A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 41
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41: Commission (4)
Though I had complained about this shabby accommodation, the Association President deliberately pretended not to notice.
When she tried to avoid looking at the peeling wallpaper and move on, I blocked her path.
“Are the Association’s circumstances really that bad?”
[…There are difficulties with budget allocation.]
The Association President held her forehead with a troubled expression.
“Is what I need to bring tomorrow necessary because of such circumstances?”
[Do you want detailed information about the item?]
“Yes. I suppose so. Anything is fine.”
Yeo Jung-eun strangely avoided answering the question. Well, I didn’t particularly want to know the detailed inside story either.
What I wanted to obtain was information about the item. That was all.
Yeo Jung-eun seemed to hesitate for a moment, then opened her mouth.
[Alright. You can’t find something without knowing anything about it. I’ll tell you the additional information I’ve obtained through my prophecies so far.]
“….”
[First….]
The Association President extended one hand and created a round sphere in front of her face. The sphere sparkled with mysterious light like a crystal orb.
[It appears to be in the shape of a plant.]
Various forms of grass appeared and disappeared within the sphere. It looked like a tree at times, and like leaves at others.
Occasionally a flower resembling a rose would appear, then transform into a sunflower. All these plants were a deep blue color.
Soon, crack. The glass-like sphere developed fissures and shattered.
[Something is guarding it.]
“…What kind?”
[That’s hard to….]
Yeo Jung-eun frowned as if trying to confirm something more, but nothing else could be seen from the broken sphere.
She clenched her wrinkled hands tightly, then bit her lip slightly. Afterward, she seemed to mutter something, but it wasn’t audible.
[…Anyway. That’s all I can tell you.]
“It’s better than before.”
[And, um. Since we attached Eun Hae-dam to you with a flimsy excuse, Blue Dragon might suspect the Association has other ulterior motives. Especially Lee Cheong-ryu… he’ll definitely notice something.]
“….”
[Being suspected is unavoidable. But please don’t let them discover that purpose.]
“I’ll have to see once I get inside, but I’ll try my best.”
[I’ll be counting on you.]
Yeo Jung-eun gave a faint smile. This is somewhat burdensome. I only nodded without giving an answer.
Before long, the communication device turned off and Yeo Jung-eun disappeared.
“A plant….”
I mulled over the explanation she had given. It was better than knowing nothing, but it was still an ambiguous hint beyond measure.
“Right, I’ll know when I go there.”
There was no point worrying about it now. I soon drew the room’s curtains with a swoosh.
The sun was gradually setting through the gaps in the curtains.
* * *
Knock knock.
The sound of someone knocking on the door could be heard.
At that sound, Association President Yeo Jung-eun.
“Come in.”
…quietly said those words. Shortly after her permission was given, the bronze-colored door opened.
From beyond that door, an Association staff member with short hair wearing a black formal suit entered.
“Association President. Outside….”
“Who came?”
“It’s the small-medium guild that was assigned the commission last time. About the Incheon sudden Gate incident.”
The Association staff member explained with a troubled expression. Deep worry could be glimpsed on Yeo Jung-eun’s face as she listened to this story.
‘Again today….’
Insufficient manpower and budget. Even knowing this was the only method that could fill that gap.
“…Tell them I’ll contact them soon, so please wait a moment.”
“They say they absolutely must see you today…. They need a prophecy about tomorrow’s conquest strategy.”
“Don’t they have any patience?”
Ah, my voice is getting louder.
When the staff member flinched, Yeo Jung-eun raised her hand to indicate it was her fault. Then she spoke dryly in a much lower voice.
“…Tell them to come in for now.”
“Yes.”
The staff member nodded slightly and left the Association President’s office. Yeo Jung-eun waited for a brief moment of silence while recalling the communication from earlier.
‘Will he be able to pull it off?’
He was certainly a Hunter she had taken notice of, but he was a newcomer who had awakened as a temporary B-rank not long ago. Rationally, she knew she shouldn’t have high expectations. But….
“Haah—.”
She sighed and leaned back against her chair.
