Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: S-Rank Hunter's Intuition (2)
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I met Lee Hae-wan.
We'd agreed to have lunch at a high-end Korean restaurant near the building owned by the Haetae Guild, which had "Haetae Guild Office" written on it.
"Lee Hae-wan invited you."
"...He's waiting in the inner room, the Plum Blossom Room. This way, please."
I used Lee Hae-wan's name to get guided to a private room inside the Korean restaurant.
Each room was completely sealed off, perfect for discreet conversations.
I entered the room where Lee Hae-wan was waiting.
Lee Hae-wan was already seated, and there was one familiar face too.
Han So-ra.
"Nice to meet you, Hunter Lee Hae-wan. Wow, an F-Rank like me is meeting S-Ranks left and right."
I wiped my palms on my pants and shook hands with Lee Hae-wan.
I kept my posture as low and subservient as possible.
There was no point in showing hostility first.
"Hunter Sun-woo, I'm an S-Rank too. Though I've made a lot of mistakes in front of you."
"Of course I know you, Miss Han So-ra."
I extended my hand to Han So-ra, who responded curtly.
"This is our first official meeting for guild business... haha."
"Isn't the guild my sister and I are building official business?"
"Is this already a pressure interview? Looks like Haetae Guild wants to strangle me. I can hardly breathe."
"I'm kidding."
Han So-ra smirked and took my hand.
Maybe she was trying to lighten the mood with a familiar face, or perhaps something good had happened?
"Haha."
I chuckled awkwardly and scanned the seats.
Should I sit next to Lee Hae-wan or Han So-ra?
Next to Lee Hae-wan meant facing Han So-ra, which was good.
Next to Han So-ra meant keeping her close, which was also good.
Both spots had their pros and cons.
"......"
Lee Hae-wan glared at me.
To be precise, it wasn't a full glare, but it sure felt like one to anyone watching.
He shot me a look right on that ambiguous line.
'Alright, opposite him it is.'
I decided.
Sitting next to Lee Hae-wan would look disastrous.
Since I'd come here to meet him, facing him directly seemed much better.
"Never thought I'd see a day like this."
I took the seat directly across from Lee Hae-wan, right next to Han So-ra.
A strategic high ground. I smiled contentedly as I sat.
S-Rank Hunters really were something else.
That's why flattering him was a breeze.
It wasn't hard at all.
Easier than your standard bootlicking.
"Having lunch with two S-Ranks... My mom and dad would smack me and tell me not to talk nonsense if they heard. Mind if I take a quick photo first?"
"Of course. We take dozens a day anyway."
Lee Hae-wan agreed readily.
Probably maintaining his nice-guy image, or maybe channeling his inner yes-man.
I pulled out my smartphone, switched to selfie camera mode.
Stretched my arm out to frame both of them in the shot.
'But make it look closer and friendlier with Han So-ra.'
Lee Hae-wan's eyes widened.
Our closeness must've surprised him.
Han So-ra didn't seem to mind at all.
She looked indifferent to how I posed.
'Doesn't see Lee Hae-wan or me as romantic interests, huh.'
A beautiful face, killer body, and top-tier skills to boot.
No average guy would dare hit on Han So-ra.
'Rape might've been the fastest route?'
An unconquerable heroine.
If Han So-ra were a heroine in a gal-game, it'd feel just like this.
Unless you exploited a bug for rape, you'd never score...
"Ahem, maybe scoot apart a bit?"
Lee Hae-wan couldn't hold back and pushed us away.
To exaggerate a little, Han So-ra's breasts had been inches from my arm.
Even I thought it was too close, so I leaned back slightly.
"You two seem pretty close."
Lee Hae-wan's tone wasn't exactly pleasant.
Edgy, you could say.
"We're not close."
Han So-ra drew a firm line in response to his question.
"I owe Hunter Sun-woo a debt I'll spend my life repaying."
Then she bowed deeply toward me from outside that line.
Using the utmost honorifics, practically.
Lee Hae-wan couldn't hide his shock.
He glanced at me in disbelief.
"...D-debt? A debt Miss So-ra needs a lifetime to repay?"
An S-Rank Hunter's lifetime debt.
Rough estimate? Trillions of won easy.
No wonder he was stunned.
"...It's not that big, is it?"
I gave an awkward smile and tried to calm Han So-ra.
Even scolded her lightly for exaggerating.
"You're embarrassing me in front of Hunter Lee Hae-wan..."
"You saved Ara. That debt can't be measured in money."
Han So-ra's eyes softened into a curve.
The way she looked at me was definitely different from how she eyed other men.
Lee Hae-wan, Mask Guy, Park Sun-woo.
