Chapter 169
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: The Obsessive Sijun Hyung
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Genetic pregnancy might sound grandiose, but it was no big deal.
【Tip 27. Genetic pregnancy is a system where, when a woman possessing abilities and skills born from SSS-grade sperm becomes pregnant, it impregnates the next skill that best matches her current abilities and skills through genetic matching. It's great to use when you want to impregnate the skill with the highest efficiency from the optimal combination.】
Kang Hana's current "Space Ruler" ability and "Precise Search" skill were a matched set.
Combining those two for genetic pregnancy meant it would produce a skill related to them to some degree, while avoiding overlap with Precise Search.
Simply put, using Im Hyeji as an example, it would neatly grant her a healing skill instead of Resurrection.
If you planned to push in one direction, genetic pregnancy was an excellent system.
Because if a skill with mismatched genes suddenly popped up between me and Kang Hana, it could lead to the hassle of re-impregnating.
In truth, even for an SSS-grade hunter, it wasn't easy to shine with just one ability and one skill.
At least the skills and abilities made from my sperm could grow compared to those of hunters at the same grade, so they had a bit of an edge.
To truly excel, they needed 2-3 skills related to their ability that could be utilized in combat.
That was why Gyu Yeonsu held an SSS-grade hunter position despite having only an S-grade ability and S-grade stats.
Though abilities were prioritized above all.
Stats and skills too.
That was the reason all three elements had to align perfectly.
"Hmmm."
With genetic pregnancy now available, he wanted to test it out, but seeing Kang Hana sprawled on the bed, twitching and leaking semen, today seemed off-limits.
They had to head to an S-grade dungeon tomorrow anyway, so he needed to visit the other women too.
He draped a blanket over the languidly stretched-out Kang Hana and left the room.
@
Han Semi went to the Hunter Association and boldly certified her skill reawakening.
"Congratulations."
This time, Team Leader Kim Gap-su came out personally to verify it.
She had already certified it a few days ago, and after internal meetings and reports, Han Semi's hunter rank came out as SS-grade.
"Once you submit footage of its use in this dungeon, the registration will be fully finalized."
"Yes. Thank you."
"...Once again, it's the Kang Jik Guild."
For SS-grade or higher hunters, someone like Team Leader Kim Gap-su handling it was standard, but this case was especially tied to Kang Jik, so he had dropped everything else to come out.
Han Semi shrugged with a completely clueless expression.
"Kang Jik Guild? Why Kang Jik Guild?"
"...Nothing. Just a coincidence. As expected... strangely, there are so many talents around Kang Jik who can undergo additional awakenings."
"Maybe because he's a good person, good people are drawn to him?"
She had years of experience in this field.
Han Semi responded without a flicker to Kim Gap-su's probing remarks.
Kim Gap-su didn't press the Semi Guild Master further either.
Even if she had been spending more time with Kang Jik lately, she was still a bit less connected than Im Hyeji, Lee Sua, or Kang Hana.
"The Semi Guild is about to soar to the next level."
"Aw, but I'm still just support. It's a shame I need a good dealer to truly shine."
"...."
"If only I could snag a double SSS-grade dealer like Sua."
She left the Hunter Association grumbling like it was a half-joke, but she really did regret it.
"SSS-grade... might be tough, huh?"
Her skills were versatile.
She could use them for survival or attack as needed.
But the issue was that using her spatial manipulation for offense required a hunter with enough ranged damage to back up her support.
Han Semi's spatial skill, dubbed "Gate," amplified damage by five times for attacks, but opening a gate and punching through it herself wouldn't deal proper damage.
If she at least had an offensive skill, maybe.
But with only a barrier skill, she was useless alone.
That was why she was SS-grade.
Her ability was still A-grade, and she hadn't proven the impact of soloing dungeons like Im Hyeji with support alone to claim SSS-grade.
She resolved to show it properly in this S-grade dungeon.
On her way out.
"Eh? Sijun-ssi?"
She spotted Hong Sijun sitting in the first-floor lobby of the Hunter Association.
Looking up from his phone, he approached with a bright smile at Han Semi's delighted greeting.
"Congratulations. I heard you awakened."
"Oh my. The rumors reached that far already? Hohoho."
"It's good news, of course."
"Aw, it's nothing much. My existing skills just got a bit better."
They sat in the first-floor cafe, chatting about this and that.
Han Semi was the master of one of the top ten guilds.
Naturally, she put effort into networking and maintaining ties with SSS-grade hunters.
She even called in Um O-su for dungeons, and she had a personal friendship with Hong Sijun, who was relatively friendly among SSS-grades.
"I've heard the relationship between Kang Jik and the Semi Guild has gotten quite deep lately. I'm jealous. Our Hanlim Guild keeps submitting requests, but Semi Guild's schedule is so packed it's hard to get a slot."
"Aw, come on, you and Yeonsu have that connection from Hwaseong, so it's only natural... Oh, hoho, I heard Kang Jik took Hanlim's request on the spot?"
"We're truly grateful for that. Thanks to him, Yeonsu survived, and we renewed our SS-grade guild status safely."
Han Semi felt a twinge of unease at Hong Sijun bringing up Kang Jik, but she couldn't abruptly end the meeting.
That was the nature of SSS-grade hunters.
Even after her additional awakening secured her SS-grade status.
Running a guild—or even just raiding dungeons—meant the more SSS-grade connections, the better your chances of survival.
"As expected... I shouldn't give up so easily. I envy your passion, Semi-ssi. I tried a bit but gave up after a firm refusal. Now I think maybe I should've pushed more, even if it meant being hated."
"...Pardon? What do you mean..."
"Haha, nothing. Anyway."
"...."
Hong Sijun's uneasy mutter.
And then his refreshed expression, as if something was settled, brought news that was both anxious and joyful for Han Semi.
"Pardon? You want to join the Semi Guild's S-grade dungeon raid? Tomorrow?"
"We'll participate for free. Me and Yeonsu both. We'd love SS-grade too if possible, but it's probably full for mercenaries?"
"...Yes. SSS-grade limit is three... But why?"
There was no such thing as a free lunch in the world.
Especially when the party offered it themselves—it warranted suspicion.
No matter how "free" it was claimed to be.
Words were cheap; there were likely hidden motives.
Of course, voluntary service from SSS-grade hunters was something you usually accepted regardless of the intent.
Even if they later demanded magic stones or something, having an SSS-grade made a huge difference.
But the Semi Guild wasn't some no-name outfit.
Especially since this S-grade raid was a stepping stone to SS-grade, Hong Sijun and Gyu Yeonsu's joining needed careful consideration.
"I heard Kang Jik Guild is participating too. I want to show my face a bit."
"...Ah! Um..."
Han Semi was quick on the uptake.
It benefited Semi Guild, but might burden Kang Jik, so she rapidly spun her thoughts.
"Sorry, but how about next time? This S-grade is basically a mock raid practice for the SS-grade, so your help might actually backfire for us..."
She quickly made an excuse.
But.
"I won't participate in combat at all. Only step in when you need help. And someday, once—when you want, Yeonsu and I will help you without any conditions. Please."
".....Sorry, can you give me a moment?"
Han Semi hurriedly left her seat and pulled out her phone.
Watching her, Hong Sijun wore a satisfied expression instead.
As expected...—that look.
Han Semi returned after a brief call, looking troubled.
"Um, Sijun-ssi. I don't know what's up with Jik, but he had a message for you."
"Yes. Go ahead."
".....He said don't regret it, go ahead and he'll explain why not, so no need to go this far..."
Han Semi knew.
How stubbornly upright Hong Sijun's personality was, matching his sturdy, upright appearance.
Righteous and just, but in other words, old-fashioned.
"Please let us join."
"....He said come then. Departure at 3 a.m. tomorrow—shall we pick you up?"
"No. We'll head to the rendezvous point. Proceed as planned without worrying about us. Ah! How about this?"
With permission finally granted, a bright smile bloomed on his stern face.