I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 108

108.

“A monster? Are you saying a Gate Break happened?”

“Yes, but no. That’s why everyone is questioning it.”

As Seo-ah and the other Hunters wore serious expressions, Han Seok-hyun reassured them.

“But you all have just finished a difficult raid, so don’t worry about it and get some rest for a while. The Association is managing the situation anyway.”

Seeing Han Seok-hyun speak like that, it seemed to be within a somewhat controllable range.

Yu Ji-an leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes without saying anything.

Seo-ah actually had something more important on her mind.

“I just got a call from Geon-hoo’s hospital. They said they took a CT scan in the meantime.”

“Ah… you received the call.”

Han Seok-hyun’s expression seemed uneasy, as if he felt sorry.

“What happened?”

“Actually, Geon-hoo’s condition wasn’t bad at all while we were monitoring him. His treatment was going smoothly, and he was eating well too.”

“But… ?”

“But starting three days ago, he suddenly started showing symptoms he didn’t have before….”

Seo-ah’s face hardened, but she silently waited for Han Seok-hyun’s next words.

Yu Ji-an, who had been closing his eyes, also quietly opened them and looked at Han Seok-hyun.

“We have already agreed to all the tests on behalf of Hunter Park Seo-ah. It seems the results are out.”

“How bad is it? How is he?”

Seo-ah fidgeted as if she would jump out of her seat any moment.

But no matter how much of an S-Class Hunter she had become, even if her speed was faster than a car, it was impossible to run from Gangwon-do to Seoul [two different provinces in South Korea].

More than that, the fact that there was nothing she could do even if she went now barely kept Seo-ah from running.

Han Seok-hyun tried to calm Seo-ah by showing his palm.

“Calm down. He apparently had a fever and vomited in the early morning. Actually, the doctor suspected gastroenteritis [inflammation of the stomach and intestines], but we strongly insisted on a thorough examination.”

“…Ah.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, Sister. It’ll be okay. Let’s think about it tomorrow. Your face is so pale.”

Kang Soo-jung, who had been by her side all along, held Seo-ah’s hand tightly and comforted her.

[Skill ‘Silent Night’ is activated.]

Even in moments like this, the skill activates. Seo-ah found it a bit funny, but she relied on the skill’s power to calm her mind.

“Okay, thank you. Guild Leader. Anyway, I’ve been in your care for a month.”

“In our care? That’s only natural… no, even more than that….”

“Pardon?”

Han Seok-hyun leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.

“The Sun Guild already has another S-Class accommodation prepared. Please remember that. If you join our guild, we will manage everything for Hunter Park Seo-ah, including Geon-hoo.”

“…Ah.”

“Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t do it if you don’t join. We would be even happier if you didn’t feel burdened.”

“I-I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you just for considering it.”

Han Seok-hyun was polite before, but he treated Seo-ah with even more courtesy than before.

Seo-ah was tempted.

It was the number one guild in the country, and Yu Ji-an and Kang Soo-jung were there too. She had also grown quite fond of some of the guild members here.

‘But….’

Baek Eun-hee and the Royal Guild members were no less capable, and their interest and affection for Seo-ah were no less either.

‘Ah, I need to contact Eun-hee unnie [term for older sister in Korean] too.’

You must have already heard about the gate clear here through the media.

I thought Baek Eun-hee would contact me as soon as I came out like before, but surprisingly, Seo-ah’s phone was quiet.

‘Well, she must be busy.’

The car became quiet as it drove down the road after sunset.

The A-Class Hunters in the back were either sleeping or fiddling with their phones, and Kang Soo-jung was listening to music with her earphones in.

Yu Ji-an didn’t seem to be sleeping either, but he was quietly closing his eyes, and Han Seok-hyun looked very busy, checking his laptop and phone alternately.

‘Then, let’s see….’

Seo-ah secretly pretended to look out the window and brought up the system window. She was going to wait until she was alone, but she couldn’t resist her curiosity.

How much, how would it have changed?

[ STATE ]

[Park Seo-ah (21 years old)

Position: Supporter (S-Class), Healer (E-Class)]

Seo-ah couldn’t help but smile at the words S-Class. I, I’m finally S-Class!

‘By the way, the E-Class Healer position is still there.’

It wasn’t a big deal, but she felt like she would be sad if it disappeared completely.

Seo-ah carefully read the information below.

[Title: Best Counselor]

‘Best Counselor’ for me. Was this what the system meant by saying that a title would sprout and that I should accumulate achievements?

