I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 209

209.

Seo-ah blinked, still lying down. The dark space around her was filled with sparkling lights, making her feel like she was still dreaming.

She blinked a few more times, turning her head until the image sharpened into focus. The sparkling things were the city lights at night.

“It’s a hotel.”

Startled, Seo-ah sat up in bed and exclaimed,

“My clothes… they’ve been changed?”

And judging by the softness of her skin, someone had even washed her face and neck.

“Who… could it be?”

Seo-ah shook her head, dismissing the fleeting thought, then got out of bed and went to the window.

The cityscape was clearly visible through the glass.

“Beautiful.”

After admiring the view for a moment, Seo-ah turned on the lights. The spacious and sophisticated suite came into view.

It seemed like a suite, with a separate bedroom and living room.

Alone in the large hotel room, Seo-ah sat on the living room sofa and turned on the TV. She flipped through the channels and stopped when she saw a familiar face on the news.

The screen showed Shizuka being interviewed by reporters.

“While the Japanese team was dealing with the S-class Gold Dragon, what were the Korean and American teams doing?”

“They were dealing with the SS-class Red Dragon. A monster that was incomparably stronger than what we faced.”

“Then the American team must have been outstanding.”

The Japanese reporter asked as if it were obvious, but Shizuka stared at the reporter for a moment before shaking her head.

“No, I didn’t see the fighting firsthand, but I could tell. If it hadn’t been for the Korean team, we might not have made it out of there. No, there might have been another S-class Gate Break in Japan.”

“Are you saying the Korean team was that powerful?”

“Hunters Yoo Ji-ahn, Baek Eun-hee, Choi Eun-gyeol, and Song Jin-ah, who came this time, are all top-ranked hunters in the world. There’s no reason not to believe it.”

“I heard Hunter Park Seo-ah went with the American team and suffered a major injury.”

Seo-ah felt embarrassed when her name was mentioned and turned down the volume.

“Yes, that’s right. She was injured but is now recovering and resting. Hunter Park Seo-ah’s performance was also remarkable this time, and regarding that…”

Embarrassed, Seo-ah couldn’t listen anymore and turned off the TV.

“Hoo, this is unnecessarily embarrassing.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. When she opened it, Maker was standing there.

“Maker?”

“Oh, yeah, it’s me. I was wondering if you were still asleep.”

Seo-ah let Maker into the room and said,

“I just woke up. I feel like I’ve been sleeping all day…”

Seo-ah came out of the gate in the early morning, and now it was already dark.

“It’s good that you got some sleep. How’s your body?”

The two sat side by side on the living room sofa.

“I’m okay. I’m a little weak and still sleepy.”

“Using potions to recover draws on your future stamina. Don’t overdo it for a while. And don’t use your abilities if you can help it.”

“Yes, I will.”

“The reason I came is…”

Maker took out a potion bottle and placed it on the living room table. It was the same potion that had been used to treat Seo-ah earlier.

“This is about the profits. 10% of the net profit. What do you think? With this much, you won’t have to worry about money for the rest of your life.”

“10%…?”

Seo-ah stared blankly, not understanding, and Maker smacked his lips and scratched the back of his neck.

“Ah, well, yeah. 10% was a bit much for me too. Let’s make it 20%. Is that okay now? I’m the one who’s handling the material procurement and making it, you know.”

“Wait a minute, are you saying you’re going to share the profits from selling this potion with me?”

“Yeah, because you gave me something.”

“Oh, but…”

She didn’t expect to receive anything in return like this.

“Well, if you don’t want it, never mind. Then I’m the one who’s thankful.”

“No, no! 20%! Sounds good.”

She hadn’t expected it, but there was no reason to refuse since he was offering. The more money, the better.

“Hmm, I feel like I shouldn’t have brought it up…”

Even so, Maker took out a contract. Seo-ah looked slightly surprised, and he chuckled and signed one side.

“Here, you do it too.”

Seo-ah picked up a pen and looked at one end of the contract. It was paper, but it was strangely shiny.

“I can feel magic power.”

“It’s a contract between hunters. It’s not as terrifying as a fragment of oath [a powerful magical binding], but it still has some binding power. If you break it, you won’t be able to use the Hunter Store.”

“Ah.”

Seo-ah roughly read the clauses. It stated that both would receive 20% while they were alive, and if one of them died, the remaining one would receive 100%.

She wrote ‘Park Seo-ah’ clearly in Korean and returned it to Maker.

“Good, oh, right. And I’m going to America.”

