chapter 46
Lee Hyun tilted his head.
The Kim Min-jung he knew wasn’t the type to show such emotional reactions.
“…You did well to keep an eye on Assistant Manager Seo Aeri. She’s someone that even Team Leader Im was interested in.”
“Team Leader Im?”
“Yes. She originally had a PhD in engineering from KAIST, but after awakening as a Hunter, she started showing a deep interest in dungeon research.”
Lee Hyun nodded. That was also why he had started taking an interest in Assistant Manager Seo Aeri.
“I heard the reason she volunteered for Team Z was because she wanted to explore and study long-unsolved dungeons.”
“Yes. Especially, she focuses on studying <narratives> that determine the concept of a dungeon, believing that there are certain patterns to them.”
“Patterns…”
For a moment, Lee Hyun’s eyes lit up slightly. If that assumption was true, it would be a huge help in locating dungeons related to Sun Wukong in the future.
“She seems like the kind of talent that would normally be in the Research Support Division, doesn’t she?”
“Exactly. White Burn tried to scout her for that very reason, but what can you do? She wants to be out in the field herself.”
Kim Min-jung shrugged and continued.
“Actually, Assistant Manager Seo is very strong-willed, you could say she has her own world. That’s why she doesn’t get along well with the people in Team Z… Especially, she’s had conflicts with every team leader before.”
Considering the disciplinary history of previous Team Z leaders, it seemed likely that they had tried to make use of Seo Aeri but had clashed with her instead.
“So if you just allow her independence, it wouldn’t be hard to bring her on our side.”
“You have a much better eye for people than I do, so that makes sense. Are you close with her?”
“Sometimes we eat together, but she disappears without a word now and then, so not always.”
“Then I should try contacting her after lunch.”
“Yes, understood. But…”
Kim Min-jung nodded but glanced at the name ‘Assistant Manager Eom Gi-seon’ with a complicated expression.
“Do you really need to involve him too? If you need other recommendations, I can provide them anytime…”
The trailing off of her words gave off a feeling that she wanted to keep her distance.
“Why is that?”
“Well… sigh! That guy is hopeless.”
“…?”
“You just… better avoid him.”
She didn’t explain why, only expressed her aversion.
This only made Lee Hyun more curious.
‘Was he an ex-boyfriend or something?’
The thought made him chuckle. A bleak company life sometimes needed the occasional thrill of teasing a cute (?) junior.
Had Kim Min-jung noticed his amusement? She gave him a sharp glare.
Right after lunch, Lee Hyun headed with Kim Min-jung to the 6th floor of the Research Support Division, where Assistant Manager Seo Aeri often stayed.
‘None of the team members have come here yet.’
Normally, when a new team leader is appointed, the team would pay courtesy visits. But for them to openly ignore her like this was ridiculous.
Lee Hyun had already reported the team members to HR for “unauthorized absence” and “neglect of duty.” Soon, HR would verify and issue warnings, and the team members would scramble back—corporate employees who care about their evaluations are easily frightened by such threats.
Especially for Team Z, where most members prioritize safety and keeping their positions.
“Seeing this, you really are ruthless, senior.”
“What did I do?”
“Reporting them for neglect and then taking an outside work request. You wanted them to sweat a little, right?”
“Well, yeah?”
“And then you’ll probably submit a mission request immediately so you won’t even meet them?”
“As long as the items are collected within three days, there’s no need to drag it out. We can go straight to the dungeon. The two of us handled it fine before; no need to complicate things with extra people.”
“That’s why you’re ruthless… It’s exactly the same as with Team Leader Jeong. Everyone’s in for a shock.”
“Shows how little people can learn, I guess.”
Kim Min-jung shook her head. Even if former Director Jeong tried to guide them, if Lee Hyun repeatedly tackled long-unsolved dungeons with only a few members, they’d all become useless surplus staff—scores would drop, and layoffs would be a real risk. Companies hate idle workers.
‘You poor things. No way to compete against Senior Jang…’
From the moment Kim Min-jung heard that Lee Hyun requested the team leader position, she was sure the battle was already won.
“Looks like they’re here… Ah, there they are.”
From the inner lab area, Kim Min-jung and Lee Hyun spotted Assistant Manager Seo Aeri focusing on flasks at a separate experimental station.
She seemed to be researching potions. Various flasks bubbled, releasing strange vapors.
Kim Min-jung wanted to call out to her, but Lee Hyun subtly raised his hand to stop her. He smiled faintly—a mix of surprise and admiration. He seemed impressed by Seo Aeri.
‘Does she even know what experiment this is?’
Kim Min-jung stared at him, and Lee Hyun casually spoke:
“That’s just reaching saturation because you’re only increasing the muscle fiber ratio. You might want to add a mutated genetic component to redesign the cell structure itself.”
“…!?”
Kim Min-jung blinked at the incomprehensible technical terms. Seo Aeri noticed them and slowly turned her gaze to Lee Hyun—an unreadable look.
Ignoring it, Lee Hyun approached her notebook and added sketches with a pencil.
