I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 95

Promotion (3)

 

“Y-You want to be taken along for the disaster recovery…?”

“Yes. You said the Association would provide me with conveniences.”

Kang Ian looked at him as if to say, surely this much is allowed?

“……”

Of course, it wasn’t something that could be forbidden.

If anything, it was something to welcome with both arms raised.

From Jeon Jaewon’s perspective, it was something he would want to beg for… even grab Kang Ian by the pant leg.

However, it would be rude to Kang Ian, and now that he was moving up to B-rank, his value would skyrocket, making it difficult to ask such a thing.

But for Kang Ian to say it himself like that…

And even frame it as if the Association was simply offering him convenience for Jeon’s sake.

‘Seriously… just having a connection with someone like this means I’ve lived my life well.’

Jeon Jaewon couldn’t help but think that.

And behind them, watching the exchange, Robert wrote something in his notebook.

[B-rank (expected) Hunter Kang Ian. Along with outstanding skill, he always possesses the will to act with goodwill.]

That night, the misunderstanding(?) about Kang Ian deepened even further.

 

***

 

Once you pass the B-rank evaluation, you are appointed as a B-rank starting that day.

That’s right.

You don’t become full B-rank immediately.

“Why is that?”

“Because you lack experience.”

That was the answer he got when he asked.

From B-rank onward, the level of gates changes drastically.

Mission-type dungeons (though Kang Ian had experienced quite a few already) that were rarely seen at C-rank start appearing frequently, along with many other types.

Because of that, from B-rank onward, a plus/minus ranking system is used.

A newly promoted hunter with little experience is B- rank.

Once they gain some experience, they become B rank.

Veterans are B+ rank.

However, when introduced to the general public, they are usually all just called B-rank.

“Congratulations on your promotion.”

Since Shim Junseok was still at the office, Kang Ian went there despite the late hour.

As soon as he entered, a small firecracker popped.

Then he was handed a small cake.

“Here, take it. Cake is a must for celebrations.”

“Thank you. Where did you get a cake at this hour?”

“Of course, I bought it in advance. I knew you’d pass for sure. Though you came a bit late?”

“There were some circumstances. I also have something to talk about regarding that… but who is that person?”

Kang Ian looked toward someone sitting in the corner wearing a robe.

Shim Junseok smiled faintly.

“This is your first time meeting her. She’s one of our office hunters… Lee Chaewon.”

“Hello.”

Lee Chaewon bowed slightly.

“Ah, yes. Hello.”

Kang Ian did the same.

When he first met Lim Gayeon, seeing another hunter from the same office felt novel… but the second time, it just felt normal.

So this is what it’s like… hunters come and go in an office like this.

“Anyway, you worked hard, Hunter Kang Ian. Are you going home to rest now?”

“No.”

Kang Ian shook his head at Shim Junseok’s question.

“A few hours ago, there was a gate outbreak in Jeonju.”

“Ah, that. Yes, I know.”

Kang Ian hadn’t known since he was in the mountains, but Shim Junseok had been watching live updates.

“I heard it was handled well.”

“Yes. But the recovery process afterward is facing a lot of difficulties.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“I’ve decided to go help.”

“……”

Shim Junseok pressed his forehead.

He never expected Kang Ian to bring such an unexpected request.

“Did the Association formally propose it?”

“I volunteered before they even suggested it.”

“And the compensation? You’re B- rank now. It would be expensive to assign someone like you to recovery work. How much are they paying you?”

“Ah… I haven’t discussed that.”

Kang Ian scratched his head.

That was indeed his mistake.

But it couldn’t be helped.

There had been a gate outbreak in Jeonju, and civilians evacuated quickly.

Fortunately, not many monsters made it outside, so they were eliminated quickly.

However, by protocol, evacuation was mandatory, so many citizens fled nearby, and even with minimal damage, many parts of the city were destroyed.

Some people suddenly lost their homes, and some were also injured.

There were so many victims that even with a large number of firefighters deployed, the situation remained difficult.

When Kang Ian heard all that…

His eyes lit up.

‘What is this? A Nobility boost event…?’

He felt sorry for the victims, but that thought came first.

So he didn’t ask questions… he just decided to go.

He had to go.

“Hmm…”

Shim Junseok held his forehead.

“…I’ll talk to the Association to make sure you receive proper compensation.”

“As expected of you, Director. I trust you.”

“But are you really planning to leave at this hour? Wouldn’t it be better to go tomorrow? It’s very late, and you’ve worked hard today… You should rest first-”

“Do you think I can sleep right now!?”

Kang Ian replied in frustration.

How much Nobility would he lose while sleeping for a few hours?

Just imagining it made sleep impossible.

‘Hah… as expected of Hunter Kang Ian…’

Shim Junseok misunderstood his words and stared blankly.

He thought he knew Kang Ian well by now, but every time, Kang Ian exceeded expectations.

And Lee Chaewon, behind him, felt the same.

“…Yeah. We really won’t get along.”

