Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

The Finals, and Then (3)

"The qualifications of an S-rank Hunter... is that what you said?"

At Baek Hojun's sudden words, the entire hall was thrown into a commotion.

It was already a shock to learn that Baek Hojun was the examiner testing the qualifications for becoming an S-rank Hunter, but nobody had expected him to say such a thing to Lee Soo-ah right here, in this place.

"Producer Do, what should we do? Shouldn't we stop this?"

"We already talked about the event match, but isn't this a different matter?"

The producers of Super Hunter K were in a panic, asking PD Do, the main producer, how to handle the situation.

They couldn't decide if it was really okay to treat the concept of an S-rank Hunter as casual entertainment like this.

"Why not? What's the problem this time?"

"Well, it's because it's the S-rank Hunter, right? Normally, this sort of thing is conducted in secret by the Association..."

"That's just how it's been done until now. It's not like there's a rule against doing it like this."

PD Do waved his hand briskly at the cameras around him.

"What are you doing!! Zoom in on the two people on stage, quickly!"

PD Do shouted sharply, directing the scene, but inside, his heart was pounding.

He didn't know if it was anxiety or excitement.

But at least for Super Hunter K, this was definitely a huge boon.

'Tomorrow's Naver News main page will be all about us!'

S-rank Hunters carried a status entirely different from all other Hunters.

To put it simply—they were the nation's greatest asset.

They possessed a deterrent power akin to nuclear weapons.

At that moment, there were five S-rank Hunters in Korea, and originally, Ji Yeon-hwa was set to become the sixth.

But if a Hunter participating in Super Hunter K became a new S-rank Hunter?

There was no need to explain what would happen next.

"The qualifications of an S-rank Hunter... Th-there's no way I could..."

So, even for Soo-ah, it was not easy to answer right away.

Her, being called S-rank?

It was something that only showed up in her wildest dreams.

She knew she had certainly become stronger recently, but compared to the power shown by Baek Hojun, Shin Ah-yeon, and Ji Yeon-hwa at that time, she was far behind.

Above all, she herself was still only C-rank.

She hadn't even raised her rank properly—how could she suddenly challenge for S-rank? The Association would never recognize it.

"There are generally two ways to become eligible for S-rank Hunter."

For that Soo-ah, Baek Hojun continued calmly, still pointing his sword at her.

"First, you can steadily raise your rank, step by step, and then challenge for S-rank."

Ji Yeon-hwa had been this first type.

She took her time, building up achievements, raising her rank, and then obtaining the chance to challenge S-rank.

"And second, when a Hunter has prevented a disaster that could turn into a national crisis and saved countless lives, the S-rank examiner is dispatched to verify the qualifications."

At those words, Soo-ah swallowed dryly.

She realized what he meant by that second case.

"Are you talking about what happened during the third mission? But you know, hunter Baek Hojun-nim, that I didn't do anything particularly special at that time."

"No, if you hadn't been there, Soo-ah-ssi, it could have gotten very dangerous. The only reason we were able to barely maintain balance then was because all three of us—me, Ah-yeon-ssi, and you—were there."

There was not a hint of falsehood in Baek Hojun's words.

Of course, back then he himself hadn't even been properly equipped, but it was true that because Soo-ah had been there, they were able to stop the situation before it got worse.

"The entity we fought then was a monster of over S-rank level. If it had come down from the mountain toward the city, there's no doubt it would have caused enormous damage. So you meet the second condition. And as the examiner, I can personally attest to it."

He spoke these words not only for Soo-ah, but for all the audience holding their breath watching the two of them, and also for one man sitting quietly among them.

Park Jung-woo, the manager who had requested this event match.

"I have one request of you, hunter Baek Hojun-nim."

After subduing the rampaging Ji Yeon-hwa, inside the dark space created by the landslide, Hojun had spoken with Jung-woo.

"After the finals are over, could you have an event match with Soo-ah?"

"... An event match?"

It was a completely unexpected suggestion.

Hojun glanced at Soo-ah, sleeping at Shin Ah-yeon's and Ji Yeon-hwa's side.

She indeed showed remarkable skill.

To be honest, he felt a twinge of envy at Soo-ah's talent as shown when fighting Ji Yeon-hwa.

'But, that's just talent, after all.'

Right now, Soo-ah's skills were nowhere near enough to face Baek Hojun himself.

"To be honest, even I was surprised by Hunter Lee Soo-ah's talent. But she's still lacking. Even with an event match, it would probably end very quickly."

Hojun shook his head.

It was clear that Soo-ah had grown stronger, but compared to himself, an S-rank Hunter, there was still a vast gulf.

"With Soo-ah-ssi's current ability, she'll certainly become the winner of Super Hunter K. To be frank, I don't recommend the event match. If she fights me, it might draw some attention for a while, but it'll diminish her image as the champion."

Winning in grand style only to lose to Baek Hojun was not a good look.

Even if it was natural to lose to an S-rank Hunter, seeing the champion lose would be a letdown.

