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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Choi Yeon-ah Joins the Guild
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"Hello, hyung!"
"Long time no see, Sung-hun."
"Good to see everyone again."
The Golden Raid Team had gathered once more after a short break.
However, this time they weren't meeting in front of a rift like usual, but at the entrance to a building in the heart of the city.
This was the place Yeon Sung-hun had purchased through Gye Cheong-san.
Of course, it was meant for temporary use, so they hadn't bought the whole building—just rented a portion of it.
It had cost quite a bit since it was smack in the city center, but Yeon Sung-hun didn't mind.
The location was close to the Hunter Association, and there was a hunter market not too far away, making it a solid choice.
Yeon Sung-hun and the Golden Guild had rented the third and fourth floors.
The contract had just been finalized, so there was no interior decorating yet, let alone any proper furnishings, but the guild members were thrilled anyway.
They said it finally felt like things were properly underway.
Up until now, they'd operated more like a ragtag raid team than a real guild, without even a proper headquarters, so it was understandable.
Of course, this space was mainly for administrative staff like Gye Cheong-san rather than the raid members who'd be diving into rifts, but Yeon Sung-hun had no intention of pointing that out and dampening their spirits.
Good vibes were good vibes.
Anyway, this would be their base until the new guild headquarters that Gye Cheong-san was scouting on the city outskirts was completed.
No telling how long that would take, so it was fine to get attached in the meantime.
But there was a more pressing issue for Yeon Sung-hun and the guild.
He'd realized recently that Gye Cheong-san's workload was far heavier than expected.
Managing raid schedules, assigning rifts to explore, negotiating with the association, handling contracts for buildings and land, lining up construction companies for the headquarters...
When you added up all those miscellaneous tasks, one person—Gye Cheong-san—was woefully insufficient.
On top of that, he'd even taken on building the house for Yeon Sung-hun's family at his personal request.
Yeon Sung-hun had been steadily supplying him with health-boosting potions mixed with hair-growth effects to keep him from burning out, but the workload was still too much for one person.
It was at a level that would wear down even an awakened hunter, let alone an unawakened civilian.
Gye Cheong-san himself acted like it was nothing, throwing himself into work with what seemed like an addiction to the grind, but Yeon Sung-hun felt the need to bolster their manpower as quickly as possible.
He didn't want to see them struggling with staffing shortages like the association.
His past empire's way had been to use people long-term rather than burning through underlings.
As the guild members excitedly chattered about how to decorate the place, a visitor arrived.
"Hello? Sorry, traffic was backed up, so I was a bit late."
"You made it?"
It was none other than Choi Yeon-ah who'd come to see them.
Having decided to undergo Yeon Sung-hun's treatment, she'd agreed to join his guild as a condition.
Yeon Sung-hun had suggested she serve only as an advisor until her body fully healed, but Choi Yeon-ah insisted on participating as a hunter.
She couldn't use mana yet, but her physical abilities were still at S-rank hunter levels, so he'd happily agreed.
It had been over a year since her retirement, so her combat senses might be rusty, but she was once at the top of Korea's hunter world.
That class didn't just disappear.
"W-Wow..."
"It's Choi Yeon-ah... Noona, it's really Choi Yeon-ah...!"
Did Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su know her well too?
They were stunned by her appearance, too shocked to even speak properly.
Gye Cheong-san looked surprised as well, but he quickly regained his composure, figuring Yeon Sung-hun could handle something like this.
To Gye Cheong-san, Yeon Sung-hun was practically a god who could do anything.
Leaving the stammering pair alone, Yeon Sung-hun proceeded with her contract alongside Gye Cheong-san.
She was a former S-rank, but her current combat power was at best A-rank.
They offered terms more generous than industry average to match.
Choi Yeon-ah looked a bit surprised as she took the contract.
"These terms are really generous."
"When we're lucky enough to have someone like you—er, Yeon-ah-ssi—on board, we have to make sure we're accommodating."
"Honestly, you could work me however you wanted, and I wouldn't complain."
