Scout

Scout

The moment I came to, the first things I noticed were hair fluttering in the wind, the soft fur beneath my hand, and Mukyeon pressed into the Blood Cat’s blood.

There was no time to ponder whether I had truly returned. I didn’t know how much time had passed in reality, but I had to complete the sealing immediately.

The design related to the optimal form stored in my mind surfaced. I wasn’t sure of the exact effect, but it seemed to be one of the results created by the skill ‘Artisan’s Technique.’

Using crafting to transform became much easier, and the mana consumption dropped significantly. With a more relaxed expression, I recalled the blueprint and continued compressing.

The Blood Cat compressed into a small orb, transforming into the shape of a cat cradling the orb like a dragon holding a jewel.

With this compression, the seal began to stabilize and was finally completed.

A small orb with a dull red hue, embraced by a tiny cat figure—the once life-threatening boss monster, the Blood Cat, was nowhere to be seen.

[Blood Cat has entered an incapacitated state.]

[Permanent incapacitation is considered equivalent to ‘defeat.’]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

…

[Gate clear!]

[You have defeated the Blood Cat!]

[The gate is beginning to collapse. Escape will be impossible once fully collapsed. Please be cautious.]

[Remaining time: 1 hour]

My prediction was correct; the defeat judgment for the Blood Cat appeared. Then the sealing orb I created began to lose its form.

When monsters inside a gate die, they always vanish without leaving a corpse. This also applied to the Blood Cat, sealed but judged defeated. I could have waited for the orb to disappear and the drop items to appear.

But with the collapse time pressing, waiting was impossible. Fortunately, when crossing the gate carrying the monster’s remains, they instantly converted into drop items without delay.

Pulling Saelin’s hat down firmly, I retraced my steps. The Wolmyo, sensing our exit, only remained alert without attacking.

Whirr…!

Reaching the path’s end before the gate, I took the orb from my pocket and looked at it. Once I crossed this gate, my connection with the Blood Cat would likely end.

I would no longer meet the inner self I had seen, and the Blood Cat would end its unfortunate life.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t saddened. Whether long or brief, losing a known existence forever was bitter.

Rumble rumble rumble! The gate trembled as if collapsing. Life never gives time to mourn; it just flows onward.

Putting the Blood Cat’s orb back in my pocket, I crossed the gate. Passing through a thin membrane, I stepped outside to find a familiar person standing there.

Before I could speak, the familiar person asked in surprise,

“Hunter, what are you doing here…?”

I wanted to ask the same. I understood the Association dispatched staff to special gates, but who were those two?

Screech! At that moment, a van sped to a halt near the collapsing gate.

Clatter. About four people stepped out, looking like skilled Hunters. One of them said with a dazed expression,

“We heard it was a special gate…”

No one answered. Park Mingyun’s face grew pale like someone entering a tiger’s den. The other two, not looking like Association staff, also showed signs of inner panic.

In the awkward silence, I thought,

‘Damn. This is a real mess.’

==

“What? Is that true?”

A calm voice echoed in the guildmaster’s office filled with neat items. Yet the slight panic in it proved how absurd the situation was.

“Yes, it ended as a simple incident…”

It was good it ended as a simple incident. The Association’s raid team arrived after the gate was cleared, and the party inside had rightful priority.

The Association’s raid team could do nothing despite their anger. The real problem was that the clearing Hunter was F-Rank.

An F-Rank Hunter cleared a C-Rank gate. Considering the sacrifices of the D-Rank party, it was unclear how much the F-Rank contributed. Yet some guilds showed interest because of leaked information.

“There’s a rumor that the F-Rank is the bottom.”

The Association valued Hunter privacy, but leaks happened. Fortunately, it was limited to a few.

Breaking the silence, the Swordmaster Guild’s guildmaster, Jin Yuyeong, tapped the desk and said,

“Contact that F-Rank, for now.”

The rumor of being the bottom and the ambiguous truth made the Hunter a subject of interest. Was it just a lucky bubble or a truly talented monster rookie?

Either way, there was no reason to lose interest.

Knock knock. The office door was knocked.

“Come in.”

With Jin Yuyeong’s permission, a cold-looking woman entered.

“Ah, Seyun.”

She was Han Seyun, an emerging S-Rank Hunter regarded as the greatest sword talent.

As she entered, the guild members’ sharp gazes fell on her.

Everyone except the guildmaster disliked her. Even Han Seyun knew this.

In the Swordmaster Guild, centered on Mukho users, she had not awakened Mukho skills but still enjoyed the guildmaster’s favor—something the others resented.

That’s why Jin Yuyeong treated her warmly, as the guildmaster’s authority mattered.

Yet the subtle disdain toward Han Seyun was beyond Jin Yuyeong’s control.

“…I heard you called for me.”

Her tone was still cold and blunt. Jin Yuyeong looked at her with pity.

‘How cruel fate is, leaving such an indelible mark on a brilliant child…’

Shaking off his thoughts, Jin Yuyeong got to the point.

“We found an unusual F-Rank. I want you to handle the scout. What do you think?”

It was a clear waste of talent and absurd to send a promising S-Rank to scout an F-Rank.

Even the usually obedient Han Seyun questioned why she had to go.

“May I ask why?”

Jin Yuyeong smiled knowingly and said,

“There’s a rumor that this person is the bottom.”

Hearing ‘bottom,’ Han Seyun’s eyebrows twitched. Jin Yuyeong knew she had long sought unique ability users.

She hadn’t broadcast it, so probably no one but Jin Yuyeong knew.

“…Is that true?”

Showing interest, Han Seyun asked. Jin Yuyeong replied smoothly,

“Why not go check yourself?”

There was no reason to refuse now. Han Seyun wanted to find out as soon as possible.

“…Understood. When should I go?”

“Whenever you’re ready. You can get the address and info from my secretary.”

Without delay, Han Seyun left the office. The stunned guild members quickly recovered, gave brief greetings, and hurried out.

Left alone, Jin Yuyeong pondered quietly.

‘…I hope this helps.’

Jin Yuyeong sent Han Seyun because she was too isolated. Not only did guild members dislike her, but she lacked connections with other Hunters, leaving her socially isolated except for Jin Yuyeong.

If she could establish a bond with the ‘bottom’ she was to meet, maybe she’d gain comrades or friends. Jin Yuyeong hoped vaguely.

She thought Han Seyun sought unique ability users for connections, though the real reason was more complex.

‘Standing alone is fine, but eventually, even the strongest break.’

Jin Yuyeong bore no ill will; she simply worried about Han Seyun’s wasted talent. Suddenly, a thought struck her.

‘Could it be she went without prior notice?’

That would be utterly rude and inconsiderate.

‘No way. Even if Seyun lacks social skills…’

Jin Yuyeong pressed her throbbing forehead. She feared Han Seyun might have done exactly that.

And her fear soon became reality.