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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Female Collection (2)
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Im Hyeji came to see Kim Semi.
"Guild Master."
"Yes, Hyeji?"
Today's meeting was arranged to discuss re-contracting due to Im Hyeji's promotion to SSS-rank hunter.
From Semi Guild's perspective, it might feel a bit unfair.
They had paid three A-rank magic stones for a two-year contract, and now they had to renegotiate.
The bitterness was unavoidable, but that was the Hunter Special Law and the rules.
It would be unfair in many ways to keep using a hunter whose value had skyrocketed due to additional awakening at a cheap rate for the remaining contract period, just because of an existing agreement.
Of course, some might argue that the conditions were too harsh on the guild that made the contract, depending on the viewpoint, but there was nothing to be done.
Unfortunately, this world belonged to the hunters.
Especially those with high ranks.
Even relatively common S-ranks were like that.
In top guilds, the number of those "common" S-ranks was what solidly supported the guild's mid-tier strength.
That said, they weren't completely throwing away the contract fee.
"Your contract is fully voided as of today, and if you want, you can sign with another guild. We have first dibs on negotiations, so we'll naturally accommodate your conditions as much as possible and provide our own contract tailored for an SSS-rank hunter. But if you go with another guild, regardless of their terms, you'll have to repay the original contract fee—either you or them. You heard about that, right?"
"Yes..."
Of course, the contract fee was money received with the promise to fulfill the full term.
Even if the contract fell apart midway, it was only natural that the guild wouldn't bear the full loss.
Im Hyeji had to repay it herself, or the new guild had to cover it.
"So, what do you think? Have you given it some thought?"
There was no need for long explanations.
From Kim Semi's standpoint, she naturally wanted to hold onto the now SSS-rank Im Hyeji, but countless other guilds were lining up behind Semi, waiting their turn.
She couldn't honestly guarantee the industry's best terms.
She wanted to throw every last penny at it to keep her, but reality didn't bend to willpower alone.
All she could do was appeal to their past loyalty and bond as much as possible.
"I'm sorry."
But unusually for her, Im Hyeji bowed her head firmly.
Even so, Kim Semi couldn't give up easily.
"Is there something you're upset about with the guild? Or are the terms not to your liking...?"
"No, it's not that."
Usually, after this long together, even if loyalty made it hard to stay, there would at least be some attempt to negotiate terms.
She must have already seen Semi Guild's offer, and if she wanted to stay, unless it was outrageously bad, she might at least make a counterproposal.
To reject it outright without a word meant her heart was already gone.
Kim Semi bit her lip.
Honestly, she had thought Im Hyeji would stay.
It wasn't that she had proposed terms carelessly with that assumption—she had pulled out everything the guild could offer, just like with the SS-rank contract.
If she complained, she was even willing to squeeze the last drop from the other hunters.
So she asked.
"Can I... hear the reason?"
Because they were close.
She wanted to hear it because she believed she had genuinely cared for her over this long time.
Even if the words might hurt.
Maybe it would be the red pill confirming she'd been the only one feeling that way.
Im Hyeji spoke with an apologetic expression.
"There's a guild I'm going to. That's the only reason—nothing else. If not for that, I would have stayed with Semi Guild, of course."
"...I see."
It didn't feel like a lie.
But that made it all the more regrettable.
It was such a clean answer that she couldn't even try to hold her back.
If that guild met her top priority—a condition she wouldn't even consider reversing for staying— no amount of other incentives would work.
Kim Semi let go of any lingering attachment.
"Then there's nothing to be done. But remember, this isn't the end for us, Hyeji."
"Yes, of course. I'll probably join as a mercenary type—just nominally affiliated and operating independently."
"Ah..!"
Going to another guild didn't mean it was over.
There was no guarantee that guild would be forever either, just like with Semi Guild.
She could always come back, or at least they could request help, so she couldn't end it leaving bad blood.
"And we've released Kang Jik's contract too. He was your personal porter anyway, so you'll keep it that way going forward, right?"
"Thank you. Yes... probably.."
Im Hyeji hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking up.
"...I'll be joining the guild that Kang Jik oppa is forming."
"Huh? Forming a guild?"
"Yes... You'd find out eventually, and I didn't want you to feel bad hearing it later."
"...."
Kim Semi, who had been maintaining a calm expression, faltered.
