I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 55

55.

The silver sedan parked at the entrance looked expensive, even to Seo-ah, who didn’t know much about cars. She got into the car very carefully.

“Seo-ah.”

Not long after they set off, Baek Eun-hee quietly called out to Seo-ah.

“Yes, what is it, Unnie?”

“I think you already know, but you’re going to be quite an important person. Especially if you awaken as an S-class supporter.”

Seo-ah listened to Baek Eun-hee in silence.

“When you become an S-class, more people than you think will pay attention to you and be interested in you, for good or bad. People are enthusiastic about Hunters, but they also envy, are jealous, and keep each other in check.”

Just looking at the portal article comments, it was definitely true. Comments praising Hunters and those criticizing them coexisted.

“And… there are many people who will try to use you.”

Baek Eun-hee muttered bitterly.

Surprisingly, Baek Eun-hee was the youngest S-class Hunter to awaken in Korea.

She received a lot of spotlight at that time, and also received many calls from various places. Her family was happy at first, but gradually they drove young Baek Eun-hee into a corner, trying to use her for money. It goes without saying that people other than her family were the same.

Until Baek Eun-hee grew up, became an adult, built her own power, and was able to protect herself, that time was more fierce than any high-level gate raid.

Having gone through such times, Baek Eun-hee couldn’t help but worry about Seo-ah.

Seo-ah was already a 21-year-old adult, but in Baek Eun-hee’s eyes, she was still an innocent and vulnerable young Hunter.

“So, it’s good to find a place to protect you in advance.”

“Are you talking about a guild as a place to protect me?”

Baek Eun-hee smoothly stopped the car at a red light. And she looked at Seo-ah with a firm and gentle face.

“Yes, that’s right. In a case like today, if you were a member of the Royal Guild, the guild could have blocked Cha Tae-woon much more actively. Even if the Royal Guild received disadvantages from the Association… and that would probably have been the same for Han Seok-hyun.”

As Seo-ah quietly blinked, Baek Eun-hee continued speaking with an awkward face.

“Well, basically, it’s our mistake that you were exposed to the media in the first place, so I have nothing to say.”

“It was something that would have been revealed someday.”

“Still, we created the opportunity. So, I don’t know what you’ll think of this suggestion. Seo-ah, would you seriously consider joining our guild?”

“Uh… I.”

“Of course, there’s still the promise with the Taeyang Guild left, and with the Association. I’ll guarantee that, of course. But if you’re a member of our guild, we, and I, can protect you anywhere.”

“It’s a very kind offer, but… it’s just so sudden.”

“Hmm, right. I was too hasty.”

Baek Eun-hee turned her gaze forward. Seo-ah looked at Baek Eun-hee’s profile with a slightly apologetic face.

Royal Guild. It wasn’t bad. No, it was an exceptionally powerful guild. And Baek Eun-hee’s words were all correct.

However, there were many things to consider before readily choosing the Royal Guild. There was the Taeyang Guild, the supporter awakening was still pending, and above all, she had only conditionally entered the world of Hunters.

If this limited-time status was lifted and the financial aspects were resolved to some extent, she wasn’t sure if she would continue her Hunter life at that time.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be our guild. The Taeyang Guild is definitely a good guild too. There are many other guilds as well. If you’re a support or healing-type Hunter, the Angel Guild might be a better fit. Anyway, it’s good to start looking for a place to protect you.”

Thankfully, Baek Eun-hee coolly understood Seo-ah’s hesitation, and she continued to give sincere advice.

“Unnie, I’ll think about it seriously. But I need some time.”

“Yes, of course. I wasn’t forcing you. And even if you’re not a member of our guild, my affection for you won’t change. You know that, right? If you ever have any difficulties, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Of course. I… I also like Unnie. I’m always grateful.”

At Seo-ah’s shy muttering, Baek Eun-hee smiled brightly and gently pinched Seo-ah’s cheek.

“Aigoo [expression of endearment], you cute thing. Don’t be so self-conscious; you’re not in a position to be self-conscious.”

“Ah, ouch. Unnie. The light, it’s green! How can I not be conscious? You’re all so good to me.”

Seo-ah hurriedly pointed at the traffic light, but Baek Eun-hee was relaxed. No one honked from behind, as if they all knew how much this car cost and whose car it was.

Baek Eun-hee leisurely started the car.

“There must be a reason, right? If Seo-ah, you just make up your mind now, you can control not only domestic Hunters but also overseas Hunters, if your abilities are revealed.”

“That much? How would they know what an S-class supporter is? I don’t even know yet. In fact, it might not be a big deal if they find out.”

