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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 52: Arhan Bestows Opportunities Free of Charge (1)
After the threatening—no, the “negotiation” with Mr. Black, Yoojin returned to the Paju workshop.
"Hyung! You're back."
"You're all here early? Why not rest some more?"
Yoojin replied with a slightly perplexed expression.
There was still time left before the two weeks he had designated as their vacation period. He had pushed them quite hard while expanding the Necropolis territory, so he had generously given them time to rest...
"It'll be troublesome if you collapse from exhaustion."
"Nah, we practiced together while you were gone, Bro."
Kang Minyeong, with her index and middle fingers extended straight, smiled brightly, as if boasting.
"You're not trying to piss me off, are you? What do you mean?"
"We became 2 Stars! Both of us!"
"Did you enter a Gate already?"
Yoojin stifled a laugh.
The Little Runts team members were all in their late 40s in terms of level. As they were nearing the end of their current rank, the amount of experience required was also high.
'They must have hunted monsters relentlessly to reach the limit level.'
It wouldn't have been possible with monsters of the same rank.
They must have entered a Gate like the [Forgotten Temple], which had an entry requirement of 1 Star, but where higher-ranked monsters appeared.
"It'll be tough following me around, but you guys went and exhausted yourselves beforehand."
"Thanks to your guidance, Hyung, we learned how to become stronger. How could we just rest?"
Lee Seongmin exclaimed excitedly.
My ears are going to explode.
Yoojin thought.
"Speak a little softer."
"Ah, sorry."
Despite his grumbling, his gaze towards the three of them softened.
Grasping opportunities was also an ability.
Even if he didn't know about the two who would later gain fame as the 'Mirror Hunters'...
The fact that even Lee Seongmin was striving to become stronger pleased Yoojin.
'It's rewarding to raise all three of them.'
Even if he couldn't store all sorts of artifacts and sacred relics like Sophia...
He was satisfied that the owner of the [Space] characteristic, with its limitless applications, was full of motivation.
〔The beginning of heroes has always been like this. Truly a sight to behold.〕
'Then bestow a blessing or something.'
〔I am an incomplete constellation. It is burdensome enough to watch over you.〕
'If you can't even do that...'
Our incompetent constellation really demands a lot.
Emphasizing hardship and adversity at every moment.
Even indulging in classic heroic narratives.
'You lost to your son because you cling to old tastes.'
〔Im... Impudent!〕
'If you don't like it, take back your blessing.'
〔Just you wait. Once I gain my second Apostle, I will reclaim all the power from you!!〕
'When will the second believer appear?'
For the 〔Heaven-Defying Giant〕 to have another believer besides Yoojin, he needed to accumulate enough achievements to become a full-fledged constellation.
Well...
Unless Yoojin reached 9 Stars again, it probably wouldn't happen anytime soon.
"Hyung, there's one more thing."
"There's still more to surprise me?"
"Arhan Guild requested our team's assistance in raiding a Gate!"
Oh.
That is surprising, in a different way.
A cold smile appeared on Yoojin's lips.
"H-Hyung?"
"Tell me. What exactly was their offer?"
"Well... Arhan said they have three long-unconquered Gates that were handed over to them by the government."
"They want you to assist them in raiding one of the three?"
"It is surprising that Arhan, the number one guild in Korea, is asking us for help, right?"
Don't answer a question with another question, kid.
At Yoojin's cold reaction, all three of them became tense and cautiously observed his expression.
"Did you... accept?"
"No. We were waiting to ask for your opinion, Hyung."
"You're the team leader. Why are you asking me?"
"Didn't you include yourself as a member because we were going in and out of the border area? Of course, we have to ask for your opinion."
Oh.
This kid... he's got loyalty, after all.
"If that's what you want, Hyung, we'll refuse."
"Why refuse?"
"Because you seem displeased."
"It's fine. It's helpful if they make the first move."
Noticing the nuance in Yoojin's words, Kang Minho let out a short sigh.
"They were planning to recruit you from the beginning."
"Ah, is that so?"
"No wonder... I thought it was strange."
The two muttered in a tone mixed with admiration and a sigh.
The Little Runts team had zero recognition.
There was no reason for Arhan, the number one guild in the country, to approach them first.
Kang Minho gave a wry smile.