But what achievements did I accumulate?

‘I don’t remember specifically counseling anyone.’

The system message that it would sprout appeared after talking with Noh Yoon-ji and Song Jin-ho before. And after subduing Yu Ji-an’s rampage, the title popped out along with the opening of the S-Class Supporter.

The counselor part was okay, but the word ‘Best’ in front of it was a bit burdensome.

‘Well, never mind the title.’

In fact, what was more important than the title was the unique ability that came with it.

[Unique Ability: Emotion Transference (S-Class)]

[Receives the emotions of the target as they are. The higher the intimacy and favorability with the target, the more accurate and stronger the feeling can be received.]

Seo-ah blinked, wondering if she had seen it wrong.

‘Receiving emotions? But, so what?’

Seo-ah looked down to see if there was any other explanation, but that was really all there was.

‘What kind of ability is this!’

What benefit do I get from just receiving the other person’s emotions well?

Seo-ah was making a dissatisfied face when she felt a gaze staring at her. It was Yu Ji-an across from her.

“Why, why?”

Seo-ah was flustered and her face turned red.

“I was just wondering how your expression keeps changing.”

“…Ah.”

“What are you thinking about?”

Emotion Transference.

Then, could the pain I felt when I subdued Yu Ji-an’s rampage be related to this ability? Can I feel pain beyond just feeling emotions?

‘Feeling pain too? That’s really not good at all. Wait a minute, then what emotions is Yu Ji-an feeling right now….’

When Seo-ah didn’t answer, Yu Ji-an fidgeted slightly.

“Seo-ah.”

“Ah… just a moment. Stay still.”

Seo-ah said to Yu Ji-an, looking at him carefully.

There was black hair that was still shiny even though it was wet and dry, and black, pretty eyes under thick eyebrows.

A sculpted, sharp nose and soft-looking lips below it also caught her eye.

‘He’s really handsome.’

And seeing his lips naturally brought back the memory of kissing him.

Thump-

Seo-ah, who was staring at Yu Ji-an to feel his emotions, was unknowingly admiring his appearance in detail.

She met his eyes again.

Thump, thump-

‘No, wait. Whose….’

Seo-ah was startled by the sudden strong heartbeat and grabbed her left chest, leaning back.

“Park Seo-ah, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Yu Ji-an, noticing that Seo-ah was acting strange, unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned closer to Seo-ah.

Seo-ah, with a flushed face, looked up at Yu Ji-an, who had suddenly gotten closer, and quickly swallowed her breath.

“T-that… my heart.”

“Heart?”

But Yu Ji-an’s face, which was approaching, looked so clean and indifferent. But the closer Yu Ji-an got, the more Seo-ah felt like something was stuck in her throat.

“Then Song Jin-ho….”

“Ah, no. That’s not it.”

Seo-ah took a deep breath and pressed on Yu Ji-an’s shoulder, barely managing to sit him back in his seat.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, yes. I’m fine. Just for a moment….”

“A moment?”

“I was looking at the status window and got too excited.”

Yu Ji-an thought for a moment at Seo-ah’s hastily made excuse, then nodded as if he understood.

“Well, I guess so. If an E-Class became an S-Class, a lot would have changed.”

Han Seok-hyun next to her seemed to be perking up his ears while working, but he was perceptive enough not to interfere.

As Yu Ji-an moved on, Seo-ah sighed silently.

But what is this heartbeat?

‘Yu Ji-an’s emotions? No, this isn’t.’

It was too clear to say that, and Yu Ji-an really seemed indifferent.

Then there’s only one answer.

‘This is… me… Yu Ji-an.’

Thump, thump, thump-

‘I… like him.’

Seo-ah looked down at the end of her knees. Somehow, she couldn’t look Yu Ji-an straight in the eye.

I didn’t know I would find out this way, but once I became aware of my feelings, they flowed out uncontrollably.

Her heart was still pounding, and her red face didn’t know when to return. It would be nice if [Silent Night] was activated at times like this, but unfortunately, there was no reaction at all.

‘No, if I keep doing this, I’ll look weird. Casually….’

But even though she could feel his gaze on her, she didn’t have the confidence to make eye contact.

“Seo-ah.”

“Yes, yes?”

Seo-ah raised her head vaguely.

“If you have any worries, tell me. I’ll listen if I can. You must be happy but also confused since you suddenly became an S-Class.”