TOP 40

Chapter 40

Favor and Recklessness

“I-I’m sorry. The porter suddenly had a family emergency… his mother passed away—”

“Oh, really? Is it over just because your mom died? Huh?”

“…….”

“Ha! Fine. Let’s say that porter has a valid reason. But what about you? Why are you just standing there?”

“I-I don’t understand what you mean…”

“You should be bringing in extra manpower immediately, shouldn’t you!!!!”

“Ah!”

“‘Ah’ what? Ahh! And you call yourself a deputy team leader!”

A woman, who seemed to be the leader of the dungeon raid team, furiously scolded her subordinate.

Watching this, I thought:

‘Maybe this is an opportunity?’

I carefully observed them again.

‘No one I know.’

There were no famous people here.

Since I didn’t recognize anyone, it seemed this wasn’t a very large guild.

Also, “Snow Mountain Cave” was a 5-star dungeon.

So, the hunters attempting to clear it probably had an average combat level suitable for a 5-star dungeon.

‘If I could enter as a porter…’

Not bad.

I could safely raid the dungeon while being protected by other hunters.

It would have been better if it were a famous guild, but even this was a fortunate chance.

‘I might be ignored because I’m just a porter, but that’s fine.’

Of course, the biggest problem was yet to come.

How would I acquire the ice crystal afterward?

The ultimate goal for entering this dungeon was obtaining the ice crystal.

‘Still, first I should just get in.’

I could figure out the specifics later.

For now, being allowed entry was already an advantage.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll contact the nearest porter manpower agency right away—”

“Are you joking?”

“Uh? The team leader said to immediately find extra manpower…”

“Do you think an agency has porters who can dismantle a yeti?”

“Ah!”

The female team leader unleashed a rapid-fire barrage of curses.

The incompetent deputy team leader just hung her head blankly.

That was when I stepped forward.

“Do you need porters, by any chance?”

“Who are you?”

“A porter.”

“What?”

The woman hesitated briefly, while the deputy boldly said:

“We’ve found a porter.”

“This idiot is really going to die!”

“……”

The deputy kept silent.

The woman team leader took a moment to calm herself, then asked me:

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever dismantled a yeti?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“No, without experience, what are you—”

“I’ve dismantled up to 4-star monsters. As for yetis, I know that their magic stones are mainly in the lower abdomen, and the key byproducts are their hide and blood.”

“…Not bad.”

Thankfully, my first impression in the “interview” seemed acceptable.

“Let’s make a contract.”

It wasn’t just a good first impression; I passed the interview.

“Hey, deputy. Bring the contract.”

“It might take a while to get it from the guild.”

“Just make a simple daily worker contract!”

“But then there’ll be holes in the contract—”

“Use the standard contract, you idiot!”

“…Yes.”

Hmm.

At first, I thought the female team leader had a bad personality, but maybe not.

Considering the subordinate she has to deal with, she’s actually quite saintly.

A short while later:

“Read it and sign.”

She handed me a contract.

It was essentially a one-day employment contract as a porter, following the guild’s standard contract for details.

‘So this is the New Cherry Guild.’

By looking at the contract, I could identify the guild.

‘Ranked 107th, right?’

It was a mid-tier guild—nothing extraordinary, but not insignificant either.

And then:

‘Shin Chaeri?’

Seeing the name and signature on the contract, I realized:

The woman in front of me wasn’t just a team leader—she was the guild master.

“Ah, so you’re Guild Master Shin Chaeri.”

“When entering the dungeon, just call me ‘team leader.’”

“Understood.”

There were no special tricky clauses, so I signed the daily contract.

“Good. Contract is done… Luckily there are extra butcher knives and backpacks. Can we depart now?”

“Of course.”

“There’s another porter over there. Say hello, and then… let’s work well together.”

“Yes. I… too.”

After saying her piece, Shin Chaeri swiftly turned and left.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Right. This is what a porter is.’

Essential yet poorly treated.

Honestly, just explaining everything this thoroughly was a luxury I could never have imagined at my previous guild.

‘I just hope they don’t take too much interest in me.’

I hoped I wouldn’t be harassed once inside the dungeon.

[Snow Mountain Cave]

• A vast snow-covered mountain, with a single cave inside.

• The ice-type hidden piece, Ice Crystal, rests here.

• Recommended entry level: 5

• Slightly higher difficulty than your level; caution advised.

• Current number of entrants: 10

Before entering, I checked the dungeon info through the Tenauges system.

‘It’s going to be cold.’

But once I entered, it wasn’t as cold as I imagined.

‘Nice effect.’

The guild generously provided a thermal jacket.

Its heat retention was far beyond expectations.

“Ugh… hyung, aren’t you cold?”

The snow-covered mountains stretched endlessly.

Two porters followed ten hunters.

Me and Yoon Jiho, right beside me.

“It’s bearable.”

“This is the only winter gear we have!?”

“The jacket works really well.”

I spoke a few words with Yoon Jiho and decided to be casual.

He was younger and had recently come from the provinces, just like me, so I liked him.

“I’m only 2-star, but I can handle this… Hyung, you’re amazing.”

For reference, he was a 2-star hunter.

He came to Seoul with dreams, scraping taxes together.

Yet doing only porter work, he probably wouldn’t even cover next year’s taxes…

“Well, I’m technically an awakened.”

