I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 41 - Assault (2)

The gym bro’s invitation to work out together.

 

It was a ridiculous logic that after hunting monsters, one should sweat it out by lifting weights to sleep well…

 

“Yes, I’ll go.”

 

Kang Ian nodded. 

 

It wouldn’t be right to refuse when a ripped guy like that offered to train him.

 

Besides, he was also struggling with his shopping dilemma, and exercising was a good way to clear his head when he was stuck.

 

– Kekeke. Alright, see you soon then?

 

“No. I have some things to do now. How about in the evening?”

 

– Evening works too. Come anytime. I’ll be there from now.

 

“…Now?”

 

Kang Ian glanced out the window.

 

The sun was still bright.

 

It’d be a while before sunset… and he was saying he’d already be at the gym?

 

While Kang Ian was bewildered, the gym bro just continued,

 

– Well then, I have to work out, so I’ll hang up now.

 

* * *

 

<Breaking News! A Hero Emerges in Times of Crisis!>

 

<A City on the Brink of Mass Casualties. There Was a Savior!>

 

<We Call Such a Person a Hero!>

 

<Kang Ian, Still a D-Rank Hunter, But With a Heart of an S-Rank and Beyond!>

 

<A Hero Who Enters a Burning Building Without Regard for His Own Safety! (Photo)>

 

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.

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“This guy. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a proper one like him.”

 

Hunter Fitness Center.

 

Kang Hopoong checked the news during a break from his weight training.

 

The world was buzzing about the Gate outbreak incident in Hwaseong.

 

Even though news stories were abundant in this era of global network, an unexpected Gate outbreak in a city was a serious matter.

 

They were lucky this time.

 

If anything had gone wrong, it could’ve ended in disaster.

 

Perhaps on a scale similar to the early days of Gate appearances.

 

“Things have been feeling a bit unstable lately…”

 

It was the Association’s fault for failing to notice the gate rampage in advance, but even they were frustrated.

 

Usually, there were warning signs before a Gate outbreak.

 

Like gates left uncleared for too long, or repeated failed attempts at raids.

 

But this time, there had been nothing.

 

It suddenly turned white, and then monsters began pouring out.

 

This was what they called a natural disaster.

 

With the emergency summon of hunters taking time, Kang Ian arrived faster than anyone and fought like a madman, giving it his all.

 

“I have a lot of complaints when I see what young people these days are doing, but this guy is the real deal.  Heave-ho!”

 

Kang Hopoong chuckled and put the barbell back on his shoulders. 

 

Break time was over; it was time to train again.

 

Still, he kept thinking about Kang Ian.

 

‘Should I introduce him to my friends later?’

 

They were what young people these days called boomers, but they would like a young man like Kang Ian.

 

Those guys… they were surprisingly lonely despite appearances.

 

‘Heh. And the fact that this kid likes to work out makes me like him even more.’

 

Not only did he have a good personality, but they also shared a hobby?

 

That was actually one of the reasons why he liked Kang Ian so much.

 

Most of Kang Hopoong’s friends called him an oddball.

 

– What? You’re going to the gym after a Gate raid? You crazy bastard…

 

– If you’re going to get old, do it gracefully. You’ll get dementia, you know.

 

– Ugh. Be careful not to wear out your joints, you muscle-bound fool.

 

The thought of his friends’ ‘well wishes’ whenever they met made his body fill with strength.

 

“Ha!”

 

– Creak

 

The barbell, made of special material, groaned, unable to withstand the weight.

 

– Clang

 

Kang Hopoong put down the barbell after repeating the lift ten times.

 

He grinned.

 

‘I can’t wait for evening.’

 

He looked forward to working out with that fellow.

 

* * *

 

He made plans to meet at the gym.

 

While he was at it, he decided to head out of the house completely.

 

He was planning to go to the Happiness Office.

 

‘Hunters are supposed to rest for a day after work, but… I don’t really need to, do I?’

 

Rest was important not just for physical recovery but also for mental stability.

