Obtained End-Game Gear for a Bowl of Ramen - Chapter 31

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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 31. Naturalization to Korea
Ronald’s life had been difficult.
From childhood, Ronald was stronger than his peers. Too strong—dangerously so. More than one friend had been injured playing with him.
His friends disappeared one by one. The sheer force of his power isolated him. A football coach who’d noticed his strength gave him training, but nothing changed.
During practice, he seriously injured a teammate. The promising player retired on the spot, and Ronald did too. His family’s upper-class status had helped smooth things over, but…
“Mother. Father. I won’t do anything anymore.”
If all he could do was hurt others, what was the point? Despairing, Ronald squandered his money and soul in the Las Vegas casinos.
[Warning! Gate manifestation!]
[You have Awakened!]
[Unique Skill: Scorched Earth]
Then the world changed. The sudden arrival of the Trial Tower and the emergence of Gates. And at the same moment, Ronald Awakened as a Hunter. He thought the world was calling to him. At last, he’d found his purpose.
“Scorched Earth.”
But Scorched Earth was exactly what its name suggested—total devastation. Nothing had changed. Ronald was still too strong, still capable of nothing but wounding others. It was like a pincushion turned inside out. But then…
‘No one died.’
Even Ronald’s Scorched Earth had been blocked by Korea’s EX-rank Hunter. There was damage, of course, but no deaths.
“This way for the injured! If you can walk, line up here. Those with headaches or slurred speech, you’re first for treatment!”
The minor wounded were healed by a Hunter named Baek Mi-na, who’d set up a makeshift medical station. Tears welled up in Ronald’s eyes.
‘At last. In Korea… I can live without hurting anyone.’
Baek Mi-na, busy healing the wounded, felt his gaze and looked up. The moment their eyes met, Ronald bolted like a fugitive.
“Damn it. Using Scorched Earth in a crowd like this? If someone hadn’t stopped me, I’d have… Next!”
Ronald suddenly returned. He’d grabbed someone and practically dragged them into the medical station.
“Wait, wait! What are you doing? Didn’t you see the line?”
“Emergency case. Caught in direct Scorched Earth exposure.”
The people in line stepped back two paces, and Mi-na’s fingers, already raised to cast, pivoted sharply.
“Then why didn’t you bring them sooner! Excuse me, are you all right? Where does it hurt?”
Jung Ho answered in a daze.
“Nowhere actually…?”
* * *
People streamed into Lake Park. First came the Korean Hunter Management Bureau. One minute later, the reporters who’d caught the scent.
The ambulance took five minutes to arrive, but somehow those people got here in no time. Of course, the Bureau blocked the press from entering.
‘Hell. Can’t even go home. What is this? The Bureau’s making me stay to give a statement.’
Jung Ho sat on a bench in Lake Park, staring blankly into empty space. Across the way, between the trees on Tree-lined Street, a banner for a “Flame Festival” rippled in the wind.
He heard footsteps behind him. He spun around to find Ronald, the world’s number one, holding a paper cup like a man who’d never seen one before in his life.
“Coffee?”
“Coffee? I don’t drink coffee.”
“I see. Then I’ll have it.”
Ronald dropped onto the bench beside him. After fidgeting in silence for a while, he finally spoke.
“I’m sorry for catching you in my Scorched Earth at close range. If you develop any aftereffects from this, please contact the American Hunter Management Bureau.”
Suddenly fluent English? Jung Ho didn’t understand a word.
“Um. I’m fine, thanks. And you?”
Ronald laughed at that.
“Worrying about me in a situation like this. Koreans are much kinder than I thought. And more than that…”
Ronald gulped down the coffee. He immediately made a face. Apparently it tasted terrible.
“When did that EX-rank Hunter leave? They blocked my Scorched Earth with a rock wall and disappeared. Do you know who the EX-rank is?”
“Sorry. I can’t speak English.”
“Ah. Right.”
Ronald fumbled for his smartphone. He switched on an AI translator and began to speak.
“I’m sorry for catching you in this. The monster that came out of the Gate is a vine serpent—it regenerates endlessly like the Hydra from Greek mythology. To kill it, you need overwhelming firepower all at once, so I had no choice but to use Scorched Earth.”
Now it made sense. What had he been saying this whole time?
“But the Gate was already closed by then, wasn’t it?”
Once I start Scorched Earth, I can’t stop it. Since we’re talking about it anyway—you’re a Hunter too, right? You’re wearing a Black Luminous Stone Armor Set. What’s your Rank?”
“EX.”
Ronald stared at him for a long moment, then smiled wryly.
“That was a little joke. If your Magical Power had been even C-rank, I’d have believed it.”
Ronald finished the last of his coffee and gazed toward the spot where the Gate had opened.
“I’m absolutely certain an EX-rank was here. When they matched my Scorched Earth’s firepower head-on and simultaneously deployed a rock barrier to protect civilians—only an EX-rank could do that. No other Hunter can use two skills at once.”
