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“S-class.. You mean?”

The most surprising look appeared on Do-joon so far.

The impact of S-class was that great. S-class does not simply mean that it was higher than A-class. They would gain the title as masters and be praised by the people.

“You mean you will get me promoted to S-Class?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s not something I can do just because I want to.”

Son Chang-il, President of the Association, shook his head.

Unlike A-class, which can be reached solely by skills, the S-class screening is much more complex.

The association, as well as three other masters in Korea, in addition, various organisations and groups of judges based on their skills, reputation, and achievements.

It is not something that the president of the association could push alone.

“That’s why you said support.”

“If you want, I can let you get equipment, dungeons, or even overseas dungeons. I have that much connection.”

The president of the association spoke proudly.

Since, he was a free-hunter who travelled foreign countries when he was young. And with that experience, he was appointed to the position of the current president of the association.

On the other hand, there were some political reasons for this.

Since overseas was the main stage of activity, and there is no connection with domestic guilds or other groups. The foundation is not so large in Korea.

In other words, it was a neutral position.

He was also inclined towards walking in a neutral status, and his skills and achievements were certain, so he became the president of the association.

“To become S-class, fame is important. In vulgar terms, you have to stand out to get into the eyes of others, whether it’s a judgement or something else.”

“That’s true.”

“Just because they are A-class doesn’t mean they will all be judged. A-class is nothing but a level that can be kicked around the world.”

The scale of speaking was different, perhaps because he experienced foreign stuff.

According to Do-joon’s common sense, A-class hunters are also strong enough to be counted as one of the best. There will be less than 100 people in Korea.

However, as the president of the association said, from the global level, there are 100 talented people gathered in this small country.

It was understandable to say that being in A-class does not mean that one is subject to screening.

“For fame, it is quick to build a remarkable track record. To do that, it would not be enough to just run around domestic dungeons. I don’t think there are that many A-class and S-class gates.”

“At the end of the day, the president of the association meant that he will send me to a high-grade gate overseas.”

“I can send you a dispatch under my name as much as I want. You’re talented, so there won’t be many places that will reject you.”

Do-joon was in trouble. The president of the association quickly added as soon as he sensed he was going up and down with thoughts.

“It can be difficult to continue to travel abroad. But after a few years of hard work, you will become an S-class. You were born as a man and wouldn’t you like to sit at the top once?”

“.....”

Do-joon was lost in thought.

The president of the association made sense. It would be faster to go abroad for performance, and that the association can help with that.

If he went abroad, all kinds of troublesome things would happen like mountains. What if he goes to a foreign dungeon alone?

[T/N: Maybe he hates climbing XD]

First of all, matching foreign dungeons was a difficult task. And on top of that, there are issues of cooperation with those hunters and so on....

Apart from everything else in the first place, doesn’t he need to know foreign languages well?

‘Although Jia does all the cumbersome administration and chores here.’

In foreign countries, he must also deal with administrative processing with their associations himself. If he joins hands with the president of the association, then they can solve that problem.

However..

“Isn’t it when I have the skills to become an S-class?”

“Hmm? Well, that’s right.”

In the end, the support that the president of the association talked about was nothing but a side dish. The most important thing was his own skills.

On the contrary, as long as he has the skills.

“I’m sorry, but I will decline.”

Side dishes are bound to follow at any time.

He was somewhat shocked by the word S-class, but the proposal itself did not have much merit. Because he has a labyrinth.

‘It’s natural unless the association determines me as a S-class in the first place.’

It would be better to improve his skills by hunting while going back and forth between dungeons and labyrinths like now, rather than travelling abroad.

In addition, there is training with Kalish, and playing with So-eun is indispensable.

It was not pleasant for him to belong to because he had a lot of work to do. Going abroad by plane all day will take a lot of time just to travel.

“Hmm.. .. .”

The president of the association sighed at Do-joon’s refusal. He brought it up again to persuade Do-joon.

“I heard you’ve rejected all guild proposals so far. You even dumped the four major guilds. You seem reluctant to be part of an organisation, right?”

“Yes.”

He couldn’t say why, though.

“Think about it again. There are many hunters who do not belong to a guild and work freely. Master Irina from Russia and Yangyang from China are also said to be working alone. But do you think those people worked alone from the beginning?”

The president of the association shook his head.

“They also belonged to an organisation at first. Through the organisation, they learn the physiology of the industry and naturally build networks, while at the same time not forgetting self-discipline.. .. . Because of those days, they are shining more brightly now they are active as free hunters. There’s a big difference between those who’ve joined an organisation once and those who haven’t.”

It was a very convincing word.

The sincerity was felt in the expression and tone of the president of the association, but the content itself was understandable.

If Do-joon was refusing simply because he hated organisational life, he might have been persuaded by these words.

But he shook his head.

Because he had a clear reason for rejection.

“I’m sorry.”

“Is it..... What a shame.”

The president of the association bowed his head bitterly.

In his opinion, Do-joon is a man who will definitely rise to S-class someday. He was confident in seeing people.

