"I don't currently have any plans to join a guild."
Castorice shook her head.
"It's because of that E-Rank Hunter, Miss Han Song-Yi, isn't it?"
Choi Jong-in wasn't surprised by Castorice's answer. Son Kihoon was a key A-Rank asset being nurtured within his guild, so naturally, he had looked into every detail regarding that red gate incident.
He had investigated all the hunters who had entered the gate.
"..."
Castorice remained silent, which amounted to tacit agreement.
"I recall you two are friends. If Castorice-ssi were willing to join, Miss Han Song-Yi could join the Hunters Guild as well. Working together as teammates in a suitable guild seems like a fine option, doesn't it?"
The red-haired man smiled.
"Moreover, the Hunters Guild is the most powerful guild in Korea. We can offer the lowest tax exemption rates and the highest benefits, both for you, Castorice-ssi, and for Miss Han Song-Yi."
If one insisted on comparing, the White Tiger Guild technically had the strongest overall force, with more mid-tier hunters and greater numbers. But Hunters, after all, was a guild with two S-Ranks.
In the face of S-Ranks, other forces tended to pale in comparison.
Castorice didn't refuse immediately this time. If it were just her, it wouldn't matter much.
Her reason for not joining a guild wasn't some psychological hang-up or unwillingness; it was simply that she saw no need.
Sensing her hesitation, Choi Jong-in didn't push further. He hadn't expected to convince another S-Rank to join in a single attempt.
Not everyone was like Cha Hae-in, who would choose a guild for a casual reason like 'it's close to home.'
"Of course, I'm not asking for an immediate answer, Castorice-ssi," Choi Jong-in said with a laugh.
"However, you are well aware of the conveniences and benefits of guild membership. If you do consider joining one, please give us priority."
"I'll keep it in mind."
Castorice nodded, but noticed Choi Jong-in showed no sign of leaving just yet.
Of course, he wouldn't leave so easily. Choi Jong-in believed he could leave an even better impression.
After stepping aside to let Castorice pass and watching her head out, he naturally fell into step beside her, keeping a distance of two paces.
He adopted an expression of sudden recollection. "Ah, that's right. I must also thank you, Castorice-ssi, for saving Hunter Son Kihoon from our guild."
"I originally intended to give this to you when you were at school, but I didn't expect you to come here this morning. Had I known, I would have brought it with me."
"Give it to me... when I was at school?"
The phrasing made Castorice glance at him in confusion.
"Hm? Didn't you know, Castorice-ssi? Hunter Cha Hae-in is a student at the same university as you."
Choi Jong-in's face performed a show of mild surprise, though his smile remained warm. "Hunter Cha happens to be three years older, a senior about to graduate."
Cha Hae-in... Castorice remembered the name. She was hailed as Korea's most powerful and youngest S-Rank Hunter.
So her ID card had coincidentally placed her at the same school.
"Hunter Cha and you are quite fated, it seems. Who would have thought the same school would produce two 'youngest S-Rank Hunters'? Though Hunter Cha reached S-Rank at age twenty, while you did so at nineteen. It seems the title has changed hands?"
They had reached the association's entrance. As the automatic doors slid open, several camera flashes burst toward them.
Castorice was about to step back when she saw Choi Jong-in move to shield her.
The presence of the Hunters Guild Master was quite effective at intimidating people. The reporters, who had come upon hearing rumors of a new S-Rank, hadn't expected Choi Jong-in to be here as well.
But then their excitement surged.
Choi Jong-in and the youngest S-Rank? Was this going to be another victory for the Hunters Guild?
"Guild Master Choi! Are you here to invite Hunter Castorice to join your guild?"
"Guild Master Choi! Does Hunters have some undisclosed connection with Hunter Castorice?"
"Castorice-ssi! Will you be staying in Korea? Or will you return to Country Y?"
"Has Hunter Castorice already agreed to join Hunters?"
"What is Hunter Castorice's ability? Is she a Summoner-type Hunter?"
"Castorice-ssi, what kind of power does that dragon possess?"
The barrage of crowded questions brought her a sense of discomfort. Back then, someone would always handle this sort of thing for Amber.
Choi Jong-in had anticipated this scene. While not deliberately orchestrated by him, opportunity favors the prepared.
Knowing these reporters—unaware that Castorice couldn't be approached—were outside was precisely what allowed him to make a good impression.
"Everyone, please don't crowd too much. Hunter Castorice's abilities will be disclosed by the Hunter's Association at the appropriate time. I am here simply to convey thanks on behalf of Hunter Son Kihoon."
Choi Jong-in effortlessly held all the reporters at bay, giving Castorice a clear 'leave now' look.
Castorice could more or less see through his tactics, but this little bit of cleverness wasn't particularly off-putting.
Thinking this, she gave him a nod in acknowledgment, then leapt clear of the crowd and, just like before, flew out of sight.
She appeared serene, even somewhat reserved, but in reality, her nature was to come and go like the wind.
Having left the Hunter's Association, Castorice once again felt at loose ends. In the end, she could only return to her apartment to scroll through her phone before class.
With Castorice's tacit consent and the Hunter Association's considerations, merely two hours after her departure, her abilities were reported on television.
Marketing accounts and various news agencies also released the information.
While there was a great desire to scrutinize this new S-Rank, certain to be a hot topic for the foreseeable future, Castorice's habitual avoidance of contact meant reporters, no matter how eager for scoops, had little actual material to expose. They could only churn out variations of the same information.
In the end, what was presented to everyone was a single, very brief summary.
Origin: Country Y. Registered Hunter in Korea. Freshman international student at Xxx University. Extremely high physical abilities. Powers related to death. Approaching her too closely results in instant death. Can summon a giant dragon.
This...
What did 'related to death' mean? And 'approaching her too closely results in instant death'?
It sounded... like a walking Grim Reaper. Was she even human?
Especially after noting Castorice's distinctly non-human ears, discussions about her multiplied.
Would she stay in Korea? If people die just by getting close, could she be used for automatic monster farming? How powerful is that dragon?
The emergence of a new S-Rank set off a wave of heated discussion among the public.
While Korea did have S-Ranks... the number who could truly make a mark internationally, who were truly impressive, wasn't high.
One could even say only Choi Jong-in and Cha Hae-in qualified. But even they weren't considered particularly formidable by the standards of the world's most powerful nations.
Without a National-Level Hunter, they were always at a disadvantage.
But that didn't stop them from feeling thrilled about a new S-Rank joining their ranks. Thus, the biggest topic of the morning became 'How can we get Castorice to stay in Korea?'
However, Castorice, perpetually engrossed in anime, didn't pay much attention to any of this.
Even when an excited Han Song-Yi sought her out, she only offered a reminder: 'Don't use your phone in class.'
Time moved to the afternoon. After tidying her appearance a little, Castorice stepped out of her home dressed in ordinary modern casual clothes.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.