LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Top Class
Si-hyun’s gaze was automatically fixed on her.
Anyone would find it hard to look away from a tall, fair-skinned beauty who resembled a model.
On top of that, she had a unique intellectual beauty in her face.
‘This is what you call top class….’
On the Empak Burning Bulletin where Si-hyun was active, posts with pictures of pretty girls often popped up, asking, “Is this good enough for a high score?”
Then, there would be comments like, “Definitely high score,” “This kind of face is a dime a dozen in the neighborhood,” “Possibly for group projects,” and “With a face like that, she’d be campus top.”
Si-hyun didn’t comment, but being a guy, he couldn’t help clicking on the posts for a bit of eye candy.
But now, he was seeing such a beauty in real life, not online.
Lost in thought, he wondered that if he dated a girl like that, all the guys on the street would look at him with envy, only to feel a piercing gaze.
Sang-hyuk, usually kind, was staring at him with an oddly cautious expression.
Realizing he had been staring unceremoniously at her since their first encounter, Si-hyun awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Ahem, I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself first… I’m Lee Si-hyun. I’ve just joined this guild as an E-rank Hunter. I look forward to working with you.”
Si-hyun stood up to greet her.
“Oh, hi, I’m Im Eun-hye, a D-rank Hunter.”
Her voice was clean and pleasant.
Her charm rating increased by one.
Plus, she was a D-rank Hunter.
It seemed they were a rare family of Awakened Beings.
“How’s it going? Isn’t it great that you joined our guild?”
Min-jun interjected with a playful smile.
“She’s stunningly beautiful, has a model-like figure, and to top it all off, she’s studying Economics at Seoul National University? Plus, she’s an Awakened Being. You won’t find such a rare breed in any other guild!”
What? Seoul National University?
Si-hyun felt the urgent need to correct his stereotype that there were no beauties in that school.
…Another point for charm.
“What are you talking about? I thought I did well to get in here. I really hate crowded places. This atmosphere is just perfect.”
Si-hyun smiled genuinely at Eun-hye.
Men who have worked in an all-male environment know.
That peculiar dreary atmosphere.
Especially since he had worked at a correctional facility, surrounded by nearly 100% men every day.
Si-hyun had only known that kind of atmosphere, as it was his first job.
So he was sometimes curious about what a workplace with women would be like. Wouldn’t there be a nice, cheerful vibe to soften the work environment?
For that reason, it was a natural hope to want to work in a non-male-dominated environment, even on weekends.
“Seeing you two using informal language means you’re the same age?” Eun-hye said with a smiling eye.
“Yeah.”
“Then feel free to talk casually to me as well. Can I call you Si-hyun oppa?”
Is this for real?
Could she be nice too?
That would be just perfect….
Si-hyun looked a bit awkward.
“Uh… okay. I mean, let’s do that.”
“Nice to meet you, Si-hyun oppa. I’m really grateful you joined our guild. Every single member is so precious to me.”
From her expression, it didn’t seem like just courtesy.
This hinted at how rough the guild’s situation must be.
“If we gather just five more people, we can tackle a D-rank Gate.”
She added cheerfully.
D-rank Gates were different from E-rank Gates, which had almost a 100% clear rate and could allow anyone in, as they were analyzed thoroughly by the Hunter Association for permits.
Typically, to obtain a D-rank Gate permit, you would need around ten members, including one or two C-rank Hunters and several D-rank Hunters, depending on the ranks of the hunters.
The Grace Guild was obviously far from that number.
Thus, they had no choice but to apply for a joint raid with other small guilds to tackle a Gate.
But even that wasn’t easy.
Joint raid applications were only considered second-rate.
The Hunter Association preferred a raid team comprising a single guild due to better teamwork and various other factors.
So, the Grace Guild would struggle to earn permits for D-rank Gates and usually ran continuously through E-rank Gates.
“Ugh, at this speed, gathering guild members will take a few years.”
Min-jun complained.
“No way. The more members, the faster it will grow. That’s how the world works.”
“Right, think positive. But why isn’t Jae-min here? His only redeeming quality is that he usually shows up quickly.”
“Oh, I got in touch with him. Jae-min has a cold and can’t make it today.”
“Seriously, he only informed you, Eun-hye? He didn’t reach out to the guild leader? Such lack of common sense. This kid already has a crush on pretty noona.”
