Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“Ji-hwa! Did you come to meet me?”

“As if. I came to meet our Taeyang. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Unni!”

Kim Ji-hwa examined Cha Taeyang while pushing away Gyeon Ji-woon, who was pouncing on her.

Jo Sung-hyun, recognizing Kim Ji-hwa, froze and repeatedly muttered “It’s an honor.” Most hunters react like that when they first see Ji-hwa.

If you ask who the strongest hunter in South Korea is, opinions would vary widely. The outcome changes depending on the compatibility with the enemy, field attributes, equipment adjustments, and so on.

But if you ask who the most honorable hunter in South Korea is, everyone would give the same answer.

The Apocalyptic Witch, Kim Ji-hwa.

Gyeon Ji-woon is currently called South Korea’s greatest wizard only because Kim Ji-hwa has retired.

As if mocking those who called her a witch, Kim Ji-hwa roamed freely inside and outside the World Tower, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a black cloak.

Right after the World Tower appeared, South Korea reorganized its system faster than any other country in the world thanks to Kim Ji-hwa.

Her existence also played a big role in the high evaluation of the relatively small-scale Hwangya.

Though she retired a few years ago due to a severe injury, Kim Ji-hwa’s name still stands strong.

“Hunter Yun Gaho, you’ve worked hard too. It must have been quite a task to lead these reckless ones.”

“Reckless!”

“Did I say something wrong?”

Unable to refute Kim Ji-hwa’s words, Seo Young-woon silently entered the guild building. Kim Ji-hwa guided us inside with Cha Taeyang dangling from one arm.

As always, the lobby was brightly lit despite the early hour.

“You’re still here?”

“Isn’t that too cold? I went all the way to Yeouido in the middle of the night at your request.”

“Taeyang, did Ji-woon help you well?”

“He came when everything was already over.”

When Kim Ji-hwa glared at him, Gyeon Ji-woon clung to her with a pitiful expression.

“I left as soon as I got your call. It’s amazing that they cleared it so quickly. Speaking of which, are all your guild members like this?”

“Our kids are quite exceptional. Anyway, you didn’t do anything, right?”

“My intentions were good. Cut me some slack.”

“Alright. Thanks for your trouble in the early morning.”

Kim Ji-hwa patted Gyeon Ji-woon’s head. Despite the half-hearted gesture, Gyeon Ji-woon smiled with satisfaction.

‘I knew Ji-hwa-nim was always like this, but…’

Even such an oddball is no match for Kim Ji-hwa. When Gyeon Ji-woon continued to cling, Kim Ji-hwa kicked him in the rear to chase him away.

Having passed midnight, Cha Taeyang started nodding off while standing.

Normally, we would have to write reports right away, but reading our exhaustion, Kim Ji-hwa postponed the deadline to tomorrow.

Still, we needed to report the circumstances, so we stopped by the office to briefly explain what happened to Hwang Jae-hee.

“You all really worked hard. We should have assigned more people in case of situations like this…”

“Well, it was like a natural disaster. We’re fine, so it’s all good. Ah, I have something to discuss privately.”

“We’ll head in first then.”

eo Young-woon, quick to read the situation, disappeared with Cha Taeyang and Jo Sung-hyun.

Hwang Jae-hee asked about my business while keeping his eyes fixed on some documents.

“I’d like to request a meeting. Preferably with the Guild Master.”

“It’s unusual for Hunter Yun Gaho to request a meeting.”

Any Hwangya guild member can request a meeting with the executives. This system was possible due to the guild’s small size, and some say it’s Hwangya’s greatest advantage.

Where else would you get a chance to meet high-ranking hunters without conditions? It was truly time more precious than gold.

Knowing this well, I had never requested a meeting until now.

Not for any grand reason… I just thought that as a C-rank, I shouldn’t bother others. But now it’s different.

“I’ve acquired a new trait. It’s a somewhat unusual trait… I’ll explain the details after the meeting.”

“Ah, congratulations first of all. But what should we do? Currently, a meeting with the Guild Master is impossible. He said he was going to the World Tower and just disappeared.”

“He disappeared again?”

“Yes. Without saying when he’d return.”

‘No wonder Hwang Jae-hee’s face looked gloomy.’

Living up to his nickname as the most free-spirited hunter, Choi Kwon-young, despite being the Guild Master, often disappeared without warning. Although he always returned with remarkable achievements, it must be unfortunate for Hwang Jae-hee, who assists him.

