Number One Jensen and the Million-Dollar Temptation
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Special Project Designator: Baek Jaesung9
Rose Garden Park lived up to its name—a stunning park overflowing with blooming roses. The air was thick with their sweet, fragrant scent. An ice cream truck was selling rose-flavored ice cream. Jisu and Jueun scampered over excitedly and bought some.
"So fucking tasty~!"
Jueun snapped a photo to post on Desta, then savored her ice cream with cute little licks. She looked so adorable I wanted to pinch her cheeks.
"This park is managed by the Hunter Association," the guide explained. "Pay attention to that massive rose tree in the center. It's grown from a sapling byproduct of Bellily, the named monster from a 3-rank dungeon. Every rose in Rose Garden Park, along with the souvenirs and food additives sold here, comes from that tree. The fragrance and flavor are unparalleled anywhere else."
Sure enough, the rose ice cream was exceptional.
One side of the park featured a huge lake, with walking paths circling it. Families of tourists strolled along the cool waters, eating ice cream just like us. Mischievous-looking kids giggled as they ran around the lake's edge.
"If we're lucky... Ah! There it is."
Suddenly, massive ripples spread across the lake. The kids' faces lit up with surprise. A freckled blond boy edged closer to the water.
"Whoa! Look at that! It's Number One Jensen!"
Kukukuku!
The lake's surface erupted in the center with tremendous force, reverse-flowing upward. Something enormous burst out from the middle.
At first, I thought it was a shark, but it wasn't. Eyeballing it, the body was about 20 meters long and 3-4 meters wide.
The jagged teeth looked nearly 20cm long. Its back was a deep blue, almost azure, while its belly was stark white like sprinkled salt. No doubt about it—it screamed ocean monster.
Like a flying fish, it leaped powerfully into the air, flipping somersaults with its massive bulk. Then, something incredible happened.
The giant monster shark's body shrank rapidly until it transformed into a single human. A middle-aged man in a worn fedora, trench coat, and sunglasses plummeted from the sky. Fine, the body change was wild, but how the hell did the clothes come with it?
"That guy! No way, is that him!?"
Jisu perked up her ears and stared at the falling man. He approached the gawking kids, spreading his arms dramatically. They rushed into his embrace.
"Number One Jensen! No way! This isn't a dream, right!? Meeting Number One Jensen!"
"Hahaha! If it were a dream, it'd be a fun one. Lucky for you cute little guests, it's not. Looks like you know who I am."
"Who doesn't know Number One Jensen!?"
Huh?
Unlike the kids, I had no idea who this guy was. Jisu and even Jueun clearly recognized him, so he must be pretty famous. Come to think of it, the "Number One something" name rang a vague bell.
"As you all probably know, this is Smithy Warbenman Jensen, the American Hunter Association's pride and joy—a 1-rank dungeon hunter. Nicknamed Number One Jensen. He's the apex predator who crushed Astraphe, the ocean dungeon we saw remnants of earlier. He just returned after clearing the dungeon that popped up in the Panama Canal."
The guide puffed out her chest proudly as she explained. A 1-rank dungeon hunter, huh. Yeah, he had that vibe. Jisu chimed in beside me.
"They say no one in the world knows ocean dungeons like he does—not even in Korea. He's one of America's four 1-rank dungeon hunters."
"1-rank..."
1-rank dungeon hunter.
Humanity's ultimate output—they're anomalies even among dungeon hunters. On another level entirely.
That said, academia holds that there's no stark gap between top 2-rankers and 1-rankers. Becoming 1-rank isn't just about skill. It requires unanimous approval from the International Hunter Federation's permanent and rotating board members.
Anyway, a 1-rank dungeon hunter is someone even my master Kim Minyoung couldn't touch. The pinnacle of the world.
'Like Han Kangwoo from Extreme Sword Heavenly Immortal World? Or maybe even beyond. Han Kangwoo or Cheonhwa at peak condition might surpass 1-rank.'
Smithy Warbenman Jensen suddenly turned and strode toward us. The guide tensed up beside me at his abrupt move.
"Interesting guests. You're a hunter, but not from the American Hunter Association."
He clocked me instantly. They say 1-rankers can read mana to spot hunters right away.
