S-Classes That I Raised to Devour - Chapter 18

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 18. We’ll Meet at the Summit (1)
An A-rank Hunter possesses abilities that far transcend the limits of human capacity.
This is because they acquire an Awakening Skill upon reaching Level 300, which Hunters also call a Killing Technique.
The Awakening Skill lives up to its name—so formidable it deserves to be called an SS-rank skill that can be learned unconditionally.
One might simply obliterate an entire mountain, or exercise the physical force to split the sea in two, or develop a body capable of enduring even the Earth’s destruction for five seconds.
Post-human strength.
That was the prestige an A-rank possessed.
But in the presence of a Lord-rank, even A-rank Hunters remain fundamentally human—such is the saying. Yet Named-ranks are hardly pushovers either.
“I felt the fear of death for the first time.”
A Lord-rank boss monster stationed in South Korea: the Magical Girl, pierced a thousand times.
She appeared in her everyday form much like her name suggested—a magical girl.
Clad in a pink dress, wielding a heart-shaped Magic Wand, she battled monsters with the very image of a girl devoted to humanity.
Yet she was never humanity’s ally. The moment one broke the established rules, she became a monster.
“In the end, she self-destructed.”
The Magical Girl detonated herself. The price was the annihilation of Gangwon Province, economic collapse, and a food crisis—but…….
Had it not been for the Magical Girl’s restraint, Seoul would have been obliterated. If Seoul fell, South Korea would be finished.
“If a Lord-rank is this devastating, a Keter-rank must threaten tens of millions.”
The destruction wouldn’t end with the extinction of a single nation. It would be an existential crisis for all humanity.
I’m so desperate I want to cry out to every head of state that we must prepare a Raid on the Moon immediately.
But that would only brand me a madman, a doomsayer. Honestly, even I’d think so.
“I could try to persuade them with knowledge of the future.”
But that would be genuine foolishness, and it would condemn me to a far more tedious and complicated existence.
It’s a common mistake: the belief that showing people the truth will convince them. But truth alone cannot persuade anyone.
Building personal trust, conducting lobbying for mass support.
Evidence proving my future knowledge is real, more evidence countering objections to that claim.
Counterintelligence against those who doubt me and undermine my credibility…….
Even if I succeeded in persuading them through all that effort, whether they’d truly back me remained uncertain.
Just thinking about it gives me a headache and makes me irritable.
“So this is the right way.”
I’ll cultivate S-ranks through Hunter Management.
But I have no intention of making them fight a Keter-rank. They might suddenly claim their lives are precious and refuse combat, or forget my favor and reject orders outright.
Better to possess S-rank power myself. No—I must wield power that transcends S-rank.
Only then can I fight a Keter-rank.
‘Kim Yeoul, Lee Minji…….’
Of course, thinking of them doesn’t conjure images of betrayal.
But it was the same in my past life. I never imagined Kim Jiwoo or other A-ranks would betray me.
This present reality is what came of that trust.
Just then, the monitor screen went dark.
It seemed to have activated screensaver mode from disuse. My face reflected in the black screen looked gravely serious.
Slap-slap.
I struck both cheeks hard with my hands. Then I smiled.
“Why such a grim expression? Am I a criminal? I’m not planning to harm Yeoul or Minji. Brighten up.”
The Chae Clan can’t do anything by force. I’m not forcing myself into this.
I want to do it, and I’m convinced it’s right.
So I smile. Not forced. It comes naturally.
Being able to live doing what you want is a blessing. When you’re happy, laughter comes on its own.
“Tomorrow is finally the last day.”
After a full night’s sleep, morning arrived.
The Fourth Public Hunter Qualifying Exam had begun.
* * *
The first three exams were all tests to verify capability as a Hunter.
But the fourth exam was so mundane I wondered if it was really happening.
One-to-many interviews. Several applicants interview with a single examiner.
The format resembled a corporate interview, but there was a decisive difference.
An A-rank Public Hunter conducted the interviews directly, not an association personnel manager.
There was an announcement confirming this was identical to last year, and the applicants felt reassured.
“Last year, Jeoseungsaja, the leader of the Lion Boys, was the interviewer. Who’ll come this year?”
Lee Minji asked Chae Mujin, who showed little interest and yawned widely.
“Yawn. Couldn’t care less.”
“At least make a guess. You seem like you might actually get it right.”
“I’m a manager, not a fortune teller.”
“Just say anyone, for fun.”
“Yu Dosung. I have a feeling he’ll show up.”
“The Nameless Swordmaster? Pfft—you’re just making things up. He’s not even a Public Hunter in the first place. He’s a Solo Hunter. Why would he come here?”
“You told me to say anyone. And who knows? Maybe he became a Public Hunter.”
“Did he. So Yeoul, who do you think will come?”
Redirecting her question, Minji looked to Kim Yeoul, who scratched her chin.
“Sorry. I don’t know who all the A-ranks are…….”
“A Hunter and you don’t know that? Do you at least know if there’s an S-rank Hunter in South Korea?”
“Uh, wouldn’t there be?”
“Really, you know nothing. There are no S-rank Hunters in South Korea. Strange, isn’t it? Japan has two, and Australia has at least one. But here’s the thing—South Korea has more A-rank Hunters per capita than any other nation on Earth!”
“Oh, I see. That’s really interesting.”
Even Chae Mujin, listening quietly, found it genuinely intriguing.
Why has no S-rank Hunter ever emerged in South Korea?
‘Come to think of it, there are Koreans who became S-ranks elsewhere, but no S-rank has ever originated from South Korea itself.’
In my past life, I’d been too busy surviving to notice this. But now with time to spare, the question nagged at me intensely.
