WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 20: A Moment of Leisure with a Cup of Coffee (2)

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"Hmm, you have quite the nerve."

The Countess slightly lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Seeing a cat transform into a human and not even flinching... Not quite the reaction expected from the youth these days. Ah, that's a compliment, by the way."

"Thank you. I've always had strong nerves. Even see ghosts and all that."

"Ahaha. Even making jokes now. Impressive."

The Countess chuckled, fanning herself with a folding fan.

I meant it seriously, though.

"Uh..."

"Hmm..."

The Hunters glanced at each other. Except for the Countess, no one dared to laugh. The HR managers, previously shouting out signing bonuses, quieted down as soon as the Countess arrived.

"Excuse me, Guild Leader, but..."

The burly blond Hunter cautiously began.

"Please, go ahead."

"Is offering 500,000 gold and a vice-guild leader position not a bit excessive? Of course, the achievement of conquering the 10th floor is remarkable. However, Kim Gong-Ja Hunter's actual abilities are still... unknown..."

They stammered more and more as they went on. It was not because they had suddenly developed aphasia. The Countess was covering her mouth with her fan and fixing them with a steady, smiling gaze over it.

"......"

The Hunter closed their mouth, realizing that nothing they said would make a difference. The Countess was a powerhouse, ranking 3rd. Simply put, they were not in the same league.

"Are you finished being discourteous?"

"…Yes."

"Then, before you become any more discourteous, summon your superiors. I’m sorry, but there’s no point talking with you. Ah, if anyone here can bid more than 500,000 gold, that’s another matter. Feel free to remain seated."

A polite way of saying 'get lost'.

Middle managers had no choice but to leave when told to do so. The HR managers left, one by one.

Ten minutes later, a new group of Hunters walked in.

"Damn Sang-Ryun! Bloodsuckers!"

Rank 5. The leader of Celestial Martial Clan, Viper.

"Hmm. We've been outmaneuvered. I must admit it was our oversight."

Rank 4. The leader of the Pantheon, Heretic Inquisitor.

"Oversight is an odd word. Our task today wasn't to welcome a new hero, but to prevent existing Hunters from getting agitated. The Guild Leader went too far."

Rank 8. The vice-guild leader of the Vigilante Corps, Paladin.

"......"

And even the leader of the Black Dragon Guild, the Black Witch, ranking 2nd.

'Wow.'

I marveled inwardly.

'A total mobilization. Total.'

The scene was formidable.

The top rankers I had only seen in interviews or articles were now alive, sitting right across from me. It was a moment when I truly realized how much my value had risen.

"Please, take a seat."

The Countess smiled, resting her chin on her hand.

"Been a while since we all gathered like this. Seems like only yesterday we were together conquering the 2nd floor. Time is indeed cruel. We've grown old."

"Shut it, Sang-Ryun! Before I boil you into butterfly soup."

Viper growled.

The leader of Celestial Martial Clan was a one-eyed, middle-aged hunter known as the first person to clear the 2nd floor. He wore an eyepatch. It was said the wound beneath it came from challenging the Sword Saint.

"I heard on my way here. What, 500,000 gold? Vice-guild leader? Always playing dress-up as an animal, and now you've lost your mind too? I'd expect this kind of nonsense from you, Sang-Ryun, but vice-guild leader, really? Just..."

"Let's order our coffees first!"

The Heretic Inquisitor cheerfully interrupted.

"It's rude not to do business after entering a shop. We, the leaders of the great guilds responsible for the tower, can't be like that! I'll have a café mocha. What about you all?"

"Ah, I'll have a hot Americano."

"I'm in the mood for an iced café latte."

"…Hazelnut latte. Hot. Extra shot. Grande size."

The guild leaders ordered as if they had been waiting for this.

Only Viper was left confused.

"What? Coffee? No. Hey. The 10th floor's been cleared, the world's in chaos, and you've got room in your stomachs for coffee? What, are your brains soaked in caffeine or something...?"

"Celestial Martial Clan Leader wants a rich espresso, got it."

"I swear, this religious nut..."

"Barista! Take our orders, please!"

Ignoring Viper, the Heretic Inquisitor called out. The barista, startled, trembled. Suddenly tasked with making coffee for the top rankers, the barista's face turned pale.

"Your orders, please?"

"Yes!"

The Heretic Inquisitor smiled brightly.

The blond young man was the leader of the Pantheon. His role was to prevent people gathered from around the world from breaking into religious conflicts, and he was famous for speaking politely to everyone. Apparently, he even used polite speech while torturing terrorists.

"An iced café mocha, tall. A hot Americano, tall. An iced café latte, tall. A hot hazelnut latte with an extra shot, grande size. And a doppio espresso! That's our order!"

"Yes! Yes, yes...!"

"Oh, and-"

The Heretic Inquisitor slowly turned his head.

"What would you like to order, Hunter Kim Gong-Ja?"

Everyone's gaze turned to me. The table fell silent in an instant. Curious looks. Hostile looks. Innocent looks. Calm looks. Expressionless looks. Ten eyes from five faces watched me, testing my reaction.

-Don't flinch.

The Sword Emperor, who had been quiet until then, spoke.

-They're nothing special. Nothing at all! You've even died to Marcus, remember? None of them are better than him.

'I know.'

I was well aware.

'Just a simple test of nerves.'

And it was all an act.

I shrugged my shoulders casually.

"Barista, don't you have a menu?"

"Sorry?"

"I had a macchiato earlier, so I'm not really feeling coffee. I'd like to see the menu... No, never mind. If you have hot chocolate, just give me that."

"Okay, coming right up."

What I needed to show was composure.

'These people didn't just coincidentally gather in a group.'

When the HR managers came earlier and now, different guild Hunters arrived simultaneously.

Was this timing just a coincidence?

'Absolutely not!'

A calculated strategy.

It was all just an act.

'They're trying to unnerve me by swarming in all at once.'

A classic tactic. Similar to a gang cornering someone for intimidation.

'Well, they're a bit more intimidating than ordinary thugs, but...'

The tension in the air was like walking on thin ice.

'Compared to burning alive, it's nothing.'

In other words, it was just thin ice.

Before being killed by the Flame Emperor, I would have been shaking in fear. But now, I wasn't scared at all.

The reason was stupidly simple.

'If they're so tough, let them kill me.'

Even if they killed me, I would be perfectly fine!

The Sword Emperor nodded in agreement.

-Right. That's your talent and strength! Tell them to try and kill you if they dare. Stare them down. Ask them who dares to claim they're a top ranker when they can't even kill!

'Well, thanks for the support. But the punishment won't be lifted.'

-Damn it...!

The Sword Emperor held his head in despair.

"Hmm."

The Heretic Inquisitor's expression changed.

"It's fascinating. Until conquering the 10th floor, Hunter Kim Gong-Ja had no significant achievements on record. Suddenly, a complete transformation... The world is truly unpredictable!"

"He wasn't entirely without achievement."

The Countess, hiding her mouth behind her fan, gave a sly smile.

"This young man recently won our guild's lottery. Lucky indeed. He's got guts and, seeing his conquest of the 10th floor, apparently skill too. Luck, guts, skill, if a young one possesses these three, success is almost guaranteed."

"Hah... That's what I was saying."

Viper sighed from across the table.

"Should've just recruited him without the theatrics! Did you really think someone who conquered the 10th floor would be a clueless newbie? Tsk, pointless act..."

"That's not important right now."

Suddenly, the Black Witch, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"A monk losing face does not mean Buddha has lost face. We are all busy, aren't we? Let's save blaming one another for later."

"Cough..."

"Hunter Kim Gong-Ja."

The Witch looked at me.

"I'll ask you directly. Do you plan to join any guild?"

Her dark eyes fixed on me.

"If you plan to stay unaffiliated like Sword Saint, just let us know. We'll need to discuss how to handle the media accordingly."

"And if I am considering joining a specific guild?"

"Then a fierce bidding war will start."

The Witch spoke calmly.

"We've been stuck on the 9th floor for too long. It's been shameful, to put it mildly. It was disgraceful. But thanks to you breaking through the 10th floor, we have a new opportunity to advertise the value of the tower to the outside world."

"An opportunity."

"Yes, an opportunity. Not just for war refugees but to attract various humans from the outside world."

The barista served coffee on a tray. The guild leaders each took a cup without a word. The Witch too quietly sipped her hazelnut latte.

"Especially since opening the 10th floor will motivate the Hunters who've been lounging in the city on the 1st floor. What unknown worlds await from the 11th floor onward? Even the most pragmatic will be curious."

Indeed.

"The food shortage might get a little relief."

"......"

The Witch looked at me, somewhat surprised.

"...You catch on quickly. Right. We're struggling to meet food demands with just the items harvested from below the 9th floor."

"I do keep the trade route with the outside world open around the clock, but..."

The Countess laughed.

"As I get older, it's becoming a bit more challenging. Not as spry as I used to be."

"We need new products now."

The Witch continued.

"We have to attract adventurers to worlds beyond the 10th floor. We need to find items exclusive to those regions."

"Then you need a way to appeal aggressively to both the outside world and the tower. A way to make a huge announcement that [A New Era Has Begun!]. You’re saying that way is me, aren’t you?"

"Right. Precisely."

All of this was to happen in the future.

The reason why the great guilds couldn't easily manipulate someone like Flame Emperor, who lived only for himself, was this. A hero, whether liked or not, becomes an icon of a new era.

For the tower to continue growing, such a hero is essential!

'But still, the Black Dragon tried to assassinate the Flame Emperor.'

I recalled the conversation I overheard in the slum alley.

-Who ordered my assassination? Just answer that.

-Was it the Black Witch of the Black Dragon who orchestrated this?

At that time, the Saintess slowly nodded her head.

If the Saintess didn't lie, the Witch in front of me actually attempted to poison the Flame Emperor. The reason is unknown now, but...

'We'll get along just fine.'

Why?

'Anyone who hates that Flame Bastard can't be all bad!'

An enemy of an enemy is a friend, perhaps.

A sense of camaraderie seemed to arise.

"I understand what you're saying. The guild that successfully recruits me will become a symbol of the new era. The rest will inevitably end up as supporting cast."

"Yes."

"Then let me propose this..."

The Hunters focused on my words.

I pulled out a deck of playing cards from my pocket.

"…Playing cards?"

The Witch tilted her head.

"Don't tell me you want to decide which guild to join through a game? Poker?"

"Yes."

"……."

"I’ll join the guild of whoever takes first place in the poker game. I don’t need a signing bonus or a position. But!"

I grinned.

"If I win, I will [simultaneously join] all the guilds represented here."

"……."

"Ah, I mean just in name. Treat me as an equal. It's good for you to exploit my image, and it's good for me to be treated on par with the leaders of top guilds. What do you think?"

Suddenly, the guild leaders' expressions changed.

"Ahaha."

The Countess burst into laughter.

"A young man who's just conquered one floor wants to be treated the same as us?"

"Yes. If I win this card game against you."

"Interesting. I'm in."

The Countess put down her coffee cup and looked around.

"What do the rest of you say?"

"I'm fine with it, provided there's no cheating!"

The Heretic Inquisitor was the first to agree.

"…We won't use skills. Otherwise, it's too advantageous for you. If caught using a skill, that person is automatically disqualified."

Then Viper agreed.

"I'm in. We can't afford to bid anyway. If we lose, we lose nothing, but if we win, it's a jackpot."

And Paladin consented.

"……."

Finally, the Witch nodded.

"Fine. I accept your offer."

The gamble was set.

We discussed the detailed rules of poker. The rules were standard, with the top rankers meticulously checking to ensure there were no tricks or cheating involved.

'Sword Emperor.'

As the cards were dealt,

-Eh…?

'Honestly, you really hate calling me Master Gong-Ja, don’t you?'

I called out to the still-despondent Sword Emperor.

'Let's make a deal.’

-What kind of deal…?

'Just call me Master Gong-Ja until this game ends.'

The Sword Emperor's eyes widened.

-Really? Can I do that!?

'Yes, of course.'

I grinned.

'In return, tell me what cards these Hunters are holding.'

-Yay! Yay! Awesome!

The Sword Emperor jumped in excitement.

-Fucking easy! Ah, as expected of Master Gong-Ja! Look at that magnanimous character! How can our Master Gong-Ja be so generous? You want me to tell you what hands these bastards have? Don’t worry. I’ll even tell you whether they’re dealing from the bottom of the deck! Master Gong-Ja!

Alright.

Let's start the game.

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