"Haaah!" President Kang Man-Ki had almost forgotten about it.
After confirming that a power struggle was breaking out between the various criminal organizations, he had planted a mole in their ranks to keep an eye on things. However, the surge of Gate appearances pushed that issue further down the priority list.
President Kang Man-Ki cleared his throat. "So you're saying that Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok was aware of this issue as well?"
"Yes! According to the recently filed report, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok is aware of the conflict among Awakened criminal groups, as well as the fact that the Hunters Association is observing them."
President Kang Man-Ki frowned. "And according to his information, the whole power struggle is just for show? A cover-up for one big heist?"
After habitually tapping on his desk for a few moments, President Kang Man-Ki looked up at the secretary who had given the report. "How did Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok find out about this?"
"He said the informant's identity had to be kept secret for their safety. But considering what he's told us previously, it seems he's been collaborating with someone for a long time now."
"An Awakened criminal?"
"No. Likely people who've lost family or friends because of the Awakened criminals."
"In any case, what's important is that the criminals already know the Association is watching them."
"That is correct. Should we evacuate our mole?" the secretary asked.
"No. Doing that might inadvertently trigger something uncontrollable." President Kang Man-Ki shook his head as he slowly got up and walked across the room. "Do you think you can scrounge up some free time in my schedule?"
"Do you mean time to meet with Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?" the secretary clarified.
"If there haven't been any mix-ups in the reporting procedures, it might be possible to spare a day."
"Well then, I should get moving and select the right person to act as temporary commander while I'm gone." President Kang Man-Ki opened his closet and pulled out a coat. "What about the Vice President?"
"He is out on a business trip," the secretary reminded him.
"The Head of Personnel?"
"I'm afraid that the Head of Personnel might not be the most suitable choice. If you do wish to appoint a temporary commander, what about the Head of the Gate Management Department?"
"And where is he right now?" President Kang Man-Ki asked.
"He's currently working in the conference room."
"Then appoint him as the temporary commander while I'm away. What about Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?"
"He and his guild have started clearing their fourth Gate."
President Kang Man-Ki was about to open the door to his office and leave but stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded.
"Yes, that is correct," the secretary confirmed.
"Apparently, their third Gate was a good matchup for them."
"What was the name of that Gate?"
"It was the Castle of Contaminated Ghosts."
"And why was it a good matchup?"
"Because of their Spiritualist, Miss Kim Ji-Hee," the secretary reminded him.
Ah! Then it made sense.
While halfway out the office, President Kang Man-Ki asked one final question, "What Gate are they currently at?"
"It's a C-Class Gate," the secretary quickly replied, "the Contaminated Lizardmen's Jungle, but if we use the unofficial categorization, it's more likely to be a C+ Gate."
[Contaminated Lizardmen's Jungle]
Difficulty: Levels 58–62
Reward: Unable to confirm
In the middle of a dense jungle and amidst heat unimaginable for a December in Seoul, Liu Xian watched craftsmen working diligently from beneath the shade of a tent.
Kang Woo-Hyuk and the other blacksmiths were forging spare weapons.
Bubble, bubble, bubble!
A one-woman potion manufacturing line with Lim Yun-Ju as the sole Alchemist continuously churned out potions by boiling, simmering, and stewing herbs.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
At a table beside her mother, Cha Min-Ji carefully drew various geometrical patterns onto a piece of parchment.
"This is my first time watching craftsmen work from such a close distance," an interpreter said to Liu Xian.
Despite assurances that they wouldn't be on the frontline, the accompanying interpreters were still guaranteed triple their daily pay as compensation for the risk they were taking.
Of course, curiosity also played a role for these interpreters, since it was very rare for ordinary people who had yet to awaken any abilities to enter a Gate.
"To be honest, technical Hunters have it a lot harder than combat Hunters," Daniel said, stealing a glance at Liu Xian and her interpreter. "Combat Hunters can grow quickly by killing monsters, but the craftsmen are different. They must continuously study, practice, and produce to increase proficiency."
For those who had awakened with crafting-type abilities, the class and proficiency of their skills were paramount for their growth.
Daniel added, "By the way, isn't our Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok actually incredible?"
Upon mentioning Kim Ki-Rok, Liu Xian and Ivan instinctively turned to look toward the center of the camp. There he was, cooking in a tent surrounded by mosquito nets.
They could tell that Kim Ki-Rok wasn't just cooking because he had nothing better to do. His skill was impressive enough that just the aroma made everyone hungry.
"Yes, to think that he'd be such a good cook as well..." Liu Xian praised with a sigh of amazement.
However, Daniel shook his head fiercely, as if he vehemently disagreed with what she had just said. "He's not just good. Try appraising the cold noodle dish he just finished."
Liu Xian and Ivan appraised Kim Ki-Rok's dish, thinking surely he couldn't mean—
[Beef Japchae (B)][1]
Description: A dish made by mixing beef, vegetables, and glass noodles
Effect: Vitality +8, Willpower +5
"Huh?" they both gasped.
There were actually two effects imbued into this dish.
"That's right." Daniel nodded proudly. "Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok also possesses the Cooking Skill. Based on the fact that he can make dishes with a higher class than that of his skill, he must have naturally excellent culinary talent."
The foreign Hunters couldn't help but be amazed by this. He was truly an Awakened who specialized in supporting his allies! As expected of a Guildmaster!
At that moment, Kim Ki-Rok suddenly stopped cooking, threw open the mosquito net flap, and leaped out of the tent. At the same time, he hurled a dagger hanging from his waist.
"Two more enemies at my 1 o'clock," Kim Ki-Rok calmly warned.
A Lizardman's scream rang out from the spot where the dagger landed. Without hesitation, the guild members rushed toward where it had appeared, unfazed by Kim Ki-Rok's abrupt actions.
"It seems he's not only specialized in supporting allies but also capable of combat himself, huh? Hahaha!" Daniel burst into laughter.
He was excellent at it.
Training his Hunters?
But to think that he was even good at fighting. His limits seemed impossible to gauge.
Just as the sudden ambush was dealt with, over on one side of the camp, in the direction of the Gate, they suddenly sensed a surge of mana. Someone was passing through. The escort teams stationed in the camp watched the entrance nervously, ready to respond immediately if the uninvited guests were hostile.
As soon as he had passed through the Gate, President Kang Man-Ki took off his coat and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, taking a look around.
"Phew! It's so hot," President Kang Man-Ki complained. "Well, this might actually be less uncomfortable than the cold on the other side."
He quickly made his way over to where Daniel and the other foreign Hunters were set up.
"So all of you were accompanying the DG Guild," President Kang Man-Ki said. There was a hint of surprise in his tone, but it was impossible for the president of the Hunters Association not to have known.
However, Daniel overlooked this pretense of ignorance. "It seems that you're here to see Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."
If what Kim Ki-Rok had revealed this morning was true, then it was only natural for President Kang Man-Ki to meet with him eventually.
Glancing over to Kim Ki-Rok, who had already gone back to cooking, President Kang Man-Ki replied, "I've heard that you guys have been offered a good deal. Would you like to come and discuss it with me?"
There was no reason to refuse.
President Kang Man-Ki and Daniel headed over to the tent.
As they approached, Kim Ki-Rok raised his head and greeted them with a calm demeanor, "So you're the one who came, President Kang Man-Ki? I knew that some official with decision-making authority would come eventually, but I never expected it to be you."
"This is a very serious matter that needs to be discussed, after all. Such confidential information is something that only a very few people in the Hunters Association are even qualified to know about."
Despite the slight reprimand, presumably for the way he had leaked the information, Kim Ki-Rok simply went back to cooking.
"Those other people in the restaurant at the Yuseong Hotel, well... let's just call them what they are—spies. After all, they were observing the DG Guild without our consent. They're all members of major guilds, and ones who are directly connected to their respective Guildmaster," Kim Ki-Rok pointed out.
"Are you sure about that?" President Kang Man-Ki asked slowly.
"Well, I can't actually know for sure. I just assumed that only the large guilds would have the resources to monitor us. Am I wrong?"
Kim Ki-Rok mixed in some gochujang and stirred with his ladle, turning the soup red.
President Kang Man-Ki awkwardly admitted, "You're right."
Because of those spies, many large guilds now knew about the operation the Association had intended to keep secret. They also knew that the Association had played right into the hands of the Awakened criminals.
"The Association couldn't prevent these spies from reporting to their higher-ups, but we did request that they keep this information a secret for now. The various guilds involved ended up contacting us," President Kang Man-Ki revealed.
"What about? Did they all want to participate in the subjugation operation?" Kim Ki-Rok guessed.
President Kang Man-Ki nodded. "Yes, that's right."
Right now, Kim Ki-Rok only knew half of the facts, but he was using that to piece together the rest. To his current audience, however, he seemed shockingly omniscient.
"Although you have an... eccentric reputation, not to mention that strange nickname, your track record up until now has proven very trustworthy. So for the Kim Ki-Rok to be attracting foreign Hunters to join in on this venture, wouldn't the best course of action be to try and get a foot in the door? At least that's what those guilds seem to be thinking," President Kang Man-Ki supposed.
Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "So it seems like they've taken this as an opportunity to earn both practical benefits and social reputation."
President Kang Man-Ki sighed with relief. "It's very comfortable to speak with you, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."
"Because there's no need for lengthy explanations."
"Hahaha. I'm glad you feel that way. Our next discussion may end up taking a while, though..." Kim Ki-Rok checked the time on the wristwatch that he had placed on the counter. Turning down the heat of the stove, he asked, "Do you have enough spare time?"
"How about we talk over dinner?"
"Sounds good. Since the food has been personally prepared by you, I can't help but look forward to it," President Kang Man-Ki easily agreed.
"I hope to meet your expectations," he replied with a smile.
Having finished his conversation with Kim Ki-Rok for now, President Kang Man-Ki turned around and headed to the dining area.
"President Kang Man-Ki." Daniel suddenly caught his attention.
"Yes. What is it, Hunter Daniel?"
"Please appraise the Guildmaster's food."
"Huh?" President Kang Man-Ki was perplexed.
"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok has a Cooking Skill as well," Daniel elaborated.
After staring blankly for a few seconds, President Kang Man-Ki turned to look at the dishes that were lining one side of the table.
There were japchae, braised vegetables, and even his favorite egg rolls.
"Appraisal..." he quietly called out.
[Vegetable Egg Roll (B)][2]
Description: A dish made with various vegetables and eggs
Effects: Strength +7, Mana +6
"E-ehh?" President Kang Man-Ki let out a strange noise, shocked once by the fact that there were two effects, and again when he realized how high Kim Ki-Rok's Cooking Skill was.
Daniel and the others all burst into laughter at his reaction.
2. Vegetable egg roll ☜