Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Finally Registering
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Three great generals. Three-three great generals.
I swear, it's like that tense music from a pirate manga is auto-playing in my head.
That's because the old man staring holes into me right now looks just like that hero who punched out a navy lieutenant general.
Who the heck is this grandpa...?
Even Officer Bong Seonhwa's on edge around him, so he must be a total big shot.
"We appreciate your contribution to the emergency gate incident. Aside from a few minor injuries, there were zero fatalities. Without you, Miss Chorok, many more people could have been seriously hurt."
"Oh, it was nothing. Ahem!"
My lips twitched up at the praise, but I've heard you're supposed to act humble in situations like this.
Of course, that doesn't change the fact that it still doesn't feel real.
I just went around with Chomper, crashing and munching away...
"Still, I saw people being carted off on stretchers. Is everyone okay?"
"The latest report says they all woke up from a deep sleep without any issues. The doctors noted some memory loss from the evacuation."
Wait, is that because of the stuff Chomper sprayed out with that bwoooah?
I thought it was weird how everyone just collapsed, but they were actually snoozing peacefully.
The clueless flies got woozy from the fumes and ended up as Chomper's live mukbang audience.
"In recognition of this achievement, we're issuing you a special commendation payment, Miss Chorok. Please enter your personal info and signature here."
Huh? Commendation payment?
I took the document and pen from Officer Bong Seonhwa.
Thank goodness the spots to fill were circled in highlighter—nice and easy.
But right before signing, my hand froze.
Because the amount listed under "payment" had a ton of zeros.
A ton of zeros. Is this for real?
"Um... is it really okay for me to take this...?"
It's an absurd number to me.
How many days of on-site pay would I have to multiply to even get close?
I'm bad at math...
Anyway, it's a huge amount.
Is it okay to give this much?
"...So your name is Chorok, was it?"
That's when it happened.
The scary navy lieutenant general grandpa—fist king—who'd just been staring silently finally spoke.
"Y-Yes... Yeon Chorok."
"Take it, Miss Chorok. You look about my granddaughter's age, but you've done something remarkable. You more than deserve it."
"As the Bureau Chief says. In this incident, Miss Chorok saved countless citizens' lives. You should take pride in that."
Huh?
Bureau Chief? So that means...
"The reason I founded the Hunter Management Bureau was to gather people who devote themselves to protecting citizens from gates. People like you, Miss Chorok."
He wasn't a lieutenant general—he's the top dog at the bureau?
No wonder Officer Bong Seonhwa was so nervous.
"Th-Thank you... for the praise."
I more than deserve it?
That doesn't sink in, but refusing would feel like snubbing their goodwill.
"Then... I'll accept it."
So I finished the signature I'd hesitated on.
My handwriting's so chicken-scratchy, it's embarrassing.
Still, once this hits my account, my perpetually empty bank will evolve into a fat one.
Not that I wanna blow through money that feels so precious.
"Excellent. We'll process and disburse it promptly. And..."
Officer Bong Seonhwa filed the document away and paused.
"Better late than never—shall we proceed with your National Hunter Registration now? If you're too tired, you can rest more first."
Oh yeah, that's right.
I came to HQ for registration in the first place.
Not that I forgot or anything.
I just got sidetracked by the gate mess.
"I'm good. Let's do it now. Chomper, you're coming along."
Nod nod.
I scooped up the well-behaved Chomper and got out of bed.
Yeah, better to knock this out quick.
I'm curious about my rank too, once it's done.
"Heh heh. Full of vigor, I see. Even after a gate ordeal, you'd think it'd wear you out."
"This way, then. Please follow me."
...But as Officer Bong Seonhwa led us out of the hospital room, the Bureau Chief grandpa tagged along too.
Is the Bureau Chief curious about my rank too?
Whatever, I don't mind.
Hunter Registration and Awakener Analysis Room.
We passed through a huge door labeled like that, and inside were all these scary machines that looked like I'd break them just by touching.
"Welcome! Everything's prepped as per the Bureau Chief's orders."
A man in a white coat greeted us from amid the equipment.
Glasses too—he screams super-smart researcher.
"Thanks for the prep work."
"No trouble at all. Just doing my duty, as always. Yeon Chorok and summon Chomper, right? This way, please."
The researcher was polite to the Bureau Chief, then turned to me and Chomper.
"Sure."
Nod nod.
This time following the researcher instead of Officer Bong Seonhwa, we went deeper in.
"First, Miss Yeon Chorok, have a seat here and follow the monitor's instructions."
"Okay."
It looked like a dentist's chair.
No terrifying whirring drill, though.
"Chomper, just stay put here for a sec."
Nod nod.
I left the agreeable Chomper behind and sat down.
[Please assume the guided position. Beginning measurement.]
Like lounging in a comfy armchair with arms.
Not uncomfortable, super cushy—nice.
This is so comfy, I kinda wanna roll around more.
[Measurement complete. Please stand up.]
And just like that.
It ended so anticlimactically, I wondered if it was over already.
"Were you very tired, perhaps?"
The researcher approached as I stood.
"A little? It was so cushy and comfy, I got kinda drowsy."
"That suggests you have high mana reserves, Miss Yeon Chorok. During these precise measurements, some feel intense fatigue and fall asleep."
"Mana reserves... you mean the stats from the status window?"
"Exactly. Any class consumes mana to use skills."
Like MP in games.
Problem is, I can't see my own stats.
Wonder if it'll show now?
"When do the results come out?"
"The equipment needs time to analyze, so let's measure the summon in the meantime. Summons use a different method."
A sci-fi shwoosh—sliding door opened.
The side wall had a transparent window showing the inside.
