Chapter 34

Life is about going all in when you have to

“Ah…….”

I absentmindedly grabbed Jang Dae-ung’s hand.

“Kehaha, aren’t you timid. So, which generation Hunter are you?”

Which generation?

Ah, is he asking about which generation I became a Hunter?

Since I became a Hunter three years ago, I’m 9th generation.

“9th generation.”

When I answered, Jang Dae-ung’s eyebrows rose.

“Oho, so you’re from the 9th generation? You haven’t been awakened for long, have you?”

He looked at me and chuckled, then opened his mouth again.

“Haha, Dark Lord Kim Hyuk-sun. To think you were in the same generation as that guy……. Is this also fate? Oh? Now that I think about it, even your abilities are similar?”

“Well, yes……. I suppose so. Although I can only summon Skeletons for now.”

“Hahaha. What does that matter! That Skeleton captured an A-rank Hunter.”

Unexpectedly, Jang Dae-ung’s tone felt comfortable.

Should I say we click?

‘No.’

It’s more accurate to say that Jang Dae-ung has no sense of authority from the start.

Usually, when you become a Ranker, you tend to become arrogant or feel superior.

“Might makes right, after all. Hahaha. Just like me. Speaking of which, I’m curious? What would happen if you turned me into a Skeleton?”

This man, no, this muscle-head was pure.

Regardless of my rank, he seemed to approach me human to human.

“Hmm, then you’d lose your muscles, would that be okay?”

“Huek, that won’t do! No! Don’t even joke like that!”

Jang Dae-ung hunched his shoulders and brushed his bulging biceps with his palm.

That fussiness reminded me of the neighborhood fool-like older brother.

‘Such familiarity with a Ranker.’

Aah.

Rankers were human too.

Honestly, I’d been viewing them as idols for so long.

I thought a golden glow would emanate from a Ranker’s face…….

‘Especially.’

In Jang Dae-ung’s case.

It was such a stark contrast to the force he showed in the earlier battle.

“Berserker-nim.”

I suddenly called out to the man.

Because I still had to do what needed to be done.

Today.

I owed my life to those Rankers.

“Hm?”

“My greetings are late. I sincerely thank you for saving me.”

Bow.

I bowed my head at a 90-degree angle and greeted him politely.

“Hahaha, what’s there to thank me for just dealing with some bad guys!”

“If it weren’t for Berserker-nim and the other Rankers, it would have been difficult.”

Difficult?

It was more likely I wouldn’t be in this world anymore.

“Hehe, is that so? To know how to express gratitude in this day and age. You’re a polite fellow, aren’t you? I like you.”

“Thank you.”

“So, 9th generation means you’re 23 now?”

“That’s correct.”

The method of figuring out age by generation is simple.

It’s exactly the 12th year since the world became this mess.

Since Unique Abilities open at age 20.

The 1st generation must be 32 or older, and the 12th generation is unconditionally 20.

All Hunters in the world are like that.

‘Forget all that.’

No need to think complicatedly.

It’s been 3 years since I got my ability, so I’m 23.

“Haha, then I’m your hyung. Yeah, call me hyung.”

“……Yes?”

Daewoong hyung.

Is he telling me to call him that?

Why is this person barging in so readily?

It’s burdensome.

“Now, then hyung will ask you something honestly.”

“Yes? What is it…….”

“I’ve been curious about it for a while, actually. Haha.”

Jang Dae-ung rubbed his palms together.

Even in that simple action, his biceps and triceps twitched disgustingly.

“What is it?”

“Gi So-yul. The reason she’s obsessed with you. What on earth is the secret?”

“Oh! I was curious about that too, Berserker.”

Suddenly.

Lee Seon-ah, who was chattering nearby, showed interest.

“Right, actually, that’s the reason we gathered here too.”

Baekdon also approached.

Before I knew it, the gazes of the three were pouring onto me again.

“Ah…….”

It was awkward.

Should I call it a question that barges right in?

