Chapter 44
There was no need to be greatly surprised or flustered.
From the beginning, raid gates cannot be permanently closed because the dimensional core doesn't appear even upon first clear.
Therefore, they continue to recur at specific locations, as quickly as every 3 months or as long as every year.
So what was important now wasn't the outbreak of the raid gate.
"What grade is it?"
"It's Green."
Basically, raid gate grades are listed in order of Green for A-rank, Blue for S-rank, Yellow for SS-rank, Red for SSS-rank, and Black for immeasurable.
In other words, the danger level of the raid gate that occurred in Seodaemun-gu was the lowest.
Given the strength of the White Tiger Guild, one of the so-called top 5 guilds, it meant they could easily conquer it.
Naturally, Lee Seong-joon's head tilted.
"It doesn't seem like you need my help."
"This isn't the simple raid you know about. Once every two years. Ostensibly, it's to promote unity among the top 5 guilds in preparation for national disaster situations, clearing raid gates together to build friendships and foster cooperation, but in reality, it's the opposite. Rather, it can be seen as a kind of competition."
Seeing Lee Seong-joon slowly nodding his head, Oh Kyung-hyun continued speaking.
"The media writes articles about the future of each guild based on the raid results... Because those articles change the future value and reputation of the guild, it's an aspect that requires considerable attention from the perspective of a guild master."
A deep shadow falls over Oh Kyung-hyun's face as he speaks.
"But unfortunately, the rookie who was supposed to participate as the representative of our White Tiger Guild recently had an accident and suffered a major injury while hunting in a gate."
Lee Seong-joon, who had been listening attentively, narrows his eyes.
"That's unexpected."
White Tiger, with skills enough to be counted among the top 5 guilds representing South Korea.
Moreover, given that they were facing a raid gate conquest, they would have surely gone hunting with full preparation, yet they were injured.
"I'm not comfortable with more than one or two points, so I looked into the detailed situation, but I couldn't find any definitive evidence. In my opinion, it seems clear that the Hwanseong bastards had a hand in it, but since I don't have any clear evidence to present right away, I've just been fuming..."
For a moment, a smile appears on Oh Kyung-hyun's lips.
"Just then, the Vice President, Ko Tae-hyun. That man must value you quite preciously, as he used the Shadow Brothers incident as an excuse to publicly humiliate Hwanseong, hahaha!"
Oh Kyung-hyun, who burst into laughter, hastily shakes his head and collects himself.
"I got too excited and made a mistake. I shouldn't be having such idle chat with someone who says they're busy. Let's get back to the main point. First, the point of the story is, as I said earlier, that the rookie who was originally supposed to participate in the raid gate is in a state of serious injury."
Although a talented individual called a rookie was injured, the current publicly known strength of the White Tiger Guild includes over 20 S-rank hunters and 2 SS-rank hunters.
This means they have enough strength to participate in the competition among the top 5 guilds.
Yet, the fact that they asked for help like this...
Lee Seong-joon, who had been furrowing his brow, slowly opened his mouth.
"...It seems there's a limit on hunter ranks."
"You have a fiery personality but also a sharpness that pierces to the core... Now I see why Ko Tae-hyun values you so much, hahaha!"
Oh Kyung-hyun, who burst into hearty laughter, nods his head.
"Your guess is correct. As it's a competition among the top 5 guilds, for the Green grade, there's an unspoken rule that only hunters below S-rank can participate."
"I thought White Tiger had many hunters with decent skills."
The doubt still hasn't cleared.
Given that they're counted among the top 5 guilds representing South Korea, White Tiger Guild should have dozens of hunters below S-rank and above A-rank.
There's no reason to entrust the task to an outsider like himself, Lee Seong-joon.
"We need someone who can handle power beyond their rank, like you, not just someone with a high rank."
Exhibiting power beyond one's rank isn't a privilege exclusive to Lee Seong-joon.
In South Korea, only 5-10 hunters a year appear who can exert power beyond their rank.
It's an extremely small number, but as the raid gate rankings can change the future value and reputation of the guild, the top 5 guilds have been putting in great effort over a long time to recruit and nurture hunters with such talent.
Therefore, the hunters participating in this raid gate conquest are rookies of A or A+ rank, considered the future of the top 5 guilds, and hunters with special abilities or exceptional combat skills that can surpass their rank.
But to field an ordinary hunter in a place where these rookies compete?
Clearly, they would be compared to other guilds, and negative articles about the White Tiger guild would pour out incessantly.
On the other hand, if they break the unspoken rule and field a hunter beyond S-rank, they would be criticized by the media, rumors would spread that they lack talent, and likewise, the guild's reputation and value would fall.
Whichever they choose, the White Tiger Guild would become the subject of controversy.
Given that the guild itself can be seen as a kind of private enterprise, they would inevitably suffer great damage due to the value and stock price fluctuations caused by such controversy.
