Chapter 239: Recognition & Promotion

The airship, which is usually filled with people and full of life, feels almost eerily empty. With Marsha staying behind to take care of Eren’s siblings, along with Ella and Killi, the two children Auren brought from Meteor City, it is only Jolt flying the ship, with Auren and Neffi accompanying him.Standing next to his pilot, Auren lightly claps him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, it looks like your wife isn’t quite done with her motherly duties. She can’t help but care for them.”

“Hehe, it’s fine. I like flying solo,” Jolt replies. “She may act like she’s stressed, but she’s actually enjoying life to the fullest. Did you know she’s been cooking in the city and handing out food to hundreds of people? Mostly children without parents. She always wanted to become a chef, but never did because of me and my... problems... now it looks like she can not only take care of more children, but also work her dream job. As long as she’s happy, I don’t care even if I have to fly alone.”

He then chuckles. “My girls are also ecstatic. Even Joanne can’t stop bragging about being around the great and powerful leader.”

“Just make sure they don’t actually turn into full cult members,” Auren says, shrugging.

“Hahaha. Too late for that,” Jolt laughs loudly. “They already worship her... just like everyone else. She has that kind of presence. Even I wouldn’t mind serving her.”

“Yes, but you appear to be a sexually frustrated middle-aged man, and your kind of worship is something entirely different,” Auren clarifies.

“Hehe, caught again,” Jolt admits shamelessly. “You’ll probably understand in a few years... you’re getting to that age. In fact, you’re in the perfect position for—”

Before he can finish, Neffi smacks him over the head from behind.

“Shut up, you perverted geezer! Do your job, or I’ll throw you overboard and fly this ship myself!” she snaps.

“You do realize he’s joking,” Auren says, mildly disturbed by her strong reaction.

“I... it’s Vanessa’s fault! Thanks to her, I’m constantly on edge and irritated by people,” Neffi admits, looking slightly embarrassed afterward.

Auren wraps his arm around her. “What about the exam? Are you prepared? While I’ll do my best to cheat in your favor, if I overdo it, I might not only get kicked off the exam, but also be known as the corrupt winner of Battle Olympia who got banned from acting as an examiner due to nepotism.”

“Hehe. That... won’t be necessary,” Neffi says, giggling. “Though I’m not too confident with the overall exam, I’ll do my best until I pass. While I’m not afraid of combat-related tasks, for everything else, I’ll have to come up with something.”

“Well, when we land and split up, it will still take a few more weeks until the start of the exam. I’ll make sure to tell you the location of the exam at least,” Auren says, smiling.

“Thank you,” Neffi says, lightly pressing her head against his shoulder. Auren sighs but still gently strokes her head, seemingly making her quite happy.

When the airship finally lands, Auren sends Jolt away. “Thank you. If I need you, I’ll call. Neffi, you should be fine on your own, right?”

“Yes!” Neffi replies confidently. “I’ll continue my studies and check on my company while I’m waiting for the exam.”

“Just call me if you need me, boss,” Jolt says before quickly lifting off again.

Auren, now on his own, decides to walk through the city. Finally, on the afternoon of December 14th, with a full day left before the meeting, he enters the Yorknew Hunter Association.

Immediately upon his arrival, the clerk looks up, clearly recognizing him.

“Hunter... Auren, right?” the man in his forties asks. “I’m quite happy, though a little surprised, to see you. The chairman mentioned your arrival. He’s been here for a few days already, but he was only expecting you tomorrow.”

“If he doesn’t have much time, that’s fine as well,” Auren says with a shrug. “No need to bother him.”

I can wait a day.

“I’ll give him a call,” the clerk says, quickly dialing a number.

“Yes... Hunter Auren is here... yes... I understand... of course, Chairman,” the man says quietly into the phone.

A moment later, he lowers it and smiles at Auren.

“The chairman is ready to see you now,” he says. “Please follow me.”

A meeting with Netero... that’s a little unexpected. Fine, let’s hear what he has to say.

Following the clerk, Auren is slightly surprised when he isn’t led toward the elevator, which would offer a quick way up the large building, but instead down a set of stairs, leading into the basement.

Am I overthinking this...? En!

Using En to cover the entire building, Auren senses around fifty people inside, along with one very noticeable presence down in the basement.

He immediately cancels his En and continues following the clerk at a normal pace.

They soon reach the basement, and the clerk opens the door to a large hall.

Inside, Auren sees a spacious gym. Netero is situated in the middle of it, performing a handstand push-up with just a single finger while carrying an absurd amount of weights tied to a soft rope wrapped around his feet. Despite that, he isn’t sweating, nor does he look tired in the slightest.

So that’s why we’re down here.

“If you’ll excuse me,” the clerk says before leaving immediately.

As Auren steps closer, Netero pushes himself higher into the air, skillfully untangles the weights, and then casually lets out a long yawn, while landing smoothly and catching the weights.

Auren crosses his arms, clearly unimpressed.

Way to show off....

“Ohoho, if it isn’t the illustrious and famous winner of Battle Olympia. The strongest fighter in the world,” Netero says jokingly.

