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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Freelancer's Path
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Yoon Sung-hyun paused briefly at my words, scratched his head, and spoke up.
"You're not an academy graduate, right? Let me keep it simple. Company-affiliated hunters typically have three ranks: Junior, Senior, and Partner."
Newly affiliated hunters start as Juniors, and those who've gained some experience become Seniors afterward.
Both Juniors and Seniors work in teams led by Partner Hunters and get paid salaries, so fundamentally, they're the same rank.
Juniors and Seniors receive a fixed annual salary from the company, plus various incentive bonuses based on contract terms.
"Partner Hunters hold company shares instead of a salary and take a cut of the company's net profits."
Partner Hunters actively secure commissions from the government or corporations to explore Erosion Zones and eliminate Erosion Cores. They either lead their teams of Juniors and Seniors or dispatch them to carry out these missions.
As I listened, I unwittingly let out an "Oh."
"That's basically like lawyers..."
"Right, I heard the first hunter who founded a company modeled it after law firms. Of course, it's not exactly the same."
Come to think of it, lawyers who take cases and hunters who accept commissions do feel a bit similar.
Then hunters not affiliated with companies must be like solo practitioners.
After mulling it over, I came to a decision.
"Thanks for the offer. But I'll need a bit more time to think it over before deciding."
Yoon Sung-hyun chuckled softly.
"Did you think I'd ask you to sign something right here?"
With that, he clapped both hands on my shoulders and met my eyes.
"But you should judge carefully."
Was he here to recruit me or warn me? In the suddenly tense atmosphere, all I could do was smile.
"Yes, I will."
I hated this kind of vibe. No way I'd join Taebaek.
After Yoon Sung-hyun left, I contacted Lee Se-eun to hear Zanabi's pitch.
— I'm at Oduak on the second floor of the association building. I'll send the location.
The call ended right after that reply. I headed straight to the spot she indicated.
Oduak wasn't a literal cabin—it was a café chain. Rumor had it they had about 280 branches worldwide. The main one was in Ikseon-dong, I think?
As I approached the entrance, a staff member stopped me immediately.
"Hello, sorry, but Oduak only allows members and up to three companions."
"Lee Se-eun told me to come here."
The staff member's eyes widened at her name. After checking something briefly, they nodded.
"Confirmed. I'll show you to your seat."
Following their lead, I spotted Lee Se-eun sucking on an iced chocolate through a straw.
"Sit."
"Just like you said, one guy showed up."
"Taebaek's Yoon Sung-hyun. No surprise there. If Taebaek sets their sights on someone, the others back off."
"But Zanabi's different, aren't they?"
From what I knew, they matched Taebaek in both reputation and skill. Lee Se-eun let out a surprised "Hm?" then laughed.
"I have no intention of recruiting you."
"Pardon?"
What was this now? She was here to scout hunters for her company, wasn't she? Had I misunderstood something?
"How about going solo instead of joining a company? Freelance."
"That wasn't what I expected, but go on—I'm listening."
Lee Se-eun cracked her knuckles and looked at me.
"You got a Junior offer, right?"
"Yeah, and from what they explained, it's like a law firm."
She nodded and cleared her throat.
"You don't have to go through Junior and Senior ranks in a company to become a Partner Hunter."
I thought for a moment, then it clicked. "Ah."
"Got it. Build fame and solid achievements."
That sparked her to rummage in her pocket again and offer me a candy. What was with this? Trying to give me diabetes as an assassination ploy?
It was a gift, so I took it anyway.
"Juniors and Seniors are salaried workers. Plus, at those ranks, you're always under a Partner Hunter's team, taking orders, so autonomy is low."
"That's a concern, yeah."
She grinned mischievously.
"That's why I'm advising you: don't join a company yet. Take commissions solo."
I looked troubled. I could tell she meant it sincerely, but it still didn't make sense.
Operate solo without a company?
"Where do I even get commissions solo?"
Credibility was the issue. No network or track record—tough for a newbie like me to land decent jobs.
She jabbed her chest with her thumb.
"I'll hook you up, free of charge. Nail a few commissions through my help, and more will pour in."
