episode_0093

Thanks to the fact that they met once a year at each ranking match, there was a certain level of bond between the rankers.

Unless something unusual happens, such as a reawakening, the ranks of rankers usually do not change.

They were closer to being colleagues rather than a competitive relationship where they bit each other.

Rankers were more wary of their ranking being pushed down by an emerging powerhouse than of a lower ranker rising above them.

But at this moment, New Face Jihoon was unable to pose any threat to the gathered rankers.

“It’s okay, Kang Ji-hoon!! Horsepower is not everything!!”

“It’s loud…don’t scream because it’s embarrassing…”

Sojung cheers and shouts hard for fear that Jihoon will faint.

Jihoon, who felt even more embarrassed because of her warm voice, gave the guide a urging look.

“Ah… this… 50% then! We will measure 50% of the output horsepower!”

For precision, the method of using a horsepower measuring instrument was to gradually increase from 10% and measure the final 50%.

However, the guide was so embarrassed by Jihoon’s ridiculously low horsepower that he had no choice but to skip all the intermediate steps.

“That friend…what is it?”

“Are you sure you knew where this place was? Who let it in?”

“What if everyone is accepted just because there are no qualification restrictions? Why not gather busy people together?”

“Hunter Management Association, I am quite disappointed in how things are handled.”

Unpleasant gazes and mutterings towards Jihoon

Although he expected it, Jihoon was also a little disappointed when the horsepower was actually measured at a poor level.

Jihoon had been training quite hard so far.

Under Professor Gong’s guidance, we have been training to increase the efficiency of horsepower operation and increase the amount of horsepower without a single day of rest.

But still

Horsepower was an area where it was difficult to expect dynamic changes through effort alone.

When Jihoon puts his hand down from the magic measuring device, the guide hands him a document.

“Here, check your horsepower rating and sign to complete your participation application. Next Hunter Seokhyun Kang. Please come forward.”

As Jihoon finishes signing, a man walks out behind him.

“Hunter Kang Seok-hyeon? Are you a new applicant for the ranking competition?”

“Yes”

“Put your right hand on the horsepower measuring tool and collect 10… no, 50%. Only 50% of the outputable horsepower in your right hand.”

The guide, who has already been touched by Jihoon once, demands 50% horsepower from new participants like Jihoon from the beginning.

It was then.

“What…what is that”

“How…that…who, who is that hunter?”

As the attractive-looking man named Kang Seok-hyeon raised his magical power, the magical power measuring instrument instantly turned a very deep blue light and vibrated loudly.

“Concentration…is it possible?”

“Now…wait…Hunter Seokhyeon Kang! Let me start again from the beginning. Please give me 10%!”

The guide is startled and asks for the standard procedure again.

As Seok-Hyeon Kang slowly measured his horsepower again from 10% to 50% according to the guide’s instructions and finished signing the document, murmurs began everywhere.

The eyes that had been laughing and pitiful at Jihoon just now were now directed at Seokhyeon with a feeling of restraint.

“50% output…maybe not.”

“Did you see it too?”

“It was uploaded so easily and lightly.”

“Haha, you’re cheeky. As a newbie, are you ignoring your seniors? Song Hunter, can you keep 28th place?”

“No…I think it will probably be difficult. Not only was the horsepower enormous, but the control was also of a very high standard. He is not a newly awakened hunter, so he probably has a lot of practical experience. But why hasn’t it been known until now? That hunter is so strong”

“Couldn’t it have been reawakened recently?”

“Hmm… That makes sense too…”

The waiting room for the horsepower measurement was heating up with the story of Seok-hyeon, who had just appeared, completely forgetting about Ji-hoon, who had surprised everyone with his poor horsepower.

“Ah, that friend. I belong to the Hanseong Guild. I’ve seen it once before”

When Hwang Jeong-hyeok, the 15th ranked hunter, recognized Seok-hyeon and spoke, the eyes of the other rankers sparkled again.

“That’s right, all those with hidden abilities are from the Hanseong Guild.”

“There are already six rankers in Hanseong Guild alone. Now if you add that friend, does that make seven? Even if it’s the #1 guild, it’s too dominant”

“They pull you from the front and push you from behind, but do you have the talent to resist? Even if I can’t join the Hanseong Guild, I’ll still be able to do it for another 20 or 30 years. Where do they keep finding and nurturing such talented people?…”

The shouts of criticism from the rankers also reach Jihoon’s ears.

“Hansung Guild? Do you know?”