"We have to think ahead to after your treatment's done. If we want to keep working with you long-term, this is the least we can do."
Choi Yeon-ah smiled at Yeon Sung-hun's casual shrug.
It was just a tiny spark of hope.
She didn't fully trust him yet, but hearing him say that made expectations bubble up inevitably.
Maybe this small hope would become reality soon.
Maybe Yeon Sung-hun really could heal her.
Suppressing the swelling emotions, Choi Yeon-ah spoke.
"Looking forward to working with you."
With that, she signed the contract without hesitation.
She'd officially decided to join Yeon Sung-hun.
It was a given for the treatment, but Yeon Sung-hun welcomed her with a joyful expression.
Only after finalizing the contract did Choi Yeon-ah exchange greetings with the raid members.
Fortunately, none of the existing members resented her joining.
It was only natural.
As fellow hunters, they could only admire her.
She was Choi Yeon-ah, after all.
To Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, she was an existence from lofty heights.
"Um, hello. I'm Choi Yeon-ah."
"H-Hello! I'm Lee Ha-na! I'm a huge, huge fan!"
"Kim Jun-su here! I've admired you since way back!"
Choi Yeon-ah smiled quietly at the two clinging to her like excited fans meeting their idol.
It was always heartening to know fans still remembered her after so long in retirement.
"Looking forward to working with you both. Hm, since I joined late, should you call me sunbae?"
"S-Sunbae? No way! That's too much! If anything, we should be calling you sunbae...!"
"R-Right!"
"Hm. Are you dissing me for being older?"
The two panicked at Choi Yeon-ah's playful smile.
She laughed lightly, saying it was just a joke, as they frantically waved their hands denying it.
Her ability to win them over so quickly showed her seasoned presence.
No worries about discord among them now.
Yeon Sung-hun, who'd been watching the three chat, spoke up.
"Alright, everyone, let's get moving."
"Hm? Heading out for a rift already? If so, I'd like to grab my gear."
"On the first day? No, we're going to the association first."
"The association?"
He continued as they tilted their heads in confusion.
"We need to handle our rank promotion exams, and Yeon-ah-ssi's hunter license reissuance."
"Ah, right. It's been over a year, so it must've expired ages ago."
Yeon Sung-hun spoke again as Choi Yeon-ah nodded in agreement.
"Team Leader Gye says the test itself is simple, so no need to worry. Yeon-ah-ssi has past records, so no big issues there. Let's head over relaxed."
With that, Yeon Sung-hun led the guild members to the Hunter Association.
As mentioned, the association's exam wasn't particularly rigorous.
It was just verifying that their reported achievements weren't fabricated.
They only had to demonstrate their abilities in a small training ground. Hunter skills weren't solely about combat prowess, so there wasn't a strict cutoff.
It was a simple check to confirm basic competence.
Yeon Sung-hun, who'd taken potions beforehand, passed easily—not that it was a surprise. Even Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, who went in with pure skill sans potions, cleared it without issue.
Now all three were proper C-rank hunters.
Going from E-rank to C-rank in under half a year was impressive, but it didn't draw much attention.
Someone far more eye-catching was present.
Choi Yeon-ah.
The association buzzed instantly at news of her return after over a year out of the spotlight.
"Sorry, this is all because of me..."
"No, it's fine. I expected as much."
"Yeah! No need to apologize, Yeon-ah noona!"
"It's okay, unnie!"
Choi Yeon-ah smiled faintly at their nonchalance.
They'd known each other less than half a day, but she already liked them quite a bit.
She hadn't seen it firsthand, but their track record suggested solid skills, and their personalities weren't prickly.
Time would tell, but she could see them getting along well.
Like her old comrades.
A sudden sharp pain made her clutch her left arm.
Phantom pain she'd felt constantly since that day she lost everything.
Choi Yeon-ah gritted her teeth quietly.
"Anyway, we should hurry. Reporters might swarm if we linger."
Was Choi Yeon-ah's name truly that powerful?
Gye Cheong-san spoke as the association grew crowded beyond mere buzz.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded in agreement.
"Let's get going..."
"Yeon-ah unnie?"
Someone blocked their path as they tried to leave.
Yeon Sung-hun and the guild members froze in shock at the sight.
If Choi Yeon-ah was one of the past peaks, the woman before them was one of the current peaks.
"A-reum."
"Yeon-ah unnie. What are you doing here...?"
Seong A-reum. A hunter from Dawn Guild, S-rank, one of Korea's top hunters today.
"I decided to make a comeback."
"...Really? But..."
With so many onlookers, perhaps?
Knowing Choi Yeon-ah's condition, Seong A-reum hesitated to speak freely.
Choi Yeon-ah smiled understandingly at her frustrated frown.
"I'll explain later."
"...Yeah. At least congrats on escaping that failing cafe."
"The way you talk to your unnie."
"I learned it all from you."
Seong A-reum bantered casually before finally turning to Yeon Sung-hun and the others.
"Who are these people?"
"My guildmates."
"...You joined a guild right off comeback?"
Seong A-reum frowned slightly, sharply scanning the guild members.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su shrank under the blatant disdain from an S-rank hunter.
Seong A-reum smirked crookedly at their reaction.
"Doesn't look like much, no matter how you slice it. Unnie, don't do this—join our guild instead..."
"Seong A-reum."
Seong A-reum flinched at the low voice.
Choi Yeon-ah's face was coldly impassive—not her usual gentle self, but like the old days.
Seong A-reum quickly averted her eyes.
In raw power, active-duty Seong A-reum outclassed her, but past memories didn't fade.
Almost reflexively lowering her gaze, she heard Choi Yeon-ah's cold words.
"This is the guild I chose, and these are the comrades I decided to join. Even you won't get a pass for more rudeness."
"Yeah... Sorry, unnie."
"You should apologize to my guildmates, not me."
"...Sorry, everyone."
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su were awestruck despite their fluster as Seong A-reum bowed deeply.
Choi Yeon-ah turning the fierce Seong A-reum into a lamb like that.
It reminded them once more who they'd be fighting alongside.
As the mood grew heavy, Yeon Sung-hun, who'd watched quietly, spoke.
"Well, that's enough. Let's call it here and head out. People are starting to gather."
Everyone nodded as he glanced around.
Seong A-reum, sulking from the scolding by her favorite unnie, peeked at Yeon Sung-hun.
"And you are...?"
"No time for proper intros with things so rushed, but I'm Yeon Sung-hun, guild master of Golden Guild, where Yeon-ah-ssi has joined."
"Yeon Sung-hun...?"
A familiar name she couldn't place?
Choi Yeon-ah whispered a hint as Seong A-reum frowned.
"The one So-yul's always talking about."
"Ah!"
Seong A-reum gasped, staring at Yeon Sung-hun in surprise.
She'd heard plenty from Han So-yul.
"You're that..."
Trailing off, she nodded.
If it was the man Han So-yul described, she understood why Choi Yeon-ah chose this guild.
She'd personally tried the potion Han So-yul gifted her—half-forced, really.
Its incredible effects had her planning to meet him someday.
She was convinced by Choi Yeon-ah's choice but flustered too.
She hadn't expected to meet Yeon Sung-hun like this.
To get more of those potions, she'd need a good relationship, but she'd botched the first impression.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled warmly at her distress.
"I've heard a lot about you from So-yul. She said she has a kind unnie who looks out for her."
Han So-yul had actually said she had a violent unnie who took good care of her despite it, but Yeon Sung-hun tactfully rephrased.
Regaining some composure, Seong A-reum bowed.
"...Sorry. I was incredibly rude."
"It's fine. I get where you're coming from, Hunter Seong A-reum. If a close unnie joined some no-name weird guild, anyone would be miffed. I understand."
"...You're as considerate as I heard. Thank you. And sorry again—to you, Guild Master, and everyone else."
Yeon Sung-hun smiled as she bowed once more.
"I'd love to chat more with you, Hunter Seong A-reum, but things are urgent, so we have to go."
"Ah... Right. Then next time, if there's a chance..."
