The Emergence of a South Korean S-Rank Hunter
The appearance of a South Korean S-rank Hunter.
【Due to the effect of the Consultation Ticket, you are being moved to the 'Counseling Room'.】
Pure white light enveloped my body. In that brief moment between closing and opening my eyes, I was transported, and just like last time, the cozy scenery of the counseling room unfolded before me.
“Welcome to my counseling room.”
“It’s been a while… no, I guess it hasn’t been that long. Have you been well?”
“If I told you I haven’t been well because of someone, would you comfort me?”
It goes without saying that the ‘someone’ is me, right?
“Things happen when you’re climbing the Tower.”
“But you don’t usually smash the world to pieces, do you?”
“But I saved it, didn’t I?”
I saved the world and preserved nature, too.
“Looking at the results, that’s true, but…”
“Right?”
“Did you think I’d say that?”
With a bright smile, she snapped her fingers. At the same time, messages popped up before my eyes.
【Calculating due to excessive performance.】
【Calculating due to excessive performance.】
【Calculating due to excessive performance.】
“Currently, the rewards Lee Suhyun needs to receive include two unique abilities from level-up rewards, seven special abilities from the Hall of Fame, and even achievement rewards.”
She clutched her forehead as if it were a headache.
“Calculating all of this will take time, and trying to issue them all at once could cause another error. So, I’d like to propose a different reward. Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes.”
“Since you’re being cooperative, I’ll make sure to tailor the best possible rewards for you.”
With those words, a golden message floated before me.
1. Unique-grade Item Selection Ticket
2. Unique Ability Enhancement Ticket
3. Unique Ability Transcendence Enhancement Ticket
4. Special Ability Enhancement Ticket
5. Special Ability Transcendence Enhancement Ticket
Five reward options. But unlike last time, the message said to ‘use’ them, not ‘select’ them. Could it be…?
“These are the rewards for floors 14 through 20. How are they? Do you like them?”
“You’re giving me all of these!?”
“Of course. Since this is an exceptional case, we’ve paid special attention to it on our end.”
With that, she told me to check my status window.
“Status Window.”
Name: Lee Suhyun
Affiliation: South Korea
Age: 30
Level: 26LV
Unique Abilities:Loved by Transcendents (Enhanced), Fate's Link, Fate Manipulation.
Special Abilities:Enter Tower, Inventory, EXP Acceleration, Danger Detection, Language Adaptation, Magic Resistance, Time Perception Shift, Transcendent Communion, Monster Encyclopedia, Mental Barrier, Inventory Expansion, Crisis Escape, Divine Sense, Duration Extension. (Simplified mode active)
“My level is low…?”
“That’s because the EXP up to the 13th floor was applied. So, here’s a bonus! What would happen if you used the Special Ability Enhancement and Transcendence tickets on ‘EXP Acceleration’?”
“…I’d get massive amounts of EXP every time I clear a floor, right?”
“Exactly. Gaining levels becomes slower the more you clear, but in your case, Lee Suhyun, you’ll be able to grow stronger even faster.”
Isn’t she telling me a bit too much? …Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“I will use the Special Ability Enhancement and Transcendence tickets on ‘EXP Acceleration’.”
【Special Ability: EXP Acceleration has been enhanced.】
【Special Ability: EXP Acceleration has been transcended.】
【EXP Acceleration】
Grade: Undetermined (Transcendent)
Effect: All EXP acquisition is increased. Faster than others! Unlike yesterday!
“Now you have 3 rewards left. For the Unique Ability Transcendence Enhancement, I naturally recommend ‘Loved by Transcendents’. How about using the normal enhancement on ‘Fate's Link’?”
“I’ll do that.”
As she suggested, I applied the Transcendence Enhancement to ‘Loved by Transcendents’ and the normal enhancement to ‘Fate's Link’. Now, only one reward remained.
“Lastly, you just need to select your item!”
Countless items floated before my eyes. Among them were some familiar names; I saw a lightning-shaped weapon called ‘Astraphae’ and even the trident used by the ‘God of the Sea’.
…But with this many, I’m getting choice paralysis!
【Guardian of All Things suggests you choose the necklace.】
“A necklace?”
I scrolled through the window, up and down, searching for the necklace the Guardian of All Things mentioned.
“Found it.”
Grade: Primordial Relic / Unique Item
Effect: An ancient secret art that transcends the barriers of space and time by resonating with the wearer's spirit. The crystal of the necklace contains an infinite universe, strengthening the mental connection with beings who have formed a bond with the wearer. The wearer can communicate telepathically and share emotions with them.
Special Effect: When the wearer is in mortal danger, it temporarily draws energy from connected beings to form a 'Veil of Dimensions'. This veil nullifies all harmful effects and changes the surrounding space into an environment friendly to the wearer.
Restriction: Cannot be transferred to others. Eternally bound to the wearer's soul.
“I’ll go with this one.”
“Great. That concludes everything for today.”
“But isn’t the Consultation Ticket something I’m supposed to use?”
“What does it matter who uses it first? Seeing each other’s faces is the same regardless.”
I was speechless at her absurd reply and just stared at her. She laughed, saying it was a joke, and informed me that I could use it twice the next time I needed it.
“Then, goodbye.”
With a bright smile, she waved her hand in farewell. In the blink of an eye, I returned to my original location on the 13th floor, and my eyes met those of a Mecha-Tyrannosaurus descending from the sky to the ground.
“Here it is!”
【The one who brought ruin to the world expresses joy.】
At the same time, five more mecha-dinosaurs appeared, filling the sky. Just as I was admiring the majesty of the mecha-dinosaurs, the sun began to set, and light started to emanate from their bodies.
Ah, so these are glow-in-the-dark mecha-dinosaurs…
“Thank you so much for today.”
【The one who brought ruin to the world says to call them whenever you need help.】
“Then I’m the one who should be grateful.”
Pitch-black energy enveloped them as they disappeared one by one, and it was time for me to leave as well.
“Exit.”
【Moving outside the Tower.】
* * *
“Ugh… my aching bones.”
Of all the climbs so far, today was the most exhausting. As I threw myself onto the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling, thinking I should rest, my phone rang.
Should I answer… or not? It’s been ringing non-stop, so it must be urgent… do I really have to answer…?
After it rang for about 10 minutes, I reluctantly got up to check the phone, only to find dozens of missed calls from Director Lee Naeun.
…Is something wrong?
“Did you call?”
“L-Lee Suhyun! I need to speak with you right now, could you visit the Association!? I’ll send a car for you immediately!”
“Yeah, well… sure.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
I had only answered one call and agreed to visit the Association, yet they were treating me like a general who had just saved the country.
As I stretched and debated whether to have a simple dinner or order chicken, the doorbell rang. I got up, opened the door, and the female staff members I’d met before were there to pick me up.
“We’re from the Association.”
“Okay.”
I followed them into a luxury foreign car and headed toward the Association, but the road was quite congested.
Is there construction or something?
“The Association is a bit chaotic, so we’ll enter through the back door.”
“Is something going on?”
“Reporters and citizens have gathered.”
…Why?
While I was tilting my head in confusion, the vehicle entered the back of the Association building. They scanned the surroundings and escorted me inside, where I saw Director Lee Naeun waiting for me on the first floor.
“Lee Suhyun!”
“Director, were you waiting here?”
“There’s an urgent matter we need to discuss. Let’s go up!”
She was so urgent that she grabbed my hand and took the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor.
“We’re planning to discuss your S-rank Hunter promotion at today’s meeting.”
“S-rank Hunter promotion?”
“Considering your wishes, you just need to tell us one thing.”
She told me to choose whether to be appointed as an official S-rank Hunter or to continue operating unofficially.
“Hmm.”