I was in the Magic Tower, talking on the phone with Seojin. Beside me, Eunsol was sleeping soundly, using my lap as a pillow.

—"Tower Master, I have some bad news," Seojin said.

He explained that an unexpected leech had attached itself to our ongoing potion business. The Calam Guild weren't a large enough guild to be in Korea's top ten, but they were infamous in the hunter world. They were known for stopping at nothing to get what they wanted. Kidnapping, extortion, and torture were standard practice. The number of dungeon disappearances linked to them was in the dozens. There were countless suspicious points, but there was only circumstantial evidence and no proof. Key witnesses would turn pale and refuse to speak the moment Calam was mentioned. And now, these dangerous people had caught our scent and latched on.

"Calam? Aren't they the ones who commit crimes related to dungeons? Why are they suddenly getting into business?" I asked.

—"That is my question as well."

"…Ugh, so what do you suspect their motive is?"

—"It seems they're looking for the person with the ability to brew potions. Several drivers from the distribution companies we've partnered with have already gone missing."

I froze at the word 'missing.' "You're saying they kidnapped people? Why the civilian drivers who have nothing to do with this?"

—"That's their method. They start with the smallest clue and work their way up to the core. Several transport companies have already canceled their contracts, knowing we've become Calam's target."

A sudden tension rose, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. I tugged at my collar. "…Seojin. Are you safe?"

—"Yes, I've conducted all business through proxies, so there are no security breaches."

I never imagined the security system we created to avoid the eyes of Unix would be used to fend off Calam. Seojin let out a deep sigh and continued.

—"But Calam is a persistent bunch, and eventually, they'll find a trail. If the connection between you and me is discovered, Bora, Eunsol, their families, and even the Magic Tower will all be in danger."

"…Ugh." I clutched my throbbing forehead.

—"Therefore, as of today, I will no longer be entering the Magic Tower."

"What?"

—"Now that we are Calam's target, there's a risk of the Magic Tower's location being exposed. I will operate an office outside and report on the business's progress from there."

At his words, it struck me that something was very wrong. "Is there no other way?"

—"If you want another way…" Seojin paused for a moment before speaking. "There is one. You could join a guild, Tower Master."

"A guild…"

—"You would join one of the top ten guilds and publicly lead the potion business. If Calam were to touch you as a member of a major guild, it would mean all-out war with that guild, so they would have no choice but to give up."

It was true; with the backing of a major power, they wouldn't be able to touch us recklessly. They were ruthless to the weak, but when faced with a stronger opponent, they cleverly tucked their tails and bowed their heads. Seojin explained that was how an organization like Calam had survived until now.

—"And if you join a guild, you can use their distribution lines and brand recognition to advance the potion business. Of course, they'll demand something in return, but it's the safest option."

"…What about postponing the potion business?"

—"With Calam on our tail, postponing the business won't make the danger disappear."

Well, he was right. The war had already begun. Our opponent wasn't just some industrial spy, but monsters who wouldn't hesitate to kill to achieve their goals. With such filth attached to us, we needed the backing of a powerful group for everyone's safety. The most certain path for me right now was to join the 4th-ranked guild, Snow. It was based on the scout's own misunderstanding, but they believed I would join their guild if I passed the early graduation exam.

'…Looks like I absolutely have to win in the quarterfinals.'

However, this issue was entangled with the Association President's proposal. I hadn't given her a definite answer yet. If I ignored her proposal and proceeded with the quarterfinals, I might get on her bad side. She didn't seem like the type to hold a grudge, but she wasn't someone I wanted as an enemy. The duel with Yeon itself was also a concern. I had only won the first duel by exploiting her carelessness, and winning so easily with Devastar like last time was impossible.

'This is a headache.' Everything had been going so smoothly, but now it was all becoming a tangled mess.

