I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 66

Fame (3)

 

Kang Ian’s short fashion show ended quickly.

From the start, the purpose of trying on the suit was simply to check whether it fit him well.

“You have such a great physique and outstanding looks, so the suit matches you very well.”

That was what one of the staff members in the dressing room said.

The researchers nearby and CEO Oh Youngjun all nodded in agreement.

Kang Ian really did look good in a suit.

After changing back into his clothes, Kang Ian stepped out.

“We’ve taken your measurements, so we’ll begin production right away. It should be completed within a month at the latest.”

“Yes. I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Kang Ian gave a polite bow.

They were making him a suit worth 10 billion won; bowing a few times was nothing.

“Today’s schedule is more or less finished. As for the advertisement shoot, we’ll proceed once your outfit is ready.”

“Understood.”

“Do you have anything urgent after this? If not, I was thinking of giving you a tour of our company. We could also have a meal together afterward.”

At Oh Youngjun’s suggestion, the researchers subtly leaned in, curious.

They also wanted to get closer to Kang Ian and hoped to join the gathering.

They had just completed one project, so they were essentially free until the next one began.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I actually have something to take care of.”

However, Kang Ian declined with an awkward expression.

Oh Youngjun smiled.

“Of course. You had the award ceremony today as well, so you must be busy. Do you need to head back to UHN?”

“No, it’s not that. I have a volunteer activity scheduled.”

“…?”

“It’s something I can’t cancel… I’m sorry. I didn’t know I’d be coming here today, so I made the reservation around lunchtime. I’ll definitely have a meal with you next time, CEO.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

For the first time in a while, Oh Youngjun felt genuinely flustered.

As a successful hunter turned successful businessman, countless people wanted the chance to have a meal with him.

Yet to think someone would refuse an offer he made first.

‘How refreshing… and truly remarkable.’

Kang Ian was the first of his kind.

Though Oh Youngjun usually maintained a cold, expressionless face, a soft smile naturally formed.

‘A rare young man. The world would be warmer if there were more people like him.’

As he grew older, all he had seen was the selfish and cold side of the world.

Yet here was someone who could say such things in this situation.

Looking at Kang Ian, it almost felt like the man himself was glowing.

A glance to the side showed the researchers equally stunned, their mouths hanging open.

“I’ll treat you to a better meal soon.”

“Yes. I’m really sorry.”

“No need to apologize. What you’re doing is something you can take pride in.”

Grasping both of Kang Ian’s hands firmly, Oh Youngjun promised a future meeting.

And with that, Kang Ian parted ways with YJ Company.

However, as he left, Kang Ian tilted his head in confusion.

‘I’m just going to earn Nobility points… is that really something to take pride in…?’

 

***

 

Afterward, Kang Ian arrived at his next destination: an orphanage.

It was around lunchtime.

The staff was serving meals to the children.

So what was Kang Ian’s role here?

Organizing the storage room.

Among the supplies that came into the orphanage, many were heavier than expected.

Since most of the staff were female teachers, they often lacked the strength to move everything.

At times like this, male volunteers were needed.

‘Looks like I got an easy one today.’

For Kang Ian, it was practically like resting while earning Nobility points.

This level of labor was nothing for an awakened individual.

Of course, the teacher asking for help looked very apologetic.

“I’m so sorry. You’re a hunter who even appears on TV, yet we’re asking you to do this kind of menial work…”

“Haha. It’s fine. Please feel free to give me more to do.”

Hunters were considered top-tier manpower.

And Kang Ian, in particular, was regarded as a highly promising talent.

To ask such a person to organize a storage room could even be seen as insulting by some hunters.

Naturally, Kang Ian was different.

Compared to playing with the children, this was far easier… so easy that it almost felt wrong to gain Nobility from it.

Ding!

[You have made the orphanage’s living environment more comfortable.]

[Nobility +13]

A message that appeared periodically while volunteering.

“Khh… this is addictive.”

Compared to the large amounts gained from awards, it was small. But the consistency was what he liked.

The steady influx of Nobility was incredibly satisfying.

It made him want to work even more!

Kang Ian worked with a grin on his face.

And someone was quietly watching him from behind.

‘Nice! Jackpot!’

It was reporter Shin Sorim from Viewers TV.

Since that morning, reporters had been in a frenzy.

Right after the award ceremony ended, Kang Ian had suddenly disappeared.

A Korean had received an award from UHN… landing an exclusive interview about his thoughts would be a massive scoop.

“We have to find him! Whoever finds Hunter Kang Ian first wins!”

“This isn’t just guaranteed views—this could be the biggest article of the month!”

Moreover, just before receiving the award, Kang Ian had given shocking answers during a brief Q&A session.

He said things like it was a hunter’s duty to fight monsters and protect the city, and that he was grateful for the award despite only doing what was natural.

Among promising hunters, it was hard to find anyone without arrogance.

Yet Kang Ian was genuinely humble.

His kindness could be felt even through the screen, making more people eager to hear about him.

So reporters spread out everywhere.

Some waited in front of the Happiness Office, others at the Hunter Association.

