Even Today, the Ranker Dreams of Retirement

“…Why you?”

Errata looked at Kang Taeseo with a suspicious expression.

“You usually avoid tasks even when told to do them, why are you suddenly volunteering?”

“Are you dissatisfied even when I offer to do it? I don’t know which tune to dance to.”

“……”

‘Is he serious?’

Errata glanced sidelong at Taeseo. Kang Taeseo wore an expression that was beyond indifferent, bordering on annoyed. His nonchalant and brazen attitude confused Errata even more. Taeseo continued:

“Solaris and Caligo have a subtle competitive relationship, so it won’t raise suspicion if I participate. That makes it good for direct involvement. Plus, I’m Korean, so I’ll adapt to the culture well.”

“We could find and send someone like that. Is there a need for you to go personally?”

“Oh? Then should we send someone else?”

Kang Taeseo answered indifferently, as if it didn’t matter either way.

“I just brought it up to show sincerity by participating directly.”

“Direct… participation would be best…”

‘…Hm? Or not?’

Errata tilted her head.

‘The way he’s talking as if it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t seem like he has any ulterior motives.’

Errata frowned and put her hand to her forehead.

‘It’s a good proposal, so why do I feel uneasy?’

Is it because Kang Taeseo, whom she dislikes, is suddenly making a sensible and favorable suggestion for once?

Errata’s eyes glinted sharply. She couldn’t figure out what on earth was going through Kang Taeseo’s mind to make him act like this suddenly.

‘Theoretically, it makes sense.’

If other Minor Patch members suddenly moved, it would be quite noticeable. A Minor Patch member with no connection to Ullim International High suddenly extending their reach to that school?

If they approached clumsily with Fides and the Chae siblings watching with eagle eyes, they might get their tails caught.

But sending another underling didn’t sit well with her either, given the importance of the matter.

“It sounds like a good idea to me?”

Just then, the ‘Fifth’ raised his hand with an approving expression.

“It’s surprising that the lofty ‘First’ is stepping up, but it’s good if he does, right?”

The other members nodded as well. An atmosphere of ‘if it’s good, it’s good’ was forming among everyone.

‘Am I the only one who feels uneasy?’

Errata frowned deeply and raised her head as if she had no choice.

‘Right. Maybe I’m being too sensitive.’

These are doubts that have become habitual after a lifetime of betrayals. Honestly, Kang Taeseo has only been stiff until now, but he hasn’t particularly harmed or interfered with them, has he? He even shows up to meetings when told to.

The persistent uneasiness might be unfounded.

‘We do need a member with a clean image like Kang Taeseo.’

He’s a good card to play if we can use him.

If we can use him.

Errata slowly nodded.

“Alright then, you go, ‘First’. You seem quite confident, volunteering to go first.”

She finally gave her sign of approval.

‘Right, it’s an unnecessary worry. We’re in the same boat after all.’

They weren’t people united by flimsy trust to begin with. If anyone harbored other intentions or betrayed them, the system administrator would directly eliminate them immediately, so their very lives were at stake.

Not only that. Even if they didn’t produce proper results, they would receive disciplinary action or severe penalties from the Administrator.

‘He’s not stupid enough to not know that.’

“Then let’s adjourn today’s meeting here.”

Errata snapped her fingers, signaling the end of the meeting. She turned to Kang Taeseo and added:

“Alright, ‘First’. I look forward to seeing how well you do with this opportunity.”

“I don’t need your expectations.”

“Ha.”

He really is disagreeable to the end. Errata glared at Kang Taeseo and shook her head.

◆◇◆◇◆

‘Scholarship? What scholarship?!’

Hyun Habin, who had been startled by the sudden calling of her name. As she was scrunching up her face,

-…Ah, there seems to have been a mistake just now. We received the wrong scholarship list. I’ll read it again.

Someone rushed to the teacher holding the microphone and handed over a new file.

-I’ll read it again, Kim Seyoung, Seo Arin…

The newly received list was similar to before. But this time, Habin’s name was conspicuously absent.

“…Hmm?”

‘Was it really a mistake?’

Anyway, it’s a relief that she doesn’t have to go up to the stage. Habin returned her feet, which had been turned towards the exit, back to their original position.

“Um, how did you end up coming to Ullim International High?”

