Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: 【True Breath】
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A faint noise echoed from the distance. It was probably the cheers welcoming us. But it was drowned out by the deafening camera shutters blaring right nearby.
‘Why are there cameras everywhere? Don’t they ever get tired?’
As I followed Ji Hwa-yeon, who was leading the way, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Looking ahead, I spotted a familiar face I’d seen a few times before. Soon after, Ji Hwa-yeon’s lips parted.
“Hana.”
“Hello! Long time no see, Hwa-yeon.”
A woman with reddish—but not quite—hair, styled in a neat 5:5 part down to her mid-length bob, and striking green eyes greeted Ji Hwa-yeon warmly.
I stared at the woman, who spoke fluent Korean, with open curiosity. I must have stared too intently because the moment Ji Hwa-yeon glanced back, our eyes met. Ji Hwa-yeon smoothly introduced the woman in front of her.
“This is Hana Bessie, an S-Rank hunter from America’s Freezer Guild.”
“Nice to meet you!”
I bowed my head politely in greeting.
Hana Bessie. An S-Rank hunter whose main job was modeling. I’d never met her in person, but she was a face I knew well enough. Even back when I didn’t know much about hunters, she was famous enough that anyone would recognize her.
Hana opened her mouth.
“People from other countries still have a long way to come, so rest up for now! We’re not heading into the tower until tomorrow or the day after anyway.”
“Did we arrive too early?”
“Nope, right on time. And arriving early is better than late.”
After that, Hana kindly guided us to our lodging. Of course, we didn’t stay long.
“Everyone’s here?”
We dropped our bags at the lodging and gathered again right away. The meeting spot was a hunter-exclusive training ground, about the size of a typical school auditorium.
“Since we’ll be fighting together for a while, I thought it’d be good to get a feel for each other’s styles. We’re all skilled, but not knowing your allies’ abilities drops combat efficiency. So, I’ll go ahead and share the teams I’ve put together arbitrarily.”
We should’ve done this earlier, but Han Ji-un, Ji Hwa-yeon, and I hadn’t had the time until now. Better late than never.
After that, we moved in the makeshift teams. They were divided with S-Ranks at the core.
In my team, I knew Park Woo-yun and Yun Sia. There were also well-known support hunters and veterans who’d been hunting since right after dungeons appeared. My team was stacked with experienced folks.
‘They paired Park Woo-yun with me because of my stats, huh.’
Or maybe just because we knew each other. Either way, not a bad call.
‘I can check out Yun Sia up close, too.’
Not that I’d do anything blatant. Just saying.
I scanned the gathered group. Some had activated their Patterns, others hadn’t. I was in the latter camp.
“Hmm… First, Pattern Activation—”
“Oh. Han Ji-eon Hunter and Han Ji-un Hunter, please refrain from activating your Patterns if possible.”
At those words, the faint hiss of smoke puffed from my body mid-activation. Same for Han Ji-un.
I voiced my confusion at Ji Hwa-yeon’s instruction.
“Is there a reason?”
She smiled brightly as she replied.
“This training ground was made by an A-Rank engineer.”
“Ah.”
Meaning it’d come crashing down the second S-Ranks went wild.
‘Fair enough. We should be grateful they even secured an A-Rank facility this big.’
With so many people, they probably couldn’t rent out an S-Rank training ground. The American hunters must’ve snatched them all up.
No use dwelling on it. Focus on the now.
“Then, everyone else, please activate your Patterns.”
One by one, their appearances shifted in various ways. The most drastically changed was…
‘Is that a pirate?’
Yun Sia’s hair turned light brown, her eyes red. Her outfit was a striking mix of red and black—straight-up pirate garb at first glance.
It suited her Plunder ability perfectly. It looked like cosplay at a glance, but she pulled it off like the real deal. Impressive, in a way.
“For now, I’ll do my best despite my shortcomings. Looking forward to working with you all.”
Once everyone had activated their Patterns, I greeted the group. No one objected; they just nodded or stood quietly. Seemed they had no issue with a “weaker” S-Rank leading. Even with Han Ji-un and Ji Hwa-yeon nearby, no complaints. Surprising.
“Then, let’s check abilities one by one. Anyone uncomfortable showing theirs?”
No one raised a hand or spoke up. Makes sense—they’d probably shown everything off while clearing dungeons on the way here. No room for secrets now, especially when unity mattered most. Pros through and through.
“Then, starting with Yun Sia Hunter.”
“Yes~”
“You mentioned Plunder as your ability. Could you show us exactly how it works?”
“Sure, then try shooting an ability at me?”
I directed my fingers like a conductor. White Stars materialized around me and shot toward Yun Sia with a whoosh. She reached out as if grabbing something.
“Huh?”
A short exclamation, and a cutlass appeared in Yun Sia’s hand. I quickly halted the stars.
They froze just before touching her cutlass. The whole thing, from start to finish, took one second.
“Any issues?”
“…Wow.”
