Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“I apologize for calling on your day off. Is this a good time to talk?”

“Yes, please go ahead, Guild Master.”

“Hunter Park Shin-ju made an interesting report. Your handiwork, I presume?”

Though Shin-ju said she hadn’t mentioned my name, Choi Kwon-young immediately grasped the situation. He’s unnecessarily perceptive, I swear. Swallowing my dissatisfaction, I replied.

“It’s not quite my ‘handiwork.’ I intervened because something caught my attention.”

“As expected of Hunter Yun Gaho.”

“It was purely coincidental.”

There was a playful tone in Choi Kwon-young’s response. I could almost see his deep dimples as he smiled, even without being there. As I shook my head, he suddenly lowered his voice and asked:

“Let me be direct. Are you certain this is related to a hidden quest, Hunter Yun Gaho?”

The word ‘certain’ suddenly felt heavy. Nevertheless, I answered without hesitation.

“Yes, I am.”

When I explained the similarity between the 24th floor and the Sea People’s level, Choi Kwon-young nodded in agreement. I wondered why he was so quick to concur, but it turned out he had already been searching for the person who posted the article on Towers.

“I was planning to share this after we had a clearer picture, but you’ve saved me the trouble. Even Hunter Kim Ji-hwa was unaware of the Cheonsan incident.”

“Then……”

“Yes. Barring any major changes, our next destination will likely be the 24th floor.”

Choi Kwon-young added that he hoped we could enter as quickly as possible, given that the information had been shared in a public space. He also promised to relay any other information as soon as it was gathered.

“Well then, I’ll hang up……”

“Just a moment, Guild Master. I have something else to discuss besides the hidden quest matter.”

This is why I can’t stand high-ranking officials. I barely managed to stop him from ending the call as soon as he finished saying his piece.

“Hunter Yun Gaho keeping me on the line? Very well, go ahead.”

“I was thinking of taking on some commissions. Could you introduce me to suitable hunters?”

“My, am I not enough for you anymore?”

“Ah, well…”

He just had to say it like that… Anyone overhearing would likely misunderstand. Choi Kwon-young, who had casually thrown out such a misleading statement, fell silent for a moment.

“Hmm, are you free the day after tomorrow, Hunter Yun Gaho?”

“I have work in the afternoon, but…”

“I’ll have it cleared. Come to my office at 3 PM. That’s all.”

Choi Kwon-young hung up without further explanation. It’s my fault for expecting phone etiquette from that man. Grumbling, I flopped onto my bed.

“I suppose he means he’ll introduce me to a client, or rather, a requester the day after tomorrow?”

The last time I enchanted Choi Kwon-young’s weapon, Manpa, the profit was quite substantial. It would be a good opportunity to replenish my bank account, which had hit rock bottom after purchasing a new bow.

“My paycheck will be coming in soon too. You’re moving up in the world, Yun Gaho.”

Knock knock-

Just as I was indulging in this daydream, someone knocked on my door. It was obvious who would visit at this hour. Shin-ju must have gotten impatient and rushed over. I headed to the entrance, thinking of what excuse to make.

“Yes, I’m coming, I’m coming!”

But my expectation was completely off the mark.

“Unni, I’m sorry for the late hour. But……”

Cha Taeyang, dressed in pajamas, kicked the ground with her toes. Feeling something was amiss, I looked closer and realized that the goblin, who usually clung to her like a second skin, was nowhere to be seen.

“It’s alright. Please, come in.”

“Excuse me for intruding.”

I cleared away the clothes haphazardly draped over the chair and had Cha Taeyang sit down. With only beer available as a drink, I had no choice but to pour and offer her some water.

“I’m afraid all I have to offer is water.”

“I’m the one who barged in unannounced. It’s fine!”

She seemed extremely tense for some reason, so I waited silently until she finished her glass of water. It was about five minutes later when Cha Taeyang, who had been fidgeting unusually, finally spoke up.

“You know, Unni. When we first met, you said that you shouldn’t talk about traits to just anyone, right?”

“Yes, I did say that.”

“So, so that’s why I came to you.”

As Cha Taeyang gradually unfolded her story, I found myself at a loss for words.

“Is this normal, Unni? I really don’t know what to do.”

“……First of all, congratulations.”

Even as I offered my congratulations, my mind was in turmoil. There’s no way this could be normal. I had never heard of such a case. Just what is this girl…

It was a moment when yet another concern was added to my pile.

◆◇◆◇◆

“I wonder if this is good enough.”

I adjusted my appearance in the mirror. A white shirt with a dark beige suit, and for once, I had neatly tied up my hair instead of casually throwing it up as usual. If I had to nitpick, perhaps my awkward expression was the only flaw?

There was only one reason I had dressed up like this. Today was the day I was meeting Choi Kwon-young and the client. As they say, a good first impression can smooth over even difficult situations, right? I may not have graduated from university before diving into the hunter world, but surely I looked like a proper member of society now.

As I was fastening the last button on my jacket, my Hunter Watch rang. Worried that an emergency situation might have arisen, I hurriedly checked the message.

“Ah, I was supposed to be on the same assignment as Hunter Han Cha-hyun today.”