“Seo-ah, even if you’re not a supporter, just the fact that you have ‘Breakthrough’ or ‘Fighting’ skills would be quite a sensation, you know?”

“…Ah, um. Yes. I guess so.”

“Pfft, got it?”

After that, the conversation stopped. Baek Eun-hee hummed softly and focused on driving, and Seo-ah looked out the window and pondered.

‘Guild…’

It would definitely be good to be protected by a specific guild, but at the same time, it means giving up other guilds. Is that okay?

To be honest, she wanted both right now. She couldn’t help it if she was greedy.

* * *

Two days later, Seo-ah prepared to settle her contract with the Royal Guild and leave.

The members who went to the Parasitic Desert Gate together came to see her off.

“Is it really okay for me to receive this?”

“Of course, Hunter Park Seo-ah.”

Seo Ah-hyun handed over an item left by the Parasitic Desert boss, [Parasitic Worm King].

[Parasitic Worm Egg]

[Temporarily allows you to control the opponent as you wish. The duration is up to 5 minutes. The duration is reduced depending on the opponent’s mental strength. (Number of uses: 3)]

As befitting an A-class gate boss monster, it was an item with tremendous abilities: to be able to control the opponent.

However, the number of uses was limited to 3 times.

Compared to the unlimited [Stone Knight’s Pride], it was stingy, but it was much more powerful.

Seo-ah’s face gradually turned to embarrassment as she read the item description.

“This… for me to use?”

“Hunter Park Seo-ah is the one who defeated the boss, so it’s right for Hunter Park Seo-ah to have it.”

Go Geon-hoo said decisively from the side. Yang Tae-woo also scratched his cheek and agreed.

“That’s right, well… you did almost everything.”

“It’s a shame you’re leaving like this; I wanted to get closer!”

Seol Jin-ah said regretfully, gently grabbing Seo-ah’s hand. Then Seo-ah smiled slightly.

“We’ll see each other again. Then, this… I’ll gratefully accept it. Thank you all so much.”

“Goodbye, Hunter Park Seo-ah.”

“Come anytime if the Taeyang Guild doesn’t suit you!”

“Goodbye.”

Baek Eun-hee was by her side, but she didn’t say anything.

Seo-ah looked at Baek Eun-hee and bowed slightly.

“I’ll contact you often.”

Before going to the Taeyang Guild, Seo-ah decided to stop by her original home first.

She felt like she had left the house empty for too long.

Seo-ah left in the car provided by the Royal Guild. Seol Jin-ah, who glanced at Baek Eun-hee, poked her in the side.

“Guild Leader, are you crying?”

“I kind of want to cry.”

“You must be really sad that Hunter Park Seo-ah is leaving.”

“I’m sad, of course I’m sad… I’m so sad that my insides are rotting.”

Baek Eun-hee did not hide her regret and sighed in the direction where Seo-ah disappeared.

* * *

“Thank you, drive safely.”

Seo-ah got out of the car and politely greeted the driver. And she stood in front of the familiar and old gate.

“Oh my, there’s so much….”

Various mails and bills that had accumulated in the meantime were scattered here and there on the mailbox and the floor. Seo-ah picked them up one by one and took them inside.

Inside the house, there was a musty smell of old air. After opening the door wide to ventilate, Seo-ah changed her clothes first.

She threw away the rotten food in the refrigerator and cleaned every corner. It was very old, and she hadn’t been able to come often lately because she was busy, but this was Seo-ah’s only home.

Seo-ah busily managed the house. What was interesting was that the stats she had raised in the meantime were also helpful in housework. What would have quickly tired her out before, Seo-ah quickly and easily finished.

After she had finished cleaning up to some extent, she lay down on the bed. It was the first time she had laid down on the bed in about 20 days.

It was incomparably harder, smaller, and more uncomfortable than the beds she had laid on in the Taeyang Guild and Royal Guild accommodations.

‘How did I sleep in a place like this?’

A chuckle escaped her lips. It was amazing how differently her body felt in just 20 days.

After her parents passed away, she was kicked out of her house and had lived here ever since. So she had grown attached to it, but it was also a space with many difficult memories.

‘If I become an S-class Hunter, I’ll make a lot of money, right? Then should I move? Can I move to an apartment?’

She had a slightly hopeful imagination, but then she returned to reality.

‘I still haven’t found a matching liver for Geon-hoo. Even if I raise the money… it’s useless without a liver.’

It would be great if my liver was a match.

Seo-ah turned her head and looked at her phone screen.

11 a.m.

She didn’t have much time to lie down. She was scheduled to go to the Taeyang Guild right away today.

Seo-ah paused for a moment, then slowly got up again.