Obtained End-Game Gear for a Bowl of Ramen - Chapter 26
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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 26. I Revealed It
Hunter Management Agency Director Roger’s bombshell statement. Predictably, a tremendous backlash erupted.
—South Korea must disclose the identity of the EX-rank Hunter at once. If you cannot, the United States will find them ourselves. Even if it means declaring war on Korea.
An unannounced declaration of war. Immediately, countless protests rained down from within America itself.
—What gives a Hunter Management Agency the authority to speak of declarations of war? Isn’t it enough that Gates threaten our youth? Now you want to send them to their deaths?
Television shows, comedians, and every celebrity with any influence rushed to tear Roger apart. Even the President expressed grave concern.
—Roger’s remarks were a unilateral statement. The United States will maintain an unwavering alliance with Korea.
Within twenty-four hours of Roger’s bombshell, the White House released an official position. But behind closed doors, a different story circulated.
“Roger. This declaration of war on Korea—are you serious?”
The President called Roger directly.
“I am, sir. The EX-rank Hunter is a danger. This isn’t a cold war through Trial Tower ranking competition—it’s a genuine threat. We must find and secure them. America must.”
“Frankly, if the EX-rank Hunter turns out to be American, nothing could be better. With the Gates destabilizing our hegemony, American supremacy would return.”
Over the phone came a click, a crackling hiss, then the sound of gulping.
“But the declaration of war was too far. You didn’t consult the Defense Department. Even if the Hunter Management Agency has real power, you have to follow protocol.”
“That’s precisely how grave this is, sir. The EX-rank is sweeping through the Trial Tower and monopolizing Gates, yet South Korea doesn’t even know their identity—not a scrap of information. An uncontrollable high-rank Hunter has always been a headache.”
“In the end, it’s just one Hunter, isn’t it?”
“Sir, China’s Li Wei fell because of a single EX-rank Hunter. His downfall cost China its hegemonic position.”
“Hmm. That much is… true. The story of Li Wei, who aimed for the world’s top rank, antagonizing the EX-rank and falling apart—that’s famous enough.”
“The EX-rank is a risk factor. We must control them by any means necessary before it’s too late. We must.”
Roger meant it. Strong Hunters had always been a problem in America. Uncontrollable. Unpredictable. You couldn’t shoot them dead. They were like natural disasters in human form.
But in America, the land of freedom, controlling Hunters was impossible. No matter how Roger insisted, he was ignored. Then Korea’s EX-rank Hunter appeared—a perfect bait.
“Sir. Consider this: if Korea’s EX-rank becomes one of Those Who Welcome? If an EX-rank turns into a Gate Follower, who could possibly stop them?”
“Ronald exists.”
“Ronald couldn’t close the S+-rank Gate that the EX-rank closed alone. Sir, this is a matter of global importance—humanity’s future.”
This was a lie. Ronald hadn’t failed to close it; he simply chose not to.
America’s number one, the world’s strongest—Ronald’s unique skill was Scorched Earth. It literally incinerated everything in the surrounding area, reducing it to ash.
That’s why Ronald deliberately held back during the S+-rank Gate incident. He risked incinerating the entire city in the process of closing it.
‘Regardless of the truth, it’s a good excuse. A chance to create a Hunter Management Act by tying together the EX-rank, the Gate Followers, and Ronald.’
* * *
—<Breaking News! American Hunter Management Agency Has Lost Its Mind!>
Hunter Management Agency Director Roger’s bombshell statement sent shockwaves through Korea as well. The HunterOn forums burned as hot as wildfire.
└Declare war on Korea? Seriously? What era are we living in?
└The EX-rank is scary enough~ Kya. Even America fears the EX-rank! Is this real?
└Now’s not the time to admire them. America just openly said they’re checking on Korea.
└Separate from America, it’s about time we looked for the EX-rank. What if they actually become one of Those Who Welcome?
└I agree. The timing when the Gate Followers went quiet and suddenly reappeared, and when the EX-rank started acting… doesn’t that line up strangely? Am I the only one seeing this?
└Nope. Just you.
└How would we even find an EX-rank by looking? Li Wei couldn’t find them. What chance do we have?
└If all else fails, we’ll just test the entire population. Like we do for ID cards.
Jeong Ho was scrolling through HunterOn before bed after a genuinely productive day when it hit him like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
‘Is this a dream? Or what did I do to deserve being hunted?’
Jeong Ho felt somewhat aggrieved. He climbed the Trial Tower a bit and got scrutinized by China. Then he worked hard closing Gates and now America was scrutinizing him too?
‘So this is what a famous person’s life is like. It’s exhausting. I wonder what they’ll do if they can’t find me.’
If he really wanted to hide, Jeong Ho could manage it easily enough. He had the Shadow Cutting skill for that. Whether it was mass surveillance, Hunter aptitude testing, registration, or anything else—no problem.
What he really wondered was what would happen if they couldn’t find him. If they actually surveyed the entire population of South Korea and still couldn’t locate the EX-rank—what then?
‘I don’t know. It feels risky to come forward carelessly. Is there anyone I could ask about this?’