‘Well. From their perspective, they can’t help but be curious.’

No matter how rapidly I’ve grown recently.

In front of them, I’m just one of the pygmies.

‘Kim Jun-seo…….’

I looked around.

Perhaps because he’s a fairly quick-witted guy, it seemed he had already moved home first.

“Haha, if it’s difficult, you don’t have to say it yet.”

Jang Dae-ung laughed and nodded.

“Because. It seems the main character who gathered us here has finally appeared.”

“Yes?”

Main character?

Just as I tilted my head.

Swish!

Without any sign.

A figure appeared.

“How rude of you to be talking about me without me here.”

Ranking 379th.

It was the Dark Emperor, Gi So-yul.

“Haha, rude my foot. I was waiting for you.”

“Oh, Dark Emperor! You’ve arrived?”

“Hey, Gi So-yul. That’s a bit much? I even left food behind after getting your call!”

Baekdon grumbled.

“Don’t you know what it means for me to leave food? You should be grateful.”

“That is a bit touching.”

Gi So-yul let out a short laugh.

Then she looked at me.

“Donghun-ssi.”

“Yes? Yes.”

I blinked my eyes.

“I told you before. That I would introduce you to a connection that would change your life.”

Obsidian eyes stared at me.

The Rankers also looked at me and nodded.

“Hahaha, was it the Dark Emperor’s turn this time?”

“Well, it was whoever brought it up first’s turn.”

“I’m passing this year anyway! It’s fine!”

Unintelligible talk.

Gulp.

I instinctively swallowed.

I felt it.

That there was something in this meeting that would truly change my life.

“However.”

Gi So-yul’s words continued.

“As you know, Donghun-ssi, there’s no information in this world without a price.”

“Information without a price?”

“Yes. To be honest, I want to help Donghun-ssi.”

“Yes?”

You want to help me?

Why?

“It reminded me of the old days. The desire to become stronger. The will to become a Ranker. Even the look in your eyes I saw on the first day. It all felt like seeing my old self.”

“…….”

Sudden confession time?

Let’s hear more first.

“At that time, I received someone’s help. That’s how I could become a Ranker.”

Gi So-yul said, leaning her back lightly against the streetlight.

The other Rankers quietly stepped back, maintaining silence.

It was an action of consideration to allow me to focus on her words.

“It’s not just me. The Rankers gathered here also all received someone’s help.”

“So there was a special reason you became Rankers at a young age?”

“…….”

Gi So-yul’s pupils slightly widened.

“You catch on quickly. Yes. That’s right, actually. There are many Hunters who’ve been active for 12 years, so realistically, it doesn’t make sense for youngsters like us to become Rankers.”

“Wait a moment.”

It was then that Baekdon raised his hand.

“That’s far enough. We haven’t heard confirmation yet, you’ve revealed too much information. We weren’t originally supposed to tell him that much, were we?”

“I understand. I admit it, Baekdon.”

Gi So-yul nodded.

Then she looked at me again.

“Berserker, Black Sword, Baekdon, and my older brother, the Archery Master.”

“……?”

“May I explain Donghun-ssi’s special qualities to these five?”

Special qualities.

“Are you going to talk about my opportunity?”

“Yes, exactly.”

The gist of Gi So-yul’s words was simple.

You also lay bare everything about yourself to us.

Then we will also reveal the method by which we became Rankers so quickly.

‘No.’

Gi So-yul would be the opposite.

I want to help you.

But, to do that, you need to reveal your information.

Only then can I persuade the others.

‘Hmm.’

I was a little conflicted.

I had just experienced how special my ‘opportunity’ was.

Because a situation where a group attacks another group occurred just over that piece of information.

‘However.’

These people seemed a bit different.

First, I trust Gi So-yul.

And especially in cases like ‘Berserker’ or ‘Archery Master’, they are monsters to the extent that they don’t need to obsess over my ‘opportunity’.

‘Honestly, what’s the big deal about this opportunity.’

