Chapter 207 – Kim Eung-su

‘Gasp!’

B-rank hunter Kim Eung-su couldn’t help but freeze in shock.

‘I-it’s really Hunter Min Do-jun?’

Who was Min Do-jun? Not just the hero who saved Hongdae, but also the famous Magic Swordsman, and now, as he’d read in the news, an S-rank hunter.

‘Someone like that, and he’s an acquaintance of this staff guy?’

The staff member had said he used to manage Min Do-jun back in the day.

‘Was Min Do-jun really from the Ilsan branch?’

As Kim Eung-su was still reeling from the revelation, Min Do-jun spoke up again.

“Who was it that insulted me?”

“I-it was this person, Hunter,” the branch chief quickly tattled, causing Kim Eung-su to look at him with a sour expression.

But that only lasted a moment.

As soon as Min Do-jun stood before him, Kim Eung-su’s sour face turned to one of pure fear.

“Was it you who talked behind my back?”

“Huh? N-no, I never…”

“He said, ‘Are you here to suck up to some pushover ex-client?’ when he heard you were visiting,” Park Dong-yun interjected.

Min Do-jun finally understood the situation.

“So you called me a pushover, huh? Some no-name hunter I’ve never even heard of.”

“…”

Kim Eung-su’s body trembled.

The killing intent radiating from Min Do-jun made him feel like his head could fly off at any moment.

“Huh?”

“What the…”

A yellow puddle began to form beneath Kim Eung-su’s pants.

Onlookers pinched their noses and frowned in disgust.

“Hey, what’s your name, hunter?”

“K-Kim Eung-su,” he replied, eyes lowered, unable to meet Min Do-jun’s gaze.

“Alright, Mr. Kim Eung-su. Judging by your reaction, it’s clear you were the one who called me a pushover, right? Do you admit it?”

“I-I didn’t know you were Hunter Min Do-jun…”

“So if it was just some low-level hunter, you would’ve still insulted them?”

“T-that’s not…”

“…I’m not a violent person by nature. I prefer to settle things with words. But what do you do with people who don’t listen to words? Sometimes violence is the only answer, right?”

“…”

“Mr. Kim Eung-su, are you the type who listens to words, or do you only understand violence?”

“I-I listen to words.”

“Really? Then sincerely apologize and get lost. If your apology isn’t good enough, I’ll use another method.”

Kim Eung-su immediately bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“I’m sorry. I apologize. It won’t happen again. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

He bowed dozens of times, head low.

“That’s enough.”

“Huff, huff…”

“Live properly from now on.”

“Yes, thank you.”

As Kim Eung-su tried to slip away as quickly as possible, Min Do-jun grabbed his shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going? Clean up your mess before you leave.”

“Ah…”

Kim Eung-su froze, feeling the terrifying strength in Min Do-jun’s grip.

‘I-I can’t move at all.’

Even as a warrior who’d invested in strength, he realized it was nothing compared to Min Do-jun.

“Hurry up and clean it, then get lost.”

“Y-yes.”

Once released, Kim Eung-su took off his jacket, wiped up the mess, and fled.

“Well done, Hunter. Most hunters would’ve used violence, but you resolved it peacefully.”

“He wasn’t even worth hitting.”

In truth, Min Do-jun had refrained from violence mostly because of the public setting, but he didn’t say that out loud.

“So, you said you had something to discuss with me?” Park Dong-yun asked.

Min Do-jun nodded.

“That thing you mentioned when you visited my guild before-does it still stand?”

“Which… Oh!”

Remembering, Park Dong-yun trembled with excitement.

‘Finally… finally…!’

He’d been waiting for this day.

“You’re finally going to run the guild properly?”

“Yes. I have guild members to take care of now.”

“Then please leave it to me. I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”

Min Do-jun smiled warmly, and Park Dong-yun grinned back.

“By the way, are you planning to bring Mr. Han Sang-jun too?”

“Yes, I was going to see him next. Is he still working as a magic stone appraiser?”

“Of course. He’s tired of his job, so I’m sure he’ll be thrilled with your offer.”

“That’s good to hear.”

He’d worried about being rejected, but things were going smoothly.

At that moment, the branch chief interjected.

“Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but it’s work hours. Mr. Park, what are you doing? Go drive Hunter Kim Eung-su home.”

The branch chief then turned to Min Do-jun with a forced smile.

“I hope you understand, Hunter. Rules are rules.”

“…”

“But I’m not a stickler. As branch chief, I can authorize Mr. Park to leave early-if you’ll have dinner with me as a condition…”

“Chief.”

“Yes?”

“Do I look like an idiot to you?”

“Pardon? What do you…”

“You keep trying to manipulate me, but do I look like a fool? Why would I have dinner with you?”

“That’s a bit harsh…”

“I could say worse, but I’m holding back. Consider yourself lucky.”

