1

RANK EVALUATION

The last time Jinwoo had stood at this particular crossroad, he’d chosen the blessed mystery box over the cursed one, which had given him the Demon’s Castle key. That, in turn, had given him access to the Demon’s Castle dungeon, where he’d gained plenty of things—he’d leveled up significantly, collected a ton of loot, and the gold… He’d saved up so much gold that he almost felt obligated to spend some.

If I had to do it all over again, I’d make the same choice without a second thought.

However…he was still curious about the road not taken. The blessed mystery box was supposed to give him something he wanted, and the cursed mystery box was supposed to give him something he needed, so what was inside the other box?

The blessed mystery box definitely gave me what I wanted, after all.

And now, Jinwoo had the perfect opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.

……

He nervously awaited the system’s answer. For some reason, he felt as though it was being unusually slow.

Ping!

His worries were unnecessary, as the system soon responded.

Hwoom.

A small box appeared at Jinwoo’s feet.

Nice!

He nervously picked it up. The weight of the box in his hands felt very familiar. Could it be…?

Jinwoo hastily tore into it, and his eyes widened as he saw the contents.

“This is……”

Jinwoo went straight home after exiting the Demon’s Castle. The first thing he wanted to do was clean himself up, as he hadn’t bathed once while inside the dungeon. He could’ve bought water from the shop, but there hadn’t exactly been an optimal time or place to do so.

Can’t really wash up leisurely when you’re surrounded by monsters……

Shaaaah.

It wasn’t until he was back in his apartment and relaxing his muscles under a hot shower that he actually felt like he was out of the dungeon.

Home sweet home.

Jinwoo got dressed in fresh clothes, draped a towel over his wet hair, and sat on the edge of his bed. It was time to sort things out. He first called up the stat window.

Stats.

Ping!

Dizzyingly long strings of letters materialized before his eyes. They landed on something in particular.

The points he’d received for completing the Demon Souls quest. Naturally, he invested all the points in intelligence.

Ping!

[Stats]
Strength:	178
Stamina	137
Agility	147
Intelligence	149
Perception	119

At long last, intelligence was barely higher than most of the other stats. Despite still being quite a bit behind the strength stat, it was a huge improvement, considering how he’d been ignoring it until recently.

Strength, stamina, agility, intelligence, and perception. They were balancing out nicely.

Everything here is important.

Jinwoo had been obsessed with every stat at different points, so he’d learned the unique qualities and advantages of each.

Wait……

Considering the state of things, what if he increased all his stats evenly instead of focusing on one? He’d be an all-rounded Player. Jinwoo’s ambitious streak flared up. It was an idea he could happily ponder only because every single stat was at a satisfactory level.

Once my intelligence surpasses strength, I should also increase the others bit by bit.

With his mind made up, Jinwoo turned his attention toward the skill window.

And there was the third reward.

If he was being honest, he had been much more preoccupied with the first and second rewards—any item of his choosing and twenty bonus points—and, besides slight curiosity, hadn’t been very interested in the third.

But his jaw dropped once he saw what it was.

A scroll similar in size to the Demon’s Castle entry permits simultaneously appeared in his hand.

What’s this?

Caught off guard by the delivery method, Jinwoo opened the item in surprise.

Jinwoo stared down at the scroll.

I can make it myself?

Mage-type hunters were the only ones with the ability to craft weapons with mana…but Jinwoo supposed that he was also one of them.

But to think I can craft something as long as I have the recipe……

Jinwoo’s heart started pounding as his mind raced. What would he be able to create?

What’s the elixir of life?

Jinwoo read through the information for the Elixir of Life.

It can cure……all diseases?

His bedridden mother immediately came to mind.

Thanks to Jinho, he had already confirmed multiple times that an item’s effect worked on other people…which meant he could save his mother if he crafted this elixir. His hands trembled as he clutched the scroll excitedly.

The ingredients were straightforward as well.

World Tree Fragments.

He’d received those after defeating Vulcan on the fiftieth floor of the Demon’s Castle.

Spring Water from Echo Forest.

He’d acquired that by defeating Metus the necromancer on the seventy-fifth floor.

And lastly…

…Purified Blood of the Demon Monarch.

This was an item he hadn’t come across yet. However, based on the first two ingredients, it was easy to guess where he could find the blood of the Demon Monarch. He’d have to go higher.

It’s probably the ultimate boss on the highest floor of the Demon’s Castle.

That meant he’d be able to gather the ingredients for the elixir by clearing the entire dungeon.

That’s when it occurred to Jinwoo.

“Oh.”

A moan inadvertently slipped out of him at the revelation. The item in the cursed mystery box—the Elixir of Life—was supposedly the one thing he wanted most in the world.

Mother……

Tears welled up in Jinwoo’s eyes at the thought of being able to see his mother healthy again.

Just then, a message arrived.

Ping!

The electronic sound snapped him back to reality. He would have to complete the raid of the Demon’s Castle in order to make the Elixir of Life, so the faster he prepared, the sooner he could return home. There was no time to be sentimental.

“……Learn.”

This isn’t a dream, right?

As if to answer his question, a new [Craft] space appeared in his skills window.

The numbers at the end probably indicated that he owned two out of the three necessary ingredients—the World Tree Fragments and Spring Water from Echo Forest.

Hmm.

Jinwoo opened up his inventory and took out the item next to the spring water. It was a necklace assembled by tying small animal skulls together.

Spring water wasn’t the only item he’d gotten from Metus, Guide of Souls. He’d also been gifted this abhorrent necklace that screamed of poor taste.

Why are all the neck accessories like this…?

Jinwoo grimaced as he remembered the design of the dog collar he was currently equipped with, and he held up this new item to his neck.

Ping!

The advantages granted by the Warden’s Collar and Demon Monarch’s Necklace were similar: They both raised two stats by twenty points. However, the Demon Monarch’s Necklace had an additional set buff.

Change.

Hwoom.

