Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Obtained Insight Eye (2)
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“Huh? Right now? I haven’t even gotten my judgment yet.”
“As you can see, the signing bonus is 100 million won.”
Lee Jia’s eyes widened as if they might split open.
She gaped, oblivious to her glasses slipping down her nose.
“O-One hundred million?”
Her shrill voice made the other people waiting around, who had been eavesdropping, start murmuring.
“What? One hundred million?”
“They’re offering a hundred million signing bonus to a regular person who hasn’t even been judged yet?”
“Are they insane?”
One hundred million. To an ordinary person who hadn’t even undergone awakening judgment, it was no different from winning the lottery jackpot.
In the industry, a hundred million was the kind of signing bonus offered only to proven C-rank hunters.
“I’ve never heard of anyone knowing your rank before the judgment. How do you know what grade I’ll get...”
“I’m serious.”
“No, but why? What if I turn out to be F-rank? Isn’t this a scam?”
Lee Jia looked utterly baffled.
She eyed Siwoo with suspicion.
It was only natural.
Han Siwoo was doing something that made absolutely no sense by any logical standard.
“Because I trust my eyes and experience.”
Siwoo brazenly mixed in a lie.
Not even a flicker in his expression.
“Besides, there’s no downside for you, Jia. If you get judged as F-rank, you just pocket the hundred million. Money an F-rank hunter couldn’t earn in a lifetime. And if it turns out to be C-rank or higher like I said, then the contract pays for itself. Either way, you lose nothing.”
Siwoo’s logic was flawless.
At least on the surface.
For an awakener who couldn’t hold down a regular job.
Jia just moved her lips, unable to respond.
No matter how she thought about it, the man before her seemed either insane or a chaebol heir with money to burn.
“However, as you can see in the fine print, the profit split is 9 to 1.”
Lee Jia’s gaze sharpened.
“See? It is a scam. You’re taking 90%?”
“No, you get 90%.”
“...Huh??”
Lee Jia’s train of thought ground to a halt.
The industry standard for rookies was 7:3. Shady agencies even went as far as 5:5.
Meaning the company took 30% to 50%.
Yet Siwoo wasn’t just fronting a hundred million—he was saying the company would only take 10%.
In Jia’s mind, Han Siwoo was starting to solidify as either a philanthropist or a complete idiot.
“In exchange, the contract term is five years—the maximum for hunter contracts. The penalty fee is five times the standard. We’ll handle all scheduling, guild negotiations, legal support, and taxes during that time. All you have to do, Jia, is go on guild raids.”
Siwoo forced a pen into her hand.
His palm was slick with sweat.
“This contract is only valid until you enter the judgment room. Once you go through that door, the offer’s off the table.”
Siwoo launched his final psychological play. It had to be now.
Before she realized her own value.
Before the world caught on.
He had to snag her while she was still at her lowest and most overlooked.
Jia wavered.
There was no such thing as a free lunch, but a hundred million and 9:1 split was too sweet to refuse.
She was an unemployed nobody with nothing to gain or lose.
Even if it was a scam, a hundred million hitting her account right away?
Please...! Just sign. Sign it!
Siwoo’s insides burned.
His heart felt like it might leap out of his throat.
That was when the waiting room door opened, and familiar faces walked in.
Park Manager and the other agents.
They clicked their tongues at the sight of Siwoo practically on his knees, shoving the contract at the shabby-looking woman.
“Wow... Han Siwoo’s finally lost it.”
“Pushing a contract on a normie who hasn’t even been judged? And to a woman who looks like total trash-tier?”
“Tsk tsk. No wonder he got fired. No eye for talent.”
Their mocking laughter echoed through the waiting room.
Aimed at Siwoo, but hitting Lee Jia just as hard.
Her shoulders hunched even more.
Her face flushed with humiliation.
But Siwoo turned their scorn into his opportunity.
He stared straight at Lee Jia with unwavering eyes.
“Hear that? Everyone’s laughing at you. Saying you’re worthless.”
Strength filled Siwoo’s voice.
“But I’m different. I see your value. I’ll prove them wrong—and show just how amazing you are. With me.”
His words pierced deep into her heart.
The one person who believed in her. With trembling hands, she gripped the pen tighter.
“...Okay.”
As if resolved, Jia moved the pen over the contract.
Scratch, scratch.
The sound of the pen nib gliding over paper rang in Siwoo’s ears like heavenly music.
Finally, “Lee Jia” was clearly inscribed in the signature line.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Contract established.] [Contract Target: Lee Jia] [Passive Skill 'Growth Synchronization' activated.] [You will share 3% of the target's acquired experience.] Yes!
Siwoo cheered inwardly.
A thrilling shiver ran through him, making his body hair stand on end.
Cold sweat poured down his back like rain, but an uncontrollable smile spread across his face.
He’d hit the jackpot in this all-in gamble.
“Excellent choice, Jia. Or should I say, Hunter Lee Jia.”
Siwoo snatched the contract and tucked it safely into his pocket.
As if someone might steal it, he stashed it securely in his inner pocket.
