Chapter 14 - Yu Eun-ha
Yu Eun-ha
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 14: Yu Eun-ha
The Buddy System is, simply put, a system that matches a mentor and a mentee. The mentor must raise the mentee until they can pull their own weight (perform as one person), and receives a fee at the point the mentee applies for completion.
‘...Not that I ever applied for it.’
The next day, a document containing the profile of a woman named Yu Eun-ha arrived via text under the Association's name. A notification also popped up on the app I was using, stating that a Buddy System match had been made.
‘Current rank is... D-Rank. Raising this woman might stagnate my own growth...’
First, I called Yu Eun-ha to a cafe inside the Association building. I arrived with five minutes left until the appointment time.
“Ah! Senior Han Seo-jun! Right? Nice to meet you! I’m Yu Eun-ha! My specialty is tanking!” “…Ah, yes.”
The brown-haired woman introducing herself as Yu Eun-ha was dressed in active wear, ready to go to a Gate immediately.
“Umm... And...? Ah! My innate ability’s rank is...” “Wait, stop. Let’s stop there.”
Since this is my first time using the Buddy System, I might be unaware, but hiding one's innate ability or skills from others is basic practice.
“…Do you understand? Even if the other person asks, you must hide your innate ability or skills.” “Uh... If we want to party play, shouldn't we know the party members' skill sets?”
Certainly, she had a point, but usually, when recruiting party members, expressions are kept vague.
[Recruiting Ranged Dealer for C-Rank Gate Entry] -Our tank is aggro-based and lacks defense, so penetration or guided types would be good.
“See? Since we’ll be moving together anyway, the names of skills or innate abilities will be revealed, but it’s basic not to reveal detailed information.” “Ah... I’ve never done party play before, so I didn't know.” “…You’ve never done party play?” “Yes! Most said the tank role was for the party leader or their acquaintance, so they wouldn't accept me into the party.”
It seems Jo Tae-hoon pulled some strings to prevent her from being accepted as a party member. Since I was someone who aimed for solo play, he probably contacted me thinking I wouldn't get involved with her.
“You just need to know from now on... that’s all.” “Yes! Understood! Senior!” “Also, the title ‘Senior’ is...” “Senior... No, do you prefer another title, Hunter-nim? I heard that usually, when tied by the Buddy System, people call each other Senior and Junior!” “Ah...?” “Did you perhaps not know?”
I never intended to apply for the Buddy System in the first place, so I only remembered that such a system existed. Either way, no one would have wanted to be matched with me.
“Yes. I didn't know.” “Aha... Then, may I continue calling you Senior?” “…Yes. Also, let’s move. There are too many people here....” “Yes! Senior! Then shall we go to the Buddy Room?” “No. I have rented a separate place.”
Moving locations was something I had planned from the start. Meeting Yu Eun-ha here was strictly for show, for Jo Tae-hoon to see. Having a serious conversation with her was planned for after we moved.
“I will speak directly. Ms. Yu Eun-ha, you are...” “Junior!” “…Pardon?” “Just ‘Junior’ is fine, or ‘Junior Eun-ha’ is fine too! Please call me Junior.” “Ms. Yu Eun-ha. Right now, what’s important is...” “…Can’t you call me Junior?”
Unlike her lively appearance until just a moment ago, she now gave off a very serious and desperate impression.
“Yes. Then, Junior-nim...” “Please drop the ‘-nim’ too. Senior is 27, and I am 25.” “…Phew. Anyway, I intend to inform Junior of the situation you are in.” “The situation I am in?” “Yes.”
Meeting at the Association initially was to avoid Director Jo Tae-hoon’s suspicion. Going out like this might also look strange, but I had already applied for Gate entry afterward anyway.
‘He’ll just think we’re chatting briefly before entering the Gate.’
I did this thinking that, but for some reason, Yu Eun-ha smiled bitterly and nodded.
“Someone is targeting me, right?” “…How did you know?” “I had suspicions. Even for a newbie, starting at D-Rank is good, yet no one accepted me into a party.” “....” “So, who is targeting me?” “It is Director Jo Tae-hoon of the Korean Hunter Association.”
I searched for Director Jo Tae-hoon after returning home yesterday, and until 10 years ago, he was a quite famous Hunter. He made a name for himself as a dealer using martial arts who could also serve as a sub-tank.
“Why would he... target me?” “Because it is difficult to find a female tank without an owner.” “Didn’t Director Jo Tae-hoon retire?” “…There is no rule saying one must find a tank to enter a Gate.” “Ah....”
