Instant Kill, Time-Stop Spellcaster

The vice guild master’s eyes widened as he read the report.

“An A-rank clear?”

Normally calm and composed, Yoo Chae-Young found it difficult to hide her smile today.

An A-rank clear?

That was nothing more than a garnish.

The real prize was the man she had discovered:

The perfect-Clearer awakener, identical to the S-rank Word Mage.

“Not just any A-rank clear, but an A-rank dungeon cleared with just three participants?”

“Yes, as detailed in the report. Kang Hyun’s knowledge was—”

“A rookie at A-rank? That’s no rookie at all! Hahaha!”

The vice guild master’s reaction missed the point. Yoo Chae-Young frowned, dissatisfied.

“Her name is Aden, correct? Hahaha! At this rate, she might even be listed as a future S-rank candidate!”

The vice guild master beamed with pride, even though it wasn’t the reaction Yoo Chae-Young was hoping for.

‘Of course.’

She had deliberately downplayed the report at his request.

This was the natural result.

‘But recognition isn’t what matters.’

Skills would reveal themselves in time. What mattered was securing him for Seonghwa.

“Vice Guild Master, please review this as well.”

She handed him a folder.

Inside was a proposal for a lifetime contract.

“A lifetime contract? Of course! For someone like Aden, it’s a no-brainer… Hm?”

The vice guild master paused as he was about to stamp the approval.

“Why are there two copies?”

“One for Aden and the other for Kang Hyun.”

“Ah…”

He stamped one. Only one.

Yoo Chae-Young froze.

“This one is rejected.”

“Why?”

Her voice rose slightly, an unusual outburst.

The vice guild master tilted his head, puzzled by her reaction.

“That’s unlike you, Team Leader Yoo.”

“He’s a talent we cannot afford to lose. Why deny him this opportunity?”

But the vice guild master remained unimpressed.

“Why? Because it’s absurd to sign a lifetime contract with an E-rank.”

“He’s vital to Seonghwa! If not for his knowledge, we wouldn’t have survived that dungeon incident!”

She had omitted the parts about his magic and word magic but emphasized his expertise in gate studies.

“Still, it’s hard to see him as a decisive contributor.”

Truthfully, it was a reasonable assessment.

“It feels like the report may have been exaggerated.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, I’m not doubting you, Team Leader Yoo. But given Aden’s remarkable achievements, perhaps Kang Hyun’s role seems larger by association.”

Though his explanation was long-winded, his conclusion was clear: the report seemed inflated.

Yoo Chae-Young felt a pang of frustration but couldn’t help conceding.

‘It’s true that…’

Kang Hyun’s actions defied belief.

They were the kind of feats even a seasoned mercenary across Thea would struggle to replicate.

“It was a high-grade dungeon anomaly, after all. No expert could have done what the report suggests.”

Fair enough.

“Besides, he doesn’t even have a doctorate. How could he possess such knowledge?”

She had no rebuttal.

‘Seriously, who is this guy?’

Though she had witnessed his skills firsthand, it still left her baffled.

“I’ll acknowledge his contribution since you insist, but I cannot approve a lifetime contract.”

“Even after all my years of dedication to the guild? Will you not trust my judgment?”

“…Team Leader Yoo, this isn’t like you.”

Not like her?

No.

‘This is precisely for Seonghwa’s sake.’

It was a decision for the guild’s benefit. Pleading like this was the most “Yoo Chae-Young” thing she could do.

“If you insist this much…”

“Ah!”

“…I’m sorry. It’s still a no.”

“Why?”

She had swallowed her pride to plead for this. And it wasn’t like lifetime contracts were unprecedented!

“Word of nepotism is already spreading.”

“Ah…”

“The guild’s morale is in shambles right now.”

She couldn’t argue.

Just the other day, she had been thinking the same thing.

“Besides, someone with his qualifications belongs in the Support Team.”

The Support Team wasn’t under her jurisdiction, which made this even more complicated.

