“The phrase ‘thanks to’ is fitting and yet not fitting.”

A gentle smile curved at the corner of the Martial Alliance Master’s mouth.

“Colonel Han’s abduction was carried out by the Military Command, and the Martial Alliance merely offered slight assistance to an enemy of our enemy. The resulting profit is nothing more than a return on investment.”

“You did no more than guide us along the way, as you said. It isn’t as if you couldn’t have foreseen what might happen. How many S-Rank Hunters were there? Surely someone who led an entire force through such danger wouldn’t fail to predict the outcome.”

Even with a skill that heightened persuasiveness, drawing in S-Rank Hunters would require considerable ability. As I lingered in thought, Dan Unbi, who had been silently watching me, spoke.

“General Xinling ascended the east stairway.”

…What sudden nonsense is this about ghosts and stairways? Who is General Xinling? Yet I couldn’t openly object, so I kept quiet. Fortunately, Seong Hyunjae answered in my stead.

“There is no reason for Colonel Han to refuse five fortresses. Though the Military Command’s Hunters and the airport facilities are regrettable losses, they cannot be held as leverage.”

Fortresses? I’m not familiar with that term in their lore. Does the Martial Alliance boast their own merits while ignoring the harm done to China? They could at least turn on the Wi-Fi so I can Google this instead of speaking in riddles.

“Moreover, ‘One’s kindness should not be forgotten for the good it brings.’”

It seemed to be a four-character proverb. At this point, I’d rather have been served honey tea. Listening to this was irritating.

“I climbed a rough mountain path with aching legs, east or west, with no stairway in sight. What a grand welcome.”

“Yet the Alliance Master even provided carts.”

And who is Alliance Master? I know Mencius, but that doesn’t help here. It was clear they were baiting me with all this. Smiling broadly, I turned to Dan Unbi.

“Such gracious hospitality indeed. Forgive my lack of education. Must I throw myself at you even in my frail state?”

“You would hardly be expected to know Chinese classics. I intended to explain, but the Sesung Guild Master preempted me—”

“To explain is to assert superiority over your opponent. And besides—”

Seong Hyunjae leisurely traced the rim of his teacup with his fingertip and continued.

“General Xinling of the State of Wei rescued the State of Zhao but humbly declined any reward. The King of Zhao offered him the land of Lake Hu instead of five fortresses, so the Martial Alliance intends only to reciprocate appropriately. Xinling’s sister is married to Zhao’s prince, and they concealed the fact that the reinforcements were sent under false pretenses. That much explanation should suffice, no?”

He kindly informed me that General Xinling was the Wei king’s half-brother. After all their talk of declining rewards, it was still family business. I was from an entirely different tribe.

“Even if a relative helped you, five fortresses is still five fortresses. If you truly dislike giving them to a stranger, I can understand.”

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

Dan Unbi rose, bowed briefly, and sat again without a hint of superfluity. Quick on the draw when it served her interests.

I still wondered why they kept invoking Chinese lore. Would they start quoting Napoleon when I visit France or Lincoln in America? Still, it had its effect—I felt momentarily cowed. Had Dan Unbi explained without Seong Hyunjae’s backing, I would have been surely on the back foot. Quoting Confucius and Mencius does lend an air of erudition.

“I must decline any fortresses I cannot bear on my back.”

That should end their arcane references.

“I understand your caution. Though the Military Command is in flux, the Martial Alliance must mobilize every human and material resource to seize this opportunity. They cannot afford generosity now.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“I, too, wish to see the Martial Alliance reshape the Chinese Hunter world. Thus I do not intend to make excessive demands.”

Of course, I would accept everything without demur if offered—but they had no intention of giving.

“However, our standards and those of the Martial Alliance differ. Please state outright which reciprocations are impossible.”

Dan Unbi hesitated slightly before speaking.

“First, we cannot provide Top-Tier Awakened or top-tier items.”

“You needn’t worry—I never intended to touch the Martial Alliance’s assets.”

I wouldn’t mind.