Just then, Seoyun beside her asked with sparkling eyes. She added in a timid voice:

“I… because I’m F-rank, I worried a lot. Whether to go to a regular high school or come here. But if there’s even a chance I could become stronger here, that would be good too. I once dreamed of being a hunter.”

Seoyun looked up at the stage with envious eyes. The students receiving scholarships were all either S-rank or A-rank.

“…I’m envious. Why am I F-rank?”

“Hmm…”

Habin didn’t answer hastily. The gap between S-rank and F-rank at this age is due to the abilities they were born with when they awakened. Bridging that gap is not an easy task.

Just like how Hyun Habin, when she was a non-Awakened, had felt the wall countless times.

Seoyun continued:

“Ah, no. I should be grateful just for awakening. Actually, you don’t know how much my parents celebrated when I awakened. Though they worried a lot too…”

“It’s worth worrying about.”

Habin nodded. Regardless of how glamorized the hunter profession was, few parents liked the idea of their children entering dungeons.

The most preferred jobs among the parents’ generation were production-type hunters affiliated with large guilds. Or office worker hunters who make potions and items and receive high salaries regularly. If compared to pre-Gate times, it would be like the pharmacist position, wouldn’t it?

Next was the resident healer at hospitals. Because they don’t directly participate in combat and only treat people who come to the hospital, it was called a god-given job that could replace doctors. However, this was slightly less preferred than production-type because they still had to enter dungeons in emergency situations.

Of course, it’s not all honey and roses for production-type hunters and healer classes. Top rankers in these fields mostly enter dungeons for combat and support, whether they’re production-type or healers. They’re just as powerful as combat-types and often risk their lives. Chae Jise, who is both a dealer and a healer, is a prime example.

These guild-affiliated production-types and resident hospital healers are mostly jobs occupied by B-rank to D-rank.

Of course, even among higher-class hunters, those who are cautious don’t enter dungeons. Even combat-type hunters are criticized for retiring and going on vacations as soon as they make some money.

As Habin answered, Seoyun seemed to feel closer and started chattering away.

“Ullim International High seems even better now that I’m here. Isn’t the building amazing? I heard this used to be a luxury apartment complex site.”

Near Hapjeong Station, there used to be Raemian Polaris and Prugio apartments, but after they were devastated during the Gate Crisis, the site was reborn as Ullim International High. Seoyun fidgeted with her necktie.

“I love the uniform too!”

Habin glanced around at the students’ uniforms. Ullim International High’s uniform was a stylish design in a deep navy and silver combination, reminiscent of a sophisticated suit.

Not only was the school emblem intricately embroidered, but there was also an elegant pendant brooch on the necktie. Anyone would find it an extremely pretty design, but…

To Hyun Habin…

‘It really draws too much attention!’

It was truly a ‘magic school,’ but this was too ‘magic school-like.’ Honestly, they could step onto the stage for Galaxy Girl’s “It Will Come True” performance without looking out of place. Seeing Yeo Seoyun excited about wearing it,

‘This friend, is she unexpectedly the type who enjoys attention?’

Meanwhile, Yeo Seoyun had apparently built up enough internal rapport to already be talking about sharing a room.

“Do you want to share a room in the dormitory later?”

“I was thinking of commuting.”

“They give a room to commuters too! Let’s share a room!”

It could have been an innocent proposal, but Habin couldn’t help but be suspicious.

‘…This friend, she’s quite clever, isn’t she?’

If Habin doesn’t enter the dormitory, Seoyun could have the room to herself, which is quite a good choice.

‘A big picture of using a double room as a single room!’

Hyun Habin inadvertently admired this big picture.

‘I guess there’s no need to refuse outright?’

She probably wouldn’t be staying in the dormitory much anyway, and the girl seemed docile enough that sharing a room shouldn’t be a problem.

“Hmm, alright. Sounds good.”

By the time Habin answered, the entrance ceremony had already ended. The students were now lining up in groups of three or five, following their teachers’ guidance.

“Looks like we’re heading to our classrooms now!”

They were guided to Class F. The teacher who brought the students to Class F briefly mentioned there was a faculty meeting and left them all behind, heading back outside.

“Greet each other!”

Judging by how hurriedly he left, it seemed he had received some urgent communication.

“What’s this?”

“Are we just supposed to stay here?”

The students, who were initially murmuring, peeked their faces out into the hallway. With all the homeroom teachers gone, the neighboring classrooms were already in chaos. Amidst this, some students were greeting each other.

