Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Wanna Enter a Gate?
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Don't wanna enter the gate?
'Do I really need a high-ranking hunter?'
Higher rank means more dramatic changes. A high rank indicates the potential to properly assimilate high-purity Yin Energy. Since we're experimenting anyway, wouldn't it be better to confirm some real changes?
That's true.
But I don't know any S-Ranks or A-Ranks.
'I've got a C-Rank, though. Isn't that enough?'
Someone does come to mind.
If it's okay, I'll ask her.
But suitability needs to be high to run various experiments.
The "suitability" she's talking about refers to the "degree" to which a hunter is suited to a gate.
Up to B-Rank, it's something a hunter can reach through personal effort after awakening.
By hunting monsters and leveling up, that is.
Of course, it takes an enormous amount of experience to climb from F to B.
But from A-Rank onward, there's a wall that experience and levels alone can't overcome.
No matter how much you level up, only hunters acknowledged by the gate can reach A-Rank or higher.
This is called a hunter's "suitability."
'Hearing you say that made me think—could a hunter's suitability be related to Yin Energy?'
Why do you think that?
'You chose me to give sexual pleasure to high-rank hunters who get their Yin Energy sucked out. Doesn't that mean promoting hunters whose Yin Energy tastes that good to higher ranks?'
Hoo, your brain's turning faster than I expected.
Don't underestimate Korea University Hunter Administration major.
Exactly. No matter how high the level, if the Yin Energy purity is low, you can't reach A-Rank or above. The gates don't find it tasty enough to suck it in.
How much of a pervert is this gate bastard?
Put another way, Master's Yin Energy replenishment truly shines at A-Rank and above. They need to be vessels capable of taking in high-purity Yin Energy.
'Then a C-Rank is useless?'
If they can become a vessel, C-Rank is fine. Master can raise their rank. That's why I asked about suitability.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
'I can... raise a hunter's rank...?'
This wasn't a small deal.
It was practically becoming a god, but only within gates.
A-Rank and above guaranteed wealth and fame, so in reality, they'd worship the ground I walk on.
You're the man chosen by the gates—you need that level of ability. The title "King of Yin Energy" wasn't given lightly.
'Like with Han Chaewon—just touch them and transfer Yin Energy? Will S-Ranks go up too? Is there even an SS-Rank?'
I had a ton of questions now.
The stronger my abilities grew, the more chances I'd have to suck honey from them.
'Dealing only with elite high-rank hunters would let me live easy for life.'
After giving up my pro dreams, I'd studied my ass off to get into Hunter Administration.
Hunter Agency admin jobs were stable iron rice bowls.
But now the gates were offering me a position beyond compare to any civil servant gig.
You're always thinking about being a gigolo—why beg off women?
'I just want to live as comfortably as possible. It's not breaking laws or committing crimes.'
Not that. Master has already transcended hunters—why rely on mere hunters?
'You keep saying transcendence, but there's no status window with levels, experience, or stats. I have no way to know how amazing I am.'
You'll know right away once you enter a gate with a partner. Experiencing it directly is faster than hearing about it. So hurry up and find a hunter to help.
She just keeps repeating that everything will be solved once I enter a gate.
Just what kind of class is the King of Yin Energy to be this confident?
Is it really okay to call hunters "mere"?
Whatever the case, it looks like it'll be best to do as she says and enter a gate to see for myself.
'Even a Blue Gate should be fine with a return ticket.'
I pulled out my phone from my pocket, but the battery was dead.
Digging through my other pockets, I found enough cash for a taxi.
The girl I'm going to meet lives in a one-room near her university, Sujee or something.
'Suitability? I can just ask when I see her.'
I passed the toll gate and hailed a taxi.
'This seems like the place.'
I got out of the taxi and climbed to the third floor of the rundown one-room building.
If memory serves, it's the room farthest from the stairs, at the end of the hallway.
I pressed the doorbell, but no response.
Even after pressing it several times, nothing.
I knocked on the door and yelled toward the hallway window.
"Hey, if you're in there, open up quick. It's Woojin!"
Sounds of crashing came from inside, and then the door opened.
"Y-Yeah? What brings you here?"
A woman in disheveled clothes stared at me in surprise.