‘I can because I have the Division of Mind Technique.’
“The really astounding part is the precision. That EX-rank’s bombardment hit only the monster, sparing every civilian. If I had that skill, no innocent people would be caught in my Scorched Earth anymore. I want to learn that technique so badly.”
Ronald’s eyes gleamed with strange excitement. Jung Ho felt even more uncomfortable than before.
“So I need to meet the EX-rank. You came out from under that rock dome—did you see them?”
“That person is EX-rank.”
Ronald’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“EX-rank Hunters aren’t a joke. He’s a genuine hero—he rescued people who might have been caught in my Scorched Earth. A true hero, not like me.”
“That person is me.”
Ronald stared at Jung Ho intently, tilting his head one moment, swallowing hard the next.
“It doesn’t sound like a lie, but…….”
“But then why do you keep searching for me if you don’t believe it, even with an EX-rank standing right in front of you?”
“Because EX dominates Li Wei of China and has single-handedly defeated ten Liches in an S+-rank Gate. Yet the Mana I sense from you is…….”
“Fire Bolt.”
A fireball erupted skyward. The Management Bureau staff cleaning the scene, the reporters, the medical teams, the passersby—all saw a crimson sun bloom in the night sky.
Ronald saw it too. The moment countless sparks scattered from that small sun like a fireworks display, crackling and snapping.
“Earth Manipulation.”
Crack-crack-crack! A massive stone hand erupted from the ground, enveloped the small sun in its grip, and vanished.
“Does that settle it?”
Ronald’s eyes lost their focus. His mouth hung slightly open, and his wandering hands trembled, clutching only a paper cup.
“Y-you?! No, how is this possible?! I can’t sense any Mana at all. Unless—surely you’re not deliberately suppressing that immense power while using your skills?!”
“What’s happening?! Another Gate?!”
Tap-tap-tap! Several Management Bureau staff rushed over, including Director O Seung-woo. Ronald glanced at Jung Ho’s expression.
“I was just showing him proof that I’m an EX-rank Hunter.”
The Bureau staff chuckled and shook their heads in light reproach.
“Sir, I understand you’re amazed having seen the world’s number one, but please don’t pester him to demonstrate his skills. Ronald Hunter, why don’t you wait over there where it’s more comfortable?”
The Bureau staff slipped immediately into flattery mode. Ronald ignored them completely. They muttered something under their breath and left.
“EX, why hide your identity when you possess such power?”
“What’s the point of showing it to people who won’t believe it anyway? If they don’t want to believe, let them not believe.”
The EX-rank Hunter Ronald had encountered was remarkable. Whether people believed or not, he simply went about his work. He harbored no greed, no obsession.
How many A-rank and S-rank Hunters in America had fought, clawed, and tore at each other in their hunger to seize their share?
But the solitary hero suffers in isolation. Ronald, who had lived in solitude, understood well. The EX-rank must not be allowed to stand alone.
‘I’ve learned the EX’s true identity. From today on, I’ll be his apostle and spread word of his great deeds. This is the fate given to me.’
The EX’s achievements must be made known—so no one else steals credit, so no one misunderstands, so no one like him is left in lonely isolation. Ronald felt the weight of a sacred duty.
“EX. I’ve decided now. I will naturalize in Korea.”
“Why? Hunters are treated far better in America.”
“Because you’re in Korea.”
Ronald clenched his fist, tendons straining beneath his skin.
“My heart’s home is Korea now. I’ve made that decision. I’ll begin the paperwork at first light tomorrow.”
“Wait, is that really okay? If America’s number one Hunter just defects to Korea…….”
“Why apologize when a Hunter is closing Gates? I’m just fulfilling my duty. Besides, America has many excellent Hunters besides me.”
Ronald suddenly grabbed Jung Ho’s hands with both of his.
“But I desperately need you, EX-rank. Tell me—how can you wield such devastating firepower while achieving such precision strikes? Teach me the secret, so no more innocent citizens are hurt by my Scorched Earth!”
EX-rank Hunter Jung Ho scratched his head.
‘What can I possibly teach him?’
It just happens for me. Where’s the secret? But it felt awkward to tell him the truth. His eyes sparkled so with admiration and belief—how could he trample on that?
“Ronald, I can’t teach you technique. I’m sorry.”
Ronald nodded. Of course. How could a mere S-rank ever hope to comprehend an EX’s method?
“Still, let’s discuss this. What’s the principle behind Scorched Earth?”
“Scorched Earth works in two stages. In the first, a Portal opens connecting the Inventory to reality. In the second, I simultaneously ‘activate’ all my Weapon Items from the Inventory.”
“Hmm. Only weapons?”
“Yes. Only weapons. I can’t use Scorched Earth with potions or armor.”
“Then what if you only keep as many as you need in the Inventory and store the rest in boxes or bags?”
Ronald shook his head.