The dog collar reappeared in Jinwoo’s hand as the necklace made of skulls took its place. Jinwoo shoved it back into his inventory and checked the buffs for the set of Demon Monarch’s accessories.

Every stat increased by five.

All his stats had gone up by five, and that was with just one of the set buffs revealed. There would be one more once he completed the entire set.

The Demon Monarch’s Ring……

Taking into consideration that a set buff was usually more impressive when the actual set was complete, this was fantastic news. And yet, the S-rank accessories were only a small boon from the Demon’s Castle. The real reward was his extreme jump in level.

Jinwoo smiled proudly when he saw that he now sat at level 77.

I leveled up sixteen times in one week.

He’d improved at a rate he could never have dreamed of in C-rank dungeons. It was his compensation for toiling in hell (?) for seven days. The Demon’s Castle dungeon was unfinished, but there was no denying that this had been a successful raid.

There was just one thing Jinwoo couldn’t wrap his mind around. He placed the item from the cursed mystery box directly under fluorescent light.

What the heck is this thing?

The pitch-black key appeared to be absorbing the light around it. An information screen didn’t pop up, either.

This is a first……

Instance dungeon keys were ordinary enough items that they even appeared via regular mystery boxes from time to time, but he had never come across this kind before.

Where am I supposed to use this?

Maybe it was because it came from a cursed mystery box, but he also couldn’t help feeling something ominous emanating from the key. It wasn’t like he could get rid of it, either, given how much effort he’d put into obtaining it.

I guess I’ll need it someday.

After all, the cursed mystery box was supposed to supply an item he needed.

Jinwoo rose to his feet after placing the key in inventory. He would need to acquire some artifacts if he wanted to complete the Demon’s Castle raid.

Got some stuff to sell, too.

Unfortunately, the reality was that E-rank hunters had difficulty buying and selling high-level artifacts. Who wouldn’t be suspicious of a low-rank hunter, especially one thought to be at rock bottom, trying to sell a valuable item that even a high-rank hunter would have difficulty acquiring? He’d have the same problem with buying anything.

As long as he was dragging along the label of E rank, he wouldn’t be able to reveal where his money was coming from.

And what would I say if someone asks where I’m planning to use the gear?

Talk about opening a can of worms.

“Then I guess it’s time……”

It was time to stop pretending to be an E rank and receive a rank reevaluation. He was to be properly ranked based on his actual abilities.

A serious expression crossed his face.

Since I’ve dragged myself up to this level, I won’t be pushed around anymore, right?

That had been his intention from the start. Despite the inconvenience, he’d stayed as an E rank to avoid being pulled in different directions by those higher than himself.

But now? Jinwoo hadn’t been intimidated by Yoonho Baek, the guild master of White Tiger. No, he was confident he’d be able to hold his head high in front of anyone, not just Baek. There was no reason to hide his true abilities anymore.

Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump.

The pounding of his heart seemed to increase in volume at the thought of shedding the E-rank label he’d been stuck with for so long.

He just had one thing to confirm before that.

Jinwoo turned on his hunter-exclusive phone. It had been a week since he’d last powered it up, so his missed calls and inbox were pretty full, but they were mostly from unknown numbers. Alas, he didn’t have enough time to check each one.

I guess they’ll call back if it’s urgent.

Jinwoo mentally shrugged as he scrolled through his call history and found the number he was looking for.

Tra-la-la…

The person on the other end swiftly answered before the second bar of the pleasant ringtone.

“Boss!”

Had he been in the dungeon too long? To think he was actually glad to hear that familiar voice. Jinwoo cracked a smile.

“Did the talk with your father go okay?”

“Yes! It went better than okay, boss!”

Really?

That was good to hear. Jinwoo couldn’t get reevaluated before Jinho completed his deal with his father, but now that everything had been taken care of, there was nothing standing in his way. The result was obvious from the tone of Jinho’s voice, but it was nice to hear him verbally confirm it.

“Boss, I actually wanted to talk to you abou—”

Beep.

Huh?

His phone had died and cut off the call.

Thinking back, the battery was low even before I entered the Demon’s Castle, so……

Jinwoo was relieved he’d at least managed to check on the matter he’d called about. He started getting dressed. The Hunter’s Association Headquarters wasn’t far, so the reevaluation wasn’t likely to take him long to complete.

“Oh, right.” Jinwoo stopped at the front door and hurried back into the apartment.

He’d just recalled his sister. He left a short note for her on the dining table, in case disappearing again without saying a word after being away for a week would worry her.

Your brother was here.

Satisfied, Jinwoo headed out the door.

It had been a while since Jinwoo set foot inside the reception area of the rank evaluation office for awakened beings.

Has it been four years already?

Or was it five? Jinwoo was full of emotion as he stood in front of the receptionist, who addressed him without looking up. “ID and contact information, please.”

Jinwoo vaguely remembered the procedure and had prepared all the necessary materials beforehand, so he swiftly handed over his ID and his phone number.

Huh?

The receptionist raised an eyebrow at Jinwoo’s ID. “Sir, this is a hunter’s license.”

“Yes.”

The receptionist clearly failed to understand him. “Sir, if you aren’t satisfied with the evaluation result, that’s not our department—”

“That’s not it. I’d like to get reevaluated.”

“Pardon?” The receptionist, who’d been glancing back and forth between Jinwoo’s face and the picture on the license, raised a finger. “H-hold on, please.”

The employee headed toward a high-strung middle-aged man seated behind him. “Assistant Manager, a hunter is here because he wants to get reevaluated.”

“Reevaluated? What’s his current rank?”

“E rank, sir.”

The assistant manager craned his neck to check out Jinwoo. “This happens sometimes. There are hunters who can’t accept reality and come back here hoping against hope after being stuck in a fantasy.”

“Then him, too?”

The higher-up nodded. “Reawakened, my ass… He sees other hunters make tons of money and become famous, so he’s in denial and thinks he’s got a shot.”

“Ah…”

“These guys are a pain to deal with, so just let him know that there’s a fee for reevaluation and send him to get an assessment.”

“Yessir.” The receptionist went back to his post, his worries now assuaged.

