episode_0007

My stomach churns.

I don’t know how many shots I’ve downed.

Excitement, disappointment, excitement, disappointment…

Damn it.

What do you want from me?

“Chang-gi.”

“Wait, let me think by myself for a moment.”

“Huh? What are you thinking about?”

“I’m contemplating how much I should spend considering my savings. Since I have some investments, if I break those, things should work out somehow…”

“What the hell are you talking about now?”

“What am I saying? It’s not easy being a top hunter. No one even among my colleagues knows. But since I’ve saved up money, if I wander around like a madman in the backwoods, within a year…”

Shudder.

“Hey, you crazy bastard!”

“Huh!?”

I thought my eardrums were going to burst.

Seong-yeon just cursed at me.

Despite the sudden attention from nearby patrons due to how loud he was, I didn’t want to get involved in unnecessary drama, so I just turned my head away.

“Don’t startle me. Why are you suddenly yelling like that?”

“Ugh… it’s nothing. Sorry.”

Weirdo.

He sighed while scratching his cheek as if the alcohol could erase his embarrassment.

“It’s nothing. Why are you making a fuss again?”

“Just because of a skill? You shouldn’t visit such places carelessly. I impulsively exploded because I didn’t want you to go to such questionable places. Sorry.”

“Suddenly?”

“Do you know how unsanitary it is there? It’s not just one person; multiple people come and go in a day… If you accidentally catch something, it will cost you both financially and health-wise. That’s why skills are crucial, right?”

“You’re worried about getting AIDS? Oh, that’s because it happens between infected individuals. Nowadays, there are precautions and skills, so it’s cleaner and safer than most places.”

“Can you guarantee it’s not 0%? Sexually transmitted diseases or other illnesses? Is it really safe?”

“If you keep saying that, you can find fault with anything, man.”

“That’s true, but still…”

I thought he was jealous for some strange reason.

Did this gay guy get too attached after I helped him out before?

He’s just a friend from elementary school, why is he worrying about me to this extent?

“Whatever you say, I can’t figure out anything else besides this. I might have had some popularity somewhere. No, even if I did, I can’t keep having sex with a woman who asked to enhance her skills every time. Everything is a problem, but is there any other way besides this?”

I always thought it was a damn skill, but never have I felt as shaken as today.

Damn Tower Lord.

Why did he give a skill meant for an alpha male to a loser like me?

“…”

“…No more to say? Thanks for your concern, but you’re off track. I’ll handle this on my own, so don’t worry too much and just chill.”

“…Seong-yeon?”

He silently gulped down his drink.

Wondering why he was acting this way, I watched silently, and his face turned as red as a beetroot.

“Hey, Chang-gi.”

“What now? If you’re trying to stop me, I won’t listen. I’m quite a seasoned hunter in the field too. I want to move on to the next level slowly.”

“I know that.”

“If you know, then why? Didn’t we come here today to have a good time?”

“I didn’t want to say these things to you either. So, I’ll stop trying to stop you. It’s your life, and maybe that skill will be helpful in the future.”

“In the future? You’re speaking cryptically again. Why bring it up after being angry just now?”

“But who knows, it might turn out that way.”

Since he insisted on not stopping me, I shrugged it off and poured another drink.

The scent of alcohol lingered on the bridge of my nose.

Thinking of stopping soon, I put down my glass for a moment, and Seong-yeon gave me a serious look.

“Why?”

“Can I make a sudden proposal?”

“Out of nowhere?”

“Yeah. It’s not a bad proposal. Perhaps it’s the kind of proposal you’d like.”

“…Hm.”

Have I had too much to drink? He seems a bit off.

“It’s not like you suddenly need a guarantor, right?”

“You said it was a proposal that would benefit you. There’s hardly anything coming back to me.”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Someone might overhear, so I’ll lower my voice for a moment.”

Song Seong-yeon’s aura gathered on his lips.

It was green. It suited the guild name, Chomok, well.

‘What kind of proposal is he making that he even came here?’

Trying not to look suspicious to those around, I casually picked up a piece of meat and ate it, but then the ‘bombshell statement’ came flying out of nowhere without any warning.

『─I’ll introduce you to a top hunter faction.』

……..

……?

“Gasp!?”

“Chang-gi!”

“Cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!!”

“Why are you so surprised! Here, water!”

The lunatic guy urging me to drink water while patting my back.

Even as I gulped down the water not knowing what I had heard, I felt dizzy.

‘A faction? A top hunter faction!?’

Cold sweat trickled down.

Seong-yeon is my friend, so I relaxed, but everyone in the heavenly realm, including this guy, is undoubtedly a monster.

Just as ordinary people admire me for catching prey, I admire them for hunting.

Because they cut what I can’t cut, face giant things I can’t face, achieve feats I can’t achieve.

‘Let’s calm down for a moment. Maybe I misheard something. It’s not like words should come out of this innocent-looking guy’s mouth. He seemed so nice just a moment ago, standing up in anger when I mentioned living in a rural area. He wouldn’t suggest something like that.’

