Hunter Awakening
“Sung-gi, that...”
I didn’t fully understand what was happening either. What the hell was going on?
Kim Seol-bi stared at my face and said, “It’s a phenomenon that appears when your rank goes up...”
“Rank?”
I looked down at my palm and arm, where light was flickering along my veins.
“Yes... I’ve never experienced it myself, but I’ve seen it multiple times. This is definitely what happens when a hunter’s rank increases.”
“Ah...”
Suddenly, everything clicked. I was in a position where my rank could rise. I’d just been watching my mana shoot straight up on the mana measurer the whole time.
But for that to apply, I had to be a hunter first—not just a regular awakened person.
Did I actually become a hunter?
At the very least, it meant I was F-rank or higher. After ten long years of desperate hoping—and half-giving up—it was finally happening.
The flashing light soon faded. And the muscle pain that had been dominating my body with exhaustion vanished at the same time.
“Sung-gi!”
Kim Seol-bi’s eyes sparkled brightly. Her face was full of eager anticipation.
I couldn’t think of anything else either. Before she arrived, I’d been researching one thing: how to have sex with Kim Seol-bi.
If I’d become a hunter, that possibility was now open. There was no rule saying I couldn’t rank up again after evolving from a regular awakened to a hunter, right? Once I hit B-rank or higher, we could have penetrative sex safely.
“What the hell is this potion, anyway?”
I couldn’t help asking her. It had instantly triggered explosive growth, wiped out the insane muscle pain, and boosted my rank right away.
“It’s what I drink in dungeons. There’s someone who makes S-rank exclusive potions. Her name’s Lee Hye-ryeon.”
“Ah...!”
I knew her. Lee Hye-ryeon was an S-rank figure in item crafting. Top-tier artisans like her were rare worldwide, and Korea had just one: her. Like other elites, she collaborated with luxury brands and occasionally appeared on TV. She had that mysterious, ageless vibe, but her looks were undeniably top-tier too. Ten million Instagram followers said it all.
The real question was why she’d give an S-rank exclusive potion to a nobody like me. That thing had to cost at least ten million won. I’d just gulped down a luxury sedan.
“Sung-gi!”
Still, Kim Seol-bi didn’t seem to care about the cost at all. Being around her was making me forget about it too.
“Actually...”
I turned to glance behind me. The mana measurer was still on the desk.
“Before you came, I was measuring my mana. The numbers shot way up. I guess the body aches were growing pains from that.”
“Ah! That makes sense!”
Kim Seol-bi’s face lit up with realization. The trigger for my rapid growth had been attempting penetrative sex. I had no idea what was really going on, but it sure wasn’t bad.
“Me too!” she said.
“I grew after meeting you. It almost never happens to me.”
“Really?”
I’d heard S-rank hunters barely grew at all. They physically couldn’t. In game terms, the experience needed was insanely high.
“Yes... really!”
Her beautiful eyes welled up as she spoke. “We must be fated.”
“Yeah...”
I desperately wanted that to be true.
“Sung-gi, you must be starving. Let’s eat first!”
Having witnessed my growth firsthand, Kim Seol-bi’s energy was visibly skyrocketing.
“Sure, let’s eat together.”
With the aches gone, my hunger hit even harder. I was ravenous. And the food she’d brought smelled incredible—definitely high-end stuff I’d never splurge on.
Grrrooowl.
As expected, my stomach let out a loud rumble.
“Oh! Sung-gi, just sit tight! I’ll set the table quick.”
Even if she hadn’t become an actress or S-rank hunter, she would’ve made an amazing wife. It was almost a shame she was judged only for that. Before experiencing her myself, I’d just seen her as a pretty S-rank hunter.
I sat at the table, and she methodically laid everything out. She was so prepared—not just porridge, but tasty side dishes and drinks too. She hadn’t cooked them herself, but it still warmed my heart. How long had it been since someone other than Mom fussed over me like this?
Evolving into a hunter, waited on by a stunning woman... Was this what a life reversal felt like? I could even accept a lifespan penalty.
I scooped up some abalone porridge and took a bite.
“Oh...”
My God! It was a flavor I’d never tasted before. Who knew abalone porridge could be this good? The rich eat like this, huh? I felt a twinge of envy.
“Is it okay?”
“Yeah, it’s amazing.”
I’d never had an inventory, so I didn’t know, but apparently food stayed warm inside one.
Hold on.
Thinking about inventory sparked an idea. If I’d truly evolved into a hunter, shouldn’t I have one too?
“Seol-bi, how do you use inventory?”
“Huh?”
She looked surprised, then reached into thin air, her hand partially vanishing and reappearing. That had to be it.
“It’s like... you just will it? Reach out with the intent to use your inventory, and whatever you want appears in your hand.”
“Hmm...”
Her explanation wasn’t super helpful, honestly. Inventory was a basic hunter ability, varying by rank in capacity and quality. S-ranks were practically infinite—jokes said they could store the whole Earth.
I tried as she described, reaching into empty space with the intent to access my inventory. The first third of my fingertips vanished smoothly.
“Whoa?”
Amazed, I picked up my spoon and pushed it into the air with the thought of storing it. It disappeared completely. Then, willing it back out, I retrieved it easily.
Kim Seol-bi, watching quietly, nodded.
“Ahh~ So you’ve never used inventory before, Sung-gi.”
“Yeah, first time.”
Holy shit. I was really a hunter now.
But food came first. I shoveled down the verified-delicious porridge. One bowl wasn’t enough. Luckily, she’d brought plenty.
“Sung-gi, want me to order more? They say you get insanely hungry after growth pains. Eating well is key.”
“Yes!”
I felt a bit guilty about devouring all her food alone.
“Keep eating. I’ll order.”
She grabbed her phone. She already knew my address, having come here herself.
#
Ah, so full.
I patted my visibly bloated belly. The food had gone down endlessly. And my body seemed to absorb it instantly with each bite. I’d felt something similar after brutal weight training, but this was on another level. Plus, her nutritious picks absorbed even better.
The extras she ordered were pricey, healthy stuff I’d never get myself.
She ate her own meal happily, watching me. Even her dainty eating was beautiful.
While I rubbed my belly, she tidied up lightning-fast—no time to stop her. She sorted the trash simply, then shoved it into her inventory.
“Whoa! It’s fine! I’ll clean up!”
“No. I’ll toss it when I head out tomorrow.”
Ah, really... She was flawless. All my S-rank prejudices were gone.
Wait—tomorrow?
Kim Seol-bi stretched with a little “Nngh!” and asked, “Can I shower first?”