Lee Hae-wan: Just some random guy #1. Cold and prickly.
Mask Guy: Stress-relief love doll. Recent spark of interest, maybe.
Unlike them, Park Sun-woo saved her one and only little sister.
If he asked to see it?
She might actually show him.
Han So-ra looked at Lee Hae-wan and said,
"Some might say it's just a 'Tower' 1st-floor dungeon, but that doesn't matter to me. All that counts is that Hunter Sun-woo saved Ara. Who cares if I'm an S-Rank? I didn't even know my family was in danger."
Han So-ra whipped her head toward me.
Her beaming smile brimmed with goodwill.
Should I ask to see her pussy?
That smile made it feel like she'd do anything.
"I-is that so. I had no idea you two shared such a strong bond..."
Lee Hae-wan glared at me.
I could sense our relationship was beyond repair forever.
"Saving her family? That's plenty understandable. I get it—I have a little sister too. Big age gap, so she's more like a daughter to me..."
Lee Hae-wan casually brought up his sister.
The lunch spread was set during the chat.
True to a high-end spot, even the side dishes looked premium.
"This is delicious."
"Guild folks come here a lot. Fair price for the quality."
Lee Hae-wan boasted proudly.
Fair price, huh? I snuck a peek at the hanjeongsik set menu.
'Holy shit, 120,000 won per person?'
The kind of price that makes your mom curse.
Way too steep for lunch.
'S-Rank perks, I guess?'
A mere D-Rank like me couldn't keep up with an S-Rank's spending.
I wasn't even fit to lick his toenails right now.
'Knowing the price makes it taste even better!'
A place I'd never afford on my own dime. I dug in heartily.
"Hunter Sun-woo, listen while we eat."
"Sure."
Lee Hae-wan was gearing up for the main topic.
I half-listened and responded.
"You're currently joined to the 'Ara and Friends' Guild, right?"
"...Yes."
My ears burned.
How the hell was the guild name "Ara and Friends"?
Utterly baffling.
"Guild Master is Han A-ra, So-ra's little sister."
"Yes, that's right."
"I'll be direct. So-ra's already on board."
Lee Hae-wan said,
"Hunter Sun-woo, ever thought about joining Haetae Guild?"
"...!"
I'd shoveled a big scoop of rice into my mouth, followed by a spoonful of stew, when disaster struck.
The salty, spicy broth soaked the rice grains and slammed my throat.
"Cough, cough! Cough!"
I spewed rice grains straight at Lee Hae-wan across from me.
Like machine-gun fire, white clumps shot out.
An ambush even S-Rank Hunter Lee Hae-wan couldn't react to in time.
"...S-sorry. Oh god, my bad."
This was genuine.
I truly felt bad.
I frantically grabbed tissues and wiped his face.
"......"
Awkward silence filled the room.
Lee Hae-wan spoke softly.
"...Shall we finish eating?"
I could feel him suppressing his anger.
He was grinding his teeth, glancing at Han So-ra.
After one screw-up, I didn't touch my spoon.
No telling if I'd spit again.
"I don't get what you just said. Join Haetae Guild?"
"The guild's been watching you closely. Specifically, on So-ra's recommendation. She says you have an amazing unique skill."
"...Unique skill."
Only one skill I'd shown Han So-ra.
Unicorn's Blessing Lv.1. Activates only when honoring a virgin.
A cheat skill that multiplies my stats several times over.
"Didn't get the details, but So-ra's word carries weight. And you're growing explosively right now, perfect timing..."
"Ah..."
"The more talent, the better. Recruiting you would benefit us plenty. That's why I called you in so urgently."
"......"
Guild offer? Never crossed my mind.
I figured he'd summoned me to check the guy close to Han So-ra, maybe sabotage my chances of banging her.
Han So-ra backed him up.
"Haetae's way easier to operate in than Ara's guild. Honestly, tackling the Tower with 'Ara and Friends' would take at least half a year. You don't wanna just twiddle thumbs that long. Gotta climb fast, break floor 20."
"...So-ra has a point, but this feels like betraying Ara..."
"No betrayal needed. Already cleared it with Hae-wan. Dual contracts allowed for 'Ara and Friends.' You can join Haetae while staying in Ara's guild."
"For real?"
Hard to believe.
I shot Lee Hae-wan a look.
He nodded with a greasy smile.
"So-ra asked. Couldn't say no."
"Well, then..."
To catch a tiger, enter the tiger's den.
To get Lee Hae-wan, join Haetae Guild.
"No betrayal of Ara, so I'll join Haetae Guild. Not sure what you'd want with a trash D-Rank like me, though."