Chapter 8
Inside the Association building, Kade discussed his new apartment with Gi-Soo, a courtesy extended to him as the Association's newly minted S-rank Hunter.
'Next week is the conference,' Kade thought with a hint of anticipation while Gi-Soo was sorting out his new place details. 'I'll use it to launch my own guild, backed by the Association.'
Gi-Soo handed Kade a card with a key attached. "Here you go, sir. The address of your new residence is written on the card along with your keys."
"Thank you, Gi-Soo. Until next time," Kade replied, his tone friendly. He left the building, looking forward to settling into his new home, despite not feeling particularly tired.
As Kade walked towards the city center, he spotted a towering building where his new apartment was located. Entering the lobby, he was struck by the grandeur. Polished marble floors and walls, a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a sleek bar just below his apartment greeted him.
Settling into his luxurious apartment, Kade felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The modern design, the stunning views from the expansive windows, and the overall opulence made him realize this place was far superior to his old home. After freshening up and exploring his new surroundings, he decided to relax and get some sleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night was normal for Kade, but not feeling fatigued was a bonus. His body seemed to require minimal rest. He took the elevator down, intending to visit the bar, but found it closed. Sighing softly, he dialed a number from the Association.
"Gi-Soo, can you find a dungeon near my location? The rank doesn't matter, I need to stretch my body."
Gi-Soo, who was woken by Kade's call, didn't mind. Helping an unofficial S-rank Hunter had its perks. He quickly located a D-rank dungeon, perfect for a warm-up, and informed Kade about the requirement of having a party to enter.
Kade wasn't surprised. He knew the rules and regulations well. His plan was simple: join a random group and enter the dungeon. Once inside, he could act as he pleased. If that did not work, consuming someone isn't out of his options as well.
"I'll head to the dungeon later this morning. For now, I need a drink."
Kade exited the building, searching for a place to have a quiet drink. As he walked through the city streets, the early morning air was crisp and refreshing. He eventually found a small, dimly lit bar that was still open. The bartender, an older man with a grizzled beard, nodded as Kade took a seat at the counter.
"Whiskey please," Kade said quietly. The bartender poured the drink, sliding it over to Kade, who took a slow sip, savouring the warmth that spread through his chest. The bar was nearly empty, just a few patrons scattered around, lost in their own thoughts. Kade appreciated the solitude, allowing himself to relax for a moment before the day truly began.
As dawn broke, people gathered in front of the D-rank dungeon, preparing for the raid. A middle-aged man was briefing his group before they entered.
"Safety is our priority. If you think you're in danger, let us know, especially you, Jin-Woo. Mrs. Lee Joohee can't always be there to take care of you," he said, eliciting a hearty laugh from the group, including Sung Jin-Woo, who had a reputation for getting hurt during raids.
"Don't laugh Jinwoo. Mr. Song is right. I don't want to see a single scratch on you this time," the young lady with orange hair said, accustomed to their banter.
"Don't worry, Joohee. I'll try my best not to trouble you," Jin-Woo replied, chuckling as he scratched his head, not entirely believing his own words.
As the group was about to enter the dungeon, a young man approached them, his demeanor calm and composed.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice smooth. "I noticed your group seems well-prepared. May I join your raid?"
The group noticed the young man's foreign appearance but fluent Korean, but his serene smile and composed manner gave them an eerie feeling.
"And who are you? You can't just ask to join a group of strangers, you never know, maybe you have ulterior motives" One of the older men, Mr. Kim, remarked rudely.
"Now, now, Mr. Kim. There's no need to be hostile. Could you introduce yourself first, young man? We can't just bring someone random along, it'll disrupt our teamwork," Mr. Song, who seemed to be in charge, said.
"My apologies for the abruptness," Kade replied, his voice steady and his eyes almost seeming closed. "I'm Kade. I just recently acquired my Hunter license and wanted to do a raid, but as you see now, I have no team to go with. I assure you, I won't interfere with your teamwork. I'm quite capable myself." Kade said with his usual smile.
"Tch, foreigners think they can come here and do whatever they want," Kim muttered, looking away.
Kade continued to ignore Kim, focusing on Mr. Song who seemed to be the one in charge.
"Sigh, please forgive my friend. He's usually nice, just having a bad day. You're welcome to join us, but could you tell us your rank and abilities?" Mr. Song asked, shaking hands with Kade.
"Thank you, Mr. Song. As for my rank, it's still being assessed, but rest assured, I am more than capable," Kade said, his tone giving nothing away.
"Well, I won't press you then. Welcome to the team. Let me introduce you to everyone," Mr. Song said, proceeding to introduce Kade to the group. Kade greeted everyone with a calm nod and friendly smile, including the grumpy Mr. Kim making him uncomfortable
When he introduced himself to the youngest member, he shook hands with him. "Hello, Mr. Kade. My name is Sung Jin-Woo. Please don't mind Mr. Kim. He's nice once you get to know him."
Kade regarded Sung Jin-Woo with a neutral expression and introduced himself, unaware of just how special Jin-Woo truly was.
As the group continued to prepare, Kade observed them with a keen eye. Mr. Song was clearly the leader, organizing everyone with practiced ease. Joohee, the young lady with orange hair, seemed to be the healer, given her concern for Jin-Woo. The others appeared competent, though none of them stood out to Kade as particularly powerful. It was a typical D-rank party, adequate for the task at hand.
As they finalized their preparations, Mr. Song turned to Kade. "We usually stick together, but since you seem confident, feel free to move as you see fit. Just don't stray too far."
Kade nodded. "Understood. I'll stay close enough to assist if needed." with that they made their way to the dungeon, not knowing everyone's fate would change inside this D-rank dungeon