Inside a lavishly decorated office. In stark contrast to the vast size of the office, there was only a single desk. Hanging on the walls were magnificent photos of Hunters, reminiscent of movie posters, and every single photo bore a golden ‘G’ mark.
Glory Guild.
The largest and greatest Hunter group in existence. This was, in name and in reality, the office of the Representative of Glory Guild, the pinnacle of the Republic of Korea.
“Are you certain?”
Representative Gu Geon-yi asked, his tone as prickly as his spiky hair. One would normally be intimidated by the sharp voice of an S-rank Hunter. Yet, the chief secretary maintained a perfectly unwavering attitude.
“I am certain.”
Usually, the chief secretary’s words were mostly correct. Gu Geon-yi knew this well, but he couldn't help but ask one more time.
“It’s not like the Bishop Guild is playing games, is it?”
“They are not the type. On the contrary, officials from the Bishop Guild have been making calls to check on our movements.”
“…Damn it. Where in the world is he holed up and what is he doing?”
Gu Geon-yi let out a sigh of disbelief.
“After receiving all the attention in the world, why isn't he making a single move?”
“According to the reporters, he not only refuses interview requests but also ignores them even when they run into him by chance.”
“My word.”
If it were him, he would be desperate to exploit the flood of spotlights. But ‘that man’, far from using the attention, hadn’t shown his face at all, like a mole hidden underground. Where are you holed up, and what are you doing?
Cheon Hae-seon.
More than a month had passed since he became an S-ranker, yet no one knew of Cheon Hae-seon’s whereabouts.
“You said he isn’t just cooped up at home, right?”
“Yes. He apparently continues to go in and out of his house regularly, even after his probationary period ended.”
“He wouldn't be leisurely going on hikes. There must be something going on…”
It was a frustrating situation. He had never encountered someone so unpredictable. When Glory Guild summons, you come.
That was the law in the Republic of Korea. The phrase ‘Glory calls’ was even in circulation. Even new Hunters who acted high and mighty at first eventually accepted Glory Guild’s offer.
Because there was honor, money, and popularity that could not be found in other guilds. In recent years, Glory Guild had practically monopolized the A-rank Hunters. There were complaints from surrounding guilds, but that was none of their concern.
The only group they needed to maintain a friendly relationship with was the Hunter Association. Glory Guild's strategy was to recruit promising prospects even if it meant paying two, no, three times what other guilds offered. However, Cheon Hae-seon was, in many ways, walking a different path from the norm.
“If he’s not considering other guilds, then what in the world is it…?”
The ammunition was loaded and ready. He had to get Cheon Hae-seon, even if it meant paying a record-breaking amount. Because he was a being of that much worth.
[Perhaps… he might be above me.]
Maria's honest confession had come as a huge shock to Gu Geon-yi. He knew the young man's potential was outstanding enough to warrant the use of a Gold Core, but to think he might have ‘already’ surpassed her. Maria was revered as the best healer not just in the country, but in the world.
The arrival of a genius who surpassed the peerless healer. No one in this world could have predicted the emergence of such a being. The problem was that this genius wasn't siding with anyone.
“For a while, reporters and guild officials were staking out near his house… but I heard he finds them with uncanny precision every time and threatens them.”
“Threatens them?”
“This is just what I heard… but he apparently told them that if he sees them one more time, they will never have to see each other again for the rest of their lives.”
“Hah.”
A dry laugh escaped Gu Geon-yi's thick lips. It's not like he has social anxiety or something. Just how long does he plan to hide in the shadows?
Wait.
Hiding in the shadows…?
“We need to change our method.”
“Sir?”
“Just chasing him like this won't get us anywhere. We need a change in perspective.”
“Do you mean to say you will no longer seek out Cheon Hae-seon?”
“That’s right.”
His smile twisted into a vile expression. There are two ways to draw out someone who is hiding. Either use force to drag them out, or create a situation that makes them come out on their own.
“He may be an S-ranker, but he’s just a kid. A minor who can't even legally drink. If we shake up his mentality, he won't be able to withstand it.”
Being a Hunter is an honorable profession that saves lives. S-rankers, in particular, enjoy a level of popularity comparable to star celebrities. Countless people are interested in every little move an S-ranker makes.
Most of the sentiment is adoration, but if someone were to make a mistake, the backlash would be just as fierce.
“You intend to wage a war of public opinion.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
Having made up his mind, Gu Geon-yi leaned back deep into his chair. Why hadn't he thought of this sooner? There are things people naturally expect from S-rank Hunters.
Joining a major guild to tackle dungeons, saving people when a Gate bursts open. It's only natural for these expectations to rise with the rank. But what about the current Cheon Hae-seon?
