I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 120

120.

Seo-ah answered Cha Tae-woon’s question with a bewildered expression.

“Yes, is something… wrong?”

“I don’t know why Hunter Yoo Ji-an said that.”

Cha Tae-woon frowned and thought for a moment before speaking.

“Elixirs definitely exist. Hunter Yoo Ji-an and I were both at the scene, though only once. I clearly saw an elixir save someone’s life.”

Seo-ah’s pupils trembled slightly at his words.

Rather than wondering why Yoo Ji-an lied, she was thrilled that ‘elixirs’ really existed.

“Of course… it was only once. And it’s definitely not easy to find. To see the full effect of a panacea [a remedy for all diseases], you need not only the elixir but also an S-class healer. If all conditions are met, even civilian illnesses can be completely cured.”

“They really… exist.”

Cha Tae-woon chuckled silently at Seo-ah’s murmur.

“But you have to return the cards. Give them to me.”

As Cha Tae-woon reached out his hand, Seo-ah flinched and stared at his hand. Now that she knew elixirs existed, she couldn’t just hand them over.

“You can’t open the gate with just eight cards anyway. And even if you do open the gate, there’s no guarantee that there will be an elixir inside.”

“But….”

Seo-ah bit her lower lip.

Someone else might not have returned their cards like she did. Could there be a way to trade with them?

“Hmm.”

Cha Tae-woon leaned back on the sofa and withdrew his hand. He exuded an air of a winner.

“Then how about this?”

“How?”

“I have five cards. I’ll give them all to you. The minimum requirement to open the gate is ten cards. Wouldn’t the chances of finding an elixir be higher with more cards?”

“…There must be a condition.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

And from Cha Tae-woon’s yearning gaze, Seo-ah knew he wanted something. Even without her ’emotional transference’ ability, he was openly looking at her.

“I want to revert to our original agreement. Then I’ll not only give you my cards but also turn a blind eye to the cards that Hunter Park Seo-ah hasn’t returned.”

“You mean going to the gate together?”

“That’s right.”

“…….”

Seo-ah paused to think. Cha Tae-woon waited patiently for her to reach a conclusion.

“Okay, but I need to receive the cards first.”

“That’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“That it’s not after you open the gate, find the elixir, and your brother is completely healed.”

“…You said there’s no guarantee of finding an elixir even if we open the gate.”

Cha Tae-woon nodded and said.

“That’s right. And the gate is definitely not easy to clear alone. I remember it being really difficult back then. If you want, we can make our contract for that gate. You can go with me and a few others.”

“I’ll think about it.”

As soon as Seo-ah finished speaking, Cha Tae-woon brought up a system window in the air and signed it. Then he passed it to Seo-ah.

“It’s a contract. If you violate the contract, you’ll be penalized with a five-year suspension of your hunter abilities.”

With such a strong restriction, Seo-ah carefully read the contents of the contract.

It stated that the ownership of the cards would be recognized on the condition that Seo-ah participated in the gate, and that Cha Tae-woon would do his best to ensure her safety.

“Isn’t this ‘do his best’ part a bit ambiguous?”

“It’s not ambiguous. Even if I die, I’ll make sure to get Hunter Park Seo-ah out alive. If Hunter Park Seo-ah dies and I’m the only one who survives, I’ll also be subject to a five-year restriction according to the contract.”

“But a five-year restriction might be better than losing your life.”

“Would it really be?”

Cha Tae-woon smiled meaningfully and stared at Seo-ah. Seo-ah met his gaze, and at the same time, her ’emotional transference’ activated.

“You’re serious. Yes, I understand.”

“Still, now that Hunter Park Seo-ah is S-class, it’ll be easier than with the previous guilds.”

Seo-ah nodded and signed in the blank space below. It would certainly be easier than protecting an E-class Seo-ah.

Now that she thought about it, it became clearer how much they had considered her in the gate.

The difference between S-class and E-class was incomparable in all physical aspects. The difference was even more pronounced when she experienced it firsthand. That made her feel grateful to them.

After signing and handing it over, Cha Tae-woon reached out his hand and stood up.

If she took his hand, Cha Tae-woon would ‘scan’ her. She knew that, but Seo-ah stood up and took his hand. As a contractual partner, she thought it was inevitable to open up to some extent.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

The moment she shook his hand, five cards were transferred to Seo-ah.