After finishing my call with Seojin, I fell into deep thought. 'Come to think of it, I've always just reacted to the situation.' I hadn't gone into the potion business naively. I knew how massive its impact would be, which was why Seojin and I developed a distribution route that wouldn't be traced. Security was tight. All contracts were made through proxies, and the warehouses where the byproducts were stored and the potions were brewed were set up in places other than the Magic Tower. On the surface, it just looked like a food and beverage company. But Calam's approach was an unforeseen variable that went beyond my expectations.

In the end, the surest way to stop Calam was to get the backing of a powerful group. The Snow Guild was waiting for my early graduation. But to graduate early, I had to win the quarterfinals. And in the quarterfinals, the ultimate challenge, Yeon, was waiting. And then I also had to give an answer to the Association President.

"Ugh, my head."

Just then, Eunsol, who had been using my lap as a pillow, got up and rubbed her eyes. "…Yusin."

"Ah, sorry. Did I wake you?"

"Aren't you gonna sleep, Yusin?"

"In a little bit."

She wriggled again, snuggling deeper into my arms. A pleasant smile spread across her face as if she felt comfortable, and her eyes slowly closed.

I watched her sleep for a moment. I was content with this life, being with everyone. But if I became a hunter affiliated with a guild, a life like this would probably become difficult. At the academy, it was fine to just schedule some dungeon excursions and hole up in the Magic Tower, but joining a guild and becoming a professional hunter was a different story. If I joined a guild, I'd have to go through intense training to become a hunter during my probationary period and form a team with new people. After that, I'd be sent into dungeons at the guild's request and be worked to the bone. I might end up spending far more time in the guild or dungeons than in the Magic Tower. But it couldn't be helped. To drive Calam away, I had no choice but to join a guild…

"…No, wait." My mind suddenly cleared. 'Haven't I been too focused on just reacting to the situation?' By constantly letting myself be swayed by circumstances, everything felt complicated and difficult. This wasn't why I became the Tower Master. This was no different from when I was at the bottom.

I needed to focus on myself. Just like I always do before using magic, before immersing myself. To hell with everyone else's circumstances. I needed to focus on my own thoughts. What do 'I' want to do?

I made my decision. I took out the Association President's business card and immediately called the direct number.

"Who is this?" came the sharp reply.

"Ms. President. It's Kim Yusin."

'Clatter, clatter, crash!' For a moment, I heard a loud noise from the other end of the line.

"Oh, right!" she boomed. I narrowed my eyes and pulled the smartphone away from my ear. Her voice was loud. Could it be that she was also secretly waiting for me to call? Or maybe that was just my imagination. "You walked out after rejecting my proposal. Have you had a change of heart?"

"I have, in a way. I'd like to make a new proposal."

"Hmm, so you want to reset the board entirely?"

"Yes." I continued slowly. "First, what I want to say is that forfeiting the quarterfinals or having me flee overseas is ultimately just a temporary measure. It could give the impression that I'm avoiding a fight, and Yeon's goal itself might just disappear. That won't give her the proper motivation."

"I know that," she conceded. The reason she still wanted to send me away was likely because the shock of Yeon's goal being shattered by my defeat would be even more devastating. In the end, to shake things up, I had to challenge her assumption.

"I'll just take down Yeon in the quarterfinals myself."

"…What?"

I spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "If defeating me has become her goal, and if that can give her the motivation to get a grip and grow, then fine. I'll take full responsibility. I'll break her so badly she won't even be able to look me in the eye anymore."

"Didn't I tell you? You can't win in a head-on fight."

"An official academy match isn't really a 'head-on fight.' By using the rules, I can definitely turn the situation around. Most importantly, I know Yeon's weakness."

"A weakness? What is it?"

"She can't get down-and-dirty like I can."

The Association President was silent for a moment as if mulling over my words. Then I heard a soft chuckle.

"Bwahahahahahaha!" She burst into a fit of laughter. I frowned again and held the receiver away from my ear. "You punk, okay, I think I have a rough idea of what you're planning."

Well, from the Association President's perspective, my victory would be ideal. As the academy's chancellor, she wanted Yeon to stay for another year.

