Chapter 15

It was only after getting into the elevator that Nara Shim seemed to regain her composure, and she began to flatter Dongju Kim profusely.

“Hello, Dongju Kim. I’m Nara Shim, a C-Rank buffer. Although my rank is low, I have a lot of experience and I am more confident than ever in dedicating myself to Paehyeok…”

“Stop, stop. We’re not having an interview right now.”

Dongju stopped her. Despite that, she didn’t get discouraged and continued to praise Dongju Kim once more.

“It’s an honor to meet you in person, Dongju Kim. You are the pride of your family…”

Dongju Kim looked at Cho-i with an exasperated expression. Cho-i shrugged her shoulders. It meant she couldn’t stop her. She was currently full of excitement. Since she was the epitome of an emotional person who sometimes forgot the fact that she tried to kill all her party members and then herself, she wouldn’t listen even if Cho-i tried to stop her. And honestly, her antics were amusing, so it didn’t seem bad to just watch. As Cho-i chuckled, Dongju Kim, as if knowing her thoughts, sighed.

“Your friend is peculiar too.”

Nara replied.

“She’s not my friend.”

“You asked me to recommend her.”

“Actually, we’re inseparable friends. We’re practically one and the same.”

While they were chatting, the elevator arrived at the 80th floor. They got out of the elevator. Then, they saw a large room that occupied the entire 80th floor. One side was entirely made of glass, providing excellent natural light, and the spacious room was neatly arranged with various sofas, desks, and bookshelves.

“It’s an office for three. One person went into a dungeon and probably won’t be back for a month.”

“Which dungeon did he go to?”

“There was a business trip request from overseas. It’s an S-Rank dungeon, and they seemed to be short on personnel.”

“He must have gotten paid a lot of money.”

Dongju Kim grinned.

“Of course.”

Saying that, he led the two to a sofa. There were so many sofas that they were wondering where to sit, so it was a great help that he chose one for them. As they sat on the sofa and waited, the elevator chimed again. Yeonhan Kim, who seemed to have come down from an upper floor, held a few documents in her hand.

“You’re finally here, I see.”

“Something like that.”

“And your friend?”

“Oh. She’s my friend, a C-Rank buffer. I brought her along in case there’s a spot for her.”

“Well, that’s something your friend can figure out if she does well in the trial.”

Cho-i poked Nara Shim, who was standing still. Then, Nara Shim burst out a rapid-fire speech like a doll that says “I love you” when its belly is pressed.

“Hello! Yeonhan Kim! It’s an honor to meet you like this. This will surely be the pride of my family and I too… Ugh!”

Cho-i Hyeon covered her mouth and threw her back on the sofa. Nara Shim sprang back up like a roly-poly doll.

“She’s an interesting friend.”

Yeonhan Kim laughed and handed the documents she brought to Cho-i.

“Read this carefully.”

“What is this?”

“You could call them recruitment guidelines. More specifically, a cram sheet for the exam.”

“Really?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the power to pass anyone. No one can, unless they’re the Guild Master. So all we can do is help like this.”

Dongju Kim, who was leaning against the sofa, said,

“If you read the Entity well, passing probably won’t be difficult. After all, you’re going to a dungeon you already know.”

“A dungeon?”

When Cho-i asked again, Nara Shim explained.

“Paehyeok’s entrance trial has always been a dungeon. Without a single exception. You have to pass there to even get an interview.”

“So, if you don’t have the skills, you’re out?”

“Exactly. I only pulled out the A-Rank trial locations for now, but I’ll have to pull out C-Rank materials for your friend too.”

At that, Cho-i made an

“Ah” sound. “I think I need to go to the C-Rank testing ground too?”

“What?”

“Why?”

Nara Shim briefly looked taken aback, and Dongju Kim had a

“No way” expression. “You didn’t just apply for a correction now, did you?”

“To be precise, I haven’t yet.”

“Hey!”

“They said it would take about 15 to 20 weeks.”

“This is driving me crazy. Well, I understand, though.”

Dongju Kim, who had already requested a correction once, knew how troublesome the correction process was, but Yeonhan Kim, who knew nothing, looked around with a

“Why, why?” expression. “No, it’s actually for the best. If you pass the C-Rank trial smoothly and then apply for a correction after joining here, it’ll pass faster. Because it’s Paehyeok.”

“Aha.”

“I was able to proceed quite secretly after joining Paehyeok, so you will too.”

“It’s a very impressive guild.”

“You’re just realizing that now?”

Yeonhan burst into laughter.

“I’ve been living like an idiot, only looking at my boyfriend until now. I’ve never thought about any guild other than my boyfriend’s uncle’s guild.”

“Where is your boyfriend’s uncle’s guild?”

“Hanshin.”

“I think I’ve heard of it.”

Hanshin had grown a lot, but given this response, it seemed to be beyond the concern of Paehyeok’s S-Rank hunter. However, when the topic of a boyfriend came up so naturally, there was an obvious question that had to be asked.

“Then what about your boyfriend?”

“They must have broken up.”

