Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Life is About Betting Big
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Life is about betting big.
"Ah……."
I ended up grabbing Jang Dae-woong's hand in a daze.
"Khahaha, no guts, huh? So, which generation hunter are you?"
Generation?
Oh, he meant the intake when I became a hunter.
It was three years ago, so I'm ninth generation.
"Ninth."
As soon as I answered, Jang Dae-woong's eyebrow shot up.
"Hoo, ninth generation, eh? You haven't been awakened long, have you?"
He looked at me and burst out laughing, then spoke again.
"Haha, Dark Lord Kim Hyeok-seon. You're his classmate, huh…… Guess it's fate? Hey, check this out. Your abilities are even similar."
"Yeah, well…… Sort of. I can only summon skeletons so far."
"Hahaha. Who cares about that! One of those skeletons took down an A-rank hunter."
Surprisingly, Jang Dae-woong's tone felt comfortable.
Were we clicking?
'No.'
More accurately, the guy just had no sense of hierarchy.
Rankers usually got arrogant or superior once they hit that level.
"If you're strong, you're good. Hahaha. Just like me. By the way, I'm curious. What would happen if you turned me into a skeleton?"
The man—no, this muscle monster—was pure.
He approached me human to human, regardless of my rank.
"Hmm, your muscles would vanish. You okay with that?"
"Eek, no way! Absolutely not! Don't even joke about that!"
Jang Dae-woong shuddered and stroked his split biceps with his palm.
His overreaction made him look like the neighborhood dummy big bro.
'A ranker this friendly.'
Ah.
Rankers were human too.
Honestly, I'd idolized them too much.
I'd thought their faces glowed with golden halos……
'Especially.'
In Jang Dae-woong's case.
He was the total opposite of the aura he'd shown in that fight earlier.
"Berserker."
I suddenly called out to the man.
Still, I had to do what needed doing.
Today.
I owed these rankers my life.
"Yeah?"
"You're late on greetings. Thank you sincerely for saving me."
I bowed ninety degrees in a proper show of respect.
"Hahaha, what thanks for just dealing with some scum!"
"Without you and the other rankers, Berserker, it would've been rough."
Rough?
I'd probably be a dead man by now.
"Heh, is that so? You know how to show gratitude in this day and age. Polite kid. I like you."
"Thank you."
"So, ninth gen makes you about twenty-three?"
"Yes."
Figuring age by generation was simple.
The world went to hell twelve years ago this year.
Unique abilities unlocked at twenty.
First gen had to be thirty-two or older, twelfth gen exactly twenty.
Every hunter in the world was the same.
'Doesn't matter.'
No need to overthink.
I'd had my ability for three years, so twenty-three.
"Haha, that makes me your big bro. Call me that."
"……Pardon?"
Dae-woong hyung.
He wanted me to call him that?
Why was this guy coming on so strong?
It was overwhelming.
"Alright, now big bro's gonna ask straight up."
"Sure? What about……."
"Been wondering for a while. Haha."
Jang Dae-woong rubbed his palms together.
Even that simple motion made his biceps and triceps twitch grotesquely.
"What is it?"
"Gi So-yul. Why's she so obsessed with you? What's the secret?"
"Oh! I've been curious about that too, Berserker."
Out of nowhere.
Lee Sun-ah, who'd been chattering nearby, perked up.
"Yeah, that's actually why we're all here."
Baek Don joined in.
Suddenly, all three gazes poured onto me again.
"Ah……."
Tricky.
It was a hook straight out of left field.
'Well, from their position, they couldn't help but wonder.'
No matter how fast I'd grown lately.
To them, I was just another small fry.
'Kim Jun-seo…….'
I glanced around.
The quick-on-the-uptake guy had already headed home first.
"Haha, if it's tough, you don't have to say yet."
Jang Dae-woong laughed and nodded.
"Because the one who gathered us here has finally shown up."
"Pardon?"
The protagonist?
As I tilted my head.
Swoosh!
Without a sound.
A figure appeared.
"Talking about me without me? How rude."
Rank 379.
Dark Emperor Gi So-yul.
"Haha, rude? We've been waiting."
"Oh, Dark Emperor! You're here?"
"Hey, Gi So-yul. That's harsh. I left food on my plate for your call!"
Baek Don grumbled.
"You know what it means for me to leave food? Be grateful."
"That's kinda touching."
Gi So-yul smirked.
Then she looked at me.
"Dong-hoon."
"Yes? Yes."
I blinked.
"I told you before. I'd introduce you to the connection that changes your life."
Her ink-black eyes fixed on me.
The rankers nodded as they watched me.
"Hahaha, Dark Emperor's turn this time?"
"Well, whoever speaks first gets the floor."
"I'm passing this year anyway! Fine by me!"
Mysterious chatter.
Gulp.
I swallowed instinctively.
I had a feeling.
Something that would truly change my life was coming from this meeting.
"But."
Gi So-yul continued.
"As you know, Dong-hoon, there's no such thing as free info in this world."
"Free info?"
