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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Into the C-Rank Jungle
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Even after forming the guild, Yeon Sung-hun and the raid team's rift explorations continued.
There wasn't much difference from their days as an ordinary raid team.
The only change was that they now received rifts assigned at the guild level instead of relying on the Hunter Association's management, and they could dispose of the byproducts themselves.
As for the cleanup crew, he had debated contracting with a corporate one, but Yeon Sung-hun chose to create their own, thinking ahead to the future.
Or perhaps outright acquire a decent corporate cleanup crew.
In any case, the raid members' routines hadn't changed much.
They still tackled rifts under Yeon Sung-hun's guidance.
Problems no longer arose even in D-rank rifts.
This was only natural, as the team had grown accustomed and the potions' effects had improved.
Of course, that didn't mean the members' individual skills hadn't grown at all.
Fighting grueling battles nearly every day where their lives hung in the balance—it would have been a problem if their skills hadn't improved.
Just looking at their abilities without potions, both raid members had reached C-rank hunter level.
With potions on top of that, they could probably rival B-rank hunters.
This was an astonishing growth rate that would surprise anyone, but Yeon Sung-hun felt no particular emotion about it.
He simply sensed it was time to move to the next stage.
"Team Leader Gye. Prepare the next rift as C-rank."
Yeon Sung-hun had created a total management team within the guild and appointed him as its leader.
For now, it was just Gye Cheong-san, but once Na Seong-sil joined and those he was scouting came aboard, it would grow considerably.
At that point, they'd need to divide it into more detailed departments.
"Hmm. A C-rank rift, you say?"
Gye Cheong-san, the guild's sole administrator, scratched his chin. He had accompanied every rift expedition so far.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, resting after a raid, flinched involuntarily and glanced at the two.
"Understood. I'll prepare it right away. What about the schedule?"
No matter how skilled they were individually, three people tackling a C-rank rift was borderline suicidal, but Gye Cheong-san didn't object.
He had seen the raid members' capabilities firsthand, and more than that, he trusted Yeon Sung-hun's judgment implicitly.
"We'll need some preparation, so set it for three days from now."
"Yes. I'll handle it that way."
Gye Cheong-san bowed politely, then stepped back slightly and pulled out his phone.
He was moving immediately to secure the rift assignment.
Probably contacting Na Seong-sil.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled warmly at Gye Cheong-san's enthusiastic demeanor.
There was no trace of his former prickly, pessimistic attitude.
Who knew—maybe it had been due to his receding hairline widening day by day?
Whatever the reason, watching him work diligently was a pleasure.
"...Isn't a C-rank rift a bit dangerous?"
As Yeon Sung-hun smiled contentedly at Gye Cheong-san, Lee Ha-na approached.
Separate from her trust in him, she seemed uncertain.
Or perhaps she needed a convincing reason for herself.
In any case, Yeon Sung-hun understood her reaction.
He even welcomed it.
What he wanted from her wasn't a doll that nodded blindly to his words, but someone who could judge for herself and take responsibility for others in the future.
In that regard, her voicing doubts and opinions was deeply satisfying.
"I won't say not to worry, as usual. It's obvious a C-rank rift is dangerous."
Even B-rank hunters found C-rank rifts perilous.
Hunters were still flesh and blood—variables could claim their lives at any moment.
That was why Yeon Sung-hun didn't dismiss concerns or demand blind faith.
Instead.
"Our capabilities are sufficient. The issue is how many variables we can control. I understand your worry, Ha-na, but we'll prepare thoroughly for that."
Lee Ha-na nodded slowly at Yeon Sung-hun's calm words.
Having watched him closely, she could trust him.
He always delivered the extraordinary.
If he said they'd prepare thoroughly, they would.
With Lee Ha-na reassured, the Golden Raid Team disbanded for the day.
After adequate rest and personal preparations, they promised to meet again in three days.
Three days later, the raid members gathered again.
Unlike usual, it wasn't a remote mountain area in Gangwon Province but near Gyeonggi-do.
Yeon Sung-hun reviewed the report Gye Cheong-san had relayed, eyeing the tense faces of the members.
Other guilds conducted their own pre-investigations, but for Yeon Sung-hun's guild, it was unrealistic at this stage.
They still had to rely on the association's reports.
C-rank rifts were typically much larger than lower ranks, sometimes requiring a full day or more depending on the rift.
However, the one they were tackling was among the smallest C-rank rifts.
Almost the size of a D-rank, thanks to Gye Cheong-san's efforts.
He hadn't heard the details, but it seemed those awaiting Yeon Sung-hun's "blessing" (potions) had made it easy to assign.
Yeon Sung-hun could only chuckle wryly.
It appeared his hair growth potion held more value than he'd thought.
"Then take care out there. I'll wait up front. Safety first, safety second."
With Gye Cheong-san's send-off, Yeon Sung-hun and the raid members entered the rift.
Whoosh—
What unfolded before them wasn't a typical forest but a dense jungle like a tropical rainforest.
Trees one might see only in equatorial regions packed the landscape.
