Chapter 27
Having completed his final job as a Hyena, Junhyuk gathered all the items he'd secretly taken from his teammates' workshops and distributed them evenly—claiming they were from his own workshop, of course.
After wrapping up work, Junhyuk shared a round of soju with his colleagues at a samgyeopsal restaurant before buying two whole chickens from a nearby shop and heading home.
“Wow! Chicken!”
The youngest, Euncheol, scampered over and grabbed the boxes eagerly.
“Haha, happy?”
“Yeah! Super happy! Chicken’s the best!”
Junhyuk smiled fondly at Euncheol before turning to Eunjung. “By the way, anything happen at school today?”
“Um... well... The teacher said she’d call tomorrow...”
“Call? Oh! Parent-teacher meeting?”
“Yeah...”
The meeting was scheduled for next week, so the call wasn’t unexpected. Junhyuk shrugged. “Got it. No big deal—we’ve got that hunt in two days anyway. Just tell her to call whenever it’s convenient.”
“Okay. I’ll... let her know.”
“And this Sunday, let’s all go to the department store.”
Eunjung blinked in disbelief. “D-department store?”
Their finances had always been tight; they’d never even set foot near one. The sudden suggestion was baffling.
Junhyuk grinned. “Yep. Your big bro just awakened, remember? Gotta celebrate by getting you and Euncheol some nice clothes and whatever else you need.”
“B-but what I have now is fine...”
Eunjung ducked her head, nervously twisting the hem of her worn-out T-shirt.
“I’m not fine with it. Can’t have my siblings looking shabby when I’m a newly awakened Noble Tanker now, can I? Got it?”
“...Okay.”
Though her voice trailed off, a flicker of excitement crossed her face.
“Hyung! We’re really going to the department store? Seriously?”
Euncheol was practically vibrating.
Junhyuk laughed. “Yep. We’ll get clothes, stuff you need, and grab something tasty too.”
“Woo! Can’t wait! Hurry up, Sunday!”
Watching Euncheol bounce around and Eunjung’s poorly hidden anticipation, Junhyuk felt warmth bloom in his chest.
Two days later, the long-awaited first hunt arrived.
After clearing three rounds of tests, Changsoo received a solid D-rank evaluation—impressive for a first awakening where most landed in E-rank. It spoke to his combat instincts.
The other roles—damage dealers (DPS), trappers, and healers—were recruited from Force Life’s job board based on merit. For the mapper role, Junhyuk brought in Kang Sungmin, whom he’d met during guild registration.
Sungmin beamed. “Haha! Never thought you’d actually call after exchanging contacts! Thanks for reaching out—the mapper market’s so flooded I wasn’t getting any bites. Without you, I’d still be twiddling my thumbs at home! Hahaha!”
Junhyuk waved it off. “Rather work with someone I’ve met than a total stranger. You brushed up on hunt protocols?”
“Yep! Got it all down pat—no worries! Hahaha!”
After greeting Sungmin, Junhyuk turned to Changsoo. “You good for your first hunt? If it’s too much, hit the training center first and join later.”
Changsoo puffed his chest. “C’mon, Boss—it’s me! Park Changsoo! Sure I’m nervous but I’ll crush it! Got that D-rank for a reason! Haha!”
Junhyuk sighed. “Fine. Stick to my orders and don’t get reckless. Understood?”
“Sir yes sir! Boss!!”
At the base camp (a repurposed elementary school in Goyang), Sangjin greeted Junhyuk with a booming laugh:
“Hahaha! Heard you formed a party—finally time for your debut hunt?!”
“Ah! Sangjin hyung-nim. Haha, yes. Today’s my official first hunt. Please guide me well going forward.”
“Guide you? Pfft. I’ll be graduating from this place soon anyway. By the way, I told other party leaders you’re coming today. Figured you’d take over my party after I leave for my second awakening in two weeks. You’ll be stuck in the beginner zone for two more years—better make friends here.”
Sangjin’s current party members, including Cheolmin, weren’t his original crew. His previous party had disbanded due to internal conflicts a year ago, forcing him to rebuild with newly awakened rookies. This created a one-year experience gap between Sangjin and his current team—a gap he hoped Junhyuk would bridge.
Junhyuk readily agreed. Collaborating with veterans who’d endured the beginner zone for a year would benefit him too.
“Yes. Please help me bond with them before you leave. How’s the monster distribution?”
“Not bad. Spread out evenly, nothing too tricky. Your party’ll likely get the Jyrus closest to base camp. Other leaders are giving you newbie privileges—tradition here.”
This unspoken rule stemmed from every party having received similar leniency during their first hunts.
“A Jyrus? Should be manageable.”
“Saw your True Decker tanking last time—you’ll handle it. But stay sharp. Complacency kills.”
“Thanks for the advice. We should start preparing now.”
“Go on then.”
After briefing his party, Junhyuk approached mapper Kang Sungmin.
“Sungmin-ssi. Pull up the map.”
“Ah, yes. Mapping!”
A 3D hologram of the area materialized.
“Hmm... The closest target to base camp is this Jyrus. Standard tactics should work—it’s not terrain-dependent. Let’s lure it to Seodumul Park’s open space for mobility. Agreed?”
The party nodded. Healer Kim Jonghoon added, “With stable tanking, open ground’s better for Jyrus.”
“Then we’ll set up near the park office. Once traps are ready, Ahreum-ssi will lure it here. When I take aggro, retreat to the rooftop and await orders.”
“Understood.”
“Everyone ready? Let’s move.”
At the hunting ground, Junhyuk began barking orders.
“Trapper—set damage traps here.”
“Traps deployed!”
“Ahreum-ssi. Initiate lure.”
Ping!
Ahreum’s sniper round struck the Jyrus’s skull.
Screeeech!
Thud!
The enraged beast charged toward her, crushing every trap in its path.
“Transferring aggro now.”
As Ahreum slipped into the park office, Junhyuk raised his shield and activated Shield Attack!
Crack!
The Jyrus’s focus shifted instantly.
Grrrrrl!
Its frenzied strikes collided with Junhyuk’s shield—Boom! Crunch!
Simultaneously, Junhyuk awakened his Hyper Sense.
Ziiing—
A faint tinnitus buzzed as every cell in his body ignited with clarity.
The ability that once propelled a mediocre warrior to Villain Rank #8 in his past life.
Now fully active, even the Jyrus’s ferocious onslaught felt sluggish.
“Shall we begin?”