"Ahem... Moreover, I've kind of set up the journalists, telling them that our White Tiger will achieve a high ranking in this raid gate conquest."
As the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together one by one, everything from Oh Kyung-hyun, the master of the White Tiger Guild, coming to see him personally to making this offer begins to make sense.
'A hunter below S-rank, yet able to exert power beyond their rank, and someone who can be recruited immediately.'
Within South Korea, that would only be himself, Lee Seong-joon, right now.
"So, I'd like you to participate in this raid gate conquest as a representative of our White Tiger Guild."
"This doesn't seem to be just one job, but it looks like I would have to become a member of White Tiger."
"Of course, that's how it should be."
Being scouted by the White Tiger Guild, given the urgent situation, they would offer an amount and treatment that could be called the best in the industry without exaggeration.
However, as mentioned repeatedly, there was no need to chase immediate gains.
Rather, the association's public power and abilities to handle things like monopolizing hunting grounds through gate inspections and secret escort were more valuable.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of leaving the association yet."
Lee Seong-joon's firm rejection, but Oh Kyung-hyun's expression shows not the slightest wavering.
"There seems to be some misunderstanding. I'm not asking you to terminate your contract with the association."
"...?"
As Lee Seong-joon's head tilted at the incomprehensible words, Oh Kyung-hyun opened his mouth again.
"Have you heard of joint affiliation?"
It wasn't completely unfamiliar.
In fact, he had heard the names of a few hunters who had worked under joint affiliation in his childhood.
Those who were called geniuses that couldn't be described with a single word like 'competent', those with too great a capacity to be contained in a single guild, had worked under joint affiliation.
However, as the power of guilds and alliances grew stronger, even hunters who could be called geniuses in the past could now be fully contained, and the term 'joint affiliation' was trending towards disappearing into the annals of history.
Yet now, a proposal about such joint affiliation was flowing from the mouth of Oh Kyung-hyun, the master of White Tiger, one of the top 5 guilds.
"If we had to put it in terms... it could be seen as a kind of mercenary. You would participate in the raid gate under the name of the White Tiger Guild, but maintain your contract with the association as is."
"I'd like to hear more detailed terms."
One shouldn't hastily agree to a contract just because it looks good at first glance, as they might end up getting trapped, so the conditions need to be thoroughly examined.
However, White Tiger Guild, Oh Kyung-hyun was impeccably clean even in these additional aspects.
"You don't need to worry about other parts. I swear on my name, Oh Kyung-hyun, that after the raid gate conquest, our White Tiger will absolutely not impose any special restrictions on you or demand anything."
Certainly, looking at the content alone, it could be said to be a very attractive offer.
But Lee Seong-joon still shakes his head.
"I'll think about it after talking to the association first."
"Don't worry about Ko Tae-hyun's side. I've already talked to him in advance, and he said it's fine if you're okay with it."
Whether he came with a plan or not, Oh Kyung-hyun had prepared very thoroughly in advance.
However, unfortunately, Lee Seong-joon's current concerns weren't simply about his relationship with the association.
"..."
Having reserved his answer with silence, Lee Seong-joon continued his thoughts with his hand on his chin.
'If I participate in the raid, it will be difficult for the association to keep concealing my information anymore.'
It's a competition arena where the top 5 guilds compete.
Not only active hunters but everyone in related industries will pay attention and check.
It's no exaggeration to say that his name would become known throughout South Korea.
'And from the perspective of the top 5 guilds, they would no longer need to be mindful of the association.'
As they've shown themselves first, they would approach more directly without being mindful of the association.
Of course, if it was just simple contact, it wouldn't matter.
But what if they harbor malice like Hwanseong?
'It would lead to quite troublesome situations.'
That's why, paradoxically, the joint affiliation offer made by Oh Kyung-hyun was quite appealing.
'...My identity will be revealed sooner or later anyway.'
No, some guilds and alliances with excellent information capabilities have already uncovered it.
But if I continue to build my career and grow like this?
Even small and medium-sized guilds without great information capabilities would figure out my identity and approach me.
And when that time comes, there's no guarantee that there won't be a second or third Hwanseong.
In the worst case, countless malicious intentions could target me and my family.
'But if I carry the name of White Tiger...'
Far from harboring malice, there's a high possibility they wouldn't even approach.
The very occurrence of troublesome situations would disappear.
'Moreover, I can maintain my contract with the association.'
This means I can take all the benefits of using existing public power while preventing troublesome situations in advance by riding on the prestige of the White Tiger Guild.
'If I'm connected to both the association and White Tiger like this... it would become even more difficult for those like Hwanseong to make a move.'
In the end, Oh Kyung-hyun's joint affiliation proposal meant that I could gain considerable benefits without particularly losing anything.