Chapter 15. Like a Busy Flea Market
Kim Do-Joon had initially set out to tackle the Hunter exam with his additional attack power, as it most closely resembled a proper physical enhancement skill.
It just so happened that he wouldn't need it.
He drew upon the raw energy of his Mana Core and circulated it throughout his body. His bones, muscles, and every cell were enveloped by a cold energy and elevated to another level.
The results shone clear as day on the machine's display.
<Estimated Compatibility> 19-23%
<Power Output> 414
<Element> Ice, Enhancement
With nary a buff from his synthesized item effects, he achieved a score beyond four hundred—a cut well above average among the examinees.
"Huh? There's no way—his output is crazy high!"
"So what? We'll be running laps around him once we reach his age."
"Hey, what's with his Compatibility? Did he land a spot in some special training program somewhere?"
The general attitude toward Kim Do-Joon, only a smidgen more favorable, hadn't changed all that much. Examinees who fell below his record continued to gossip about him busily.
The staff member conducting his test, however, stood dumbfounded. The applicant's output, though above average, was far from noteworthy.
What came as a surprise was his element.
How on earth does he have one as an enhancement-class warrior?
Elemental mana manifested exclusively in Mage-class or Priest-class Hunters. Warrior-class Hunters, conversely equipped with physical enhancement skills, handled the non-elemental sort.
It was the first time the staff had witnessed an exception to the rule. The much-acclaimed rookie wielding a spear of light, too, was simply of the Mage class.
"Has this ever happened before?"
"Beats me, I'm just as lost as you are."
Kim Do-Joon had likewise caught the eye of the idling guild managers, who had long grown bored with the dull standard fare following the exceptional rookie spearman's performance. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they erupted into chatter with their subordinates and acquaintances.
"He's looking pretty interesting."
"What say you? Consider recruiting him?"
"I'm not so sure. He's a bit old, after all... By the time we recoup our investment, he'll be retiring."
"If his output were higher, I'd make my decision in a heartbeat. As it stands, well…"
Needless to say, attention was no dealmaker, and guilds were no charity. They provided new recruits with a slew of support, but naturally expected to reap rewards from their sowing. As a result, a Hunter's age was an important part of the equation: the younger one was when entering the industry, the longer their benefactors had to make use of them.
The examinee's starting line was another factor; an output of four hundred hardly qualified as strong by the guilds' standards. It wasn't as if Kim Do-Joon possessed a unique skill, either—physical enhancement was terribly pedestrian.
"Think he's worth mentioning to the higher-ups?"
"Nah, not really."
"Same goes for me."
The managers' interest ended with modest fanfare and fleeting commentary. Many among them ignored Kim Do-Joon entirely. Ultimately, all hands were on deck in anticipation for the younger rookie.
"We have finished screening all the examinees; the first test has concluded. The second will be held in the afternoon. Please enjoy a hearty lunch in the meantime," a staff member said.
And so, the first test ended without any major incidents.
***
When Kim Do-Joon made his way to the café, he heard someone calling out to him.
"Over here."
Turning around, he found Lee Ji-Ah seated at a corner, laptop open and a cup of coffee in her hand.
"Were you working on something?" Kim Do-Joon asked.
"Yes. Just some paperwork."
She informed him that she had more left to handle, so Kim Do-Joon briefly pardoned himself to order a drink. He planned to eat lunch once she finished.
"Your coffee, sir."
Kim Do-Joon grabbed his Americano and sat across from Lee Ji-Ah. With a sip, the robust flavor of the brew overwhelmed his tongue.
"By the way…" Kim Do-Joon said.
"What is it?"
"I saw the rookie you mentioned."
Interest piqued, Lee Ji-Ah looked up at Kim Do-Joon and asked, "How was he?"
"He had the ability to manifest a weapon using his mana. With some impressive specs at that: light element, and an output of a whopping nine hundred and ninety."
"To my knowledge, the current record is around eleven hundred. He's almost there, isn't he?"
Manifestation skills, conjuring things like arrows of fire or spears of lightning with mana, were relatively common things among mages. However, the light element was a rare one and, on top of that, the rookie had achieved an output just short of the highest record.
Lee Ji-Ah shook her head. With his extraordinary showing, the rookie was bound to be the center of countless rumors.
"He looked like a college student, but he was huge…" Kim Do-Joon muttered.
Ding!
A crowd of over ten abruptly made its way into the café. And speaking of the devil—the rookie stood centerpiece.
"Oh, that's him over there, coming this way," said Kim Do-Joon.
Lee Ji-Ah followed his eyes and caught a look of the rookie and the people orbiting him. Her eyes flew open, and she leaned in to whisper to Kim Do-Joon.
"The people following him, they're managers," she explained.
"Managers?"
"Yes. I haven't met them all, but I can tell. Looks like all four of the major guilds have their representatives attending... and Karma, too."
That somewhat caught his attention. Kim Do-Joon didn't quite view Karma as his enemy, but he couldn't say he had a good relationship with the guild either.
Amidst their peeking and whispering, the crowd grew in its commotion.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Jae-Jun. I'm Kim Ho-Won, a guild manager of Acid. I was wondering if…"
"I'm Yu Chae-Yeon, representing Phenomenal. Would it be possible for just the two of us to talk separately?"
