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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Unexpected Harvest
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[Chapter 16]
"Have you investigated that old man's next moves?"
"He'll probably apply for an E-grade dungeon again under the pretext of Staff training."
"In other words, he's still under level 30 with C-grade stats. But with that kind of potential, he might even reach B-grade around level 45."
He had long surpassed that realm, but it was a reasonable guess based on logical calculations.
Of course, even at B-grade, being classified as Heaven Class meant he was already at the pinnacle among Awakeners.
Most Awakeners could barely scrape by with C-grade stats, let alone B-grade.
"With that potential, he could join one of the three major guilds right away, right? Why hide it? That old geezer?"
"Isn't it your job to figure that out? How do you expect to graduate and work in a guild without that level of insight? My guess is he might have Awakened too late. If he learned about the harsh realities of Awakeners while working at the Academia and then Awakened, it'd make sense for him to hide it."
He had clearly seen through the lie I told earlier to probe Shin Ayoung, so he definitely had considerable knowledge of the Hunter industry.
That's why he must have hidden his status as an Awakener and lived quietly.
Sure, there was wealth, power, and glory, but to obtain them meant risking his life in battles or conflicts, so he chose to hide it and live comfortably as an Academia staff member.
"Hmm... And Shin Ayoung discovered it. Anyway, realizing he couldn't hide anymore, the guy accepted the Staff position..."
"So that's why he's running E-grade dungeons now?"
"Yeah. He hid it, but ended up with a dedicated Staff, so he started leveling up. Wait a second, that means..."
Baekya Guild now has two B-grade Awakeners, enough to form a party capable of tackling C-grade dungeons.
C-grade dungeons. Where large monster breeds start appearing, their value skyrockets compared to D-grade, and while the difficulty is lower than B or A-grade, they're relatively easier to clear.
In short, the most profitable dungeons. The ones every guild fights tooth and nail to secure raid rights for— the so-called honey dungeons that guilds worldwide loved.
"Hmm, then in a few years, Baekya Guild could jump into the C-grade dungeon business. Whew~"
"Isn't that bad?"
"Of course it's bad. Not only are they taking a slice of the pie, but more high-level, high-grade Awakeners are emerging."
Good for the government or humanity, but bad news for guilds monopolizing power.
It devalues top Awakeners and could diminish guild influence, no matter what.
"This is an unexpected windfall. An Awakener with C-grade or higher potential. Jackpot, huh?"
"What are you going to do?"
Go Seongjun, after a moment's thought, asks the investigating student.
"Hmm, you said he's heading to a dungeon now?"
"Yes. He's applied for an E-grade dungeon. But he's still inside the Academia. He'll head there soon."
"Hmm, then we target him when he leaves. Can't cause trouble inside the Academia."
He decides to wait for the right timing to avoid getting caught by Academia faculty or security.
Finishing his thoughts, he removes all the Blue Dragon Guild emblems, grabs a bag from the cabinet to prepare, and gives orders to another student.
"Jong-su, go track that guy's location right now. I'll prepare and catch up..."
"Yes!"
"And Mi-hwa, this is your last chance. Monitor Shin Ayoung's every move. If you fail again, I'll chop off your limbs and sell you to the Scavengers, got it?"
"Y-yes, understood."
After ordering the one brutalized for her failure, Go Seongjun leaves the office immediately.
'I'd love to deal with him right now, but...'
Now it was a race against time.
He had to act fast while this info was exclusive to them, and keep monitoring Shin Ayoung, so he spared her for now.
At least until they secured 'Yoo Seongwon.'
And so, Go Seongjun sets out to pursue Yoo Seongwon with two carefully selected Earth Class C-grade Awakener students.
"Three of us should be plenty."
"But what if his capabilities are higher than C-grade?"
"Records show he cleared two E-grade dungeons yesterday and today. Even if he leveled up unmanaged F-grade dungeons before, the limit would've been level 15. Two E-grades max out around early level 20s. B-grade or higher potential at that level?"
Even his own B-grade came from luckily reaching level 45 and breaking through the trial from the Blue Dragon.
A-grades and above were mostly direct apostles of Constellations or those with comparable feats and prowess.
He couldn't imagine someone who Awakened late and was barely soloing E-grades having that potential.
"No, even if he does, he's still a rookie Awakener. Lacking the theory and practice we got at the Academia. If we can't subdue him, we kill him on the spot and make it look like Scavengers did it."