So I denied reality and took another sip.

My stomach felt sour.

“Phew… You scared me. Seriously, I was so shocked, damn.”

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, sorry. I must have misheard something. So, what did you say just now? I think I misheard, so could you repeat it?”

“Yeah.”

His aura gathered on his lips once again.

I also focused on listening to what he was saying.

I thought I must have misheard, so this time, I kept my hands on my thighs to avoid getting shocked…

『You said you wanted to rank up your skills.』

-Nods.

『To rank up quickly, you need a high-ranking female hunter.』

-Nods.

『I’ll introduce you to a top hunter faction. So, don’t go to such places.』

-……..

Damn.

I didn’t mishear.

It was all real, wasn’t it?

“Chang-gi?”

“I got it. This time, I didn’t mishear, you crazy bastard.”

“O-oh, really?”

“Sigh.”

Why did this guy suddenly make such a suggestion? I thought he wouldn’t know about such things at all?

People are truly unpredictable. This guy is indeed a top hunter.

“He said having no women is all the same.”

“That’s right. I have no women. Will never have any in the future either?”

“So… how do you find a faction?”

“There are various circumstances here too. I can’t go into details, but she’s really a top hunter.”

“…To what extent?”

“I can’t tell you in detail for her privacy. But at least within the top 100. Maybe just one encounter could help you rank up, or maybe two encounters could double it. Oh, no. Am I being too hopeful? It’s my first time dealing with such skills, so I’m not sure… Maybe within 10 encounters?”

“……..!!”

Although the topic changed, saying it would happen within 10 encounters shows much better value than working in the countryside.

Plus, free sex with a top-ranked hunter!

I never expected such a suggestion…

“Why are you going to such lengths?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s strange. It’s surprising enough that we’ve met again, but to suddenly make such a suggestion. I’m starting to doubt if I’m being deceived by you right now.”

“That’s understandable. I would have thought the same.”

As he said that, he reached out his hand.

Despite me telling him not to do it before, he clasped his hand tightly over mine.

“Chang-gi, trust me. My life is as good as saved by you. I still feel deeply grateful to you and meeting you like this is something I truly appreciate. Consider this proposal just a part of repaying the favor, so accept it lightly.”

“Sung-yeon…”

“I mean it. I have no ulterior motives. If anything, my only wish is for you to grow stronger and help me out.”

“Me, help you? But why all of a sudden?”

“There’s trouble at the Golden Tower. The government and top-ranked hunters are covering it up. I can’t go into details right now, but I’ll let you know when the time comes… So, for now, just trust me.”

Our gazes met.

“……”

“……”

Though somewhat intoxicated, we were serious enough for sobriety to return.

It could have been a mere drunken talk, but Sung-yeon’s situation drew me in deeply.

“Chang-gi.”

His hand clasped in mine felt warm and reassuring, unlike the initial awkwardness.

So, I relented.

There was only one choice, after all.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Just keep your promise. If you do that, we’ll consider the deal sealed.”

“Tell me.”

I nodded.

Sung-yeon focused once more, whispering quietly so only I could hear.

『First, do not dig into your partner’s identity.』

『Second, regardless of rankings, maintain a male-female relationship during play.』

『Third, let your partner take the lead in gameplay and don’t refuse when they assert dominance.』

『Fourth, kissing is off-limits until your partner permits it.』

『Fifth, even if you know their identity, act as if you don’t.』

『Lastly, as compensation, Hunter Hong Chang-gi will join 【Chomok】 guild.』

…Truly a bizarre set of rules.

And joining Chomok guild…

“You want me to join your guild?”

“Yes. That’s my condition. I’ll help you raise your skill rank, so come over to our side.”

“But I just caused a scene recently… and my reputation in society…”

“I can handle that through image-making. Just tell me, yes or no.”

He reached out his hand.

This time, it was a handshake.

If I took it, I would become a member of one of Korea’s top guilds, 【Chomok】.

“It’s not a bad offer. It’s a bit suspicious, but the conditions are too good. Plus, the person persuading me is a childhood friend whose life I saved.”

I couldn’t refuse.

It’s an offer I must tread on even if it’s a trap.

“Chang-gi, trust me. I’ll make sure you don’t have a bad experience.”

In that moment, memories flashed by of him caring for me when I was burned.

He’s not a friend who forgets kindness.

Even after years apart, I still trust this guy.

“Of course.”

I took his hand.

[[Joined Guild Ranked 3rd] Joined 【Chomok】.]

A system message I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Now, I was a member of Chomok guild, under Sung-yeon’s management.

“Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

“Just your best? I expect nothing less.”

“Hehe.”

After flashing a cool smile, he handed me a glass.

The alcohol burned, but our friendship was sweet.

“To our reunion, cheers~!”

“Cheers~!”

Clank!

I drank with the intention of getting completely drunk tonight.

And then, my vision began to blur.

Despite reuniting with a dear friend, my consciousness faded away at this point.