I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 26

26.

“I guess people really do get stronger when they’re facing death.”

Even though Seo-ah didn’t think Yoo Ji-an would actually kill her, she felt the fear of death during their sparring sessions. Each time she experienced it, Seo-ah definitely became stronger.

Yoo Ji-an had truly kept her word.

[Stats: Strength 20, Magic 17, Agility 20, Defense 20, Stamina 20, Mentality 20]

In just three days, all stats except Magic had reached the E-grade limit of 20. It was obvious how many times Seo-ah had died during that time.

If Breakthrough had been applied to Seo-ah, each stat would have exceeded 20 long ago.

Seo-ah couldn’t understand why Yoo Ji-an wasn’t an instructor for the Sun Guild, but at the same time, she did. If Seo-ah hadn’t been in such a desperate situation, she would have run away in less than a day.

Other Hunters began to arrive, and people who appeared to be from the Hunter Association also showed up. Among them was a familiar face. He recognized Seo-ah first and waved.

“Oh, Hunter Park Seo-ah, you’re here too.”

It was Oh Hyun-soo, a C-grade Hunter from the Association. He was the one who had first guided Seo-ah.

“Yes, I figured it was important to gain experience.”

“Of course, but…”

Oh Hyun-soo looked behind Seo-ah and smiled in relief.

“The scary people didn’t come today, I see.”

“Scary… Ah.”

Seo-ah gave an awkward smile at his words.

Indeed, Yoo Ji-an, Baek Eun-hee, and even Han Seok-hyun and Seo A-hyeon would be terrifying figures to ordinary Hunters.

“Well, I have to go guide the others, so I’ll be going.”

“Yes, please take care of me today.”

“Of course. If Hunter Park Seo-ah were to get hurt, something truly terrible would happen.”

“Haha, that won’t happen.”

He had been in the conference room that day and had seen two S-grade Hunters fawning over Park Seo-ah.

If she were to get even a scratch, those terrifying monsters would try to devour him and the Hunter Association.

Anyway, after Oh Hyun-soo went ahead, Seo-ah suddenly felt stinging gazes on her.

“Who is she, anyway…”

“Yeah, she must have a strong backer.”

The fact that a C-grade Hunter from the Association was speaking so politely to an E-grade Hunter was both surprising and envy-inducing.

Seo-ah awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, and Kang Soo-jung shouted instead.

“What? Have you never seen a Hunter before? Why are you staring like that?”

Kang Soo-jung’s sharp retort made the Hunters frown, but they turned their gazes forward.

“Soo-jung, shush.”

“Yes, Unnie [term of endearment used by younger women to address older women or sisters].”

Soo-jung, who looked like she was about to charge at them, quickly quieted down at Seo-ah’s restraint.

The total number of Hunters participating in this tutorial gate was 16.

“Since there are 16 of you, we will divide you into two teams of eight and enter at 10-minute intervals. A C-grade Hunter from our Hunter Association will accompany each team.”

“Wouldn’t 16 people be too crowded? It seems like it would be difficult to even catch one monster.”

A D-grade Hunter raised his hand and asked. The official shook his head firmly.

“Based on the magic power levels measured externally, this tutorial gate may be of high difficulty for E-grades. Now, before we select the teams…”

The 16 people were divided into two teams. Park Seo-ah and Kang Soo-jung were in Team 1. Naturally, the guide for Team 1 was Oh Hyun-soo. Team 1 consisted of four D-grades and four E-grades.

He approached and gave the team members instructions.

“Absolutely do not try to hunt monsters recklessly. Accidents caused by individual negligence are entirely your responsibility.”

The Hunters’ eyes gleamed with determination after hearing Oh Hyun-soo’s words.

“Then, please prepare for the raid. I will come back before we depart.”

As before, everyone went into their inventories to check their equipment. Seo-ah put on her armor and distributed potions and other consumables to Soo-jung in advance.

Kang Soo-jung, with her twin swords at her waist, asked Seo-ah.

“Unnie, you still don’t have a weapon? It would be easier if a healer had something to hold.”

“Ah, I do have something.”

“Ooh, what is it?”

“I’ll show you later.”

In fact, just yesterday, after hearing that Seo-ah was participating in the tutorial gate, Baek Eun-hee had sent Seo-ah a gift.

It was the ‘mace’ that Seo-ah had wanted.

However, the shape of the mace was so common and unremarkable that Seo-ah decided not to take it out if possible.

According to Baek Eun-hee, the mace was a ‘rare item’ that came from a dungeon boss.

The good thing about ‘rare’ items compared to ordinary store items was that, although the weapon’s stats were good, anyone could equip them regardless of their Hunter grade.

Baek Eun-hee said she was just giving it to her, but Seo-ah initially refused to accept it and eventually said she would borrow it.

But after receiving it…

‘Sob, how can I take it out?’

Everyone else’s weapons really looked like ‘weapons.’ Even the mages’ staves were flashy and dazzling.

Of course, it was better to receive something than nothing. Seo-ah was sincerely grateful to Baek Eun-hee.

‘So… I’ll use it when I really need it.’