“….”

“If it were just me, I’d overlook it. But approving this could lead to a major uproar.”

The vice guild master closed the folder.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t take the risk. Maintaining unity within the guild is crucial.”

“…Understood.”

“Still, since you’re so insistent, I’ll keep an eye on Kang Hyun myself. Will that suffice?”

But Yoo Chae-Young felt a sense of urgency.

What if they lost him to another guild?

Enticing offers from foreign powers.

The number one guild, Destiny.

Could Seonghwa secure him before anyone else did?

“Push ahead with Aden’s lifetime contract.”

“Yes….”

Even that was meaningless.

Aden was Kang Hyun’s disciple. Naturally, she would follow him anywhere.

“Instead of focusing on this, push the research team harder. We need to crack the E-rank blessing effects and get ahead.”

“…Understood.”

“Or better yet, bring us a Perfect-Class or S-rank Word Mage.”

It was a lighthearted joke among colleagues.

But Yoo Chae-Young, knowing the truth, nearly screamed in frustration.

“With both of them, we could easily claim Korea’s number one spot! Hahaha.”

“…I’ll take my leave.”

Yoo Chae-Young didn’t bother to smile.

‘Still, I won’t give up.’

The guild that secures Kang Hyun will dominate Korea.

‘I’ll make Seonghwa number one with my own hands.’

No matter what.

###

Aden and Kang Hyun enter the barbecue restaurant.

“Meat…! Not bulgogi or spicy pork, but Korean beef!”

“Stop looking around so much, it’s embarrassing. Sit down!”

It wasn’t a luxury shop or an awakened goods store—just a barbecue restaurant. Yet Aden was glancing around excitedly, her smile stretched from ear to ear.

As soon as they sat down, Aden began checking the country of origin.

“What are you doing?”

“They use domestic beef here. It’s genuine Korean beef!”

“Well, we did pick a rather pricey place.”

Not long ago, both of them had been poor. They didn’t have the knack for finding trendy restaurants, so they simply went with the assumption that expensive food must taste good.

“Isn’t Australian beef and domestic beef more or less the same?”

“No way! Korean beef grade 1++ is on a whole different level!”

“And where did you learn that?”

This place probably wasn’t serving grade 1++ beef, but Aden didn’t seem to know what that meant.

“I saw it on YouTube Shorts!”

Since she couldn’t afford it, she had apparently been living vicariously through videos. Tears welled up in Kang Hyun’s eyes.

“You’ve got some real skill, you know that.”

“Pardon?”

“Order whatever you want. Get the most expensive thing.”

“Hooray! Long live Master!”

Aden ordered four servings of marbled ribeye.

Soon after, though, she was trembling.

“Master, the price… I think it’s wrong.”

58,000 won per serving. The total skyrocketed past 200,000 won in an instant.

“That is steep.”

But in a dungeon, money practically prints itself, so Kang Hyun didn’t mind. Aden, however, was still adjusting to her new circumstances and was visibly nervous.

“M-Maybe we should run away…”

“Does it even make sense for an awakened one to flee over a barbecue bill?”

But when the beef arrived and began sizzling on the grill, her doubts vanished.

As soon as she took a bite…

“Ahhhh!”

“Where’s the person who wanted to run away?”

Her chopsticks moved with the speed of an awakened one. Clearly, those push-ups had paid off.

“I’m so glad I’m alive…”

“Stop acting weird; people are staring.”

To shut her up, Kang Hyun ordered two more servings.

“You must’ve eaten beef when you were younger.”

“That was years ago. Besides, Thea’s beef can’t compare to Korean grade 1++.”

“True.”

On Thea, even noble households had a rudimentary food culture. Their finest steaks couldn’t hold a candle to Earth’s cuisine.

‘Considering the soup-like slop nobles serve, it’s no surprise.’

Of course, that was due to poverty, but the traditions themselves were lacking. Even nobles shunned seasonings and elaborate cooking.

‘Thea’s food culture has evolved since they began interacting with Earth, but Aden’s family must have been particularly conservative. No wonder they disowned her.’

“Master?”

“What?”

“What if I encounter a dungeon anomaly while I’m on my own? It’s scary.”

“Well… if it happens, tell me in advance. I’ll pick safe ones for you.”

Though it sounded inconvenient, high-grade awakened ones didn’t enter dungeons frequently, so it was manageable.

“Wait, Master can detect anomalies beforehand?”

“Yeah, I get a sense for them.”

Of course, this wasn’t something most people could do.

‘That damned Legion Commander’s aura is still too familiar.’

“What a relief you’re my master.”

“Stop talking and eat.”

“Yes, sir!”

As they continued devouring the beef, the server approached with a large bowl.

“Here’s a complimentary dish!”

Soybean paste stew arrived—more meat than broth, clearly more of a main dish than a side.

“You’re the Aden who appeared on TV, right?”

“Uh, yes?”

“Eat up, and keep clearing those gates! Thanks for coming to our country!”

“Th-Thank you…”

Aden, flustered, bowed her head repeatedly.

Then, as she tried the stew, someone else approached.

“Thank you for your service.”

This time, it was a white soldier—an American, perhaps.

“Uh, wh-what? Yes?”

“Thanks to awakened ones like you, we’re safe. Thank you.”

“Y-You’re welcome.”

After briefly struggling with English, she started smiling awkwardly.

“Did you see that, Master? Heheh.”

“Stop grinning and eat.”

As the meal continued, more people approached for autographs and photos. By the time they finished eating, Aden was visibly overwhelmed.

“Thank you!” she said with a deep bow as they left the restaurant.

“It felt like the food was going straight to my head, but it was a pleasant experience. And delicious, too!”

“Glad you enjoyed it.”

“This is the taste of fame… No wonder Earth idolizes its Seven Heroes.”

Still, they agreed to choose a place with private rooms next time. Dining should be comfortable.

“I’ll ask Yoo Chae-young for quiet restaurant recommendations.”

“Promise to treat me again!”

“If you train hard.”

“Uh… yes, Master.”

Aden fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

“You’ll start guild activities tomorrow.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

“Just remember to check with me before entering any dungeon. Don’t go getting yourself killed.”

“Got it!”

Though rare, dungeon anomalies were no trivial matter. Kang Hyun decided he’d better look into the ones occurring lately.

###

Later, Yoo Chae-young answered a call.

“It’s been a while,Chief Choi.”

Their greetings were polite, but each had their own thoughts.

‘Yoo Chae-young managed to become Kang Hyun’s handler, even though she was late to discovering EX. A formidable woman.’

‘The government recruited Kang Hyun as a perfect awakened, unaware he’s an S-grade Word Mage. Only Aden and I know that…’

“Was there something you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes, I heard about that.”

Dungeon anomalies are like major accidents for awakened ones.

Chief Choi had no idea it was Kang Hyun’s case.

“Yes, everyone survived. It’s been resolved.”

With an S-grade Word Mage involved, it wasn’t surprising.

Anomalies rarely end without casualties.

“Is this a government requisition?”

Handing over the data now would benefit the guild.

“Understood.”

Still, it was unusual for the government to requisition such data, as dungeons are vital assets to private guilds.

“What’s the reason behind this?”

“Is it serious?”

“Even if it’s just speculation, that’s concerning.”

To awakened ones, dungeon anomalies are terrifying. Yoo Chae-young, having experienced one herself, knew this all too well.

‘If it were anyone else…’

Would they have survived?

Could she, if it happened again?

Dungeon anomalies increasing. This was no small issue.

“Thank you for the information.”

As the call ended, Yoo Chae-young’s mind raced.

‘Will this situation escalate?’

If so, it would demand serious measures.

‘We need to devise a plan at the guild level.’

At the very least, we must minimize the damage to our guild members.

Yoo Chae-young’s worries deepened.