A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 143

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 143: Year-end ?? (1)

 

Ding—

 

I opened the door to the 24-hour convenience store and went inside. Baek Kyul and Kim Se-min followed behind me.

 

“Oh, I heard this just came out. They said there are game character sticker seals inside this.”

 

Baek Kyul said as he picked up a piece of bread. There was a character painting drawn on the surface of the package.

 

“Sticker… what? What’s that?”

 

“Wow. You don’t even know that? It’s like stickers you can peel off and stick on. Even adults collect them a lot these days.”

 

So what is that exactly…

 

“I don’t get it. Just put it in for now.”

 

“Yes!”

 

I gave up trying to understand kids’ trends these days and held out the basket.

 

Baek Kyul put in 5 pieces of bread as if he’d been waiting for this.

 

“You can eat all of those, right?”

 

“That’s not what’s important.”

 

“Fine… Se-min, are you done choosing?”

 

Kim Se-min picked up a triangle kimbap. Even in this situation, seeing her choose one with a dog painting on it, she was still a child after all.

 

“Thank you, I’ll eat it well.”

 

Kim Se-min greeted me politely. However, one triangle kimbap seemed insufficient, so I asked again.

 

“Is that okay? You can buy more.”

 

“…Then I’ll take that bread too…”

 

At my words, her hand picked up the bread that supposedly contained sticker seals.

 

…At least you only took one, that’s a relief.

 

“I’d like to pay for these.”

 

I finally added my share of kimbap and placed the basket on the checkout counter.

 

“…That’ll be fifteen thousand won.”

 

Then the convenience store’s dawn shift part-timer looked at me with suspicious eyes.

 

‘Why is he acting like that?’

 

I pondered for a moment before I could understand the reason.

 

“But just now was seriously insane. Do you know what happened while you were unconscious? He was spraying blood everywhere— lights were going swoosh swoosh— and then wind was blowing!”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Really! I couldn’t see it, but there was definitely a ghost there. I’m sure of it.”

 

The two middle schoolers had started an extraordinary conversation…

 

The part-timer began giving me looks asking what the hell I was doing with kids at this hour.

 

“He’s a tutor. A tutor. They seemed bored so we did some courage training for a bit… Hahaha.”

 

I laughed awkwardly. Then Baek Kyul tilted his head in confusion.

 

“Huh? What tutor— Mmph!”

 

Fortunately, Kim Se-min quickly covered the guy’s mouth.

 

“Ah yes. Right, right. Um, teacher, hurry up and teach us the quadratic formula.”

 

I didn’t know this, but Baek Kyul… was terrible at acting. It was amazing we didn’t get reported immediately.

 

“Do you need a bag?”

 

“Oh, no. It’s fine. Well then, have a good night—!”

 

I dragged the children and quickly escaped from the convenience store.

 

Outside, it was snowing.

 

“Whoa, crazy. It’s snowing.”

 

“Wow, you’re right. It’s coming down pretty hard?”

 

“…It’s pretty.”

 

Pure white snow poured down heavily from the sky. Baek Kyul, Kim Se-min, and I looked up at the sky with blank faces.

 

“Given the timing… is this the last snow of the year?”

 

It was already the end of the year. The new year would arrive in just a little while. So it would be fair to consider this the last snow of the year.

 

‘How romantic.’

 

I chuckled softly and enjoyed the cold sensation I felt on my palm.

 

“Ugh. I hate snow.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Do you know how many people come to the hospital after slipping and falling on the street? They all lack caution, caution!”

 

“Haha.”

 

Baek Kyul grumbled as if he really disliked it.

 

“…But it really is pretty though.”

 

Baek Kyul muttered that and glanced at Kim Se-min who was catching snowflakes.

 

“Ahem. I should get going now. I have a call tomorrow morning, so I want to get some sleep even now. Bye, get home safely!”

 

“Huh? So suddenly?”

 

“Dude, today was really great!”

 

Baek Kyul ran across the snowy path with very careless steps, as if proving he was a healer.

 

His waving figure gradually grew distant.

 

“Yeah, okay…”

 

‘He’s really fast.’

 

I saw Baek Kyul off and spoke to Kim Se-min.

 

“Then shall we call it a day too? Can you get home by yourself?”

 

“Yes. It’s near the school.”

 

“Ah. Got it. Get home safely.”

 

“….”

 

I waved my hand lightly. But Kim Se-min hesitated for a moment.

 

“…Um.”

 

“?”

 

“Thank you for helping me today.”

 

The girl with black hair hanging down to her waist continued speaking while looking at the ground.

 

“…You could have just abandoned me and left. Since I was acting on my own. Actually, Hunter Baek Kyul tried to stop me too.”

 

“….”

 

“I’m sorry. I caused you trouble.”

 

Her tone was calm. But there was sincerity in it.

 

‘Does she think that me saving her was just my goodwill?’

 

I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“You don’t need to apologize.”

 

“….”

 

“That was just my duty. Because you’re young.”

 

Kim Se-min made an expression as if she had heard something unexpected. She opened her mouth briefly then closed it without saying anything else.

 

“I’m not such a bad person that I’d accept gratitude or apologies for something I naturally had to do. Though of course, if something like this happens again, I’ll scold you terribly.”

 

I smiled brightly and handed Kim Se-min the kimbap I had just bought.

 

“Make sure to eat breakfast properly and go to school. Let’s meet again next time.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Crunch.

 

The softly piled snow was stepped on. I left Kim Se-min behind and started walking.

 

‘It’s snowing a lot.’

 

It seemed like the heavy snow would continue for a while.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

 

Bubble bubble.

