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Chapter 16
“I’d like to accept the job offer you previously mentioned—if it’s still valid.”
Lee Hyun got straight to the point without any preamble.
Im Won-young’s face brightened.
“That’s a good decision—”
“But, I have one condition.”
“Of course. Please, go ahead.”
“There’s a specific team I want to join.”
At that, the enthusiasm that had lifted Im Won-young’s body sank slightly.
“I had hoped to bring you into my own Team A. Is that not to your liking? If it’s me you find burdensome…”
“No, not at all. In fact, the main reason I decided to join White Burn was because of the strong impression you gave me, Team Leader Im.”
Hyun glanced down at the protective talisman she had given him.
Without it, controlling the divine power of the Ruyi Jingu Bang would have been much harder.
An item of relic-level significance.
Few people would give such a thing—something that might vanish forever if its bearer died in a dungeon—to someone with no guarantee of returning.
“You may not know this, but even after I left the army, plenty of organizations sent me love calls.”
Im Won-young nodded.
From her perspective, Hyun’s value was on par with, if not greater than, an active-duty Hunter.
No—he was even more than that.
“But I turned them all down because, in the end, what they really wanted was nothing more than my reputation, or the know-how I gained in the Cheongroe Unit. And…”
Hyun paused, then continued.
“I don’t think White Burn is all that different.”
“I won’t deny that.”
“Of course, I don’t think that’s wrong. Companies ultimately have to generate profit.”
“But I can assure you, the offers and benefits we can provide are far greater than what the others could.”
Im Won-young crossed her legs and spoke with calm conviction.
“I intend to give you my full support in every way possible, Hunter Jang. Whatever you need. Other companies or guilds would use you as a showroom doll for publicity, but we won’t.”
Hyun once again felt the strength in her voice.
“Since you’ve recovered your mana, this is even better. If you want, we can help you return to active duty. With all the treatments and support you need—eventually, we could even establish a new team under your command.”
And Hyun wondered—had he ever spoken with such strength himself?
“If you need anything else, we can—”
Her proposals were so generous that even Kim Min-jung, listening beside them, was visibly shocked.
But what truly moved Hyun was not the offers themselves, but the sincerity and thoughtfulness behind each one.
“…That day was the first time you ever met me, wasn’t it? And yet you trust me enough to say all this?”
“The length of time doesn’t matter when it comes to trust. What matters is depth.”
“…”
“And I see this as an investment—putting everything into a blue-chip stock that has nowhere to go but up. They say everyone gets three big opportunities in life, right?”
Im Won-young smiled brightly.
“I believe I just caught one of mine.”
Hyun tried to recall if he’d ever received such unconditional goodwill before.
Only twice in his harsh life.
From his older brother.
And from his mentor.
They were the ones who had changed the course of his wandering existence.
Could this person be the third?
“Was it perhaps this ring that helped?”
Im Won-young still had not reclaimed the protective talisman.
“Yes. It was a great help.”
“If you need it, I could lend it indefinitely.”
“That would really be too much of a burden.”
A lighthearted joke.
Hyun let out a faint laugh.
The heavy mood lifted slightly.
“I’m grateful for the full support, but I’d like to refuse all of it.”
“So we’re back where we started. Is it because you’d feel burdened?”
“That’s part of it, but… more than that, I don’t want fame.”
Ah, this is the heart of it.
Im Won-young saw the weight in Hyun’s gaze and nodded.
“Please, go on. What exactly do you mean?”
“If I accept full support, that would mean going to the frontlines again eventually, wouldn’t it? I don’t want the fame that follows.”
“If needed, we can keep you hidden from the media—”
“But within the industry, people would find out.”
At that, realization flashed across her mind.
“You don’t want your accomplishments known publicly?”
“Yes.”
“Not even the fact that you’ve recovered your mana?”
Hyun quietly nodded.
“I’d rather people just think, ‘He’s a lucky guide who got recruited by special admission.’ Nothing more.”
“…Then, the team you want to join is…?”
