S-Rank is My Side Character (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14

“Ha… Finally it’s over… Ah…”

[Our Na Ri, you did so, so well! declares the Ruler of Chaos as he sets off fireworks!]

It’s over. The interview was really over. Rude slumped face-first onto the desk. After a few seconds like that, he barely pulled himself together and, with trembling arms, placed Lee Hyeon’s laptop into his eco bag.

“This… this job hunting… is way harder than Gate extermination…”

[That’s only because you’re Rank 1, the Ruler of Chaos reminds you once again of your standing.]

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean? You wanna try taking the interview yourself? Huh? I’m seriously about to die!”

Annoyed by the Ruler of Chaos’s indirect message, Rude swung his fist at the air.

He never imagined he’d get this nervous. The tension was so intense it even made the Rank 1 lower his guard instinctively—completely different from Gate extermination. Is this how every job seeker has been living all along? His whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

Internally expressing endless respect for South Korea’s 870,000 job seekers, Rude let out a sigh and activated his skill.

[Trickster Basic Skill: ‘Perception Dampening’ activated! Your presence fades.]

Worried someone might recognize him, Rude only left the building after casting Perception Dampening, then crouched down on the emergency staircase with his wobbly legs.

“I’m hungry…”

He’d been too nervous to eat a single bite since morning. Rude took out a tuna-mayonnaise triangle rice ball from his eco bag and ripped open the packaging with a *schlick*.

It had already been two days past its expiration, so the rice was dry and crumbly, clumps falling steadily to the floor.

“Seriously, convenience store food is inedible. Just a few days past the expiration date and the rice starts crumbling like this…”

That day, deeply regretting having given expired food to Kang I Hyeon, Rude sighed heavily and brushed off the falling grains of rice from his pants.

Before leaving this place, there was someone he needed to contact. With trembling fingers, Rude tapped his phone aggressively. After a brief ring, a *click* sounded, and Lee Hyeon answered.

[Hello? Mr. Rude? How did the interview go?]

“I’m sorry.”

[Huh?]

“I think I totally bombed it.”

Silence filled the emergency staircase. Heheh… heheheh… Rude laughed hollowly, pressing his head against the wall. Thinking it over, his answers had been utterly nonsensical.

[Was… was it really that bad? Did you seriously not say anything at all?]

“No, it’s not that—I just said something weird about my motivation… Honestly, if I were the HR person, I wouldn’t hire myself…”

“‘I applied to Seongjeon because I saw Hunter Kang I Hyeon and believed his words that it’d be good to work together…’ It sounds like I’m only getting in because of favoritism…”

What a complete mess. It might actually happen in real life—the absurd spectacle of the World Rank 1 failing a Big Four guild interview.

Except for the fact that he himself was that Rank 1, Na Ri probably would’ve eagerly watched from across the river…

[Wha… what exactly did you say?]

“T-t-that I can’t tell you!”

Rude, who’d been pressing his head against the wall, suddenly sat bolt upright. There was absolutely no way he could reveal that embarrassing answer—the one where Lee Hyeon himself had been the star of his motivation—to Lee Hyeon over the phone. A sharp gasp came through the receiver.

[Don’t tell me you actually said you joined for the money?]

“No! Are you crazy?! I didn’t say anything like that! I just… gave a really embarrassing answer…”

[Then did you use that line about protecting South Korea’s national security?]

“Ahh—no, not that one, something else. I just blurted out something thoughtless and all over the place, so…”

Rude jumped to his feet, but his legs trembled so badly he sank back onto the emergency stairs. Recalling his interview answers made his face burn hotly. Through the phone, he heard Kang I Hyeon chuckling.

[It’ll be fine. Sincere answers might’ve been rated more highly.]

“But what if I fail here? I… I feel so guilty toward you…”

Rude looked down and fiddled with his fingers. Unfazed by Rude’s worries, Kang I Hyeon spoke through the receiver, his voice still laced with warmth and laughter.

[I’m really okay with it. I’m just happy I could help. And even if it doesn’t work out, like you said, I’ll take full responsibility! There are still three other Big Four guilds left… Maybe a place like Baekya would give you a free pass.]

“Hey! Are you an idiot?! Do you think I took this interview just to join any random guild?!”

Rude shouted from the emergency staircase. On the other end, Lee Hyeon fell silent.

“…Hey? Hello? Can you hear me?”

Realizing only then what he’d blurted out, Rude slapped his hand over his mouth.

‘Did I… say too much too seriously…?’

Slightly irritated by Lee Hyeon’s overly casual tone, he’d slipped up. Lee Hyeon might feel burdened by it. A low voice came through the receiver.

[Then… shall I transfer with you too?]

“Eh… what?”

It was a restrained voice. Not understanding, Rude reflexively repeated the question, prompting Lee Hyeon to clarify.

[If you fail… shall I go wherever you go? Would that be okay?]

A quietly pleading request for permission. This time, Rude had no reply.

‘What… is he saying?’

Rude’s mind went blank. They hadn’t even known each other that long—yet in this short time, Kang I Hyeon had already said so many unexpected things.

Why? What does he want from me? Why is he going this far? Rude’s head was filled with question marks. He still couldn’t grasp Lee Hyeon’s intentions.

It had been ten years since anyone showed him such care and goodwill—he didn’t know how to respond. His face flushed crimson as he desperately scrambled for words.

[Alleye-kolly! mocks the Ruler of Chaos as he thoroughly teases you.]

In the tense silence, a black indirect message popped up before Rude’s eyes. Startled, he reflexively yelled,

“Sh-shut up!”

[Oh! Ah! S-sorry! I was totally out of line!]

“No, no! I didn’t mean that at you! I’m sorry—it was just that indirect message suddenly teasing me, so I blurted it out without thinking. I’m really sorry…”

Oops—he’d just yelled at the person on the phone! Panicking, Rude apologized hurriedly. He’d nearly become the kind of jerk who lashes out right after receiving someone’s kind offer.

[Ahh… I see. You startled me for a second…]

“I’m… I’m really sorry. That really wasn’t meant for you.”

As the mood lightened, Rude finally let out a deep breath. Sensing it was time to shift topics, Na Ri quickly changed the subject.

“Hah… If I pass… when will they notify me?”

[Hmm~ It took me quite a while, probably because I applied through general recruitment. But for you, Mr. Rude, it’ll probably be quick. After all, you’re Rank 1—they’ll move fast if they liked your interview.]

“I hope they send it soon.”

Anyway, the shorter the waiting period, the better. Sighing, Rude brushed off his clothes and stood up. At least the phone call had eased some of his tension.

[Anyway, don’t worry too much. Honestly, with your resume, you’d pass anywhere—as long as you didn’t completely bomb it, you’ll be fine.]

“…Yeah.”

[And we really worked hard, right? You even recited answers in your sleep! You’ll definitely pass!]

“Thanks. If I get in, it’ll all… be thanks to you.”

[Aww, don’t say that. You’re the one who worked hard. Anyway, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll hang up. My partner’s calling me.]

“Yeah, s-see you later. Talking with you… kinda… put my mind at ease.”

[You’re very welcome! Hearing you say that makes me really happy. Well then, I’ll hang up now. Be sure to let me know if you pass!]

After Lee Hyeon’s bright closing words, Rude ended the call with a firm *click* and let out a long sigh.

“Don’t tease me like that. I almost caused a huge mess.”

[I only meant to loosen you up because you were so tense, pouts the Ruler of Chaos.]

“Just enjoy it properly. I swear—I’ll never fall for your pranks again.”

With another heavy sigh, Rude opened a dimensional rift right there on the empty emergency staircase. His final shift at the convenience store was about to begin.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Na Ri. You had your company interview today, right? How did it go?”

“Ahh… yeah… I-I’m not really sure if I did well or not.”

Na Ri awkwardly twirled a strand of hair while standing behind the counter. Seeing her, the store manager smiled proudly.

“It’s alright. Our Na Ri is kinder than anyone else, right? People will all know that too—your goodness just radiates from your eyes.”

‘If people stare too long into Rude’s avatar, they get terrified—yet I just came back from an AI interview…’

The common trait between the store manager and Kang I Hyeon: they both viewed Na Ri far too generously. Feeling somehow deceitful, Na Ri gave an awkward smile.

“So… when will you get the results?”

“T-they said results will take a while. And… even if I pass this, there’s still a third stage.”

“You’ll do great! Don’t worry. I’ll pray for you every single day. Our Na Ri is just too, too amazing—really!”

The store manager patted Na Ri gently on the back. Just then, *ding!* an alert sound rang out, and Na Ri’s eyes naturally drifted to her phone.

Did Kang I Hyeon message her? She must’ve forgotten to turn off notifications. Since using her phone during work hours wasn’t a good look, she was about to turn off the screen—but her eyes widened in shock.

An email had arrived at a time when it absolutely shouldn’t have.

“[Seongjeon] Notification of Recommendation-Based Interview Pass & Mock Extermination Trial Details

Hello. This is the HR recruitment team from Guild Seongjeon.

Thank you for applying to our recommendation-based hiring process. Congratulations on passing the interview stage.

The next phase will be a mock combat trial. Details regarding schedule and instructions will be sent separately via email.

If you do not receive this follow-up email by X/X, please contact us at the number below.

Thank you.”

*Thud.* Na Ri’s phone slipped from her hand. Startled by the loud noise, the store manager looked over—and instantly understood the situation.

“Y-you passed?!”

“U-uh… y-yeah… y-yes, yes…”

She’d passed just six hours after her interview. Online sources all said results usually took two to three days—why had she passed so abruptly in only six hours?

‘W-wait—is this even real?! Did I dream this because I wanted to pass so badly?!’

She pinched her own cheek. It hurt too much—definitely not a dream. The dazed Na Ri was suddenly wrapped in a tight hug by the store manager.

“Na Ri~!!! This is amazing!! I knew it! I had such a good dream today!”

“B-boss… Is this some kind of big-scale Truman Show? If it is, please confess right now…”

“What on earth are you saying! This is real, Na Ri! You passed your interview!”

The commotion at the counter made a customer eating cup ramen pull out his earphones and stare. The store manager happily announced,

“Customer! This kid just passed her company interview today. Isn’t she impressive?”

“Yes, congratulations. It’s not easy to land a job these days… This is great news.”

S-So it’s really… real? Seeing that indifferent, factual reaction finally made Na Ri accept reality, leaving her still dazed and unsure how to respond.

[Na Ri, this is good news. Just be happy, encourages the Ruler of Chaos.]

‘How?’

After a brief moment of hesitation, Na Ri picked up her fallen phone. She didn’t really know how to celebrate her own achievements.

But she knew exactly who would celebrate for her. With trembling fingers, she tapped her phone—*tap tap tap*. There was only one person she wanted to contact.

[Passed. Thank you.]