On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 41: Dear Lord! I Offer You My Muscles!

The man wore an expensive suit, leather shoes, and a shiny Rolex around his wrist. Anyone could tell at a glance that he was trying to show off his wealth.

“You are a Hunter scouter? But why would you look for me? Are you sure you aren’t mistaken?”

“You are Hunter Yu Il-Shin, right?”

“I am Yu Il-Shin, but definitely not a Hunter.”

“Soon, you will be.” Department Head Kim smiled widely. “Can we have a chat?”

It took a while for me to clear the garbage and create a small space for us to sit down. After that, I welcomed the unsolicited guest in. I then prepared some drinks and brought them over.

“Sorry, I don’t have any cups. A fire broke out a while back, and I haven’t gotten around to replacing them.” I placed a bowl filled with instant mixed coffee.

“Haha. Thank you.”

However, contrary to the words he said, he didn’t touch the drink. The coffee still looked delicious to me.

Slurppp—

Mmm, Maxim will always be the best coffee.

“I'll cut straight to the case. Brilliance Guild would like to recruit you.”

“Cough!” I almost spat out the coffee in my mouth. “Cough, cough! M-me?”

The man's eyes gleamed from behind his silver-rimmed glasses. “Before showing up, we did our due diligence on you. You’ve shown up on our radar in a couple of recent incidents.”

I subconsciously flinched. It’s true. I had experienced quite the roller coaster recently, be it with the Homeless Man, and even the Baldie at the hospital.

“We would’ve overlooked it in most cases, but our scouts discovered that there was more to you than meets the eye. It seems that you are close to Thunder Emperor as well.”

“Did you guys do a background check on people?” I felt offended when he brought up Sung Mi-Ri out of nowhere.

Flustered at my reaction, Department Head Kim rushed to bow apologetically.

“I apologize. We don't usually do that, but because the guild leader has taken quite an interest in you...”

“The guild leader of the Brilliance Guild? ...In me?”

“Yes. Our guild leader thinks extremely highly of your potential. He even told me to recruit you no matter how much it was going to cost.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I’m just a G-rank Hunter... What on earth did he see in me?”

“He must’ve sensed your extraordinary potential. On top of that,” With a gleam in his eyes, Department Head Kim spoke in a whisper, “This is classified information, but our guild can help our Hunters raise their ranks. You might feel inferior for being a G-rank Hunter, but with our vision, there’s a possibility for you to advance to at least C-rank or even A-rank Hunter. It all depends on your gift.”

Every word that came out of his mouth was a shock. Once it had been decided, it was almost impossible for any Hunter to advance beyond their rank.

Sung Mi-Ri, who had risen to Rank A recently, was a special case. She originally had the talent of a S-rank Hunter, but it was sealed.

“Will my rank really increase?”

“Of course. I will be able to share more details with you if you join us.” The man’s eyes were full of conviction, and it didn’t feel like he was lying. “Shall we discuss the contract terms then?”

Thus, we began to talk about the contract terms.

“...The actual contract amount will have to be discussed later on. For now, with my authority, I can guarantee an annual salary of at least 300 million Korean Won. I’d like to propose a 7:3 split for the bounties and by-products obtained from the raids. How does that sound? The Brilliance Guild may not be the most renowned guild in the world, but I’m confident that this is the best offer you could get in the industry.”

“3-300 million Korean Won in annual salary?!”

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The staggering amount made my head spin. I knew that being a Hunter was a high-paying job, but I never realized I could earn that much as a G-rank Hunter! Of course, the skills and items I’d obtained from God-Maker and God’s Shop recently were quite handy. I wouldn’t let the Brilliance Guild in on my little secret.

“What do you think? If you consider the terms as favorable, why don’t you follow me to the guild and sign the contract? In fact, a car is on standby. Our guild leader is eager to see you as well.”

As a third-rate writer barely making ends meet, I’d welcome 300 million Korean Won with open arms. However...

“I’m sorry, but I’m actually in a rush, so I can’t make a decision right now. Can I contact you later?” I asked cautiously.

Briefly, Department Head Kim’s expression stiffened. “Do you find the contract terms unsatisfactory? I can guarantee that you wouldn’t be able to get the same conditions elsewhere.”

“N-no, of course not. I actually have a manuscript that I have to submit urgently...”

“Please forgive me for saying this, but compared to what you’ll earn as a Hunter, the royalties you receive now amount to less than 1%.”

“I’m not working as a writer just because of money,” I said, choking.

Realizing his mistake, Department Head Kim bowed. “My apologies. I won’t force you to sign the contract, but the guild leader insisted on bringing you back to the guild for a chat, so I’d appreciate it if you could spare some time to meet him.”

Slowly. cold sweat began to form on my forehead. “If you put it that way, then it can’t be helped. Uhm, do you mind if I use the toilet for a moment? My stomach hurts all of a sudden...”

“Yes, sure. I’ll wait for you.”

I left Department Head Kim and retreated into my small 1-pyeong toilet.

Shit, what should I do?

The offer was quite unexpected, and although I was happy, I still had to think about this man’s appraisal result.

-----

[---]

A male human. Around for 34 years.

Special note: Dreg of the God of Destroyer.

