I Just Subscribed and It’s the Best Hunter of All Time - Chapter 14

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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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#Chapter 14.
Maria’s heart pounded fiercely as she stood before Jung Han-sung.
And for good reason.
She had just witnessed an extraordinarily high-level battle unfold right before her eyes.
The opponent—who appeared to have stolen Chen Long’s form—was someone Maria wouldn’t dare confront even at full strength.
Yet Jung Han-sung had subdued him in an instant.
She had suspected from the beginning that he was no ordinary fighter.
After all, she believed him to be that rookie whose name had been circulating recently.
Watching him fight during their journey here had transformed her suspicion into certainty.
But honestly, she never imagined he would be this formidable.
‘He’s far beyond just a talented newcomer.’
His swordsmanship was extraordinary, and that mysterious power he displayed when the tide seemed to turn against him—
Either one alone would be sufficient to reach the pinnacle in the future.
Perhaps that’s why.
She had made such an impulsive proposal to Jung Han-sung.
‘I must be insane. Absolutely insane.’
A unilateral Guild recruitment offer posed no problem whatsoever, given her position within the organization.
After all, Jung Han-sung was a rookie even Aegis had been watching.
But the Hidden Floor was different.
It was an opportunity the Guild had painstakingly arranged for her—the most promising prospect and the Guild Master’s daughter.
Yet Maria had just invited Jung Han-sung to enter it with her.
Of course, she hadn’t expected him to refuse. Her proposal was the kind that would make anyone’s eyes light up.
“Why me?”
But Jung Han-sung’s response was entirely unexpected.
“Pardon?”
“We’ve only just met. What makes you trust me enough to enter the Hidden Floor together?”
“Well, I… that is…”
Maria stammered, caught off guard.
His words weren’t unreasonable.
If they had happened to become teammates after entering, that would be one thing, but deliberately entering a floor with a complete stranger was something she would normally avoid.
But that logic only applied to ordinary floors.
‘The Hidden Floor, though?’
What was the Hidden Floor?
As the name suggested, it was a concealed floor—one that could only be accessed by meeting special conditions.
Such floors typically had higher difficulty, but they offered exceptionally generous rewards.
Even with poor luck, one could secure at least an Artifact or equivalent compensation.
Moreover, the experience gained far exceeded that of ordinary floors.
There was certainly risk involved, but given Jung Han-sung’s demonstrated abilities, danger seemed hardly a concern.
Maria quickly spoke again.
“As I mentioned, I’m affiliated with Aegis. I can provide proof if needed.”
“I see. If that’s all you have to say, I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait!”
Maria sensed that his departure wasn’t merely a casual remark, so she hastily grabbed his arm.
Then she scrambled to find something—anything—to say.
“The Hidden Floor only allows exactly two people to enter, so I wanted to go with someone truly exceptional. Among everyone I’ve met, you seemed the strongest.”
Han-sung furrowed his brow at her words. “Does Aegis really lack people that much?”
“Does Aegis really have that few people?”
Maria flinched at the question.
Normally, this would be the moment to flare up in anger. But somehow, the impulse didn’t come.
‘It’s not as if anyone else is listening, and getting angry won’t improve anything except my own mood.’
On the other hand, if she could just manage to persuade him somehow—even if immediate recruitment fell through, establishing a connection would be a tremendous asset to the Guild.
And beyond that, the image Han-sung had projected in those final moments kept flickering through her mind.
The way he’d wielded that sword, crackling with azure lightning.
After a moment’s deliberation, Maria spoke. “Yes, that’s right. So… would you be willing to come with me?”
“Is this some sort of commission?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes, I suppose it is.”
“You don’t have any hidden agenda or trap waiting for me, do you?”
“What? Of course not! Absolutely not!”
“I see. Then what’s the compensation?”
“I’m sorry?”
“When hiring external personnel for The Tower, don’t you typically offer payment?”
He wasn’t wrong about that.
When attempting floors that seemed too difficult to clear with only their own members, they would hire outside mercenaries.
But that was only true for smaller guilds and individual climbers. There was no way someone from Aegis would have experience with such arrangements.
Especially when what she was proposing was the Hidden Floor—something most people desperately wished they could enter!
‘How can he be so indifferent? It’s as if he’s already explored the Hidden Floor multiple times.’
Maria felt a deep sense of suspicion, yet she opened her mouth anyway.
