Chapter 75

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 75: A Tiger Leaves Its Skin Behind in Death, but Humans...(1)

A mutated gate appeared in Daegu.

It was an exceptionally rare phenomenon where two gates formed at nearly identical coordinates merged into one.

The news of this so-called “Double Dungeon” being cleared spread rapidly through the media.

[Shocking! The Rise and Fall of Arhan’s Prodigy]

[Who Are the Little Runts Team That Cleared the Gate?]

[The Next Sword Saint Confesses: ‘I Was Incompetent.’]

[Who Is Cheon Yoojin, the Key Player of the Raid?]**

“So, that prodigy—what was his name again? Song Myeongseok, right?”

“Wow, I even bought that hunter's photo book.”

“Wasn't he said to share the same unique trait as Wu Wang from China?”

“There was a lot of talk about his family producing another powerhouse, even in our country.”

“Well, that all turned out to be hype, huh?”

The news of the Arhan raid team’s annihilation sent shockwaves not only through the hunter community but also among the general public.

This marked the death of the second hunter to possess the rare Heavenly Bone trait, following the legendary Chinese hunter, Wu Wang Chang Wufei.

In an era where the strength of hunters equated to national power, this was a devastating blow.

“But what’s this ‘Little Runts’ team? What do they even do?”

“Arhan Guild once co-requested them to jointly close a gate.”

“I heard the Next Sword Saint even admitted they were stronger than her.”

“Jang Miseon? Isn’t she the hunter who recently defeated Song Myeongseok in a duel?”

“Wow, why were hunters like these unknown until now?”

The tragedy surrounding the Double Dungeon raid was quickly overshadowed by another shocking revelation: the meteoric rise of the Little Runts Team.

Neither affiliated with any guild nor previously prominent, the sudden emergence of this team left many people in astonishment.

“Where on earth did hunters like these come from?”

“Whenever a promising rookie shows up, the big guilds usually snatch them up right away.”

“Do you think Phoenix Guild will scout them?”

“No way. With Song Myeongseok dead, Arhan might throw money at them instead.”

“Wasn’t the prodigy’s estimated value 50 billion won?”

“They cleared a gate that even killed the prodigy, so their worth must be even higher!”

“Insane.”

This unexpected incident catapulted the rookie hunter team into the spotlight.

Even guilds from the prestigious "Big Three" such as Dawn Guild were rumored to be initiating contact with the Little Runts Team.

The news spread that other top-tier guilds in South Korea were frantically securing funds to recruit these promising new talents.

“At the very least, we must bring Cheon Yoojin into Mir Guild.”

“It’s as if he defeated Song Myeongseok himself. We have to act before Arhan does.”

“If we can secure Cheon Yoojin, our guild might stand a chance to enter the Big Three in just a few years.”

The large guilds had a hunch about the truth behind Arhan’s collaboration with the Little Runts Team.

What had truly occurred during the dungeon raid was known only to the hunters who had participated. However, some clues inevitably surfaced during the processing of byproducts.

The Double Dungeon incident solidified the guild executives’ speculations into certainties.

“Track down the Little Runts Team’s location.”

“Look into their families and acquaintances, too!”

“We must make contact with them before any other guild does!”

The hunter industry was abuzz with the emergence of a hot new commodity.

The incredible feats of the Little Runts Team had not only stirred up the domestic media but also lit a fire under South Korea’s major guilds.

＊ ＊ ＊

“...And that’s how we completed the raid.”

Jang Miseon reported the events that transpired during the Double Dungeon raid.

“Hmm.”

Kim Youngsoo sipped his coffee, letting out a vague hum, as if pondering something.

“Ugh, that’s hot.”

“With your elemental resistance, you’re complaining about hot coffee?”

“I have to suppress it to properly appreciate the flavor.”

He spoke nonsense while casually savoring his coffee before continuing.

“You said the gate’s structure changed from a forked path?”

“It was different from the preliminary investigation.”

“So the Arhan raid team, which entered first, was ambushed. They fought valiantly to hold their ground until the second team was in position but were ultimately wiped out?”

In the process, the entire Arhan raid team perished.

Notably, Song Myeongseok was torn apart by werewolves, leaving not even his body recoverable, according to Jang Miseon’s report.

The remaining corpses and Song Myeongseok’s equipment were salvaged and returned to the Arhan Guild.

“As a result, we’ve officially incurred a debt to Arhan.”

“Officially?”

“Unofficially, things are different, aren’t they?”

Kim Youngsoo erased the faint smile from his face and spoke in a somber tone.

“Let’s keep the public story at that.”

“Did I give it away?”

“You always blink your left eye when you lie.”

“Haha, I need to work on that.”

As Jang Miseon laughed awkwardly, Kim Youngsoo sighed heavily.

The idea that Arhan’s hunters had sacrificed their lives to protect the second team?

Even without pointing out Miseon’s habit, it was an unbelievable story.

“The Double Dungeon itself was a trap.”

Jang Miseon recounted every detail of what occurred during the raid.

The structural changes in the gate.

