Chapter 10
“T-this is…”
“This is remarkable, going directly to C-rank from F…”
Murmured remarks spread among the staff surrounding Ye-Ji, who now proudly showed off the large C prominently displayed on her Hunter ID card.
A few days ago, she participated in the Hunter rank evaluation and received a D-rank for her stats. She then performed brilliantly in the C-rank Fissure practical evaluation, earning herself a C-rank Hunter certification from the Hunter’s Bureau.
“Hehe, this is a bit embarrassing.” Ye-Ji scratched her head shyly.
She glanced at Do-Jun, who was drafting the Hunter Rank Evaluation Result Report.
The fact that she could be promoted to C-rank was all thanks to Do-Jun; honestly, it still felt like a dream to Ye-Ji.
I thought I would be an F-rank forever…
Hyuk-Soo observed Cheol-Soo’s expression. He was clearly pleased, but his face was dark for rather obvious reasons.
“Hunter Ye-Ji,” Hyuk-Soo called out.
“Yes?”
“Are you… really okay with this?”
“With what?”
An article was displayed on Hyuk-Soo’s monitor.
“Icarus Guild Rejected!”
“Kang Min-Hyuk: ‘An Incredibly Tempting Talent’”
“Hunter Cha Ye-Ji! Just who is she?”
After that day, Min-Hyuk’s open offer to Ye-Ji was widely reported online.
A Hunter below B-rank being invited to join the Icarus Guild was already breaking news, but the story of Ye-Ji, a lower-ranked Hunter, rejecting the Icarus Guild was excellent fodder for journalists.
“The Icarus Guild is one of the top guilds in the country. Frankly, if I were you, Ye-Ji, I would have joined them without a second thought. Of course, we are also willing to provide full support to ensure you are not disappointed, but I need to clarify that the difference in standards between us is quite significant. This is... a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hyuk-Soo said.
Ye-Ji looked at Do-Jun and smiled bashfully. “You’ll take good care of me, right, Mr. Administrator?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure you don’t regret choosing us.”
“That’s all I needed to hear,” Ye-Ji said happily.
A wide smile spread across Cheol-Soo’s face.
“Let’s have beef for dinner tonight!” Cheol-Soo said as he clapped Do-Jun on the shoulder and laughed heartily. Hyuk-Soo simply chuckled at the sight.
There were a total of seventeen Hunters affiliated with the Fissure Management Division—five F-rank Hunters, six E-rank, and three D-rank. With Ye-Ji’s rank promotion, there were now three C-rank Hunters.
“If we play our cards right, we might be able to secure the management rights for at least one B-rank Fissure. With three C-ranks, it’s worth a try,” Hyuk-Soo murmured as he looked through the data.
At this point, Seoul City Hall did not manage Fissures ranked B or higher because they lacked Hunters capable of handling that level of difficulty, even if they wanted to.
The reality was that B-rank and higher Great Fissures were managed exclusively by the Hunter’s Bureau.
“But would the Bureau even hand it over? After all, that’s where their money comes from.”
“We should at least try to issue a “Cooperation Request” document. We should at least try negotiating with them.”
“That’s enough. Let’s wrap up early tonight. Beef. I want beef. My treat.”
Suddenly, Do-Jun stood up, naturally drawing everyone’s eyes to him. “I’m going to take Hunter Ye-Ji to the Korean National Smithy for a bit.”
The Korean National Smithy, located within the Hunter's Bureau, was the largest Hunter equipment shop in Korea, where Hunters purchased and sold essential gear like suits and weapons, as well as other miscellaneous consumables.
“Do-Jun, I understand you’re eager, but we don’t have the budget to buy her gear. The funds have already been allocated to other Hunters, and we would need to prepare a supplementary budget—”
“That’s alright. We’re not going there to buy; we’re collecting,” Do-Jun interrupted with a smile.
***
There were different sectors within the Korean National Smithy.
Zone 1 handled miscellaneous goods.
