Obtained End-Game Gear for a Bowl of Ramen - Chapter 33

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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 33. The Limits of EX-Rank
The US President was in a foul mood. The news of Ronald’s naturalization in Korea had been a shock.
But an even greater shock was Korea’s full distribution of the Black Light Stone Set to hunters. The supply of standard hunter equipment—a goal that the US and indeed every hunter management bureau in the world had failed to achieve—and Korea had succeeded.
Roger. I’m sure you’ve grasped this, but Korea succeeded where even the US failed in supplying standard hunter equipment. Do you understand what that means?
Roger’s hands trembled as he gripped the smartphone, as though the slightest mistake would send it clattering to the floor.
“Yes, sir! I understand completely, Mr. President! It means there’s no point in imposing trade sanctions on hunter equipment anymore! But we’re not finished yet. If we change the target items, even an EX-rank will have no choice but to fail……”
It means the entire world will adopt Korean-manufactured hunter equipment as their standard issue.
Roger turned to stone. The truth was so obvious, so inevitable, that he had deliberately looked away from it—and now the US President was shoving it directly into his face.
Global distribution of Korean-made standard hunter equipment. What did this mean?
From now on, every B-rank and below hunter across the world will wear Korean Black Light Stone gear. This was work that great America should have done—but it was stolen by Korea’s EX-rank.
“……Arrrrrgh!!!”
Roger threw himself facedown on the floor, tearing at his hair with both hands. His stiff blond strands scattered like rat fur. The other patrons enjoying the quiet café hurriedly abandoned their tables.
Roger’s disheveled hair made him look like a demon, his eyes blazing with fury.
“Damn it. I have to find that EX-rank and kill him. That’s the only way to bring Ronald back……!”
* * *
“Master. You have a call.”
Ryu Je respectfully handed the smartphone to Li Wei, who was enjoying a hot spring bath.
“Roger, the US bureau chief? Well, now we’re hearing from someone important. This is Li Wei.”
Li Wei. We’ve found a way to locate the EX-rank. Ronald has decided to naturalize in Korea after meeting the EX-rank.
“Ah, the news everyone’s been talking about. Nothing surprising there.”
Listen carefully. Ronald ‘met’ the EX-rank. Your unique skill has given us a clue we can use to find the EX-rank!
Li Wei narrowed his eyes. He thought the detailed operating principles of his unique skill, Eye of Looking Down, were supposed to be kept secret. When had the Americans learned about it?
‘The Americans are quite impressive after all. It’s only fitting if they’re to be my worthy rivals.’
Li Wei smiled with satisfaction and answered.
“No.”
Use your skill to find the EX-rank, and then we’ll take revenge together——what?
“I said no. I have no desire to take revenge on the EX-rank anymore.”
What the—are you f***ing crazy? Li Wei! Have you already forgotten the humiliation and pain the EX-rank inflicted upon you?
“Hmm. Roger, chief of the US Hunter Management Bureau. A man of your standing deserves to hear this. Listen well. I plan to become the EX-rank’s master.”
Roger could not comprehend this.
Master? What nonsense is that?
“A master forgives his disciple’s mistakes with generosity. That is why there is no revenge. And though the EX-rank is incomprehensibly strong, he lacks the polish required of a hero to stand against the Gates and protect the earth.”
Li Wei rested his fingertips gently on the surface of the hot spring. A drop of water fell from his finger, creating a great ripple in the bath.
“He requires much education. Worldliness. Politics. Strategy. Manipulation and countless other arts. What people commonly call the art of ruling. Without a strategist to guide him, even an EX-rank would be no better than Xiang Yu of Chu, or worse still, Lü Bu of the Three Kingdoms.”
Li Wei. I don’t understand what you’re saying at all.
“One day the EX-rank will hit a wall. When that happens, he will have no choice but to seek help from Li Wei of China. I will become his strategist, and through great powers pulling and small nations following, I will achieve world peace. Thus I have no reason to search for the EX-rank.”
You mean he’s already caught in your net?
