episode_0016

Meanwhile, just about 10 minutes before Yuseha and Mahana grabbed the loot and exited the gate.

The ‘guild’ was in a state of extreme emergency.

Employees running around, one holding four smartphones at once to make calls, among other things.

Among the various individuals present, the middle-aged man shouting loudly in the center would be the most striking.

“What is everyone doing! Hurry and call the top-ranked hunters on the line and ask them to gather A-rank or higher hunters! Immediately switch to emergency mode and ensure the safety of the citizens first!”

The man shouted until his voice was hoarse.

Yelling so loudly that veins popped, this man was none other than the vice guild leader.

In his youth, he had aspired to become a famous hunter, but faced with the immense wall of inherent limitations as a man, he was one of many who gave up on their dreams.

Tears in his eyes, he left the scene.

Even though he had abandoned his dream, he wanted to watch over the dreams of hunters from afar and through hard work, he had risen to the position of vice guild leader, an elite role.

At that moment, one subordinate cautiously spoke up.

“Um, sir… Didn’t you mention as well? Even if it’s for the high-ranking hunters, is it really necessary to switch to emergency mode…”

His self-preserving words, concerned about entering the upper echelons, made the vice guild leader’s eyes narrow.

“You’re talking nonsense! Pull yourself together! If another breakout occurs, it’s over! And there are still two hunters inside! We must do our best to ensure their safe escape. That’s why we work, living off the taxpayers’ money!”

With a near-definitive tone, the subordinate started making calls here and there.

‘…How pathetic…’

About 30 minutes ago.

The vice guild leader, a promising individual known by the nickname “Seolbing,” met Moon Bora.

Just as he was about to thank her for her efforts upon her exit from the gate, he heard a bombshell statement that surpassed all expectations.

– It’s a breakout.

– …Pardon?

– This dungeon right now was on the brink of a breakout.

A natural disaster or nothing out of the ordinary.

The vice guild leader barely managed to hold back from nodding off right then and there.

‘A breakout is not just a simple crisis situation.’

A large-scale calamity.

An explosion at the gate in the heart of the city where citizens roam. Monsters pouring out and committing dreadful acts.

Having experienced a breakout firsthand, the vice guild leader knew the horror vividly.

‘…It was terrible.’

The image of his superior’s head rolling around while they chatted over coffee flashed before his eyes.

He ran like mad, hiding in the bathroom, trembling in fear, barely escaping with his life.

Among the colleagues present at that time, only he survived.

Such a disaster seemed to be looming again.

‘…Fortunately, they said the boss was taken down.’

Except for certain exceptions like [Gimmick Type], all bosses are responsible for the core of the dungeon.

Defeating the boss naturally restores the flow of magic and regulates the over-saturation phenomenon.

However, due to the nature of being a gate, they had to maintain this emergency situation.

He felt like bowing to Moon Bora.

She knew right away, even at the beginning…

Yet she didn’t run away and even took down the boss. How grateful he should be, especially with no guarantee that the gate wouldn’t explode in the meantime.

He expressed his gratitude belatedly, but the response he received was unexpected.

– No. I did nothing. It’s all thanks to Yuseha and Mahana. Their strong hearts and determination… prevented the incident.

That response left him slightly bewildered.

One person was known as a dropout, while the other was a hunter who had entered the dungeon for the first time today.

Moreover, they were both men.

‘…Even if “Seolbing” is just empty talk, he wouldn’t say something like that. It must be true.’

“…! Deputy Guild Master. The two are coming out now!”

“…!! Good. Let’s go meet them right away.”

*

Just after we slipped outside with Busanmul, holding (or rather failing to hold) our precious Myeongyi’s hand, Mahana and I couldn’t help but feel bewildered by the crowd gathered at the entrance of the gate, or at least dozens of people.

‘…What on earth is going on?’

With a little thought, one could figure out that it was probably because of the breakout.

Due to the lack of experience, we hadn’t thought that far.