“…Dungeon rights are likewise impossible. Long-term contracts are also difficult.”

Just remove everything—everything they stood to lose if given to me.

“But I promise that once the Chinese Hunter world stabilizes, the Martial Alliance will be cooperative with Colonel Han and the two guilds.”

No formal contract—just a verbal promise. “We’ll treat you well from now on,” I suppose? They were asking for too much for nothing.

“I doubt that is all. Presuming you agree to my request—”

“No request harmful to the Martial Alliance is possible.”

“I’m not asking much—only something intangible.”

Really going easy on them.

“Information on the Military Command. You are well-connected, as you said. I don’t need everything. For now, information on A-Rank or higher Healers.”

Time to recruit an advanced Healer into the Haeyeon Guild.

“There must be countless Awakened held captive by the Military Command. The Martial Alliance surely has detailed records on those targeted for rescue. Provide me information on those Top-Tier Awakened. Useful special skills at mid-rank would also suffice.”

Dan Unbi’s face remained impassive, but beside her, Gu Yuyoung’s expression stiffened. What, why? They weren’t asking for Awakened themselves.

“And items. Surely top-tier items aren’t kept in an ordinary warehouse—they must be under strong contracts. Tell me about those, too.”

“All of them?”

Dan Unbi asked calmly.

“Of course—all. We will claim no more than a tenth, at most. We are not idle.”

Frankly, I had conceded quite a lot. They wouldn’t touch the Martial Alliance’s property. The Military Command’s assets were spoils of war. I merely requested an inventory to efficiently manage my spoils. Refusing that would be heartless.

“Very well.”

Dan Unbi stood and spoke.

“We will provide information and assist you to the utmost.”

“Then please sign the contract.”

I slid a pre-prepared contract from my inventory across the table. Gu Yuyoung could scarcely mask her discomfort. No one could fully trust the other.

The Martial Alliance already had their lists ready—and quickly too, given the restriction to top-tier. The contents were substantial.

“Yuhyeon, Yuhyeon. Here’s an A-Rank Healer.”

Though sixty-one years old, the extra points for wishing to emigrate for family safety tipped the scales. A long-term contract was possible. Most Top-Tier Healers couldn’t clear high-level dungeons due to low stats. Even if she can only work outside, that’s plenty.

The guild’s welfare would skyrocket. No need to seek healers externally—basic injuries could be treated in-house. Guilds with top-tier Healers enjoyed higher status in politics and commerce. Anyone could suffer life-threatening injuries, so maintaining connections for emergencies was wise.

“She isn’t far from here. I hope she remains unhurt.”

She mustn’t fall to the Undead. Our precious Healer was confined in a Military Command facility. Many Awakened were likewise forced to work there.

“Her family lives in the Special District beside Lake Chao.”

Hunter Eun Sesun explained. She had guided both Yuhyeon and Yerim before.

“The Martial Alliance has already dispatched a rescue team.”

“Then we only need to retrieve the Healer. Also, I heard special Awakened were detained in the Lake Chao Special District.”

“They were all moved two days ago.”

True, they wouldn’t leave chaos behind. As Yuhyeon reviewed military compound photos and schematics, she turned to Noah.

“Hunter Noah, will you accept the commission?”

“Do you prefer a standard contract or one with special considerations?”

“Standard.”

Noah drew a contract with practiced ease. I recalled that his guild primarily took external commissions rather than direct dungeon raids.

“Typically we need at least a week’s preparation. Urgent requests incur additional fees.”

“It looks fine as is.”

Yuhyeon skimmed the contract on the table. Wait—is that English? Many know English now, but reading as fast as Korean?

“You read English remarkably well……? Wasn’t Noah’s guild Francophone?”

“The contract cannot use a translation item. And this is middle-school level.”

What? Have education standards changed that much? Or is my sister just extraordinary?

“With foreigners, we use English contracts—across Asia and the Middle East too.”

Have all S-Rank Guild Masters become polyglots? English is the common lingua franca, but still. Yerim, wide-eyed, leaned to me and whispered.

