Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: 1. F-Rank Arrow Sponge (4)
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When he opened his eyes in the hospital,
Kim Chun-sik stared blankly at the pristine white gypsum board ceiling, struck by the fact that he was alive.
"...I really survived."
It felt surreal.
The moment the mage fled and the ogres swarmed him, Kim Chun-sik had thought there was no way he could survive.
Yet a miracle had occurred.
His comrade, whom he'd assumed had run away as expected.
That man had risked his life to save him.
The memory of that chaotic moment came in fragmented flashes, but his comrade had plenty of time to escape. And yet, he'd thrown himself into the fray for Kim Chun-sik's sake. Why on earth would he make that choice? Kim Chun-sik couldn't comprehend it, but thanks to him, he'd survived.
"Oh, Chun-sik, my boy!"
"Grandma."
Word that Kim Chun-sik had regained consciousness spread, and his wrinkled-faced grandmother rushed to his side in an instant.
"What were you thinking, pulling such a dangerous stunt? You said you were working construction! Did you want this old lady to watch you die? Aigo, the elderly are meant to go first. I had no idea my grandson was suffering like this, living fat off his life's worth all this time."
His grandmother gripped his hand tightly, stroking his injuries as she burst into sobs.
Living as a hunter.
It was a secret from his grandmother.
Knowing she'd oppose it outright, Kim Chun-sik had lied all this time and slipped out of the house.
"I'm fine."
"Fine? Look at your face—it's half gone!"
"But I'm alive and kicking, aren't I?"
Kim Chun-sik grinned.
At thirty years old.
An age where society treated him like an adult, but in front of his grandmother, he flashed a childlike smile.
His heart ached.
Her tear-streaked face.
Thinking of how much worry he'd caused her made him wonder if becoming a hunter had been a mistake.
No. To make up the shortfall, this is the only way. With my mediocre education, earning that kind of money through ordinary work would take too long. And Grandma's illness won't wait that long.
He steeled his resolve.
His one and only family in the world.
For her, he could do anything.
That afternoon.
The doctor visiting his room delivered unexpected news.
"You're incredibly fortunate. A broken rib from the fight pierced your internal organs, causing severe bleeding, but prompt initial first aid allowed us to complete the surgery successfully. A blessing in disguise, really. Having someone on-site who could treat your wounds—it's like the heavens themselves helped save you, Mr. Kim."
'Ah.'
Treatment.
First aid.
Only one person fit that description.
His arrow sponge comrade.
The man who'd saved his life must have administered emergency care too.
He was truly grateful.
Meeting an irresponsible mage had been misfortune, but having such a comrade by his side might truly be divine providence, as the doctor said. Without him, he'd have been torn limb from limb by an ogre in an F-Rank zone. Learning his benefactor's name was Kang San from the doctor, Kim Chun-sik vowed to find him the moment he was discharged and express his heartfelt thanks.
But the next day.
Another visitor arrived for Kim Chun-sik.
"I'm Detective Jung Man-bae from the Hunter Management Bureau."
His purpose: bystander homicide charges.
To punish Moon Sung-min for deliberately abandoning his party, they needed testimony from an eyewitness at the scene.
It was exactly what Kim Chun-sik wanted.
Fully cooperating with the investigation, he was shown a video by Jung Man-bae.
"This Kang San guy's something else. As you can see in the footage, he had some distance from the ogre—fleeing would have been the sensible choice for his own safety. Even as a detective, if I set aside my badge, I can't say I'd confidently risk my life in that spot. But Kang San did. An F-Rank arrow sponge scraping by on daily wages of a few tens of thousands of won tore a Sharpness scroll worth a million in today's market to save you. Pretty cool guy, huh?"
In all his life.
Kim Chun-sik had never received such grace from anyone.
His life revolved solely around him and his grandmother, so he wasn't used to relying on others.
But now, in this moment.
'Kang San.'
That name lodged deep in Kim Chun-sik's heart.
His body hadn't fully recovered yet.
But having received such a great favor, he couldn't just lie around idly in the hospital bed forever.
So he went to find Kang San.
The moment he spotted Kang San exiting the Hunter Management Bureau, Kim Chun-sik threw himself prostrate on the ground, age be damned, and bowed deeply.
"I come before my benefactor!"
"Benefactor? No need for that."
"Kang San saved my life. This man Kim Chun-sik grew up without much learning, but I was taught that a beast ignorant of gratitude is scum. If there's anything you desire, just say the word. Whatever this worthless body can do, I'm prepared to give everything for you, Kang San."
He was a truly humane person.
In this emotionless era like modern fortresses, someone who unhesitatingly bowed his head to express sincere thanks.
It was no easy feat.