The assistant manager watched his employee and Jinwoo from afar, tutting before turning back to his computer monitor. But…

His finger froze over the mouse. The name on the hunter’s license… It sounded familiar.

Where have I heard that name before?

Once Jinwoo was on his merry way to the evaluation room, Kisoo quietly approached the receptionist. “The E-rank hunter just now—what was his name?”

“Mr. Jinwoo Sung. Do you know him?”

“No, that’s not it……”

He definitely knew the name, but he couldn’t remember from where—until it hit him.

Oh!

The favor! Someone had asked to be contacted if a Hunter Jinwoo Sung turned up. How could he have forgotten?

The assistant manager found a secluded area and hurriedly took out his phone.

Riiing, riiing.

“This is Yoonho Baek.”

“President Baek, sir, I’m just calling about that hunter you mentioned before. You know, Hunter Jinwoo Sung? He’s actually here. But how did you know he’d come…?”

“Jinwoo Sung is there?”

“Yes, he just came in for a reevaluation.”

“……”

The conversation suddenly cut off with silence on the other end, but it didn’t last long. This time, President Baek sounded urgent. “Could you please delay the reevaluation even just a little bit? I’m on my way.”

The assistant manager cocked his head. Was he hearing things?

The guild master of the unparalleled White Tiger Guild sounded anxious.

Who would’ve thunk it?

In any case, the reevaluation process was out of his hands.

He scratched the side of his head as he replied, “He’s already at the evaluation building, sir.”

The bewildered assistant manager, Kisoo Jung, ended the phone call with President Baek.

Wait, what the hell’s going on?

It was strange enough for an E-rank hunter to want to get reevaluated, but for the guild master of White Tiger to request he be notified of the results immediately on top of that?

Is there really something here?

There had to be for President Baek of all people to be so invested in the situation.

Kisoo shook his head.

Nah, it can’t be.

Second awakenings were very rare. It was a few months ago by this point, but the whole association had been over the moon about a potential reawakened hunter who’d turned out to be a false alarm. That was the norm with reawakenings: True reawakenings were like finding a needle in a haystack, while misunderstandings were a dime a dozen.

Many a hunter has come to be reevaluated and left with nothing but a lighter pocket……

The White Tiger Guild must have made a huge mistake. Still, Kisoo couldn’t refuse a favor for President Baek, considering his own relationship with the guild.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Huh? Where are you going, sir?”

“I just remembered that I have to do something in Building B.”

Building B was where the mana evaluation room was located and was referred to as such by the employees of the association.

“Yessir.”

“Call me right away if anything happens.”

“Will do.”

Kisoo brushed off the thought of a possible reawakening, but as he realized that President Baek was probably already on his way, he hurried over to Building B.

Jinwoo took a seat on the end of a bench in the waiting room. Currently, there were three others who’d arrived before him. Their apprehension was clear on their faces. Jinwoo completely understood how they felt.

I mean, the result will dictate their entire lives going forward.

He’d had the same thoughts when he first visited the association. If I’m an A rank—or no, even a B rank would be fine. Or hell, maybe I’m an S rank? He’d had those pipe dreams, so it had come as a shock when his evaluation revealed he was an E rank.

Jinwoo giggled to himself as he reminisced about four years ago.

What is he laughing at?

Forget that—how can he laugh now?

Jinwoo remained unconcerned despite the strange looks the others were sending him.

Was he born with nerves of steel?

Guess he just doesn’t get nervous.

As Jinwoo betrayed no further emotion, the others blinked and awkwardly looked away.

Nothing’s really changed since then.

He’d had a similar experience last time as well. Back then, he’d been on edge around the other hunters in the room but also curious about what ranks they’d gotten.

Grinning, he looked around the building’s interior. For the most part, it was like the people inside it… Since the Hunter’s Association itself had been formed less than ten years ago, the building was still clean, like new. It was almost exactly how he remembered it.

There was only one difference.

Them.

As Jinwoo scrutinized the sharply dressed men and women gathered across from him, the man sitting next to him spoke up.

“I heard they’re all guild people.”

“Guild people?”

“Yeah. Not many hunters join the small guilds, so they hang out here and try to sweet-talk awakened beings as soon as they get their results.”

No wonder the air among them was frigid.

The way they watch us is like hungry wolves, too.

There was a reason for that.

“In case you weren’t aware, it’s best to avoid joining those guilds.”

“Why’s that?”

“Apparently, small guilds take on tons of dangerous raids, and their death rates for hunters are high.”

Jinwoo nodded his understanding.

Obviously, small guilds were in a strange limbo. Unlike private strike squads, small guilds wouldn’t be satisfied with tackling low-rank dungeons, but their hunters weren’t good enough for high-rank missions. Because of this, unfortunate accidents were commonplace.

That’s why recruitment is important to them.

They’d reached a point where they had to camp out in the association building to stalk and target newbies.

“Oh.” The other man, who’d been dabbing the sweat off his bald head with a handkerchief, cautiously offered his hand to Jinwoo. “Shouldn’t we introduce ourselves, since we were fated to meet like this? I’m Junghoon Yoon.”

“I’m Jinwoo Sung.”

Following that brief introduction, they went back to quietly waiting their turns.

“Next.”

Because of the open concept of the waiting area, one could easily read the facial expressions of whoever had completed the test as well as those of the staff members. The awakened being who had just finished didn’t look happy.

I guess he’s a D or E rank.

The guild people seemed to have shared Jinwoo’s assessment, as they didn’t show any interest in the fellow as he passed by. It was quite an honest reaction.

It made one wonder if there wasn’t another way to get the assessment.

“Next, please.”

Another result, another disappointed hunter. This one headed to the exit with heavy footsteps, but it was to be expected.

High-rank hunters wouldn’t get paid the big bucks if they were that commonplace.

For the average individual, even being a C-rank hunter would be like winning the lottery. They could make a lot of money by joining a private strike squad and, if they were lucky, could get into a large guild. Even the White Tiger Guild had four C ranks among their latest recruits. Entering a large guild would guarantee a salary comparable to that of doctors or lawyers.

