Unwanted Attention!

Neo Seoul. Fifty years ago, built farther north from the Seoul that perished in the Layer Wars. Originally a forward base meant for reclaiming Seoul, it had naturally evolved into a separate hub over time. Meanwhile, Seoul itself was fully sealed off, designated a no-entry zone—and even ranked among the world's Seven Forbidden Zones.

Fifty years back, it was North Korea. Now, it was the tense remnants of old Seoul. People soaked in peace tended to forget, but Neo Seoul itself wasn't exactly safe either.

Atop one such crumbling building in the old Seoul ruins, Ryu Seram sat with her feet hooked over the railing, slurping a cup of instant ramen.

Slurp.

Having a fire awakener on the team made things convenient. The options for instant meals really opened up.

"Mmm, tasty."

She polished off the broth too, then chucked the empty cup down from the rooftop. Who cared? The whole collapsed Seoul was basically one giant trash bin anyway. Hopefully it'd bonk some passing monster on the head.

Ryu Seram's reason for being here was a commission from Black Line Risk.

Spring outbreak season. Come May, monsters ramped up breeding and territorial fights. Hunter death notices spiked, but so did the big paydays for those who cashed in. This spring outbreak, though, was different.

Explosive monster growth starting from April. The bizarre ecology had the hunter industry and government on high alert. The media was muzzled, so it didn't leak, but southern Neo Seoul's entrance had been breached once, letting some monsters slip in. Sure, the on-duty soldiers' lax response played a part.

Anyway, things were off.

"Hey, got another ramen?"

"Udon or spicy noodles?"

"That's all? No udon."

"Spicy noodles then?"

"Shinhwa Tigers are the ad models. Pass."

"……."

"Why don't we get ads like that? I'd eat it every day."

'Every day 'cause you're trash at it.'

Whatever. Last place was always Daeheung Bear Force anyway—a meme even non-baseball fans knew.

Ryu Seram eventually picked udon, poured hot water, and stared blankly at Seoul again.

"Hard to believe people used to live here."

Most buildings were rubble, but some still held their shape here and there. A few Han River bridges hung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on too. Just that now monsters roamed instead of people.

While waiting for the udon, grumbles from her teammates behind her. Five days in already. Time to head home.

"When the hell we leaving?"

"New named-grade out there, right?"

"That's what they say."

Their mission: investigation. Monsters' den, Seoul. The quiet ones were suddenly venturing out. Hunter Association and government figured one specific monster was hogging too much territory.

Hence the Black Line Risk commission: scout the new named-grade monster inside Seoul. Not exterminate—just find.

Tsss! Static!

Then, comms crackled through her earpiece.

Cheol-ah-don: named-grade monster the size of a small truck. A bipedal wild boar.

"Ignore it. We're not here for that. Stay low."

Casual reply as she checked her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠udon. Then a hunter sidled up next to her.

"Sunbae, this for real?"

"Huh?"

He shoved his hunter community app at her. Random screen, but the title grabbed her eyes.

"Meracle's—"

Kim Juseon? Yeah, heard they were doing some event.

"……."

Typical tall tale. The 111th golden class was mythic among hunters. Two Korean Chilgeuk from one batch? Obvious hype.

"For real? Thought you were top dog, sunbae."

"With Ye-na there?"

"C'mon, you'd still win head-on. Good matchup too."

"Winning fights doesn't make you top."

"True, but—"

"Sigh."

Kim Juseon, you're in for it now.

Tsking, her eyes caught the last line.

'Company bans side gigs.'

But leverage Chilgeuk status? Recontract season soon—could slip in side hustle clauses. Already floated gym partnership last time. Worth considering seriously.

'Ye-na'd struggle, but I could swing it.'

Helping out a bit wouldn't hurt—

Crackle!

"Ah, phone!"

Junior's phone went dead. Net and comms cut—B Team link severed.

Udon abandoned, Ryu Seram shot up, scanning the sky.

Caaaaw! Caaaaw!

Nearby rooftop. Container-sized crow belting a long, creepy screech. Antenna jammed in its head jammed all nearby signals. Electromagnetic Bird—aka Signal Tower Crow.

Famous Neo Seoul named-grade.

"Grabbing that bastard today."

One she'd let slip away too many times the past few years.

Goryeo Gym.

Love Is Real Combat Too

Day two. Today's instructor: Azure Wind Martial Lord Paeng Sorin.

Me and Renea arrived early like yesterday, prepping the event.

"Boss, more water?"

"They chugged it yesterday. Stock up—use for next time."

"Got it! This lady'll grab snacks too?"

"Wait—! Company card—!"

Renea was already gone, card in hand. Hope her joints hold up.

"Sigh."

Resuming work, a gray tracksuit middle-aged guy with unkempt stubble sidled up. Gym owner.

"Ahem, boss. Buzz is great."

"Oh? Yeah?"

"Yep. Checked online—tons of talk. Inquiries pouring into the gym."

"Nice. Glad it's working."

Feeling proud, he slyly offered a smoke.

"Cig?"

"Thanks, but students incoming. Don't want the smell."

"Ah, thorough as expected."

Expected?

Staring, his lips twitched up.

"That 111th thing real?"

"Yeah... pretty much."

No point denying the leak. He whistled long and impressed.

"Kyah! Knew it! Looked the part first sight. Why quit hunting—?"

I let his ramble wash over one ear and out the other. Do next event here, drinks sometime, close with Ryu Seram? Blah blah. He wandered off for a smoke.

Back to work—till my phone buzzed obliviously.

Bzzz! Bzzz!

Try buying me off? Meracle's boss ain't for five mil.

'Bid higher.'

Bit of regret, back to work—then footsteps entering the gym. I turned.

"Young Master Juseon, early as ever. Diligent and industrious."

Paeng Sorin, like Namgoong Haryeong yesterday, wore our gear: sky-blue tracksuit top and leggings. Unlike Haryeong, fully covered—no skin showing.

Haryeong started that way too. Then stripped down.

'...Don't wanna see what's under there.'

Old maids scheming together—same play. Stay covered, please.

"Heard from Haryeong yesterday? Vibe's good."

"Yes, Young Master. That wench Haryeong's obsessed with her... germoo? Kemo? Whatever that is. Staring nonstop."

"Why?"

"Says she's pretty, sexy. Gushing over comments—"

"……."

Namgoong side net-addicts? Made sense—Namgoong Yeon crushing on Jessica the fake AI.

"More importantly, Young Master."

Paeng Sorin stepped close. I leaned back.

"Yes?"

"I read the posts too. You're quite the figure—?"

"Nothing next to Azure Wind Lord or Emotionless Sword Fairy."

"Is that so."

Her piercing gaze yanked yesterday's Haryeong flashback. I rushed on.

"One no-show today? Called away urgently. Empty seat for a partner."

"Ah, fortunate indeed."

Tone said zero interest. Awkward, I added,

"You know I keep work and personal separate? Haha…."

"Drinking alone from the bowl. I know, Young Master. Think I'd take interest?"

"Embarrassing, but relieved."

Her solo fantasy aside, safe. Martial old maids unpredictable.

"More importantly, Young Master."

Trying to work, she called again. Beside me, warm voice stroking my back with a smile.

"Call me noona once?"

"……."

"Or nuna's fine too."

No interest, my ass.