Right then.
“Number 206, Lee Jia. Number 206, Lee Jia. Please proceed to the judgment room.”
The announcement finally called Lee Jia’s turn.
She stood, looking at Siwoo with anxious eyes, still unsure if she’d done the right thing.
Siwoo clenched his fist and flashed her his most reassuring smile.
“Go on, head in easy now. Whatever the result, we’re partners.”
His words eased her a bit; she nodded faintly.
“I-I’ll be back.”
She shuffled hesitantly toward the judgment room.
Worn-out tracksuit, hunched back.
Her pathetic figure looked too pitiful even for an F-rank porter gig.
Park Manager sidled up to Siwoo, snickering.
“Hey, ex-Manager Han. How’s your stomach holding up? Truly tragic. These things happen. No eye for talent means paying the tuition fee. Right?”
He patted Siwoo’s shoulder mockingly.
Then he glanced at Jia and tsked.
“Poor girl. Life’s about to go sideways meeting a scammer like you. F-rank? Just look for a convenience store job.”
“Out of my way. Don’t block my hunter’s path.”
Siwoo shoved Park Manager’s shoulder roughly and pushed past.
His glare was so ferocious that Park Manager flinched and stepped back.
As Siwoo led Jia out of the building, Park Manager’s pissed-off shout echoed behind them.
“Haha! Ex-Manager Han’s F-rank hunter is off! Good luck out there!”
Beep-
A sharp mechanical tone sliced through the judgment room’s silence.
The noisy murmurs in the waiting room halted as if by magic, hundreds of eyes snapping to the electronic board.
Waiting candidates swallowing dryly in tension, scouts glaring with fiery intensity, and Han Siwoo gripping his fists, holding his breath.
All focused on that split-second moment.
The board’s pixels rearranged rapidly, forming text.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Lee Jia - Non-Combat Support] [Rank: F] “...”
Everyone fell silent.
Not in shock or lamentation, but in sheer absurdity.
Dumping a hundred million for an F-rank—worse, a non-combat support with zero fighting utility.
“Pfft.”
The silence broke with one man’s stifled laugh.
“Ahahaha! F-rank! It’s F-rank! Pfft, hehehe!”
Park Manager doubled over, rolling on the floor in hysterics.
Forgetting all decorum, tears streaming as he laughed uncontrollably.
“See that? See? That lunatic signed an F-rank for a hundred million! Pahhaha! Yo, Han Siwoo! You got a gambling addiction or what? Or are you a charity case? Uhahaha!”
Park Manager’s laughter ignited the fuse.
The surrounding scouts and agents couldn’t hold back anymore, bursting into mockery.
“Wow... he’s really lost it. Hundred mil down the drain.”
“Park Manager, is that guy actually rich? Must have money rotting away.”
“Rich? Nah, probably all-in with his severance and home equity loan. Haha!”
The waiting room turned into a cauldron of ridicule aimed at Siwoo.
Then the judgment room door opened, and Lee Jia stepped out.
Her face was ashen white as a sheet.
She seemed to sense the raucous laughter and jeers were directed at her.
Jia hung her head, biting her lip.
Staring only at her worn sneakers, shoulders shrunk tight.
A look like she’d crawl into any rat hole if one appeared.
Guilt for screwing over the man who’d bet big on her, terror from the crowd’s stares—it crushed her.
Damn jerks.
Siwoo ground his teeth.
But he didn’t show it.
In truth, this was the perfect scenario for him.
No one will touch Lee Jia now.
Those hyena packs wouldn’t glance twice at an F-rank non-combat support.
To them, she was worthless trash—or a punchline.
Siwoo approached Lee Jia, who stood frozen and trembling.
“Jia.”
“...”
She couldn’t answer.
Just bowed her head deeper.
“Chin up. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
At Siwoo’s firm voice, she slowly, very slowly lifted her head.
Behind her thick glasses, her eyes were red and bloodshot.
Teary orbs on the verge of bursting stabbed at Siwoo’s heart.
“I-I’m sorry, boss...”
Her voice was a tiny crawl.
“Sorry for what?”
“I-I’m F-rank... non-combat support too...”
Jia finally broke into sobs.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, wetting the floor.
Siwoo pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
Then he shot a cold glare at Park Manager and the gawking, giggling crowd.
“Ignore them. They’ll regret it later. I’ll make sure they beat the ground in remorse.”
“No way... You gave me a hundred million and I...”
“Let’s go! Time for a feast. Contract celebration dinner. My treat—top-grade beef.”
Siwoo strode ahead boldly, for all to see.
Jia trailed hesitantly behind.
Park Manager blocked their path with a slouch.
“Man, our ex-Manager Han. Gut must be killing you. Truly pitiful. It happens. No talent radar means steep lessons. Yeah?”
He patted Siwoo’s shoulder sneeringly.
Glanced at Jia and tsked again.
“Girl, you’re pathetic too. Hooked a scammer, life’s ruined. F-rank? Hit up a conbini job.”
“Move. Don’t block my hunter.”