Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“You don’t need to overthink it.”

“I wrote the names of my benefactors!”

“Ah, Cheong-jae, you’re here.”

Cheong-jae, who had entered amicably with Lee Kang-to, held out a paper with names written on it. Not knowing our names, she had simply written “Benefactor” twice, which was very like her.

Lee Kang-to, never one to miss out on such things, quickly chimed in. Sa Mok-yeong, showing no signs of annoyance, handed him paper and a brush as well.

Unlike me, Lee Kang-to wrote a name without hesitation. Then he immediately thrust the paper he had written in front of my eyes.

[Yun Gaho]

“How about it? Are you moved? If you’re moved, my tail…”

It was blatant to the point of innocence. I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity, which only made Lee Kang-to cling to me even more like a leech. I barely managed to pry him off as he babbled about understanding his sincerity.

“This won’t change my mind.”

“How strict!”

“But thank you.”

Seeing him act so simply beside me cleared my head as well.

‘I guess I was overthinking it.’

I just needed to honestly write what I wished for at this moment. In that case, the answer was simple. With a sense of relief, I moved the brush.

The writing that eventually filled the paper was crooked but straight. As I handed it to Sa Mok-yeong, he smiled silently.

“It seems you’re more ambitious than you appear.”

“…That’s just how hunters are, I suppose.”

“Let me see, let me see too, Mr. Kim!”

The goblin, who had been playing with Cheong-jae, suddenly popped out. I tried to hide the paper out of embarrassment, but I was no match for the quick goblin.

Snatching the paper larger than its body, the goblin soon looked at me with tears in its eyes.

“Mr. Kim…!”

“Why are you crying?”

“Sori likes Mr. Kim so much!”

As the goblin swayed its body happily, the densely written names danced along.

[Park Shin-ju, Cha Taeyang, Cha Sori, Han Cha-hyun, Yun Su-ho, Lee Kang-to]

‘If these people have good fortune, wouldn’t the quest or whatever go well?’

Even as I tried to justify it to myself, seeing the names lined up made me feel inexplicably warm. As I stroked the goblin, who was busy crying and laughing at the same time, Sa Mok-yeong casually asked:

“You had something to ask me?”

Instead of a long explanation, I held out the wooden tag I had received from the administrator. Seeing him immediately furrow his brow, it was clear he recognized what this object was.

I signaled Lee Kang-to not to interrupt and presented the words I had prepared in advance.

“By chance, I’ve earned an opportunity to enter the palace for my merits. But I’m hesitant, fearing I might make a mistake… I was wondering if I could get some advice.”

“You’re going to Yeongwol Palace?”

When I nodded, a complex emotion clouded Sa Mok-yeong’s eyes. Careful not to upset him further, I continued cautiously.

“Even small details would be helpful. I’m so worried I don’t know how to behave or who I might meet.”

“…Do you really have to go?”

“Pardon?”

“No, that was a slip of the tongue. Please forget I said that.”

Sa Mok-yeong awkwardly touched his lips, as if he had spoken without thinking. I couldn’t let this agitation pass. Even if it led nowhere, I had to probe a bit.

“Is there something dangerous in Yeongwol Palace?”

“Ah, surely not. It’s called a natural fortress, after all.”

“Indeed. While it may not be as splendid as the original palace, they say there’s no safer place.”

Lee Kang-to chimed in at the right moment. Perhaps unable to stand by watching these innocent lambs, Sa Mok-yeong finally opened up.

“The fifth princess will probably receive you. She’s very fond of the youngest princess, her twin, so please refrain from talking about her.”

The youngest princess? The one causing all the physicians to be summoned? Just as I was curious about this suspicious situation, he brought it up first. What luck.

“Then the two princesses must look very much alike?”

Pretending to be curious because I had never seen twins before, Sa Mok-yeong answered readily.

“Yes, that’s right. But anyone who has seen the princesses even once can easily tell them apart.”

What he meant, it turned out, was that the two princesses had very different personalities.

The fifth princess had been fair and brilliant from a young age, helping the first princess, Princess Cheongdae, handle palace affairs. In contrast, the youngest princess was born bold and unrestrained in everything. Add to that her excellence in martial arts, and everyone agreed she was general material.

About ten years ago, she suddenly fell ill with a fever and hasn’t been able to step out of her quarters since, but many still remember her talents, he said.

‘Is the rumor about the sickly princess false? …No, perhaps Sa Mok-yeong is giving me incorrect information.’

Instead of hastily verifying the truth, I asked a roundabout question.

“Did you see this yourself, Sa Mok-yeong?”

Sa Mok-yeong closed his eyes as if recalling something, then opened them and raised the corners of his mouth. It was the first smile he had shown since the topic of Yeongwol Palace came up.

“When the princess fell ill and could no longer come to the training grounds, I was the most disappointed. She was my only…”

“Love! Oh, Benefactor had a love, and it was a princess…”

Cheong-jae, who had suddenly joined the conversation, wiped her tears with her sleeve. A flustered Sa Mok-yeong tried to console her, but once opened, the floodgates wouldn’t easily close.