Roger’s tone made clear he was utterly unconvinced.
“Precisely. Negotiations concluded. Chief Roger, I wish you well. I suggest you swiftly extinguish the fire at your own feet.”
Li Wei hung up. Behind him, Ryu Je respectfully took the smartphone in a towel.
“Hah. Ryu Je. Do you see? Ronald was number one in the world, but Chief Roger is, at best, third-rate.”
“Is that so? I’ve heard the US Hunter Management Bureau under Chief Roger’s command has achieved considerable success.”
“America was already large and powerful. Whether it was Roger or someone else in his position, they would have succeeded naturally. Roger was merely lucky, and now his luck has run out.”
Li Wei reclined leisurely in the hot spring. Every so often, the sound of water droplets washed his mind clean from within.
“Clinging to me because there’s nowhere else to cling to. Did he really think I’d search for the EX-rank just because America asked?”
Ryu Je, standing behind him, thought differently.
‘Honestly, isn’t he just too afraid to search for the EX-rank……’
Li Wei was the world’s strongest detection-type hunter. The moment Ronald’s naturalization in Korea was announced, Li Wei had already used his Eye of Looking Down to thoroughly assess the situation.
Had he set his mind to it, he might have found the EX-rank then. The atmosphere suggested Ronald had truly met the EX-rank. But Li Wei did not search.
‘I understand though. The EX-rank hunter left a deep wound in Master’s heart. The trade sanctions, the chaotic Gates, the Trial Tower’s blessing……. Master, you have my support.’
Even if China’s number one, Li Wei, became slightly weaker, it didn’t matter. He no longer needed to shoulder the entire world.
Because now there was an EX-rank hunter.
* * *
Roger. You’ve failed. Stop and come back to the United States.
Roger returned to his hotel room in a daze. His smartphone played the message back repeatedly like a broken machine. The longer he listened, the more the message seemed to shift and change in meaning.
Roger. Ronald will be back soon anyway.
Roger. Just think of it as giving Ronald a vacation.
Roger. Are you listening to me?
“What?”
Roger turned his head. From his smartphone’s voicemail, he heard the sound of giggling laughter.
—Roger. Real name Roger Atkins. Born April 13, 1988 in California. At twelve years old, you nearly got expelled from school for operating an underground gambling den, but your father’s generous donation kept you there, didn’t it?
Roger gripped his smartphone. The battery had died and the screen was dark. Yet sound still emanated from it.
“W-who is this?! Even the president doesn’t know that.”
—My name holds no worth. I am the Welcomer. I believe I could be of service to you.
Roger reached toward the smartphone. The moment he grasped it with trembling hands, he hurled it out the window.
“Fuck you. There’s no negotiating with the Welcomer.”
—Roger. Don’t be reckless.
“What the hell!!”
This time the sound came from the television. He felt as though a ghost had possessed him. The television was too large and heavy to throw.
—Give up, Roger. My unique skill is rather entertaining. Stop this and talk with me. What matters now isn’t EX-rank—it’s S-rank Hunter Ronald.
Laughter trickled from the television screen.
“That Ronald is enchanted by an EX-rank and wants to naturalize in Korea. If I want Ronald back, I have no choice but to kill the EX-rank.”
—But that’s not your real concern, is it? The fallout from Ronald’s naturalization in Korea. The discovery of the bribes you pocketed there. That’s your true fear.
Roger began to protest reflexively, then stopped. His face drained of color.
—Heheheh. Ronald will demonstrate Incineration three days from now. Kill him then. Fight fire with fire, and bury the story with the news.
“B-but how can I? Ronald is S-rank number one, the strongest Hunter in the world.”
—The fact that Incineration can be controlled means Incineration has weakened. We’ll lend you someone. What do you say?
Roger’s mind raced through calculations of possibility. It seemed profitable enough.
“Fine. The deal is struck. But what’s in it for you? This benefits only me, one-sidedly.”
—Me? Hehehehe. I am the Welcomer. One who yearns for Gates. If S-rank number one Ronald dies, that satisfies me. In three days. We’ll contact you again.
