I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 185

185.

As soon as Jackson boarded the ship, he kicked a Chinese Hunter into the sea. It was a life taken in an instant.

“That crazy bastard, killing people just like that!”

“So what if you’re an S-Class? Doing something like this…”

The Hunters were furious, seeing their comrade die before their eyes.

Outside the Gate, taking another Hunter’s life, no matter who they were, was clearly murder.

No one expected a famous Rank 1 Hunter, not some back-alley thug, to commit murder so openly.

“Ugh, so noisy.”

Jackson grumbled, snapping his thumb and forefinger together. Instantly, the Japanese and Caucasian Hunters froze solid, just like the Chinese Hunter before them, and plunged into the sea.

“You too?”

Jackson turned his gaze to the A-Class Korean Hunter in front of Seoah. Seoah immediately stood up, blocking him.

“Stop it.”

“Ah, didn’t I tell you to knock them out? This is another breach of contract.”

Jackson flicked his finger, ignoring Seoah in front of him. A chilling cold swept through the air.

Seoah immediately grabbed the arm of the Hunter behind her.

“Ugh.”

The Korean Hunter braced himself, expecting to become like his dead comrades.

But strangely, he felt the cold wind, but his body didn’t freeze.

“Huh?”

The Korean Hunter looked back and forth between Seoah and Jackson, bewildered. Jackson tilted his head, trying to understand the situation.

Seoah glared at Jackson, her expression hardening.

“I told you to stop.”

Jackson stared at Seoah for a moment, then strode towards her. This time, he looked directly at her, not ignoring her.

“How curious. Let’s see if you can withstand this too.”

Keeping his eyes on Seoah, Jackson grabbed the other arm of the Korean Hunter.

“Aaaagh!”

Instantly, frost formed on his arm, freezing it solid. But just as quickly, it melted away as if nothing had happened.

Seoah was still holding onto the Korean Hunter. Seoah’s [Cold Resistance] was being applied to the Hunter in contact with her.

Seoah stepped more aggressively between Jackson and the Hunter again.

“Wasn’t your purpose to kidnap us? Is your real goal indiscriminate murder?”

Jackson looked down at Seoah with interest.

Even as an S-Class, the difference in skill was clear.

Moreover, Park Seoah was wearing mana restraints, making her no better than an F-Class with only passive skills working.

So, she should have been terrified and frozen stiff, but for some reason, Seoah didn’t seem scared at all.

“Did you forget that the Hunter you’re protecting kidnapped you?”

There was no way she could forget what had just happened. She clearly remembered him severing Maker’s Achilles tendon.

But that wasn’t a reason for Jackson to kill him. Even if punishment was necessary, Maker or she should be the ones to do it.

“That’s what you ordered him to do. Anyway, stop it. Then I’ll stay put.”

Even if Jackson refused here, Seoah didn’t have many options.

[Skill ‘Gentle Sunlight’ is activated.]

At that moment, Seoah’s passive skill activated, and his sharp emotions were noticeably softened, flowing in through [Emotional Transference].

“Alright, I don’t want to hurt you.”

Fortunately, Seoah’s passive skill was doing its job even in this situation.

Jackson spread his hands, stepping back obediently. As he did, he glanced at the Hunter behind Seoah and said.

“You’re lucky, you’ve survived for now. You should thank Hunter Park Seoah.”

“…….”

Even hearing those words, the Korean Hunter was completely frozen, unable to make a sound.

Yes, that was the normal reaction.

If a superior S-Class Hunter like himself was targeting your life, you should be too scared to even open your mouth.

‘Well.’

Park Seoah herself was an S-Class, and she often saw Yoo Jihan, so she might be used to it.

Jackson decided to understand it that way. He then lightly touched the earpiece in one ear and said.

“We’re departing now. Get ready.”

After saying only that, Jackson clicked his tongue and went to Maker, who had collapsed.

“Laying such a precious person in such a shabby place.”