Then, a middle-aged man stepped forward discreetly.

“Hello. I am in charge of this guild as the deputy guild master.”

It was only through his detailed and thorough explanation that we could finally grasp the situation.

“Miss Moonbora has not spared any praise for you two. Especially for Yuseha, she mentioned how impressively your sword played a significant role…”

“Ah…”

That Moonbora guy.

He really buttered us up, didn’t he?

Next time we meet, I should do something in return.

“And I’m sorry, but… do you happen to have any evidence related to the breakout? We need items for a proper on-site report. Of course, we will pay generously.”

The deputy guild master smiled apologetically, seeming tired.

This man… despite his high position, he seemed like a kind person.

‘…That aside…’

I’ve been feeling oddly since earlier, but the man’s words just confirmed it further.

Behind him, the employees.

There weren’t many, maybe around ten, but they wore expressions of doubt.

‘Perhaps they don’t understand.’

Even if Moonbora had vouched for us, the truth was that Myeongyi and I lacked the proper qualifications to prove ourselves. One was a dropout, the other a male hunter entering the gate for the first time today.

It wasn’t a great feeling, but it was understandable.

‘…I should send a message thanking Moonbora.’

Although he told me to grab the boss’s head… it seems like he knew this would happen.

“Hana.”

Without hesitation, Mahana opened a bundle at my request.

In her hand was the severed head of a Silverback, its tongue sticking out.

“…That’s a Silverback’s head?!”

“It appeared in the Goblin Stronghold… that creature?”

“If that’s the case…”

Everyone was shocked and murmuring.

Except for the deputy guild master, their faces stiffened, spewing out confused words.

Upon the appearance of a new head, everyone paled.

“Ka, Kappa Rhino!?”

As the skull of Kappa Rhino, imbued with magic, emerged, screams of horror filled the air.

Both were sturdy [Beast-type] monsters with strong defenses and high stamina.

Even if “Seolbing” participated, as mere backups, they couldn’t unleash their full power.

In other words, it meant that the young man and the cunning cat-like woman had truly excelled.

‘Unbelievable.’

The deputy guild master closed his eyes tightly.

Capturing these creatures required not only bravery but also a significant feat.

‘…It was right in front of us.’

Even if the Silverback was the final boss, facing Kappa Rhino was a dire situation.

This meant that they had reached the last strategy to conquer the dungeon, their only solution.

“…Thank you both so much.”

The deputy guild master, barely containing his overwhelming emotions, firmly grasped the hands of Yuseha and Mahana.

“Thanks to you… we were able to save countless lives.”

Starting with his words, all the staff began expressing their heartfelt gratitude.

How thankful they must be to those who not only secured their livelihoods but also saved their lives.

“Thank you. Thanks to your courageous decision, we are alive.”

“Thank you so much.”

“…Uh, well…”

In the end, Yoo-seh, the person in question, was flustered but managed to speak.

It was awkwardly smiling as they had never received so many thanks before.

Only belatedly did they realize that Mahana had disappeared.

“What… where did the cat go?”

Swiftly looking around, Yoo-seh found Mahana in a corner, engaged in conversation with the female employee they had spoken with at the counter earlier today.

“…Feels ominous, doesn’t it?”

Despite Mahana’s remarkable performance, their expression remained dark.

Quietly activating [Unprecedented Sensitivity] and raising its intensity, they strained to suppress the reddening vision and focused on listening to the two people’s conversation.

*

“Mahana, you did really well! Not only will the guild reward you for this, but your ‘public’ score will also receive a significant boost.”

Public score.

A score essential for hunters to continue their guild life.

One’s strength, contributions, trustworthiness—all combined to determine a hunter’s rank.

“This is no ordinary score. With this level of achievement, you could go without any major accomplishments for at least a year… no, two-”

“-Unni.”

“…!”

The female employee was momentarily taken aback.

Unless in a private setting, she never addressed anyone as “unni.”

