Chapter 105 – Trinity

Min Do-jun’s eyes filled with anticipation.

‘Finally, I can see the Trinity effect.’

He obtained the Moon Ring he wanted.

With this, he had all three items needed for the set effect.

Sun Necklace that increases health by 100.

Ring of Stars that increases magic damage by 5%.

Moon Ring that increases magic power by 100.

Looking at just the options, they were ordinary A-grade items, but when combined, they provided an incredible set effect.

‘It’s not easy to have all three since they’re bound items.’

Therefore, most hunters probably don’t know about the Trinity effect.

‘Equip.’

[Set effect activated.]

[Applied Items]

– Sun Necklace

– Ring of Stars

– Moon Ring

[Set Effect – Trinity]

– All Stats +100

– All Damage +20%

– Equipment Defense +20%

– All Element Resistance +20%

– Daytime: Strength, Health +100

– Nighttime: Agility, Magic Power +100

Min Do-jun smiled with satisfaction at these overpowered effects.

‘The Trinity effect is better than my previous effects.’

Min Do-jun took off the Unleashed Ruby Ring and Emerald Ring set he had been using.

‘I used these for quite a while.’

Rings he had used continuously since C-rank until now.

He had even removed their seals with all-dissolving poison to raise their grade, but now it was time to discard them.

‘With durability almost gone, it’s time to change.’

He stuffed the rings along with the now-useless Skeleton Necklace into his inventory.

He wasn’t worried about taking up space.

The inventory could store unlimited hunter items.

*Ring Ring*

Just then, the phone in his pocket rang.

The caller ID showed Emperor Guild Sales Team.

Though he could guess what it was about, he answered to make sure.

“Yes.”

-Ah, hello! This is Cho Hyun-ki, sales team leader at Emperor Guild. Is this Hunter Min Do-jun?

“Yes, it is.”

-We visited your home for several days but you weren’t there. Please understand we had to call instead.

“What’s this about?”

-Well, our guild would like to make you a good offer…

“Not interested.”

-What? No, if you listen you might think differently…

“No matter the signing bonus, I have no intention of joining a guild. Goodbye.”

He hung up after those words.

Having already decided to establish his guild, there was nothing to hear.

‘Joining another guild creates restrictions. Guilds basically emphasize group activities. Plus being bound by contracts.’

Additionally, they take a percentage of income, so even with a large signing bonus, it could be a loss long-term.

‘Above all, I don’t want to join a guild with Shin Kyung-min and Kang Hyuk-su.’

The two from Emperor Guild, ranked 1st and 2nd domestically, were Min Do-jun’s ultimate revenge targets.

‘Joining the guild would make it easier to meet them, but I’m not ready for assassination yet.’

Though Min Do-jun currently had power approaching S-rank, that was by normal S-rank hunter standards.

It didn’t mean he was equal to the current S-rank Shin Kyung-min.

‘I’ll know when I meet Shin Kyung-min, but given his growth rate, he’s definitely stronger than me.’

But Min Do-jun was also growing at a considerable rate, so closing the gap was just a matter of time.

‘Anyway, it’s too early.’

It was better to postpone revenge for now.

‘Not the time for this now.’

After removing his hunter equipment, Min Do-jun returned to his suit attire.

There was a reason he dressed up like this.

He was meeting Hwang Ui-chul after a long time.

*Ding*

Min Do-jun entered the café meeting place and waited for Hwang Ui-chul.

Soon after, he appeared with a welcoming expression.

“Do-jun.”

“Here, Teacher.”

“Did you wait long? Let’s order something first.”

“Please choose what you’d like. I’ll pay.”

“Hey, you think you’re the only one with money? I have plenty too.”

“Please let me treat today.”

After arguing at the counter about who would pay, Hwang Ui-chul turned away.

“You’re so stubborn.”

It was Min Do-jun’s victory.

After ordering two Americanos and sitting down, Hwang Ui-chul asked:

“Why are you dressed up so formally? You should have come casually.”

“I should dress properly when meeting you, Teacher.”

“You keep calling me teacher, do you really think I’m your teacher? I haven’t taught you anything, what teacher?”

“You taught me the meaning of life.”

“You always know what to say.”

Though clicking his tongue, Hwang Ui-chul had a smile on his face.

He didn’t dislike Min Do-jun expressing gratitude.

He knew it wasn’t just lip service but sincere.

But he did dislike when sudden gifts appeared.

Like now.

“What’s this now?”

“It’s a belt I bought for you.”

“I told you you don’t need to give such things.”

“I can’t come empty-handed when meeting you.”

“Tsk, well I’ll accept it. But don’t buy things like this next time.”

“Understood.”

Though he said he understood, he would clearly buy something again.

The two chatted about various things while drinking their coffee.

“I saw you rose to A-rank in the rankings?”

“Yes, recently.”

“To think someone who was C-rank 6 months ago is now A-rank like me…”

“Not all A-ranks are the same though.”

“Are you saying I’m lower?”

“Of course not.”

“When I saved you, you were around level 1,000… You’ve surpassed me from back then.”

Not just from back then.

Even now, Min Do-jun had surpassed Hwang Ui-chul’s level.

The information showing through weakness detection was proof.

