Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

‘Why am I holding this?’

I glared with all my might at Lee Kang-to, the root cause of this situation.

[Please select an effect to apply to ‘Manpa (S)’:

– Innate: Legendary (A), Of the Vast Sea (A)

– Acquired: Song (A), Gale (A), Sea Mist (B)]

My hand holding the gun, which was worth an exclamation, trembled. Choi Kwon-young was smiling at me, unaware that his main weapon was in danger of being destroyed.

Is it really okay to do this? How did the situation come to this?

I retraced the events that had just occurred.

◆◇◆◇◆

“I didn’t know Hunter Yun Su-ho and Hunter Yun Gaho were acquainted. You seemed quite close. Thanks to that, I was able to secure a good contract.”

“Our interests just happened to align.”

The S-rank hunters who had proceeded with matters in my absence were chatting amicably.

Yun Su-ho, a free hunter without affiliation, moves according to contracts. As an indispensable tank for raid-type floors, there were always places looking for him.

However, Hwangya, which had several A-rank tanks, rarely hired him. Unless Yun Su-ho agreed to a bargain contract…

Just as I was about to ask Yun Su-ho, Choi Kwon-young clapped his hands to focus attention.

“Before we start the meeting, let me make introductions. This is A-rank hunter Lee Kang-to from White Night. It’s your first time meeting Hunter Yun Gaho, right?”

Lee Kang-to, dispatched from White Night, gave a somewhat timid impression. His dark green hair, likely colored by the effects of awakening, stood out. When our eyes met, Kang-to flinched and quickly averted his gaze.

‘I heard White Night only has unusual people, but he seems quite ordinary.’

One S-rank, two A-ranks, and one each of B-rank and C-rank. Although Yun Su-ho was there, it was a rather standard composition for a party directly involved in conquest.

As if reading my mind, Choi Kwon-young spoke up.

“We’ve composed the team this way to avoid being tailed by other guild alliances, but depending on the situation, other hunters might join. For example, myself.”

Choi Kwon-young joining? No thanks.

Choi Kwon-young chuckled as if he had read my inner thoughts.

He explained that high-ranking guild-affiliated hunters attract a lot of attention wherever they go due to their fame. That’s why Cha Taeyang, a rookie but with proven skills, and Yun Su-ho, an outsider, were selected.

From White Night, Gyeon Ji-woon wanted to participate himself, but was rejected for the same reason. Instead, Lee Kang-to, who is rarely exposed to the outside due to his severe shyness, was selected.

Hearing the explanation, I could somewhat understand.

“Um, but, about Hunter Yun Gaho…”

Lee Kang-to raised his hand hesitantly. He seemed unsure about what role I would play.

I could feel him looking me up and down discreetly.

‘What, haven’t they explained my abilities yet?’

Glancing around, I saw that Han Cha-hyun had a similar expression. Just as I was about to speak, Choi Kwon-young beat me to it.

“Hunter Yun Gaho is the key to this project.”

“Wh-What’s the reason for that?”

Instead of answering, Choi Kwon-young took out a fist-sized orb from his inventory and placed it on the table.

“The Virtue of the Gentleman?”

“Wh-Why did you take that out? Surely not…”

Lee Kang-to’s face turned pale as he looked back and forth between Choi Kwon-young and the orb.

“Before I explain Hunter Yun Gaho’s role, I need you to agree to keep what I’m about to tell you confidential.”

“If it’s a secret, even from our guild?”

“Yes, even from White Night.”

The Virtue of the Gentleman, a top-tier contract item.

That orb with its ethereal purple glow was the worst among contract items because it sealed the mana of those who broke the oath.

“I can’t make such a decision! Surely, the Guild Master would…”

“Are you sure about that?”

Choi Kwon-young shared a message. It was a conversation with Gyeon Ji-woon.

[- Sender: Gyeon Ji-woon

Lee Kang-to? Use him as you please.]

There would be more sincerity in lending out a household vacuum cleaner than this.

It’s fortunate I’m not affiliated with White Night. At least our guild’s higher-ups wouldn’t act so irresponsibly. Choi Kwon-young held out something to Cha Taeyang and Han Cha-hyun as well.

“The same goes for you two.”

It was “Eternal and Unforgettable”, a contract item one rank lower than the Virtue of the Gentleman. Seeing this, color returned to Lee Kang-to’s face.

“If, if it’s not the Virtue of the Gentleman but Eternal and Unforgettable…”

“What reason do I have to trust Hunter Lee Kang-to? As I said, the only condition is maintaining confidentiality. If you can’t even keep such a simple condition, I’ll have to find someone else.”

Lee Kang-to buried his face in his hands and mumbled something. From what I could make out, it was along the lines of “If I go back like this, the Guild Master will destroy me.”

Just what did Gyeon Ji-woon say…

I could understand Lee Kang-to’s attitude. With top-tier contract items, the penalty period is almost permanent. Even the “Eternal and Unforgettable” received by Cha Taeyang and Han Cha-hyun had quite strong restrictions, but it was nothing compared to mana sealing.

