[I… started to believe Kang Ihyeon hunter’s words a little. So, I applied to Seongjeom. Thank you. That’s all.]

Thud! One of the four guilds protecting central South Korea. The icon of Pangyo and the icon of holiness.

As soon as Kang Sujin, the guild leader of Seongjeom, heard Rude’s reason for applying, she threw the earphones she was listening to onto the desk. The secretary who was bringing in tea at that moment flinched in surprise.

“Ah! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, please go back now. Thank you for the tea.”

Sujin apologized to the secretary who was bowing and retreating as if it was okay, then leaned back deeply in her chair and covered her face with both hands. And she sighed.

After confirming that the guild leader’s office door was closed and no one was around, Kang Sujin kicked her legs wildly in the air.

“Hehehehehehehe…… hehehe…… hehe……”

Suspicious words flowed out of her mouth in a flurry. Kang Sujin jumped up and raised both arms high. And she let out a childish cheer.

“Yes! The world’s number one ranker is ours!”

When Ihyeon suddenly brought Rude’s job application, the shock she received was tremendous. The HR team of Seongjeom was put on alert.

Not only was handling the number one rank an issue, but finding out why Rude wanted to apply to Seongjeom was also an important matter.

First of all, it was suspicious that a hunter who had been playing solo for 6 years suddenly wanted to join a guild, but above all, Rude didn’t match Seongjeom’s disposition.

No matter which workplace you enter, organizational culture is always different. The four major guilds were also the same, each with its own culture or tendencies.

For example, Seongjeom in the central region focused on goodness, Baekya on evil, Mago in the southernmost region on enlightenment, and lastly, Gunshin in charge of the frontline on responsibility as their organizational culture.

Hunters didn’t enter guilds 100% according to their disposition, but for synergy effects and various additional purposes, if there was a guild that matched their disposition, most entered there.

Therefore, everyone thought that Rude, who had an evil constellation, would enter Baekya, and Sujin also knew that Baekya’s guild leader had secretly reserved a position for Rude.

Because of Rude’s usual image, meetings were held within Seongjeom for days discussing whether Rude might have intentions to use Ihyeon or Seongjeom.

Kang Ihyeon said, ‘Rude is a good person,’ but.

‘That kid would say even roadside weeds have kind hearts.’

You shouldn’t believe a genuine order-good golden retriever at face value. So it concluded with ‘Let’s see the reason for application. Let’s at least hear why he’s joining before judging.’

“Ihyeon…… You did it! You cute thing, I knew you’d do something big someday.”

Kang Sujin, who had been the guild leader of one of the four major guilds for 10 years as a D-rank awakener, was a person well-versed in judging people. To her ears, those words from Rude were sincere. It was clear that that arrogant hunter really wanted to join Seongjeom because he was touched by Kang Ihyeon.

Kang Sujin recalled Ihyeon’s fortune that a friend had read for her a few years ago.

‘Ihyeon has a fortune where she’ll end up chasing after someone stronger than her with packed lunches. She can’t be the dominant one in relationships. But don’t worry too much. Her luck with people is extraordinary so she won’t meet bad people.’

“I didn’t know that ‘stronger person’ would literally mean physically stronger.”

Anyway, today is a day of celebration. Kang Sujin immediately dialed the internal direct line of Seongjeom. When the HR team manager answered the phone, Kang Sujin took a deep breath and spoke.

“Send Rude an interview pass email right now. And guide him about the mock battle too. Ah, no. Right now. Clear all schedules. Prepare so that Rude can come immediately when he has time!”

As soon as she heard ‘Understood’ from the receiver, Kang Sujin hung up immediately. And she dialed another internal call to a different team.

She knew Rude’s sincerity. That was enough to know. Now it was time for rapid action.

‘We have to secure him here before he applies to other guilds!’

Kang Sujin’s enthusiasm blazed. What was needed now? Only speed! The ultra-speed short-distance sprint for Rude’s entry into Seongjeom began.

[This is the timeline separator]

“I-Is this the right way to do it……”

Rude, who had written ‘mock battle’ as the purpose of his visit, looked around. The lobby of ‘Seongjeom’, the top guild in Korea. The spacious interior sparkled brightly.

Golden light reflected from the chandelier onto the marble floor. The sound of grinding coffee beans could be heard from the in-house cafe. Rude stood still in the lobby, blankly looking around.

‘This is amazing.’

[The Lord of Chaos sticks out his tongue, saying the interior sparkles without a speck of dust.]

‘So this is where they worked.’

He didn’t understand why Seongjeom people had such unimaginable pride, but now that he came in person, he could clearly see the reason. Feeling people who seemed to be guild members glancing at him, Rude quickly walked towards the elevator.

“The mock battle room is……”

On the 3rd floor. As soon as he entered the elevator, he immediately pressed 3. With a ding sound, the elevator went up.

[The Lord of Chaos throws you a worried look, saying isn’t it too soon for the mock battle? Shouldn’t you prepare a bit……]

It was because yesterday, he had designated the next day without much thought when the email said the mock battle could be scheduled according to Rude’s time. Rude smirked and said.

“Well, they told me to choose the time myself. And what do I have to prepare for battle? Do you think there’s anyone here who can keep up with me?”

The Lord of Chaos sent another indirect worried message to the confidently smiling Rude.

[My lord, that statement is a flag…… The Lord of Chaos sighs deeply.]

