How Is This A D-grade? (3)

“Could it be, you’ve already been promoted? Congratulations!”
“Thank you. You recognized it right away.”

The name tag beyond my gaze read <3rd Branch Guild Master, Oh Ju-han>.

Just a few months ago, he was the <Vice Guild Master>, and now he had been promoted to the significant position of Guild Master.

Click-clack.

Additionally, I heard footsteps approaching my ears.
It was another familiar face.

“Long time no see, Mr. Seha. Miss Bora.”

The association’s female employee who first dealt with me, Ari-rang.
She also seemed to have been promoted, wearing a different uniform.

A meeting filled with delight.
Exchanging pleasantries about how we’ve been doing.

Then, it was the Vice Guild Master, no, the Guild Master who shifted the conversation.

“Well, well. It’s a bit awkward to keep talking here. Shall we continue inside?”
“Sounds good.”

“Ah, so you’ve been designated as the successor.”
“Yes, although I’ve worked here for a long time, I didn’t achieve much, so the <Guild Master> position was beyond me… but I’ve been given this undeserved opportunity.”

The Guild Master scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.

According to his explanation, Su Ok-bin recommended him for the guild master position as she moved up.

‘I see…’

I could roughly understand the situation unfolding.

In reality, a recommendation was just a formality…

Su Ok-bin’s position was the <Vice President> of the Association.

Essentially the second-in-command.

Moreover, according to what I heard from Moon Bora on the bus, purely in terms of influence and power, even the <President> of the Association was cautious around her.

‘Even though she has many enemies…’

No one would dare to oppose her recklessly.

Did he read my thoughts?
The man smiled gently.

“I’ve positioned myself well.”
“Ah… Is it okay to speak so freely and openly about that?”
“Why not? We’re in the same faction.”

Faction, huh?
It seems I’ve unintentionally become part of Su Ok-bin’s side.

Not that it’s a bad thing for me.
I felt she was trustworthy from the start, and meeting her again recently confirmed it.

‘Practically the strongest influence I have.’

The reason I can focus on getting stronger without joining any group is largely due to the reliable backing of Su Ok-bin.

Of course, Ju Na-young played a big role too…

I only recently found out she’s the successor, so I’ll let that slide.

“Now, now, these talks of adult power dynamics. It’s not beneficial for Yu Seha to hear about them. Just remember one thing.”

“I will always be there to support you. Just reach out.”

“This is something both Su Ok-bin and I agree on.”
“…Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it…”

The good-natured man parted ways naturally.

After all, his position was the guild master.

He must have a lot of responsibilities on his hand.
The fact that he took the time for a mere D-grade hunter like me showed how much he cared.

Incidentally, Moon Bora also parted ways temporarily.

Moon Bora had already passed the C-grade hunter exam.

Since we agreed to take the B-grade exam together, we decided to have some free time.

Naturally, it was just me and Ari-rang left.

“Oh, so Hana is training right now?”
“Yes, I heard she’s heading near Mount Gwanak.”
“Indeed, that place is famous for its natural environment, where <Spirits> frequently appear. It’s an excellent training spot.”

She was mentioning several precautions for the promotion to C-grade hunter.

Of course, such explanations soon turned into a story about our angelic Meowi.

Well, it’s inevitable.
After all, she has watched over Meowi longer than I have.
If Im Hyeja is like a mother, wouldn’t Ari-rang play a role similar to an aunt?

It’s natural to be concerned about someone like a child.

Rather than things like grades or exams, I also preferred talking about how soft and bouncy Meowi’s cheeks were.

“Wow… So you really caught the <Sea Dragon> with your own power? We thought the professors would definitely help you…”
“Luck played a part, but Meowi really played a big role in that. If she hadn’t drawn attention with a taunt and stunned with the <Ultimate Skill>, we wouldn’t have caught it.”

A pleasant conversation bloomed.

Both she and I are people who adore Meowi, so it was only natural.

Maybe because of that.
My awareness of the surroundings was a bit disrupted.
It’s not about my story.
It’s about Ari-rang, her story.

The section passing the corner.

Thud!

“Ouch!”

Ari-rang bumped shoulders with someone walking out and fell to the ground.

Unluckily, her knee hit first, and a small amount of blood oozed from the scraped wound.

Immediately, a man’s voice filled with a nuance of displeasure was heard.

“…What is this? Where are you looking while walking?”
“I-I’m sorry. I was careless…”
“Hey, be careful. This is an expensive suit, you know. Ugh, so fucking annoying.”

The person she bumped into was a rather tall man.

He, who was fiddling with his unshaven stubble and tousled hair, frowned and muttered softly.

Is it a habit?

I supported Ari-rang and observed him closely.

He seemed to be in his late 30s to 40s.
Quite a solid build and muscles.
He was a man exuding a wild, beast-like aura as if he had lived in the wilderness.
What was impressive was the name tag on his chest.

