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Startled, Jiho looked at the status window that was saying that he can’t check Tae Yong’s information.

Since the [Understand] skill is only powerless against people of a higher rank than he himself is, it means that Kim Tae Yong is, at the very least, an SS-rank. 

But to the public, Kim Tae Yong is known as an S-rank.

It doesn’t match up. According to the system’s explanation of the skill, Jiho should’ve been able to see Kim Tae Yong’s system window, yet he can’t.

‘What’s the system’s standards for the ranks anyway?’

Right now, hunters’ ranks are somewhat affected by human bias.

It’s the same way with Yiwon, who is the only SS-rank–at least from what is known. Despite him being much stronger than other S-ranks, he only became an SS-rank hunter at the end of a long discussion with a lot of people.

But shouldn’t systems like this be run by an absolute rather than be affected by people’s judgments?

‘If you think about it, they’re too strict with the ranks for awakened ones who aren’t combat-types.’

Even Joo Haeun, who created the inventory pocket and fissure prediction device, is only an A-rank inventor. Solely because she doesn’t have a combat skill.

This isn’t a sentiment that only Shin Jiho holds, of course. A lot of people agree that the standards for inventors or support hunters should be relaxed.

But because Korea’s Joo Haeun would most definitely advance to SS-rank if the standards were changed, a lot of countries are currently against it. Since that would mean that one country holds two SS-ranks.

‘There needs to be an objective way to measure ranks.’

If, for whatever reason, Kim Tae Yong was evaluated at a rank lower than what he actually is, isn’t that too disadvantageous for him?

Kim Tae Yong at least receives the treatment of an S-rank hunter; there are many instances where non–combat hunters don’t receive the treatment they deserve because of their low ranks. Even if they’re necessary for the current situation.

‘But what am I?’

Even though he’s checked many awakened ones’ system windows, Jiho’s the only one with a question mark after his rank.

Why is he the exception?

It’s hard to find the answer to that right now.

“Hunter Shin Jiho-nim?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Jiho, who had been lost in thought, came back to his senses. He had been so shocked by the revelation that Kim Tae Yong is at least an SS-rank that he got distracted.

“I ask that you would focus a little.”

“Yes…”

Jiho slowly relaxed his stiffened body. Tae Yong’s mana gradually pushed into Jiho. Above Jiho and Tae Yong’s hands floated a complicated magic formation.

Soon after.

Tae Yong sighed as he let go of Jiho’s hand. He shook his head before bowing his head and apologizing.

“This is a seal that I cannot break with my own strength. I apologize for stepping out of line and not being of any help.”

“It is okay.”

“Your expression does not look very good, are you okay? Did my spell have a negative effect on you, perhaps?”

Tae Yong worriedly checked on Jiho, who was still distracted by the status window. Jiho quickly shook his head.

“N-no. I am fine. I think I was just slightly nervous. Thinking about removing the ring and all.”

Jiho made a flimsy excuse. Though he thought it sounded odd, it seemed to work on Tae Yong. Tae Yong nodded with a serious look on his face.

“It makes sense that you feel that way After all, it must be uncomfortable to have another man remove the ring that your husband put on you.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean husband? He’s not like that.”

“Ah, I apologize. My intention was to help you because you looked uncomfortable, but it seems that my thoughts were short. Please do not be annoyed by your fiancé because of me.”

“No, we aren’t fiances either!”

“But is Chungram’s guildmaster not loving Guildmaster-nim dearly?”

Jiho could feel himself losing his mind. He wanted to rain curses down on Yiwon, who isn’t here right now.

This is why he tells Yiwon to stop making these types of jokes. Not when there’s naive people who believe everything he says.

Jiho sighed and decided to punish Yiwon the next time he makes a joke like this.

“That is just a joke that we have been playing with each other since we were young. We’re especially close because we are like family.”

“Those actions and that gaze does not appear to be a joke. Above all else, Hunter Joo Yiwon cherishes Hunter Shin Jiho very much. He acts completely differently with other people.”

“Of course he acts differently. I’ve known that guy for a long time.”

“No, that is not what I mean. Hunter Joo Yiwon is never that…”

Kim Tae Yong suddenly stopped talking. Jiho waited for a bit before looking at the still-silent Tae Yong.

“That, what?”

“Humane…”

“Humane?”

“No, it’s a bit more than that….”

“A bit more?”

“Um. It seems that you are the only one he treats as a living being, should I say?”

“…I am not sure I understand what you are saying.”

“What I mean is that that person, who usually treats people like tools, treats only Hunter Shin Jiho like a human.”

Jiho was so flabbergasted that his jaw dropped.

Joo Yiwon is kind, and gentle, and friendly to the people. Yiwon puts his life on the line to save normal citizens in even the most dire of situations, and he lives a life with few breaks to ensure the safety of the world.

That Joo Yiwon treats people like tools? While he wasn’t the one being cursed at here, Jiho still felt extremely insulted.

“What do you mean? Joo Yiwon is not someone like that. More than anything, he saved this world.”

“That is true. But though he did save this world, his personality is a different issue.”

“Excuse me…. Yiwon is famous for treating people extremely well. Even when he’s busy, he greets people whenever they stop him, does volunteer work, and…”

“Are there not a lot of people who act differently from how they actually are on the inside?”

Jiho looked at the expression Tae Yong had on his face as he was making such a statement. His black eyes were completely clear and still. Because of his young and mild appearance, Tae Yong looks innocent, making Tae Yong’s sincerity particularly obvious.

That he truly believes that Joo Yiwon is an evil person.

Jiho clenched the fists atop his knees. He started to question if he still needs to entertain Mireu’s guildmaster while listening to such ridiculous slander like this.

‘I’m the only one who can curse that bastard.’

The hero who saved the world. The idol of the people. The overwhelmingly strong SS-rank hunter.

But behind all of those titles, Joo Yiwon is just someone like a family to Shin Jiho.

A guy who was weak, small, and a crybaby when he was young; who gradually grew more and more reliable; and who, at some point, became an annoying rival.

In high school, Jiho always wanted to beat Yiwon. Though he tried his best to beat him, Jiho couldn’t. The gap between them looked like it could be narrowed, but it didn’t. And now, that gap has been completely widened.

The gap between Joo Yiwon and Shin Jiho is still wide. It might be meaningless to compare an SS-rank who is a living legend to a newly-turned S-rank.

Some people feel despair when they see someone at a place much higher than they’re at, but not Jiho. Jiho much preferred Joo Yiwon to be standing where he is now than if he were at a lower, or similar, place as himself.

The Joo Yiwon that Shin Jiho wants to beat is someone everyone recognizes as brilliant. All Jiho wants to do is stand above Yiwon from the high place he’s at now, not see Yiwon lose to others.

Jiho likes the Yiwon who is close to perfect. 

If Yiwon’s going to be knocked down, Jiho will be the one to do it, and if he’s going to be cursed, Jiho will be the one to do that as well. It’s okay for Yiwon to be beat up by him, but he’s not allowed to be beat up by others.

Jiho was angered to the max. But then he heard a light laugh. It was from Lee Rahui, who hadn’t spoken a single word until now.

Jiho glared at that woman without even realizing it. Rahui bowed her head slightly and apologized.

“Sorry, Hunter Shin Jiho. I hope you will understand. Our guildmaster is a little sensitive after he went up against Hunter Joo Yiwon and lost.”

Jiho remembered how Tae Yong seemed strangely uncomfortable with Yiwon last time. He had suspected that something had happened between them that time…

“I did not lose.”

“You basically lost.”

Rahui replied calmly to Tae Yong’s indignant protest. While Tae Yong’s reaction was extreme, Rahui’s was light. Even though this wasn’t a situation that should be spoken about so lightly, even in a private setting.

Jiho didn’t try to hide his displeasure. He asked.

“Losing is losing. Why are you cursing him?”

“That’s because…”

Tae Yong was about to say something before he suddenly frowned and closed his mouth. Jiho could sense that Rahui stomped on Tae Yong’s foot under the table.

Seeing Jiho still look displeased, Rahui fixed her attitude to be more sincere as she bowed at the hip.

“I apologize. You were very uncomfortable, right?”

“….”

“As you may know, our guildmaster is only 20 years old. He is still young and a bit immature, so please be understanding.”

“Who is young and imma…”

Rahui openly pinched Tae Yong on his side this time. Tae Yong shook, and, having lost all of his energy, closed his mouth. His cheeks, which still have a bit of baby fat on them, puffed up into round balls.

Jiho calmed down a little. He felt kinda silly for getting mad at a child. Of course, Jiho, who was thinking this, is only 24 years old.

To be honest, Jiho doesn’t want to entertain anyone–whether that be kid or adult–who makes rude remarks about Joo Yiwon. Still, the other is the guildmaster of an S-rank guild. In order to keep a professional relationship, Jiho suppressed his thoughts as he nodded.

“I will only let it go this once. I hope that you would refrain from such offensive comments next time. After all, even if Chungram’s guildmaster isn’t the hero of the world, he is still no different from family to me.”

“Of course. It was just because our guildmaster felt upset, really.”

Rahui looks upon Tae Yong as if he is a child. Since Rahui is 39 years old, if she had a child early, Tae Yong actually could’ve been her son.

After taking a sip of the tea, Rahui smiled gently.

“Speaking of which, it seems that you have a fairly good relationship with Hunter Joo Yiwon. According to our guildmaster, although Hunter Joo Yiwon clings to you, Hunter Shin Jiho seems to dislike that and treats him as a nemesis.”

“…That is just because that guy plays weird jokes. Because we have been living together since we were young, we are basically family. Family is like that. We might fight, but we’re still family.”

“It seems that despite everything, you like Chungram’s guildmaster quite a bit.”

“It is not to that point… we are just friends.

“Still, you guys have a special relationship. Hunter Joo Yiwon is very special to you, is he not?”

What is this? Her question feels like one a persistent third-rate reporter would ask someone to fish for an issue. Though Lee Rahui probably wouldn’t have a connection with people like that. Feeling somewhat on guard, Jiho shrugged.

“Yes, well. I suppose he’s special.”

As soon as he said that, a system window appeared in front of Jiho’s eyes.

System Management

The skill [The Eye of the Prince] is determining the truth in [Shin Jiho]’s statement.

System Management

This skill has no effect on [XXX]. The skill has been nullified.

A skill that can determine the truth of a statement. 

Even though it had been nullified, chills ran down Jiho’s body.

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LaZ Bird Corner

Jiho’s “my child can do no wrong” mentality appears once again.

Also Author-nim’s profile picture on Twitter is Tae Yong!

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The result for the poll last chapter were these^^ Thank you for answering it, it was really helpful, and also very fun! I wasn’t sure if people were going to respond, but I actually got so many responses that I felt really happy ㆆᴗㆆ.

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