TL: SHW
"Hello. I'm here for the re-evaluation."
The procedure for grade re-evaluation is simple.
Unlike Awakening registration, it can only be done at City Hall or the Provincial Office, so getting there is the most troubleso part. Fortunately, the grade evaluation is overseen by the International Ability Association, so it’s also available on weekends.
The staff mber sitting at the counter responded businesslike to my words.
"Yes, hello. You're here for a re-evaluation? Could you show your license first? And your ID as well."
I handed over the license and ID that were created by Lee Mi-seon and given to by Hong Seok-young. To be honest, I had imagined for a mont that they might have given a fake, but that wasn't the case.
"Confird. The grade re-evaluation consists of three stages. First is the mana pressure test, second is the combat test. The final one is a simple aptitude test. It’s just a formality, so there’s no need to worry."
The staff mber explained while looking at the monitor.
"Let’s see... You barely have any records of dungeon raids? In that case, the test might take longer."
"Yes."
Even if it takes longer, there’s nothing to be done. A Hunter who’s co all this way won’t turn back just because they don’t have the ti.
But I’m different.
"Things like mana tests finish quickly, but..."
"It's fine."
I held out the docunts I had brought.
A magic spell that miraculously shortens the re-evaluation ti.
"Sir, this is...?"
"Recomndation letters from active Hunters."
"Recomndation letters?"
The staff mber widened their eyes and checked the docunts.
Hunter grades are a type of comprehensive evaluation. It’s not sothing that can be raised just because one can withstand the mana pressure that occurs when passing through a Gate.
Well, that may be the basic standard, but if you raise soone’s grade recklessly and they end up massacred by monsters, it’s just a waste of manpower. The re-evaluation is more like a sign that says, ‘At this level, you probably won’t die imdiately if you enter a dungeon of this grade.’
That’s why the second, combat test usually takes longer. Normally, they assess your skill based on the dungeons you've raided or the monsters you've slain.
But as the staff mber said, I have no dungeon raid record. The only records in my license are a few that Lee Mi-seon added for appearances’ sake. Among them, the only dungeon I actually entered was the Pixie Dungeon that the kids raided.
According to procedure, I should go through a complicated process. But these recomndation letters I brought. If they’re from credible and renowned Hunters, so of the procedure can be skipped.
Co to think of it, I had once entered the Pixie Dungeon as a supervisor despite having a low grade due to my performance, and I had wondered if there might be a problem with raising my grade like this. But Hong Seok-young answered lightly.
‘It’s already been accounted for, so there’s no problem. As long as it doesn’t get discovered.’
Illegal acts by the future Director of the Ability Managent Agency...
Well, since he’s not the Director yet, let’s pretend we don’t know.
"Uh, uh..."
The staff mber's mouth opened and closed as he looked at the nas written on the recomndation letters.
No wonder. I hadn’t just brought one letter. First of all, they had the nas of Hong Seok-young and Lee Mi-seon. Even though she muttered that it might not be much help since she’s a mage, Kim Chae-min also wrote a recomndation letter. Not much help? Who wouldn’t trust a guarantee from an Archmage?
“J-just a mont. Really, these... are from these people?”
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
“No, it’s not a problem, more like… just a mont!”
The office worker shot up and ran inside. I shrugged.
Although not as famous as Hong Seok-young or Kim Chae-min, Lee Mi-seon was also quite well known. More because of her connection to Daeyeon than her actual skill. Knowing her true identity now, it seems that reputation might have been spread intentionally.
Still, it’s not like Lee Mi-seon was without ability, and Daseon is a guild with a high success rate in raids. In fact, just Lee Mi-seon would have been enough.
There really was no need for Hong Seok-young to step in.
I originally planned to leave out Kim Chae-min’s recomndation too. But I couldn’t discard the recomndation that Hong Seok-young had already prepared and handed over. Especially now, when he keeps throwing cryptic remarks at .
So, in the end, I submitted all three.
Anyway, when I et Alex Hope at the Forum, he’ll recognize . He must have done a thorough search on who I am. Of course, he’ll be wasting his efforts since there won’t be any records of inside Ark.
It must be frustrating for them. They're sure I'm from the research lab, yet there’s nothing left.
"Good day, sir."
The staff mber who had gone inside earlier was replaced by soone who appeared to be of a higher rank.
"Is there a problem?"
"Not exactly a problem... It’s just that the people who wrote these recomndation letters are extrely well-known."
"That’s true. I understand that it takes ti to verify. If you contact the Daseon Guild, they’ll guide you."
"Ahem. Normally, we must verify the authenticity of recomndation letters. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask how you ca to know them...?"
"Hmm."
I let out a short groan.
"You may or may not know, but Hunter Hong is operating a pilot school."
"Ah. I’ve heard of it."
"I teach students there."
"Students?"
"Yes. And..."
I really don’t want to say it.
Not because of emotional issues about my father or anything... it's just a word I don't want to voice out loud.
But it’s also my cover identity... and in the first place, it was part of the setup...
Damn it. This is why you should always think carefully before signing an employnt contract.
If I had accepted when Lee Mi-seon asked to join her guild, could I have transferred?
Regret hit late.
I started to rub my face with a sigh but stopped midway. It would seem strange to look so distressed just talking about which guild I belong to.
Still, I couldn’t stop the sigh from slipping out.
"I’m a employee with Hunter Hong’s guild...."
***
The recomndation letter with Hong Seok-young’s na on it worked like magic.
The mana pressure test was the quickest since it was asured by a machine. As per Hong Seok-young’s request, I stopped at A-rank.
As for the aptitude test... Honestly, this should be replaced with a psychological evaluation. What can a superficial aptitude test reveal? If I get to assist with the new managent agency that Hong Seok-young is establishing, this is the kind of systemic issue that needs to be overhauled. Hunters should be able to receive counseling and therapy. They shouldn’t be treated like ticking ti bombs and kept at a distance. Who knows when the next Park Seo-hyun or Oh Hyun-wook might be born?
"Thank you for your efforts. You will receive your results via text within two weeks."
I exited the City Hall.
The scenery on the street felt unfamiliar. It looked like sothing out of an old movie. The shop signs, the way people dressed.
I started walking slowly.
At first, I had asked Kim Chae-min for help, and though she grumbled at first, this ti she excitedly asked what kind of car I wanted to ride in.
But it was who turned her down.
If I were just a bit more shaless, I might have kept asking her for help, but I’m not wicked enough to exploit a mage who’s already worn out from territory issues. What if she exploded? Who would have to deal with the aftermath?
I also declined the Daseon Hunters who offered to take to the City Hall, and for the first ti in a long while, I used public transportation.
Now that I think about it, this is the first ti I’ve truly been alone since coming to the past.
It’s different from staying in the dorm after class at the Pilot High School. Back then, I had a mana suppressor, and Hong Seok-young would summon whenever he got bored. I often bumped into students when I stepped out of the dorm occasionally.
Now there's nothing. Nothing stopping , no one who knows .
“……”
I walked down the streets from twenty years ago.
Should I just run away like this?
Even if it’s Hong Seok-young, it would be hard to find soone who’s disappeared from view. It might be hard to leave Korea, but if I look hard enough, there must be a way. Once I make it abroad, going off the grid would be easy.
I’d go sowhere where no one knows ... and enjoy twenty years of life.
At least in that life, there would be no father to care for, no students, no pseudo-sibling.
Would it be similar to the retirent life I dread of?
Quiet, peaceful, calm days.
I closed my eyes.
I opened them again.
The scenery before hadn’t changed.
My father lived almost until seventy, didn’t he? Then I should at least live until that age. The average Hunter lifespan is 120 years. I should live at least half that much to not feel cheated.
Besides, early retirent is no fun. There's no pension either.
Let’s go back.
To the place with a father who isn't my father, and a brother who isn't my brother.
...Well, let’s be generous. To where my sort-of-disciples and workplace colleagues are.
It’s not ho, but it’s the closest thing to it.
I kicked a pebble lying on the street. It rolled and rolled before falling into the sewer.
***
By the ti I returned to the villa, it had already been dark for a while. The ti spent going back and forth took longer than the re-evaluation itself.
I hadn’t thought much of it when I left, but on the way back, I started to wonder if I should’ve asked soone else for help. Kim Chae-min was right. I really should get a license.
“I-rok?”
As soon as I arrived at the villa, I looked for Mini-.
