IH Ch 82

Chapter 82

 

Around that time, Hwang Jae-i’s rude demeanor had become known, and the media’s response was unfavorable. Amid this, the situation within Jaei Guild—having sent only the guildmaster to handle matters—became a prime target. The media reported that Jaei Guild’s hunters were refusing to enter gates, which caused a massive stir.

 

What was the value of a hunter’s existence? It was to explore gates and protect people from danger. The media criticized the way all responsibility was being placed on Hwang Jae-i alone, despite him being a newly appointed, young S-rank guildmaster, and despite the fact that the guild was neglecting its fundamental duty.

 

Although Hwang Jae-i didn’t seem the least bit troubled, people worried preemptively and defended him out of pity. As criticism intensified, the position of the defiant hunters became increasingly uncomfortable. Their identities were exposed, their families were berated, and wherever they went, acquaintances and strangers alike pointed fingers.

 

Taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, the hunters eventually sought out Hwang Jae-i. They admitted their short-sightedness and asked for forgiveness, promising to cooperate with future gate explorations. They pleaded, asking if there wasn’t some way they could be accepted back.

 

Hwang Jae-i’s response was to report all of them to the Korean Hunter Association.

 

Hunters affiliated with a guild were not allowed to defy orders to explore gates without a valid reason. Violating this rule could result in suspension of hunter qualifications for several months or even permanent revocation. Most of them had skipped gate explorations five times or more without any valid excuse.

 

They had never imagined Hwang Jae-i would go this far, and some of them made a scene. Among the things they said were, “You’re still too young to understand how the world works. In times like this, you’re supposed to just let things slide. If you cast us out like this, do you really think your guild will survive? No matter how S-rank you are, do you think you can handle everything alone?”

 

Hwang Jae-i’s response to those words was short and to the point:

 

“Even so, there’s no reason to carry trash along with me.”

 

These were people who had never been cast aside or even heard a single harsh word in their lives. Though many expected them to lash out further, they didn’t. Only then did they realize that the person standing before them, Hwang Jae-i, was not someone to be taken lightly.

 

The price of this belated realization was harsh. Nearly half of Jaei Guild’s hunters were suspended—some for months, others for years. Jaei Guild terminated all contracts with them, and the matter caused such a stir that news even spread overseas. While some felt Hwang Jae-i had gone too far, most agreed it was an appropriate course of action.

 

Above all, the one who decided on such a high level of punishment was the Association President. Kim Wi, who held the basic principle that “hunters must act like hunters,” could not forgive those who had deliberately avoided gate explorations, no matter the reason. By imposing strict punishments, he aimed to instill a sense of seriousness in other hunters as well.

 

People thought that with major hunters gone, Jaei Guild would falter significantly. But even in that situation, Hwang Jae-i continued weeding out those within the guild who didn’t seem like they would follow him.

 

He made those who were only collecting monthly salaries and bonuses without doing any real work repay the ill-gotten gains and then fired them without hesitation. He also made those who consistently underperformed or frequently made mistakes—especially those who passed their failures onto others—resign.

 

Hwang Jae-i overhauled the system of Jaei Guild, which had taken years to build, in less than a month. Some people criticized him, saying, “Are you trying to hoard everything for yourself? Do you really think you can manage it all just because you’re S-rank?”

 

Hwang Jae-i didn’t care what others said. He simply did what he had to do. When gates occurred, he entered them. When the guild needed to be present at critical events or forums, he attended. He rejected all unnecessary external appointments and remained in the guildmaster’s office, handling his duties. At one point, he even severed all advertising deals and connections with major corporations, which nearly caused a major financial crisis for the guild—but somehow, they managed to get by.

 

Because Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i continued to fulfill his duties as a hunter, several capable employees and hunters gave their best efforts, and even amidst such stringent recruitment standards, people still applied and joined. Thanks to them, the guild was still standing strong.

 

A regular staff member glanced up at the ceiling. The atmosphere had been somewhat relaxed over the past few days while the guildmaster was away, but now even their posture had changed.

 

“Well, it’s better than him being gone.”

 

Though tense, there was a sense of mental reassurance.

 

Patting their shoulder with a clenched fist, the employee placed their hands on the keyboard, determined to work hard today as well.

 

“Guildmaster, welcome back from vacation!”

 

With a voice two tones brighter than usual, confetti popped. The moment the elevator doors opened, paper fragments spread outward and floated down. Timing it perfectly, Ahn Yuna stepped forward and offered a bouquet.

 

The wide smile on her face was clearly artificial. It was a preemptive move, assuming Hwang Jae-i would be in a foul mood. And upon catching a glimpse of his sharp expression, she involuntarily let out an “Oh,” before quickly correcting her face, folding her eyes into a near-sliver of a smile.

