Chapter 448 — Still Working After Coming Back (4)
“It’s right here. Since it used to be a training room for mid- and high-rank Hunters, it was built quite sturdily.”
Choi Yeongjun led us toward a five-story building that jutted out as though attached to the right side of the Association. It looked like they had built a new structure while leaving the original building in place.
“The first floor has a high ceiling, and there’s no basement. The upper floors are also facilities for Hunters, so even if something happens on the first floor, the chances of injuries are low.”
In other words, even after Songi grew up, it would still be fine for them to stay here. Of course, the Gyeonggi rearing facility would be better for long-term living, but this could be used as a temporary residence when there was a need.
“The entrance is also separate from the upper floors.”
“What are the upper floors used for?”
When I Awakened before the regression, this new Hunter Association building hadn’t collapsed. The Awakening Center had opened safely too, and a considerable number of facilities from the old building had already been moved into the new one. Only things like the market had remained.
“A temporary shelter for mid-rank and above Awakened people.”
Looking up toward the upper floors of the building, Choi Yeongjun continued explaining.
“Sometimes they can’t control the stats that have suddenly risen. That’s why the first floor was set up as a training room. These days, mid- and high-rank Awakened are almost always taken directly by a guild, so it doesn’t get used much anymore, but in the old days, once someone Awakened, they often had nowhere appropriate to go. Some of them damaged surrounding property for as long as over a week.”
Well, Yerim too had smashed tables, floors, even a car right after Awakening. If someone lived in an apartment rather than a detached house, there probably would’ve been no way for them to stay at home.
“But unexpectedly, it’s right inside Seoul. Even though an accident could happen.”
“Well, that is…”
Choi Yeongjun glanced at me cautiously as he answered.
“The old facility was burned down by a certain underage S-rank Awakened person.”
“Ah…”
Mm, that was Yoohyun. I see.
“Then all the more reason it should’ve been in a deserted place, shouldn’t it?”
“They’re only level 1 right after Awakening. Rather than isolating them somewhere far away, it was judged better to place them somewhere with a number of high-rank Hunters nearby, so they could be subdued quickly with minimal damage. …Though there will always be exceptions.”
That made sense. At the Hunter Association there were high-rank Hunters permanently stationed there, and since Hunters came and went often because of the market too. Director Song also did plenty of work at the Association. Rather than keeping them far away and waiting for them to cause an accident, it might be better to keep them close and stop it quickly.
“So, um… was the damage really bad?”
“I wasn’t in charge of that area at the time, so I don’t know the details, but I heard Director Song Taewon had a hard time.”
Yoohyun! Feeling unable to hide my apology, I snuck a glance toward Director Song.
“At that time he was still rather unskilled, so it was fine.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“It must’ve been quite a sight. A little unfortunate that I wasn’t in Korea then.”
Sung Hyunjae cut in.
“I heard he kept bothering Director Song Taewon even after that too. He must’ve had a rough time playing toy for a child.”
“And you’re one to talk, Sung Hyunjae-ssi. You must’ve been several times worse than Yoohyun.”
You even dragged people overseas with you, for heaven’s sake. Director Song, as if agreeing with me, gave a small nod.
“Hunter Han Yoohyun had a clear purpose—combat experience—so he was much easier to deal with than Hunter Sung Hyunjae.”
“He did bite off Teacher’s arm, though.”
“I’m truly sorry, Director Song. And as for you, kindly keep your mouth shut.”
Wasn’t that the kind of thing that meant you shouldn’t have ten mouths’ worth of excuses in front of Director Song?
“He’s my younger brother, and back then I was still his guardian. So, Director Song, even if it’s belated, I’ll pay compensation. Just say the word and I’ll give you whatever you want!”
Anything, really! I can even give you those SS-rank handcuffs! Director Song looked at me quietly, then spoke.
“Please don’t cause incidents.”
“No, but that’s…”
“Especially, please do not create trouble together with Hunter Sung Hyunjae.”
“…It’s not like I do it because I want to.”
“If Mr. Han Yoojin simply remains safe, then Hunter Han Yoohyun and Hunter Bak Yerim also remain quiet.”
Sung Hyunjae cast a look my way that said, There you have it. Still, I’m better than you are, at least. For now. …Probably.
“Can’t I repay you in material terms?”
“The kiseungsu is already more than enough.”
“Songi still belongs to me on paper, though.”