When I said I had to go out, Mini- got all irritated. Maybe he thought I was going to disappear and leave him behind.
But it was just a re-evaluation, and taking Mini- along didn’t seem right. Besides, I thought it might be good for him to get along with others without , so I left him behind despite his grumbling.
“I-rok.”
“Yeah.”
Woo I-rok didn’t even turn around as he sat on the sofa.
Still, at least he answered on the second try.
“Hyung’s ho. Aren’t you going to say hi?”
“Yeah.”
Not the cutest response.
“I-rok… what are you watching?”
“Yeah.”
“……”
Was he just too absorbed in watching whatever it was?
I sighed and approached Mini-. He didn’t take his eyes off the tablet. On the tablet screen...
“……”
Why the hell is that damned pink cat there?
The cat from Han Tae-kyung’s car hood was dancing with a brown-haired girl.
“I-rok.”
“…Huh? Hyung, when did you get here?”
Is this really the sa kid who was kicking my shin this morning, begging not to leave him behind?
“No… Is that fun?”
“Uh, hmph. It’s, it’s not that fun, I’m just watching.”
“…Did Teacher Han show you that?”
“He told to watch it since I was bored…”
Damn cat. Damn Han Tae-kyung.
“I see…”
I clenched my jaw to avoid frowning at Mini-. But maybe he caught sothing from my face, he glanced at warily.
Just glanced.
Before I knew it, the paused screen resud playing. The pink cat was rubbing its cheek pitifully against the girl’s leg, crying.
That, that, that insufferable little thing!
I left Mini-, who was totally engrossed in the tablet as if he’d dive into it, and went out to look for Han Tae-kyung. I didn’t know who to be angry at. The Daseon Hunters who were supposed to be watching Mini-? Lee Mi-seon? Or Kim Chae-min?
I’m thankful they watched him, but I never said to leave him with Han Tae-kyung…!
“Ah, Teacher Woo.”
“…What is it.”
“Step outside for a mont. I want to talk.”
But once again, I was interrupted. The timing was suspiciously perfect.
Hong Seok-young tilted his chin, motioning to follow him.
He began speaking as he walked slowly.
“I was going to wait originally.”
“…Wait for what?”
“But the more I thought about it, this isn’t exactly a situation where we can afford to relax.”
If Hong Seok-young has finally lost his sense of invincibility, that’s good news.
“Alex Hope was rumored to have been the boss of Ark, even if only temporarily. There’s no way that kind of rumor would spread without so basis... It’s safer to assu he’s at least an executive.”
“Sounds right.”
“So I figured I should prepare a few cards in advance.”
“That’s why you had raise my grade, isn’t it?”
“One of them. It’s one of the cards I had in mind.”
This old man... did he seriously start thinking again?
Hong Seok-young didn’t stop until we reached a quiet corridor, separate from the living area at the far end of the villa. There was no one around. Even so, he ticulously checked for anyone nearby.
That was unusual for him. It made more anxious. Sensing my unease, Hong Seok-young shook his head.
“No need to be so scared. I just need to confirm a few things.”
“……”
He spoke in a cheerful tone. His voice carried the usual playfulness, but his eyes did not.
Those eyes, cold and sunken.
No, they only looked sunken because of the overwhelming emotions swirling within them. Up close, I could tell.
The light flickering in Hong Seok-young’s eyes was sothing I’d never seen before. Worry, curiosity, anticipation, and concern, all tangled together.
“Teacher Woo. You, I an…”
“……”
Is this also one of those power struggles my father used to engage in? Or is it still another attempt to test ?
“How many years in the future did you co from?”
But as always, my father overturned my expectations.
“I never thought I’d have a disciple. Does that change in the future?”
“…………What?”
"I feel sorry when you look so surprised."
Hong Seok-young looked at with a sympathetic expression.
I couldn’t understand either the question Hong Seok-young asked or the expression on his face.
"Think about it."
What?
What is this?
What’s going on?
“Do you know how many dungeons I’ve raided?”
For a mont, numbers flashed through my mind, but I choked up. It didn’t seem like Hong Seok-young was expecting an answer.
“How many monsters do you think I’ve killed?”
“…….”
“And finally.”
“…….”
“How many monsters that claid they ca from the future, like you, do you think I’ve killed?”
***
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