“That’s true…”
After all, she was the one with something to lose.
“I’ll give you 100 million as an advance. If we successfully clear that floor, I’ll give you another 100 million. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good. Which floor?”
Han-sung answered without hesitation.
Maria felt absurdity wash over her once again.
He’d actually changed his mind just like that.
‘I should have just offered money from the start!’
To think he’d change his mind for a mere 200 million.
Of course, she didn’t let such thoughts show on her face.
“It’s an entrance accessible from Floor 15. We’re scheduled to depart in two days.”
“Two days, then.”
“It’s two days.”
Jung Han-sung paused for a moment, as if considering something, then nodded.
“I understand.”
“You’re accepting?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you! Oh, here. Please take this.”
Maria withdrew a long rod from her possession and handed it over.
“It’s an invitation. If you use it, you’ll be able to enter Floor 15 with me. And would eight o’clock in the evening work for you?”
At eight o’clock Korean time, it would be early morning where Maria currently was.
She had chosen a time that would be convenient for both of them, accounting for the time difference.
“Understood. Then I’ll use this at eight o’clock in the evening.”
“Yes! Oh, and please contact me using the number written there. That way I can transfer the payment!”
“Yes.”
And so the conversation ended.
Jung Han-sung left The Tower without even having a chance to exchange proper farewells.
Maria watched the spot where he had departed, then let out a final sigh.
“I’m going to catch hell when I get back.”
Though she held a reasonably respected position within the Guild, this decision was quite an independent judgment call.
Still, she harbored no regrets.
The other party was worth such an investment.
Maria paid no attention to Chen Long lying on the ground and headed straight out of the Cave to exit The Tower.
* * *
“Phew.”
The moment I exited Floor 12 and entered my Unique Space, I exhaled deeply.
“Master! Are you alright? What’s wrong?”
Seeing me return with a weary expression, Baek-seol rushed over in alarm.
I smiled and waved my hand dismissively.
“No, I’m fine. It’s not fatigue from combat, specifically.”
The battle with Kaltis hadn’t been easy, but it wasn’t enough to cause mental exhaustion.
“Is that so? Ah, please sit here.”
“Thanks.”
I sat in the chair Baek-seol had brought over.
“I had a conversation with someone, and it required quite a bit of thinking.”
“Thinking?”
“Yes.”
Since there was no reason to hide anything from Baek-seol, I told her about the conversation I’d had with Maria.
“I was troubled wondering what her intentions were behind the proposal. Whether she might have had some ulterior motive. Things like that.”
To be honest, I had been tempted by the Hidden Floor itself.
But the reason I didn’t accept it immediately was because I lacked trust in her.
“Then why did you accept it?”
“There are reasons for everything.”
Of course, I hadn’t immediately accepted Maria’s offer of 200 million just because it tempted me.
“I had a feeling about it. A sense that accepting would be the right call.”
I chuckled and tapped my temple lightly.
That was it.
The reason I’d engaged in such a lengthy conversation with Maria was to allow my subscribed ability, Cassandra’s Ambiguous Intuition, sufficient time to manifest.
After the extended dialogue, I’d felt a strong sense that accepting would be the right move, so I’d ultimately agreed to her proposal.
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
At Baek-seol’s exclamation, I smiled and nodded.
The two newly subscribed abilities had certainly proven quite useful this time around.
Moreover, considering I’d secured enough subscription time to make good use of the Bronze Ticket, the efficiency had been quite solid.
‘I should make a habit of examining these lighter abilities more often going forward.’
With that thought, I spoke again.
“Anyway, I’m told I just need to use this at the designated time tomorrow. Do you know what this is?”
“Ah, it’s an invitation card!”
“An invitation card?”
I’d already heard the same explanation from Maria, but I didn’t know exactly what kind of item it was.
Baek-seol clarified my confusion.
“It’s one of the items sold within The Tower. When you use it, even if you enter The Tower separately, you can climb it together. Of course, that’s impossible if you’re on different floors.”
“I see.”
I nodded and examined the rod more carefully. Upon closer inspection, there was indeed a number engraved on it, just as Maria had said.
After deciding I’d need to contact her once I left, I looked up.
“For now, I should push through to Floor 14 today.”
“Today? Without resting more?”
“Right. I don’t have much time left.”
To be honest, it wasn’t that I had no desire to rest.
I’m human, after all—of course I want to rest. It’s just that I feel it’s still too early to do so.
