Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Provisional S-Rank
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Hunter Association. A public institution that had naturally come into being once gate raids started to open up and the hunter profession became established.
At first, the Hunter Association held real prestige. They managed and purchased hunter-related items, oversaw gates, and compensated for all damage caused by monsters.
Yeah. Everything was fine up to that point, but problems soon surfaced.
*Problems always start from the top.*
Just as the saying went, the Hunter Association's issues stemmed from the higher-ups—the people in high positions.
Those in high positions weren't hunters themselves, nor did they know much about fieldwork, yet they constantly issued unreasonable orders. In short, it was the frontline hunters actually doing the work who got ground to dust.
Even with the fancy title of quasi-intelligence agency, the manpower shortage was all because of that. Like a flashy glass jewel—beautiful on the outside but hollow within.
Everyone knew about this reality, so with guilds offering better treatment to higher ranks, there was no reason to join the Association, which only worsened the shortage.
“…We’ve arrived.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Stepping out of the stopped car, a fairly impressive building came into view, but it was familiar to me, so I felt no particular emotion.
“This way, please.”
“Uh, I can go by myself now…”
“No, since we brought you here, we’ll escort you all the way.”
“…Okay.”
Yeah. What was the crime of people working hard? Their misfortune was just picking the wrong workplace.
Even in an Association rife with problems, why did people still work there? Who knows. I couldn’t read minds, but it was probably a sense of responsibility. Or maybe a sense of duty.
I followed the diligently guiding staff with a bright smile, checked in, waited briefly, and soon reached a hallway lined with doors in a row.
“Please enter room 201.”
“Yes. Thank you for the guidance.”
“No problem at all.”
After flashing a smile and leaving the Association staff behind, I entered the room.
The interior looked just like an ordinary hospital room, aside from the items lined up on one side.
“Han Ji-eon?”
“Yes.”
“Please have a seat here.”
As I sat in the chair, the man lightly fiddled with something before instructing me to roll up my sleeve. I complied without resistance. He wrapped what looked like a blood pressure cuff—an item—around my arm, mentioned it would take a moment, and tinkered with it some more.
What he was doing now was rank measurement. A mandatory step before reporting Pattern manifestation, with ranks ranging from highest S down to A, B, C, D, E, and lowest F.
*It’s about time—*
Jerk! The man measuring my rank suddenly convulsed like he was having a seizure. He repeatedly glanced between the item and me. Pretending to be puzzled, I asked,
“Uh, excuse me, is something wrong?”
“No, just… just a moment.”
He quickly pulled a stack of documents from a bookshelf, flipped through the pages rapidly, stopped at one spot, and reread the page several times. Then, as if remembering he needed to explain to me, he finally spoke with his mouth that had been hanging open.
“…First, your overall stats are Strength 77, Speed 91, Defense 86, averaging 84.6—A-Rank…”
Rattle. He turned the item toward me, allowing me to check the screen in detail.
*No changes here either.*
The screen, like a card reader, displayed my info—or rather, my Pattern’s info. Not just the overall stats I’d heard, but the primary attack ability was depicted similarly too. In my case, a single white star.
I shifted my gaze slightly. Slowly raising my eyes to capture what this man had paused to show me.
Rank. This was a provisional rank, but since it factored in attack ability and overall stats for a comprehensive evaluation, it was usually finalized as such.
And my rank was listed as:
[Unknown]
Exactly as it said—unknown. And there was only one rank that produced such a measurement result.
“For now, your provisional rank is Unknown, which means…”
The man swallowed more nervously than I did before continuing.
“It’s… S-Rank.”
“S-Rank?”
Pretending to be shocked, I widened my eyes and stared at him.
“It’s an overall S-Rank evaluation, but since your current overall stats are close to A-Rank average, you’ll likely go through a screening period to determine if it’s A or S… Though in most cases, it’s settled based on this result, so… Congratulations in advance.”
“…S-Rank.”
Congratulations. How ironic. Why was acquiring this kill-or-be-killed power something to celebrate?
Overall stats close to A-Rank. In other words, I lagged behind other S-Ranks. If asked if regression made me strong, the answer was a firm no. It wasn’t carrying over near-death power levels—it reset.
“You can get the rest of the explanation at the counter. Congratulations again.”
“…Yes.”
Wearing an expression of dazed joy, I left the room.
As the door clicked shut, my face reverted to blank neutrality, then quickly switched to a smiling one upon spotting the Association staff still waiting outside.
“Did you get good results?”
“Y-Yeah, uh, yes. It’s beyond what I imagined, so I’m still flustered.”
“…May I ask what rank?”
“Uh, well…”
I glanced around slyly before opening my mouth.
“S-Rank.”
“……”
“It’s provisional for now, but it’s still a bit shocking.”
“……”
“Um… hello?”
“Ah, sorry. S-Rank… I see.”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t obvious, but the Association staff’s gaze subtly scanned me over. Not knowing my name or anything, he was probably judging by my appearance.
“…If I may be so bold, I have one question…”
“Yes? Sure.”
“If you’re becoming a hunter, have you decided on an affiliation…?”
“Hm… Affiliation, right.”
Korean hunters had four options: domestic guilds, overseas guilds, freelance hunters who operated freely without fixed affiliation, and lastly, as mentioned earlier.
“If you haven’t decided… how about the Association?”
The Association. With its terrible treatment, mountain of work—the worst affiliation.
“The Association?”
“Yes. Association staff are quasi-civil servants, and with your high rank, you could land a pretty good position.”
“……”
*Good position, my ass.*
“Uh, I haven’t really thought about affiliation yet. Just freelance hunter for now—”
“Personally, I wouldn’t recommend freelance.”
“…Pardon?”
“Freelancers first off have a hard time collecting desired items. Good items are mostly snatched by guilds, leaving freelancers with mediocrity. Plus, guilds will pester you to join theirs. So why not the Association? As a public institution, no one can touch you recklessly, and donated items are available for—”
“Wait, hold on a sec.”
“…Sorry.”
Realizing he’d gotten carried away, the Association staff cleared his throat and apologized. Feigning flustered surprise, I spoke up.
“No, it’s just… my brother’s a freelancer. I figure I can get help from him…”
“…Ah, your brother’s a hunter too. May I ask his name?”
The staff’s goal was probably to lure this ‘brother’ into the Association too, but unfortunately for him, my brother…
“Han Ji-un.”
Unlike my foolishly smiling face, the Association staff looked like he’d shoved a block of ice in his mouth, clamping his lips shut.
“Uh… hello?”
“Ah. Sorry. R-Right. Han Ji-un the hunter is your brother…”
“Yes.”
There were probably few in Korea who didn’t know Han Ji-un’s name.
S-Rank hunters numbered only five in Korea. Soon to be six including me.
Of those five, three were guild masters managing hunters, forming better teams, paying bonuses for hard work, and handling all sorts of oversight. One was a guild member under one of those masters, and only my brother had no guild affiliation.
Yeah. No affiliation, but…
“Uh, c-can I head out now?”
“Ah. I’ve held you too long. Sorry. Best wishes as a hunter going forward…”
His regret was plain, but I had zero intention of joining the Association.
The reason was simple. I’d once been Association-affiliated myself. The work was tough, but as an S-Rank, I’d lived decently enough.
But the magic stones, items, and potions for healing that reached my hands were extremely limited, and even after raiding dungeons, nothing stayed with me.
Of course, that hadn’t mattered. My goal had always been ending the apocalypse.
But Association affiliation hastened the apocalypse—brought it much, much faster. No idea why. It just ended quickly, no reason. Even after reliving it multiple times as Association, same result. So at some point, I stopped joining altogether.
*I thought I had options, but looking back, they were slim.*
Smiling and nodding, I parted ways with the Association staff. Ignoring his still-bewildered expression, I got the remaining explanation at the counter and filled out personal info forms.
The reason the staff acted that way was simple. My brother was Korea’s first S-Rank, Pattern manifesting the day gates appeared, making huge contributions to national stabilization.
*Anyway, Association stuff’s done.*
Now to set that aside and handle the next thing. Not a huge deal compared to future events, but necessary for those.
I pulled out my phone from my pocket and checked it.
*About time. Ah.*
Casually tapping the screen, I pocketed the phone again upon seeing the confirmation text.
What I had to do now was simple. Just clear a dungeon.
The text I’d just received was party invite confirmation for that simple dungeon run.
*…Minus it being an illegal one, totally normal.*
Not that I was raiding to bust an illegal dungeon. Purely for my gain—to shorten this damn Pattern harmony period.