As Seoah watched with a tense expression, he ostentatiously picked up Maker, laid him down in the inner cabin, and came back out.

Jackson gave his signature kind-looking smile, noticing Seoah’s constant gaze.

“As you know, I have no intention of harming you or the person inside. If possible.”

“If not possible?”

“I’ll have to calculate which one to choose.”

“Is this led by the United States? Is it okay to just kidnap Korean Hunters like this?”

Instead of answering, he only raised the corner of his lips. Was it a secret? But this was an important question for Seoah as well.

Depending on whether the US government was involved, or if it was a solo act by Jackson or the Heaven Guild, the choices of actions that Korean Hunters could take would be different.

Soon, someone appeared. It was Jackson’s bodyguard, whom she had seen before.

He untied the ropes tied to the harbor and jumped aboard. Then, he hurried around the ship. It seemed he was going to pilot the ship.

It was quite a large ship, and the passengers, including Seoah, numbered five.

‘Should I jump off now?’

Even with F-Class stats, jumping from here would be shocking, but not fatal. But well, I’d be caught in less than a second.

Seoah also rummaged through her inventory to see if there was anything useful, but not really.

It was somewhat comforting that all the equipment she was wearing was Special A-Class.

‘I came to see Maker.’

To end up like this. Seoah sighed, looking towards the cabin. Meanwhile, the ship started with a loud noise.

With a heavy heart, Seoah watched the harbor receding. Even if she was a complete S-Class, it would be impossible to cross this distance, she judged. Just then, Jackson came next to her.

“Ah, you can say your goodbyes.”

“Goodbyes?”

No sooner had Seoah’s question ended than a toothed wheel flew at an incredible speed. Seoah recognized it at a glance. It was Baek Eunhee’s [Splinter] [a ranged weapon skill].

The Splinter flew directly towards Jackson, but because it was fired from such a long distance, Jackson easily avoided it by simply bending his body slightly.

“Sister! Sister Eunhee!”

Seoah shouted loudly. Meanwhile, the ship sped up, moving further away from the land, far enough that Seoah’s voice wouldn’t reach.

‘Sister came, then….’

After that, it seemed a battle broke out at the harbor, with things exploding and golden sparks flying.

Yoo Jihan had also arrived. He seemed to be fighting the Hunters who had been pre-positioned to buy time for the ship to leave.

But to hold back an S-Class Hunter, those Hunters would all die. Should I just jump off? Wouldn’t something work out then?

As if reading Seoah’s thoughts, Jackson pointed to the cabin with his eyes.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Then Maker would be dragged away by me without a fight.”

It doesn’t seem like me being here would make much of a difference.

Seoah felt a vibration in her pants pocket. Glancing at Jackson, he nodded.

“You can answer it; they must be worried.”

He was really saying it as if he was doing her a favor, and she wanted to punch him, but she had no strength, so she had to endure it.

The screen showed it was Yoo Jihan. Seoah immediately pressed the call button.

– Seoah, are you okay?

His slightly urgent but low and sweet voice calmed her anxious heart.

She thought [Silent Night] [likely a skill or effect suppressing her abilities] wasn’t interfering with her thoughts, but maybe she wasn’t really okay.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ll be fine in the future too, probably.”

Seoah said, looking straight at Jackson, and Jackson shrugged once.

A sigh was heard over the phone.

– Just hold on a little longer.

He must have been very worried. But he must be holding back to avoid making her feel more anxious.

What a separation because of this American bastard.

“Don’t overdo it. I think I’m going to Japan.”

No one told her, but Seoah said so. Jackson’s surprised gaze touched Seoah’s cheek, but Seoah didn’t turn to him.

– Okay, we’ll be able to meet soon.

“Yes, take care.”

– …That’s what I should be saying.

With that, the signal weakened and the call soon ended. Seoah looked at the phone screen with regret, then looked at the harbor, which was now far away and barely visible.