I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 5

“Oh Hyun-soo, have you contacted Hunter Park Seo-ah?”

“Yes, yes. She’s on her way back now.”

Kim Jung-soo, the vice president of the Hunter Association, was overwhelmed by the sudden commotion.

‘Who is Park Seo-ah anyway? I heard she’s an E-class healer. Why are they all flocking to her like this?’

The top two guilds in the country, the Sun Guild and the Royal Guild, had both inquired about Park Seo-ah.

But what was even more surprising was that S-class hunters from each guild had personally stepped forward to greet her.

“She’s coming?”

“Yes, yes. She’s on her way back now.”

Baek Eun-hee of the Royal Guild had already arrived earlier and was still in the lobby, insisting that she wouldn’t leave until Park Seo-ah was called.

Yoo Ji-an of the Sun Guild had also notified them that he was coming here now.

Kim Jung-soo thought again about the sturdiness of this building.

It was rare for Yoo Ji-an and Baek Eun-hee to appear in the same place.

It was probably the first time since the area was devastated about five years ago when they had a fight at a hunter gathering.

‘Will the association building hold up?’

Of course, this Hunter Association building was built to withstand the power of hunters to some extent in preparation for possible accidents, but he couldn’t guarantee it if the power of two S-class hunters clashed.

Furthermore, Vice President Kim Jung-soo was an ordinary person, not a hunter. Association President Cha Tae-woon was an S-class hunter ranked 5th in the country, but he mainly handled external activities, so Kim Jung-soo handled all the administrative work.

‘Is it fortunate or unfortunate that the association president is not here?’

Soon after, Han Seok-hyun and Yoo Ji-an of the Sun Guild walked in together.

Kim Jung-soo was a little relieved to see Han Seok-hyun next to Yoo Ji-an.

At least Han Seok-hyun was able to control Yoo Ji-an, and his uniquely smooth personality could help ease the atmosphere.

“Now, Ji-an. The opponent is a fragile E-class healer. If you act scary, she might run away.”

“Well, she didn’t seem that timid.”

At Yoo Ji-an’s lukewarm response, Han Seok-hyun grabbed both of his shoulders.

“But what if you say something as usual and she gets scared and runs away? You said she’s important to you.”

At those words, Yoo Ji-an’s face turned sinister for a moment.

“Then I’ll have to catch her and lock her up by any means possible.”

“Hey, you……!”

Han Seok-hyun, who was about to shout, noticed Kim Jung-soo, who was wondering when to intervene, and shut his mouth.

“Ah, hello. Vice President.”

Han Seok-hyun quickly changed his attitude as if he had never been excited and greeted the vice president politely.

“Yes, you’ve arrived. Hunter Yoo Ji-an, you’ve come too.”

Kim Jung-soo was bothered by their conversation, but he didn’t show it and greeted them together. When Yoo Ji-an tried to ignore him, Han Seok-hyun nudged Yoo Ji-an’s side.

Then Yoo Ji-an nodded roughly, only making eye contact.

“What brings the Sun Guild here?”

At that moment, a sharp voice asked. Baek Eun-hee, who had briefly left her seat, was striding towards them.

Before he knew it, Seo Ah-hyun, the vice guild leader of the Royal Guild, was also with Baek Eun-hee.

The two guilds were facing each other, and a chilling air filled the lobby.

Yoo Ji-an was stronger than Baek Eun-hee, but considering that Han Seok-hyun was a magician with low mobility, the power of both sides was similar.

Yoo Ji-an’s eyebrows twitched. Han Seok-hyun looked at Kim Jung-soo urgently.

“What’s going on? Why is the Royal Guild leader here?”

“I asked first.”

Kim Jung-soo wiped the cold sweat flowing down his face and explained the situation.

“Ah, Hunter Yoo Ji-an also said he wanted to meet Hunter Park Seo-ah.”

“Why do you want our Seo-ah?”

“Our…… Seo-ah? Was that woman in cahoots with the Royal Guild?”

Yoo Ji-an’s momentum suddenly turned fierce.

Everyone except Baek Eun-hee was embarrassed. They couldn’t figure out what he was angry about.

“In cahoots? I just met her today. Well, but if she’s useful, we could be in cahoots.”

Baek Eun-hee’s eyes flashed sharply. Why is Yoo Ji-an being so sensitive?

As expected, isn’t there something special about Park Seo-ah?

Baek Eun-hee felt that her hunch, which she had been half-doubtful about, was confirmed by Yoo Ji-an.

“Ji-an, restrain yourself. Hunter Park Seo-ah hasn’t even arrived yet.”

Han Seok-hyun belatedly intervened and stopped Yoo Ji-an.

Without even looking at them, Baek Eun-hee looked towards the main entrance of the association building.

“So, where’s our cutie? Why isn’t she here yet?”

“She’s not ‘ours’ yet, is she? I would appreciate it if you would be mindful of your honorifics.”

Han Seok-hyun pointed out Baek Eun-hee’s remarks, not wanting to be outdone.

Han Seok-hyun didn’t actually know the value of Park Seo-ah yet, but he didn’t want to provoke Yoo Ji-an any further.

Of course, Baek Eun-hee wouldn’t just stand by. But before she could react, Seo Ah-hyun grabbed Baek Eun-hee’s arm.