Today especially, the Association uniform that was buttoned up to her neck felt suffocatingly tight.
It’s an endless war of attrition.
She was doing her best to support the Association, but the political circles’ indifference was wearing her down.
A first-generation S-rank Hunter who had come of age. Even someone who could be called a national hero without shame.
Yeo Jung-eun was the political circles’ number one target of vigilance. Because she might threaten their positions someday.
So they kept her seated in this position and continuously pressed down on her.
The result was an incompetent, powerless Association.
Yeo Jung-eun sighed.
‘Just how long…’
Must she support this place alone.
Just how long.
* * *
The call came faster than expected. Quite severely so. I received Kang Hyun-cheol’s call as soon as it hit 5 AM.
It was fortunate that living with Grandfather had given me the habit of waking up early, otherwise I might have missed the Gate due to oversleeping.
I yawned and roughly put on my combat suit before heading outside.
“Nice…”
The call location was the seaside. It was a place where Busan’s ocean stretched out wide.
Of course, barricades were set up due to the Gate so no one except authorized personnel could approach.
‘Refreshing.’
Whoooosh—
The distinctive dawn air touched my cheeks. It was the sea I couldn’t even remember when I’d last visited. What a good feeling.
Of course, the Gate open in the middle of that seaside wasn’t pleasant to look at at all.
A bright blue hellgate wavered with its maw wide open.
“Ah, Hunter. You’ve arrived?”
“Yes. You’re also here early for work, Mr. Kang Hyun-cheol.”
“That’s right…”
Kang Hyun-cheol somehow looked tired. The reality of office workers, I suppose.
“Is the Gate measurement finished?”
“Yes. It was completed early during the night, they said. The grade is…”
“…”
“It came out as A-rank.”
I barely held back from asking “A-rank?” for a moment. I thought so. Looking at the size, I figured the grade wouldn’t be low.
I sighed deeply inside.
‘Damn. Let’s take deep breaths, deep breaths…’
This is my first A-rank. But it’s also a gateway I’ll have to pass through someday.
I thought about the completion rate that higher Gates would produce and the mana stats that would rise.
“What about Blue Dragon?”
“I received word that they’re gathering. They’ll probably be here soon… Ah, there they come.”
Kang Hyun-cheol looked somewhere. I followed his gaze.
A group of people was heading this way from there.
“Ooh. You came early!”
At the head of that group was, as always, a man of towering height. It was Lee Cheong-ryu.
He waved his hand widely as he greeted me.
“Wow, I thought I came pretty fast myself.”
Lee Cheong-ryu didn’t look tired at all despite it being dawn. Rather, he had a smiling face.
However, the Hunters standing behind him seemed to be in a somewhat different situation.
“Ugh… So sleepy…”
“How can you call people at this hour? Huh?”
“Those Measurement Department bastards have no business ethics…”
“I just want to lay down a blanket in the Dungeon and sleep.”
“…”
Kim Se-min also walked at the very end of the group.
Her staff dragged along and her black dress hem drooped. Her face couldn’t even keep her eyes open.
“Everyone’s so weak. Should I increase the training amount a bit more.”
Lee Cheong-ryu muttered quietly while looking at that sight. Then the Hunters quickly came to their senses.
“Please, anything but that.”
“No? I’m perfectly fine though?”
“I want to raid quickly!”
“I’m not sleepy at all!”
Only then did Lee Cheong-ryu have a satisfied expression.
Amidst that chaotic scene, one of the Blue Dragon Guild members stepped forward. It was a female Hunter with dark brown hair tied back.
“Hmm. I do think they’re being overly dramatic.”
“Right? I knew you’d have the same opinion as me.”
Lee Cheong-ryu clapped his hands together and agreed happily. That Hunter crossed her arms and swept the other Guild Members with a sharp look.
“Ho, Ho-jung senior. No, but still.”
“It’s 6 AM. 6 AM. Our muscles aren’t even warmed up yet. Isn’t this unreasonable from the Association side?”
No, in front of Association people, really. I was about to frown slightly, but the Hunter called Ho-jung was faster.
