I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 102

Training (1)

 

The wave detector had now become the most valuable item Kang Ian possessed.

The source of evil was a treasure that guaranteed a massive amount of Nobility.

And the detector that could locate it had become something indispensable in Kang Ian’s life.

So he looked at her with wary eyes… but fortunately, Researcher Lee Naeun didn’t bring up the wave detector at all.

“Hunter Kang Ian. Are you busy, by any chance?”

“…No?”

“Then… could you perhaps take on a request from our research institute?”

“…?”

Kang Ian glanced at Shim Junseok.

After a brief moment of thought, Shim Junseok immediately broke into a full-on capitalist smile.

“Oh my, so you’re a client! I can’t believe I kept someone so important standing this long. Please, have a seat over here!”

He quickly guided her to the sofa and even prepared her a cup of coffee.

“So… what kind of request have you come with?”

“This time, our research institute needs a hunter. I recommended Hunter Kang Ian to the director.”

“!”

Shim Junseok clenched his fist.

‘A request from the Crystal Research Institute!’

He had been hoping.

If she were making a personal request, it wouldn’t pay much. Even if she was a researcher, she was still an ordinary civilian… there was no way she could afford a hunter like Kang Ian.

But the National Crystal Research Institute was different.

It was a government institution, meaning it had a massive budget.

And while not as much as before, it was still sponsored by various corporations.

“Oh my, I see! That is truly an excellent choice! I’m not just saying this because he’s from our office… there’s no one better than Hunter Kang Ian. Skilled, responsible, handsome…”

Shim Junseok even clapped as he listed Kang Ian’s strengths.

Kang Ian, listening from the side, felt embarrassed.

“Anyway, he’s the best option!”

“I know. That’s exactly why I recommended him.”

Lee Naeun agreed.

Most researchers at the Crystal Research Institute were so absorbed in their work that many of them were unaware of outside affairs.

Which hunters were actually skilled and reputable, and which ones were just flashy on the outside?

In that sense, Lee Naeun had formed a very favorable impression of Kang Ian during their last job, which was why she came to request him again.

‘I feel a bit guilty.’

Kang Ian felt a prick in his conscience.

Even if it had been necessary, he had concealed the truth to obtain the wave detector… yet Lee Naeun thought so highly of him…

“I heard you recently became a B-rank hunter. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“This request is related to a B-rank gate. Would you be able to take it?”

Kang Ian nodded as if the question was unnecessary.

“Of course.”

Right now, he needed more requests… more work.

 

***

 

With the gate rampage in Jeonju and the Black Gate incident in the DMZ, there was a place he had ended up visiting a bit late.

The hospital.

Hong Dasom and Ryusei, whom he had rescued after barging into the gate, were hospitalized there.

Kang Ian bought fruits and drinks suitable for patients and went to visit them.

First was Ryusei’s hospital room.

“Mr. Kang?”

“Ryusei, are you alright?”

Ryusei, who had been lying in bed, quickly sat up upon seeing him.

Kang Ian examined him briefly… his expression didn’t look good.

It wasn’t like he could be in poor condition while resting in such a nice hospital room.

That meant the reason was something else.

Kang Ian immediately understood.

After a brief hesitation, he let out a faint sigh.

“…Sigh. I guess I have no choice but to lend you this.”

He opened the bag he was carrying.

Inside was one of his precious treasures.

The adjustable-weight dumbbell Kang Hoopung had gifted him!

Despite its small size, it could reach over 100 kg… a premium item.

He had brought it along just in case.

Carrying 100 kg was no longer heavy for him anyway.

“That is…?”

“A dumbbell. It’s made from special material from inside a gate, so even at this size, it’s enough for a workout. You can probably only do biceps and triceps with it, though…”

“Y-you’re giving that to me?”

Ryusei’s eyes sparkled.

He hadn’t suffered major injuries inside the gate, but he still had to stay hospitalized for a few days for stabilization.

Despite staying in a hotel-like room thanks to his wealth and status as a hunter, he was extremely frustrated by not being able to exercise.

Especially after realizing his own shortcomings at the gate.

He should’ve been training harder, yet he was stuck lying still… it was unbearable.

So receiving such an incredible gift from Kang Ian moved him deeply!

“…I’m lending it. Lending it. You must return it later.”

Kang Ian emphasized, just in case.

“Yes! Thank you!”

“You should recover quickly and get back to training. Hoopung hyung and I are waiting.”

“I want to join you so badly! I feel like I’m losing muscle day by day… Should I just escape the hospital today and go with you?”

“……”

Kang Ian should have immediately scolded him for saying something so absurd… but it was actually tempting.

He looked perfectly fine… did he really need to stay in the hospital?

 

***

 

At that same time, while Kang Ian was with Ryusei…

There was already a visitor in Hong Dasom’s room.

“Nice room.”

“That’s thanks to you. The moment they heard I was your sister, the higher-ups came and treated me with utmost care.”

A-rank hunter Hong Dayeon.

Having finished clearing the Black Gate, she had come straight to visit her younger sister.

“How are your injuries?”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t even injured. I was just stranded in the gate for a few days and stressed out. Just fatigue buildup.”

“Even so, you should rest when you can. Otherwise, your mental state will explode later.”

“Okay. I’ll remember that.”

Hong Dasom nodded.

She always took her sister’s advice to heart.

“But… you were with Hunter Kang Ian this time, right?”

“The Black Gate?”

“Yeah. How was he?”

Hong Dasom asked out of pure curiosity.

From what she had seen, Kang Ian wasn’t just skilled… he had good character as well.

A hunter worthy of respect and someone to learn from.

But her sister’s evaluation might be different.

She had never seen a hunter as cold and strict as her sister.

Even her own guild members were harshly criticized if they showed flaws.

And as an A-rank hunter, it was extremely rare for someone to meet her standards.

“He was outstanding. No… not just outstanding. Among those below A-rank, he was the best I’ve ever seen.”

“…Wow. I’ve never heard you say something like that before.”

Hong Dasom covered her mouth in shock.

Her sister could say something like that?

“He’s not someone who gets blinded by immediate gains like other hunters. And even after saving you, he didn’t ask me for anything in return.”

Hong Dayeon recalled the past.

Throughout the Black Gate incident, Kang Ian had only shown impressive behavior.

Not being greedy for achievements and focusing on supporting other hunters.

Yet when it mattered, he stepped forward without hesitation… just like when the strange boss monster appeared at the end.

Everyone had collapsed from the black smoke, creating a dangerous situation.

Only Kang Ian moved forward and defeated it.

Others didn’t know because they hadn’t seen it firsthand… but Hong Dayeon did.

Kang Ian was the savior of everyone present there.

“He’s someone worth learning from.”

“Right?”

“Ask him to team up with you. No matter how strong he is, he’s only B-rank now… he’ll need companions. Someone like you would be good enough to stand by his side.”

Hong Dasom herself was also a highly praised genius hunter.

With her ability to fully control wind, she resembled a mage.

After going through this major ordeal, her abilities had advanced another step.

This was typical for hunters with mentally-linked skills.

“I was actually planning to take the promotion exam soon. I need to work harder, too.”

Having learned a lot from Kang Ian, she wanted to follow him.

And at that moment…

Knock knock

“I’ve come to visit. May I come in?”

As if summoned by mention, Kang Ian’s voice came from outside.

The door slid open.

“Oh? Hunter Hong Dayeon, you’re here too?”

“Yes. I came to visit my sister.”

“Did the gate raid go well?”

“Hehe. Thanks to you. It wasn’t difficult at all.”

Kang Ian nodded.

‘With that overwhelming strength, of course it wasn’t.’

She could probably clear a gate with just a few punches.

It must have been incredibly easy.

“Looks like you came to visit as well, Hunter Kang Ian?”

“Yes. I brought some fruits and a few other things. How are you feeling, Hunter Hong Dasom?”

Kang Ian set the gifts down.

Hong Dasom smiled brightly.

“I’m fine. Honestly, I could be discharged right now, but the hospital insists I stay longer.”

“I see. Then… would you like to come with us?”

“…Huh? Where?”

Kang Ian pointed behind him.

Ryusei quickly rushed in through the door.

“Ryusei here was getting restless too, so we’re planning to go work out together.”

“…As far as I know, neither of you has been officially discharged.”

“Of course not. We’re sneaking out. Since you seem bored too, I’ll specially invite you.”

“……”

The two sisters stared at them in disbelief.

Taking patients out to exercise… even if they were fine, and Ryusei was eagerly anticipating it…

Something felt off.

Hong Dayeon suddenly felt a bit of regret.

She had just told her sister that Kang Ian was someone worth learning from…

What if she learned things like this…?

 

***

 

“Huff! Huff!”

“Ha!”

“Ugh!”

After finishing a set of squats, Kang Ian wiped his sweat.

Beside him, Kang Hoopung gave a thumbs-up.

“It’s been a while, but you’re still in great shape. Haven’t been slacking, huh?”

“How could I slack? I train every day.”

“That’s the spirit!”

A partner workout between the two.

“It would’ve been nice if Ryusei came along.”

“That’s a shame. There’s a certain charm in working out as three.”

In the end, Ryusei couldn’t come.

Hong Dayeon had firmly told him to go back to his hospital room.

When an A-rank hunter spoke that seriously, he had no choice but to comply.

‘Hunter Hong Dayeon seems like she’d be good at working out too. I should invite her next time.’

He couldn’t say it earlier because her glare was too intimidating… but next time, he would try.

“Alright, we’ve rested enough. Shall we go for another set?”

“Yes, hyung.”

Just as the two stood up…

“Tsk tsk. Still doing that mindless weightlifting, are you?”

“!”

A voice they couldn’t ignore came from behind.

They quickly turned their heads.

An unusual old man stood there.

No one knew when he had entered, but he was watching them nearby.

With his topknot hairstyle, flowing robe, and old-fashioned attire, he looked like someone straight out of a historical drama.

‘Don’t tell me…?’

Kang Ian had seen him online before.

That distinctive outfit.

The longsword at his waist.

And his empty left sleeve was fluttering in the air.

A-rank hunter.

The Sword King, Cheon Hajin.

The man is said to be the best swordsman in Korea.