“Oh? You came to Ullim International High too! What class are you in?”

“I’m in Class D!”

“Let’s have lunch together!”

“Huh, when did you get into Class C? We were in the same class in middle school!”

“You should come to Class C quickly too! Just do well on the April mock exam!”

It was impossible for there to be self-regulation in a situation where students were left to their own devices. Once the floodgates of conversation opened, groups of three or five students started to increase in the hallway, chatting away.

“The teacher didn’t say we had to stay seated, right?”

“We’ll go back in when they come, no big deal.”

“Wanna hit the PC bang after school?”

“Do you know anyone in your class?”

Students from the same hunter middle schools already had many friends and were forming groups from the start. The children were chattering away as if they’d found water. The atmosphere was quite good up to that point.

That is, until a few students passing by Class F started speaking.

“Ah… that’s…”

“That’s Class F, right?”

“I heard F-rank is hardly different from regular people.”

“Looks like they came to school aiming for university.”

“It must be tough for them to adapt to a hunter school.”

“I heard they can’t even spar freely for fear of getting hurt?”

Most of the tones were concerned, but they couldn’t hide the underlying smugness in their eyes. The individuals speaking were B-rank and C-rank.

Feeling relieved that they would never fall to Class F, while also feeling pleased at the gap between F-rank and themselves.

“Hmm?”

Habin, who had been listening, stood up from her seat.

“Oh, oh?”

Seoyun beside her opened her eyes wide in surprise. She hurriedly whispered to Habin.

“Ignore what th-they’re saying! They’re just picking fights because they’re bored. If you clash with them, you’ll get demerits from the teacher!”

Seoyun grabbed Habin’s sleeve tightly. Habin tilted her head.

“I’m just trying to go to the bathroom?”

“Oh…”

“It’s urgent!”

“Oh… S-sorry!”

Seoyun’s face turned red with embarrassment. She cleared her throat and stood up.

“Then let’s go together…”

“If you want?”

‘Going to the bathroom together is a high school rule!’

Sure, sure.

Habin nodded and walked out into the hallway.

Slide.

“…!”

The students who were gossiping outside flinched in surprise at the sudden opening of the back door. But that didn’t stop their gossiping. They continued speaking as if they wanted to be heard.

“…Is that Yeo Seoyun?”

“You know her?”

“I went to the same middle school as her before I awakened. She awakened in the middle of third year and caused a scene crying with joy.”

“She cried that much but ended up F-rank?”

“It’s hilarious, right? But what can you do if that’s her limit?”

Flinch. Yeo Seoyun’s footsteps slowed down, as if she had heard. Noticing this, the students didn’t stop but rather snickered more blatantly.

“There’s not even a need to call it a limit. Isn’t it actually good for her? She came to Ullim International High with abilities practically no different from a regular person.”

“Ah, you’re right.”

“Look at our school facilities. The support is immense, and so much tax money went into this, but it’s honestly too much to support even F-class students.”

“This is what you call freeloading on taxes and university quotas.”

“To think they give the same level of support to such weaklings as us. As expected of advanced country Korea.”

“…Hey guys.”

At that moment, Habin turned her head towards them. Yeo Seoyun hurriedly grabbed Habin.

‘Don’t, don’t step in! I’m fine, really!’

“No, that’s not the issue.”

Habin shook her head firmly and opened her mouth.

“Hey guys, have you ever paid taxes?”

“Huh?”

“Wh-what?”

“I asked if you’ve paid taxes.”

“…?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, the chattering students retreated a step.

Sigh…

Habin slowly let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh that seemed to convey the bitter hardships of life. Seeing this, one of the group belatedly gathered their wits and answered.

“H-how could we pay taxes!”

To that, Habin replied cheerfully.

“Right. If you haven’t paid, let’s not pretend to take credit and spout nonsense, okay?”

Of course, even if they had paid, she had no intention of justifying their harsh words!

Habin continued with a bitter expression.

“Sigh, I didn’t mind paying education tax among other things… Hah.”

At this, the boys retorted heatedly.

“What are you saying!”

“Did you pay then? You probably came here with your parents’ tax money too!”

“Huh, no. I paid it myself.”

“How much could you have paid to talk like that?!”

“I paid a lot…”

Habin answered with a gloomy expression.

“I paid so much it was like extracting a flea’s liver…”

“…?”