WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Haruto
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ I Became the EX-Rank Pet Maker Hunters Obsess Over ◈
Chapter 12: License
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“...What? You cannot accept my commission...?”
Baek Seola asked again, her voice trembling slightly.
‘Why...?’
What did he mean by raising her hopes this high, only to say he would not take her commission?
Countless possibilities flashed through Baek Seola’s mind.
‘Is it because of his contract with Wolyeong? Did Guild Master Yeon Harim do something? Or perhaps... does he simply not like me?’
...No matter how hard she thought, she could not find a reason that made sense.
So Baek Seola asked Yoo Hyun.
“Could you... tell me why?”
“Right now, I cannot make a proper pet for you, Hunter Baek Seola.”
...?
That was a different nuance from what she had expected.
It sounded like he could not make one because the circumstances did not allow it.
Yoo Hyun calmly explained.
“A pet that could help Hunter Baek Seola needs at least a B-rank mana core. That is the minimum requirement.”
Well... that made sense. She was an A-rank Hunter, so a pet with too low a rank would not be much help.
That was why B-rank was the minimum.
She could understand that much.
‘Then perhaps...’
“...Is it difficult to cultivate a B-rank or higher magical beast with your current equipment?”
That was probably it. Considering the price of B-rank magical beasts, the materials would be incredibly expensive, and the equipment costly as well. The owner of a small pet shop like this probably could not afford high-end equipment.
But Yoo Hyun’s answer was different.
“No. I brought in some good equipment recently, so it is not an equipment issue. The machines are not that bad, so I can cultivate up to B-rank somehow.”
“Then why...?”
Yoo Hyun answered Baek Seola in a bitter voice.
“I do not have a license...”
“...A license...?”
Baek Seola blinked.
She had probably never heard of it before.
“Regulations in Korea are so strict that individuals are not allowed to freely create high-rank magical beasts.”
...An individual could make weapons for B-rank Hunters without any restrictions, yet they were not allowed to make B-rank pets of the same rank.
If someone created a B-rank or higher magical beast without a license, they became a criminal.
...Without a license, I cannot even make C-rank magical beasts unless they are commissions from Hunters.
‘There was no mention of licenses in the latest deregulation...’
I understood it to an extent. Unlike blacksmiths, Magic Beast Alchemists create living things, so people likely consider their work far more dangerous than making Hunter equipment.
Baek Seola thought for a moment before speaking.
“I heard regulations on magical beasts were recently eased... but the license issue was not resolved?”
Yoo Hyun nodded.
That was right. Contrary to my expectations, the deregulation had only gone halfway.
“Most of the regulations eased this time were revised to benefit corporations, not private businesses. Things are better overall than before, but the license issue, which is my biggest obstacle, remains unchanged.”
“......”
Baek Seola seemed lost in thought for a moment.
She probably had not expected him to refuse the commission because he lacked a license.
It drove home once again how far behind Korea was in magical beast pets.
Baek Seola cautiously spoke.
“Could you not find a way to get that license now? With your skills, would it not be possible, Mr. Yoo Hyun?”
If that were possible, I would not be saying this.
I briefly explained how to obtain the license.
“No... That is... absurd...”
Tell me about it.
It was ridiculous even as I explained it.
After hearing me out, Baek Seola finally gave up and headed out of the shop.
“......Then I will look for a way. Once the issue is resolved, I will apply for the commission again.”
“I would appreciate that.”
Jingle-
Baek Seola left just like that.
* * *
When Baek Seola entered Dongbaek Guild’s building, her secretary came out to greet her.
“Guild Master, you are back. Did the discussion go well?”
“Ah.”
Only after arriving at the guild building did Baek Seola realize something.
“Come to think of it... I forgot about the contract...”
“Pardon...?”
She had completely forgotten her original purpose while consulting him about a custom pet.
* * *
After Baek Seola left, Yoo Hyun sighed as he kneaded Haengbok.
Squish, squish.
“Whew... I want to make B-rank or higher magical beasts too...”
“Pant, pant...”
I had bought a high-end Lionel incubator capable of cultivating B-rank magical beasts, but I could not use its B-rank cultivation function.
‘Will they address licenses in the next round of deregulation...?’
