I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 21 - Promotion (1)

Kang Ian cleared two dungeons and returned to the Happiness Office.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

CEO Shim Junseok and Kang Ian sat facing each other. 

 

Shim Junseok was dumbfounded.

 

‘No, does this even make sense?’

 

It was too fast. Too fast.

 

He had only assigned Kang Ian two E-rank dungeons. Though he had asked if he could handle both, deep down, he thought it wouldn’t be too difficult for him.

 

He had seen it firsthand and heard stories as well.

 

But this was beyond expectations.

 

Considering the travel time, Kang Ian had completed each dungeon in less than 30 minutes.

 

“Good job, Hunter Kang Ian. The payment will be deposited by the end of the day.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“How was it?”

 

“Hmm… To be honest, it was easy.”

 

Kang Ian shrugged.

 

It wasn’t just easy—it was almost boring. He nearly felt sleepy.

 

He realized that E-rank dungeons were no longer suitable for his level.

 

‘I barely get any Evil Souls, and my level isn’t rising.’

 

Unlike other hunters, Kang Ian had a leveling system.

 

He wasn’t sure exactly how much experience was needed to level up, but he instinctively knew that E-rank monsters weren’t providing enough.

 

“Then it’s time for a promotion.”

 

Shim Junseok nodded. 

 

Promotion. 

 

Hunters started at F-rank, but depending on their abilities, growth rate, and the nature of their powers, some could advance quickly.

 

“Kang Ian, it hasn’t even been two weeks since your awakening, has it? And you’re already up for a promotion. That’s incredibly fast.”

 

“Is it?”

 

“Yes. Of course, some top hunters have reached E-rank within a week.”

 

However, rapid growth at low ranks wasn’t as important as maintaining that growth at higher levels.

 

“How do I apply?”

 

“You just need to submit some paperwork. It can be a hassle, so I’ll take care of it for you. Since you’re registered with our office, I’m allowed to do that.”

 

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

 

As Kang Ian expressed his gratitude, Shim Junseok smiled and pulled out a document from his drawer.

 

<E-rank Promotion Application>

 

“I prepared this in advance, haha.”

 

He had anticipated this conversation.

 

However, Kang Ian shook his head.

 

“Not that one.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I want to go straight to D-rank.”

 

“…”

 

Shim Junseok stared at him in disbelief, but Kang Ian’s gaze was unwavering.

 

‘Skipping straight to D-rank should be doable.’

 

The monsters he faced during the Black Gate incident were D-rank. 

 

Being surrounded would be dangerous, but in a one-on-one fight, they were manageable.

 

“A two-rank promotion at once? Are you sure?”

 

“Of course.  Is it not possible?”

 

“It’s possible. It’s not unprecedented.”

 

Among the current top A-rank and above, some had experienced such double promotions.

 

“Then please do it that way.”

 

“You seem confident.”

 

At Shim Junseok’s words, Kang Ian didn’t answer, only offering a slight smile.

 

Confident? It would be strange if he wasn’t.

 

There were some preparations to make, but as long as things went as planned, there wouldn’t be any issues.

 

‘Or should I go for three ranks? Jumping straight to C-rank might work too.’

 

The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head.

 

Reality was harsh. Overconfidence could lead to mistakes.

 

It was safer to take things one step at a time.

 

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

 

***

 

The evaluation was scheduled quickly. It was set for the very next day.

 

He wasn’t sure if this was standard procedure or if CEO Shim Junseok had pulled some strings, but the speed was appreciated.

 

It was probably Shim Junseok’s doing.  

 

Even with expedited processing, it was unlikely a promotion test could be arranged in a single day.

 

Thanks to him, Kang Ian could save a lot of time.

 

The conditions for becoming a D-rank Hunter were simple:

 

Enter a dungeon with examiners assigned by the Association.

 

Demonstrate skills deemed satisfactory by the examiners.

 

The examiners’ scores would be combined to determine the final result.

 

“So, the important thing is which examiners you get assigned. Some are picky, or have their own subjective criteria. If you’d like, I can get a list. We can tailor a strategy.”

 

That was what Shim Junseok had advised.

 

Some evaluators focused solely on raw combat power, while others placed more emphasis on strategic decision-making when encountering terrain or monsters.

 

However, Kang Ian declined the offer.

 

Research the examiners’ tendencies?  

 

Overwhelming power rendered such tactics unnecessary.

 

‘With my abilities, D-rank or C-rank are just stepping stones.’

 

He had his sights set on something much grander.

 

To achieve that, he needed only two things: a vast amount of ‘Evil Souls’ and ‘Nobility.’

 

Kang Ian opened Devil Road 3. 

 

He rushed to the sanctuary’s NPC and checked the item list.

 

By defeating villains and saving people, he’d earned far more Nobility than expected. 

 

He scrolled through the item and skill lists.

 

‘Honestly, there’s so much I want to buy.’

 

He wanted to buy everything if he could. But he needed to focus. 

 

He pondered over what was most efficient, and made his choice.

 

<Skill: Floating Shield>

 

– Effect: Imbues a shield with will, allowing it to float and orbit the caster automatically.

 

– Nobility Required: 400.

 

A skill costing a whopping 400 Nobility.  

 

With the right item combinations, he could later enhance the shield to launch guided explosive bolts. But for now, that was beyond his reach.

 

Among his current equipment, the best item was the Saint Ksunu’s Kite Shield, a quest reward.

 

This skill would maximize its effectiveness.

 

“Skills are done. Now let’s look at items.”

 

Unlike Nobility, he didn’t have many Evil Souls. 

 

This was why he needed to be promoted quickly. 

