Chapter 9. Rating Review (3)

"Uh... Why is that? The government promises to provide all possible support. All government-affiliated dungeons can be used for free, and with your rating, you can quickly rise to a high position. After retirement, you can receive an enormous pension, a mansion, a car, and the best services."

"I know. Government-affiliated hunters are doing well."

"Then why...?"

'Because the government itself is about to collapse.'

In ten years, the government will collapse.

The time could be delayed depending on how many people who participated in the beta test regress and how active they are, but it means that the day when the social system itself collapses is not far off.

But why should I necessarily throw myself into the government?

There's no need to do so unless I'm a fool.

If I were to lead the government forces by dedicating myself to the state, it might be different, but in reality, there are many constraints.

Is there any need to accept such constraints and become a government affiliate?

I refused gently.

"Because I already have plans to establish a guild."

"Ah, establishing a guild."

If someone had been in the industry for a long time, they would have understood my words immediately.

In terms of business interests, it's far superior to become a guild leader by establishing a guild rather than being affiliated with the government.

Especially considering my characteristic of handling money like a hamster?

Affiliating with the government is not desirable.

I have a 500% chance of becoming a corrupt official.

Perhaps because he realized my resolve was unshakable, he stopped trying to persuade me.

"Then, about the partnership..."

"That's possible."

"Oh, thank you. You are a savior."

"Let's discuss that later."

"Sure. We should."

There's no need to discuss the terms of the partnership now.

I have a colleague who is a veritable munchkin when it comes to strategic thinking.

The Sage of Wisdom, Lee Hana.

Although she was a novice in combat before her mana awakening, her intellect hasn't diminished.

Given her past as a leading mind for humanity, she can certainly negotiate favorable terms.

In front of the Hunter Management Bureau.

A significant piece of news had just rocked the hunter community.

An hour ago, the second mythic skill holder in Korea had appeared.

People easily guessed who it was.

The staff at the rating review center had informed a few, and the news spread at an incredible speed.

Someone who received a mythic rating for potential.

Moreover, a summoner, which is extremely rare worldwide.

The most famous summoner is the British-born spirit summoner, Erenel.

She mainly summoned spirits and swept through dungeons with ten summoned creatures. Her strength was also proven in guild battles.

Already known as a one-man army, Erenel was a celebrity in the hunter community.

Now, such a person had appeared in Korea.

The influence of a summoner in the hunter community has already been proven.

Adding to the excitement is the fact that Erenel received a unique potential rating.

The industry couldn't help but be in an uproar over the appearance of a mythic summoner.

Upon hearing the news, Hunter Bureau reporter Kang So-ra rushed to the Hunter Management Bureau.

"Senior, you're late."

"I was on assignment in Cheorwon."

"Because of that tip yesterday?"

"Yeah. Some lunatic deserted with weapons."

"Wow! There are still deserters these days. What happened to him?"

"What do you think? I gave him a beating, and he ended up injured. The brass tried to cover it up, but it didn't work."

"Hahaha! That guy really got it."

Junior reporter Lee Sang-ki was a veteran and knew how armed deserters were handled.

If lucky, the incident could be covered up at the battalion level, and he might end up in the brig. But with the incident surfacing, he would face a formal military trial and be imprisoned in Namhansanseong.

At least three to five years.

If his luck was really bad, he could get an even longer sentence.

Anyway.

Handling such a lunatic was less important than what was happening here.

"More importantly, how did it go?"

"It's chaos. The industry is in a frenzy."

"Of course. A mythic-rated individual? Can you imagine?"

"The surprising thing is that this person awakened yesterday and is already B-rank?"

"Ha... Is that even possible?"

"Not really. I think Crown Guild's Sword Master Park Jae-sung started at C-rank."

"How did such a monster appear?"

An incomprehensible monster. Kang So-ra couldn't help but repeat the phrase.

Even if someone received a mythic potential rating, a hunter's rank is a different matter.

Potential means potential, and rank is the current state.

How could someone who just awakened yesterday be B-rank?

Lee Sang-ki shrugged.

"He was a monster dissectionist for two years."

"What? So a non-mana-awakened person became a mana-awakened person?"

"Yes. It's rare."

"This is a huge scoop."

"That's why everyone is here in a frenzy."

All the people gathered here had their eyes on fire.

A power struggle for the front row was intense, and physical fights were breaking out.

It was a battlefield without guns.

