Chapter 293

The room was filled with only the sound of quiet, steady breathing. I stood in front of the door, observing those who were deep in their Qi circulation meditation.

At first, they had been awkward, but now they were settling into proper positions.

**’Not bad at all.’**

Chief Choi, Butler Kim, Song-Yi, and finally Im Jeok-jung—they all managed to successfully complete a full circuit of Qi before the sun set, and before long, they were able to conduct their small circulation of energy on their own.

**’For a first attempt, this is impressive. In fact, it’s better than I expected.’**

Though none of them had the massive energy reserves that Chief Choi possessed, Butler Kim and Song-Yi, as expected of mages, were adept at handling Mana and quickly adapted to the technique.

But the most surprising progress came from someone else entirely—Im Jeok-jung.

**’I thought he’d struggle more…**’**

I’d almost forgotten. Im Jeok-jung was the only person among them who had experienced a second awakening. Was it sheer effort? Or perhaps sheer luck?

Whatever it was, Im Jeok-jung had already broken past the limits once. If he continues as he’s showing now, he might end up being the one who grows the most.

He’s still a D-rank hunter, but there are plenty of steps for him to climb.

**’I don’t have to worry about the aftereffects of his injuries either.’**

As he continues circulating Qi, his muscles and meridians will naturally improve. If he can overcome the mental barriers and traumas he’s facing, he should be able to return to the guild in no time.

And by then…

**’By then, the guild will have changed significantly.’**

The transformation had already begun. Lee Jung-ryong had revealed his hidden weapon, and now he must pay the price for doing so.

With that reward, the Peace Guild would achieve remarkable growth. And at the forefront of that growth will be these people.

Someone will have to run the guild, while others will be tasked with selecting and training talented and trustworthy individuals to become the loyal members of the Peace Guild.

And to those individuals, martial arts will be bestowed.

**’We need our own swords.’**

As soon as I thought that, Chief Choi finished his small circulation and exhaled deeply, opening his eyes. A sharp glint flashed across his pupils.

One by one, the others began to open their eyes as well.

**Ding.**

– Thanks to your excellent guidance, several individuals have reached the 1st star of the [Jinga Heart Technique].

– Your title, [Practitioner], has been upgraded to [Training Instructor]!

**’Martial Arts Instructor.’**

So the heavens decree that I should keep drilling them to death for now.

I looked at the group, still immersed in the aftermath of their Qi circulation, and smiled.

—

A week flew by in the blink of an eye.

During that time, the Peace Guild and Lee Jung-ryong wrapped up their negotiations in secret, two more mutant Gate incidents occurred, and a post appeared on a hunter community website that caught everyone’s attention.

**[Peace Guild Final Acceptance Review]**

I was a C-rank hunter working on a security team for a certain guild. Originally part of a large guild, I got fed up with my superior, who was a real piece of trash (a traitor). The stress was killing me, so I quit a few days ago and was browsing job sites when I saw the Peace Guild had an open recruitment. So, on a whim, I applied.

When I didn’t hear back, I figured I didn’t make the cut. I wasn’t expecting much since I knew the selection process was tough from the start. But then, two weeks later, I got a call telling me to start tomorrow. If anyone else got in, let me know!

**(Top Comment)**
I just sent in my application to Peace Guild and made it through the final stage? Are you kidding me? You’re a total joke writing this fantasy.

**???**: Hey, this guy is actually laughing.
**???**: Leave him be. He’s probably dreaming about joining the Peace Guild.

**(The End)**
**Author’s Note**: I’m the one who wrote that, and I just called the HR department. They said Jin Tae-kyung told them to hire me.

**(Replies to Author’s Note)** :Why the hell would Jin Tae-kyung, the Savior, care about a loser like you? Stop writing fantasies and go to bed.

Under normal circumstances, this post would have been dismissed as the ramblings of an attention seeker. However, it quickly amassed thousands of recommendations and comments, and within no time, it took the top spot on the weekly best list.

This was all due to a follow-up post that was uploaded the next evening.

**[Guys, That Web Novel Villain Was Real;]**

I was one of the people who got into the Peace Guild, and today, during the guild house tour with the other new hires, I actually saw the Savior himself.

He was walking around in worn-out slippers with such an overwhelming aura that we could only watch from a distance. But then, he suddenly turned around and asked one guy if he was from a certain guild’s security team.

When the guy nodded, he burst out laughing and shouted, “Welcome aboard!”