Though briefed beforehand, Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na gaped at the otherworldly sight, more vivid than expected.
"It's a bit hot."
Was it the higher temperature than anticipated?
Yeon Sung-hun quickly stopped Kim Jun-su from rolling up his sleeves.
"Stop. Exposing skin because it's hot could cause problems."
The report mentioned abundant poisonous plants and insects.
He had antidotes ready, but increasing exposed skin just invited scratches or bites, leading to unnecessary consumption.
"Yes! Sorry!"
Kim Jun-su replied with a voice full of tension at Yeon Sung-hun's low warning.
This was one of his strengths, in a way.
A bit careless at times, but he learned quickly from corrections.
He always strove not to repeat mistakes.
Not as proactive as Lee Ha-na, but compared to those who didn't listen at all, it was a clear advantage.
Yeon Sung-hun scanned the surroundings.
According to the pre-report, the jungle itself wasn't vast.
Slightly larger than average D-rank rifts.
Half a day at most, possibly quicker.
The problem? The monsters inhabiting it were anything but ordinary.
Poisonous plants and insects aside, plant-type monsters, insect-types, goblins, orcs, and several threatening beast-types lurked.
The report warned that the variety was so great some might have been missed in scouting.
A true C-rank rift feel.
Recalling the report, Yeon Sung-hun scanned again.
Exotic to Earth eyes, but familiar to him from Faust's memories.
'Things I'd see on the southern continent. What a surprise.'
If the trees were from there, the monsters likely were too.
Recalling past memories, Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly.
Just thinking of them brought annoying ones to mind—not just a couple.
Especially the goblins and orcs from the report: surely Green Goblins and Green Orcs.
Basic physical abilities same as others, but their danger lay in poison use.
Primitive, yet tool-using foes with poison?
He'd prepared, but this rift wouldn't be easy.
And it wasn't just the small fry.
Yeon Sung-hun shut his mouth, habitually about to click his tongue, seeing the raid members awaiting orders quietly.
No need to unsettle them.
"First, mapping. Dense foliage means ambushes anywhere—stay alert."
"Yes!"
Leading the spirited reply, Yeon Sung-hun began the exploration.
Despite the size, diverse monsters meant encounters came quickly.
"Snake-type monsters!"
"'Kabani Boa'! Deadly poison—avoid wounds!"
"Moth-type monsters swarming from the left!"
"Their powder causes hallucinations—don't inhale!"
"'Panther Leopard' ahead! Agile and cunning—fight cautiously!"
Monsters assaulted again soon after battles ended.
In other rifts, they'd rest, but here it was impossible.
A brief pause drew blood-scent hordes, forcing endless combat.
Fortunately, individual monsters were manageable, but their numbers were the issue.
Even fully potioned via Yeon Sung-hun, limits existed.
Wounds and poison were potion-fixable, but mental fatigue wasn't.
'A bit overwhelming.'
Endless waves drawn by blood scent.
Even Yeon Sung-hun grew weary of the respawns.
Faust rarely fought so relentlessly.
Dodging a moth-type, covered in fluids, he downed a stamina potion—not for wounds, but recovery.
'At least they're holding up well.'
Glancing at Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, he noted their performance.
They were solid.
Enduring, fighting, felling assaults.
Kim Jun-su teetered on the edge but gritted through his share.
In this precarious setup, where one fall endangered all, fulfilling roles met expectations.
His generous contract felt worthwhile.
'Just keep growing like this.'
I'll elevate you to the heights.
Smiling at Kim Jun-su, Yeon Sung-hun turned—and let out a low admiration.
'Kim Jun-su's great, but Ha-na...'
Even he was impressed by Lee Ha-na's prowess.
He'd known her talent, but this surpassed it.
Soloing double—his or Kim Jun-su's—monsters.
Verge of massacre, unilateral takedowns.
Like awakening: instinctive, no excess motion.
Faint echoes of his past life's aura masters.
Not their level, but glimpsing it was something.
A satisfied smile spread on Yeon Sung-hun's face watching her.
'Please, keep growing like this, Ha-na.'
Admiring their growth, he raised his voice.
"Everyone, gather here!"
He wanted to observe Lee Ha-na's continued surge, but prolonging fights wasn't wise.
Kim Jun-su neared limits despite endurance; unlike them, unawakened Yeon Sung-hun was spent.
Post-raid muscle pain loomed—no potion for pure overexertion.
He'd endure it.
Clicking at the foreseeable agony, he checked the approaching members.
Lee Ha-na, focused, heard him—good.
She fiddled with her sword regretfully; he pulled a special potion for this rift.
Grinning, Yeon Sung-hun held it.
"Brace for impact."
"Pardon?"
Instead of reply, he hurled the potion skyward.
And.
"Get down!"
Raid members, trusting orders blindly, dropped reflexively.
Yeon Sung-hun followed, flinging it with full force.
The potion arced smoothly toward monsters.
Hitting ground not foes, the vial shattered.
Crash—with a clear ring.
BOOOOM───
A massive explosion rocked everywhere.
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