episode_0048

Whoa!

Intense magic bursts out along with the dazzling starlight.

The origin is none other than the old shrine installed in the ‘Muhee Shrine’.

The shrine, once filled with dust, now emitted a bright light, blooming beautiful trees and flowers like living beings.

“Wow…”

An exclamation escaped from Mahana’s lips as she watched in awe.

Mahana gazed at the falling petals with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.

[The spirit who has been giving trials to the Muhees for a long time admires the dance.]

[Although lacking in color, it is praised as the cutest and most adorable dance ever seen.]

[Congratulations. You receive the proof of passing the test.]

As the words ended, one of the black stars Mahana possessed was filled.

The blinking symbol indicated that she had completed all the tests to rise to 3★.

“…”

Mahana stood still for a moment, like a statue.

Sniffle.

Tears welled up again.

She felt like she was becoming too much of a crybaby lately, but she couldn’t help it.

She never believed that something so joyful and happy would come to her.

‘No, I can’t.’

She can’t cry again.

Now she wants to smile at happy things.

She turns around.

There stood a man who had silently watched over her from the beginning to the end, as always.

A young man with a tall figure and a beautiful appearance.

But to Mahana, such external things were no longer important.

What was more radiant was what he had.

‘Heart.’

His warm heart shone on Mahana like the sun.

She runs towards him. Strongly, even more strongly.

“Seha~~~!”

“Mahana!!!”

Mahana hugged Seha tightly and showed a happy smile.

And Seha, with a face even happier than that, looked at her.

The two of them held each other and spun around for a while.

“Congratulations, Mahana! I knew you could do it!”

“Yes! It’s all thanks to Seha!”

Their faces were filled with smiles as beautiful as the trees.

—

“Sincerely, congratulations, Hana.”

The female employee, covering her mouth with both hands, choked up.

Arirang.

She, who usually took care of them, was moved by the two ★ symbols that Mahana presented.

“Hehe…”

“Just wait a moment, please.”

The female employee sent her information somewhere.

Probably to the organization. And as expected of an organization that considers and Rank as ‘Doctrine’, a message of congratulations came back in less than a minute.

Whoa!

The holy light around Mahana’s body faintly circled and disappeared.

The unique impact of the rise in Rank.

It was my first time seeing it directly in this world, so I quietly admired it.

[Hana’s Rank is rising.]

[◉ Rank: Recorded as 3★(☆☆☆).]

[Due to the rise in Rank, the number of Gates, Dungeons, Fields, Trials, ETC that can be accessed has greatly increased.]

[Hana’s latent growth limit breaks that barrier.]

“Now you’re a respectable 3★.”

“Hehe…”

Mahana felt joy and embarrassment, and she kept patting her cheeks.

The soft and squishy cheeks moving around were undeniably adorable.

But now, it’s time to get serious.

“So, now… I would like to inform you about the unfortunate incident that happened today. Are you both available to hear it?”

As Arirang nodded, she continued with a long explanation.

Well, the content was as detailed as a Viennese sausage, but to summarize, it went like this.

First. The handling and aftermath of the attack by the Pyodokju and the duo went smoothly.

Second, currently Guild Master Su Okbin is overseas on the Association’s orders, so Assistant Guild Master is running around handling the incidents.

As the higher-ups are busy with the aftermath, they couldn’t come, so please forgive us.

“The Assistant Guild Master said. I’m truly sorry for letting such an unfortunate incident happen twice.”

“No, it’s not your fault in the first place.”

Both the ‘Breakout’ incident and the ‘Class Hunter’ attack are disasters.

There’s nothing an ordinary person like Assistant Guild Master can do.

Instead, we are grateful for the concern and help.

Lastly, regarding the third compensation.

“This is the reward we can offer you right now.”

Approximately 100 million won in cash.

Although it seemed like they couldn’t offer more, we didn’t mind.

Me and Meonyangi gained a lot from this adventure that couldn’t be measured in money.

“It’s a good deal.”

The following words were unexpected.

“And both of you have been promoted to D-rank Hunters.”

“Oh…”

“Wow…”

The smiling employee handed two copper badges from the drawer.

Under the grade marked as D, each had their names and affiliations written.

“Your qualifications have been upgraded to D-rank Hunters.”

“The number of gates, dungeons, fields, trials, ETC that you can enter will increase significantly.”

“Your reputation will spread to those around you. Your status will rise slightly.”

“This is great.”

Hunter’s rank not only affects social background but also needs to be raised in practical terms.

As some dungeons require a certain rank, just like the level of strength.

For example, in the case of commonly considered as ‘S-rank’.

One must achieve at least C-rank to be eligible to participate.

There were many other benefits as well.

Tax exemptions, more profit sharing on by-products, equipment rental, and special information provision, etc.

Each one was definitely profitable when carefully considered.

“In fact, considering your performance in the … we could even give you a C-rank. The lack of ability will be resolved as you grow. However, we have legally prohibited rapid rank increases within the guild… so we had to give you D-rank.”

Huh? This is new information.

They prohibited rapid rank increases?

“…Ah, maybe because of that incident…”

“Yes, that’s right, Hana.”

That incident…?

“Ah, Seha doesn’t know. About 10 years ago, there was a large-scale terrorist attack by a Hunter known as .”

“…T…terrorist?”

According to the explanation, in the past, a female Hunter gained rapid strength and attracted attention from various places.