The Arhan Guild, which had dominated the monsters, turned on their allies.

And finally, the critical role played by Cheon Yoojin.

“So the initial raid report was fabricated to cover up that person’s contributions?”

“Well, without Cheon Yoojin, we would’ve all died there.”

Officially, Yoojin’s position was that of a Priest.

The story of how he healed the youngest daughter of Seongcheon Corporation was already well-known among major guilds.

The achievements of his summoned creature, Fafnir, had also started circulating as rumors.

Hadn’t Jang Miseon herself sought out Paju’s workshop after hearing those stories?

“How completely wrong that information turned out to be.”

Kim Youngsoo closed his mouth, suppressing a groan.

A Priest who commands the dead? Was he truly a Priest?

It seemed more likely he was a Necromancer, a magical profession often mentioned in texts unearthed within gates.

“Miseon, if what you’re saying is true, the hunter industry is laboring under a massive misconception.”

“What misconception?”

“Arhan has been investigating him for two months already.”

If the Double Dungeon in Daegu had been Arhan’s trap, then when Phoenix Guild recruited Yoojin and his team, Arhan would have prepared their forces based on prior intelligence.

“If they fully understood Yoojin’s abilities, they’d have planned accordingly, right?”

“Of course.”

“Wow, amazing. To think they deliberately deceived Arhan like that.”

Yoojin had carefully concealed his Necromancer abilities during public activities.

Only shortly after his regression, while clearing the Ancient Garden and Forgotten Temple, had he openly used undead.

Afterward, he showcased his skills only in border zones or Ground Zero, away from public scrutiny.

Although Kim Youngsoo didn’t know the specifics of past events, he was sure of one thing.

“Cheon Yoojin might have anticipated this exact scenario.”

Gulp—

Jang Miseon swallowed hard.

“He’s terrifying.”

"It's just a hunch, but still."

“With this incident, the Arhan Guild and Yoojin are probably beyond reconciliation. Should I try to recruit him?”

“He’s a vessel too vast for any guild to contain. It’s better not to interfere.”

“Wow—this must be the famous intuition of our guild master that I’ve only heard about in rumors, right?”

“And what kind of rumors are those?”

Kim Youngsoo grumbled briefly but didn’t entirely deny it, nodding in agreement.

“The Phoenix’s Insight.”

This phrase was widely known in the hunter community.

The Phoenix Guild’s rise to become one of the top three guilds in Korea was credited to Kim Youngsoo’s keen judgment.

He had a talent for scouting exceptional hunters, providing them with the right resources, and supporting their training without hesitation.

Although smaller in size compared to Arhan or Dawn Guild, Phoenix’s ability to recognize and nurture talent ensured that their actual combat strength was never inferior.

“They also call you Midas’ Touch. Should I start calling you that?”

[TL/N: Midas Touch — The ability to make money out of anything one undertakes.]

“Say that again and you’ll regret it.”

“Pfft.”

Jang Miseon pouted, her lips pushed out in mock protest.

Kim Youngsoo chuckled at the sight of the promising young hunter in his guild, someone almost like a niece to him.

“Miseon, I have a favor to ask.”

“Let me hear it first, and I’ll decide whether to help.”

“Can you find opportunities to connect with Hunter Cheon Yoojin?”

“I thought you said recruiting him to the guild would be impossible.”

“I’m not asking you to bring him to Phoenix. I’m asking you to befriend him.”

A puzzled look appeared on Jang Miseon’s face.

“Isn’t that basically the same thing?”

“Just because someone isn’t under my banner doesn’t mean they have to be an enemy.”

A hunter of the same caliber as Song Myeongseok—or perhaps even greater.

Not only did Yoojin possess remarkable talent, but he also had the wisdom to strategically conceal his strength and the audacity to reveal it when the time was right.

If he couldn’t be brought in as an ally, building a cooperative relationship based on mutual interests would still be a valuable outcome.

“Hm. Even so, placing Yoojin on the same level as our Phoenix Guild Master feels a little... off.”

“It’s about seeing the potential and investing early.”

If there were a company guaranteed to bring massive returns, wouldn’t you invest every penny you had into its stock?

“This is the perfect low point to invest in.”

If he couldn’t be claimed, maintaining an amicable relationship would be the next best option.

Feeling a curious sense of excitement over the emergence of this new prodigy, Kim Youngsoo smiled warmly.

＊ ＊ ＊

After completing the raid, Yoojin's party returned to the Paju workshop.

“Partner! This is an alchemy workshop, not a hangout spot!”

“Come on, you’re a director at Black Company. Don’t be so stiff.”

“Ugh, for the love of—this isn’t something you should be saying!”

Shin Joonseok pointed furiously outside.

Beyond the fence, crowds of people were packed together, swarming the entrance.

The sheer number of visitors easily outmatched those who had come for the mid-grade potion investment—two, no, three times over.

“Is the Little Runts Team here?”

“Hunter Cheon Yoojin! You played a major role in the recent dungeon raid!”

“This is YNN! Could we get a comment, please?”