No, that probably would not happen. Honestly, the government would be content with easing regulations for corporations. It would not want to ease regulations for individuals as well.
To be honest, I doubted there was anyone else in the country besides me capable of making B-rank magical beasts as an individual, so the government probably did not see a need to fix this.
Besides, obtaining the license itself was extremely easy.
The Magical Beast Creation License was absolutely necessary to make B-rank or higher magical beasts.
The condition for receiving it was simple.
Work as a Magic Beast Alchemist for three years.
Without a single accident or incident.
Of course, simply fulfilling the time requirement was not the end of it. There were written exams and several other tests, but none of them were especially difficult.
Anyway.
Since I had only awakened a year ago, getting the license was impossible.
“...Hunter Baek Seola will take care of it somehow.”
She was the one who had hit a wall in her growth. She was the one in a hurry.
[ Name 》 Baek Seola ]
[ Species 》 Human ]
[ Awakened Rank 》 A-rank ]
[ Position 》 All-purpose mage ]
[ Combat Tendency 》 Prefers coordinating the battlefield from the center of the team. Prefers moving flexibly according to the situation. ]
[ Areas for Improvement 》 Tends to focus on ice magic, but this is not a major issue. Her technical ability is close to complete. Improving her raw power appears to be effective. ]
“There is no way to cover stats like these with a low-rank pet.”
“Pant, pant...”
This was completely different from Yeon Harim. She needed a catalyst to use her abilities, while Baek Seola simply needed a pet with high output.
‘Considering the Customer Window and what we discussed, Baek Seola has developed into a perfect Hunter.’
She was the most ideal Hunter I had met so far.
As expected of the former number one female Hunter...
‘...I will wait for Hunter Baek Seola to handle this somehow.’
I would be busy again starting tomorrow.
Wolyeong Guild’s collaboration system would finally be completed tomorrow, and I would be taking custom pet commissions again.
* * *
The next day.
Jingle-
“Um... Is Mr. Yoo Hyun here? I am Jang Jaeseok, leader of Wolyeong Guild’s Beta Team.”
“Ah, you are here. I heard about you. Come over and have a seat.”
Jang Jaeseok approached, his steps filled with both tension and anticipation.
I checked his Customer Window.
[ Name 》 Jang Jaeseok ]
[ Species 》 Human ]
[ Awakened Rank 》 B-rank ]
[ Position 》 Vanguard tank ]
[ Combat Tendency 》 Prefers leading the party’s formation from the very front. Prefers aggressive tanking to maintain stable aggro control. ]
[ Areas for Improvement 》 His defense is very high, but his taunting ability falls below average, causing him to rely on damage output to manage aggro. As a result, he is often injured and in danger. Improving his taunting ability should allow for more stable tanking. ]
‘Hm, there is a clear problem.’
I had a rough idea now, so the consultation was not difficult.
Unlike Baek Seola, Jang Jaeseok was the type with an obvious flaw.
Easy. So easy.
A little while later...
“Gasp...! You saw through all that? I cannot believe it... Then have you identified the problem with my tanking as well?”
Jang Jaeseok sounded as though he were testing me, but I answered smoothly without hesitation.
“Your taunting ability is probably lacking, making aggro difficult to manage. That is why you fight more aggressively to maintain aggro. From your perspective, it is the best way to protect your team. But it looks extremely dangerous from the outside, so others likely think your tanking is unstable.”
“Ah... Aah... Even my teammates do not know that! But you understand me...!! That is right... I never want my teammates to get hurt. But my teammates say my tanking looks too dangerous, that it makes them anxious... Sniff... I have been suffering over this for a long time...”
“I see...”
If he seemed unable to hold enemies in place, the damage dealers would lose their sense of security and would not be able to attack with confidence.
It was not hard to infer from the consultation that the complaints had piled up, and some team members had begun quietly grumbling to Jang Jaeseok.
I could practically picture it.
Perhaps because he had a lot built up inside, Jang Jaeseok continued.
“Sniff... Every time... I enter a Gate worried that aggro might slip away. Then, in the last Gate, we ran into too many monsters and I let a few get past me...”
‘Wait a second... Is this a custom pet consultation or therapy...?’
What was I doing?
