Chapter 65

EP.65 Fire's Judgment (1)

The next day.

My first day of work as an intern at <Fire's Judgment>.

In the clan tower elevator, I saw a familiar face.

"Hey? Hi? We meet again so soon."

"......"

Today, too, she had her short, striking red hair.

Shinyuna seemed embarrassed and turned her head away.

"Aren't you going to greet me? I feel awkward."

"Hi…."

Where did the talkative Shinyuna from our sparring sessions go?

It seems people really do change when they're provoking someone.

I felt a smile forming as I pressed the elevator button.

"25th floor, right? Hunting Team 5 department."

Shinyuna watched my actions in silence, then spoke.

"Hey, how old are you? I heard you're an academy student."

"Me? I'm twenty. Why?"

"…But why do you keep talking to me informally? I'm twenty-three and a senior who graduated from the academy."

What, are you being a stickler for formality?

I chuckled at her words and replied.

"A three-year age gap is almost like being friends. And you were the one who started talking informally first."

"......"

If it bothers you, you should have used formal language first.

It's not like I asked about it on our first meeting like Kwon Ohjun did.

Now, I'm so used to informal language that I can't use formal language even if you ask me to.

Shinyuna, who had run out of things to say, turned her head again.

Then, after a few seconds, she spoke again.

"I'm sorry for talking informally first. I guess it just stuck from provoking during sparring. If it's okay, I can change now…"

"Ah, it's fine, it's fine. Let's just keep it informal. You know, it's more comfortable for you—"

Shinyuna, who had been pursing her lips, nodded.

"Still, you should use formal language with other clan members. Most of them are seniors, and they use formal language with us."

"Doesn't Team Leader Kwon Ohjun use informal language?"

"That's…."

"It's a joke. I know that much. Don't worry. I'm not that uptight."

This was a reasonable conversation to have.

Honestly, if things had gone well from the start with Shinyuna.

I would have treated her with respect and used formal language….

But since we started with provoking and fighting in sparring sessions, using formal language now feels awkward.

Shinyuna added an explanation.

"You should address everyone as 'Holder.' There's a distinction between regular and senior clan members, but almost everyone is called 'Holder' regardless of their position."

"What about team leaders? I remember you called Kwon Ohjun 'Team Leader' last time."

I recalled that Shinyuna had called Kwon Ohjun 'Team Leader' before.

She nodded and answered my question.

"Special positions like team leaders or department heads can be called by their titles. Team Leader Kwon Ohjun is officially a senior clan member, so the title itself isn't a big deal. However, Master and Deputy Master must be called by their titles."

"Can't you add 'sir' or 'ma'am'?"

"No. Master, Deputy Master. Everyone calls them that."

I don't understand all of this, but…

Somehow, we were now discussing clan-related matters.

So naturally.

It's hard to believe we were just fighting and provoking each other yesterday, and even a few minutes ago, we were still awkward.

Shinyuna's expression was much brighter than before.

It seems that teaching me and answering my questions made her realize I was a new member.

Before I came, she was probably the youngest member…

Having a new youngest member must be fun for her.

Shinyuna, who looked slightly excited, asked me.

"Hey, do you have any other questions?"

"Questions? Hmm…"

After a moment of thought, I asked her.

"Is there anything special I need to do today? Since it's my first day, I don't know what to do or where my desk is."

"Hmm. On your first day, you'll probably attend an orientation. There are two types: operational orientation and job orientation."

"Orientation?"

"Yes. Usually, you learn from a mentor. There's a lot to learn about clan activities, similar to a company. But since you're an intern, I'm not sure how your mentor will be assigned…."

Ding—

And these concerns were resolved as soon as we got off the elevator.

25th floor.

Hunting Team 5 office.

In the center of the office was the team leader's room.

Kwon Ohjun, who met us there, said with a nonchalant expression.

"That? Shinyuna, you can be his mentor."

"Mentor? Me?"

Shinyuna, who was standing next to me, seemed surprised and asked.

"Yeah. Since Jae-hyun is an intern, it's difficult to provide long-term mentorship, so you can take care of him for a short period. This is something Miss Kwon agreed to."

I flinched at the word "intern," but since Kwon Juyeon agreed, it doesn't seem unfair.

After all, I plan to absorb all the advantages of the clan during my two-month internship.

I just need to learn as much as I can in this short period and understand the processes of running a large clan.

"But I'm also a new clan member…"

"I know. That's why I assigned you. New members understand the mindset of new members best. Especially Jae-hyun, who was specially hired, won't know anything. Explain things well to him. You only need to do the operational orientation, so don't feel too pressured."

Kwon Ohjun's sarcastic words made Shinyuna ask.

"Ah, so I don't do the job orientation?"

"Of course not. That involves going on hunts and missions, and we can't assign that to a new member. When the time comes, a senior clan member in charge of the mission will act as the mentor."

In other words, she won't be a formal mentor.

Shinyuna's expression relaxed at this.