“Oppa, why do you say such things? He could have his reasons.”
“You’re enabling him. If you pamper him too much, he might lose his social skills. That kid is already crying about being a loner in college this year.”
“That’s not Jae-min’s fault. He’s naturally introverted. People need to understand him to some extent.”
“Okay, now that we’ve got almost all the members together, let’s switch the topic to the raid.”
Sang-hyuk reminded everyone and shifted the atmosphere.
He then brought a whiteboard to the front of the coffee table.
“Si-hyun, you’re new, so you might not understand much about raids. I’ll explain it slowly, so pay attention.”
Sang-hyuk began his explanation.
First, the positions.
The Grace Guild was quite a unique composition.
Guild leader Lim Sang-hyuk served as a D-rank Cleric, fulfilling the role of a healer.
Im Eun-hye was a D-rank Sorcerer, acting as a ranged dealer and commander.
Kang Min-jun, a D-rank Knight, served as the main dealer and tank.
The absent Go Jae-min was an E-rank Archer, also a ranged dealer.
It was absurd that they had only one melee dealer when they tackled low-level Gates. Moreover, that person also doubled as a tank.
Such a composition was only possible because they primarily tackled E-rank Gates.
The balance of positions adjusted a bit with Si-hyun’s entry. They had one more person to tank and attract aggro.
Next, he explained the essential rules that everyone in the guild had to follow.
First, never act independently. Follow the commander’s orders during emergencies.
“Those who fight up close can get overwhelmed just dealing with the enemies in front of them. So, as someone distanced from the fight, I assess the situation and provide directives at critical times.”
“Raids are ultimately about teamwork. If everyone only thinks of themselves, that team will be a disorganized mob. Such a team will quickly become easy prey for monsters. Always think of your teammates as part of yourself.”
Eun-hye and Min-jun added further explanation.
Second, never save money on gear.
“You know, if you buy a cheap car, you can crash and just die. Raids are the same. If you skimp on Magic Armor thinking you can buy Rare Armor, you might get caught off guard and die before you know it. This isn’t a game where just HP matters. Even low-tier Gates can kill you in one hit if you get hit in the weak spot. Keep that in mind.”
“Weapons and armor are crucial, but you should try to equip other gear at least at Rare level as well. I say this because Unique ones are too expensive… although honestly, it doesn’t mean much.”
Min-jun and Eun-hye added their explanations again.
Third, diligently familiarize yourself with the information on monsters listed on the Korea Hunter Association’s official site whenever you have time.
“You know the saying from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, ‘Know your enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles’? There’s a huge difference between facing unknown enemies and known ones. When unexpected monsters appear in A-rank Gates, many hunters lose their lives.”
“You need to study the attack patterns and weaknesses of monsters. Of course, it won’t help against new monsters, but that’s just something you have to deal with.”
“I know you’re busy with work, but I hope you find time to study.”
“Understood.”
Si-hyun nodded, indicating he understood.
Every rule was important and made sense.
First of all, it seemed he needed to break his savings quickly to get equipped.
“Then, shall we experience a raid today? There’s no better teacher than experience.”
“Wait, today?”
Si-hyun reacted with surprise.
He thought they were just coming in bare-handed and that there wouldn’t be any raids today.
“Are you worried? Everyone starts off clumsily, so don’t stress too much. The teammates will support you well.”
“But you said one member can’t make it due to illness….”
“Jae-min? He’s no help at all. He’s a clumsy archer who doesn’t hit anything unless the enemies are clustered.”
Min-jun said.
“Honestly, I really want to go. But my equipment….”
“What about your equipment?”
“I don’t really have any.”
“You must have some gear from when you awakened, right? I haven’t mentioned it before, but today should be fine for you to use that gear for the raid.”
“Uh, Guild Leader… I’m not joking, but all I have in my inventory is just a normal weapon.”
Of course, there were legendary items, but…
Si-hyun glanced away.
“Huh, just a weapon? And it’s normal?”
“Yes.”
“That’s surprising. So, do you have to hunt items thrown away in the Gate?”
“Father, that’s a bit…”
Eun-hye raised her hand in opposition.
“Safety of the guild members is most important, so don’t carelessly enter a Gate like that. The Gate we just secured, can it be tackled tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Then let’s get Si-hyun equipped today and raid tomorrow. You’re okay with that, Si-hyun oppa?”