“If I go abroad… must I learn to read English contracts? In Japan they provided a Korean translation.”

“You might find a translation item. Or hire an interpreter.”

“But it’s basic to read and confirm the contract yourself.”

Yuhyeon said firmly. Taken aback, Yerim set her jaw resolutely.

“Make Korean the common Hunter world language, sir.”

“…Huh?”

“That would only happen if our country became the strongest.”

True enough.

“But you still have to study for the CSAT.”

“I’m going into science. I’m good at math.”

“Even science majors need English.”

“I can manage a little. And S-Rank Hunters get special admission.”

“You still have to take the CSAT properly.”

Yerim scowled at Yuhyeon’s words.

“What? Why me!”

“…Yerim, Yuhyeon placed in the top 1% on the last nationwide mock exam.”

That was after founding the guild. He never finished school. Despite my whispering, Yerim narrowed her brow and murmured.

“I’ll find a way to outdo Yuhyeon.”

Go Yerim! Shall I convert one of these empty rooms into a study den?

Yuhyeon and Noah completed the contract and left. The sun had yet to set, but Noah could use stealth. It’s easier to strike in daylight than under strict night watch. They even gave him mini cookies to sustain him.

“Brother, you must not leave this place.”

“I understand.”

“I’ll protect him well, so don’t worry!”

Noah transformed into a dragon. Golden feathered wings spread wide, and the Martial Alliance onlookers’ eyes went wide. They should recognize Noah’s unique form—it’s been on TV.

Noah carried Yuhyeon aloft and activated stealth.

“A golden Yinglong.”

Eun Sesun stared, entranced. What dragon?

“A Yinglong is a dragon with hawk’s wings. And golden—how splendid.”

Samokwŏl also exclaimed in awe. Feather wings versus membrane wings—are they that different? Noah looked slightly less Western-dragon-like than before, but beyond wings and tail feathers, he was much the same.

Others from the Martial Alliance murmured excitedly.

“Now it’s time for items.”

“The so-called ‘item warehouses’ are all under fierce contracts.”

Eun Sesun explained.

“Forcibly seizing items will be difficult.”

“Then choose the one most likely to cooperate.”

I’ll take the items; they’ll regain their freedom. Two birds, one stone. Eun Sesun immediately pointed to a name.

“Thanks to the contract, it isn’t that heavily guarded. Yerim, you could handle it.”

“I will go.”

Seong Hyunjae spoke.

“If I handle the assist, then 5–5?”

“Master Han, if the Martial Alliance commissions it, then 7–3. Of course I’m the three.”

Samokwŏl interjected swiftly. The Martial Alliance apparently had no means to assist.

“That’s the partner’s preferential split. If the Alliance requests it, 7–3.”

“…Isn’t that too small?”

“Without me, you won’t get a single item. You know that. And there are few aid-special items. They’re rare. Considering item cost, we’d deserve an eight split.”

Of course, such items didn’t exist. I told them this was a special discount. Samokwŏl consulted Eun Sesun briefly and accepted. They even granted me first refusal on items. How generous.

“Well then, good luck~”

We’ll rest until they return, Yerim and Peace. I heard there’s hot spring water here.

Moon Hyuna Side Story

A wind blew. Long grass across the vast plateau swayed like a carpet. Crimson hair whipped in the breeze as sturdy hands swept aside the grass.

“Let’s begin.”

At the low command, the Breaker Guild’s Hunters moved in unison.

The target was the final boss of the S-Rank Dungeon on Sunset Plateau: a colossal crimson beast with six legs. Once it moved, capturing it was almost impossible due to its high-speed skill. When Breaker first raided this dungeon, slaying the final boss alone took three days.

It was hellish work. Moon Hyuna gazed at the distant beast with a hint of longing in her eyes.

‘If I could save a foal, I’d tame it.’

But no foals, not even pairs, had ever appeared here. Taming an adult seemed forever impossible.

As Moon Hyuna drooled over the unreachable prize, her teammates busied themselves. Against the cliff behind them, the U-shaped plateau made escape impossible. Using waist-high grass as cover, they set traps throughout the plateau.