“Eun-hee unnie [older sister or close female friend], calm down. You said you’d meet Hunter Park Seo-ah later and decide.”

Kim Jung-soo let out a sigh of relief as he looked at Yoo Ji-an and Han Seok-hyun, Baek Eun-hee and Seo Ah-hyun. It was a great relief that both sides were accompanied by guardians.

“So why isn’t she here yet? It hasn’t been long since she left.”

“I called her and she said she was on the bus. She said she’ll get off and take the bus on the opposite side, so she’ll probably be here soon.”

“Bus? A buuus?”

Baek Eun-hee reacted with a jump. Why is she doing that? Is there something wrong with the bus?

“What if something happens to our cutie on the way! A fragile E-class hunter can be seriously injured in a traffic accident!”

Yoo Ji-an scolded Han Seok-hyun annoyedly.

“That’s why I told you to go find her yourself, Han Seok-hyun.”

Kim Jung-soo could only stare at them, not knowing what was going on.

* * *

“Hah, hah……. They’re still here.”

Seo-ah muttered as she looked at the reporters gathered in front of the association building.

‘How did things get arranged so quickly?’

Just as she was wondering how to break through the crowd of reporters standing tightly packed, Hunter Oh Hyun-soo, who was at the entrance, waved his hand.

“Over here, Hunter Park Seo-ah!”

“Yes!”

Some of the reporters turned around at the sound of Hunter Oh Hyun-soo calling, but they didn’t seem to pay much attention.

“This way. Okay, everyone, please move aside!”

The guards were guarding like iron walls, so the reporters couldn’t enter the association building.

“So, what kind of request have I received?”

While waiting for the elevator, Seo-ah subtly probed Oh Hyun-soo. Then, Oh Hyun-soo looked at her with a cautious gaze and spoke as soon as he got into the elevator.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you earlier. Hunter Park Seo-ah, I heard you were active as a healer in this sudden gate incident. You’ve done a really great job. The association will definitely provide compensation for that.”

“Ah, that’s…….”

It’s not that I wanted to be active, but I had no choice. But compensation, I was curious. It would be nice if it was money.

“Is that why you’re looking for me?”

“No. The Sun Guild and the Royal Guild have each come to find Hunter Park Seo-ah. What’s your relationship with the two guilds…….”

“Yes? Where did you say?”

“Hunter Yoo Ji-an of the Sun Guild and Hunter Baek Eun-hee of the Royal Guild have requested to see Park Seo-ah through our Hunter Association.”

“Why do those people want to see me?”

“I want to ask Park Seo-ah that question.”

The elevator stopped on the top floor of this building, the 70th floor, in the blink of an eye. Seo-ah and Park Seo-ah’s conversation ended there.

“Ah, we’ve arrived. You can go in through that door.”

Seo-ah stood in front of a door, following Oh Hyun-soo’s guidance with a nervous face.

Seo-ah grabbed the doorknob, but couldn’t bring herself to open the door. A myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind.

‘Did I do something wrong? Did Yoo Ji-an think I ran away alone yesterday? No, that can’t be. And why is Baek Eun-hee here?’

Just then, she suddenly felt a chilling sensation behind her back. Then she heard a voice.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going in?”

“Ah, surprise!”

Seo-ah, who was momentarily startled, almost sat down. When she turned around, Yoo Ji-an was staring down at her blankly.

“Ah.”

“Why are you so surprised?”

Well, I’m already on edge, and then I hear an S-class hunter’s voice right behind me, so I can’t help but be surprised.

In the meantime, Baek Eun-hee opened the door and came out, having heard the noise.

“Hey, you scared the kid! I told you to treat her with care.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

‘Not yet.’ He swallowed the words. Yoo Ji-an looked down at Seo-ah as if he was wondering.

“Are E-class hunters originally so easily surprised?”

No. It’s not just because I’m E-class.

Seo-ah answered inwardly, and Baek Eun-hee ignored his question neatly and turned her gaze to Seo-ah.

“Baby, get up quickly. Oh, you were very surprised, right? You understand. Yoo Ji-an is such a jerk who has no consideration.”

Seo-ah blankly looked at Baek Eun-hee, who was treating her like a baby, and got up from the floor, led by her hand.

“It’s okay. I was surprised by myself.”

Seo-ah scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. To be honest, she was more surprised by the chilling energy she felt before Yoo Ji-an’s voice than Yoo Ji-an’s voice. What was that?

Kim Jung-soo belatedly came out and asked Seo-ah for a handshake.

“Ah, Hunter Park Seo-ah? Hello, I’m Kim Jung-soo, the vice president of the Hunter Association.”

Seo-ah grabbed his hand without much thought, but belatedly flinched, but nothing special happened.

‘This person is not a hunter.’

Seo-ah looked around and went inside and sat down. In the conference room, there were not only Yoo Ji-an and Baek Eun-hee, but also Han Seok-hyun and Seo Ah-hyun. They greeted Seo-ah with business-like smiles.

“Welcome, Hunter Park Seo-ah.”

Seo Ah-hyun pulled out Seo-ah’s chair and invited her to sit down.

‘The day has come when I sit in a chair that an A-class hunter pulls out for me.’

Seo-ah sat in the chair with a still dazed face.