RG 60

Clatter, clink.

In the silent room, the sound of dishes clashing echoed. The food was incredibly delicious, but I couldn’t just keep eating in silence. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity that Kwon Taehyeok had created for me.

“I feel like I should be the one treating you to a meal. After all, you both saved my life that day.”

I brought up a safe topic, and as expected, Ryu Seonghyeon took the bait.

“No, not at all. If you think about it, I was just following Hunter Kwon Taehyeok’s orders.” Ryu Seonghyeon smoothly passed all the credit to Kwon Taehyeok. 

However, Kwon Taehyeok, not wanting to get involved between the two of us, spoke, “Honestly, it would have been difficult to win without Hunter Cha Seohu’s support.”

The reason the monsters suddenly swarmed was probably because I had angered Cha Sahyeon in the first place. Sitting here eating with these two, who had no idea of the cause, made me feel a bit guilty.

Anyway, since Kwon Taehyeok had mentioned the support, it was a good opening for me. I seized the opportunity and asked Ryu Seonghyeon, “Actually, after receiving the guildmaster of Yesung’s suggestion last time, I visited the Ui-dong rift.”

“Oh, I heard about that. So, Hunter Cha Seohu was there too.”

“Yes. I’m not sure if I was helpful, but it was a good experience for me.”

“With your skills, I’m sure you were a great help.”

“Really?” I smiled at Ryu Seonghyeon and continued. “What about you, Vicemaster?”

“Pardon?”

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Ryu Seonghyeon looked at me with an unreadable expression before answering, “Hmm, no, there isn’t.” It was a clean rejection accompanied by an awkward smile.

It was the response I expected. Unfazed, I spoke again, “As you know, my guild is still new, and it’s just me and my brother. So, we’re willing to help out with anything if you need it.”

Ryu Seonghyeon, who had been quietly listening, slightly lowered his head, as if avoiding my gaze.

“Well, perhaps the guildmaster of Yesung here would be more helpful with those matters.”

“Supports are needed everywhere.”

The smile on Ryu Seonghyeon’s lips vanished. He pressed his lips into a firm line and remained silent for a moment.

The atmosphere became much tenser than before. I suppressed my anxious feelings and waited for Ryu Seonghyeon’s decision. As much as I wanted to urge him to stop being stubborn and take me on as a mercenary, I knew that would only backfire.

After a long pause, Ryu Seonghyeon slowly put down his chopsticks and said, “Yes, that’s true. We do need a Support, and we are looking for one.”

“Then…”

Ryu Seonghyeon slightly lifted the corners of his mouth again, but his voice was cold and firm, not matching his smile. “But I have no intention of asking Hunter Cha Seohu.” 

His rejection was even more direct this time, and a sharp pain, like a needle, pierced my chest. I tried to ignore the disappointment and asked calmly, “Why are you rejecting me?”

“Hunter Cha Seohu, your documents list you as a B-class Support. But aren’t you actually of a higher rank?”

“…”

“In competitive battles, the participating Hunters’ classes and skills are shared with the opposing guild. Ronic Guild would think you’re B-class.”

“Supports are few in number, so their class has the least impact on the position.”

“No matter how you look at it, there’s a big difference between B-class and S-class.”

“Ronic Guild will deploy their highest-ranked Support regardless of what class Support Circle Guild brings.”

What I meant was, why should the smaller guild care about something that even the larger guild doesn’t? Would Ronic Guild send in a lower-ranked supporter just because Circle Guild brought in a C-class or B-class one? Of course not. They might laugh at us, but they wouldn’t make such an altruistic decision.

“You know that the role of a Support in a competitive battle is limited.”

It’s impossible to perfectly match the classes of all the participating guild members. That’s why they try to balance it out as much as possible. If the DPS classes are a bit lacking, they send in a higher-class Tank, for example.

In all of this, the most flexible position is the Support. Supports are so few, and since both teams receive equal Support, the difference isn’t that noticeable. They’re essential, but their presence doesn’t stand out. That’s the role of a Support in competitive battles.

“Use me. If you take me along, even if there’s a class difference with Ronic Guild’s Support, I can cover it.”

