Chapter 38: This is a temporary alliance only one time

Promotion exam.

Just the thought of the word made him feel at ease. Lee Sunghan is confident. He has accumulated plenty of real-world experience.

Moreover, with [Auto Battle], [Ultra-Reconnaissance], and [Regeneration], any problem is OK!

He feels like his insides have turned blue after taking Gaviscon.

Of course, Kang Jinyoung’s complexion was dark as she rubbed her stomach.

The Americano was definitely delicious, though?

It was overly sweet, but he couldn’t just ignore the cafe owner’s heartfelt drink. There’s the spirit and affection of Koreans, and she even gave a lot of freebies…

“Ooh, Hunter Kang Miyoung!”

It’s definitely not because Kang Miyoung’s hood was removed.

It’s not because people took pictures and posted them on communities, causing people to flock in, wondering, “What’s going on?”

It’s not because he ruined the mood by being oblivious.

It’s not because he didn’t turn away people who showed interest in him.

Anyway, it’s not!

Kang Jinyoung also said, “Sigh, that’s not it, anyway,” so it’s definite. It’s not because of that. At least not right now.

“I-I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I need to be able to live because of my sister. Sigh.”

Kang Jinyoung sighed. As she leisurely walked along the promenade with her sweat-soaked hair, her expression improved.

Maybe her stomach isn’t feeling well? Let’s see.

“Should I rub your stomach?”

“Huh? No, no! No!! There’s no need for that. Really.”

“Why are you reacting like that?”

Sigh. She let out a sigh that could be heard even from a distance.

“When my worries are 100%, about 30% of them are because of my sister. That person is always like that.”

“The remaining 70%?”

Kang Jinyoung glanced sideways. There was a hint of a smile mixed in.

“…You know it.”

Lee Sunghan could tell right away.

It’s her love for the country and nation! As he explained that, Kang Jinyoung’s expression changed artistically.

“What are you talking about? This crazy person.”

She mumbled something from time to time, but it probably wouldn’t be of any use even if he heard it.

“7?”

“As expected, you’re a patriot. I’ll cheer for you!”

“……?”

Lee Sunghan nodded.

The looks he received were a bit ambiguous, but he thought it was all the same anyway.

“Anyway, going back to that 30%, she’s family, you know?”

Rustle. Kang Jinyoung shuddered and touched her forehead.

“Besides that person and my mother, I don’t think there’s anyone else who would beat me up while telling me to die when I’m just standing there. They push people around as if they’re going to kill them, act like they’ll give them their liver and everything, then throw them away once they’ve gotten what they want.”

“Major?”

Lee Sunghan glanced back.

He felt like if he made a slip of the tongue here, he would get caught in the crossfire.

“…Kang Jinyoung. She must be talking about that? That b*tch should have been nominated for office. What National Intelligence Service? If she marries politics, they’ll be together for a hundred years.”

He can hear her voice.

It’s Kang Miyoung. His back naturally tenses. A stinging gaze pierced him like a needle.

Honestly, Lee Sunghan thought that everyone, 1000 out of 1000, 100 out of 100, really left. It was unexpected that she appeared like this.

She said she was called to the higher-ups (in reality, a declaration of defeat, Kang Jinyoung said, “A woman who runs faster than her ancestors”), so she left her seat. Was it a lie?

“Sunghan. From here on, act as you always do.”

“Yes?”

Before he could even hear the answer, Kang Jinyoung suddenly hooked her arm around his. A natural posture.

“Someone is following us right now.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t tell you who, but it’s a very dangerous person.”

Well, our main enemy is the higher-ups.

But that one is dangerous in a different way. She tried to pounce on me… tried to do terrible things…

Lee Sunghan’s thoughts momentarily stopped.

‘Isn’t this woman the same?’

Come to think of it, his aversion suddenly disappeared. It’s strangely intimate, too. Did she use some kind of trick?!

[‘(EX)’ reads his thoughts and scans the surroundings.]

[‘Ultra Reconnaissance’ says it’s hot enough to make you sweat and asks to turn down the heating.]

[‘Block’ can do it.]

It’s because of those guys. As soon as their presence disappeared, memories came flooding back. The sisters were both crazy. Let’s quietly distance ourselves first.

“Ugh.”

The escape failed.

“Where are you going?”

It was like a tug-of-war, and she had a lot of strength. Her arms are thin and delicate like thread. Faced with a strength that contradicted her appearance, Lee Sunghan slumped.

He thought he was doing well after leveling up. But no. He still couldn’t win.

[‘(EX)’ explains that Kang Jinyoung is a special case.]

I know. Who doesn’t know that?

Kang Jinyoung is growing day by day. Just like her sister.

They say you can’t hide your bloodline, and indeed, like father, like son.

Lee Sunghan felt like Elon ‘D’ Musk’s Dogecoin.

When he sees the red bar soaring high into the sky, like a certain someone who said he would stand in the sky.

Lee Sunghan didn’t have an eye for stocks. But he was incredibly good at sniffing out money and work. This was a low-buy, he had to go for it.

Moreover, after defeating Mirginos, her growth rate doubled. How could it not.

I also gained quite a bit of experience, you know? The words he spoke at the time come to the surface.

He can’t win with strength.

How should he do it?

“Bathroom.”

Lee Sunghan mumbled his explanation.

Surely she wouldn’t follow him to the bathroom, right? He twisted his body, trying to escape by any means.

Kang Jinyoung had a blank expression for a moment, then she firmly grasped his wriggling arm.

“I’ll watch over you, so shall we go together?”

“Will you be in front of the bathroom?”

“Will you stay still?”

“……….”

Kang Jinyoung just smiled without saying a word. A very artificial smile. As if suppressing her true intentions.

