Chapter 55
Chapter 55
55.
Hunter Cooperation (2)
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This matter concerns Shin Chang and Kim San.
Related to Shin Chang?
I couldn't even begin to guess what it was. It was impossible to predict, so it seemed I'd have to hear it to know.
"Please, speak comfortably."
After all, I'm the one who makes the decisions. It didn't seem like the Association would ask for anything unreasonable, but it was something to hear and then decide.
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Two years ago, he received an S-rank spear from Saudi Arabia.
I knew about that. It was a famous incident. Saudi Arabia had bought it with a huge sum of money when it was put up for international auction.
That was also why I didn't pay attention to international auctions.
Unless you had an absurd amount of money, you couldn't compete in the auction.
Anyway, Shin Chang wanted an S-rank spear, and Shin Chang and the Korean Hunter Association worked together to make the deal.
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Since the amount was so large, we had no choice but to add options.
"That 'Hunter Cooperation' was the option?"
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That's right.
I roughly understood the situation. Saudi Arabia had a lot of money, but their Hunter situation was quite ambiguous.
You could say they were strong, and you could say they were weak.
They hired promising or good Hunters from foreign countries with a lot of money, but I heard that not many of them actually did their jobs properly.
They would run away or make excuses to protect themselves when it mattered.
Although they also recruited foreign Hunters, most countries favored their own Hunters for the same reason.
The reason they asked Shin Chang for Hunter Cooperation must be because of that. He was a named Hunter, and his credibility was top-notch.
"So, they're going to use it this time, I presume?"
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Yes. It's a level-restricted Gate of levels 21-25, which is about to undergo a Gate Break soon.
From what I heard, promising talents from Saudi Arabia in the 21-25 level range had entered the Gate with great ambition but hadn't been able to come out.
The inside of the Gate, confirmed using the Escape Secretary, was a place I could easily navigate with my abilities.
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However, given the situation, it's difficult for Saudi Arabia to provide separate compensation to Han Hye.
In other words, they were asking me to do unpaid labor. Hmm. I would have simply refused under normal circumstances.
But this felt different. It was a request from the Hunter Association, but it was also a request from Shin Chang.
'I'm putting Shin Chang and the Association in my debt.'
I had received help and consideration from Shin Chang and the Association in various ways, so it was worth doing.
Of course, there was something to confirm.
"Is it safe in terms of danger?"
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If you go abroad, you will be exposed to more dangers. It's also a region where Ubermensh are active. However, it should be fine. Shin Chang has agreed to accompany you from departure to return.
"Excuse me?"
Shin Chang was coming? As a bodyguard?
A Hunter who was in the top five in the world was a bodyguard. I wondered if there could be a more luxurious escort.
Well, when going to another country, considering the threat of Ubermensh, an escort was essential.
In the meantime, there was no one more reliable than Shin Chang in the Association. He was also a party involved in the matter.
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He feels very sorry that his debt is being passed on to Han Hye.
I couldn't quite imagine Shin Chang feeling sorry.
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Although he may not receive compensation from Saudi Arabia, he says he will compensate Han Hye in some way.
"Anything I want?"
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Yes. For example, Elixir, Secret Arts, Skill Level-Up Ticket, etc. He said that even if he can't give them to you right away, he will give them to you as soon as he gets them.
Hmm... In this case, it wasn't me putting Shin Chang in my debt. Rather, it was a matter of begging.
Shin Chang getting what I want? It was a rare opportunity. I had to do it.
Among the Hunters on Earth, there were few people who had a higher chance of getting what I wanted from the Gate than Shin Chang.
Moreover, what I wanted was something related to my job, such as a Skill Level-Up Ticket or a Job Skill Acquisition Voucher.
'Those things are more likely to come out of high-level Gates.'
That's why I readily accepted.
"I was going to go anyway... It would be foolish to refuse."
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Is there anything you want, by any chance?
"A Job Skill Acquisition Voucher or a Skill Level-Up Ticket. Either one is fine."
Suddenly, I realized that I hadn't consulted with my team members. I was too tempted by the idea of Shin Chang getting the item I wanted.
Well, I'd have to persuade them somehow.
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Ah, I haven't told you yet.
But there was no need to do that.
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The Gate that Saudi Arabia requested cooperation for has a limit of one person.
"One person?"
I thought about the team because the 'promising talents' had failed, but it seemed that several people had entered separately and hadn't returned.
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Yes, only Han Hye needs to move. In case of emergency, unconditional survival is possible with Subspace.
Still, I should consult with my team members. After all, I was going to be alone.
I asked the team members next to me for their understanding, and they all didn't mind.
"What? If there's an opportunity like that, you should go."
"I think so too."
"Then, shouldn't we level up to level 26 while you're gone, Hyung?"
Uncle and Lee Shin-hee were the first to tell me to go, and Min-jae even thought about what to do in the meantime.
"That's good? Let's just go into any Gate and level up a bit."
I would also level up by 1 level after going there, so after coming back, we could enter the Gate we chose with the Gate Entry Priority Pass.
"I was wondering where to go, but this is perfect."
That's how my trip to Saudi Arabia was decided.
.
.
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"Han Hye! Over here!"
It was obvious, but it wasn't Shin Chang who called me at the airport. It was Shin Chang's interpreter, or rather, sniper, Seo Seung-yeon.
"Seung-yeon-ssi, you were coming too?"
"How can I send San Oppa alone? I'm better at perimeter security anyway."
That wasn't wrong either. It seemed like it would have been a very awkward situation without Seo Seung-yeon.
Just looking at Shin Chang now, wasn't it?
"......"
Shin Chang glared slightly at Seo Seung-yeon, as if he didn't like Seo Seung-yeon's words that she was better at perimeter security.
"Thank you so much for helping. Actually, Han Hye shouldn't have to bear this burden."
"......"
Still, when Seo Seung-yeon said that, Shin Chang nodded his head greatly. It was the biggest nod I had ever seen.
It was the moment I realized that Shin Chang's words that he was sorry were not a lie.
"Nice to meet you. How have you been?"
"......"
So, I greeted Shin Chang, but Shin Chang once again replaced his answer with a nod without saying a word.
There was a slight difference. The distance he nodded was shorter than before. Was I supposed to figure it out like this?
"Let's go!"
That's how the three of us went to Saudi Arabia.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't three. There were also Association employees and additional personnel from Dawnlight.
"It's a bit iffy to trust those people when we're going to provide security, right? A promise is a promise, but there's definitely a threat."
Elite employees from the Dawnlight Guild, such as Gate analysts, cooks, and Hunter management trainers, were dispatched.
We didn't have many employees, so it was quite a contrast. Dawnlight was also a small elite group, but they were definitely the advance team.
And...
My eyes widened when I saw the chartered plane provided by the Association.
"Wow."
Seo Seung-yeon and Shin Chang seemed used to it...
It was my first time riding a chartered plane, so I couldn't help but be surprised.
I had seen planes in videos before, but the chartered plane had a different structure than what I knew.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was possible on a plane.
Really. It was comfortable and pleasant.
"It's your first time on a chartered plane, right?"
Seo Seung-yeon said playfully at my appearance. I just nodded.
"It's my first time on a plane."
"Yes?"
"I'm a Gate orphan."
"Ah......"
The atmosphere became solemn for a moment, but Seo Seung-yeon skillfully changed the subject.
"By the way, did you hear about that?"
"About what?"
"There's a super rookie in China with S-rank swordsmanship. A rare job, 'Swordsman'."
"I know about him... What happened?"
After the Gate incident, a martial arts craze swept through China, and the Swordsman was someone who attended such a swordsmanship dojo.
He acquired an S-rank swordsmanship Skill upon awakening and grew the fastest in the world, earning the title of China's pride.
Of course, he wasn't the fastest-growing person in the world anymore.
I was breaking all of his growth records.
"It was a hot topic that Korea had unusually no Gate damage this time. It's thanks to Han Hye's performance. So, it seems the reporters deliberately asked questions."
"Oh dear. I've attracted unnecessary aggro."
"Right? But what's funny is that the Swordsman didn't avoid it and bit right into it."
I looked at her, wondering how he bit into it, and Seo Seung-yeon raised the corners of her mouth.
"He said Han Hye is a bubble? That all you did was run away. That he would have caught them all if it were him. He says he'll win if you fight."
Huh? I tilted my head.
"Isn't that person over level 35?"
I didn't think he should be saying that, considering the level difference in the first place.
Maybe he's the type who's mentally weak and easily drawn to aggro.
"That's right. The Chinese side has a lot of pride. He was being called the world's best prospect, but the public opinion changed drastically with that video, so it seems Han Hye touched a nerve."
"Hmm. What if we fought?"
"Wouldn't it be doable? With Han Hye's Stats."
"Well, he has S-rank swordsmanship."
"You never know. Han Hye has an S+ rank Skill. After some time, I think Han Hye will just win."
Well, even if it wasn't right now, I thought I would win if I grew a little more. I had Subspace.
"But I don't know if I'll ever have a reason to go to China."
"......Conference."
At that time, Shin Chang said with a faint smile. Conference? Seo Seung-yeon nodded.
"That's right. If you go to the Guild Conference together, you might meet him?"
* * *
As we were talking, we arrived in Saudi Arabia. It took quite a bit of time, but I heard it was because it was a chartered plane that we arrived so quickly.
Well, I was almost lying in bed, so it wasn't uncomfortable.