“We’re from the Mir Guil—”

“I’m Kang Minho, class of ’40 from Korea University! I’m here on behalf of my senior, Kim from class of ’38—”

The scene outside was more chaotic than even the busiest traditional market.

Yoojin chuckled.

“Don’t you think it’s lively and kind of nice?”

“Too much of this ‘nice’ and someone’s going to end up murdered. Don’t try to stop me.”

“Fine. I promise I won’t stop you.”

Yoojin’s sharp tongue never lost a step, and Joonseok flared his nostrils in frustration, fuming.

Minho, standing behind, hesitated before cautiously speaking up.

“Uh, hyung. Wouldn’t us staying here bother the alchemist?”

Though he spoke carefully, Yoojin’s response came immediately.

“Then should we move to Necropolis or Ground Zero?”

The answer made Minho freeze.

His wavering eyes betrayed his hesitation.

He was mustering the courage to speak again when—

“Ahhh—ow!”

“Hyung, we like it here!”

Kang Minyeong pinched her twin brother, silencing his nonsense before it could escalate.

“Oh, partner.”

“What now, Mr. ‘I love this lively atmosphere’?”

“That Scrap Metal Filled with Obsession—remember the ratio we used last time?”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? Of course, I remember.”

“Set up 10 kilograms of it. I’ve got a use for it.”

“And what do I get in return?”

Ah, it seems he’s gotten cheekier since I last saw him.

Perfect timing. I’d been considering teaching him a new form of alchemy anyway.

“How’s the research on the Blood Golem coming along?”

“I’ve got a general grasp of the mechanics.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

“Wait, does that mean—?”

“Once this business is over, I’ll teach you the golem crafting skill.”

The irritation that had clouded Joonseok’s face vanished in an instant.

Like a child receiving a Christmas present, he lit up with pure joy.

It was a bit odd to see such a happy expression on a bearded man’s face, though.

“Just wait a moment! I’ll be back in no time!”

Joonseok practically floated as he walked back into the workshop, his steps unusually light.

‘Guess I’d better get started on my end of things.’

〔Hoho. So, you’re finally planning to bring back that little human?〕

‘Hmm, there’s no better place than the Paju workshop to avoid prying eyes.’

Yoojin muttered, surveying the surroundings.

Once certain no one was around, Yoojin retrieved a corpse stored within the Ring of Darkness.

This was the body of Song Myeongseok, officially reported to have been torn apart by monsters.

In reality, his body was almost intact, with only a single conspicuous wound: a gaping hole in his neck.

‘A corpse with the potential of an 8 Star. How could I pass this up?’

〔What a shame. I thought he had the qualities of a hero.〕

‘You need to work on your judgment.’

Yoojin quipped, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

The process began.

First, Yoojin stripped away the muscles, flesh, and skin from the corpse using Flesh Control.

Then, he used [Dead Rise], channeling his energy to reanimate the skeleton as a Skeleton Warrior.

To take things further, Yoojin infused the Skeleton Warrior with the soul of a specter he had previously subjugated in the gate.

Zzzt—!

The merging of the soul with its former body triggered violent resistance, forcing Yoojin’s power to recoil.

The opposition was far stronger than anything he had experienced when merging souls with the red spider members.

This was because Song Myeongseok’s soul carried a significantly more powerful resonance than the two individuals Yoojin had revived earlier.

‘Resist all you want.’

The specter created by [Dark Calling] was already bound to Yoojin.

He exerted additional spirit power to crush Song Myeongseok’s struggling soul.

- Aaaaargh!!!

A tortured scream echoed as the resistance weakened.

Soon, the merging process stabilized.

[The Skeleton Warrior and the soul have become one.]

[The Skeleton Warrior has regained awareness of his former name: Song Myeongseok.]

- Geh-gel?

The newly created Skeleton Warrior, formed from Song Myeongseok’s body, began to move.

Its physical capabilities were slightly inferior to the perfected forms Yoojin had created in Necropolis.

〔So, this one is weaker than that little human you revived earlier. Even you make mistakes, it seems.〕

‘I don’t make mistakes.’

Yoojin retorted confidently.

When he revived Choi Hyungtae, the latter had been a 5 Star at the time of his death.

Naturally, Song Myeongseok’s current specs were lacking by comparison.

If Yoojin had chosen to elevate him to a mid-tier undead, Myeongseok would have surpassed Hyungtae in strength.

‘What matters is engraving the potential for future growth into this body.’

Yoojin mused, his eyes glinting.

One particular trait caught Yoojin’s attention.

[Heavenly Bone]

This was a uniquely exceptional characteristic—one recognized by the association as a top-tier innate trait.

If not for the merging process, this ability would have been lost entirely.

"Preparation complete!"

Shin Joonseok reappeared at the perfect moment, ensuring the flow of Yoojin’s work remained uninterrupted.

Looking at the skeletal remains of Song Myeongseok, Yoojin’s gaze turned predatory.

‘The talent you were so proud of—I’ll make sure it doesn’t go to waste.’

He muttered, scanning the body with greedy eyes.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]