Chapter 157

Chapter 157. Together, Hanshin (2)

“Hunter Kim Giryeo!”

In front of the item auction house, I was heading home after spending about three hours browsing magical tools during my rare day off when I encountered an unfamiliar voice.

The mysterious man, who appeared to be in his 30s by his facial features, caught my attention as I immediately recognized from his voice that he was someone I had never met before.

“Hmm?”

The person, who had apparently rushed over from somewhere, hurriedly began introducing himself.

“Hello! I’m Cho Sangoh from the Hanshin Guild.”

Hanshin...

Hanshin?

“Phew, luckily you’re still at the auction house, just as I was told. Ah, first of all, it’s not about that! I heard that Hunter Kim declined our guild offer last week. Do you remember that?”

As the description of the person named Cho Sangoh continued, I finally recalled the source of the term “Hanshin.” I didn’t know the details down to the smallest points, but overall, it seemed like the guild that had been trying to recruit Jung Haseong. But then, why on earth was a member of such a guild suddenly calling me over?

“Personally, I was disappointed by your decision. I heard you rejected us back then, saying A-ranks were too weak or something like that...”

“....”

“To be honest, I’m really confident in my skills. So, if it’s not too much trouble, could you give me just one chance?”

“A chance?”

“I will prove myself as a hunter through clearing gates! That’s why I came to see you for a moment.”

A chance?

I will prove myself as a hunter through clearing gates! That's why I came to see you for a moment.

As expected, it wasn't a request that would be readily welcomed. This hunter was essentially begging to be hired for a position that hadn't even been established yet.

I'm sorry. As I said last time, that's difficult.

I had no intention of forming a team, and if it were discovered that I was just exploiting Jung Haseong's money, this could eventually lead to a scandal in the streets of Seoul.... So, I firmly refused his request for a chance. However, if it were as simple as just a word to end it, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of finding me like this.

Wait a moment, Hunter Kim Giryeo! I have also obtained a Level 1 qualification as a Monster Dismantler from a private company. So, I can really be of help in a support role...

Given his attire, could he have just come from a gate? The person approached with large strides, dressed in glowing orange armor. The clanking noise of the armor with every step was quite noticeable.

On top of that, I'm not even asking for money; I said I'd work for passion pay. Is that still not enough?

That...

“That...”

“Are you really not even going to give me a chance just because I’m A-rank? Absolutely?”

To be honest, if I hadn’t suddenly intervened, Hanshin would have likely signed the contract with Haseong smoothly, so it’s understandable that he might feel a bit unfair about it.

Perhaps the possibility of becoming a hero’s companion weighed on him. He had come so close to the chance to enjoy such glory, yet he couldn’t bring himself to give up.

But, like everything, this situation too had its own set of circumstances.

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave now.”

I decided that there was no point in exchanging more words and turned my body. However, Cho Sangoh, upon seeing this, quickly walked ahead and stood at the main gate, precisely in order to block my path.

“You’re ignoring me again...! No, excuse me.”

What followed was Cho Sangoh’s direct provocation.

"You're ignoring me again...! No, excuse me."

What followed was Cho Sangoh's direct provocation.

"What if I'm better than you?"

"...."

"Hunter Kim Giryeo, I didn't say that with just a lighthearted confidence in my abilities."

"...."

"I even think I could win if we made a bet to see who could clear the same gate faster, even against you, an S-rank."

Hearing such words, are you still not interested in my abilities? Cho Sangoh proudly boasted about his professional skills in a rather loud voice, and indeed, with such confidence, it piqued my interest.

'A-rank beating S-rank in terms of clearing speed? What kind of awakening system is this?'

However, this thought couldn't be expressed out loud. No matter how skilled the other hunter was, there was no need to introduce impurities into a contract meant for making money.

However, this thought couldn’t be expressed out loud. No matter how skilled the other hunter was, there was no need to introduce impurities into a contract meant for making money.

‘His name is Cho Sangoh, right? I'll look up what skills he uses when I get home...’