Of course, while I wasn’t accepting compensation for the kiseungsu itself, that didn’t mean there was no benefit in it for me. On top of the image boost of contributing to the nation, this could also help push a special law related to kiseungsu in my favor. I’d even extracted a few things from the Hunter Association on the grounds of mascot and promotion fees.
“Isn’t this a capitalist society? I want to resolve this with money, Director Song.”
“I decline.”
“There’s one more person here who’d like to resolve things with money, though.”
“I sincerely decline that as well. In the first place, please stop creating problems that need resolving.”
Both Sung Hyunjae and I made simultaneously regretful expressions. Choi Yeongjun finally seemed unable to bear it any longer and shook his head.
“In any case, right now there are almost no users of this place. And since dungeon breaks have become rarer, minors needing long-term protection have also practically disappeared. So we’re planning to convert the whole place into a kiseungsu-related facility.”
With a smiling look in his eyes aimed at me, Choi Yeongjun said he was hoping that domestic kiseungsu would increase further in the future.
“Even if they aren’t monsters meant to become kiseungsu.”
That look clearly said, Work hard, please. Was the Association hoping to handle monster trading too, in addition to the item market?
As Choi Yeongjun had said, the first floor for kiseungsu had a ceiling height closer to that of three floors opened into one. Even a flying monster, if it was still a baby, wouldn’t feel cramped here. In the wide-open interior stood five separate pens. Calling them pens was one thing, but they were made cleanly with walls instead of bars, so they were more like rooms.
“The CCTV is, of course, all running. And behind it there’s an outdoor training yard too.”
At the rear, half the wall could be opened up along a giant glass facade. Given the location, the yard itself wasn’t very large. But the fence around it was tall, and I could see even a small pool. Though no matter how tall the wall was, surrounded by buildings like this, the whole thing would still be in plain view. Maybe that had been part of the plan too. Hunter Association baby monster photos taken and spread around by ordinary people.
Director Song set the lamb down on the grass.
- Meee.
Songi wagged their tail and started hopping around. For a moment they seemed to be looking around, then their ears shot up and folded back.
- Meee-eee!
The cry, longer and higher than before, made Director Song ask me,
“Do they dislike it?”
“Mm, no. I think… they’re calling for a friend.”
“A friend?”
“Yes. They want someone to play with.”
At my words, Director Song’s expression turned serious.
“Do they need another baby monster?”
“No, being alone may be lonely, but a playmate doesn’t necessarily have to be a monster. The monsters at the rearing facility aren’t even all the same species anyway.”
“…Pardon? Then…”
“It just means Director Song should play with Songi himself~ Here are Songi’s treats, and this is a toy fishing rod. Though you may not need the fishing rod.”
The rod was a toy I used to preserve my own stamina. I also took out a handful of balls I’d brought along. Colorful balls rolled across the grass. Seeing Director Song holding treats and a toy, Songi came bounding over.
And then promptly slammed their head into Director Song’s leg.
- Mee!
“Th-this headbutting…”
“This is also a way of asking you to play. They can’t hit me hard, but they’re headbutting you as much as they want. Please keep an eye on them so they don’t start doing that to other people too.”
Director Song nodded, then waved the toy rod in a very awkward manner. Songi bit down on the carrot-shaped doll tied to the end and ran off. Director Song followed after them in little quick steps. It was painfully obvious that he had no idea what he was doing.
A rookie dad.
“Please take especially good care of things so that it’s easier for Director Song to balance work and childcare.”
“Of course we should. Though no matter how much care we put in, he is not the sort of person who would actually rest…”
Choi Yeongjun said that regretfully.
“It would be nice if, before the lamb grows up, he could rest comfortably and do some promotional shoots too.”
…I don’t think the word comfortably belongs in that sentence.
“Oh, right. It looked like Leafnil and the Horn Fox would be difficult to use as kiseungsu.”
As if it had just occurred to him, Choi Yeongjun made a mildly exaggerated fuss.
“But the Hunter Association welcomes them with open arms!”
“You’re openly aiming for the S-rank and A-rank ones.”
“I only mean that I’d like you to keep it in mind.”
Yes, yes. Was it because once the Volcanic Black Sheep grew up it would no longer have much to do with cuteness, so they wanted one more small high-rank monster as a mascot? Though if that was the case, the rearing costs would be pretty high.
After taking some photos of Director Song and the lamb, Choi Yeongjun said he had a lot of work to do and left first. He’d have to make the official announcement and produce the related materials too.
“Sung Hyunjae-ssi.”
Watching Director Song get dragged around by Songi, I carefully broached the subject.