“You said you just recently awakened.”

I just shrugged at his question.

No need to reveal I was a 4-star hunter.

At that moment, Frill said:

【Eugene has cold resistance, right?】

‘Me?’

【Millennium Frost Sword effect!】

‘Oh.’

Right, the sword had an option:

• Continuous use increases cold resistance and affinity. (Hidden!)

Seems like that was helping me withstand the cold.

‘Nice.’

We climbed the snowy mountain for quite some time.

Thankfully, the pace wasn’t too fast, and no blizzards occurred.

【Eugene! Look at this!】

‘Frill.’

【Feels like I’m home again!】

‘Don’t get too excited.’

【Hehe.】

Frill rolled in the snow, thrilled by the cold environment.

At first, I was worried, but no one noticed Frill.

After moving further, yetis covered in white fur appeared.

Gruuk- Grrok-

“Battle formation!”

Shin Chaeri shouted, and the hunters moved in perfect sync to hunt the yetis.

I had nothing to do.

I wasn’t a hunter, just a porter.

Puh-hwak-!

Gruuk…

The fight ended quickly.

Three 5-star monsters couldn’t withstand ten 5-star hunters.

“Any casualties?”

“None.”

“Good. Porters!”

“Yes!”

It was our turn to work.

Scritch-scratch.

Thump.

Shhhhuuu-

We carefully dismantled the yetis, collected the magic stones, and gathered blood near the heart.

Not difficult—this wasn’t the first time I’d done it.

“…Hyung, didn’t you say it’s your first yeti?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are you so good?”

“Just do it, isn’t it?”

“Wow.”

I handled two, Yoon Jiho one.

“I think you’re the slow one.”

“I only recently started porter work.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Back in my province, I was a hunter too…”

Yoon Jiho’s expression was bitter.

Understandable.

Coming to Seoul with dreams, only to end up doing porter work…

‘Still, that’s none of my business.’

No need to pry. He’d handle his own work.

“Done?”

Finishing the dismantling, Shin Chaeri approached.

“Yes.”

“Ever consider being a full-time guild porter?”

“Suddenly?”

“You’re good at this. We’ll pay well.”

She had obviously been watching me work.

Unfortunately, not for me.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m fine.”

“…If you change your mind, let me know. Let’s move out!”

She led the hunters deeper into the dungeon.

Yoon Jiho asked me:

“Hyung, why did you refuse?”

“Why?”

“New Cherry Guild is good. Minimal scolding, clear settlements.”

Seems the guild had a good reputation among porters.

“Came all the way to Seoul just to be a porter? Only if it’s a short stint like today, maybe.”

“You planning to be a hunter too?”

“Of course.”

“Phew… Right. I need to be a hunter…”

“……”

“But after six months here, I get it. Seoul isn’t easy.”

“True.”

“I’m not even close to succeeding as a hunter. If they offered me a job like this, I’d probably have taken it.”

Uh, hmm.

I didn’t really care, so I just nodded.

“If you become a regular guild porter, taxes are reduced. No risk of being fired, right?”

“Didn’t know that.”

“Though your chance to grow as a hunter might be delayed.”

Obviously it would be delayed.

“Still, I keep trying the academy special entry exam! If I pass, I can train without worrying about money.”

True, aside from the 1,000:1 competition ratio.

“Doing well.”

I nodded lightly.

Yeah, even a small hope helps to endure.

At that moment, five yetis appeared.

“Five!? Everyone, stay alert!”

Grrook grrook-

Hunters formed a line to face them.

Five yetis aren’t a lot, but there were ten equally-ranked hunters.

They’d win without trouble.

Wham-!

“Ugh!”

A tank was hit by a yeti and slid across the ground.

“Fill the gap! Sub-tank, forward!”

Not a big problem.

This level of variability is normal in battle.

The gap was quickly filled.

However…

Grrook-

One yeti broke through the formation and headed toward us.

“Porters! Get out of the way!”

“Ah…!”

Yoon Jiho shouted in panic.

I also let out a sigh.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

Judging by the situation, hunters wouldn’t spare us.

With the formation broken, the enemy situation wasn’t exactly generous either.

‘So we’ll have to handle it ourselves…’

Yoon Jiho stepped in front of me.

“Hyung. I’ll draw its attention, you run.”

“You?”

“…I’ll stall for a bit, then escape.”

True enough.

Two porters cannot face a 5-star yeti, so escape was necessary.

But if we’re just escaping, why stall?

“Shut up and run. Forget your silly sense of camaraderie.”

“Hyung…?”

“Now I see why you haven’t gotten a foothold yet.”

Yoon Jiho’s personality wasn’t advantageous for survival.

To survive in this harsh world, you had to be selfish.

Take benefits swiftly, deceive others if necessary.

“Stop being reckless and come out.”

“Th-then hyung, it’s too dangerous—”

I grabbed the back of Yoon Jiho’s neck and threw him backward.

“Ugh!?”

Swish-

I drew the Millennium Frost Sword from the pocket dimension.

“Listen carefully, Yoon Jiho.”

Grrook grrook!

The yeti was right in front of me.

“Favors can only be given when you have the ability.”

Dodging its fur-covered fist, I stabbed the Millennium Frost Sword under its armpit.

Puhk-!