I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 14 - Leap (1)

Kang Ian followed Section Chief Jeon Jaewon of the Association to a quiet place.

 

“Coffee? Tea? What would you like?”

 

“Coffee, please.”

 

“Alright. Please wait a moment.”

 

Inside the temporary office, set up like a barracks.

 

This was where Jeon Jaewon handled his duties, and judging by the scattered piles of documents, he had been quite busy.

 

As Kang Ian observed the interior, he glanced at Section Chief Jeon Jaewon.

 

‘A section chief in the Association is a pretty high position. Yet he’s personally making coffee?’

 

Watching Section Chief Jeon Jaewon brewing drip coffee, Kang Ian realized he hadn’t been summoned for casual reasons.

 

Indeed, his assumption was correct.

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon’s mind was in turmoil.

 

‘Could the article be true?’

 

A high-traffic article he happened to come across.

 

[Even in these times, heroes still exist!]

 

It featured Kang Ian, an unaffiliated F-rank hunter who appeared at the scene of the Black Gate incident. 

 

The gist was simple:

 

It expressed surprise that a hunter driven by a sense of justice still existed in this day and age.

 

The comments all echoed the sentiment of the article.

 

– Wow, a hunter like this still exists.

 

– I heard of a hunter who refused to move unless they were paid 5 billion won, even with a gate about to explode.

 

– In a time when gates are all about money, human lives seem to be disregarded. I’m glad to see a true hunter emerge.

 

The Gate, dungeon, and Hunter industries had grown exponentially.

 

The market had become so vast that its scale was impossible to measure.

 

The crystals obtained from Gates were the most crucial energy source for humanity, making Hunters one of the most coveted professions.

 

Naturally, wealth and fame poured into the industry, and Hunters, being physically powerful, held overwhelming advantages.

 

Veteran Hunters could easily overpower armed soldiers.

 

On top of that, they possessed special abilities known as ‘skills’.

 

Some even speculated that, as time passed, Hunters would eventually rule over humanity.

 

Jeon Jaewon thought that theory was a bit extreme, but…

 

‘It’s true that more Hunters are prioritizing money and material gain over duty or honor.’

 

In such a climate, a righteous hunter willing to sacrifice himself?

 

Furthermore, Section Chief Jeon Jaewon had reviewed drone footage of Kang Ian’s actions inside the Black Gate.

 

Kang Ian had gone around saving hunters in distress at Lighthouse Beach.

 

He hadn’t asked for anything in return.

 

His sole focus was on saving lives.

 

The rescued hunters recognized this and had later sought him out to sincerely express their gratitude.

 

Of course, the reality was that Kang Ian had been working hard to gain ‘Nobility’ points…

 

But Jeon Jaewon had no way of knowing that.

 

‘It would be fantastic if I could bring him to the Association!’

 

That was why he was determined to recruit Kang Ian.

 

– Clink.

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon placed the brewed coffee in front of Kang Ian.

 

“Please, have some. I enjoy coffee, so I often brew it myself.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Kang Ian took a sip.

 

“It certainly has a deep flavor.”

 

“Haha. I knew a hunter like yourself would appreciate it.”

 

Of course, Kang Ian couldn’t distinguish subtle coffee flavors.

 

He only knew the difference between bitter and not bitter.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I know you’re busy, so I’ll get straight to the point. Frankly, the Hunter Association would like to recruit you.”

 

“Well, I think working for the country wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

 

Kang Ian nodded.  

 

Weren’t government officials once considered ideal husbands? Stable job, relatively easy work…

 

‘Would a government hunter be different?’

 

As Kang Ian pondered this, Section Chief Jeon Jaewon spoke with a slightly apologetic expression.

 

“Um… I’m very sorry, but we can’t offer the same compensation as private companies. As a new hunter, the maximum we can offer is an annual salary starting at 100 million won…”

 

“100 million won?”

 

“Yes… Of course, there are slightly better tax benefits compared to private companies, but… it’s not much.”

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon averted his gaze, embarrassed.

 

The terms the Hunter Association could offer were ridiculously inadequate compared to private companies.  

 

It was a budgetary issue, and delving deeper, it was intertwined with politics.