"Why go this far to help?"
Her answer came quick.
"In the future, if you build enough achievements and fame to qualify as a Partner Hunter recruit... at least think, 'Oh yeah, there's this Zanabi place too.'"
"You're playing the long game. Like planting a debt."
She stirred her iced chocolate with the straw.
"This world needs top hunters. I don't think they all have to be under Zanabi. Now or later, if you don't want in, I won't force it."
"Do you do volunteer work on the side or something?"
She sounded like a volunteer addict. She chuckled coldly.
"Hunters help the world more on the battlefield than at nursing homes or orphanages. I do sponsor some stuff. But I'm busy. Got money but no time."
Hard to argue with that.
"Thanks for the advice. I was already leaning toward solo anyway—it suits me better."
Forty-five years of salaried life under bosses. Company life felt like a bad fit now.
"Good. Hang on a sec."
She made a call and pulled some documents from her bag. After about five minutes, she slid them my way.
"What's this?"
"Incheon City commission. Gyodongdo Island—Erosion Zone formed two years ago after failing to clear the core."
"Go remove the Erosion Core?"
She looked at me fondly, like I was cute.
"Remove the Erosion Core... full of enthusiasm. Gyodongdo's initial core—the Alpha—is still unranked."
Erosion Cores have four ranks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and unranked.
Initial cores in a region get the 'Alpha' prefix.
"Given how cores grow stronger over time, the Alpha in any area is always the most dangerous."
I nodded. Makes sense. My eyes turned to the documents.
Incheon wanted patrols to check for and eliminate any additional cores. While I reviewed them, Lee Se-eun added,
"They cleaned it three months ago, so any new ones should be unranked too."
The request called for 72 hunters. Pay: 500 upfront, 1500 on success. Plan: one week patrolling Gyodongdo.
Starts a month from now.
A week's work for 2000—decent enough to ease money worries.
"But considering the risks, the pay isn't that great."
"Government gig. Plus, you network with Incheon City Hall."
Apparently, low-tier hunters chased these for the connections.
"A month from now."
Plenty of time. She downed her drink and stood.
"And among freelance hunters, plenty outshine company ones."
Some commissions needed one powerhouse tank over thousands of troops, she explained.
"If a company can't handle it alone, they recruit extras."
So solos still teamed up sometimes.
"Treatment differs, though."
She donned her coat.
"Get strong, get famous. To where working with you is an honor, even promo material for them. No discrimination then."
"Thanks again."
A month until I dove into hunting full-time.
"Oh, yeah—the association building has training spaces, right?"
"All booked. Want one?"
I shook my head.
"Don't want to take someone else's spot."
"It's my allocation from the association. I'm heading back to Cheorwon, so it's empty."
The association gave it nominally for show; she never used it.
"Then I'll gladly take it."
She fiddled with her phone, granting me access via app.
That wrapped our meeting.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After parting with Yoo Chan-seok, the first person Lee Se-eun called was Zanabi's 1st Team Leader, Kang Hoon—the original founder and another Partner Hunter.
Kang Hoon: the man under government contract, holding back monsters spilling from the Erosion Zone beyond Paju and eliminating cores.
— Find anyone good?
"Not just good—Yoo Chan-seok."
Driving back to her zone, she reported everything to Kang Hoon.
— Held out over four hours? Impressive.
"Impressive doesn't cut it. You need to fight him to see his true worth."
Lee Se-eun still hadn't shaken off the mild shock.
One step yielding more than ten sprints. One spear thrust outperforming ten.
No wasted movements, no unexplained clashes. And especially that black flame.
She still couldn't fully analyze what it was or its effects.
— That good? You still limited your power, though.
"Boss, I'm a ten-year vet. Ten years surviving only hellholes."
Even power-leveled the same, their combat experience differed vastly.
"I should've toyed with him. Four hours? Unreal."
Against that academy girl Kang Hoon mentioned as promising, under equal terms? She'd drop her in under a minute.
— What if he reaches your level?
"Might sound bad, but... if Yoo Chan-seok hits my level, he could end even you, Boss."