“If you only increase muscle density, the ligaments fail first. So instead of CW-K blood from vampires, the RD genetic component from lycanthropes is better. By changing this chemical structure from this form to that form…”
He sketched a more complex model over her previous drawing.
“You can temporarily make the whole body structure flexible. That way, it’s safer while easily doubling enhancement values.”
Seo Aeri seemed to realize something, grabbed the pencil, and scribbled formulas and symbols while carefully mixing the flask’s contents, changing its color.
Lee Hyun continued to advise:
“No, you should use a mutation accelerator here to boost efficiency. The enhancer composition with mutation material is good, but the cell adherence rate is below 60%. That causes side effects. Adding a mana stabilizer as a medium will help mutations be absorbed naturally.”
Kim Min-jung’s head spun.
‘I… have no idea what he’s talking about!’
Even as a graduate of the Academy, she was overwhelmed by terms like genetic component and mutation material.
But one thing was certain: Lee Hyun’s advice accelerated Seo Aeri’s previously stagnant experiment. Her hands moved busily with the flasks, and other researchers gathered around, observing intently.
“Is that really working?”
“It’s incredible… focusing the enhancement on the buffer rather than output.”
“Looks like they converted muscle fibers into elasticity using mutations.”
“Wait, you could even use recoil as a weapon, right? Crazy.”
“Usually, large mutation steps damage self-repair, but this method seems manageable.”
“How did he figure this out… everyone said it was impossible.”
Kim Min-jung wondered if she had fallen into another world.
“Assistant Manager Seo aside, have you seen that guy? Was there ever someone like him in the research layer?”
“Even in a lab coat, that physique and face stand out.”
“Forget that, can we recruit him? With that intuition and imagination, he’d definitely produce results.”
They speculated about Lee Hyun’s true identity.
‘Senior has this knowledge? I didn’t know… Did he study this on his own for four years?’
Kim Min-jung recalled another senior, Soo-chan, while watching Lee Hyun in action.
Finally, the purple liquid in the flask settled, shimmering beautifully. Seo Aeri put it down and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“I’m researching dungeons based on Gothic or Urban Fantasy themes.”
Seo Aeri respectfully bowed to Lee Hyun.
“Enhancement-wise, vampires or lycanthropes are best, but side effects make it difficult. Using the witch’s wraith line as a catalyst reduces side effects, so this approach is good.”
“Thank you, Team Leader. Your help got me past a critical point.”
Lee Hyun smiled; he had won her trust.
“Don’t mention it. It’s still a prototype. Continue your research; the direction is right, and good results will follow.”
“So, I can focus more on research?”
“Of course. It contributes to the team, so there’s no need to stop you.”
“Then… if I need your advice again, I’ll come to you.”
That was all Seo Aeri needed to hear. Her joining the team was a great boon for Lee Hyun.
‘Enhancement and mutation… perfect for strengthening the Snow Queen narrative. I might even fuse brain and ice attributes.’
Alchemist Lee Gunsan could help, but his specialty was elemental systems, very different from Seo Aeri’s research. Lee Hyun planned to combine his findings with hers.
‘And she’s not just a researcher—her physical skills are impressive.’
Despite her slight frame, Seo Aeri’s musculature suggested significant training, likely for potion enhancement and mutation purposes. She would be invaluable for dungeon exploration.
Lee Hyun shook her hand. The second team member was secured. A smooth start. His smile widened.
“Really, how did you know all that? Senior, history wasn’t your major, right?”
“Not my major, but I was interested.”
“Interest… enough to advise a PhD in engineering?”
Kim Min-jung looked incredulous, but all she got was Lee Hyun’s smile. She didn’t press further.
As they neared the sparring room in the basement, her steps slowed.
“…Do we really need to meet Assistant Manager Eom too? Seo alone should be enough.”
“We haven’t spoken properly yet. And his background is appealing.”
Assistant Manager Eom Gi-seon’s history was extraordinary. He was part of the American awakened superhuman special unit, ASTRA.
Advanced Superhuman Tactical Response Agency, or A.S.T.R.A., the most famous awakened unit in the world. They deployed to global hotspots for transnational events.
Even the Cheongroe unit couldn’t surpass them. ASTRA’s reputation remained intact.
Given his background, Lee Hyun’s curiosity was piqued.
‘And the missions he’s been in are all famous. Why is he stuck in Team Z?’
There were HR evaluations: one word—
―Troublemaker.
Some board members added:
―Knight.
Two contradictory labels. Yet he ignored former Director Jeong and was confirmed in the sparring room.
“Haa…!”
Kim Min-jung sighed heavily as Lee Hyun opened the door, eyes cold.
Swoosh!
Two slightly curved blades traced sharp arcs toward his neck and knees.
Clang!
Lee Hyun pulled steel and tempered meat from his inventory to deflect them, then threw the steel toward them.
Vwoom! Kraaang!
“…Wow, that was close. Almost got myself killed for nothing.”
Assistant Manager Eom narrowly dodged the axes, sweating but grinning excitedly.
“Maybe because he took down Mukeshi in one blow, his hand speed’s incredible?”
The reflection of Lee Hyun’s expressionless face shimmered in his glossy eyes.
