Chapter 40: The Price of Power

#40

“Hunter Han Dokyeom!”

It took approximately twenty minutes for the Association police, armed hunters, and Sa Hyeon Guild hunters to storm in. This swift response was possible because it was an office building in the heart of Seoul, located in a district only thirty minutes away from the Sa Hyeon Guild.

From within Agon’s protective embrace, Dokyeom, his face drawn and haggard, raised a hand with a faint smile to Han Yuseong, who had rushed in, and Taeseongyeon, who had appeared with an air of calm. Clutched in his hand was a recorder, containing every detail of the events that had transpired here.

“Ah… you’ve… arrived?”

Then, everything went black. That was the last scene Dokyeom remembered.

When he next opened his eyes, he found himself in a room at a hotel affiliated with the Sa Hyeon Guild. Beside him, a medical hunter from the Sa Hyeon Guild diligently attended to his recovery. From this person, Dokyeom received a rough outline of the events that had unfolded.

A thorough investigation had uncovered illegal contract dealings involving all hunters associated with the Gwangmyeong Guild, leading to the nullification of every single contract. Furthermore, to assuage the agitated public, the Association and the government had joined forces, initiating a massive crackdown on illegal contracts.

Upon hearing that all of this had transpired in a mere two days, he couldn’t help but frown in disbelief. Dokyeom’s own contract had been nullified long ago, and the necrosis that had begun to consume his toes was now completely healed thanks to the medical hunter’s care.

Immediately after, he shot up, crying out for Agon. However, upon learning from a sniffling Orias that Han Yuseong had taken Agon to look after them, he promptly collapsed back onto the bed.

Shortly thereafter, he found himself, as if abducted, sitting before Taeseongyeon.

Dokyeom glared at the contract, then, with a ‘what will be, will be’ attitude, he draped an arm over the sofa and swaggered.

“Well then, how about a signing bonus of around 100 million won? Despite appearances, I’m quite expensive, you know.”

Taeseongyeon, with his characteristic eye-smile, remained silent. A teacup clinked as it tilted, and the harsh sunlight reflected off its surface. Dokyeom slightly frowned, shielding his eyes from the glare with his hand.

Just then, a low voice softly reached his ears.

“Mr. Han Dokyeom, let’s discuss this again after you’ve seen the signing bonus written in the contract.”

‘How much could an E-rank possibly get as a signing bonus?’

“Is it… perhaps a bit low?”

“……”

Dokyeom stared at the amount written in the contract as if his eyes might pop out. Eventually, he took the document into his hands, pulling it close to his nose to meticulously count the zeros. Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands… hundreds of millions.

“…Mr. Taeseongyeon, where’s your hospital? I should really take you there. Haha, you seem to be a bit… erratic these days.”

Taeseongyeon merely offered a subtle smile and tilted his head. It was then that Dokyeom finally began to examine the contract with a serious expression. The lengthy document, spanning six pages, bore the Sa Hyeon Guild’s emblem on each sheet.

With every page he turned, Dokyeom’s expression grew more troubled.

The signing bonus alone was 500 million won. If he cleared a Gate as part of the Gate raid team, the dungeon’s byproducts would be divided equally among the team members.

However, the guild would take charge of selling these byproducts.

The proceeds from the sale were explicitly stated to be split with Dokyeom receiving 60% and the guild 40%. This arrangement, however, would only apply for the first year, with a renegotiation for a 7:3 split in his favor from the following year onwards.

Furthermore, the contract stipulated that ‘items’ obtained from defeating bosses would be divided at the discretion of the raid team, with the guild having no involvement in those profits, which would instead be fully attributed to the individual.

If an E-rank was offered this much, it implied that B-rank hunters would receive over 2 billion won, and A-ranks even more.

“Normally, based on the Servant Beast’s rank, we’d start with an offer of 5 billion won or more. However, considering your situation, Mr. Han Dokyeom, we’ve kept it lower. Some things are better kept under wraps.”

“Mr. Taeseongyeon, don’t beat around the bush; just say it plainly. Anyone listening would think I’m harboring something extraordinary.”

“I heard the monster you brought out follows you quite well. It must possess a divine authority, so it’s bound to be something significant. You must have fed it magic stones for its growth, and with that level of subordinate effect, it would attract magical energy. Since it follows you so well, what could be a better lure than a seal?”

It was Dokyeom himself who had stated he would bring the divine authority before him. Even without that, S-ranks sensitive to magical energy, like Taeseongyeon, possessed the keen eye to discern the presence of divine authority at a glance. The sheer volume of magical energy was different; there was no way they wouldn’t notice.

‘Divine authority’ is rarely known among hunters, in truth. The Constellations wished for the game to continue for a long time, and even if not, for a dramatic effect and fairness, they remained silent to their contractors about the fourteen divine authorities. That was their unspoken rule.

Of course, there were exceptions among the Constellations. Constellations who sought ‘sacred relics’ to elevate their species or status fell into this category. They typically participated not for leisure, but as Constellations with clear ‘objectives,’ and cunning ones at that.

Taeseongyeon’s Constellation was one such, as was Geon Ita’s Constellation, the protagonist of this novel.

“As you said, Mr. Han Dokyeom, it’s the divine authority I most dislike. The question is whether you can continue to suppress that power in the future.”

Taeseongyeon’s fingertips tapped rhythmically on the sofa armrest. His gaze clearly implied that he would seize it if the opportunity arose.

“If I say I can’t suppress it, will you just take it away?”

“In some cases, that might be a possibility. Let’s call it a matter of ‘management’.”

“Yes, you’ve misstepped. My child, you see, still only knows me. I’ll manage them well on this end, so don’t concern yourself. And instead of getting heated up about seizing it already, let’s discuss our future cooperative relationship, since I’ve met the conditions you spoke of and brought the divine authority.”

At Dokyeom’s chilly retort, Taeseongyeon nodded slightly, his gaze surprisingly acquiescent.

“Let’s postpone further discussion. And if you don’t mind, Mr. Han Dokyeom, you can continue to stay at the hotel you’re in today. It’s a guild-affiliated hotel, so there won’t be any inconveniences, and we’ll cover the costs. I imagine that’s better than being homeless, wouldn’t you agree?”

Dokyeom’s eyes snapped open at that remark.

“Did you investigate my background?”

‘How does this guy know I’m homeless?’

Taeseongyeon tilted his teacup, speaking as if it were nothing unusual.

“Don’t imply I investigated your background just because information emerged during the Association’s investigation process.”

“…Yes, well… I suppose I’ll stay there until I find a place.”

Dokyeom narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Taeseongyeon, and answered grudgingly. Afterward, he extended his hand to Taeseongyeon and shook it, signaling for a ballpoint pen.

Taeseongyeon pulled out a fountain pen and placed it in Dokyeom’s hand. The contract was signed swiftly. There was no reason to refuse 500 million won. Specific clauses acknowledging ownership and protection for Agon were also stipulated, making these terms so favorable that he wouldn’t be swindled for a hundred years, let alone hear any accusations of it.

500 million for an E-rank? That was utterly unheard of. In this industry, most E-ranks don’t even receive a signing bonus, let alone an annual salary of 10 million won.

The reason Taeseongyeon extended an offer to Dokyeom, an E-rank who barely maintained social standing, was simple. He knew Agon was an AA-rank, and he was also considering it a form of surveillance.

“The Sa Hyeon Guild will surely be spreading some heartwarming tales now, won’t they? You rescued an E-rank pleading for their life, even let them join a guild that only accepts B-ranks and higher, and even provided a free hotel room. At this rate, you’ll be topping the industry’s reputation charts.”

“I’d be willing to accept an award, if one were granted, but Mr. Han Dokyeom is far more suitable for it, so I intend to gracefully step aside this time. What do you think, Mr. Han Dokyeom?”

“About what?”

“If you have something to say, don’t hold back, Dokyeom. I’m giving you a chance, aren’t I?”

His chilling eyes directly pierced through Dokyeom. There was a smile, yet the gaze felt utterly predatory. Dokyeom pushed the contract back toward Taeseongyeon, meeting his confrontational gaze head-on.

“My Agon cannot go to such dangerous places. If you push us into high-risk Gates based solely on rank and your judgment, Mr. Taeseongyeon, we’ll both die. Don’t get ahead of yourself, relying only on rank and ending up regretting it. Please scout carefully and then make your proposals.”

“We’ll do that.”

With their discussion concluded, Dokyeom began to prepare to leave. He intended to find Agon, who was somewhere in the building. However, just as he was gathering his phone and about to stand up, Taeseongyeon stopped him.

“Mr. Han Dokyeom, come here for a moment.”

Of course, Dokyeom laughed softly and immediately dismissed him.

“Get lost.”

“You’ll come eventually anyway.”

Taeseongyeon cast a troubled gaze, as if watching a child acting out. Instead of replying, Dokyeom raised his middle finger and immediately turned his back. However, before he could take even a single step, his arms were seized by black, flame-like figures, and he was dragged backward.

“No, h-how can you use your powers here?”

Black soldiers clad in armor, blazing like dark flames.

They were the Hell Legion of ‘Lemegeton’ commanded by Taeseongyeon. More precisely, they were the undead army commanded by ‘Gamigin,’ the 4th of the ’72 Lemegeton’ demons.

Through Gamigin’s power, Taeseongyeon’s ability had bloomed into necromancy. He was capable of summoning an endless horde of undead, which included soldiers, captains, and even general-grade legions.

Once a general-grade legion was summoned, the terrifying flames of death they unleashed would never extinguish, as long as the enemy remained alive. That was how terrifying these beings were.