Some even visited major guilds, asking if Kang Ian would be entering any gates with them.

But all of it was futile.

Kang Ian didn’t appear anywhere.

Only one person… Shin Sorim successfully predicted where he’d be.

‘Good thing I stayed close with the orphanage directors!’

Among reporters, Shin Sorim prided herself on having followed Kang Ian the longest.

Because of that, she knew he was very sincere about volunteer work.

Other reporters couldn’t imagine he’d go volunteering right after receiving such an award.

Shin Sorim bet on that very possibility.

To prepare for moments like this, she had visited various volunteer locations around Seoul on her days off, essentially “checking in” regularly.

At first, she did it to build relationships and get tips if Kang Ian ever showed up.

But over time, she found it meaningful and enjoyable as well.

Anyway, thanks to that, the director of this orphanage had informed her that Kang Ian was here.

She rushed over immediately.

“Ahem.”

“…?”

She made her presence known and approached Kang Ian.

“Oh my! Aren’t you Hunter Kang Ian? What a coincidence to see you in a place like this!”

“……”

Kang Ian looked at her incredulously.

Awakened individuals had heightened senses and perception.

They could easily detect poor acting or lies.

And Shin Sorim’s acting was so bad that even an unobservant person would find it suspicious.

“…Ah, yes. It’s been a while, Reporter Shin Sorim.”

Still, Kang Ian nodded as if he didn’t notice.

He could more or less guess why she was here.

“I also came to volunteer and just happened to run into you, Hunter Kang Ian. Hohoho.”

“……”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I do a brief interview after you finish volunteering? Ah, and first of all, congratulations on receiving the award. I should have said that earlier, but I’m a bit late.”

“Thank you. As long as it’s not too long, an interview is fine.”

“Of course, it won’t be long.”

Shin Sorim beamed, pleased.

Then, in her excitement, she made an offer.

“It looks like you’re organizing the storage… let me help you!”

“No! It’s okay! Please don’t come!”

“…Pardon?”

Startled by Kang Ian’s firm refusal, she blinked.

“I’m fine, so please go help with something else. If you go inside, I’m sure there’s plenty of work that needs your help.”

However, Kang Ian had no choice but to be serious.

If someone else interfered and took some of his Nobility, that would be a huge loss.

“Alright, alright. Let’s each do our own work and talk later.”

“Uh… okay.”

Shin Sorim left the storage room in confusion.

 

***

 

The volunteer work ended before dinner.

Kang Ian would have liked to continue into the evening, but other volunteers were scheduled to come then.

So he reluctantly decided to wait for the next opportunity.

After that, he completed the interview with Shin Sorim.

As promised, it wasn’t long.

She simply asked about his feelings at the time and his plans.

Since they had met several times before, they were fairly comfortable with each other, making it easy for him to answer.

‘Hehe. I’ll make this into a fantastic article!’

With a satisfied smile, Shin Sorim hurried off, saying she needed to edit and upload it quickly.

Afterward, Kang Ian also left.

His next destination was the Happiness Office.

He should have gone there first after the award ceremony, but due to everything going on, he was only getting there now.

And when he arrived…

Pop!

“Congratulations on receiving the award, Hunter Kang Ian!”

As he stepped inside, Shim Junseok popped a small confetti cannon and shouted.

He handed Kang Ian a bouquet, while an employee approached from behind holding a small cake.

Kang Ian blinked in surprise, eyes wide.

Shim Junseok pointed at the candles on the cake.

“Go ahead. Blow them out.”

“What is all this, CEO?”

“Just blow them out first!”

“Phew!”

“Woooo!”

Clap clap clap clap

Shim Junseok clapped enthusiastically.

“Haha. A day like today deserves celebration. You’ve brought honor to our office… it’s worth commemorating.”

Kang Ian chuckled.

“Well… I didn’t expect this. Thank you. I’m a bit touched.”

“Hehe. Then I’d say it was a success.”

They shared the cake while talking about the day’s events.

“You think YJ Company will be offering an advertisement deal soon?”

“Yes. It’s not confirmed yet… We’ll probably need another meeting.”

“Hah… normally it’s my job to bring in this kind of work, but you’re doing it all yourself, Hunter Kang Ian.”

Shim Junseok shook his head.

“Oh, and while you’re eating, please take a look at this.”

He handed over a stack of documents.

“These are the new requests that came in for you. They’re sorted by payment, and I’ll explain the pros and cons of each. You shouldn’t just accept something because it pays well.”

He tapped the top document.

“This one is from the American Behemoth Guild. The payment is over 500 million won when converted, but honestly, I don’t recommend it. It involves going to a dangerous zone called the Land of the Dead, filled with undead… very risky.”

“I’ll take it!”

“…?”

Before Shim Junseok could finish, Kang Ian answered immediately.

“If it involves undead, I’ll do it.”

He had been planning to ask if there were any undead-related requests anyway.

The “Replica of Saint Bruta’s Gloves” he received as a quest reward had a 30-day duration.

He needed to make the most of it, and to hear about such a job right away?

On top of that, the payment was enormous.

For Kang Ian, who was still burdened with heavy debt, this was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.