"So, hunter Baek Hojun-nim still sees Soo-ah as an unpolished gem."

"And Park Manager-nim, you speak as if you disagree."

At Hojun's curious question, Jung-woo gave a faint smile.

"This is a bit off topic, but haven't you lost your way lately?"

"... What do you mean by that?"

"I meant it just as I said. I know Hunter Baek Hojun-nim has reached an impressive level, but it seems you haven't changed much for three years."

"...."

Baek Hojun tried to claim that wasn't true.

But he couldn't speak so easily.

As Jung-woo said, Baek Hojun's sword had been stuck without progressing for a long time.

"... Yes, I've been wandering a bit. But it can't be helped. Even the so-called Sword King who leads the art has run into this wall."

"Is that what you really want to believe?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

The conversation, which began about Soo-ah's event match, had become something completely different.

Why was he suddenly questioning Hojun's state of mind?

Annoyed, Hojun asked, but Jung-woo simply spoke calmly.

"I was just wondering if maybe you'd given up, thinking it was the limit of your talent..."

He never imagined anyone would dare say that to him.

Even the Sword King, considered the master of all Korean swordsmen, much older than him, had never said that so easily.

"In fact, hunter Baek Hojun-nim's perspective isn't totally wrong."

Jung-woo slowly stepped forward toward the speechless Baek Hojun and continued.

"Because Hunter Baek Hojun-nim, you are not a genius."

It was as if he was digging into an old wound with a knife.

"... You're the first person to ever say that to me."

"Ah, it might sound a little rude. I apologize for that, honestly, but I said it out of respect for who you are, hunter Baek Hojun-nim."

"Respect? Are you being sincere right now?"

Hojun asked with a low voice, fighting down the anger rising inside him.

Who would feel good being told, in their face, that they lacked talent?

Especially when he'd spent years unable to break past his own plateau.

"The Thousand Swords (千劍)."

Jung-woo spoke aloud the title most closely associated with Hojun's past.

"Blade Master is the more famous title now, but once that was your epithet, hunter Baek Hojun-nim."

"...."

"As I recall, it was your teacher, hunter Jung Yoo-shin-nim, who first called you Thousand Swords. He never explained why he chose that epithet."

To Baek Hojun, "Thousand Swords" was a kind of shackle.

"People say it's because your single sword is as powerful as a thousand. But I think it means something different."

"... That's enough."

"Isn't Thousand Swords counting the times your sword has broken?"

Shiiing!!

No sooner had Jung-woo finished than Hojun's sword was at his throat.

Ordinary people would have collapsed from fear, but Jung-woo only glanced down at the blade below his chin, then smiled up at Hojun.

"I see it as something to be proud of."

"How can I possibly be proud of lacking talent?"

"At least, I—for one—and your teacher never saw it that way."

"...."

Hojun's sword wavered at the tip.

Sensing this, Jung-woo looked calmly at him and said,

"There is certainly a path that doesn't look like a lack of talent."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Sometimes, you should try accepting help from others."

Jung-woo's gaze shifted to Soo-ah.

To the one who had shown a blinding flash of talent during the fight with Ji Yeon-hwa.

"Soo-ah isn't an unpolished gem. Rather, she's rusted, and countless impurities are obstructing her radiance."

"Are you saying she's already fully developed at that young age?"

"She's completed, but can't break the shell... if I had to explain, I'd say it that way. You know what I mean, hunter Baek Hojun-nim."

At Jung-woo's words, Hojun paused in thought.

If he pieced together all he'd heard from Jung-woo so far, there was only one conclusion.

"You think Hunter Lee Soo-ah could show me the path?"

"Yes."

Jung-woo was firm.

He was certain, without a trace of doubt, that she could.

"That's what a genius is."

"Hunter Lee Soo-ah."

He didn't fully believe what Jung-woo said.

The Lee Soo-ah before his eyes seemed still far from S-rank.

Nevertheless, he'd declared that she should prove herself for S-rank.

Not just because it was Jung-woo's request.

It was a judgment he'd made for himself.

If someone was to show him the path, then surely, they should be able to reach S-rank in an instant.

"Give it your all. I will test you as one worthy of the S-rank Hunter qualification."

Baek Hojun raised his sword vertically, calmly.

In stark contrast to Soo-ah's white blade, he wielded a black sword (Heukgeom).

"You'll have to show every ounce of talent you possess."

Baek Hojun's normally friendly face turned chilly and cold.

Soo-ah felt as if this was his true face.

The wild beast, usually hidden behind the gentle impression.

"If you don't, you'll die."

That was what it meant to be tested for S-rank Hunter.

S-rank wasn't just a class.

It was the very top defensive power, meant to protect humanity itself.

"Thousand Swords(千劍)."

With those brief muttered words from Baek Hojun,

above the stage, up on the high ceiling, countless white blades of light appeared.

A thousand blades, symbolizing his title.

"Descent(落下)."

They fell like a torrential rain.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Insert Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon here.
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