Jeong Ho turned his attention back to HunterOn. The forum was hotter than ever, but he didn’t see anyone who could actually help.
He couldn’t ask family or friends either. In the end, there was only one place Jeong Ho could ask.
Click-clack!
Jeong Ho started boiling ramen.
* * *
<Kufufufu. Welcome to the Dimensional Shop [Dapanda]. You can buy anything your heart desires here.>
A recorded voice played from the radio beside Dae Young. In the meantime, Dae Young was wolfing down the ramen Jeong Ho had made.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it, Dae Young?”
<Slurrrp! Gulp. Ugh, blehhh!>
Dae Young even burped before turning off the radio. The radio, which had been narrating the shop owner’s lines, went quiet.
<What? This tastes terrible.>
“Someone who says it tastes terrible just finished an entire pot in a minute and burped? And since when can you even burp with that body of yours?”
<You ask about everything. If you’re going to talk nonsense, go home. Why are you here today anyway?>
“People are asking me to reveal my identity.”
“So… what?”
Jeong Ho hadn’t even said much, but Dae Young answered immediately. His crimson eyes flickered with an uncanny gleam.
“You know my situation without hearing a word of it?”
The shadow tendrils of the big shadow, Dae Young, writhed with sinister intent—like hair gathered in a bathtub drain.
“But if I don’t reveal myself, the United States says they’ll issue a Declaration of War.”
The big shadow, Dae Young, was far more clearheaded than expected. He seemed accustomed to situations like this.
“So… if I trust you and don’t reveal myself?”
The big shadow, Dae Young, rummaged through something and held it out. Jeong Ho recognized the ticket—he’d seen one before.
-Hero’s Command Ticket (Unique): Forces the next action of a visible target. Those without the power of a hero cannot resist. Single use.
“A Hero’s Command Ticket! You’re… giving this to me?”
Jeong Ho grabbed the ticket, but it didn’t budge.
“Right. Nothing’s free. Spit out the ramen you just ate.”
Jeong Ho tugged the ticket again. After a few moments of resistance, it came free with a sharp pull.
“When did you even know the price of ramen?”
Dae Young pointed at Jeong Ho with a shadow tendril.
Dae Young writhed and hacked violently, as if he’d inhaled something wrong.
“Hang in there. Getting ramen stuck in your throat is really awful.”
Jeong Ho left Hero’s Tower clutching the Hero’s Command Ticket.
‘With this, even in the worst situation, there’s a way.’
Like using it on the U.S. President? Of course, there was the condition that he’d have to meet them first.
‘Shadow Cutting can handle anything. Or I could use a Gate Guide to teleport somewhere near a Gate…’
He had insurance now. For the moment, Jeong Ho decided to sit tight and watch how things unfolded.
* * *
Things didn’t go as Jeong Ho hoped. Once the United States started, the entire world was pressing South Korea to find the EX-rank.
└As if demanding it will make an EX-rank appear? Damn fools. Let you all go to hell!
└Dirty imperialists still haven’t learned.
└Is an EX-rank anyone’s pet? Call them and they appear?
└It’s because of bastards like this that Those Who Welcome exist. If the EX-rank turns dark, my will’s going to list the UK, France, Japan, and the U.S. first.
└EX-rank Hunter! We’re fine, so please ignore us!
Jeong Ho was getting anxious too. The big shadow Dae Young had told him to hide, but he was starting to think about revealing himself. Because the whole world was demanding it? No.
-Limited-edition X Ramen, 24-pack box
-XX Tissue, 36-count package
-Transportation card charge, 50,000 won
-Additional complimentary items as conditions permit at testing center.
They’re giving away ramen if you register. Whatever the reason, South Korea itself was diving seriously into finding the EX-rank.
The card they’d pulled out was voluntary Hunter License registration and renewal—basically, anyone who wanted to could come get tested.
There were rumors that a full-population registration bill had been proposed but was crushed under fierce opposition and criticism before it could pass.
‘More important than that is the ramen. They say it’s a collaboration product with the Management Agency and they’re only giving it out this time.’
Either way, Jeong Ho’s real goal was ramen. Even the big shadow Dae Young would have to admit ramen’s worth.
‘And I’ve grown a lot too. Even if I confidently reveal I’m EX-rank, I have the ability to protect myself.’
The people of South Korea were desperately searching for the EX-rank. And word was the Management Agency was serious about finding them too, spending real money and manpower. Jeong Ho had made up his mind to reveal himself. As soon as he walked in, he saw an exhausted-looking employee.
“Hello. What brings you in?”
The testing center had quite a line. In one corner, stacks of Management Agency collaboration ramen boxes were piled up.
“They’re looking for an EX-rank Hunter this time…….”
“Ah, please fill out these forms and get in line.”
“No, that’s not it. Actually, it’s me. I’m an EX-rank Hunter.”
The Agency employee didn’t even pretend to listen.
“Understood. Just fill out the forms here and get in line.”
Why was this person so unimpressed? Jeong Ho felt genuinely taken aback. On HunterOn, they always made a fuss over EX-rank Hunters.
