Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Eye of the Storm (3)

There were a total of 50 contestants who had advanced to the Super Hunter K finals.

All of them had earned the right to appear on television.

Of these, ultimately only sixteen Hunters would remain, and from that point on, the broadcast would be aired live.

'... Breathe, I can't breathe.'

Soo-ah felt as if her breath was completely blocked.

She was currently in the auditorium where the 50 finalists of Super Hunter K were gathered.

It was a venue prepared for a brief explanation about the program Super Hunter K and its future broadcast content, ahead of the official recording.

"Hey, isn't that Lee Soo-ah?"

"Lee Soo-ah? Who's that?"

"You don't know her? She's the one notorious as the Party Breaker."

Soo-ah's shoulders shrunk further at the whispers around her.

Since most of the Super Hunter K finalists were C- to B-rank Hunters, there were quite a few who recognized Soo-ah.

Some were well-known Hunters thanks to Internet broadcasts, and some were there because they couldn't settle for being just rising stars.

There were also those who, despite years of activity, couldn't break the B-rank wall and decided to enter Super Hunter K.

'I'm just glad I made it...'

Soo-ah was a C-rank Hunter.

C-rank was a decent level—regarded as upper-mid-tier among Hunters—but considering the skills of the Hunters gathered here, it was a precarious position.

In fact, there were even C-rank Hunters among those eliminated during the preliminaries.

"But how did she pass?"

"Well, that's obvious."

"Obvious? How so?"

Soo-ah perked up her ears as she listened to the nearby Hunters' conversation about her.

She was actually curious about the reason she had made it in.

"Don't they need Hunters to play the villain, too?"

"Ah, true. The title 'Party Breaker' might have been rare enough for them."

"Only those in the know recognize that nickname, but it's the job of TV producers to spice such things up, isn't it?"

She regretted eavesdropping, but at the same time, it was a reason that oddly made sense.

Although Soo-ah had recently been active in Daejeon, before that, she had moved around looking for parties in various regions.

There was only one reason: her 'notoriety' was quickly revealed everywhere she went.

She'd managed to stay relatively long in her hometown, daejeon, but even that was soon coming to an end.

Since most Hunters here were of similar rank to her, it must have been all the easier for rumors to spread.

BEEEEP—!

At that moment, ear-piercing feedback from the microphone filled the auditorium.

The chattering Hunters finally stopped and saw a man ascending the podium.

"Ah, hello everyone."

A man with a gentle, pleasant-sounding voice.

He was one of the figures regarded as an idol among Hunters.

"Baek Hojun?!"

"Baek Hojun is coming out on this season of Super Hunter K?"

Baek Hojun, known as the 'Blade Master', an S-rank Hunter.

One of the few S-rank Hunters in Korea and a true poster-boy for the profession.

With his fairly handsome appearance and friendly personality, he was very popular and had a huge fanbase.

For such a famous Hunter to appear on Super Hunter K was essentially an indication that HSN was making a serious investment this season.

"First, I'd like to congratulate all the Hunters who have made it to the Super Hunter K finals. With all these skilled Hunters from across the country gathered here, even my heart is racing."

With those words, he lightly clapped his hands.

A few staff members came on stage and began lining up chairs on the podium.

"During this rehearsal, we'll show you how Super Hunter K will be run, and introduce the mentors who will be joining us."

He then began a presentation projected onto a screen behind him, explaining this season's Super Hunter K.

This time, Super Hunter K was not just a competition among Hunters—it would also serve as a showcase for the skills of each management agency. The winner would receive massive support from HSN, and so forth.

The terms being listed were enough to whet any Hunter's appetite.

Even making the Top 16 meant significant support, but the winner would enjoy overwhelming benefits.

Such support was usually only available to A-rank or higher Hunters—the core assets of each management—but now it would be offered to C and B-rank Hunters. This was not just a stepping stone for growth, it was more like being given wings.

'I have to get the attention of one of the top three management agencies no matter what.'

'So the mentors will be top Hunters representing each agency?'

'That means our goal is pretty much set.'

Naturally, everyone's attention was fixed on the soon-to-be-introduced mentors.

During this Super Hunter K, the higher-rank Hunters would guide them— and depending on how much help they received, their chances of winning would change.

"Alright, since we've covered the basics, let me introduce the mentors."

Raising his hand, Baek Hojun called out the names of each management agency and their representative Hunters.