"I guess we got a little cocky thanks to your teachings, Hyung."
"All three of you have earned the right to be. Don't be discouraged."
Yoojin spoke with sincerity.
You guys...
You are among the few Hunters who pushed the strongest Necromancer to the brink of death.
Enough to leave a strong impression on the Immortal King, one of the few individuals in the world who achieved the 9th rank.
'My neck feels cold.'
Yoojin unconsciously rubbed his nape, recalling his memories from before his regression.
The owners of such talent were right in front of him.
Go ahead and be proud.
〔Khahaha. To think my Contractor would say such a thing.〕
'Did you think I'd only nag you all the time?'
〔Hmm. I thought your veins flowed with lubricating oil instead of blood. To think I misjudged you.〕
Pushing the incompetent constellation's nonsense aside, Yoojin patted Kang Minho's shoulder.
"Anyway, tell me the details of their offer."
"Yes, Hyung."
Arhan Guild's proposal was to enter a Gate on the verge of a Break with the Little Runts team.
They had to choose a Gate that was either commissioned by the government or abandoned by the guild that previously occupied it.
Suwon - Twisted Pit
[Type - Fixed Type]
[Entry Condition: 1 - 2 Stars]
[Gate Area: Medium]
[Entry Limit: 20 people]
[Mana Density: 84%]
Chungju - Iron Tomb
[Type - Fixed (Closed) Type]
[Entry Condition: 1 - 2 Stars]
[Gate Area: Small]
[Entry Limit: 12 people]
[Mana Density: 91%]
Chuncheon - Toy Factory
[Type - Fixed Type]
[Entry Condition: 1 - 2 Stars]
[Gate Area: Small]
[Entry Limit: 8 people]
[Mana Density: 87%]
Ooh.
Yoojin's eyes curved upwards, forming a crescent shape.
〔You see something useful, don't you?〕
'You can tell just by looking at me now, huh?'
〔Wouldn't it be obvious just by looking at your expression, Contractor?〕
'Those Arhan guys... They've got all the good stuff.'
The 'Toy Factory' that opened in the western part of Chuncheon was the Gate where the artifact [Paracelsus' Magic Cylinder], which increased alchemy efficiency, was found.
And from the 'Twisted Pit' located in Suwon, one could obtain the Unique ranked tool, [Infinite Pouch].
〔You remember all that?〕
'Because those were the days when I was starving. I envied the people who obtained those opportunities.'
He had chosen the path of a magic-type Hunter, but those were the days when he barely made enough to eat.
Perhaps that was the reason why Kronos' pocket watch had brought Yoojin back to this point in time.
Yoojin pondered vaguely.
'But the problem is the second Gate.'
Iron Tomb.
The name of the Gate where a large-scale Break occurred, triggering the deaths of thousands.
〔So, the small humans who originally attempted to raid the Gate failed?〕
'Yeah. Though I didn't know it was Arhan.'
A Closed type, where once you enter, you can't come out until you destroy the Gate's core.
The Gate's internal structure, the rewards...
It was an unknown space with no data.
'One thing's for sure.'
〔It's more dangerous than the other options.〕
'There will be plenty of crisis situations that you like, oh Constellation.'
〔Hmph. You wouldn't jump into uncertainty, so you'll choose one of the remaining two.〕
'Not really.'
Maybe it's because you're a incompetent constellation, but you have no sense.
Yoojin organized his thoughts and spoke to Kang Minho.
"Tell Arhan we'll do all three."
"All of them?"
"It's not impossible, is it?"
"Then I'll try to set a schedule."
As Kang Minho fiddled with his phone, Kronos sent a thought, seemingly surprised.
〔Are you risking danger to save those small humans?〕
'Well, it's killing two birds with one stone.'
〔I see you in a new light. To think such heroic qualities lay dormant within you.〕
Uh...
That's not really it, though.
It seemed Kronos had misunderstood, but Yoojin didn't bother correcting him.
'If it's the Iron Tomb, I can get that.'
The material needed for creating enhanced undead.
It seemed like he would reach 3 Stars soon, so there was no harm in securing it in advance.
‘Arhan Guild, thank you very much for putting what I need right into my hands.’
Khehehe.
〔You're laughing like that again. Tsk tsk.〕
Kronos clicked his tongue at Yoojin's vulgar laughter, which showed no signs of changing.