 

Being exposed to combat and killing could cause unpredictable mental changes.

 

And if one couldn’t adapt to modern society, they might become a villain.

 

There was a reason why there was a relatively high percentage of villains among hunters.

 

However, Kang Ian had the ‘Will of Valhalla.’

 

For him, hunting monsters was practically a sacred duty.

 

He never got addicted to slaughter or battle.

 

And so, he arrived at the Happiness Office.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian. You really came. Are you sure you don’t need to rest?”

 

“Yes. I’m perfectly fine.”

 

CEO Shim Junseok greeted him with a worried tone.

 

He, too, had been a hunter for a long time, so he naturally had various concerns.

 

However, Kang Ian just shrugged.

 

He really was fine.

 

“······.”

 

Shim Junseok stared at Kang Ian intently, as if trying to see through him.

 

And then…

 

‘…He really does seem fine.’

 

He didn’t seem tired, and his eyes were clear.

 

He was the same bright Kang Ian as always.

 

‘Is his mental fortitude also strong?’

 

Wow.

 

Not only was he talented and kind-hearted, but he also had strong mental fortitude.

 

‘…Even a superhero in a movie would be considered overpowered if they were made like this.’

 

Well, well.

 

One thing was for sure: he had definitely snagged an excellent hunter.

 

That was why he was even more worried.

 

The contract with Kang Ian was for one year.

 

He had even given him a 9:1 profit split.

 

He needed to make Kang Ian want to stay at his office when the contract renewal season came around.

 

‘I’ll have to work harder.’

 

Thinking this, Shim Junseok smiled.

 

“You’ve worked really hard this time. The Association is currently busy handling the aftermath, but they’ll soon be sending the request fee and a plaque of appreciation. You might even receive a medal from the government.”

 

Usually, hunters affiliated with an office didn’t receive plaques or medals for fulfilling requests.

 

They were treated like mercenaries hired for a job, so why would they receive such things?

 

However, Kang Ian’s case was different.

 

Public opinion was praising him as a hero, and his actions had indeed saved the city.

 

It was natural for the higher-ups to consider awarding him a medal.

 

The first thought that came to Kang Ian’s mind was,

 

‘A medal… Receiving a medal is a noble act, right?’

 

How many points would that earn him?

 

Surely they’d award points for that too.

 

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

 

Kang Ian smiled slightly.  

 

Seeing this, Shim Junseok made a curious expression.

 

‘I didn’t know he had a bit of a desire for recognition?’

 

Seeing how pleased he looked at the prospect of receiving a medal, perhaps he did.

 

Shim Junseok changed the subject.

 

“Now, shall we move on to other business?”

 

“Yes, sounds good.”

 

Shim Junseok pulled out a stack of documents from his desk and placed them on the coffee table in front of Kang Ian.

 

“Red Rose has increased the request fee. They said you showed great performance as a tank this time. So, accompanying them on C-rank Gate raids will be 150 million won per request.  Distribution of byproducts will be separate, divided equally.”

 

“150 million… Isn’t that incredibly good?”

 

“Yes. It’s practically the best offer you can get right now.”

 

CEO Shim Junseok nodded.

 

The original amount was 100 million won, but Team Leader Choi Seobin, perhaps due to a change of heart after experiencing the Hwaseong incident with Kang Ian, had increased the request fee by 1.5 times.

 

“You’ll have to clear a few C-rank Gates anyway to get promoted. It would be great to take on requests like these.”

 

Hunters needed to raise their rank to access higher-ranked Gates.

 

No matter how strong a hunter was, it was difficult to pass the promotion test without sufficient Gate clearing experience.

 

Since he had to clear Gates anyway, it seemed like a good idea to take on requests.

 

“And please take a look at these as well.”

 

Shim Junseok stood up and brought a box from beside his desk.

 

It was full of documents.

 

“This is…?”

 

“These are all requests specifically addressed to Hunter Kang Ian.”

 

“Huh? This many?”

 

“There are many things in the world that require a hunter’s help.”

 

Most hunters were affiliated with guilds and focused solely on clearing Gates.

 

That was where the biggest money was, after all.

 

But there were countless people in the world who wanted to borrow the power of superhuman hunters.

 

So a variety of requests came in.

 

Though, not many were usually accepted.

 

Why would hunters, who were already wealthy and lacked nothing, take on bothersome requests?

 

High-ranking hunters, in particular, had immense financial freedom.

 

In such a situation, Kang Ian’s arrival was like a ray of hope.

 

As a D-rank Hunter, his commission rate was relatively cheap(?), and he also had excellent personality.

 

Seeing his heroic actions, wouldn’t anyone feel comfortable entrusting him with anything?

 

“You’ve been getting a lot of requests since you appeared in the news a few times, but after the Hwaseong Gate outbreak, they’re pouring in. And they’re increasing in real time.”

 

Shim Junseok smiled broadly, looking pleased.

 

“And starting tomorrow, you’ll get even more. Probably ten times as many as now. You can just pick whichever ones you want.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Kang Ian fell into thought.

 

‘I should mostly choose the most profitable requests.’

 

He wanted to start making some real money.

 

Kang Ian was still living in his rented room.

 

Of course, it had only been a few weeks since he became a hunter, but the request fees he had been receiving recently were substantial.

 

The request fee for the Hwaseong Gate outbreak would soon arrive, and as he sequentially completed his next requests, his bank account would swell.

 

‘I might even be able to move into an apartment.’

 

After that, he’d help out his parents too.

 

With some breathing room, thoughts of filial duty came to mind.

 

‘Come to think of it, how is Kang Isol doing?’

 

His only sibling didn’t answer his call last time.

 

She must have seen the missed call, but she hadn’t called back.

 

They were never particularly close as siblings…

 

But seeing that she had updated her profile picture, at least she seemed to be doing well.

 

‘…Should I visit her? Hmm. It’s kinda bothersome.’

 

He would have to think about this carefully.

 

Seeing Kang Ian lost in thought, Shim Junseok nodded.

 

Then he spoke in a serious tone.

 

“I understand what you’re thinking, Hunter Kang Ian.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“You must want to take on requests that contribute to society, just like you’ve been doing.”

 

“······.”

 

‘Not really, though?’

 

Kang Ian made an ambiguous expression.

 

Seeing this, Shim Junseok smiled.

 

“Don’t worry.  I’ll select such requests as much as possible.”

 

“Uh… yes.”

 

Kang Ian nodded hesitantly.

 

While it would be good to receive such requests to increase his Nobility, he felt a bit strange.

 

* * *

 

From worrying about item and skill purchases to now agonizing over requests.

 

There was so much to think about that his head felt like it was going to explode.

 

As Kang Ian made his way to the fitness shop, he thought it might actually be for the best.

 

At times like this, a good workout could clear his mind.

 

‘Plus, if I train with that hyungnim, I can push myself to the limit and boost my stats significantly. It’s killing two birds with one stone.’

 

With that cheerful thought, he entered the fitness center.

 

– Thud!

 

– Clang!

 

As soon as he stepped inside, a tremendous sound pierced his ears.

 

In the corner, he saw ‘Gym Bro’ doing deadlifts with a specially crafted alloy barbell.

 

“Haah-!”

 

Just looking at the weight he was lifting, it seemed to be in the ton range.

 

Every time the bar touched the ground, it felt like the earth itself trembled.

 

After a few more reps, the man wiped his sweat and his gaze fell on Kang Ian.

 

Kang Ian had a feeling something was wrong…

 

“Oh! You’re here! I was waiting so long that I thought my eyes would pop out. Come here quickly!”

 

Kang Hopoong practically jumped over to Kang Ian and grabbed his wrist.

 

“Alright, alright. I’ve set everything up. You can start right away. You don’t need to warm up, right?”

 

“Uh…”

 

Something was definitely wrong.

 

If he let himself be dragged along, he was going to die.

 

Alarms were blaring in his head.