"Ji Yeon-hwa of Upstream Management."

At Baek Hojun's call, a tall, strikingly beautiful woman with a confident lift of her chin walked onto the stage—Ji Yeon-hwa, who had recently established herself as one of Upstream's top Hunters.

"Is that really Ji Yeon-hwa?"

"No way, insane. There were rumors she'd reach S-rank soon—now she's mentoring here?"

Unsurprisingly, the auditorium buzzed with excitement.

She was renowned as the undisputed pinnacle of Korea's mages.

For such a person to appear as a mentor on a mere TV show was truly shocking.

"And next, Cha Tae-sung of the Mirae Guild."

More management introductions followed, but none were as shocking as Ji Yeon-hwa's appearance. Most were A-rank or above, but none close to S-rank like Ji Yeon-hwa.

As most of the introductions finished, Baek Hojun gave a small, sly smile.

"Seems this person is joining too."

Seeing Baek Hojun smile—when he hadn't shown much reaction before—sent a commotion through the room.

'Who could it be?'

'Don't tell me...'

If Baek Hojun was showing such a reaction, it meant, at a minimum, someone on par with or beyond Ji Yeon-hwa.

So most Hunters stared at Baek Hojun, faces brimming with anticipation.

But one person alone—Ji Yeon-hwa—bit her lower lip, frowning as if she already knew who would be called next.

As all eyes focused forward, Baek Hojun slowly opened his mouth.

"Shin Ah-yeon of Unique."

An S-rank Hunter, and one of only seven Great Mages in the world.

A member of the legendary raid team that conquered one of the five Great Demon Realms, previously thought to be unconquerable.

Recently, she made a spectacular comeback by showcasing a whole new concept of magic.

The peerless genius lauded by Edward Chapperson, the man considered the greatest mage of the era. He once said, "She is a star that appeared in this dark world of magic," earning her the title 'Great Mage of Stars.'

"Seriously?"

"I mean, sure, everyone saw her in that recent dungeon exploration, but... Is she really coming on Super Hunter K too?"

"But isn't Unique a nearly ruined management agency by now?"

As the Hunters murmured, a tall woman with long, black hair timidly made her way to the stage and gave a slow, awkward bow. She really seemed out of place at an event like this.

Baek Hojun let out a dry laugh at her awkward demeanor.

"Ah-yeon-ssi, you should be used to these events by now. Why are you so nervous?"

"Uh—ah, no, it's just... It's been so long since my last."

Baek Hojun's rare attempt at small talk made the other Hunters realize just how famous Shin Ah-yeon really was. Even though she'd been half-retired because of the Rift Incident three years ago, Baek Hojun spoke to her as if to an old friend.

"Now that I think about it, Baek Hojun was in that Demon Realm raid with her."

"So, they became close back then?"

But contrary to what they guessed, for Ah-yeon, Baek Hojun just felt awkward; she just wanted to hurry up and sit next to the other mentors. If it were the old days, maybe she'd be fine, but now Baek Hojun was just an uncomfortable presence.

'Ugh, the aura of this social butterfly...'

Nor did her own manager, Jung-woo, give a particularly easy impression.

It wasn't so much his fierce look, but rather the way he behaved—like someone who'd led many people before.

And yet, for some strange reason, Jung-woo didn't feel as unfamiliar.

He even felt somewhat familiar.

She honestly didn't know why, but that was how she'd felt even the first time she saw him three years ago and when he came back after three years.

Oddly enough, an urge to trust and help him—a strange kind of feeling.

In any case, unlike Jung-woo, being around Hojun was very uncomfortable.

Even when she was active in raids, she'd felt uncomfortable whenever Hojun kept speaking to her, and now, for him to act so familiar again...

'Back then, I was more used to people so it was fine, but these days, it's just not easy.'

Thinking that, Ah-yeon shot a glance toward Jung-woo, who was already standing by the chairs set for the mentors.

For not only the mentors but also their managers had come on stage.

After chatting for a bit longer, Baek Hojun seemed to realize he'd monopolized her time and sheepishly grinned.

"Ah, sorry for holding you up. Please take your seat now."

"Yes, yes..."

Shin Ah-yeon gave an awkward laugh, bowed hurriedly, and finally sat down.

As she sighed in relief, Jung-woo let out a little chuckle and spoke.

"Why so tense?"

"If you hadn't insisted, I wouldn't have come at all."

"You do fine with people in games. Even when you were with a pro-gamer last time, you were okay, weren't you?"

"That's because we had similar interests."

Her face was already becoming recognizable, and to have to treat an old acquaintance—who she wasn't that close to—as a friend was a bother.

Honestly, she couldn't even remember Baek Hojun's face before he spoke to her. She just recalled him as 'another Korean Hunter who for some reason always tried to make small talk.'

It was like bumping into someone on the street who acts overly familiar and says they were your elementary school classmate. You can't remember them, while they know your name and start reminiscing about old times.

Not that you could pretend you didn't know them—so you respond awkwardly. That's about how she felt.

"Hey, your face is giving you away."

"What?"

"Look to your side. Over there."

At Jung-woo's words, Ah-yeon glanced sideways.

There, biting her lower lip and glaring at her with burning eyes, was a woman.

It was Ji Yeon-hwa—the one Baek Hojun had introduced earlier.

"... Why is she looking at me like that?"

"Her eyes are like she's facing her family's murderer. Did you do something to her in the past?"

"How would I know? I can barely remember that guy's face, much less that woman's!"

Ah-yeon said, shivering.

"Geez, she looks like trouble. What if she tries something?"

"... Who knows?"

Frankly, Jung-woo wasn't greatly worried.

He still remembered the day Ah-yeon first came to Unique and immediately started cursing after being provoked.

And when just words didn't settle things, she settled it with her fists, not holding back at all.

"For a timid person like me, people like that are pure poison."

"If you say so."

"Really! Why do you sound so soulless?"

If she said so, then it was so.

Jung-woo silently decided to let it go.

"Now that the mentor introductions are over, let's have a quick hand-raise survey on which management agency you're most interested in. Just pick one—no raising hands for multiple places like a bat!"

Baek Hojun's joke made the Hunters in the audience glance around cautiously.

He made it sound simple, but in reality, the competition was starting right now.

Knowing which management each Hunter aimed for would drastically change their strategies.

And it wasn't just the 50 contestants— the managements were watching as well.

"All right, starting with Mirae Guild."

At Baek Hojun's call, quite a few people raised their hands.

It was one of the three major managements and, as it started as a 'guild', its Hunter training know-how was extensive.

"Next, Upstream."

The number of Hunters raising hands for Upstream, where Ji Yeon-hwa was mentoring, was noticeably greater than during Mirae Guild's count.

So many, it looked like almost half the room.

It was thanks to Ji Yeon-hwa's presence and the fact that Upstream was recently the most active among the top three management agencies.

"Heh."

Checking the numbers, Ji Yeon-hwa gave a confident smile and glanced at Shin Ah-yeon.

"She's staring right over here now."

"Don't make eye contact. She might pick a fight."

"What is this, a Pokémon game or something?"

Chatting quietly, the remaining managements were introduced.

Aside from the big three, none attracted a particularly large number.

"And now, Unique."

Near the end of the survey, Unique's name was mentioned.

But.

"Huh? No one?"

Baek Hojun sounded surprised—he hadn't expected that, even with Shin Ah-yeon present, not a single person would raise their hand.

'Unique—that's the management blacklisted by Grand Nova, right?'

'No matter how amazing Shin Ah-yeon is, surely nobody would go to a management on the brink of collapse...'

'She'll probably transfer to a better agency later anyway, right?'

If you ended up with a high ranking on Super Hunter K, your final activities would be with the management you were affiliated with. So for Hunters, Unique seemed like a risky choice.

Plus, Shin Ah-yeon was a recent sensation but had been missing for three years.

As a mentor, her ability was open to doubt.

"Pfft!"

As no one raised their hand, Ji Yeon-hwa suddenly snorted.

She tilted her chin and looked at Shin Ah-yeon as if to say, 'this is the difference in level.'

"She's outright flexing now. I'm starting to get pissed."

"Let it go,"

Jung-woo said, trying to calm Ah-yeon.

At that moment, one Hunter hesitantly raised a hand.

"Huh?"

"That kid..."

Nobody expected this Hunter to raise a hand, and a few looked genuinely startled.

She'd been criticized endlessly when she first arrived—so it was surprising.

'... Should I not have done that?'

The woman's face turned crimson as she raised her hand.

It was Lee Soo-ah, the 'Party Breaker' who had remained silent until now.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Good one, Soo-ah! Fight!
「✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡」