---

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

In order to confirm his survival and rescue him safely.

The Cheongrim Guild, to which Yu Byeong-jun belongs, dispatched an elite party consisting of A-rank Hunters.

However, as time passed further…

At a point when the operation should have already concluded as expected,

Even the elite party failed to return, just like Yu Byeong-jun.

Ultimately, it became certain that the elite party was also missing.

The Hunter Management Agency of South Korea immediately went on high alert and convened an emergency meeting.

“The inspection results confirm that this A-rank dungeon is a special dungeon.”

“Reports have come in from Hunters specialized in reconnaissance.”

Information began to accumulate one by one.

As the data was compiled, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy.

“There is a high probability that this A-rank dungeon is a double dungeon.”

“The amount of mana inside the dungeon is increasing! In the worst-case scenario, it could even be an S-rank dungeon.”

Through contact from the field, information continued to be added.

“It has been reported that high-ranking undead have begun to spread inside again! Further reconnaissance is impossible…”

“Damn it!”

Crash!

A middle-aged man, unable to contain his anger, slammed his fist on the table.

However, no one scolded him.

Everyone shared the same feelings.

“You tell me it’s suddenly a double dungeon! Such dungeons are so rare in Korea, why now?”

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

The time it took to assess the dungeon’s emergence and recruit Hunters for the operation.

The time consumed due to Yu Byeong-jun’s reservation.

The time wasted waiting for the dispatched rescue team to return.

With all of this combined,

“The dungeon break is imminent…”

“Shit!”

The gate’s rampage was rapidly approaching in real-time.

A rampage of an A-rank dungeon, close to the highest tier of dungeons.

Dealing with a rampaging gate would result in countless casualties.

In fact, it required a massive number of personnel.

As they had to face the monsters pouring out all at once.

What if they couldn’t contain this A-rank dungeon now and the gate rampaged?

Just imagining the expected situation made everyone shudder.

“We absolutely cannot let the gate rampage!”

“That’s right! There’s no time to waste. We need to issue summons to each guild!”

“Contact all high-ranking Hunters!”

In this urgent situation, the agency acted swiftly.

They reached out to all guilds that included high-ranking Hunters, including large guilds.

Of course, independently active Hunters were also included in the range of contacts.

It was time for Hunters, who had enjoyed various benefits, to fulfill their duties.

However, it was impossible for all Hunters to participate in this incident.

There were countless dungeons, and many were already in progress.

Moreover, some Hunters were dispatched overseas.

“The Dawn Guild has expressed their willingness to cooperate! They will send an elite party!”

“Just like the Dawn Guild! What about others?”

“Cheongrim Guild also said they would send additional members!”

“The Knight Guild has also expressed their intention to cooperate!”

The number of confirmed reinforcements began to increase one by one.

The late-night work continued on and on.

During a brief respite amidst the late hours,

The team leader from the management department conversed with Manager Jang Han-soo in the break room.

“Whew… I’m tired.”

“Given the situation, it’s understandable. How many reinforcements have gathered?”

“The advanced party has 13 high-ranking Hunters, of which 3 are S-rank. The later group is still being recruited.”

“It’s a bit disappointing, but it’s the best we can do.”

“Indeed.”

Due to the urgency of the situation, the agency recruited additional members beyond the advanced party.

The pre-gathered advanced party would set off first to accelerate the operation.

While the additional later party would join in to stabilize the conclusion of the operation.

This was the best plan they could come up with at this point.

“By the way, what about that returnee? What’s their rank? Some time has passed, right?”

“Oh, that person is still D-rank.”

“Is that so? That won’t help at all.”

The team leader clicked his tongue bitterly.

Observing him, the manager pondered inwardly.

“If it’s Si-hyun, she surely has A-rank level skills, which would definitely be helpful, but…”

It was uncertain whether she would show willingness.

Since she was a lone individual without a guild affiliation, and her registered rank was D.

Despite the minimal benefits, the obligations were also few.

While it wasn’t impossible to coerce her, it would undoubtedly harm future relations.

“I guess I should contact her when I have time, just in case.”

If she offered a positive response,

It would certainly be feasible to involve her in the operation somehow.

