Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“Find my daughter who disappeared seven years ago while searching for her birth father.”

Judging by their surprised faces, it seemed my companions had received the same quest. I had intended to coax Sarome into giving us a hidden quest, but this easily? Doubt overshadowed joy.

‘The World Tower can’t be this accommodating.’

Had we unknowingly completed some prerequisite? It was possible, given how Sarome had been going on about “arrangements.” No, let’s stop speculating. The one who could provide answers was right in front of me.

“Why are you making such a request of us?”

I pushed the system window aside and met Sarome’s gaze once more. Those who have reached a certain level can calm people with just their eyes. Sarome was no exception.

My heart, which had been pounding at the sight of the words “hidden quest,” began to find its rhythm again. The tangled threads of thought, muddled by getting caught up in Sarome’s pace, slowly started to unravel.

“Is it because of this ‘plague’ that you, Sarome-nim, cannot act directly?”

“How did you……”

“It seems there have been many misunderstandings.”

I had realized the moment we encountered Sarome that it wasn’t the one bringing the plague. But there was still an unanswered question. Why, then, was Cheonsan so full of toxic energy?

The answer was simple.

‘It’s been drawing in the toxic energy to reduce harm to the human realm.’

It was trying to suppress the toxic energy with the pure energy of the spiritual beasts and the enormous power flowing from above. Since they originally used this to erase the karmic debt of the dead, it made sense.

“That ‘negativity’ of yours is related to the plague, isn’t it?”

“I thought I could withstand this level of toxic energy. I was arrogant.”

I turned my head towards the peak. It took time to notice the source because the entire mountain was enveloped in negative force. Like a heart circulating blood, the peak absorbed toxic energy and released pure power in a cycle.

To think even such power was insufficient. Or rather, was the plague covering this level that powerful? Given that I was experiencing the suffocating toxic energy firsthand, the latter seemed more likely.

“Finding Baek-a isn’t just because she’s a beloved child. Only that child can safely guide these soul butterflies.”

“Hey, Tiger-nim. What do you mean by that?”

“The gate to the afterlife opens in seven days.”

“……!”

Shin-ju’s gaze turned to empty space. She was probably seeing the same message as me.

[- Time limit: 157:49:07]

“Yokai have always attacked Cheonsan during the chaos when the two disconnected worlds reconnect. It’s like a feast day for those creatures that feed on negative emotions and human souls.”

Originally, he said, forty-nine spiritual beasts joined forces to protect Cheonsan. The barrier that contaminated us was also set up in preparation for that day.

“It’s always better to be prepared, but where have the other spiritual beasts gone?”

“I sent them all back a few years ago.”

“Huh? What about the yokai?”

Sarome, sighing as it lay down, pointed at itself with the tip of its tail.

“If I hadn’t, they would all be in this state.”

“Well, if even you, the Mountain Lord, are like this, I suppose the ordinary ones would be even worse off.”

“I believed all would be well with Baek-a, the spirit medium, here.”

Just what is this spirit medium thing? Before I could ask, Sarome spoke.

“Before leaving, to keep the yokai in check, the Supreme God left a fragment of himself in Cheonsan. Other gods also scattered their powers here and there on the ground.”

And those who could wield that power were humans born with a special constitution, spirit mediums. Now, with no spirit mediums other than Baek-a, finding her was the only option.

“What happens if we can’t find her?”

“All these soul butterflies will end up in the yokai’s stomachs.”

“And then?”

“The fattened yokai will devour the human realm.”

The tone was nonchalant, but the content was not.

[Information acquired! Quest information has been updated.]

[Do you want to accept the hidden quest ‘Great Fortune’ (S)?

– Clear condition: Guide the soul butterflies to the afterlife

– Time limit: 141:49:07

– Reward: ???

– Penalty: Outbreak of the Great Human-Yokai War]

‘The conditions have changed…!’

Shin-ju’s fingers, which had been twirling her hair in confusion, stopped. When she mouthed “What’s this?” I shook my head, indicating that I didn’t know either.

“Right, if things went smoothly, it wouldn’t be the World Tower.”

It was as if the world was saying nothing comes for free.

Finding a child who disappeared seven years ago wasn’t an easy task to begin with. But the newly changed condition was on a different scale altogether. Even if we were lucky enough to bring Baek-a back, wouldn’t it be considered a failure if something went wrong during the soul-guiding ceremony?

Imagining what would happen if we failed made me dizzy. If a war broke out, it would literally turn the level upside down. It would cause a huge stir in the hunter world too.

‘It’s like the fixed narrative after the main quest is spinning out of control.’

If I hadn’t heard about Atera’s aftermath from Cha Taeyang, I would have been greatly shocked too. Is this normal for hidden quests? Or am I the one attracting strange events? With limited information, it was hard to come to a conclusion.

