Chapter 144
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Magic Stone Market Comes Alive with Resurrection
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【We hereby announce that Kang Hana has been registered as the 11th SSS-rank hunter in South Korea. Hunter Kang Hana has awakened an SSS-rank search-type ability. She made a significant contribution to recapturing the backflow S-rank dungeon in the Hwaseong area, and it has been confirmed that she underwent an additional awakening during the process. She is currently active under Kang Jik, a mercenary guild affiliated with the Hunter Association...】
Official announcement from the Hunter Association: Kang Hana registered as SSS-rank hunter.
The news of Kang Hana's registration as an SSS-rank hunter was officially announced by the Hunter Association.
In truth, just having SSS-rank abilities didn't automatically qualify someone as an SSS-rank hunter for registration. But Kang Hana wasn't a special case like Lee Soo-ah, who had double SSS-rank awakenings. She already had plenty of people to vouch for her skills.
Her exploits in Hwaseong were endorsed by Hong Si-jun, and footage from there had already been submitted to the Hunter Association. Kim Gap-su might have pulled some strings, but it seemed she was registered as an SSS-rank hunter without much hassle.
With this, our Kang Jik Guild—excluding the guild master—now consisted entirely of SSS-rank hunters, making us a guild with an average rank of SSS.
Sure, there were solo SSS-rank hunters running one-man guilds around the world if you looked hard enough.
But I was certain no guild had three SSS-rank hunters.
Kang Jik << What the hell is this guild?
Was browsing mercenary guilds on the Hunter Association app, and wtf? An F-rank mercenary guild with three SSS-rank hunters? Lol. Members are Lee Soo-ah, Im Hyeji, and Kang Hana. Aren't they all famous lately?
That's the hypnosis app guild, right?
Rumor has it the guild master is an awakening-type SSS-rank hunter.
Nah, they tested him and he's a regular guy.
Don't bullshit. How the hell is that possible?
Dunno. But damn, jealous. Living with three SSS-rank hotties.
IMHO, the SSS-ranks set up a front man guild master for image management and to make bank.
Lately, our guild has been a hot topic on the Hunter Gallery.
As someone craving attention, it was fun browsing the searches.
Hate comments didn't faze me, and hearing envy and jealousy mixed into talks about me felt like a smug rush—like I'd become a big shot.
Saintess Selling Lives for Cash
A few days ago, accident during Hanlim Guild's SS-rank dungeon run. SSS-rank hunter and 30+ guild members died. Immediately requested Resurrection from the Saintess, but she demanded S-rank magic stones as payment. Per person, no less. When that was impossible, she switched to mercenary contract and demanded 20%+ of the raid shares lol. Hanlim had no choice but to agree through gritted teeth. Eyewitnesses say the Saintess and her guild master were total scumbags. Even when the Association brought the stones, she refused to use it until payment. Decided to avoid Saintess and Kang Jik Guild from now on.
Of course, when you're the center of attention, you have to brace for the bad press too.
The full story of the Hanlim Guild raid incident that ended up on the featured posts.
It'd be weirder if it hadn't blown up.
There were over a hundred Hanlim guild members on site.
Honestly, in that situation, using Resurrection to clear the dungeon was a godsend for the guild members and Hanlim alike. But people feel differently.
They might resent the lower payout share.
Or hate that one skill shot nets her a lifetime's earnings.
Anyway, I stick to my guns with a "fuck off if you don't like it" mindset, so no issues.
"It's fine, big brother. If they avoid us, that's a favor. We've got dozens of requests just waiting out the cooldown anyway, right?"
"True. Should I drop a thank-you comment? Could be fun."
"...With my ID?"
"Yeah, maybe not."
Im Hyeji seemed mentally tough now—or at least faking it well—unfazed by the post. A relief.
The featured post comments were split too.
So the Saintess has to clean up their dungeon shit for free?
Why are all top hunters so selfish? You left it to her? Hanlim's SS-rank was gonna fail, SSS-ranks dead and withdrawing, until Saintess revived them for another shot. Cleared it, got SS-rank stones—public knowledge lol. Saved from massive loss and ruin, but instead of thanks, you bitch? Smells like an on-site whiner. No conscience?
One thing's sure: Saintess gonna avoid Hanlim from now on, not the other way lol.
Some comments nailed my thoughts so perfectly, I wondered if I wrote them during a sleepy narcolepsy haze.
One was mine, midway.
Stuff like that warmed my heart.
World's still worth living in.
This is right.
Of course, contrary opinions disappointed in the Saintess, and despite me drawing all the aggro, plenty of shit flew at Im Hyeji too.
The evenly split hot topic burned as a featured post for ages.
"Great publicity."
Our main clients are top guilds and hunters who can afford S-rank stones anyway.
Babble from those who can't even request is just my side dish.
Munching featured posts as appetizers with my meal, I returned to...
Hong Si-jun of Hanlim Guild here.
Hello. This is SSS-rank hunter Hong Si-jun of Hanlim Guild. At the guild master's behest, and adding my personal views, I've come to the Hunter Gallery with something to say. To correct the overheated rumors about Saintess Im Hyeji, I'll get to the point: Hanlim's SS-rank dungeon raid succeeded unequivocally thanks to the Saintess's help. We convey our infinite gratitude.
"Whoa... calling this 'pouring fuel on the fire'?"
Hanlim and Hong Si-jun had no need to write this and fan the flames onto themselves.
Haters would trash them regardless.
But apparently, they valued ties with Im Hyeji more.
Hunters' abilities are their assets, especially mercenaries. Resurrection has a cooldown, so using it bears risk—fair compensation is natural. We're identifying the guild member who started these malicious rumors and will make them pay for damaging our image and her honor. Hanlim thanks Saintess Im Hyeji and Kang Jik Guild for rushing to our aid late at night.
"Dude, this guy's intense."
Fun development, but overkill.
Unless they thought I'd really ghost their requests over that post...
"...Big brother would totally do that."
I clicked my tongue at Kang Hana's remark over lunch.
"You don't know me yet. Give me an S-rank stone, and I'll rim my worst enemy's ass."
"...Gross, we're eating."
Anyway, Hong Si-jun's named, ranked post shifted opinion over half our way.
Parrots screeching "Saintess sells lives for money!!" would anyway—water off a duck.
Even a Hanlim review popped up on the mercenary app.
★★★★★ / Hanlim (SS) Guild
Revival guy's friendly and Saintess is delicious. Cleared SS-rank dungeon thanks to them, stocked up on SS-rank stones^^ Will come again! Thumbs up! Recommended!
"Fuck..."
So the SS-rank stone feast rumor was real.
Explains the enthusiasm.
One SS-rank stone justifies it.
Im Hyeji's requests are pouring in—win-win.
"25% should net 2-3 S-rank stones."
A virtuous cycle.
One Resurrection gets us stones; Hanlim revives dead, clears dungeon, passes guild rank test, gains SS-rank stones—net profit.
Hunter Association averts SSS-rank loss and top-10 collapse.
Resurrection economics: everyone wins, cashes in.
Hanlim's review boosted our newbie mercenary cred—a smile inducer.
【Hong Si-jun (Hanlim Guild / SSS): Kang Jik. Got time?】
Hong Si-jun even messaged me personally.