Especially since Kang San clearly looked younger.
Kang San's face flushed with embarrassment as he hurriedly helped Kim Chun-sik to his feet.
"No, really, it's fine. I did it of my own accord."
Saving Kim Chun-sik.
Honestly, Kang San hadn't done it for any flashy reason like justice.
Accepting Azmun's trials meant clear rewards, so it was more like an 'investment.'
Yet to be called a benefactor for that.
It pricked at his conscience.
Having someone older prostrating himself was burdensome for Kang San.
"You're as upright in character as you are in everything else."
Was his humility misunderstood?
Kim Chun-sik's eyes shone with emotion.
The benefactor he'd imagined(?) in his hospital bed exceeded even those fantasies in perfection.
Kang San spoke.
"There was no special reason I saved you. In the Backside World, your comrades are the only ones who'll help each other, right? I knew ignoring your peril and fleeing would mean your death, so guilt alone forced my hand. That's it. Truth be told, I agonized over that decision. I was terrified. I'm no great hero like you imagine, so please drop that look."
He spouted a plausible excuse.
He couldn't tell the truth.
Azmun's trials were his privilege alone—no intention of revealing it to anyone.
So the one excuse available: good intentions.
At Kang San's words, Kim Chun-sik murmured "As expected" and nodded.
'Whatever happens, happens.'
They likely wouldn't cross paths again anyway.
Seeing Kim Chun-sik accept every word as profound, Kang San moved to leave.
"Well then."
It was then.
The moment he took a step.
Second Trial and Tribulation
📍 Description: Kim Chun-sik's grandmother suffers from a rare disease. Donate 150 million won to help them cover the surgery costs they can't afford.
🎁 Reward: Strength, Agility, Divine Power +2, One 1★ Skill
'What?'
The sudden quest.
Kang San's expression twisted.
After parting with Kim Chun-sik, Kang San checked his bank account.
[168,000,000]
One hundred sixty-eight million.
His entire fortune.
From a childhood without parents, he'd scraped it together through grueling odd jobs. No specific goal in mind—just the belief that a person needs money in life. Yet now Azmun demanded he hand it all over in this absurd request. Unlike the first trial, solvable with a single scroll and his life on the line, this one gave Kang San serious pause.
'This is too much.'
"Ugh."
He clawed at his hair.
What to do?
If he gave it all away.
He'd have no financial buffer against future uncertainties.
Money.
An absolute necessity in modern society.
Even in a world dominated by force, those wielding wealth remained powerful.
"Haa."
He hesitated deeply.
He wrestled with the dilemma.
Part of him wanted to refuse, but he had no choice but to agonize.
'From the moment I accepted Azmun's apostleship, I lost the right to refuse trials.'
The apostle's mission.
Overcome the trials for sweet rewards—or ignore them and pay a harsh price.
Lose everything gained from prior trials.
Skills and stats vanish, his past life's karma intensifies, dooming him to greater misfortune than before.
A horrific fate just to imagine.
He ran the numbers in his head.
Worth investing his entire fortune? He needed to think it through.
'Total six stats and one 1★ skill. No mention of extra rewards, so that's it. Is that worth 150 million? Honestly, no. But refusing means losing too much. Fail this second trial, and future ones like the third get revoked too.'
Not entirely negative.
Hunters.
Their power guarantees immense wealth.
If he could advance further as one, 150 million was recoverable later.
Initial investment cost.
Reframing it that way eased the pain somewhat.
No real choices anyway.
Not reckless gambling away his fortune, but an investment in a bright future—he comforted himself.
And a 1★ skill was still a skill.
As a mere F-Rank arrow sponge, he had no access to the 'market,' so securing another this way wasn't bad.
"Hoo."
He let out a deep sigh.
Just days ago.
He'd never imagined losing everything like this.
But what could he do?
To succeed as a hunter, he had to complete the trials, even at the cost of his own.
And.
'The rewards are guaranteed.'
The first reward.
That alone proved it wasn't ordinary.
Azmun, at least, honored give and take.
"Fine, I'll do it. Just as you want."
Kang San dialed.
When a voice answered, he said calmly,
"Please connect me to hospital administration."
He handled the donation anonymously.
Could have made a show of it, but seeing Kim Chun-sik's reaction, he'd likely make a fuss about repaying the favor.
'My ties with Kim Chun-sik end here.'
His actions weren't pure goodwill.
A means to an end.
He hoped Kim Chun-sik wouldn't become the fool in between.
Kang San completed the donation through proper channels, then checked his pitifully depleted account balance. His mood plummeted.
But only for a moment.
The moment he confirmed the rewards.
'As expected!'
Kang San knew his choice had been right.