Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Sales!
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The steady clop of horse hooves pulling the carriage rang out rhythmically.
As they passed through a forest where bamboo shoots sprouted in vibrant clusters, the hunter sitting beside him struck up a casual conversation.
"Um... Mr. Juseon?"
"Yes?"
"Have you ever done any bodyguard work?"
"No."
Of course not.
Hearing that, the others nodded as if to say, Yeah, figured as much.
One might expect Supervisor Gang Baram to scold them for chit-chat on the job, but surprisingly, he didn't intervene.
"...So, what's your relationship with Team Leader Ryu Seram?"
"Me? We were classmates at the Hunter Training Academy."
At those words, everyone—including Supervisor Gang Baram—widened their eyes in surprise.
"Class 111?"
"The Golden Generation? D-Does that mean you hung out with Hunter Yu Ye-na too?"
"Well, yeah."
They seemed full of questions.
Most people reacted the same way when they heard he'd trained alongside two of Korea's Seven Apex Hunters.
"So, are you a hunter now too, Mr. Juseon? Working freelance?"
"No, I'm in business."
Perfect timing.
He pulled out his business card right away.
Innumerable worlds, we'll find your miracle.
Hunter Specialized Marriage Agency, Meracle.
"This is what I do. I specialize in matching hunters."
"Oh..."
"What's that—"
"Hunters often miss their chance at marriage with all the work. Give me a call if you're interested."
Their faces twisted.
It was the look of someone who'd thought he was a legend's associate, only to hear he had a nice face.
But this was the real world.
Embarrassed?
Face turning red?
Screw that—right now, his employee back at the office was headbutting the desk waiting for him.
"Ahem."
"No thanks."
"I have a boyfriend."
They handed the cards back.
Disappointing, but at least he'd made an impression.
The mood even turned frosty.
"Yeah, makes sense."
"If he'd made it big, we'd know his name."
"Tch..."
He could call himself a senior from the Hunter Training Academy, but it was meaningless.
In their eyes, he probably looked just like one of the countless nobodies who'd washed out.
Those who'd joined Blackline Risk had been top of their class at the academy.
Simply put, to them, he was the future of those pathetic losers who'd ended up as floor mats.
And anyway, he'd be gone after this job.
Chiik!
Just then, Ryu Seram's voice crackled over the radio on Supervisor Gang Baram's chest.
- The VIP wants to stop at a rest area. Ten minutes out—secure the route ahead.
"Message received."
Moments later, they arrived at the rest stop.
Beta Team disembarked and immediately scouted the area.
For the record, this wasn't your typical roadside rest area from the 3rd Floor highways.
Think of it as a massive inn.
Just as the 5th Floor had absorbed bits of 3rd Floor culture, the reverse was true too.
This rest stop sat along the main road from the Tower exits and had blown up big time—he'd seen it on TV.
Chiik!
The radio crackled again.
- VIP wants fish cakes and hot green tea ready. Clear personnel for the restroom path too.
"Message received."
Treated like royalty.
"Serim and Deadral, grab the food. Everyone else, hold positions nearby. Kim Juseon, you're with me escorting the VIP to the restroom."
Supervisor Gang Baram's crisp orders.
'Me?'
He had no idea why he'd been singled out for VIP close protection, but he went along with it.
Soon, two carriages pulled up.
Ryu Seram and the VIP Owl emerged from the lead one, while Alpha Team piled out of the rear and kept watch on the carriages.
True to his name, Owl was an owl beastkin. His round eyes looked innocent, with ear tufts sticking up like little horns on either side of his head.
He wore a hat and glasses to hide his identity, his body shrouded in a coat.
He was handsome, too.
And a good guy.
He'd even held a press conference taking responsibility for his own injury, not blaming Wolfguard Tactical Solutions.
Of course, people said Owl was just too nice and covering for them.
Wolfguard got even more flak for it.
'My stocks...'
He felt depressed again, but what could he do?
After escorting him to the restroom, Owl bowed slightly to him and Supervisor Gang Baram.
"Tha-thank you ve-very mu-much."
"...!"
His throat was damaged, he'd heard.
But this voice grated like rusted metal being scraped.
Suddenly, he recalled Kim Yang and Reneah dancing to Owl's carol.
'And this is how wrecked that voice got?'
Wolfguard, you bastards.
Shouldn't you protect your clients better?
How much smoke did he inhale to end up like that?
'Owl beastkin have super sensitive throats—guess the smoke alone did this much damage.'
As Owl entered the restroom, Supervisor Gang Baram sidled up to him.
"Ahem, Team Member Kim Juseon. You said you do business on the side?"
"...Yes."
The guy had overheard everything in the cramped carriage, now pretending otherwise.
