Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“Did you say money?”

Kim Ji-hwa, equally incredulous, looked back and forth between us with wide eyes.

Exhausted by Yun Su-ho’s continued nonsense, I silently glared at him, lacking the energy to respond.

“Wow, you really haven’t changed a bit.”

“That’s why you should quit being a hunter.”

“Yun Su-ho, who are you to tell me to quit my job?”

“Aren’t we family?”

I grabbed the back of my neck, feeling a rush of heat.

Family? Even being better neighbors than family became ancient history long ago. Where was this attitude when he was avoiding me like I was a cockroach?

“Hey, this is my workplace. Family or not, don’t cause trouble by suddenly showing up like this.”

“I told you to quit.”

“Sigh, both of you calm down first. Hunter Yun Gaho, please sit down. This looks like it might come to blows.”

Even if I threw a punch, only my fist would suffer. Despite my irritation, I quietly sat down, considering Ji-hwa’s position.

“Hunter Yun Su-ho, if you speak so abruptly, Hunter Yun Gaho will never listen to you. Our guild doesn’t want to lose an excellent member without reason either.”

“I heard about last night’s incident.”

Last night’s incident… Did he suddenly start caring after hearing I almost died?

What does it matter to him whether I live or die?

“These things happen in a hunter’s life. You know that, right?”

“That’s exactly why it won’t do. With such ambiguous skills, if you keep working as a hunter…”

“What? Ambiguous skills?”

Yun Su-ho furrowed his brow as if to say his words were correct.

‘Right, you’re the high and mighty S-rank, aren’t you? Look at him looking down on C-ranks.’

“It seems you’re annoyed that a C-rank is poking around everywhere, but that’s none of your business.”

“Why isn’t it my business? When I heard you got caught up in an interference, I was so…”

“Hey, Yun Su-ho. I don’t know what this sudden family act is about, but you’ve got the wrong address. Get out of our guild.”

“I should have insisted that Aunt oppose it until the end back then…”

“What? Wait a minute. Was that because of you?”

Yun Su-ho nodded shamelessly.

Around the time I first awakened, my parents strongly opposed me becoming a hunter. I couldn’t persuade them to the end and had to flee to Seoul.

I told them that the government strongly encourages D-rank and above awakened individuals to become hunters, but they wouldn’t listen… So it was all because of you!

‘There was a reason they opposed it to the end, even when I said C-rank wasn’t that dangerous.’

My parents, who doted on Yun Su-ho, who excelled at everything. It was because of this guy, who awakened as an S-rank one step ahead of me, that they were so adamant. Argh, should I kill him?

“I don’t know since when you’ve had such a keen interest in my life, but leave before I really hit you.”

“What’s the problem? I said I’d provide any financial support you need.”

“Do you think I’m doing this because I don’t have money?”

Yun Su-ho blinked as if he truly didn’t understand.

What’s wrong with him?

“It’s frustrating, so frustrating!”

What’s wrong with him? I pounded my chest, feeling suffocated.

Kim Ji-hwa was observing us with her chin propped up, as if watching an interesting sitcom.

“I’m not as fragile as you think, and even if I were, I have no reason to listen to you. Whether you’re my friend or an S-rank…”

“We’re family…”

“Even if you’re family. If you don’t understand, just memorize it. Got it?”

“Do you think there won’t be a second incident like yesterday? Even more dangerous things happen all the time. Why do you insist on being a hunter?”

What’s with him suddenly? I tried getting angry, coaxing, and persuading, but Yun Su-ho remained stubborn.

The meaningless argument showed no signs of ending.

“You’re too weak.”

Yun Su-ho seemed to think of me as a twig that would snap if he flicked it.

Summarizing his words, I’m weak, reckless, and meddlesome, getting involved in all sorts of things, so I’m not suited to be a hunter.

He was seeing me completely on his own terms. I wish he’d take off those tinted lenses.

‘Has he completely forgotten that we grew up fighting each other?’

My head throbbed. Words spilled out before I knew it.

“I got an S-rank trait.”

“What?”

“I’m not just a C-rank anymore, I’m a quasi-S-rank now.”

“Hunter Yun Gaho…?”

Kim Ji-hwa shook my shoulder. Yun Su-ho stared at me, furrowing his brow as if trying to determine the truth.

“I’m not saying this to get out of the situation.”

I briefly explained the trait to both of them. When I mentioned the S-rank crafting trait, their expressions turned serious.

I held out the gloves I had received from Cha Taeyang this morning.

“I’ve only succeeded once so far, but as my proficiency increases, I’ll be able to produce even better results.”

“Gaho, does anyone else know about this besides us?”

“The people who went in with me know. They don’t know it’s an S-rank skill, though…”

Yun Su-ho suddenly stood up and grabbed my wrist.

“Hey, hey! What’s the problem? I told you I’m not just a C-rank anymore!”

“Do you really not understand? Before more people find out, we need to hurry…”

“Hunter Yun Su-ho. I’m sorry, but now that I’ve heard this, I can’t let Hunter Yun Gaho go.”

Kim Ji-hwa grabbed Yun Su-ho’s shoulder with her mechanical left arm. I took the opportunity to quickly shake off Yun Su-ho’s hand.

“Hunter Kim Ji-hwa. You know what I’m worried about, don’t you?”

“I understand your concern for family. But it’s not possible.”

“A C-rank with an S-rank skill is so…”

“If you really want to take him, talk to Kwon-young. You can’t take our guild member without the Guild Master’s permission.”

At her firm tone, Yun Su-ho bit his lip. He looked like a drenched puppy, but remembering what just happened, any sympathy I had vanished.

“Can you guarantee Gaho’s safety until then?”

“Hwangya always puts the utmost effort into ensuring our members’ safety.”

“That’s not enough. Please promise on your name, Hunter Kim Ji-hwa.”

“Alright. I promise on my name. You can rest easy.”

Only after extracting this promise did Yun Su-ho acquiesce. He bowed slightly to Kim Ji-hwa and left the meeting room.

‘He’s willful to the end. Leaving without even saying goodbye to me.’

I glared at the back of his head, feeling indignant.

“You have an interesting friend.”

“Sigh, I’m sorry. We hadn’t been in contact for a while… I don’t know why he’s suddenly acting like this.”

I slumped into the chair. My energy was completely drained from the morning’s events.

Kim Ji-hwa tapped the gloves.

“Let’s keep Hunter Yun Gaho’s trait under wraps for now. I’ll issue a gag order to the party members as well.”

“Is it really necessary to go that far?”

“I can see why Hunter Yun Su-ho is worried. Hunter Yun Gaho, you don’t yet know the nature of high-ranking hunters.”

But I’ve been a hunter for quite a while now. As I muttered this, Kim Ji-hwa explained in a serious tone.

High-ranking hunters of A-rank and above are obsessed with equipment more than we imagine. In the current absence of SS-rank hunters, good equipment is the only means for S-rank hunters to stand above others of the same rank.

Meanwhile, I, still C-rank in overall evaluation, obtained an S-rank crafting trait.

“They’ll try to persuade you, and if that fails, they might attempt to kidnap you.”

Is a blood-red future unfolding instead of a rosy one?

My fingertips trembled with anxiety.

“Given it’s an ability to enhance equipment, it’ll be worse than with other crafting hunters, not less. Equipment can be obtained inside the tower, but…”

“There’s no substitute for my skill, is there?”

“It’ll be fine for now since no one knows about this. Let’s discuss the details after Kwon-young returns. Of all times for him to disappear…”

Surely nothing will happen before Choi Kwon-young returns. Well, as long as Kim Ji-hwa is guarding the guild, it should be fine. I should get a feel for things in the meantime.

“Ji-hwa-nim, is it possible to get support with guild-owned equipment?”

“What for?”

“I was thinking of practicing before I lose the feel for it.”

Kim Ji-hwa smiled, saying that would be fine, and gave me an armful of equipment, telling me to keep it a secret from Hwang Jae-hee.

Filling my inventory with equipment made me feel more confident.

“Ah, and I have a request for Hunter Yun Gaho…”

“For me?”

It wasn’t a particularly difficult task. But why me specifically? With mixed feelings, I accepted Ji-hwa’s request and returned to my room.

◆◇◆◇◆

As soon as I got back, I laid out the equipment on the floor.

After hearing how amazing my skill was, my hands were itching to try it.

“Well, shall we give it a test?”

As if this were my true calling, yesterday’s sensation was still vivid.

“The second time should be easier, right?”

Uncharacteristically, confidence welled up inside me.

However,

[Enchant ‘Brilliant (A)’ has failed.]

[Failure penalty incurred! ‘Shadow Dagger (C)’ is destroyed.]

Gray smoke signaling failure rose hazily.

“What’s the problem this time!”