Chapter 2: Level Up
Choi Joo-Hyuk's eyelids fluttered.
Did I just hear something?
They say that when people are about to die, they hear voices or see hallucinations.
'What is this…?'
A translucent status window flickered before Choi Joo-hyuk's fading eyes.
Ah... the note system... there was something like that, right?
'I guess the block gets lifted when you're about to die…'
A faint light returned to Joo-hyuk's eyes—eyes that had already given up.
A rope had descended into the pitch-black well of his despair.
It was such an awkward message. The phrasing was odd, and it was filled with typos.
'Accept the party? That's all I have to do to survive?'
By the time you sip a cup of tea, I'd be dead.
What if he could really clear the A-rank gate… What if he could come back alive?
What if he could one day stand before an S-rank boss?
What if he could avenge his brother?
Anonymous (Party Leader)Choi Joo-hyuk (Party Member)
I should've entered anonymously...
No wait, they already know who I am.
With trembling fingers, Choi Joo-hyuk raised his hand and struck a key in midair.
He barely reached the [Enter] key before his hand fell limp to the ground.
Choi Joo-hyuk's eyes gently closed.
"Yes! You did it, Joo-hyuk! You really did it!"
I'd written that message in a rush, filled with typos and broken grammar.
But he understood everything perfectly.
That was the mark of an S-class Hunter.
Even on death's doorstep, he sent a message without a single typo and used polite language.
If it were me, I would've just typed: "pls save me omg."
As expected of Korea's top Hunter.
Class: Gladiator (Close-Range Dealer)
Coordinates: 37°34′17.93″N, 126°58′34.94″E
What if I used the remote healing skill and got an error like "Service Failed. Please Try Again"?
'The status window even shows GPS coordinates. That's creepy...'
But Joo-hyuk was about to die!
Why does the system use such calm and clinical words for such a terrifying state?
Still, I steadied my shaking hands.
"Remote Healing! On Choi Joo-hyuk!"
Choi Joo-hyuk's status updated.
He went from 'Near Death' to 'Dying.'
It didn't sound good, but trust me, it was progress.
Although "Critical" still meant he was badly injured, it was far better than dead.
As expected, it was a level issue.
I only had Remote Healing at Level 1. But that was okay.
His stamina wasn't dropping anymore. No more bleeding. No monsters attacking him.
My palm was soaked with sweat, and my mouse was slick from clicking so much.
"Phew… I didn't know saving someone could be so exhausting…"
A mix of joy, relief, and pride flooded me.
I had saved S-class Hunter Choi Joo-hyuk.
Even among S-ranks, there's hierarchy. And this guy was top-tier.
"I saved Choi Joo-hyuk!! Hahahahahahahaha!"
That's when the door burst open.
A woman in her mid-20s walked in. My younger sister, Han I-seul.
Since our parents moved to the countryside, she and I were the de facto heads of the house.
I slowly closed the door. Quietly sat back down.
"...I will become independent soon."
Han I-seul spun my chair around with a grumble.
"Hey! Don't slam the door in people's faces! That hurt, you know!"
I had just saved the top Hunter in the country.
I couldn't be bothered to deal with a mere A-rank in front of me.
Wait… does that mean I'm S-class now too?
Han I-seul stared at me strangely.
"What's with that weirdly gentle tone…?"
She pressed a hand to my forehead.
"You don't have a fever… Did job hunting finally break your brain?"
"Do you use the Hunter community?"
With a smug grin, I gave her a knowing nod.
You don't need to scream your greatness when you've done something this historic.
After all, the Korean Hunter Association will handle the broadcasting for me.
I haven't done a grade check yet though.
If it becomes known that Choi Joo-hyuk survived thanks to me,
We will be investigating mainly healers.
In that case, my name had to be mentioned naturally.
Hey, I don't want to be too famous.
Han-Isul shook her head and closed the door.