Yun Sia blinked in stunned silence for a moment. I waved my hand to dispel the stars and called to her.
“Yun Sia Hunter?”
“Ah, sorry! Han Ji-eon Hunter’s ability doesn’t work. It happens occasionally, but I didn’t expect it with yours!”
“So it works on other S-Ranks?”
“Yeah… I stole energy from Han Ji-un Hunter, Ji Hwa-yeon Hunter, even Ryu Cheon-hwa Guild Master and used it.”
“What about Seung-hyeon Hunter and Yoo A-han Hunter?”
“Seung-hyeon Hunter’s is a summon, so no. Yoo A-han Hunter… Haven’t tried, but probably.”
“Mine’s not a summon, but no dice. We should test it on others later. Next up: Park Woo-yun?”
Park Woo-yun jolted in surprise and replied.
“Y-Yes! Yes!”
“You just went from B-Rank to A-Rank recently, right?”
“Yes!”
The others glanced at him curiously. Rank-ups were rare.
“Any changes from the ability I saw before?”
“Um… Ah. Yes!”
Park Woo-yun opened his palm. A dark, inky liquid—like it had swallowed light—gathered into a sphere, which then split open with a flash, revealing an actual eye.
“The sphere is the base form. I can use it for scouting or securing sightlines, make small swamps to bind feet, sprout thorns for attacks…”
He sped up excitedly before calming himself and finishing steadily.
“…Versatile like that.”
“Said the sphere is the base form, right?”
“Yes? Yes.”
I locked eyes with Yun Sia. She tilted her head, then strode toward Park Woo-yun as realization dawned.
“Mind if I borrow it?”
“Yes? Sure!”
The black sphere transferred to Yun Sia’s hand. She manipulated it freely.
“Hm, yep. Works.”
“So, can you sprout thorns like Park Woo-yun Hunter described?”
“That—”
Thorns erupted massively from all sides of the sphere.
“Of course.”
It worked.
‘That level of proficiency… Must be why he’s A-Rank.’
“Alright, got a rough idea of Park Woo-yun Hunter’s ability. Next…”
I briskly checked and moved on. Glancing aside, Han Ji-un had partially activated, holding just one sword, while Ji Hwa-yeon manipulated monsters to test others’ abilities.
‘Pretty much grasped everyone’s powers…’
I addressed the now-warming-up group.
“Support specialists in the back, and Yun Sia Hunter guarding them while boosting the front line—just in case. Any objections?”
“Nope.”
Yun Sia answered, and the supports nodded in agreement.
The rest split into ranged and melee, forming ranks front and back. Park Woo-yun was melee. Simple reason: stronger than me.
‘Formation’s set.’
I checked the side again. Han Ji-un and Ji Hwa-yeon’s groups were forming up or already sparring.
Back to ours. All pros, so they were holding back but itching to go.
“Shall we spar, then?”
Faces lit up with excitement or grins. They’d get their fill tomorrow or the next day anyway.
‘Rare for hunters to fight each other like this.’
I cleared my throat.
“I can handle a few at once, so teams of three.”
They looked puzzled. Natural—I’m A-Rank level without Pattern activation, and not even top-tier A-Rank.
I smiled lightly at their expressions.
“No worries. If it gets dicey, I’ll just bolt to Ji Hwa-yeon or my brother.”
A few antsy hunters paired up and stepped forward. Not three, but…
‘Two. Melee and ranged.’
Decent matchup.
Whoosh. A white scythe materialized in my grip. I nodded at the first two.
After that, it was all fighting. Beating them fired up the rest—they charged like Samoyeds in snow. All wins for me, though.
Sipping water, I surveyed the chaos. An A-Rank training ground, sure, but it crumbled under a horde of rampaging A-Ranks.
‘I broke a bit too.’
Reason for the intense sparring? One: Establish my position. Most didn’t know much about me, so they’d peg me as A-Rank. Going in underestimated meant my calls ignored in a pinch.
Handing out water, I glanced aside. Ji Hwa-yeon’s group had wrapped up; some already left. Han Ji-un’s was finishing. Mine was cooling down post-frenzy—no one heading back yet.
Yun Sia took her water and spoke up.
“Han Ji-eon Hunter, you seem more seasoned than me.”
“Hm?”
“Clashing blades? You’d erase yours for an opening, remake it instantly. Incoming attacks? Burst them to hide gaps.”
“Oh. Must be all the games I play.”
“Games?”
Not a total lie.
‘Says the one who attacked at every tiny opening.’
‘Why’d talent like her show up so late?’
Felt a bit unfair. I’d grinded even in death.
“Han Ji-eon.”
“Yes?”
Ji Hwa-yeon’s voice called; I replied promptly.
“Better head back and rest now.”
She pointed at a window high on the wall. The sun was dipping, casting red light into the training ground.
“And we’ll probably hit the tower tomorrow. Training’s good, but rest matters.”
I nodded and headed to the lodging with the others.
The next day, I finally approached the tower I’d awaited so long.