I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 53

53.

Of course, having a photo taken and appearing in the news was a big deal, but was it urgent enough for the Association President to call directly?

It was a bit questionable, but as long as I was working as a Hunter in the country, I couldn’t ignore the words of the Hunter Association President.

Before leaving, Seo-ah requested a meeting with Geon-woo’s doctor.

I thought I would have to wait a while since I didn’t make a reservation in advance, but surprisingly, I was able to enter the examination room quickly.

“How is he? What’s his current condition?”

“Fortunately, the chemotherapy is having some effect. According to the CT scan, it hasn’t spread to other organs. That means surgery is still possible.”

“You still haven’t found a matching liver?”

“Yes, there were a few donors, but they failed the blood test. We’re looking overseas now, so please wait a little longer.”

“Ah… I see. Please take good care of him.”

“We will do our best.”

The doctor adjusted his rimless glasses and replied in a much kinder voice than before. He knew from the higher-ups that she was related to Baek Eun-hee of the Royal Guild.

Seo-ah, unaware of this, repeatedly bowed to the doctor and left the examination room.

A car was already waiting outside the hospital.

“Hunter Park Seo-ah. I received your call. I will take you to the Hunter Association.”

“Yes, Guild Leader Baek Eun-hee is coming too, right?”

“Yes, you will be able to see her there.”

Seo-ah got into the car and looked out the window with anxious eyes.

The image of Cha Tae-woon, whom she had seen briefly before, came to mind.

‘He was polite, but he also had a slightly cold feeling.’

He was the kind of person who outwardly seemed like he was the Association President. Seo-ah searched for Cha Tae-woon on her phone while on the way.

“Ranked 5th in the country among S-Class Hunters. The strongest defense. Many people would rank him 3rd if he wasn’t in the position of Association President….”

Baek Eun-hee had said before that the ranking is determined by adding achievements to the registered stats. Compared to ordinary guilds, the Association doesn’t have many opportunities to clear high-level gates [dungeons or portals to other dimensions]. So, they were relatively disadvantaged in the rankings.

If Cha Tae-woon is 5th, what are the rankings ahead of him? This time, she searched for the Hunter rankings.

“1st Yu Ji-an of the Sun Guild, 2nd Baek Eun-hee of the Royal Guild, 3rd Choi Eun-gyeol of the Love Guild, 4th Song Jin-ah of the Angel Guild, 5th Cha Tae-woon of the Hunter Association….”

Looking at it this way, she could see that each guild only had one S-Class Hunter. Well, there’s no reason for someone of S-Class to go under someone else.

The Sun Guild exceptionally has a separate Guild Leader, but in reality, it almost moves according to Yu Ji-an’s will, so it’s safe to say that he is the leader.

‘I’ll be S-Class when I awaken….’

No matter how much she thought about it, Seo-ah didn’t think she would become an S-Class Hunter who could stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Besides, her position is a supporter.

Well, who cares? Whatever she becomes, it will be stronger than her current E-Class state.

‘Should I join somewhere when I awaken?’

While she was worrying about that, she arrived at the Association.

As she got out of the car, she saw a familiar blue sports car.

“Sun Guild Leader!”

It was Han Seok-hoon. Han Seok-hoon, who recognized Seo-ah, took off his sunglasses and approached her with concern.

“Hunter Park Seo-ah, are you okay?”

“Yes? Yes, I’m fine.”

“I’m angry at how the Royal Guild could make such a mistake. If it were our Sun Guild, we would never have made such an absurd mistake.”

As soon as he met her, Han Seok-hoon vehemently criticized the Royal Guild as if he had been waiting for it.

“Ah… that’s. Um, but what brings you here, Guild Leader?”

“I think I was called in regarding that matter as well. After all, we are Park Seo-ah Hunter’s next raid partners.”

“Ah, I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Why is that because of Hunter Park Seo-ah? It’s unconditionally the Royal Guild’s fault.”

“…….”

Seo-ah couldn’t easily agree with that. After all, the Royal Guild had done their best for Seo-ah.

“Well, go inside first. I think I should go with Hunter Baek Eun-hee.”

“Is there really a need for that? You can come with me….”

“Go, go inside!”

Seo-ah judged that it would be better in many ways not to leave Baek Eun-hee and Han Seok-hoon together. So, she quickly pushed Han Seok-hoon inside the Association’s main gate. Fortunately, Han Seok-hoon went inside willingly and said.

“Then I’ll see you later, Hunter Park Seo-ah.”

“Yes, yes!”

As soon as Han Seok-hoon went inside, the car carrying Baek Eun-hee arrived right away. If she had been delayed even a little, the two would have run into each other here.

Of course, she would eventually see them in front of Cha Tae-woon later, but it would be much better than seeing them in a situation where they were badmouthing the Royal Guild.

