A Hunter on Borrowed Time Keeps Surviving - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 22.
Dae Ho Guild Headquarters, Rookie Development Department.
As Siul stepped into the conference room, a middle-aged woman who introduced herself as Do Ihyeon’s liaison was waiting for him.
“Please, have a seat over here.”
Siul sat across from Do Ihyeon’s liaison with a long round table between them.
The liaison swiped through a tablet, reviewing Siul’s record.
Her expression grew increasingly subtle.
“My goodness.”
Her eyes swept across Siul’s face with unmistakable interest.
“Your recent activity record is absolutely astounding. You’ve really caught me off guard.”
A man whose official record listed him as a D-Rank Rookie Hunter was performing at the level of a genius S-Rank—no wonder she was shocked.
“You’re truly impressive. At this rate, I’d expect you’ll hear some wonderful news by year’s end.”
Siul understood the meaning at once.
The Rookie of the Year Award.
An honor given to the Rookie Hunter who made the most striking impression that year.
A comprehensive evaluation factoring in raid records, dungeon-clear assessments, and social impact—literally the “face of the year.”
“There are so many more talented rookies out there than me that I haven’t really given it much thought.”
Siul spoke matter-of-factly.
It was neither an exaggeration nor false modesty masquerading as humility.
‘I won’t even be alive by the time the award is given anyway.’
He couldn’t possibly say that aloud.
Meanwhile, the liaison seemed only more drawn to Siul by what appeared to be his humble attitude, and she smiled.
“These days there are plenty of people with talent but light attitudes. You have an impeccable reputation as well, Siul.”
The liaison set down the tablet and beamed with satisfaction.
“We’ve found just the right person to mentor one of our rookies. Thank you for reaching out first.”
The result was what he’d expected.
Looking at the records from the past few months, it was hard to find a Hunter more prominent than Siul right now.
‘Still, it feels good to be officially recognized like this.’
Siul allowed himself a moment of quiet pride.
“Let’s proceed with the contract right away.”
The liaison immediately produced a stack of documents.
“This is the Companion Hunter agreement. Just review the basic terms and conditions regarding safety responsibilities.”
Siul sat down and read through the documents one by one.
The terms were concise, and the conditions were excellent.
Just as Do Ihyeon had said, the Companion Hunter structure allowed him to take most of the earnings from instructional dungeons.
“I’ve signed everything.”
Once Siul finished the final signature, the liaison retrieved a small case.
Inside lay a green badge.
“This is your Companion Hunter Badge.”
The liaison slid the badge toward Siul and added an explanation.
“When you go to the site and show this badge, the Gate management staff will guide you.”
“Understood.”
“One more thing—the boss chambers in dungeons where promising prospects train are sealed with a Barrier for safety reasons. You’ll only be able to enter the barrier by wearing this badge, so please keep that in mind.”
A system that legally allowed him to monopolize the boss.
For Siul, it was the perfect environment.
‘Things are falling into place.’
Siul picked up the badge.
It had a satisfying weight to it.
“I’ll pass along your schedule to the Gate staff once everything’s ready.”
* * *
The heart of Gangnam.
In front of a glass-walled building, an A-Rank Gate shimmered in blue, stable and hovering in place.
Access barriers, management personnel, and curious onlookers watching from a distance.
It was a sight Siul had grown familiar with by now.
“Hunter Siul!”
Do Ihyeon came running from a distance, waving his hand.
But his outfit was decidedly bizarre.
“You didn’t actually leave your house dressed like that, did you?”
Siul looked Do Ihyeon up and down.
Do Ihyeon had arrived draped in so much armor it made his frame seem twice as wide.
His shoulders were clad in thick plate armor, his arms and legs in medium-weight protection, and his chest reinforced with impact-absorbing plating; even his waist bore backup gear.
He was even holding a hefty helmet in one hand.
“They taught us that defense is the best offense! I wanted to be prepared!”
Do Ihyeon shouted with eager enthusiasm.
Siul watched in silence for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
‘Cute.’
