Chapter 17 - A Spoonful of Truth
A Spoonful of Truth
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 17: A Spoonful of Truth
Leaving the Gate with Yu Eun-ha in a slightly awkward atmosphere, I saw Hunter Association employees with flustered expressions. It seems they detected the fluctuation in mana wavelengths and dispatched personnel.
“Did the two of you clear the Gate?” “Yes. That is corr...” “No! Senior cleared it alone!” “Wai...” “Is that poss... Ah! If it’s Hunter Han Seo-jun, it might have been possible. Then was it a Gate evolution...?”
Because Yu Eun-ha pushed me to the forefront to hide herself, I was flustered and almost refuted it. But thinking about it, I am now in a state where I can rent S-Rank skills.
‘Then I don't need to walk on eggshells around the Association anymore, do I?’
Of course, to free Yu Eun-ha from Jo Tae-hoon’s clutches, hiding her is the correct move for the time being. But this time, I intend to hide most of the truth while leaking a little bit of false information.
“An Irregular monster appeared in this Gate.” “…An Irregular monster? What kind of monster was it?” “It was a Jeweler monster.” “Je, Jeweler?!”
If I sell the byproducts of the Jeweler monster, the fact that I caught a Jeweler monster will become known whether I like it or not. Contacting the Daemyung Group Chairman to sell it secretly would be one method...
‘But I think it’s better to remain just a simple business relationship with him.’
So I intend to boldly reveal to the Association that I hunted a Jeweler monster, while adding the lie that I underwent a fourth growth this time.
“…With Hunter Han Seo-jun’s skill power, you shouldn't be able to handle a Jeweler monster, though?” “I underwent a fourth growth in this Gate.” “Ah! Did you obtain a new skill?” “Yes. It’s B-Rank Energy Spear.”
Energy Spear is a skill that acts as an upgraded version of Magic Missile. It was a skill I planned to permanently acquire later when entering A-Rank Gates.
“Is verification possible by any chance?” “Unfortunately, it’s difficult today. My mana is depleted.” “Pardon? No, if you grew, your mana should have recovered?” “I met the Jeweler monster relatively early on.”
Thinking I might receive such suspicion, I rented an additional Link skill before exiting the Gate to drop my Origin Power below 20.
“Ah... Then tomorrow... no, could you come to the Association in 3 days?” “No. I will go tomorrow.” “Tomorrow... you say?”
Naturally, the Association still thinks I need to rest for 3 days to fully recover my mana. However, they were overlooking an important part.
“Even for me, if I rest for just one day, enough recovers to use a skill a few times.” “Eh? No, I know that but... usually Hunters don't move unless their mana recovers by more than 80%, right?” “…Because I just need to prove it.” “Ah~ So that’s what you meant. Understood. Then... please come to the Association by 3 PM tomorrow.”
Although different from my expectation, conclusively, I avoided the situation of having to go to the Association for verification right now. Since my 3 rental slots were already full, I was in a state where I couldn't rent a new skill.
“Then... Junior Yu Eun-ha?” “Yes! Senior! Where shall we meet next?” “…Tomorrow. Let’s meet at the Association.”
Since exiting the Gate, Yu Eun-ha returned to her lively personality. Considering the appearance she showed at the end of the Gate, she must be acting just like me.
“Tomorrow?” “Yes. We need to talk about positions and discuss which Gate to enter, don't we?” “Aha! Yes! Understood! Senior!”
**
Next day. Arriving at the Hunter Association at 3 PM as promised, the Association employee I met yesterday was waiting in front of the reception desk. Unexpectedly, Yu Eun-ha was there too.
“Senior! Over here!” “…Ah. Yes.” “Wow... Hunter Han Seo-jun must be happy. I heard it’s rare for people matched via the Buddy System to follow their senior this well.” “Yes. I think that’s fortunate too.” “Haha! Then, please come this way.”
Following him into the measurement room, the person I anticipated might be there was waiting.
“Director Jo Tae-hoon? What brings you...” “Ah~ ah. Enough small talk. I heard you obtained a B-Rank skill?” “Yes. That is correct.” “…After renewing your license, come see me for a moment before you go.” “I will.”
Ramming into him right here might be one method, but thinking of Yu Eun-ha, I intend to let it slide this time.
“Director. We need to verify Hunter Han Seo-jun’s skill power now...” “Ah. Is that so? Then I’ll be going. You... come to that place then.” “Yes.”
Naturally, in the subsequent measurement, I produced power vastly exceeding A-Rank with a B-Rank skill, just like before...
“It’s a shame. If Hunter Han Seo-jun obtained a B-Rank skill, I thought it would work even on S-Rank monsters.” “Ah... Honestly, I expected a little bit too, but is the difference with S-Rank that big?” “Of course. It’s tremendously big.”
Of course, I knew that S-Rank monsters were on a different level. That’s why I chose a skill of a rank that couldn't reach S-Rank even with 30 times output.
“Hmm... Looking only at the skill power right now, it seems Hunter Han Seo-jun can receive an A-Rank judgment.” “Is that so after all?” “Yes. However... how much did you say your mana amount became?” “It exceeded 1,200.” “Hmm....”
The Association employee seemed to ponder seriously, then nodded and said A-Rank seemed possible, but... If I didn't have the ability to adjust resource consumption, he would have said I'd be judged as B-Rank.