 

In the early days of the Hunter era, corporate lobbying had shaped these policies, and by now, they had become deeply ingrained.

 

It wasn’t something Jeon Jaewon could change at will.

 

‘What? It’s a government offer, but why are the terms so poor?’

 

Naturally, Kang Ian wasn’t enticed. 

 

It was only one-fifth of what Team Leader Choi Seobin of Red Rose Guild had offered.

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon read Kang Ian’s expression. He continued calmly,

 

“And in terms of duties, you would be the first to be deployed in urgent situations like the recent Black Gate incident. You would also participate in gate raids that are difficult for private companies to handle, as well as public security maintenance. Rescuing civilians in danger, without compensation, is also a frequent task.”

 

His strategy was simple.

 

Be truthful.

 

If Kang Ian was truly a righteous hunter, different from those motivated solely by money, wouldn’t he at least consider the offer based on its sincerity?

 

Although his reaction was slightly different from what Section Chief Jeon Jaewon expected, Kang Ian did listen attentively. 

 

The Association’s work seemed more appealing than he had thought.

 

‘First response in emergencies? Frequent civilian rescues?’

 

Being the first on the scene when monsters appeared would greatly benefit his ‘Evil Soul’ acquisition. 

 

Rescuing people, as he had experienced, would significantly boost his ‘Nobility.’

 

If he joined a regular guild, he would only participate in gate raids, usually focusing on safe dungeons for stable crystal stone acquisition. 

 

There wouldn’t many crisis situation, and though he would be able to easily obtain crystal stones, he wouldn’t gain ‘Nobility.’

 

On the other hand, being in the Association would force him into numerous rescue situations.

 

Working for the Association would fulfill both requirements for increasing his stats!

 

‘…That doesn’t sound bad at all?’

 

Others might see it as the worst deal imaginable, but to Kang Ian, it seemed quite advantageous.

 

Even the 100 million won salary—while small compared to Red Rose Guild’s offer—felt substantial to a former job seeker like him.

 

Still, he couldn’t agree immediately.

 

This was a major decision regarding his future.

 

“I’ll give it serious consideration and let you know.”

 

“!”

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon’s face lit up with emotion. 

 

One skill he had honed from meeting countless people was the ability to discern whether someone was sincere or just being polite.

 

And he could tell—Kang Ian wasn’t just saying this to brush him off.

 

He was genuinely considering it, despite the absurd conditions.

 

‘He’s… the real deal!’

 

Section Chief Jeon Jaewon was grateful that such a hunter existed. 

 

It reaffirmed his belief that there was still good in the world.

 

‘A person like him should become a high-ranking hunter…’

 

If the upper ranks were pure, then the lower ranks had a chance to follow.

 

Therefore, Section Chief Jeon Jaewon made a promise.

 

“Hunter Kang, even if you don’t join the Association, if you ever face any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

 

“…? Ah, yes. I will. Thank you.”

 

Kang Ian tilted his head.

 

Why was he suddenly being so nice…?

 

***

 

Ohseong Guild’s 3rd Gate Raid Division.

 

Team 2, led by Team Leader Lee Jigwang, was dispatched north of Seoul, towards Uijeongbu.

 

They had arrived directly after handling the Black Gate incident in Gangneung. 

 

The case was simple:

 

A villain had appeared.

 

Villains were Awakened who weren’t affiliated with regular guilds and misused their powers for illegal activities.

 

The villain problem had long been a major headache for society.

 

Their argument was simple:

 

– Why should we, with our power, operate within the system created by the weak? We will wield our power as we please!

 

To awakened hunters, it was a tempting idea.

 

After all, they had gained superhuman abilities—why wouldn’t they want to do whatever they pleased instead of following rules and living like mere hunters?

 

This led many hunters to become villains.

 

In a country like South Korea, where public order was well-maintained, villain organizations were rare. However, in some foreign countries, entire nations had fallen into the hands of villains.

 

“Case closed.”

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang muttered as he handcuffed the unconscious villain.

 

Beside him, a man clapped.

 

“Whew. Good work, hyungnim. Your skills haven’t dulled.”