Hyun calmly named the team he had in mind.
Im Won-young’s eyes widened slightly.
“Most people don’t even know that department exists. In headquarters, it’s nicknamed the exile zone.”
“That’s exactly why I prefer it.”
“May I ask why?”
“Dungeon exploration has always been my specialty. I think it’s the best way to make use of it.”
“…”
“If you’re disappointed, or if my intentions seem suspicious, you’re free to refuse.”
She stared hard at him, trying to read his motives, but there was not the slightest hint of wavering.
On the surface, it sounded like he was just saying, “I want an easy corporate paycheck with no fuss.”
But…
No. He’s not the type to settle for something like that.
If that was his true aim, he could have lived that way long ago.
Then maybe the rumors really are true…
Her suspicions felt increasingly justified.
But still—
There’s something more. Something else behind this.
“Alright. I’ll discuss this with the higher-ups and get back to you.”
Im Won-young rose from her seat. Kim Min-jung followed suit.
“Aren’t you taking the ring?”
The talisman still sat untouched on the desk.
Im Won-young winked.
“Give it to me next time. As for the rewards from the Monkey Den—that’s my gift to you for joining us.”
Click, clack—
Kim Min-jung glanced between her boss and her old school senior. She gave a polite nod to her senior before hurrying after her boss.
“…Ha.”
Hyun chuckled faintly as he picked up the talisman.
Returning it clearly wouldn’t be easy.
And now, it was considered an employment gift.
The ring sparkled brightly under the light.
Vroom!
A yellow sports car, emblazoned with a bull logo, sped across Cheongdam Bridge.
“…This is way too fast, Team Leader. Maybe slow down a bit?”
“So what? When else in downtown Seoul will I get to drive this fast?”
“Because we might crash! Look out! The car ahead!”
The sports car swerved gracefully, overtaking a slow compact car with ease.
Kim Min-jung felt like her soul was about to leave her body.
“…I think riding with you is scarier than a three-star dungeon raid.”
“You exaggerate.”
“You call this exaggerating!?”
She swallowed her irritation, realizing her boss was deep in thought.
“Deputy Kim.”
“Yes?”
“Are you sulking? You’re speaking rather rudely.”
“You know this counts as workplace harassment, right?”
“Ha, our Deputy Kim—so feisty. That’s why I like you even more.”
“You sound just like an old man right now.”
“You want to sit through executive meetings every day? Packed with nothing but old men? See how it changes your tone.”
Im Won-young smirked and changed the subject.
“This morning, when the team was talking—you mentioned Hunter Jang had a long-term girlfriend once, right?”
Kim Min-jung gave an awkward smile.
“…Yes. They were a well-known couple.”
“Was she connected to Xu Chang-you?”
“…”
“So the rumors are true.”
Xu Chang-you—Seo Chang-woo.
Better known by the nickname Absolute Zero.
A former Cheongroe member who, the day after the Ice Palace Incident, abruptly defected to China.
Now branded a traitor in public opinion, though within the Korean Hunter world, he was classified as a dangerous element.
Rumors said he had stolen the relic from the Ice Queen.
The government had officially denied it, of course.
But really—does it make sense that a four-star boss, the first in twenty years, dropped nothing but junk loot?
Naturally, such suspicions were never acknowledged.
“So maybe Hyun’s aversion to fame is related to that?”
“…”
“Since he was directly involved.”
“…”
“It’s obvious Xu Chang-you is conscious of his old Cheongroe ties. I’ve even heard rumors he’s trying to recreate it in China, secretly contacting former comrades.”
“…”
“But what about the girlfriend? I’ve never heard a word about her since.”
Kim Min-jung sighed deeply.
“Everything you’re asking is classified. Revealing it could mean prison time. You’re only poking at the most dangerous topics.”
“That’s exactly why I’m asking. Why else?”
“…”
She was left speechless at her boss’s shamelessness.
“But still…”
What now?
“Doesn’t that mean his whole life is veiled in secrecy? He doesn’t even have a life of his own.”