 

Higher-ranked dungeons would provide more Evil Souls, allowing him to collect them at a faster pace.

 

Still, he had enough for a decent purchase.

 

The main reason he had chosen Floating Shield was simple—it freed up both hands.

 

That meant he could now wield a two-handed weapon.

 

“Ha. The problem is choosing which one.”

 

Numerous two-handed weapons dazzled his eyes. If he had more Evil Souls, he could buy and experiment with various weapons, but that wasn’t an option now.

 

So, he scraped together all his Evil Souls and selected one.

 

<Lowest-Grade Lightning Spirit Spear>

 

– Item Rank: Rare.

 

– Item Effect: Attack Power +22.

 

– Lightning Attack Power +5.

 

– A spear imbued with the faint power of a lightning spirit.

 

His first Rare item purchase!  

 

He’d been pleased with the results when he’d applied the Lightning Rune previously.

 

This was the cheapest two-handed weapon with a lightning effect, so he chose it.

 

Even so, it depleted all his Evil Souls.  

 

He was broke in an instant.

 

‘The problem is, I’ve never used a spear before…’

 

He’d have to trust his skills.  

 

It wasn’t like he’d had any experience with swords before either.

 

Among the first skills he’d purchased with Nobility was ‘Valhalla’s Compressed Mastery (P).’  It allowed him to handle swords and shields naturally.

 

A spear should be no different.

 

‘I need to practice before tomorrow’s promotion evaluation.’

 

His newly acquired skill and weapon were transferred to his subspace.

 

He took them out in his room.

 

A refined, elegant spear.

 

Just looking at it filled him with confidence.

 

Gripping the weapon, Kang Ian stepped outside.

 

He needed to find an isolated spot for practice.

 

***

 

Hunter promotion evaluations were overseen by the Association. 

 

Examiners were invited from various active guilds.

 

Hunters on the front lines were the most suitable for this role.

 

Three examiners were present, all B-rank Hunters from different guilds. Two women and one man. The industry wasn’t large, so they were generally acquainted.

 

“It’s been a while, everyone. Didn’t expect to see you all as examiners.”

 

“Sojung! How have you been?”

 

“Same as always.”

 

The two women initiated the conversation.  

 

Sung Daeun and Bae Sojung.  

 

Even after a long time apart, they could talk as if they had just met yesterday.

 

Next to them sat a quiet, burly tank-class hunter with a massive shield on his back.

 

Sung Daeun glanced at him and spoke.

 

“Mr. Jo Jaehyun, I asked how you’ve been, but you haven’t answered?”

 

“Not bad.”

 

“Honestly, talking to you is like talking to a rock every time. Isn’t that right, unnie?”

 

Sung Daeun sighed dramatically, and Bae Sojung gave an awkward laugh. 

 

She had thought the same thing more than once.

 

After exchanging brief pleasantries, they got down to business.

 

They’d heard the rumors before arriving. The rookie star.

 

“It’s unbelievable for an F-rank Hunter to make headlines, twice no less.”

 

“That just means his character is commendable.”

 

Not only had he made the news twice, but both Ohseong Guild and Red Rose had reportedly extended lucrative recruitment offers.

 

And surprisingly, he’d declined both, opting to affiliate with a small office and operate as a semi-freelancer.

 

The news had spread like wildfire throughout the industry in just two days.

 

“The Happiness Office, right? The one with the former Ohseong hunter as CEO?”

 

“Yes. That guy is known for his extensive network across all guilds, but he’s also notorious for being picky about who he takes in.”

 

“It’s not a place you can just join. The rookie must be incredibly skilled.”

 

A skilled hunter with exemplary character.  

 

A talent capable of rapid advancement.

 

Therefore, they had each received special instructions from their respective guild leaders: Observe Hunter Kang Ian closely and, if possible, build a positive relationship.

 

‘Office contracts aren’t as long as guild contracts. A year or two at most. Then we might be able to bring him over.’

 

It was wise to maintain a good relationship for the future. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation.

 

“I’m curious. What kind of abilities will he show? Applying for a double promotion must mean he’s something special.”

 

“Even so, we have to be objective in our evaluation. The Association could raise questions later.”

 

“Of course, naturally.”

 

The evaluation would begin in two hours.  

 

The examiners eagerly awaited the moment.

 

***

 

On the day of the evaluation, Kang Ian went to the Association-designated gate with several other hunters.

 

The location was near Jeongja-dong, Bundang.  

 

A smile touched Kang Ian’s lips.

 

‘Lucky.’

 

It wasn’t far from his home. No need for a long, bothersome trip.  

 

With such a convenient start, he had a good feeling about today.

 

In front of them swirled a yellow vortex, marking it as a D-rank Gate.

 

Three Hunters were participating in the evaluation.  

 

Two E-ranks and Kang Ian, the F-rank. 

 

The E-rank Hunters looked anxious, their faces etched with nervousness.

 

Behind them, the examiners waited, holding evaluation sheets.

 

“Please enter when you’re ready.”

 

At the prompt, the two E-rank Hunters took deep breaths, trying to calm their nerves.

 

Kang Ian, on the other hand, was completely calm. 

 

After a day of testing his new weapon and skill…

 

‘I should have applied for a C-rank promotion.’

 

That thought naturally came to mind.

 

Observing Kang Ian discreetly, the examiners were impressed.

 

‘He’s relaxed. It doesn’t seem like he’s faking it…’

 

‘Is he that confident?’

 

Whether it was overconfidence or natural composure would soon be revealed.

 

“Then, let’s go in.”

 

The examiners and the hunters entered the gate.