No, even if his eyes are as keen as knotholes, there will be no one who cannot recognize the value of Do-joon.

Having A-class skills in a year is not simply a matter of awakening with good skills.

‘That’s why I wanted to continue our relationship.’

The association is always short on talent. At this time, he thought that if Do-joon was recruited and pushed hard, it would be a pillar that would support the association in a few years.

But he didn’t know that he’d be rejected at once like this.

The president of the association hid his disappointment and drank his tea. Do-joon held out his hand to him.

“I refused to go to the association, but.. .. . I look forward to your kind cooperation in the transaction.”

At those words, the eyes of the association president shone again.

That’s right. It’s not over yet. Although they did not become part of the same family, can they still remain in a cooperative relationship?

“No. I’m thankful just for that, hahaha.”

The president of the association held Do-joon’s hand vigorously with a lively expression again.

Compared to his age, his facial expression changed quite a bit. And that made Do-joon burst out laughing involuntarily.

The day’s meeting ended warmly.

* * *

That afternoon.

Do-joon climbed the mountain behind where he had always been training.

― You rejected it well. It’s not a wise choice to wear a leash that you don’t even have the right to take off just because you want to have a reputation.

Do-joon stepped forward and threw his spear into the air. He was just warming up his body before the full-fledged training.

“Still, the S-class has that much merit. There’s a reason why they’re called Master.”

― Heh, in order to become a Master, you have to get judged from everywhere? What kind of master is that!

“What?”

Do-joon stopped stabbing and looked at Kalish.

― As a matter of fact, being a master is not something to be judged and noticed by someone. Even if you don’t go around and shout out that you’re strong, you’re praised for just being there. That is who you call such a person a Master.

Kalish made a heated statement. If he had been in front of him, not as a spear, he would have drooled quite a bit.

― A review or evaluation of that kind of thing.. .. . Eh, it’s obvious without looking at the level of masters here. Don’t worry and just keep practising silently. If you have skills, fame will automatically follow you.

“I’m not obsessed with fame, but.. .. .”

Still, Kalish’s words were all right. Didn’t he think that way even in front of the president of the association? After all, what’s important is his own skills.

‘If I build up my skills like I do now, I can rise to the S-class someday. There’s no need to be in a hurry to advance it.’

That was Do-joon’s conclusion.

There was no reason for him to rise persistently like that, even though it didn’t mean that rewards would fall from the air just because he is an S-class. Wouldn’t it be possible to enter all the S-class dungeons even if he were only A-class anyway?

So what he has to do is set. To train without stopping endlessly.

Do-joon grabbed the spear again.

The threads of mana were released from his body. One strand, two strands..... Eventually, he was able to unravel up to 20 strands without difficulty.

― Anyway, you’re also very reckless. I can’t believe you were thinking of tearing up more mana on the spot.

“I did it because I was desperate. I thought everyone would die if I didn’t finish it at that time somehow.”

― It must have been really dangerous. You weren’t the only one there.

Do-joon nodded. Because that was the reason why he was desperate.

Burung-!

Mana-worn spear embroiders and lights up the air. In the aftermath alone, the mountain screamed. The tree shook and the ground was hollowed out.

The simple number was twice as much as when there were ten branches, but the power was more than that.

― I’m surprised. Your progress wasn’t that fast till ten branches. It’s like you’re just at a level that’s normally called talented.

“Is it normal to have talent?”

― Of course not. It is said that as soon as you hold the spear for the first time, you have extraordinary martial art skills to be able to swing it around like your own body.

His judgement was too high.

― Anyway, you weren’t like that. But at that moment, I didn’t know how but you’d surpassed your own limits in an instant....

“I was lucky.”

― You don’t have to be humble. Growing up in practice, that’s your talent. Isn’t it easy to go up to 20 now?

“Yes. It’s a bit fascinating.”

― That’s how it’s supposed to be. It’s just hard to take a step, but once you take a step, it becomes as simple as when it was difficult.

Originally, any field never grows smoothly when it reaches a certain level or higher. With every step you take, a wall appears and clogs one’s jaw.

It is a wall that cannot be stronger and harder when standing in front of it, but it is also a wall that is nothing when you look back once you break through it.

And the result was the current Do-joon.

If he were to fight the elf again, he would be able to win easily this time without struggling much. And that was seen in Kalish’s words.

Do-joon swung the spear for a while. Under the guidance of Kalish, he corrected his posture and operated Mana.

What he has been doing every day since he started training with Kalish.

After sweating for a long time, he sat on a rock.

― You’re doing well. I’m already looking forward to the next battle. Heh heh.

Do-joon grinned at Kalish’s words, looking forward to his next work.

‘By the way.....’

It seems that his spear skill is definitely increasing. So much that it must be getting a lot stronger.

However, Do-joon never forgot. The fact that the basis of all his powers, in the end, came from the Copy Skill.

He took an item out of his inventory.

‘The copying can’t be neglected either.’

It was the elf’s short sword that was brought after killing Eldora.

***