“…”
“As a child, he devoted himself to the state—yet all of it hidden. He suffered, but had to hide it. Always in the shadows…”
“…”
“A tragic man, really. Hunter Jang.”
So that’s why she looked so pensive earlier.
“Can you tell me what he was like at the Academy?”
“I really shouldn’t… but it’s been years, and the security clearance has lowered. Just keep it to yourself.”
Where should she start?
Kim Min-jung thought for a moment. Then—
“He was already a monster from the day he enrolled.”
Her voice drifted into the past.
She was a cadet of the 18th class—one year below Hyun.
And later, she had followed his lead as a member of the Cheongroe Unit during the Ice Palace Incident.
Vroom!
With the roar of the engine, Kim Min-jung began to recount those memories.
As soon as she returned to the company, Im Won-young went straight up to the 13th floor, where the chairman’s office was.
“Grandm—er, Madam Chairwoman, she’s inside, right?”
“Yes, but she’s currently meeting with the Guild Master of KAL from the U.S.”
“Then please let her know—I’ll wait until it’s over.”
Her eyes gleamed with determination.
“Tell her I’ve found someone interesting to scout.”
Hyun left the café and boarded the subway home.
On top of his head, Sun Wukong was happily munching walnut pastries.
‘Ohhh, the mix of red bean and walnut is amazing! Can food taste this good? Incredible!’
Hyun worried the little monkey might demolish the entire world of Korean snacks.
Shaking his head, he quietly checked his mana flow.
What had once been chaotic sighs of a lost duoksini spirit were now finally settling.
His mana circuits were adapting, gaining new attributes.
It’s definitely thanks to the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Every time I gain something new, it keeps my body’s rhythm stable so my senses don’t scatter.
What he had thought was merely restorative turned out to be a far more precise ability: Condition Maintenance.
Because of it, Hyun could always remain calm and clear-headed.
‘But hey, aren’t you worried? You hate fame, yet you’re joining an organization. People will find out soon enough.’
“No. Team Leader Im will keep it under control. She’ll even make sure her own team stays quiet.”
‘What makes you so sure? I can’t see it even with my Golden Eyes.’
“I trust my judgment of people.”
He recalled Moon Su-chan’s advice—‘Learn to judge people better.’
“And in the long run, my position will benefit White Burn as well.”
‘Heh. True enough. They’ll get to keep you as their secret trump card. And on top of that…’
The monkey chuckled, recalling the team Hyun had requested. A perfect choice.
‘They’ll get their long-unsolved dungeons cleared, maybe even fresh relics too.’
“And for me… it means easier access to Daeseong’s dungeons.”
‘Hah! That’s the real prize!’
Hyun thought of the second mythical dungeon revealed by the Golden Eyes.
[‘Relic: Golden Eyes’ is scanning for ■■■■’s myths.]
…
[Proceed to Hoengseong, Gangwon Province.]
[The detected myth is an already-formed dungeon.]
So it’s the Hoengseong dungeon… A guild tried managing it for years without success, before White Burn took over.
Most dungeons were managed by guilds contracted by government agencies.
That was why Hyun had taken White Burn’s request for the Monkey Den in the first place.
In the end—
If I want to operate seriously, I need to belong to some organization.
That was why he chose White Burn, after his recent interactions with them.
Because Im Won-young will keep my secrets. That way, I can safely go after the second dungeon.
And beyond that—
Every mythical dungeon I discover in the future—I’ll access them all under White Burn’s name.
Operating in the rear lines rather than the frontline meant less attention.
The perfect team for him.
Indeed—
The team Hyun had requested was—
Buzz.
His phone rang.
Im Won-young.
He answered.
『As you requested, you’ve been assigned to the Unsolved Dungeon Exploration Team. When can you start reporting for work?』
The Unsolved Dungeon Exploration Team—
A department dedicated solely to the toughest, long-unresolved dungeons that no one had cleared.
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
A smile touched Hyun’s lips.
