Chapter 48

048. Contract (3)

"I think I will decide whether to join the management team based on the contract terms."

The Challenger Management Team seemed quite suitable for achieving what I currently desire.

Did our intentions align?

Lee Hae-yeon, the team leader of the newly established 'Challenger Management Team,' needed to recruit challengers.

A challenger like me needed to be able to use the dungeon while not being overly bound by the guild.

For me, who needed to return to the tower quickly, it was better to have the contract in place beforehand.

'That way, I can use the guild's dungeon when I need it later...'

Lee Hae-yeon seemed to recognize this fact and nodded, then spoke.

"Of course... Then, could you tell me what conditions you would like?"

Conditions...

"First, I would like the authority to refuse any summoning orders from the guild."

"Anything else?"

"Complete non-interference in my actions within the tower, and I should be able to use the guild's dungeon."

"Hmm... Refusing summoning orders and non-interference in actions can be handled within the team leader's authority. However..."

"However?"

"The guild's dungeon isn't that easy to use. Of course, if you have a good track record, you might get easier access to the dungeon..."

"Your authority as a team leader can't cover that, then."

I understood.

Being able to use the guild's dungeon is a privilege reserved for a select few.

'Those are the promising ones or hunters who are highly anticipated.'

This is beyond the team leader's authority to resolve.

However...

"If I can prove my worth to the higher-ups, the situation might change."

"...You know more than I thought. Yes, that's right. If you have a good track record, the situation will change."

"Then, can you guarantee refusing summoning orders and non-interference in my actions within the tower?"

"Of course. The 'Challenger Management Team' was established to support challengers."

The proposal from the Challenger Management Team was more attractive than I expected.

'I thought it might be a bit of a stretch...'

Perhaps because of our connection from the fourth floor, Lee Hae-yeon seemed to be trying her best to meet my demands.

It was as if she was willing to understand and accommodate anything.

With my heart starting to lean towards it, I spoke.

"If I can create a track record, I will join the Challenger Management Team."

At this, Lee Hae-yeon smiled widely, seemingly surprised.

"Is that really true?"

"I need to see the contract tomorrow to make a final decision, but for now, yes."

As long as I can achieve what I want, there are no bad conditions for me.

I readily agreed based on such thorough calculations, but Lee Hae-yeon's reaction was different.

"...I will make sure you never regret this decision."

Her voice, as if moved, was filled with sincerity.

"Once the contract is signed, I would appreciate it if you could prepare for me to create a track record."

"That won't be a problem. The gate you need to clear can be prepared quickly."

Satisfied, I smiled inwardly.

'The situation is flowing better than expected.'

Perhaps because I achieved most of what I wanted just a day after returning, the second return felt even more satisfying.

***

The next day, I entered the café where we had agreed to meet.

'I wish we could have prepared the contract yesterday...'

It's a bit disappointing, but that's asking too much.

Lee Hae-yeon has her own schedule, and preparing a gate that can be cleared is not easy.

Generally, setting a schedule for a gate clearance takes quite a bit of time.

However, Lee Hae-yeon, with her capabilities as a team leader, managed to prepare a gate in just one day.

Time is precious, but it's not just for me.

'Since there's still some time before the next return, it's not that urgent.'

Thanks to the smooth progress of yesterday's events, my mind was at ease.

Since I achieved most of what I wanted, a short break wouldn't be out of place.

After waiting for a while, someone entered the quiet café.

Tinkle...

The woman who entered, brushing her long hair back, was Lee Hae-yeon.

She quickly looked around, spotted me, and approached, sitting down.

"Mr. Han Seung-yoon, did you wait for me this whole time?"

"Well, I waited a bit. I had some extra time."

"I tried to come early, but... I feel a bit embarrassed."

"Don't worry about it. It seems you were quite busy."

I wasn't exaggerating; Lee Hae-yeon didn't look well.

Her eyes were sunken, and her long hair was still damp, indicating she didn't have time to dry it.

There were traces of her busy schedule everywhere.

"Hehe... Is that so? I might have pushed myself a bit too hard."

Lee Hae-yeon smiled wryly and then took out some documents.

"Please read this. It's the contract for Mr. Han Seung-yoon that I prepared yesterday. The one next to it is the standard industry contract, so please compare them."

I took the contract and started reading it.

Rustle, rustle...

'Wow, what is this?'

The contract terms made my eyes widen.

'The base salary is 500 million, and everything I get from the dungeon is mine.'

Even though I said money wasn't a big concern, it seems she put a lot of effort into it, with all the terms being quite generous.

Typically, hunters sell all the resources from the dungeon through the guild.