It was the kind of over-preparation typical of promising prospects who lacked real combat experience.
He understood in his head that survival was crucial, but his body hadn’t yet grown accustomed to acting on that knowledge.
“Ihyeon.”
“Yes?”
“About the armor.”
Siul tapped the shoulder plate of Do Ihyeon’s suit.
“You should only wear enough to move freely without restriction. Otherwise, it’ll actually hinder your combat. Wouldn’t it be better to stay light and dodge, rather than absorb hits and endure them?”
“Ah…”
Do Ihyeon’s face flushed as though he’d just learned something he should have known.
“Your previous Companion Hunters probably praised you for wearing this much equipment because they didn’t want you to get hurt. But I’m not like that.”
Siul offered a few more words of guidance.
“I don’t believe defense is the best offense. It’s actually the opposite.”
In his own experience, it had proven true.
Thanks to his Immortal Characteristic, he couldn’t die, but every time his body was torn apart, he felt utterly repulsed by it.
That’s why he remembered precisely how many times he’d come close to death in each fight.
‘If I just run or focus on defense, I’ve had close calls with death a dozen times over. On the other hand, when I threw myself into it recklessly, I’ve beaten enemies without the Characteristic at all.’
Siul wanted to share this realization with Do Ihyeon.
“I see… now that I think about it, my other Companion Hunters really did tell me to just focus on defense.”
They meant for him to hunt while he stayed out of harm’s way, taking no damage.
After all, once they cleared the Dungeon, they’d take their cut regardless.
‘Has he really never met a single Companion Hunter who was worth anything?’
It was truly a sad story.
“Then I’ll wear only what doesn’t interfere with my movement, as you suggest.”
Do Ihyeon smiled sheepishly and began removing his equipment one piece at a time.
The armor, the reinforced plating, the helmet—he stored each in his Inventory in turn.
In the meantime, Siul turned toward the Gate management staff.
‘Bureaucratic hell begins.’
The mandatory pre-entry procedures required of every party leader.
Participant roster, liability waiver, security clearance, Dungeon risk assessment form.
It would consume at least ten minutes of paperwork.
“We’re ready to enter.”
Siul moved to naturally draw out his Hunter identification card.
But the staff member glanced at something near Siul’s left chest, then turned and gestured to clear the path toward the Gate.
“Confirmed. You may enter immediately.”
“…?”
The staff member didn’t request any further procedures.
‘What?’
The reason became clear when Siul followed the staff member’s gaze.
A green badge affixed near his left chest.
It was a Companion Hunter Badge.
“For Association-approved Rookie training Gates, the assigned administrator processes all procedures in advance.”
The staff member added that getting approval for a Rookie’s Dungeon entry normally required spending an entire day on procedures alone.
Do Ihyeon’s administrator must have suffered through it, but Siul’s situation was the opposite.
‘This is totally a sweet deal.’
Entry without a single form to fill out.
No wasted time, no unnecessary energy expenditure.
‘Though the Dungeon is supposedly top-tier.’
As Siul quietly delighted in this, Do Ihyeon finished simplifying his gear and approached.
“I’m all set!”
The two of them stood side by side before the Gate.
Blue light wavered as the space opened.
“You remember the three promises we made, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Keep them. It’s how we stay safe—you and me both.”
“Yes! Don’t you worry!”
Only after hearing Do Ihyeon’s booming reply did Siul move his legs.
Their bodies disappeared into the dungeon’s interior, swallowed by the Gate’s blue radiance.
* * *
『 You have entered the A-Rank Dungeon “Stone Gaze Watchtower”. 』
〈A-Rank Gate ― Gangnam District 5〉
Dungeon Name: Stone Gaze Watchtower
Monsters: Gargoyle
Estimated Clearance Time: Approximately 5 hours
The moment they passed through the Gate, a strange cacophony of wind and grinding stone scraped against their ears.
As their vision cleared, a massive structure revealed itself.
A watchtower that pierced the heavens, rising impossibly high.
