RG 29
by Lubai“Goodness, Guildmaster!”
“All four of you returned alive!”
The raid team, waiting for us in the empty boss room, greeted us with surprised faces, dressed in somewhat tattered attire.
Behind the Yesung Guild members, who were the first to run toward us, Circle Guild members also hurriedly joined.
“Bro!”
“Is everyone okay?”
“Hunter Cha Seohu, any injuries? Is your brother okay too?”
“We’re fine.”
Seeing Circle Guild members also rushing to check on us after their Vicemaster Ryu Seonghyeon, a warm feeling filled a corner of my heart.
“But really, what happened?” Kim Suho, glancing at Kwon Taehyeok, who was talking with Yesung Guild members on the other side, asked in a hushed voice, “The number of monsters was overwhelming, and there was also an Ogre, right? You defeated all of them?”
“Well…” Ryu Seonghyeon, with an awkward smile, briefly turned his gaze towards me. Then, he casually answered with an unaffected expression. “We defeated the Ogre, but the other monsters seemed to have fled. So, there wasn’t a big problem. Hunter Cha Seohu hid in the room until we arrived.”
I was slightly surprised internally by the following explanation.
Having received support twice, Ryu Seonghyeon must have noticed that I was of S-class, yet he concealed my abilities even from fellow guild members.
“Ah, I see.”
“That’s really fortunate. There were so many monsters, it was truly dangerous. Hunter Cha Seohu, be sure to get a check-up and treatment when you leave the dungeon. Even if you seem fine now, there could be aftereffects later.”
“I will. Thank you for your concern.”
Unable to help but smile at Yu Harin’s efforts to take care of me until the end, I felt as if I had returned to the time before the regression.
“The exit portal is open! You can leave slowly, two at a time.”
At that moment, Yesung Guild member ahead of us relayed the information that the exit was open.
Finally getting out of this wretched dungeon, I swallowed back tears of relief and lowered my gaze. Cha Sahyeon, still holding onto my waist under the guise of support, maintained his usual expressionless face.
‘I should consider more carefully about entering dungeons with Cha Sahyeon in the future.’
I couldn’t go through such incidents every time, and the situation where Cha Sahyeon and I attracted unnecessary attention needed caution.
“Uh, Hunter Cha Seohu.”
While I was standing in line in front of the exit portal, waiting for our turn, Kim Suho subtly approached me. “I… I debated whether to mention this, but I think it’s better if you know.”
“Yes?”
“It’s about Ronic Guild.” Kim Suho scrutinized the Ronic Guild members leaving the dungeon through the portal and spoke in an even lower voice, “Actually, those Ronic Guild members closed the door before you entered the room.”
“Oh, I see.”
Well, I expected that. I already knew those guys were selfish. Since I was trying to escape elsewhere, closing the door wasn’t a big deal.
It wasn’t particularly surprising, so I just nodded in acknowledgment.
“But ever since Hunter Cha Seohu returned unscathed, the air in the Ronic Guild hasn’t been good.”
“The air?”
“I don’t know the reason either. Maybe it’s a belated guilt? Whatever it is, it doesn’t feel good.”
“…”
I glanced at Kim Suho for a moment. With his tousled brown hair, he gave off a somewhat puppy-like impression, but despite his appearance, his perception seemed unexpectedly sharp.
Maybe it’s because he has three older sisters and holds the youngest position in the guild? Anyway, it wasn’t just anyone, and if Kim Suho said it, it was trustworthy.
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“Hehe, if those guys had a conscience, they wouldn’t pick a fight openly. Still, I thought it would be good for you to know. I’m sorry if it was uncomfortable.”
“No, not at all. I appreciate it. Anyway, I don’t have a great relationship with the Ronic Guild.”
Kim Suho, who had seemed awkward, smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression at my follow-up gratitude.
‘The Ronic Guild, huh…’
While I was grateful to Kim Suho for sharing the situation, there wasn’t really a need to react to it. Even if there were several unfortunate incidents between the Ronic Guild and me, there wasn’t enough for them to hold ill feelings towards me.
Above all, the Ronic Guild was a fairly large guild. Why would they bother paying attention to a fledgling and shabby guild like ours with only two members?