“I prefer that.”
Si-hyun answered.
“Then it’s settled? Everyone agree?”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s do that.”
Min-jun and Sang-hyuk concurred.
“Si-hyun oppa, do you know where the Hunter item shop is?”
“No, I don’t really know.”
“It’s behind the Korea Hunter Association Building.”
“I see, thank you.”
“It’s open even on weekends until 6 PM, so if you start now, you’ll be fine.”
Si-hyun nodded and got up.
“Then same time tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Understood. See you tomorrow.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“Tears are coming.”
Si-hyun mumbled as he returned home after getting equipped.
While civil servant salaries aren’t as meager as the common perception, it’s still obvious that being a salaryman has its challenges.
Since starting work, he hadn’t had any excessive expenditures.
He saved a steady 1 million won every month.
He wanted to save enough to secure even a small budget for marriage.
He had accumulated just over 30 million won.
But.
‘How can cheap gear be hundreds of thousands?’
The pricier ones were in the tens of millions, with even more expensive options hitting the hundreds of millions.
When he checked prices on an internet site before, he didn’t think much of it since he wasn’t planning to buy. But now, intending to purchase, his hands trembled.
In a pinch, he initially bought rare armor and a weapon, but about half of his savings evaporated.
‘…I heard saving is hard but spending takes a moment.’
But nothing lasts forever.
There aren’t free repairs either.
If it breaks, he’d have to pay a hefty amount again for new gear.
‘I’ll just have to work hard.’
Starting from tomorrow, he’d have to give his all for the raids.
Si-hyun clenched his fist.
◈ ◈ ◈
The next day, Si-hyun arrived at the guild to find everyone except him already gathered. Only the ailing Go Jae-min was absent.
“Alright, let’s head out quickly. I want to finish early and grab a drink in the evening.”
Min-jun urged the group.
A worn-out van was parked in the corner of the first-floor parking lot.
It was an old model that had been discontinued.
He couldn’t believe it when Sang-hyuk opened the driver’s seat.
It seemed they were struggling financially.
Min-jun’s comment about being an impoverished guild wasn’t an exaggeration.
“Where are we going?”
“Probably to Chang-wu-dong in Hanam City?”
Sang-hyuk checked the address on his phone before entering it into the GPS.
As he started the engine, he could feel the struggle of the rough engine.
“So it’s not in Seoul?”
“Our guilds in Seoul are responsible for the metropolitan area.”
Si-hyun asked, and Sang-hyuk answered.
The distance was short.
While organizing his thoughts about the raid in the car, they were almost there when Sang-hyuk spoke.
The Gate’s location seemed to be in a park within the city.
It would usually have plenty of people walking around, but the Hunter Association had barricaded the entrance, preventing access.
As Sang-hyuk’s van entered the park’s parking lot, a tall, thin man who appeared to be staff from the Hunter Association approached.
“What brings you here?”
“We’re from the Grace Guild.”
“Please hold on for a moment. May I have your Hunter License?”
“Sure, here it is.”
As Sang-hyuk displayed the license, the man nodded after confirming it.
“Please park here and go in. The Gate is near that pole over there. Thanks for your service.”
The man pointed to where the Gate was located.
Si-hyun and his party got out of the car.
Since personal gear was all in their inventories, they only needed the magic stone and a large bag for items.
Si-hyun volunteered to carry the bag.
Having worked in an office, he instinctively did that as a newcomer.
“…That’s the Gate.”
He had seen photos and videos before, but seeing it in person was a different experience.
The circular, swirling Gate glowed a blue hue.
It was said that low-level Gates shimmered blue while high-level Gates had a grayish tint. So, it was easy to gauge a Gate’s rank with a rough estimate, even without precise measurements from a Magic Power Meter.
The usual opening period for Gates was 2 to 3 weeks. This was an assured conclusion drawn worldwide after meticulous investigation, as it was a matter of countless lives at stake.
They had to tackle the Gate before it opened.
Once a Gate opened, the devastation inflicted on nearby citizens was unimaginable.
However, they couldn’t carelessly charge into the Gate.
Once inside, the passage would be sealed until the boss of that Gate was defeated.
Thus, the Hunter Association granted permissions to tackle Gates only when they deemed a raid team capable.
“First, gear up.”
Since the newbie Si-hyun was present, Min-jun kindly explained.