I remained silent and tried to quietly leave the place. However, seeing my attitude of ignoring him, Cho Sangoh seemed to get upset and frowned.

“Ah, seriously. Just relying on your rank and acting all high and mighty.”

I just wanted to avoid the conversation. I didn't mean to make the other person this angry.

“Hey, are you scared you’ll lose?”

“....”

“Sorry for saying something so old-fashioned, but honestly, it’s kind of funny. You acted like A-ranks weren’t even on the same level as other awakened beings, but when it comes down to actually comparing, you just shut your mouth tight.”

The intensity of the criticism gradually increased.

nt.

The intensity of the criticism gradually increased.

“Well, I’ve known since the Siren incident. It looks like Kim Giryeo—you’re the same, right? A hunter who only prefers dungeons that are easy to handle, ones that fit your strengths.”

“....”

“With that kind of attitude, do you really feel proud walking around acting all high and mighty just because you’re S-rank? Huh?”

No matter how you look at it, these were overly rude remarks for strangers to exchange. However, I could understand why Cho Sangoh was acting like a troublemaker. He probably wanted to provoke me enough to get an S-rank to sit at the table with him, even if it meant insulting my pride.

‘Is this a provocation operation?’

But what can I do? It’s been several months since I took on Kim Giryeo’s body. By now, I’ve become somewhat accustomed to living as an F-rank....

“Don’t just ignore me, answer me! You’re telling me that if your attributes don’t match, you can’t clear a single dungeon properly, right? Huh?”

The term ‘weakling’ no longer sounds like criticism. It’s actually the truth.

‘Yeah~ I am exactly that bottom-tier loser.’

I let Cho Sangoh’s insults slide with a dismissive ear. However, now that the situation had escalated, it was becoming a bit troublesome.

Cho Sangoh, who had been shouting in a harsh tone, suddenly stopped when he saw me turn and try to leave without responding.

Soon after, he began to channel a deep magical power into his arm.

‘Wait, magical power?’

If it were before, I would have taken action at this moment when I noticed the change, but as I just said, I was an unfortunate magician trapped in the body of Kim Giryeo. There was nothing I could do. As a result, the magical energy that Cho Sangoh had gathered burst forth into the air without any interference.

Swish!

tunate magician trapped in the body of Kim Giryeo. There was nothing I could do. As a result, the magical energy that Cho Sangoh had gathered burst forth into the air without any interference.

Swish!

Just as I thought I heard the sound of wind brushing past, a sudden gust of wind filled the still air. This pressure was caused by Cho Sangoh drawing his weapon. With a speed too fast to follow with my eyes, he unsheathed his axe and brought its blade to my neck. The debris scattered on the road couldn’t withstand the fierce winds and were blown all the way to the back, almost as if they were going to break apart. All he had done was draw his weapon, yet the destructive aftermath was overwhelming.

....!

But there was one more change that resulted from his action. Cho Sangoh, perhaps only trying to provoke a reaction, actually didn’t strike. Instead, he stopped the axe blade just about 10 centimeters from my Adam’s apple.

Tuk...

The monstrous acceleration created by the A-rank hunter had a significant impact on this miserable body of mine.

My neck was cut. The gust of wind and the minute magical energy emanating from that axe blade alone caused my skin to tear and blood to pour out. Blood...

“S-Class was cut?”

“Did you hit someone?”

Both Cho Sangoh and I were surprised at the same time. However, what we were shocked by was completely different. Even this A-rank couldn’t have dreamed that such a result would come about.

“Ha, huh? No, I knew you were suppressing your mana and all, but... w, what in the world is going on here...?”

Thump.

I turn my back on the flustered Cho Sangoh and clutch my neck, where blood is seeping out.

The situation is not good. This is the road near the Dungeon Item Auction House, and with so many hunters passing by, it’s difficult to attempt any physical recovery...

“Wait, could it be that you’re just bluffing with nothing behind you? I can tell your reaction speed slowed down, though?”

It was just as I was debating whether to hide the existence of healing magic or not. At that moment, seeing Cho Sango

Wait, could it be that you're just bluffing with nothing behind you? I can tell your reaction speed slowed down, though?

