Hijack: Becoming The Strongest Hunter By Stealing Skills.

As they began descending from the rocky plains of the mountain, the warm rays of the sunset kissed their skin.

Min-Ju cast a questioning glance at Rin, still surprised by his actions toward the media crew.

The scene replayed in her mind—the journalists trapped under the falling boulders, Rin's indifference to their predicament, and the way he had barely reacted.

She hadn't even realized when the thought slipped from her lips in a gentle yet firm tone.

"What do you think about your actions toward the media crew? You knew they could have lost their lives in that situation, yet you didn't seem to care at all. What do you have to say in your defense?"

Rin turned to her, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. His expression remained calm, unaffected by the accusation. With his hands tucked in his pockets, he continued his descent, his voice steady as he responded.

"They could have easily escaped if they had used their heads. But the moment they realized someone capable was nearby, they abandoned reason and put their lives in the hands of a single person.

That's the real issue. People assume someone will always be there to save them, so they stop trying to save themselves."

Min-Ju narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line. Before she could counter his argument, the rocky terrain suddenly betrayed Rin's footing.

His boot slipped on a loose stone, and in an instant, he was tumbling downward. His body rolled dangerously close to the edge of a steep drop, dust and pebbles scattering in his wake.

At the last moment, he managed to grasp a jagged rock, his fingers clenching tightly as he dangled precariously.

His breath came in sharp gasps as he glanced down. Below him, a cascade of loosened stones tumbled into the abyss, the sound of their impact echoing ominously.

Min-Ju, standing a few feet away, watched with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Her lips curled slightly in amusement as she tilted her head.

"Do you still think people rely too much on others?"

Rin, determined to prove his point, exhaled sharply. Summoning every ounce of strength left in his fatigued body, he reached for a sturdier, denuded rock protruding from the mountainside.

Testing its stability, he gritted his teeth and pulled himself up with sheer force. After a few tense moments, he scrambled onto solid ground, rolling onto his back with a huff.

He dusted off his clothes and checked himself for injuries before finally standing. A confident smirk crossed his face as he met Min-Ju's gaze.

"If you weren't here, do you think I would have just accepted death?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "No one wants to die a horrible death.

I would have found a way, one way or another. That's exactly my point—people only feel safe when someone like us is around. That makes them careless.

And as long as they keep relying on others, they will always be a hindrance to Hunters."

Min-Ju exhaled through her nose, recognizing the stubbornness in his tone. Arguing further would be pointless.

Rin had made a fair argument, and though she hated to admit it, he wasn't entirely wrong. She fell into silence, begrudgingly acknowledging her loss in this debate.

At Basecamp

By the time they reached the basecamp, the sky had deepened into a rich blend of orange and violet.

They looked up at the towering mountain behind them, the sense of accomplishment settling in. The grueling climb was over.

After unstrapping and packing away their equipment, Rin stretched his sore limbs with a deep breath.

His muscles ached, his body protesting against the strain he had endured. He glanced at his watch, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"It's already six o'clock?!" he exclaimed, forming an 'O' shape with his lips. Turning to Min-Ju with hopeful eyes, he asked, "Can we still do the combat training today?"

Min-Ju, still maintaining her neutral expression, crossed her arms. "There won't be any combat training today," she stated firmly. "You've already put in enough effort.

It will be postponed until tomorrow morning. But don't get too comfortable—you're starting with a gym session before the combat exercises."

Rin let out a defeated sigh, slumping his shoulders. "Figures," he muttered.

The two eventually made their way home, nightfall settling over the city. To their surprise, Hayes was already back from the guild, lounging on the couch with a drink in hand while watching a football match. The flickering screen illuminated his relaxed posture.

The moment Rin saw him, his tiredness momentarily vanished, replaced with excitement. He beamed, eager to share his experiences from the day.

Just as he took a step toward Hayes, Min-Ju's sharp voice cut through the air.

"Rin."

He froze mid-step, already knowing what was coming. Slowly, he turned to face her.

"Are you really about to sit down and chat while you're still covered in sweat and dirt?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rin sheepishly scratched the back of his head before quickly making his way to his room to take a shower.

After the Shower

Feeling refreshed, Rin grabbed the stat ring and slipped it onto his finger, hoping to see any improvements from his grueling training. His heart pounded with anticipation, but as the blue screen materialized, his excitement quickly faded.

[No skill or abilities found about the user]

A brief wave of disappointment washed over him, but this time, it didn't linger. He remembered Hayes' words—"It isn't the skill that makes a Hunter, it's their will."

With a small nod to himself, Rin left his room, now dressed in fresh clothes with a towel draped over his head. As he dried his damp hair, he made his way back to the living room, plopping down beside Hayes. Meanwhile, Min-Ju was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Hayes, sensing an opportunity for conversation, glanced at Rin and smirked.

"So, how was your day? Hopefully, it wasn't too brutal. Your training schedule looked insane."

Rin grinned, his brows furrowing slightly as he recalled the day's events. He recounted the mountain hike, the argument with Min-Ju, and—most importantly—the fact that he had actually won that argument.

Hayes' expression immediately shifted into one of shock. His mouth fell open, his jaw practically hitting the floor.

"You won an argument against Min-Ju?!" he exclaimed, setting down his drink. "Rin… must I teach you everything? Rule number one: You don't win an argument against a woman. Ever. And please, for the love of all things good, tell me you already finished your combat training."

Rin hesitated, then shook his head.

Hayes groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. Get ready to win against her again tomorrow because she is not going to take it easy on you."

A sinking feeling settled in Rin's stomach. The weight of realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He had truly messed up.

Slumping forward, he buried his face in his hands, regretting every moment of that debate.