These traps could not harm an S-Rank boss monster, but they could trip its ankles and slow its speed.

At the same time, ranged attackers took positions mid-cliff.

Despite the beast’s terrifying speed, its attack and defense were relatively low. Thus, everyone except Moon Hyuna focused on slowing and hindering its charge.

A green aura trembled by the cliff.

Everything was ready.

“Shall we go?”

Moon Hyuna rose, spears in both hands. These were not her usual massive dragontooth spears but slender, throwing-type ones. Speed and mobility outweighed destructive power now. In her left hand was its twin.

The Twin Solkga Spears.

Grade-A spears that, when paired, held options nearly equal to S-Rank weapons. She had struggled to acquire the second one when they never appeared together.

—Prrrrr.

The distant beast spotted Moon Hyuna and neighed. A sly smile curved her lips.

“You may not remember me, but it’s been a while.”

Her combat boots, rising just below the knee, cut through and crushed the grass. Behind her, support Hunters boosted agility and cast acceleration skills.

“Today your body is worth more than your magic stone. So behave and let yourself be caught, okay?”

She wanted it intact, a large chunk. Last time it shattered completely.

“There’s a child who loves horse meat.”

Feathers and hide trembled as hooves scraped the earth, uprooting grass.

Moon Hyuna’s pace quickened. The twin spears’ acceleration buff activated along with her combat-support skill, Path of the Wind.

A path of pure air resistance reduction, a straight road with no impediments. Grass parted widely as her boots struck the ground with force. Human speed beyond belief, Moon Hyuna charged the beast.

—Hiiing!

The beast reared its two front legs high. Though endowed with solid hooves and powerful leg strength, it recoiled at instinctual threat, then instantly pivoted and bolted across the plateau.

“I have it on A! Prepare!”

Thud! Thwak! Moon Hyuna raced alongside its rear, shouting. She thrust one spear back and hurled it.

Fiiiiing! The spear sliced the air, grazing the beast and forcing its path change.

Then, like a fishing rod, she whipped the remaining spear high.

Whish—The thrown spear, attached by its cord, flew back into her hand. A special ability of the Twin Solkga Spears.

“Fire!”

Hunter Seo Heeyeon signaled. She often led Breaker’s S-Rank team in solo ops in Moon Hyuna’s stead.

On cue, arrows ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) and shadowy energy shot at the beast. Thuddrack! The beast whipped around, gouging the ground. Perfectly avoiding damage, it hastened to resume its speed.

—Prurung!

Its hoof caught in something. Ting! The transparent cord snapped under the beast’s force. Yet its speed had clearly reduced. Simultaneously, the spearhead lunged with terrifying momentum.

Shreek!

The long-flowing mane was severed in a single stroke. The beast, unnaturally low to dodge the spear, bounced away and bolted again. Retrieving the thrown spear, Moon Hyuna resumed the chase.

“C!”

Moon Hyuna called zones, and ranged attackers aimed weapons and skills accordingly. The Twin Solkga Spears cut the wind, directing the beast precisely.

“Now!”

Seo Heeyeon, observing both movements, shouted. As ranged attacks fired, Moon Hyuna hurled another spear. The beast, dodging, triggered a trap. In that hesitating moment—

—Hiiing!

Arrows rained upon its hide. The wounds were shallow. One arrow bore a special skill to slow its movement.

“Well done!”

Laughing loudly, Moon Hyuna leaped at the beast. Deciding to stand her ground instead of flee, the beast planted its four legs and kicked powerfully with its two hind legs. They produced audible cracks. Though it lacked vicious claws or fangs, its hindkick was devastating.

Suspended midair, avoidance was impossible. Yet neither Moon Hyuna nor her team showed concern.

With a feral grin, Moon Hyuna’s Twin Solkga Spears vanished from her hands. In their place was her heavy Dragontooth Spear. Wind swirled around its tip, coiling upward. Crimson hair whipped wildly.

