Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 025
Chapter Title: Hunter
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To treat Hector, whom he hadn't seen in ages, Woojin headed to a nice restaurant. Claire didn't tag along. She must have figured the two men wouldn't be able to chat freely with her at the table.
When Woojin ordered expensive liquor and dishes, Hector nodded in satisfaction.
"It's been a while since I've eaten like a king. You sure you're not overdoing it with the spending?"
"It's fine. I make pretty good money these days."
"Figured as much. You look sharper than before—better clothes, too. And cozying up with that fine young lady... looks like you're living the good life."
The two savored their meal, chatting leisurely. Then Hector asked out of the blue,
"So, how's it feel to have achieved your dream?"
How's it feel...
It should have been the moment to say it felt great. But the words wouldn't come. Woojin scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, like his throat had gone dry, before finally spilling his honest thoughts.
"...I'm not really sure. Sounds spoiled, I know, but lately things just feel... empty."
He'd come this far with one goal: live comfortably inside the barrier walls.
But lately, doubts kept creeping in. Is this really the life I wanted?
I'm in the middle of some late-life wandering, he admitted.
Hector let out a hearty laugh, as if he'd seen it coming.
"Knew it."
"How'd you know?"
"Call it a hunch. I went through the exact same thing when I was young."
Woojin looked up sharply from slicing his meat.
"Got any advice?"
"Nothing to it. Hmm, how to put this... Jin, do you know why I went after that werewolf?"
"Revenge, right?"
It was a story Hector had told him himself after the hunt. His acquaintances in the business had been killed by the werewolf, so he'd come to the Demonic Realm for payback...
"That was a lie."
"...What?"
Woojin couldn't believe his ears. Hector reaffirmed it for him.
"A flat-out lie. Sure, the werewolf did kill a bunch of my friends—that part's true. But that was just a noble excuse. I wasn't hunting it for revenge."
"Then what was the real reason?"
"For myself. That thrill when you face a worthy foe... the rush of the kill... Bounties and fame? Those are just side benefits from chasing that high."
The more infamous the werewolf became, the more Hector's blood boiled. He wanted to hunt that beast and relive the glory days.
But Hector was old and sickly now.
He couldn't tell his worried family and friends he was off on a selfish joyride. So he'd dressed it up as revenge and headed into the Demonic Realm.
"Anyone else hears this, they'll call me a crazy old coot... But you'll get it."
Because you feel that same thirst.
Hector gazed at him, as if asking for agreement. Woojin didn't want to nod along—it felt like admitting he was some battle-hungry maniac.
But he couldn't argue. Lost in thought, Woojin finally nodded.
"Honestly... hunting beasts is fun."
"Right? Don't feel weird about chasing the thrill. It's the most natural thing in the world. Which is why this cozy greenhouse life doesn't suit you."
What if you went back to the Demonic Realm?
Hector suggested it casually while chewing his steak. It caught Woojin off guard.
"I've finally made it to a safe city... Wouldn't going back be a waste?"
"That's the funny part. A guy with your skills, why bother with safe cities? Danger's not even on the menu for you anymore."
"......"
His words kept leaving Woojin speechless today.
As Woojin sat there mute as a clam, Hector grinned and sliced the last of his steak.
"Just ramblings from a doddering old man—take it with a grain of salt. No need to overthink. I'm just tipsy, anyway."
"...No, it's helping me sort things out."
Woojin sipped his wine, mulling over Hector's words like fine after-dinner snacks. It almost felt like they were mentor and student now.
As he pondered, Woojin brought up something else.
"The expedition's starting soon. You know about it?"
"Heard from Bo. Asked if I'd join as an advisor. Turned him down."
"Why'd you pass?"
This expedition could go down in history. Given Hector's nature, Woojin had assumed he'd jump at the advisor role... but surprisingly, he'd declined.
When asked why, Hector let out a soft sigh.
He seemed reluctant to answer. Woojin waited patiently until Hector finally spoke.
"...After lecturing you like some wise old sage earlier, this is embarrassing, but... staring death in the face made me regret neglecting my family. Figured I'd spend my remaining days here. Guess I'm getting old."
"Good call. Time to think about retirement."
If anything, he'd retired too late. Most hung it up when they got old or their body broke down—and Hector fit both bills.
They finished up and stepped outside.
"Thanks for the feast."
"Take care."
Hector headed back to his family. Alone now, Woojin made for the inn. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
...My past life was pretty bland, but it wasn't unhappy.
