I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 10 - Exploits (6)

“The tally is complete. We will now begin the meeting.”

 

A  representative from the Hunter Association entered and made the announcement.

 

Only then did Team Leader Lee Jikwang step away from Kang Ian.

 

He wanted to hold onto him longer and continue discussing the advantages of the Ohseong Guild, but…

 

‘Phew. Finally, some peace and quiet.’

 

Kang Ian inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief. 

 

The excessive attention he had been receiving had finally lessened.

 

The Association’s representative was addressing the hunters with words of commendation.

 

“The nation is grateful for your efforts, and saving the lives of the people is an honorable act…”

 

It was a speech that didn’t require much attention. 

 

Kang Ian half-listened while reviewing the rewards he had earned today.

 

A significant amount of Evil Souls and Nobility points.

 

‘And my level went up too.’

 

He had been too busy saving the hunters to properly acknowledge the level-up message, but he definitely felt its effects.

 

His physical abilities had definitely improved. 

 

He was stronger and faster.

 

‘It feels like the experience points needed to level up increase exponentially…’

 

In the Krufan Dungeon, he had leveled up after defeating just a few monsters.

 

Here, however, he had taken down a comparable number of monsters—D-rank ones at that—yet had only managed to level up once.

 

The amount of Evil Souls alone he gained was several times greater. 

 

Naturally, the experience gained should have been considerable as well.  

 

The fact that he only leveled up once meant the required experience had significantly increased.

 

‘Well, time will take care of that.’

 

The next thing to check was the quest reward.

 

Kang Ian could store and retrieve game items in his personal subspace.  

 

And in that subspace, there was an item he was certain he hadn’t put there.

 

[Mid-Low Tier Rune of Lightning Imbuement]

 

– Imbues a weapon with the power of lightning for 24 hours.

 

– Lightning deals fixed damage to demons.

 

‘A Rune of Lightning Imbuement… What are the odds?’

 

The Lightning Imbuement Rune was exactly what he had purchased with his Evil Souls. 

 

He had truly felt its effectiveness during this Black Gate incident. 

 

The only downside was that it lasted for just 24 hours.

 

But now, he had another one. 

 

No, it wasn’t exactly the same. 

 

It was a Mid-Low Tier Rune, not a Lesser one.

 

‘If I had bought this from the beginning, the situation could have been completely different.’

 

A tinge of regret crossed his mind.

 

Even though it was just a mid-low tier rune, it was worlds apart from the low-tier version.

 

In the game, its damage was nearly twice as high.

 

Moreover, the price was even more ridiculous—a whopping 200 Evil Souls.

 

If this were purely a game, it might have been acceptable. But for a consumable item that lasted only a day? Definitely not.

 

‘I’ll save this for a tougher dungeon later.’

 

Still, he had learned something valuable.

 

It was clear now—always complete quests whenever possible.

 

This one hadn’t even been particularly difficult, yet the reward was worth 200 Evil Souls. It was practically mandatory.

 

‘I wish I could get quests more often. I need to figure out what triggers them.’

 

In the game, quests could be obtained simply by visiting NPCs, but this was reality.

 

He still had no idea what he needed to do to receive another quest.

 

Anyway, having finished his check, Kang Ian turned his attention back to the Hunter Association’s representative.

 

At that moment.

 

[Young Knight of Valhalla-]

 

A familiar, deep voice echoed in Kang Ian’s ears, making him flinch.

 

[Contribute to the destruction of the source of evil!]

 

The voice disappeared after delivering its message, and a notification appeared simultaneously.

 

– Ding!

 

[A quest has been generated.]

 

[Quest: Attack the core of the Black Gate and destroy the gate.]

 

[Would you accept the quest?]

 

[Y/N]

 

Kang Ian’s expression hardened slightly as he read the content.

 

‘Ah…’

 

This might be a little difficult.

 

***

 

While Kang Ian was lost in thought, the other hunters were in a similar state.

 

The government official seemed quite pleased that the Black Gate incident had been resolved quickly.

 

Before announcing the priority rights, he stood on the podium and went on and on.

 

A staff member holding a camera took a few shots with the flash—probably intending to make a big PR move out of this.

 

‘This is going to take a while.’

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang had seen this Association official a few times before and guessed that this tedious speech would be quite lengthy.

 

“Team Leader.”

 

Just then, a support team member cautiously approached Team Leader Lee Jigwang, who was struggling to stifle a yawn.

 

“The official results are out.”

 

“Oh? How did it turn out?”

 

“We lost to the Red Rose Guild by nine kills.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang’s expression hardened.

 

The support team outside had heard the news first and relayed it to him.

 

“Ha… nine… That’s really frustrating…”

 

His gaze wandered, and he locked eyes with Team Leader Choi Seobin of the Red Rose Guild.

 

She was smirking slightly.  

 

Beside her, someone from the Red Rose Guild’s support team was whispering something to her.

 

‘She must have heard. Damn it.’

 

There was no last-minute comeback victory.  

 

Despite their strenuous efforts, it seemed they couldn’t overcome the difference of a few hours.

 

Just as Team Leader Lee Jigwang was about to give up and leave the barracks…

 

‘Wait… Isn’t there one more possible method?’

 

His gaze snapped back. 

 

Towards Kang Ian. 

 

Kang Ian was focused, staring into space as if deep in thought.

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang glanced at the Association official (whose speech seemed like it would drag on) and approached Kang Ian.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian. If you’ll excuse me, could you come this way for a moment…”

 

“Yes?”

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang gestured for him to follow and stepped outside the barracks. 

 

Kang Ian tilted his head in confusion but followed.

 

“I apologize for calling you out like this.”

 

“No, it’s fine. But what’s the matter…?”

 

“I’ll get straight to the point. Please join our Ohseong Guild.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

Kang Ian wondered if he had misheard. 