"I'm from the Night Guild!"
Ten people spoke at once, making for a racket. The group of managers hardly stopped at that, relentlessly thrusting their business cards forward and badmouthing their rivals in their appeals.
Kang Jae-Jun, the ever courteous youth, sighed and spoke up. "Could you please keep it down? One more word, and you can forget me ever joining your guild."
Everyone fell silent as though they were struck dumb. Satisfied with the quietude, Kang Jae-Jun smirked and crossed his legs.
"I'm a busy man, so let's not waste our time. Just tell me how much you have to offer," Kang Jae-Jun said.
The managers exchanged cautious glances. Meanwhile, Kim Do-Joon and Lee Ji-Ah watched the unfolding scene with bewildered expressions.
"Ms. Ji-Ah, what's going on over there?" Kim Do-Joon asked.
"Well… I'm not quite sure myself," Lee Ji-Ah replied, uncertainty coloring her words.
As the two exchanged puzzled looks, a man cautiously stepped forward.
"Mr. Jae-Jun, we cannot discuss our contracts in plain view. This goes double for monetary matters."
"Oh, really? I wasn't aware. You know, being a student and all," Kang Jae-Jun replied nonchalantly.
"Haha, that's alright. I understand," the man said with an amiable laugh. The atmosphere lightened, and his expectations burned anew.
"Which guild are you from?" Kang Jae-Jun asked.
"Oh! I'm from the Night Guild. Let me explain our—"
"Ah, forget it. Take your leave. I'm not interested in hearing about your guild." Kang Jae-Jun cut in.
The smile froze on the man's face, head obediently lowered. "Pardon?"
"Just go. Night Guild, Light Guild, whatever—I don't care. I'm not joining."
Kang Jae-Jun waved him off. The manager from the Night Guild was not an active Hunter himself, but the show of blatant disrespect towards him and his guild enraged him.
Face contorted with anger, the man abruptly stood up from his seat.
"You may be skilled, but you'll struggle to stay afloat in this industry with that personality of yours," he snapped.
"Sure, whatever you say. Close the door on your way out, yeah?"
With a final curt response, the man turned and left. His decision was of course in part founded upon his anger, but the other half was his harsh judgment as a manager. Who would entrust their back to a man devoid of courtesy?
"What about the rest of you?" Kang Jae-Jun asked.
The remaining managers looked between themselves, and a few got up to leave with a sigh. Plenty, however, stayed—each with their own ambitions.
Those fools. Signing the contract is all that matters; we can fix his character later.
Not my job to educate him. As long as I bring in recruits, I'll be the one getting that performance bonus.
Who cares if he has a rotten personality? For dungeons, skills take precedence.
Though their conclusions diverged, they started with the same foundation: valuing his prowess over his disposition. It was hardly beyond the pale for Hunters and their affiliates to measure a monster hunter's worth by strength.
One of the managers took the lead.
"How's a contract for five hundred million won sound?"
Then, the rest began to raise their hands one after another.
"We'll add a hundred million won!"
"We can provide housing and a car on top of that!"
"I'll throw in another hundred million won!"
Among their numbers were managers representing the four major guilds of South Korea. The guilds' repute did not beget their dignity; an employee, no matter the company, was an employee at the end of the day. They clocked in to face the occupational bloodbath for performance bonuses.
Out of the blue, a man quietly spoke up.
"I'll give you twenty billion won."
Everyone fell silent at his words. Kang Jae-Jun whistled, turning his attention to the highest bidder. The man wore an enigmatic smile, as if he were hiding something. The other guild managers exchanged looks, none daring to best him.
Did he just say twenty billion won?
Is he crazy?
Twenty billion won was a ludicrous starting offer for any newbie—especially considering how the guild's investment into their training and gear, a separate venture, could easily exceed that amount.
It was a sort of offer reserved for experienced Hunters with a lengthy resume, and not a call a mere manager could make.
"Anybody else has something to say?" Kang Jae-Jun asked.
The guild managers' silence prevailed. A few tried shooting their superiors a text, only to receive a tongue-lashing.
Victory went to the man offering twenty billion won, and the losers left with their tails tucked between their legs.
With the crowd dispersed, Kang Jae-Jun followed the man to a car, likely to continue their conversation elsewhere.
"..."
Kim Do-Joon leaned back in his chair. He was eager to gossip about what had just transpired.
The last bid had been plenty astonishing in a vacuum, but he was all the more amazed by the process itself.
"Ms. Ji-Ah," Kim Do-Joon called out, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"Yes?"
"Is it normal for guild recruiters to be so… aggressive? Just now, that, well... it was like a busy flea market."
"I… don't think so?"
Figuring that the ruckus around Kang Jae-Jun was probably outside the norm, the two shrugged, both stumped.
The incident had been a noisy mess, but it was entertaining to watch. Seeing the café return to its quiet atmosphere, Kim Do-Joon relaxed and took a sip of his coffee.
Lee Ji-Ah, on the other hand, thought back to something that caught her attention.
"Wait a second…" she said. "If I'm right, that man who landed the deal with Kang Jae-Jun, he's…"
"What about him?"
"He's from Karma."
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