"So do you trust me?" I asked.

"Only about fifty percent. But right now, it still sounds like a bluff. What will you do if you lose?"

"I'll pay any price."

"…You little brat. Watch your words in front of me. Can you really take responsibility for that statement?" I could feel a murderous intent coming through the receiver. My breath caught in my throat for a moment, but I forced myself to calm down and answer nonchalantly.

"Yes."

"Fine. In return, if you succeed, I'll grant you one favor."

"Anything?"

"Anything within my power." She was the current President of the Hunter Association. In truth, there was virtually nothing she couldn't do in South Korea.

"It's a deal."

"Good," she chuckled. "I'll be looking forward to it, Student Council President."

* * *

After that fateful duel, Yeon vanished. The former head of the operations department, Seulah Yoon, exhausted herself trying to find her. She even went to her mansion, but Yeon wasn't there either. Then, she got a tip: a small island in Shinan County, South Jeolla Province. For the first time in her life, she took a boat out to the island.

"E-excuse me, is anyone here?"

A security guard, dozing off in a shabby management office, opened his eyes. "Huh? Who's there?"

"I'm an academy student."

"The Academy? Here to use the hunting grounds? Tsk, tsk, you should've called first. Someone's rented out the entire island for a while. Sorry, but you'll have to go somewhere else…"

Seulah waved her hands, cutting him off. "No, no. I'm not here to hunt, I'm looking for someone. Has a Hong Yeon been here by any chance?"

"Who's Hong Yeon?"

As the guard tilted his head, Seulah said excitedly, "Mister, you don't know Hong Yeon? The Association President's younger sister! Has kinda reddish hair, carries a sword, looks real pretty!"

"Ah, right! That student is using the grounds right now!"

'Found her!' A smile spread across Seulah's face. "I'll just go in for a minute to talk to her."

"I was told not to let anyone in… H-hey? Wait!"

She threw the bag on her back to the ground and skillfully climbed the chain-link fence surrounding the hunting grounds like a cat. When she reached the top of the fence...

'There she is!'

She spotted Yeon walking through the middle of the monster-infested island.

"Ms. Presideeeeeeeent!"

Yeon looked up. Seulah quickly scrambled down the fence and ran over, clinging to her arm. "Oh, Ms. President! What in the world are you doing here? You weren't answering your phone! Or your texts! Everyone was so worried!"

She looked at Seulah with empty eyes. "I am no longer the president or anything of the sort."

As Yeon quietly corrected her, Seulah's expression faltered. "W-well, but you know the saying! Once a president, always a president… hahaha! Anyway, let's hurry back to Seoul. Everyone's worried."

Yeon silently shook her head. "Not yet." She slowly raised the sword she had stuck in the ground. "I need a little more time. I will be back by the quarterfinals."

"Oh, did you hear? Your opponent for the round of 16 forfeited, and for the quarterfinals…"

"Yes. It's a rematch with Kim Yusin."

It was at that moment. Hearing the commotion, the island's monsters began to swarm toward them.

"Y-Yeon! Let's run for now! I'll buy some time…!" As Seulah tried to step forward, Yeon raised an arm to stop her.

"Right after I lost to Kim Yusin, I felt a helplessness I had never experienced before," Yeon said, her voice devoid of emotion.

"…Yeon."

"Putting aside my sense of duty, I was honestly tired of this power. Even my destiny to become a hunter, my entire future felt so unclear. Nothing about being a player made my heart race."

'Shing.' The sword she lifted glinted brilliantly, reflecting the sunlight.

"But now I know. I thought it didn't matter, but experiencing it firsthand proved me wrong." She took a large step forward and swung her sword. As if the world were being split in two, the approaching monsters were bisected by a red line, and even the island's trees were all sliced in half, flying high into the air.

Seulah's shoulders trembled with a thrill. Watching the pieces of monster flesh fall to the ground with empty eyes, Yeon quietly declared, "By any means necessary, I must defeat Kim Yusin."

* * *

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.