"Nice to meet you, young man. Name's Jensen."
"Baek Jaesung. From Korea."
He shook my hand, then turned to Jisu and Jueun.
"Beautiful ladies. Pleasure to meet you. Jensen here."
"Ah... hello."
Jisu and Jueun awkwardly shook his grinning hand and replied in halting English. Was this bastard hitting on them?
If he was flirting with my women, 1-rank or not, he was done. He glanced back at me and burst out laughing heartily.
"Whoa, your boyfriend looks pissed. Haha. No worries—I’ve got kids at home, you know."
He made a playful gesture. His aura gave no hint of 1-rank prowess.
That only confirmed his strength. I couldn't even sense his presence—way above my paygrade.
"I saw Astraphe's horn earlier. Your handiwork, right, Mr. Jensen?"
Everett said cheerfully. Jensen scratched his head with a grin.
"My handiwork? Eh, I landed the killing blow, but Mr. Kim basically served it up on a platter."
"Mr. Kim?"
Jensen chuckled at my question.
"Kim Shin. Korea's 1-rank dungeon hunter. The others were impressive, but he was on another plane. Honestly, on land, no chance. At sea? Maybe 30% win rate for me."
Kim Shin.
I knew that name—even back when I was a nobody novelist. One of Korea's Three Strongest, the trio dubbed the top dungeon hunters.
Not official, but media hype made it stick. All 1-rankers, operating on a different plane. Kim Shin, aka "Spaceman," wielded the broken Space Distortion ability—warping across the entire planet like it was nothing.
Intercontinental teleporters are rare; national ones are countable. Kim Shin's scale was insane.
I was more shocked Jensen claimed a 30% shot against him—even at sea. That god-tier ability, and still?
"What's your ability, anyway?"
I asked bluntly. Public figures like him? One Google away. He smirked.
"Megalodon. Didn't catch my badass monster form earlier? Pretty cool, right?"
"That was Megalodon? Yeah, impressive. But you might get jumped by jumpy hunters who mistake you for the real deal."
"Kuhaha! Happened before. Good times."
He laughed booming and wandered off. Seemed like a genuinely fun guy.
"Have a blast sightseeing! Catch you later—kids waiting on me!"
Pure comic-book superhero. In real life too, probably. Never thought I'd spot a 1-rank hunter abroad. Worth the trip already.
"What a character. Not arrogant at all."
Jisu gave her quick take. I'd figured 1-rankers were eccentric assholes, but not this one. We kept touring.
About three hours of sightseeing. We took a break in the association's central hall—a shopping center packed with restaurants and luxury stores.
"Mr. Jaesung. Got a moment?"
The guide whispered to me.
"What's up?"
"Someone wants to meet you. From the association."
Huh? Who?
I swallowed my hot dog and nodded. She led me to another cafe.
A suited man, arms crossed, waited in the back—like the guide. He stood, offering a handshake.
"Pleasure, Mr. Baek. I'm Enard, from the Hunter Association's Management Division, Manager Team. Great to meet you."
"Baek Jaesung."
"Didn't expect a visit from you, Mr. Baek. We'd have rolled out the red carpet with notice."
"Impromptu trip."
His deference tipped his hand. I cut to the chase.
"I like straight talk."
"Same here. So, straight talk: Interested in immigrating?"
Called it. Poaching top hunters is everything to associations. Hunters are the power.
"You might know—I'm still got mandatory service in Korea. Hunters must serve. No immigration till then."
"True there. But not illegal here. Plenty have jumped ship that way."
"Heard they're banned from Korea."
"Haha, minor hiccup. Bluntly: We're offering $30 million signing bonus."
Over 300 billion won.
"And more. Full association support till you hit 3-rank."
"High praise for my talent."
"Talent and star power. Higher-ups loved your Level House stunt. Mr. Han with darkness, you with light—rivalry sells. I bet you'll be the hottest hunter in five years."
Apparently, my value exceeded expectations. Good buzz in the circles.
But immigration? Too far. A Korea ban would fuck me over. Dodging service for life exile? Nah, one tough year beats that.
"Pass. Not patriotic, but friends and family are there."
Truth: my women mattered more.
"Shame."
He looked genuinely disappointed.