He was completely hidden away, having not even joined a guild, let alone engaged in any public activities. In other words, he was lacking ‘awareness’ as an S-ranker.
‘The headline is set… and next.’
There were plenty of reporters who would write articles to his liking. He might as well use a major media outlet with the greatest impact. The responsibility that comes with being an S-ranker.
If he highlighted that, Cheon Hae-seon would have to join a guild, whether he liked it or not. And his choice would be Glory Guild. Maria and Cheon Hae-seon.
A guild possessing two S-ranker healers would be hard to find not just in Korea, but anywhere in the world.
“Come to think of it, I haven't seen Maria all day. She wouldn't happen to be in the ‘healing chamber’, would she?”
“No, sir. She mentioned this morning that she had a personal appointment.”
“A personal appointment?”
Gu Geon-yi’s thick eyebrows twitched once. For a woman who was nothing but work and guilt to have a personal appointment. It was certainly a rare occurrence.
“Did she say where she was going?”
“No, sir. She didn't mention meeting anyone in particular.”
“The sun must be rising in the west. Maria, on a personal appointment.”
Gu Geon-yi chuckled and rose from his seat. It was slightly concerning, but it was probably nothing. Maria had never once disappointed him.
“Contact the editor-in-chief of the Central Daily News. Tell him I have something important to discuss.”
Again.
Someone was secretly watching me again. I’m sick and tired of this. Ever since I became an S-ranker, my house has become a den for reporters and guild officials.
What time I leave the house, when I come back. Trivial things like which bus I take would become news articles. I didn't care about myself, but seeing the trouble it caused for my sister and the neighbors made me furious.
So I took drastic measures. I declared that whoever I encountered here, I would cut ties with their organization for life. After conveying my opinion with a kind (?) smile, they started to listen.
If I were to boycott them, they, as mere employees, wouldn't be able to handle the fallout.
But.
Just when I thought things had quieted down recently, another one was caught on my radar. Worse, this one was the clumsiest of all the people I’d seen so far. They were staring so intently at me that the back of my head was tingling.
“A baseball cap and tied-up hair… is it that person over there?”
It would be a waste if they ran away before I could identify them, so I decided to use ‘Poison Step’.
Phat.
“Ah…!”
A clear voice flowed from the person in the cap. They seemed quite startled, but that was none of my business.
“What is your affiliation.”
“Pardon?”
“State your affiliation and go back and tell them. If I see you one more time, you and I will have no business for the rest of our lives.”
The woman, who had pulled her cap down low, answered hesitantly.
“My affiliation… I believe you already know.”
What…?
What are you talking about. When have I ever seen you…
Huh????
“Maria?!”
“Have you been well? Hunter Cheon Hae-seon.”
Maria greeted me with an awkward smile. This wasn't the first time I'd seen her in person. I saw her face when she was with Gu Geon-yi, and during the Hunter Qualification Test.
But I never expected to see Maria here.
“Hah…”
Truly, no matter how many times I saw her, her appearance felt unreal. Perfect facial features that showed not a single flaw, as if created by artificial intelligence. If you just put a square frame in front of her, you could believe it was a scene from TV.
“…I’ve been well enough. I didn’t expect the person watching me to be you, Maria.”
“I’m sorry. For showing up so suddenly without contacting you.”
When had we ever exchanged contact information? Judging by the awkward turn of the conversation, it seemed Maria wasn't in a calm state either.
“Well, it’s fine. It’s not like this is a new occurrence. Do you have some business with me?”
“Yes.”
“If it’s a recruitment offer or something like that…”
“No, it's not.”
Maria shook her head vigorously, as if to say that would never happen. Because she had her cap pulled down low, it was hard to tell from a distance, but even in her casual clothes, she exuded an aura different from that of an S-rank Healer.
“I came to find you, Hunter Cheon Hae-seon, not as a member of Glory Guild, but for personal reasons.”
That’s the kind of thing that could easily be misunderstood. Even without conversation, Maria and I had too many elements that would attract people’s attention. I suggested a suitable place to her.
A place that would be horrifying to others, but incredibly convenient for us.
“…This place is still the same.”
Maria let out a deep sigh. A place where not even a single ant could be seen. A place where traces of civilization remained, but only desolation was visible.
The place where countless people died, and where I awakened as a Poison-type Hunter. This was the Gaebang District Gate zone.
“Quite a lot of time has passed since the Gate broke… but the restoration work still hasn't been done…”
“In the eyes of the public, this place is no different from Chernobyl. Of course, even so, it’s true that the response has been slow.”