Veins stood out on her hand, back of her hand, and wrist. Her forearm and shoulder muscles tensed beneath her clothes, rippling ominously. There came a grinding sound.

And then—

KRRASH─!

The Dragontooth Spear spun half a turn, shearing through the beast’s steel-hard hoof. Like reeds caught in a whirlwind, its powerful muscles contorted. The beast dashed away on its remaining four legs as shockwaves struck the ground.

Thoom! A crater formed as earth and grass flew skyward. As the staggering beast retreated, arrows rained in relentless volleys. Just as it narrowly evaded—

Vuuuuuum─

A heavy tearing sound echoed as the Dragontooth Spear’s blade grazed its flank. The thick hide split like paper, followed by a crushing impact that cracked the ground. In the downpour of earth thrown like rain, Moon Hyuna shook her head lightly.

“I nearly made minced meat of you again.”

She had deliberately avoided a direct kill. Though the beast didn’t understand human speech, it clearly felt panic and backed away on its remaining legs. The Dragontooth Spear vanished, and once more she held the Twin Solkga Spears.

“Let’s finish this!”

As if waiting for her command, arrows hissed through the air and Moon Hyuna sprang faster than any arrow.

“Excellent work!”

Cheerful voices rose around. The cliff-top ranged attackers leapt down nimbly. Support Hunters with low physical stats joined them. After claiming loot and rewards, some Hunters light-heartedly hopped or brandished weapons to shake off battle adrenaline.

Amid them, Moon Hyuna lay sprawled on the soft grass. Clouds drifted across the blood-red sky.

“That was faster this time.”

Seo Heeyeon squatted beside her.

“Experience makes all the difference. You’ve grown skilled at herding it.”

At first they wasted time just chasing it. Now they could easily direct it where they pleased.

“The dungeon’s a ruthless place, but it rewards effort faithfully. Nothing else matters—only your own skill and perseverance.”

“Sometimes I don’t want to go back out.”

“It’s simple here.”

“If only the complicated stuff would stay away.”

Abandon all distractions and go alone—one could, but still—

Moon Hyuna stretched broadly. Grass trembled and the scent of green earth felt pleasant.

“You really eat well.”

Han Yujin said appreciatively. Golden Griffon Blue chirped happily, bounding across the meadow.

“Thank you, Hyuna-ssi.”

“It’s nothing. I do it for our kid.”

“Please stop saying that. And Blue isn’t your kid.”

“If Blue were here, we’d have a three-minute clear. We could eat fresh meat right away.”

“Well, maybe next time you can bring him along.”

With belly round and content, Blue fluttered before Han Yujin and rolled over. Yujin roughly stroked Blue’s belly and nape.

—Kyaaow.

“Good? Good?”

—Kyaa! Kyaaow!

A long lion’s tail slapped the ground.

“You must eat well too, Colonel Han. Raising a child takes stamina.”

“That’s absolutely true.”

Moon Hyuna produced a sausage from somewhere and tore open the plastic.

“What’s that?”

“Cheese sausage. It’s tasty.”

Han Yujin accepted it, grumbling.

“I’m older than you—or at least I was—but still not a child.”

“Alright, alright. Sometimes you seem like an old man. Especially your naming sense.”

“…Is it that bizarre?”

Han Yujin tilted his head as someone approached from behind.

“Brother, don’t snack before lunch.”

Han Yuhyeon strode up and greeted Moon Hyuna lightly.

“It’s almost lunchtime.”

“This won’t fill my stomach.”

Still scolding me, Yuhyeon earned a fond smile.

‘The young master who cared for nothing in the world.’

It was always amusing to see Han Yuhyeon treating me like a sibling, when I’d thought he’d never give anyone the time of day. Everything changes, I mused, then called out loudly.

“Lunch is on me—let’s go!”

“Lunch? I should be buying since I’m indebted!”

“Come on, come on. Young master, you too.”

With a swift turn, Moon Hyuna headed for the elevator, followed by Han Yujin and Han Yuhyeon.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep