Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Paths to S-Rank Supremacy
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There were two ways to obtain an S-Rank Hunter license.
One was to go to the World Hunter Organization at any time and prove your strength to earn it.
The other was to win the annual competition, held like a grand festival.
Obviously, the fastest way to get an S-Rank Hunter license was the latter.
Moreover, since it was an S-Rank Hunter license officially recognized by the World Hunter Organization, winning the competition granted special privileges.
The right to have your name on the global S-Rank Hunter rankings.
One might think it was just a name on a list, nothing special, but it was far more than that.
The S-Rank Hunter rankings determined the World Hunter Organization's priority for protection.
In other words, if a high-ranking Hunter or their country faced danger, they could receive swift assistance from the World Hunter Organization.
That was why South Korea had been dispatching Hunters to other countries up until now.
A dangerous Gate had appeared in a country with a high-ranking S-Rank Hunter, and the World Hunter Organization ordered Hunters from weaker nations to be sent to protect that asset.
It was an order that couldn't be refused, so the lives of Hunters from those weaker nations didn't matter.
"...That's why so many countries stake everything on the World Competition. They have to get on the rankings somehow to escape being a weak Awakener nation."
Yong-un, who had been listening intently to the Guild Master's explanation, asked,
"Did the Sword Tiger get on the rankings too?"
The Guild Master glanced at the Sword Tiger for a moment before nodding.
"Yes, second place, I believe?"
"I narrowly lost to the Chinese guy. My current rank is around 19th in the world."
"That's what they say."
At the mention of being on the rankings, Yong-un's eyebrow twitched.
"If you're on the rankings, why does South Korea still have to send Hunters to other countries?"
Being on the rankings meant you were under the World Hunter Organization's protection, right?
The Guild Master gave a wry smile at Yong-un's question.
"South Korea barely has one person on the rankings. If there are Hunters in higher positions or even two or three in lower spots in other countries, our priority naturally falls behind. Countries like that are called 'weak Awakener nations' by the world. Unfortunately, South Korea is one of them."
Everyone's heads drooped gloomily at the Guild Master's words.
The Unwoo Guild was exempt from dispatch because it had an A-Rank Hunter named Yong-un, but even now, some guild in South Korea might have been selected for dispatch.
The Sword Tiger spat out a curse at the bleak reality.
"We lack talent. Damn it..."
Even after all this time, the thought of South Korean Hunters dying on dispatch missions despite their efforts to climb the rankings still filled him with rage.
"But."
It was at that moment, when everyone was sinking into despair upon realizing this harsh truth, that the Guild Master raised his hand and spoke.
"If Mr. Yong-un enters the top 10 of the S-Rank Hunter rankings, things change."
Everyone in the office froze and turned to look at the Guild Master.
"Even just 10th place would free South Korea from being a weak Awakener nation."
"Really?"
The guild members around him smiled at his words.
What did it mean to escape being a weak Awakener nation?
It meant recognition as a true power on the global stage.
It was selfish, but it also meant no more sending Hunters on dispatch—and instead, receiving support from others if South Korea faced danger.
However.
"Easier said than done."
Just as hope began to flicker in everyone's eyes, the Sword Tiger shook his head.
"Even becoming an S-Rank Hunter is tough enough, let alone fighting your way into the top 10. Isn't that dream a bit too big?"
"Ah..."
"Even for you, Yong-un, whom I acknowledge—it's not easy. The top 10 are monsters, plain and simple."
The Guild Master hung his head at the Sword Tiger's cold, honest assessment.
After all, the Sword Tiger himself was a ranking powerhouse who had once vied for first in the competition.
And even he was declaring it outright.
That the Hunters in the top 10 were overwhelmingly strong.
But the Sword Tiger wasn't finished.
"And you all might not know this, but from the top 10 onward, it's a different story. The competition is child's play compared to that—it's a whole other world."
"You seem to know something."
Yong-un, who had been quietly listening, sensed something off in the Sword Tiger's demeanor.
"What?"
"You know someone in the top 10, don't you?"
"..."
The Sword Tiger avoided Yong-un's gaze, as if he knew something.
Yet, his fingers anxiously stroked the hilt of his sword.
Unable to answer easily, he fell silent. Yong-un pressed again.
"Sword Tiger, even by your judgment, is my strength insufficient?"
The Sword Tiger nodded matter-of-factly.
"Yes. Even you, Yong-un, can't beat the top 10 guys."
Thud.
"They're monsters."
With that, the Sword Tiger shoved back his chair and stormed out of the office.
The ever-confident Sword Tiger had shown weakness for the first time.
"Damn it."
The Sword Tiger, having stormed out of the office, ended up on the roof of Yong-un's house.
As he stood there scowling at the sky, Yong-un appeared silently beside him.
"You alright?"
"Don't ask. Not a good memory."
"No reason to."
Yong-un chuckled softly and sat down next to him.
His natural demeanor seemed to calm the Sword Tiger, who let out a sigh and joined him.
"..."
Peace settled over the quiet alley.
Silence naturally enveloped Yong-un and the Sword Tiger.
How much time passed?
After a long quiet, Yong-un finally spoke.