She seemed to roughly grasp how the situation was unfolding and lowered her head with a shocked expression. However, I intend to prevent Jo Tae-hoon’s clutches from reaching her.
“So, may I ask for a little cooperation?” “Sen... No, Mr. Han Seo-jun. I intend to cancel the Buddy System and quit being a Hunter.”
Her judgment is quick, which is good, but that’s actually a bad move. Jo Tae-hoon is the type of person who would be outraged, kidnap her, ‘use’ her once, and dispose of her.
“Ms. Yu Eun-ha. I intend to bring about Director Jo Tae-hoon’s downfall.” “…Pardon?” “Simply put, there are skills that will unlock for me after a few more growths.” “No, is that important right n—?” “The rank of those skills is S-Rank.” “....”
Actually, no such skills exist, but considering A-Rank appeared at Lv.4, at least S-Rank should appear. Of course, possessing an S-Rank skill doesn't mean one can wield absolute power.
“However, at least it’s not a rank that a mere Director of the Korean Hunter Association can approach.” “…How can I believe that?” “Because I am also a victim of his.”
I told her about what would have happened to me if the Chairman of Daemyung Group and the Purifiers hadn't moved... adding a bit of exaggeration.
“Hunter Jo Tae-hoon... was that kind of person?” “I didn't know either. I just happened to find out this time.” “…The articles appearing suddenly yesterday and then disappearing, Director Jo Tae-hoon must have covered that up too?” “Well... I don't know about that, but it’s true that powerful people made moves.”
Actually, the articles the Daemyung Group Chairman released didn't even last 10 hours before disappearing. Various online communities were in an uproar, but the media only covered useless celebrity gossip or issues about fallen politicians.
‘Jo Tae-hoon probably moved, but it’s likely the result of the Daemyung Group successors moving too.’
So, contemplating how to raise Yu Eun-ha, I found a skill perfectly suited for the Buddy System.
“I intend to reveal to Ms. Yu Eun-ha a skill of mine that I haven't reported to the Association.” “…What do you mean suddenly?” “It is an A-Rank Link skill. Have you heard of it?” “Uh... Is it the skill that boosts the growth speed of the selected target and oneself...?” “Yes. It’s a skill I only possessed because I had no use for it until now.”
Actually, before registering the Status Effect Removal skill with the Association, I had considered renting a Link skill. Link skill holders are rarer than Status Effect Removal skill holders, so they receive even better treatment.
‘But that’s temporary anyway; after using the skill, they just toss you a reward and discard you.’
Of course, since the Link skill buff disappears if the skill holder dies, they tend to provide some security personnel. But effectively, I would have to live under surveillance for life and wouldn't even be able to enter Gates, so I gave up on that skill.
“Are, are you really going to use that skill on me?” “Yes. That is my intention. Even if I become strong and pressure Director Jo Tae-hoon, he won't give up on Ms. Yu Eun-ha.” “…Why do you think he won't give up?” “He might hold back while an S-Rank Hunter is protecting you since he can't touch you, but the moment the protection ends, he will try to kidnap Ms. Yu Eun-ha.”
So, I intend to grow Yu Eun-ha to a level where Jo Tae-hoon cannot covet her even without me.
“…Then I should say it even now.” “Say what?” “My innate ability.” “Hmm...?”
The reason I stopped Yu Eun-ha from revealing her innate ability was simply because she was assigned D-Rank right from the start.
‘If she starts at D-Rank, it means her potential is at least A-Rank.’
I was F-Rank only because the energy I once mistook for mana was low; originally, I should have been assigned D-Rank too. That’s why the Association doesn't think it strange that I keep growing.
“You don’t have to say it. No, rather, I should say there is no need to know.” “…Because you intend to raise me only to the target level and then leave?” “Yes. That is correct.” “Han Seo... No, I’ll call you Senior. Senior, you are the person who was called ‘Glass Cannon’ until recently, right?” “…That is also correct.”
Actually, there are still people who often call me Glass Cannon, but even then, it’s a nickname used with a sense of amazement.
‘It’s no longer a derogatory term, so that’s enough.’
“Then Senior needs a tank too.” “…I prefer solo play.” “But it’s true that a vanguard is needed, right?”
That is true, but I intended to reinforce my survival ability by permanently acquiring or completely possessing physical-type skills.
“I will become Senior’s dedicated tank.” “…I...” “My innate ability rank is SS-Rank. Although I reported it as A-Rank to the Association.” “Pardon?” “You might not believe it, but it’s true.”
Well, that changes the story.