“It’s impossible. I’ve tried before, but the weapons in my Inventory are so powerful they smash through the box and shoot out anyway. I said I wouldn’t waste money building a box strong enough to hold them if there was no need.”
Someone ranking as high as the world’s number one certainly wouldn’t bother with inferior gear. According to rumors, there were even modern military weapons on loan from the American armed forces, so it made sense.
‘But what about a Black Luminous Stone Box?’
Earlier, he’d noticed people wearing the Black Luminous Stone Armor Set remained unharmed even when clipped by Scorched Earth. Jung Ho himself had proven that.
[Skill Activated: Earth Manipulation – Original]
[You manipulate earth, stone, and mineral.]
[Hero’s Power Stage 4 resonates!]
[Division of Mind Technique activates!]
[Skill copied: Earth Manipulation – Original]
Crack-crack-crack! A black rectangular box materialized in mid-air. Ronald’s eyes widened.
“This box is……?”
“Ronald. Put all your weapons from the Inventory into these boxes, then pull out just what you need and test Scorched Earth. I’ll grab a few extra boxes for safety.”
Crack-crack-crack! Jung Ho kept conjuring boxes, one after another, pressing them into Ronald’s arms. Thirty or so by now?
“EX-rank! That’s plenty. I can’t keep accepting your kindness like this—it troubles my conscience.”
“Is that so? Once you’ve got enough boxes, you’ve got to test them, right?”
New items demanded a field trial. It was Jung Ho’s personal creed.
[Ability Activated: Gate Guide]
[Opening Dimensional Sight!]
A flash—Jung Ho’s eyes filled with violet light.
“Here’s what I see: in one hour, a Gate will open three hundred meters north of the West Parking Lot. Want to test it there?”
“How… how do you know that?”
“I just do.”
Ronald saw himself reflected in Jung Ho’s eyes—blank, mirror-clear. With his Sensory stat reaching S-rank, Ronald understood: Jung Ho was speaking nothing but the truth.
“Then… would you come with me? If my Scorched Earth causes problems, having someone there to stop it would be a tremendous help.”
“Sure, why not? The atmosphere here says I’ve got a few hours before heading home anyway.”
“EX-rank. Thank you. Truly.”
Ronald waited at the place Jung Ho had named. The Gate opened exactly as promised, and Ronald methodically sorted his inventory’s weapons by type, packing each category into separate boxes.
“Scorched Earth.”
[Skill Activated: Scorched Earth]
Pop-pop-pop! Portals of varying sizes tore open. In some of them, weapon-laden boxes were briefly visible.
Boom!
Light. Explosion. Thunderous roar. Wind whipped through Ronald’s hair, and his eyes widened into a smile.
“It worked…!”
Scorched Earth had detonated, and only the monsters died. Collateral damage: none. Ronald opened his Inventory again.
Black Luminous Stone Boxes, each neatly organized by weapon type. Now, whenever he needed them, he could open a box, draw only what was necessary, and fire—and Scorched Earth’s collateral destruction simply vanished.
Like piloting a cutting-edge mecha he’d seen in anime as a child. His hands and mind stayed busy, but civilians were safe. Planning on the fly actually sharpened his focus.
Most importantly, he no longer had to dance to Roger’s tune. Innocent people didn’t have to suffer anymore. At last, Ronald had reclaimed his freedom.
“Finally. At last, I’ve found my place to stand—in Korea.”
“Since you’ve tested it, we should head back. Unless… you hear that? Sounds like people heading this way.”
The blast and mana surge drew a crowd—Bureau staff, medical teams, reporters surging toward the site. Among them was one American.
“Ronald!!!”
The American Hunter Management Bureau director Roger appeared, his face flushed crimson, bulldozing through the Korean officials to the front.
“Ronald!! What the hell was that noise?! Naturalizing to Korea? Have you lost your mind?!!”
The crowd froze in shock. Reporters, possessed as if by spirits, whipped out notebooks, thrust microphones and cameras at Roger.
“Sir, what did you just say?”
“Did Ronald say he’s naturalizing to Korea?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Get a live feed ready! Now! Wake the CEO, wake everybody!”
“This is big! This is huge! Call the broadcast station!”
Ronald stepped forward among the reporters and spoke with absolute certainty.
“Tomorrow morning, the moment dawn breaks, I’m filing for Korean naturalization.”
“Ronald!! You’re insane!! There’s only one person on this entire earth who understands you! Only me! Only I can embrace your Scorched Earth and what it does!”
From beyond the police line, Roger, director of the American Hunter Management Bureau, shouted his voice raw. But Ronald answered with perfect calm.
“Not anymore. Korea has an EX-rank now.”
To be continued ▶
Got a legendary item for the price of a bowl of instant noodles
Author
White Dried Persimmon
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Publishing House
Grae Publishing
Contact Email
[email protected]
Publication Date
August 24, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260423069
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※ Pentagram welcomes your precious manuscripts.

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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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