At a glance, didn’t he seem like someone who valued honor, cause, the public, and life?

He was the complete opposite of Lee Chaewon, who only cared about money.

“Hunter Lee Chaewon’s request is also in Jeonju, isn’t it? You two should go together.”

“…Alright.”

She nodded.

Going together was fine.

But she didn’t think they’d work on the same job.

‘I guess I’ll have to do this request alone without a frontliner.’

It might be a bit dangerous, but there was no choice.

 

***

 

Kang Ian and Lee Chaewon moved together.

With a driver assigned by the Association, they immediately departed for Jeonju.

Sitting in the backseat, silence lingered.

‘What is it? Does she dislike me?’

Kang Ian tilted his head.

He could clearly feel discomfort coming from her.

Still, since they were from the same office, he thought it would be nice to get along as he did with Lim Gayeon, so he spoke first.

“We were introduced earlier, but I’m Kang Ian. I just got promoted to B- rank.”

“…I’m Lee Chaewon.”

“What kind of request are you heading to Jeonju for?”

“A rich-people-only request.”

“…Pardon?”

Kang Ian was momentarily confused.

For the first time, Lee Chaewon turned to look at him.

“My ability is necromancy.”

Necromancy; summoning skeletons, curses, and such.

Her summoned skeletons could be used for combat and various tasks,

and she could temporarily transfer ownership of them.

“So when rich people need to use force secretly, they look for necromancers. They pay as if it’s a commission, buy skeleton summons, and use them themselves.”

Naturally, most necromancers didn’t like such jobs.

They were hunters… wasn’t it humiliating?

And once hunters reached a certain level, money wasn’t usually an issue, so few took such requests.

Lee Chaewon was an exception.

She only cared about money.

“This time, since there was a gate outbreak in Jeonju, local elites will probably need skeleton summons to secretly move the wealth they’ve hidden in their mansions. They’re strong, have stamina, and keep secrets.”

“Uh…”

Kang Ian hesitated.

Inside, Lee Chaewon sighed.

‘As expected, he thinks I’m pathetic.’

Based on what she’d seen in the news and her first impression today…

They wouldn’t get along-

“That’s amazing.”

“…?”

But Kang Ian’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow… you can take requests only from rich people… that’s incredible!”

“…?”

From what he heard, necromancers would always be in demand regardless of rank.

There were so many rich people in Korea.

And when they needed something done secretly, necromancers would be the first option.

‘Being able to take requests exclusively from rich people… that’s a blessed profession.’

That would also build powerful connections.

Lee Chaewon looked young, early twenties.

She still had a youthful appearance.

Honestly, she looked like a cute and pretty girl.

But to Kang Ian, she felt like a giant.

“Let’s get along well from now on. We’re from the same office, haha.”

“…?”

Lee Chaewon was confused by his completely unexpected reaction.

What is this…?

 

***

 

Fortunately, after that, the awkward atmosphere eased a bit.

As they chatted, they arrived in Jeonju.

It was late at night, so the roads were empty.

The city was a mess.

Smoke rose from everywhere; some places were still burning, asphalt was shattered, and buildings had collapsed.

People could be seen running around frantically.

As soon as Kang Ian got out of the car, he ran off.

First, he approached people who looked like firefighters.

“I’m here to help. Where should I go?”

“Y-You’re a hunter?”

“Yes. I’m a B-rank hunter.”

“A B-B-rank hunter is here to help!?”

The people were startled.

It was too high a rank for a place like this.

“Um… Hunter, could you stay here in case something happens?”

In other words, just stand by.

From their perspective, that was the only thing they could say.

How could they ask a B-rank hunter to do reconstruction work?

It would be like using a dragon-slaying sword to kill a chicken.

And it would hurt the hunter’s pride.

“What do you mean, stand by!? Time is critical right now!”

Kang Ian snapped.

“Where do you need the most manpower?”

“Uh… the city hall area.”

“I’ll go there immediately.”

Tap

He shot off like a bullet without waiting for a response.

The firefighters momentarily forgot their busyness and stared blankly at his back.

“W-Wait… isn’t that Hunter Kang Ian?”

“What? That hero?”

They hadn’t recognized him at first, but now recalled seeing him in the news.

People murmured in surprise, but Kang Ian didn’t care at all.

He rushed into burning buildings to save people.

Ding!

 

[You have helped people in distress.]

[Nobility +31]

[Nobility +37]

…

 

He carried those who couldn’t move

and quickly resolved any problems that arose.

Ding!

 

[You have helped people in distress.]

[Nobility +31]

[Nobility +37]

…

 

Just like during the Hwaseong gate incident, helping civilians like this granted far more Nobility than normal volunteer work.

Kang Ian smiled with satisfaction.

Click! Click!

And behind him, a reporter was taking photos.

Shin Sorim from Viewers TV.

“Hunter Kang Ian…?”

She had come to cover the gate outbreak and was shocked to suddenly see him.

When did he arrive…?