“I mean the changeling. The pink baby dragon I’m keeping.”
“Our child, you mean.”
“…Why on earth did Hyuna-ssi go around spreading that. Anyway, I promised the changeling I’d give them a name. So please recommend one. Just one. So I can use it for reference.”
“A name, you say…”
Sung Hyunjae hesitated, then continued. What was this. Did he unexpectedly have no talent for naming things?
“…Yongyong or Pink, perhaps.”
Dear God.
“What is that supposed to be? That’s no different from me.”
Maybe Yerim’s sense was just exceptionally good, and I was actually only average. I mean, just look at the naming contest for the rearing facility.
“I was trying to make it sound like the sort of name Han Yoojin-gun would give.”
“…Me?”
“Or perhaps Pink, or Cherry, or Chain.”
…Did he read my mind? I subtly took half a step to the side.
“I have never thought of names like that!”
“Didn’t you just say a moment ago that there wasn’t much difference?”
“I said Cherry, Cherry. What kind of names are Yongyong and Pink.”
Sung Hyunjae was no help either. In that case, maybe Director Song… no, that was probably not right either. Out of the three of us here, wasn’t I still the best? Still, maybe I should hear Director Song’s opinion too.
I walked over to Director Song, who was stopping Songi from leaping into the pool.
“Director Song! Just imagine it, Sung Hyunjae-ssi suggested for the child’s name—”
Thunk—!
A sound rang out, and Director Song picked Songi up and turned toward me. At the exact same moment, something struck my left shoulder hard. My body lurched violently—
My cheek stung,
“……!”
And a searing pain, like being branded with fire, shot through my right arm. I immediately used Eunhye, and Sung Hyunjae’s arm came around to brace and catch me.
“A sniper.”
The instant those words left him, Song Taewon set the lamb down and leaped up onto the wall. A sniper? What was he talking about? I saw a ball rolling across the ground. He must have thrown it—no, there wouldn’t have been time for that, so he’d kicked it. Sung Hyunjae pressed me down to the ground. Clink, the Searcher’s Chain wrapped itself around us.
The right sleeve of my top had been torn away in an instant. Only then did I smell blood.
“It isn’t deep. And nothing’s lodged inside. May I use a potion?”
“The weakest one possible. Do you have it?”
“For Han Yoojin-gun, I keep one.”
Sung Hyunjae took out a potion and poured it over the wound. In the meantime, my thoughts were shaking all over the place. What kind of situation is this?
“There are two S-ranks here. Even Sung Hyunjae-ssi is here.”
“The killing power was low.”
It had only grazed my arm, and my stats were F-rank, yet it had done no more than tear it a little. That made it stranger. If someone had managed to target me while avoiding the notice of both of those men, then they absolutely had to be high-rank, and yet the power of the attack was weak.
“And I smell gunpowder.”
“…What? You mean an ordinary gun?”
“Not entirely ordinary, no doubt.”
Helping me sit up, Sung Hyunjae spoke in a low voice. A faint chill showed in his eyes.
“It seems someone is trying to play a rather nasty trick.”
KWAANG!
Before his words had even fully settled, an explosion rang out. A bomb, literally. Not an Awakened person’s skill.
Weeeeee— A warning siren blared, and the wall blocking our view collapsed in a crashing wave. Song Taewon dropped down from above it and looked back at us with a hard face.
“It seems… to be a bombing attack.”
Those were not words you ever heard in relation to Hunters. I stared, startled, and Sung Hyunjae said,
“Such things aren’t rare overseas. But in Korea? The sniper?”
“There is no trace.”
So they had already vanished? At that moment, something flew in overhead. It was a drone. Nearly ten drones approached, closing in not only above us but around the Hunter Association building too.
What was that, should we destroy them? They weren’t monsters, and they weren’t Awakened people either—drones? Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon both narrowed their eyes and looked up.
“They don’t appear to have weapons.”
The moment Director Song finished speaking, boom! A drone exploded. Then bang, bang, bang—every single drone burst, scattering wreckage and powder in all directions.
“Songi!”
Was it poison? I grabbed Songi first. Director Song looked at me and the lamb, then gave Sung Hyunjae a glance and ran out beyond the collapsed wall. There was still no visible change in the scattered powder. The Searcher’s Chain remained wrapped around us, swaying.
“…What was that supposed to be?”
“Even I cannot tell. But for there to be no immediate change—”
Sung Hyunjae stopped speaking. I, too, felt a faint movement of mana. The scattered powder began to spill out black something as if sprouting shoots.
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