Chapter 17

< Head of HR (2) >

It was an old-fashioned reception room. The overall interior was in an Eastern style, with classical Western furniture arranged in an unbalanced yet harmonious manner. Given Seok Shimyeong's personality, all the expensive furniture here would likely be genuine.

Following the guide, I sat on the black leather sofa and was offered a drink. The atmosphere here was such that they would even ask about the type of coffee beans.

"Orange juice, please."

"I'll have juice too."

Park Yerim, sitting next to me, said.

Seok Shimyeong, sitting opposite us, wore a gentle smile. His soft demeanor suggested that even if I suddenly started cursing, he would just laugh it off with a "Ha ha, I see."

"First, I would like to express my gratitude for choosing Hae-yeon Guild as your primary choice."

Seok Shimyeong spoke in a voice that felt overly sweet, almost too polite. I had felt this from the first time we met; this uncle's voice is simply amazing. A gentlemanly charm combined with a good voice, he seems like someone born to be a sales king.

Yerim also had a look on her face as if she was half-caught by his voice. But I, who knew how ruthless this uncle could be, didn't fall for it.

His smooth talk made me feel suffocated.

"To be honest, family ties played a significant role."

I smiled, following Seok Shimyeong's lead.

"Before that, it was also thanks to Park Yerim's trust in me."

"The first thing was that you acted in a way that could be trusted."

Yerim grabbed my arm. Don't cling to me while I'm working. This is an important contract for you.

"Even without offensive skills, Park Yerim can be considered a fully capable combat hunter with 'Shadowless Day' and 'Cold Sigh.' Although her strength stat is slightly below the S-grade average, she can buff herself, so it shouldn't be a problem."

Seok Shimyeong accurately described Yerim's status. He didn't know that the former Park Yerim was a combat mage, so strength stats weren't crucial. If she could smoothly obtain ice-elemental attack skills, she could boost her magic and ice-elemental skill stats...

She would be unstoppable. With additional buffs, she would sweep through monsters.

With Hermes' Shoes, which provide agility buffs, flight, and teleportation, it's a complete cheat.

I looked at Yerim again.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing, just thinking."

S-grade skills are fully optimized, so the combos are incredible. She was already strong with just ice magic, but now she would become a monster. She might even rival Yuhwan.

'Come to think of it, I should check Yuhwan's status window.'

I hadn't checked it yet because my baby skill cooldown was still long. He might not have received all the optimized skills, so I need to check and adjust accordingly.

"Typically, the conditions for a combat hunter's guild contract include a dungeon quota and equipment provision. For A-grade and above dungeons, each guild has a set quota."

The status of a guild changes based on how many A-grade and above dungeons they can manage. Currently, Hae-yeon Guild manages the second-most dungeons after the top three, right?

"Since Park Yerim is still a minor, you can start with B-grade dungeons. If you want to advance to A-grade and above more quickly, I recommend clearing C or D-grade dungeons 10 times."

"I don't plan to rush into higher-level dungeons."

I said. Yerim is only fifteen. It's better for her to get used to combat and skill usage in mid-to-low-level dungeons rather than rushing into A-grade and above dungeons.

For a combat mage, skill versatility is especially important, so she needs plenty of practice.

"I want to focus on growth for the next year."

"That's a good choice."

Seok Shimyeong nodded slightly.

"We also recommend this approach. Gradually gaining experience and coordinating with other guild members, then forming a new S-grade dungeon team, is the best path."

An S-grade dungeon team must include at least one S-grade combat hunter. So, for Hae-yeon Guild, it's much more advantageous for Park Yerim to gain experience and form her own team rather than joining Yuhwan's team.

Having two S-grade dungeon teams means they can secure more rights to jointly managed S-grade dungeons.

"However, this will naturally extend the contract period. In return, we will not skimp on the support needed for Park Yerim's growth."

"To my knowledge, there are no S-grade hunters who have exclusive contracts with specific guilds."

Domestic S-grade hunters, except for one government-affiliated, are all guild leaders. Overseas, most are guild leaders or government-affiliated, with a few being freelancers.

Freelance hunters work on short-term contracts when requested by the government or guilds.

"So, even if you just belong to the guild without clearing dungeons, it would be a significant benefit for Hae-yeon Guild. Extending the contract period under the pretext of growth support seems like excessive greed."

A guild with two S-grade hunters! It would be a first and unique worldwide, and the name value alone would be enormous.

The more I think about it, the less I understand why Yuhwan picked a fight over the guardianship issue yesterday. Is that something a guild leader should do? He should have signed the contract and sold his brother if necessary.

"You have a good grasp of the hunter world."

Seok Shimyeong looked surprised.

"I've been in this world for over four years. While I didn't reach the top, I know the overall trends better than anyone. Right now, no one knows better than me."

Unless I'm a prophet, I'm the best.

