Chapter 80: Overturning the Board

It was a chronic blight, this nefarious custom where the higher-ups pocketed rookie hunters’ allowances, dismissing their efforts as mere ‘experience’.

‘Why hadn’t he reached out?’

It seemed this situation had persisted for quite some time, yet Beom Yeonhu had never once contacted him, acting as if nothing were amiss. Whenever Dokyeom initiated contact, Beom Yeonhu would always express gratitude, assuring him that the gate was running smoothly, even offering a cheerful laugh.

That made Dokyeom’s breath hitch with anger, directed not at Beom Yeonhu, but at himself.

He had genuinely believed Beom Yeonhu was managing well, operating the gate in a truly decent environment. He had entrusted the matter to Han Yuseong and never bothered to check, using the Red Gate incident as an excuse to only inquire about Beom Yeonhu’s well-being over the phone. For the first time, fury surged within him at his own negligence.

Even now, Beom Yeonhu simply kept his face downcast, his gaze lowered, looking as though he were the one at fault.

“Then, I suppose I’ll just ask,” Dokyeom stated coldly, looking at Beom Yeonhu.

He extended a hand towards Beom Yeonhu. “Hyung, may I borrow your phone? Mine broke a few days ago.”

“…Alright.”

Beom Yeonhu placed his old-model phone into Dokyeom’s outstretched hand. With focused eyes, Dokyeom dialed a number and promptly connected the call. As soon as the other party answered, he spoke.

“This is Han Dokyeom, a hunter affiliated with Sahyeon Guild. May I please be connected to Assistant Manager Lim of Management Team 2?”

[Ah, just a moment. I’ll connect you right away.]

Following the youthful female voice, a different ringing tone sounded. Soon, the pleasant voice of the young man he had spoken with earlier reached his ear.

[Yes, this is Assistant Manager Lim Gihan of Management Team 2.]

“Assistant Manager Lim. This is Hunter Han Dokyeom, who inquired earlier about Instructor Lee Sanghyeon. I called because I have something to ask, is this a good time?”

[Yes, yes?! Ah… yes! P-Please, go ahead.]

After the flustered voice, the sound of someone clearing their throat was audible. Dokyeom, still looking at Beom Yeonhu, switched the phone to speakerphone and began.

“It’s nothing major, but I’m currently at a gate managed by Instructor Lee Sanghyeon, and I’ve witnessed something rather peculiar. The manager here seems to be arbitrarily withholding the conquest fees for rookie hunters. I called to ask if other gates also delay new hunters’ wages, claiming ‘passion pay.’ The workers here say it’s a Sahyeon Guild custom.”

[…That is illegal.]

“So, it’s not Sahyeon Guild’s policy, then?”

[Of course not. Sahyeon Guild’s policy dictates that all trainees, external conquest teams, and even our own guild members are to be paid their agreed-upon daily wages on the same day. I’ll have to issue a notice for correction.]

“Please notify Instructor Lee Sanghyeon’s side immediately. Oh, and tell them to kindly cooperate with the Association’s investigation.”

[Yes, that’s… Ah… but, Hunter-nim.]

Assistant Manager Lim’s voice suddenly grew incredibly faint. After tapping on a keyboard a few times, he must have seen something, as he sighed with the sound of his chair and whispered softly.

[After checking the records… several corrective recommendations have already been issued. All were related to wages, and there’s a history of these being escalated to the HR and General Affairs departments. It’s likely… that only another corrective recommendation will be issued this time as well.]

It implied a multitude of people were entangled in this corruption. ‘Good heavens, what about Taeseongyeon? Money is just hemorrhaging like this,’ Dokyeom thought.

As Assistant Manager Lim spoke, the manager, who had been silently watching the phone, let a cunning smile play on his lips. A look that said, ‘I knew it,’ was an added bonus.

“Yes, I understand for now. I’ll treat you to coffee next time, Assistant Manager.”

The moment Dokyeom ended the call with Assistant Manager Lim, the gentle breeze transformed into a fierce gale. It began with the manager’s action of spitting sharply on the ground, his eyes narrowed like a common street ruffian.

The man, who had discarded even the pretense of civility he maintained within minimal boundaries, rubbed his tired eyelids and let out an exasperated sigh. Immediately afterward, he unleashed his suppressed hostility without filter.

“There are always those who make things difficult when they could have gone smoothly. The shabbiness of this industry isn’t new; do you think I’m doing this for no reason? If you feel so wronged, go to the Association! Do you think if they bark beside them, the HR people will rush out and take the lead? But what good is that? This is reality.”

Dokyeom knew better than anyone the squalid nature of this industry. How could he not? He was the very person who had documented every festering, rotten aspect of this world.

‘But I never imagined it would be this filthy.’

“Look at you all, so self-important! You think if you leave here, you’ll find some good gate and make some money? Don’t talk such nonsense. Is Sahyeon Guild Sahyeon Guild for nothing? If you get on the wrong side of this industry, gates or whatever, your personal information will be exposed, all recruitment offers canceled, and at best, you’ll end up as a mere errand boy. You’re no exception.”

The manager’s fingertip flew towards Dokyeom’s face. Now, he treated them like inferiors, dropping all honorifics and pointing accusatory fingers.

“You know how quickly rumors can ruin someone’s reputation, and it’s clear you’re just some Sahyeon Guild lackey. So why don’t you leave before you earn the instructors’ displeasure and narrow your standing? If you go now, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. But I won’t be able to use these bastards anymore, so if you’re leaving, why don’t you take them with you?”

Beom Yeonhu’s eyes, which had been fixed on the ground, finally lifted. His golden pupils, previously obscured by shadow, sharpened fiercely as they locked onto the manager. The surge of anger was palpable, rising visibly within him.

For a fleeting moment, it resembled killing intent.

He hadn’t flinched when the manager insulted him, but the moment Dokyeom’s name was tarnished, he reacted with sharp intensity.

‘What am I to do with this loyal fool?’

Dokyeom gazed up at the sky, his face etched with deep resentment. His jaw ached beneath his chin, having been clenched so tightly for so long.

These were the reasons Beom Yeonhu had endured this wretched situation: a desire to do something, to become a better hunter, and to avoid being a burden.

‘What should I do about Beom Yeonhu?’

He deliberated several times, questioning whether retreating gracefully here would truly benefit Beom Yeonhu, or if helping him shake off this ordeal and make a fresh start would be an act of genuine consideration.

Unlike Dokyeom, who would likely live out his days as an E-rank, Beom Yeonhu possessed the ability to run breathlessly along an endless path. Having already witnessed him begin to unravel the first knot of his limitations, Dokyeom wondered if this entire process should truly be dismissed as mere growing pains.

However, Dokyeom swiftly put an end to these futile musings. It was precisely when the manager jabbed a finger, pointing at Beom Yeonhu.

“I took pity on you when you asked me to take on a worthless C-rank idiot who can’t even earn his keep, so you should be grateful! How dare you glare at me with eyes like that, glare!”

‘Let’s just overturn it. I have to overturn it. He’s insulting my precious dog, after all.’

What else could he do when his body moved like this the moment he heard that ‘idiot’ slur? Forget the consequences; before his thoughts could even reorient, his leg lashed out, striking the manager’s shin, and his foot shoved the staggering body, sending him tumbling.

“W-What…!”

The man hit the ground, his face pale with shock. His bewildered expression, as if he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened, searched for Dokyeom’s face. Then, the manager’s blinking eyes contorted into a bestial grimace.

“You bastard, are you insane?!”

“Me? Is this truly an act worthy of calling me insane?”

Dokyeom promptly kicked the manager’s side again, who was still half-stunned. Beside him, Beom Yeonhu flinched and immediately reached out a hand. But he was stopped by Beom Yeonhu’s friend, who regarded the manager with a cold gaze.

“Stay out of it, you bastard. This matter is already out of our hands.”

That statement was accurate. This situation had already cleanly slipped from Beom Yeonhu’s grasp.

For some reason, on this hot day, Dokyeom pushed the manager into a muddy puddle, making him roll. Despite being a C-rank, the manager’s resilience was such that Dokyeom’s kicking leg felt like it would shatter instead.

The man was the one kicked, yet Dokyeom bore the brunt of the damage. His shin throbbed as if tearing, his knee creaked, and the tip of his kicking foot trembled uncontrollably.

“You, you’re making a mistake right now. If word of this gets out, do you think you’ll be able to crawl around in this industry?! What kind of lunatic is this?!”

Dokyeom crouched beside the manager. The gaze he met at close range was murderous, as if ready to chew him alive. He had already braced himself for this; such a thing was nothing.

“Shall we make a wager?”

“What?”

Over the manager’s scowling face, Dokyeom met the eyes of each person who had been watching them. Their cold stares were exactly like a pack of wolves, just before they lunged.

“You have such a clear presence, it looks like you have a strong backing. And I happen to have one too. So, from now on, let’s both run and bark like dogs. Let’s see who wins.”

“Are you… threatening me right now?”

“Threatening? No, it’s a wager. If this matter surfaces, I win. If not, then you, Chief, win. I’ll bark diligently, ‘woof woof.’ Though I don’t know if anyone will step up and lead the charge just because a lackey like me barks ‘woof woof’ beside them.”

With that, Dokyeom opened his mouth and made ‘woof woof’ sounds. He also cheekily added, ‘If you touch me, it’s clink-clank. Because I’m E-rank. But I can kick you. Why? Because no one will believe an E-rank kicked a C-rank.’

“So, whether you go to that Lee Sanghyeon, or to the higher-ups at Sahyeon Guild, let’s both move diligently, shall we? Yes? Diligently, well, and with all our heart.”