I had gotten enough information, so I should end the consultation here. At this rate, Jang Jaeseok might start crying and hug me.
“Ahem... I have a rough idea of what kind of pet I should make for you.”
“Already...? Th-then I can be like Gamma Team too...!”
“Of course. Come back in exactly ten days.”
“Only ten days for a custom pet... As expected, your skills are as incredible as I had heard...”
Someone might complain that I was rushing the job because the time was too short, but Gamma Team’s achievements at Wolyeong Guild had been so astounding that they seemed to have considerable trust in me.
After that, I spent my days consulting Wolyeong Guild members every few days and accepting pet creation commissions.
Then, at last, on the tenth day.
Jang Jaeseok, my first customer after the collaboration, headed toward a Gate with his newly born magical beast.
“...Team Leader, aggro will not slip this time, right?”
“Last time, we almost got into serious trouble.”
The gathered team members made a few bitter remarks. But that would end today.
“Do not worry, everyone. I got a new pet.”
At Jang Jaeseok’s relaxed words, interest lit up in his teammates’ eyes.
“......A pet from that place I have only heard about... I am looking forward to it.”
“I had a consultation recently too, and Mr. Yoo Hyun was seriously uncanny! Even aside from the pet, I feel like I would want a consultation just for the sake of it.”
“I am jealous... When will it be my turn...?”
“Everyone, enough small talk. Let us begin the briefing.”
The Beta Team entered the B-rank Gate.
A bizarre noise continued to spread from the shell of the hermit-crab-shaped magical beast clinging to Jang Jaeseok’s shoulder.
“Kieeeeeeeek-!!!!!”
And as a result...
“Chubby chubby-!!!!!!!”
The B-rank magical beasts, Tyrant Bears, charged in with wild excitement. They surrounded Jang Jaeseok and hammered him mercilessly with their forepaws.
Bang-! Boom-!! Bang, bang-!!!
“Fuckkkkk-!!! There are way too many of them-!!!!”
Jang Jaeseok was pummeled by bears rushing in from every direction. There was no way to deal damage.
No, there was no need to deal damage anymore.
‘No, why is its aggro ability this insane...!!!’
[ Model Name 》 Noise Shell ]
[ Mana Core Rank 》 D ]
[ Lifespan 》 3 years ]
[ Traits 》 Resonance Amplification (C+) Damage Absorption (C+) ]
An absurd magical beast pet whose traits enhanced his taunting ability while increasing his defense...!
Still, stable tanking was far more grueling than Jang Jaeseok had expected.
“Arghhh-!!!! Stop hitting me, you fucking bastards-!!!!”
“Team Leader, good...!!! Keep holding on!!!!!!”
“Wow, Team Leader, what is that tanking? How is it so stable...? He is like a Simmons mattress.”
“This is crazy... The best tanking ever... Hang in there, Team Leader!!!”
That day, the Beta Team led by Jang Jaeseok achieved record-breaking results.
* * *
Dongbaek Guild Master’s office.
Baek Seola’s cold voice rang through the room.
“How did the matter I mentioned turn out?”
“Um... They said they would issue the license as a special exception if he has proper achievements.”
“...Achievements? Even after I made the request, that is what they said?”
Was it because she had fallen to second place among female Hunters? Government agencies seemed to react differently than they had in the past.
She did not want to acknowledge it... but her desire to reclaim first place seemed to be growing stronger.
“Sigh... So what exactly counts as proper achievements?”
The secretary explained carefully, trying not to upset her.
“......They said that if Mr. Yoo Hyun places in an Officially Recognized Magical Beast Creation Competition... it can be processed without issue...”
A creation competition...? Of course Mr. Yoo Hyun could place without any trouble.
Baek Seola’s voice softened considerably.
“When is the soonest competition in Korea?”
“That is... There are not any in Korea.”
“What...?”
* * *
Yoo Hyun’s pet shop.
“...Germany?”
“Yes... I am terribly sorry, but Dongbaek will cover all expenses and provide every kind of support on site. Could you possibly consider it...?”
Baek Seola spoke in a voice that sounded almost like she might cry.
So the condition she had somehow secured for issuing the license was placing in a competition...?
A trip to Europe? Hell yes.
Footnotes:
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