Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: B-Rank
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Chapter 195
195
B-Rank.
What fell into my lap like a raindrop at an amusement park turned out to be far greater luck and power than I could have imagined.
My life, which had always been just enough without lacking or overflowing, completely flipped after I registered as a Hunter.
I knew how to efficiently kill monsters, and people applauded me for it.
And quite a few people made offers to me.
"Ji-myeong, how about joining our Changcheon Guild? We promise top-tier treatment in the industry."
"Do you remember Chae I-su, the Hunter you hunted with last time? We got a recommendation from Chae Hunter and came to make an offer..."
"I'm from the Hunter Association's Hunter Management Division..."
They all wanted me to join their organizations.
How could someone as strong as me still be raiding gates solo?
Young and naive, I was thrilled at the thought that I could finally support my brother stably.
I hadn't faced any real danger yet, but that might just be because I hadn't encountered a monster capable of killing me.
If I died out of nowhere while hunting solo like this, my brother would be left alone in the world.
But joining any organization meant death benefits.
Whenever these offers came up, though, my brother would explode in anger.
"Are you kidding me right now? You planning to get used up and die by adults? If you're in your right mind, don't even mention joining a guild!"
Then, soon after, he'd apologize with a deeply sorry expression.
"Sorry for getting worked up. Ji-myeong, we didn't suffer all this time just to go under someone else. Trust your brother, okay? I'm worried you'll suffer forever if you pick the wrong guild. I've prepared everything with the money you gave me, so don't worry—just hang in there a bit longer like now. Yeah?"
And sure enough, not long after, he pulled off something I never expected.
"Your brother's starting a guild. Well, we'll begin with a gate office, but I've already got all the permits. You can operate under it from now on."
He'd said joining others meant just being used, but as expected, my brother cherished me the most.
I apologized for doubting him and joined his gate office.
Its name was 'Somyeong Gate Office'.
While most gate offices or guilds had Hunters as representatives, ours had my brother as president.
I had no complaints.
I wasn't suited for the president role anyway, but he fit it perfectly.
He even said being a civilian president was a weakness that could turn into a sales point compared to others.
We started with just our brothers and a few Hunters I'd been close with.
"Ah, so you're the brother. I've heard a lot about you from Ji-myeong."
"Yes, I'm Gu So-myeong. I'm not a Hunter, so I'll be lacking, but I'll work hard. Please take care of me!"
"Oh, no need for that. The rep just needs good business sense anyway."
Once we started the business, everyone praised my brother.
They said meeting a brother who did so much for his sibling like that was my fortune.
What kind of brother would go that far for his Hunter little brother as a civilian?
"Hoo... The gate office market's a red ocean now. If only the guilds and big offices didn't bully the little guys."
When he came home from work, he'd always say this with a tired face.
"With your brother working so hard for you, you gotta step it up too, right?"
That was like a magic spell to me.
No matter how hard I tried, it couldn't match what he put in for me.
That pushed me harder, bit by bit.
"Ji-myeong, aren't you pushing too hard lately? How many times a week are you even going in...?"
"That kid swings his sword all day in the training room even on non-hunt days. You'll wreck yourself, Ji-myeong."
"I'm fine."
Before I knew it, I was entering gates ten times a week.
I had no choice with all the reservations my brother booked for me.
Other Hunters got rotations for rest, but as his brother, I couldn't do that.
Even on rare days off, I never let go of my sword.
[Proficiency level of 「Swordsmanship that Slashes Vital Points」(B) has risen from 3 → 4.]
"Ji-myeong! We finally got promoted to guild!"
[Proficiency level of 「Swordsmanship that Slashes Vital Points」(B) has risen from 4 → 5.]
"Ji-myeong, to survive in the guild world, we need to tackle Mission Gates. I snagged a level 5 one this time—perfect for you. Looking forward to it."
[Proficiency level of 「Swordsmanship that Slashes Vital Points」(B) has risen from 5 → 6.]
"Ji-myeong, how can you say that about this level 6 gate I barely got? We've done fine so far. Averages are for weaklings. Grade doesn't matter. Don't you trust me? Or are you just tired lately?"
Somyeong Guild thrived.
Our Mission Gate raid team, led by me, cleared schedules that made other guilds' jaws drop. Of course.
There was some static along the way, though.
"Ji-myeong, you and the guild master... you okay? Take a break. You'll die from overdoing it, not monsters."
"I'm fine. I want to do it."
"Sigh... I'm saying this for your sake."
People worried my schedule was too intense.
Most were folks who'd been with the gate office from the start.
Some even suggested he adjust my schedule.
And soon after, they transferred to other guilds.
Each time, my brother flew into a rage.
"Traitor bastards! Betraying a family-like guild for money? Ji-myeong, if they contact you, don't pick up. Got it?"
He said their goal was money.
Adjusting my schedule was just an excuse.
"Sigh... Ji-myeong, even if everyone else betrays me, you can't. If we betray each other, no one's left."
In the end, my life didn't change.
I'd enter the perilous Mission Gates he secured, and on off days, I'd train relentlessly.
After that period, one more irresistible word entered his repertoire.
"What? Main healer injured and can't go? Since when did we care? You gonna betray your brother too?"
Betrayal.
When he asked if I was going to betray him, I couldn't respond.
Once, I entered a Mission Gate without the healer I'd synced with for so long.
We cleared it, but... I was the only one who came back alive.