It was just as I was debating whether to hide the existence of healing magic or not. At that moment, seeing Cho Sangoh sneering, I suddenly got angry and shouted.

Is this really the time to be saying something like that? I mean, suddenly pulling out a weapon? What are you doing...

Ah, then go ahead and file a lawsuit later.

But that hunter arrogantly interrupted my words.

I didn't expect this either. I thought if a pathetic A-rank just brushed against you, our mighty S-rank would at least get a scratch.

Cho Sangoh glanced at me, holding my neck with one hand, and let out a hollow laugh.

Hunter Kim Giryeo, let me ask you one thing. If I beat an S-rank here and send them to the ICU...

What?

Honestly, wouldn't it be more beneficial if I rot in jail for a while and then come out?

"What?"

"Honestly, wouldn't it be more beneficial if I rot in jail for a while and then come out?"

An A-rank Hunter who defeated an Awakener revered as a transcendent existence. Yes, it's something unprecedented in history, so the world will surely make a fuss about it. Even if it draws moral criticism, everyone will undeniably acknowledge his skill. A rebellion against the higher ranks would certainly leave such an impact.

'Damn it.'

But this time, everything went wrong in many ways. On this side, it's just a F-rank with inflated magical power using drugs—purely a bundle of bluffs!

"What's going on? What's happening?"

"I think there's a fight."

Mutters.

In the meantime, the Hunters who were passing by also stopped in their tracks and began to glance at this side.

"Hunter Cho Sangoh... I'll overlook this mistake, so let's end it here."

In the meantime, the Hunters who were passing by also stopped in their tracks and began to glance at this side.

“Hunter Cho Sangoh… I’ll overlook this mistake, so let’s end it here.”

I pointed at the onlookers and tried to persuade him to stop before this turned into a real problem, but Cho Sangoh seemed to be enjoying the situation instead.

“Huh? Well, if you want to watch, go ahead. Anyway, the ICU thing was just a joke. I’m just going to blow off some of your bubbles here.”

And from the unhesitating tone in his voice, I realized that the person in front of me wasn’t someone who could be persuaded by words. Drawing a weapon like that takes a certain level of determination—it’s not something just anyone would do. Unless, of course, they’re a psychopath.

‘…Is that right?’

Anyway, it seems like that Hunter has quite a deep interest in S-rank individuals… Looking at him closely, I could almost guess why he’s so overflowing with confidence.

From the armor wrapped around his body to the small accessories on his ears, he was adorned with two Epic-grade items, or equivalently high-performance items. This meant that he was one of the top-tier A-ranks, even among his own rank. It’s clear now. Cho Sangoh’s equipment was so impressive that even I felt envious of it.

From the armor wrapped around his body to the small accessories on his ears, he was adorned with two Epic-grade items, or equivalently high-performance items. This meant that he was one of the top-tier A-ranks, even among his own rank. It's clear now. Cho Sangoh's equipment was so impressive that even I felt envious of it.

But this Earth's sorcerer is overlooking something.

'All of his equipment just mindlessly boosts the power of magic...!'

Any magical tools, when specialized to such an extent in one particular ability, are bound to have a major flaw somewhere.

"Bubble?"

After a while. I took a deep breath and muttered a short sentence.

"Let's see where the bubble is?"

But it was a meaningless remark. It was just a tactic to buy some time, and in reality, I had already used it when he turned around to check the witnesses earlier, with that thing in my pocket.

[Surprise Box!]

[Rank: Unique]

[Description: Gives a strong [Stun] effect to the surrounding area]

Hmm.

But in any case, the crazy hyena blinded by fame was dealt with successfully. However, a small problem followed during this process.

Huh?

Gasp!

Thud—!

The effect range of the magical item was unexpectedly wide, causing even the onlookers nearby to fall unconscious as well.

Oh my.

I counted and there were about five victims lying on the ground. This shouldn't qualify as assault, right? It should probably be considered self-defense, right?...Right, Korean law?

Author's Thoughts

Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)