Fortress-like outer walls and corridors stretched endlessly, crowned by dozens of stone statues arrayed in a great ring above.
It was a landscape that utterly dominated the senses.
“Wow….”
An exclamation escaped Do Ihyeon’s lips unbidden.
With his head tilted back, gazing up at the watchtower’s apex, he held his breath without realizing it.
“This is an A-Rank Dungeon?”
His voice trembled with both nervousness and excitement.
Siul glanced at Do Ihyeon’s reaction before posing a question.
“You said this was your first A-Rank Dungeon, right?”
“That’s right. This place is really amazing….”
“That’s exactly why the supervisor emphasized caution so strongly. If you get hurt, I’ll catch the blame, so you need to follow my instructions carefully.”
Do Ihyeon immediately straightened his posture.
“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind!”
At his overly spirited reply, Siul couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself.
‘I told him to be careful, but if I’m going to keep this kid safe, I’m the one who needs to be sharp.’
Siul opened his Inventory to fulfill his responsibility.
『 Strength Enhancement Potion 』 ― A-Rank
Increases strength by 40% for 20 minutes.
『 Speed Amplification Potion 』 ― A-Rank
Increases speed by 50% for 20 minutes.
These were the elixirs from the potion pack set Park Jungi had given him as a gift.
He’d intended to use them sparingly, given their exorbitant cost, but having a young rookie a decade younger at his side, he pulled them out without hesitation.
Glug.
Siul uncorked the bottle and downed the potion in one gulp.
As the two stimulants seeped into his body simultaneously, heat surged through his entire frame.
His muscles tightened with new density, and his senses sharpened dramatically.
He could feel the slightest vibrations in the stone beneath his feet, the very currents of air itself.
“Whoa….”
Do Ihyeon noticed the change in Siul.
He could sense an invisible pressure radiating outward from Siul’s form.
“Why are you just standing there gawking?”
Siul’s voice snapped at the frozen Do Ihyeon with sharp urgency.
“We’re not here just to sightsee at the entrance, are we?”
“No, no!”
Do Ihyeon jolted back to awareness and shook his head.
Only then did Do Ihyeon’s gaze turn toward the darkness within the watchtower.
“Let’s go. Time to start the raid.”
Do Ihyeon followed Siul’s lead into the interior of the watchtower.
The corridor stretched before them, wider than expected, flanked on both sides by ancient stone walls and railings.
Upon them were arranged stone statues at regular intervals—knights, holy beasts, and creatures of legend.
“You read through the dungeon manual, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I mastered every detail!”
“Good work. Gathering advance information is fundamental to any raid. Once you’re actually moving through a dungeon, variables the manual never mentioned start popping up constantly.”
Even before he’d finished speaking, the air around them shifted subtly.
Both of them felt it and came to an immediate halt.
Scrape!
A grinding sound rang out—stone against stone.
Siul turned his gaze silently toward Do Ihyeon.
Do Ihyeon’s mouth opened reflexively.
“M-Manual, page fifteen, question two! When a specific point is reached, the surrounding statues react…!”
His voice trembled, but the content was precise.
The corners of Siul’s mouth lifted slightly.
“You’ve memorized it well.”
At that same moment, the statues lining the walls began to vibrate in unison.
The sculptures hanging from the ceiling, the forms perched on the railings—all shook violently.
“Ugh…”
Do Ihyeon stepped back to avoid the cascading stone dust.
Even as he did, he recited the next line from the manual from memory.
“The statues are actually… Gargoyles in disguise…!”
Crack!
The eyes of the statues split open, and red light seeped through.
Wings hardened in stone unfurled, joints twisted, and living motion returned.
Just as Do Ihyeon had said, the Gargoyles that had been disguised as statues revealed their true forms.
“From here on, this is real combat. Stay focused.”
Siul gripped his Short Sword tightly and positioned himself in front of Do Ihyeon.
A Hunter with a Deadline Continues to Survive
Author |
Matsutsu
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Editorial Director |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
Address |
7th Floor, Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260731071
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter(X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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