[Greetings (1)]
“Nice to meet you, Hunter Yu Myungwoo!”
“You’re even more impressive in person!”
“Just tell us what you need! Do you need any materials?”
The sound of tinkling bells came from all directions. When Myungwoo, who had been secluded for so long, finally showed himself, every Hunter in the building flocked to him. Lower-ranked Hunters didn’t dare join in, so at first it was only about ten people, but as word spread, they gradually gathered until now over thirty A-rank Hunters filled the lobby. I spotted some familiar faces from Haeyeon among them.
Since only Hunters with entry permits could enter the inner lobby, there were probably even more outside. They were all desperate with S-rank equipment in their eyes.
Myungwoo was a bit flustered at first, but soon confidently selected volunteers to use for material shopping. It was heartwarming to see him commanding A-rank Hunters with just his fingertips.
Our Myungwoo, truly the highest of the high.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Be careful. Safety first.”
With Sharlos’s bead and the ability to escape to the forge if needed, there shouldn’t be any problems. When Myungwoo left, most people rushed after him. However, some remained and turned their attention to me with looks that said I’d do as a substitute.
Just then, Yerim appeared from the entrance leading to the parking lot. Though still young and not particularly imposing in appearance, the surrounding Hunters naturally made way. With light steps and no one blocking her path, Yerim came up to me with a bright smile.
“Mister~ Oh? That’s a new bracelet. It’s pretty! But it doesn’t really match your clothes. You should get properly coordinated too.”
“That’s too bothersome.”
It’s not like I need to manage my image through broadcasts like the Guild Leaders. Yerim, who had been examining the bracelet, looked around me.
“Noah isn’t here.”
“Why? Did you need something?”
“No, he’s just pretty. All sparkly. Ah, did you know? They say Soyeong saw Noah practicing flying when she came to see Comet, and she was spaced out all day. These days she keeps muttering ‘No, I have Comet’ whenever something comes up. She must have really liked him.”
That’s understandable. Though Comet will grow into an S-rank dragon species, it can’t compare to Noah. Of course, Noah is human, but… No, is it better because he’s human and can communicate? I’d like to show Liette to Kang Soyeong too. I’m curious about her reaction.
“You said you’re going to the special isolation facility?”
“Yeah. You don’t have to come along.”
The atmosphere would be different from a detention center, so I’m hesitant to bring a kid. But Yerim raised her eyebrows as if asking what I was talking about.
“When I’m around, I’m your bodyguard. That’s what we contracted.”
When the kidnapping voided my contract with Yerim, I was going to handle the paperwork but didn’t want to renew it. I didn’t think we needed something like a contract to bind us. She would help me without that. But Yerim wanted to write a new contract, and this time we set the condition that she would protect me when requested.
Looking down at Yerim who would follow me anywhere, I suddenly noticed the swaying earring in her ear.
‘The Earrings of the Mermaid Queen of Changlang, right.’
Like Droplet, the Mermaid Queen’s earrings, it had a definitely similar design. Especially that blue gem looked like exactly the same mineral, just different in size. Though I couldn’t appraise it precisely, both the color and cutting were identical.
‘If Myungwoo can teach his skills to others with talent, the unfilial children should be able to as well.’
If those earrings really are Droplet’s, her skills must be water and ice-based. I wonder what abilities the others have. Don’t know about the newbie, but Deer, Wolf, Tree… still can’t figure it out. There’s Droplet but why isn’t there something like Flame?
Anyway, I need to squeeze out everything I can.
“I need to meet Yuhyun too, but he’s not responding.”
I said while taking out my phone as we entered the parking lot. I need to tell him about the bracelet and going to the dungeon with Myungwoo.
“The Guild Leader? Did you ask Mister Kim Seonghan or Team Leader Seok?”
“No. Should I call?”
When I opened my contacts, Yerim craned her neck to look.
“What did you register my number as?”
“Yerim.”
“You’re really like an old man, Mister. They’re all just names.”
What now? What else should I write besides names? Yerim snatched my phone and scrolled through the contacts.
“The Guild Leader is just ‘Brother’ too? That’s unexpected. Oh? What’s this? ‘Skill’? Who’s that?”
“Seonghan.”
“…The Sesung Guild Leader?”
“Yeah.”
“Not even his name, how did he become ‘Skill’?”
“Because that’s what he is.”
“Wow, treated like a skill,” Yerim laughed. Saying it was too empty, she started recommending apps as I took my phone back and called Kim Seonghan. When I asked about Yuhyun’s location, I got an unexpected answer.
“The special isolation facility?”
[Yes. He left about an hour ago.]
Why did he go there? Right now, A-rank Hunters including Yun Kyungsu were imprisoned in the special isolation facility. Choi Seokwon from MKC went to a separate detention center, while the rest were scheduled for severe punishment.
Though a visit makes sense since I was involved, why isn’t he answering? Do they block phone calls there? No, I texted him an hour ago. I had a slightly bad feeling.
“The Guild Leader is at the special isolation facility?”
“Yeah. We need to hurry. This doesn’t feel good.”
“Should I call Soyeong? The boat would be faster than going by car.”
…Hmm, about that.
“I’ve gotten tickets but never had an accident!”
“…Alright. Please do.”
Wonder if there’s a spare helmet.
The fire spirit in the form of a small lizard quietly circled its master’s ankle. Then smoothly, it slipped down to the floor and seeped in. Faintly, leaving only slight scorch marks, the spirit’s movement through the layered walls went unnoticed by anyone except its master who gave the order.
Seated in the waiting room chair, Han Yuhyun watched the man standing across the table with a faint smile. Song Taewon let out an impatient sigh.
“Without being the victim themselves, visits with special isolation facility inmates are impossible. Even for siblings.”
“How strict. I just have a few questions.”
“It would be possible with the inmates’ consent, but both Yun Kyungsu and the other Hunters all refused visits.”
Would they accept? Though he wore a smile, it was obvious how Han Yuhyun wanted to deal with the inmates. Song Taewon spoke to the young man who was troublesome in a different way from Seonghan.
“So please return now.”
“Since I’ve come all this way, I’ll wait for my brother. He’s scheduled to visit today, right?”
“…Very well.”
Though there was slight hesitation, Song Taewon nodded. Once Han Yujin, the involved party, arrived, it would be difficult to block visits. But at the same time, Han Yuhyun would become manageably docile in front of his brother.
‘It’s almost strange.’
Han Yuhyun showed the most noticeable changes, but he wasn’t the only one. Liette quietly entered detention, and Seonghan, whatever his intentions, treated the rookie Hunter generously. Park Yerim goes without saying, and thanks to monster mounts, he’s quite close with Moon Hyunah too from what I hear.
Whatever the reason, it was a welcome phenomenon for Song Taewon. Han Yujin at the center was someone who could be dealt with through dialogue.
Just as he was taking a breather-
BOOM!
The sound of something exploding, and
RUMBLE-
The sound of things collapsing, breaking, and burning rang out. As the emergency phone on the wall rang, Song Taewon picked up the receiver, unable to hide his bewilderment. The urgent voice saying part of the detention facility had collapsed reached Han Yuhyun’s ears.
“I suppose they got tired of being quietly imprisoned.”
Speaking calmly, in an almost gentle tone, Han Yuhyun rose from his seat. Something red flashed faintly up from his feet and disappeared. Song Taewon turned to the young Hunter with a stiff face.
“No need to concern yourself. They’re under restraint, so the facility’s Hunters will be sufficient.”
“I wonder about that.”
Another explosion rang out. Han Yuhyun pulled out a long, slender sword from his inventory. A red light settled in one of his eyes.
“If the inventory seals are broken, restraints won’t matter. Being S-rank and A-rank Hunters, they must have plenty of high-grade potions and curse resistance equipment.”
Even with the isolation facility’s inhumane restraints, they could break free if they could just use potions. The same goes for curse-related restrictions.
“…I’m curious how you’re so certain the seals were broken.”
“With all that commotion, isn’t it an obvious assumption? So I’ll help.”
Han Yuhyun moved toward the entrance. Song Taewon reflexively blocked his path. If he let him go like this, none of the Hunters including Yun Kyungsu would survive.
“Help is not neces-“
“Chief Song. If you don’t want to see yourself or other innocent people getting hurt, go evacuate them.”
“Is that a threat?”
“I’m holding back. Otherwise, take it up with Seonghan. If he had handled it cleanly in the dungeon, this trouble wouldn’t be necessary. Perhaps he left some for me?”
Song Taewon finally stepped aside. In truth, it wouldn’t have been strange if they had all been killed in the dungeon. Rather than increase casualties by stopping Han Yuhyun, it would be better to evacuate people as he said.
Though he reached that conclusion, Song Taewon’s expression was grim. His gaze at the much younger man walking calmly out the door couldn’t have been colder.
Beasts off their leashes. Monsters without even collars to tie them down.
It was all the more detestable because he himself was included. Song Taewon ground his molars and moved to handle the aftermath.
Hunter Kang Soyeong’s skill was amazing. Not only that, but her combination with Yerim was incredible. When we hit signals or blocked roads, she would just lift and fly over with the whole bike, so we truly had no obstacles. Though my stomach was a bit queasy, we arrived at the remote special isolation facility in a terrifyingly short time.
“Looks like the Guild Leader already caused trouble.”
Though part of the isolation facility building had already collapsed. Fortunately, the surroundings were empty fields for safety. But fire was spreading. I could see fire trucks in the distance, but they couldn’t approach the burning area. If they got caught up in the Hunters’ fight, there would only be innocent victims.
“Yerim, can you put out the fire?”
“Yes! Soyeong, could you take Mister-“
“No, I’m going in too.”
At my words, Yerim’s eyes went round.
“Are you crazy, Mister?”
“Let’s use nice words. I have that item from before. Don’t worry and please take care of the fire. Thank you for bringing me here, Ms. Soyeong. Please stay back so you don’t get involved.”
“I’ll take my thanks in Noah’s contact info and just watch!”
Kang Soyeong excitedly pulled out her phone. …Are you filming now? More importantly, Noah’s contact info — she hasn’t given up? I understand, but please think of Comet.
Though barricades were up and facility Hunters were guarding, they didn’t stop S-rank Hunter Yerim. I could enter too as Yerim’s plus one.
Using the bracelet and entering the building where most people seemed to have evacuated, I spotted charred corpses.
“Yerim, you go where the fire’s spreading.”
“It’s not like it’s my first time seeing corpses.”
“Hey! Still, there’s nothing good about seeing them!”
Even if she can’t avoid them completely, I’d like her to see less. Despite my nagging, Yerim pretended not to hear and floated around extinguishing embers with frost. Meanwhile, another corpse appeared. This time I remembered the face. One of the Hunters who attacked in the dungeon last time.
‘…Yuhyun, you brat.’
Acting like he’d let it slide. As I moved further inside avoiding building debris, someone jumped down in front of me.
“Why did you come so early?”
Yuhyun looked down at me with a smiling face.
“What do you mean early! Did you kill them all? What about Yun Kyungsu?”
“His breathing should have stopped by now. Don’t worry about it. The Sesung Guild Leader being lenient was strange — they tried to escape, so this is the natural result.”
Seonghan’s recycling spirit surprised me too, but escape? When I sent him a dubious look, my brother smiled shamelessly.
“Let’s go now. What time is it? Shall we get lunch?”
“He’s alive.”
What? Yerim’s sudden words made Yuhyun and I turn our heads at the same time. Yun Kyungsu was standing where Yerim was looking. With his neck half cut.
“No, is he dead? But he’s moving. What’s going on?”
Yerim tilted her head and Yuhyun’s brow furrowed. Then Yun Kyungsu opened his mouth.
“Hello!”
It was an unfamiliar woman’s voice.
–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt