Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Sealed Gate Approval
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‘My brother must be pretty frustrated too. Do you know what kind of place a Sealed Gate is?’
Even the Nexus Guild Master he’d just met had said bidding on a Sealed Gate was tough.
Yet the Association President had approved it on a whim like child’s play, so he must be furious.
However, Su-ho had deliberately aimed for this atmosphere.
Association President Jang Kyung-hwan wasn’t deeply interested in anything unless it affected his own gains.
Especially if it involved hunters.
‘As long as it’s not a budget issue, neither the President nor the Vice President cares how many hunters die or in what way.’
But right now, Su-ho needed a Sealed Gate.
That was the only way to prove his abilities.
So before Jeong Cheol-min could say more, he moved to lock in the situation.
“After conquering the Sealed Gate later, I’ll make sure to thank you in the interview. It’ll all be thanks to your approval, Mr. President.”
At those words, Association President Jang Kyung-hwan’s mouth split into a huge grin.
There was nothing better than his name coming up from the rising star everyone was watching.
Buoyed, Jang Kyung-hwan pressed on with more questions.
“Haha, yes, yes. You look great. Oh, by the way, Hunter An Su-ho, are you planning to take this public recruitment exam?”
“This public recruitment... you mean...?”
“Field agent Grade 9 or 7.”
“Ah, I’m waiting for a different public recruitment.”
“A different one?”
“Yes, the Grade 5 Public Recruitment at the end of the year.”
“Grade 5... you say?”
At that, the Association President and Vice President’s eyes widened like saucers.
They’d assumed if he was applying, it’d be Grade 9 or 7—Grade 5 was completely unexpected.
The shocked Association President asked,
“Grade 5 is a very tough exam, you know?”
“I know. But personally, I think with Grade 5, I can do more for Gate closures than with Grade 9 or 7.”
“Such profound reasoning...”
Their eyes gleamed unusually at Su-ho’s mention of Grade 5.
Reading their looks, Su-ho quickly added,
“So I consulted around, and they said if I’m aiming for Grade 5, it might be better to join a guild now and build some industry experience.”
“Who said that?”
“Just something I heard at a civil service academy.”
“Hmm, that’s not wrong. We do prefer experienced candidates. But guilds these days have exclusive contracts with fixed terms, right?”
“That’s what I’m worried about. I want to learn practical skills and such, but most contracts are like that. Still, if there’s a place that accommodates my conditions, I’d consider joining a guild until the exam.”
“Hoo... If such a place existed, we’d be very grateful too.”
Su-ho smiled inwardly at that.
Perfect.
With the President saying it himself, joining Nexus wouldn’t look bad.
They’d even see it as commendable.
Plus,
‘This could naturally bridge connections between the Association and Nexus.’
It was then.
Knock knock—
“Mr. President, it’s Pi Seong-yeol.”
A knock at the door.
Su-ho’s eyes widened at the following voice.
‘Pi Seong-yeol?’
The man who entered was indeed the Pi Seong-yeol he knew.
‘To think I’d see that bastard now...!’
Pi Seong-yeol of the Special Division.
He was one of the targets Su-ho absolutely had to punish, right up there with the President and Vice President.
And for good reason—Pi Seong-yeol was involved in the Gate Shock incident that cost Su-ho his family.
Noticing the guest, Pi Seong-yeol looked slightly surprised and bowed his head.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you had a guest... Sorry, I’ll come back later.”
“No, no. We’re almost done anyway, so let’s wrap up. Oh, and Pi Chief, come in and say hi. This is Hunter An Su-ho, the one who conquered the Tower of Challenge.”
“Hunter An Su-ho... Ah!”
At the President’s introduction, Pi Seong-yeol immediately acted familiar and strode over, extending a hand to Su-ho.
“I’m Pi Seong-yeol of the Special Division. Wow, thanks to the President, I get to meet the man of the hour.”
“I’m An Su-ho.”
Su-ho naturally shook the offered hand.
Pi Seong-yeol flashed his signature gold tooth in a grin.
“I’ve seen a lot of articles about you. You’re the hottest thing right now, right?”
“Haha, no.”
Su-ho exchanged greetings and smiles naturally.
He’d already judged him once in the past, but that didn’t mean forgiveness.
This Pi Seong-yeol hadn’t faced judgment yet, timeline-wise.
But Su-ho didn’t act like an amateur.
Like getting swept up in emotions, for instance.
The Vice President added more about Su-ho.
“Oh, since you’re here, take a good look, Pi Chief. This guy’s planning to take the Grade 5 Public Recruitment at year’s end.”
“Grade 5 Public Recruitment?”
Su-ho quickly replied to the question.
“Haha, yes. That’s the plan.”
Pi Seong-yeol feigned surprise, then lifted the corner of his mouth to flash his yellowish gold tooth again.
“Wow, Grade 5 is seriously tough... And you’re so young. Impressive.”
Excited by Pi Seong-yeol’s admiration, the Vice President piled on details.
“Haha, that’s not all. We’re giving Hunter An Su-ho a Sealed Gate from the Association soon, and he’s challenging that too.”
“Even a Sealed Gate?”
Pi Seong-yeol showed surprise again at the Sealed Gate mention.
Anyone could apply for Grade 5, but a Sealed Gate was different.
Maybe that’s why?
His reaction differed slightly from the President and Vice President.
“Um... Hunter An Su-ho, are you sure? You know what a Sealed Gate is like, right?”
A worried tone.
Naturally.
As an Awakener, Pi Seong-yeol knew well how dangerous it was.
But Su-ho replied nonchalantly.
“Yes, it’s so dangerous that guilds avoid bidding, and the Association manages it separately.”
“You know it well. But you’re still going for it... Sigh, if it’s your will, I can’t stop you... But I really hope you succeed in conquering it. If you do conquer the Sealed Gate, the Grade 5 this time is basically...”
The Vice President reacted.
“Hey, Pi Chief. Don’t say that. Public recruitment is fair—who gets in is unknown. The process must be just. Well, conquering a Sealed Gate does prove ability, but ahem...”
“Haha, as expected of the Vice President. Hunter An Su-ho, I’ll cheer for you too. If you conquer the Sealed Gate and pass the recruitment, I hope we get to work together.”
Pi Seong-yeol’s eyes sparkled.
He meant it.
He was always thirsty for talent.
‘More precisely, hunting dogs for himself.’
The Vice President chimed in again.
“Hey, Pi Chief. Hunter An Su-ho seems set on the Gate Division already?”
“Gate Division? Why?”
“Hunter An Su-ho’s dream is Gate closures. He wants to fully utilize Gate priority entry rights.”
“Oh, is that it? If that’s the case, our Special Division can do that too. Right, Team Leader Jeong?”
Only now did Pi Seong-yeol acknowledge Jeong Cheol-min.
Jeong Cheol-min answered awkwardly.
“Haha... Yeah, sure.”
“But if Hunter An Su-ho really passes Grade 5, how would that work with Team Leader Jeong’s hierarchy? Well, we’ll know by year’s end. Anyway, I’m rooting for you, Hunter An Su-ho. This is sincere.”
He subtly brought up hierarchy, creating a weird atmosphere.
Typical raccoon-like bastard.
Doing it on purpose to put Jeong Cheol-min in a spot.
So Su-ho stood up immediately.
“Yes, thank you. Please continue your talk. I’ll head out.”
“Yes, it was fun meeting you today, Hunter An Su-ho. Oh, the Sealed Gate we discussed—talk to Team Leader Jeong on your way out.”
“Yes, thank you. Goodbye.”
Only then could Su-ho leave the President’s office with Jeong Cheol-min.
But Jeong Cheol-min’s expression as they exited wasn’t great.
Su-ho knew why.
Still, he pretended not to and said to Jeong Cheol-min,
“Thanks to the President and Vice President, I got this opportunity.”
“Well...”
Jeong Cheol-min hemmed and hawed.
He’d been holding back quite a bit.
Seeing that, Su-ho chuckled and said,
“Team Leader, want to smoke?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah...”
“Then let’s have a quick cigarette.”
“...Alright.”
The two headed to the smoking room on the top floor.
As soon as they entered, Jeong Cheol-min silently lit a cigarette.
Su-ho smiled, sat in one of the room’s chairs, and Jeong Cheol-min asked curiously,
“You don’t smoke, Su-ho?”
“No, I’m a non-smoker.”
“Then why for me...?”
“You looked like you needed it. Your face hasn’t looked good since earlier.”
At that, Jeong Cheol-min made a strange expression, then awkwardly laughed.
“...Haha, was it that obvious?”
He sat down too.
“Mind if I light up?”
“Of course. That’s why we came to the smoking room.”
“Thanks.”
Jeong Cheol-min lit up.
He took a deep drag, exhaled, and his sigh dispersed into the air.
Su-ho said,
“You’re worried about me, right?”
Jeong Cheol-min glanced at Su-ho, then looked down.
“Yes, to be honest, I’m extremely worried. I like you, Su-ho. I have a feeling you’ll become a huge figure someday. So I don’t want to lose you if possible. I’d love to help you grow as safely as you can.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you thought that highly of me. Thanks.”
“I mean it. In that vein, if I may... You’re new to being a hunter, so you might not know, but Sealed Gates are truly dangerous. Not for nothing does the government manage them.”
“No, I know plenty. Even major guilds rarely get bidding rights due to safety issues.”
“Then why...?”
“Because I’m confident.”
“Huh?”
“Among the Gates the Association manages, there’s one called ‘Nameless Sword,’ right? One of the Sealed Gates.”
“Yes, it was. It was quite the buzz once.”
“I know how to conquer it.”
“...Huh?”
In that moment, Jeong Cheol-min stared at Su-ho with the widest eyes he’d shown all day.