**(Attached Photo)**: I didn’t think anyone would believe me, so here’s proof.

**(Top Comment)**: I’m the guy who posted that joke before. I apologize. Here’s my sincere apology and a deep bow.
**Comment**: Seeing the photo, this seems legit.
**Comment**: Why the hell did a C-rank security team hunter move to the Peace Guild?
**Comment**: Well, I guess if that’s the case, it makes sense. It’s more like a job transfer than favoritism.
**Comment**: This is classic Korean nepotism at work. I’m slightly disappointed in the Savior.
**Reply**: And who are you to be disappointed?
**Comment**: Here’s why you’re an idiot for dissing the Savior: the Savior donated almost his entire fortune to a foundation for Gate victims.
**Reply**: That comment is pure facts. Anyone who disrespects the Savior deserves a beating with his slippers.
**Comment**: So, what happened to the author? We need more details.
**Reply**: I’m on my way to a company dinner right now.
**Comment**: New employee welcome party?
**Reply**: Yup, but the guild master and the other team leaders aren’t here.
**Comment**: Peace Guild must have great team spirit.
**Reply**: I’m not sure about that… The atmosphere seems a bit off. When I asked one of the seniors, they told me to just sleep on the way there.
**Comment**: Why?
**Reply**: I guess they’re expecting a long night. Nobody likes drinking with people they’re not close to.
**Comment**: Maybe… Oh, looks like we’re almost there.
**Comment**: Don’t drink too much and make sure to tell us everything when you get back.
**Reply**: Will do. The place looks good. I’m looking forward to dinner. I’ll be back soon.

And that was the last anyone heard from the author.

—

**”We’ll be having dinner at the Gate.”**

My declaration was met with murmurs from all around.

**”Excuse me?”**
**”Huh?”**
**”Sorry, did I hear you correctly just now?”**
**”I thought I heard something about dinner at the Gate. Maybe I misheard.”**
**”Oh no, you heard correctly.”**

I didn’t need to see their faces to know. These naive voices belonged to the new hires on their first day.

In contrast, those who had joined just two or three weeks ago reacted differently.

**”I knew it.”**
**”God damn it…”**
**”Thank God I brought extra potions.”**
**”Hey, you got any spare arrows?”**
**”Yeah. I brought an extra 200 just in case.”**
**”Can I have 100 of those?”**

Even though there was less than a month’s difference in their joining dates, the reactions were night and day.

With a sigh, those who had joined earlier cursed under their breath and quickly began pulling out armor and equipment from their bags.

**Clang! Clang!**

**’Is this what it feels like to be a teacher?’**

The effects of repeated training were evident, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them.

I turned to the clueless newbies, who were still confused and unsure, and asked.

**”Did everyone bring their gear?”**

The newbies nodded.

**”Uh, yeah. You told us to, so we did.”**

**”Put it down and start getting your gear on.”**

**”Huh? Is this some kind of mock battle or something?”**

**”Mock battle? No way. You won’t improve much from that. The real thing is the best teacher.”**

Their innocent eyes were filled with suspicion.

**”So, wait… Are we really going to a Gate?”**

**”Yes. It’s a celebratory raid for joining the Peace Guild! Isn’t that great?”**

**”Not really…”**
**”That wasn’t in the job description. The notice said the first week would be a simple workshop…”**
**”Yes, and what we’re doing now is the workshop.”**

**”What guild holds a workshop at a Gate? For a whole week?!”**

**”The Peace Guild does.”**

**”This is insane!”**

**”Do the rest of you think this is crazy?”**

When I turned slightly, the veteran “guard dogs,” who had tasted hell in the past few weeks, bared their teeth and shouted.

**”It’s not crazy at all! It’s totally reasonable!”**
**”Of course, this is what a workshop should be!”**
**”Who rents a pension for a workshop anymore? It’s about bonding while hunting monsters together!”**
**”No way I’m the only one who’s going to suffer!”**

The last shout was beyond desperate. Hearing it made me reflect deeply.

**’I need to work them even harder.’**

They can’t get stuck thinking that this is suffering. I need to make sure they come to accept this as natural, to the point where it becomes second nature.

**”Alright, everyone, quiet!”**

**Ding.**

– The title, [Training Instructor], has activated!

– The trainees who heard your shout are on high alert!

**”Form up in rows.”**

**”Rows, form up!”**

**”Louder, rows, form up!”**

**”Rows, form up!”**

Even after shouting, they still looked confused.

I smiled at the sour faces in front of me.

**”Alright, everyone, follow me. Left foot, left foot.”**

**Thud! Thud! Thud!**

The human train headed straight for the Gate.