Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Across the round table sat the same examiners who had handled Hong Man-gi's previous promotion to D-rank.

Their expressions remained stiff.

However, the way they looked at Hong Man-gi carried a subtle curiosity and expectation that had not been there before.

"First, Hunter Hong Man-gi and Hunter Lee Yu-han. We have carefully reviewed the report concerning your recent BX-0 Dungeon raid."

The male examiner sitting in the center opened a file.

His voice remained professional, but it seemed slightly gentler than before.

"Both of you demonstrated... truly extraordinary results. In particular, clearing a BX-0 Dungeon with a combination of D-rank and F-rank Hunters is unprecedented in Association history."

The female examiner beside him nodded.

"That's correct. Based purely on the recorded combat information, the result is almost impossible to believe. Hunter Hong Man-gi's command ability and Hunter Lee Yu-han's growth can only be described as remarkable."

"It's unfortunate that because of various problems inside the dungeon and the destruction of the observation drones, we were unable to review the detailed combat footage... but regardless, both of you returned alive and defeated the boss. That fact doesn't change. Once again, we'd like to congratulate you on an incredible achievement."

Lee Yu-han looked completely confused by the unexpected praise.

Hong Man-gi simply smiled faintly and listened.

The male examiner continued.

"Then we'll announce the reevaluation results."

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly tightened.

Lee Yu-han swallowed dryly.

Even Hong Man-gi felt slightly nervous.

The examiner first picked up Lee Yu-han's file.

"Hunter Lee Yu-han. According to your basic physical ability scan, both your strength and agility have increased slightly compared to your previous results. Your mana capacity has also risen, although only by a small amount. More importantly, we placed considerable value on your survival and combat contribution inside the BX-0 Dungeon. Therefore, you have officially been promoted to D-rank. Congratulations."

[Ding]

A cheerful notification sounded from Lee Yu-han's Hunter device.

His new rank appeared.

D.

The moment he finally escaped the mark of F-rank that he had desperately wanted to leave behind.

"U... uwaaaaaah!!!!"

Lee Yu-han stared at the device several times as if he could not believe his own eyes.

No matter how many times he checked, it still showed D-rank.

Soon, hot tears began gathering around his eyes.

"I, I'm... D-rank... Really... is this really true?"

He asked in a trembling voice.

The examiner gave him a gentle smile and nodded.

"Yes, Hunter Lee Yu-han. You are now officially a D-rank Hunter. We look forward to your future achievements."

"However, just because you're D-rank doesn't mean you should recklessly enter high-rank dungeons alone. We've witnessed too many Hunters lose their lives that way, so forgive us for being overly cautious."

"Thank you. Really. Thank you so much!"

Overcome with emotion, Lee Yu-han repeatedly bowed.

Hong Man-gi watched him with a pleased smile and patted his back.

No one understood the pain of being an F-rank Hunter better than Hong Man-gi.

Because of that, Lee Yu-han's joy felt almost like his own.

A little later, the examiner picked up Hong Man-gi's file.

The atmosphere in the room subtly changed again.

Everyone's attention turned toward Hong Man-gi.

They were curious about what result he would receive.

"Hunter Hong Man-gi."

The examiner's voice became even more serious.

"In your case, there was considerable disagreement among the review committee. Your basic scan results still remain around the upper range of D-rank. However, your recent combat ability and dungeon achievements clearly exceed the limits of D-rank."

He paused and looked directly at Hong Man-gi.

"In particular, the record stating that you effectively defeated the final boss of the BX-0 Dungeon, Veiled of Server, almost by yourself is difficult to believe. That creature rarely appears even inside BX-0 Dungeons. Defeating an opponent with so little available information is an achievement worthy of at least an upper A-rank Hunter, perhaps even an S-rank Hunter."

The employees in the meeting room immediately began murmuring.

An achievement worthy of S-rank.

That was a realm ordinary Hunters could barely imagine.

"Therefore, after considering both your potential and your actual combat performance, the Association Review Committee has reached the following decision."

The examiner took a breath and clearly announced,

"Hunter Hong Man-gi, effective today, you have been promoted to B-rank. Congratulations."

[Boom]

The meeting room fell into stunned silence as if thunder had struck.

B-rank Hunter.

Hong Man-gi had jumped two entire ranks at once, from D-rank directly to B-rank.

It was nearly unprecedented.

Everyone in the room was shocked.

"What? Hunter Hong Man-gi is B, B-rank?"

Lee Yu-han recovered first.

He stared at the examiner in disbelief.

"I didn't hear that wrong, right? You really said B-rank just now?"

