S-Rank Certification: A New Star Ignites the World
Hunter ability certification— the emergence of a high-rank hunter is always welcome. The era when humanity reigned supreme as the lords of all creation had long ended. In this age where they fought tooth and nail against monsters just to survive, hunters were humanity's most efficient shield and spear. And an S-rank at that, not even an A-rank? It went without saying.
News of the new S-rank hunter spread like wildfire across the world.
The media outlets unleashed a barrage of articles and information without discrimination—speculation, rumors, facts, fakes. They competed furiously to be the first, the most prolific, churning out even a single extra word about the new S-rank, as if it were the purpose of their existence.
Overnight, the whole world learned that a man named Seong Ye-han existed in this world.
After the hunter ability certification ended, Seong Ye-han barely shook off the hordes trying to snag even a single word from him and returned to the mansion. The public's reaction was far more intense than he'd expected, leaving him a bit flustered.
Even compared to the fervent response half a year ago when 'Saintess' Ha Yeon-ah had been promoted to S-rank, Seong Ye-han could confidently say it hadn't been this heated.
In truth, this public reaction was a perfectly natural outcome. Just recently, Shin Ye-hwa's demotion from S-rank had left a deep scar and anxiety in the hearts of Korea's people, even if it didn't seem that way on the surface.
An S-rank hunter was humanity's strongest weapon and shield. The fact that one of them had treated them like bugs was a truth no one surviving after the Gate incident wanted to face.
Separate from the personality controversies, Shin Ye-hwa had been the most well-known hunter to the public—from her dramatic awakening as a bullied orphan girl to her active exploits ever since. On top of being a psychic-type ability user, she possessed powerful physical prowess as well... a versatile genius embodying both strength and beauty. She had been a pillar of social stability simply by existing, without a shred of falsehood. That's why her fall had caused such a massive ripple.
In that context, a new S-rank had emerged. And not just any—he succeeded the now-aging Jeong Beom-ho as a pure physical-type with body reinforcement. In terms of specs, he even surpassed the legendary Association President. Seong Ye-han's appearance was a ray of light dispelling people's anxieties, amplifying the public's expectations beyond the norm.
"In the end, it's all because of you."
Seong Ye-han sat on the sofa, stroking the soft hair of Shin Ye-hwa, who had sidled up and laid her head on his lap. "Not me. It's that brainwashing bastard's fault."
Shin Ye-hwa, purring like a cat under his touch, pouted. After their first hunt, when he'd confessed his ability to her, he'd taken time to explain her status ailment as well. Hoping she might sense or recall something... signs or oddities that weren't noticeable until you knew what to look for.
Regrettably, Shin Ye-hwa knew her power had been gradually weakening for a long time but had no clue about the cause.
Well... considering the Shin Ye-hwa from back then, it was more surprising if she remembered anything. A woman who treated everyone below S-rank like bugs wouldn't remember some random person.
Still, confirming the brainwashing ability was far weaker than he'd anticipated was a gain in itself.
"I wanted to deal with it quickly if possible."
"Hmph! Once I know who it is, I'll crush them right away."
Shin Ye-hwa ground her teeth at the realization she'd fallen victim to some mind ability and caused all that chaos. The air chilled in response to her rage. Seong Ye-han quickly stroked her head again.
"But... if you hadn't been hit by it, we might never have met."
"That's... true."
Swish— swish— As he combed her hair evenly like a brush, the anger faded, and the air warmed back to its gentle state.
"Mm..."
"Just hold on a bit."
Seong Ye-han caressed Shin Ye-hwa as she burrowed deeper into his embrace with a rustle. The opportunity will come again for sure.
Na Yu-ri didn't know much, but someone commissioning the outlaws to kidnap Shin Ye-hwa was a solid fact. It meant the brainwasher hadn't given up on her.
It might take time, but since his ability had worked on an S-rank once, he wouldn't back off now—even with Seong Ye-han by her side.
The enemy would try something again. And since they didn't know Seong Ye-han was aware of the brainwashing and could break it, the odds were in his favor.
Stay vigilant, but don't cower.
Swish— swish—
"Mm..."
Come to think of it, the 'that person' Na Yu-ri mentioned nagged at him too. One of Korea's five S-ranks before Seong Ye-han aimed for it. Of course, as an outlaw, the Association didn't officially recognize him as S-rank.
But his exploits were things only an S-rank could pull off, so the public treated him as one. The king of outlaws, whose face, name, and exact abilities were unknown... Na Yu-ri trembled and clung to him begging not to be discarded whenever she spoke of him. Clearly not a decent guy.
"Jeez..."
Seong Ye-han chuckled. Every woman he'd gotten involved with seemed to have some annoying baggage. But that didn't mean he'd let them go.
Brainwasher, king of outlaws— he'd just smash them all.
"No way... This can't be happening..."
The new S-rank hunter who set the world abuzz. A new star rising amid Shin Ye-hwa's fall. Some dailies claimed his combat prowess might lag behind other S-ranks since he'd jumped straight from E to S—like a pearl necklace on a pig's neck.
But most people ignored it. So what if it's a pearl on a pig's neck? The difference between 0 and 1 isn't just one number. A weak nuke is still a nuke. An S-rank hunter is great simply by being S-rank.
"No way..."
It stunned everyone, but no one was as shocked as her.
"That guy from back then really was senior?"
The sight at the exam hall wasn't an illusion after all. That unforgettable face, even after so long... The moment she faced him directly.
She'd held back everything that might burst out, soothing herself with texts instead of video calls. Thinking her A-rank promotion was all but certain in this exam, her long-held wish had finally brought her before him—not some fantasy.
"Who the hell is he...?"
The senior she knew... the one chatting with her until recently wouldn't use his ability on just anyone. If he were that type, she'd have devoured him already.
"No hint of it until just before..."
Right before her final secluded training push for A-rank promotion, their last talk showed no anomalies in Seong Ye-han.
"Which bitch is it... Which bitch..."
She wanted to stand proudly as an A-rank before her senior. That day. Under dim orange lights. In a noisy corner of a rowdy bar. After learning his hidden struggles from her drunken senior by chance, she'd endured solely for that one goal.
But it was all wasted. Some brazen bitch had snatched him away.
"Sob... Hic..."
Tears welled up unbidden. No— from frustration and sorrow. She was livid.
"I can't let it end like this."
If a goalkeeper meant no goals, sports wouldn't exist. Even before the Gate incident, talented people drew admirers. After? Even more so.
And she was confident in her charms. Nicely swollen breasts. Taut waist and perky ass. Thighs always praised as 'honey thighs.' A body brimming with the fresh allure of a healthy, fertile female.
Her neatly tied-up hair with a subtle brown tint framed an objectively beautiful face. Though her once-round, puppy-like eyes were now sharply upturned, slightly dimming her innate charm, it was forgivable given her situation—like a cute tantrum.
"Senior..."
She looked at the smartphone in her hand. The one she'd stubbornly kept despite everyone urging her to change it. The one she'd nagged her senior into getting with her when his broke during academy days. The faithful link between them... It would connect her to him once more.
Beep— The screen lit up with a familiar sight. A photo from senior's graduation ceremony, her and him together.
"Hic..."
Swallowing tears threatening to spill again, she opened the messenger app.
Senior...