"I understand."

"Good, good. Make sure to train him well before the mission meeting tomorrow. But don't be too harsh. Shinyuna, you know, Jae-hyun is good at fighting."

"That's…!!"

Kwon Ohjun laughed and joked, making Shinyuna's face turn red.

It's a fact, so she can't argue….

I feel bad for Shinyuna.

"I'm busy~ Get out now."

Kwon Ohjun's dismissal left no room for argument, so we left the team leader's room and headed to another office.

Shinyuna still looked embarrassed.

She walked quickly down the hallway and said.

"Sometimes, new clan members catch up to senior members. There's a clear difference in runes and talents among Holders. So, it's not that the senior members lack ability; it's that the new members have done well. Do you understand?"

It's like she's rapping.

She finished this long sentence in an instant.

I nodded and agreed.

"I get it, I get it. Don't be disappointed. You fought really well. You were one of the most textbook warriors I've ever seen."

"Ugh… I'm not talking about myself…!"

She denied it until the end.

Losing isn't always embarrassing, but the sparring results with me must have been quite embarrassing for her.

After this light morning incident.

I came to Shinyuna's desk in the Hunting Team 5 office and started learning about the clan and the team.

The orientation called 'operational orientation' that she had been talking about.

It was a two-hour hell of an orientation.

"…That's the basic clan rules and things to keep in mind when using the clan tower."

"…There are so many."

No matter which orientation I attend…

The rules of the Holder community.

The clan's rules are especially numerous.

There are many etiquettes to follow among Holders and many things to be cautious about among clan members.

After a long explanation, the topic of the clan finally ended.

Shinyuna shook her head, reassuring me.

"Don't worry. We're almost done. Just a bit more about our team members."

"Okay, I'm ready. Go ahead."

"Phew—"

She laughed at my light joke.

It seems she was also tired from the long explanation and handover.

If she can laugh at such a joke, it shows how tired she was.

…Still, she looks pretty when she smiles.

Her red hair is very noticeable, but Shinyuna must have received many advances during her academy days.

"Our Hunting Team 5 consists of 12 members. There are two members from each major category, and with you and Kwon Juyeon Holder joining, we now have 14 members."

"14 members? That's a lot for a team."

"Yes. We are divided into B and C grades. There is one member from each major and grade."

So, there are two members from each of the six major categories, and they are further divided into B and C grades.

Shinyuna is a C-grade member of the Warrior category.

It's a considerable number of members for a team, but it's not too many when divided by major and grade.

After all, they are the core combat members of the <Fire's Judgment> clan.

I suddenly became curious and asked.

"So, when you go on missions, do you divide strictly by grade? C-grade with C-grade, B-grade with B-grade?"

"No, that's not the case. If a C-grade party needs a leader or a training member, B-grade members can join. Conversely, if a B-grade party is short on members, they can select from the C-grade."

"Oh… So, it's not always a party of six."

"Right. The minimum number for a standard party is five."

This is good for me.

If I join a mission with only C-grade members, I might go on dungeon raids or field hunts that are slightly below my current level.

As someone who needs to gain as much experience as possible in two months, I prefer to join missions with a moderate level of difficulty.

Shinyuna suddenly rummaged through her desk and handed me a well-coated booklet.

"Here, take this."

"What is it?"

"Dojaehyun, this is a list of the senior members of Hunting Team 5 and the key Holders in the clan that you need to memorize. Team Leader Kwon said there's a mission meeting tomorrow, so you need to memorize this by then."

"……"

This is a variable?

I hardly know my academy classmates, and now I have to memorize all the <Fire's Judgment> clan members.

This feels like working in a company.

…Is it similar because it's clan life?

"Do I really have to memorize all of them?"

"Yes. I'll check in the morning. This is an instruction from your mentor, so you have to do it…!!"

What kind of instruction is that?

You were just worried about how you could be a mentor as a new member.

I sighed and took the coated booklet.

When I came in as an intern…

I dreamed of being immediately sent to dungeons and field hunts outside the barrier.

But clan life isn't that easy.

It seems I need to finish all the theoretical and administrative tasks before being deployed in the field.

This is a common process in any group.

Shinyuna suddenly clapped her hands and said.

"We're done! Let's go eat lunch."

"Oh, lunch time."

I looked up, excited.

Since I became proficient in [Cooking], I don't enjoy other people's food as much, but finding new dishes and restaurants is always a fun experience.

The <Fire's Judgment> clan cafeteria.

I need to check how good the food is.

The team members, who were still unfamiliar, left first, and just as we were about to leave the office, a loud bang echoed.

A door seemed to break, and someone stood in front of us.

Messy hair and a somewhat urgent expression.

The same clothes I saw yesterday and the same elegant aura.

…It was Kwon Juyeon.

Where was she until now?

She doesn't look like she just woke up, given her neatly dressed appearance.

She took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"Let's… eat lunch together."

"……"

Lunch together?

Did you come to the office with such force just to say this?