Chapter 447 — Still Working After Coming Back (3)
With no other Hunters accompanying us, Evelyn drove the car out of the building parking garage herself. So I really am the only one without a license. Reporters who had been waiting outside kept pressing their camera shutters at the car.
“This isn’t even the first time I’ve been kidnapped. They’re really chasing me around.”
Why were they still camping out in front of someone else’s building? At my words, Evelyn glanced slightly back at me.
“I hear you don’t read online articles very often.”
“Ah, yes. It’s not that I never read them at all, though.”
Since I disliked them, not only the kids but the people around me too tended not to bring them up much.
“More than the kidnapping, it’s the effect of another issue that’s bigger.”
When we stopped at a red light, Evelyn picked up her phone, searched for the article, and showed it to me. The moment I saw the large picture at the top of the article, my brow furrowed on its own.
‘They really used this photo…’
I ended up meeting eyes with myself, standing there clutching a pink bouquet. What was I so happy about that I was smiling like that?
“‘The kiseungsu rearing facility’s close ties with Seseong Guild’… No, wait a second. Why are they writing fiction? I clearly said from the very beginning that I wouldn’t belong to any specific guild, but they’re already speculating that I’m going to Seseong.”
There was also content about overseas rearing commissions. Things like how Haeyeon lacked overseas influence, so naturally the rearing facility would have no choice but to become more deeply tied to Seseong Guild.
“There’s even stuff about Evelyn-ssi in here too. ‘Seseong Guild’s excellent ability to recruit overseas Hunters’…”
So that was why Seok Simyeong had told me to act closer with Yoohyun. Of course, he knew perfectly well that I had no intention of going to Seseong, but these kinds of articles must have been irritating.
“‘Korea’s number one Hunter guild leader’s active love call’—what kind of nonsense is that? Huh, there’s already an article up saying I’m going to get a checkup at Seseong Hospital too. Isn’t there a spy inside Seseong?”
“That was leaked deliberately.”
“What’s this now about having had several private meals together? I eat with anybody.”
“Other than Director Han, there has been no one whom the Guild Leader personally treated to a meal. Director Song Taewon is excluded because he refused over the matter of cost.”
“…You’ve never eaten together? You’re in the same guild.”
Instead of answering, Evelyn smiled. Apparently even S-rank Hunters didn’t enjoy eating with their boss. I could definitely imagine Soyoung-ssi recoiling in horror and running away too.
“He isn’t a bad meal companion, though.”
Anyway, I had intended to act close with Seseong Guild, but rumors of a merger were too much. Should I put a little distance there? Or should I act even closer with Yoohyun and Hyuna-ssi instead? Maybe go on something like a group retreat. The rearing facility, Haeyeon, and Breaker together.
…Though leaving only Seseong out would be a bit much.
“At this rate, even giving Evelyn the Pegasus is going to get people talking. Since Haeyeon is getting an S-rank kiseungsu.”
Handing the phone back to Evelyn, I grumbled. Articles could be written however people wanted. If they shrank some things and magnified others just right, what came out could be very far from the actual truth.
“You’re going to name it yourself, right, Evelyn-ssi? Do you have anything in mind already?”
“No, but…”
Evelyn paused to think for a moment, then continued.
“Bare-nim. Let’s go with that.”
“What does it mean?”
“It doesn’t mean anything.”
Had she really just attached something at random? Since she didn’t seem particularly attached to the Pegasus, I felt a little worried. But then again, Yoohyun got along fine with Peace too.
“Did Sung Hyunjae-ssi happen to tell you about that cult or anything?”
“It is best not to get entangled with them at all.”
“I heard you know a lot about that side of things, Evelyn-ssi.”
“Well. What I know, and what Director Han wishes to know, are probably a little different.”
Even so, Evelyn said she would organize the information and send it over.
“Though from what I heard from the Guild Leader, quite a lot seems to have changed in a short time. I have never killed an S-rank Awakened person.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I mean I’ve never had friction with one.”
Hmm. So in the end, that probably meant there had been quite a bit of bloodshed with A-ranks and below.
By then the car had entered the Hunter Association parking lot. Reporters were waiting here too. Since I’d shown up with a Seseong Guild member, more speculative articles were definitely going to come pouring out again. At least they were keeping their distance, so they couldn’t throw pointless questions at—
It was because of that man that they were keeping their distance in the first place.
The car door opened, and Sung Hyunjae held out his hand.
