I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 34 - Fame (10)

“…Did you just say you’re doing volunteer work right now?”

 

CEO Shim Junseok asked again.

 

Shim Junseok, Team Leader Choi Seobin, and Jeong Bo-ra—all three were utterly bewildered.

 

Even if a dungeon was relatively easy, accumulated fatigue was unavoidable.

 

Even if a Hunter walked out without a scratch, the mental toll was significant.

 

Fighting, killing, constantly being exposed to the bloodlust of monsters…

 

Being subjected to that repeatedly could drive a person insane.

 

There was a reason so many Hunters eventually turned into villains.

 

Sure, there were mental health centers to help with such issues, but most Hunters preferred to take a few days off after clearing a Gate.

 

Yet, here was Kang Ian, volunteering just a day after returning?

 

Kang Ian’s response from the phone was even more surprising.

 

– “What else would I do at home? It’s better to volunteer.”

 

“Hah… Truly, there’s no one like Hunter Kang Ian.”

 

– “Is that a compliment?”

 

“Yes.”

Though you seem a bit crazy. Shim Junseok swallowed the rest of his thought.

 

– “By the way, why did you call, CEO?”

 

“We have representatives from the Red Rose Guild here at the office. They want to make a direct request, and I wanted to get your opinion on it.”

 

– “A direct request? What kind?”

 

At Kang Ian’s question, Shim Junseok looked at Choi Seobin. 

 

The phone wasn’t on speaker, but a Hunter’s enhanced senses could easily pick up a conversation at this distance, so there was no need for him to relay the message.

 

“It’s a C-rank Gate. We’re offering 100 million won as a base fee. We’ll split the mana stones equally, and while our guild has the first rights to any dropped items, we’ll pay a fair price for them.”

 

“…Those are incredibly generous terms.”

 

Shim Junseok spoke without thinking.  Red Rose didn’t need to bring in an outside Hunter for a C-rank Gate. 

 

They certainly weren’t short on manpower. 

 

They were a top-tier guild, not some small-time organization.

 

In fact, working alongside them would be an invaluable learning experience for most hunters, offering insight into the systems and structured combat methods of a large guild.

 

Normally, hunters would pay to have such an opportunity.  

 

So why offer such favorable terms for a direct request?

 

“…Is there something wrong with this Gate? Has it seen multiple failed attempts?”

 

“Not at all. It’s a new Gate recently assigned by the Association.”

 

“Then why are you so insistent on bringing Hunter Kang Ian along?”

 

“It’s to repay a favor.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Sim Junseok tilted his head in confusion. 

 

Choi Seobin chuckled and spoke directly into the phone.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian, you’re still there?”

 

– “Yes.”

 

“My niece, Bora, is here with me. Remember I said we’d repay you for saving her life? This request is our way of doing that. So, what do you say?”

 

– “Absolutely. I’m in.”

 

“Alright. We’ll contact you separately to coordinate the schedule.”

 

* * *

 

‘Being a good person really pays off.’

 

Kang Ian ended the call. 

 

He’d come to volunteer, hoping to earn some Nobility, but received an unexpected request instead.

 

Even putting aside the fact that it was from the Red Rose Guild, the terms were exceptionally favorable.

 

A 100 million won commission, the highest he’d ever been offered.

 

‘Repaying a favor, huh? Heh heh. Team Leader Choi is certainly generous.’

 

He appreciated Choi Seobin’s magnanimity.

 

Furthermore, the request involved a C-rank Gate. 

 

Currently a D-rank, Kang Ian could only officially handle Gates up to C-rank. 

 

Though he believed his abilities far surpassed his rank, ranking up required clearing a set number of D- and C-rank Gates—a strict requirement.

 

He would have needed to enter a C-rank Gate eventually anyway, so having it presented as a request was a bonus.

 

‘Lucky me!’

 

He was lost in thought when a voice called out.

 

“Hey, are you busy?”

 

“Haha, no Grandma, not at all~”

 

An elderly woman in a wheelchair called him, and Kang Ian rushed to her side.

 

“Sorry, were you bored?”

 

“No~ I’m fine.”

 

He apologized for taking the call while talking with her, then returned to his volunteer duties.

 

Today’s task was volunteering at a senior care home, and it wasn’t too difficult.

 

Helping the elderly wash up, assisting with meals, keeping them company—

 

With his enhanced physique, it hardly felt like work.

 

However, talking with the residents was a different challenge.

 

Many of the elderly in care homes had shut themselves off emotionally.

 

Perhaps because they felt they were simply waiting for the end, they often responded harshly to young volunteers.

 

Some would yell, snap at them, or refuse help altogether.

 

But Kang Ian met their hostility with a warm smile every time.

 

– Ding!

 

[You have completed volunteer work for the elderly.]

 

[You have gained +1 Nobility.]

 

With free Nobility points rolling in just by smiling, how could he not be happy?

 

After several hours, his volunteer work concluded.

 

“I’ll be going now, Director.”

 

“Alright. Take care. You’ll come again, won’t you?”

 

The nursing home director looked at him with a wistful expression.

 

“Of course. I’ll be back soon.”

 

“If only the others were half as helpful as you. I’m being too greedy.”

 

Strong, tireless, and always smiling, it was natural for the director to favor Kang Ian. 

 

Kang Ian, in turn, maintained a good relationship, hoping for future volunteer opportunities.

 

‘I wish I could do another round of volunteering.’