Mumbling about love transcending social status and a beautiful couple, she was clearly letting her imagination run wild. Is this what happens when you pine for someone for too long?

‘I’ll definitely pass on that.’

Shrugging my shoulders, I approached Cheong-jae on my knees. Sa Mok-yeong, who had been floundering with his large frame, looked at me like a rope descending from heaven.

“Cheong-jae, stop crying. Can’t you see you’re troubling your precious benefactor?”

“I’m sor-sob-ry. I can’t stop the tears.”

“And you should listen to people’s words to the end. Was the princess really your love?”

Sa Mok-yeong silently shook his head.

I thought as much. Why suddenly talk about love in the first place? Considering the context of the conversation, rather…

“You weren’t lovers, but sparring partners, right?”

“Yes. As I was the only one of similar age who could match the princess, we often sparred together.”

“R-really?”

Cheong-jae’s endless fountain of tears stopped as if by magic. Sa Mok-yeong worriedly examined her eyes, which had turned red from crying so much.

Taking advantage of Sa Mok-yeong and Cheong-jae being lost in their own world, I organized the situation.

‘The likelihood that the youngest princess is bedridden due to illness is probably low.’

The princess is skilled enough for Sa Mok-yeong to call her “unique.” It’s safe to say she has transcended the realm of ordinary people.

For someone like that to be confined indoors for 10 years due to weakened vitality? It couldn’t be more unnatural.

‘Unless someone forcibly restrained her…’

It was a thought that struck me suddenly, but the more I pondered it, the more plausible it seemed. If so, who would spread false rumors to confine the princess, and why?

It was difficult to deduce the reason immediately. Perhaps they needed to silence the youngest princess, or the royal princess had contracted the plague, or she had committed a grave sin. While several speculations came to mind, there was woefully insufficient information to prove any of them.

But there was one clear fact.

‘If the youngest princess is confined due to external pressure, there can only be one culprit.’

The status of the On royal family, who received the right to this land from the Sangje, is very secure. No one, no matter how powerful, could oppress those with the sacred covenant flowing in their veins.

Unless, perhaps, it was someone of the same blood.

‘Investigating the On royal family wasn’t a wrong choice after all.’

Suddenly, the image of the sea people piled up in coffins flashed before my eyes. How ruthless human desires can be. Simple confinement was too mild a prediction.

Given the time that had passed, it was reasonable to doubt whether the princess was even still in the palace. If she had disappeared or died, that would be related to Baek-a in its own way.

‘Surely they’re not doing something like human sacrifice…’

Lee Kang-to’s voice cut off my assumptions that were heading towards the worst-case scenario.

“Hunter Yun Gaho!”

“Y-yes. Did you call me?”

“Why are you so lost in thought? I’ve called you several times.”

“I’m sorry. I was momentarily thinking about something else.”

Lee Kang-to, who had been pouting like a duck, tapped his Hunter Watch with his index finger.

“The time. It’s getting tight.”

“Oh no.”

I couldn’t hide my dismay as soon as I checked the time.

Despite not having talked much with Sa Mok-yeong, the palace entry time was right around the corner. It seems I spent too much time on Lee Kang-to, the floating lanterns, and the unstoppable faucet of tears.

The remaining time was so tight that we’d barely make it if we left now. It would be troublesome to lose this opportunity by being late.

As I scratched the back of my neck and tried to get up, Sa Mok-yeong, who had already returned to his expressionless state, spoke to me.

“You’re planning to go now, I see.”

“Yes, it seems I must.”

“Save your remaining questions for later. Any time after sunset would be fine.”

“Gladly then. Thank you.”

Even while talking to me, Sa Mok-yeong’s eyes were fixed on Cheong-jae, who was beaming at the prospect of seeing her benefactors again. For the first time, I felt grateful to the snail spirit.

I hurriedly prepared to leave and shook hands with Sa Mok-yeong as a farewell. As I raised my head without thinking, I saw his upright eyes filled with faint concern.

At that moment, I had a baseless intuition that Sa Mok-yeong would answer any question if I asked now. I didn’t ignore this impulsive certainty.

“The mission for which we earned merit. Who ordered it?”

Whether surprised or not, the hand holding mine tightened its grip. It loosened immediately with an apology. As soon as he confirmed my hand was unharmed, his tone cooled.

“…Didn’t you say it was by chance?”

“I apologize if my shallow lie offended you.”

Sa Mok-yeong, who had silently let go of my hand, unexpectedly looked at the paper I had written on. Then, after a brief pause, he started saying something completely unrelated to my question.

“If you happen to meet someone with different colored eyes in the palace…”

Was he deliberating whether he should say this? The sentence that had been interrupted for a moment was completed in a completely unexpected direction.

“Leave that place without delay.”

“Mr. Kim, who is he talking about?”

“His name is Arajin.”

Sa Mok-yeong, who had let out a deep sigh, stared straight at me, no, at the wooden tag I was holding.

“He is the current Commander of the Royal Guards and the one who ordered the yokai subjugation mission.”