“There’s no need for you to come out this far.”
“Hunter Miller tends to be a little lacking in consideration. Isn’t that too heavy for Han Yoojin-gun to carry in his current state?”
The lamb really was a bit bulky and heavy. The Horn Fox was small and skinny, and if Peace transformed to his youngest form it wasn’t burdensome either. Even so, I could still carry it.
“Songi can walk on their own. Right?”
- Meee.
“Outdoors, you have to be careful.”
That was true, but still. Sung Hyunjae tucked the lamb under one arm and helped me up with the other hand. They’re photographing all of this right now, you know. Still, I had to smile for the moment. Camera quality was so good these days that from this distance they’d probably capture every expression clearly.
“Let’s act a little less close for a while.”
“So you discard me as soon as you’ve gotten what you wanted. My partner really is cold.”
“What do you mean discard? There are stupid rumors going around, that’s why. I think I need to look closer with Haeyeon and with Yoohyun.”
As we walked into the building, Sung Hyunjae tilted his head.
“You intend to act even closer with young master than you already do? Was that even possible?”
“I mean media exposure, exposure. The Peace doll release event is coming up anyway, so if I stick close to him then and show everyone we get along well, that should do it.”
“I think that would only make it look more like an event for show, rather than sincere.”
Would it? Then naturally… naturally… There wasn’t anything to do naturally. Normally, the way siblings looked close came out inside the house. Outside, it was usually more like a business relationship. Security around the rearing facility was so tight that even paparazzi couldn’t get near it. It wasn’t like I could openly say while working, wow, my little brother is doing such a good job.
“Welcome, Director Han Yoojin.”
The moment the door opened, Choi Yeongjun, the head of the Hunter Association’s PR Department, greeted me with a beaming face. I’m not going to the Association side, though. Still, there was no helping the fact that we’d end up linked. Director Song Taewon also rose from his seat and gave me a slight nod. I returned the greeting and sat down on the sofa.
Sung Hyunjae set the lamb down on the table. Click, the small sound of hooves touching the glass surface rang out.
“You said the kiseungsu rearing facility would cover the care costs for the Volcanic Black Sheep, but it would be fine to transfer them to our side.”
“Songi is, in every sense, Director Song’s personal kiseungsu. It would not do for a public institution to pay the cost for a personal kiseungsu.”
The contract for the Volcanic Black Sheep had been made a little differently from the usual kind. First of all, Songi would remain officially affiliated with the kiseungsu rearing facility. However, the partner of the Volcanic Black Sheep was Song Taewon.
Roughly speaking, it was like an entertainer from Agency A signing a lifetime contract with Program B. Or maybe more like an agency and a sports club.
“Of course, when it comes to accidents that happen during activities such as dungeon raids, dungeon break response, work with the Awakened Management Office, or Hunter Association promotions, the Hunter Association must take responsibility.”
The basic rearing costs would be paid by the rearing facility—by me. But costs incurred on the job were a different matter. The Association had to pay for those. Including compensation in case they overworked the kid.
“You reviewed all the conditions, right? You absolutely must obey the working hours. And you must not make them face monsters that are too dangerous for their rank. If the Association acquires equipment for kiseungsu, the Volcanic Black Sheep gets first priority. And please remember very clearly that Director Song has no right of resale.”
If it were up to me, I’d have liked to transfer all the rights to Director Song. But Director Song felt burdened by that, and it would also be difficult for him alone to protect the Volcanic Black Sheep. That didn’t mean he lacked the ability to do so. If Director Song were to stand firmly in the way, who would dare touch Songi?
The problem was that he wasn’t the sort of person who could do that. He was still someone who let go too easily of what came into his hands. If people told him it was for more people, for the sake of the nation, he would give up on it.
So for the time being, Songi would remain under the rearing facility, and the rearing facility would protect them.
“Director Song Taewon’s residence is a normal residential building. Pets are not forbidden, but getting immediate permission for a Volcanic Black Sheep to reside there will be difficult.”
“What’s the problem when an S-rank Hunter lives there? They’re still a baby, even. They’re quiet. The rearing facility will take responsibility for any problems that occur outside working hours. And besides…”
I glanced at Director Song, who was sitting silently.
“You’re not going to be home long enough for it to matter anyway, are you?”
“That is… yes.”
Choi Yeongjun looked sympathetic and agreed with me. It would probably end up being little more than a place to sleep. Fortunately, Songi went to sleep early and stayed quiet until sunrise. Maybe because they were still a baby, they slept a lot.