Yeonhan Kim asked, and Dongju Kim answered indifferently. And to that, Cho-i replied brightly,

“Oh, he died in a dungeon!”

“…”

“…”

Dongju Kim became irritable.

“Ugh, why would you ask something like that?”

“Th-there. I’m sorry.”

“Huh? Why are you sorry?”

“No, I’m sorry for asking.”

Cho-i waved her hand, saying it was fine, still wearing her bright smile.

“Ahaha, it’s okay. I killed him…”

“…”

“…”

Nara Shim quickly covered her mouth, but everything that needed to be said was already out. Dongju Kim and Yeonhan Kim were looking at Cho-i with cold, exasperated eyes, and Nara Shim slowly avoided their gaze, looking out the window. She even subtly whistled.

“Oh, is there a fly buzzing around?”

Of course, it was no use. Dongju Kim looked at Nara Shim and said,

“I see why you follow her around.”

“Yes…”

“Keep her mouth shut…”

“And you, don’t go around saying things like that.”

“Alright!”

At Cho-i’s thoughtless reply, all three sighed simultaneously. Then Yeonhan scratched his head.

“First of all, he died inside the dungeon, right?”

“He was trampled to death by a monster.”

“Then why is Miss Cho-i saying she killed him? It’s not like you’re feeling so guilty that you’re claiming you killed him, right?”

“Ah, how it happened was!”

Dongju Kim shouted.

“No! Don’t explain! I don’t want to hear it!”

“Ugh.”

As Cho-i Hyeon clicked her tongue, even the kind Yeonhan Kim seemed to get a headache and briefly pressed his temples.

“Anyway, Miss Cho-i. Don’t say things like that anywhere from now on. Let’s just focus on the Paehyeok entrance exam.”

“Okay!”

Yeonhan Kim then began the briefing. It seemed to be an attempt to bring order to the chaos.

“The Paehyeok entrance trial has three stages. It’s simple. First, high-ranking hunters, about A-Rank, gather people and form teams. If you’re not included in a team, you’re eliminated in the first round. No exceptions. But leave this part to Dongju and me. I’ll have a word with them.”

“Can you really pull that off?”

Cho-i asked. Yeonhan nodded.

“Of course, we’re S-Rank, after all. Anyway, as long as you don’t do anything too outlandish, you won’t be eliminated in the first round.”

Dongju Kim added.

“Then comes stage two. You enter a designated dungeon. Usually, about two-thirds are eliminated in the first stage.”

“That many?”

“Yes. So, according to rank, a total of three trial grounds are used: A-rank, B-rank, and C-rank. Number tags will be distributed by team, and you just take the trial on the date written on your number tag.”

“Hmm, so I just need to enter the dungeon on the specified date and time?”

“The time isn’t fixed. We can’t know how long the previous team will take.”

Dongju Kim continued, speaking like an assistant instructor.

“And though it’s not widely known, there will be guild members embedded in each team. Their purpose is both to prevent trial participants from dying as much as possible and to evaluate them. So, don’t let your guard down even after you enter.”

“Got it.”

“After you clear the dungeon and exit, the list of qualifiers will be released about 30 minutes later. You can expect more than half to drop out here.”

“Wow, that’s tough.”

“That’s why it’s Paehyeok, after all.”

“And the third stage is the interview. Only a few people fail here. If you pass the second stage, you can relax a bit. You won’t fail the interview unless you talk nonsense.”

At that, everyone looked at Cho-i. Cho-i looked back at them with a ‘why, what?’ expression. They shook their heads and said nothing.

“Anyway, let’s have Nara prepare well for the interview.”

“Leave it to me!”

“Honestly, we don’t have a reason to help Nara. But it seems like someone is needed to control Cho-i, so we’re helping.”

“I understand perfectly!”

“Alright, then I’ll print out the C-Rank trial guide for you to take home. Let’s see about the trial date.”

Yeonhan opened his smartphone and checked the date.

“Exactly one month from today. March 12th.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“The entrance trial announcement hasn’t even been posted yet. I’m telling you in advance, so don’t blab about it carelessly anywhere.”

“Of course!”

“What happens if I tell?”

“Just don’t even think about it.”

“I’ll make sure he behaves!”

“Alright, I’ll trust Nara.”

“Yes!”

Yeonhan and Dongju looked at Cho-i with uneasy expressions. ‘Did we make the right choice?’ their faces seemed to ask, but they didn’t seem to be considering backing out. And so, Cho-i and Nara returned home with the C-Rank trial guide. As soon as Nara Shim got home, she jumped into the unmade bed from the morning and kicked wildly.

“Paehyeok trial?! Me!?”

“What’s so great about that?”

“Of course it’s great! It’s a trial where two-thirds are eliminated in the first round! But I’m basically already in that group!”

“Did you forget you have to do well inside the dungeon?”

“Honestly, I’m pretty good for a C-Rank, you know?”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

Nara thumped her chest.

“I’ve always been with higher-ranked hunters, so I couldn’t show my full potential. In a team made up only of C-Ranks, it won’t be a problem.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, right.”

As if remembering something, Nara made Cho-i sit in front of her.