Chapter 8: Resignation Letter Slapped on Kim Team Leader's Face!

It was not long after Oh Byehwan joined Naru Corporation that he overheard a conversation between the sales manager and the team leaders.

- "Are you treating the new guy well? Since he came in through WorkDot, if he strikes out three times, he'll have nowhere else to go."

- "I know. After all, the reason we hire through WorkDot is because of the government bidding process."

The government bidding process for the acquisition of items obtained by state-affiliated hunters. One of the preferential conditions is that companies that actively hire through WorkDot are favored.

- "That kid, when you talk to him, he's so nervous, saying 'Yes, yes' all the time. It's a bit pitiful, though."

- "Pitiful? You, can you take responsibility for the team's performance? Push him hard. It's better to let him quit and hire new people, which will be advantageous in the government bidding. We love to boast about our efforts in employment, but in the end, the ones who get the blame are those who quit."

At that moment, Oh Byehwan could foresee the difficult company life ahead of him.

And he developed a sense of determination.

He decided he would never quit.

During this time, Oh Byehwan closely observed how corrupt the company was.

They manipulated the books by double-dealing with the Hunter Guild, inflated performance, and even transferred the performance of weak salespeople like Oh Byehwan to others.

Suddenly, Kim Team Leader appeared before him, looking like a boar monster.

'If I just hit him with a pickaxe...'

"Uh... Hmm... What is it? Let's go to the meeting room and talk, Mr. Oh Byehwan."

'Mr. Oh Byehwan? Did he take the wrong medicine?'

Ignoring dozens of calls, he had come up from the countryside on his own. Even if he were to scold him, Kim Team Leader's reaction was unexpected. Maybe he was holding back because there were many people watching.

Click.

Entering the meeting room, Kim Team Leader avoided Oh Byehwan's gaze and said,

"Sit down, Mr. Oh Byehwan."

"Team Leader, you seem different today. And I didn't answer the calls because..."

"Ah, don't worry about that. It wasn't anything urgent..."

This is really strange. If he acts like this, it's hard to throw the resignation letter in his face. As Oh Byehwan frowned, Kim Team Leader flinched and stepped back. Tilting his head, Oh Byehwan finally understood the situation.

"Did you find out about my Hunter License?"

Now that he had become a Hunter, his personal information had changed and was relayed to Naru Corporation's HR department. Kim Team Leader nodded, his cheeks trembling, confirming this.

"So, the 1st Team decided to take you, or rather, you, to their team."

The 1st Team is a sales team composed of Hunters. It was natural for Oh Byehwan to change teams.

Of course, that wouldn't happen.

"I'm going to quit."

A moment of silence followed. Kim Team Leader sighed deeply and continued,

"... Don't cut it off so abruptly. Think about it slowly. I've been tough on you because I wanted you to do well, you know?"

"I don't understand. But are they trying to keep me here?"

"Everyone knows how diligently you've worked. Didn't you know you were on the list for promotion this year?"

"How would I know? Show me the draft."

Kim Team Leader's pupils wavered. No matter how much he tried not to be despicable, he couldn't help it.

The sound of scheming was so clear.

At that moment, the meeting room door burst open.

It was Choi Giwon, the Hunter and Team Leader of the 1st Team.

A D-grade Hunter who had no other place to go and was working as a team leader at Naru Corporation.

"Oh, our Hunter Oh Byehwan!"

He then glared at Kim Team Leader and said,

"You should have told me when you came, Team Leader Kim?"

"I'm sorry."

'Being a mouse in front of a cat is a whole different level.'

"Team Leader Kim, please leave. I'll talk to Mr. Oh Byehwan..."

"Enough. I'm going to quit anyway."

"Why, again? You've been doing well so far. Is it because of Team Leader Kim? Should I get rid of this guy for you?"

Kim Team Leader remained silent, bowing his head.

It would be a waste of time to talk further. Standing up, Oh Byehwan took out his resignation letter and handed it gently to Kim Team Leader's hand.

"I'm leaving now, so please handle my severance pay properly."

"Hey, Hunter Oh Byehwan! Isn't this too hasty? If you join our team, you'll earn several times your current salary. And that's not all. Our team has a lot of side income."

'Side income, my ass. You'll eat it all yourself.'

Choi Giwon, like Kim Team Leader, also exploited his subordinates. The only difference was the method. Since his subordinates were Hunters, he could exploit them subtly. He was a cunning manipulator.

"I've made up my mind. I'm leaving."

As he left the office, Choi Giwon followed him.

Alone in the meeting room, Kim Team Leader fiddled with the resignation letter in his hand and then threw it away roughly.

As he stepped out of the meeting room, the office buzzed with whispers.

"Looks like he really awakened. His eyes are different."

"Yeah, you should just quit. It's too uncomfortable to be around him."

"That's true. We've been ignoring him all this time."

"Fuck off, get lost."

Though they tried to whisper, Oh Byehwan, with his enhanced senses, could hear everything clearly.

They quickly turned their heads away when their eyes met.

'You cowards.'

The scum who had used his weaknesses, ignored him, and exploited him for their own gain.

Of course, not all of them were like that.

"Se, Senior..."

A junior colleague looked at Oh Byehwan with tears in his eyes.

A junior who had also joined through WorkDot.

What should he do with this young lamb in front of him?

A sigh escaped him, but there was no immediate solution.

"I'll keep in touch."

Patting his shoulder, he left the office.

Choi Giwon, the 1st Team Leader, seemed to be getting angry and his tone became harsh.

"Will you achieve anything by quitting now? You'll be exploited by the Guild, and you'll die in a raid as a low-level Hunter! C-grade, B-grade Hunters, my ass! You're just not cut out for it! Wake up, man!"

'Write your diary in your diary.'

The elevator doors closed, and he put a period to the company he had worked for years with mixed feelings.

He felt relieved.

*

Stepping out of the Naru Corporation building, he made a call.

"It's been a while, Jang Wonbeom."

- "Exactly 4 hours."

On the other end of the line, Jang Wonbeom continued, annoyed.

- "The company? Did you really quit?"

"Yeah, just now. I feel like I'm flying."

- "That's great. I wonder if I'll ever be free from this job."

"But did you just wake up? Why is it so quiet?"

- "Do I have the luxury of that? I'm polishing items to sell to clients. I need to apply some chemicals to make them shine to get a better price."

"You're diligent. You've got the right attitude."

- "It feels good to hear that... Come over and have a meal, then let's go to work."

"Okay. I'm on my way."

*

The client was Duseong Engineering, a company that specialized in producing weapons and armor for Hunters. Although Naru Corporation had dealings with them, Oh Byehwan was not in charge of this account.

"This is my bodyguard."

Jang Wonbeom introduced Oh Byehwan as such.

Regardless, the purchasing manager only cared about the items in front of him. His gaze moved from the refined stone to the black iron.

"Where did you get such high-quality black iron?"

"One of our customers dug it out from a dungeon."

"Oh... Hmm..."

The black iron shone so brightly that an ant would slip on it, thanks to Jang Wonbeom's polishing. The purchasing manager swallowed his admiration and continued.

"400,000 won per kilogram."

"This is pure, 100% black iron, with no impurities."

A 20-kilogram lump of black iron is naturally more valuable than small pieces.

"That's true, but... black iron isn't that rare, is it?"

"Then I have no choice. I'll have to sell it elsewhere..."

"Ah, I see. 420,000 won!"

"Push a bit more. 450,000 won!"

"Hmm... If the boss finds out, he'll faint. Okay, let's do it."

Dealing with Rekkamon was different from regular companies.

The payment was processed quickly.

"See you again."

"If you have good items, bring them to us first. Got it?"

"Is this our first deal? Don't worry, just prepare a lot of money."

After the transaction, they left Duseong Engineering.

Seeing Oh Byehwan's constant smile, Jang Wonbeom gave him a sidelong glance.

"Did you think I'd be a pushover?"

"Is it written on my face?"

"Annoying brat."

In his early days as a Rekkamon, Jang Wonbeom was inflexible and clueless about the basics of business, often being led by his clients.

Frustrated, Oh Byehwan eventually taught him his sales techniques and cunning.

"Rising above the master, I'm proud of you."

"Stop the crap. I'll send you 500,000 won more."

"I won't refuse it."

"Of course not. Buy something nice for the juniors. Especially Na-yeon, she needs to build her strength. She's in her third year of high school..."

"By the way, don't even think about Na-yeon. If I see any ulterior motives, you'll be dead."

"Ha, is it because you're a Hunter? I was a bit scared just now. Na-yeon must have a tough time. With a scary brother like you, no boys will come near her!"

Especially since he's a big, muscular Hunter...

Jang Wonbeom shook his head and grumbled.

While driving the truck.

A breaking news report about the Uijeongbu Gate came on the radio.

Jang Wonbeom suddenly sped up.

"Hey, I need to get off here."

"Not coming with us?"

"I have my own work to do."

"Ah, right. Keep in touch."

*

On his way home, Oh Byehwan stopped by the convenience store where his younger sister worked.

"Didn't you stay out overnight yesterday?"

"I drank with Wonbeom."

"Until morning? You must have been out of your mind."

His sister, who was organizing items, clicked her tongue.

"Quit your part-time job."

"Why suddenly?"

"You won't have to worry about money anymore. Focus on your studies without worrying."

"What? Did you win the lottery or something?"

Oh Na-yeon turned her head and asked indifferently.

"Not that much. I'll tell you when we get home. Just tell your boss you'll quit today."

"I don't want to. I'll decide after I hear what it's about."

His sister stared at him and urged him to speak. Smiling, Oh Byehwan took something out of his back pocket and handed it to her.

"What's this?"

"Can't you read? Hunter. License."

"What!?"

Her eyes widened, and she quickly snatched the license.

"R, really? And it's E-grade?"

"I got it from the Evaluation Board yesterday."

"Wow! Why are you telling me now? Wonbeom must have known already, right?"

"Something like that."

"Tch. But..."

She never thought it would be her brother who would suddenly awaken. Tears welled up in Oh Na-yeon's eyes, and she felt a mix of emotions.

"It's... I'm happy, but also worried. Being a Hunter is dangerous, even if they make good money."

"You worry too much. I won't join a guild or hunt monsters."

"Really? Then what will you do?"

'I'll hunt them alone,' he couldn't say.

"Just quit your part-time job and focus on your studies."

"Tch... Okay. Since I'm finishing early today, I'll go home first."

"Really?"

Hearing that she would finish early, Oh Byehwan took out his phone.

"Little brother, where are you?"

- "At home. I was about to cook some ramen. Why?"

"Forget the ramen. Come to your sister's workplace right away."

- "Why suddenly? I'm hungry. I want to eat ramen."

"We're going out to eat. Come quickly."

- "Out to eat? Oh, is it jajangmyeon?"

That evening, they feasted on top-grade beef. His little brother jumped around in excitement upon hearing that Oh Byehwan had become a Hunter.

When asked to show his strength, he offered to carry a horse on the way home, but his brother got angry instead.

That night, after his siblings had fallen asleep, Oh Byehwan quietly went to the rooftop of their apartment.

He opened a dimensional door and entered the dungeon.