As a result, it became customary for the guild to take a portion of the resources based on the contract ratio.

However, this contract states that all the resources from the dungeon are mine, with the guild taking nothing.

Considering the usual contract terms for hunters, this was almost unbelievable.

'I can refuse summoning orders at any time, and there will be no interference in my actions within the tower...'

All the conditions I requested were included without any omissions.

It was not just satisfying but astonishing.

Most importantly, it stated that I could use the guild's dungeon under certain conditions.

'If I clear a C-class dungeon solo, I can use all the guild's dungeons...?'

That means...

Soon, the gate Lee Hae-yeon will give me to prove myself will also be a C-class.

Even if I wanted to use a higher-level dungeon, this was a stroke of luck.

After thoroughly reviewing the contract, I smiled and spoke.

"There don't seem to be any issues with the contract."

"That's a relief. It was worth the effort to prepare it."

Lee Hae-yeon smiled proudly and then asked.

"By the way, do you not have a hunter's license? If not, I can provide a temporary gate access..."

"No, I do. I got it when I returned last time."

"That's good. It's quite difficult to obtain a hunter's license these days, as the association is actively looking for challengers."

It was a good move to have the license in advance.

'Preparation is always beneficial.'

If I hadn't done so, I might have been in a troublesome situation.

After signing the contract, I looked at Lee Hae-yeon.

"Since the contract is done, can we go to the gate for the track record immediately?"

"Of course. There's a C-class gate nearby, so we'll go there."

"Understood."

"I will be the observer. Is that okay?"

"Yes, that's fine."

I stood up and smiled lightly.

'This will be the last dungeon clearance for this time.'

The second return was almost over.

***

Yeoncheon, Nokyang-dong, Cheonbosan.

"We've arrived. The gate is here."

After a short while, Lee Hae-yeon got out of the car and said this.

I followed, got out of the car, and put on my equipment.

'A gate in the mountains...'

It was a bit special, but I soon followed Lee Hae-yeon.

Indeed, even a temporary gate is still a gate.

There were a few people managing the gate at Cheonbosan.

Of course...

"A, it's Team Leader Lee Hae-yeon from the Baek Guild. Confirmed."

Since my identity was quickly verified, I could easily pass the managers.

Thud, thud...

"Um, before you go in, I should tell you..."

"...?"

"If you go in, I won't assist you unless it's a special situation. I will only be an observer to ensure fairness."

"Yes, I understand. If the track record isn't proven, it would be a problem."

"That's right."

I didn't rely on others to overcome obstacles in the past.

Therefore, whether someone helps me or not doesn't make much difference to me.

Lee Hae-yeon, who saw me in action on the fourth floor, would know this better.

"I expected as much."

Lee Hae-yeon nodded in satisfaction and gave a brief explanation.

"Once you are armed and enter, the track record verification will begin. Since it's a temporary gate, you will need to clear the boss and come out. Just proceed all the way."

I didn't need further explanations.

It was nothing special.

"Understood."

Ultimately, I just need to eliminate all the enemies, as I have done so far.

***

Rumble...

After passing through the gate and entering the dungeon, I saw a hill covered in grass.

"Hmm."

It could be considered a challenging terrain.

A dungeon with an open stage like a hill means that monsters will swarm from all sides.

This implies that the upcoming battle could be a chaotic one.

'If I have to protect someone behind me, it could be a bit challenging.'

Even as an observer, Lee Hae-yeon is not exempt from being a target for the monsters.

Considering her combat capabilities, it might not be a good environment for her to fight in.

At that moment, Lee Hae-yeon, seemingly aware of the situation, met my gaze and spoke.

"You don't need to worry about me. I have an artifact provided by the guild. If I'm attacked, a protective shield will activate automatically."

She showed me a necklace with a blue gem, indicating she had no need to worry.

"Then, I don't need to protect you..."

"Probably not. It's called the 'Empress's Necklace,' an A-class item. It can absorb a lot of damage and has a slight stealth effect."

"That's great. Thanks to that, I can fight without worrying."

"Of course, if I do attract attention, it will still be helpful, but I'll stay far away."

At that moment...

Squeal...

I turned my head at the sound of a screeching noise coming from around us.

"Oh..."

There was a turtle with glowing eyes, spewing black flames from its mouth.

'A Flame Turtle?'

Some call it a 'Little Devil,' a rather fierce monster.

It looks like a turtle but moves quickly and spits powerful flames.

Its durability is also better than most monsters, making it a target to avoid.

'But now, they are just sacrifices to boost my abilities through necromancy.'

Instead, I felt a sense of eagerness and smiled.

Now, it's time to grow again, like a storm.