 

He had plenty of Evil Souls, but his Nobility was lacking. 

 

He wanted to balance them out.

 

Unfortunately, he had somewhere to be.

 

Kang Ian set off, checking his phone for directions.

 

‘It’s supposed to be around here…’

 

“Ah, there it is.”

 

He looked up at a large warehouse-like building.  

 

A sign out front identified it.

 

<Hunter-Exclusive Fitness Center>

 

A fitness center. A gym.

 

The Hunter Association provided various forms of support to hunters.  

 

The Hunter Shop, which facilitated fair item trading, was a prime example. 

 

Before the Association’s intervention, item prices were unregulated, leading to unfair trades and price gouging.  

 

This eroded trust and discouraged trading, hindering the overall growth of Korean Hunters.

 

If the Association hadn’t stepped in to enforce fair trade practices, the standing of Korean Hunters would have been much lower on the global stage.

 

This fitness center was another example of the Association’s support, established and managed for Hunters’ training needs.

 

Upon awakening, hunters gained superhuman physiques. 

 

While newly awakened F-rank Hunters weren’t significantly stronger than regular humans, their potential for growth was limitless. With consistent training, their muscles could be strengthened indefinitely.

 

Therefore, most skilled Hunters dedicated their time outside of Gates to rigorous training.  

 

Their own strength was their ultimate lifeline.

 

That was why Kang Ian had come to the fitness center.

 

Not because he felt physically inadequate…

 

‘I’m already strong enough for D-rank Gates, and C-rank seems manageable too… but it’s best to prepare in advance.’

 

His recent level-ups had significantly boosted his physical abilities. 

 

However, his leveling pace would eventually slow down, so it was wise to establish a training routine early on.

 

Inside, he saw people working out everywhere. 

 

A considerable number of both men and women.  

 

They wore tank tops and shorts that barely qualified as clothing, lifting heavy weights.

 

The common thread was that, befitting Awakened individuals, they were all lifting incredible amounts regardless of gender.

 

“Heave! Ho!”

 

“Huff… Huff…”

 

Bench press 200kg, squats 400kg, deadlifts 450kg…

 

They had muscular yet well-proportioned physiques—not bulky like strongman competitors.

 

Yet, regardless of gender, they were lifting tremendous weights.

 

With that kind of strength, there was no way Hunters could train at regular gyms.

 

There simply wouldn’t be enough weight plates.

 

‘Hmm… I wonder if I can work out alongside them.’

 

Kang Ian felt slightly intimidated by the other hunters’ displays of strength.

 

Then he noticed a man vacate the bench press. 

 

The man left without bothering to re-rack the weights.  

 

The bar was loaded with 200kg.

 

‘Since he didn’t bother cleaning up… should I give it a try?’

 

He planned to test the weight and reduce it if necessary. 

 

He had diligently frequented gyms in his early twenties, so he knew proper form.  

 

This was his first time handling such weight, but he figured he’d give it a shot.

 

He positioned himself on the bench and pushed.

 

“?”

 

Kang Ian tilted his head, puzzled.

 

‘Huh…?’

 

Why was it so light…?

 

* * *

 

“Huff! Huff!”

 

Hearing grunts and exhales within the Hunter Fitness Center wasn’t unusual. 

 

Everyone trained with intensity.

 

But this time was different.

 

The sounds came from a single source.

 

“······.”

 

“······.”

 

The other hunters in the center stole glances, pretending not to stare.

 

Kang Ian occupied a single rack, lifting weights that seemed impossible.

 

‘Who is that…? A high-ranking hunter?’

 

‘How can he lift so much…?’

 

A Hunter’s physical abilities correlated with their rank. 

 

Exceptional strength implied years of dedicated training and experience.

 

Naturally, that meant he must be of a high rank.

 

But high-rank Hunters were rarely seen in this gym.

 

Top-tier Hunters had more than enough funds to set up private training facilities.

 

Those who came here were typically C-rank or lower, B-rank at best…

 

“Whoa, did he just squat a ton? And so easily?”

 

“His physical capabilities are insane… uh, huh? He’s adding more weight. How many plates is he putting on…?”

 

The heavy-duty barbell, specifically designed for hunters, strained slightly under the immense weight.

 

“Haah! Huff!”

 

Kang Ian continued his workout, oblivious to the surrounding stares. 

 

The reason was simple:

 

– Ding!

 

[Your body is strengthened under heavy loads.]

 

[Strength + 0.1]

 

He hadn’t expected to receive these messages for physical training!

 

The initial 200kg bench press had been too light to trigger them. 

 

But driven by curiosity and the desire to test his limits, he’d gradually increased the weight until the messages appeared.

 

From that point on, Kang Ian pushed his muscles to their absolute limit.

 

The trembling in his legs was a welcome sensation, tangible proof of his progress!

 

‘Let’s go all out today!’

 

Kang Ian focused, his gaze fixed ahead.

 

Meanwhile, someone watched him with keen interest.

 

“Hmm…”

 

A massive man, with biceps the size of an average man’s waist, stroked his chin.

 

The other hunters were startled by his presence. They’d been so focused on Kang Ian that they hadn’t noticed the giant’s approach.

 

Turning at the sound, they instantly recognized him.

 

“K-Kang Hopoong?”

 

“The Great Mountain, Kang Hopoong…?”

 

An A-rank Hunter, Kang Hopoong, known as ‘The Great Mountain’.

 

His eyes gleaming with fascination, he strode towards Kang Ian.