I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 23

Episode 23.

He learned that Seo-ah was affiliated with the Sun Guild and requested a meeting. Han Seok-hyun, of course, immediately refused.

He couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason. However, based on Yoo Ji-an and Baek Eun-hee’s keen insights, and the reported training results, Park Seo-ah was, in his estimation, a diamond in the rough. A very valuable one at that.

If he contacted Cha Tae-woon, the S-class Hunter, Cha Tae-woon would surely covet Park Seo-ah as well. Given this situation, keeping Kang Su-jeong around just to hold onto Park Seo-ah wouldn’t be a significant issue.

“Hmph, Ji-an should at least appreciate my efforts.”

Han Seok-hyun sighed deeply and entered the elevator.

Once he was gone, Su-jeong, who had been quietly observing, spoke up.

“Seo-ah, Unnie [Korean term for older sister or female friend]…….”

“Yes, Su-jeong. That’s wonderful.”

“Unnie……!”

Kang Su-jeong rushed to Seo-ah and hugged her, tears welling in her eyes. Seo-ah patted Su-jeong’s back.

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Unnie. How could I ever be in the Sun Guild……!”

“Well, Su-jeong. I haven’t officially joined the guild yet.”

“I know! I just feel like I’m dreaming being in this building!”

“Hmm, okay.”

Listening to Kang Su-jeong’s joyful outburst, Seo-ah thought to herself.

‘I should thank Hunter Yoo Ji-an and the Guild Master separately later.’

* * *

The next evening, Team 1, the Sun Guild’s ace team, gathered to await their assignment.

A C-class gate [a portal to a monster-filled dimension] was forecast to appear in Seoul that night. It was a relatively weak challenge for Team 1, but Team 2 and Team 3 were unavailable, leaving them as the only option.

“A C-class, how boring.”

“We’ll just quickly clear it and return. It’s a waste to let another guild have it. It’s still a C-class gate, after all.”

The frequency of C-class gate appearances was significantly lower than lower-ranked gates, and the value of the items found inside was considerably higher. It was definitely not a gate to hand over to another guild.

Team 1 typically consisted of 5 core members, including Yoo Ji-an, with additional members added or removed depending on the specific characteristics of the gate.

It was a formidable force, comprising 1 S-class hunter and 4 A-class hunters.

Three members were present, with two yet to arrive.

A-class Tanker, Yoon Ah-jeong glanced at the door and lowered her voice.

“By the way, did you hear? There’s a rumor that Song Jin-ho…… is dating.”

“What? Jin-ho hyung [Korean term for older brother or male friend]? Oh, who is it!”

At that moment, A-class ranged dealer Kim Su-hyeok showed keen interest with a delighted expression.

“Well, I haven’t seen her myself. Did you hear that an E-class healer joined our guild?”

“Ah, I heard the lower-level hunters talking about it. Her name is…… what was it?”

“Park Seo-ah.”

At this point, A-class mage Kang Hae-in, who had been feigning indifference, suddenly interjected.

“Ah, I think that was the name.”

“Anyway, the rumor that Song Jin-ho and that Park Seo-ah are dating has spread throughout the guild!”

Bang-

Before Yoon Ah-jeong could finish her sentence, the door burst open. Everyone turned to look.

“Oh, Ji-an hyung! What brings you out so early?”

“I know, we still have an hour before we have to leave.”

Despite Kim Su-hyeok and Kang Hae-in’s questions, Yoo Ji-an walked directly towards Yoon Ah-jeong, who was sitting on the sofa.

“What, why, why are you coming to me?”

The S-class hunter’s chilling aura instantly froze the room. These were A-class hunters who had faced countless battles. They weren’t easily frightened or intimidated by ordinary events.

However, facing the S-class hunter’s murderous intent head-on, everything they had experienced felt like child’s play.

“Who, who is dating who?”

However, Yoo Ji-an’s question was somewhat unexpected. Yoon Ah-jeong, taken aback, tilted her head and stammered.

“Song Jin-ho and, that new Park Seo-ah…… It’s just a rumor…….”

“Ji-an, why are you suddenly asking that? Are you interested in that kind of thing?”

Kang Hae-in, who was a year older than Yoo Ji-an, cautiously got up and gently tugged on Yoo Ji-an’s shoulder.

Kang Hae-in swallowed hard at the expression on Yoo Ji-an’s face when he turned around. Geez, that guy’s eyes are scary.

“Where is Song Jin-ho?”

“He hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“To break the gate.”

Yoo Ji-an uttered those words and stormed out the door. The others, exchanging bewildered glances, jumped up and followed Yoo Ji-an.

“Ji-an hyung!”

“Ji-an!”

“I told you Song Jin-ho hasn’t come yet!”

They followed, but Yoo Ji-an had already vanished.

The youngest, Kim Su-hyeok, scratched his head and looked at Kang Hae-in.

“What’s going on? Are we leaving without Jin-ho hyung?”