It was unfortunate for me too, as I wanted to report about my skill as soon as possible.

“As always, there’s no guarantee when he’ll return, so how about talking with other executives? If you tell me the skill category, I can find an appropriate person…”

“Would I not do?”

“Ji-hwa-nim!”

“I told you to call me comfortably.”

Kim Ji-hwa suddenly interrupted. It was unexpected but welcome.

With her wealth of experience, Kim Ji-hwa would be a good consultant.

As the person with the most authority after the Guild Master, negotiations would be possible if needed.

Above all, she was easier to deal with than the overbearing and willful Choi Kwon-young.

“If it’s you, Ji-hwa-nim, I can entrust this with peace of mind.”

“Right?”

Kim Ji-hwa smiled confidently, hands on her hips. She patted my shoulder.

My whole body had been aching, so I greeted the two and quickly returned to my quarters.

“Now I feel like I can live.”

Was it because the tension had eased? Fatigue crept up to my neck.

It had been an exhausting day with nothing ordinary about it. We had literally crossed the line between life and death. I’d have to postpone dealing with things like skills and chimera eggs. We had literally crossed the line between life and death.

‘Tomorrow’s me will solve these worries.’

With that irresponsible thought, I collapsed onto my bed.

And the next day.

An unexpected figure was waiting for me in the meeting room.

“Yun Gaho, quit being a hunter.”

It’s common knowledge that defensive hunters have an extraordinary sense of responsibility.

Then what about S-rank defensive hunters? Charitably put, they’re devoted; uncharitably, they’re stubborn.

“Answer me, Yun Gaho.”

And Yun Su-ho, spouting nonsense in front of me, is the epitome of defensive types.

Ordinary people think Yun Su-ho is sensible, but he’s absolutely not. Look at that face, all bundled up with responsibility and stubbornness. Who’d have thought I’d see this guy here.

“Answer? Say something that makes sense first, and then I’ll answer.”

I checked the clock: 5 minutes to 11. It’s almost time for my appointment with Kim Ji-hwa.

Yun Su-ho stared at me. What, are you waiting for me to greet you or something?

Judging by the pile of coffee-flavored snack wrappers in front of his seat, he seemed to have been waiting for quite a while. Wait, what’s a free hunter whose every minute is precious doing here?

“Hunter Yun Gaho, you’re early?”

Kim Ji-hwa approached, waving her hand gently. Upon seeing Yun Su-ho, she clapped her hands.

“I heard you two are family? I had no idea. Now that I see you together, you do look a bit alike.”

“Thank you for this morning.”

“Well, if you consider neighbors family, then I guess we are.”

Kim Ji-hwa raised an eyebrow at my words.

Family, my foot. We’ve been stuck together since birth, and we’ve been mistaken for siblings many times because of our similar names, but we’re clearly not related.

“Yun Su-ho was standing like a stone pillar in front of the guild building at the crack of dawn. I let him in because I heard he was family to Yun Gaho.”

“We’ve known each other since birth…”

“We’re acquainted, yes.”

I cut off Yun Su-ho as he was about to spout unnecessary words.

He cuts ties whenever he feels like it, and then shows up out of the blue. We grew up like siblings since childhood, but he was always inscrutable.

I thought we had a good relationship, but that guy Yun Su-ho cut off all contact after I became a hunter. Even on the rare occasions we ran into each other, he’d disappear in a flash as if afraid I might speak to him. What’s with this sudden change of heart?

Well, it was typical Yun Su-ho behavior, if anything.

“He said he had business with Hunter Yun Gaho, so I guided him here. If you two need time to talk, I can step out for a moment.”

“No, it’s fine. This guy just arbitrarily…”

“You can stay.”

“Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Even at my sharp words, Yun Su-ho didn’t bat an eye. Is he implying that words from a C-rank aren’t even worth acknowledging?

Kim Ji-hwa’s face showed signs of trouble. What are you doing in someone else’s workplace?

“Gaho.”

“What.”

The last conscience of S-rank, my foot. He’s no better than the other S-ranks; he just seems sane in comparison because the others are so outrageous. I’d better talk to him alone first, since I have no idea what he might say.

“Could you please give us a moment, just a brief moment?”

“If you can’t quit because of money, I’ll give you as much as you need. So…”

Ah, I’m really about to die of frustration. I couldn’t help but sigh.