The television sparked and died. Roger pulled out a second smartphone and made a call.
“This is Director Roger. Assemble America’s second and third-ranked Hunters. I’ve identified the Welcomer’s movements in Korea.”
The Welcomer’s offer was tempting. But why stop there? If he could capture the Welcomers themselves?
Ronald’s death. The Welcomer’s arrest. Either way, it would be big enough news to bury Roger’s own misdeeds.
‘The Welcomer? Idiots. I’ll devour all of you and rise back to glory!’
* * *
<Korea: The World’s Only Nation to Adopt Standard Hunter Equipment!>
<Where Are the Limits of EX-rank? Testing the Performance of the Black Light Stone Set.>
<British Hunter Management Bureau Expresses Intent to Import Black Light Stone Set.>
<French Hunter Management Bureau Counters with 1.2 Times Britain’s Offer.>
<British Hunter Management Bureau Revises Proposal. Increases Price to 1.3 Times Original Amount.>
<Japanese Hunter Management Bureau Proposes Friendly Exchange with Korea—Technology Sharing of Black Light Stone Set and Sakura Set?>
<America’s Trade Sanctions Prove Virtually Useless. World’s Number One Ronald’s Naturalization in Korea Clears Final Obstacle.>
…….
The moment Jung Ho unveiled the Black Light Stone Set, the world erupted into chaos. There was so much news he couldn’t possibly follow it all.
South Korea had transformed into a festival. Not only had they overcome America’s export controls on Hunter equipment, but they had effectively pressed down America’s arrogance in return.
Ronald, the honorary Korean who chose naturalization, appeared delighted. At the press conference, he explained how he’d almost given up his naturalization due to the trade sanctions, but seeing the Black Light Stone Set had hardened his resolve.
—My existence has only ever wounded those around me. But Korea, and the EX-rank, are the only ones who have embraced me.
Ronald stood before the reporters, his fist clenched with conviction. The photograph graced the front page of the evening edition.
Not everyone welcomed Ronald’s naturalization. Incineration was notorious for its collateral damage, and he’d only recently deployed it in the very park where the festival was held.
—Ronald’s Incineration is the worst! Why should Korea accept a walking nuclear bomb?
Of course, such opinions were swiftly suppressed.
└The EX-rank stopped it then, so there was no damage.
└I heard Incineration can be controlled now? Ronald himself said it’s thanks to the EX-rank’s help.
└The Hunter Management Bureau is gathering people and will actually hold a demonstration. Once we see that, we’ll know for sure.
└Of course Incineration is terrifying. But aren’t all Hunters terrifying? Honestly, I’m more scared of what the EX-rank even does.
└Right? Korea has an EX-rank, so why be afraid of S-rank Ronald?
‘Ronald is going to demonstrate Incineration?’
Jung Ho flipped through HunterNet, curiosity kindled. He wondered how much the Black Light Stone box he’d crafted would perform, how much Ronald had grown.
‘I should slip over and take a look. The location isn’t posted, but they’ll probably do it once a Gate opens.’
The Management Bureau had no facility capable of handling Incineration. Jung Ho had the conviction of one who’d once attempted to use the original Fire Bolt before abandoning it.
But he couldn’t fire it at a hillside either. Since this was about confirming control, not validating raw power, a Gate was perfect for the job.
‘Expected timing: three days from now. Probably at a Gate the Bureau found in advance.’
[Authority Use: Gate Guide]
[Opening Dimension Show!]
Jung Ho narrowed it down to three likely Gates. His heart quickened at the thought of how much Ronald might have changed.
Three days later, at last. Jung Ho examined each of the Gates he’d identified.
[Entering the Gate remotely via Dimension Show!]
The first Gate. No one was around. Only evacuating citizens were visible.
“Fire Bolt.”
[D-rank Gate Clear!]
[Contribution: ???(100%)]
[Gate Clear Reward: Lower-grade Monster Hide (Common) x16]
[Top Contributor Exclusive Rare Reward: Wolf’s Heart (Rare) x1]
[Blessing of Abundance activated!]
