Chapter 44
Chapter 44
44.Shin Chang (1)
Shin Chang, Kim San.
He awakened as a rare 'Lancer' during the Gate incident 10 years ago. Besides Shin Chang, there were others active, making it a fairly decent profession.
Of course, the reason he was called Shin Chang wasn't just because he was lucky enough to awaken as a Lancer.
There were two main reasons why Shin Chang became famous.
'Talent and Hidden.'
The rank of a Skill isn't absolute. Depending on an individual's physical talent, a C-rank swordsmanship could defeat a B-rank swordsmanship.
In that respect, Shin Chang had it all. He handled A-rank spear techniques to the extreme with overwhelming physical talent.
In the past, an S-rank spear technique holder from China had disregarded Shin Chang and challenged him to a duel. Shin Chang won that duel even with A-rank spear techniques.
And around level 35, like me now, he obtained a 'Skill Rank-Up Ticket' from a high-difficulty Gate.
'There are only two known Skill Rank-Up Tickets on Earth so far.'
Well, that's how a Hunter with tremendous physical talent and S-rank spear techniques was born.
Thanks to Shin Chang, Korea was able to maintain stability during the Gate crisis. I personally liked him too.
Unlike other coercive and morally bankrupt Hunters, the Dawnlight Guild had excellent character.
That's why Unawakened Hunters and porters wanted to work with Dawnlight. Of course, there were concerns.
'Is he going to say I said something I didn't again?'
.
.
.
"You're here?"
Fortunately, when I met Shin Chang again, Seo Seung-yeon was also present. This time too, Shin Chang silently held out his hand to me.
As I was shaking his hand in a daze, Seo Seung-yeon opened her mouth instead.
"He's very happy to see you!"
He doesn't seem like it at all?
I had that thought, but I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud.
"He's not much of a talker. He's famous for being taciturn, you know? Please understand."
"...I'm glad to see you too."
Shin Chang nodded lightly, and the corners of his lips were faintly raised.
"He likes you. Actually, he was impressed after watching Han Hye's video this time."
Does he distinguish what he's saying by his expression? I felt a newfound respect for Seo Seung-yeon's abilities.
"You flatter me."
"Oh, come on, you were really amazing, you know? Is it because you're S+ rank? Your Stats compared to your level feel unbelievable."
"It's a little high."
When Seo Seung-yeon spoke, Shin Chang's eyes shone with a blank face, so it seemed like I had to talk to Seo Seung-yeon.
"A little high is an understatement! I felt it last time, and I saw it directly this time."
Saw it directly?
The suspicion deepened a little.
"Can I ask how many Stats go up per Skill level?"
"All Stats 3."
I answered without hesitation because Seo Seung-yeon was watching Shin Chang's reaction as she asked. There's no reason to hide this.
"Huh? All Stats 3? Crazy..."
Seo Seung-yeon was shocked at my words. Shin Chang's eyes widened too. Is this how I'm supposed to deduce his feelings?
I feel like I might know the trick.
"I know an S+ rank abroad, and only three of his Stats go up by 3? I was jealous of that, but this doesn't make sense."
It was information about another S+ rank, so I also listened carefully. I thought they were all similar, but I was better.
As expected, Space Master. I wore a satisfied smile inwardly without showing it.
"Oh, I saw a video analyzing Han Hye, and is that true?"
"About what?"
"Spatial Sense. I knew you could use Space Warp and Subspace as a shield from the last duel."
"That's right."
There's no reason to hide this information from Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon, who are the top Hunters in the country. It's not like I'm taking things out of Subspace.
I also told them that I could feel the surrounding space in three dimensions within a certain range and that I was physically immune.
"But Magic gets through."
"No, was that real physical immunity, not just a certain level of intensity?"
Well, if even a Dragon can't penetrate it, shouldn't I consider it physical immunity?
Seo Seung-yeon was startled when I nodded. Shin Chang's lips, which had been pressed together, parted slightly, and he seemed very surprised.
"San is also shocked."
That was the answer. Shin Chang closed his lips again at Seo Seung-yeon's words.
"So that means you can see what fingers I'm pinching behind my back?"
"Yes."
"If you play Yabawi, you'll be guaranteed to win?"
"Huh?"
What nonsense is this?
It's not wrong, but I was a little flustered because it was so sudden. Seo Seung-yeon laughed.
"I'm kidding. Wow, I'm really jealous of that. I feel it intuitively, but it's not accurate. It's just about where the attack is coming from?"
Seo Seung-yeon, who seemed excited, turned her head back and forth to show an example.
"But according to Han Hye, the sense of distance is accurate. So you can take extreme risks when fighting?"
"I'm not quite there yet."
"You can develop it! Make it happen!"
"Yes, I have to try."
That's right. At this point, I decided to ask my questions.
"By any chance, does Seung-yeon protect our Guild?"
"Ah?"
It was the correct answer, judging by her flustered expression.
"Did you notice?"
"You helped us this time. And you said you saw it directly earlier."
"Did I say that? I thought you might have noticed."
Seo Seung-yeon tilted her head but readily admitted it.
"They're talented people."
"But why didn't you help us sooner?"
"Because there's an image."
According to Seo Seung-yeon, it was a little difficult to help us openly. The reason for protecting us was valid, but there could be controversy over preferential treatment during the Discharge-type Gate incident.
If we were the only ones being protected while there were casualties, it would damage not only the Association but also the image of Dawnlight and us.
"And Hunters develop in extreme situations. I also had my finger halfway on the trigger and was in a state of hyperfocus."
Seo Seung-yeon complained.
"You were running around so fast, it was hard to follow you without getting caught, even with a helicopter."
Indeed. I traversed the city with Grendel. It was possible because it was Seo Seung-yeon.
Listening to her more, the first shot was a suppressed, stopping bullet, so she couldn't kill Grendel in one shot.
Anyway, it was hard at the time, but Seo Seung-yeon's words weren't wrong.
I didn't know it, but it was close to overcoming an extreme situation with insurance. I actually became more familiar with Leap.
"Thank you."
"Oh, you're welcome."
As we were having that conversation, Shin Chang finally opened his mouth.
"...Sparring."
It was a pleasant, heavy, low-pitched voice. Shin Chang closed his mouth after saying just one word, and I almost burst out laughing that the first word I heard from Shin Chang was 'Sparring.'
Shin Chang was also famous for being a crazy battle maniac besides being taciturn.
In the past, during the Discharge-type Gate incident, his smiling face while fighting fiercely with Monsters became a meme.
Seo Seung-yeon clapped her hands, realizing something.
"That's right. My brother said he wanted to spar a little."
"Sparring? With me?"
"He said he could develop you if that Spatial Sense is real."
In a way, should I call it Shin Chang's personal tutoring? There was no reason to refuse.
It's an opportunity to learn combat from someone of Shin Chang's level.
"I'd be grateful."
"Instead, Han Hye has to help my brother a little."
"Me?"
"Attacks using Space Warp. I saw in the video this time that you cut Grendel with Space Warp during the attack, right?"
That's right. The main topic was that I led Grendel and had a chase battle.
However, some professionals focused on that attack instead. Saying it was an unrespondable attack.
"Monsters that use Space Warp may appear in the future, right? He said he wants to learn how to respond."
I can give this much help as Shin Chang's tuition fee. It's not even help in the first place.
I can also practice timing more. I nodded readily.
"Of course."
"Really? Thank you! My brother was quite worried about what to do if Han Hye didn't allow it."
I wanted to say, 'He doesn't look like it at all?' but the other person is the number one Hunter in the country.
I just quietly shut my mouth.
Hmm. Come to think of it, his face seems more relaxed than before. Was it because he was really worried?
The corners of his lips were faintly raised, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
"When should we do it? When is a good time for you?"
"Anytime. I can't enter the Gate right now anyway."
Hunters' entry into the Gate was prohibited due to the alert state after the Discharge-type Gate incident.
Suddenly, Shin Chang held out his cell phone to me.
"Number?"
When I asked, Shin Chang nodded faintly.
After I typed in my number, he pressed the call button briefly and hung up. It was the moment when Shin Chang got my number in such a simple way.
As the conversation was about to end, I remembered something I had forgotten.
I hurriedly took out paper and a pen from Subspace.
"Can I get an autograph...?"
Min-seok is a huge fan of Shin Chang. No matter how much the atmosphere is ending, I have to listen to Min-seok's request.
"..."
Shin Chang signed it silently this time too, but the corners of his lips were raised a little more than before.
He seemed to really like my autograph request.
* * *
-Han Hye? We're IBC Broadcasting...
After the 3rd Discharge-type Gate incident, interview requests were pouring in for the Dinosaur Guild, especially Han Hye.
I never gave out my phone number, but I was even getting calls.
"How do they know and call me?"
The broadcasting stations' interest was because Han Hye had avoided media exposure as much as possible until now.
A short article with comments on the situation at the time was released through the Hunter Association, but that was all.
The Dinosaur Guild, especially Han Hye, was receiving attention not only in Korea but all over the world.
The broadcasting stations wanted to be the ones to broadcast their first appearance no matter what.
"Then it would be better to do an interview in some way."
Han Hye was talking to Park Seo-woong, the Association President's direct secretary, and heard the whole story.
-Yes. If you're interested, we can introduce you. To a place that will proceed without making you uncomfortable.
In these cases, they could broadcast questions or appearances that the person didn't want in order to induce viewership.
Han Hye thought it would be okay if it was an introduction through the Hunter Association and agreed. That's why I'm on a broadcast interview now.
The participants were three from the Dinosaur Guild. Han Hye, Choi Cheol-gi, and Seo Min-jae. Lee Shin-hee refused the offer.
The Dinosaur Guild's Healer wasn't a big topic this time, so it was a choice to hide her appearance more.
"First, Dragon Knight Choi Cheol-gi and Magician Seo Min-jae. It's hard to believe they're in their early 20s, considering the firepower they showed."
Han Hye received a lot of attention, but Dragon Knight and Seo Min-jae were no less. The destructive power of a Magician with A-rank Skills was considerable.
It was similar to the destructive power of a Magician who was about to reach B-rank.
Of course, it was lacking in terms of speed and continuous aspects due to the difference in Mana Stats, but it was enough to be interested in.
And Choi Cheol-gi received more attention than Seo Min-jae.
Choi Cheol-gi took a picture at the time of the contract, but this was the first time the battle between 'Dragon' and Dragon Knight was filmed.
-Krrr!
"This is the first time I've seen a Dragon in real life, and it's really cute. If you guys were here, you would have become fans right away!"
The announcer conducting the interview didn't reach out to Yong-yong because she was notified in advance.
The atmosphere was quite soft and pleasant. After the Q&A with Seo Min-jae and Choi Cheol-gi, it was Han Hye's turn.
"Next is Han Hye. She became a big topic for leading and enduring four Grendels during this Discharge-type Gate incident. How did you feel?"
Han Hye answered honestly.
Park Seo-woong was watching from the back. He said he would edit out any problematic remarks.
"I thought I had to save people. The citizens, of course, and the Hunters who participated in the defense and our Guild members."
"No matter what, it must have been a really difficult choice to lead four Grendels. It was something you had to risk your life for, right?"
"I thought it was dangerous, but I thought it was worth a try considering my abilities. I have Space Warp and I can block it."
The announcer conducting the interview opened her mouth and listened with admiration.
"In a word, it was a tremendous spirit of sacrifice."
"Huh? Not quite a spirit of sacrifice... I just had to hold out until the high-levels came."
Besides that, we also had everyday conversations, such as what kind of food I liked.
Two days after the filming, the broadcast aired, and the reaction from people was very hot.
-Wow, the Dragon looks so cute in the video;;
-Is it possible to adopt that?
-Should I get another Dragon and breed them?
-Where can I get one?
-You have to figure that out yourself
-Gong-father ㅜㅜ
-'I thought I had to save people' ← So touching ㅜㅜㅜㅜ
-'Huh? Not quite a spirit of sacrifice...' << I like that she doesn't take credit haha
-I agree haha Some guys do what they're supposed to do and act like all the citizens owe them
-For real haha
But Han Hye couldn't watch the broadcast while it was on TV.
"Hmm. Is there another way to use Subspace?"
It was because I was having a 1:1, no, 1:2 sparring session with Shin Chang, including Seo Seung-yeon, like a tutoring session.