Junghoon addressed him once more. “If you join a large guild, you get a big signing bonus, right?” The hand holding his handkerchief trembled slightly.

“I have some debt, you see. Can’t live with my daughter because of it, too. That’s why I’m quite nervous,” Junghoon mumbled, then looked up hastily in shock and bowed his head apologetically at Jinwoo. “Oh boy, I can’t believe I said that to someone I just met… I’m being a nuisance, aren’t I? I tend to say too much when I’m nervous.”

“It’s fine.” Jinwoo smiled and bowed back.

Junghoon clearly wasn’t kidding about being anxious, as he took several deep breaths.

Yet another awakened being exited the evaluation room.

“Next, please.”

It was Junghoon’s turn. However, having broken into a cold sweat, Junghoon gently tugged on Jinwoo’s sleeve. Perhaps he was ill?

“Are you feeling all right?” Jinwoo asked, concerned.

Junghoon shook his head. “No, I’m fine, but…would you like to go ahead of me? I’m feeling a little too worked up, so…” He looked desperate.

Was there any reason to reject the offer to go first? Jinwoo happily accepted. Who wouldn’t be jittery if a few minutes could transform the rest of their life?

Jinwoo walked up to the no-nonsense staff member in Junghoon’s place.

“Name?”

“Jinwoo Sung.”

“Mr. Sung… Okay, please place your hand on that black panel and wait.”

Jinwoo headed to the mana meter and did as instructed.

Hmm? He’s already been evaluated as an E rank.

The employee looked over Jinwoo’s paperwork. Most hunters who wanted to be reevaluated tended to be of E rank. After sending a pitiful look Jinwoo’s way, they belatedly started up the mana meter.

Blip.

Woom, woom, woom.

The mana meter made a few noises for a brief moment, then suddenly stopped. The result appeared on the monitor.

Huh? What’s wrong with this thing?

The tester looked perplexed and stopped Jinwoo as he drew back his hand. “Hold on, please.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s try that one more time.”

“Okay.”

Jinwoo put his hand on the panel again.

Blip.

Woom, woom, woom.

What?

This had never happened before. The employee looked more and more frustrated. Why did the machine have to act up now of all times? They requested Jinwoo try it again.

“I’m very sorry, sir. Let’s try it one last time.”

“……”

Jinwoo decided to just keep his hand on the panel, due to all the retakes.

Blip.

Woom, woom, woom.

Seriously, what the hell is going on?

Beads of sweat appeared on the man’s forehead.

Murmur, murmur.

By this point, others were beginning to notice that something odd was happening.

Huh? What’s going on?

How many times has this been?

Is there some kind of problem?

The employee’s brow grew sweatier the more attention he drew.

Blip.

Woom, woom, woom.

For fuck’s sake, what am I supposed to do?

As panic began to set in…

“What’s going on? Where’s Changsik, and why are you doing everything alone?”

The employee spun around. Kisoo Jung, the assistant manager from reception, was here.

“Mr. Jung!” The tester was relieved at the unexpected backup. “Changsik went to the restroom.”

“How dare he leave his post in the middle of—” Kisoo cut himself off.

……Well, I did the same thing.

Cough, cough.

Anyway, it appeared Kisoo had arrived just in time. Was the newbie having trouble in the absence of his superior? It was time for a veteran to show how it was done.

“So? What seems to be the problem?” Kisoo showed interest in the situation.

“The mana meter might be malfunctioning.”

“It is?”

“Take a look, sir. It keeps showing an error message.”

The employee stepped aside so Kisoo could check the monitor that displayed the results.

Kisoo froze. “……How long have you worked here?”

“About six months. Did I press something I shouldn’t have?”

“That’s not it. Just get Changsik over here immediately.”

“What?”

“I don’t care if he’s in the restroom—get him here now!” Kisoo’s voice rose.

The employee flinched. “Wh-what’s wrong, sir?”

“This isn’t an error. It’s saying that it’s off the charts! Don’t you know what that means?”

“Um… So it’s not an error message?”

Why were all the newbies so slow?

Kisoo’s gaze turned from the rookie to the one being evaluated.

To think this would happen……

Jinwoo Sung, the man the guild master of the White Tiger Guild had asked Kisoo to report on.

Kisoo didn’t take his eyes off Jinwoo as he explained. “It means we can’t measure his mana levels with our mana meter, stupid.”

“W-wait, then that means…?”

Did the newbie say they’d been here for only half a year? The last time this had happened was two years ago, so no wonder the kid hadn’t realized what was going on.

Kisoo continued in a shaky voice. “Yeah… He’s an S rank.”

S for special. People often mistook it as a rank because the term was so widely used, but it actually stood for those whose mana levels were impossible to measure.

“Just hurry up and get Changsik.”

“Right away, sir.”

Changsik Kim was still pulling up his pants when he came running over after the employee’s call.

“Huff, haah! Let me see.” Changsik’s face paled after checking the monitor. His gaze shook as it landed on Jinwoo.

This is Korea’s tenth……

He approached Jinwoo.

Seeing him, Jinwoo finally took his hand off the black panel.

“Um… According to the mana meter, Mr. Sung…” Changsik abruptly remembered that Jinwoo was already a licensed hunter. “I mean, Hunter Jinwoo Sung. It’s impossible to measure your mana levels with the current equipment. I’d have to receive permission from upper management to use a more sophisticated meter, so could we ask you to come back in three days?”

Changsik informed Jinwoo of the next step in the process. How long had it been since he’d last said these words? He could barely remember the previous time.

From his experience as a hunter, Jinwoo automatically knew what this meant.

Perfect.

His test was on hold. In other words, if the result was immeasurable on the more sophisticated machine in three days’ time, he’d unequivocally be an S rank.

It’s all coming together.

