we speak, monsters are probably steadily approaching.

Kim Sol-yi’s outer walls are said to be able to block about half of the external invasions, but the biome connecting the farm and the Steam Forest is still large.

It might seem like adding just one Hyo-joo wouldn’t make a difference given the scale, but in a situation where we need all the help we can get, it’s better to bring someone trustworthy than just anyone.

Hyo-joo packed quickly.

Arriving at her home, she threw her belongings into large suitcases, and with the assurance that she could always go out and get anything she needed, she packed just the essentials, which still amounted to 6 suitcases.

And so another guard was added to the farm.

It was just one person, but the summons that Hyo-joo called forth were worth almost 10 people.

Not that her ability was equivalent to 10 people, but she could summon nearly 10 creatures, enough to form an entire expedition by herself.

“Was there another attack?”

“Yeah. But now the Steam Forest side is almost completely blocked, so we just need to watch the farm side. Oh? Unnie Hyo-joo!”

“Soo-jung!”

Seeing everyone with dark circles under their eyes, I thought they needed some dopamine.

“Call Kellin and Clay.”

Kellin and Clay came to the cabin while eating hand food.

They looked clearly exhausted as they approached, eating kimbap wrapped in foil and drinking coffee from tumblers.

“I’m going to give each of you an SSS-class ability. You’ve thought about what you want, right? We don’t have much time to think, so let’s do it now.”

“…!”

The eyes of Kellin and Clay, who were half-surrendering to fatigue, lit up.

Especially Clay, who had been feeling the limitations of his A-class assassination ability, visibly rejoiced.

Kellin was the first to choose her ability.

“Soo-hyun. I’ll choose holy magic.”

Kellin indeed had talent.

She quickly understood the rift dimension and knew how to immediately develop her abilities in the current situation.

SSS-class holy magic was bestowed upon an SS-class ice mage.

“Wow!!”

With a pure exclamation, numerous ice crystals formed in the air, not blue but pure white like crystals of light.