The female examiner holding the file smiled warmly.

Lee Yu-han immediately shouted excitedly.

"No way! Straight from D-rank to B-rank!"

Even the office employees began whispering in disbelief.

"That's impossible... Was clearing BX-0 really that incredible?"

"Even so, jumping two ranks at once? Maybe the mana measurement was wrong. I understand considering the report, but isn't this some kind of system error?"

"Who is that guy really? Does he have one of those hidden classes people talk about?"

The room quickly filled with surprise, admiration, and a little suspicion toward Hong Man-gi.

Hong Man-gi himself looked blank for a moment at the unexpected result.

Then he quickly regained his composure and lightly bowed toward the examiners.

"Thank you. I'll work hard to live up to the rank."

His calm attitude only increased everyone's surprise.

He looked as relaxed as though becoming B-rank was completely natural.

People began sensing an aura from him that felt completely different from before.

The presence of someone powerful and difficult to approach.

"He looks different somehow."

"If he performed like that as D-rank, is he going to start destroying A-rank dungeons now that he's officially B-rank?"

"Maybe I should become friendly with him while I still can...."

The whispering showed no sign of stopping.

"Thank you for everything. We'll be going now."

"Ah, yes. Good work today."

After the results were announced, Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han left the meeting room.

Countless Hunters and employees watched their backs.

Their names had now become so famous that practically everyone in the Association knew them.

Hong Man-gi in particular would likely remain the biggest topic of conversation for quite some time.

He had gone from the "Miracle D-rank" to the "Legendary B-rank."

While riding the elevator down to the first-floor lobby, Lee Yu-han could not stop talking excitedly.

"Hunter Hong Man-gi! Seriously, seriously, seriously amazing! B-rank! Now our restaurant is going to be run by a B-rank Hunter! Customers are going to line up outside!"

Hong Man-gi chuckled.

"It does feel good. No, saying it just feels good doesn't even cover it. This is better than I could've hoped."

The smile on his face looked brighter and more confident than ever.

* * *

A few days later, preparations for opening Full Moon Restaurant were in full swing.

Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han cleaned the old but welcoming interior and prepared for their new beginning.

There was no need for major renovation work.

They could reuse the shelves and tables left by the previous cafe owner.

Adding only a few warm lights would be enough to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

"Hunter Hong Man-gi, what if we arrange the kitchen flow like this? If I'm helping beside you, I think we'd need a little more room over here."

Lee Yu-han was already becoming comfortable enough to suggest ideas for the kitchen design.

The passive and timid F-rank Hunter from before was nowhere to be seen.

He was finding his own role as a member of Full Moon Restaurant.

"Hmm, arrange it however you find comfortable."

Hong Man-gi watched Lee Yu-han with satisfaction.

Full Moon Restaurant might become more than a place where they simply sold food.

It might become a precious place where he and his companions grew together and built their dreams.

However, before Full Moon Restaurant opened, Hong Man-gi still had one last thing to do.

The final night of business at the food cart he had grown attached to.

It was a meaningful place where he had resolved the regrets of countless spirits and where he himself had begun a new life as a Hunter.

'It would feel a little sad to simply shut it down without anything special....'

Hong Man-gi sniffed several times.

He told himself it was because of the dust, not because emotions were rising inside him.

* * *

That evening,

Hong Man-gi raised the food cart's tent one final time.

Lee Yu-han quietly remained beside him.

Just like always, the food cart was filled with warm light from the old bulbs and the gentle aroma of food.

"Chef~! Is today really the last day? Sob, sob! Poming loves this food cart! This is where I first met Chef!"

"Technically, I think we first met at my house."

"Come on! This is where we became close!"

Poming sniffled with an extremely disappointed expression.

Tears were even gathering in her round eyes.

Hong Man-gi chuckled and gently stroked her small head.

"Why are you crying? We're moving somewhere better. At Full Moon Restaurant, you'll have a bigger kitchen and can cook even more delicious food."

"That's true... but there are so many memories here! I made ramen for the first time, argued with Chef, and helped guests resolve their regrets. Hmph, I'm still going to miss it."

Poming pouted.

Soon, however, excitement about the new restaurant began shining in her eyes.

"Well, if we're moving, then we're moving! Wherever Chef goes, Poming has to follow! But what should we cook at Full Moon Restaurant? Poming is already excited! Lobster ramen? Abalone butter grill? Ah, but we've already done things like that and they're too food-cart style. What about camellia steak? A steak dish for vegetarians!"

Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han burst out laughing at Poming's strange imagination.