＊ ＊ ＊
The Namhan River flowed through Chungju City.
The parking lot of the Natural Ecology Experience Center, located in the northern part of the river, was filled with people wearing Arhan badges.
"There are so many people."
"They're all from Arhan."
"As expected of the number one guild in Korea, Hyung."
The Little Runts team members' eyes widened.
【How flashy. All show and no substance.】
"Shh. There are a lot of eyes."
【Damn it.】
Instead of spreading more thoughts, Fafnir scattered blue sparks in all directions.
"It's not wrong, though."
The maximum number of Hunters that could be deployed into the [Iron Tomb] was ten.
Four of them were the Little Runts team, so Arhan could deploy at most six Hunters.
"A dedicated healing team is one thing, but an armed trailer?"
【Trailer?】
"A vehicle that lends out guild-owned equipment. They only bring that out for groups of 30 or more."
It would be nice if it ended there.
Craftsmen who repaired damaged equipment on the spot.
Buff specialists waiting outside the Gate.
These were all people who weren't necessary for this Gate raid.
"Re-supply is impossible in this situation. They're just going to come in, eat, and leave."
【Why is Arhan Guild throwing money into the air like this?】
"To show off."
Look at the Little Runts team members with their mouths agape.
They're doing this because it's effective.
The will to obtain what they want, no matter the cost.
This time, that target was Yoojin.
【This is ridiculous.】
As Fafnir choked back a groan, one of the Hunters from Arhan Guild walked towards them.
"Nice to meet you. You're Hunter Cheon Yoojin, right?"
"Yeah."
"I'm Song Myeongseok, and I'll be joining you in the Iron Tomb raid."
Despite Yoojin's casual speech in their first meeting, which was meant to provoke him, the man greeted him without a wrinkle in his brow.
Ah.
‘You're in charge of the raid?’
A bad feeling swept over Yoojin.
＊ ＊ ＊
"The Arhan Guild's Supernova! Hunter Song Myeongseok?!"
A shrill voice rang out from behind.
Song Myeongseok smiled faintly at Kang Minyeong's reaction.
As Yoojin frowned, the entire Little Runts team rushed over.
"To think I'd meet the owner of the Sacrum characteristic in person. It's an honor."
"C-Could I get your autograph? I'll treasure it as a family heirloom!"
Their eyes were practically glowing.
‘That guy... he doesn't seem the least bit embarrassed by that cringeworthy title, Supernova.’
Yoojin stepped back slightly and whispered to Kang Minho.
"Is he famous?"
"Hyung... You're serious... huh?"
Kang Minho shook his head.
Considering he was the same guy who didn't recognize Jang Miseon, a rising star from the Phoenix Guild and holder of the title "Next Sword Saint," it wasn't that strange that he didn't know Song Myeongseok.
"You know, the 'Martial King' of China, Chang Wufei?"
"Why are you bringing up the leader of the Cheonmu Clan?"
"I heard Hunter Song Myeongseok has the same unique characteristic as the Martial King."
Chang Wufei.
The founder of the Cheonmu Clan, one of the seven great families located in China.
He was the second person after Dmitry to achieve the 9th rank, rising to the ranks of the strongest in the world.
"On top of that, he's broken all the Hunter records and he's handsome, so he even has a fan club."
A fan club too?
Ugh.
This is a complete mess.
Despite the Little Runts team's overzealous behavior, Song Myeongseok maintained his smile and even gave them his autograph.
"Thank you for recognizing me. I'll have to buy you all a meal sometime."
"We won't forget what you just said."
"Oh right, we were in the middle of introductions. Hunter Cheon Yoojin."
Song Myeongseok approached Yoojin once again and held out his hand.
"I look forward to working with you on the Iron Tomb raid."
"Well, I'll try my best not to be a burden."
Yoojin replied curtly and looked away from Song Myeongseok's hand.
"My arm is going to fall off."
"It's okay if one of them falls off."
"Huh?"
"I'm kidding. I look forward to working with you."
As soon as their hands clasped, Yoojin quickly withdrew his and turned away.
He could feel the gaze on his back.
He probably wanted to draw his sword and stab him. It was only natural, since Yoojin had deliberately provoked him.
Yoojin chuckled inwardly.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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