“I should talk about this as soon as I get back. The city is in ruins, and they have no intention of restoring it at all…”
A look of regret was evident on Maria’s face. The reason I brought her here was because it was a ‘convenient place’. Not just ordinary people, but even most Hunters wouldn't dare approach a Gate where Poison-type Monsters had emerged.
Because they couldn't be sure if the monsters’ poison had completely disappeared. But for a healer, especially healers of my and Maria's level, stepping into this area was no problem. The issue was that Maria, witnessing the tragedy of this place, felt a sense of guilt…
‘It wasn’t my intention, but it’s not like I did something I shouldn’t have.’
Before being an S-rank Healer, she was a member of Glory Guild. While she didn't harbor the same level of animosity as Gu Geon-yi, as long as she was in the same boat as them, she couldn't be free from responsibility. The responsibility of weighing human lives.
“We can talk safely here.”
“Yes… that’s certainly true.”
Maria, who had been looking around the ruins of Gaebang District with sorrowful eyes, turned her head toward me.
“The monster you healed, Hunter Cheon Hae-seon. Do you remember it?”
“Yes. I remember.”
The Imperial Tiger. The one I named ‘Daebeom’. Did that guy get into trouble after feeling all better?
“The Imperial Tiger escaped.”
Oh. That rascal. You succeeded.
“So it finally did it.”
“…Pardon?”
“Ah… that is… I meant that my healing was perfectly successful. Surely you’re not trying to place the responsibility for its escape on me?”
“Fufu. Of course not.”
Maria smiled faintly and shook her head. Was she a woman who knew how to smile like that?
“As a fellow healer, I was curious. At that time, the Imperial Tiger was not only physically damaged but also poisoned, and its Core had some scratches on it.”
This was the first time I’d heard that its Core was damaged.
“The Imperial Tiger is a species known as a spirit beast. They possess an intelligence on a different level from Monsters. Some spirit beasts can even transcend ‘space’.”
“Space… you don’t mean…?”
“Yes. The Association is keeping it quiet, but given that there’s no evidence of property damage, it appears to have escaped using a dimensional ability.”
Wow.
It was a much more amazing creature than I thought. A large monster that could leap between spaces.
Wait.
Then shouldn't it have come to thank me first?
“I thought it was impossible to restore a damaged Core. Until I witnessed your healing ability, Hunter Cheon Hae-seon.”
So this was the personal reason she came. As the ‘healer’ Maria, she wanted to share her feelings about healing. But what can I do?
My healing process is fundamentally different from that of a normal healer.
“Well. There’s nothing special I can say other than I channeled the Ether in my body into the target. I imagine you use the same method, Maria.”
“I see… so that’s how it is… I thought there might be something special…”
After that, we briefly exchanged a few words related to healing. She opened her small mouth wide in surprise when I told her I could communicate with Daebeom through telepathy.
“A spirit beast is a spirit beast. I feel like I’ve heard many valuable stories today.”
Until the moment she left, Maria didn't even bring up the ‘r’ in recruitment. Of course, this could also be a high-level psychological tactic, but looking at her expression, I thought it might not be.
“If you don’t mind…”
She took out something small from her pocket. Was it a Glory Guild business card? I thought, but it was just a simple note.
A phone number was written on it.
“This is my personal number, not registered with the Association. If you need anything personally later on, please contact me.”
Conscious of the fact that I was a person from Glory Guild, she didn't ask for my number. A situation where one side could unilaterally make contact. From my perspective, there was no reason to refuse.
“I’ve learned a lot. I hope we can meet again soon.”
Most Hunters have an ingrained arrogance. With so many people looking up to them, it might be natural. But from Maria, who was called the Hunter above all Hunters, I couldn’t find a single shred of that feeling.
Either she was genuinely like that by nature, or she was an incomparably cunning fox. It had to be one of the two. I stopped her as she was about to say her goodbyes and leave.
“Maria.”
“Yes?”
From the first time I saw her until now, there had been one thing I was always curious about.
“Do you ever participate in direct combat?”
“??”
I know it’s a stupid question. Who would assign any role other than healing to an S-rank Healer? But without it, there was no way to explain this ‘phenomenon’.
“No… I only focus on healing on the battlefield.”
“Then why do you have so many healed wounds?”
“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
On the surface, it seemed she was fully healed, but my eyes could see it. Her entire body was covered in regenerated wounds of an indescribably horrific nature. With so many Tankers around, how could Maria have sustained such injuries?
“That… is…”
Maria’s face, once as white as jade, suddenly turned deathly pale. Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?
“Well then, goodbye!”
“?!”
She fled the scene as if escaping. With a deep expression I had never seen before, despite our few encounters. For a while after that.
I had to stand there, just watching the back of the woman who had suddenly disappeared.