Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

The 33rd floor, The Sword That Splits Heaven and Earth.

On the surface, this floor’s scenario seemed like a fairy tale full of dreams and hope, but among hunters, it was infamous for its extreme difficulty.

A black shadow approaching the kingdom. A scenario where hunters must find the sword Caliburn, sleeping in a pond, together with a boy destined to be a hero.

The Sword That Splits Heaven and Earth was an alias for Caliburn, an SS-rank legendary sword. Choi Kwon-young focused on the additional description of the sword.

‘It has lost its original power, worn down by the vicissitudes of time.’

If so, wasn’t this sword originally an item equivalent to L-rank?

At first, he thought about repairing the sword, but unfortunately, Caliburn was destroyed after defeating the darkness of the kingdom. However, Choi Kwon-young didn’t give up. There must be a clue on this floor.

After that, he went around investigating the blacksmith who made this sword.

“That house isn’t even a smithy, but you can hear hammer sounds every day.”

“The name was… Kallos, wasn’t it?”

“I’m sure there was someone else looking for that blacksmith recently.”

After persistent inquiries, Choi Kwon-young found Kallos, the peculiar blacksmith of Romane. Hearing that someone else had also been looking for the blacksmith, Choi Kwon-young hurriedly headed to his house.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Master!”

“You’ll burst my eardrums.”

“Don’t just open the door to anyone! This person is one of the top-ranked hunters in the country. What if it had been someone with bad intentions?”

“Really… Not long after I chased you away, this guy came. I opened the door thinking it was you. Sigh, and there’s nothing in this realm that can threaten me, so don’t worry about unnecessary things.”

Kallos shook his head.

By the way, it seems I’m about to get involved in something big. Conquering the 76th floor? The conquest team had always seemed like people way above my league. While part of me was excited, I was also breaking out in a cold sweat at the series of unfamiliar events.

Choi Kwon-young looked at me with a picture-perfect smile. Seeing that smile brought me back to my senses. I couldn’t just let myself be swept along.

“You must have been through a lot.”

“Thanks to Hunter Yun Gaho, one of our worries has been resolved.”

“Well, that remains to be seen.”

‘Yun Gaho, you must be crazy.’

To speak to Choi Kwon-young like this. But I had to make this clear.

I moistened my dry lips with my tongue before continuing.

“I’m a hunter too. I can’t move without compensation.”

Choi Kwon-young tilted his chin as if to say, go on.

“I’ll be straightforward. Hunter Choi Kwon-young, what can you offer me?”

The smile on Choi Kwon-young’s lips deepened, forming deep dimples. Seeing this, I felt somewhat anxious and clenched my fists.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been called that.”

“My answer will depend on Hunter Choi Kwon-young’s response.”

“‘What can I offer,’ you say. You seem to have forgotten that participating in the conquest team is a guild member’s duty.”

“That’s not all. It’s time for salary negotiations in various aspects.”

Choi Kwon-young raised an eyebrow. Seeming to have some idea, he glanced briefly at Kallos.

Yes, that’s the issue. I explained to Choi Kwon-young about the trait and skill I had obtained. Even Choi Kwon-young seemed to covet the S-rank production skill, his gaze on me becoming rather sharp. Though he was smiling, I felt tense for some reason.

But I couldn’t be a fool who couldn’t even look after my own interests like before.

“With that, plus participation in the conquest team, I can’t move with my current salary. That’s the value assigned to me as a C-rank hunter.”

“Go on.”

“S-rank production class. And to conquer the 76th floor, my help is indispensable. Please give me appropriate treatment.”

“What if I say I won’t?”

“Nothing much. I’ll seriously consider transferring to another guild. I don’t know if you’re aware, but my contract period is almost up.”

I spoke more slowly than usual to avoid stumbling over my words. Choi Kwon-young stared at me, sitting in a relaxed posture.

I can’t back down here. Hoping to appear even a little bit at ease, I curled up the corners of my mouth.

“I think there’s about three months left. It’s an honor to be under the protection of you and Ji-hwa-nim, but you know. Hunters move not for honor, but for profit.”

The same goes for me. At these words, Choi Kwon-young’s smile disappeared. My mouth went dry under his piercing gaze.

Trying to appear calm, I crossed my legs and leaned back into the chair.

“It’s a reasonable argument at first glance, but there’s something you haven’t considered.”

“What haven’t I considered?”

“A near S-rank who holds the key to conquering the 76th floor. Up to here, well, I can’t deny it. It’s true that various complicated issues are being resolved. But doesn’t Hunter Yun Gaho also gain considerable benefits by being affiliated with Hwangya?”

Choi Kwon-young hit the nail on the head. I deliberately hadn’t mentioned it, but of course he wouldn’t just let it slide.

There are a total of five guilds that would value me, that is, guilds that operate conquest teams: Hwangya, Holding the End of This Night, KOD, Saemigipen, and Hwalbeen.

To sell equipment, you need solid connections with high-ranking hunters. Hwalbeen drops out due to its closed nature. KOD, with its motto of “every man for himself” and “survival of the fittest,” wouldn’t protect me. So that’s out too. Saemigipen, famous for undervaluing people, is on hold.

So in the end, White Night is about the only option left. But there…

“If I were to transfer, it would probably be to White Night. But I wonder if Guild Master Gyeon would take someone who’s under the respected Hunter Kim Ji-hwa.”

“Well, even if it’s not White Night, there are many options.”

Choi Kwon-young stared at me as if asking if I really thought so.

Yes, I know. I know. Staying with Hwangya is beneficial in many ways.

Kim Ji-hwa has connections worldwide. With fewer guild members, the level of welfare for each member is also high. Not to mention the salary.

Above all, being affiliated with that Kim Ji-hwa and that Choi Kwon-young. That alone is enough to keep half-baked individuals from messing with me.

‘There’s a reason our guild is called the dream guild.’

Choi Kwon-young smiled at my clumsy bluffing. His attitude revealed pride in his guild. That stance of waiting for me to just give in and come around, since the answer was already decided anyway.

I felt a surge of defiance at Choi Kwon-young’s attitude. I wanted to distort that arrogant face that assumed I had no choice but to choose Hwangya.

“What if I have a card that could persuade Guild Master Gyeon Ji-woon?”

On impulse, I took out the Chimera Egg from my inventory.

It’s just my hypothesis, but it’s worth a shot here.

Gyeon Ji-woon knew unusually well about chimeras. Plus, he said there was something to find on the 19th floor. Could this possibly be what he was looking for?

I was certain when I saw the magical formula of the Chimera Egg. This item isn’t something that would drop multiple times. What if the Chimera Egg I have is the first and last to drop? And if Gyeon Ji-woon finds out about this?

I could imagine his reaction without even seeing it.

“This is a Chimera Egg obtained from the Necromancer’s Garden. Wouldn’t this be enough for Guild Master Gyeon Ji-woon to welcome me with open arms?”

For the first time since our conversation began, a crack appeared in Choi Kwon-young’s expression.

Judging by his reaction, my hypothesis seems to be correct. I don’t know why Gyeon Ji-woon is looking for this item, but it seems to be quite an effective card.

I put the Chimera Egg back and waited for Choi Kwon-young’s response. Choi Kwon-young, who had been looking at me with his head slightly tilted, stood up and approached me.

What’s this? Why is he suddenly acting like this?

“Indeed, it’s a condition that would tempt Guild Master Gyeon. I don’t know where you got this information from, though.”

Choi Kwon-young stood close in front of me. Due to his considerable height, I had to crane my neck to see his face. With the light behind him, shadows played across his strong features.

And in an instant, Choi Kwon-young’s languid atmosphere changed.

A threatening aura emanated from Choi Kwon-young, who had been suppressing his presence until now.

My breath caught in my throat. I felt like a mouse facing a snake. My eyes involuntarily lowered, crushed by an invisible force.

I had heard that S-ranks with extraordinary power always keep themselves in check, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent. Literally, I couldn’t move an inch.

“Hunter Yun Gaho, you’re quite fearless. I’ve heard your opinion well.”

“…Are you going to use force?”

“I could if I wanted to.”

“Go ahead. You can’t do anything without my cooperation anyway, can you?”

Despite the ominous energy making my skin prickle, I forced myself to raise my chin and retort. My teeth clenched at the sight of him looking down at me as if I were an ant.

My fingertips trembled, but not wanting to lose like this, I stared straight into Choi Kwon-young’s eyes.

After a moment of silence, he burst into laughter and withdrew his aura.

“I seem to have quite a good guild member.”

Muttering something incomprehensible, Choi Kwon-young sat down next to me and waited a moment for me to catch my breath.

Is acting on a whim a common trait among S-ranks? Is this funny right now? You were threatening me a moment ago, what are you laughing about?

“It would be troublesome if a Hwangya S-rank hunter didn’t have this much backbone.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll give you the same level of annual salary as other S-rank hunters. Of course, you’ll also receive comparable benefits.”

I couldn’t understand Choi Kwon-young, who had changed his attitude as easily as flipping his palm, speaking gently.

“Ah, the 76th floor matter will be paid separately as an incentive. At a level you won’t find disappointing. If there’s anything else you need, please let me know anytime. You’re a talent Hwangya desperately needs, so I’ll accommodate you as much as possible.”

My mouth fell open at the conditions he laid out.

Even though I’m called a near S-rank, since I can’t directly participate in combat, I didn’t expect much… The conditions were so good it was suspicious. There was no way he would do something only beneficial to me.

“Is that all?”

“Of course not. In exchange for the conditions I just mentioned, Hwangya will receive priority for enhancements and a nominal brokerage fee.”

I knew it. That much is necessary for it to be worth their while.

We’ll have to discuss separately what “nominal” means, but it wasn’t a bad condition. Seizing the opportunity, I added my own necessary conditions.

“I need a workshop within the guild building. I’d also like you to provide practice materials. And… if possible, I’d like to be introduced to other production-class hunters through the guild’s network.”

“Very well. We’ll work out the details when we get back to the guild.”

Choi Kwon-young suddenly extended his hand. A handshake now? As I hesitated, not really wanting to, Choi Kwon-young snatched my hand. Warm body heat transferred from Choi Kwon-young’s hand. I rubbed the hand that had shaken his against my pants.