Hunter Association — Part 3
What should I do?
Telling Director Kang the truth would be difficult.
We’d only met today.
If I claimed his subordinate was a traitor, would he believe me or his own man?
I needed a natural way to slip out of this situation.
I could just leave by myself easily.
The problem was that Director Kang was in high spirits.
He was handing out deer meat, shimmying around, and belting out songs.
And he hadn’t even been drinking. Why was he so hyped up?
Chief Choi, who was highly likely a traitor, and the two other Chiefs were all grinning as well.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen him like this.”
“We haven’t been in touch much lately.”
“He’s had a lot on his mind.”
“And the fun hasn’t even started yet…”
“Save some energy; the main event is coming up soon.”
How exactly was this team-building event supposed to go?
In the game, it was an open-world hunting competition.
The team that hunted the most rare monsters would win.
When I asked, Director Kang answered confidently.
“Of course, it’s hunting. Whoever catches the most rare game wins. Like the Mountain King, for example.”
I see…
Bwoo-woo-woo!
A massive monster horn sounded from the headquarters of the event.
All eyes turned to a man holding a microphone, likely one of the organizers.
“We will begin the team-building event shortly! All participating members, please form your hunting teams. You’re free to organize teams from solo to duet, squad, or quadra-squad. However, keep in mind that larger teams will face penalties in the scoring!”
Director Kang looked around at me and his three subordinates.
“How about it? Shall we hunt together, just like old times? With Hunter Kim joining us, of course.”
“Sounds good. It’ll be nice to relive the old days.”
Chief Choi agreed immediately.
On the other hand, the other two Chiefs looked slightly disappointed.
“Apologies, I already have a prior engagement…”
“I’m also committed to another group. Some of the Hunter Association President’s people asked if I’d hunt with them. They mentioned they’d found some good game.”
My [Sixth Sense] wasn’t sending any special warnings.
Were they just going off to bond?
But if I let them go, who knows what could happen later.
If they were swayed by the Hunter Association President, that would actually be the best-case scenario. The worst would be if they got killed.
Fortunately, I had a good excuse.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping to hunt with you both.”
“Agreed. It’s a shame.”
“We’ll have other opportunities, I’m sure.”
“Missing the chance to hunt a dragon, though… it’s a pity.”
“A dragon?”
“A dragon?”
The word I threw out casually immediately caught their interest.
Well, it’s not exactly a dragon.
But…
“While I was out hunting the Mountain King, I spotted a Thunder Imoogi. It looked to be around Level 4, but back then I was Level 3, so it was too tough to handle.”
“An Imoogi? Are you serious?”
“A real Imoogi? Are you sure you weren’t just seeing a big snake?”
“It was definitely an Imoogi. It even had horns on its head.”
At the far northern edge of the Cheorwon Plains.
In the original world, this area would be in North Korea’s Pyeonggang County.
A small, secluded pond lay hidden between the mountain slopes.
A restricted area completely isolated from the outside.
That’s where the Thunder Imoogi lives.
In a Korea without dragons, it’s considered one of the most prized game animals.
Director Kang’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“What are we waiting for? Let’s go! We’re hunting an Imoogi!”
“I was hoping the two Chiefs could join us, but unfortunately, they already have prior commitments. It’s a rare chance to hunt a native Imoogi, though. Such a shame.”
“Hmm…”
“Well, uh, that is…”
The Chiefs hesitated, their mouths opening and closing as if unsure what to say.
Director Kang clapped them on the back.
“What are you waiting for? Make a quick call and apologize. You’re going to let an Imoogi slip through your fingers? Came all this way just to bag a few tigers and bears? You can hunt those anytime!”
With Director Kang pushing them, the Chiefs quickly made up their minds.
“I’ll just make a quick call.”
“Alright, I’m in. When else will we have the chance to hunt an Imoogi? And a native one, no less.”
“Yes, yes, that’s the spirit! You both made the right choice!”
Even Chief Choi stepped aside for a moment.
“I actually had arrangements with other people too. Let me go clear things up.”
“Of course.”
Who exactly would he be calling?