Smack. She immediately struck the back of the person who made that remark.
“Ow, that hurts!”
“Let’s speak properly. It’s not the Association’s fault.”
“….”
“It’s our Guild Leader’s fault, you know?”
That Hunter glared at Lee Cheong-ryu. What? I thought they got along well?
Soon after, she turned around and walked briskly toward me. She even suddenly offered a handshake.
“Hello. I’m Yeon Ho-jung.”
I awkwardly took her hand. It was an arm without muscles, probably a magic-type, but somehow it seemed like it would hurt if she hit you….
“I’m a B-rank Hunter from Blue Dragon Guild. You’re the Association Hunter who’s joining us this time, right?”
“Yes. I’m Eun Hae-dam. Please take care of me.”
“Sorry. That crazy person… I mean, our Guild Leader is a bit crazy about raids. He moved up the assembly time because he wanted to enter the dungeon quickly.”
“Excuse me?”
Lee Cheong-ryu avoided Yeon Ho-jung’s glaring eyes.
…Ah. So that’s what happened.
It seemed Lee Cheong-ryu couldn’t contain his impatience and pressured the Association’s Measurement Department Staff. That’s probably why Kang Hyun-cheol also looked so haggard.
‘Are all S-ranks a bit strange somewhere?’
I seriously pondered this.
“Ahaha. Work is good when you start early and finish early, right? Let’s all think positively.”
“Only you would think that, Guild Leader.”
“Boo. Guarantee Hunter rights! Down with the tyrannical Guild Leader!”
If Choi Yu-il had done that, he would have gotten hit by Sister Yu-kyung. What impressive guts.
“It’s time to go in now.”
Kang Hyun-cheol stepped forward. He glanced at the watch on his wrist and spoke as if organizing the atmosphere.
“Aren’t you coming with us, Mr. Kang Hyun-cheol?”
I asked, seeing him without combat suit or equipment despite being Association staff.
Then Kang Hyun-cheol made a troubled expression and hesitated.
“Well….”
“…Staff shortage?”
Nod.
“Unfortunately, we have a mountain of other things to handle besides this. We’re truly, truly sorry.”
So that meant I alone, not even an Association member, had to enter the dungeon with Blue Dragon.
Under the pretext of Association surveillance of a Danger Dungeon no less….
‘Just advertise that there’s a completely different purpose, advertise it!’
While I was racking my brains like that, Lee Cheong-ryu looked at Blue Dragon and clapped his hands together.
“Alright! Everyone do a final equipment check.”
He stood at the front of the Hunters like a knight leading a knightly order. Then the Guild Members, while complaining, each checked their combat suits and equipment.
Swoosh—
The sound of dawn waves could be heard. The relaxed atmosphere from just before gradually washed away with each wave.
“Blue Dragon, form ranks and align.”
With Yeon Ho-jung as the reference point, the Hunters took a couple of steps and aligned in two rows. It was a disciplined movement.
Lee Cheong-ryu spoke in a firm voice.
“As always, I’ll say just one thing. The most important thing in a raid.”
“….”
“If you think you’re going to die?”
A resounding voice burst from the Hunters.
“Charge anyway!”
Lee Cheong-ryu nodded with satisfaction. He smiled once, then turned around and looked up at the bright blue Gate.
Blue Dragon’s Guild Members didn’t hesitate and stepped toward that door.
Above the dawn sea.
It was a march that seemed like both navy and pirates.
I crossed the sandy beach while fingering the handle of my Spirit General Sword.
Once again, a raid was about to begin.
‘May no lives be lost.’
* * *
Swoosh—
The sound of waves echoes across the beach.
Kang Hyun-cheol quietly watched the Gate that had swallowed the Hunters. Then he took out his mobile phone from inside his formal suit and called somewhere.
“This is Kang Hyun-cheol.”
He didn’t take his eyes off the Gate.
“Yes. We just entered.”
[….]
“…Yes. I’ll proceed as you instructed.”
Splash.
A wave rolled up to Kang Hyun-cheol’s feet before quickly receding.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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