"Yes, let's definitely meet up sometime."
Yeon Sung-hun departed with his guild members, his affable smile unwavering to the end.
Seong A-reum sighed softly, watching their backs.
Her mind was filled with regret over her blunder.
'Hoping Yeon-ah unnie puts in a good word...'
For those amazing potions, she could only pray.
Meanwhile, as if answering Seong A-reum's prayers, Choi Yeon-ah was defending her in her own way.
She explained that while Seong A-reum could be rough, she was fundamentally caring and protective—making it clear this was a misunderstanding and a mistake.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded as she advocated for her cherished dongsaeng.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su might feel differently, but he wasn't that upset.
He could understand Seong A-reum's attitude, as he'd said.
If Yeon Hae-eun—or fittingly, Han So-yul—joined some obscure guild, he'd hurl special potions at them on the spot.
That said, understanding her feelings didn't erase a twinge of annoyance.
Separate from her ties to Han So-yul and Choi Yeon-ah, her treatment of his guild members was outright insulting.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su must have felt deeply humiliated.
For his guildmates' sake, Yeon Sung-hun had no intention of letting it slide entirely.
Even if the other party was an S-rank hunter.
Besides, her apology seemed forced by Choi Yeon-ah and him.
Even if her true feelings differed, it came off that way inevitably.
'Not that I'll go overboard.'
Setting aside her connections to Han So-yul and Choi Yeon-ah, there wasn't much he could realistically do to an S-rank like Seong A-reum.
'She seemed keen on my potions...'
Then withholding them could be sweet revenge.
Tease her a bit, then sell at a premium at the last second.
An S-rank surely had money to burn.
Yeon Sung-hun smirked inwardly with his petty revenge plot.
Not showing that sinister grin to his guildmates, he asked casually.
"So, Yeon-ah-ssi, what was your rank?"
Choi Yeon-ah, who'd been apologizing on Seong A-reum's behalf to the others, replied.
"B-rank. Probably because I took a year off."
"Hm... B? I figured A at least."
"They said as long as I rack up achievements, they'll bump me to A without another exam."
"I see. Does the association know about your condition?"
Choi Yeon-ah pondered briefly before answering Yeon Sung-hun's question.
"Probably the chairman at least. A few higher-ups too, I think. Wasn't keeping it secret."
"Got it."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly, organizing his thoughts, then spoke again.
"In that case, shall we schedule something? Yeon-ah-ssi, you feeling up to it?"
"I could start today."
"Love the enthusiasm, but let's hold off. Planning a welcome party for you."
"Oh? Really?"
Yeon Sung-hun smiled back at her faint smile and continued.
"Rift raids start three days from now. Team Leader Gye, set the schedule."
"Yes, Guild Master. What about ranks?"
"C-rank."
"Got it. Prep like usual?"
"Hm."
Yeon Sung-hun pondered briefly.
"Like usual" meant chaining multiple rifts in a row, as they'd done before.
It might be risky with just three before, but now with Choi Yeon-ah joining.
Could work, but she wasn't fully prepped yet.
For her first real action in a year—even C-rank—issues might arise.
Most emergencies could be handled with his potions, but...
Unable to decide easily, Yeon Sung-hun rubbed his chin.
As his deliberation dragged, Choi Yeon-ah, puzzled, asked the others.
Learning their usual routine, she gasped.
That explained their rapid growth—such an extreme method.
Even peak Choi Yeon-ah hadn't pushed that hard.
Each rift was life-or-death, so she'd normally object, but factoring in Yeon Sung-hun's potions made it feasible.
She knew their potency, even untested personally.
"I'm fine with it. Won't hold you back. Kept up my training post-retirement."
"Hm. Alright, but we'll pace it to avoid overdoing."
Choi Yeon-ah was guildmate and patient.
To use her long-term, no sense pushing too hard.
They'd tackle a C-rank first, then D or E to check her status.
It was consideration for her and for the raid members still adapting to C-ranks.
"Schedules set—time for the welcome party?"
And so they held the party, truly bonding with Choi Yeon-ah.
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