It was a message expressing concern about my sudden absence from the roster. He seemed to think I had taken sick leave. I could almost hear Han Cha-hyun’s characteristically calm voice in the part where he said to let him know if I needed any help.

I should reply quickly before worrying the wrong person unnecessarily.

“This is a bit unexpected, though.”

The Han Cha-hyun I knew wasn’t the type to send such messages.

Han Cha-hyun, with his appearance often described as that of a ‘church oppa’, was fundamentally attentive and kind. However, the more you got to know him, the clearer it became that he had firm boundaries and rarely revealed his true feelings. There were even some, though rare, who were wary of him, saying they couldn’t figure him out.

“I guess a few days of working together creates some bonds after all.”

After pondering for a moment, I added a sentence thanking him for his concern. Who cares what others think? To me, Han Cha-hyun was an excellent colleague, nothing more, nothing less. If possible, I wanted to maintain this good relationship going forward.

After sending the message, I checked the time and realized it was almost time for the appointment. As I hurried out of my room and crossed the corridor, someone grabbed my shoulder.

“Hey there, handsome. Can I get your number?”

There was only one person who would say such nonsense to me.

“Park Shin-ju.”

Shin-ju, who had latched onto my waist as soon as she saw me, spouted off some flattery. Judging by her tracksuit and slippers, it seemed to be her day off.

“You’re wrinkling my clothes. Let go.”

“Aww, aren’t you being too cold?”

Shin-ju whined but obediently let go. However, her curiosity hadn’t subsided, and she trailed after me all the way to the guild building. She insisted she had business there too, but it was clearly an excuse.

“I really don’t have time. I’ll play with you later, later.”

“No, I’m telling you I have business here too. Hmm, we must be destined for each other.”

I thought she would give up halfway, but Shin-ju spectacularly shattered my expectations.

“How far are you going to follow me?”

“Until the moment our destiny ends?”

But her persistence ended here. I couldn’t share what was about to happen from this point on. When I stopped in front of the Guild Master’s office, Shin-ju gestured as if to ask if this was really my destination. Instead of answering, I waved my hand, shooing her away.

“Did you dress up like that to meet Choi Kwon-se and Young-gwang?”

“……It’s not exactly like that. Anyway, now that you know where I’m going, why don’t you head back?”

“No way~”

Shin-ju stuck out her tongue like a child and turned the doorknob. I tried to stop her, but by the time I reached out, the office door was already open.

‘What’s gotten into her today?’

Not content with that, Shin-ju entered before me. While she could be frivolous at times, Park Shin-ju was someone who clearly separated personal and professional matters. Had her patience run out because of my constant “later, later” refrain?

“You’re here.”

I quickly scanned the office, but unusually, only Choi Kwon-young was visible, seated in his place. True to his perfect appearance, his domineering presence in the office looked quite impressive. Fortunately, since there was no one else besides him and Shin-ju, it seemed the client hadn’t arrived yet.

Choi Kwon-young rose languidly and opened the door to the reception room connected to the office. As Shin-ju tried to follow him in, I grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

“Park Shin-ju. This is as far as you go.”

“You know, your problem is that you never really listen to people. I told you I had business here too. Right, Guild Master?”

“What?”

Shin-ju’s words sounded as if her business was directly related to Choi Kwon-young. For a moment, several unsettling assumptions flashed through my mind.

And then.

“Yes. Thank you for graciously making time, Hunter Park Shin-ju.”

Choi Kwon-young’s words turned those assumptions into reality.

As Choi Kwon-young playfully extended his arm as if to escort her, Shin-ju giggled and placed her hand on it. They exchanged cheerful banter about how great the Guild Master was, and then Choi Kwon-young extended his arm to me as well.

“No need.”

I wasn’t in the mood to play along with this nonsense, so I ignored Choi Kwon-young and walked past him.

‘To think my first client would be Shin-ju.’

This man definitely withheld that information on purpose. How much must he have laughed internally seeing me dressed up in a suit? The thought of being made a fool of made my blood boil.

“Would coffee be alright for drinks?”

“Oh, you’re making it yourself? Then I’ll have a strong cup of diner coffee!”

“Water for me, please. Ice cold, enough to clear my head.”

Despite my sharp words, Choi Kwon-young smiled picture-perfectly.

Before entering the kitchenette attached to the room, he closed the reception room door, sealing us in. Shin-ju, oblivious to my inner turmoil, called me to sit next to her.

“Park Shin-ju, what are you doing here?”

I asked, clinging to a thread of hope, but it was all in vain.

“You told me to relay the Plague Tiger story to the Guild Master, remember? And he said he needed my help! He even promised to get me some amazing equipment, so I accepted right away!”

“What about the client……”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Sigh, fine. At least I don’t have to worry about confidentiality with you.”

Trying to think positively, I sat down next to Shin-ju. Right on cue, Choi Kwon-young emerged from the kitchenette and placed a glass with more ice than water in front of me. His dimples were deeply etched, suggesting that he had heard our entire conversation beyond the door, true to his keen S-rank hearing.

“Oh my. It seems the surprise gift has been revealed.”