I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 101

Promotion (9)

 

Kang Ian had never felt as rich as he did right now in his life.

It wasn’t material wealth.

It was a kind of mental richness.

 

[Souls of Evil: 56,613]

[Nobility: 8,012]

 

During the Jeonju Gate Outbreak, he had raked in a huge amount of Nobility.

And this time, during the DMZ Black Gate incident, he had gathered an enormous amount of Souls of Evil.

‘It feels like just yesterday that I spent everything down to zero buying new gear and sword aura skills… and now I’ve recovered it all like this.’

‘So this is what they mean by feeling full without even eating.’

On top of that, he had completed the quest.

If he collected the quest rewards and used these points well, he would be able to take another step forward.

<Young knight. Take this first.>

Tezeros handed Kang Ian a small box.

It was a small cube-shaped box, with a strangely shimmering appearance.

[Shining Valhalla Random Box]

[When opened, you will receive either a skill or an item at random.]

‘Before, the one I got was just a normal, random box.’

A Shining Random Box had a higher chance of giving good items.

Considering that last time he got the ‘Replica of Saint Burta’s Gloves’, it was worth looking forward to.

“Thank you. I will gratefully accept it.”

<It is only the natural result of your efforts.>

Kang Ian carefully stored the box in his subspace.

It was nice… but that wasn’t the important part right now.

<And as promised, I will grant you access to the secret swordsmanship.>

‘Right. This!’

Valhalla’s Secret Swordsmanship.

The moment you learn it, your attack power increases, and the more you train, the more it grows.

Eventually, in the later stages, you can even wield aura.

Normally, you’d have to level up much more and become a high-ranking knight to learn it…

<However, gaining the qualification and being capable are two different matters.>

“…Excuse me?”

<It means your physical and mental growth are insufficient to learn this swordsmanship. As it is a technique that embodies the will of great Valhalla, learning it without adequate ability may cause problems.>

“…What kind of problems?”

<Your body may fail to withstand it and undergo necrosis, or your mind may collapse. Problems like that.>

“….”

Kang Ian was dumbfounded.

Then they should’ve said that beforehand.

What was he supposed to do, being told this after completing the quest?

‘I can’t exactly argue with him…’

He couldn’t protest either.

If he did, only he would suffer.

So he spoke as logically as possible.

“Lord Tezeros. However, I have completed the quest. If the reward differs from what was promised, that would be a bit difficult. Is there any way around this?”

<There is one way. If you receive the blessing of an angel, it will awaken your potential and allow you to learn swordsmanship.>

“Oh. Then could you grant me that blessing?”

<Angels are picky. To receive their blessing, you must pay Souls of Evil and Nobility.>

“….”

What kind of shameless scheme is this…!?

Kang Ian glared, but with Tezeros wearing a helmet, he couldn’t see his expression.

“…How much do I need to pay?”

<50,000 Souls of Evil. 8,000 Nobility.>

They’re taking everything! Every last bit!

Kang Ian frowned.

He thought he had saved up a lot… only to nearly lose it all like this.

<Personally, I do not recommend this method. Growing step by step is the proper path of a knight of Valhalla. You are doing well. You have exceeded the expectations of our order and achieved accomplishments worthy of it.>

Tezeros continued:

<If you steadily train, you will eventually grow into a high-ranking knight. At that time, in recognition of this mission, I will immediately pass on the secret swordsmanship to you. Why not wait until then?>

It felt like he was suggesting postponing the decision.

But Kang Ian was skeptical.

‘The sooner I learn the secret swordsmanship, the better.’

Learning one technique wouldn’t make him overwhelmingly strong instantly.

Of course, there would be a difference… but true growth comes through continuous training.

The first step toward becoming an overpowered knight who freely unleashes aura… was this very swordsmanship.

That’s why he wanted to learn it as soon as possible.

If he learned it later, the time to see results would be delayed.

“No. I will pay the cost and receive the blessing.”

<Is that your choice? With talent like yours, perhaps this is indeed the right decision. Very well.>

Tezeros nodded.

<Choose the discipline you desire.>

With a gesture, several options appeared before Kang Ian.

 

<Valhalla Secret Swordsmanship>  

<Valhalla Secret Spearmanship>  

<Valhalla Secret Dual Axe Technique>  

<Valhalla Secret Tower Shield Combat>  

***

 

There were many types of secret techniques.

But Kang Ian had already decided.

‘The Longsword of Sajade fit me pretty well. I’ll stick with sword-type weapons for now.’

He had used a mace before, which was good… but in terms of lethality, the sword was better.

And overall, the longsword had the best balance.

“I choose Secret Swordsmanship.”

<Very well. Continue to uphold the will of Valhalla and strive forward.>

Light burst from Tezeros’s hand and enveloped Kang Ian.

Ding!

 

[You have received the blessing of an angel]

[All stats +10]

[Skill: Valhalla Secret Swordsmanship acquired]

 

***

 

Shim Junseok arrived early at work and sat down, checking the day’s news.