“…Hmph.”

The chief, flustered, turned his anger on Park Dong-yun.

“Why are you still here? Go drive that hunter home!”

“Why should I drive trash like him home?”

“What?”

Park Dong-yun pulled an envelope from his jacket and handed it over.

“What’s this?”

“My resignation.”

“What?”

“I’ve carried this in my pocket for seven years, resisting the urge to quit every day. Now I can finally let it go.”

“W-wait, Mr. Park, you can’t just-”

“I’ll clear out my desk now. Hunter Min Do-jun, I’ll see you at the guild.”

“Alright. Come by once you’re done.”

“Yes!”

As Park Dong-yun went to pack up, Min Do-jun headed off to recruit Han Sang-jun.

The branch chief was left standing alone in the lobby, stunned.

Recruiting Han Sang-jun was easy.

Just as Park Dong-yun had said, he was sick of his job and responded enthusiastically.

“I’ll follow you, Hunter! No matter what!”

“Mr. Han, your job will be buying and selling items. You said before that you’re confident in distribution, not just magic stone appraisal, right?”

“Absolutely! Leave it to me.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you remembering me.”

“When can you start?”

“I need to train my replacement, so give me a week.”

“Alright.”

Next, Min Do-jun headed to the Wanted Guild.

‘It’s been about a year and three months since I last visited.’

He’d come before to memorize Kang Cheol-gyu’s scent for revenge, pretending he was considering a contract.

‘After Kang Cheol-gyu died, I haven’t returned.’

After killing Kang Cheol-gyu and gaining Weakness Detection, the Wanted Guild lost its rising star and went into decline, dropping from the top 10 to around 50th place.

‘Their image really took a hit.’

He worried whether the person he was looking for still worked there.

“Oh?”

Luckily, he ran into her right outside the guild.

“Aren’t you Hunter Min Do-jun?”

“Hello, Ms. Chae So-hyun. Long time no see.”

The reason he sought out Chae So-hyun was simple: of all the female managers he knew, she was the only trustworthy one.

‘She was my manager for two years before regression.’

She was famous for being exceptionally competent, so he’d always thought she’d be perfect for the job.

“It’s been a while, Hunter. Has it been a year?”

“About that.”

“What brings you here? Not to sign with our guild, I assume…”

She knew he was already a guild master, so she was curious.

“I came to see you, Ms. Chae.”

“Me?”

She was surprised, but even more so when he made his offer.

“You’re looking for a manager?”

“Yes. My guild needs a female manager, and you’re the only one who came to mind.”

“How did you know I was working as a manager?”

He couldn’t say it was because of his memories from a previous life.

“I heard it somewhere. I also heard you’re very good at your job.”

“I’ve heard that, but I didn’t know it was so well known…”

“Would you consider transferring to my guild? I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”

“So… you’re here to scout me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not mistaking me for someone else?”

“No. I’m here to recruit you as our guild manager.”

Chae So-hyun was still incredulous.

After all, she and Min Do-jun hadn’t interacted that much before.

But for Min Do-jun, who remembered two years of working with her, she was a familiar and reliable choice.

“It’s better to work with someone you know, even a little, than a total stranger.”

“That’s true.”

“So, what’s your answer?”

She hesitated only briefly before deciding.

With the Wanted Guild in decline and the Guardian Guild on the rise, the choice was obvious.

“I’ll transfer right away.”

“Good decision.”

With a manager now secured, Min Do-jun returned to the guild office by evening.

He explained the detailed work plan to Park Dong-yun.

“Your job is overall guild operations. There’s a lot of miscellaneous work, so it’ll be busy. Are you okay with that?”

“Don’t worry, Hunter. I can handle anything.”

“You’re best at picking up hunters, but we need a female manager for that.”

“Oh, I’m sick of manager work. I’m glad to do something else.”

“Haha, is that so?”

Park Dong-yun was clearly motivated, happy to finally escape his old workplace.

“Can I call you Guild Master?”

“You haven’t even started yet.”

“I want to get used to it.”

“Do as you like.”

“Guild Master.”

“…”

“It feels weird after always calling you Hunter. Haha.”

He checked the computer schedule and was surprised.

“Oh, there’s an S-rank dungeon scheduled for tomorrow?”

“Yes. The meeting is in the morning, so I’ll have to leave for the airport at dawn.”

“I’ll handle the ticketing.”

“Already working?”

“This is nothing.”

Seeing how quickly he handled the task, Min Do-jun was pleased.

‘Hiring staff was the right decision.’

With someone to handle the details, all he had to do was sleep.

‘Better get to bed early for tomorrow.’

The next morning, Min Do-jun boarded a plane to China.

He arrived at the meeting point on time.

The City of the Dead.

His first S-rank dungeon as an S-rank hunter.