I knew it. I had expected that Trust Private Loans wouldn't let Kang Jeong-hyeon go so easily. This was because information about Ban Hae-min, the representative of Trust Private Loans, was still in the Hunter Association's network which I had hacked using V1.
He was a man who lost his Hunter license after being caught embezzling guild money. It was a good thing I brought Iron Arm with me just in case. If I hadn't, things could have gotten ugly.
Not for Kang Jeong-hyeon, but for those Trust Private Loans guys. If Kang Jeong-hyeon had held a grudge and summoned his plants, it wouldn't have ended as moderately as it did with Iron Arm.
“Then, that man appeared like a hero and took down all those people.”
Kang Jeong-hyeon excitedly recounted Iron Arm's heroic tale, and for the first time in a while, Iron Arm's shoulders were puffed up with pride.
“Hahahaha. Even if that Ban Hae-min fellow is a former Hunter, he's only a D-rank at best, isn't he?" "They were nasty guys who preyed only on people desperate for money. I handled them a little harshly.”
“You did well. Did you make sure to shut them up for good?”
“Of course. I told them that if they spoke a word about what happened today, someone even more vicious and dangerous would come for them.”
“Someone more vicious and dangerous? Who?”
Then, everyone's gaze turned to me.
Why. What.
Are they trying to say that's me?
“They're truly terrifying people... To pull such a scam on people desperate for money...”
The person most shocked by this incident was none other than Maria. Since joining the Glory Guild, she had only seen the bright and glamorous side of the world. She had likely never encountered information about the prevalence of illegal loan sharking, or about the poor who had no choice but to use them.
Maria seemed to have suffered a bit of a mental breakdown from their methods, which were more vicious than she had imagined.
“... Joining the Irregular team seems to have been a good choice in many ways. I thought I had some idea of how non-Hunters live, but...”
Seeing her speak like that, I understood why people called her a saint. While the healer type is fundamentally a position for saving people, Maria, regardless of her type, often expressed deep empathy for the pain of others. Perhaps it was this disposition of hers that created her outstanding healing energy.
“Alright, now that Jeong-hyeon's debt is settled, shall we talk about our next plan?”
Maria and all the other members perked up their ears.
“The Hunter Ranking Match will be held soon. Anyone want to participate?”
“The Hunter Ranking Match?”
Iron Arm asked, stroking his thick beard.
“Can we participate in the Hunter Ranking Match?”
“Yes.”
“That can't be... As far as I know, only Hunters who belong to a guild can participate in the Hunter Ranking Match. Isn't the whole reason for the ranking match to prove a guild's strength?”
“An unofficial request came in from the Association. The members of the Irregular team can also participate in the ranking match.”
“That's surprising.”
Iron Arm clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“That's as good as saying they're changing the system... Both with the Irregular team you founded, Hunter, and in many other ways, it seems you're really changing the world.”
“Hehe. That's a bit much.”
“You may not know it, Hunter, but I can feel that change firsthand." "The number of times the Hunter Association has revised its regulations in the past ten years can be counted on one hand." "The Hunter Association is a surprisingly closed-off and old-fashioned group. But...”
For a Hunter who appeared less than a year ago, they were repeatedly overhauling the system. That high and mighty Hunter Association. Iron Arm was pointing out that very fact.
“Seeing as the conversation has already progressed this far, it seems you're planning to participate, huh?”
Bi-soo asked, twirling her red hair around her finger.
“That's right. And since I'm participating, I plan to win it all.”
“What's gotten into you? You were never interested in that kind of ranking stuff.”
“I wasn't, but I heard that this time, the winner gets the right to participate in the World Hunter Forum.”
“Hmm?”
“Whaat?”
The reactions were split into exactly two groups. While Bi-soo and Kang Jeong-hyeon looked bewildered as if asking 'what's that?', Iron Arm and Maria's eyes widened. The two of them knew very well the significance of the World Hunter Forum.
“I felt it at the last Hunter license ceremony too... It seems the Association is really trying to pick a fight with the Glory Guild.”
“Yes. It certainly looks that way.”
The World Hunter Forum was practically the exclusive domain of the Glory Guild. The guild that represents the country, and the guild's strongest members. Even those who disliked the Glory Guild took their participation in the World Hunter Forum for granted.