For her to suddenly use that term was surprising.

“…Hana…ssi?”

“…I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done.”

With a bashful smile, Mahana quietly returned the bronze badge.

The female employee, puzzled by the E-rank hunter card.

“I… I’m planning to leave the guild.”

“H-Hana…”

“Hunter.”

To quit.

* * *

Approximately two hours later.

After settling all the overflowing expressions of gratitude from the staff and calculating all additional rewards they tried to offer, this is the aftermath.

“…Made quite a bit.”

25 Mana Stones from the Transparent-Tailed Monkey (D), each valued at 500,000 won, totaling 12.5 million won.

“…Seems cheaper than expected…”

Common drops from low-level mobs usually fetch this price.

They were actually priced higher out of gratitude.

Originally around 300,000 to 400,000 won per stone.

Additionally, being rare mob stones from the Transparent-Tailed Monkey (D) added extra value.

However, the boss’s two stones were disappointing.

“Silverback at 17 million won. Kappa Rhino at 20 million…”

Adding the bounty of 50 million won given by the guild as a token of appreciation for preventing a “breakout.”

Disposing of miscellaneous items and trash, they earned around 100 million won in total.

Hmm… honestly, isn’t this too little for such achievements?

They mentioned they couldn’t give more than what was immediately available since the guild leader wasn’t around.

Weren’t they supposed to be overseas?

“Well… they’ll probably give more later.”

Anyway, today was truly a fruitful day.

“Guess singing ‘Hunter x Hunter’ isn’t just for show.”

Earning 100 million won after just half a day in a D-rank dungeon…

It’s said that earning this much from a lower-tier dungeon as a “hunter” is rare.

Regardless, they split the money into three parts.

Immediately transferring it to Moon Bora.

Of course, right after sending it, a call came in.

―…Hello? How did you know my number?

―I asked one of the staff members, and they just told me.

―…

And promptly, it was rejected.

―I won’t take my share.

―…But you worked the hardest; you should take the money…

―There’s no time more precious than when preparing for the first ‘Hunter.’ It’s far more valuable for both of you to put it to good use than for me to keep it.

―…Still.

―Don’t misunderstand. This is an investment.

―…An investment?

―Yes, Yoo-seh. An investment in your future potential. And… based on the promise made regarding Mahana, I want to see that fulfilled. So, there’s no need to feel indebted.

That’s what was said.

Honestly, it was a bit bewildering.

“Just wanted to give it, but it turned into an investment…”

She was truly adorable enough to make you want to bite her for being so dishonest.

At the same time, he was grateful.

Maybe things will be different once the foundation is solid.

Right now, in this fledgling state, 30 million won is incredibly precious.

“Anyway, so I was trying to split it into 50 million won each…”

There was a slight issue here as well.

It was nothing much… just Mahana.

This cute little thing was trying to take less of her share.

“…Let’s split it 7:3. I’ll take 3…”

“50:50.”

“…6:4…”

“50:50!”

“…5.5:4.5…”

“-50:50!!”

Continuing to argue, she eventually took it reluctantly.

How dare she, a character as cute as ‘Gosla,’ try to give more money to the ‘Commander’?

Just quietly accept the support.

And so, we’ve come back to the current situation.

“Today felt really long.”

“…Indeed.”

Mahana replied softly to the subtly thrown words.

With her shoulders slumped and lacking energy, her back seemed heavier today.

“…It was really nice today, Yuseha. Well then, I’m tired so I’ll go ahead.”

Turning her body with the response, Mahana.

The setting sun cast shadows of darkness on her face.

In her heart, she wanted to hold onto her.

She wanted to tell her to rethink the words she had exchanged with the female employee earlier.

But faced with her bitter yet poignant smile, I couldn’t offer any response.

“…Goodbye.”

As if it were a farewell implying they wouldn’t see each other again.

Like a statue, I stood there dumbly, watching her fading away.