“This is the contract condition with Hunter Yun Su-ho. Unfortunately, compromise is impossible. Right?”

Choi Kwon-young looked at Yun Su-ho with a meaningful smile. Yun Su-ho nodded with his lips tightly pressed.

‘Wait, why are you involved in this?’

The period isn’t that long, just keep the secret until Hwangya officially announces it in a few months. Despite the coaxing words, Lee Kang-to’s expression didn’t brighten.

In the end, he reluctantly nodded after being persuaded with what sounded like a threat to report to Gyeon Ji-woon.

“Thank you for your cooperation. I’ve already fed it my blood, so let’s start right away.”

“Blood?”

Seeing the puzzled Cha Taeyang, Han Cha-hyun demonstrated. Han Cha-hyun’s blood dropped onto a blue talisman. Simultaneously, a bell and a small bird signaling the item’s activation appeared in front of Choi Kwon-young.

When Cha Taeyang and Lee Kang-to followed suit, the number of birds increased to three.

“The contract condition is maintaining confidentiality about Hunter Yun Gaho’s abilities. Speaking about this contract itself is also prohibited. The duration is until the day Hwangya makes an official announcement. Do you agree?”

“I agree.”

“Yes!”

“…Y-yes.”

As mutual agreement was established, the birds in front of Choi Kwon-young flew towards the bell and disappeared as if absorbed.

Ding-

A high bell sound rang out and the item vanished as well. Excited by the unfamiliar sight, the goblin rolled around on the desk.

“Hunter Yun Gaho, please explain.”

After the contract was concluded, Choi Kwon-young passed the explanation to me. I was reluctant, but I had no choice.

“Recently, I obtained an S-rank production trait.”

“W-wait a minute! An S-rank skill? And a production one at that?”

“Yes, that’s right. As you may know, top-rank material items require special processing as soon as they drop. There…”

“So you use that ability!”

“Well, something like that.”

“Ah, what a beautiful ability!”

Lee Kang-to, who had heard the explanation, widened his eyes and stretched out his neck. His eyes, a lighter green than his hair, glimmered strangely.

Wasn’t he supposed to be extremely shy? The way he was looking me up and down with sparkling eyes was completely different from before.

‘What’s with this unpleasant change of attitude?’

Of course. I was a fool to think there would be a normal person in White Night.

Yun Su-ho also seemed uncomfortable, glaring at Lee Kang-to with fierce eyes.

Lee Kang-to, undeterred, continued to bombard me with questions.

“C-Could you perhaps show us how you cast the skill?”

“Right now?”

“Yes! Please!”

Before I could refuse, Choi Kwon-young added fuel to the fire.

“I’d like to see it too. That skill of Hunter Yun Gaho’s.”

Come on, why is this guy doing this? We’ve already made a contract with the people here, is he going to go all out?

As I was flustered by the sudden request for a demonstration, Choi Kwon-young handed me a gun.

“It would be good if you could try it on this.”

It’s a gun I’ve seen somewhere before. Judging by its appearance, it was no ordinary item.

My mouth fell open as I checked the item information, feeling a sense of déjà vu. S-ranks must all be out of their minds.

[Manpa (S)]

‘Isn’t Manpa Choi Kwon-young’s main weapon? And he’s just handing it over like this?’

Does he have any sense at all? Whether aware of my feelings or not, Choi Kwon-young watched me with his chin resting on his hand.

Ha, he must have given it to me on purpose, anticipating my reaction. Isn’t he an expert at making people uncomfortable while pretending not to?

Because not only Choi Kwon-young but also the other team members were looking at me with eager eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

‘If I can definitively prove my ability here, it might be helpful…’

Sensing my hesitation, Choi Kwon-young pushed Manpa towards me.

An S-rank equipment worth its weight in gold. I couldn’t even touch it out of reverence.

“Hunter Yun Gaho?”

Choi Kwon-young raised an eyebrow as if to say, “Go ahead and try it.” There was a faint trace of amusement in his eyes. At that moment, my reverence melted away like snow, and a fuse of anger was lit.

Alright, let’s see your item get destroyed. That’ll teach you not to do this again. It might be an incredibly valuable equipment, but it’s not mine, so why should I care?

“Give it to me.”

I said in a sulky tone as I took Choi Kwon-young’s gun. Then I extended my other hand towards Choi Kwon-young.

“I’ll need one more.”

“Hm?”

“I need an item of similar rank to Manpa. Equipment, materials, magic stone, anything will do. Why don’t you rummage through your inventory?”

Even to myself, it sounded like the words of a complete scoundrel. But having already gone toe-to-toe once, why not do it twice?

It wasn’t something I would normally do, but somehow, I started to enjoy it.

“Hurry up.”

I urged Choi Kwon-young, waving my palm with a smile on my face.