“Ah, be quiet!”

Ding, soon the elevator opened to the 3rd floor, and Rude headed towards the mock battle room following the guide sign. An employee with sunken eyes was waiting for Rude at the desk.

“Hello. Are you Rude? Please go inside here. Before entering, please put all your mobile phones or communication devices in here……”

“Ah, yes……”

Rude put his phone and earphones in the basket, slightly flustered by the lifeless office worker’s voice. Feeling a slightly ominous signal at the atmosphere that was very different from what he had imagined, Rude frowned.

‘I heard they have good work-life balance here. Don’t tell me they actually work a lot of overtime?’

[The HunterPlanet score was 3.8…… The Lord of Chaos tilts his head.]

Not realizing that the Seongjeom HR team had pulled an all-nighter last night due to him setting the mock battle schedule at ultra-speed, Rude grabbed the doorknob of the battle room. The employee spoke again in a lifeless voice.

“Once you enter here, the mock battle will begin. It’s designed as a virtual reality gate so there’s no danger to life, but there’s a possibility of injury. The battle time is 30 minutes. Please do your best.”

“Yes.”

[Something feels uneasy…… My lord, don’t be too arrogant and be careful. The Lord of Chaos looks at you anxiously.]

’20 minutes? It’s a 5-minute cut as long as it’s not stage-type.’

Even though the Lord of Chaos was anxious, Rude didn’t care. And the moment he opened the door wide, he froze in place for a moment.

[Authenticated user. Entry permitted.] [Entering personnel :: 2 people]

“Ah, hello……”

“Huh?!”

Inside the vast mock battle room. Kang Ihyeon approached Rude, awkwardly fiddling with the back of his hair. He was already prepared for battle, equipped with white armor and holy sword created with holy power.

“Am I fighting you?!”

“Ah, no! That’s not it. This time, you have to proceed with the mock battle with me. That’s why I came.”

“Together……?”

“Yes! It’s a 2-person team, and the test content is to subjugate a gate. But somehow everyone unanimously recommended me. I’m sorry. It’s troublesome if the test information leaks so I couldn’t contact you much since yesterday……”

Kang Ihyeon spread two fingers to match the words ‘2-person team’. So that’s why there was noticeably less contact since yesterday, he must have been preparing together.

“But why a 2-person team……”

“Well. The HR team would probably know that, right? Ah. It’s starting soon so get ready!”

Before he could even wonder if all of Seongjeom’s mock battles were like this, the environment of the battle room changed.

Whoosh, the space that was a white room on all sides expanded and a field appeared. A flat rock rose where Rude and Ihyeon were, and lava bubbled and boiled. Since it was a virtual gate, panels that seemed to substitute for survivors were set up around.

Thud, a red dragon slowly raised its head from the lava. Bubbling magma flowed down the dragon’s body.

[Grrrrrr……]

A hot heat brushed against their cheeks. It was so realistic that it was hard to believe it was virtual. This level of technology could somewhat match Rude’s illusion magic.

He had heard that Seongjeom’s mock battles were amazing, but Rude couldn’t even guess how much they spent to implement this system.

Soon, as if they had really entered a gate, a system window popped up in front of them.

[Simulation – 2nd grade field-type dungeon, ‘Red Dragon’s Breath’ is being implemented.] [Survivors: 20 people] [Rescue all survivors and clear the gate within the time limit.]

“2nd grade?!”

Rude exclaimed in surprise. He never imagined they would give a 2nd grade gate for a mock battle. This avatar can only handle up to 3rd grade. It’s different from Migeum Station when there was no one around.

What should I do? What if I fail? What if it’s revealed that Rude is a sub-character? What if I fail the mock battle? All sorts of thoughts raced through Rude’s mind.

“Rude!”

[Holy Knight Exclusive High-Level Skill :: Wall of Holiness]

Bang-!! While Rude was considering various scenarios in his head, the magma shot by the red dragon collided with the golden shield of holy power from Ihyeon’s right arm.

Rude, whose mind had just snapped back to reality, looked at him. He grinned and brought his other hand without the shield to his mouth.

“Last time, you left me behind. So I couldn’t show you……”

Crunch, Kang Ihyeon bit his thumb. Drops of blood flowed from his bitten finger. The drops of blood falling to the ground gradually turned into golden holy flames.

[Characteristic :: ‘Unquenchable Flame’ is activated!]

Whoosh, the sparkling golden holy flames swirled from the ground and swallowed up the magma spewed by the dragon.

[Priest Exclusive High-Level Skill :: Holy Fire Control]

Bang-!! Ihyeon’s holy flames, which rode up the stream of magma, struck the dragon’s two eyes directly. The dragon that let out a terrible scream fell backwards. Ihyeon turned back to look at Rude and smiled confidently.

“Did you see?! I’m strong! This time I’ll really support you well! So, do as you please!”

The holy flames and magma were mixing together, and in front of that, Kang Ihyeon was holding his sword in a stance. Rude, who had been watching his skills in a daze, suddenly came to his senses.

Right, it’s not alone but a joint attack. It might be possible without unleashing Rude’s avatar. No, it will be possible.

“Alright, you’re somewhat worth watching.”

At some point, Rude had taken out a black half-scissors from his inventory. Violent black psychic power swirled around his scissors as he regained his confidence. His usual arrogant expression returned to him.

“Then let’s do this. Together.”