[Gate Clear Reward: Lower-grade Monster Hide (Common) x16]
Next came the second Gate. Hunters swarmed everywhere, getting pounded relentlessly by orc warriors, yet the Black Light Stone Set slowly began to turn the tide in their favor.
“Keep pushing! Don’t lose your nerve—advance!”
“The Black Light Stone Set’s got us covered anyway! Just dodge the big attacks!”
“There’s a gap over here—monsters are slipping through!”
Jung Ho stepped back from his vantage point and withdrew from the field.
‘Good. They’re managing just fine.’
With an EX-rank Hunter, closing too many Gates himself would cause problems. The other Hunters needed real combat experience too. From what he could see, they weren’t about to lose.
“Mission accomplished! Let’s check the rewards!”
“Wow. First time closing a C-rank Gate.”
“Sir! Even though we’re D-rank, with this Black Light Stone Set on, we could probably handle up to a C-rank Gate!”
Leaving their cheerful chatter behind, Jung Ho moved to inspect the final Gate.
[Entering remotely via Dimension Show!]
Whoosh! This Gate was in a desolate location—the middle of an abandoned rice field, the kind you’d glimpse below the highway from time to time.
A decent crowd had gathered, so Jung Ho immediately deployed Shadow Severance, then withdrew his main body to the rear. Ronald was visible among the assembled onlookers.
‘This is the place. Let’s see how much Ronald has grown.’
Soon the Gate opened. Rank C. The monsters that emerged were swarms of acid-spewing beetles—small-scale mobs that made precision targeting difficult, but…
“Incineration.”
Roarrrr! Countless portals of every hue burst open around Ronald, unleashing a barrage of firepower. Ronald had clearly grown tremendously.
No crater formed in the ground. He didn’t obliterate the surroundings. Instead, he carefully targeted only the monsters, methodically incinerating them where they stood.
‘Wow. Our Ronald’s come such a long way…’
Suddenly—light. Jung Ho reacted instinctively and cast a skill.
[Skill Use: Original Earth Manipulation]
[Manipulate earth, stone, and mineral.]
[Heroic Strength Stage 4 resonates!]
[Distraction Technique activates!]
[Skill copied: Original Water Shield]
Explosion. Deafening roar. Crater. Mushroom cloud. A grave silence fell for roughly a minute. The Bureau staff who’d been thrown back slowly began to pick themselves up.
“What, what is this…?”
A massive barrier formed from earth and rock. Around each person, a protective shield of water. As the skills faded, the wall crumbled, the water dispersed, and a giant crater revealed itself where the Gate had been. Ronald stood at the edge of the crater.
“Could it be… Ronald did that?!”
Ronald’s face had gone ashen. The uncontrolled release of Incineration, the fear that he might be abandoned from Korea, the dread that nothing had changed at all—it all seeped through him.
“Did Ronald save us?!”
“No. That’s an EX-rank skill.”
“That explosion doesn’t match the pattern of Incineration. It looks like another Hunter intervened.”
“Another Hunter? An EX-rank?”
“But the EX-rank protected us! That can’t be it. I think this was…”
The situation was swiftly brought under control. The Korean Bureau staff worked with characteristic workaholism, smoothly moving procedures along, and the cloud of panic threatening to engulf Ronald dissipated just as quickly.
“It must have been the work of the Welcomers.”
The Bureau reached its conclusion. Ronald felt relief wash over him. All this time, Jung Ho had been pursuing someone.
‘Those bastards from the Lake Park food cart before—we meet again today. Just wait. I’m coming for you.’
To be continued ▶
A Final Item from One Bowl of Instant Noodles
Author
Ha Yean Gotgam
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Published by
Grae Publishing
Contact Email
[email protected]
Publication Date
August 24, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260423069
※ This e-book is protected under copyright law, and unauthorized reproduction and copying are strictly prohibited. Violations may result in criminal and civil legal liability.
※ Pentagram awaits 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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