<Dead Hell, B-grade Examiner. Jeong Kwang-hyuk>

Like <Dragon Sword Mir>, one of the Four Great Clans, yet practically the weakest force.

The name <Dead Hell> was striking though.

He looked at me as if to say, “What are you staring at?”

Flap.

Then, one of the files Ari-rang dropped fell at his ankle.

The file briefly contained basic personal information about me, my grade, and my exam application.

The man picked it up with his rough, calloused hands and soon displayed an obvious sneer.

It was as if he found it cute.

“Hey, kid. Taking the exam here?”
“Yes.”

At my short reply, the man frowned.

Soon, he passed it off indifferently and handed back the file.

“Well, good luck~”

He waved his hand backward and walked away without any further apology.

“I-I’m sorry! I accidentally revealed Seha’s information…”
“No, it’s okay. Just a moment.”

I activated [Rapid Healing] on Ari-rang’s scraped knee.
As new skin grew rapidly, she looked at me with a surprised face.

“Did you also learn divine techniques? Come to think of it, I heard you acquired [Divinity]… But still, it usually takes at least a few months to properly learn a technique…”

“Yes, well. Somehow… Anyway, can I ask you a few things?”

“Yes, of course. That’s my job.”

“The man who just passed by. It said <Dead Hell>… could it be?”

“You’re probably right. He’s an examiner from one of the Four Great Clans, <Dead Hell>.”

I continued walking with Ari-rang, listening to the explanation in silence.

Up to D-grade, promotion is possible under the supervision of the <Guild>, but from C-grade, it cannot be handled alone.

“That’s why an examiner is needed.”

An examiner dispatched from a somewhat renowned <Clan> is required to attend and evaluate.

From A-grade, the <Order> also participates.

“So, when you take the C-grade exam, one of the examiners will be present.”

“Ah…”

The C-grade exam wasn’t just about reaching an average ability score of 30.

That was the minimum requirement, and various exam methods had to be passed for final promotion.

“You’ll probably have to clear a designated <Dungeon> and collect related evidence there. From the boss and mid-boss, you need to get a mark–”

“Sorry to interrupt. I’ve heard there’s a way to skip that directly.”

At my words, Ari-rang blinked in surprise.

As if not expecting this question, she nodded with an ‘um…’ sound.

“…Yes, there is.”

The method involves directly defeating a higher-level examiner.

It was a sort of sparring match.

However, most didn’t choose this method.

Those appointed as examiners were seasoned veterans, regardless of their grade.

For those just reaching promotion, the difficulty was too high to challenge.

If you fail in this manner, there’s a penalty of a whole six months before you can retake the test.

“So, in other words, if I just beat that man who just passed by, I’m guaranteed a C grade, right?”

“…What?”

At my words, Ari-rang was visibly flustered.

Her expression was similar to when we first tackled the <Pearl Spitting Tortoise’s Garden> and were shocked.

After hesitating several times, she reluctantly nodded.

“I-it’s possible, but… there’s no need to fight Mr. Jeong Kwang-hyuk, who is a B grade. Even if you win, you won’t become a B grade. To be a B grade, you must clear a <Dungeon>… If you insist on this method, I can find another C grade examiner–”

“No. I’ll go with him. I still have the option to apply for that, right?”

“…M-mister Se-Seha, please, reconsider this.”

Ari-rang kept trying to persuade me.

Her eyes were filled with concern.

It was as if she was asking if it was necessary to take the difficult path.

But as I continued to insist.
Eventually, she sighed as if she had no choice.

“…Alright. I’ll relay the message. Please be careful.”
“Of course.”

Despite my confident demeanor, Ari-rang still seemed unable to relax.

Well…
Don’t misunderstand.
It’s not that I pointed him out in anger.

‘I felt it earlier.’

That man.
He’s undoubtedly reached the level of a seasoned B grade.
He’s probably been at B grade for at least 10 years.
And that distinctive wildness.

‘He’s a definite fighter.’

Aside from the promotion exam…
I was aiming to become even stronger during this <Vacation>.

Opportunities, rewards, skills.
I’ll obviously take those, but…

‘It’s not enough with just that.’

I knew it well.

True ‘strength’ is something that is only completed through countless battles and adversities with strong opponents.

To make myself, a single sword, sturdier and sharper than anything else, these experiences were essential.

‘That man is surely…’

He will become a trial that sharpens my blade further.
Surely, it will be a good experience.

‘Hmm, well. Ahem.’

If I can beat him to the point of giving him a good thrashing…

‘Even better.’

Let me say it again.
Don’t misunderstand.
It’s absolutely not because I hold a grudge against him.

Two hours later.

In the training ground of the <Formal Sparring> at the 3rd Guild Branch in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do.

“…Damn it.”
“Please take care of me.”

I looked at the man in front of me with a grin.

B-grade examiner, Jeong Kwang-hyuk.

He was frowning as if to say, ‘This cocky brat?’

I didn’t know why, but…

The thought of his face getting all messed up made me smile naturally.