The Magical Hunter Girl Decorates the Dungeon! - Chapter 33
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Magical Hunter Girl Decorates Dungeons! Episode 033
‘Grimoire?’
Iji hurried to a spot where few people lingered. The boy vanished from her sight in an instant.
When she opened her bag, Grimoire emerged as though jolting awake from a nightmare, gasping for breath.
[W-where is this? Are you alright?]
“I’m fine! This is some kind of center at the Hunter Association.”
[……Ah, the Hunter Association.]
Grimoire exhaled heavily.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to fear anything in particular.
But unfortunately—his frown deepened terribly. More than during his argument with Jin Siheon.
‘He’s really upset.’
“Are you alright?”
[Nothing to worry about. I was merely startled when I sensed the energy of my own kind while resting.]
“Your own kind?”
[Other Grimoires. The Hunter Association headquarters would naturally have strong Hunters, and some of them surely have contracts with other Grimoires like myself.]
Iji’s mouth fell open.
Grimoire wasn’t alone—he was part of a whole species of flying books!
“So your friend—”
[Absolutely not a friend!]
“…….”
[We are typically rivals. Don’t use such soft words as ‘friend’! ……Blast it. I’ve stooped to the level of that wretched fool.]
‘My teacher always said people only fight others of similar standing.’
[In any case, it appears a strong Hunter merely passed by by chance. Don’t worry. Among Grimoires, the principle is non-interference. They likely won’t acknowledge us either if they can help it.]
“Then…….”
But what about Hunters acknowledging each other?
Before she could even ask that.
Her sister returned.
“Iji, are you here? Why are you hiding?”
“Oh, just like that.”
“Your results came back.”
Hyunji waved the Psychological Evaluation results.
“It says your mind is in good shape.”
“See? I told you I was fine!”
Iji puffed out her chest proudly, and Hyunji hugged her tightly, ruffling her hair.
“Thank goodness. But if you ever want more counseling, just say so.”
“I don’t need it!”
But what about Junseo?
Before she could finish the thought, Junseo came running, waving his results like a flag.
“Iji, are you okay? I’m completely okay! If you’re not okay, I’m coming back!”
“I’m fine.”
“Really, truly, extremely fine?”
“Yeah. But why are you alone? ……Oh.”
Junseo’s Father arrived next, moving slowly despite his hurried posture.
It was unavoidable—at his size, running would have caused a human-to-human traffic collision.
While Hyunji and Junseo’s Father awkwardly exchanged introductions, waiting with even more awkward posture for Junseo and Iji’s conversation to end.
A woman holding a large camera approached the adults and greeted them cheerfully.
“Hello! I’m with the Hunter Association Publicity Department. We’re taking commemorative photos for those who’ve completed counseling.”
“Ah, yes.”
“For those who consent to having their photo published in the Hunter Association magazine, we offer small commemorative gifts. Would you be interested?”
“…….”
Both adults reflexively made faces as if pondering how to translate ‘this is a hassle’ into socially acceptable language, then turned to look at the prospective subjects.
Junseo’s Father asked.
“Junseo, do you want to?”
“……If Iji does.”
Junseo’s gaze rolled sideways, and responsibility now fell to Iji.
Iji asked the staff member, carrying the weight of this solemn duty.
“What sort of precious gift?”
“Well, a Stationery Set made by the Hunter Association and four Hotel Buffet Family Meal Vouchers each.”
Family meals were indeed precious.
While Iji considered briefly.
Someone approached.
“Haha! One crucial gift has been forgotten. The chance to take a commemorative photo with me!”
It was a flashy man in a silver suit, his hair carefully styled.
He swept his hair back and spoke.
“How do you do? I’m Hunter Eun Yuri, assisting with the Association’s public activities. You may well have seen me before.”
The two adults swallowed the reply ‘We haven’t.’
Iji recalled a post she’d seen on a Hunter community forum.
Title: Who is Eun Yuri from the Association’s public service ad?
Post: Ugh… that annoyingly handsome eel guy
[Comments]
-Explain what an eel is
-He’s the publicity lead this year
-↑Why do you even know that
[OP] He’s definitely a Hunter?
-Yeah for real eels have no limbs
-If he’s publicity, the Association would’ve done serious background checks right? He’s probably just a normal Hunter, maybe he’s an eel but still
‘The post said he wasn’t a bad person.’
Though he did seem to enjoy his own reputation a little too much.
And most importantly…….
‘I’ve never met a real Hunter who wasn’t a con artist!’
Iji’s eyes sparkled.
‘Specifically, a Hunter who isn’t a con artist and actually moves around in human form!’
Perhaps Grimoire had sensed this Hunter’s presence.
Curiosity stirred within her.
“I want to take the photo.”
“Haha! I knew a little lady like you would say that. So, what about the young gentleman over there?”
Junseo grimaced at being called “young gentleman,” but the answer was already decided.
“I-I’ll do it.”
“Wise choice! Then shall we go? There’s a lovely garden inside…….”
* * *
Hunter Association Headquarters Top Floor, Operating Committee Conference Room.
Ten committee members sat around a long table finished in ebony.
Their ages and genders varied, but they shared one trait.
All were among the top 1% of the Hunter world—formidable powers.
The middle-aged man in formal wear seated at the head turned pages in his hands and spoke.
“We’ll close on the fourth agenda item here.”
Conducting meetings with paper was analog, but it guaranteed security. The documents would be shredded after the meeting ended.
As everyone turned their pages.
A woman in her twenties dressed in punk style, seated at the far end of the table, spoke while gazing out the window.
“Uh? Everyone, everyone. Check out what’s outside.”
Her tone lacked any formality—it suited an internet café far more than an Association conference room.
The Vice Chairman at the head, middle-aged, furrowed his brow and spoke.
“……That’s the third time you’ve caused a disruption during this meeting. Sit down. Hunter Haecho.”
The Hunter called Haecho began her broadcast regardless.
“An elementary school boy and girl are sitting in the garden. I saw the publicity team with cameras, so it’s a publicity op.”
The Vice Chairman countered with unwavering solemnity.
He bore the duty of leading an important meeting of the Association’s most vital group.
“It’s no concern of ours.”
“The boy looks like lower grade, the girl upper grade. They’re sitting close and acting friendly—definitely not siblings. Relatives maybe?”
“With that age gap, they’d actually fight less……Sit down! Live up to your title as a committee member!”
“Tch.”
Haecho returned to her seat.
Meanwhile, several Hunters flinched like dogs hearing “Look, a squirrel!”
‘Lower concentration than elementary schoolers!’
Lamenting the reality of an Association where such immature fools bore the title of committee member.
The Vice Chairman gritted his teeth again and regained control of the meeting.
Fortunately, the fifth agenda item was something the members would find engaging.
“Fifth agenda: How do we replace Jin Siheon?”
Jin Siheon.
The sole S-rank Hunter who processed high-risk Dungeons—so-called Unconquested Hazardous Dungeons—without counting costs.
One member asked.
“Must we necessarily find a replacement?”
“Someone has to clear those Unconquested Hazardous Dungeons, don’t they?”
“You weren’t just using Jin Siheon to clear them, though. Be honest.”
“…….”
That was true.
Jin Siheon was the first Hunter to ascend from E-rank to S-rank.
And he was meant to remain a Hunter whose ascension would be kept secret, ending with his final case.
Jin Siheon had promised not to reveal his secret, but…….
The Vice Chairman, noticing Jin Siheon’s self-destructive tendencies, had deliberately introduced him to dangerous Dungeons.
Death was the ultimate seal of silence.
The Vice Chairman broached the subject evasively—something everyone here knew, and Jin Siheon himself knew as well.
“Strange thing to say. What other purpose could there be…….”
“Uh, lies.”
Starting with Haecho’s juvenile jeering, several Hunters tired from the long meeting began spouting crude remarks.
The middle-aged Hunters merely stretched in the meantime, leaving the Vice Chairman to face the rudeness alone.
“You were hoping for his death! Why not fight him one-on-one, or fairly pay the cost and hire an assassin instead!”
“Do you even know what fairness means? And that bastard chose to tackle those Unconquested Hazardous Dungeons himself!”
“By the way—does the Awakening Rank-Up Case really need to stay hidden?”
“Of course it does! If it becomes known how Jin Siheon managed to rank up, the world will be flooded with human experiments chasing lottery odds and deliberate Dungeon breaks! Korea will collapse!”
“That actually sounds pretty fun. Like in the movies—campfire on a four-lane highway, trading hoarded cigarettes and canned food.”
“If that sounds fun to you, go to a deserted island! I’ll buy your ticket. Go light a fire and play by yourself!”
Today, too, the Vice Chairman had to suppress his urge to resign.
‘Hold on. Without me, the Association is finished!’
The central organization of the Hunter Association was fundamentally a mess.
It couldn’t be helped.
A dozen years ago, when Dungeons and Awakened Ones first appeared.
At the government’s request, several well-intentioned Hunters had established the Hunter Association, but recruiting Hunters proved difficult.
Some Awakened Ones wanted to run rampant in the era before relevant laws existed.
To suppress them, the Association first needed to recruit ‘strong Hunters’ to the Operating Committee.
So they gathered powerful individuals with a ‘as long as they’ll listen’ mentality, and…….
Ten years later.
The chaos of the Republic of Korea had settled—but the Hunter Association retained that old atmosphere, maintaining the proud tradition of disorder.
‘Will the Association ever become something resembling itself before I retire?’
Unlikely.
His stomach ached.
The Vice Chairman deployed his ultimate technique to focus them.
“Ahem! Unless you want cup ramen from the Association cafeteria and a meeting lasting until nightfall, focus!”
Everyone straightened in their seats.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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