What had happened in society yesterday and today… that was his usual morning routine.

There was quite a lot of interesting news.

 

[Black Gate appears in the DMZ. A-rank Hunter Hong Dayeon takes the lead]

[Hunters blinded by achievements and Kang Ian, who supports them from behind!]

[Silver Eagle Guild, led by A-rank Hong Dayeon, successfully clears the Black Gate. Rewards: 3 crystal stones and 3 skill stones!]

[Black Gate mystery? Sudden black fog and unconscious hunters! What did they see?]

 

All the news was about the Black Gate incident.

With Hong Dayeon leading from the front, not a single monster escaped the DMZ.

They wrapped things up cleanly, and naturally, the top contribution went to her Silver Eagle Guild.

Afterward, they quickly cleared the inside of the gate and collected rewards.

It was the expected result the moment it was known that Hong Dayeon was in charge.

After all, who could beat an A-rank hunter like her?

There were other A-rank hunters dispatched to areas outside Cheorwon, but in terms of contribution, they lagged far behind her.

‘There are articles about our Kang Ian too.’

Though there was more coverage of Hong Dayeon, articles about Kang Ian appeared here and there.

Most of them said similar things.

While other hunters, blinded by achievements, fought only for themselves, Kang Ian supported others from behind.

Even though he must have felt the same desire for credit, he restrained himself and chose to act for the bigger picture, sacrificing his own gains.

‘As expected, there’s no one like our Kang Ian. I really picked the right person.’

Shim Junseok nodded proudly.

Reading the comments, many people thought the same.

It was a relief to have a hunter like Kang Ian, who was someone who would bring honor to Korea.

How could someone like him even be in their office…

Of course, there was also concern.

‘He’s been working way too hard lately.’

Even during his U.S. trip, he barely rested and only worked.

After returning to Korea… constant requests, promotion, gate outbreak volunteering, Black Gate incident…

Kang Ian had been so busy that even sleep was scarce.

Considering that most hunters in the Happiness Office handled about one request per year… his diligence was absurd.

‘Yeah. I should tell him to take a break for a while.’

If he overworked him and Kang Ian decided to leave during contract renewal, what then?

As Shim Junseok continued reading the news…

‘But what’s this? A Black Gate mystery? Hunters all fainted?’

He was about to check the strange article… when the office door opened.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Kang Ian? You’re here early.”

It was Kang Ian.

Shim Junseok looked puzzled.

“You just returned from the Black Gate yesterday. Shouldn’t you rest more?”

“I should take on requests. What’s the point of resting?”

“….”

Hearing that right after he arrived made Shim Junseok worried.

‘Did I… put too much pressure on him?’

He had previously told Kang Ian how grateful he was, how hardworking he was compared to other hunters.

Maybe that had become a burden?

Otherwise, how could someone keep working this hard?

“Kang Ian. I’m serious… You should at least take a vacation. You’ve been pushing yourself too-”

“No! I’m a B-rank hunter now… I need to keep going! Please give me the request list.”

Kang Ian cut him off before he could finish.

His eyes were slightly bloodshot.

‘Do you know how hard I worked to gather those Souls of Evil and Nobility!?’

He had just spent almost everything buying Valhalla’s Secret Swordsmanship.

It felt like a salaryman on payday… happy for a moment, only to see the money vanish on bills and rent.

Still, this time he had been unusually lucky.

Gate outbreak and Black Gate incidents had happened back-to-back, letting him earn a huge amount at once.

At least he hadn’t lost something accumulated over a long time…

‘…Yeah right. Damn it. I’ll have to run myself ragged to rebuild this.’

Still, thanks to the angel’s blessing, his stats had increased, and he learned the secret swordsmanship.

Overall, it wasn’t bad.

Just… a little disappointing.

“Uh… alright. There are plenty of good requests. Now that you’re B-rank, you’ll start getting better ones.”

With Kang Ian being so firm, Shim Junseok nodded.

From a manager’s perspective, having a hardworking hunter was a blessing.

Knock knock

“?”

“?”

A knock came from outside.

Kang Ian quickly sat on the sofa, and Shim Junseok cleared his throat.

“Yes, come in.”

If it were one of their hunters, they’d just barge in.

Knocking meant it was likely a client.

The door opened, and a woman with long brown hair and a tired expression walked in.

“…Huh?”

Kang Ian immediately recognized her.

Researcher Lee Naeun from the National Crystal Research Institute.

“Researcher?”

“…Hello, Hunter Kang Ian. Hello, sir.”

Lee Naeun greeted both of them.

Then she looked at Kang Ian with a strange expression.

He wondered why… then flinched.

‘…Don’t tell me she came to retrieve the wave detector?’

Without realizing it, he raised his arm to cover his body.

The detector was safely hidden inside his suit.

It was an instinctive reaction.

This was bad.