They preferred sending strong Hunters rather than having some incompetent fools represent the country and face utter humiliation. But now, the tide had turned. Just as Iron Arm said, due to the appearance of a 'new Hunter'.
“Come to think of it, you must be familiar with that place, right Maria? Is it nice there?”
“Ah, yes. The treatment is quite good. The International Hunter Organization covers the expenses. They even book first-class plane tickets...”
“F-First class? Not even business?”
Suddenly, Bi-soo's eyes sparkled. She had never even flown economy, let alone first class. That must be why she was practically drooling over something that wasn't even food.
“Yes. They also book the best hotel nearby, and there are even evening parties with world-famous Hunters.”
“W-Wow! Wow!”
Bi-soo, who had been trembling as if she had met a god, suddenly turned her head towards me.
“Cheon Hae-seon! You must win! To hell with the Great Cataclysm or whatever, just win first!”
“...”
“Maria, is there anything else? Like, do they give out souvenirs at that world whatever thingy?”
“Why not just ask them to build you a house while you're at it.”
Bi-soo narrowed her eyes at my sarcastic remark.
“Stop messing around and figure out how to win, will you?”
“That's why I'm asking.”
“Huh?”
I shrugged and looked around at everyone.
“Is there anyone besides me who wants to challenge for the win?”
It wasn't the opportunity I had wanted, but in any case, the qualification to participate was open to everyone. Since the Association said they would open the door to all members of the Irregular team. Wouldn't there be a member who wants to prove their strength?
“Are you an idiot?”
Bi-soo pouted.
“After summoning that ridiculously strong monster in the dungeon, you're telling us to participate? It's not like you'd go easy on us if we fought you.”
“I'd never go easy. I'd just hahaheu (crush)...”
Bi-soo stretched my mouth, causing my words to be slurred.
“See? Even if we get lucky and make it to the upper rounds, our chances of winning disappear if we meet you. Why would we bother with something so troublesome?”
“Hmm...”
Kang Jeong-hyeon, who had been quiet the whole time, also chimed in.
“I... think so too. Even if it's a tournament, fighting other Hunters is scary. Especially you, Hunter...”
Maria, a healer with no offensive abilities, was out of the question from the start. With Bi-soo and Kang Jeong-hyeon shaking their heads, the only one left was Iron Arm. A veteran who has been in and out of countless dungeons.
What would Iron Arm's choice be?
“I will participate.”
“Oh...!!”
“It's not just elite Hunters who participate in the ranking match." "There are also those with a strong competitive spirit who want to measure their own strength or try to take down a top-ranker." "Ah, of course, if I meet you, Cheon Hae-seon, I'll forfeit immediately.”
Iron Arm said, expressing his intention to participate with an awkward laugh. Originally, a Hunter's rank is like an insurmountable four-dimensional wall. No matter how much experience and luck are combined, a B-rank beating an S-rank never happens.
But despite that, Iron Arm confidently threw his hat into the ring. Perhaps he wanted to prove himself as a member of the Irregular team.
Besides...
'Who knows, an upset might happen.' While Iron Arm was being encouraged by his comrades, I gave a faint, barely visible smile. Among the Irregular team members, the one who benefits most from Bi-soo's buff is, by far, Iron Arm.
As for myself, Kang Jeong-hyeon, and Maria, our abilities are already so high that receiving a buff doesn't result in a dramatic change. But after receiving Bi-soo's buff, Iron Arm becomes a warrior who could rival an S-ranker. The strange thing is, there are times when Iron Arm's Ether doesn't subside even after the buff ends.
The others don't seem to have noticed, but I can see it clearly. The Ether I could feel from Iron Arm right now was somewhere between B and A-rank. If he keeps receiving Bi-soo's buff like this, he might become an A-ranker one day.
There might be Hunters in the ranking match who let their guard down after seeing only Iron Arm's rank and get caught by surprise.
“So, for this ranking match, it'll just be me and Mr. Iron Arm?”
“Okay. You have to win!”
Bi-soo grabbed my hand tightly, her eyes filled with desperation. She must really want to fly first class, huh?
Kieeeeeeeeeeeek.
“Aaaargh!!”
“Run!!!!!!!!”
Monsters the size of houses occupied the city center. A mutated Gate that appeared much earlier than expected. Inside it, threatening red creatures were destroying buildings.
CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!
With flat faces and large tusks, Red Hippos, their entire bodies overflowing with massiveness, rampaged through the streets as if they owned the place.
“H-Help me!!” someone called for help from inside an overturned car.
But as if that voice was the trigger, a nearby Red Hippo charged towards the overturned vehicle.
“Aaaaargh!”
Just as the man, thinking he was about to die for sure, squeezed his eyes shut, Thud, thud, thud, thud. The dull sound of something piercing flesh was heard.
Kieek!
At the same time, the Red Hippo's body collapsed as if crumbling. Large holes were riddled all over its massive body, and the man who saw this let out a cheer.
“GunTech!!!!!!!”
The GunTech Guild. A rising power renowned for having the most advanced scientific technology in the Republic of Korea. The large holes in the Red Hippo were created by Ether bullets.
The GunTech Guild, protectors of Hyeongsan District on the outskirts of Seoul, had finally arrived on the scene.
“Kill them all!!!”
Bang, bang, bang!! Chwaaaak- The devices used by GunTech Hunters are well-known for being flashy. From gun-type devices that look like revolvers to massive Ether blades one might see in a fantasy game.
There was a good reason why videos of GunTech in action ranked so high despite the guild being newly established. 'A Hunter's Ether has its limits, but science has no limits.' That was the motto of GunTech, and the creed of GunTech's top prospect, Bu Ji-seong.
“You pig-like bastards!!”
His long hair, which covered his shoulders, fluttering, Bu Ji-seong continuously pulled the trigger. Bang, bang, bang! Bu Ji-seong shot a rotten smile as he watched the hippos fall like autumn leaves.
His entrance was like that of a movie protagonist, but there was one crucial difference from a movie. The fact that Bu Ji-seong's face was uncommonly ugly. With an upturned nose and narrow, sunken eyes, he looked more suited to be a third-rate extra than a protagonist.
In contrast, his physical abilities were more than worthy of being called outstanding. Despite his thick build, Bu Ji-seong's movements were as swift as the wind. Bu Ji-seong darted between buildings like a flying squirrel.
Around the time he had killed about a dozen Red Hippos, he suddenly faced a crisis.
CRASH!!!!!!!!
Several hippos had teamed up and completely destroyed the rooftop of the building he was standing on.
“Ugh...!!”
Losing his balance, Bu Ji-seong fell to the ground, and a number of hippos rushed over and surrounded him. There was no way to intercept so many of them at once. The invigorated hippos bared their tusks and charged at Bu Ji-seong.
A situation where, in normal cases, one's life would flash before their eyes. However, instead of resigning himself, Bu Ji-seong raised his revolver above his head.
Kiring, kiring.
Then, surprisingly, the revolver's shape began to change. The device floating in the air reconfigured itself into a circular shape, and soon, twelve holes appeared. Front, back, left, right.
An indiscriminate barrage covering a full 360 degrees poured down around Bu Ji-seong. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
Kyaaaaaak.
After finishing one round of bombardment, the device now extended into the shape of a sword, and Bu Ji-seong leaped up and grabbed it.
Swish!
Bu Ji-seong instantly sliced down the hippos that had survived the barrage. Not only his shooting skills, but his ability to wield a sword was also at its peak. In terms of stylish combat alone, he was skilled enough to be in the top five in Korea.
If only his face was handsome, no, even if it were just average, Bu Ji-seong's popularity would have been much higher.
“A proper warm-up before the match, huh?”
As the monsters were finished off, Bu Ji-seong rolled his neck. It was a movement filled with bluff, as if he were very conscious of the people around him. 'Just you watch.
I'll show you exactly who's going to take over this ranking match.' Bu Ji-seong's hand tightened on his transforming device. His maternal uncle had told him he just needed to beat Gu Geon-yi, but Bu Ji-seong had no intention of doing so.
He would bring not only Gu Geon-yi but also Cheon Hae-seon to their knees. If he did that, public opinion would flip like the palm of a hand. 'The best Hunter in the country is me.'
S-rank Knight Bu Ji-seong. The ace of the GunTech Guild, operated from behind the scenes by Vice Chairman Baek Jeong-dae, was targeting two men in his mind.