HPDBC Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34: Life is About Plunging Forward at the Right Time
“Ah...”
I grasped Jang Daewoong’s hand almost by accident.
“Gahaha, you seem shy. So, which gen of hunter are you?”
Which gen? Ah, he must have meant the generation when I became a hunter. I became a hunter three years ago, so I’m from Gen 9.
“Gen 9.”
When I answered, Jang Daewoong’s eyebrows shot up.
“Oh, Gen 9? So you awakened not long ago?” He laughed heartily while looking at me, then spoke again. “Haha. To think you were in the same gen as Kim Hyukseon the Dark Lord... Is this a coincidence? Oh, come to think of it, your abilities are quite similar, huh.”
“Yes, well... That’s true. But I can only summon skeletons for now.”
“Hahaha. That’s not the important thing! That skeleton managed to take down an A-rank hunter.”
Surprisingly, Jang Daewoong’s tone felt comfortable and approachable. It felt like we got along well.
Or it was more accurate to say that Jang Daewoong didn’t give off a sense of dominance. Rankers usually tended to be arrogant or felt superior due to their authority in society.
“If you’re strong, that’s all that matters. Hahaha. Just like me. Now, I’m curious. What would happen if you made me a skeleton?”
This man, or rather this muscle-bound guy, was pure-hearted. He seemed to approach me as a fellow human being, regardless of my rank.
“Well if that happened, you would lose your muscles. Would that be okay?”
He gasped. “No way! That can’t happen! Don’t even joke about such things!” Jang Daewoong shrank back and stroked his bulging biceps with his palm. His exaggerated reaction was like that of a neighborly older brother.
To think a ranker could be so friendly.
Ah. This was when I realized that rankers were humans too. Honestly, I had only seen them as idols. I thought their faces would glow with a golden light...
Especially...
In Jang Daewoong’s case, his demeanor starkly contrasted with the force he displayed during battle earlier.
“Mr. Berserker,” I suddenly called out to him.
There was something I needed to do. Today, I owed these rankers my life.
“Yes?”
“Sorry for the late introduction. Thank you very much for saving me.” I bowed my head respectfully at a 90-degree angle.
“Hahaha, why thank me for defeating some bad guys!”
“It would have been very difficult if it weren’t for you and the other rankers.”
Difficult? I probably would have died if it weren’t for these people.
“Haha, really? It’s refreshing to see someone in this day and age who still knows how to express gratitude. You’re a polite friend. I like you.”
“Thank you.”
“So, if you’re from Gen 9, you’re 23 years old now?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
It’s simple to determine a hunter’s age by their generation. The world has been this way for exactly 12 years, and unique authorities awakened at the age of 20. So Gen 1 must be 32 years old or older, and Gen 12 must be exactly 20 years old. No hunters were exempt from this.
But there was no need to complicate things. I got my unique authority three years ago, so I’m 23 years old.
“Haha, then I must be older than you. Just call me brother.”
“...Pardon?”
Big Brother Daewoong? Is he telling me to call him that right now? Why is this person approaching me so abruptly? Honestly, it feels overwhelming.
“Alright then, let me ask you straightforwardly.”
“Yes? What is it...”
“I’ve been curious for a while. Haha.”
Jang Daewoong rubbed his palms together. Even this simple action made his biceps and triceps flex disturbingly.
“What is it?”
“It’s about Gi Soyul. Why is she so obsessed with you? What’s the secret?”
“Oh! I’m curious about that, too.”
Suddenly, Lee Sunah, who had been chatting on the side, showed interest.
“Right. Actually, the reason we gathered here is because of that.”
Even the White Swine approached, seeming interested. Before I knew it, the three of them were all staring at me.
“Ah...”
It was awkward. It felt like it happened all so abruptly.
Well, it’s only natural for them to be curious.
No matter how much I had grown recently, I was just another small fry to them.
Kim Junseo...
In the end, I made up my mind. The consideration was brief, and the answer was clear.
“Why would I hide my information? Of course I’ll tell you.”
The answer was ‘yes.’ After all, life is about plunging forward at the right time.
* * *
Reaper Scans
Translator – Dawn
Proofreader – BringTheRayn
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* * *
“Hahaha, a master who could beat up Gi Soyul? I’d like to face him once too!”
“That’s certainly surprising. I can see why the Dark Empress was interested.”
After hearing the explanation from Gi Soyul, Berserker and the Black Sword nodded.
“Ahem, that’s the end of the explanation. Now, can we share the information with Donghoon?” Gi Soyul asked after clearing her throat.
However...
“No, wait.” Yoo Sangdon did not nod. His face was filled with shock. “Hey, c’mon now! Do you think this is something to take so lightly?”
“What’s the matter, White Swine?” Gi Soyul asked calmly.
“Like, it’s incredible! An old man who could easily destroy rankers? And moreover, a new world? And that Sun Spear fellow? He’s also an absolute ruler of another world! Isn’t this an overpowered ability?” White Swine said while looking at Berserker, seeking agreement in his eyes.
“Listen. If he fully awakens later, he could summon ten monsters that could destroy rankers! That’s not just a monster; that’d be a calamity!”
“It means he’ll become incredibly strong. Haha. Truly an amazing friend.”
Berserker laughed, and the White Swine pounded his chest in frustration.
“No, think about it. Berserker! This is beyond what we can handle.”
“Gahaha, when you become strong, promise to fight me once, brother! Don’t ignore me then, alright?”
“Oh, you madman.” White Swine looked at Berserker, exasperated, then turned to the Black Sword. “Hey, Black Sword! Aren’t you surprised to hear that there are new worlds other than Earth? This is breaking news!”
“Well, I always found this world to be mysterious.”
“Huh?”
“Dungeons, status windows, and monsters! Sometimes, I think I’m dreaming a dream that never ends!”
“No, that’s not what I mean...”
“White Swine,” Gi Soyul interjected.
“The information we’re about to reveal is just as astonishing as Donghoon’s fortuitous opportunity.”
“Well, that’s true, but...”
“There are still many secrets in this world yet to be uncovered. Have you forgotten why the five of us gathered?”
“Hm...”
White Swine trailed off. Then he shut his mouth tightly, indicating he wouldn’t interfere further.
“Donghoon.”
“Yes.”
Finally, it was time to hear the explanation.
I straightened my posture and focused my gaze. I was nervous to hear the secrets that these five rankers had been hiding, and my heart was pounding.
“Did you know there’s a ranker who creates rankers?”
“...Pardon?”
What was she talking about? A ranker who creates rankers?
“Are you aware of the youngest ranker who recently made headlines?”
“...?”
The youngest ranker? Of course I knew. He was the one I envied when I lived my life as an E-rank mercenary before I got my fortuitous opportunity.
Ranked 949th in the world, Dark Lord.
“No way.”
“That’s right. Kim Hyukseon the Dark Lord. He was the one we chose about half a year ago, recommended by Berserker.”
“Wow...”
What now? So Dark Lord became a ranker because of them?
My heart raced even faster, and my head felt a bit dizzy with excitement. Although my body was calm, I was extremely excited inside.
“The information I’m about to reveal is about the ‘Dungeon Maker.’”
Dungeon Maker?
I widened my eyes and focused intently.