* * *

The following day, chaos was still ensuing in one of South Korea’s major guilds, the Cheongrim Guild.

Within the guild building, a man shouted, his expression twisted with frustration.

“What?! What are you talking about! Another disappearance? The rescue team was completely wiped out?!”

His voice echoed loud throughout the office.

He was the master and president of the Cheongrim Guild.

All employees couldn’t help but lower their heads, glancing cautiously at the president.

“Half of our core forces are missing! Did the advanced party do their jobs properly?! What on earth are we going to do about this situation!”

The reason the Cheongrim Guild was able to establish itself as a major guild was that it had two S-rank Hunters.

Cheongrim was famous for reallocating resources to top-tier Hunters.

As a result, many had been filtered out from below, but new recruits kept coming in.

Many Hunters held dreams of becoming the strongest.

Belief that rewards would follow after hard work.

This was the key reason why talent continued to gather in Cheongrim.

In reality, only a tiny fraction enjoyed benefits, while most were exploited and worn out.

Now, the disappearance of Yu Byeong-jun, representative Hunter of Cheongrim Guild, an S-rank Hunter.

The elite A-rank Hunter party dispatched to rescue him was also missing.

Simply put, Cheongrim Guild was in a state of emergency.

“Ever since that damn woman left, nothing has gone right! Seriously, damn it!”

The president yelled, his face turning red.

As he vented his anger, he began to mention past incidents.

As the employees who had kept their mouths shut waited for the president’s fury to subside, suddenly the president’s phone rang.

The expression of the president softened slightly as he checked the caller’s ID.

It was because it was an S-rank Hunter, who was another representative figure of Cheongrim.

– Boss, I’ve finished my job over here. I’m heading back to Seoul soon.

“Mr. Kang Cheol-min, finally! You must have heard about the situation by now, right?”

– Yes, I’ll participate in the later group as soon as I return.

He wasn’t currently in Seoul due to being away on business.

Because of that, he couldn’t participate in the advanced party but would join the later group right away.

He needed to restore the ruined reputation of the guild.

“Please, the Hunters must still be alive…”

– You don’t have to worry. With me around, I will definitely rescue them and come back.

Kang Cheol-min emphasized his words confidently.

His tone was almost arrogant.

The president sighed in relief.

* * *

The day after the chaos, Si-hyun found herself in a D-rank dungeon in the afternoon.

She leisurely swept through the interior of the dungeon to earn some pocket money.

Upon discovering an open area, she began to indulge in her hobby.

“Hehe—”

She hummed the ending song of a VTuber named Momobin while casting magic.

She moved, tapping her toes to the rhythm.

Crackle, crackle.

Like when she had created a goblin model before,

This time, a skeleton model was being crafted.

After completing the frame, Si-hyun took out her phone to check her messages.

While internet access was impossible, it was possible to view already recorded chat history.

She reviewed the previous conversations she’d had with Ah-reum.

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

– …How about making it cute this time?!

– Cute? Why?

– Well, it’s to reduce students’ aversion to monsters!

– Oh, that sounds plausible.

– Right?!

– (Skeleton Drawing)

– How about something like this?!

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

Si-hyun was easily persuaded.

Reflecting back, the combat practice using the goblin model had indeed split opinions.

Was it really necessary to impose something like that in a liberal arts class?

Moreover, Ah-reum’s idea didn’t seem bad at all.

Reducing aversion with a cute appearance sounded great.

It was a notion she would have never thought of herself.

She was glad to seek someone’s opinion.

With a satisfied nod, she continued her thoughts.

She decided she would create the model with the mindset of a hobby.

The goblin model on the side of the professor’s office would be getting a new friend?

Making one of each type would probably result in a decent representation.

“Hehehe…”

Grinning, she cast magic again.

‘When I get home, I should also enjoy the wine I bought from the bar.’

It was home, so she wouldn’t have to worry about getting tipsy and could enjoy it as a side dish.

Just skip the early morning prayers for one day.

Wake up leisurely, compose herself.

“Mmm, mmm.”

It was a neat and perfect plan.

Feeling as though she was truly enjoying a healing life, Si-hyun smiled brightly.