A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 64
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64: Large Guild (4)
Hong I-jo went to an empty seat, folded his wings, and sat down. I had no choice but to take the seat prepared in the center.
‘Ah, this is burdensome.’
Thanks to my 200-point mental strength stat, I wasn’t scared, but having 10 pairs of eyes focused on me was a different matter.
I could only hope this situation would end as quickly as possible.
“He doesn’t look like someone capable of that.”
‘The one who’s not convinced… is that guy, as expected.’
I looked at the middle-aged man who was staring at me with a displeased expression.
His face seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite remember his name.
“You’re not trying to mess with me, are you?”
He frowned deeply and snapped at Lee Cheong-ryu. Lee Cheong-ryu forced an awkward smile and shook his head.
“Of course not. I’m certain it’s him.”
“You said he was B-rank, but he doesn’t even look that level.”
The man looked me up and down with suspicious eyes.
What’s the point of calling someone here just to act like this?
“…Sorry, but I don’t really know your name either. Isn’t it proper etiquette to exchange introductions first, mutually?”
Ah, mistake.
The words just slipped out of my mouth. It was because I’d become too accustomed to S-rank Hunters, and my original personality that values courtesy had emerged. I’m screwed.
“Ahahaha!”
Then a refreshing burst of laughter erupted. It came from Sister Yu-kyung.
Sister wiped away tears as she spoke.
“That old man is Heo Gil, Academy Guild Leader. This is Yeon Na-yeon, Butterfly Guild Leader.”
“…Ah.”
Hearing the introductions, I remembered. They were people whose faces appeared everywhere daily, whether in advertisements or news.
I looked at the pink hair and sunglasses, memorizing the names.
“Did you come from living in some mountain or something?”
That’s somewhat accurate.
The man, Heo Gil, crossed his arms and asked back. He still didn’t offer a greeting.
“…Anyway, you said you needed testimony.”
Fine. I’ll just handle the requirements and go home. The motion sickness from flying here was still wreaking havoc.
“Well, rather than testimony. I called you because I wanted to see for myself. I still can’t believe it.”
“…”
“Isn’t it strange? It’s not just you. Everyone’s acting strange. Blue Dragon, Eden too. How can they believe the words of some temporary B-rank Hunter they’ve never seen before?”
There was no answer to the question. It was silent. Heo Gil poured out his doubts without restraint.
“Lee Cheong-ryu, tell me. You said all the CCTV was destroyed too. Then you didn’t see it directly either, so how did you believe it and bring this matter to the meeting?”
“Hmm…”
“Who knows if this is just some con artist kid trying to fool us.”
Sister Yu-kyung and I have known each other for over 10 years, and Lee Cheong-ryu saw my combat skills right before his eyes.
The trust that bloomed from that doesn’t exist for Heo Gil.
‘I suppose thinking like that isn’t unreasonable.’
“Those young ones might not know, but I don’t trust people so easily.”
“Yes, the person who lost to those young ones in the ranking battles.”
“…Tch.”
Yu-kyung interjected with sarcasm, but Heo Gil closed his eyes and swallowed his anger.
“…But he has a point.”
It was Yeon Na-yeon, the Butterfly Guild Leader.
She, who had remained mostly silent, leaned against the armrest and lightly rested her chin on her hand. Her half-open eyes swept across my face once.
Yeon Na-yeon quietly murmured.
“No matter how much of a witness he is, he’s alone. Only this kid saw that so-called Bishop.”
“…”
“Butterfly cannot lend its strength to uncertain matters.”
Heo Gil continued.
“Academy feels the same.”
‘Cannot lend their strength.’
Then, it means Academy and Butterfly will withdraw from what must be the purpose of this meeting—investigating the Strange People Cult.
I frowned.
‘That’s problematic.’
I need information about the Strange People Cult. More detailed and diverse information. It’s essential data for understanding the system.
‘If two large guilds withdraw from the process of finding that out.’
…It’ll slow things down.
“So I have a proposal.”
‘A proposal?’
Heo Gil took off the sunglasses he had been wearing pushed up on his forehead and folded them. Then he tucked them into his formal shirt and spoke slowly.
“This is fundamentally a matter of trust. And in the Hunter World, trust comes from the power you possess.”
“….”
“If you prove your strength, there’s nothing I can’t believe about some testimony. The strong don’t lie.”
Strength proves everything. Whatever it may be. In the Hunter World, it was a truth like gospel.
Heo Gil then added an unexpected question.
“How old are you?”
“…? Twenty.”
“Perfect. Then you should fight against your peers.”
It was incomprehensible talk. When I raised one eyebrow, Heo Gil reached out his hand.
Then he grabbed the curtain that had been covering the conference room window.
Swoosh—
Beyond the curtain, a landscape that hadn’t been visible unfolded.
“…!”
“This is Hunter Academy.”
Heo Gil grinned.
“The guild ‘Academy’ has the finest educational institution, Hunter Academy, under its umbrella.”
Luxurious buildings stretched out below the conference room.
The white walls gleamed as if well-maintained, and a crystal-clear fountain sat in the splendid garden.
I could see people wearing similar clothes moving around between them.
I muttered to myself.
‘This place… was a school.’
…Hunter Academy, huh.
Soon Heo Gil leaned back in his chair and said.
“B-rank, was it? I’ll match you up with kids of similar level. Well, even if they’re the same rank, they won’t really have the same skill level. These kids are all prodigies.”
The other Guild Leaders’ expressions changed instantly. And Yu-kyung, as if realizing something, interrupted Heo Gil’s words.
“Wait, don’t tell me—”
But Heo Gil didn’t hesitate and threw out his proposal.
“Fight, and win. Then I’ll believe you.”
It was a declaration that even with Blue Dragon and Eden’s guarantee, he wouldn’t believe what he hadn’t seen directly.
It also meant he would only lend Academy’s power if I proved my strength before his eyes.
‘Not bad.’
A match against students, not a raid. And they’d even match the opponent to B-rank. It wasn’t a particularly difficult proving process.
“Butterfly agrees as well.”
Yeon Na-yeon also quietly added her positive opinion.
‘Right, not bad. Rather a comfortable proposal. However….’
“No.”
“…?”
“I decline.”
Twitch, Heo Gil’s eyebrow flinched.
“Would that alone be enough for you to believe?”
I smiled lightly.
“Please match me with the best one. The student with the highest rank and grades.”
“…!”
“It should be at least that much.”
“Ha.”
Heo Gil let out a laugh as if finding it amusing.
“I don’t care how many either. Try until you’re satisfied.”
The other Guild Leaders also looked flustered. Even Hong I-jo, who had been wearing a blank expression the whole time, glanced at me.
Right. It would be a strange proposal.
‘The reason is simple.’
The levels don’t match.
I have three S-ranks here.
I was a generous person.
And….
I pressed my fingernail down hard. I was momentarily captivated by the scenery outside.
The light coming through the glass was dazzling.
* * *
“Are, are you sure about this?”
“About what?”
Choi Yu-kyung was troubled. Had he always had this kind of personality?
“What do you mean, the proposal from just now.”
Yeon Na-yeon had left saying she had guild business, and Heo Gil went out to prepare. Hong I-jo didn’t bother moving from his spot with an indifferent expression.
With only Hong I-jo, Lee Cheong-ryu, and Choi Yu-kyung remaining, Choi Yu-kyung wore a worried expression.
“He’s more of a businessman than an educator. It means he’ll only step forward if there’s investment value.”
“Hmm…”
“If it bothers you, you don’t have to do it. There are many ways to persuade him.”
“It’s fine. It probably won’t be a big deal.”
Eun Hae-dam answered refreshingly. He seemed unbothered.
For Choi Yu-kyung, who had known him since his childhood, this change felt unfamiliar.
In the past, he had been more timid than now. He showed little interest in his surroundings, and even when he did, it was only to the extent of Choi Yu-il or Choi Yu-kyung.
Especially Eun Hae-dam right after experiencing that incident… He was always quiet. Sometimes he seemed like a person whose soul had left his body.
“Academy kids are a bit different. Hunters usually take up weapons to protect people from monsters, but…”
“…”
“Academy students try to win. Unconditionally, in any situation, they grit their teeth and try to beat their opponent. Whether it’s a monster or a person doesn’t matter.”
That’s why Choi Yu-kyung was worried.
“Heo Gil’s guild built their reputation that way. By stepping on opponents, by winning. They climbed up proudly.”
“…”
“And if they’re top-ranking students here, even more so—”
Squeeze. Having said that much, Choi Yu-kyung clenched her fist slightly and changed the subject.
“…It’s not that I think you’ll lose. It’s just…”
She was afraid he might get hurt.
She was worried he might feel a sense of deprivation from facing peers who had never been broken.
“Sister.”
Eun Hae-dam was standing near the window. He was looking out at the Academy’s panoramic view from there.
He spoke in a neat tone.
“You don’t need to worry.”
Really, you…
Choi Yu-kyung bit her lip.
“…Alright.”
Then she smiled awkwardly back at him.
* * *
I quietly gazed at the scenery outside the window.
“If it bothers you, you don’t have to do it. There are many ways to persuade him.”
Behind me, I could hear Sister Yu-kyung’s tone full of concern.
I know what she means. If I had refused, Sister Yu-kyung would have pulled strings for me. She would have somehow made Heo Gil withdraw his proposal.
Even so, I deliberately escalated the situation and jumped in.
‘Why was that?’
Students were moving around between buildings. They were wearing gray school uniforms. Only about one or two years younger than me.
‘Though I do have feelings about not wanting to rely on Eden that much.’
It was a scene I was seeing for the first time in three years.
It had been a long time since I gave up on advancing to high school and avoided all schools.
‘It’s not lingering attachment. Just…’
There’s no particular meaning. It’s not lingering attachment to something that’s already passed. It wasn’t nostalgia hitting me now either.
I need support from other guilds. I might be able to learn more about the system. Also…
Was my pride hurt? I chuckled softly.
…Yeah, let’s go with that.
“You don’t need to worry.”
That it’s just competitive spirit.
I suppressed the churning feeling in my stomach.
While burying a conversation from one day.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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