WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 19: A Moment of Leisure with a Cup of Coffee (1)

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Buzzing chatter.

"Who really cleared the 10th floor?"

"I've been watching the news, but there's nothing. Just rumors..."

"What if the Black Dragon Guild is hiding it on purpose? To dramatically reveal later..."

"Ah. It's definitely the Sword Saint!"

The city of Babylon on the 1st floor of the tower was abuzz.

People rejoiced that the seemingly impenetrable 10th floor had finally been conquered. They gathered in outdoor cafes, speculating about the identity of the mysterious conqueror.

What would their reaction be if they knew I, sitting right next to them, was the one who had broken through the 10th floor?

"Hmm."

"It’s sweet."

I said as I sipped my caramel macchiato. This outdoor café across from the Sang-Ryun headquarters was Babylon’s only StXrbucks.

Even though no one who entered the tower could leave, I felt renewed respect for the enterprising spirit that had managed to open a branch here. There were even franchises whose mascots were a red-nosed clown and a portly old man.

Ah, human desires!

"What do you think, Sword Emperor? Victory is really sweet, isn't it? I feel like even if I drank espresso right now, it would taste sweet. Right?"

-......

"Huh. Is my earphone broken? That's strange. I can't hear any response."

I took out my earphones and tapped them. Of course, no sound came from them.

It was just a ruse.

Talking to myself without earphones would make me look crazy, so I pretended to be on a call with someone. It worked quite well. No one in the café looked at me strangely.

"Sword Emperor? Sir Sword Emperor? Hey, Psychopath Sir. Hey, Crazy Man Sir?"

-...Oh.

"Ah, finally. I was worried you’d gone deaf. Tsk, tsk. Making the exalted Master Gong-Ja worry about you. A human being shouldn’t behave like that."

-......

"Ah, right. You’re not human. You’re a ghost. I forgot because I’m slow. Oh, Sword Emperor. Can we speak casually now? It would be strange for me to keep using polite speech when you call me Master Gong-Ja, wouldn’t it?"

-F... fuck...

The Sword Emperor floating across the table trembled at the shoulders.

-I never suffered humiliation like this when I was alive... I, who was praised as an emperor... as the Emperor of the Sword. How did I die only to meet with such catastrophe...?

“Oh, come on. I’m joking, joking. Even if I’m called Master Gong-Ja, how could I speak casually to a hunter so much my senior? Of course, I could. I could, but for the sake of my dignity, I’ll keep calling you Mr. Sword Emperor. How about it? Satisfied?”

-Just kill me!

The Sword Emperor cried out.

-Just overwrite [Sword Constellation] with a new skill! That would kill me, you bastard! I'd rather die!

"Oh, my. You're making quite a scene. We're partners, aren't we? Lifelong friends. Best buddies! Who would kill their best friend? We're going to be together forever."

-Oh... I'm done... I won't say anything more. Marcus... I want to go back to Marcus...

Ah, sweet victory.

I sipped my coffee and looked up at the sky.

[22:32:50]

The celestial clock had already marked an hour and a half.

Just when I was thinking it was about time for them to arrive...

-Meow.

"Hmm?"

A brown-furred cat approached me. Not looking like a stray, rather well-groomed. The unique feature was that instead of a bell, it had two gold coins around its neck.

"......"

Gulp.

I considered how to react.

'The Gold Coin Cat.'

-Huh?

'Gold Coin Cat. It's really famous... Ah, people might not know it yet.'

This cat wasn't an ordinary pet.

In about five years, it would become a widely recognized mascot.

'...I didn't expect such a big shot to come to me directly.'

I had no choice but to pretend ignorance.

I calmly looked down at the cat, managing my expression.

"Lost your way?"

-Meow.

The brown cat rubbed against my leg. It would've seemed like a genuinely friendly cat to anyone who didn't know its true identity.

"Shall we hang out until your owner comes?"

-Meow.

"Up you go."

I picked up the cat and placed it on my lap. The brown cat comfortably curled up as if it had aimed for this spot from the start. It even yawned while purring.

'They said she was crazy about cats, but what incredible acting skills.'

While stroking the cat's head, a group of Hunters approached the café. One of them spoke to me first.

"Excuse me. Are you Hunter Kim Gong-Ja?"

"Hmm."

At a glance, their gear was impressive. Not just any randoms, these were at least guild executives, if not leaders. They had gathered at this outdoor café.

I pulled out my ID and showed it to them.

"I was wondering how long it would take. Exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes."

"......!"

Their eyes wavered upon seeing my ID. A ripple of disturbance spread among them. The Hunters hastily took out their phones and started contacting someone.

"Yes. I found him!"

"At the café right opposite the bank..."

"No. The other guilds are all gathered here too... Yes. Yes! Understood, Colonel."

"It's alright. We won't let any other guild snatch him!"

The calm before the storm.

I watched the unfolding scene with satisfaction.

'Feels like a true VIP, doesn't it?'

-Well, most guilds will be eager to recruit you. You're the first to clear the 10th floor alone. Of course, you are a VIP.

'True. Someone who cleared all the way to the 99th floor addresses me as Master Gong-Ja, so it would be strange if I weren’t a VIP.'

-Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuck!

The Hunters finished their calls one by one.

Then, one after the other, with tense faces, they turned to me.

As I waited to see which guild would make the first move, a burly blond hunter stepped forward.