“Excuse me. I’m an EX-rank…….”
“Everyone in that line said the exact same thing.”
The Agency employee gestured down the long queue of people. Only then did Jeong Ho grasp the situation.
‘These people! Trying to con their way in by claiming they’re EX-rank!’
EX-rank Hunters were national heroes. Find one, and they’d receive not just enormous cash prizes, but houses, cars, everything the state could offer.
Jeong Ho didn’t care much for money, and he’d forgotten all about it after getting on Li Wei’s bad side early on.
‘If all these people were actually EX-rank, South Korea would’ve conquered the world by now.’
Jeong Ho clicked his tongue and took his place in line. Well, since he was here anyway, he might as well grab some ramen.
“Next.”
The line moved slowly forward. Watching the self-proclaimed EX-rank Hunters was entertaining. They’d stride confidently into the testing room, only to shuffle out like criminals.
‘Why lie about it, really.’
“Next. Next. Next.”
The line kept shrinking. So did the stack of Agency collaboration ramen boxes. Jeong Ho was getting anxious.
‘Will the ramen last until me? No. There’s still plenty left. Just stay calm and wait…….’
“Next!”
Soon it was the person right in front of Jeong Ho’s turn. Only one ramen box remained. Jeong Ho decided to ask the employee, just to be safe.
“Excuse me! That ramen will reach me, right?”
The Agency employee glanced at the ramen box and answered.
“Yes. Is your name Jeong Ho? We’ve got one set aside for you. I’ll hand it over beforehand, so don’t worry and just go take your tests.”
‘Perfect! Ramen secured.’
No matter how the test results came out, if he walked away with the ramen, he’d accomplished his real mission. Jeong Ho entered the testing room with a light heart.
Hunter ability tests proceed through several stages. The first is the Ability Measurement device. It’s similar to those InBody machines you find in gyms…….
[Measurement Complete: Your Estimated Rank is: C]
He hadn’t expected anything anyway. How would some machine recognize the makings of an EX-rank Hunter? Jeong Ho snorted and moved on to the next test chamber. This one had a damage-measurement dummy created by the Hunter Management Agency itself.
-Strike with all your strength!
Even a polite message. Jeong Ho reached out, ready to hit it with everything he had using Fire Bolt.
“Fire Bolt…… wait. If I use Fire Bolt here, that’s going to be a disaster.”
This was indoors. The full power of Fire Bolt would blow up the entire building. Worse than any Gate collapse.
‘Water Shield is defensive. Deep Cloud is support. Earth Manipulation counts as a natural disaster, so skip that.’
I’ll have to use an item instead. He had two weapon items: the Magic Sword Arc Spark and the Fading Cherry Blossom Bow.
‘The Magic Sword Arc Spark won’t work without magic, so naturally that’s out. Let’s use the Fading Cherry Blossom Bow.’
One Shot Kill. Distance-based Annihilation. The moment the Fading Cherry Blossom Bow struck the dummy.
[Damage Measurement Complete! Your Estimated Rank is: C]
[Testing Complete. Please proceed to the next stage.]
The floor opened and the dummy sank down.
“Wait! Hey, I still had one shot left! Let me get one more in!”
The dummy didn’t return, no matter how desperately he called. Should I just fire one more anyway? What would that accomplish? The data was already submitted.
‘Fine. Go on, go. I showed my Distance-based Annihilation ability properly. It’s your fault for not seeing it.’
I did what I had to do. I demonstrated the power of an EX-rank Hunter. From here on out, it’s your fault for not believing what you saw.
* * *
[Comprehensive Test Results: Your Estimated Rank is: C]
Jeong Ho walked out of the testing facility holding his assessment sheet. He was in a good mood. Why? Because he had the collaboration ramen.
‘I showed you what I’ve got. You’re the ones who didn’t believe me. Anyway. I’ll enjoy that ramen.’
Either way, it felt satisfying. From now on, whoever goes spouting nonsense about finding an EX-rank Hunter better watch out. He’d choke on his ramen in spite.
[Dimensional Vision detects a Gate!]
As Jeong Ho was heading home, a status window suddenly appeared before his eyes. Using his Gate Guide ability, he could see a Gate opening about 100 meters away in a deserted alley.
Jeong Ho hurried toward the Gate. Screech—screech! Massive trolls began forcing their way through the opening.
“Fire Bolt.”
Boom—!
[Trolls 33/33 Eliminated]
[C-rank Gate Cleared!]
[Contribution: ???(100%)]
The Gate closed with a single blast of full-power Fire Bolt. Jeong Ho spoke to the fading Gate under his breath.
“They should build the testing facility this sturdy too. What EX-rank Hunter are they going to find with such a flimsy setup?”
To be continued in the next episode ▶
Obtained an endgame item from a single bowl of ramen
Author
White Persimmon
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Publishing House
Grae Publishing
Inquiries
[email protected]
Publication Date
August 24, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260423069
※ This e-book is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction and duplication are prohibited. Violation may result in criminal and civil legal liability.
※ Pentagram welcomes your precious manuscript.
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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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