"M-murder?"
"You idiot, you've killed monsters before—why hesitate with humans? How do you plan to fight Ma-in or Scavengers later? Think the three guilds are a joke?"
"N-no, sir. I'll do it."
Only then does Go Seongjun turn forward, pondering how to handle the target.
If he couldn't be recruited, better to eliminate him and snuff out the spark threatening guild supremacy.
As long as the three-guild system held, this 'kick away the ladder' strategy was part of it.
***
At the same time, in Yoo Seongwon's dorm.
"Wow, you're really reforming this? I heard earlier, but seeing it up close is different!"
[It's a basic feature included in all KMG series. To assist the galactic knights.]
Returning straight to my dorm, I was remodeling spare uniforms for Seom-myeol and Akaron to disguise them before heading to the dungeon—tailoring one to fit Seom-myeol.
Akaron pulled out three drones from his bulky frame, and together they swiftly turned his own size-fitted uniform into one for Seom-myeol.
"Hmm, thanks to Sir Akaron's skill, it fits perfectly. Now I can serve the Captain without staying in the sanctuary. Thank you so much for accepting my advice."
"Well, it might be the rational choice. The problem is Akaron, though..."
Seom-myeol could pass for human by covering part of her emotionless face.
But Akaron, being a straight-up robot, was better left in the sanctuary.
Slapping on a hasty emblem or paint job would just draw unwanted guild attention.
He was eye-catching in every way.
[If you want to change my emblem or coloring, calculate the materials needed for the design, bring them, and I can modify myself. But keep in mind, even with a bright red design and horns, I won't go three times faster.]
"Pfft, what's with that last bit? Hmm~ I don't think we need to. I'll take Seom-myeol as my escort, so wait in the sanctuary. Oh, Seom-myeol, the city's safe for now, so head outside. Escort me only when I call from there."
"Understood."
[Order received and confirmed.]
Showing Seom-myeol to Academia or city folk was too risky, so I'd summon her once in the dungeon zone outside.
Wrapping up the disguises, I don Baekya Guild's uniform jacket and leave the Academia for the dungeon.
'Hmm~ Wearing this should keep Scavengers off me.'
Not fully safe, but once outside in the danger zone partying with Seom-myeol, they wouldn't dare.
Feeling secure, I hail a taxi to the Slaughter King-type dungeon.
"Taxi fares add up quietly. Buying a car feels premature... Hmm?"
About to call Seom-myeol, I feel eyes on me.
Scavengers again?
Once burned, now even faint gazes make me twitchy.
Glancing around, I spot a man awkwardly hiding.
'That's the guy. But too clumsy for a Scavenger? Doesn't matter, him spotting me works in my favor.'
Rookie Scavenger? Sloppy.
I hope he doesn't follow, but he does—hiding poorly, though I've clocked him ages ago.
"And Scavengers would bolt if they knew I'd spotted them?"
Even showing I noticed, he doesn't flee.
Not a Scavenger, then—someone tailing me on orders.
Only one person that fit.
'Obvious it's Go Seongjun's crew. Three guilds are the ruthless ones...'
Top dogs often played dirtier to hold their seats.
But targeting me just for becoming a dedicated Staff felt thin on motive.
'No, he sniffed out I'm an Awakener while investigating Ayoung.'
An unexpected dedicated Staff hire for their prized recruit.
Normal folk or guildmates? Whatever. But three guilds see levels and bigger pictures.
They'd dug every angle on me, maybe even uncovered the training room incident I thought hidden.
'They won't know about the Judgment Field, but still enough value to investigate.'
No clue how they got the info, but tailing me with a newbie meant they were committed.
Silver lining: hadn't escalated to guild brass yet.
That amateurish tail screamed it.
'Yeah. Good prospects don't get shared lightly...'
Guilds had factions and power struggles—only 'Go Seongjun' and his underlings were after me.
Knowing the enemy, now how to respond?
'Direct fight's premature?'
Even if I win, aftermath sucks.
Blue Dragon Guild. Led by battle-loving Constellation Blue Dragon—tenacious, mad-dog types who went for the kill.
Plant their flag, they force a deathmatch. Too messy—needed another way.
'Ah! That'll work.'
No kill order, though—I had a plan quick.
To lure them, I switch my dungeon destination.