Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Seeding (2)
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The Hunter industry wasn't exactly pristine. There weren't many with the gall to commit outright illegal acts, but plenty happened beneath the surface.
Park Jungwoo had absorbed every scrap of information on Hunters that crossed his path. Articles about missing or dead Hunters fell under that "everything" too.
Hunters with buff skills that could extract abilities without consent vanished with suspicious frequency. Often, certain clans would see a sudden surge in power right after. He'd found the truth laid bare in those facts regrettable. I just won't become one of those Hunters, he'd thought simply.
Now that he had something to squeeze, his thinking had shifted a bit.
'If they find out... I'm done for.'
He had more than enough reasons to worry. He was weak. No backing. The moment his ability came to light, he'd be prey for the whole world.
Throw himself under the wing of some group? Absolutely not. In exchange, he'd be milked for semen day in and day out. No time to grow stronger. And if they eventually showed their true colors and tried to chain him down, he wouldn't even muster a decent resistance.
It was a life of wine, women, and song, sure. High-rank Awakeners being stunningly gorgeous was just common sense. Plenty of people would prefer a daily routine of beauties wringing him dry.
But to choose that life, he'd have to abandon his dreams. He'd rather die. He didn't want to live cushy—he wanted fame.
There was an even bigger reason. His racing mind slammed to a halt. His face drained of color in an instant. Reeling from the shock, eyelids twitching, he steadied himself by gripping the podium.
"This skill has no gender restriction..."
A certain image flashed through his mind. Himself surrounded by buff, handsome Hunter bros, grinning with gums exposed, spreading his cheeks because "the scary part's only at first..."
"Gaaah!!"
It was the first bloodcurdling scream of his life. He had to hide it. Hide it no matter what, take it to the grave. Better to live as if he had no Unique Skill at all.
"Are you okay? What happened?!"
Crash! The door burst open amid a clamor. Officials poured in. The hallway was packed like they'd scraped together everyone in the building. Swept up in the momentum, Park Jungwoo—who'd been half-collapsed against the podium—gaped in a daze.
"Ah."
Only then did camera lenses catch his eye. Had they seen the S floating on the plate? Unable to bear the sparkling stares aimed his way, he tried to slink behind the podium.
A future S-Rank Hunter. The thought of missing this chance forever drove the crowd into a frenzy. Some tried to snap photos with their phones but were stopped. At least, Park Jungwoo had no allies here.
"Huuuunter!!!"
From down the hall, someone bellowed at the top of their lungs. Not just one—two, three, more. Abilities mixed in? Their voices echoed through the narrow corridor, creating pandemonium. Park Jungwoo plugged his ears with a bewildered look.
Those were scouts from major clans, waiting in the building and rushing over the moment an S-Rank skill holder appeared. He only heard the explanation after being half-unconscious, carried to a reception room.
It was 10 a.m. when he arrived, nearly 7 p.m. when he left. Scouts with offers, people just stamping their presence—by afternoon, even clans who'd ignored this branch swarmed in, turning it into a sea of bodies.
Regrettably, his stamina and mental fortitude had bottomed out after the first encounters, so he couldn't remember every person or group. But the conditions they'd pitched were burned deep into his brain.
"Why's everyone like that..."
He already knew the Hunter industry was pretty loose when it came to sex. But with every visitor proposing similar terms, it bordered on absurd.
Well, yeah. An S-Rank skill holder wasn't something you passed up. Even without knowing the details, recruiting first was standard. But knowing and experiencing were different. The uniformity was starting to trigger post-nut clarity.
Do I really look that much like a perv? he wondered, dragging his feet from reception to lobby. Plenty of knowledge, but zero experience meant he didn't grasp that women were the top bargaining chip for young male Hunters.
He shuffled listlessly to the desk. A cheerful-looking female official beamed at him.
"Um, here for my subsidy..."
"Ah, yes! Park Jungwoo Hunter, right?"
Hunter. Just those three syllables lifted his slumped mood to pride. After the ranking system was scrapped, "Hunter" became the official title for all.
Joining the group he'd dreamed of daily, taking a step closer to his goal—it was more than enough to buoy the guy who'd been down over his bittersweet Unique Ability.