Looking back... Woojin hadn't minded his factory floor days much.
No trips, no fancy meals, no hobbies for a change of pace. Just the daily grind of clocking in and out.
Past Woojin had wondered how anyone could live so dry a life. He swore not to repeat it this time.
Live a little. That's why he'd come to Yurgis...
...But this isn't the life I want.
There was nothing fun in this city.
Maybe others felt differently... but not him. Realizing that made him understand why his old life hadn't felt miserable.
I was having fun all along.
He'd fought monsters in his dreams every night. He'd always called them nightmares, but not anymore.
With that settled, Woojin quickened his pace. Soon he was back at the inn. He knocked on Claire's door.
"Claire. Mind if I come in?"
"Sure, just a sec..."
She opened up right away. Stepping inside, Woojin cut straight to it.
"I'm leaving this place soon."
"Wha... suddenly? Where to?"
"Joining the expedition."
Back to the Demonic Realm.
Claire blinked in shock at the abrupt news. But she pulled herself together quick—she'd seen Woojin chafe at city life plenty of times.
"Okay. Watching the expedition up close could be fun. When do we head out?"
"Can't take you."
"...Huh?"
Claire stared at him, expression full of disbelief. Woojin chuckled and added,
"You said your dream's getting into the Magic Tower."
He set down a small travel bag. It thudded heavily on the floor, brimming with gleaming gold coins inside.
"A hundred gold pieces. Should be enough to get you in, right?"
"Jin, I can't take this much money!"
Claire's voice rose in alarm. But Woojin was set.
"Claire, I earned this in a month. You saw it firsthand. It's not that big a deal—don't sweat it."
"Still, this is too much... I can just keep living like this, so take it back."
"I'm not okay with that. Don't make me repeat myself—just take it. Otherwise, I'll haul it to the casino and lose every coin."
"Go ahead!"
They bickered back and forth.
Mid-argument, Woojin paused. Claire was sniffling more than usual, tears welling in her eyes.
"...Hey, crying's cheating."
"I'm not crying!"
In Woojin's experience, anyone who said that was always crying. This time was no different. Claire turned away, not wanting him to see.
He couldn't miss this rare sight.
"For real? You're sure you're not?"
Teasing her like that, Woojin sidestepped to peek at her face. Claire spun back around.
He followed her spin, stepping lively. She had to keep pivoting in place to face away.
Round and round—
They twirled like dancers until Woojin stopped dead. Habit carried Claire into facing him. He grabbed her before she could turn again.
"What is this, some lovers' spat?"
"...Heh, hehehe."
Claire burst out laughing too. She must have realized how ridiculous they looked.
She'd gotten too emotional, he'd sprung it too suddenly. Both at fault, they made up and resumed talking, this time at a leisurely pace. Time was the one thing in abundance in this dull city, after all.
Woojin prepared to step beyond the walls. He donned his beast-hide coat and shouldered his heavy pack.
Claire came to see him off, eyes puffy from crying.
"...Jin."
She called softly.
He turned, and she spread her arms wordlessly. Reading her intent, Woojin stepped close for a tight hug.
"Once the expedition stabilizes, I'll visit the Magic Tower."
"Be careful out there."
They whispered it in each other's ears. Then they stepped back together.
Claire forced a smile and waved. Woojin waved back while backing away, then turned when the distance felt right.
Partings always left a lingering ache. But this wasn't goodbye forever, so it didn't hurt.
...The Demonic Realm held those bonds too.
He headed into the deep woods.
After about ten minutes, something familiar caught his eye: a tree clawed with wolf marks.
Just days ago, he wouldn't have known what it meant. Now he did.
Wheeee—
Woojin whistled.
From the shadowy woods, something charged toward him—a red-furred wolf, of course. Rex.
"Figured I'd come back to the Demonic Realm?"
Rex nodded eagerly.
Last time, those claw marks were Rex's way of saying he'd stick around nearby.
The wolf had seen through Woojin's inability to settle in the city long ago.
And Rex wasn't alone. Hector, Claire... everyone around him had quietly expected this.
I was the only one clueless.
The bluebird wasn't far away, they'd said. What a long detour to return to the start.
Woojin turned toward the Demonic Realm.
Storm clouds on the horizon. Deep shadows. Cawing crows. The farther from the walls, the blacker the grass grew. He drew a deep breath of that musty, moldy air...
It felt like coming home.
"...Let's go."
Beast Hunter Kim Woojin set off for the Demonic Realm.