A mana-awakened person from a non-mana-awakened background.

The advantages of non-mana-awakened people were already recognized, and it was well-documented what happened when they gained mana.

What would be the future of this newly born mythic-rated awakener? It was easy to guess.

As various comments were exchanged, someone shouted.

"It's the mythic awakener!"

Murmurs.

In an instant, chaos ensued.

People rushed over and a scramble began.

"Summoner! Look at us! Our Black Hand Guild offers the best benefits! You can start as a section chief, or even a department head!"

"Come to our Rain Guild. You'll be an officer immediately. Our guild leader guarantees it!"

"Come to S-Group. We offer unimaginable benefits."

The birth of a true noble.

A hunter with a silver spoon appeared.

Even though it was enough to make someone arrogant, the hunter's demeanor was remarkably polite.

To the point where it was naturally likable.

"I deeply appreciate the excellent offers, but I have already decided to establish a guild."

"Ah!"

Exclamations erupted from all around.

Kang So-ra smiled, finding the reactions amusing.

"There will be a storm in the hunter community."

That evening.

I met Lee Hana after two days.

She seemed flustered, as if it was her first time in a fancy restaurant.

"Isn't this a bit much, Han Seong? I'm fine with a street stall."

"For our precious talent, Hana, I can treat you even better than this."

"Are you trying to seduce me? You don't have to go that far."

"Seduction is seduction. I have a bit of a talent for it."

"Your words are smooth, but I can't help feeling uncomfortable."

This was a VIP room.

A top-tier view of the Han River and food that costs hundreds of thousands of won.

Lee Hana whistled when she saw the menu.

"300,000 won for a steak!? Are you crazy? Did the cow eat gold? Why is it so expensive?"

"I'll choose."

I covered the menu.

She wouldn't be able to eat if this continued.

"Full course. Give us a decent wine."

"Wow, what's the occasion? Did you win the lottery?"

"Lottery? It would be fortunate if my life could be turned around by the lottery."

Just talking about money made my stomach twist.

To properly use the cash shop, I need to pour in at least hundreds of millions.

Just the initial funds are in the tens of billions, and it will only get worse as the game progresses.

I might have to scrape together all the gold and jewels in the world.

Compared to that, a few million won is a mere trifle.

"Did you see the news today?"

"Yes, it was... amazing. Not just in Korea, but the whole world is in an uproar. A mythic hunter with summoner skills appeared. What did they call it? A one-man army."

"Maybe. I'm not sure yet, but it will be similar."

A one-man army.

To become one, you need to be versatile.

The main focus will be summoning, but you also need to have sword skills, magic, and even healing skills.

As we started eating, we chatted.

Lee Hana said that with her newfound fame, there would be no problem establishing a guild.

I handed her a list.

"These people...?"

"They are people with verified character."

"I know, but they are all non-mana-awakened or low-ranked hunters. There are a few high-ranked hunters, but..."

"They have potential for growth."

Future heroes.

And those who will support them.

Their common feature is that they all come from humble backgrounds.

Their personalities have been verified by my experience, and at this point, they can be collected without much trouble.

Most importantly.

I highly valued their determination.

"If you say so, there must be a reason."

"I can't tell you now, but I will soon. And when I do, you'll understand why I chose these people."

"...I trust you."

Lee Hana carefully folded the list and put it away.

There are other things to do for the guild establishment.

"Since we're establishing a guild, we need a headquarters. I'd like to buy a building in the heart of Seoul."

"A building?"

"I'll register the guild tomorrow. I'll also prepare the paperwork to make you the secretary. That way, we can get a formal loan from the bank."

"That's... right?"

"Dispose of these mana stones and use the money to secure a building."

I need money.

A lot of money, continuously.

But I can't start in a shabby warehouse.

The 'Rebellion of the Underdogs' I'm establishing will start small but grow faster than any other guild.

They are future heroes.

With a little push, the guild can quickly establish its power.

Swish.

I poured the mana stones onto the table.

Luminous blue gems.

Each one was filled with mana and free of impurities.

Having extracted mana stones daily for two years, she would recognize their value immediately.

Lee Hana's pupils dilated.

"These are...?"

"Mana stones. Please dispose of them as soon as possible. I'll use some, and the rest will be for operating funds."

"Are you giving me these in case I run away with them?"

I smiled at her question.

"You can take them if you want."

"Really?"

"If you run away with them, you must have a good reason."