“We’ve already prepared a space for a kiseungsu in the Hunter Association. Until they can use juvenile form, it’s fine for them to roam freely. Activity within the Awakened Management Office is also unrestricted.”
“Thank you for going to the trouble.”
“It’s only natural.”
Still, life really was easier now that the people had changed and things communicated more smoothly. Even while we adjusted the remaining additional details, Director Song stayed quiet. His gaze rested the whole time on the lamb sitting atop the table. It was hard to guess what he was thinking. His expression was heavy and calm.
After Choi Yeongjun left the room for a moment to handle work, the lamb bleated softly.
“Try holding them once.”
At my words, the corners of Director Song’s mouth stiffened faintly. Sung Hyunjae, lounging as if he were just a spectator, saw that and smiled.
“Did you get scared, perhaps?”
“What nonsense are you saying now?”
“That’s because Director Song Taewon is unlike Han Yoojin-gun, for whom affection comes easily.”
“…It’s not all that easy for me either.”
It wasn’t like I liked absolutely everyone. Even Seok Simyeong, though he treated me extremely well now, still made me uncomfortable.
“True, Han Yoojin-gun is only good at giving things away. On the other hand, Director Song Taewon is bad at receiving—but if you exclude his heart, he’s also bad at giving. The problem is that he gives away everything else.”
I fully agreed with the part about giving everything away. He really ought to keep more for himself. With no particular rebuttal, only a brief sigh, Director Song held out a hand toward the lamb. The lamb stared at the large hand approaching slowly, then suddenly sprang to its feet and—
Bonk.
Headbutted him.
- Meee!
Managing remarkably well on the slippery glass, the lamb hit Director Song’s hand again with another headbutt. Director Song looked slightly flustered, and Sung Hyunjae laughed low.
“It seems they’re still sulking.”
“Sulking?”
“Or perhaps they’re being fussy because it’s been a while.”
What are you even talking about? Song Taewon, who had withdrawn his hand, offered it to Songi again. This time, instead of headbutting, the lamb set their head squarely onto his palm.
“…I’m sorry.”
- Meee.
“For now… please take care of me. But I won’t be entirely to your liking.”
- Meee-eee.
“If you’re uncomfortable, it’s all right to return at any time.”
…Um, Director Song. Even if you say all that, they can’t really understand it. Was that serious voice meant for himself too? Songi merely wagged their short tail and sucked on his thumb. Director Song looked at me.
“Are they hungry?”
“Uh, no. They do that with Sorok too. They bite or suck on Sorok’s ears, and Sorok gets annoyed.”
“I see. Then please tell me the rest of the precautions.”
“I’ve organized them into a file, so I’ll send it by email. It’s not particularly difficult.”
Since Songi needed to be raised, the decision was that they would stay at the rearing facility for three days each week. Director Song picked up the lamb a little awkwardly. Songi, on the other hand, already seemed perfectly at home in his arms and immediately started chewing on his necktie.
I should buy him a few ties as gifts. If it counted as an expense, he’d probably accept them.
“Ah, and this is Songi’s exclusive leash.”
I took out the S-rank wire and placed it on the table.
“Since they’re an A-rank kiseungsu, I specially prepared something very sturdy. Please take it with you.”
“…It doesn’t look like a leash.”
“It is, though. A cord. And there’s a collar right here too.”
It was a C-rank collar I’d asked Myeongwoo to make in a hurry.
“Songi doesn’t really like wearing a leash, so in everyday situations it’s fine if Director Song wears it instead.”
“I also possess cords sturdy enough for my own use. I’ll take only the collar.”
“It has to be an S-rank cord for an A-rank kiseungsu, though. Really.”
That wasn’t a complete lie.
“Just imagine Songi all grown up. Since I’m the one raising them, they might even become a quasi-S-rank kiseungsu. Then I couldn’t possibly trust a cord below A-rank! It’s a necessity, an absolute necessity! If you’re raising a pet, how can you use a leash that isn’t even appropriate for them? For safety’s sake too, S-rank is absolutely necessary!”
“…For now, I’ll accept it.”
In the end, the S-rank wire ended up in Director Song’s hand. Songi, thank you! You’re the true filial child!
“And in order to hold the leash properly, some sturdy gloves would also—”
“That will not be necessary.”
Tch. As expected, that much was impossible.
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