They were talking casually, but this was a contract negotiation.
She shouldn't show weakness to the other side—even if the contract was already off the table.
It was confusing.
So she asked a personal question she normally wouldn't.
"By any chance... was Kang Jik the one your heart belonged to, Hyeji?"
"Yes.."
"....Really?"
She couldn't believe it.
"...I actually thought there was something between him and Su-ah... SNS rumors and all, plus Su-ah kept using you as an excuse to visit Hwaseong through me."
"Ah. That... probably checks out too."
".....Huh?"
The common sense in her head shattered.
No matter how much Kim Semi was a hunter delving into unrealistic dungeon worlds...
Human logic still ran on certain rails to some extent.
But this was hard to understand.
"Not in the way you're thinking. I like oppa. And so does Su-ah unnie."
This was even harder to grasp.
"...Why?"
It was an incredibly rude question, and she covered her mouth after blurting it out.
"Sorry. Pretend you didn't hear that."
People's feelings didn't bend to their will, after all.
But Im Hyeji smiled more naturally than usual and answered.
"Oppa has great abilities. I don't want to lose him, so I'm sticking by his side."
Her eyes and tone were filled with conviction.
Kim Semi instinctively realized.
This wasn't just falling in love.
And having observed Lee Soo-ah, Im Hyeji, and Kang Jik up close, Kim Semi cautiously asked.
"By any chance... is your re-awakening ability related to that?"
In a way, it was a question asked with resolve that her relationship with Im Hyeji might end here.
Would she even answer if it was?
But as an A-rank hunter herself, constantly frustrated by the insurmountable S-rank wall, Kim Semi couldn't hold back and asked anyway.
Im Hyeji looked troubled.
She had no obligation or need to answer.
But she had already discussed it with Kang Jik.
"...If you're that desperate, why don't you contact oppa directly?"
"Huh? Really?"
That was it.
No firm confirmation.
Kim Semi wrapped up the contract with Im Hyeji and saw her off.
"...."
This wasn't according to plan.
Originally, she had intended to cling to Im Hyeji's ankle and beg if needed.
To leave at least some lingering tie.
Even when sending her off, it was to preserve future relations out of past bond.
She had even prepared for a scenario where cool contract talk flowed into more personal, feminine sentiments.
But the unexpected revelations left her mind in chaos.
Why tell this to Kim Semi?
It was speculation floating around Hunter Gallery and elsewhere.
Three women awakening to SS-rank or higher abilities and skills near one man.
Was it really coincidence? Almost no one would naively believe that.
Without evidence, it was just "what if" guesses.
If it was true, what would anyone do?
They'd probably rush over, bare their stomachs, and beg to be awakened too.
Kim Semi wanted to contact Kang Jik right away.
Honestly, it felt too risky.
Hunters awakened only through natural awakening.
Additional awakenings too.
If even a hint of artificial influence got out...
"...."
She was deep in thought alone when a text came from Lee Soo-ah.
Naturally, Lee Soo-ah, who had awakened as a double SSS-rank hunter, was also a recruitment target.
In a way, up to this point, Kim Semi had thought her luck was incredible.
Im Hyeji was a junior she had looked after for a long time, and she had even bent over backward to meet her demands in the recent contract, so she figured it'd go well.
Lee Soo-ah wasn't super close personally, but she had received a lot of Kim Semi's help with hunter awakenings lately, and she had some familiarity with Semi Guild members, especially in areas needing adjustment, so she thought the atmosphere would be relaxed for contracting.
[Unnie, sorry. I will be active as a hunter, but I think I have to join my husband's guild. I'll be nominally affiliated there, but whenever you need me, I'll come right away.]
But in the end, neither went according to plan.
Im Hyeji or Lee Soo-ah.
When Kang Jik's name came up, they showed a side completely different from the personalities she knew—something fresh.
It piqued her curiosity.
In the end, Kang Jik connected the two women.
She didn't feel like scheming against Kang Jik or anything.
"Then just persuade Kang Jik, right?"
If she convinced him, two double SSS-rank hunters would come along.
Plus, as guild master meeting a new guild leader, it was a perfect excuse without suspicion.
Why was that?
Her lingering feelings for Im Hyeji and Lee Soo-ah paled compared to an inexplicable curiosity and excitement.
Kim Semi picked up her phone.
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