I activated [Sixth Sense], [Sensitivity], [Keen Ears], and [Insight].
I could probably combine this setup with tracking skills to create another high-level trait in the future.
While I was thinking about that, I saw Chief Choi covering his mouth as he made a call.
A familiar voice came through his smartphone.
[Chief Choi? What’s going on?]
“It’s about Hunter Kim. He claims to know the location of a Thunder Imoogi.”
[A Thunder Imoogi, huh… Looks like Director Kang will win. No matter. It won’t affect the bigger plan.]
“However, it seems Chief Park and Chief Lee will be going along with him.”
[Hmm. That complicates things.]
It was the Hunter Association President’s voice.
As expected, my [Sixth Sense] was right.
Chief Choi had sided with the Hunter Association President.
The question now was—what exactly were they planning?
If it was just some minor interference, I could pretend not to notice. But if they crossed a line…
[There’s no other way. We’ll have to eliminate them all. Such a waste, they were competent assets.]
“That’s unfortunate. They were the only reasonable ones among Director Kang’s people.”
[Nothing we can do. You have the drug ready, right?]
“Of course.”
[Director Kang is bound to start drinking soju and beer. That man only drinks soju mixed with beer. Make sure he drinks as much as possible. Even at Level 5, it won’t affect him unless he has a significant amount.]
“Understood.”
A drug?
Was Chief Choi planning to spike Director Kang’s drinks?
No, that wouldn’t work.
He’s a Level 5 Reinforced type. If Chief Choi tried something right in front of him, there’s no way he wouldn’t notice.
Most likely, the soju and beer were already spiked in advance.
In that case…
The “drug” Chief Choi was holding wasn’t the poison; it was the antidote.
“I’m going to grab some drinks. I just realized I don’t have any water in the car.”
“Shall I come along?”
“Sure, that’d be great.”
With the call ended, Chief Choi and Director Kang followed me.
The headquarters was stocked with snacks, drinks, and an enormous amount of alcohol.
I focused on the alcohol.
There were plenty of high-end whiskeys, brandies, and wines.
The soju and beer, by contrast, were in much shorter supply.
But Director Kang licked his lips and picked up one of each.
“How about we enjoy a little drink while we hunt?”
Chief Choi smoothly helped load the cases of alcohol.
“Hunting while drinking again?”
“That’s the real thrill! Nothing like firing a gun with a bottle in hand!”
“And washing it down with soju and beer while we feast on the meat?”
“Heh, you know me well, Chief Choi.”
“We’ve been working together for almost a decade.”
“Has it really been that long? Haha, that’s enough time for mountains to change. It’s been quite a while, indeed.”
“It certainly has.”
They loaded cases of soju and beer onto the car.
We also grabbed some mineral water and a soda that looked like cola from the original world.
With the other two Chiefs rejoining us after finishing their calls, we set off.
Vroom!
The SUV sped across the field.
Director Kang cheerfully popped the top off a beer bottle and took a swig.
“So, where are we headed? Is there really a Thunder Imoogi around here?”
“Yes. The exact location is a bit of a secret.”
“How has it stayed hidden all this time? Association hunters know every inch of the Cheorwon Plains.”
“It’s hiding in a restricted zone.”
“Ah, a restricted zone…”
“If it had lived longer, maybe it could have actually become a dragon.”
“The mana of the Cheorwon Plains would never be enough. To ascend, a dragon needs a large lake or a tall mountain.”
“You’re absolutely right, Hunter Kim. That’s why we never even suspected there could be an Imoogi here. We regularly check Baekdusan and Hallasan, but…”
At the mention of a restricted zone, Chief Choi’s expression shifted, betraying a hint of unease.
It was subtle—something you’d only notice if you had a heightened intuition.
Of course.
He needed to inform the Hunter Association President of the location, but once we entered the restricted area, communication would be cut off, making it impossible.
He could’ve used a tracking app, but they’d hardly be close enough to install a tracking app on each other like some lovesick couple.
I kept my foot firmly on the accelerator and continued chatting nonstop.
I felt like I’d turned into a chatterbox.
Director Kang, sensing my enthusiasm, joined in eagerly.
On the way here, he’d looked bored out of his mind, but now that I was engaging with him, he seemed pleased.
Meanwhile, one of the Chiefs sitting in the back noticed a piece of licorice candy rolling around on the floor.
“What’s this? Jelly? Candy?”
“Oh, that!”
Director Kang’s face lit up.
“That stuff’s delicious! It’s the most famous candy in Finland. Practically a national snack over there!”
“Is that so?”
“Well, I’ll give it a try.”
As if on cue, Chief Choi, Chief Park, and Chief Lee each put a licorice candy in their mouths.
Naturally, their faces twisted in disgust.
Director Kang burst out laughing.
“Puhaha!”
During this amusing scene, we arrived at the target restricted zone.
As we drove in, a flicker of defeat crossed Chief Choi’s face.
“Oh-ho!”
Director Kang let out an exclamation of wonder the moment he stepped out of the car.
“So there was a place like this?”
The landscape was distorted by spatial magic, creating a strange terrain.
In the center lay a massive lake.
A lake so vast that it stretched to the horizon.
The water was so clear you could see the lakebed dozens of meters below.
Fish of all kinds swam freely within, most of them radiant spirit creatures in shimmering hues.
“Director! Over there!”
And in the middle of it all.
A massive snake could be seen.
Its body stretched at least several dozen meters, adorned with a horn on its head and blue scales crackling with magical lightning.
Though it was underwater, the lightning didn’t dissipate; instead, it circled around the Imoogi like a protective barrier.
Director Kang was practically drooling.
“Hunter Kim, you’ll be the one taking it down, right? After all, you were the one who discovered it.”
“Oh, I’m fine with you taking it down, Director Kang.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“It’d be difficult for me to shoot it underwater.”
“In that case, I won’t hold back…”
Director Kang twisted his wrist.
Just like when he’d hunted the deer, a gun barrel extended and locked into place.
The hunt ended in an instant.
As expected of a Reinforced-type superhuman and a long-range hunter, he poured his full power into a single attack.
The magical arrow ignored the resistance of the water and pierced straight through the Thunder Imoogi’s neck.
“As expected of you, Director!”
“You haven’t lost your touch at all!”
“That was a clean kill!”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Director Kang gave an embarrassed chuckle.
“I’ll haul the Imoogi out. Why don’t you all get things set up for a celebration here? Let’s have a drink.”
“Right here? Not back at headquarters?”
“Of course right here! Why else would I have brought drinks? You know it’s only a true feast if it’s held on the hunting grounds!”
“At the very least, shouldn’t we double-check first…”
“Just leave the head intact! There’s no problem with us having a bit of the gall and meat!”
Grinning ear to ear, Director Kang jumped into the lake.
The Chiefs started setting up a portable burner and a frying pan, pulling out the alcohol as they bustled about.
Chief Choi, however, stood there looking uncomfortable before slipping away.
“I’ll be back in a minute. Just have to take care of something.”
He didn’t leave the restricted zone entirely.
That would’ve been too obvious.
Instead, he disappeared behind a nearby tree.
Why?
Obvious—he needed to take the antidote in advance.
Feigning disinterest, I kept a close eye on Chief Choi.
He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then adjusted his pants as if to relieve himself.
To the casual observer, it looked like he was about to take a piss.
But a closer look showed that his hand was reaching into his pocket, not his zipper.
Finally, he pulled out a small, gold-wrapped pill.
Just as he was about to pop the antidote into his mouth, I pulled out my magic pistol and fired.
A black beam shot out and struck Chief Choi directly.
“Aaagh!”
Chief Choi screamed as black flames ignited across his entire body.
The dark fire was as painful as a fever, torturing his nervous system with its malevolent, searing heat.
Naturally, the pill he held fell to the ground.
“Huh?”
“What the…?”
“Chief Choi!”
The Chiefs and Director Kang, who’d just emerged from the lake carrying the Imoogi, reacted immediately.
They rushed over, but I got there first.
I secured Chief Choi and pocketed the fallen antidote pill.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!”
Director Kang stepped in front of me, practically spitting fire.