Opportunities are no big deal.

Even if they know, they can’t take it away.

Because Mansul Old man is a teacher special only to me.

‘That my life could be endangered?’

Actually, if they really wanted to.

I’d already be facing the King of Hell in the afterlife.

“…….”

In the end, I made a decision in my heart.

The deliberation was short, the answer simple.

“Why would I hide my information so tightly? Of course I should tell you.”

The answer is Call.

Originally.

Life is about going all in when you have to.

“Hahaha, a teacher who can beat up Gi So-yul? I’d like to face him once too!”

“It’s certainly surprising. No wonder the Dark Emperor was interested.”

The Berserker and Black Sword, who had heard the explanation from Gi So-yul, nodded their heads.

Gi So-yul, having finished her explanation, cleared her throat.

“Ahem, that concludes the explanation. Now we can reveal the information to Donghun-ssi, right?”

But.

“No, wait a moment.”

Baekdon did not nod.

His expression was colored with astonishment.

“Hey guys! Is this something to think about so simply?”

“Why are you acting like that, Baekdon?”

Gi So-yul calmly asked back.

“No, it’s incredible! An old man who can steamroll Rankers? No, before that. There’s a new world? And what about Tae Yang-chang? They say he’s an absolute ruler from another world too! Isn’t this a completely cheat ability?”

Baekdon said while looking at the Berserker.

His gaze was seeking agreement.

“Listen carefully. That means later, when he properly awakens, he can summon 10 monsters that can steamroll Rankers as familiars! That’s not a monster, that’s a calamity level!”

“It means he becomes incredibly strong. Haha. He’s definitely an amazing guy, isn’t he?”

The Berserker laughed.

Baekdon tapped his chest as if frustrated.

“No, think a little, Berserker! This isn’t something we can handle.”

“Kehahaha, when you get stronger, let’s fight once with hyung! Don’t ignore me then, okay?”

“You crazy bastard?”

Baekdon, who had been looking at the jovially laughing Berserker with a disgusted expression, now looked at the Black Sword.

“Hey, Black Sword! Aren’t you surprised there’s a new world besides Earth? This is totally headline news, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, I’ve always thought this world was mysterious, you know?”

“Huh?”

“Dungeons, status windows, monsters! I sometimes think I’m dreaming an eternal, unbreakable dream!”

“No, that’s not what I meant…….”

“Baekdon.”

It was then that Gi So-yul intervened.

“What we’re going to reveal is information just as surprising as Donghun-ssi’s opportunity.”

“Well, that’s…… true, but.”

“There are still many secrets in this world that haven’t been uncovered. Have you perhaps forgotten the reason we five gathered?”

“Hmm…….”

Baekdon tucked his tail.

Then he firmly closed his mouth.

It was a signal to do as they pleased.

“Donghun-ssi.”

“Yes.”

Finally.

Is it my turn to hear the proper explanation?

I straightened my posture and focused my eyes.

I was nervous.

What on earth is the secret that the five Rankers have been hiding so tightly?

My heart pounded.

“Did you know that there exists a Ranker who makes Rankers in this world?”

“……Yes?”

What does that mean?

A Ranker who makes Rankers?

“Do you happen to know the person who recently drew attention as the youngest Ranker?”

“……?”

The youngest Ranker.

There’s no way I wouldn’t know.

Before I got my opportunity.

While living as an E-rank mercenary, the one I envied.

Ranking 949th.

Dark Lord.

“Don’t tell me.”

“Yes. Dark Lord Kim Hyuk-sun. The person we selected upon the Berserker’s recommendation about half a year ago.”

“Huh…….”

What, now.

Does that mean the reason Dark Lord became a Ranker was actually because of these people?

My heart beat even faster.

My head felt slightly feverish and dizzy.

My body was calm, but inside I was extremely excited.

“The information I’m about to reveal from now on is an explanation about the ‘Dungeon Maker’.”

Dungeon Maker?

I widened my eyes and focused.