Chapter 20
The freshly printed plastic card dropped onto the metal tray with a cheerful click.
"Hunter Lee Chaeho, your promotion to C-rank has officially been completed."
Behind the transparent acrylic partition, the employee smiled brightly as she handed him the card.
The surface of the card had a faint sheen, and clear black letters were engraved across it.
[C-Rank Hunter — Lee Chaeho]
Chaeho accepted the card and lightly ran his thumb over the letters.
"Thank you."
"Actually, we're the ones who should be thanking you. Do you know what the results of your practical evaluation were? Every single examiner unanimously gave you the highest score."
The employee leaned forward slightly, clearly interested as she continued.
"Your raw firepower wasn't particularly outstanding, but your ability to handle that unexpected situation was incredible. Especially your decision to jump in and rescue another examinee, and the way you targeted only the monsters' weak points to cleanly resolve the situation. It's become quite the topic of conversation inside the Association."
"I was just lucky. Their joints happened to look weak."
"Oh, come on. There's no need to be so modest. I suppose working as a porter sharpened your eye more than most people. From now on, instead of carrying luggage, you'll be fighting right at the front."
Chaeho lightly nodded at the employee's friendly congratulations.
A porter.
For some reason, that word no longer felt as heavy as it once had.
There had been a time when he always stayed at the back of the party, collecting dropped monster materials and dealing with small fry.
The sharp eye and patience he had developed during those years had helped shape who he was today.
But now, he no longer needed to carry someone else's luggage.
"From now on, you'll have full access to C-rank dungeons. The range of missions you can accept through the Association network has also expanded. And the mana stone settlement rate is on a completely different level compared to when you were D-rank. Checking your bank balance should become a lot more enjoyable."
"That's what I'm looking forward to the most. Thank you for your hard work."
Chaeho slipped the card into his wallet and left the administrative counter.
As he walked out of the Association building, a cool breeze brushed across his face.
The sky was clear.
And his steps felt light.
On the way home.
Chaeho was staring blankly at the scenery passing beyond the bus window when the device in his pocket gave a short vibration.
The name displayed on the screen was—
[Party Leader Choi Minseok]
He was the man Chaeho had temporarily teamed up with in a C-rank dungeon not long ago.
"Yes. This is Lee Chaeho."
"Hunter Lee Chaeho! I heard the news. The promotion list just went up on the Association board. You finally made C-rank. Congratulations!"
Choi Minseok's excited voice came through the phone.
"Thank you. I just finished updating my license."
"You had the skills to get it a long time ago. You're only finally getting the proper recognition you deserve. I knew it from the moment we worked together in that temporary party. Just thinking about the way you took the lead and cleared a path for us still makes me feel refreshed."
"You're giving me too much credit. The other party members supported me well back then."
"You're being modest again. Oh, right. I heard you saved someone inside the restricted area during your practical evaluation? Rumors are spreading everywhere among the hunters that you held off two rock monsters all by yourself. It's causing quite a stir."
Chaeho quietly cleared his throat at Choi Minseok's exaggerated excitement.
There was a saying that rumors could travel a thousand miles without feet.
It seemed the story he thought would remain inside the Association had already leaked outside.
"It was probably exaggerated. I just got lucky and targeted their joints."
"That's what skill is."
Choi Minseok continued.
"Anyway, now that you're officially C-rank, have you changed your mind about joining our party permanently? We can give you a much better share than last time."
Choi Minseok's offer was sincere.
If someone as dependable as Chaeho joined, the entire party's survival rate and profits would rise significantly.
But Chaeho's answer was the same as before.
"I really appreciate the offer, but for now, I want to keep working without joining a fixed group. I have some personal things I need to take care of, and I'd like to gain practical experience at my own pace."
"Ah... I see. That's unfortunate, but it can't be helped. With your skill, you'll do well wherever you go. If we're short on manpower again later, I'll give you a call. You can't refuse me next time, all right?"
"Yes. If there's a good opportunity, I'll see you then."
After ending the call, Chaeho swiped across the device's screen.
Dozens of unread messages had piled up in his inbox.
Most of the senders were recruitment managers from small and mid-sized guilds, along with several fairly large established parties.
[Guaranteed 80:20 profit distribution upon signing an exclusive contract. Initial settlement bonus provided...]
[Flexible working hours. Requirement: three designated dungeon raids per week...]
Chaeho skimmed through the subject lines before pressing the button to delete them all at once.
The conditions weren't bad.
The amounts being offered could easily surpass the annual salary of an average office worker.
But once he joined someone else's organization, he would inevitably become tied down by their schedules and orders.
He could be forced into a high-risk dungeon.
Or waste time on raids he had no interest in.
Freedom to choose his own dungeons.
That was the most important condition for Chaeho right now.
He wanted to judge the danger himself.
Attack when it was safe to attack.
Retreat when it was time to retreat.
He had absolutely no intention of letting money or fame hold his life hostage.