I passed out right after exiting the gate and woke up in a hospital.
"Ji-myeong, Ji-myeong! You're awake?"
My brother was the only one by my side.
Confirming I was conscious, he felt me all over in joy.
Then he cried and vowed.
"Ji-myeong, sorry... Your brother must've lost it from stress lately. I won't send you into Mission Gates anymore. Let's rest now... Let's rest, Ji-myeong."
Seeing that, I couldn't say I'd never do Mission Gates again.
Instead, I led raids even harder than before.
But no matter how hard I tried, with B-Rank's limit at level 6, growth had a clear ceiling.
Even same-level gates ramped up in difficulty.
No higher-rank Hunters, and any who joined soon left for bigger guilds—my burden only grew.
Once, I overheard him lamenting in the office.
"Sigh... Can't snag more gates 'cause Ji-myeong's rank is too low..."
Meaning level 6 Mission Gates were impossible because of me.
Past level 6, level 5s were impossible too, dragging Somyeong Guild's performance down.
Around then, a new name hit the Hunter scene.
"Ji-myeong, heard of Han Jeong-hyeon? Awakened a few months ago, and get this—he's cleared multiple level 5 Missions already."
"Yeah, I heard. Said he just takes whatever comes. But not easy ones—bosses were all level 6 field bosses."
"Crazy. So he'll hit level 6 Missions soon?"
"......"
Everyone in the guild talked about Han Jeong-hyeon nonstop.
Soon, even TV covered him.
"Hoo, if only that guy were Ji-myeong..."
Naturally, my brother sighed whenever hearing about him.
It was understandable.
Even I thought Han Jeong-hyeon was amazing.
Clearing absurdly hard gates at a pace like mine.
Mine was desperate effort, but he cleared leisurely.
His public rank was A.
But in the industry, it was an open secret.
Han Jeong-hyeon was S-Rank.
No other explanation for his feats.
So my brother wished Han Jeong-hyeon were his brother instead.
An S-Rank brother beat a B-Rank one.
Each time I heard that, I'd grab my sword and enter a gate.
But that wouldn't do.
[Proficiency level of 「Swordsmanship that Slashes Vital Points」(B) has risen from 6 → 7.]
"What?"
That ordinary monster slash turned into an alert window, transforming everything.
I'm B-Rank.
B-Rank limit is level 6.
At first, I thought I misread.
'Me... level 7?'
But the power surging incomparably stronger than before made this absurd reality clear.
I rushed out of the gate, pondered long, then told my brother.
"What? You hit level 7? You..."
Stunned, he confirmed it wasn't a lie and raged.
"You're fucking useless, you know that? Leveling up as a B-Rank? Bullshit!"
I just hung my head, unable to reply.
Level 7.
The realm only S-Ranks reach.
But for me, hitting level 7 was no blessing.
Level 7 gates were rare due to difficulty.
Even if one appeared, clears were top secret.
Often, details and participants stayed hidden even after.
Unlike level 5-6 Mission Gates, a mid-tier guild like Somyeong tackling level 7 was impossible.
S-Ranks handled them; a B-Rank wouldn't even get near, same level or not.
Simply put, I was like an F-Rank who'd foolishly hit level 4.
Useless with overhyped levels.
My efforts to meet his expectations cruelly made them worthless.
He said he'd market my level 7 as a positive for now.
"You know it's not good. Gotta milk it somehow."
People cheered hearing I'd broken the level limit—first in Korea.
Proud of the Hunter who'd shattered the iron rule.
Unaware of our true feelings.
But I smiled for cameras, for my brother.
After the press conference, back at the guild.
"Oh, congrats on your level up, little bro. Heard the news."
"Thanks, President Kim. What brings you here...?"
"A level 6 gate popped up. Wondering if Somyeong Guild wants it."
"Ah..."
President Kim, our usual gate broker.
He offered a level 6, but my brother couldn't accept like usual.
I'd hit level 7—no one to clear it.
"See, Ji-myeong hit level 7. Other raiders have issues too. Can you wait a few days?"
"Aigoo, so even good news has downsides. Got it. I'll hold it—call anytime."
After President Kim left.
My brother sighed deeply.
"Ji-myeong, get the picture now?"
Of course I did.
I couldn't enter level 6 gates anymore.
Meaning our core raid team floated in limbo.
"How could you repay the way I raised you like this...?"
His sad face broke me—I fled the room.
Outside his office, everything seemed normal.
No—still buzzing about one man.
"Hey, Hunter. See the news?"
"...What news?"
"HJH. They're starting level 6 Missions now."
"What kinda speed is that?"
I glanced at their TV.
As they said, Han Jeong-hyeon's face with the headline: 'HJH Gate Office Announces Level 6 Clears'.
- Hoo, if only that guy were Ji-myeong...
My brother's habitual sigh echoed in my head.
I gritted my teeth.
Why did leveling up make me a burden to him?
To be a proper brother to him, did I always have to sacrifice myself?
Crunch-
"Hey, Hunter, where you going?"
I headed straight back to his office.
"...Why're you back?"
"Brother, I'll handle that level 6 gate somehow."
"What?"
In the Hunter world, proving your worth was survival.
Fail to prove, and you died.
Somyeong Guild, which cleared level 6 Missions, stuck there?
As good as pushed off a cliff.
"If my level up dooms us, I'll fix it somehow."
All I could do was strive not to disappoint him.