Seo-ah thanked Baek Eun-hee in her heart and stood in front of the gate according to the instructions of the officials.

Then, someone tapped Seo-ah on the shoulder.

“Hey, I’m Bae Yong-soo, a D-grade mage.”

He was a common middle-aged man. There were two more Hunters of similar age beside him. They seemed to be together. Seo-ah nodded slightly and answered in a small voice.

“Ah, I’m Park Seo-ah, an E-grade healer.”

“An E-grade healer… Tsk, a burden.”

Kang Soo-jung was about to flare up at those words, but Seo-ah stopped her with a gesture. In fact, this was the practical treatment and position that E-grade healers experienced in the Hunter society.

“Just don’t get in the way. There’s a D-grade healer here, so there’s no need for an E-grade to step up.”

“I’ll do my part, so don’t worry.”

“Hmph, all talk.”

Seo-ah answered firmly while maintaining courtesy, and Bae Yong-soo turned his head sullenly.

Just before entering, Oh Hyun-soo called out to Seo-ah in a loud voice.

“Hunter Park Seo-ah! Come this way.”

Seo-ah approached Oh Hyun-soo.

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

“Stay close behind me. It’s dangerous when entering.”

Oh Hyun-soo was obviously trying to protect Park Seo-ah. Then, Bae Yong-soo’s group laughed boisterously.

“Oh my, she’s not a burden, she’s a princess!”

“Yeah, isn’t she going to be in big trouble when she comes out later?”

Oh Hyun-soo was about to say something, but a voice mixed with annoyance came from behind.

“Ah, you old guys are so noisy. Empty cans make the most noise [meaning those who talk the most often have the least substance].”

“What?”

Bae Yong-soo glared and turned around sharply.

“You haven’t even lost the baby fat…”

“Since you’re here for the tutorial, doesn’t that mean you’re all about the same level? I just came to test out my job change position.”

“What’s your name, you little punk?”

“Choi Seok-hoon, why? I was an E-grade swordsman, but now I’m a D-grade dark swordsman. I’ll take care of myself, so don’t act like the boss.”

Bae Yong-soo quieted down at the word dark swordsman.

A dark swordsman referred to someone who freely used both swordsman and mage positions. Therefore, they were considered one level higher than their actual grade.

‘Job change.’

Seo-ah glanced at Choi Seok-hoon.

There were two others, but they were quiet as if they didn’t want to get involved.

“Everyone be quiet! If you don’t follow orders, you will be left behind.”

Oh Hyun-soo shouted sharply at them. Perhaps because they couldn’t ignore a C-grade Hunter shouting sharply, they soon quieted down.

Park Seo-ah and Kang Soo-jung, who couldn’t find a gap to intervene, also closed their mouths.

“…It’s opening.”

Someone said quietly, and the vortex rippled and began to vibrate.

“Then, let’s go in.”

Oh Hyun-soo took a step forward first, followed by Park Seo-ah, Kang Soo-jung, and then Bae Yong-soo’s group.

‘This is the second time.’

It was the second time for a raid, and the third time entering a gate overall. After a few flashes of pitch-black darkness, she felt like the world was turning upside down.

Each gate had a different feeling when entering, depending on its characteristics. Some were easy to enter without much sensation, while others caused motion sickness, cold, heat, or sometimes even a tremendous gravitational pull.

Thud, tap-

She felt her feet touch the ground. She felt a bit of motion sickness, but fortunately, this gate was easy to enter. Seo-ah thankfully stood properly.

As soon as she entered, she felt high humidity and hot air. This was a tropical rainforest field.

But when she turned around, two young men and women were sitting down.

“Ugh, what kind of gate is this.”

“My head hurts…”

They had been silent the whole time. Oh Hyun-soo approached and examined them.

“Are you Hunter Min Joo-yeon and Hunter Kim Min-joon? Is this your first time?”

“Yes, this is our first time.”

“I see, get up quickly. It’s dangerous to sit here like this.”

They got up at Oh Hyun-soo’s urging and looked around.

“It looks like a tropical rainforest.”

“Wow, it’s hot. It’s suffocating just standing here, and we have to fight here?”

The Hunters fanned themselves and looked around. Seo-ah was able to endure it thanks to the temperature control function attached to her armor.

She belatedly felt grateful for Yoo Ji-an’s consideration. Of course, it’s not like she hadn’t been grateful until now.

“Heh heh, typical rookies. Is this little bit of heat a big deal? Hey, Association guy. Let’s go without worrying about the stragglers.”

Bae Yong-soo’s group swaggered from behind. A thin, blue barrier surrounded the three of them. It seemed to be the ability of the D-grade healer, Lee Woo-chang.

Oh Hyun-soo glanced at Seo-ah, and Seo-ah nodded.

“Then let’s go. I won’t intervene from now on unless there’s something special. This is a gate. Who knows what dangers lurk…”

At that moment, a large anaconda rushed down from a tree, aiming for Oh Hyun-soo’s head.

People were shocked, but Oh Hyun-soo swung his sword behind him without even looking. The anaconda’s head and body were cleanly separated and fell behind Oh Hyun-soo.

“So, take care of your own safety.”