"Please send your summon Chomper in here."
"Chomper, go in for the checkup. Okay?"
Nod nod.
Chomper headed through the door at my request.
"What happens in there?"
"For Chomper, it looks like an attack-type summon, so destructive power test. Basically, measuring actual performance like hunters' weapons or armor."
Dunno the details, but sounds efficient.
Alright, Chomper—show 'em your power!
"Simple process. We'll place plates in the space with Chomper. Instruct Chomper to destroy them sequentially, Miss Yeon Chorok."
"Got it."
Destroy them.
Just let Chomper go wild, I guess.
"Chomper, can you bring out your huge form's power even in small mode?"
Nod nod.
The setup let Chomper hear me through the window.
"Alright. Beginning measurement."
—Whirrr.
After the machine noise, tile-like plates rose vertically from the floor in Chomper's room.
Smash those?
"Chomper, show 'em your real power! Fighting!"
【Plant Empathy Lv.02】 Proficiency Increased
A message flashed by my eyes.
No "small amount" or "large amount" this time—just straight proficiency up.
Hmm...?
Feels like I'm getting the hang of this...
Crack! Crack! Crack! Snap! Crash!
Right as I thought that, the huge noise made me forget.
Shwick—whoosh! Chomper whipped out vine jabs, toppling the plates like dominoes in a shower of shards and powder.
"Whoa! Chomper's super strong!"
Like those old brick-breaking car stunt shows.
I'd replay the footage for sure.
"My god... One-shotting rare metal used in B-rank gear...?"
"This is impressive, indeed..."
"Hahaha! Total annihilation!"
The shocked researcher was joined by Officer Bong Seonhwa and the Bureau Chief, all marveling at the scene.
"I'd love to test higher-durability materials, but they're not ready. For now, granting Chomper A-rank."
The researcher logged Chomper's data on the computer, then checked another machine.
"And your rank measurement, Miss Yeon Chorok, is coming up now. Huh? Hold on..."
—ZZZT!
Just before info appeared, red-blue-purple flickers turned it into a busted TV.
"What's wrong with this?"
As the researcher fiddled with the glitching device...
[Something fleeting passed across the screen...]
"Phew. It glitches sometimes. Just a moment."
It normalized right away, but...
I somehow understood that text.
Someone was speaking to me.
But who...?
"Must've been a temporary glitch. Now it's up—let's see the results."
The results matched my status window pretty much.
Just that the eye-straining glitches hid it as "measurement impossible."
But why's even the rank unmeasurable?
I was so hyped!
"Unreported class."
"So, a hidden class after all?"
"99% yes. First hidden class in Korea."
"Heh heh... Officer Bong's hunch was spot on."
"..."
From their reactions, yeah—it's that hidden class everyone's hyping on Behind.
I pursed my lips in dissatisfaction, though.
Disappointed no rank.
"So... what rank for registration?"
"Hmm... Section Chief Han's take?"
"Provisional A-rank like the summon, monitor trends. Honestly, I'd love research cooperation on those skills, but..."
"Later for that. Don't want to pile on Miss Chorok today."
A-rank? Provisional?
At least I get a rank.
A B C D E F G—so A is top, right?
Or like mobile games with S or ultra rainbow super rare?
Provisional means it can go up later, probably.
So A for now is cool.
"Good. Provisional A-rank it is."
"Measurement complete. Personnel will handle the rest administratively."
"Understood. Miss Chorok, that's your schedule today. Head home? Or book a nearby hotel? On us, as welfare."
All done?
Hotel's too much.
"I'm fine. Heading home."
I don't hate my place that much.
Just gotta deal with the creepy bugs sometimes.
"Heard from Officer Bong it's a bit rundown? How about crashing at her place tonight?"
"Huh?! No, really, I'm good!"
I panicked at the Bureau Chief's suggestion.
He's basically a stranger from yesterday. Too weird.
"Hahaha! So shy. Just kidding. Kidding!"
That night.
Hunter Management Bureau HQ, Bureau Chief's office.
"You called, Bureau Chief?"
"Did Miss Yeon Chorok get home safe?"
"Yes. No issues."
"To business, then. Have a seat."
Bong Seonhwa sat across from the Bureau Chief.
"Everything as you said. When you called me direct at first, I couldn't judge without seeing the girl myself."
"Thank you for hearing me out anyway, Bureau Chief."
"No need. Good call, Officer Bong. Your old instincts haven't dulled."
"Not quite like before."
The Bureau Chief gave a meaningful smile at her words.
Bong Seonhwa couldn't hide her awkward expression.
"Still want to go back? Seeing you move so proactively. Worried about her plant powers?"
"..."
"Be honest. Was asking me about Awakener Protection for the greater good? Or your own ambitions?"
"No personal feelings involved. Left alone, guilds and corps would've snatched her up. I want Miss Yeon Chorok to decide for herself how to use her power."
"Good. Hold onto that mindset. I'll assign you as her handler. But once she's a proper hunter, reveal what we're doing here."
"Understood."
The Bureau Chief turned his chair to gaze out the window.
"Hidden class... Gonna need some pull. We can keep her under bureau shadow for now, but it'll leak eventually."
He thought of two things.
Yeon Chorok's innocently pure image.
And the mysterious power that crushed today's crisis.
The two coexisting felt strangely off to him.
"I'd prefer she joins the bureau."
"That's..."
"Hahaha! Kidding. Kidding! Ultimately her choice."
Bureau Chief Jang Taesan faced Bong Seonhwa again with booming laughter.
"...So give her room to form her own views? There's a just-approved item on the agenda that's perfect timing—suggest it to her."