Chapter 57

The disappearance of S-rank Hunter Yu Byeong-jun.

In order to confirm his survival and rescue him safely…

Yu Byeong-jun’s guild, Cheongrim Guild, dispatched an elite party composed of A-rank Hunters.

But as time passed…

Even at the point where they should’ve already cleared it according to plan…

The elite party also failed to return like Yu Byeong-jun.

Ultimately, it became clear that even the elite party had gone missing.

South Korea’s Hunter Management Agency immediately went into emergency mode and convened an urgent meeting.

“The results of the inspection confirm this A-rank Dungeon is a special dungeon.”

“We’ve received reports from scouts specialized in reconnaissance.”

Information gathered piece by piece.

As the information was consolidated, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy.

“This A-rank Dungeon has a high probability of being a double dungeon.”

“The amount of mana inside is increasing! In the worst case, there’s a possibility it could be an S-rank Dungeon.”

More information kept coming through field communications.

“I hear high-ranking undead are spreading again inside! Further reconnaissance would be impossible…”

“Shit!”

BOOM!

An irate middle-aged man slammed his fist on the table.

But no one reprimanded him.

Because everyone felt the same way.

“Suddenly a double dungeon? Why now when dungeons like this can be counted on one hand in Korea?”

“This is bad… We trusted Cheongrim Guild and wasted too much time.”

The time spent identifying the dungeon’s emergence and gathering hunters for the raid.

The time consumed by Yu Byeong-jun’s reservation.

The time lost waiting for the dispatched rescue team.

All of it combined to this moment.

“The dungeon break is imminent…”

“Damn it!”

The gate’s surge was approaching in real-time.

A surge from this A-rank Dungeon—one of the highest-ranked dungeons—was upon them.

Handling a surging gate results in countless casualties.

It requires massive manpower because they have to face waves of monsters all at once.

If they couldn’t handle this A-rank Dungeon and let the gate surge…

People imagining the expected scenario shivered uncontrollably.

“The gate absolutely cannot be allowed to surge!”

“You’re right! There’s no time to waste. We need to issue a mobilization order to all guilds!”

“Contact all high-ranking hunters!”

In the tense situation, the management agency acted swiftly.

They contacted every guild, including large ones with high-ranking hunters, and naturally included solo hunters who worked independently.

This was the time for hunters who’d enjoyed various benefits to fulfill their duties.

However, it wasn’t possible for all hunters to participate in this incident.

There were countless dungeons, many of which were already in progress.

Moreover, some hunters were dispatched overseas.

“Daybreak Guild has agreed to cooperate! They’re sending an elite party!”

“Of course, Daybreak Guild! How about the others?”

“Cheongrim Guild says they’ll add more personnel!”

“Knight Guild has also expressed their willingness to cooperate!”

The confirmed forces began to grow one after another.

The intense work continued late into the night.

During a brief rest while pulling an all-nighter, the team leader engaged in conversation with Director Jang Han-soo in the break room.

“Phew… I’m exhausted.”

“It’s understandable given the situation. How much power have we gathered?”

“For the vanguard, we’ve got 13 high-ranking hunters, three of whom are S-rank. The backup team is still being recruited.”

“A bit disappointing, but it’s our best effort.”

“Yeah.”

Given the urgency, the management agency recruited not only a vanguard but also a backup team.

The pre-assembled vanguard will depart first to proceed with the raid as quickly as possible.

Then, the backup team, having gathered additional personnel, will join to ensure a stable conclusion.

This was currently the best strategy available.

“By the way, what’s the status of that returnee from before? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Ah, he’s still D-rank.”

“Figures. He won’t be much help then.”

The team leader clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Watching this, the director swallowed his concerns.

‘Si-hyun would definitely be helpful if she’s reached A-rank level…’

But it was uncertain whether she’d show the will to participate.

She was an independent without any guild affiliation and officially registered as D-rank.

With almost no benefits come minimal obligations.

While coercion wasn’t impossible, it would undoubtedly harm future relations.

‘I should probably contact her when I have time.’

If she gave a positive response,

It would certainly be possible to involve her in the raid somehow.