‘They should find the Circle Guild more problematic than me.’
I turned my head to look at the Circle Guild members and Ryu Seonghyeon, who were following behind.
It irritated me to see the Ronic Guild causing trouble with Ryu Seonghyeon and the Circle Guild whenever they had a chance. Before my regression, I used to step in and stir things up from time to time, but now there’s no one to play that role. I need to find a way to address this.
‘Because I prevent the calamity solely for the sake of their lives and happiness.’
***
As soon as we exited the dungeon through the portal, a loud notification sound echoed.
Ding!
《Main Quest: Successfully conquer a dungeon of B-class or higher with the antagonist cleared!》
《Main Quest cleared. Rewards are granted.》
《Specialty level increase!》
《Drenched Cat (Class F) → Drenched Cat (Class E)》
“…”
Well, damn.
After going through so much trouble to clear the dungeon, what’s this reward? Specialty level up? And it’s the most useless one among my specialties? Not even a significant improvement, just to Class E?
When I shook with frustration as I looked at the status screen, Cha Sahyeon, who had been supporting my waist, asked with a startled expression, “Does it hurt again?”
“Um… my heart hurts.”
I need a smoke. I quit smoking for the sake of the kid, but if cigarettes are difficult, maybe a drink…
“Hunter Cha Seohu.”
As I pondered how to ease this despondent feeling, a familiar voice called out to me.
Turning my gaze, Kwon Taehyeok, accompanied by one of his secretaries, approached me.
‘Oh, that secretary is someone I know.’
It was the same secretary I had met during the previous Ranking Match. It seemed he came out to greet us upon hearing that the raid was complete.
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
What’s up with the sudden kindness? Despite my bewildered feelings, I smiled and replied. Kwon Taehyeok opened his mouth promptly, “Are you going to take a break now?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“If it’s okay with you, would you consider coming to our guild together? Since you suffered the most damage in this dungeon change, we want to assist with damage compensation and healing.”
Damage compensation and healing? I raised the corner of my mouth slightly.
‘Looks like he’s got a lot to ask.’
But, considering it’s Kwon Taehyeok, it made sense. He had witnessed not only my skills that didn’t seem like B-class at all but also the fact that I ran in a different direction when attacked by monsters.
After hearing my explanation and understanding, he would probably make various proposals in earnest to scout me for the guild.
Having a Hunter with an S-class support skill was rare, and even the successful Yesung Guild lacked support personnel. So, Kwon Taehyeok’s appearance was understandable.
“I’m sorry. I’m still not in great shape, and both my brother and I are a bit emotionally shaken from this incident, so we need some rest.”
I had no intention of casually following along. Above all, I hadn’t come up with any convincing excuses to satisfy the sensitive and suspicious Kwon Taehyeok.
“I understand.”
As if he had expected me to refuse, Kwon Taehyeok nodded gracefully. At his side, the secretary took something out and extended it to me. “We will formally invite you soon.”
“Huh? An invitation? No, I…”
“This is my business card. If you have anything to say regarding this incident, please contact the number written here.”
Before I could refuse, Kwon Taehyeok handed me his business card and swiftly left without waiting for my response. Holding the card in my hand, I belatedly checked the contents.
‘Could this be his personal number?’
The black business card only had Kwon Taehyeok’s name and number written on it. It seemed more like a personal card than an official one.
That guy is really sincere towards me. I’m not particularly fond of his sincerity, though.
With a somewhat reluctant expression, I tucked the business card into my pocket for now. I wanted to crumple it up and throw it away immediately, but there were too many eyes around.
‘I need to take my time finding a solution for this Kwon Taehyeok issue.’
I gently patted Cha Sahyeon’s head, who had quietly waited for my conversation with Kwon Taehyeok to end, as I leaned forward. “You’ve waited long.”
“…”
“Let’s go home now. I’m exhausted.”
The green eyes that peeked through the softly tousled black hair sparkled. With a faint smile, I held the child’s hand as always and started walking.
I briefly considered saying goodbye to the Circle Guild members, but… I decided to leave quietly.
I got unintentionally connected to the Circle Guild because of the Ronic Guild in this incident. Now that the dungeon was over, it was time to go back on my own path.