"Here you go. The debit card with your three million won subsidy, and your ID. You know all the precautions, right?"
Hunters were essential to the nation, despite wrecking the economy. Their power was indispensable for handling Gates that appeared and vanished unpredictably.
Subsidy applications were usually rejected if you had any backing. Maybe no family, or that flashy-but-pitiful S-Rank skill—it sailed through easily. Sighing in relief as he gathered the items from the tray, Park Jungwoo's hand paused.
"Thank you. Huh? What's this...?"
A small note lay under his ID. The official glanced around, leaned in, winked playfully, and whispered.
"My phone number."
"W-what? Th-thank you!"
He bowed deeply and bolted from the Hunter Management Bureau like a fugitive. First time getting a girl's number? Secondary. That gaze, surely meaningless, looked way too lecherous.
"At this rate, I won't trust anyone..."
A groan slipped out unbidden. Seemed like the whole world was after his chastity. He knew no one would discover his ability if he kept it hidden, yet anxiety had him trembling constantly.
Strictly speaking, there was one other way the world might notice. The instant someone milked his semen once. If they were Awakened, they'd spot the sudden change for sure.
And there'd be no second chances. If the buffed opponent tried to imprison him instead of him powering up, escape would be impossible.
Like those old balance games that were all the rage. He'd choose castration over being a semen tank.
"Yeah, no way that'll happen. Just be careful, and it'll be fine!"
Errands piled up, quickening his steps. Where first? He paused, pulled out his smartphone, and opened the map app.
Relieved to find a shop nearby, he clutched his Hunter ID like treasure and hurried off.
Korea's most famous Gate was a five-minute walk from Yeouinaru Station on Line 5.
Nice sunny day. Cherry blossoms, ready to fall, fluttered down on the breeze. Despite the shimmering translucent blue circle in the air, some picnicked without a care.
Not everyone there lounged leisurely. Faces green with nausea. Trembling mutterers. Casual onlookers.
Common thread: each gripped a weapon.
The gateway to the capital region's Hunters—the entrance to the F-Rank Gate, Goblin Forest—was mobbed even on weekdays.
A table sat before the Gate. The official there eyed the crowd indifferently.
Many came brimming with excitement and grand ambitions, entrusting their lives to a single weapon. Most knew they'd be carted out on a stretcher or straight to a coffin.
Hunters earned big for one reason: loot. Monster byproducts infused with Gate mana fueled industries—it was inevitable.
But safety was never guaranteed. Die anytime, no complaints—that culture was entrenched. The little society was especially harsh on newbies.
Most Gates were clan-managed, but F-Rank ones stayed national for a reason: minimal safety net, filter for the unfit.
Good excuse, but he had no authority to stop entrants. That's why the seat changed occupants often. Watching someone you let in get shredded and dragged out wasn't pleasant.
"Um, here to register."
"Yes. Fill out the form over there."
The official's eyes lit up at the approaching boy—no, young man. His gear wasn't great: cheap leather armor, greaves. The gun at his hip was leagues cheaper than others'.
But the official sighed inwardly in relief. Better than charging in with just a sword. Even cheap, prioritizing armor—and opting for reliable firearms over unfamiliar blades—would save his life at least twice.
Handing over the form politely with both hands? Liked that too. A faint smile cracked the weary official's face.
"Last group went in ten minutes ago, so wait about five. Here's your number ticket. Come right when called, or we'll redraw."
Her tone warmed naturally. Park Jungwoo, who'd shrunk from the burly look, nodded brightly.
"And... you're solo?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah?"
"Recommend partying up over going alone. It's riskier than you think."
"Ah... Thanks! You're really kind!"
Park Jungwoo bowed. Party, huh. He'd considered it. But with average base stats, no connections or cash, finding one was like wishing on stars.
High on becoming a Hunter, he'd lost caution? No Unique Ability either. Foolish choice—maybe head home today? As he groaned inwardly, someone tapped his shoulder.
"I-I overheard you're l-looking for a p-party... W-wanna team up w-with me...?"
A gloomy-looking woman stood there.