If he’d gotten an A-rank result today, he would’ve had to increase his abilities and come back to the association for yet another reevaluation. But a reawakening was already rare enough, so would he tell people he’d had a re-reawakening? A second awakening was considered lucky, but people would be suspicious about a third. He wanted to avoid wasting any time in getting involved in something annoying.

Whew.

Jinwoo was relieved the results had come out in his favor. He then turned around.

“Huh?”

Everyone in the room was staring at him.

“Oh my, to think you’d come see me in person despite your busy schedule!”

“Please, you’re Director Park of the association. A phone call just isn’t good enough when talking to you.”

The warm smile that accompanied President Jongin Choi’s words had the older director chuckling.

The man in front of Director Park was the one who led the Hunters, Korea’s top guild—the Ultimate Hunter, the individual who commanded the country’s most powerful strike squad. How could Director Park not be delighted that such a person was humoring him?

Jongin held up a cigarette. “May I?”

“Oh, of course.”

“Would you like one?”

“No, thank you.”

Jongin lit the cigarette and brought it to his mouth, absolutely oozing with ease befitting someone who had achieved success at a very young age.

Is this what you’d call charisma?

As Director Park was gazing at Jongin as if entranced, the hunter suddenly said, “Seems like there’s a commotion over in Building B.”

“Building B?” The director looked in the direction of the evaluation room.

The director couldn’t actually hear anything, but Jongin was an S-rank hunter. His heightened senses couldn’t be compared to the average person’s, so if he could hear it, then it was most likely happening. How humiliating for this to be occurring in the presence of such a distinguished guest.

Director Park frowned. “I’ll go and take a look.”

“Wait.” Jongin dropped the cigarette on the ground and stomped it out. “I’m intrigued as well.” Jongin raised his head. His eyes shone, and he had an enigmatic smile. “I’ll go with you.”

The entirety of Building B went dead silent in an instant.

He said it was immeasurable……

Then does that mean he’s an S rank?

I’ve only ever heard of immeasurable levels, but to think I’d witness it with my own eyes……

Gulp.

The recruiters from various small guilds swallowed the lumps in their throats that formed as Jinwoo turned around. However, not a single one of them attempted to talk to him.

“……”

“……”

Had he been a C rank, it would’ve triggered mind games among them, and they would’ve been lining up to at least introduce themselves.

Had he been a B rank, they would’ve bombarded him with incredible proposals, guaranteeing things like managerial positions, shares of the guild, etc. It would’ve been a war zone. And no wonder, considering the value of having a B-rank hunter in one’s guild, not to mention the incentives for anybody who could sign a B rank. It wasn’t unheard of for B ranks to be sweet-talked into being a big fish in a little pond.

It was a different story when it came to A ranks and higher. A ranks received special treatment, whether they be from the smallest guilds or the largest. Becoming a member of an elite strike squad was a given, and since their main source of income was from high-rank dungeons, the rewards were incredible.

That wasn’t all—if an A rank wasn’t satisfied with any of the existing guilds, they also had the option of becoming a guild master. Since they could form a small- to medium-size guild themselves, was there any point in joining another? An A-rank hunter had that kind of power.

However…the man who had just been evaluated was said to be an S rank. Not even an A rank but an S rank—the highest level of awakened beings, of which there were only nine in all of South Korea.

Does that mean there’s now ten if you include him?

The tenth S-rank hunter……

He was out of the recruiters’ league.

Gulp.

The only thing they could do was stay quiet and let him pass by. He was just pie in the sky. Or so they thought at first, but…

Wait a minute……

Isn’t there an opportunity here?

A few sly scouts were simultaneously struck with the same brilliant idea. What if they connected the S-rank awakened being with a large guild and received a commission? An S rank’s signing bonus was tens of billions of won at least. Receiving even 1 percent of that amount would let them retire on the spot.

And if they were lucky enough to get in his good graces and be appointed as his personal assistant, they would be set for life. There was a rumor that one such PA had received a Porsche for their birthday.

……Maybe I’ll give it a go?

I’m no slouch when it comes to the art of persuasion……

Should I take the plunge?

Countless thoughts ran through the recruiters’ minds in a short period of time. The mortification of defeat would be fleeting, but the sweet thrill of victory would last a lifetime. They began inching toward Jinwoo while stealing furtive glances at one another.

Right then, someone pointed at the entrance of the building. “Huh? That’s……!”

Perhaps it was because they were on edge, but the recruiters all turned simultaneously. Their eyes bulged at the sight.

“Whoa!”

The man entering Building B wore a fashionable suit. There wasn’t a single person there who didn’t know his name.

“Jong……Jongin Choi?”

“What’s the president of the Hunters Guild doing here?”

Who else would it be? As if he was aware of the eyes on him, Jongin straightened out his suit jacket before striding over to Jinwoo.

How did President Choi manage to get here so quickly?

Wait, is that guy already signed with the Hunters Guild?

They had intel on him? A top-tier guild really is built differently.

They should have expected this. The recruiters readily accepted the inevitable. They were glad they hadn’t spoken to Jinwoo. How pathetic would it have been if President Choi had walked in on them buttering Jinwoo up? It was clear to them where things were headed.

President Choi completes the picture.

He’s so cool…

The representative of the Hunters himself… S ranks really do get the VIP treatment.

Their slight disappointment aside, the recruiters watched the meeting of an awakened being of the highest rank and the president of Korea’s best guild with warmth in their eyes.

For his part, Jinwoo breathed a sigh at the sight of Jongin.

That’s a relief.

He’d been in the middle of debating what to do about receiving so much attention, but President Choi had graciously diverted the spotlight, even if unknowingly. Jinwoo silently thanked him for the unexpected help as he walked straight past the guild president.

Jongin was caught off guard.

What? Wait.

Jongin hurriedly called out to Jinwoo. “Just a moment.”

Jinwoo stopped in his tracks and looked back. “……?”

Jongin’s eyes shone as he regarded Jinwoo’s face.

This man is number ten……

Jongin had told Director Park some nonsense about finding out what was going on together, but to tell the truth, he was already completely filled in.

It was impossible for me to miss all that chatter about immeasurable power and errors with the mana meter and whatnot.

Thanks to that, he’d been presented with a huge opportunity. And an S rank to boot! If he could secure this man, the Hunters Guild would have three S-rank hunters in its ranks, and not only would it be the strongest guild in South Korea, but it would be able to hold its own with the top guilds of the world. How could Jongin not jump at the prospect?

No need to borrow a mana meter.

He could feel how strong Jinwoo was simply by making eye contact with him. Jinwoo was a top-class hunter without a doubt. There was no reason to wait three days.

“Ahem.” Jongin cleared his throat and shot his signature winsome smile at Jinwoo. “I’m the president of the Hunters Guild, Jongin Choi.”

Jinwoo knew that much. Jongin’s face popped up on TV all the time. Although he was curious as to why this famous person had come all the way to the association to talk to him, he didn’t have time for a leisurely chat.

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

It’s already 5:50.

If he factored in transit time, it’d be a close call.

Upon seeing Jinwoo’s impatience that clearly indicated he should get to the point, Jongin was slightly taken aback as he continued. “Oh, so…I hear you received your rank evaluation.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a guild in mind?”

“No, not yet.”

Jongin brightened upon hearing this.

Nice, we’re finished here.

The Hunters was among the world’s top three guilds—how sweet those words sounded. From this day on, it would no longer be a pipe dream.

You’re mine.

Jongin clutched the welcome news close and spoke the words that might very well be recorded in history books. “I’d like to discuss that matter. Do you have a minute—?”

“I don’t. Sorry.” Jinwoo cut him off and promptly exited the association building.

“……” It had happened so fast, the thought of catching up to him didn’t even cross Jongin’s mind.

The association employee and recruiter onlookers were astonished as they belatedly realized what had happened.

“What the heck?”

“Was President Choi actually rejected?”

“It looked like he flat-out ignored President Choi.”

Murmur, murmur.

It quickly turned clamorous in the building. Jongin did his best to keep his cool and turned to the man standing next to him.

“Director Park.”

“Yes?” the director answered awkwardly.

“Did I forget to introduce myself just now?”

“I…I’m not quite sure myself…”

Of course, the director had been right next to Jongin for the whole encounter and had seen and heard everything. However, this wasn’t the time for honesty, was it?

When the director clammed up, Jongin scratched his head in embarrassment.

Did I come in too hot…?

But there was no need for disappointment. He was still a step ahead of the other guilds.

I’m the only one who knows about the new S rank.

The reevaluation would be in three days. There was time before the official announcement.

I want to arrange a meeting with him at least one more time before then……

What would be the best approach? While Jongin pondered this, he caught sight of someone bolting toward the association building.

……Is that?

It was a face he knew well. As soon as the man pushed open the glass door, Jongin blurted out a question in surprise. “President Baek, why are you……?”

Baek’s eyes widened when he recognized Jongin. “President Choi?”

Jongin scanned Yoonho’s expression.

He looks like he was caught doing something……

Yoonho wasn’t here because he’d heard something from his informant. He’d gotten here way too quickly for that.

Considering the distance between the White Tiger Headquarters and the Hunter’s Association……

So that was it—President Baek must have been in on it from the start. He’d already known what was going to happen here.

He’s aware of that man’s existence?

No, Yoonho wouldn’t have let him get evaluated if that were the case.

If I were Yoonho, I would’ve signed the guy first before allowing the reevaluation.

At that moment, all the puzzle pieces scattered in his mind started to come together.

……Could it be?

The White Tiger Guild, the training incident, the red gate, the nameless supporter, and the appearance of a new S-rank awakened being.

“White Tiger got help from someone they don’t want anyone else knowing about.”

“Is it a new hunter who has yet to be diagnosed as an awakened being? Or a criminal whose identity needed to be concealed?”

Everything made sense now…… Jongin had found him.

So it was him.

Seeing as how President Baek had sprinted so hard that he was now huffing and puffing, it wasn’t that he’d just let Jinwoo do whatever he wanted. No, it was that President Baek couldn’t stop him.

President Choi smiled at President Baek.

You let this slip through your fingers.

But Jongin was different.

I’ll happily accept this golden opportunity.

President Choi brushed past Yoonho without another word.

Yoonho looked around, but Jinwoo was nowhere to be seen.

Am I too late?

Yoonho let out a sigh, watching Jongin’s back as he departed.

Haah…

To think the guild master of the Hunters Guild would also be here.

Yoonho scratched the back of his head and mumbled, “Things are getting complicated.”

Visiting hours at Seoul Ilshin Hospital were until eight PM.

“You’re Kyunghye Park’s guardian, correct?”

“Yes.”

“You can go in. You’re aware of when visiting hours end?”

“I am, yes.”

Jinwoo headed toward his mother’s hospital room. He’d been able to get to there in time by rushing.

Click.

Jinwoo opened the door, made his way over to the bedside, and quietly took a seat next to his mother, who remained motionless as if asleep.

When I look at her, it’s like she’ll wake up as if nothing’s wrong……

But she was in a deep sleep from which she couldn’t awaken. She was diagnosed with an illness that had first been discovered when gates began appearing.

I think they said there were around ten or so patients with the same condition in this hospital alone.

He gently took his mother’s hand. “Mom……”

Fortunately, a life-support system that ran on essence stones kept his mother’s hand from withering away, despite her having been in a coma for several years.

Unfortunately, essence stones were expensive. It cost more than 5 million won to keep the machine constantly operating for a month. If the association didn’t cover medical bills for their hunters, it wouldn’t have been something he as a young man in his twenties could have afforded. He was able to hold his mother’s hand thanks to all his efforts to this point.

But things were different now. Instead of being satisfied with keeping her breathing, he had a chance to actually cure her. The Elixir of Life, the cure gifted to him by the system. Whether it would actually work or not was a matter for later. Getting it crafted was the current issue at hand.

“I’ll save you.”

In the absence of their father and despite her failing health, his mother had done her best to take care of her children. It wouldn’t be long now before she was up and about again.