‘With no A-ranks yet, worrying about an S-rank is meaningless.’
Then it happened. The lights in the Auditorium where we’d gathered dimmed, and the spotlight focused on the stage curtains.
Without anyone saying a word, everyone understood: the interviewer, the A-rank Hunter, had arrived.
The curtain drew back to reveal a swordsman in a black broad-brimmed hat and a high-necked robe.
Silence fell over the Auditorium. The applicants couldn’t place who he was.
But several who paid close attention to A-rank Hunters recognized him, and they cried out.
“It’s the Nameless Swordmaster!”
“The Nameless Swordmaster?!”
“Wasn’t he a Solo Hunter?”
“Maybe it’s just someone who looks like him?”
“No way. Look at his sword belt. The Huan-tou Dao with the phoenix engraved on its hilt—only he uses that!”
The applicants were so busy arguing whether it really was the Nameless Swordmaster that they ended up ignoring him entirely.
But the moment the Nameless Swordmaster stepped forward.
“……!”
Every applicant’s mouth closed.
No one told them to be quiet, and there was no reprimand.
His mere presence alone silenced hundreds of Hunters.
In that silence, he spoke.
“…My name is Yu Dosung.”
His voice was calm, without a microphone. Yet those three syllables of his name etched themselves clearly into every applicant’s mind.
“Some of you may know who I am, others may not. It doesn’t matter. I’ve simply come today to evaluate you—to determine whether you have the qualifications to become a Public Hunter…….”
“…Don’t feel assured just because your score is high, and don’t give up just because it’s low. A score is merely one of several evaluation criteria…….”
There was no question period. Yu Dosung said his piece and left through a side door.
But whether by design, an official with a microphone immediately came up to the stage.
“We will now begin the Fourth Exam. I will call four applicant numbers, and those individuals should proceed to the Interview Room through the side entrance. First group: Number 2, Number 18, Number 112, Number 189.”
The called applicants stood and exited through the side door.
Only then did the applicants resume chattering. Lee Minji’s voice was the loudest.
“How did you know?!”
“My eardrums are about to burst.”
“No, seriously! How did you guess the Nameless Swordmaster would come!”
“I didn’t. You told me to guess, so I guessed.”
“There are over 100 A-rank Hunters, and you randomly picked one out of those 100?”
“That’s just one in a hundred. Statistically, it’s not that impressive.”
“Oh… I guess when you put it that way, it does sound plausible?”
Of course, I didn’t get lucky. I knew. And the Nameless Swordmaster would naturally pass me.
He did in my past life too.
‘Kim Yeoul and Lee Minji can definitely pass as well.’
Not because their scores are high. As Yu Dosung said, scores are merely one criterion among many.
Public Hunters valued three other things above actual skill.
Intelligence, loyalty, and potential.
In short, they preferred an obedient C-rank over a disobedient B-rank.
“Next group: Number 21, Number 45, Number 93, Number 149.”
Less than three minutes later, the next batch was called, and applicants trembled with anxiety.
“Why is it ending so fast?”
“Are they passing everyone?”
“Probably? They must be?”
And one minute later.
“Next group: Number 8…….”
“That one didn’t even take a minute?”
“Is it really okay to pass them this quickly?”
Since those who’d finished their interviews didn’t return to the Auditorium, those still waiting couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“Manager, um… will I… will I pass? If I s-stammer, they’ll fail me, right?”
Kim Yeoul trembled with worry. In contrast, Lee Minji radiated confidence.
“Don’t worry, Yeoul. I’ll ask them to give you a chance. The association can’t ignore a request from me, right? Isn’t that so, mister?”
“Sure, sure.”
“How can you be so calm? Well, I guess you will definitely pass anyway, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“More or less.”
As for me, I won’t become a Public Hunter anyway, so I just want my turn to come soon.
“Next group: Number 77…….”
Finally, my number was called, and I stood from my seat.
“Number 266.”
Kim Yeoul also stood.
“Number 245.”
Lee Minji stood as well.
The three of us exchanged glances. What an absurdly convenient coincidence?
‘A coincidence, my ass.’
I was certain this was no accident whatsoever. And for good reason…….
“Number 76. You four, please proceed to the Interview Room.”
The girl sitting in front of us, Cheon Ihwa, turned around and waved goodbye.
* * *
The walk to the Interview Room was longer than expected. And strange.
An Association employee didn’t guide us—Cheon Ihwa did.
‘This didn’t happen in my past life.’
It made sense, though.
Since my past and present paths diverged completely, the future naturally had to as well.
Cheon Ihwa simply turned her head and spoke with meaning.
“We’re special, so they decided to have someone special evaluate us.”
Kim Yeoul and Lee Minji wondered who could be more famous than the Nameless Swordmaster, but I knew who was coming.
‘The Association Chairman has arrived.’
Sure enough, where Cheon Ihwa stopped was a remote, secluded place.
“We’re here.”
Kim Yeoul took a deep breath and clasped her hands tightly.
Lee Minji also swallowed hard as the interview loomed near.
“Huff, huff…….”
“Don’t be nervous, Yeoul. I’ll show them what I can do first.”
“Hehe, ready?”
Cheon Ihwa smiled at ease and opened the door.
The room was simple. Four chairs and one table. Someone sat at the table, reading a newspaper.
Slowly.
As the newspaper lowered, it revealed an elderly man. The kind of kind-faced grandfather you’d see anywhere in the neighborhood.
Yet the mere appearance of his presence left Kim Yeoul and Lee Minji unable to breathe.
Their minds went completely white under the immense pressure.
Meanwhile, I bowed respectfully.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Chairman Cheon Mujong.”
Chairman Cheon Mujong of the Hunter Association welcomed us with a smile.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————