 

“Don’t just stand there inside. Come out first. You look a bit—”

 

Mid-sentence, Ahn Yuna stopped speaking, and Johan beside her tilted his head in confusion.

 

“What’s wrong? Huh?”

 

Although Johan had been accommodating her unusual behavior for the day, his eyes widened. Then, recognizing the person behind the guildmaster, his expression lit up with joy as he stepped forward enthusiastically.

 

“Dohwa—mmph!”

 

Someone was standing behind the guildmaster. With their hood pulled up, their face couldn’t be clearly seen, but there was only one person who could be that close to Hwang Jae-i. Dohwa.

 

Overcome with joy, Johan rushed forward, only to be pushed aside by his head being grabbed. Wearing glasses, Johan looked miserable at the smudge the guildmaster left on his lenses.

 

“So mean—”

 

While Johan took off his glasses, Hwang Jae-i glanced behind him and then stepped forward. Dohwa quickly followed at his heels. Still holding the bouquet, Ahn Yuna watched the two walk past her and suddenly came to her senses.

 

“W-wait a second…!”

 

As Ahn Yuna called out urgently, Hwang Jae-i had already shoved Dohwa into the guildmaster’s office.

 

The bright yellow top slipped in and quickly disappeared from sight. Seeing that, Ahn Yuna lifted her head. Her expression looked like she couldn’t quite process what had just happened, in contrast to Hwang Jae-i, who remained brazenly composed. And not stopping there, he held up three fingers to point at Ahn Yuna, then immediately extended four fingers and drew them across his neck in a slicing gesture.

 

I know what you did, and I could cut you down for it—but I’m holding back.

 

Despite the guildmaster’s chilling warning, Ahn Yuna merely shrugged as if embarrassed. As if brushing it off, Hwang Jae-i’s lips twitched slightly before he entered the office and slammed the door. Only then did Ahn Yuna relax her expression and lightly tapped her shoulder with the bouquet she hadn’t gotten to hand over. Johan immediately stepped up beside her and quietly asked,

 

“What was that just now? Did we really see what we think we saw? What on earth is going on between the guildmaster and Dohwa?”

 

“……”

 

“Director—”

 

“I’m thinking. So be quiet.”

 

Cutting him off firmly, Ahn Yuna threw the bouquet at Johan, telling him to take it. Johan hurriedly caught the bouquet, glancing between the closed door and Ahn Yuna before drooping his shoulders and leaving. Ahn Yuna, arms crossed, grew increasingly serious in expression.

 

–

 

Perhaps because it wasn’t his first time here, Dohwa felt a sense of familiarity in the guildmaster’s office.

 

He walked straight to the window and looked outside. The view was wide open and pleasant. Pressing his eyes close to the gap in the lowered blinds, Dohwa scanned the high-rise buildings, floor by floor, window by window.

 

“……”

 

He couldn’t see anything from here. Only after thoroughly checking even the areas that were barely visible to the naked eye did he finally pull back and turn around.

 

Having thrown his outerwear casually over the back of a chair, Jae-i was powering on various devices. As the monitor on the desk lit up, he furrowed his brow. A flood of documents had already arrived and were lined up for his review.

 

Sitting down to work was pure torture. He’d rather jump into a gate and smash things up.

 

Fortunately, most of them had already been sorted once and just needed his final approval. In terms of workload, it wasn’t difficult—but that didn’t mean he wanted to do it. Then, Dohwa cautiously asked,

 

“Hey. Is it really okay for me to be here?”

 

“……”

 

Coming all the way here and now asking that? As if he’d really leave just because he was told not to be here.

 

The old Hwang Jae-i would’ve said exactly that. But instead, he pressed the external communication button and said, “Come in.” Right on cue, there was a knock, and Ahn Yuna entered.

 

“You called, Guildmaster.”

 

She also gave a small nod to Dohwa, who stood by the window.

 

“Dohwa, long time no see.”

 

“……Hello.”

 

Dohwa pressed his hands together and bowed his head.

 

Smiling even brighter at his polite greeting, Ahn Yuna strode up to the guildmaster and handed him a chip containing documents.

 

“These are the investigation results and mining logs from the two gates we explored last week. Please also complete the evaluation reports for the hunters involved. Additionally, we received interview requests from the public hunter broadcasting networks, so I’ve compiled a list of their questions.”

 

“……”

 

A deep crease immediately formed between Hwang Jae-i’s brows, which had remained calm until now. It was the last part he disliked. Though he usually refused interviews, public hunter broadcasting stations were a different matter. Depending on the situation, they could represent his stance or defend his actions—so it was necessary to maintain a decent relationship.

 

What they really wanted, of course, was for Hwang Jae-i to appear on their programs—but since there was a 200% chance of rejection, they had at least sent a questionnaire. Despite the hassle, he was known to diligently respond to such inquiries, so there was no concern there. The real problem was the gate-related documents.