Ch.38Temporary Parties Are Dangerous (1)

Once again, times are changing.

Self-proclaimed experts began making outlandish predictions to ride the trend, while doomsayers who had been quiet for a while resumed their activities, multiplying people’s anxieties.

In this chaotic situation, the public’s attention inevitably focused on one thing: their country’s hunters.

“Are there any rising rookies these days?”

“I heard America just got another S-rank.”

“Here we go with the comparisons again. Our country just doesn’t have a wide enough talent pool, okay?”

As the threats from dungeons and monsters grew, only high-ranking hunters could reassure citizens.

Because of this, posts searching for, analyzing, and debating talented newcomers increased daily across various communities.

“There’s Baek Seoha.”

└ “Aren’t you tired of always talking about Baek Seoha? Bring news about someone else.”

“I heard something about that Kim Seungmin guy recently.”

└ “Who’s that nobody?”

└ “He’s a conditional dungeon survivor. Don’t you watch the news?”

└ “He’s a vanguard who uses sword techniques. Good skills and decent titles. Probably at least B-rank.”

Not just Korea, but the entire world was more desperate than ever to find talented individuals.

Because of this, it had become increasingly common for countries to quietly poach talent from others.

【B-rank Hunter Choi Jeongsu transfers to America’s Sempton Guild.】

【Magic specialist rookie Han Sumin reportedly undergoing naturalization process in China. Hallasan Guild, who had been in contact with her, blindsided.】

【Contract compliance issues resurface; Black Tiger Guild announces willingness to pursue legal action.】

“Damn it, why does everyone promising go abroad? Traitors.”

“Would you stay if you were them? Lol, I’d bow and run too.”

“Wow… it’s really getting out of hand lately. Seems like the government needs to step in.”

However, the government was also in a difficult position.

They weren’t sitting idle as internet rumors suggested. They simply had no effective solutions.

Amid this chaotic hunter scene in Korea, three rising stars had recently emerged to provide some consolation.

“From now on, I’m only trusting those on the patriotic route.”

“What’s the point of calling back those who’ve left? Just cut out the traitors.”

“People always complain about our weak talent pool, but it doesn’t look that bad lately.”

The first was Song Hayeon, a necromancy-type hunter who had recently been promoted to B-rank.

“She’s the most famous in that field these days.”

“From the videos I saw, she’ll definitely reach A-rank.”

“She’s remarkably outstanding among hunters of the same type.”

Song Hayeon was already famous among Korea’s necromancy-type hunters, who hadn’t seen much attention until now.

Moreover, her stock was rising daily thanks to S-rank hunter Helena recently mentioning her in an interview.

The second was Koo Seonghak, commonly called the Druid, who had been promoted to A-rank just days ago.

“Koo Seonghak is the real deal. His skills are just different.”

“Aside from Baek Seoha, Koo Seonghak probably has the highest chance of reaching S-rank at this point.”

“The Muhon Guild recruited him, so that speaks for itself.”

Being recruited by Muhon (武魂), undisputedly Korea’s number one guild, was proof enough of his abilities.

The third rising star had only recently begun to be mentioned and was a rookie hunter with very little known information.

“Her name is Baek… what was it? Oh, the one who performed well in that conditional dungeon.”

“Honestly, I don’t know much, but people who’ve seen her say she’s amazing.”

“She was apparently incredible even as an apprentice hunter.”

People knew very little confirmed information about her.

That she was quite young.

That despite being Korean, she had exotic looks.

And…

“They say she’s Song Hayeon’s disciple. Apparently, they ran dungeons together for a while.”

“No wonder. I heard they use similar techniques.”

“Song Hayeon must be something special, seeing how both master and disciple are making names for themselves already.”

That she had a master-disciple relationship with Song Hayeon, who was also considered a super rookie.

At that very moment.

Behind all these misunderstandings, the two subjects of the rumors were engaged in a heated argument.

“Even so, that’s a bit…”

“Just do what I tell you. Why are you arguing so much?”

“Do we really need to clarify our relationship? People will naturally figure it out over time.”

“So I’m supposed to just listen to this nonsense about me being your disciple until then?”

“Most people wouldn’t believe us anyway, even if we told them.”

Faced with Song Hayeon’s factual assault, Baek Eunha could only wrap herself in her blanket and try to suppress her anger.

#

After clearing the special dungeon, I suffered from body aches and lethargy again due to the backlash from using the Book of Death.

Though the time lost was regrettable, I had the opportunity to think about and consider various things.

The first conclusion I reached was simple.

‘The efficiency is terrible.’

The growth rate had significantly decreased despite only passing level 20.

And the backlash that came when using the Book of Death.

At this rate, it would clearly take ages to reach the point I truly wanted.

Just running C-rank lower dungeons with Song Hayeon wasn’t enough.

The number of monsters in small dungeons was far too insufficient for my needs, and there was a limit to how many dungeons a 2-person party could be allocated.

‘…I need another method.’

So I decided to seek Seoha’s advice.

“A way to level up quickly?”

After pondering for a moment with his chin resting on his hand, Seoha gave me an awkward smile and answered.

“Honestly, I don’t think there’s any way other than killing lots of monsters…”

“Ugh.”

As expected, the orthodox answer was still the answer. To get a rough estimate, I asked Seoha additional questions.

“Me? I’m currently level 58, and I awakened two years ago…”

Though I had anticipated it, Seoha’s answer was shocking.

“It would probably take you at least two more years to reach level 50.”

“T-that long?”

“It’s not like the old days when a single guild could monopolize dungeons, and since you can’t join large parties, you can only go to small dungeons. This is a conservative estimate.”

My expression hardened at this fact.

Based on my current pace, I would need to reach at least level 50 to regain some of my former power and skills.

Even then, I would still be far from my prime. Two years?

‘Am I supposed to be the laughingstock of weaklings like Hans all that time?’

I couldn’t accept that. My remaining pride wouldn’t allow it.

‘…Absolutely not.’

So, reluctantly, I decided to take drastic measures.

#

[Um… I read the information you provided. However, we’d prefer to form our party with members who can coordinate regularly…]

“Ah, yes…”

Click.

Tick.

Ring ring.

[I’m sorry to say this, but medium-sized or larger parties rarely form on a one-time basis. Since systematic strategies are needed, it would be difficult to accept someone with such limitations.]

“Ah, I see…”

Click.

Ring ring.

[Ah, your specs were impressive, but our composition is… Summoner types are difficult to coordinate with, so we prefer other positions. I hope you find another party. Have a nice day!]

“…H-have a nice day.”

Thud.

For the third time, I tasted the bitterness of failure as I pressed the end call button on my smartphone.

‘Blind fools…’

It was quite unpleasant to see them reject without hesitation a high-performance, low-cost talent like me willing to join their party.

I collapsed onto the bed, feeling completely drained.

‘…I guess it’s not going to work.’

To gain more experience, I needed to join a larger party and tackle medium-sized or larger dungeons.

But it was difficult to find a party that would welcome someone with my mental penalties.

If just phone calls were this mentally exhausting, it was questionable whether I could fit well in a medium-sized or larger party.

As I closed my eyes to recover my energy, I received a series of messages from Song Hayeon.

Ding.

【Is that really you who posted that, Master?】

Ding.

【Are you really okay not going with me?】

Ding.

【You won’t find anyone else like me who’ll drive you around, help you move, and maintain proper distance. Hunters are such individualists, you know?】

When I read the messages without replying, one final message arrived.

Ding.

【Decent parties won’t take someone with issues like you, Master…】

“…This is ridiculous.”

I felt heat rising as I put down my phone.

No matter what, I would find a party and put Song Hayeon in her place.

So I diligently searched through recruitment sites looking for a party.

And finally, I found one. A party with access rights to a C-rank medium-sized dungeon.