Zone 2 sold equipment of D-grade and below.
Zone 3 sold equipment graded between C and B.
Zone 4 sold equipment for A-grade and above.
Zone 1 was the most bustling out of the four as it could be accessed by everyone. Next was Zone 2, as most Hunters were ranked between F-rank to D, while Zone 3 and above rarely had customers.
Zone 4 was known as the Luxury Section; with even the cheapest suits starting at 5 billion won, ordinary Hunters couldn’t even think of stepping in there. But that was exactly where Do-Jun and Ye-Ji were standing.
After winning a bet against Min-Hyuk, they received a message four days ago instructing them to come to Zone 4 and pick any A-grade suit they liked.
“I’m Lee Do-Jun from the Fissure Management Division. I was referred here by Hunter Kang Min-Hyuk.”
A tall, beautiful young female employee greeted Do-Jun with her hands neatly clasped in front of her. She smiled and guided them to the suit section as if already informed.
Do-Jun and Ye-Ji followed her.
“Mr. Administrator, were you having naughty thoughts just now?” Ye-Ji asked suddenly.
“Please refrain from making such comments, even if it’s just a joke. It could be misunderstood by others.”
“Geez, why do men lose their minds whenever they see a pretty face?” Ye-Ji pouted as she looked at Do-Jun, who just sighed.
While the employee was indeed attractive, he felt no emotions. It was purely Ye-Ji’s misconception. Besides, even if he did, what difference did it make?
“Take your time to browse, and please let me know if you need any assistance. Enjoy your shopping.”
As soon as the employee stepped back, Ye-Ji started to browse the suits with sparkling eyes as if she hadn’t been upset moments ago.
“Wow! Mr. Administrator, Mr. Administrator! Look at this! It’s a Silver Wing Suit! T-this is supposed to be an amazing suit, and they even say it’s made from the wings of a Queen Ant. Woah…”
“It looks good. Would you like to go with that one?” Do-Jun asked her.
Ye-Ji shook her head and hung the Silver Wing Suit back on the hanger.
What Do-Jun wasn’t aware of was how genuinely grueling a task shopping with a woman could be.
***
By around 5 PM, Do-Jun was silently patting himself on the back for enduring five laps around the same section. He had gone through a full seven hours of shopping. Even discounting the time it took for a short meal break, it was still long.
“I think I’m going to go with this one, hehe,” Ye-Ji said happily.
What she selected after much browsing and deliberation was none other than the Silver Wing Suit—the first one she had picked up since walking into Zone 4.
Do-Jun felt a sense of futility as he wondered why he had spent seven hours following her around. However, seeing her delighted expression made those thoughts vanish as if they were never there.
I guess it’s fine as long as she’s happy.
After thanking Min-Hyuk via a text message, Do-Jun headed down to the first floor.
Holding the case containing the Silver Wing Suit, Ye-Ji followed him closely, her joy evident.
Hmm? Then, Do-Jun noticed a sign.
Massive Sale, Today Only! 50% Off!
The sign was stuck to a large wooden box that contained various equipment mixed together. Most of it was old, unsold inventory, and even some brand-new products of E-rank or lower were mixed in. Still, with the starting price of at least 1 million won, it was a significant amount for Do-Jun, whose monthly salary was around three million won.
I guess there’s nothing special, anyway, Do-Jun thought dismissively.
However, as he was about to move on, he saw something that made him doubt his eyes.
Among the assorted junk-like equipment, he found a sword.
He picked it up. The sword was so damaged that it was embarrassing to even call it one. Its blade was cut off, leaving only the hilt behind.
Do-Jun checked the price tag attached to the handle—₩50,000.
“How come…?” he blurted out in disbelief.
The sword of the Heavenly Demon, a weapon that once ruled the world.
What was it doing here?
Do-Jun’s hand trembled involuntarily.
“Why is it only fifty thousand…?” he muttered.
It was an S-grade—no, an SSS-grade weapon. At least, that’s what its grade would be if it had to be graded.