‘If an SSS-class monster suddenly appears inside the stall, I won’t be able to protect you. I have no choice. I have to go in with you.’

He was horrified. For the first time, he felt this way about this woman. A kind of madness, perhaps.

“Go in and check just once.”

No.

I don’t want to.

Don’t do it.

“Why?”

Just don’t do it.

‘I’ll kill you.’

The person behind him is ready to kill.

****

Active-duty Awakeners take civilian exams for promotion.

Several organizations such as the Hunter Management Bureau and the Hunter Association are involved. As a highly credible exam necessary for social advancement, the lobby of the Hunter Association was crowded with people.

“By the way, everyone.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? These are all equipment made in the workshop. Or imported.”

Lee Sunghan awkwardly looked around.

Even when he looked around, there were only people wearing all sorts of fantastical equipment.

There were few people dressed neatly in suits like him.

If an uninformed third party saw it, they would think it was an MMORPG game square.

Swords, shields, spears.

Completely medieval cold weapons.

If you’re a man, you need a gun. Well, you can’t kill a monster with a rubber gun.

Lee Sunghan scratched his chin.

Even for him, who had mastered all kinds of weapons through [Auto Battle], it was a bit ambiguous.

‘This world is really strange no matter how you look at it.’

Lee Sunghan looked around. Then he was able to see people dressed similarly to him.

To be precise… they looked worn out and covered in soot, as if they had just been in a fierce battle?

When he made a bewildered expression, Kang Jinyoung added an annotation.

“They’re also taking the ranking test. Freelancers often participate. Especially in the summer. It’s a time when monsters are a bit sluggish, you see.”

Summer.

Winter.

The promotion exam is held twice a year.

It boasts a scale comparable to the annual college entrance exam in Korea. When he heard that kind of explanation, he understood the scale. By the way, where did Kang Miyoung go again?

Lee Sunghan looked around and then headed to the reception desk. It would be a big deal if more people gathered.

“You’re here for the promotion exam?”

“Yes.”

The staff member quietly responded. It was the same staff member he had visited last time.

The day he was going to get his license but got caught up in Hong Seomin’s scheme!

A smile appeared on the receptionist’s face.

“D-didn’t you come… last time?”

“I did come.”

“You left so early that time that you missed a few documents.”

The staff member hesitantly approached.

‘She has ulterior motives.’

He could hear Kang Jinyoung’s one-line assessment, and Kang Jinyoung stepped between Lee Sunghan and the staff.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll take care of it from here.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m his bodyguard. I’m legally obligated to protect male hunters.”

“Ah, I’ll register you first. Do you have your hunter’s license? If you do, you’ll be given priority-“

Before she could finish, Lee Sunghan’s hand moved quickly.

“I have it.”

Lee Sunghan took out his license and placed it down. It was the F-rank he had when he first got it. He deliberately restored the rank to its original state.

It would be a big problem if there was an error.

“I’ll take care of-“

Just as she was about to hand it over, whack!

A large arrow struck the wall.

It had enough power to crack the reinforced glass of the reception desk.

If Kang Jinyoung hadn’t pulled him, Lee Sunghan could have been injured.

“Hey, what’s going on there? We were going to do it first. Hehehe.”

Someone was walking in the distance.

Lee Sunghan turned his head in a tense manner.

‘What.’

They were guild members.

And one of the four major guilds in Korea, the Blue Dragon.

They are known for their violent personalities.

The guild members snickered and glared at Lee Sunghan.

“D-damn it.”

“Why are those guys here?”

“They’re probably here to collect their cut. It’s starting again, again.”

Non-guild hunters backed away, whispering.

There was a difference in numbers, and although fighting in the Hunter Association was common, this case was unexpected.

“Get out of the way, you male prostitute.”

“This is our territory.”

“Yeah, get lost!”

The sound of snickering echoed.

A navy blue windbreaker, a blue dragon badge. It’s definitely the Blue Dragon. Lee Sunghan clicked his tongue, thinking it wouldn’t be easy.

By the way, are those guys the Defias Brotherhood?

I hate rogue লিঙ্ক, Lee Sunghan squinted.

Usually, rogues need to be beaten in the solar plexus by a paladin.

Looking at the other side, they didn’t even look like they had a 2/1 stat. They’re just small fry.

[‘(EX)’ says that the picture of victory is already drawn even without looking.]

‘Right? I think I can win against that level.’

Lee Sunghan glared sharply.

Normally, male awakeners can never win against women.

It’s generally true.

But who is he?

[‘Auto Battle’ hopes for a quick resolution through solar plexus attacks.]

[‘Ultra Reconnaissance’ expresses its opinion, saying, “Those… criminals are just trying to pick them up with a low-class trick.”]

[‘Truly Capable Hunter’ is confident that since he was promoted after receiving a reward for catching a dragon, he can at least live up to his nickname!]

Just as Lee Sunghan was about to reach for his sword.

“Fire Pillar.”

“Sword Aura.”

Boom!

Screams erupted from the ground where the Blue Dragon had been. The Blue Dragon guild members were sent flying and retreated.

“Wh-who is it!”

The leader-like knight shouted. He had a tanned, golden complexion. In short, a golden-tanned hunter. He’s the raid leader.

“Who are these bastards daring to open their mouths to?”

“Who are you talking to?”

The Kang sisters, who had been behind Lee Sunghan, spoke at the same time.

“Hmm?”

“Hmm.”

They glared at each other for a moment, then ran forward as if to end it quickly.

Um.

“F-fighting!”

“……”

“…….”

Lee Sunghan shouted in a small voice.

[‘Kang Miyoung’s’ combat power greatly increases.]

[‘Kang Jinyoung’s’ combat power greatly increases.]

W-wow, men cheering has such a great effect.

Lee Sunghan began to seriously consider becoming a supporter.