"As you said, just by joining the guild, Park Yerim would be a significant asset to us. I tried to take advantage too quickly and got caught."

Despite his words, Seok Shimyeong looked quite pleased. What's going on? Is there another trap?

"For A-grade hunters, the standard contract is a basic 5-year term with a 200% cap on annual renewals starting from the second year. How about a 3-year contract with no cap on annual renewals starting from the first year?"

Future S-grade hunters typically renew their contracts annually.

But considering Yerim's age and Hae-yeon Guild's growth, a 3-year contract isn't bad. She'll be 18 in three years, so it's appropriate.

"What do you think?"

I asked Yerim, and she shook her head slightly.

"I don't understand much. Please handle it, Uncle."

"In simple terms, you'll be a member of Hae-yeon Guild for the next 3 years. You can't join other guilds."

"Then what about you, Uncle? Will you sign such a contract?"

Huh? Why am I involved here?

"Well, I'll just... stay as I am? F-grade hunters aren't accepted by well-known guilds."

Unless it's a small, local guild led by a D-grade hunter, C-grade guilds don't accept F-grade hunters. They might use them for odd jobs, though.

"No, you have to sign a 3-year contract too."

Park Yerim said firmly. Not only guardianship, but you want to include me as a bonus? Why are you doing this?

"Can we include that in the contract?"

"Of course, it's possible."

Yerim and Seok Shimyeong discussed it. I hope they ask for my opinion too.

"What contract? I won't do it. I'll just help you establish yourself and then... take a break."

Kim Seonghan will just give up and occasionally use skills to help Yerim, Yumyeong, and Yuhwan. I'll raise monsters and live a leisurely life. Why join a guild?

If I can raise a high-level mount each year, I'll have plenty of money to live well. Why suffer unnecessarily?

Park Yerim looked upset.

"You promised to take responsibility! Just 3 years, only 3 years!"

Stop pulling my arm. It hurts.

"Even without a contract, I'll be your guardian for 3 years, so don't worry. If you don't trust me, I'll write a new contract."

"Still, it would be better if we joined the same guild."

"My brother is the guild leader here. We haven't formalized the contract, but I'm already half in. So, I won't go anywhere else."

Where else would I go? I'm already in a sweet spot. Yerim nodded, looking relieved.

"Okay. You really won't go anywhere else?"

"I won't. No one would accept me anyway."

For now, at least. Once I raise a mount, any guild would welcome me with open arms. But I have no plans to move.

After calming Yerim, we resumed negotiating the contract terms.

The base salary for an S-grade hunter is around 10 million dollars per year. It seems low, but it's just the base salary. The real earnings come from dungeon runs, where the average distribution ratio for S-grade dungeons is 8:2. The guild covers all preparation costs, and the team takes 80%.

The S-grade hunter, as the team leader, takes between 50% to 80% of the team's earnings based on their contribution. Earning 10 million dollars from a single S-grade dungeon run is nothing. Most hunters prioritize the distribution ratio over the base salary.

"Since this is your first hunter contract, you seem more skilled at negotiating than I am."

Seok Shimyeong said, scanning the conditions.

That's because you're a third-year, and I'm a fourth-year. Plus, I have more accumulated information, so I'm naturally more skilled.

I've watched the S-grade hunter special series on the hunter channel at least ten times. I know the contract terms by heart.

"This could serve as a standard contract for S-grade combat hunters. I don't know when we'll recruit another S-grade hunter."

That's the standard contract. It was introduced about two years after the Awakening Center was established and S-grade hunters started increasing, after various incidents.

This is a slightly modified version of the standard contract to fit Yerim's situation. The standard contract is based on adult combat hunters.

"I won't use the S-grade equipment priority and auction rights yet. It's better to decide after confirming the skills at level 10."

Level 10 will come quickly. It would be great if Pale Rain appears. Then, I can focus on ice-elemental magic equipment.

"Understood. You are truly perfect in every way. You deserve Park Yerim's trust. You seem like someone who has been active in the hunter world for years."

"Ha ha, I just awakened a few days ago."

Did I act too knowledgeable? Still, it would be a waste not to use the knowledge I've accumulated.

We finalized the contract terms, printed the contract, and signed it. We also stamped it.

Yerim rubbed the red ink from her finger onto my hand. Hey, don't draw a heart.

"You can register as an Awakened tomorrow. I'll inform them."

He'll probably contact the journalists too. It's a big event, so they'll want to package it nicely.

"Here are the documents related to the inheritance that should have gone to Park Yerim. They will be useful."

Seok Shimyeong handed me a document envelope. Thank you.

"I'll use them well."

Is that it? As I was about to stand up, Seok Shimyeong stopped me.

"Please wait a moment."

"What? Is there something else?"

It seemed like everything was done. Seok Shimyeong's enthusiastic gaze pierced me.

"I want to contract with Han Yujin."

...Why me again? I didn't do anything!

< Head of HR (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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