-----

That special note left me panicking. I clearly remembered it—during the hospital bombing, didn't Baldie have the same note?! Were they out to get revenge? With trembling hands, I picked up my phone. Who should I call? The police? Or the Hunter Association?

Rattle rattle!

The handle to my toilet door began moving...

Craaaack!

Just like that, the door was torn open like a sheet of paper. It was the originally weak-looking Department Head Kim. He swiftly picked up the door with one hand and flung it aside.

Thud!

He glared at me, then at the phone in my hand. “Mr. Yu, who are you trying to call?”

Chills went down my spine. “Haha, I have an urgent call with the publishing company.”

“Asshole, lying through your teeth.” The aura of Department Head Kim did a complete turnaround. “Fuck! I tried, okay! You’re the one who overcomplicates things!”

Grabbing me by the scruff of my neck, Department Head Kim tossed me out of the toilet without difficulty.

“Aaargh!”

Despite weighing a solid 70 kg, I flew like an empty tin can, slamming into the wall across the room.

Thud!

I could feel tremendous pain sweeping through my body. Did my spine get crushed?

“...!”

Apparently, what they said was true. When one was in so much pain, one wouldn’t even be able to utter a single word. Despite feeling as if I was dying, I couldn’t even muster a groan.

As Department Head Kim roughly tore off his tie, a few buttons fell off his shirt, revealing his neck. The same black skull tattoo that was on the Terrorist Baldie was there.

“Ugh...”

“Hurt, doesn’t it? Should’ve just done as you were told when I was still being nice.”

Department Head Kim—no, that bastard choked me with one hand, lifting me up. This was no ordinary human strength.

“Be still, Mr. Writer. I’ll knock you senseless in a flash. I’m an expert on this.” That bastard grinned, flashing his white teeth.

He began to tighten his grip.

“Cough, cough!”

I struggled, attempting to punch and claw at his arm. And yet, I couldn’t even graze his steel-hard arm.

“I said to stay still, didn’t I? I’m a physical specialist, a Reinforce-type Hunter, and a B-rank, at that. What can a G-rank like you even do?”

“Cough!”

I heard if strong pressure was applied on the carotid artery, the person would lose consciousness in ten seconds. And indeed, against my will, my consciousness was slipping away.

Ding!

[An emergency quest has occurred!]

[Follower Salvation Quest]

Amidst my fading consciousness, I read that message. Huh? What kind of quest...? My question expanded the text window.

-----

[Follower Salvation Quest]

The faith of your followers is the reason for your existence and the source of your divine power. Remove any obstacles that dare to hinder your followers and secure their faith in God Yu Il-Shin! The target of this current Follower Salvation Quest is as follows.

-----

[Quest: Save Sung Mi-Ri, First Earth Branch Follower, from a critical situation.]

Quest reward: Sung Mi-Ri’s faith +100

-----

I doubted my eyes for a moment. Critical situation? Sung Mi-Ri, the A-rank Hunter? I owed her! She saved my life so many times! And even my family! If that message was true, this wasn’t the time to struggle!

“Wow, you’re holding on quite nicely. Most would’ve fainted after a while.”

Strength, I need strength.

Just then, someone’s voice rang in my head.

-Almighty God Yu Il-Shin!

A faint, yet familiar voice.

Il...-Ho?

Ding!

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

Suddenly, the scene of Il-Ho in the Tower of Warriors appeared before my eyes. Il-Ho climbed the tower alone. He crossed the volley of arrows on the Second Floor, and received the Blessing of Wind. Then, after clearing the Third Floor, he received the Blessing of Steel. Now, he was going through the Trial of Fire and was enduring hellish flames on the Fourth Floor.

Ding!

[Congratulations! The Fourth Floor of the Tower of Warriors: Trial of Fire has been cleared.]

[The challenger has been rewarded with Blessing of Fire from Eternal Seeker.]

Tzzz!

The flames that had been endlessly tormenting Il-Ho hovered around him once more, before seeping into his body. At the same time, a stairway leading up to the Fifth Floor appeared.

But Il-Ho did not advance. Instead, he knelt in reverence.

“Almighty God Yu Il-Shin!”

He raised both fists and yelled, “I offer you my muscles! So please return victorious!”

Ding!

[The skill of Gayami’s Tribe Il-Ho has been added to the Skill Share menu.]

-----

[Skill Share]

Followers of Yu Il-Shin may share their skills.

Current available target to share skills with: Sung Mi-Ri, Il-Ho.

-----

In my oxygen-deprived state, I muttered faintly, “Skill Sharing... Il-Ho, Strong Body.”

Flash!

All of a sudden, the statues piled up in the corner of my room shone brilliantly. At the same time, the bastard’s arm went limp, and white smoke billowed out.

“W-what?”

Ding!

[The skill Strong Body from Gayami tribe’s Il-Ho has been shared with Yu Il-Shin.]

-----

[Strong Body (Body of Steel, Rank A)]

Originally ants, the bodies of the Gayamis are so strong that they can exert a force ten times their own weight. Follower Il-Ho honed this trait even further in the Tower of Warriors, and acquired an indomitable body. He is currently blessed with Blessings of the Rock, Wind, Steel, and Fire.

-----

My muscles exploded, tearing apart the shirt I wore.

“W-what?!” I exclaimed in shock.

Then, like Il-Ho, I screamed at the flustered bastard.

“Musclesss!”