 

But Team Leader Lee Jigwang was serious.

 

“I was planning to make this offer anyway, after the incident at the Krupan Dungeon. I know this is a bit unorthodox, but this is Ohseong Guild we’re talking about. We promise you the best treatment in the industry, Hunter Kang Ian. Contract fees, salary, benefits—whatever you want.”

 

“…”

 

Kang Ian remained silent. His mind raced.

 

‘Ohseong Guild… Of course, I’d love to, but…’

 

Just a short while ago, he was a job seeker spending his days writing resumes. 

 

Back then, Ohseong group had been a dream company. 

 

The number one company in the country, with a generous salary, the ultimate goal for any job seeker. 

 

He felt he could dedicate his life to them if they just hired him.

 

‘Hmm…’

 

But now he was hesitant.  

 

Kang Ian hadn’t yet fully utilized his awakened abilities.  

 

Even though he had accumulated a lot of ‘Evil Souls’ and ‘Nobility’ today, it was still a drop in the ocean compared to what he needed to purchase good items in the game.

 

Besides, considering future potential, how many hunters could match Kang Ian’s?  Thinking about that, it seemed a waste to casually join any guild, even Ohseong Guild.

 

He decided to ask the obvious question.

 

“Is there a particular reason why you’re making this offer now?”

 

“It’s because of the Black Gate priority rights. We lost to the Red Rose Guild by nine monsters.”

 

“And?”

 

“If Hunter Kang Ian were in our guild, we would have won. You must have caught at least ten or more.”

 

He hadn’t been keeping count while focusing on rescuing other hunters, but he must have killed at least a dozen.

 

If those were added, the Five Star Guild would have surpassed Red Rose and taken first place. 

 

That was the reason why Team Leader Lee Jigwang was specifically inviting Kang Ian now.

 

“Ha! Don’t be ridiculous!”

 

A sharp voice came from behind them.  

 

It was Team Leader Choi Seobin of the Red Rose, who had come outside.

 

“Team Leader Choi?”

 

“Team Leader Lee. Do you really plan on pulling a dirty move like that?”

 

“…”

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang averted his gaze, embarrassed.

 

Choi Seobin stopped pressing him and looked at Kang Ian instead.

 

“You’re Hunter Kang Ian, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Come to our Red Rose Guild instead. We’ll give you the best treatment.”

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang, standing beside him, was even more surprised than Kang Ian.

 

“What are you talking about all of a sudden…!!?”

 

“It was Team Leader Lee Jigwang who acted improperly first. So, what do you say, Hunter Kang Ian? Our Red Rose Guild isn’t lacking in any way.”

 

“…”

 

Kang Ian tried to maintain a neutral expression, but inwardly, he was quite shocked.

 

‘Wow… what’s going on?’

 

Objectively speaking, with his awakened abilities, he deserved to join a good guild. But he never dreamed it would happen this fast.

 

However, Team Leader Choi Seobin hadn’t made this offer on a whim. It was a calculated decision.

 

‘He saved Bora and many other hunters. Since Team Leader Lee brought up recruitment, he must be unaffiliated. An unaffiliated hunter who came here to save others must have excellent character. I don’t know his rank yet, but it can’t be bad.’

 

Even though it was all because of the Black Gate priority rights, seeing Team Leader Lee Jigwang making a recruitment offer with such a humble attitude—

 

Kang Ian must have enough ability to warrant that kind of approach.

 

In that case, recruiting him into the Red Rose Guild would also be a great choice!

 

“…I’ll think about it.”

 

In the end, Kang Ian couldn’t make a decision.

 

“Both offers are too good to refuse. Haha.”

 

“Sure, take your time.”

 

Team Leader Choi Seobin seemed indifferent, while Team Leader Lee Jigwang looked truly disappointed.

 

***

 

“Please, just let me in!”

 

“I cannot.”

 

“Seriously? I’m a reporter! A reporter! Are you discriminating against me?”

 

“Without a pass, you cannot enter.”

 

A reporter pleaded with the soldier at the barricade, begging to be let inside. 

 

They started with polite requests, then moved to anger, and finally resorted to pleading. Despite their efforts, the soldier remained unmoved.

 

“Sigh…”

 

The reporter finally sighed and turned away. 

 

It wasn’t the soldier’s fault. 

 

They should blame their own company for not securing exclusive reporting rights like the major news outlets.

 

They checked the photos they had taken today. 

 

The results were underwhelming. 

 

Unable to enter the restricted area, all their photos were taken from a distance.

 

Exterior shots of the Black Gate, monsters swarming the beach, hunters too far away for proper facial recognition…

 

“Ugh. If I write an article with this, our editor-in-chief will chew me out again.”

 

Reporters thrived on views. 

 

Naturally, they were obsessed with finding sensational stories. 

 

To get those views, they needed at least a proper interview with a hunter.

 

However, proper reporting on the Black Gate was beyond their reach.

 

They needed a different angle, but nothing promising came to mind.

 

“Oh!?”

 

Then, a photo they had taken casually caught their eye. 

 

A hunter getting permission from the soldiers and entering the restricted area.

 

“Ah, this guy. The unaffiliated F-rank!”

 

They had taken the photo out of curiosity, finding it unusual that such a hunter still existed. 

 

In a society where hunters were driven by money and self-interest, and where some high-ranking hunters had been criticized for elitist remarks, it was intriguing that a low-rank, unaffiliated hunter would willingly sacrifice himself and come to a place like this.

 

Staring at the photo, an idea for an article sparked.

 

“This… This might work.”

 

If they couldn’t do what everyone else was doing, they just needed to find a different approach. The perfect material was right in front of them.

 

For the title, something like…

 

[Even in these times, heroes still exist!]

 

…should do the trick.