“It’s the No. 1 guild in our country, so how can there be someone who doesn’t know about it?”

Sojung scolds Jihoon.

“This is my first time hearing it.”

“You are too uninterested in the world. 2nd, 3rd, 14th, 21st, 23rd, and 24th. Hanseong Guild is the strongest guild in Korea in name and reality, with six rankers.”

“…Really? It’s not that I’m not interested, but maybe you know so much detail that it’s surprising?”

“ Stop by anyone passing by and ask them. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about Hansung Guild? In particular, Hunter Hyuna Kim, ranked 2nd, is the idol of all magic hunters! From 29th place to 2nd place with reawakening! Your face is so pretty that you even have a fan club?”

“Are you a fan club member?”

“Of course! Hunter Kim Hyuna is my role model!”

“Usually, the number 1 ranking is considered a role model, but why 2nd place?”

“Ah…that’s…look over there”

Sojung raises her hand and points to the corner of the waiting room.

A middle-aged man with his arms crossed and his head bowed.

There seems to be an invisible curtain around the dark atmosphere.

No one was approaching.

“Sword Saint…Hunter Jang Hyun-woo. That person is currently ranked #1. Do you know when that person rose to number one in the rankings? It’s already been 12 years. 12 years! Do you know how many Gate and Black Hunter eradication operations were active while occupying the top spot for 12 years?”

“…How should I know…Oh, I think I’ve heard that name…”

Sojung ignores Jihoon and continues talking.

“Not a single thing. Not a single one! Isn’t it strange?”

“…Yeah, that’s strange.”

“A hunter with the title of Sword Saint never shows himself swinging a sword? What would you do if you had the power? What if you’re good with a sword? Isn’t it meaningful to use that power for our country, or rather the world? That person is famous for only showing his face in ranking matches. Well…I’ve never seen it, but I heard it’s strong…the rankers all unanimously call it a sword saint, so there’s nothing I can do…”

For some reason, Sojeong’s eyes, which were looking at Jang Hyeon-woo with a resentful expression, instantly turn into hearts.

“Look, look!! It’s Hunter Kim Hyuna’s turn! Look at how you measure horsepower. How did you… so clean your hands… how did you go around subduing the upper level gate on the day of Heukuheon and not even get your skin damaged like that?-”

So-jeong made a fuss and tried to shake Ji-hoon, but Ji-hoon’s eyes were fixed on Jang Hyun-woo, not Kim Hyun-ah.

To be precise, it is not Jang Hyun-woo, but the handle of the sword at his waist.

Looking at the blood stains here and there on the worn leather, Jihoon looks interested.

“I understand why it is called the Sword Saint”

“Aaaah! Hyuna Kim Hunter!! How, how, the magical power measuring instrument explodes!!”

“This is a very extreme fan. She’s crazy, so don’t do it here, go cheer for that girl”

“Heh, are you jealous? Even though I’m a fan of Kim Hyuna Hunter, I’ll still support you unconditionally in this ranking match, so don’t worry”

“Can you see the handle of that first place guy’s sword over there?”

“Huh?”

Sojeong turns her gaze to Jihoon’s sudden words and looks at Jang Hyunwoo’s waist.

“Those are marks made by maniacs who are so crazy about their swords that they don’t let go of their hands even when they sleep. Instead of envying things like fair skin or a pretty face, you should be envious of things like that”

So-jung looks at Jang Hyun-woo again at Ji-hoon’s serious expression.

From his tightly closed mouth and gently closed eyes, I felt a strange weight that was difficult to explain.

Is there something…a story?

“Ranking…it could be fun…”

I think I found something interesting

The corners of Jihoon’s mouth rise slightly.

As the magic power measurements of several rankers were completed, the guides began approaching each hunter and requesting that they attend interviews with the media.

Although the contents of the ranking match could not be made public, the Hunter Management Association had to at least respond to the public’s interest.

It was then.

The door opens, and the head of the Hunter Management Association walks in.

“Hello. Oh my, Gu Hunter… Ugh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Song Hunter too. Hunter Kim! I heard that you were injured at the Class A gate last week. Are you okay?”

The president of the association was crossing the waiting room, shaking hands and greeting each and every ranker.

Eventually, his steps reached the original destination. It stops in front of Jihoon.

“Hunter Kang. Thank you for coming. Are there any changes to your plan to regain first place in the rankings?”

With just one word, the president of the association turned the attention of all rankers back to Jihoon.