“... If you think so little of the title, which I can understand, you should have sent a few of your Zodiacs to win it for the Association,” Auren replies.

Instead of mocking me! While I recognize that I am not the strongest in the world, I still think no weakling can become the winner of Battle Olympia. Am I still too childish? I think that title is something worth getting... I am not bragging, but I am proud of my achievement!

“That would ruin the Association’s reputation. I couldn’t possibly do that!” Netero says, grinning.

“Also... there might not be too many Zodiacs who could actually beat you right now, now that I think about it,” he adds, his smile widening.

Before Auren can react further, Netero suddenly disappears and reappears right in front of him, striking forward with a palm.

What?!

Caught off guard, Auren barely manages to step back, activate Ren, shift his Aura into his left arm, and raise it to block the attack with his bracer.

Hehe.

Even with the block, he is pushed back a short distance, his arm going slightly numb. Still, there is no real pain.

He twists his body midair and lands cleanly, a faint smirk forming on his face.

I hope you enjoyed that.

“Hmmm, my palm feels a little itchy today,” Netero says, raising his hand and blowing on it lightly.

Auren stares at it, seeing no wounds, just a few tiny scratches, something that can’t even be called a real wound.

“So these, along with that necklace of yours, are your new treasures. No wonder you listed them as being worth hundreds of billions on your site,” Netero says, laughing.

He visited my website? I indeed added a valuation... of course, I made it up, but still. I didn’t even describe the effects of the items; I just wanted to raise their value. He must have done his research... maybe even asked around.

“Didn’t think you were the type to use the internet,” Auren remarks, sounding surprised.

“I did... in a way. Beans helped me, of course. I don’t understand that modern crap you young people waste your time on... but apparently it’s all standard now, and every Hunter has to publish their findings if they want them to be officially recognized,” Netero explains before reaching into his pocket and tossing a small, thin object toward Auren.

Auren calmly catches it and looks it over. It’s a thick, durable card with the Hunter logo on it.

“A Hunter License?” Auren asks, examining it more closely. “The color and the design are a bit different.”

He takes out his own, light-blue license, revealing the familiar symbol of the Association at the top, along with a small section containing his personal information. On the back, there is a code that can be read by standard card scanners.

The license he just caught, however, contains only a blue and silver decoration, with no text on it.

“Congratulations,” Netero says, approaching Auren and extending his hand.

“What is it?” Auren asks, confused, before quickly realizing what this is about.

“I’m promoted to a Single-Star Hunter?” he asks, doubt in his voice.

Netero smiles and grabs Auren’s hand, shaking it. “Indeed. Congratulations.”

Hmmm, do I deserve this? Pariston?

Netero then raises a finger, as if sensing Auren’s doubt. “Don’t think I had anything to do with it. You got promoted because of your achievements. There is absolutely nothing else involved. Even Pariston can’t manipulate promotions, not with the Zodiacs and me voting on every case.”

“You already had the strength of a Single-Star Hunter a good year ago. You were quite competent when you first got your license, and after that, you improved at a rapid pace. However, don’t think that alone is enough. While I personally value strength, a Hunter is not a martial arts rank, but a profession. You need real achievements for your efforts to be recognized, and not everyone strong gets promoted. Some people thought it was too early for you, but your achievements are simply too eye-catching to ignore.”

“While combat strength is not something we formally acknowledge, winning Battle Olympia is a clear achievement. If you can turn your strength into achievements, of course, it should count. Many people might look down on it, but I can tell you that if it were that easy to win that competition, hundreds of Hunters would attempt to do it. Strength-wise, Floor Masters are usually on par with experienced Hunters. The winner of Battle Olympia is never someone who should be looked down upon.”

“In addition to that, you are an experienced Blacklist Hunter and a skilled Temp Hunter. Though I’m quite confused by your records, which say you’ve completed dozens of missions for Pariston, only a fraction of which I can actually confirm, you still qualify, even without that questionable history.”

“Finally... these things you’re wearing... and that massive collection of Aura-infused items you’ve amassed. An interesting hobby, one I’m not entirely indifferent to myself. However, it’s not something I would ever seek out or hunt for. I desire something else.... In any case, that alone already qualifies you to be a Single-Star Hunter. In fact, you qualify in multiple fields. Again, congratulations,” Netero says.

“Thank you,” Auren replies sincerely, a faint smile appearing. “To be honest, I did work hard for it... I know that a Hunter promotion isn’t something you can get through money or influence alone... it requires real achievements.”

“And your hard work has been recognized. Your students as well, by the way... in fact, I’d say you’re already on your way to becoming a Double-Star Hunter. Keep going, and it won’t take long. To be honest, the Zodiacs are quite wary of you... especially since you’re in contact with both Ging and Pariston, two people even they can’t fully understand.”

“Now, let’s spar a little while we talk,” Netero says. “I want to tell you some things.”

“Spar?” Auren asks, a little taken aback. “Sure...”

Smirking, without taking off his bracers, boots, or gauntlets, Auren steps forward and attacks Netero by punching him directly in the face.

“Cheeky brat...” Netero mutters, blocking his attack with one hand, clearly equally amused and annoyed.