"You said it yourself. Even with my skills, getting into the top 10 is impossible."
"Didn't you say you wouldn't ask?"
The Sword Tiger frowned.
Yong-un snorted again and casually extended his hand.
"I'm not asking. Just responding to what you said."
"Responding?"
At that moment, sensing a sudden aura, the Sword Tiger's eyes shifted to Yong-un's outstretched hand.
"If."
And then Yong-un's words continued.
"The martial arts you've seen from me all this time..."
A black spectacle spread from Yong-un's fingertips.
Whoosh.
"..."
Vast demonic energy poured from his hand, dyeing the clear blue sky in the Sword Tiger's eyes black.
The demonic qi rose like black haze, dominating the heavens and blanketing the entire visible sky.
And within that black spectacle, a red lotus bloomed, creating a new sun in the darkened sky as if remaking the heavens.
"Ah..."
A red flower blooming in pitch darkness where nothing was visible.
Pop.
The crimson bloom, which had stolen all gazes, fully opened and then seeped back into Yong-un's fingertips along with the black spectacle.
'Was it a dream?'
The overwhelming energy that seemed to end the world vanished completely.
The black demonic qi that had covered everything was gone, replaced by the familiar blue sky filling his vision.
'What did I just witness?'
What on earth was that?
An indescribable emotion rocked the Sword Tiger's chest.
And at the end of the illusion—or dream—Yong-un murmured lowly.
"If I can do even a tenth of this... would it be possible?"
It was unbelievable, even after seeing it—no, he must have dreamed it.
Nothing else explained it.
'How can one person wield that much mana... and control it so freely...'
The black spectacle Yong-un displayed lingered in the Sword Tiger's mind, refusing to fade.
He had witnessed Yong-un surpass common sense many times before, but this black spectacle was unforgettable.
No, even after so much time, it filled him with ecstasy—he didn't want to forget it.
"Sword Tiger."
As he swam in the dream, a voice came from beside him.
"Already time?"
"Yes, I'm here to escort you."
How long had passed?
The blue sky had given way to the dark night.
And in Yong-un's spot stood a Garosu Guild member, signaling it was time to resume Hunter activities.
"Heave-ho, just a dream, eh?"
Ignoring the puzzled Garosu Guild member, the Sword Tiger leaped down from the roof.
"Pardon?"
Perplexed by the Sword Tiger's cryptic words, the guild member asked.
The Sword Tiger just grinned maniacally, gripping his sword hilt tightly.
"An ecstatic, mind-blowing dream."
Bang!
"S-Sword Tiger!"
With that, he kicked off the ground fiercely and cleaved through the night sky.
At the very moment the Sword Tiger decided to resume his Hunter activities.
The Hunter Management Agency's lights burned late into the night.
Because tonight was the night a very important guest was visiting.
"They should be here any minute..."
Minister Baek Myung-hee, the top official at the agency, paced the first-floor lobby anxiously. The guards, unsure of the VIP's identity, heightened their vigilance uneasily.
And then, the awaited radio transmission came.
[VIP is entering.]
"Finally."
Minister Baek Myung-hee clasped her hands and stood in the center of the lobby.
The lobby doors opened, and a white man in a sharp suit strode in, his shoes clicking sharply.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Baek Myung-hee, head of the South Korean Hunter Management Agency."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Damon from the GHO—World Hunter Organization."
They exchanged a light greeting in fluent English without an interpreter and shook hands.
Damon glanced around with a smile and said to Baek Myung-hee,
"You kept your promise."
"Only I and Your Excellency know of your visit. How could we not honor our agreement when you've come to help us?"
"If other countries find out, it could cause issues, so let's verify quickly and be on our way."
"Yes, this way."
Intending to guide him personally, Minister Baek Myung-hee pulled out a rarely used master key and headed to the elevator.
She held the master key to the elevator's center, and it descended to a basement level without buttons.
"I've read the report. But are you absolutely sure?"
As the doors closed, Damon spoke up.
Minister Baek Myung-hee smiled and nodded.
"I wouldn't have sent a report to the GHO in Your Excellency's name if it were fake."
Though smiling, an awkwardness lingered on her face.
"I get it—even I'd be shocked. A 'marquis'-level demon's item... Whew."
Damon fanned himself dramatically, though no sweat beaded on his brow, then shrugged in that foreign gesture.
"If it's real, we'll recover it immediately and request GHO support."
"Please do. If that marquis-level demon turns hostile, South Korea is finished."
"Don't worry. A marquis-level demon appearing is unprecedented in history, and the Vice Director himself is taking an interest."
Only at the mention of the Vice Director did Minister Baek Myung-hee sigh in relief.
Ding.
The long descent ended, doors opening to a 200-pyeong research lab filled with machinery on a white backdrop.
And in the center, a black object.
"No way that's..."
"Yes. That's the item presumed to belong to the marquis."
The sword-like object floated in midair, glowing red.
"Those characters there..."
"That's a mystery to us too. But we confirmed it's in Classical Chinese."
Minister Baek Myung-hee pressed a button, enlarging the text on the blade.
"Demon-Slaying Sword... that's what it says."