 

The smell of kimchi stew loaded with meat filled the kitchen of the Shaman House.

 

“Oh, the seasoning is just right.”

 

After perfectly cooking a rolled omelet made with plenty of eggs, I smiled with satisfaction.

 

‘The boiler is running strong too… Ah, this is good.’

 

With my bank balance being abundant, even the middle of winter was quite bearable.

 

I muttered while taking out the side dishes.

 

“It’s really almost New Year’s…”

 

This year had really been full of events. Suddenly awakening as a Hunter, and all the incidents that followed. If I were to list them all, it would take forever.

 

Was that why? For some reason, it felt like time had passed faster than last year.

 

‘What was I doing around this time last year?’

 

At year-end, that guy Choi Yu-il is also busy. And besides him, I don’t really know anyone else…

 

‘I barely noticed it was New Year’s and just let it pass. I only barely managed to observe the Lunar New Year.’

 

Well, this year the house is quiet too. It’s not really any different.

 

“Maybe I should give Choi Yu-il a call later.”

 

He’s always been consistent about giving New Year’s gifts, but this year it would be nice if the three of us – including Sister Yu-kyung – could have a meal together.

 

…Since things are a bit more comfortable now.

 

‘There are things to discuss too.’

 

It was completely unknown when the Strange People Cult, having finished their activities in Japan, would rise up again.

 

Even if things were peaceful for now. I knew well that all peace could be shattered at any moment.

 

Ring ring—

 

Just as I was taking a spoonful of rice along with my worries, the phone rang.

 

[OCR]

 

“Ugh.”

 

Let’s not answer!

 

Ring ring—

 

Ring ring—

 

But the ringing was persistent.

 

“Hello?”

 

When I finally pressed the call button, a cheerful voice came through.

 

[Oh! You finally answered! Is it okay to talk?]

 

“I was in the middle of eating.”

 

[Breakfast? What are you eating?]

 

“Just kimchi stew and… But what’s going on?”

 

The distance between us had noticeably decreased. When I changed the subject, Lee Cheong-ryu smiled gracefully.

 

[What’s going on? Is there anything else? It’s almost New Year.]

 

“That’s right. It’s not quite time for New Year’s greetings yet though.”

 

[Haha.]

 

He clearly seemed to have something else to say.

 

I ate my meal peacefully while waiting for Lee Cheong-ryu’s next words.

 

* * *

 

Splash splash.

 

Inside Blue Dragon Seoul Headquarters. The sound of water could be heard from one of dozens of training grounds.

 

“Guild Leader…! W-what is all this?!”

 

Choi Geon, who had rushed inside in a panic, screamed in shock.

 

And for good reason, since the training ground was… literally filled with a deep blue sea.

 

“Shh, keep it down. I’m on a call.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu, lying on a float, pointed to his mobile phone.

 

Bob bob.

 

The float he was lying on seemed to be drifting on a vast ocean.

 

“No, please explain first…!”

 

Choi Geon cried out desperately, but Lee Cheong-ryu just shrugged his shoulders.

 

Well, even without an explanation, I can guess what happened…!

 

Choi Geon held his head in his hands. It seemed Lee Cheong-ryu had created a massive gate on the training ground floor and brought in a sea from somewhere on Earth.

 

“Oh, there’s a shark over there. Be careful—.”

 

“Aaahhh!”

 

Shark fins were clearly visible in the water.

 

In the end, Choi Geon gave up trying to salvage the situation and fled from the training ground.

 

“Tsk tsk. How can he be so scared? Is he really a former judo athlete?”

 

[…Wouldn’t anyone be startled seeing a shark? No, before that, what did you do this time?]

 

“I wanted to go on a beach vacation but I’m too busy. So I just brought it here. Want to come see?”

 

[No thanks.]

 

Lee Cheong-ryu laughed heartily once again at Eun Hae-dam’s immediate rejection.

 

‘His reactions are so amusing.’

 

Hunters who weren’t from Blue Dragon only found him intimidating.

 

The attitude of treating Lee Cheong-ryu not as a Guild Leader or S-rank Hunter, but just as some peculiar human, was truly interesting.

 

‘…Though this interest is temporary too. Well, anyway—.’

 

[So aside from New Year’s greetings, what did you want to talk about?]

 

Lee Cheong-ryu continued the call with a smile.

 

“I have something I’d like to propose. Hmm, calling it a proposal sounds too formal though. It’s an invitation, an invitation.”

 

[An invitation?]

 

“Blue Dragon is hosting a New Year’s celebration party.”

 

Splash.

 

Lee Cheong-ryu got off the float and jumped into the sea surface. Then he swept back his wet blue hair and adjusted his grip on the mobile phone.

 

“It’s not really that grand actually. It’s an unofficial event. Just Guild Leaders from major domestic guilds and experienced Hunters from their affiliates gathering to casually look back on the year, you know? Sharing updates and such.”

 

[….]

 

“You could think of it like a year-end ball. No boring higher-ups will come and no reporters either. How about it, sounds fun!”

 

He spoke in an excited tone. Eun Hae-dam paused for a moment before asking back.

 

[But I’m not affiliated with any organization. There’s no reason for me to be invited, is there?]

 

“What does the reason matter? The host is inviting you.”

 

[Well….]

 

As Lee Cheong-ryu opened a Gate to send the shark that had approached him back to where it belonged, Eun Hae-dam asked sharply as he always did.

 

[So you’re saying Lee Cheong-ryu is inviting me to a par… I mean feast? Without any purpose or reason whatsoever?]

 

“…Yes!”

 

[Really none at all?]

 

“Hmm.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu scratched his temple. Since they wouldn’t drop their suspicions like this, geez.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————