 

“It’s nothing. This guy was small-fry. I mean, what kind of fool robs banks in this day and age just because they’ve awakened?”

 

“Come on, he wasn’t that weak. He had some decent skills.”

 

The man’s name was Shim Junseok.  

 

He had once been a hunter in Ohseong Guild alongside Lee Jigwang. 

 

Now, he had left the guild, established his own agency, and become its CEO.

 

“But why are you here yourself, as the CEO? I thought you weren’t doing fieldwork anymore.”

 

“Sigh, that’s the thing. I’m short-staffed. Everyone else is out on other missions, so I had no choice.”

 

“Then just refuse the request.”

 

“Don’t say such crazy things, hyungnim. That would instantly damage the agency’s reputation. Ouch, my joints ache.”

 

CEO Shim Junseok said, tapping his knee. It wasn’t an exaggerated gesture. He had almost retired from the hunter industry due to a severe knee injury.

 

He had barely recovered, but it wasn’t a full recovery, which led him to establish his agency.

 

Team Leader Lee Jigwang looked at CEO Shim Jun-seok with a bitter expression.

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Ah, hyungnim, don’t look at me like that. I’m doing well. This suits me better than before. You know I’m well-connected.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

CEO Shim Junseok was incredibly well-connected. 

 

He knew countless hunters and industry figures, to the point where it was said he could reach any hunter in Korea through one or two intermediaries.

 

Utilizing this talent, he had established his agency, recruiting freelance hunters and undertaking various requests.

 

“So, hyungnim, do you know anyone you could introduce to my agency?”

 

“No. You’re incredibly picky. How many hunters do you think can actually meet your standards?”

 

“Come on, don’t say that. Really, no one? Ohseong Guild must know tons of talented individuals.”

 

At Shim Junseok’s insistence, Team Leader Lee Jigwang considered it.

 

A hunter who met Shim Junseok’s standards…

 

‘…Actually, there is one.’

 

There was one.

 

Hunter Kang Ian.

 

He had been interested in him before, and this F-rank hunter had displayed incredible character and skill during the Black Gate incident. 

 

A walking gem!

 

“…”

 

However, Team Leader Lee Jigwang kept his mouth shut. 

 

He wanted to recruit Kang Ian himself; he couldn’t just casually reveal his existence.

 

“Oh? There is someone? Right?”

 

However, CEO Shim Junseok was perceptive. 

 

He caught the subtle change in Lee Jigwang’s expression and pressed him further.

 

“Hyungnim, don’t hide it, just tell me.”

 

“…”

 

“Wow, you’re really trying to hide it? That means it’s not just any hunter, but a real ‘gem,’ right?”

 

Shim Joonseok knew Lee Jigwang well enough to be shocked. 

 

Such a reaction from the renowned Team Leader Lee Jigwang of Ohseong Guild?

 

“Hyungnim, are you seriously doing this to me? We’ve been through so much together.”

 

“Seriously! I can’t. I’m going to bring him to our guild.”

 

As CEO Shim Junseok appealed to their shared past, Team Leader Lee Jigwang shook his head firmly.

 

However, his wavering eyes gave him away.

 

“Please! Just let me meet him! Just to make an offer! No, just to get acquainted! Please?”

 

“Ugh…”

 

“Is Ohseong Guild going to hoard all the talent in Korea? Ah, hyungnim!! Please!!”

 

CEO Shim Junseok clung to Lee Jigwang’s arm.  

 

In the end, Team Leader Lee Jigwang gave in.

 

“Ugh, fine. Just get off me. You’re annoying.”

 

“Haha! That’s a promise, then?”

 

“I don’t know. I’ll ask him first.”

 

Lee Jigwang sighed as he answered.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, at the same time the two were bickering…

 

The tumultuous Black Gate incident had concluded, and Kang Ian arrived home.

 

Though battle fatigue washed over him, his first action wasn’t to collapse onto his bed.

 

There was no time for sleep.

 

“I have to play the game! The game!”

 

He immediately launched ‘Devil Lord 3.’ 

 

It was time to upgrade his stats using the Soul of Evil and Nobility he had painstakingly collected.