As I was weighing the options, a large hand suddenly grasped my chin. There was only one person who would do such a thing. The owner of the hand easily dodged the black boot trying to step on his foot.

“Let go, Yun Su-ho.”

He paid no heed and examined my face, turning it this way and that. Something seemed to greatly displease him, as his thick eyebrows were raised sky-high.

“You don’t look particularly surprised.”

“You’re mistaken. I’m really surprised right now.”

“Nonsense. Do you think there’s anything about you I don’t know?”

“Plenty.”

When I threatened to kick his shin if he didn’t let go, Yun Su-ho reluctantly released his hand. I felt like I was starting to understand how to deal with this guy. Ignoring Yun Su-ho’s rambling about how he was S-rank and I was C-rank, I turned towards Sarome.

“Can’t Hunter Cha Tae- I mean, Taeyang take on that role instead?”

“It’s not a simple task that can be accomplished with aptitude alone, without time or assistance.”

The simplest solution was rejected the fastest.

‘In the end, we have no choice but to find Baek-a.’

It would be best to split the party into two teams – one to track down Sarome’s daughter and another to search for alternative methods. After all, in the last quest, we found clues in unexpected places.

“I think one team should go to Sohan. Hey, Han Cha-hyun……”

Feeling that this was something I should discuss with the party leader, I called out to Han Cha-hyun, but I sensed a presence behind me. It must be Yun Su-ho, unable to let go. There’s a limit to how much you can interfere with work.

“Hey, seriously, move before I kick you. Preferably far away.”

I turned around, speaking irritably, and saw Yun Su-ho standing at a distance, just as I had wished.

‘Why is he over there? Then……’

As I shifted my gaze slightly, I saw Han Cha-hyun with his hand awkwardly extended. As he lowered his arm smoothly, the wrist that had been exposed for a span disappeared back into his wide sleeve.

“Did you call me, Gaho-ssi?”

“Ah, Hunter Han Cha-hyun, I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Yes, I know.”

His ever-gentle tone made me even more embarrassed. As I awkwardly rubbed the nape of my neck, Han Cha-hyun stopped me, showing his palm.

“The knot on your face covering has loosened a lot. It’s better not to touch it.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Now that it was mentioned, I thought I should fix it and reached behind my head. But if I couldn’t tie a decent ribbon in front of me, how could I manage it behind my head? As I frowned, making who knows how many attempts, Han Cha-hyun gently asked.

“May I help you?”

“……Please do.”

As soon as I gave permission, Han Cha-hyun moved behind me. The face covering was secured much more firmly than when I had tied it. Perhaps having confirmed my messy handiwork, a subtle hint of amusement appeared in his eyes as he returned to face me.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. By the way, why did you call me just now?”

When I conveyed my thoughts to Han Cha-hyun, he nodded immediately.

“Our minds are in sync. I thought the same.”

“Then let’s accept the quest now and divide into teams.”

“Could you wait a moment? There’s something I need to confirm first.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Han Cha-hyun, expressing his gratitude, took a step. His unhurried pace stopped in front of Sarome. Han Cha-hyun waited quietly until Sarome, who had been talking with Cha Taeyang, looked at him. And when Sarome’s gaze finally fell on him, Han Cha-hyun gently bowed his head.

“Han Cha-hyun, I humbly greet you.”

“Black-hearted yet putting on airs.”

Shin-ju glared at Han Cha-hyun and grumbled. Though he must have heard it, Han Cha-hyun’s eyes maintained their upward-curved line.

“I have something to ask, so I’ve intruded.”

“You have something to ask me?”

“Yes, I apologize. Knowing it’s impolite, but my heart raced and I couldn’t help……”

“Your apology is accepted. So, what is it that you’re so curious about?”

Sarome’s attitude changed dramatically with the ensuing conversation. As Sarome, now visibly excited, stepped forward, Han Cha-hyun took a couple of steps back, maintaining distance.

“Do you really have such an ability?”

“Yes, though my skills are lacking, I will lend my strength.”

“Let’s give it a try. Even charred logs can start a fire when gathered, can’t they?”

The faces of the party members were bright as well. It was understandable, as we might have found a path that could lead to the answer. It seemed I was the only one unable to feel purely happy.

“So, does that mean I’m staying here too?”

“I suppose so, yes?”

“I’ll really do my best! Mountain Lord, and Hunter Han Cha-hyun. Please help me a lot!”

Cha Taeyang with her fist clenched, Han Cha-hyun encouraging her, and Sarome laughing heartily. It was a scene that couldn’t be more heartwarming.

On the other hand.

“This time, please, you must accompany me! To see that beautiful……”

“What are you talking about? Yun Gaho, you’ll choose me, of course?”

“These two are A-rank, and I’m S-rank. You know what the wise choice is, don’t you?”

‘Hunter Han Cha-hyun, how can you escape alone?’

I found myself pressing my forehead, faced with the Yun Gaho competition that had opened regardless of my intentions.