"Han Hye-ssi."
Just before getting off the plane, Seo Seung-yeon handed me a strangely shaped bracelet.
"Take it."
"This is...?"
"It's called the Bracelet of Bonds. It sends a signal when danger is detected between wearers. It also shows the location."
As she said that, she raised her arm, and there was a bracelet on Seo Seung-yeon's wrist as well. When I looked next to her, Shin Chang also had one on his hand.
"If any problems arise, you can deal with them using this."
It seemed that Dawnlight was quite concerned about me.
"Welcome!"
As soon as I got off the plane, Saudi Arabian officials welcomed me, but they were startled when they saw behind me.
There was only one reason. Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon were with me. They had been told that there would be an escort, but they hadn't told the Saudi side who would be the escort.
"...Thank you for your hard work on the long flight. Thank you for coming like this."
Then, not long after, the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia came. He had rushed over because of Shin Chang. He was a member of the royal family, which surprised me.
So this was the power of a Hunter who was in the top five in the world.
By the way, the weather in Saudi Arabia was naturally hotter than in Korea. However, it wasn't hot enough to feel scorching.
It was thanks to Grade A Fire Resistance.
'These auxiliary Skills are really good.'
It was easy to become unpleasant if you sweated because of the heat, but thanks to Fire Resistance, the resistance was quite strong.
I also had Arachne's Underwear, so there were no problems with maintaining body temperature. It was a pleasant feeling.
The Dawnlight Guild members were quite hot, but Seo Seung-yeon and Shin Chang didn't seem to have any problems like me.
Rather, Seo Seung-yeon looked at me as if she was surprised.
"Han Hye-ssi, you're not hot either?"
"I have a Fire Resistance Skill."
"Oh ho. Already have such auxiliary Skills? You're a talent after all."
That's right. These resistance Skills may seem insignificant, but they are quite important to Hunters.
Extreme environments often appear inside Gates.
"They're asking if you really want to move right away. They say you can rest for a few days before leaving."
The interpreter said, but we shook our heads. This schedule was very short.
It was because everyone was a valuable talent.
Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon, who were ranked 1st in Korea, and me. I heard that Dawnlight had postponed their Guild schedule because of this request.
Fortunately, Hunters were generally in good physical condition, so they didn't need to rest for a few days even with the time difference.
'It's better for me to handle it quickly and leave.'
There was no need to stay long. I wondered if they were dragging out the time because of Ubermensh, but I shook my head.
That was an excessive suspicion. Rather, it seemed like they were trying to be considerate of us.
"Please tell them it's okay."
The Saudi side repeatedly requested a meeting, perhaps because of Shin Chang, but Seo Seung-yeon firmly refused.
The Saudi side could only agree. It was the moment I realized the prestige of Shin Chang, who was ranked 1st in the Hunter powerhouse.
"I see... Please take care of us."
The Saudi Prime Minister was very disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.
We had refused the chartered plane that Saudi Arabia was going to send and came on the Association's plane.
We had prepared all the vehicles and food to be used locally.
It wasn't that we suspected them, but rather that we were avoiding unnecessary risks.
'I wondered if we had to go this far.'
Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon were also staying still, so it must be a necessary thing to do.
It was also my first time coming abroad. So many bizarre things had happened in the Hunter industry.
"Dinner is ready."
After finishing the meal prepared by the Dawnlight cook near the Gate, we were ready to enter the Gate.
Thanks to the Saudi side verifying it in advance using the 'Escape Secretary', we roughly knew the contents inside.
"What has been confirmed is..."
The Dawnlight Gate analysis team explained based on that, and I thought that the advance team was different after all.
Anyway, we finished all the preparations like that.
"Be careful!"
"......"
Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon saw me off. Both of them were fully armed because of the security, but the picture was strange.
Because I didn't have a backpack thanks to Subspace, it looked like I was seeing them off.
"Huh?"
I put aside my silly thoughts and entered the Gate.
The moment I glanced back, I saw Seo Seung-yeon turning her body away.
'What is it?'
It looked like she was raising a gun, but before I could check, my vision changed.
* * *
[Caution: Falling]
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Level Restriction: 21-25
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Number of People Restriction: 1
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Reach the highest point.
When I entered the Gate, I saw a blue sky. No, it was strange to say that I saw the sky.
It was all sky. In other words, I was in the air.
"......?"
There was a foothold below me, and there were footholds at intervals of several meters. It was a structure that gradually went up.
So, should I call it a jump map-like structure in a game? There were bird-like Monsters flying in the sky.
"What is this..."
I couldn't help but be flustered when I saw the scenery of the Gate.
"It's different from what they said?"
When I actually entered the Gate. The scene that unfolded was completely different from the information that Saudi Arabia had told me in advance.