Chapter 38: Joint Expedition

A proposal?

“In four days, we have an expedition led by Seonah. However, one of the team members had to withdraw due to an injury. So…”

“President?!”

“Hunter Lee Taejun, I’d like you to fill that vacancy.”

“President, just a moment!” Lee Seonah interjected, her face flushed with embarrassment. “This expedition… I don’t think it’s suitable for Taejun. It’s too high-level for Hunter Taejun.”

Taejun, who had been deep in thought, asked, “What’s the dungeon’s difficulty rating?”

“Class 2.”

A Class 2 dungeon meant he could activate Parsley Navigation, but it was still quite challenging. It implied the presence of at least one A-class monster, the minimum level for danger.

“Besides, this is the first time anyone’s been transferred to this dungeon, so there’s hardly any information about it.”

Che Soohyun smiled faintly. “But given your skill levels, I’m confident you can clear it easily. We’ve assessed the magic power readings within the dungeon and the projected range of resident monsters.”

Lee Seonah wore a troubled expression but couldn’t help but lower her head.

“Of course, this isn’t an order—just a suggestion.”

Taejun remained deep in thought.

Che Soohyun added, “But at the very least, facing actual monsters in the dungeon will yield far more tangible results than battling virtual ones here.”

Taejun stared at him, slightly surprised.

After a moment, he averted his gaze and sank back into contemplation.

After a brief pause, Taejun spoke.

“Do you have any specific expectations of me?”

“Not at all. I simply made the offer because the timing seemed right.”

Taejun, who had been staring intently at Che Soohyun, nodded slowly.

“I accept your proposal, President.”

“Hmm.”

“However, there’s one condition I need clarified.”

“And that would be?”

A glint flashed in Taejun’s eyes as he looked at Che Soohyun.

The next words he spoke were:

“Essence stones.”

“Essence stones, you mean?”

“Yes. I want to keep all the essence stones I extract from monsters I hunt solo.”

“Hmm.”

“If you agree to this, I promise to do my absolute best on the expedition, using my full capabilities.”

To keep all the essence stones from monsters hunted solo, without sharing them with the Guild…

That was a demand only the most elite freelance Hunters—at least A-Rank or higher—could reasonably make.

For the first time, bewilderment flickered across Che Soohyun’s face.

No, he could grant it.

Che Yerim would throw a monumental fit if she found out, but that was a price he was willing to pay.

What truly surprised Che Soohyun was Taejun’s demeanor, which completely contradicted the impression he’d formed of him.

He’d always seen Taejun as a martial artist ignorant of worldly affairs, a naive striver devoted solely to training.

Yet here he was, meticulously calculating his own advantage.

Perhaps his ability to look out for himself surpasses even mine.

Not that Che Soohyun disapproved of Taejun’s shrewdness.

In fact, it was precisely the kind of quality he secretly admired and wished to emulate.

“Agreed. Hunter Taejun can keep all the essence stones from monsters he hunts solo, without sharing them with the Guild.”

Che Soohyun replied decisively, his gaze fixed on Taejun’s shoulder, which was still steaming from exertion.

Taejun nodded in acknowledgment.

Then, with a slightly puzzled expression, he asked, “May I ask why you’re suddenly making this offer?”

“We were planning to hire a freelance Hunter anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to entrust the task to someone we know, like Hunter Taejun, than to hire a complete stranger?”

Che Soohyun continued, his eyes never leaving Taejun’s shoulder. “Besides, I thought you could benefit from some real combat experience instead of just holing up here to train all the time.”

“Hmm.”

“Did I misjudge the situation?”

“No, you didn’t.”

Che Soohyun smiled faintly.

“Good. Seonah, please escort Hunter Taejun to the Expedition Management Team. Let’s get the contract drawn up right away. Tell them I’ve approved the commission rate.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you, President.”

“Hurry up and change. Are you really going to leave like that?”

“What’s wrong with this? It just feels like I’ve taken off my shirt—not too embarrassing.”

“No, it’s embarrassing for the people watching…”

After Seonah and Taejun left the training room, bickering, Che Soohyun stood alone in the Mana-created forest clearing, surveying the scene.

Figure-eight-shaped gouges marred the ground here and there. The vegetation surrounding the clearing was utterly ravaged, torn apart as if slashed by a razor-sharp blade.

As Che Soohyun surveyed the ravaged clearing, he recalled his conversation with Matthew the previous day.

“He clearly stated that he only demonstrated each technique of the Soaring Dragon Divine Fist once,” Matthew had said.

He hadn’t actually taught Taejun the art.

Yet…

The marks etched into the ground proved that Taejun had personally executed the Soaring Dragon Divine Fist.

Even immediately after entering the training room, the technique Taejun used to blast away the Orc Warrior…

“It was unmistakably the Soaring Dragon Ten Horn Flash.”

A technique that even among Hwarang members, only those who had trained diligently for at least three years could perform.

Che Soohyun didn’t doubt Matthew’s words.

The Soaring Dragon Divine Fist wasn’t some third-rate martial art that could be mastered in a single day. Matthew must have truly only demonstrated the techniques to Taejun.

But Taejun…

Is it truly possible to fully master a martial art with just a single glance?

To grasp the profound secrets of a martial art and internalize it as one’s own through a single observation—that required an extraordinary gift.

For such a feat to be possible, one would need:

“The Limitless Physique.”

A flawless body that possesses every attribute necessary for mastering martial arts.

A talent so rare it seemed like something straight out of a fantasy novel—literally a divine endowment.

And just now…

Through the torn fabric of Taejun’s clothes, Matthew had glimpsed the potential for such a gift in the young man’s physique.

If he develops properly, perhaps…

He might even surpass the likes of me or that Lion’s Mane bastard.

Che Soohyun chuckled bitterly at the thought.

Yet the first martial art Taejun, blessed with such talent, had managed to internalize…

Of all things, it had to be that Lion’s Mane bastard’s.

Matthew, without realizing it,

He had essentially become the first mentor of a Millennial Prodigy blessed with the Limitless Physique.

He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

Nevertheless, he resolved to pave the way for Taejun’s proper growth. After all, the true potential of the Limitless Physique bloomed far more profoundly in real combat.

And who knew? Perhaps, by supporting him in this way, Shinwa might one day embrace Taejun into its fold.

“Do you understand, you insatiable blood relative of mine?” Che Soohyun muttered, thinking of his younger sister, who always craved his attention. “This is how hard I’m working.”

Four days had passed since accepting the Shinwa Guild’s commission, and today was the day of the expedition.

As I replied to Seonah’s message and continued up the mountain path, Manager Mi, who was walking beside me, spoke up.

“Actually, I’m a little worried.”

“About what?”

“The mastermind behind the exam rigging hasn’t been exposed yet, right? I’m concerned about you wandering around so carefree.”

The mastermind behind the rigged evaluation process remained at large.

This was due to the Hunter who summoned the Lich stubbornly refusing to cooperate with the investigation.

According to Seo Yeon-hwa, she and the Hwarang Leader planned to personally interrogate him sometime next week.

In other words, I was still exposed to an invisible threat.

I could conceal my face in crowded places with the Human Skin Mask, but this disguise was only perfectly effective against ordinary people.

While it could fool Hunters as well, their detection Skills could easily see through it. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down just because I was wearing this mask.

Nevertheless, I shrugged and shook my head.

“For now, I’m safe enough.”

Seo Yeon-hwa had assigned her guild members to escort me, even though I hadn’t asked.

The team consisted of an A-Rank Hunter and veteran B-rank Hunters.

Even though I couldn’t see them directly, I could feel eyes watching me.

Since I didn’t need to bother evading Cheongyeon’s surveillance, I simply pretended not to notice this protection.

Normally, a dungeon expedition far from the eyes of Cheongyeon Guild members or the general public would be much more dangerous.

“But this expedition is exclusively with Shinwa Guild members, so it doesn’t matter,” I reasoned.

It was widely known that Matthew and Che Soohyun had been childhood friends for over twenty years.

Furthermore, the members of Shinwa and Hwarang Guilds maintained close ties.

Therefore, the possibility of the Shinwa Guild being involved in rigging the evaluation had dwindled to virtually zero.

So I can relax and focus on this expedition.

All I need to do is concentrate on gaining practical experience with the Soaring Dragon Divine Fist.

My objectives:

Currently available Soaring Dragon Divine Fist techniques (imitations): Illusory Serpent Step and four others.

Unavailable techniques: Soaring Dragon Hundred Eight True Steps and six others.

Unlock at least one more advanced technique.

Soon, Lee Seonah and the Myth Hunters waiting at the dungeon entrance came into view.

I added another objective to my list:

Outmaneuver them, sweep up as many monsters as possible solo, and hoard all the essence stones.

Time to stake my claim on a Dragon Lair and build myself a home.

Lee Seonah and the Shinwa Guild members stood before the Dimensional Gate leading to the dungeon.

The gate, carved into a sheer cliff face, shimmered with a swirling mix of crimson and azure light. Judging by the absence of any dungeon structure, it was a translocation-type gate, not an invasive one.

“Still, we made it just in time,” Lee Seonah remarked, glancing at her smartphone as I approached.

“Of course,” I replied. “I’m Lee Taejun—I don’t tolerate Korean Time.” As a citizen of the Land of the Rising Sun, punctuality is paramount.

Lee Seonah craned her neck to peer behind me. “And somehow you managed to shake off the reporters and talent scouts? They’re still swarming Cheongyeon Headquarters, desperate to track you down.”

“Maybe I’m not as important as you think,” I shrugged.

Truth be told, I’d been wearing the JamJam Infinity Mask ever since leaving Cheongyeon Headquarters.

Lee Seonah wore a skeptical expression, but she quickly turned to her teammates, who were now gazing at the newcomer with curiosity.

“As I mentioned earlier, I’d like to formally introduce him. This is Hunter Lee Taejun, who will be joining us on this expedition.”

“Hello, I’m Lee Taejun. It’s a pleasure to work with you all,” I said, bowing politely. The hunters returned my greeting in turn.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Yusik from Myth 3 Team.”

“Hello, I’m Yun Ahyeong, the designated healer for Team 3.”

“Greetings! I’m Roh Yeongcheol, the youngest member of Myth 3 Team! Despite being the youngest, I’ve seen my fair share of action at B-rank!”

Roh Yeongcheol, who had introduced himself as the youngest, continued with sparkling eyes, “I’ve watched almost all of Hunter Taejun’s streaming broadcasts, from the very beginning until they were cut short! I’ve also caught every edited clip on YouTube!”

“Ah, I see,” I replied.

“I’m a huge fan, Hunter-nim! That effortless Fireball of yours, and how you blitzed through the dungeons without getting lost once… Ugh, could you maybe tell us what happened after the stream cut out?”

But just then, Lee Seonah interrupted Roh Yeongcheol with a stern voice.

“Young-cheol-ah, I don’t think this is the time for personal stories.”

“Ah, yes, Team Leader. My apologies.”

The youngest member immediately fell silent.

Yet, true to his mischievous, freckled appearance, he winked at me and secretly flicked his fingers behind Lee Seonah’s back—a silent invitation for a drink later.

Well, I wouldn’t want to turn down such a cheerful companion.

I gave him a quick nod in response before turning my attention back to Lee Seonah.

“Shall we head inside now? Everyone’s here, right?”

Lee Seonah shook her head, arms crossed. “Not everyone’s here yet.”

I checked the clock in my Status Window. The assembly time had already passed. Lee Seonah was known for her strict adherence to schedules, so openly disregarding her instructions meant…

“He’s not one of your Team 3 members, is he?”

“No. One of our members got injured during training last night, so we had to pull someone from another team.” Lee Seonah sighed. The other Team 3 members exchanged nervous glances.

“Sounds like he’s got a temper.”

“He’s the vice-leader of Team 4 in our guild. Let me warn you in advance—he’ll probably…”

Before Lee Seonah could finish, a nonchalant voice cut through the air from across the clearing. “Whoops, looks like I’m running late.”

I turned my head.

A Hunter was walking towards us from the path I had just come down, waving his hand.

He looked to be in his early thirties at first glance.

But a golden dragon was embroidered on one sleeve of his sleek black suit.

Tattoos and lettering adorned his exposed neck.

His slicked-back hair and pierced ears completed the look.

The moment I saw his sharply slanted eyes, I thought,

“This guy is all science,” Manager Mi and I declared in unison.