However, this woman was a spy of the clan, who raised her rank for the purpose of terrorism.

This eventually ended in the worst possible way.

To scout her, the executives of the [Clan] gathered in a meeting room.

There, she killed the majority of the people present and fled.

“Thanks to that, rapid rank increases are now legally prohibited.”

“……”

Hmm, this sounds like a story of someone I know.

‘Feels familiar.’

Well, it’s not a big deal for us, so I didn’t pay much attention and moved on.

Anyway, it’s time to talk about the important matter now.

With a smirk, you cleared your throat and spoke softly.

“Excuse me, employee.”

“Yes, Seha-nim.”

“I might not be able to visit the guild for a while, so I wanted to let you know in advance.”

“Oh, really? Is there something…?”

Me and Meonyangi smiled at each other slyly.

“Academy.”

“…Ah!”

We are going to enroll in the Gones Hunter Academy.

* * *

About a week later.

Simultaneously, for a total of 10 hours.

It was a time when we were crumpled on the bus.

Me and Meonyang were chatting away.

Sometimes leaning on each other’s shoulders and even dozing off together.

It was a peaceful time without any battles for a change.

As we arrived at the location, a spacious field and a huge complex building resembling a castle in the distance came into view.

“Wow. Sehaya. Is that…?”

“Yes.”

《Gonnis Hunter Academy》.

The main stage of ‘Gosla’ and a place that all mapmakers are tired of seeing through Riesemara.

That place was unfolding right in front of my eyes.

The first impression was like this.

‘…Hmm, big?’

That was all I could think of.

I had already seen too much of it on the internet to be impressed.

For me, the size and grandeur of the didn’t matter much.

The Academy was just a decoration.

The most important thing is ultimately the characters.

I placed my hand on top of the most precious treasure in this world.

Swish-.

“Meow?”

“Should we go in?”

“Yes!”

As we entered, little by little, the test takers began to reveal themselves.

They were all equipped with gear to defeat monsters.

Among them, the most eye-catching were the warriors.

Probably because they are the tanks, bruisers, who block enemy attacks on the front lines.

Their sturdy and shining armor was impressive.

“Wow… they all shine.”

“Don’t worry. Meonyang, you shine the most.”

“…W-why are you suddenly saying something embarrassing.”

Meonyang blushed, but she wasn’t wrong.

The grade of the Beast Armor she was wearing was Hero.

She may look modest, but some were surprised when they saw the armor she was wearing.

Some even assessed Meonyang’s skills and were cautious.

‘Of course.’

What could our Meonyang lack?

Her stats have grown, she’s powerful.

She even has the [Provocation] skill.

And she even has a rare boss’s [Rune], not to mention she’s so cute.

There’s no reason to be intimidated.

‘But even considering that, why are there so many eyes on her?’

Every time we take a step, everyone looks this way.

-…What? Did he pass with his face?

-He looks like a dealer, right? Is he a melee class? Wow, he’s really handsome.

-Is the one next to him a beast race? He’s cute.

-But no matter how you look at it, he’s not on the same level as that guy, right?

I stopped in my tracks at the unintentional last comment.

What?

‘On the same level?!’

These damn people.

Discussing ranks with our Meonyang!?

“You little…-”

“-Sehaya! Calm down. Calm down!”

Surprised Meonyang grabbed me.

The women who were talking disappeared in the meantime.

I shook for a moment with the intention of watching them.

Soon, we arrived at the auditorium where all the spectators were gathered.

Inside, there were more than a thousand people bustling around.

‘It’s overwhelming…’

The numbers were impressive, but what was even more surprising was that all of them were Awakened Ones who could use the ‘Status Window’.

Most of them were probably hunters with practical experience.

At the same time, from the fact that they were the 1st round test passers selected after screening based on basic personal information, I could tell the status of the Academy.

Just as I was wandering around like a country bumpkin.

“…Hm?”

I turned my head to the gaze directed at me.

Then, a woman quickly turned away as if she hadn’t been looking.

She was wearing a hat and a mask, but her distinctive features and hair color.

And lastly, the size of her chest that could be summed up with the word ‘bun’, made me feel familiar.

‘This person…’

I thought about approaching her and starting a conversation, but decided against it.

It seems like they’re still feeling awkward.

More precisely, it’s about meeting with Meonyang.

“…gulp.”

“Are you nervous?”

At my question, Meonyang, who had been stiff, nodded slightly.

“I-I didn’t expect there to be so many… I didn’t even dream about it.”

“I didn’t expect this much either.”

“Ha, can I… pass?”

I understand Meonyang’s worries.

After all, when it comes to experience points, we are probably the most lacking.

“It’s okay, Meonyang.”

“Meow?”

One month.

It’s only a short amount of time.

But I was confident.

“What we have accumulated is the equivalent of several years of effort for others, if not more. So we can do it. Have confidence.”

“…Okay!”

In the moment we smiled at each other.

Suddenly, a sense of unease crept up my spine.

‘…What’s this?’

I turned my head, wondering who was interrupting this precious time with my favorite character.

And there, a group of women with a sly look on their faces were staring at us.

Among them, a woman who seemed to be the leader.

Wearing a baseball jacket, she came up to me with a sharp look and scrutinized me from head to toe.

And then, she blurted out abruptly.

“Hey, you guys…”

What did you just say?