So that's why he'd pulled him aside for restroom duty.
Without a word, he handed over his card. Supervisor Gang Baram took it with an awkward cough.
"Ahem! Er-hem!"
"...A Blackline Risk supervisor could easily hit B-Rank baseline, as long as there's no debt."
"Ahem! Well, there is some debt—but it's a mortgage for the apartment."
"In your name?"
"Yep."
Damn, enviable.
"From salary to monthly interest payments, we'll crunch the numbers, but you should qualify."
Mortgages for owner-occupied apartments weren't treated as pure debt.
"S-So, any decent ladies available?"
"Plenty."
"Maybe some photos—"
Blunt, huh.
Supervisor with no girlfriend and getting desperate?
Problem was, he didn't carry client photos.
"Ah!"
A photo popped into mind.
The selfie Reneah had snapped while comparing her phone quality to his.
"How about this one?"
He showed the pic of Reneah winking. Supervisor Gang Baram's shoulders twitched.
"E-Elf? These kinds come to marriage agencies?"
"Sure do. Elves look young for their age, but she's still gorgeous, right? Could pass for her twenties."
"Ahem."
He skipped the actual age part—could change his mind.
Was it because of Owl's utterly ruined voice?
Looking at his schedule, he felt pity in all sorts of ways.
Mostly spots for mental and physical recovery, places to soothe the soul, or scenic tourist sites.
His route screamed a desire to escape harsh reality.
After finishing the day's itinerary, they arrived at Cheonun House, the so-called 5-star hotel of the Old Martial World.
Relatively speaking, of course—not on par with actual 3rd Floor luxury hotels.
Built by someone from the 3rd Floor referencing Japanese ryokans, it drew tons of 3rd Floor tourists.
"Ah, need a smoke."
Yawning, he leaned against the sliding door behind him.
On night watch, guarding the VIP's room like a sentry.
'This much effort?'
He got that the guy was a famous singer, but did he need round-the-clock protection?
"Yawn."
Mid-yawn, thunder rumbled outside.
No rain, not even a breeze, yet thunder kept crashing one after another.
"Should've just said I was absolutely unavailable. Feels like I've been made."
But 6 million won for three days was too much to pass up.
Even if the Azure Dragon was impressive, could it really track down one small human that fast?
Clunk!
Suddenly, the door behind him slid halfway then jammed. A kick, and it slid smoothly.
Owl smiled sheepishly.
"S-Sor-sorry ab-bout th-that."
"No problem. What is it?"
"The th-therapist! Com-coming now—!"
"Ah, got it. I'll let them in right away."
He'd already gotten word from Ryu Seram.
A famous Old Martial World physician was coming to treat his throat.
"Tha-thanks."
"All part of the job."
"...Rea-really?"
"Pardon?"
Flashing his capitalist smile, Owl asked cautiously.
"I-I he-heard! At the re-restroom! M-Marriage agency!"
Restroom?
Owl beastkin had great hearing, huh.
Apparently overheard by accident.
"Yes, that's right."
Forcing his voice strained it more, his accent squeezing out painfully. It was heartbreaking.
He could've written it down, but Owl insisted on speaking.
"C-Can I-I do it too?"
"Marriage?"
"Ye-yes! Th-that! Pla-planning to re-retire anyway."
"..."
"Th-throat li-like this! Ha-have to re-retire."
"I see."
He kept his expression neutral. Sometimes even shared sorrow could hurt.
"I-I wa-want! To mee-meet some-someone! Wi-without con-connections!"
"No need to worry."
Casually, he pulled out his card.
"I'm Meracle President Kim Juseon. I'll find your miracle across countless worlds, guaranteed."
He'd marry off a 1,901-year-old grandma if needed.
A former singer with a damaged throat?
Piece of cake.
Owl nodded faintly, a dim smile on his face.
"Tha-tha-thanks."
Right on cue, the physician arrived at the hall's end. They entered the room, and he slipped an earbud into one ear from his pocket.
One of the songs he'd saved.
Owl's carol, "A Good Christmas."
"Softly ringing bells between~" "Tonight, may it be our winter alone~" "Forgetting all, seeing only you~" "A beautiful day~"
⟨ A Good Christmas ⟩
The song, sung in that sweet voice, was truly wonderful.
Kim Yang had played it casually while filming shorts, but it had hooked him enough to track it down and download.
Kwaang! Kwaaang!
"..."
Thunder kept pounding into his unplugged ear.
He'd thought it too much to ignore, but now he understood.
'It was covering her footsteps.'
Far off.
At the end of the darkened hallway.
A familiar face rushed toward him with a beaming smile.
"Pre-sident—!"