A Cradle to Avert Apocalypse C6

Chapter 6

Since the clearing guild this time was Epic, there was little to worry about in terms of getting injured. Epic Guild was known for assigning dedicated escorts even for gathering-type Hunters.

Gatherers typically worked in areas already swept by combat Hunters, so their survival rate was relatively high. Even so, there were occasional deaths from ambushes by lingering monsters. When working with Epic Guild, however, even that risk was virtually nonexistent.

“A brand-new dungeon, and Epic Guild on top of that. I wouldn’t have slept a wink if we’d missed this one.”

“True enough—we got lucky.”

Mr. Kang scanned the surroundings, checking on the other herbal gatherers. There were many familiar faces. Well, veteran gatherers would naturally feel confident enough to apply for a new dungeon like this.

As he went through the faces one by one, Mr. Kang’s gaze stopped.

“That one looks unfamiliar.”

“Who? Ah, that tall young man over there? He’s caught my eye too.”

Mr. Kim quickly found the person in question. It wasn’t difficult. The young man’s posture was unusually straight, his build refined—hardly what one expected from a gathering-type Hunter—making him stand out.

Beneath the cap pulled low over his head, his jawline was neat and well-defined. He looked like someone who had never known hardship. The way he kept glancing down at the tools in his hands, as if unfamiliar with them, was also noticeable.

“Looks like he awakened not too long ago.”

“Even so, he’s got good instincts, choosing this dungeon. Most rookies are too scared to enter new dungeons. Hahaha.”

“He seems promising. Should we say hello? If he seems decent, maybe try recruiting him into a guild.”

The young man, perhaps shy around strangers, was sitting alone a short distance away from the cluster of gatherers.

The tools he held gleamed as if brand new, without a speck of dirt. His fingers were long, the thin tendons visible—masculine, yet unblemished by a single wrinkle. What kind of man had skin that smooth?

The two older men approached him cautiously and cleared their throats.

“Ahem. Is this your first time entering a dungeon?”

“Don’t be startled—we just came over to say hello.”

“…Ah, it’s my first time coming to gather herbs.”

His pronunciation was clear, his sentences neatly concluded—pleasant to listen to. He looked like a young man who’d lived a sheltered life in Seoul. If he’d awakened at all, why not as a strong, high-profile combat Hunter? Mr. Kim felt a pang of shared misfortune and offered reassurance.

“No need to be nervous. Just stick close behind the combat Hunters you see over there. No matter how good an herb looks, don’t rush ahead, and don’t touch anything that seems dangerous. As long as you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

The young man dipped his head slightly, revealing the long line of his neck. Sitting down, it hadn’t been obvious, but even his folded legs were a good span longer than theirs. He looked better suited to being a celebrity than an herbal gatherer—an awkward position in the Hunter world.

“Right, then. Do your best today. I’ve only been a Hunter for three years, but I’ve been an herbalist for thirty. If there’s anything you don’t know, ask. Oh—and if you plan on running dungeons regularly, how about joining a guild? The fees are a bit steep, but the information’s worth it.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll need to think about it. I don’t believe I’ll be doing this work long-term.”

“Well, it’s not a decision to make lightly.”

He’d already seemed like a good kid, and he was cautious on top of that. These days, youngsters tended to splurge on luxury goods the moment they awakened. Some ended up crying while grinding through dungeons just to pay off installments. The fact that he was even considering whether to keep coming appealed to Mr. Kim.

“Still, our guild’s welfare is pretty good for a non-combat guild. We’ve been around a while. This industry’s full of places that prey on rookies, so you’ve got to be careful.”

“Don’t feel pressured. Just senior advice, that’s all.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“The more I look at you, the more I like you. How about we introduce ourselves properly? I’m—”

Just as Mr. Kim enthusiastically grabbed the young man to continue, a shout rang out from afar.

“What do you think you’re doing there?”

The voice was aimed precisely at where the three were standing. At the same time, a man from the center of the dungeon party strode toward them. He stood a full head taller than most, wearing lightweight black gear. Mr. Kang rubbed his eyes.

“Huh? Wait a second. That guy coming over—isn’t he…?”

“He is, right? That’s Epic Guild’s guild master… and he’s heading this way.”

“H-He really is coming here.”