“Yes? Why? Did Jackson break his promise?”

Seo-ah jumped up from her seat in excitement, but Maker waved his hand.

“No, I’m just going of my own accord. I’m taking this opportunity to set foot on American soil.”

“You’re not leaving for good, are you?”

“Well, I’ll see when I get there? If it’s good, I might just settle down there.”

“Ah… No, don’t go.”

“Why are you so sad? It’s not like I’m going somewhere you can’t see me.”

“Still.”

Maker didn’t seem to dislike Seo-ah’s disappointment. He cleared his throat and took out a card, placing it in Seo-ah’s hand.

“What’s this?”

“With this card, you can come to my gate whenever you want.”

“Ah, it’s similar to the card that opened the temporary gate before.”

“Yeah. Don’t open it in a crowded place, open it in a quiet place. I don’t want any riffraff following you in.”

“Yes, I will!”

Maker added with an embarrassed face to Seo-ah’s brightened reply.

“Don’t come too often. I might be away often too.”

“Where are you going?”

“You gave me this ability, I can’t just let it rot. I have to go around to different gates in America and get some materials.”

With that, Maker said a casual goodbye and left. He said he was leaving with Jackson and the others on a night flight tonight.

As soon as Maker left, Seo-ah found her cell phone and turned it on.

“It’s already March.”

It was mid-February when she entered the S-class gate, and now it was already spring, March.

Seo-ah called Geon-hoo. She felt bad that she hadn’t been able to take care of him since the new semester started.

– Sis?

The surroundings were noisy, so it seemed like he was outside.

“Yeah, Geon-hoo, where are you?”

– Uh, I… I came to a PC cafe [internet cafe] with my friends.

“Hey, what time is it? Go home quickly! School started, right?”

– Huh? It’s only 8 o’clock. School started this week, hey, hey! He’s running away over there! Sis, I’ll hang up.”

“Geon-hoo?”

Beep, beep, beep-

“That kid!”

Seo-ah was annoyed, but on the other hand, she was relieved.

Still, seeing him hanging out with his friends after school, it seemed like he had adjusted well.

Next, Seo-ah called Yoo Ji-ahn. The signal rang for a long time, but he didn’t answer.

“Is he busy…”

But as soon as she hung up, the bell rang again.

“Ah, hello!”

– Yeah, are you awake?

“Yes, where are you?”

– I’m coming there now.

“Ah, okay.”

Seo-ah hung up and went to the bathroom to look in the mirror for a moment.

But before long, the bell rang.

“Already?”

Seo-ah rushed out and opened the door, and Yoo Ji-ahn was really standing in front of the door.

“Where were you to get here so fast?”

“I was on the first floor of this building.”

“Even so…”

Even if he took the elevator right away, it was too fast.

Yoo Ji-ahn gently pushed Seo-ah in. Then, he grabbed Seo-ah’s shoulders and began to look around. Seo-ah, realizing the intention of his gaze, spoke first.

“I’m okay.”

As soon as she said that, she fell into his arms.

Seo-ah’s body tensed for a moment and then relaxed, and she reached out and patted Yoo Ji-ahn’s back.

“You were worried a lot, I’m sorry.”

Yoo Ji-ahn replied curtly to Seo-ah’s gentle words.

“If you knew you were sorry, you shouldn’t have been so reckless.”

“…I was trying to be careful.”

Seo-ah, who was gently pulling away from his arms, remembered her clothes. She was wearing soft pajamas. They weren’t originally Seo-ah’s. Should she ask?

“Um, by the way.”

Yoo Ji-ahn, who was picking up the room service menu on the table, glanced at Seo-ah.

“These clothes, I think they were changed.”

“Ah, ah, I did it.”

Seo-ah’s eyes widened in surprise, and she only opened her mouth in shock. Then, Yoo Ji-ahn smiled and added.

“-I thought you’d be surprised if I said that, but you’re very surprised. Unfortunately, Baek Eun-hee and Song Jin-ah did it.”

“Ah… You’re disappointed?”

“I’m disappointed. That we’re not close enough yet.”

“…….”

Seo-ah was an adult and understood exactly what he meant.

Yoo Ji-ahn beckoned to Seo-ah, who was standing silently with a flushed face.

“What are you doing, come here. We have to eat dinner.”

Yoo Ji-ahn seemed really calm even after saying those words.

Is it because he’s lived four lives? Well, in terms of actual age, he’s an old man… Where is there such a handsome old man? While she was lost in thought, Yoo Ji-ahn ordered room service on his own.