It was Seo Nayeong, my childhood friend we'd been thick as thieves since we were kids.
*
She told me to sit in the living room, then came back from the kitchen with beer and snacks.
She downed a can in one go and let out a satisfied "Ahh."
"But seriously, what's up? No heads-up or anything?"
I shook my phone as I answered.
"Battery died. Where else would a guild-fired NEET like me go? So I just came."
"Fuck, don't poke at the sore spot. It's not like I got fired because of you."
Nayeong was part of the assault team at a mid-sized guild—not one of the Big Four, but decently large.
With her beauty and girl-crush vibe, she was especially popular among the many lesbians in the guild's hunters.
"I like guys. I'm not a lesbian."
Nayeong ignored them, but two A-Rank hunters ended up fighting over who would be her girlfriend.
It even turned into a jealousy brawl, and even though Nayeong did nothing wrong, casualties happened.
With key A-Rank assault team members causing a scene, the guild flipped out.
For the guild's reputation, they hushed it up, but cut out the root cause—Nayeong—entirely to prevent future issues.
"What're you gonna do now? Don't just rot in your room chugging booze—you gotta do something."
"I'll pull some from my crypto for living expenses and run freelance for a bit. Guilds? Sick of 'em now."
Even as a C-Rank hunter, her income beat most office workers.
She shouldn't be in a dump like this, but her crypto obsession led to all-in bets and downsizing her place.
She cracked her third can and grumbled.
"Hah, what am I supposed to do with a mug like this? Who's gonna want me?"
Smooth black hair, sharp facial lines,
Charming cat-like eyeline,
A figure with clear curves in and out,
Especially that standout bust line—artistic.
"Hey, Na Woojin. You think I'm pretty too, right?"
"Yeah."
The can heading to my mouth froze mid-air.
Her already pretty eyes went even wider.
"What's with you all of a sudden? You're usually all bullshit. You die early if you say stuff you don't mean."
"Curse me out, curse me. Even compliments turn into bullshit."
"Yeah, that's good. Bullshit... heh heh heh."
She chugged her beer while laughing.
"Kaa~ Hits the spot. Feels good hearing my ball-bro say I'm pretty."
"What balls? You're a girl—you don't even have any dangling."
"What's so great about making tadpoles that you let 'em swing out there? Ours stay safe inside like this."
Different genders, but we could talk this crap without hesitation—true ball-bros.
"Honestly, a girl like you could land a sugar daddy easy, but no decent guys stick around. That's why the girls go nuts. They think you hate men."
"Already drunk? Don't say useless shit."
"Hah, even when I'm seducing you, this guy doesn't get it."
She chewed on some squid legs, annoyed.
If you're gonna seduce, do it right.
"Alright, spill. Why'd you come?"
"Can't I just visit for fun?"
"You're acting off from usual. Think I haven't seen you a time or two?"
Nayeong had sharp instincts since childhood.
Especially when I was hiding something—she sniffed it out like a ghost.
Then she'd say stuff like, "You suck at managing your expressions."
"Truth is, I came to ask a favor."
"Knew it. Shoot."
"First, a question. There's this gate suitability thing, right?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
High suitability means faster skill proficiency and levels.
Even hunting the same monsters, rank gaps can form in months.
"What's yours like? You climbed to C-Rank pretty quick."
"71, so it's high. Plenty don't even hit 50."
"How high is 71?"
"For a C-Rank with 71, A-Rank's in sight. Suitability ticks up a bit with each level."
Luckily, Nayeong's suitability was high.
Perfect as a test subject for my abilities.
"Wanna enter a gate with me?"
She froze, then snickered.
"Am I that drunk already? How would you enter a gate?"
Of course she didn't believe it.
Men can't enter gates—common sense.
"You called me ball-bro earlier, right?"
"Yeah."
"I don't wanna lie to my ball-bro, and it's not a lie anyway. Hell, I'll bet my balls—listen close to what I say from now on."
I told her about my Navy Gate part-time gig.
I glossed over Han Chaewon's climax as "just touched her hand."
When I mentioned entering the Blue Gate, she suddenly blew up.
"Hey, you crazy bastard! Who'd believe that shit?!"