“As you know, starting from B-Rank, monsters appear in groups of 200. So usually, one must possess enough mana to use skills more than 200 times.” “You mean it doesn't matter since I can adjust resource consumption and my skill power is outstanding, right?” “That is correct. We have to go through a review first but... yes. You won't have to worry about A-Rank. Congratulations.” “Haha. Thank you.”
A short while later, receiving the renewed license, I asked Yu Eun-ha to wait for a moment and headed to the rooftop to meet Jo Tae-hoon. He greeted me with a very expectant expression and asked the question I had anticipated.
“How is she? Yu Eun-ha.” “I think we should say it’s fortunate her innate ability is A-Rank.” “Hm?” “Yu Eun-ha is born with a talent for combat.”
Jo Tae-hoon’s face hardened momentarily, but soon he made a bewildered expression and spoke.
“What do you know?” “Yes. I don't know. But if a D-Rank Hunter succeeded in tanking a C-Rank monster, wouldn't the story be different?” “…What? She tanked in that Gate yesterday?” “Yes. Somehow she said she thought it was possible, so I let her try, and she withstood it without trouble for about a minute.”
This time, a cold air began to hover around Jo Tae-hoon’s face. Soon he nodded and told me to suppress Yu Eun-ha’s growth.
“By suppress... do you mean I should stop her from tanking?” “Yes, that’s possible, right?” “It is possible, but what if she applies for a change of mentor because of that?” “Then I will... hmm....”
Even without graduating, a mentor can be changed if there is a valid reason. Just by her applying for a change, I would be stripped of my qualification as Yu Eun-ha’s mentor.
“Do you have a replacement?” “…I do. But you seem to be the right fit.” “That’s fortunate. I almost lost the chance to earn 10 billion.” “Kuk. In the end, money is important to you too, huh?”
I only acted as if money was important, but thanks to that, I learned one thing. Among the Hunters he can move, there is no Hunter who can replace me.
“…I want to live in a penthouse and drive a supercar.” “Oh~ 10 billion won’t be nearly enough for that?” “I am thinking you will entrust me with work again.” “Kuhahahaha! Right! If you do this job well, there’s no reason I can't entrust you again!”
I intended to flip everything immediately if he spouted nonsense, but fortunately, he wasn't that much of a loose cannon.
“Now... anyway. For the time being, I’ll only call you when I need Status Effect Removal, so raise Yu Eun-ha well.” “Understood.” “Right, then go.”
Jo Tae-hoon gestured with a very satisfied expression and bit a cigarette. I bowed to him, withdrew, and went down to the first floor.
“Senior! Are you done with your business?” “…Yes. Then... let’s go there, to where we were yesterday. We... have a lot to talk about, don't we?” “…Yes. Senior.”
Her voice felt slightly subdued, but I pretended not to notice and started walking. Thinking that Jo Tae-hoon’s eyes might be watching, we talked about Gates while moving.
—Clack “…Now. We can talk comfortably.” “Yes. Sen... No. Hunter Han Seo-jun. What are you curious about?” “I want to hear... Hunter Yu Eun-ha’s final goal.” “Revenge.”
It was an answer I had fully expected, but I hadn't anticipated the killing intent radiating from Yu Eun-ha as she spoke of revenge.
“Even if I ask for the detailed reason, you won't answer, right?” “…If you answer my questions.” “You mean it’s a matter of sequence.” “Yes.”
Considering Yu Eun-ha told me the truth, I think it’s okay to share the truth to some extent. Of course, that doesn't mean I intend to reveal everything.
“I can ask... right?” “Yes.” “…First. About yesterday’s... that 200%, and Energy Coating.”
That much I could sufficiently answer, but I didn't tell her everything without hiding anything.
“You can... rent skills?!” “Yes. Though leveling up the skills is impossible because it’s time-limited.” “No, is that... poss...ible? Eh?”
Since Yu Eun-ha didn't seem to believe it, I offered to rent and show a skill she designated.
“…Is A-Rank skill possible too?” “Of course.” “Th, then please show me the A-Rank Blood Armor skill!” “…? Understood.”
I don't know why she wants that skill, but I rented and used the skill she requested.
“It, it was real....” “I did not lie to Hunter Yu Eun-ha.” “Then, you rented Energy Coating and Energy Spear too?” “Yes.”
I told her the truth about resource consumption adjustment since it would inevitably be revealed later anyway. But I didn't reveal that I could permanently acquire skills.
“Ah! Don't tell me Link skill too...?” “Yes. That is correct. That is also rented, so I have to use it again every time.” “Ah....”
Yu Eun-ha stared at me blankly, then suddenly spoke with a tense expression.
“Then, can you tell me the highest rank you can rent right now?” “It is S-Rank.” “Th, then....” “But realistically, operating it in actual combat is close to impossible.” “No, why?!”
Since she suddenly stood up as if having a seizure, I gestured for her to calm down and answered.
“Simply put, because mana amount is insufficient.” “Ah?” “To rent an S-Rank skill, 200 mana is needed per hour.” “Sen... No, since Hunter Han Seo-jun’s mana amount is 1,200... it certainly would be impossible.”
To use an S-Rank skill, 100 mana is consumed per use. But she and the Association know I possess around 1,200 mana...
“Psychokinesis! How about using Psychokinesis?” “…Psychokinesis?”