Thinking that, Seo-ah greeted Baek Eun-hee, who was getting out of the car, with a bright face.

“Sister.”

Baek Eun-hee, who was getting out with a frown, immediately changed her expression when she saw Seo-ah.

“Seo-ah! Are you okay? Is anyone following you? Or recognizing you?”

“No! Not at all. I saw the news too, but it would be hard to recognize me… ?”

“Really? That’s a relief. Ugh, everyone didn’t think of that, you morons. Ah, except for Seo-ah. I’m including myself.”

“…Let’s go inside, Sister.”

As Baek Eun-hee was about to start self-deprecating, Seo-ah grabbed Baek Eun-hee’s arm and pulled her.

“But it looks like the Sun Guild came too? Seok-hoon’s car is here.”

“That’s right, he went in first.”

“Ha, it seems like Cha Tae-woon is going to use this as an excuse to make trouble.”

“…….”

Together with Baek Eun-hee, who was grinding her teeth, Seo-ah arrived at Cha Tae-woon’s office.

Cha Tae-woon and Han Seok-hoon, who had come up earlier, were there. Kim Jeong-soo and Oh Hyun-soo were not seen today.

Cha Tae-woon got up and greeted them politely as expected.

“Welcome, thank you for responding. You can sit here.”

“If we didn’t come, you would act petty again, right?”

Baek Eun-hee grumbled and sat across from Han Seok-hoon. Then Han Seok-hoon rarely agreed with her.

“That’s right, the Association President is pettier than he looks. Just look at how he assigned the last A-Class gate to the Royal Guild instead of us.”

“Ah, that was a good thing.”

Seo-ah sat next to Baek Eun-hee and anxiously looked at Cha Tae-woon and the other two.

Fortunately, Cha Tae-woon seemed used to such backstabbing and easily brushed it off and began to say what he had to say.

“When attacking C-Class gates or higher, guilds and associations must disclose all participating members to the government. That is the rule.”

“There shouldn’t have been any problems with the data we provided to the Association?”

The Royal Guild had at least properly entered the number of members into the Association. Of course, they added an opinion that they didn’t want to expose Park Seo-ah as much as possible, but it was up to the Association to decide whether to listen to it or not.

“That’s right. But because that photo was taken, the government and the media are demanding an explanation from the Association.”

Cha Tae-woon, who was looking at Baek Eun-hee, now looked at Han Seok-hoon and Park Seo-ah in turn.

“I’m sure the Sun Guild will demand the same thing as the Royal Guild, right?”

“Of course. Hunter Park Seo-ah’s existence should be revealed as late as possible.”

“Hunter Park Seo-ah probably feels the same way too.”

“Yes.”

Seo-ah agreed with a short answer to the discussion related to her personal information.

The moment it is revealed that her hidden position is an S-Class supporter, she will be in the spotlight of the media for a while.

Even if it’s a supporter and not a combat type, Seo-ah knew very well how much prestige an S-Class Hunter has.

The moment it’s revealed, she can never go back to the same life as before.

She can’t keep it a secret forever, but delaying that time as much as possible was the only way to protect her life.

“As I said before, the Association must respond to the government’s request for an explanation. That’s the standard and the rule.”

Cha Tae-woon said that and stared at Seo-ah, and Seo-ah replied.

“But if that’s the case, you wouldn’t have called us here like this. Please tell us [what you really want].”

“Yes, I want to know the true value of Hunter Park Seo-ah. Whether she is worth protecting from the pressure of those leeches [government and media].”

“Ha, what a funny bastard.”

At those words, Baek Eun-hee jumped up and scoffed.

“That’s not the official position of the Association, is it? You’ll protect Seo-ah’s secret if we satisfy your curiosity?”

“Yes, this is my position, Cha Tae-woon’s position. But at the same time, it’s also true that I am the Association President. My will is the will of the Association. Just like your guilds move according to your will.”

“So, if we open Hunter Park Seo-ah’s information to you, you’ll keep the secret. Is that the kind of deal you’re proposing?”

Han Seok-hoon also glared at Cha Tae-woon with an unpleasant face.

“Yes, you understand well.”

“That’s not something we can decide. It’s up to Hunter Park Seo-ah….”

“Don’t be ridiculous, why should we follow the Association’s orders? If we get rid of this damn Association, there’s no secret or anything, right? Then there’s no one to talk, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Certainly, the Association’s power cannot control the two large guilds. But as long as I, Cha Tae-woon, am here, it won’t be easy to get rid of the entire Association.”

Baek Eun-hee growled and raised her energy. Cha Tae-woon also met Baek Eun-hee’s gaze without backing down.

Han Seok-hoon was A-Class, so he couldn’t join if a battle broke out. He quickly estimated if there was an exit to protect Park Seo-ah and escape.

And Park Seo-ah,

[Skill ‘Silent Night’ is activated!]

The status window turned on, and she sighed in relief.