“What grudge do you have against Chief Choi to attack him like that? Cancel that spell this instant!”
Director Kang was already in combat stance.
A high-frequency blade extended from his left hand, while crossbow bolts protruded from his right.
“Sure.”
I reached out to where Chief Choi lay on the ground.
Equipped [Black Flame].
Using [Mana Absorption], I drew the black flames into my hand, extinguishing the fire that had engulfed Chief Choi.
“Huff… huff…”
Chief Choi gasped, looking up at me with wide eyes.
But he couldn’t move.
I was pressing down on his spine with the [Grapple] trait I’d learned in the Colosseum.
I held him down at a spot directly behind his heart.
A solid blow would be enough to burst his heart.
Chief Choi was a Level 4 superhuman, but unfortunately, he was a Reinforced type specialized in ranged attacks.
The moment he let a close-range Warrior like me get this close, he was done for.
Especially after having just been tortured by the Black Flame.
All he could do was squeeze out a few words in protest.
“Why… why are you doing this? What did I do…”
Director Kang and the Chiefs raised their voices in protest as well.
“Hunter Kim! Release Chief Choi at once!”
“Did you lure us here just to set a trap?”
“Do you have some personal grudge against Chief Choi?”
Unlike Director Kang, who looked ready to pounce, the two Chiefs kept their composure.
They didn’t seem to think Chief Choi was a traitor.
Instead, they assumed I had some personal vendetta against him.
“I’ll explain everything. Once you hear me out, you’ll understand my actions.”
“If I don’t, you’ll have to answer for it!”
Director Kang aimed a barrage of magical arrows at me, each one loaded into his arm like a deadly shinkijon.
The sight was intimidating, but I didn’t flinch.
Instead, I turned to the two Chiefs and made a request.
“I’m sorry, but could you bring me some soju, beer, and a tumbler from the car? I’ll need them to explain.”
“Soju? Beer? A tumbler? What are you planning to do?”
“Alright, we’ll get it.”
I mixed the soju and beer together right there.
I shook the tumbler well until it foamed.
At that moment, Chief Choi, realizing what I was about to do, began to scream.
“Director Kang! Director Kang Kisuk! He’s trying to frame me! He’s going to poison the soju and beer! I’ll end up coughing blood and dying!”
“Poison? When did he poison it?”
“I don’t know! He must have some sort of ability!”
Oh, so he’s going to play it like that?
Without hesitation, I tossed the tumbler full of soju and beer aside.
“You’re absolutely right. The drink is poisoned.”
“What? The drink is actually poisoned?”
“But I didn’t poison it. The soju and beer were already tainted from the start. It’s a compound poison. If it’s a problem for me to mix it, why don’t you or the Chiefs mix it yourselves and drink it? Though, from what Chief Choi just said, it sounds like you’ll end up coughing blood and dying if you do.”
Director Kang gave me a look of disbelief.
But as much as he liked him, he was a high-ranking Director in the association.
He’d surely encountered his fair share of schemes and conspiracies.
At first, he’d been furious that I was restraining his subordinate, but now he was starting to sense that something was wrong.
“I’ll do it myself.”
“Director! Please help me! I’m going to die if this goes on!”
“All you have to do is take a sip of the soju and beer mix. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. No matter how skilled Hunter Kim is as a Warrior, he can’t overcome the level difference. Trust me.”
Director Kang personally mixed the soju and beer.
I held Chief Choi down, forcing him to sit up.
He struggled, but it was pointless.
I had the [Giant’s Strength] trait equipped.
Director Kang held the tumbler filled with the soju-beer mixture up to him.
“Come on, come on, drink up. I prepared this soju and beer myself. No matter what kind of abilities Hunter Kim has, there’s no way he could’ve poisoned it. So go ahead, drink up. Chief Choi, you like soju-beer cocktails, don’t you?”
Chief Choi clenched his mouth shut.
No matter how insistently Director Kang tried to push the tumbler to his lips, he refused to drink.
He even turned his head away, thoroughly resisting.
The truth was obvious.
Director Kang’s face twisted in fury.
“You bastard!”
–TL Notes–
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