Chapter 54: A Bold Proposition for a C-Rank Hunter

One thing was clear: Beom Yeonhu possessed as much potential for growth as Agon. After all, he was host to Vine, the 45th-ranked demon of the ‘Lemegeton’.

Vine, a demon from the ‘Lemegeton’, granted its summoner the ability to construct magnificent fortresses. They also wielded the power to summon storms and lightning, capable of demolishing enemy structures.

Vine’s impregnable fortresses, impervious to any assault, were so formidable that their prestige within the ‘Lemegeton’ rivaled that of the highest thrones. The only reason for Vine’s relatively low rank was their peculiar habit of secluding themselves within these fortresses, rarely venturing out.

Indeed, Vine was far from weak. Moreover, the ranking of demons wasn’t always the sole determinant of their true power.

He earnestly hoped Beom Yeonhu understood this.

Starting tomorrow, things would grow considerably busier. Once Beom Yeonhu’s issues were resolved, Taeseongyeon’s challenges would be next. Taeseongyeon? He could be saved, even without Kang Taesan.

He just needed to be saved.

“What’s impossible? It just needs to be done.”

Yes, it could be done. Just as it always had been. Dokyeom whispered the words like an incantation.

****

The next day, Dokyeom arrived at the guild with a combative zeal. After first pushing Agon into the pool and tidying his clothes with a shake, he ascended to the CEO’s office, kicking the door open with an audacious flourish.

“Mr. Taeseongyeon, we need to talk.”

Secretaries, rushing out from the adjacent secretarial office, stared dumbfounded at the scene, their hands clamped over their mouths.

‘Is that guy completely insane?!’

‘Who is this E-rank punk, constantly turning the guild upside down?! Does he have connections in outer space or something?!’

‘Someone, please, for the love of god, do something! Where are all our guild’s old fogeys collapsing now?!’

While the secretaries silently fumed, Taeseongyeon, the target of this audacious display, merely lifted his gaze from the documents on his desk, his posture otherwise unchanged as he regarded Dokyeom.

His languid eyes, however, curved into a dangerously subtle arc.

“Well, speak your mind.”

Maintaining his combative stance, Dokyeom strode purposefully to Taeseongyeon’s desk. He then pulled a stack of documents, prepared at home, from his inner jacket pocket and slammed them onto the surface.

Anyone observing might have mistaken him for an audacious new hire, submitting a resignation.

Indifferent to such interpretations, Dokyeom slid the papers forward and began to speak.

“Regarding the support hunters that A-rank and higher hunters bring into gates—I’ve heard it repeatedly drilled into me that the main hunter usually finds someone they work well with and brings them personally, correct?”

“However,”

“Let’s apply that rule to me as well. Agon is A-rank or higher, so it should apply to me, shouldn’t it? Forget everything else, just draft a short-term contract for one person and bring them in. This is by no means a losing deal for you, Mr. Taeseongyeon. In the hunter industry, support hunters are as crucial as attackers, and defense hunters, especially those treated like nobility, usually require extensive groundwork and setup before they even consider joining, wouldn’t you agree?”

“So,”

“This person right here, they’re destined for great things, so I want them contracted under me. It would be ideal if Sa Hyeon Guild handles it, but if not, I’ll contract them directly myself.”

“What’s their rank?”

“C-rank.”

A muffled snort. Someone among the secretaries behind them stifled a laugh. Dokyeom glanced back to see a secretary clear their throat, fiddling nervously with their attire. The secretary pointedly avoided Dokyeom’s gaze.

Tap, tap—

Then, from the front, the distinct tapping of a ballpoint pen against a desk echoed. Dokyeom’s gaze snapped back to Taeseongyeon.

Taeseongyeon, examining Beom Yeonhu’s profile that Dokyeom had presented, tapped the edge of his desk with the tip of his pen. His downcast eyes, lost in thought, held a profound depth.

After a brief pause—

“This individual seems to have some… issues.”

Taeseongyeon remarked, tilting his head.

Attached to the profile was a medical examination report, making it impossible for anyone with eyes to miss it: the ‘symptoms’ Beom Yeonhu was currently experiencing.

Dokyeom quickly added.

“I will ensure that won’t be an issue.”

“And how, precisely?”

A cynical gaze pierced Dokyeom. As if he’d seen enough, Taeseongyeon casually placed the profile he held back onto the desk, pushing it towards Dokyeom. The papers slid to a stop before him.

“Then you should have resolved that first, before presenting this, shouldn’t you?”

When it came to business, he truly became this cold and unyielding. Even his smile held no trace of weakness. Despite his usual inflection, his words sounded meticulously calculated.

Meeting Taeseongyeon’s eyes unflinchingly, Dokyeom rummaged through his jacket once more. He then produced a neatly folded sheet of paper and placed it decisively on the desk.

“Here, you’ll find every step and expected outcome detailed, ensuring there will be no issues. Please, take a look.”

It was a three-page ‘report’. Yes, a report.

Dokyeom had anticipated Taeseongyeon’s reaction, meticulously outlining, according to the five W’s and one H, the reasons he needed to bring Beom Yeonhu in, along with the methods, process, and expected results for curing his ailment, all handwritten, sacrificing sleep the previous night.

The report was, in itself, a form of persuasion and appeasement. Within it, every line contained a phrase designed to elicit a nod of understanding and acceptance.

Taeseongyeon calmly read through the three-page report right there. When the soft rustling of pages ceased, a low chuckle filled the CEO’s office.

Taeseongyeon’s shoulders shook with laughter. He seemed thoroughly amused.

“Bring him in. This is intriguing.”

His words were like a stone tossed into a tranquil lake. Ripples spread. Dokyeom’s face instantly brightened.

The secretaries stared at Taeseongyeon, their expressions overtly surprised. Would it be a lie to say that Taeseongyeon’s unfamiliar and subtle demeanor, as he rested his chin in his hand and gazed at Han Dokyeom, seemed rather pleasant?

“Since Mr. Han Dokyeom is so invested, it’s only right as CEO that I give it a look. Whether it’s suitable or not is a secondary concern. For now, fix him up and bring him in. I’ll see for myself what has captured your interest.”

At Taeseongyeon’s words, spoken as if granting a favor, Dokyeom reached out for the report in Taeseongyeon’s hand. However, before he could touch it, the stack of papers was swiftly lifted. ‘Oh, this man…’

“I’ll hold onto this until then.”

Dokyeom opened his mouth, his face aghast, towards Taeseongyeon, who was spouting nonsense like, ‘I like your neat handwriting.’

“Are you out of your mind?”

“If it’s before lunch, perhaps we could share a meal, Mr. Han Dokyeom.”

“I don’t want…”

At that moment, Taeseongyeon flapped the papers in his hand. Dokyeom’s gaze slowly followed them.

‘…Honestly, why resort to such petty threats?’

“Tell me if there’s anything you’d like to eat. We can have a meal with whatever Dokyeom likes.”

That sly, smiling face now looked utterly like a cunning fox. He was so unusually radiant today that Dokyeom felt an even stronger urge to punch him. Dokyeom eyed Taeseongyeon with displeasure, then spun around and headed towards the sofa. He plopped down comfortably and replied in an annoyed tone.

“Oh, I’m not hungry. Just give me that poison you gave me last time. I’ll drink that and leave.”

“I thought you disliked it.”

“I drink it to stay healthy. I’ve been feeling a bit weak lately, alright? Good heavens, you’re awfully curious.”

Since Agon had been so late yesterday and made a huge fuss, Dokyeom couldn’t possibly leave today, even if he wanted to. Agon was so faithful to his animal instincts; he kept perfect time without a clock. Just like a rooster, he’d open his eyes wide at six o’clock and demand food.

The secretaries glared at Dokyeom’s back, their eyes bulging, but having grown accustomed to such gazes during his time at Sa Hyeon Guild, it had no effect on him.

Eventually, at a nod from Taeseongyeon, one secretary trudged off to prepare another dose of the herbal medicine.

moments later, two steaming teacups were placed on the table. The herbal medicine, served alongside Taeseongyeon’s tea, was an inky black, like diluted paint. Dokyeom sniffed it, then, seeing Taeseongyeon’s subtle smile from across the table, reluctantly gulped down the medicine.

For some reason, the herbal medicine tasted even more potent than last time. Dokyeom took a sip and spat it out, clicking his tongue in disgust.

“Ptooey, ptooey…! Ugh, what kind of herbal medicine, *cough*! What kind of herbal, *cough, cough*!”

“Oh dear, let’s drink it slowly.”

Dokyeom, still fuming, stubbornly forced down the herbal medicine. Taeseongyeon tilted his teacup, watching him with a leisurely, almost relishing air. Only Dokyeom’s Adam’s apple rapidly bobbed up and down on his slender, pale neck.

That neck was so fair, so tempting to touch. The faint marks visible beside it were truly captivating. Looking at that neck, an ineffable impulse arose within him.

But it was too white.

Taeseongyeon chuckled again, watching Dokyeom cough repeatedly. He then ordered another tonic from a nearby secretary.

Unaware of this, Dokyeom simply glared grimly at the remaining herbal medicine, contemplating how to finish it.

****

Click—

Dokyeom dipped his feet into the pool, idly swinging them as he attempted a call. After a few short rings, a soft voice echoed in Dokyeom’s ear.

“What is it, Hunter Han Dokyeom?”

“Haha, Mr. Han Yuseong, aren’t you missing me…?”

“If you have no business, I will hang up.”

It was a voice that would only lead to a backlash if he tried to joke around. He couldn’t even joke, could he?

Dokyeom clicked his tongue, then, as Han Yuseong had suggested, quickly got to the point.

“I have a favor to ask, and I was wondering if you’re available to talk right now.”

“I am. Speak.”

Faint sounds of cars fiercely passing and horns blaring could be heard through the phone, suggesting he was driving. Dokyeom sat on the edge of the pool, wiggling his toes, and spoke words he didn’t truly mean.