Why was a sword that should obviously be part of the luxury collection being neglected and treated like this in a dusty corner?
“Mr. Administrator?” Ye-Ji tilted her head, looking at the frozen Do-Jun.
Then she frowned, seeing the sword he was holding, with only its handle remaining.
“Isn’t this too much? How can they sell such a useless weapon for any amount of money?” she grumbled.
“What did you say?” Do-Jun asked her.
When their eyes met, Ye-Ji almost felt her heart stop. Do-Jun’s gaze was infinitely cold. Just his eyes alone made her think of the word death.
“Ah.” Ye-Ji collapsed to the ground as her legs lost all their strength.
Do-Jun quickly withdrew the murderous intent he had inadvertently released.
“I-I’m sorry,” Ye-Ji stammered with a hiccup.
“Can you stand up?” Do-Jun extended his hand with a face that seemed almost too kind.
Ye-Ji doubted whether the person she had just seen was really Do-Jun.
I-I must’ve imagined it.
Taking Do-Jun’s hand, Ye-Ji stood up.
After helping her up, Do-Jun quickly looked around and called over a shopkeeper who looked like a friendly neighborhood uncle. “Excuse me.”
“Yes, hello, are you looking for something?” The shopkeeper replied with a kind tone.
“Is this really 50,000 won?”
“Hehe, well, it’s a bit…. Sorry, I found it while cleaning the storage, but you’re right; it’s not something I should be trying to sell for money.”
Do-Jun quickly took out a 50,000 won bill from his wallet and handed it to the shopkeeper. He said, “I’ll take it.”
“Sorry…? Do you really want to buy this thing? It’s not even worth scrap metal...”
“It’s fine. I’m satisfied.”
He was indeed satisfied. Very.
***
Standing on a nearby mountain slope, Do-Jun looked down at the night view and laughed helplessly.
After rolling endlessly in the dirt of the Central Plains, when he finally came to his senses, he was called the Heavenly Demon and feared by everyone in that realm.
“The sword of that very Heavenly Demon is only worth 50,000 won, huh.”
How could this sword, which should have been sealed with the Heavenly Demon Sect in the Central Plains, be on Earth?
As Do-Jun channeled his Heavenly Demon Cultivation Art and injected his internal energy into the sword handle, the bladeless sword began to resonate.
At the same time, the air around him grew heavy, and the heavens and earth began to tremble.
Crrrraaaackle!
A pitch-black blade appeared from the sword handle that Do-Jun was holding. It glinted with a sharp aura every time the moonlight reflected off the sword.
“Tsk.”
When Do-Jun withdrew the internal energy he had infused into the sword, the blade disappeared again and returned to the state of just a hilt.
“Oh, right.”
He glanced at his wristwatch, remembering that he had skipped a company outing, thinking of Yoon-Hee eating dinner alone at home. By now, she would have finished preparing dinner and be waiting for him.
Do-Jun’s form disappeared in an instant.
***
⌜Breaking news. At around 7:20 PM today, a Great Fissure was detected in the Umyeon Mountain area but later disappeared. The Fissure Wave Level was unmeasurable, and the Fissure is currently estimated to be an S-rank. The Hunter’s Bureau declared an emergency and investigated the Umyeon Mountain area but could not find any unusual traces. Some speculate that the Fissure-detection Equipment might have malfunctioned due to its age.⌟
Yoon-Hee was startled by the news report.
“F-father, Umyeon Mountain is close to here!”
“It seems like a temporary Fissure opened up like last time. We should be more careful for a while,” Do-Jun said.
“Yes, we should… Please take care of yourself, Father.”
Do-Jun tilted his head in thought. Strange. I was around Umyeon Mountain at that time. I wonder why I didn’t feel... wait…
Observing Do-Jun’s strange expression, Yoon-Hee said, “Father? You don’t look too good.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Do-Jun decided not to bring out the Heavenly Demon Sword again.
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