"I'm the HR manager of the Vigilante Corps Guild. Hunter Kim Gong-Ja. As you know, the Vigilante Corps is the most honorable guild in Babylon. If you join us..."

"Wait a moment, please."

I raised my hand. The HR manager of the Vigilante Corps paused.

"Sorry to interrupt. But let's clarify two things first."

"......"

"First, don't leak it to the media yet."

I looked around at the Hunters. There was not a single one among them with a rank lower than mine. Back in the days before my regression, I wouldn't have dared to look up at these Hunters.

But I was not intimidated at all.

Achievements!

I had the feat of being the first human to conquer the 10th floor of the tower.

Regardless of rank, this was a monumental achievement that no one could take away from me.

Capable Hunters valued achievements highly. If they were truly capable, they couldn't treat me lightly.

"Any guild that leaks my name to the media will never make a deal with me. I won't even consider them. Keep that in mind."

"Until when, exactly?" another Hunter asked, raising their hand.

"The journalists from Summons Times are scouring every guild as we speak... Mr. Kim Gong-Ja, even if we try to keep it secret, I honestly can't say how long we can keep this under wraps."

"Well, I'm not asking you to keep it a secret for long."

I pointed to the sky.

The Hunters also looked up.

[22:25:31]

"Just for today. Keep the embargo until that clock hits 00:00:00."

"Ah! Yes. We can manage that."

The Hunters sighed in relief.

I smiled.

'No point getting mobbed by reporters when I need to race to the 11th floor the moment it opens.'

I spoke again.

"That was the first condition. Now, for the second..."

The Hunters watched me intently, tense with anticipation of another tough condition.

I grinned and gestured around.

"This is a public place, let's be considerate of other customers."

"Excuse me?"

"Can't you feel everyone looking over here? Everyone's panicked because you all suddenly crowded around."

I was right.

Other customers at the café were stealing glances our way. Whispering. Many looked at us with suspicion, some even trying to discreetly film with their phones.

"It's causing a disturbance."

"......"

"I understand you're all busy looking for me, but let's take it slow. I'm not going anywhere."

"Sorry for the inconvenience."

Belatedly, the hunters came to their senses and scattered around.

“Sorry. We can’t explain the circumstances, but if you could give us some space...”

“Owner, how much would it cost to rent out this café for an hour?”

“Everyone, thank you for understanding! If you visit Celestial Martial Clan later, we’ll thank you properly...”

The officers of the great guilds were impressive indeed. It took them less than five minutes to bow to the customers and rent the establishment from its owner. In under five minutes, the café had been neatly emptied.

We moved from the outdoor seating into the café and resumed our conversation.

"Let's begin the discussion. Please, state your offers."

Interestingly, the Hunters each had a coffee cup in hand. They had ordered coffee in response to my comment about causing a disturbance. Cute.

"The Vigilante Corps offers a signing bonus of 10,000 gold."

That was the starting point.

"10,000 gold? Showing off your poverty in such a gathering? Mr. Kim Gong-Ja! Join the Adventure Guild. 20,000 gold as a signing bonus, and we'll offer you an executive position."

"Join Celestial Martial Clan. We're a specialized guild in Babylon that trains combat-focused Hunters. We'll welcome you as an instructor with a signing bonus of 25,000 gold."

"An instructor is just a nuisance. Think about it. Mr. Kim Gong-Ja! Join the Pantheon. We promise you an honorary position. Honestly, we'd like you to handle external and internal promotions for the temple. 30,000 gold as a signing bonus, plus additional per project...!"

"Come to the Hunter Administration! Become our promotional ambassador!"

Chaos ensued.

The HR managers desperately wooed me. I understood their position. Up until now, the top guilds had been somewhat suppressed by the name 'Sword Saint'.

A rank 1 Hunter, unaffiliated with any guild, dominating the scene!

Such a presence makes people wonder if joining a guild is really necessary. They think maybe solo play is the real answer...

'But that's just because Sword Saint is special.'

Guilds' images definitely took a hit.

'A new hero as sensational as Sword Saint has emerged?'

I smiled.

'They'll do anything to recruit me.'

For the HR managers, it must have been an order: recruit me at all costs, no matter what. It was obvious.

"Vigilante Corps can offer 36,000 gold..."

"Let the poorer guilds step back, please?"

"Are you seriously competing in thousands of gold units? Can't you read the atmosphere?"

"We at Alchemy Castle offer...!"

Then, a weighty voice resonated.

"Sang-Ryun."

"500,000 gold."

"......"

Every hunter turned toward the voice. Their gazes landed on my lap, specifically on the cat curled up there. The cat meowed and sprang into the air. When it pushed off my lap, its hind paws were still the soft paws of an animal, but by the time it landed on the café floor, they had become human feet in shoes.

"A signing bonus of 500,000 gold. If you wish, I can hand it over right here. And I will give you the position of vice-guild leader of Sang-Ryun."

The Hunter ranked 3rd.

The Countess, the guild leader of the Merchant Union.

"500,000 gold and the position of Vice-Guild Leader. What do you say?"

The woman with the [Transformation] skill smiled. Over 40, but looking like she's in her 20s, she must be consuming top-grade life-extending potions daily.

Typical of the wealthiest Hunter in the tower.

"Hmm."

A person I would never have met in my previous life.

I maintained composure and smiled.

"Now, the negotiation finally feels like a negotiation."

The first phase of the negotiation for my worth was complete.

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