Please hang on until then.

How long had he been keeping watch over her? After a significant amount of time had passed, he stood. His visit having come to an end, Jinwoo soundlessly left the room and cautiously closed the door.

When he turned around, though, he was met with a familiar face.

“So you really were the one who took care of the magic beasts in the double dungeon…weren’t you?” That low, deep voice and those sharp eyes—it was Jinchul Woo, the manager of the Hunter’s Association’s Surveillance Team.

Jinwoo didn’t answer. He had no reason or desire to do so. Instead, he had a question of his own. “How did you know I was here?”

“I came up with a list of places I anticipated you’d be, and when I contacted the hospital, they told me you were here.”

The association had paid for his mother’s hospital bill until recently.

Though not anymore.

The hospital may very well have been the first place he checked. The Surveillance Team acted swiftly, as expected.

Jinwoo couldn’t help snorting his laughter as he asked, “Did you go out of your way to find me to ask about what happened that day?”

Jinchul shook his head. “That’s not it.”

“Then what brings you here?”

“There is someone who would like to meet you. Will you please come with me?”

The Hunter’s Association’s Surveillance Team. Their main purpose was to keep track of and monitor hunters and to penalize those who broke the law. They were the last people with whom hunters wanted to cross paths.

Because of that, Jinwoo regarded Jinchul with distrust. “Is that an order?”

“No.” Jinchul took off his sunglasses. He bowed at a near-perfect ninety-degree angle and asked courteously, “I would like to humbly ask that you do.”

“……”

Jinwoo hadn’t expected the intense man to go this far, and after deliberating for a bit, he made up his mind to at least find out who was behind all this.

“Who’s asking for me?”

Jinchul finally straightened up. “President Gunhee Go of the Hunter’s Association.” He held up his hand and gestured to around the corner behind him.

“The president is right this way.”

At the president’s office at the Hunter’s Association, the doctor examining President Go looked grim. He lifted the stethoscope from President Go’s chest.

“Mr. President.”

“No, you don’t need to say anything. I can tell from your expression.” President Go chortled as he buttoned up his shirt.

The doctor stayed quiet.

That he’s even up and about…is nothing short of a miracle.

Despite this, President Go was chugging along at full speed without slowing down. He’d even had his doctor examine him at his office because he didn’t have time to go to the hospital.

“You know…” President Go slipped an arm through his suit jacket. “When healers and healing magic came into existence, I thought I could regain my youth, bid farewell to this old, haggard body.” President Go chortled again. “But that wasn’t the case.”

“Have there been no advancements?”

“Apparently, there’s nothing even a high-rank healer can do about old age.”

Had healers been able to eliminate all diseases, hospitals throughout the country would have had to shut down, and doctors would have been out of work. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Mana helped with regeneration. Healing magic was limited to mending physical wounds. It could miraculously regrow a severed arm, but it couldn’t lower the fever of a child with a cold.

Thanks to that, I’m still gainfully employed, but……

The doctor watched over President Go, who was already prepping himself to head out for the next item on his agenda.

I hope the president of all people can find a treatment, even if it’s through magic.

Currently, neither healing magic nor modern medicine was useful for President Go’s condition. The only thing the doctor could offer was advice. “You require bed rest. You must rest, even for a little bit.”

“I would like that, too.” But what would happen to the Hunter’s Association if he did? President Go’s laugh implied that question.

The association without me, Gunhee Go……

Even at this moment, large guilds with deep pockets were expanding their influence by the minute. Their power was already comparable to a country’s military might. The only reason the association had any leverage among the guilds wasn’t because of the government behind them but because President Go led them. As soon as the association lost hold of the guilds’ reins, they’d be running free like wild horses.

Not…not yet…

It wasn’t quite time for President Go to retire. The association was the only thing keeping the large guilds in check. He couldn’t leave before he could set up a viable plan B.

I need to be here to show that the association is still going strong.

He was an S rank above all S ranks. He was a vital part of the association. So until then, no matter what it took……

“Argh!” President Go cried out in pain. He grabbed his chest, wrinkling his immaculately pressed dress shirt.

“President Go, here……” The doctor held out a painkiller and a cup of water.

“Thank you.”

The medicine gave him some measure of relief. Right then……

Hmm?

His phone rang, even though he’d ordered his secretary not to bother him while the doctor was here.

Frowning, he answered the call. “I’m in the middle of a physical.”

The urgent voice of his male secretary came over the receiver.

“I’m sorry, sir. Something pressing came up.”

“Did Japan call again?”

“They did, but that’s not it.”

President Go’s eyebrows raised.

A bigger problem than those damn Jeju ants?

What could it possibly be?

“What is it?”

The secretary squeaked out a response just before President Go ran out of patience.

“We’ve received word from the evaluation team.”

“Evaluation team?”

The job of the evaluation team consisted of rating gates and awakened beings. It wasn’t a group that usually caused problems.

Or maybe……

Did they make another error measuring a gate? A scowl came over his face as he recalled the recent conflict with the White Tiger Guild.

His displeasure didn’t last long. What the secretary told President Go was beyond anything he could have expected.

“The evaluation team…… They said there was an awakened being with an immeasurable rank.”

“President Go of the Hunter’s Association?”

Had he heard that right? Jinwoo wasn’t sure. The person referred to as the most powerful hunter in South Korea had come to the hospital at this time of night to meet him?

That can’t be……

Although Jinwoo was half in disbelief, Jinchul gestured again and confirmed what Jinwoo thought he’d heard. “The president of the association is here.”

Jinchul’s eyes radiated anxiety as he awaited Jinwoo’s response. It was clear he wasn’t joking around.

……This is seriously happening.

Why was Gunhee Go looking for him? Jinwoo couldn’t rein in his racing thoughts. It had to be because of the results of his reevaluation, right…?

Is he trying to recruit me for the association?

However, the association was a nonprofit organization. It wasn’t necessary for the president to bring along a Surveillance Team member in order to scout a single hunter. Besides, he hadn’t had his full evaluation yet. The more he thought about it, the curiouser it all was.

“Fine.” Jinwoo agreed.

Jinchul’s expression lit up so quickly that one could barely tell he’d ever been nervous.

“Thank you very much!” Sincerity rang in his voice.

To think such an intimidating man could make those expressions.

Jinwoo was fascinated as he followed Jinchul. When they turned the corner, Jinwoo caught sight of an old man seated on one of the hard chairs in the hospital waiting room.

That’s……

Jinwoo gulped.

A god among gods—that’s what S-rank hunter Gunhee Go was known as.

Shp.

President Go spotted him and rose from his seat. “Hunter Jinwoo Sung?”

Even though he was over eighty, Gunhee Go was an old man with a commanding presence. His physique reminded Jinwoo of a retired pro wrestler or a traditional ssireum wrestler but without the cocky attitude.

He’s different from what I expected.

Jinwoo figured the man would come across as a formidable, but the secretary next to him wore a more menacing expression.

“Yes, I’m Jinwoo Sung,” he answered.

President Go extended a hand with a pleased smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Gunhee Go.”

They shook hands, and President Go waved at a couple of chairs that had been arranged facing each other. “Have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

The president waited for Jinwoo to sit before doing the same.

A gold badge on President Go’s jacket collar caught Jinwoo’s eye. The man was both a congressman as well as the president of the Hunter’s Association.

And an S-rank awakened being to boot.

President Go wasn’t someone with whom people could easily get an audience. Countless individuals, from politicians to business tycoons from abroad, wanted to meet with him, which made this whole thing even stranger. Why was someone like Gunhee Go in a rush to meet little old Jinwoo?

First Jongin Choi, now Gunhee Go?

Jinwoo’d had the honor of meeting not one but two people regarded to be at the top. He hadn’t even been officially confirmed to be an S rank yet—

President Go interrupted his musings. “Congratulations on becoming an S-rank hunter.”

Jinwoo cocked his head. “My results haven’t been confirmed yet.”

The president shook his head. “To be honest, the reevaluation doesn’t mean much.”

“Pardon?”

He gently smiled at Jinwoo’s confounded expression. “A sophisticated mana meter does give more precise measurements, but it’s not designed to measure immeasurable quantities.”

“Then why…?”

“You’re asking why there is a reevaluation procedure at all?”

He was spot-on. If the results were the same, why drag out the process?

President Go’s answer was simple. “It’s a grace period.”

Grace period…?

Before Jinwoo could ask, President Go continued sheepishly. “That’s how long we can get away with to reach out to hunters like you first.”

Ohhh.

Jinwoo perfectly understood what he was implying.

“As you know, despite the size of the association, there aren’t many excellent hunters like Manager Woo in our employ…”

Because of the large guilds, right?

“…because of the large guilds.”

Jinwoo had hit the nail on the head.

“Who would come to the association when fame and money are guaranteed by large guilds?”

The income for hunters in the association wasn’t meager, but it was petty cash compared to how much they could make in a large guild. Fame was the same.

“There are many who can list off the names of elite strike squad members, but very few know about Manager Woo.”

At the mention of elite strike squads, Jinwoo recalled A-rank hunter Chul Kim. The perception stat allowed Jinwoo to appraise another person’s ability. By his assessment, Jinchul was definitely in a class above Chul.

Even though they’re the same rank, their skills are on different levels.

Jinwoo turned to look at Jinchul, who blushed and bowed his head at the president’s compliments and Jinwoo’s gaze.

However……

If Chul had managed to start working as a hunter, he would’ve had heaps more money and fame than Jinchul. That was the difference between a hunter from the association and a hunter from a guild.

“That’s why we set up this little trick in case an extremely talented awakened being showed up at the association.”

And that trick was the reevaluation?

I mean, if you think about it……

Once the results became public and word spread, it would be much harder for the association to approach such a person. It made sense for them to go about things this way.

“Let me get to the point.” President Go’s smile had vanished. “We’re not a company, so we cannot promise to make you rich. However…”

President Go had been fiddling with something on his chest, and he now thrust out his fist, which was clenched tightly around something.

“…We can help you down a different path.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I mean we can nurture you to have a different kind of power.” He revealed the item in his hand. There, on his palm, lay his glittering gold badge.

Does he mean…political power?

Jinwoo just looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

“Pardon?”

“Why are you going so far for me?”

That was a valid question. President Go’s eyes shone as he examined Jinwoo.

Instead of being intimidated by me or tempted by the incredible opportunity right before his eyes, he’s calmly voicing his doubts……

Had he been too hasty? He’d heard that patience decreases with age, and that clearly wasn’t wrong. President Go swallowed his laugh and continued.

“You know the top five guilds, don’t you?”

How could Jinwoo not? He silently nodded.

“Currently, there is a delicate balance among the five monsters of Korea.”

There were the Hunters, White Tiger, and the Reapers in Seoul, plus Fame and the Knights outside of Seoul.

“If you join one of the five guilds, no matter which, the balance will tip, and huge change will come.”

The large guilds were already powerful enough to pierce the sky. But if one of them welcomed another S-rank hunter and claimed a spot above the rest? Would they deign to listen to the association then? The association’s role was to maintain balance.

“You cannot control hunters with laws, regulations, or governmental authority.”

Jinwoo’d had the same thought not too long ago. Magic beasts weren’t the only monsters. Hunters could be just as monstrous—heck, based on power alone, hunters were arguably more dangerous.

“That is why we need the association.” President Go’s expression revealed the gravity of the situation. “And the association needs Hunter Jinwoo Sung.”

They needed someone as powerful as Jinwoo. Gunhee’s gaze was shrewd.

I’d have to have him close by and keep an eye on him for a time, but……

If Jinwoo accepted, Gunhee intended to give him all the support he needed. S ranks were worth that kind of treatment.

That should be enough for him to understand.

All that was left was…

For the first time in quite a while, President Go felt a mix of apprehension and excitement. He asked in a low voice, “What will you do, Hunter Sung?”