* * *

One of South Korea’s large guilds, Cheongrim Guild.

Inside their guild building, a man yelled loudly with a furrowed brow.

“What?! What do you mean?! Another disappearance? The rescue team completely wiped out?!”

His voice echoed throughout the entire office.

He was the master and president of Cheongrim Guild.

All the employees avoided eye contact, carefully gauging the president’s mood.

“Half of our core strength is missing! Didn’t the vanguard do their job?! What are we supposed to do about this situation?!”

The reason Cheongrim Guild managed to establish itself as a major guild

Was due to having two S-rank Hunters.

Cheongrim was famous for pouring resources into top-tier hunters.

Despite many branching off from below, new recruits continued to flow in.

Many hunters dream of becoming the strongest.

The belief that hard work will eventually be rewarded.

This was the key reason why talented individuals kept coming to Cheongrim.

In reality, only an extremely small number enjoyed the benefits, while most were exploited and worn out.

The disappearance of S-rank Hunter Yu Byeong-jun, representing Cheongrim Guild.

And the disappearance of the elite A-rank Hunter party sent to rescue him.

Literally, Cheongrim Guild was in a state of emergency.

“That damn woman, nothing good has happened since she left. Seriously, fuck!”

The president’s face turned red and purple as he continued shouting,

Bringing up past events in his rage.

Just as the silent employees waited for the president’s anger to subside,

The president’s phone suddenly rang.

Recognizing the caller, the president’s expression softened slightly.

It was another representative-level figure of Cheongrim, the S-rank Hunter.

– Sir, I’ve finished my tasks here. I’ll head back to Seoul soon.

“Mr. Kang Cheol-min, finally! You must’ve heard the situation, right?”

– Yes, I’ll participate in the backup team as soon as I return.

Since he was on a distant business trip, he wasn’t currently in Seoul.

Thus, he wouldn’t be able to join the vanguard, but he planned to join the backup team immediately.

To restore the guild’s tarnished reputation.

“Please, I hope the hunters are still alive…”

– Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll bring them back safely.

Kang Cheol-min confidently reinforced his words with an arrogant tone.

The president sighed in relief.

* * *

The next day, amidst all the chaos.

In the afternoon, Si-hyun was at a D-rank Dungeon.

Earning some pocket money while leisurely sweeping through the dungeon.

Finding a suitable open space, she began indulging in her hobbies.

“Hmmmmmm——”

Humming the ending song of Bertuver Momobin’s broadcast, she cast a spell.

Her toes tapped rhythmically as she moved.

Crack, crack.

Similar to when she previously made a goblin model,

This time, a skeleton model was being crafted.

After completing the skeletal structure, Si-hyun pulled out her phone and opened KakaoTalk.

Though internet access was unavailable, reviewing previously recorded chat history was possible.

She revisited old conversations with Ah-reum.

– I’m thinking of preparing a skeleton model this time.

– …How about making it cute this time?!

– Cute? Why?

– Well, it reduces students’ aversion to monsters!

– Oh, that sounds reasonable.

– Right?!

– (Skeleton drawing)

– What do you think about something like this?!

– Thanks for the reference material! I’ll take it into account.

Si-hyun was easily persuaded.

Upon reflection, the combat practice using the goblin model clearly divided opinions.

Is there really a need to force such things in a general education class?

Moreover, Ah-reum’s suggestion wasn’t bad either.

Reducing rejection with a cute appearance…

It was an idea she herself would never have thought of.

She was glad she sought someone else’s opinion.

Satisfied, she nodded and continued her thoughts.

This model should be created with a hobbyist mindset.

The goblin model in the professor’s office will gain a new friend, huh?

If I make one of each kind, it might look pretty cool.

“Hehehe…”

Smiling happily, she cast another spell.

‘Then when I get home, I should drink the wine I bought from the bar.’

At home, I can enjoy it as an accompaniment without worrying about intoxication.

Skipping morning prayers tomorrow just this once.

Waking up late and regaining composure afterward.

“Mm, mm.”

A clean and perfect plan.

Feeling like she was truly enjoying a healing lifestyle, Si-hyun smiled brightly.