“I don’t know, let’s follow him for now. It’s almost time to leave anyway. Jin-ho can either come on his own or not.”

* * *

Yoo Ji-an seemed to have left alone, so the three of them traveled in a car provided by the guild.

Of course, an A-class hunter was faster than a car, but there was no need to waste energy on something that wasn’t urgent. They weren’t underestimating the C-class gate.

To be honest, for Yoo Ji-an, who had single-handedly cleared an A-class gate, joining a team for a C-class gate was pointless.

In fact, even without Yoo Ji-an, four A-class hunters could clear it without any issues.

However, a gate always presented potential variables. Even if it was classified as C-class, the situation inside could suddenly change.

Following Han Seok-hyun’s principle of safety first, which was somewhat at odds with the typical hunter guild mentality, they tried to move in teams whenever possible.

“But why did those words set off Yoo Ji-an’s berserk button?”

Yoon Ah-jeong muttered from the front seat, but the men in the back had no idea why.

They might find out if they went to the guild and investigated, but that wasn’t an option right now.

“Isn’t it because Jin-ho hyung got angry because he dated first?”

“……That’s highly unlikely.”

Soon they arrived, exited the car, and approached the gate. The guild and the association had already set up barricades and were controlling traffic and pedestrians.

Yoo Ji-an stood before the gate. Behind him stood three A-class hunters. A strong wave of mana emanated from within the gate.

From that alone, they could roughly assess the gate’s current state.

“Looks like we’ll have to leave Song Jin-ho behind? It’s opening faster than I thought. Did he know and come ahead of us?”

“Hey, we have to be careful without a healer.”

Soon, a blue vortex swirled in the air, revealing the gate’s entrance.

“Let’s go.”

With Yoo Ji-an’s brief command, they jumped into it without hesitation.

* * *

As usual, Seo-ah finished her morning workout in the underground training center.

Kang Su-jeong, who had spent the night with Seo-ah in her 75th-floor accommodation, had left for school, and Seo-ah was on the first floor, planning to listen to the lectures she had missed from Song Jin-ho the day before yesterday.

She was wandering around in the lobby when the entrance became noisy.

“Wow, I almost died.”

“A poisonous mushroom monster was hiding right there.”

“Ugh, I still feel nauseous. It’s all because we didn’t bring a healer!”

The people entering were all groaning. Among them, Seo-ah spotted a familiar face.

“Oh, Hunter Yoo Ji-an!”

Unlike the noisy trio in front, Yoo Ji-an was walking quietly behind. However, his clothes were covered in black grime, and his appearance mirrored theirs.

Yoo Ji-an, noticing Park Seo-ah, stopped and paused. He held up his palm, signaling Seo-ah to stay back.

“Wait, don’t come any closer, just talk from there.”

“Yes?”

“It’s poison.”

“Ah!”

The three who had been walking ahead turned around, surprised. Who was confidently addressing Yoo Ji-an, and why was Yoo Ji-an being considerate enough to prevent her from being poisoned?

Normally, he would have ignored it, dismissing it as the fault of the idiot who walked by without noticing the danger. That’s how cold and indifferent Yoo Ji-an was to other hunters.

“Poison, are you okay? Shouldn’t you get treatment soon?”

“Wow, someone actually cares.”

From a distance, Seo-ah looked at Yoo Ji-an with worried eyes.

Seo-ah turned around, puzzled, and Kim Su-hyeok, realizing he had spoken without thinking, avoided her gaze.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Song Jin-ho appeared.

“Oh, Hunter Park Seo-ah?”

With Song Jin-ho’s arrival, the A-class hunters’ heads snapped back and forth.

“Jin-ho hyung?”

“Hey, Song Jin-ho. Where have you been?”

“Hunter Park Seo-ah? Then, then! Are you two dating?”

Yoon Ah-jeong’s final words sealed the deal. While Yoo Ji-an’s expression rapidly darkened, Song Jin-ho, oblivious to the tension, approached them.

“What, why is everyone acting like this?”

Song Jin-ho first grabbed Kang Hae-in’s arm, who was at the very front, and checked his condition.

“Song Jin-ho, are you really dating Hunter Park Seo-ah?”

Yoon Ah-jeong couldn’t resist and threw out the question directly. A heavy silence filled the lobby, and Song Jin-ho looked at Yoon Ah-jeong with an expression of utter confusion.

At that moment, Yoo Ji-an vanished with impossible speed and grabbed Song Jin-ho by the collar.

“You.”

Song Jin-ho’s face paled at the inexplicable threat.

“P, poison. Why are you doing this, hyung! What are you doing, someone stop him!”

Song Jin-ho pleaded, but the others only slowly backed away, unwilling to intervene. Life is precious to everyone.

“We’re not dating.”

At that moment, Seo-ah spoke in a small but clear voice.

As soon as he heard those words, Yoo Ji-an slowly released his grip, and Song Jin-ho slumped to the floor.