“I didn’t know you had talent for hunting? Or is it your class? Should I change to magic swordsman too?”

“Haha… You’d actually get weaker if you did.”

“Really? Then I better not. Can’t lose my civil servant position at this age…”

“How’s the atmosphere among civil servant hunters these days?”

“Don’t even ask. Because of that Yang Seung-hyun guy who tried to cause a dungeon break, work increased and everything got tougher. Not to mention the damaged image of civil servant hunters.”

“Is it confirmed they’re implementing the two-person system for dungeons?”

“Yeah. But they’re only increasing recruitment by 20%. Does that make any sense?”

“You must be busier than before.”

“Well… yeah.”

There seemed to be some hesitation, but Min Do-jun passed over it casually.

“How are your wife and Da-yeon?”

“They’re doing well, of course.”

“I haven’t seen them since first meeting 5 years ago. I’m forgetting their faces.”

“Come visit sometime. Don’t just hunt all the time.”

“Should I come for the birthday party? Da-yeon’s birthday is in ten days.”

“How do you know that?”

“You told me before.”

“That must have been years ago… You remember that?”

“Yes. But you must be nervous.”

“About what?”

“Da-yeon’s turning twenty. You must be worried she might awaken…”

“Sigh.”

Hwang Ui-chul sighed with a worried expression.

“You see right through me.”

“Of course. How could I not know your personality?”

“I wish she wouldn’t awaken. I know how dangerous being a hunter is. But it’s not something we can control.”

Min Do-jun quietly swallowed his laughter watching Hwang Ui-chul sigh deeply.

Having returned from the future, he already knew the outcome.

“By the way, are you still doing dungeon hunting?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I noticed your ranking hasn’t increased for a while.”

“…That’s how it is for civil servant hunters.”

Civil servant hunters only run dungeons twice a week.

And they must run lower dungeons they can clear alone.

Though they can hunt privately outside work hours, most are too tired to do so.

This naturally means slower leveling for civil servant hunters.

‘Still, not increasing at all for two months is strange…’

Hwang Ui-chul’s current level was 2,020.

No change from two months ago.

He remembered clearly because the level matched the year.

“Have you been taking time off?”

“What are you talking about? Who’s taking time off?”

Though there was a slight hint of panic in his voice, Min Do-jun didn’t probe further.

He didn’t want to make his teacher uncomfortable.

“I thought maybe you retired secretly.”

“Retire? I’ll work for life.”

“Haha, that’s good then. Oh right, I moved.”

“Really? Where to?”

Hwang Ui-chul’s face relaxed as soon as the topic changed.

‘There’s definitely something.’

The earlier hesitation and now this – something was suspicious.

Min Do-jun’s suspicions deepened.

After finishing their conversation, the two stood up.

“I’ll visit for Da-yeon’s birthday, Teacher.”

“Good. The family will be happy to hear you’re coming.”

“Take care on your way back.”

“What’s with the ‘take care’ to a hunter. I’m going first.”

As soon as Hwang Ui-chul left, Min Do-jun called somewhere.

*Ring Ring*

After several rings…

-Min Do-jun?

Do Kyung-won answered.

“Hello, Hunter Do Kyung-won.”

-It’s been a while, Do-jun. Last time we met was with Senior Hwang… about half a year ago?

“Yes.”

-If you’re calling about becoming a civil servant hunter, I’m sorry but all positions are filled…

“Ah no, I just wanted to ask something about civil servant hunters.”

-Oh, in that case ask away!

“Do civil servant hunters get vacations? You said before the work was relaxed, so I wondered if there were vacations too.”

-Vacations? We don’t have those. At most we get one day off with personal leave, but week-long summer vacations like others are just a dream. Instead we understand because we have long standby times with nothing to do.

“So you can’t skip dungeons either?”

-We absolutely must enter dungeons. We only go in twice a week, so we can’t skip those. Personal leave can only be used on standby days, not on dungeon days.

“So you must enter dungeons no matter what?”

-Of course.

“No exceptions even for A-rank hunters? Like Teacher Hwang?”

-Of course not. Senior Hwang must also clear twice a week. That’s how the schedule is set.

“Speaking of which, do you still meet with Teacher often? At gatherings too?”

-No. It’s been a while since I saw him… just occasional phone calls to check in. He hasn’t been coming to gatherings.

“He hasn’t retired, has he?”

-Of course not. We would know if he retired.

“Is that so? I see.”

-Did that help answer your questions?

“Yes, thank you for your help.”

-Haha, it’s nothing. Ask anytime. I have plenty of time. Better to talk in person next time.

“Alright. Let’s meet sometime.”

After ending the call, Min Do-jun showed a suspicious expression.

‘Something’s definitely strange.’

According to Do Kyung-won, dungeon clearing cannot be skipped.

They can’t take two months of vacation either.

He hasn’t retired.

Then why hasn’t Hwang Ui-chul’s level changed?

‘If he was taking a break he could just say so, why try to hide it?’

His teacher wasn’t someone who would hide things for his own benefit.

If he hid something, it would be for others’ sake.

That’s why something felt off.

‘I should check if he’s really not entering dungeons.’

No need to follow him separately.

He had already placed a tracking skill on Hwang Ui-chul through his brother.