The two older men widened their eyes and stepped back. The person approaching with such force was someone they knew all too well—the guild master of Epic Guild, whom they had just praised as dependable, and an S-rank Hunter famous as a Weapon Master: Kwon Haeju.

Contrary to his usual reputation for composure, Kwon Haeju’s expression was rigid. He frowned as if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have, letting out a sharp sigh.

Faced with the grim atmosphere, the two men shrank back.

“What… exactly are you doing?”

“N-No, I was just trying to greet this young man—”

Mr. Kang waved his hands hurriedly, his face flushing red, worried he might look like someone bullying a rookie.

“…That’s not the case.”

Seeing Mr. Kang stumble through his explanation, Kwon Haeju composed himself. Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he addressed the two men.

“Could you step aside for a moment? I have business with this person.”

“R-Right. Of course….”

Not understanding the situation but unwilling to risk trouble with such a prominent figure, the two older men quickly fled in the opposite direction. No matter how good a Hunter’s reputation was, clashing with a combat Hunter was asking for trouble.

Once they disappeared in a hurry, leaving no chance for misunderstandings, only Kwon Haeju and the young man remained.

Watching the two gatherers retreat, the young man spoke.

“You shouldn’t scare elders like that.”

“And that’s coming from you?”

“Well… fair enough.”

Chuckling softly, the young man slowly lifted his head. When Kwon Haeju saw the face beneath the cap, he clenched his teeth.

The young man—no, Nam Shinhoo—smiled brightly and greeted him.

“It’s been a while.”

“…This hardly seems like a situation for casual greetings, Hunter Nam Shinhoo.”

When he spoke Nam Shinhoo’s name, the words were laced with the sound of grinding teeth.

“Still, manners matter. It’s not like we’re strangers.”

Nam Shinhoo even waved cheerfully. Another crease formed between Kwon Haeju’s brows as his hand settled on the dagger at his waist.

“If you were looking for a grave, you came to the right place.”

“I’m not quite ready to die yet. I’ve got a lot left to do.”

“Save words like that for your will.”

The hand gripping the weapon was sharp with intent.

“Relax. I joined properly—I sent official paperwork and everything.”

What nonsense. As Kwon Haeju scowled, a memory surfaced, and his mouth fell open.

“Don’t tell me…”

“That’s right. That document.”

A few days earlier, Saint Guild had sent Epic Guild an official request. In preparation for the upcoming EHN policy, they proposed coordinating between guilds in advance—dispatching gathering-type Hunters affiliated with Saint Guild to the Gyeongju dungeon as a trial run.

From Epic Guild’s perspective, it was a baffling request. Talking about coordination and then sending only gatherers—was this meant to be an insult? Still, since adding a few members to the rear wouldn’t change much, they had approved it without much thought.

Nam Shinhoo confidently produced the certification hanging around his neck.

“I registered a side profession recently. Nam Shinhoo, herbal gatherer. D-rank gathering skills. Any problem?”

“……”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

Kwon Haeju pressed a hand to his forehead. A new dungeon was stressful enough—and now an unpredictable live grenade had been thrown into the mix.

What made it worse was the undeniable fact that there wasn’t a single legitimate reason to object to this grenade rolling right in.

Please don’t do anything. Just stay quietly at my side.

It was Kwon Haeju’s request. The way he grit his teeth while forcing himself to speak politely was almost admirable.

There was no need to be so wary. Nam Shinhoo had no intention of interfering with or monitoring Epic Guild. He simply needed a legitimate reason to be in Gyeongju—and, while he was at it, to observe Kwon Haeju more closely.

Still…

I’m worried you might die. Will you let me stay nearby?

That was hardly something he could say outright. If Kwon Haeju learned his true intentions, he’d only grow more suspicious—possibly mistaking him for some kind of deranged pervert.

Nam Shinhoo followed Kwon Haeju with his gaze.

Kwon Haeju was fighting impressively. He covered a monster appearing on the right, then instantly assisted the opposite team, issuing the next command to his guild members without pause.

Nam Shinhoo studied Epic Guild as they moved like a single organism under Kwon Haeju’s lead. The structure was clearly in place. Living up to their fearsome recent growth, Epic Guild cleared the dungeon with practiced efficiency.