“Can you give them to me in advance? But, is this really okay?”

“I’ll have to falsify the report to the government. It’s nothing.”

“…….”

Was it really nothing?

Well, that was Cha Tae-woon’s problem.

“Let me tell you, even if you open the gate, never go alone. Be sure to take other high-level hunters with you, even if it’s not me. Hunter Park Seo-ah is not a combat type, after all.”

“I will.”

As she let go of his hand, Seo-ah briefly wondered who to ask to go with her.

Baek Eun-hee would readily agree, but Yoo Ji-an was a concern. Why did he tell Seo-ah that there were no elixirs?

He might know something. She needed to confirm that first.

“By the way, are you staying at the Taeyang Guild right now?”

“For now.”

“You should move to the association. You can’t keep staying there.”

“Um… is that okay?”

“Basically, hunters who don’t belong to a guild are all under the management of the association. It’s not as good as the accommodations provided by those guilds, but it won’t be uncomfortable to live in.”

“I see, I understand.”

Han Seok-hyun and Kang Su-jeong would be sad, but since her contract with the Taeyang Guild had ended, there was no reason to stay there.

Thinking about it that way, she thought she should save a little more money and find a suitable house soon.

Maybe things would work out after this gate.

***

“Cha Tae-woon, that guy, is determined to get Hunter Park Seo-ah….”

Han Seok-hyun clenched his fist as if he was really upset.

“Sister, are you really leaving?”

Kang Su-jeong grabbed Seo-ah’s hand and whined.

“It’s not like we won’t see each other. Call me anytime if you miss me.”

Seo-ah stroked Su-jeong’s hair and comforted her. Han Seok-hyun glanced at them and said.

“Hunter Kang Su-jeong is scheduled to become a formal member of the Taeyang Guild next month after passing the test.”

“Oh, really? That’s great. Su-jeong, congratulations.”

“Well, I have to pass the test first. It’s all thanks to you, Sister.”

Still, she seemed happy, smiling brightly while holding Seo-ah’s hand. Perhaps because they had maintained eye contact for a long time, her emotions were naturally conveyed to Seo-ah.

“You’ll do well.”

Seo-ah was also proud to feel Su-jeong’s joy. She summoned ‘Lamp’s Genie’ in case she had a wish, but it didn’t appear, probably because the conditions weren’t met.

“If Ji-an finds out later….”

Han Seok-hyun muttered with a fearful expression, tearing at his hair. Seo-ah offered him comfort.

“I’ll tell him. Don’t worry too much.”

“Anyway, Hunter Park Seo-ah, the Taeyang Guild is always open. Please don’t forget that.”

“Yes, I’ll contact you if I need help in the future.”

Seo-ah got into the car provided by the Taeyang Guild.

She was more used to riding in a nice car driven by a chauffeur than taking the bus.

Seo-ah felt strange about herself. And this feeling continued even after arriving at the association’s accommodation.

The association provided Seo-ah with a decent studio apartment. Most of the hunters belonging to the association were civil servants, so they commuted from their own homes.

The studio apartment was accommodation for employees coming to the association headquarters on business trips from other regions. The neat and compact accommodation was definitely not bad. In the past, she would have been grateful for this much.

But having been provided with such good places by the Taeyang Guild and the Royal Guild, her standards had become too high.

“Ugh. I’m definitely spoiled.”

Seo-ah burst into a silly laugh and unpacked her luggage. Then she saw the cell phone on the desk. She remembered Han Seok-hyun tearing at his hair earlier.

“I should contact him.”

Seo-ah sat on the bed, holding her cell phone and hesitating for a moment. A call? A text?

‘What is Hunter Yoo Ji-an doing right now?’

Since there was no news of a high-level gate opening in the past day, he probably didn’t go on a raid.

Seo-ah eventually sent a text message to Yoo Ji-an. But as soon as she sent the text message, she received a call.

“Wha…!”

Surprised, Seo-ah hurriedly answered.

“Yes.”

– Where are you?

“Uh… D officetel [a building with studio apartments], 17th floor.”

– Okay.

He hung up after saying only that. Seo-ah stared blankly at the phone screen in bewilderment.