‘I can’t afford to grow complacent just because I’m stronger than most.’
While I’d climbed the other floors relatively smoothly, there had been dangerous battles.
Particularly the battle on Floor 10.
The battle on Floor 12 this time had also been quite challenging.
There’s no guarantee such opponents won’t appear again. I don’t believe the evil god who sent an apostle would simply give up.
In the end, the answer is to keep moving forward without stopping.
Until I possess strength that no one can touch.
‘So I’ll work hard.’
With that resolve, I opened the subscription window to the side.
It displayed my currently subscribed abilities and their remaining time.
Indra’s Lightning still had plenty of time left, but the other one didn’t.
[Swordmaster Arthur’s Basic Swordsmanship]
[05:49:21]
Five hours and forty-nine minutes. After that, my subscription to Basic Swordsmanship would expire.
That’s precisely why I’m determined to break through to Floor 14 today.
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
‘I wonder if it’ll be similar to what happened with Tempest.’
When my time with Tempest expired on the 10th Floor, I experienced an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and loss in that single moment.
It felt as though a piece of my very soul had been torn away.
The thought of it left me feeling somewhat conflicted.
Tempest had only lasted thirty seconds, but I’d wielded Basic Swordsmanship for an entire week.
It had been with me constantly since I entered The Tower.
“Well, there’s no point worrying about it beforehand.”
I shook my head and rose from the chair.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yes.”
There were still a few things I hadn’t verified, but I planned to handle those after I returned.
If everything went smoothly, I’d still have plenty of time left.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay!”
With Baek-seol’s farewell, I entered The Tower once more.
After watching me leave, Baek-seol returned the chair to its original position.
Then, wrapping the broom with her tail, she began sweeping the floor slowly.
The floor wasn’t particularly dirty, but Baek-seol swept whenever she felt bored.
She wanted her master to return to a clean space after completing his trials.
“Hmm.”
After finishing the sweeping, Baek-seol contemplated the furniture arrangement.
“Should I move the bed over there to make room for cooking tools later? But that might feel too cramped.”
She also considered how to decorate the room further and dusted off the tools I used.
About eleven minutes had passed when—
[Master Jung Han-sung has completed the objective on Floor 13.]
[A new record for fastest clear time has been achieved!]
A message appeared before Baek-seol’s eyes.
As a being bound to this space and her master, Baek-seol could access certain information this way.
“As expected of Master!”
The message appeared just eleven minutes after he entered, which meant he’d cleared the floor in merely one minute.
It was an absolutely astounding speed.
Even those who currently dominated the upper reaches of The Tower had never achieved such records on the lower floors.
Earthlings especially couldn’t compare.
Baek-seol hummed contentedly as she finished organizing, then settled into a spot.
She wasn’t trying to sleep.
If things went as expected, her master would return soon.
She simply sat quietly, watching the place where her master would appear.
Another twelve minutes passed.
[Master Jung Han-sung has completed the objective of Floor 14.]
[A new record for the fastest clear time has been set!]
Another message materialized before me.
Baek-seol rose from her seat and began wagging her tail without thinking.
Her master’s swift ascent through The Tower was a source of great joy to her.
Once they left the lower floors behind, she would be able to accompany him and assist him directly.
Woof!
Soon, the air shimmered, and Han-sung stepped through.
“Master!”
Baek-seol rushed toward him excitedly, then stopped short.
Han-sung’s gaze was fixed on something else.
Baek-seol hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.
“Is something the matter?”
“Hm? Oh, sorry. I was just looking at something for a moment.”
Han-sung belatedly offered Baek-seol an apologetic expression.
“What is it?”
“Well… how do I even explain this?”
Han-sung’s face showed his bewilderment at the question.
It was understandable.
What floated before my eyes was a message that defied easy explanation.
[Lilith has expressed interest in you.]
[Lilith proposes a special subscription chance for you.]
[Special Subscription Chance!]
[Subscribe to ‘Lilith’s Lethal Seduction Techniques’ right now! Your subscription period will be doubled!]
Han-sung pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Spam mail…?”
“Pardon?”
Baek-seol’s expression grew even more confused.
But Han-sung didn’t notice her expression. The moment he spoke, a new message appeared.
[Swordmaster Arthur proposes an offer to you.]
[(Special Lecture) Advanced Fundamentals of Swordsmanship ― One-on-One Instruction]
This too was entirely unexpected.

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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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