“That’s true. Because you’re actually S-class, not B-class,” Ryu Seonghyeon replied calmly, then took a sip of water and stood. “I appreciate the offer, but my decision remains unchanged.”

“Vicemaster.”

“Excuse me, I’ll be heading out first. I’m sorry. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”

Ryu Seonghyeon bowed to both me and Kwon Taehyeok, then left the room without looking back. As I stared at the empty spot where he had just been sitting, feeling a bit defeated, Kwon Taehyeok said,  “You expected him to say no, didn’t you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

I never thought my rank would be the issue. I was so focused on the awkwardness between me and Ryu Seonghyeon that I didn’t even consider the rank problem.

“…This won’t do. I’ll be right back.” If I let Ryu Seonghyeon go now, the competitive battle would start without me having another chance to convince him. I had to catch him and try persuading him one more time.

I quickly excused myself from Kwon Taehyeok and rushed out of the room. As I exited the building, I saw Ryu Seonghyeon walking across the garden.

“Vicemaster!”

Hearing my shout, Ryu Seonghyeon flinched and turned around with a slightly surprised expression. I quickly approached him and said, “If my rank is the issue, I’ll take the test again.”

“Hunter Cha Seohu.”

“There will be rank differences in other positions for sure. I’m the only one who can bridge those gaps. You’ve experienced my support firsthand.”

“…”

“We have to win, right? You didn’t accept the competitive battle to lose, did you? So…”

 “Hunter Cha Seohu.” Ryu Seonghyeon cut me off, looking down at me with a blank expression. “You seem excessively interested in our guild.”

“…”

“There must be a reason why you haven’t retaken the rank test and remain B-class. I don’t understand why you’re willing to give that up just to participate in this competition.” Ryu Seonghyeon let out a deep sigh, trying to soften his stern expression as he continued, “Is it such a bad thing to want to approach this competition fairly, no matter who the opponent is?”

“…No.”

“I understand your concerns, but we have plenty of resources to rely on. We’ll proceed without any issues, and we’ll do our best to win. There’s no need for you to step in and retake the test.”

“…”

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Ryu Seonghyeon turned away from me and left without hesitation. Having failed to convince him once again, I hung my head, feeling a heavy sense of powerlessness.

He wasn’t wrong. Officially, I was B-class, and hiding my true abilities to participate in the competition… wasn’t exactly honorable. Even if it had been the Circle Guildmaster instead of Ryu Seonghyeon, the answer would have been the same: a rejection.

‘Even if I get retested now, his answer probably won’t change…’

If anything, it might make things worse. Ryu Seonghyeon already thinks I’m strange, and if my image gets any worse, he might start avoiding me altogether.

“Sigh…”

Nothing ever seems to go right. Frustrated, I let out a heavy breath and trudged back to the room.

“Seems like it didn’t go well.”

Seeing me return looking completely dejected, Kwon Taehyeok didn’t need to ask to know what had happened. His comment felt a bit irritating. After giving Cha Sahyeon a gentle pat on the head for patiently waiting, I sat.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”

“I’m not particularly close with him either, but in all the time I’ve known Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon, he’s always been like this.”

“Is that so.” I chuckled bitterly.

I knew full well that Ryu Seonghyeon was unwavering in his personality. That was part of why I admired him. Even if I couldn’t fully understand him, I was proud of Ryu Seonghyeon’s consistent nature as a colleague.

‘I’m such a fool.’

I liked and followed Ryu Seonghyeon because of his steadfastness, but now I was frustrated with him for being inflexible. He was just making decisions based on his convictions, as he always did.

My determination to help Circle Guild win shattered the moment Ryu Seonghyeon rejected me. And honestly, after being told so bluntly that I wasn’t needed, I couldn’t think of another way forward.

“…If you’re genuinely worried about Circle Guild losing without any other motive, I’ll talk to Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon and arrange for some of my guild members to support him,” Kwon Taehyeok, noticing how defeated I looked, offered what sounded like a comforting suggestion.

Yeah. They’ll need mercenaries anyway, and it would be better to have Hunters that Kwon Taehyeok sends. I nodded weakly. “Yes, please do.”