"Yes. To be honest, I want to help you, Dong-hoon."
"Pardon?"
Help me?
Why?
"It reminded me of the old days. The burning desire to grow strong. The resolve for ranker status. Even that look in your eyes from day one. It was just like me back then."
"……."
Sudden confession hour?
Let's hear more first.
"Back then, someone helped me. That's how I became a ranker."
Gi So-yul leaned lightly against the lamppost as she spoke.
The other rankers quietly stepped back, holding their silence.
A considerate move to let me focus on her words.
"And it's not just me. All the rankers gathered here got help from someone."
"So, there was a special reason you all became rankers so young?"
"……."
Gi So-yul's pupils dilated slightly.
"You're quick. Yes, exactly. With all the hunters who've been active for twelve years, it's unrealistic for us in our twenties to make ranker."
"Wait."
Baek Don raised his hand then.
"Stop there. We haven't gotten confirmation yet, and you're spilling too much. That's not how it usually goes, right?"
"Got it. You're right, Baek Don."
Gi So-yul nodded.
Then she looked at me again.
"Me, Berserker, Black Sword, Baek Don, and my brother the Divine Archer."
"……?"
"May I explain what makes you special to these five?"
Special, huh.
"You're talking about sharing my opportunity?"
"Yes, spot on."
Gi So-yul's point was simple.
You bare it all to us.
Then we'll share how we became rankers so young.
'No.'
Actually, the opposite from her side.
I want to help you.
But to do that, you spill first.
That way, I can convince the others.
'Hmm.'
I hesitated a bit.
I'd just seen how special my 'opportunity' was.
One scrap of that info had groups turning on each other.
'But.'
These guys seemed different.
Gi So-yul trusted me, for one.
And especially monsters like 'Berserker' or 'Divine Archer' didn't need to covet my opportunity.
'Honestly, what’s this opportunity anyway.'
It wasn't much.
Even if they knew, they couldn't steal it.
The old drunk was a special mentor only for me.
'Risk to my life?'
Truth was, if they wanted.
I'd already be facing Yama in the afterlife.
"……."
In the end, I decided in my heart.
Short deliberation, simple answer.
"Why would I hide my info? Of course I'll tell you."
Call.
In the end.
Life is about betting big.
* * *
"Hahaha, a master who can thrash Gi So-yul? I wanna spar him sometime!"
"Impressive for sure. No wonder Dark Emperor's interested."
Berserker and Black Sword nodded after Gi So-yul's explanation.
She cleared her throat once done.
"Ahem, that's the explanation. Now we can share our info with Dong-hoon, right?"
But.
"No, hold on."
Baek Don didn't nod.
His face was filled with shock.
"Guys! You think this is simple?"
"What's wrong, Baek Don?"
Gi So-yul asked calmly.
"No, it's insane! An old man who devours rankers? Wait, before that. A new world? And Sun Spear? He's another world's absolute being! Isn't this straight-up cheat ability?"
Baek Don turned to Berserker.
Seeking agreement.
"Listen. If he fully awakens later, he could command ten summon-beasts that devour rankers! That's not a monster—that's a calamity!"
"Means he'll get ridiculously strong. Haha. What a guy."
Berserker laughed.
Baek Don thumped his chest in frustration.
"No, think about it, Berserker! This is beyond what we can handle."
"Khahaha, get strong, and fight your bro fair and square! No holding back then?"
"You maniac?"
Baek Don eyed Black Sword next, looking queasy at the chuckling Berserker.
"Hey, Black Sword! A new world besides Earth—doesn't that blow your mind? Headline news!"
"Hmm, I've always found this world mysterious."
"Huh?"
"Dungeons, status windows, monsters too! Sometimes I think I'm dreaming an endless dream!"
"No, that's not what I……."
"Baek Don."
Gi So-yul cut in then.
"What we're sharing is just as shocking as Dong-hoon's opportunity."
"Well…… Yeah, but."
"There's still so much undiscovered in this world. Did you forget why we five gathered?"
"Hmm……."
Baek Don backed down.
He clamped his mouth shut.
Do whatever.
"Dong-hoon."
"Yes."
Finally.
Time for the real explanation?
I straightened up and focused.
I was tense.
What secret had these five rankers hidden?
My heart pounded.
"Did you know there's a ranker-maker for rankers in this world?"
"……Pardon?"
What did that mean?
Ranker-maker for rankers?
"Know the youngest ranker who's been all the buzz lately?"
"……?"
Youngest ranker.
No way I didn't.
Before my opportunity.
The guy I'd envied as an E-rank merc.
Rank 949.
Dark Lord.
"No way."
"Yes. Dark Lord Kim Hyeok-seon. About half a year ago, the one we chose on Berserker's recommendation."
"Whoa……."
What?
So Dark Lord's ranker status was because of them?
My heart raced faster.
My head heated up, dizzy.
Body calm, but inside, I was thrilled.
"What I'm about to share is an explanation of the 'Dungeon Maker'."
Dungeon Maker?
I widened my eyes and focused.