Si-hyun began to take out his gear from his inventory.
The armor and helmet were light armor made from ogre leather.
He had wanted something made with troll or ogre hides, but those were too expensive, so he had given up and purchased the cheaper option instead.
He had excluded heavy armor since it felt too restrictive and pricey.
His weapon was an ordinary longsword.
It was a weapon with average durability and sharpness, just about typical for Rare quality.
You could say it was well-balanced; conversely, it was also a dull, unremarkable weapon.
“Light armor?”
Min-jun inquired.
He wore a sturdy-looking medium armor that seemed well-maintained. That made sense, as he had probably been tanking alone in parties all this time.
“Medium armor is expensive and restrictive.”
“You can manage if you avoid attacks.”
“What weapon is that?”
Si-hyun asked, gazing at Min-jun’s weapon.
It was an exceptionally large sword, easily more than a meter in length.
“A claymore. I’m a bit strong.”
Min-jun chuckled.
The claymore was an iconic weapon used with two hands, known for its power.
“Hand the bag to me.”
Sang-hyuk said.
While the healer had an essential role, there wasn’t much to do if no party members were injured.
Especially in the Grace Guild, which tackled only simple E-rank Gates, their healer, Sang-hyuk, had been acting as the bearer of burdens.
“Let’s enter.”
Eun-hye, holding a white robe and wooden staff, spoke up.
◈ ◈ ◈
Inside the Gate was a dimly lit cave.
Fortunately, the height was not low enough to restrict even a grown man’s stride. If it had been any lower, moving would have been incredibly uncomfortable.
Eun-hye used light magic to illuminate the surroundings.
The view brightened up.
“Do all E-rank Gates look like this?”
“No, they vary. No one knows what the structure will be like before entering.”
In response to Si-hyun’s question, Sang-hyuk replied.
“Isn’t that a bat or a spider? The only known E-rank monsters that live in caves are those two.”
Min-jun muttered.
As soon as he finished speaking, a rustling sound emerged.
A spider scuttling through the cave.
“Is that a spider?”
Si-hyun reacted with disbelief.
What kind of spider could be as tall as an adult man’s thighs?
Since he hadn’t had time to study monsters, it felt exceedingly strange and unsettling.
“Damn, it’s a fire spider.”
Min-jun clicked his tongue.
Now that he mentioned it, the spider’s body and legs were aflame red.
“Is it strong?”
“Eun-hye focuses her spells on fire. But these guys have a high resistance to fire. Don’t expect much support.”
“What?”
“I mean we’ve got to make do on our own.”
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do.”
Eun-hye looked a bit glum at the thought of being useless.
Bang!
Still, Eun-hye casted a fireball toward the approaching dozen fire spiders, but it seemed like only the loud noise was a hit, without dealing any significant damage.
Min-jun slowly raised his claymore and stepped forward.
“You’re right-handed, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m left-handed, so I’ll take the left. Si-hyun, you’ll be on the right.”
“Got it.”
“Hey, don’t be too tense. It’s E-rank, E-rank. I’ve handled melee dealing and tanking all by myself until now. Just be careful when you come in contact with the spiders.”
Min-jun gave Si-hyun’s shoulder a reassuring pat before continuing.
“On three, we go. One, two, three!”
Si-hyun and Min-jun both leaped towards the group of fire spiders.
Si-hyun swung his longsword from above.
It was a clumsy move.
But then again, when would a regular person ever get to wield a sword unless they trained in Kendo?
However, despite the awkwardness, the power was solid.
That was the strength of an Awakened Being.
Eeeek!
The fire spider let out a bizarre scream.
Simultaneously, its body was cleaved vertically, splattering disgusting bodily fluids everywhere.
‘Huh?’
Si-hyun stared at his hand gripping the longsword in surprise. His first attack had landed much more cleanly than he expected.
Thinking it might have been luck, he aimed the longsword at another approaching fire spider horizontally.
Slash!
Eeeek! Again, the longsword cleanly severed the fire spider’s body.
‘Is it really this easy?’
The anxiety he felt at first seemed ridiculous now.
Glancing to the right, Min-jun had already slaughtered five fire spiders.
“Si-hyun oppa, only four left! Just keep pushing!”
Eun-hye cheered.
This situation was devoid of any tension.
This is what E-rank Gates are like….
What a sweet weekend!